The cost of Barry’s Porkulus bill: Almost $1 Trillion,

Barry’s current year federal deficit: $1.65 Trillion,

The expression on Barry’s face when The Queen of England gave him a dirty look for screwing up the timing of his toast to her: PRICELESS!!!!!!!!

The only way to adequately describe her look was it was the facial expression of: “Did you just cut a loud, stinky, fart??”

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Party is Over in NYS District 26. As reported last night the Democrat challenger has defeated the incumbent by 48% to 42% even though the GOP/TP and Special Interest groups like the Koch Brothers funneled over $3 Million into the failed campaign of Jane Corwin. The interesting thing is that this was supposed to be a solid GOP/TP win. A month ago nobody gave Ms. Hochul a snow ball in he!! chance of even making this close.

The handwriting was on the wall and just a few days before the election the GOP/TP had their spin misters out trying to down play the sudden movement toward the democrat challenger. From ThinkProgress May 24^th.

http://thinkprogress.org/2011/05/24/fearing-potential-upset-in-ny-26-conservatives-now-insist-election-is-not-a-referendum-on-ryan-plan/

Thanks to House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) plan to end Medicare, the GOP has watched its hold on New York’s 26th district — which has elected only three Democrats since 1857 — whither away. Today is the special election between Democrat Kathy Hochul and Republican Jane Corwin and, according to polls, Hochul has the edge. Desperate to minimize the damage from an unexpected potential upset, Republicans and conservative groups are insisting that the vote is in no way a referendum on Ryan’s budget plan:

– CANTOR: “At a weekly briefing yesterday, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) was asked whether Corwin’s defeat would be a blow against the Ryan Medicare plan. “No. Not at all.” “I know this town loves to take signals from individual races,” he said, but “this is a race about the fact that it’s a three-way race.” He then pointed back to the November 2010 elections as a better indication of how the public feels about the Republican agenda”.

– AMERICAN CROSSROADS: “Last Friday, American Crossroads spokesman Jonathan Collegio blamed Tea Party candidate Jack Davis for unnecessarily complicating election. “The race is competitive because a phony Tea Party candidate is spending millions of dollars purposefully confusing voters in an attempt to split the Republican vote,” he said. “Let’s not be silly and ascribe deep ideological meaning to an atypical three-way House race in upstate New York.”

– CORWIN: “Corwin herself insisted today that the election was not about Ryan’s plan. “A lot of people are saying it is a referendum on the House Republicans, she said. “I think this is more about philosophies. About understanding the conservative philosophy. And how people are looking for fiscal responsibility in Washington.”

The fact is that no matter how hard conservatives spin this, they cannot hide from the fact that this special election is definitively about Ryan’s deeply unpopular plan and the “DRACONIAN” agenda of the GOP/TP any longer. A recent Siena poll indicated that Medicare was the top issue for voters in the district, and Ryan himself raised at least $5,000 for Corwin, stating in an “urgent” email to supporters that Jane Corwin “is one of those people” who backs his goals. His Prosperity Project PAC even re-posted a Washington Post article with the headline: “N.Y. Race is a Referendum on GOP Medicare Plan.”

This is a failure of the Ryan Bill and the GOP/TP agenda; after all, 84 percent of the public oppose his plan with over 70 percent viewing entitlement programs as “very” or “extremely” important to their personal financial security in retirement. Ryan literally wants to take these away from the American people and let them fend for themselves while he gives huge tax cuts to the Millionaires and Billionaires while we get tossed into the streets fighting for table scraps.

When is the GOP/TP going to get it? The American people are not going to vote for any politician that wants to repeal Medicare and/or Medicaid, or Social Security, Period. Yes these programs need to be looked at and the fraud, waste, mismanagement, redundancy and impotent programs need to be weeded out. That is not the same thing as repealing them and giving control of these programs over to the Insurance Companies and Wall Street. That model is nothing more than a “death sentence” to them and the American People. We are not going to stand for it, PERIOD.

Also yesterday it was reported that Chrysler is paying back their loan to the Federal Government 6 years early. And the month before GM stated they are re-opening some plants and adding 4,000 jobs. This looks like the Auto Industry (and all the middle class jobs that were saved – 3 Million of them) is making a strong comeback.

Thank you President Obama.

And a special note to our friends in OK, MS, KS, TX that have been decimated by the recent storms. Our prayers go out to them all and we hope they are safe and support them in any way we can.

The real leader has no need to lead--
he is content to point the way. Henry Miller

Here, There, Everywhere –

Courtesy of The Obama Diary:

AFP: The majority of Israelis believe their prime minister should have supported US President Barack Obama's outline for new peace talks with the Palestinians, according to a poll published Wednesday.

The survey, published in the Maariv newspaper, found 10 percent of Israelis thought Benjamin Netanyahu should have "declared his support for the president's remarks with no reservations."

Another 46.8 percent said the Israeli leader should have expressed support "but with reservations," while 36.7 percent said Netanyahu should have declared his opposition to Obama's principles for the peace process…..

________________________________________________

And then there's Mitt. Who wouldn't dream of supporting President Obama when it comes to international diplomacy. It's not like President Obama was asking support for a war. He was talking about peace. For all concerned. And Mitt was too stupid to hear it.

How wonderful it is that the auto industry has survived, when just about everyone said they wouldn't. One of the best stories of the last decade.

And then there's Mitt. Who gave them zero, zero, zero chance. Zero.

A Democrat won a surprising election yesterday. What I thought was interesting was how little support the tea party candidate got.

Nice going Cantor & Ryan. Really. Nice going. You have been so incompetent it borders on embarrassment. It really does. Try thinking about working Americans occasionally.

_______________________________________________

President Obama and PM Cameron seem to have developed a warm relationship from the looks of the photos.

And then there's Gingrich. Can you imagine anyone anywhere welcoming him to their country as is happening with President & Mrs. Obama? And I'm not talking about their governments.

I'm talking about the people. Same with Romney. It's never gonna happen. Never.

Photos of President Obama & PM Cameron hosting a cook out for British & American troops. So so cool.

http://theobamadiary.com/

Let this be a lesson to the republicans... Americans are not that Stupid (well actually some Americans are.... that's the only explanation for Bush 04 win - I kid, i kid).

There are five words the Tea Party conservatives just don't understand. "Don't mess with my Medicare!" That will be the message sent to all GOP representatives who have already voted for the Ryan bill. I know elections are 17 months away. Just about the right amount of time to tell all voters, Democrats and Republicans alike that the incumbant republicans have voted to change medicare as we know it.

The toast? You want to talk about the toast? Nice attempt at changing the subject, Joe.

"How about ending big handouts for Big Oil? How about making millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share? We can do all that and not decimate Medicare."

So said Kathy Hochul after her big win last night. Unfortunately, her statement is not true. More unfortunately, the voters didn't know it was not true. And even more unfortunately, Democrats don't give a damn whether it's true or not. If pushing these lies and running ads showing granny being pushed off a cliff wins elections then they'll do it.

Prospective tax revenues from the sources Hochul mentions are measured in the billions, while the unfunded obligations in the Medicare program are measured in the TRILLIONS. It's been said that democracies get the government they deserve. Those who choose not to do some simple math will get the government they deserve, I have no problem with that. My problem is the rest of us get that government too. And that's why this is a sad day for America.

Feisty:

I guess money can not buy happiness no matter how hard the GOP/TP tries to buy elections. They will win some, but the American people are getting smarter to their agenda and are NOT buying their snake oil as much anymore.

Gitcher proetctive gear on today, posters! Gonna be a rough ride with the 'we hate everything' crowd on here. I predict a whole lot of misdirection and redirection and deflection, including "2008" and "teleprompter" and "yeah, but YOUR guy".....

H A P P Y Wednesday, kids!

Joe, you're in favor of LYING??!!

It will be interesting to see if the R's get the wake up call: The American people REALLY, REALLY like the "free" stuff the Dems promise them.

The Tea Partiers said, "Keep your hands off my Medicare." Were you not paying attention?

Oh, and before I forget; Listened to that Einstein Hannity last night. He's going on and on about how great a foreign leader, Netanyahu, is while denigrating OUR president to no end. Doesn't this smell, well, Un-American to you folks?

Is this the same guy that goes on and on and on about how much "Obama is out there apologizing to everyone for the United States"?

Typical hypocrit, to say the least.

"....off by 3 years on his signing of the guest book..."

Again she shows I can call 'em with some degree of acuracy! Thanks agian, Sweetie Pie.

someone, is the electorate stupid?

With the NY voters sending a message to the Republicans-Tea Party, the 2012 vote may be tough one for these folks. Also, I’m so looking forward to the Senate vote on the Ryan plan.

US Navy, Pat--always enjoy your posts.

Thoughts and prayers for those in the tornado devastated areas.

Joe, ever occur to you the Queen was annoyed at the musicians for interrupting our President's toast to her. BTW, it is NOT free stuff, it is paid for by our payroll contributions--we are ENTITLED to receive what we have paid to receive.

Prior to last night's NY 26 election results, Republicans said that if the TP candidate received double digit support, it would impact Jane Corwin but less than double digit support would not. Wonder how they'll spin it today.

The price of betrayal is high. This is only the first election in which voters will punish the GOP and its Tea Party masters for violating the trust proferred in the 2010 midterm elections.

The nation is watching, now, as a tiny minority element, the Tea Party crowd, obeys its commands from Grover Norquist and the other rabid right-wing ideologues and gambles on the debt ceiling vote.

Of course, NONE of the GOP/TP contingent was actually elected to gut government or cause an even worse crash than the Bush Recession by forcing U.S. default.

Review the exit polling from 2010, which has held relatively steady in polling since:

- 73% said jobs and the economy was the number one issue
- 56% said the Tea Party had no influence whatsoever on their voting decisions
- 22% credited Tea Party positions with their ballot choices

And look at the numbers in Congress - approximately one-eighth of the House membership, and one-fifth of the GOP House majority. That is far from a "mandate" or commanding position, yet the weak and spineless Republican Party has allowed the zealots to hijack the national agenda.

In November, 2010, the voters demanded a change in Washington, to deal with economic distress and other important issues. The voters were swindled and instead got in return the betrayal of their trust.

The NYS District 26 election is only a foretaste. That an avowed Tea party candidate got only 9% of the vote shows again how small a minority that faction represents. And by the way - as that candidate lost voter support, it did not go to the Republican. It went to the Democrat.

The Orchestra were the ones who "screwed up the timing of the toast", guess he should have consulted with the conductor first.

Barack is certainly off his feed this week.

Says the one who ALWAYS has the bag tied securely around HER neck!

Feisty,

You're gonna' need to come get the Diet Dr. Pepper off my screen, wall and keyboard, honey! You 'caused' the mess! LMFAO!

I thought it was a leash; but I think you've correctly identified it as a BAG (all kinds of not so hidden meaning there!)

JAS1 - oops, you weren't the ONLY peson to read the article about the temporary codename British security teams used for President Obama. "Smart alec" was computer-generated in a random combination. When word of this leaked out, it didn't embarrass the President - it embarrassed some British security officials who should have changed the moniker instead of letting it stand.

Jeez, Smiffy, go have another deep-fried Twinkie and try to see if that one brain cell might be induced to replicate.

Ok......here is my take on this. Let the liberals win, Hell vote them all in. When we all run out of money and jobs, We can look to he Gov. until they run out of money!

You're gonna' need to come get the Diet Dr. Pepper off my screen, wall and keyboard, honey!

On my way with the Bounty - GF! ;o)

Fesity:

The gop/tp is lost. They are becoming the second coming of Nero. All they need is a fiddle and a bon fire. We all knew they were going to try and get off message this morning and wham, there they are. No ideas, just more excuses why they lost, it was somebody else's fault, not us (gop/tp). They over reached and got caught. Well guess what, the American people are finally putting the blame where it belongs. In the lap of the gop/tp with their "DRACONIAN" ideology and total lack of shame and compassion.

Wait to see how many jump ship when the Senate holds the vote on the Ryan Bill soon. I really can not wait to watch all them scurry around in 2012 trying to roll back history.

President Obama in 2012!!!

NY-26

Made possible by a gift from Republican Malfeasance

I just want to say THANK YOU to Chris Lee!

John A: JAS1 - oops, you weren't the ONLY peson to read the article about the temporary codename British security teams used for President Obama. "Smart alec" was computer-generated in a random combination.

Sometimes things just work out just right, don't they?

Hey Joe, Paul Ryan is the one that let the big stinky fart and every republican in the house wanted to get a whiff of it. HA hows that for liberal humor, brought to you by Paul (pull my finger) Ryan.

First Read is having technical problems again. Keeps jumping from one First Read post to another. Also those older and newer tabs are a pain. Always in the way when you try and post. Fix it please.

But more important! The GOP was sent a message yesterday by NY-26 that I don't think they saw coming. They still don't believe it and are making all kinds of excuses why it happend Well, I'll tell you why it happened, STINKING THINKING. They just don't get it. Boy are they in for a suprise in 2012 with their cast of clowns.

Joe Albany

re: remarks on Michael Moore's physique. Do you have ANY sense of irony when you are CONSTANTLY and INCESSANTLY repeating Rush Limbaugh's douche talk du jour?

Seriously?

Pretty sure Rush would LEAD the scale battles on that little match up, no?

JAS1 - THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Your post DEMONSTRATES the way you propagate lies and mis-information, by selective use of quotes and references. And conveniently leaving out the part that contradicts her message.

JAS1, CONVICTED OUT OF HER OWN FOUL MOUTH.

Ny-26 is completely reflective of a shift against the Ryan budget and republican plans to tackle entitlements.

But the Prosser election, which was just certified after the recount means absolutely nothing, is in no way related to republican plans, and only had to do with a Wisconsin supreme court election.

Ny-26 was one district in New York. The Processor election was state wide.

It it always funny how perspective colors reality.

Fixing what is wrong with a program is not the same thing as REPEALING it. President Obama wants to fix the problems - namely what is driving the cost escalation of Health Care at double digit numbers every year (even long before he took office). The GOP/TP wants to repeal Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security (all things that we pay for by the way in the form of payroll taxes) and give 100% control of these programs to Insurance Companies and Wall Street.

Happy days are here again

The NY Dem's have got a win

So let's have a toast and grin again

Happy Days are here again!

Yes, Happy days are here again

It looks like Sarah's getting in,

So the Prez can kick her **** again!

Happy Days are here again.

Oh happy day, kaloo, kalay.

The Walrus (Gingrich) and the Carpenter (Pawlenty) were walking hand in hand.

They cried like anything to read Paul Ryan's Plan.

"It means the end of everything, you silly, foolish man."

While the Democrats wear a Cheshire's grin, and sing, our day is here again.

Obama/Biden 2012 Alice, you're not in Wonderland anymore

Judge Joe:

The American people REALLY, REALLY like the "free" stuff the Dems promise them.

What "'free' stuff" are you talking about, your honor? We PAY for Medicare, and it would be solvent still if the shenanigans begun under Reagan had not raided it of its $2 trillion SURPLUS and left it with a bunch of worthless IOUs.

And goodness gracious to both you and Forrest. This certainly seems to be a "ripe" morning for bad junior high school humor. Sigh. ;-)

JAS1, reeling from the NY-26 loss, spews thusly:

"The Democrats have no plans, well, other than to say they'll "save" Medicare. They never say how this valiant rescue is to take place, but it sure sounds good in their soundbites and talking points."

Personally, I'm waiting for that jobs creation legislation that was to be the big numero uno priority for the Repub congress. Instead we get a bunch of the normal social issues mumbo-jumbo legislation that is unnecessary and a waste of your tax dollars, and a "budget" vote that is such a non-starter that it doesn't "start the conversation" beyond rebukes, as in NY-26.

Pot, Kettle, Black, and a Repub out of a job in NY-26.

Have a Nice Day

Fiesty, Shipwreck, et al: Let's not go around sucking each other's dicks just yet!!!

Well that kind of sums up the intelligence of the right on this board this morning.

Well, MSNBC/FIRST READ....Code of Ethics enforcers. Don't you think Cranberry Chris has flaunted your code with his obscenity. How about a little 24 hour ban for the Cranberry man, huh?

Chris,

Is Fiesty a tranny? I thought something was up with that shemale

Why, Penguin?

You in need of a hummer? Not that there's anything WRONG with that! Except this is a political blog. You might try The Drudge, I've heard they can direct you where you need to go.

muffintop

You DO understand the difference between CONGRESS and state judges, right?

I can write up a little primer for you, if necessary; but it really isn't that subtle and nuanced. Why don't you try the Google first?

Oh, Shipwreck, my bed-ridden friend, you wound me with such baseless accusations!!!

I fight not for the right, but for the rights of all Americans, just as you do!!! I may not have the constipation of words that you do, but I come here when I can, humbly and with much excitement to post my thoughts and feelings!!! Am I not entitled to celebrate this momentous victory with a grain of caution???

And, Skip, my Okie friend, you may attempt to silence me, but you you can never silence the truth, no matter what your Koch-funded Illuminati gestapo tries!!!

skip,

all ok in Ok City?

Chris Cranbury

I thought it costs about 36,000 a year to park your car in NJ.

THIS WIN IS A SIGN THAT AMERICANS WILL NOT AGREE TO VOUCHERS FOR MEDICARE. THAT IS THE ISSUE PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

My mother lives in this district and I have lived in this district.

Here is my letter to Speaker Boehner about it:

Speaker Boehner,

I support your efforts at all times ever since you started your job. I welcome many aspects of your legislation, except I would never agree to make Social Security or Medicare subject to vouchers.

I am a 50 year old independent voter in Los Angeles, California. My mother lives near Buffalo, New York, where they just had an election to replace the outgoing
Republican Chris Lee.

...You know it is a Republican, conservative district.

You know that half the population of New York lives in uber Democratic New York City. The rest of the state are Republicans - mainly conservative Republicans.

THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE LOST BECAUSE SHE SUPPORTED RYAN'S
MEDICARE VOUCHER PLAN.

If there are such issues with the administration of Medicare and Social Security, hire the management from Direct Loans, a wonderfully run federal program. DO NOT leave Medicare up to private companies - no way, no how.

Here is a link to a Buffalo News article on the
DEMOCRATIC WINNER IN A CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN DISTRICT:

http://www.buffalonews.com/topics/chris-lee/special-election/article432808.ece

Hochul gains odds-defying victory

Democrat seizes House seat in 26th District with outcome
carrying national impact

"...Hochul later told reporters that the voters cast
ballots for the person and not the party in the primarily Republican 26th
District.

'The voters of this district have sent me to Washington
because I said I'm willing to fight for them on Medicare, make sure the
lobbyists pay for their fair share and get our budget under control," she
said. Whatever happens nationally, I'm very focused on my new district.'

'The question is: Did I have the confidence and faith of
Republicans, Democrats and independents who listened to our message loud and
clear? We're going to protect seniors, we're going to protect the middle class
and small businesses.'..."

Please take note Speaker Boehner - it's back to the drawing board. You Republicans will not be able to overcome this. We baby boomers feel
the same way. AND WE ALL VOTE.

Signed

An independent voter in Los Angeles

JoAnna, have you not noticed the polls that say that the Israeli people agree with Obama's peace plan? This is the same starting point for a peace plan between the Israelis and the Palestinians that has been espoused for decades - even your heros GW Bush and Ronnie Reagabn said it should start with the '67 borders and be negotiated through a series of land swaps. Netanyahu has backed down himself from saying there can be no place for the Palestinian people.

Your obvious dislike for Obama has clouded your view. As an American, I NEVER think it is smart or acceptable for a visiting prime minister from Israel -who has one strong ally in the world...US - to try to lecture not only his host, but the president of the United States. The president presented a plan that Netanyahu's predecessor had been perfectly happy to start with, but, like in the US, the Israeli leadership is no longer in touch with the average Israeli and has moved so far to the right as to be totally irrational and reactionary.

Really, JoAnna, get your facts and history straight before you post again. It may make you feel good to bash Obama, but it's really bad karma to do so and especially using half-truths and re-treads from Fox news.

I am so damn tired of GOP/TPers telling me that my social security is somehow a handout. I have payed into this for the last 18 years and will be paying into this for the next 35 years. Somehow this is a "handout". Please one of you people tell me how I will have not earned this "entitlement". While you are at it, could you please explain why there is a little box for medicare deductions on my check and yet you wish to give that money to the FOR PROFIT insurance companys so 22 percent of it can go to "operating expences" instead of the medicare which uses 2 percent for operating expences? Oh yah I forgot, so that 22% can go to line the pockets of those who don't care weather I am covered in full because as long as they get my money they could care less what happens to me.

JoAnnaSmith1

You can't fix stupid - you can't fix Liberals.

Someone should fix you. In the veterinary sense of the word.

What "'free' stuff" are you talking about, your honor? We PAY for Medicare, and it would be solvent still if the shenanigans begun under Reagan had not raided it of its $2 trillion SURPLUS and left it with a bunch of worthless IOUs.

____________________________________________________

AM: The "free stuff" is the $38 trillion in unfunded Medicare liabilities the Dems are pretending doesn't matter. Yeah, people do pay for Medicare and SS, just not nearly enough to cover ALL the benefits they expect.

As far as the "raid" and "worthless IOUs", we have discussed this before and you just can't seem to get off your lefty liberal talking point that is simply factually wrong. I'm gonna try one more time: The Medicare and SS Trustees are ALL BARRY APPOINTEES. The "worthless IOUs" are US Treasury securities. I doubt you really believe the Treasury will default on its obligations to Medicare and SS. BARRY'S Trustees report just issued clearly states that, even with FULL PAYMENT of the Treasury securities, Medicare will go broke in 2024 and SS will go broke in 2036.

Are BARRY'sTrustees lying to the American people??

Read the report for yourself:

https://www.cms.gov/ReportsTrustFunds/downloads/tr2011.pdf

Penquin,

Yes, the storm missed us, thank you very much.

Steven Rennie:

No one talked about the fact that the program would not change for current seniors.

I'm sure you're very disappointed that they ignored the shiny object and concentrated instead on the fact that the vouchers propose by Ryan are wholly inadequate to purchase coverage for seniors with serious health issues in the private insurance market. How, for example, do you suppose that Ryan would have provided care to his ailing grandmother with Alzheimers (look it up) on those vouchers. He admits that she was the beneficiary of social programs, which I took to be both Medicare and Medicaid, but then totally disconnects with how his proposal would remove the same safety net that was there for her.

Get real, Mr. Rennie, by which I mean, reveal your true agenda, and don't try to cloak it up with phony concern for seniors. You republicans created this mess and you republicans had better cooperate in cleaning it up, but not by further punishing the exact group of citizens that you robbed. Anyone who even thinks that vouchers like the ones that Ryan proposed are a legitimate talking point, much less a solution, has shown themselves for what they really are.

What the NY-26 election suggests, and it's significant, is that if you can't lead, then get out of the way. What the blind, almost rabid, acceptance of republicans for Ryan's plan and the subsequent whipping applied to New Gingrich proves is that republicans can't lead.

This feels like deja vu. Hopefully the Republicans will regroup and work on their message, unlike the democrats did on Health Care Reform. This should be a lesson learned.

The Medicare and SS Trustees are ALL BARRY APPOINTEES. The "worthless IOUs" are US Treasury securities.

Oh, pish, Joe, don't try to snow me with that stuff. You were the one the other day who tried to convince me that the treasury securities are really debt, a point with which I do NOT take issue. Given the current economic climate and republican intransigence on the revenue issue, it is hardly a forgone conclusion that the debt will ever be paid back in full.

By the way, your statement also suggests that the debt is somehow all President Obama's fault, as if there were no securities until he took office, a suggestion we both know to be false. As for whether the President's appointed trustees would allow default, I guess that depends on a lot of things, Joe, but I suspect the entire debt will not be repaid during the Obama administration, even if it goes two terms, so whether I trust the next administration to do it, I'll leave for another day.

Personally, however, I'd rather put a permanent fix in place sooner, rather than later. We have deferred on this issue too darn long.

Unlike you, Joe, I say, if it's broke, then fix it. Just tell those republican bulls in the DC China Shop not to break it any more. If that means raising taxes, then raise them.

If, God forbid, you then get Alzheimers, it will still be here for you. I really want you to remember me, Joe.

Good morning all my lefty Friends,

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL, Ron Indiana, Pat, Boston, MA, Job1, California Tom US Navy Disabled Veteran - Retired, Clara KCMO, Anna Molly, Jody, Iowa skip Nicholson, John A, drive-by-observer and all my other friends on the left.

It's a great morning it. All of you have started the day off just perfect for the righties; they can't stand it. Well, what more do you expect from KOCH Suckers? Feisty , Way To Go, GF, You nailed it GF, no amount of that filthy Koch Brothers money, Rupert Murdoch's money and FOX NOISE LIES, can beat the American people.

So let me add my Crescendo to the defeat of The whiz kid's Mediscare . As my friends across the would say the Mediscare plan is bollocks.

As my friends across the pond would say Paul Ryan's Mediscare plan is bollocks.

Good morning Oklahoma City,

It looks like Sarah's getting in,

So the Prez can kick her **** again!

Happy Days are here again.

Oh happy day, kaloo, kalay.

The Walrus (Gingrich) and the Carpenter (Pawlenty) were walking hand in hand.

They cried like anything to read Paul Ryan's Plan

I loved your rhymes maybe Common can give you a beat; what do you think?

I hope you don't mind. :)

drive-by-observer

For anyone that cares, I do not condone collapsing Joe, or anyone else.

PLEASE quit that!

Indeed, let every one see Joe's Stupidity In His Finest Summary.

Entitlements are 2/3 of Federal Spending.

40% of every Federal Dollar spent is borrowed.

If you can't touch entitlements, our country is over.

see usdebtclock.org

see wikipedia charts on Federal Spending projections.

Bravo, Demoncrats. You have more than half the country on the take - and you have convinced them that you will find someone else to pay.

So enjoy your political power, it only comes at the price of our country's solvency.

I'm late to the party today, but I'd say y'all have it pretty well covered.

The real heart of the matter is that the current flavor of Conservatism isn't a political philosophy nearly so much as it's a PR campaign designed to sell policies which benefit the rich.

That's why the GOPTP smeared Democrats for "destroying Medicare" during the 2010 election then proceeded actually attempting to destroy Medicare. Conservatives believe they can get away with this simply by telling us that destroying Medicare NOT destroying Medicare, or rebranding baloney as steak.

No truth, no consistency, complete denial of the facts. Hypocrisy, thy name is Conservatism.

Ron Indiana "There are five words the Tea Party conservatives just don't understand. "Don't mess with my Medicare!" "

Apparently true, but what do we do to keep it from going broke in 15 years?

The problem is that the people who contribute into it think that entitles them to full benefits, when the reality is that their contribution only covers a fraction of the actual costs.

The solution, since nobody wants their benefits touched, is to triple the contributions made by workers so they can have enough to pay the actual projected costs. That extra 3% of their wages paid in taxes is the only way they can keep full benefits without bankrupting Medicare.

That would seem to be the best way to address the problem, but it would cost the average worker about $1,200 per year in additional taxes. There is no 'Free Lunch' (except for the people on welfare).

Joe in Albany - Stop blaming the wrong person!!! It isn't Micheal Moore's fault he's obese. It is 100% the fault of corporations and rich people (and George Bush). It wasn't his responsibility to watch how much and what he eats....that is the job of the federal government. Silly republican! Don't you know if you are a democrat that you don't have to have any personal responsiblity for anything.

Gyortillicus

Personally, I'm waiting for that jobs creation legislation that was to be the big numero uno priority for the Repub congress.

and it appears that they have been getting it done. Private sector jobs have been increasing at about 200,000 per month for 5 months now. Unemployment is finally going down a little. I'm sure it was all of the stuff the democrats and Obama accomplished...(being sarcastic).

Steven Rennie

Great post....let's see if any of the FR liberals have a response. I'm still waiting to find out how anyone expects Medicare to be around when Obamacare adds almost a trillion per year in additional liability.

So you don't like the Ryan plan...I don't really either, but what do you liberals propose?....and don't give me "tax the rich" cause that's not going to cover it.

US Navy Disabled Veteran - Retired

Fixing what is wrong with a program is not the same thing as REPEALING it. President Obama wants to fix the problems - namely what is driving the cost escalation of Health Care at double digit numbers every year (even long before he took office).

Really USN? How does Obamacare fix the problem? What is driving the cost escalation of healthcare?

HCR needs to be repealed in entirety, and if there actually is anything good in it, let it go to a vote, item by item. The 2800 page monstrosity tries to do too much and accomplishes nothing.

HCR will be the death of medicare if it isn't repealed.

John A.-400474

The price of betrayal is high. This is only the first election in which voters will punish the GOP and its Tea Party masters for violating the trust proferred in the 2010 midterm elections.

The nation is watching, now, as a tiny minority element, the Tea Party crowd, obeys its commands from Grover Norquist and the other rabid right-wing ideologues and gambles on the debt ceiling vote.

Norquist is a rabid ideologue for wanting responsible government? What has he said/done that you feel is incorrect? 22% is a tiny minority element? Oh nevermind...democratic math..

Bad news....this liberal, far left is the tiny minority nationally. They are a vocal bunch, but if you got out on the street or actually talked to working people you'd find a lot more fiscal conservatives than you would liberals.

Hello and good day all!

3 points here:

1) All of the "Thanks Democrats for (enter apocalyptic scenario concerning entitlements here)" statements are completely off base. This upstate NY district was HEAVILY republican for decades. This was REPUBLICANS voting against their own here. I find it pretty comical to blame democrats for this particular GOP district voting in their own interests.

2) all the Conservatives claiming that the Dems are demagoging the RYAN plan are wrong. We are simply stating facts: A) Medicare will no longer be a service reimbursment plan, instead anyone under the age of 55 will receive a fixed dollar ammount voucher. TRUE. B) The value of the fixed dollar coupon will rise with inflation, which is greatly outpaced by medical inflation. TRUE. C) the CBO projects that the average person under 55 will pay over 6000 dollars more per year. TRUE. So is telling the truth is demagogery, then I'm all for it. The GOP/TP demagogued themselves when they blindly followed in lock-step Rep Ryan of the nearest and steepest political cliff they could find.

3) Collapsing Posts, on either side, is cowardly and only serves to give the collapsed more draw. plus, I just want to read the damn comment.....

alas, lunch is over.....

Hey Steven Rennie I read the whole thing and I am sad to say there is two hours of my life wasted. It actually sounded good UNTIL I actually read it. It seems to be full of what-ifs and other crap with no real details on doing anything mentioned in the piece of crap document. Now I wonder if you actually read it and if you did, please share whatever pills you would have to be on to make that plan sound good. Try pricing out a policy now for a 50 year old, in perfect health and tell me how a voucher would pay for it for someone at 50 let alone 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90? Seems the republicans are all for redistrubution of wealth when its going upward to the big UNREGULATED insurance companies. Want to fix medicare? Regulate healthcare like you do life insurance and public utilities. But unfortunately that would severely end the donations to the republicans.

Dear Ryan Hood & Co.,

The Democrat in NY won because of GOP/TP over-reach starting in Wisconsin, and most recently your arse-backward plan to take from the poor and give to the rich. The third candidate, who was a registered Republican only polled in single digits, and took more votes from the Democrat than the Republican. But if you don't want to be intellectually honest about this or your plan to privatize Medicare, so be it.

And seniors are not scared about their current benefits as much as they are concerned about their children's future, children who are currently in their 40s and 50s who just miss the age 55 cut-off. Just because YOU are a selfish out-of-touch person, it does not mean everyone else in this country is too.

I don't know what "facts" or "truth" you think is being suppressed, because your proposal has been reviewed and debated quite thoroughly. If anyone is fear-mongering it is you and your constant "debt crisis" warnings, the very debt you were silent about a couple of years ago. People are more concerned about jobs and the economy, which you are still silent about.

You pretend this election is not a "wake up call," but deep in you dark little hearts, you know it is. You are already working hard on a way to disguise and re-sell your hatred for the middle class. You will call it a “growth agenda" or a "redesign" or some other terms, but you and the GOP/TP are on record with votes to privatize Medicare in order to give more corporate welfare and tax breaks for the rich.

Signed Disgusted American

Bottom Line:

The only mandate the republicans were elected on was jobs.

So many lessons in NY-26. Hochul's victory puts the lie to the "America is overwhelmingly conservative" mantra. It appears Medicare - a true socialist program - is quite popular.

Republican loser Corwin flatly lied about her embrace of the Ryan Plan. Republican liars don't always win and it is up to the Democrats to call these rats down every time they lie. Their "ends justify the means" strategy does not always work.

By casting this race in such simple terms, Americans have taken their eye off the ball. While the Ryan Plan is a vile solution to Medicare's financial problem, it does call attention to the fact that Medicare DOES have a problem. Medicare is now nothing more than a political football and Dems dare not acknowledge its problems. This is stupid of course, but then partisan victories are all that matter, right?

No matter that Medicare sinks deeper into red ink. Ryan did the Dems a favor by coming up with his idiotic plan. Unfortunately, they're too gutless to offer a serious alternative.

There is a glimmer of hope. If the Dems smoke the G.O.P. as they should in 2012, they should tell the G.O.P. to take a hike, and do what must be done - raise taxes and cut spending - imagine hammering defense.

Lastly, when are the dim left-wingers going to stop collapsing JoAnnaSmith and Joe in Albany? Rarely does one see a post from Joe in Albany where he doesn't give us his "LMAO" or "Hahahahahaha". Well-constructed arguments, no? As far as JoAnnaSmith, just this morning she asks what the Dems are planning to do about jobs in Congress. Apparently, she is unaware that Republicans control the House where such bills originate. Please, let these people put their ignorance on display.

Jody in Iowa – great post. In regard to FICA contributions (tax with-holding) for entitlements, don’t forget the premiums and out-of-pocket expenses to receive Medicare as well. If we had Medicare for all, the pool would be increased with healthier people, making the cost lower for ALL. We spend twice as much per person for health care than Canada.

What’s with conservatives? It’s bad enough that they keep referring to Medicare as “getting something for free.” Why would they think (even for a split second) that forcing the elderly to purchase private insurance is a solution? Seriously, you’d have to have a mental disorder think such things – Or a FOX/Hate Radio fan with a low IQ.

I don't get it. Why won't the R/TP just kick the can down the road on SS/Medicare and get re-elected? Forget about doing what is right guys, we just want you to make a career out of doling out candy to the grass hoppers....

I find it ironic that the GOP/TP is now condemning the use of fear tactics. Really? You . . . the GOP/TP . . . are complaining about someone else using fear tactics? REALLY?

So Glen Beck saying, "We will all wake up DEAD tomorrow!"

Hannity claiming that Sharia Law will take over America

Fox News screaming about death panels and socialism

Republicans claiming that homosexuals will destroy our families

And more . . .

But NOW you are complaining about fear tactics? NOW you are calling out demagogue? Are you serious? Have you listened to yourself for the past 2 years?

You know, I am not even surprised by Republican hypocrisy anymore . . . that is how bad it has become. We are so used to you being hypocrites that we expect it.

Or to put it another way: why isn't the R/TP smart enough to know their hysterical rants about being broke, yet having enough to fund further corporate tax rate cuts and tax breaks for more worthy Americans (oh say, record profit setting oil companies) isn't fooling anyone but the kool aide drinkers this time either?

A two-hour film about Sarah Palin’s governorship? Is this movie shot in real time or did they have to pad it to get it that long?

GOP wake up call! Nonsense! The seat was lost due to a marginal campaign by the Rep. in a heavily Rep district.... and a subsequent low turn out.

The Senate will change hands soon and Obama will not win a second term, the writing is on the wall, but the far left just can't read!

No News here. NY has and will always be one of the bluest states. GOP lost in a blue state, wow it is the world changer according to this left article. hardly so in true life.

Independents for the repeal of Obama and his health care mess.

Independents for Tim Pawlenty in 2012. A man who will do as he states. A true change in White House.

Mike (numbers)

What color is the sky in your part of GOP Bizarro World?

Obama has already won re-election thanks to Congressman Ryan and I'd like to say thank you again to Congressman Ryan for so effectively driving a stake through the heart of the GOP/TP.

You didn't know he was working for us did you? Yep, that's right, he was in deep cover for years just waiting until the time was right to propose legislation that was guaranteed to destroy the GOP.

Good work Paul. Now back into your hidey hole before they figure out you are really one of us.

Obama/Biden 2012 Paul Ryan is our secret weapon.

Obama/Biden 2012

For the great low price of a billion dollars of advertising catering to the dumb.

I was actually getting concerned that Obama may have a chance in 2012 since the republicans weren't putting much out there....but Obama shot himself in the foot last week siding with the terrorists over Israel.

Good luck with getting that billion in donations now Mr. President...

Anyone other than Obama/Anyone other than Biden 2012!

skip (nucklehead)

Obama is a testament to how great this country is! He came out of nowhere, captured the imagination of Americans and became its first black President! No easy feat indeed! It was history!!

But he has squandered his mandate and the country is no better off now, than when he took office in 2008! Possibly worse! Unemployment is about the same, more families than ever before are now on food stamps! The housing crisis of 2008 is still here and not getting better! Thousands are left homeless due to either foreclosures or mother nature. Inflation is creeping up... deficit spending, unbearable debt..... a health care plan that 65% of the country hates and many are seeking waivers from its onerous requirements, the list goes on and on...

I don't hate the guy, I'm just extremely disappointed with his record to date. And keep in mind both the House and Senate were democrat controlled the first 2 years of his term!

So tell me, skip, what has Obama done in the last 2.5 years that would get him elected again? He got elected with no experience (basically 'on the job training) and hasn't learned a thing! He can't even make a speech without the help of a teleprompter, lol.....

I'd love to see your list of Obama accomplishments... do not include the death of OBL as that was arguably a joint effort and probably wouldn't have happened without the efforts of Leon Panetta.

what has Obama done in the last 2.5 years that would get him elected again? He got elected with no experience (basically 'on the job training) and hasn't learned a thing! He can't even make a speech without the help of a teleprompter, lol.....

Every election is a decision for the lesser of two evils. As it stands, the GOP/TP have made it clear what their true intentions are (continuing billions in oil subsidies, more tax breaks for the rich, destroying medicare, laying off hundreds of thousands of public employees).

Currently, Obama is the lesser evil when compared to the GOPs plans.

This is simply politics, miked. You CAN NOT win an election with ONLY the votes from the extreme right or left. You need moderates and independents. The GOP/TP is pandering ONLY to their extremists (the most vocal group) . . . and refusing to compromise on anything. This will not garner moderate or independent votes. Without moderates and independents, the GOP/TP is doomed.

So tell me, skip, what has Obama done in the last 2.5 years that would get him elected again?

Ah, the reliable Conservative narrative that President Obama hasn't done anything. Here are 20 things he's done;

1. Signed an Executive Order on government contracting to fight waste and abuse:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/economy_in_government_contracting

2. Signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, restoring basic protections against pay discrimination for women and other workers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtKAKlurRAY

3. Renewed dialogue with NATO and other allies and partners on strategic issues:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/04/04/Afghanistan-and-NATO

4. Announced a plan to responsibly end the war in Iraq:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/28/washington/28troops.html

5. Provided funding to families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB:
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/18/pentagon-will-help-families

6. Ended media blackout on war casualties and the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7986203.stm

7. Signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act:
http://www.recovery.gov/About/Pages/The_Act.aspx

8. Launched Recovery.gov to track spending from the Recovery Act, an unprecedented step to provide transparency and accountability through technology:
http://www.recovery.gov/Pages/home.aspx

9. Announced the "Making Home Affordable" home refinancing plan:
http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov

10. Launched a $15 billion plan to boost lending to small businesses:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-to-small-business-owners

11. Invested heavily in education both as a way to provide jobs now and lay the foundation for long-term prosperity:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/education

12. Provided the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with more than $1.4 billion to improve services to America’s Veterans:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/veterans

13. Signed an Executive Order establishing the White House Office of Urban Affairs:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/02/AR2009070201410.html

14. Limited lobbyist's access to the White House:
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/20/obama-outlines-lobbying-restrictions

15. Issued an Presidential Memorandum to restore scientific integrity in government decision-making:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Memorandum-for-the-Heads-of-Executive-Departments-and-Agencies-3-9-09

16. Answered questions at the first online town hall from the White House that were submitted and voted on transparently by the public at WhiteHouse.gov:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h2uzQs2_XBgeHotRBvNhY7DR572g

17. Established a central portal for Americans to find service opportunities:
http://www.serve.gov

18. Launched Business.gov – enabling conversation and online collaboration between small business owners, government representatives and industry experts in discussion forums relevant to starting and managing a business:
http://www.business.gov

19. Appointed the first ever Federal Chief Information Officer to provide management and oversight over federal IT spending:
http://www.cio.gov

20. Signed the Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act on February 4, 2009, which provides quality health care to 11 million kids – 4 million who were previously uninsured:
http://themiddleclass.org/bill/children039s-health-insurance-program-reauthorization-act-2009

http://simplifythepositive.blogspot.com/2010/03/100-accomplishments-of-president-barack.html

Oh look, here are 20 more;

21. Issued an Executive Order repealing the Bush-Era restrictions on embryonic stem cell research:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/09/obama-administration-stem-cell-funding

22. Signed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, the first piece of comprehensive legislation aimed at improving the lives of Americans living with paralysis:
http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.ddJFKRNoFiG/b.4442889/k.EC4B/Christopher_and_Dana_Reeve_Paralysis_Act.htm

23. Announced creation of a Joint Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record for members of the U.S. Armed Forces to improve quality of medical care:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/04/09/The-Care-They-Were-Promised-and-the-Benefits-That-They-Have-Earned

24. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/19/washington/19gates.html

25. Committed to phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdates weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/06/gates.budget.cuts

26. Provided federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research:
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1908954,00.html

27. Provided new federal funding for science and research labs:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/18/science/18sfstimulus.html

28. Played a lead role in G-20 Summit that produced a $1.1 trillion deal to combat the global financial crisis:
http://www.g20.org

29. Signed the Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act to stop fraud and wasteful spending in the defense procurement and contracting system:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weapon_Systems_Acquisition_Reform_Act_of_2009

30. Ordered the closure of the prison at Guantanamo Bay and a review of our detention and interrogation policy, and prohibited the use of torture:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/22/guantanamo.order/index.html

31. Appointed Special Envoys for Climate Change, Southwest Asia, the Middle
East, Sudan, and a Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan:
http://www.america.gov/st/peacesec-english/2009/January/20090122175146idybeekcm1.328677e-02.html

32. Empowered states to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/26/us/politics/26calif.html

33. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect:
http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/stimulus/2009/01/08/poll-americans-strongly-back-increase-in-infrastructure-spending.html

34. Increased minority access to capital:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/promise/16/increase-minority-access-to-capital

35. Developed a comprehensive new strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan that will help defeat Al Qaeda and authorized the deployment of more than 21,000 troops to Afghanistan:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/27/AR2009032700836.html

36. Signed the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act which gives the federal government more tools to investigate and prosecute fraud, from lending to the financial system, and creates a bipartisan Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission to investigate the financial practices that brought us to this point:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/05/obama-signs-hou.html

37. Signed the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, expanding on the Making Home Affordable Program to help millions of Americans avoid preventable foreclosures, providing $2.2 billion to help combat homelessness, and helping to stabilize the housing market for everybody:
http://www.zillow.com/blog/mortgage/2009/05/21/president-obama-signs-helping-families-save-their-homes-act

38. Increased, for the first time in more than a decade, the fuel economy standards for Model Year 2011 for cars and trucks so they will get better mileage, saving drivers money and spurring companies to develop more innovative products:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0509/22650.html

39. Issued a Presidential Memorandum to the Department of Energy to implement more aggressive efficiency standards for common household appliances, like dishwashers and refrigerators. Through this step, over the next three decades, we’ll save twice the amount of energy produced by all the coal-fired power plants in America in any given year:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/ApplianceEfficiencyStandards

40. Unveiled a program on Earth Day 2009 to develop the renewable energy projects on the waters of our Outer Continental Shelf that produce electricity from wind, wave, and ocean currents. These regulations will enable, for the first time ever, the nation to tap into our ocean’s vast sustainable resources to generate clean energy in an environmentally sound and safe manner:
http://www.earthday.org

http://simplifythepositive.blogspot.com/2010/03/100-accomplishments-of-president-barack.html

And 20 more;

41. Announced a new U.S.-Mexico border initiative:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Administration-Officials-Announce-US-Mexico-Border-Security-Policy-A-Comprehensive-Response-and-Commitment

42. Concluded cyberspace policy review:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Statement-by-the-Press-Secretary-on-Conclusion-of-the-Cyberspace-Review

43. Announced a strategy to address the international nuclear threat:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-By-President-Barack-Obama-In-Prague-As-Delivered

44. Established a new "U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue":
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Statement-On-Bilateral-Meeting-With-President-Hu-Of-China

45. Announced new policy steps towards Cuba:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/05/world/americas/05cuba.html

46. Increased minority access to capital:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/promise/16/increase-minority-access-to-capital

47. Issued a Presidential Memorandum on the Freedom of Information Act instructing the Attorney General to issue new guidelines to the government implementing those same principles of openness and transparency in the processing of FOIA requests:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Freedom_of_Information_Act

48. Funded the design of a new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History scheduled to open on the National Mall in 2015:
http://www.facebook.com/NMAAHC

49. The Executive Order on Presidential Records brings those principles to presidential records by giving the American people greater access to these historic documents, severely curtailing the ability to use executive privilege to shield those documents:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential_Records

50. Signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, a hallmark piece of legislation:
http://www.democrats.org/a/2009/04/edward_m_kenned.php

51. Signed the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act to protect Americans from unfair and deceptive credit card practices:
http://www.newsunfiltered.com/archives/2010/02/pew_finds_credi.html

52. Signed an Executive Order establishing a White House Council on Women and Girls to provide a coordinated Federal response to the challenges confronted by women and girls and to ensure that all Cabinet and Cabinet-level agencies consider how their policies and programs impact women and
families:
http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/11/obamas-council-on-women-and-girls

53. Launched a U.S. financial and banking rescue plan:
http://www.america.gov/st/econ-english/2009/February/20090210163128saikceinawz0.7537805.html

54. Ordered secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere to be closed:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_site

55. Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva_Accord

56. Launched U.S. Auto industry rescue plan:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-03/31/content_11102980.htm

57. Provided better body armor to our troops:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2004-03-26-body-armor_x.htm

58. Authorized cutting the missile defense program by $1.4 billion in 2010:
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=62548

59. Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols:
http://articles.latimes.com/2009/sep/25/world/fg-obama-nuclear25

60. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic:
http://jonbowermaster.com/blog/2009/04/obama-calls-for-limits-on-antarctic-tourism

http://simplifythepositive.blogspot.com/2010/03/100-accomplishments-of-president-barack.html

There are 40 more on that page too, and it's the list is only current through March of 2010. Over a year ago. So far he's on record as having kept 135 promises, 40 more in modified form, 42 broken, and 70 stalled. http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/

That's a really strong record compared to the Republican congressional record of 5 promises kept and 1 compromised. http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/gop-pledge-o-meter/

So enough with pretending that President Obama hasn't done anything, that's just a lie. You can disagree with the specifics, but you can't say he hasn't done anything. That's just a way to avoid debating the advisability and success of the things he HAS done. Conservatives can't win that debate.

thoughts from cali - yes, moderates and independents will see through the liberal agenda of all talk and keep kicking the can down the road. All they have to do is look at at obamas rhetoric since Nov 2010 to see that obama and company has no effective economic plan other than spin and blame the right. Such leadership qualities. LMAO!!

JohnA - post 1.22 interesting that you mention exit polls and that the polls (exit) have been relatively steady since.

73% said jobs and the economy was the number one issue
- 56% said the Tea Party had no influence whatsoever on their voting decisions
- 22% credited Tea Party positions with their ballot choices

Seems that you and other FR libs are the ones wanting to do the swindling and betraying. By your professed numbers of 56% and 22%you choose to minimize the teaparty, but fail to understand the world of our current broken political system. For those that think our political system isn't broken, just ask yourself the following question..."Other than since 2009, when have the legislative and executive branches been so politically and ideologically divided solely along party lines?"

So nice of you to point out the 73% number on jobs and the economy being the number one issue. No doubt as the economy grows so will jobs, after all most economists will say that jobs are a lagging indicator in a recovery.. All this begs the question of the incompetence of obama and company to LEAD!! Where is obama and company's (read senate) bipartisanship in working to resolve our economic challenges?

He created the "debt commision" didn't he? Why did he ignore it? He gathered up a group of multinational business cronies for them to tell him what business needed from the government for growth, didn't he? Has he ignored their recommendations as well? I suppose you can hope that the populace will also ignore the poll question of "do you think we (read America) are headed in the right direction"? It does seem that this question has consistantly been in the 60 percentile range when asked. A question by the way that doesn't ask it in terms of political party, but as a nation in its entirety.

As far as the debt ceiling goes and our current debt/deficit problems go, neither party will walk away clean if they refuse to both compromise. Both parties will be held accountable for any default and obama in particular. As former senator simpson said in an interview on bloombergTV today, whatever happens, America will struggle onwards (paraphrased).

JOhn B.

Way to go bro, way to knock it OUT OF THE PARK and INTO OUT SPACE!

I stand in awe brother. Good work!

(bowing deeply from the waist, palms raised) I'm not worthy...I'm not worthy....

OH, and Mike, the word is "knucklehead", spelled with a "k". Another educated voter I see.

As an independent, I'm free of the shackles most of you are tied to. It means I'm able to think freely and not believe all the crap both parties spew. It also means I'm able to speak my own thoughts instead of regurgitating the lies and slanted views of the MSM.

The one thing I find sadly humorous through out this whole ordeal is the fact that none of you give kudos to the Republicans for at least coming up with a plan (whether or not you agree with it). Your Democratic 'gods' that you worship (i.e. Reid, Pelosi) think that there isn't a problem at all with the finances of this fine country. So while you waste your time on these boards slamming Republicans and gloating over the win the other night, your 'gods' are busy spending on the credit cards they don't think have a limit!

While the Republican plan might not be the best, they at least have one instead of hiding their heads in the sand and ignoring the issues!

Maybe you all should be getting on your blue politicians to DO something to resolve the issues. It would be a better use of all the energy I see here!

Wouldn't it be better if both sides had competing plans? Then they could sit down and negotiate and do what a two party government is supposed to do.

Well Alex, I hope you forgive me but you do not sound very independent to me.

You sound pretty well right of center.

If you are truly going to balance the budget, first of all the realistic estimate is it will take 50 years at least.

And if you're going to balance the budget the NO SACRED COWS has to include the military and the very rich 2% who just got another tax cut, bless their little silk-lined, gold-plated hearts.

If you want to reduce the deficit here is EXACTLY how you do it.

1. We operate over 700 military bases worldwide, half of them overseas. Close those off shore and cut back the number of bases stateside. For instance, we have four military installations in Oklahoma. Three of them provide necessary services but one of them (which shall go nameless) is redundant and could be closed.

2. Cut the PORK. ALL THE PORK. No more riders giving ten million dollars to your favorite corporate charity or state project. Nada. Cut it.

3. END ALL SUBSIDIES. That means farm subsidies, corporate subsidies to include big oil.

4. REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE MILITARY. We do not need to be the world's policemen and we do not need all that equipment. Mothball it until we really do need it (if ever).

5. Stop making it advantageous to businesses to ship jobs off shore. TAX THE HECK out of those businesses and make it attractive to bring those jobs home from India and elsewhere. Put America back to work.

6. Institute a stiff tariff on all foreign goods. Sorry WalMart you're going to have to start buying American.

7. Cut the Congressional Staff, budget, benefits and travel. No more living allowance for apartments in Georgetown. We'll build you a very nice dorm or hotel, you can stay there or you can pay for other accommodations out of your own pocket.

8. Stop foreign aid to countries who are not really our friends. I'm looking at YOU Pakistan.

9. Bring our troops home from Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

10. Tell Israel to learn to get along with it's neighbors and cut all monies paid to them dramatically.

11. Legalize Marijuana and tax the heck out of it. This will have several benefits: increased revenue, reduced law enforcement/imprisonment costs and it will be the death of the South American drug cartels.

12. FLAT TAX. The same for everybody, no deductions, no shelters, no tax breaks. 15% or whatever.

When you have done all of that you will have saved a trillion dollars a year and added that much more to the GNP. The deficit will be reduced and eliminated in less than 20 years without having to destroy medicare, medicaid or social security.

Enter Alex, with his claims of "I'm an independent" as he proceeds to bow down and defend the republicans . What's the matter Alex, ashamed to admit what you are?

I thought Obama was going to accomplish #9, wtf? over

Great post Dennis:

With all that's going on, it's easy to overlook priority # 1. Jobs. Jobs in the private sector are returning. Not as fast as we would like, but they are returning. The upswing under our President sure does beat the downturn during the Bush administration.

Dennis:

Great post and right on point. Many of the jobs lost over the last several years will not be coming back. Some have been replaced by technology. Some have been farmed out to oversea companies and Corporations have learned how to get more production out of fewer people.

I do not think we are going to see 5% unemployment anytime soon, if ever. There may well be a new norm developing that will be higher than that.

Also President Obama has been stopped by the right in virtually every Bill he proposed that would help create a job environment. You cannot fix a broken race car when one half of the pit crew goes on a permanent vacation.

Dennis,

Thanks for this GREAT Post.

You wont keep those companies here for long. My Company a 60k plus global corp is currently studying moving its HQ and operations. Who do you think is going to pay for all this stuff when the companies all leave. We cant just keep printing money.

Well said, Dennis. Today it appears that America's industry is money making on Wall Street.

just look at the continued drop in demand for durable goods. It is unfortunately very clear we are are headed into the double dip.

Companies are no different from us. Just look at the mass migrations out of California and New York of the highest tax payers. Those states cannot make it without the top tax payers.

Yet they do nothing to entice them to stay. Just more threats for more taxes. Just like on businesses.

You mean THIS downturn, Ron? The one that Republicans always refuse to acknowledge?

http://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2009/jan/wk2/art02.htm

In December [2008], the number of unemployed persons increased by 632,000 to 11.1 million and the unemployment rate rose to 7.2 percent. Since the start of the recession in December 2007, the number of unemployed persons has grown by 3.6 million, and the unemployment rate has risen by 2.3 percentage points.

To hear them tell it, everything was going just fine until five minutes after President Obama's inauguration. Given the republicans' revisionism, one wonders why he was elected in the first place.

@ Muffintop:

If the migration is all AWAY from California and New York and TOWARD more friendly, right-to-work states, like Texas, for example, then tell me why Texas, with no public unions and its right-to-work policies, has a $27 billion deficit, as of yesterday, at least ....

http://www.texastribune.org/texas-taxes/2011-budget-shortfall/

How do you blame the liberals for THAT one, Muffintop ... and then how you expect that not charging businesses any taxes is going to buy down that debt?

Actually, don't bother. I already know the answer. Texas and other red states plan to balance their budgets on the backs of low-income workers, like Wisconsin envisions doing once Scott Walker finally gets his way.

http://host.madison.com/ct/business/biz_beat/article_98606c30-4511-11e0-9f5e-001cc4c03286.html

"If we can get government spending under control, we will send a signal that Wisconsin is a great place to expand a business and create jobs," says Jim Haney, WMC President & CEO.

"Achieving the Governor's goal of 250,000 new jobs, at an average of $30,000 per job, means Wisconsin will see $7.5 billion in new wages in the state. With those wages comes increased tax collections, and that is how Wisconsin will become more prosperous."

If that's what YOU want for America's future, then fine, because that's what you're REALLY advocating. And good luck with that, but I think I'll pass. Because personally, I don't really see how that's all going to work out.

We are not heading for a double dip yet. It is possible though if the GOP/TP does not come through with their promise to create JOBS in this country and to stimulate the economy.

So far everytjhing they are proposing will in fact lead to an economic slow down and possible double dip. The right seems to forget that is the path they are trying to put us on, NOT "Our President". He is the only one trying to move this country forward. The right on the other hand has vowed to get in the way every chance they get.

Nice post, Dennis!!

muffintop...you are correct to state that we are "headed into the double dip". QEII is ending and the stock market is already beginning to react. Unemployment will be higher than before the start of the recession.

Oh, I could state it's a secret Republican Plan....it's not...it's a decision made by the Fed. Is it politically influenced? Could be. Need to research board members to political influences.

If anyone has retirement investments in the stock market, its time to sell. Keep a sharp eye on the S&P.

It's going to get crazy...soon!

Journey -- Oddly enough, I did that a couple of months ago. The market has been pretty static since then and now has begun to slip. As to whether it's a secret plan, it probably is, but only in the sense that every decision made every day by republicans is tinged with consideration of how they are going to consolidate power and complete their ultimate plan to starve government and strangle the middle class.

If you looked at the political influences on the Fed, I doubt you'd find a lot of populists there.

why do republicans think Seniors that are getting Social Security and medicare are freeloaders and ruining the country ... didnt they pay into these so called ... free gov benefits

Go outside and enjoy the day. Geez!!!

Jollyold:

You wont keep those companies here for long. My Company a 60k plus global corp is currently studying moving its HQ and operations. Who do you think is going to pay for all this stuff when the companies all leave. We cant just keep printing money.

Leave and go where? Out of the country? Then live there, too, and see how you like that. And after you leave, who'll need all the infrastructure that your company uses? Or don't you think you should have to pay for that?

Or do you mean just to another state? How would the necessary infrastructure burden associated with your move help the financial position of Texas, for example, which already has a $27 billion deficit, even though it is a right-to-work state, especially if your company doesn't want to pay more in taxes than it pays now?

Hmmm ... it just doesn't seem to make any sense for Texas, does it?

Oh, I know. It's really about creating more low-income jobs, isn't it? ... so that the state you're running to can balance its budget and pay for your infrastructure off the backs of low-income wage earners, and corporate shareholders can make even more profit on which they will pay few or no taxes.

Yeah, that's the plan in Wisconsin, too.

http://host.madison.com/ct/business/biz_beat/article_98606c30-4511-11e0-9f5e-001cc4c03286.html

Be proud of that one, Jollyold. That's real republican help-the-middle-class values. Be proud.

Here's another page in the Conservative PR playbook. Dennis did a fantastic job of explaining why the economy is slow coming back from the recession. Conservatives respond by complaining that factory workers get paid too much, furthering their narrative that 98% of us are paid too much while the rest don't get rewarded enough for being the only important people in society.

There's one reason and one reason ONLY why the loss of manufacturing jobs has stolen the resiliency of the economy--they pay well. Once Conservatives succeed in driving manufacturing wages down to third world levels they'll have no more value to the economy than any other minimum wage job...oh, and those will go away as well since Conservatives wish to eliminate the minimum wage.

All of this is a perfect example of why government is NOT business and while business seems to stay healthy it shouldn't be the be all and end all of government policy as Conservatives demand.

What happens when the Conservative war on the middle class comes to its natural conclusion, one in which a handful of incredibly wealthy control everything and the rest of us work as virtual indentured servants? The entire consumer economy collapses, that's what. The very economy that allows provides the wealthy elites with their money and power collapses. That'll be a worldwide event too, since the US is the world's largest market.

Sometimes individual companies doing what's best for themselves turns out being bad for the nation as a whole, once it becomes universal. This is one of those times.

John,

Pay in manufacturing is not what it used to be. Hourly earnings of production and
non-supervisory workers, which had held well above the private-sector average for decades, slipped below the average in 2006, and the ratio continues to trend gradually lower. In 2004, factory pay was about 3% above average. Last month (April) factory pay was 2.4% below the private-sector mark for production workers.

Dennis, Columbus, Ohio "JOBS While the private sector has added over 214,000 jobs a month on average so far this year and 2 million jobs in the last 2 years unemployment still remains high."

According to the government's own Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the total number of people employed for each of the last 10 years;

2001 = 136.933 Million

2002 = 136.485 Million

2003 = 137.736 Million

2004 = 139.252 Million

2005 = 141.730 Million

2006 = 144.427 Million

2007 = 146.047 Million

2008 = 145.362 Million

2009 = 139.877 Million

2010 = 139.064 Million

How did you 'manufacture' 2 million new jobs in the last 2 years, when the BLS says that 6.298 million net jobs have been lost since 2008? Is this an example of the 'new math' that's being taught in schools today?

The link to the government's BLS site is as follows;

http://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat1.pdf

Roy,

Your memory is pretty bad. We have had this discussion before. We use 2 BLS data bases that are very different because the source data is different. The one I use, as I explained to you before, is the one that the media uses and the BLS uses for their monthly reporting. Yours is accurate also but it is not the one the general public reads about or is tracked by most people and organizations.

Now what my data base talks about is "private sector" jobs only and excludes all those jobs that have been shed by the local, State and Federal government. Also my data came from a report just released today.

Dennis, Columbus, Ohio

I think average annual figures for all employment sources are more meaningful than fluctuating monthly 'seasonably adjusted' figures for only a portion of overall employment (the private sector).

Can you provide a link to your source so I can verify? I just got back from 5 months in Costa Rica, so I'm still catching up on the news.

timewonttell

This is what they would like for everyone to think about Social Security. They are hell bent on doing away with it. Although, I have Repupblican friends who don't think twice about drawing their monthly checks from it. Yes, everyone has paid for these benefits out of every check they ever earned, the problem has been the government politicians delving into it to get their own private interests funded. It was not meant to operate the government, it was meant for people at retirement.

Tiredoftheignormance: I think you've oversimplified those "polls" on the Israeli borders and Obama's comments. While I don't think they're devastating (and Obama has already backed off of several of them), I daresay there's a reason Netenyahu's hard line policies are still holding sway. Every time moderates push for a more lenient course and begin making headway, someone comes along to solidify the hardliners...and that's what Obama just did. "Land for peace" is a hard enough pill for Israelis to swallow yet again, after several failed results. Regardless of the number of Israelis who favor a two-state solution, doing it with virtually no buffer between you and with those who would applaud your annihilation is another thing entirely.

Roy,

I understand you have your reason to use the BLS data you use but I will stick
with the data reporter to the general public for consistency in the data that most
people are use to. And as we did last time we will have to agree to disagree which report provides more useful data.

http://money.msn.com/investing/latest.aspx?post=d6af6d01-4492-4ec5-a8ac-bf63591f0f5c&gt1=33002

Hmmmm why would those companies move thier jobs out of the good ole USA??? I just don't get it. I know, lets pass more Union friendly laws, do away with right to work states and tax those greedy B#@%rds more! If they won't provide higher paying jobs here we'll just "redistribute" thier money! Are you listening all you $250k+ greedy SOB's! Were talking about you! What ever happened to the day when a GM forklift driver could make a $100k????

I hope so, I truly hope so.... we need to wake up and realize that our politicians (all politicians, but especially republicans are bought and paid for by corporations for one thing only - profit!!!!) At least in the past, these corporations realized that to make money, they needed to strengthen America... nowadays - these corporations only see profit and do not care about destroying the middle class to attain this goal of higher profits - thus the birth of trickle-down economics - means give me your money and I'll see how I'll make it trickle down... but if I want to just stash it, it's OK too, since it's my money.

Some call that greed, I call it run away capitalism.

Great post, Disgusted-in-Pa---good to see you posting. I'm not sure how much civil debate you will get but I think a lot of people come here to read and digest different points of view and you have added some good thoughts.

I, too, was surprised at how the Republicans have seemed to quickly forget the message of the 2010 elections. I understand wanting to address your party's key issues but to lose focus on the economy so fast surprised me.

Disgusted in PA:

Welcome back I look forward to many more of your astute posts. You have made several outstanding points today and thank you. We need to hear your words.

Welcome back Disgusted-in-Pa. Home Run.

Dear Disgusted:

Well said and so very true. Thanks for sharing your thoughts . . . I agree with each and every word you wrote . . . it is time for ALL of us to return to REALITY BASED thinking . . . and it is time for the media to judge candidates based on their PLANS and not just their PERSONAS.

Good to see you back Disgusted in PA!

Great comments!

Reading all this is laughable. Never underestimate the stupidity of the American people. Yes, all we have to is tax the millionaires and those big bad corporations and everything will be just fine. No need to worry about medicare or medicaid, there's no problems there. Next step put the people in Washington DC in charge of giving every lazy American a job, health insurance, a house, and then stick a pacifier in their mouths. Next we need to make sure that there's cable TV and I-phones for us all, the top 1% can pay for it. Hell, lets just give everyone free daycare, and free college tuition. Next lets make the banks give all those who are underwater on their mortgages, a new mortgage that they can afford, just take the money from the CEO's paycheck, they can handle it. Next step is to give out paid "holidays" for all, like they do in Spain, the whole month of August we just shut everything down but the beach towns.

By the way I'm running for President in 2016, and I'm a democrat. Vote for me, I'll take care of everyone in the country from the cradle to the grave. And don't worry if you screw up, we will bail you put. No need to think just vote democratic.

Disgusted-in-PA,

The civil debates here are admittedly few and far between, but they're often worth wading through the personal attacks when you finally get to one. The other thing to remember is that there are a number of people who never post here at all - but who are still regular readers - who would also be interested in what you have to say, especially when it's clear that your thoughts are your own and not just the talking points and buzzwords du jour (is the 15 minutes up yet on "demagogueing" as a verb?)

And hey.....Steeler Fan and I will always welcome another view on the goings on here in PA. Look forward to more of your posts.

Excellent post, Disgusted in PA! Hope you stop by more often.

For 30 years, the right has carefully, quietly and consistently undermined the middle class, undermined the government (state and federal) itself. Because it was small steps and done quietly, hidden among the other things that received media attention, most people did not realize that Reagan's promised shining city on the hill was a country club off limits to the average working person.

While NY 26 is a big wake up to the GOPTP about Medicare and further points out what the real GOP agenda is, I believe that what GOP Governors and state legislatures did in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana--their huge over reaches and in our faces financial attacks on Middle America, on public workers while granting huge tax breaks for big business and the richest 2%--reminded people there is a huge difference between the political parties.

You have had good reason to be disgusted. Hopefully things will change for the better. With all the talk about being broke, the bottom line is this what kind of society turns its back on the old and sick, what the hell are these kids dying for in Afghanistan, what American way of life are they protecting? We found 800 billion to bail out wall street, they restocked their bank accounts and paid each other a multi-million dollar bonus. So leave the old and sick alone until we are down to our last damn dollar, that is the wake up call.

Let's see, Disgusted in Pa quit posting because there was a lack of rational, civil, and reasonable discourse, invites a rational civil discourse, then proceeds to describe all GOP positions, and conservative voices with the following words and phrases: hate machine, screeching, decimate working class, decimate Medicare, decimate working class, GOP...corporate owners, twisted, gutting, sickens, ashamed. He or she proceeds to attack every GOP position on every issue with the same lame rhetoric and distortions he or she accuses those who oppose Democratic positions of using. She or he offers no solutions or ideas to deal with the real problems. This was simply an attack masked as concern for lack of civil discourse. Sooo, Disgusted in Pa, when will you begin the civil, rational discourse?

He has. Remember- if the shoe fits....

Wats wrong? Thats the way it is. The GOP won't stop until they get their hands on the SS kitty. Who's runnin this country, Goldman-sachs?? Tax breaks for the wealthy, and to hell with John Q Public. No, this is wrong. No more tax breaks, make them pay. Over 10 yrs they had it all their way, and when they were goin under BUSH bailed them out. Greed, its pure greed. Wat a bunch of slimeballs..

Ditto to everyone's comments, except those of JCB and Steven Rennie.

To JCB and Steven Rennie -- You're both so blinded by your ignorance and biases that you don't even know you've just made yourselves prime examples of exactly what Disgusted is talking about. No ideas, no vision ... nothing but moldy sarcasm, condescension, and derision. You've refuted none of Disgusted's excellent analysis and added nothing to the discussion but your own vitriol.

In short, you both sound just like Rush Limbaugh.

Now begone, both of you ... like Rush, you have no power here, among rational thinkers.

Please continue to hammer the Republicans-Tea People on the fact that they voted for the Ryan Bill and the Medicare voucher program that kills Grand Ma. Then keep up the heat on the fact of them letting big oil off the hook, and not to mention the fact that these Republicans-Tea People don’t want to raise taxes on the top 2%.

Also, we can’t forget the games they are playing with the debt ceiling and social security. And still we can’t forget how they want to control women and their reproductive rights.

dis in pa ...... thanks for posting .. in time the people of the 26th dist will probably vote,, R ..again but at least for now the people have spoken

Anna, no sense of humor eh? just piss and vinegar. Anna, I despise Rush Limbaugh just for your info, and I voted for Obama. Whoa scary eh?

You want vision Anna, here it is. The democratic party is just as bad as the republicans, they are both bought and paid for, just by different entities. This country is broke, but don't tell that to the fat, lazy American people, because "we" want everything for nothing. Don't tell us the truth, because we can't handle the truth, it hurts to much. Our leaders (both parties) have been lying to us for decades. Any idiot on here that thinks corporations pay ANY taxes is to stupid to even discuss any issue. ALL taxes are paid by the buyer of the "corporations" goods and services, end of story. Raise taxes, then the cost of goods rise, grocery's rise, that's called inflation. I remember Obama had a "plan" to use stimulus $ to create infrastructure and thus jobs. Where are they? He controled both houses until 1/11, no excuses. I voted for Obama to end these damn wars. What does he do? escalate one, and start another. Obama is a warmonger just like W. Does he propose anything to deal with the "war machine", hell no, same guys in charge as in W's admin. He's not "change", just another academic over his head. And then you have the republican party, oh my, with these idiots thinking that Bachman and Palin are Presidential material. Yeah, sure, let's let religious dogma pass as intellect. And democrats screaming there's nothing wrong with Medicare and Medicaid, as the building is burning. No need to worry, just look the other way as I lie my way past the stupidity that thrives in this country. Disgusted is just another democrat who has drank the koolaid, thinking "government' is going to save everything. Got news for you, it ain't gona save nothing. And if you think that "middle America" is on the side of government employee unions, I've got some land to sell you. It is "us" that need protection from those unions, they work for us, not Union Carbide or Dupont. Why do they need protection from their fellow citizens? because they are greedy and think that they are owed something.

There's not a dimes worth of difference between the parties, because both parties are sending this countryy over the abyss, and dreaming otherwise does not make it so. The would sell there collective souls to stay in power, both dem's and repub's. The truth, you can't handle the truth, and that truth is America has peaked, it will NEVER be the same. We are getting our collective butts handed to us, because the global world doesn't care what we are called, we are judged on what we can or can not do, and America as a whole is undereducated, entitled, lazy, very overweight, and most of all disfunctional. Time to get out of the middle east and get back to taking care of business, but we won't, we continue to do the same thing we have always done, "let the next guy deal with it". We are so screwed long term, you have no idea.

The public needs to remember that Dems are the ones that stripped $527 BILLION from Medicare in the health care plan to take effect in 2014.

Blaming just the Repubs in this particular instance simply doesn't wash.

JCB,

Well said. About the unions... I have asked this question before and have yet to get a good answer:

What do public workers need protection from? The government? They can't be fired, they have a job for life, some (of course not all) are lazy and deserve to be fired... so what's the beef? Anyone? Seems to me that if there were true accountability, the hostility towards unions would be much less.

Note: Anyone with half a brain will agree that all workers - anywhere need the correct tools to perform a task. So my question above does not pertain to firefighters needing the latest equipment or cops and bullets, etc.

Poor Anna Molly, blinded by hatred. Nobody likes a hater, Miss Molly. Tell me, if you can, Miss Molly, exactly what ideas, and what vision, did Disgusted in Pa lay out? Other than Republicans baaad, Democrats goood. What, specifically, were the ideas which were not crusty, musty, and moldy? Let me give you my own, then you decide how right wing I am. 1) Roll back all Bush tax cuts at all levels. 2)Eliminate tax breaks and subsidies for all corporations, not just oil companies 3)Revise the tax code and eliminate most deductions and loopholes and make sure ALL Americans have some investment. 4)Eliminate the Defense of Marriage Act 5)Fully fund Planned Parenthood BUT strictly prohibit federal funds being used, hidden, or shifted to provide abortion funding 6). Cut off funding for the war in Afghanistan. 7)Hold Senate hearings on military activities in Pakistan and either forbid them or give approval for them 8) Means test SS and Medicare 9)Secure the borders. Provide a fair and equitable path to citizenship, current illegals go to the back of the line, agree to pay hefty fines, learn English, and bring no more family members here illegally. Call it a citizenship contractual agreement. Failure to agree and sign results in immediate deportation of the illegal and their family.

Now that's a start, but it's not comprehensive. Come on, Miss Molly, are you still a hater or is there room for rational discourse?

Thank you. I came to these posts to gain a better understanding and education on the issues that confont us all.

Instead I find myself rolling through post after post of slurs, vulgaries, and slams thrown by both sides at any one who does not agree with their point of view.

It would be very nice to have a reasoned discussion between adults even though you may not agree with a particular point of view--minus the slurs and slams.

Thanks for your thoughtful post, Disgusted. You bring up some good points--interestingly, I had posted something earlier asking a very similar question: Why can't we cut out the snark and the name-calling and have a civil discussion of political issues? It's much more interesting.

To JCB, who wrote: "America as a whole is undereducated, entitled, lazy, very overweight, and most of all disfunctional." --Wow, this is painting with a very broad brush, is it not? I personally am none of those things, nor is any of my immediate (or extended family). Every single adult in my family has either a college degree or has completed a technical or minsterial program of at least 2 years post-high school. We are not wealthy--just hard-working (I have worked since I was 13: babysitting, burger-flipping, tutoring, working in retail, working in the university library, teaching, etc.). Where do you get your statistics? I am not denying that we have problems with education or fitness, but I take issue with your overgeneralizations.

Cynicism doesn't help solve the problem (although it is good to identify the issues). We need concrete suggestions and solutions. If you have ever traveled abroad, you may have met people who are dying to come here. Our enrollments of international students are growing exponentially. Why is this? Because America is still the place of opportunity and freedom. I hope that it will continue to be--and you are right; we should not blindly support either party.

It's hard for me to believe that all government is controlled by some corporations pulling strings. I am not naive enough to think that they don't have influence. If ALL Americans would at least step up to the plate and get registered to vote, that might make a difference. I wonder how many posters on this board are actually registered voters. Complaining on this board does little to change the status quo.

Steven, damn man, good job. I agree with every point you made, especially about #4, #6, and #7.

"and what vision, did Disgusted in Pa lay out? Other than Republicans baaad, Democrats goood."

Old D in Pa, keeps spreading the lie that GM has paid back it's loan, just go to factcheck.org to learn about the real truth, that "we" still own 61% of GM, and unless their stock price, currently at around 33$ a share goes to 56$, we will NEVER get our money back. and that Chrysler is not an American Company anymore. hell, don't let the truth get in the way D in Pa.

Bethie, numbers do not lie my dear. I'm glad your not "one of them", but "them" still exists.

And Bethie, are sure you want someone voting just because they can? Register to vote, hmm... If they don't vote, maybe it's just they just don't give a damn and are to lazy. Ever thought of that? I can't imagine not voting, but the #'s speak for themselves, American's mostly don't vote. I'm not sure that is a bad thing, because most people vote for what's "in it for them" mentality.

Disgusted in PA, please take note that the hate and vitriol of which you speak is at least partly a tactic. It's designed to upset you, designed to make you believe no one is listening, designed to make you stop speaking out.

You have an important message and speak with a powerful voice. I hope you won't stop expressing yourself.

JCB, it is our right and duty to vote. People take this right for granted, and they let others take the responsibility for making choices that affect themselves. I don't get it, personally. You would have thought that the election of 2000 (or even 2004), in which one state's electoral votes came down to the results of one or two districts, might have made people sit up and notice the importance of casting your vote. Of course, if you don't live in a "purple" state, you might not feel like your vote matters in national elections. . .but too few people vote in local and state elections, where their vote truly has a greater impact.

DaNoid,

Captain Smith said the same thing on the Titanic. All we are missing is the music.

And the Captain of the Current Ship is Obama!!! He has led us into a sea of icebergs that are sinking this nation. At least the GOP is smart enough to send out SOSs and lower the life rafts for survivors. The only music I hear is comming from the left and it is playing HAIL TO THE CHIEF while the boat keeps sinking.

And a plan to actually make it solvent for those that will begin paying into the program this decade. I am still looking for a credible contrasting plan.

Spo de o de -- funnier than you know! President Obama is leading a ship through a field of icebergs PUT THERE BY THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S FOLLY. The GOP is sending out SOS signals (to whom? a government agency?) and is lowering the life rafts for survivors (assuming they are able to row and pilot the rafts themselves, or that the government sends out rescue and recovery teams). If the ship (the US) was built to be sturdy, shouldn't be a problem.... are you suggesting that our Constitution built us a fatally flawed nation?

...and like the Titanic (if that's what we are), we don't have enough life-boats...so it seems the GOP decree is save the top 2% first!

Looking out over the ocean I only see one ship foundering.

That rusty old tub the SS GOP/TP. They appear to be taking on water fast.

Maybe if they threw Paul Ryan overboard they could save the ship, but I doubt it, I think Congressman Ryan has dealth them a fatal blow.

tooooooo bad......soooooo sad.......NOT!

Obama/Biden 2012 They guarantee we'll have enough life boats

DaNoid:

Instead of women and children first the call will be Wall Street, Big Business and the 2% first. They will take a few others to row and bail out the boat and feed off later.

Typical Left, keep blaming another Ship Captain for your own failures. At least with Bush at the helm, we made it to port, which unlike the current president we are lost and sinking fast. We have borrowed so much money to bail us out yet the debt keeps rushing in because Barry never fixed the real problems. Keep dreaming Left while you can barely keep your noses above water.

Obama did not put us in this situation. The GOP has proven they can't have the keys to the car. They had them and ran regular people into a hole. Thank you very little, you have done NOTHING for ur country. [You really made the Chicoms rich, not us]

Wake up RebelYell, your president Barry is steering the current ship into more disaster. Take responsibility and admit that he has been a failure at fixing our problems, or do you want to elect him for another fours years of ruin!!! Rome is burning and the president has run out of water!!!

Why has it taken two years to get to balance the budget? I think the dems had EVERYTHING for 2 years and still couldn't come up with anything. They could have rammed something through just like the health care bill....They could have stopped the extension of the tax cuts (NOT TAX RAISES) and they didn't......... I still don't see anything but rhetoric coming from the left. Show me the plan that is better than Ryan's.....

spo . ... the non stop borrowing to pay for tax cuts and wars wasnt started by Obama ...where you sleeping for 8 years when we went from a surplus to a deficit

Well timewonttell, why is your president a sleep at the wheel and not fixing these problems. Isn't that why you voted him into office?

Spo de o de,

Do you not live in the United States? Are you not an American Citizen? It would appear that way to me based on the fact you call him "Your President" not "Our President". In which case i would leave the discussion up to those of us that still hold regard for the office of the President regardless of party affiliation. Basically, please silence yourself.

You know the saying Bryan E., PA, if it walks like a duck, and acts like a duck, it must be a duck! And YES I hold high regard for the Office of the President when we have someone in office who works like a President. Unfortunately, what we have in office is a lame duck president that I did not vote for in 2008, and will not vote for in 2012. As noted on many web sites:

"As he’s fond of saying, this isn’t the presidency he asked for. He had wanted a presidency focused on spreading the wealth around rather than desperately attempting to keep our wealth from vanishing into the national money hole. "

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/is-obama-already-a-lame-duck-2009-6#ixzz1NOpnaBEN

And yet somehow President Obama, who you're declaring a lame duck clear back in mid-2009, managed to accomplish a lot in only the last 6 weeks of 2010;

1)Repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell.

2)A new nuclear weapons treaty with Russia.

3)A free trade agreement with South Korea.

4)Extended unemployment benefits.

5)Prevented expiration of tax breaks.

6)Improved nutritional requirements for school lunchs.

ALL OF WHICH Republicans swore would go down in defeat! http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/22/AR2010122203663.html

Then you end with a proven misrepresentation of President Obama's "spread the wealth around" comment. When read in context it's quite clear that he wants ALL AMERICANS to be better off, not just the top 2% wealthy elites who are the only people important to Conservatives.

It must be a bit disconcerting to Republicans that Pres. Obama now leads by double digits in every poll including by 14% in the Fox News poll. And I would guarantee that if the party of "No" continues their blind tactics Pres. Obama's approval rating will continue to improve. Also a bit troublesome is that in an Ohio paper yesterday an article stated that unemployment in Ohio has fallen to it's lowest level since 2008. Gov. Rick Scott's (R-Fla) approval rating has fallen to 32% vs 57% disapproval. Do we see a trend toward 2012?

As you wrote:

Pres. Obama's approval rating will continue to improve.

And what is he going to do to improve the economy? And who cares how he is doing in the polls unless all he is worried about is his image, which is apparent by his constant efforts to look good although most enough is worse off than before he held office. Good luck confinicing others that he still has the Midas Touch.

Excellent post Jody:

Yesterday it annoyed me to think that Eric Cantor had so little compassion to not help tornado victims unless there were off-setting budget cuts. I just wonder if he would feel the same if a hurricane hit his state of Virginia. My bet is he would be one of the first asking for federal help...and remaining silent on the notion of wanting a smaller government.

Jody:

Excellent commentary and we are on the same page (again).

Great post, Jody. I have tried to remember another time when Congress played politics with a natural disaster and have not been able to. Where was this concern for a balanced budget under the Bush administration? This is why elections do matter-- Democrats in the House had to agree to the cuts in order to get the desperately needed aid funded.

Eric Cantor's comments yesterday combined with seeing continuing footage of what is left of Joplin MO, listening to the anguish in the people's voices and then watching real-time tornados in Oklahoma made my blood boil. I could not find any other time when politics played a role in emergency relief in this country. Cantor disgusted me and those who blindly followed his lead disgusted me--they are poor excuses for human beings; they should not stand outside in a lightening storm for fear of a bolt straight from heaven.

I agree, Jody!

Eric Cantor is the most callous, self-serving Congressional leader I have ever witnessed.

I keep remembering those freshmen GOPTP House members standing on the Capitol Hill steps begging (even sent a letter) President Obama to make the democrats stop picking on their YEA Ryan Budget vote. Those GOPTPers made a choice, they voted to kill medicare and then they wanted our President to grant them a pardon for their own dumb vote.

I hope you are right, Nash---how can people not see a connection between record oil company profits yet they receive billions in tax breaks while the economy languishes and the Republicans want to eliminate Medicare.

P.S. Nash----your girl Kirstie sure gave Hines Ward a run for his money on DWTS---I think it was Steeler nation that pulled him through! I would have rooted for her if it had been anyone other than a beloved Steeler!

Steeler Fan:

Congrats to Hines and the Steeler Nation! :o)

You guys are always somewhere near the top, eh?

Homerun, Nashville, excellent points.

I've also noticed the media treats the GOP's chatter about "touching" medicare as if they are simply tweaking it when their plan eliminates it no matter how much they claim a coupon to buy on the open market is the same as what exists which is guaranteed medical coverage in our senior years no matter how ill we might become. Most people including democrats understand that the programs need fixing for the future but "fixing" does not mean eliminating or privatizing it for Wall Street speculators to make huge profits and take huge risks.

Nashville_fan

The jig is up folks - time to put up or shut up.

Those are great words. Eric Cantor should especially when he said no emergency relief for Joplin would pass the House without corresponding cuts elsewhere.

Finally he did. But, his cuts are a fait accompli. The disaster aid package would be financed by a $1.5 billion cut from a loan program to encourage the production of fuel-efficient vehicles. The was not the right cut it should have been from the Oil Barons.

Of course Paul Ryan is a fait accompli too.

Steven: It's an easy pick for me. Progressives show compassion. Conservatives put me first and...compassion, not so much. Just look at Eric Cantor's comments from yesterday.

I saw a photo on weather.com (weird place to stumble onto it); but it said:

Conservatives will defend you if you are:

a woman

an immigrant

glbt

a minority

a fetus

That pretty much summed it up,...I choose inclusivity.

Is compassion going to put food on your table or dress your children? How long can you live on a gallon of compassion? I think compassion is something you show, I show, people show. Government should be in the business of promoting business's to thrive and grow so they can pay taxes and keep people working .......then the people can show compassion. I see no future in a progressive world , we will slowly dwindle until the moneys gone.

Brains/Brawn

JOS

I'd say compassion is, INDEED, feeding and clothing a NUMBER of people in my state of Missouri. In a little town we call Joplin.

We get it, you got YOURS so EF everyone else. You don't really need to shout it from the rafters,...you wear it loud and proud! We HEAR you.

Compassion can and often does put food and clothing on those in need and probably saves some lives along the way as well.

That is the difference from the Democrats and the GOP/TP. One group likes to help ALL people the to the only watches out for themselves.

This is not the ideology that this country was built upon. Helping each other in the time of need has always been a strong point of this country. Go listen to what the British Prime Minster said about the USA coming to there aid.

Typical right I got mine and the he!! with everybody else.

Right wingers are incapable of empathy - it's a genetic defect! ;o)

Clara I would agree 100% with you being a fellow Missourian until I read some of the other posts on another story. Some of the posts were disgusting. One quote went so far as to say the people in Joplin deserved it since they vote Republican. Compassion does not just exist on one side and ill-mannered jerks are on both sides.

I have NEVER said that, ksw62118.

Over half my Facebook friends are Republicans and NO ONE deserves hardship because of how they vote or whom they pray to.

I resent the implication that I have EVER made a comment like that!

Steven -

Interesting list - but where I think we run into problems is when we let ourselves be convinced that we have to be either all Column A or all Column B or we're somehow betraying our side - or conversely, when we assume that if someone on the other side is in Column A or B on any one of those points, that they must then automatically be Column A/B on ALL of them. I'm very much a liberal, but I tend to choose tradition over change. While I'm not one myself, most other liberals I know are Christians. I'm an environmentalist who realizes we can't exist without industry. And I hope there never comes a day when we have to choose between arts and the police and military. I suspect that the majority of Americans aren't really a straight line down one column or the other, but make at least a few zigs and zags along the way.

As for the discussion on compassion, my only thought is that everyone's heard of the term "compassionate conservatism". No one's ever used the term "compassionate liberalism". I'm thinking it would be kind of redundant.

This stuff all costs money........once you have run all the small and large business out of the US. Where do you get the money from?

Wat a bunch of elitist SCUMBAGS. Cantor is a liar. Boehner answers to Dick Armey, and no way do they care about jobs in the United States.

Just one point that shows a divide within the conservative narrative. Today's conservatives only believe in small government when it comes to business, taxes, regulation and those things capitalistic. When it comes to private lives and civil liberties, modern conservative legislators are passing and governors are signing into law big, instrusive government legislation which squarely places government in the doctor's offices and bedrooms of America....that's not small government.

"Equality" "Merit". It assumes that liberals choose equality without basis for merit when what liberals demand is an equal footing to begin the process. One can rarely achieve "merit" without equal opportunity to get there.

Obviously, I choose liberalism because collectively we are stronger than we are individually. Collectively we can build a dam in the desert to supply water to arid states or go to the moon, individually we can build a sandcastle and look at the stars.

(Presented without editorial comment)

ksw62118
Compassion does not just exist on one side and ill-mannered jerks are on both sides.
__________________________________________________________________________________

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

Right wingers are incapable of empathy - it's a genetic defect! ;o)

Joanne in PA, Jody, Clara and Navy(me to by the way), thank you for the thoughtful responses. Your kind of responses was what I was hoping for in this conversation.

Jollyoldsoul1; Sir, you should go on a walk-about looking for you soul. Your postings exhibit a lack of one.

Kate:

Kudos, you summed it all up. The GOP/TP is so blinded by there hate for President Obama they no longer can tell the truth from fiction. They actually believe what they say even though their ideas and rhetoric has been proved time and time again to be failures. If nothing else they are persistent in the same lies day in and day out.

The GOP/TP is for the repeal of Medicare and Medicaid, period. They do not want to fix the problems instead they want to deny you the program(s). Only the wealthy will be able to afford the premiums and the rest of Americans, well they just will have to fend for themselves, they will not even have basic preventative care and some are going to die because of it. Thank you GOP/TP - NOT.

They have been exposed and do not like the response that America is giving them.

The truth is that Ryan's plan is a repeal of Medicare and an introduction of something else -- find a new name for it.

Ryan's name for it is "Medicare." After killing the real Medicare, that's what he wants to call his voucher plan. As Lawrence O'Donnell observed, Ryan wants to take away your car and give you a bicycle and call it a car, but it's still a bicycle.

The COMMERCE Of healthcare and the suggestion that benefits be CAPPED for premiums is a DIRECT hit to anyone on a fixed, retirement income.

You don't have to be a rocket scientist to understand that capping a premium on an industry that remains FOR PROFIT and basically SELF REGULATED (see insurance commissioners, state by state - NOT FEDERAL) is a recipe for ECONOMIC disaster on a demographic that doesn't have the ability to protect itself.

Anyone pretending otherwise is stupid or a liar. IF the Ryan Bill addressed the regulation of the industry OR even, the regulation of healthcare delivery first,...then some CREDIBILITY might (big MIGHT) be established; but NO this brand of 'Conservatism' is all about the REPEAL aspect of governance and they give mere lip service to the REPLACE aspect.

By cutting education over the last almost decade of Republican Rule, they did manage to DUMB down the constituency SOME; but alas, not enough to peddle what is obviously last week's unrefrigerated 'catch'.

I predict that Republicans will filibuster Reid on bringing the Ryan Bill to the Senate Floor. No way they are dumb enough to want to up or down this disaster. NY 26 should at least give them SOME clue. But of course, they would VOTE for it and then make a blanket caveat that anyone attempting to use that vote to define their position would be guilty of twisting their words or whatever that complete nonsense Gingrich proclaimed after his Meet the Press fiasco.

New Republican Motto:

Don't do as I say - do as I mean, and I'll let you know what I mean AFTER you vote for me!

I see it catching on in places like Alaska, New Jersey, Texas, Arizona - but not so much elsewhere.

Hooray for the NAVY!! You sir, are spot on.

Medicare was free for some people, the over 65 non workers when it was first enacted. Also, your medicare taxes are not saved for paying your healthcare in the future, your medicare taxes pay for seniors today. It is a great program and necessary, but it is an entitlement and therefore a political bad word. The thought of privatizing it with a voucher system is as Newt said, radical social engineering from the right . It will only benefit insurance corporations. I would fully support expanding medicare to all US citizens, an efficient single payer socialized healthcare system.

Sometimes I wonder if people realize Ayn Rand's books are found in the fiction section? Then, again, unregulated free market capitalists don't use public libraries.

Medicare - Part B is only 25% funded by the premiums paid into it. There will be a need to adjust that. Very minor problem.

Medicare - Part D needs some radical reform...it's cost has never been funded. It suffers from Voodoo economics (lower tax rates).

Overall, Medicare is in good shape, for now. It will be necessary to make adjustments and corrections in about 4 or 5 years in order to fund the Baby Boomer generation.

Alan Greenspan did a good job seeing that Social Security Retirement is funded for many years.

The only economic crisis we have in this country centers upon jobs.

To improve that, Congress will have to temporarily drop their supply-side economics (lower taxes and spending cuts) and shift to a Keynesian model (government investment and spending cuts).

Terrific post, Kate.

They are entitlements because we pay into the systems all our working lives and we are "entitled" to the benefits of what we paid to receive. Republicans have demonized the word "entitlements" just as they have demonized government, taxes, unions and public-service employees.

US Navy Disabled Veteran - Retired

I like your post. I live in Jacksonville, Fl, so I know many retired military. I am always surprised at the hard right TP stance many take politically. Retired with full pension, TriCare for life, commissary as not to pay county sales taxes, etc...but when they take a stance against unions, medicare, and pensions if find it ironic and more than a bit hypocritical. I appreciate everything they do, and think they deserve all they receive, but most hard working people deserve the same. Thank you for your insight.

Terrific discussion here, informative comments from leroy reed, Journey, Navy. Other countries used our Medicare system to provide universal health care for their citizens. It seems only here do some politicians and people think trading people's health on the stock market for profit is a good thing. Medicare is nonprofit health care with about a 3-5% cost to administer. The VA is another example of excellent, efficient health care via single-payer. Private insurance has 20% costs unrelated to actual medical care and that 20% is only because of the Affordable Health Care Act requiring 80% of premiums be spent on actual care. I would rather see medicare for all but one quick fix is to lower eligibility to age 55.

Clara, enjoyed your post. It seems to me that during the run up to the 2010 elections, republicans said they had an economic plan for recovery? or some grand plan for jobs. I vaguely remember Mitch McConnell said at a press conference they weren't going to tell people what it was, didn't want to reveal their plan to the opposition until after the election. At the time, I wondered why the press didn't pursue it; why democrats didn't pursue it and most of all why voters didn't ask for specifics--but they didn't. McConnell made the comment and that's the last we heard of it.

Leroy,

NO ONE that has retired from the military has retired with a FULL pension. You retire with the high three (average of your highest three pay years of BASIC PAY) and it is cut 50%.....so basically you receive maybe 1/3 of what you were making while active. TriCare is not FREE. It may not be as expensive as some of the HMO's but it is not free, ask families with disabled members as to how much they spend per year.

When was the last time you visited a commissary? Most of those prices are higher than markets outside of the gates.

The reason the majority of military affiliated Americans go the Republican route is because of all the benefits that have been enacted during Republican administrations. Yes the Democrats have gotten credit for a lot of things that were started by Republicans but became active when by chance a Democrat was in office. You can see reasons even today; when Democrats are in office the first thing they attempt to do is experiment on the military with social issues and then Republicans get elected and have to reverse all of that BS.

I am a retired military African American that will never vote Democrat no matter what they promise. There are a lot of Republicans I will not vote for either because I think they are fair-weather. I think a lot of Republicans in this country are fair-weather, you saw that in NY last night. I am a registered voter that IS NOT confused. I didn't vote for McCain for this reason, but I didn't vote for Obama either.

Jody, Iowa

--but they didn't. McConnell made the comment and that's the last we heard of it.

And Jody, that was the plan; stupid and asinine, but it worked. Hopefully, we and the media (journalists, pundits etc,) put this in our scrapbooks for future reference, because follow-up questions are, as we have seen, necessary and fundamental to the process of adequately informing the populace.

IntheMiddle: You didn't vote for McCain and you didn't vote for Obama either...who DID you vote for? Did you vote at all? If you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem and you have no call to be on here criticizing those of us who bother to get out and vote and are actually trying to better this country.

I voted for everyone I wanted to vote for. TY....... I vote in every election but I will not waste a vote nor will I vote for a Democrat just simply because I don't like the Republican. That is the kind of stuff Liberals, fair-weather Republicans and so-called Independents (Sanders type) do.

Where is Harold Stassen now that we really need him?

I'm glad it is in NY and not district 22 in Texas. She has to face another election next year, that will be her test. Maybe she will get her teeth fixed by then. Yes she does have an overbite.....dang

McCain won that district with 52% of the vote. She won her election with 48%.

The Republican and the Tea Parties vote added up to 52%. Ponder on that.

wow, what a sexist comment! Did you advocate Newt lose 60 pounds or Pawlenty get some cheek and hair implants? Ponder the lack of merit in any argument that argues any woman first and foremost be judged on her looks.

AP:

I just tell it like it tis'. I bet you didn't say anything when they were calling Governor Christie a beached whale on MSNBC, do you say anything when they call Limbaugh a whale on MSNBC, do you say anything when they refer to Palin as a Drag Queen, Do you say anything when they call Justice Thomas an Uncle Tom or for that matter any African American that don't vote Democrat??????????????????

In politics you are judged in part on your looks. Who wants to look at a spookzilla everynight on T.V.?

You're having a little trouble with the concept, aren't you? What an absurd statement...because a politician is also on television, that's an excuse to make sexist comments about women politicians? It is sexist to define a woman by her looks and that goes for Gov. Christie, Hilary Clinton or any woman (all I hear are complements about Palin's looks...equally sexist and irrelevant. It's what she says and does that matters.) This is really too tough for you to understand??? who the hell raised you?

Ponder on this. Repubs lost, pure and simple, no matter how you spin it. Since they won the 2008 elections, they continue to promote the policies that destroyed the economy once. And now they want to take more money from the middle class by stealing social security and mdecare benefits and distribute it to the wealthy by extending and enhancing tax cuts to the rich.

It's the equivalent of Sen. Scott Brown beating Martha Coakley in MA in the special election.

Yes, you are missing something. The shirtless GOP guy looking for a hot date who won the seat in 2010, won by 73 or 74%. Carl Palodino won this district in the Governor's race, the only district he won. The republican Jane Corwin had a 20 point lead just a month ago. It was only after the Ryan Budget vote to kill medicare which Corwin embraced and said she would have voted for did the democrat make gains in the polls. The TP candidate was irrelevant, he ran as a democrat twice before and some of his early support went to the democrat Hochul.

your taxes will continue to go up

Not so fast. Taxes have continued to go DOWN under President Obama. Federal tax rates are at their lowest level in 60 years. But if the Republicans were really serious about the debt, they'd back a plan that includes a mixture of tax increases and budget cuts, just like the Democrats. But the Republicans have shown they don't really care about the deficit unless there's a Democrat in the White House, and they certainly don't care about jobs.

Houston, any administration can keep taxes artificially low, that's in part why we have the $14T deficit because the politicians don;t want the taxpayors to realize what all they have to pay for. No different than the local crack dealer selling you a $10 rock for $1 until one day the price goes up to $15. All the liberals want to have 20 million illegals here, welfare, AFDC, healthcare reform, and billions and billiions in other giveaways but then expect everyone else to pay the bill. If the liberals want all this crap, then let them pay for it, but they won't, they push their liberal agenda on everyone and expect them to pay for it. Again, gather all your liberal friends together, have a fund raiser and whatever you raise is what you get to spend on all these social programs, otherwise quit spending MY money!!! If your neighbor asks for your credit card to go shopping so they can buy whatever are you going to give them your credit card and then take responsibility for paying the balance off? That is exsactly what the liberals are doing and it is time to end it!

Liberal's aren't ready to have that "grown up conservation" yet Jim. When this country is broke and there is no more money because the Chinese won't buy any more of our debt, what will they do?

I want the same big mouths on this board praising the Dems. to except the responsibility for bankrupting this country. They won't though will they?

"Free handouts?" Maybe you've never worked a day in your life, but don't assume the rest of us haven't. How about giving back your "free handout" of Bush taxcuts?

FordMan:

How's your proofreading going? Not so well? This is a pretty glaring error, since it turns the meaning of the sentence upside down. It says the opposite of what you intended:

I want the same big mouths on this board praising the Dems. to except the responsibility for bankrupting this country.

I think you meant to say "accept" the responsibility. Your bad. Instead you said Dems should except/avoid/deny responsibility.

Sloppy writing resulting from sloppy thinking.

Oh, and by the way. You're right about one thing. I definitely DO except/avoid/deny responsibility for bankrupting this country.

Thanks for the endorsement.

"My Money" - Mine, Mine, Mine. How do i go about making sure Jim in Dallas doesn't get any of MY MONEY when it comes time to collect Social Security or Medicare? How do i ensure that Jim in Dallas doesn't get MY MONEY when he needs roads repaired so he can get to HIS house or HIS place of employment.

How's your budget deficit in Texas doing there Jim in Dallas under your republican governor? I am on a campaign now to ensure that YOU and YOURS don't get a dime of MY MONEY in relief. Go ahead and secede from the union already and spare me your selfish rant about YOUR MONEY.

Amen, Bryan! (Except that I live in Texas, too--may have to change that soon!) I love the poster above who said that Democrats aren't "ready to have that conversation yet" about funding Medicare. I think both parties have been responsible for kicking the can down the road--remember Bush signing Part D into law (the unfunded part of Medicare for prescriptions)?

Guess what? Nothing will happen until BOTH parties agree to come to the table and work TOGETHER. And it is going to cost something--can't have something for nothing.

The 2010 election proved your point.

Or harder to fool...depends on your point of view I guess of your fellow voters and whether they're as "smart" as you.

My take, the GOP greatly over-reached nationwide. It isn't just the Ryan budget killing medicare to give another 10% cut in taxes to the rich, it is a combination of what the GOP has done since the 2010 elections. Poll after poll show people want taxes increased on the 2% wealthiest (including a poll of the wealthy); they want medicare fixed not dismantled; union busting, demonizing teachers, fire fighters, police officers, snow plow drives. It is a series of miscalculations, over reaching and misinterpretation by the GOPTP of what the 2010 election was about.

I agree Jodi. They do what they always do: over-reach. Not that hard to figure out. When you are surrounded by your own echo chamber, you think EVERYONE wants to throw their grandparents under a bus, women out of the consitution, and the federal government out the window. Just think of the "contract on America"...the definition of Republican over-reach.

One additional point...

In Florida. You elect an ex con and you get what you paid for.

So Sorry..One additional point..

The Washington Post: “Top Democrats have joined a number of Republicans in challenging President Obama’s policy toward Israel, further exposing rifts that the White House and its allies will seek to mend before next year’s election. The differences, on display as senior lawmakers addressed a pro-Israel group late Monday and Tuesday, stem from Obama’s calls in recent days for any peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians to be based on boundaries that existed before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, combined with “mutually agreed swaps” of territory.”

“Senate Democrats are expected to support a resolution intended as a rebuff to President Obama’s call for basing Middle East peace talks on the 1967 Israeli-Palestinian borders,” The Hill reports. “It would be a rare rebuke of the president by the upper chamber and a sign that Democrats are worried about the impact of last week’s speech on the U.S.-Israel relationship and pro-Israel constituents.”

Even Senate Democrats do NOT like the Obama middle east plan. Not just the GOP or people who wrote posts against it here. These are DEMOCRATS not right wing crazies.

Groucho:

You made some good points . . . glad to know there are some "moderate Republicans" left in America . . . who knew?:o)

On the Israel issue: it is easy to "disagree" with the President, what is harder is to come up with a better approach that will work. The reality is that the Middle East is a very fluid situation, and if a deal is not made soon, the United States my not be in a position to exert as much control in the future. I think it is kind of ridiculous to pretend that everything was just fine until President Obama said 1967 borders. It wasn't.

Nashville_fan..

First, there are lots of moderate republicans here. People just don't read their posts or they are grouped together as haters and worse. This is a democratic club posting site and I mean no offense by that.

I understand the window is closing on Israel with the upcoming UN vote and I also understand why Obama brought it up now to avoid a fight in the UN.

Before I started posting here I read a lot of posts and was especially impressed by the posts of Ira Lapin. If you read his arguments and history of the region and the history of negotiations which he posted this past week, you can understand where the other side is coming from. I know that the people of the Middle East have long memories and a VERY long view of history. Negotiations and agreements are NOT going to come before this Sept when the UN takes up the Palestinian resolution. This has been debated since 1948 and will be debated by our grandchildren. You know, some problems have no solutions, at least not yet.

Groucho:

I think if we Americans can move away from personlities, and into policy, we will be on the right track. Things are too serious for us to be making decisions based on media created "narratives" and outdated ideas about what constitutes being an American.

P.S. You say this is a Democratic club site, but I know I am not alone in being THRILLED to see more rational Americans from all political persuasions posting here.

There are so many untrue talking points spouted on sites like this, I just like to see real, live HUMANS sharing their actual thoughts . . . very rare these days.

Truth is, Democrats versus Republicans is an outdated concept . . . there are two sides, but they are the haves and the have nots . . . much of the rest is political theater.

Nashville_fan

Agree..and would like to add that outdated stereotypes need to be included e.g., about republicans and democrats. This goes beyond political theater. Believe it or not, we both want what's best for this country because we love it. We have different opinions on how to get there. Middle ground, not in this partisan environment.

This country was founded because of a difference in opinion on how we should be governed. Political discourse is in our blood and that's great and we can argue about issues all we want. It's the demonetization of opposing views with insults and the rest that makes rational discussion here impossible.

Groucho:

Rational discussion is possible . . . it just takes a little work! :o) I think First Read is basically a Master's Class in civility compared to most comment sections these days, no?

I realize that is not a very high bar, but at least we "Democratic Club" members attempt to provide something to back up our assertions . . . you must admit . . . once the President was required to produce his birth certificate so we could talk about the issues . . . that may have been a new low for our politics and our media.

Not making excuses, but saying that there has been a systematic effort by many on the right to fill the airwaves with foolishness, thereby exasperating and confusing as many voters as possible.

And we are reaping the results, and it is not good.

Love him or hate him, the President has never stopped trying to have a political dialogue that matches the seriousness of the problems we face. I personally wish more moderates of every political persuasion would speak up when folks who are supposed to represent us start saying stuff they don't agree with.

Would make for a much more balanced (and reassuring) picture of the country I think.

Anywho . . . pleasure chatting with you . . . looking forward to your well reasoned and civil posts in the future!

Nashville_fan..

Nashville_fan

As do I.

As to the Master Class in civility thing..please read some posts from some of the more prominent people who post here...on both sides. Collapsed posts, cursing, name calling and insults just because of party affiliation. Turns you off quickly.

Looking forward to talking to you again.

Nashville fan and Groucho Marx

What a great dialogue......thanks. Wish people could see that many of us want the best for America but scream over us just to shut us up and call us names. I'm getting disgusted with the game. Feisty and Bev should take some of this to heart!

Thanks again

Nashville and Groucho, How refreshing it was to hear a civil discussion. We have find common ground on very difficult issues. The far-left and the far-right are tearing this country apart from within. Your discussion here today gives me hope. A shout out to Skip I was really glad to hear from you today. I hope you and your family made it through the storms.

Groucho: " It's the demonetization of opposing views with insults and the rest that makes rational discussion here impossible."

I agree that it's difficult, Groucho, but as you and Nash just proved, it's not impossible. Please keep trying.

Typo, obviously it should be "watching republicans".

Unless you're actually hoping the ship of state IS the Titanic just so you can say the guy you didn't vote for is failing. Must be SO tough to watch America get back on its feet again....

Apparently, he thinks that people under 55, who WILL be affected, don't vote and that people over 55 don't care about anyone but themselves

Ryan grossly underestimated that those over 55, who supposedly won't be affected still CARE about their kids & grandkids who WILL!

These idiots can't see past the end of their nose!

Even if you figure that people over 55 will be 100% selfish and not care about anyone else as long as they get Medicare, they have to think that the age limit of 55 for Medicare qualification today can easily be changed to 60 or more tomorrow---why would they trust the Republicans on that? And I agree with Feisty---most seniors care about the future of our country.

Ryan definitely underestimated seniors assuming them to be as self-centered as he is. One other point, the GOPTP in 2010 election cycle spoke continuously about our children and grandchildren. Seniors are wise enough to realize that our children and grandchildren need medicare and social security as much as they need lower federal debt, maybe more.

Mike,

Don't worry about it being called Obamacare! In years to come, when the American people tell the GOP not to mess with their Obamacare, no one will think of it as being a derogatory phrase at all. As a matter of fact, I suspect that it will redound to the President's historic achievement and not be seen as an aside in any way.

I think you are correct, Mike---a lot of buyer's remorse over the 2010 elections. Someone else here warned of complacency--I can assure you that even if the Republicans didn't learn a lesson from the 2010 elections, the Democrats did---voter turnout will be a key element of the 2012 strategy, even in the face of Republican strategies to make it more difficult to vote.

Steeler Fan, is that the same remorse for all those who voted for Mr. Obama in 2008? Yes, by all means let's keep as many entitlements as possible, raise taxes to pay for them and still remain insolvent. Sounds like a plan!

Casey13,

Which entitlements are you referring to? Sounds like someone has a case of the "Talking Points" this fine Wednesday.

AMEN***

More of the same: triple AMEN*****

Wow, that didn't last long.

Rhetoric aside, everyone stay safe tonight