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Subscribe to RSS“No American president since Franklin Delano Roosevelt has won a second term in office when the unemployment rate on Election Day topped 7.2 percent,” the New York Times writes. “Seventeen months before the next election, it is increasingly clear that President Obama must defy that trend to keep his job.”
“President Obama is pushing aggressively to claim credit for the auto industry’s recovery ahead of his visit to the industrial Midwest — an area essential to his reelection efforts,” The Hill reports. “His auto czar joined the White House press briefing Wednesday to praise the president for having the ‘political courage’ to rescue two of Detroit’s ‘Big Three’ automakers, a message the president will take on the road Friday with a trip to northwest Ohio, a key battleground state in the presidential election.”
“House Democrats head to the White House Thursday afternoon as Washington's high-wire talks on raising the nation's debt ceiling moves into its second day,” The Hill adds. “President Obama's meeting with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and the rest of her caucus comes a day after Republicans at a similar meeting confronted the president and accused him of a lack of leadership on fiscal issues.”
The Washington Post: "A Wednesday meeting between President Obama and House Republicans about the nation’s debt ended with neither side showing a willingness to give ground on any substantive points or rhetorical differences."
“Republicans attending a White House meeting on Wednesday didn’t take kindly to President Obama telling them tax rates were higher during the Reagan administration,” The Hill says. “GOP members engaged in a lot of ‘eye-rolling,’ according to a member who was on hand to hear Obama, who invited House Republicans to the White House for discussions on the debt ceiling.”
Eye rolling aside, taxes are at their lowest point since 1950. “Amid complaints about high taxes and calls for a smaller government, Americans paid their lowest level of taxes last year since Harry Truman's presidency, a USA TODAY analysis of federal data found,” the paper wrote in May 2010… Federal, state and local income taxes consumed 9.2% of all personal income in 2009, the lowest rate since 1950, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reports. That rate is far below the historic average of 12% for the last half-century. The overall tax burden hit bottom in December at 8.8.% of income before rising slightly in the first three months of 2010.”
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'No American president since Franklin Delano Roosevelt has won a second term in office when the unemployment rate on Election Day topped 7.2 percent,” the New York Times writes.'
We've never had a black president either. So what's your point?
President Obama has orchestrated the unprecedented more times than you guys can count. The media will attempt to sabotage the recovery with misinformation, misconstrued statistics and misinformed perceptions only to make the next election at least interesting enough to generate more revenue.
“President Obama is pushing aggressively to claim credit for the auto industry’s recovery ahead of his visit to the industrial Midwest — an area essential to his reelection efforts,” The Hill reports. “His auto czar joined the White House press briefing Wednesday to praise the president for having the ‘political courage’ to rescue two of Detroit’s ‘Big Three’ automakers, a message the president will take on the road Friday with a trip to northwest Ohio, a key battleground state in the presidential election.”
What's he going to do? Is he not supposed to claim credit? The critics say that the bad economy is his and yet any conversations about recovery, they question it...
Political Commentary and Journalism is pretty misinforming these days. Many journalists that have passed on are likely rolling in the graves at what a comedy you have made of it.
LouisJ
That happens to be the crazy america we live in now. what keep baffling me are republicants agendas, their set priorities, their one solution remedy, cut taxes, to any kind of economic impasse from the state level to national level. they are very sheepish in nature. these guys don't wish the middle class well neither do the have respect for women freedom. should the electorate make the mistake of electing the republicants in 2012, we'll look at Greece and call it haven.
LouisJ
'No American president since Franklin Delano Roosevelt has won a second term in office when the unemployment rate on Election Day topped 7.2 percent,” the New York Times writes.'
But does the NYT also report that in FDR's days, O U R companies weren't shipping all of O U R jobs overseas? Think maybe things are slightly different now??
Louis,
You mean Obama will take credit for losing $14 Billion while claiming it's good news?
Arre you buzzing around town in a Detroit car? I have yet to see a Volt. Either nobody wants one or can afford one.
Yesterday it was reported that jobless claims were up, manufacturing down, housing prices at an all time low, and foreclosures have not leveled off and the fear is thehy may spike again as housing prices fall.
All this and neither party can sit down and talk about the economy without sounding and acting like a 5th grader.
It's still the economy, stupid!
Someone please explain how Wall St (business) can be surprised that there are fewer people being employed. When they, the Wall Street bankers and corporations, refuse to loan Main St the money to expand or hire or even survive.
And the right continues to insist that companies make jobs...
umm... if companies don't make jobs, who does? The government? Ha! Good one! The "jobs" that the government makes (the public sector) are paid for by the taxes from the companies and employees of companies.
And still the Tea Party and Republicans like Paul Ryan are insisting that the top tax rate be lowered from 35% to 25%.... a reduction of almost 30%. Now if there was a direct correlation between creating a job and getting a tax break, it MIGHT be worth it. However, since 2002, the employment rolls have declined while those tax rates have dropped.
Maybe if we increase the tax rates on the top 5%, employment will go up.
Patrick, you hit the nail on the head!!!
The over expansion of credit in the United States is what caused the big event 3 years ago. The conduit that once existed between the banks and consumers is gone. And dont' think credit cards are the answer. There was a vast amount of irresponsibility on the part of government, financial institutions, and consumers. It will probably take another 6 or 7 years for things to clear up. There is another housing bubble (crisis) raising-up its ugly head; but this time, the American people will not have the resources to do anything about it. People that are disenchanted with home ownership and are underwater are now beginning NOT to pay their mortgages...not good. All you can do is pray.
I find it a good thing that the housing market has finally been put back into the limelight with regards to it's devestating effect on the economy. I currently work at Appalachian State University trying to saturate the market with ENERGY STAR New Homes. Every builder I have spoke with in the state (over 100) have said that not only is a new wave in energy efficiency coming, but it's going to stay. What is their biggest problem? Markets that are currently oversaturated with existing homes and foreclosures that have been on the market since 2008 or before and failed to sell after the bottom dropped. This is preventing any builders from selling any inventory they are currently sitting on and killing their business. How do we fix this? Either incentivize NEW homes (bailout for the builders anyone?), or tear existing housing down where this is too much (see Detroit). I remember someone mentioning that the housing market would be key but have I hear a peep about it since 2008? Nope. I voted for Obama but if he doesn't try and tackle that along with this dire economy/budget situation, I'm going to be looking elsewhere.
it is the economy, but also as important is the social net, and the seniors spoke in NY 26th and are ready to speak again ! do not doubt gray power!
The Republican's suggested tax breaks for business and monied interests are not going create jobs and demonstrates a total lack of intelligence on the part of its Congressional leaders. Increased demand and the ability to pay for that demand are the only things that matter and there is a lack of both; domestically and overseas. We have currently saturated every single market available due to our superior ability to efficiently produce products. Agricultural products are the exception.
As the President has suggested, we need to attack our economic issues with a more open and fair-minded approach to education. That means we need to start telling ourselves the truth about the roles we play in society. Every young person coming out of high school represents potential economic growth. They are more or less start-up businesses. The Republicans believe otherwise. They think that we should retain foreign graduates through the H1B visa program to address the lack of qualified graduates coming out of our colleges and universities. This is a terrible message to send to our young people.
Instead, we should borrow an idea from Milton Freidman developed in the 1950s:
Sometime during a student's senior year in high school, the investment firm will evaluate a student's aptitudes and conduct a personal interview to establish their economic potential. If it is determined that the student has the potential for their desired field of study, a contract is drawn-up and college costs: tuition, books, meals, public transporation, and housing costs are paid in-full, by the investors.
After graduation, the new business person repays the investors at a determined percent of his or her net pay for a period of 10 years. If the graduate earns less than expected, the investors lose money; if he or she earns more the investors make more. In simple terms; spread the risk.
If business and other monied interests are willing to provide this service for our young people, their tax burden should be lessened. However, tax cuts without results are no longer acceptable and will not be tolerated by the American people.
Education, not tax breaks and credits, create employment and build a strong and secure future.
JTP, thoughtful post. I agree with you. We should be paying more attention, and devoting more resources, to education. Not less. What kind of message are we sending to thoughtful and aspiring students?
Throwing money at education does nothing. Hundreds of billions of dollars have been thrown at it and test scores do not rise. Tell me: What does the Department of Education do? Why do we need a federal department that handles education? The last time I checked, schools are funded by real estate taxes at the local level. If the schools can't operate, based on this revenue, then cuts need to be made or real estate taxes increased. Why do schools need federal funding? Private and Parochial schools do not apply to this discussion because they are funded by private interests and/or tuition. I send my kids to private school AND I PAY FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS through my real estate taxes.
"Throwing money at education" is definitely not the answer but neither is taking money away. Education needs more money and needs to spend it more efficiently. For profit systems are not the answer as every dime should go towards providing quality resources to educate our future generations. For profit ventures, by their very nature, exist to maximize profits and provide a service or product at the lowest cost/highest profit possible. This is not a good formula for providing the best education possible.
Quality resources include better infrastructure, more material resources (e.g. books, computers, A/V equipment, lab equipment, etc.) and better pay for teachers (better pay attracts better qualified people). It also means lowering the administrative costs, e.g. more teachers actually in the classroom and fewer administrators.
Lynchmob - there are several states that do not allow public funds (property taxes) to provide vouchers for private schools. California is one of them. Don't know where you live but, try to find a political candidate that will support your view. I agree that the choice should be left up to the family to decide and if that requires the state to provide a voucher...so be it. Best of luck.
"President Obama is pushing aggressively to claim credit for the auto industry’s recovery"
What recovery? The taxpayers are out a minimum 14 billion, and despite a huge tax credit, no one --no one- is buying the modern day Yugo, the GM Volt, the electric toaster that the environmental wackos and Obama insisted on building...
But the crooked unions were paid off with billions, for which they will pay off the Democrats.
Bob doesn't process facts well.
David - 3469355 & Job1
Bob is facts challenged just like Romney.
The Republicans took over Maine's state legislature and the governorship in 2010 and this is their idea of "change:"
1) Debating abortion bills today (Maine already has one of the lowest rates of abortion in this country. Could be because everybody is OLD.)
2) Passing a bill to allow 16-17 year olds to work longer and later hours. (Originally they wanted to lower the minimum wage to $5.25 for teens, but a public outcry stopped that.)
3) Debating allowing the sale of fireworks (state fire marshall not allowed to testify; he was against it)
4) Passing a bill allowing health insurance companies to charge higher rates for older and rural customers. (Without waiting for the results of a study on its effect. State Insurance Regulator quits on the spot.)
5) Debating repealing the popular bottle deposit law, as requested by the beverage industry.
6) Debating repealing environmental protection laws, including one that had banned BPA from children's sippy cups. (thankfully, failed after public outcry)
And that's not ALL. The governor is looking to STOP investment in alternative energy technology and projects, although this is one area where Maine has the potential to lead the country. Even traditonal Republicans are upset by that one.
Amy, what's in the governor's water bottle??
Fireworks...that will probaly result in saving the entire national economic downturn!!!
So glad not to be in Maine.
Amy,
On the opposite side, California Legislators the Governor and the Unions have only one thing on there agenda, and that is to find and drain every last cent from the taxpayers. They are acting like drunken sailors, passing bill after bill that has nothing to do with jobs, but is focusing on more rights and benefits for illegal immigrants.
The unions are spending millions on air time to get the tax extensions to go forward. After the latest poll the union changed their mind, no longer do they want it on the ballot because they know it wont pass.
David Kieffer the executive director of the state council of the influential Service Employees International Union said -Go get a deal done, in a challenge to Brown and the Legislature. Californians "would vote the taxes down," he said, and "they don't actually need to be involved in this decision."
Sweet, right?
Maine this, Maine that, Do really think the rest of the country cares about what is going on in your suburb of Canada?
Rocco-2976776
What have you and your goons cared about.........NOTHING. That's why republicants were given a clean bill economy and they made a complete mess of it. just imagine an economy without a middle class?
Amy B. Portland, ME
this goes to show you they've got no single solution of how to get the people of the mess they, republicants/teabaggers plunged us into hence, they go for meaningless issues. you wonder why the middle class has turn to their punching bag.
Rocco,
Many of us care about the state of Maine and the right wing destruction taking place their. If you have never visited there, you should. I like to think of Maine as a little piece of Heaven as far as the beauty and the wonderful people that live there.
Rocco-2976776
What is happening in Maine seems to be what is happening everywhere the right-wing won election in 2010.
The Republican controlled legislature in Maine is even debating repealing our same-day voter registration law, which has been in effect in Maine for the last 40 years. Apparently, when the laws make it easier to vote, young folks vote for Democrats. So up on the agenda, instead of jobs creation, is a bill to outlaw same-day registration. Fancy that.
I care about Maine - lived there a long time ago. I care about ALL of our states - have been to all 50 of them. There are too many "Me, me, I, I" people.
Gee,
Maybe if we stopped giving BILLIONS to foreign countries and stop the 3 senseless wars we are in we wouldn't have all these problems with our economy. our country is going down the toilet because of the continuing wars and foreign policies we can't afford.
USAID has spent over 4 billion dollars on development programs in Afghanistan since 2002. To build roads, electrical power, and supply water sources. Roads not complete, power station not operational, and water facilities not working. We give 2 BILLION A YEAR to our back stabbing freinds in Pakistan. (which they used to buy 50 CHINESE firghter jets at 20 to 25 million EACH)
The U.S. military has so far appropriated $747.3 billion for the Iraq operation and $299 billion for the campaign in Afghanistan. A bill for supplementary grants of $37 billion for both the wars, in addition to $136.8 billion allocated for the current financial year, is now pending with the Congress.
Right here we have over a TRILLION, add that to the 1.5 TRILLION in foreign aid EVERY YEAR, gee that is just about what they need to raise the deficit by! How about we just STOP FLUSHING MONEY DOWN THE TOILET and get rid of the economic crisis that way!?!?!
It's unfortunate that we have to get news from our news media- everything is opinioned, there's nothing factual anymore.
Depending on which way the polictical wind is blowing -the media will generate and souped up situations - just to sway the political minds of the people who may be interested.
How can one talk about what is not happening and never mentioned what has?
The majority of our Media has failed America - it's no longer about the news...it's about telling a story that will generate attention in an effort to gain more revenue- then just call it news.
I don't think any NEWS organization should be printing their opinion about what our Government officals are or are not doing... it's not factual.
Political news nowaday is all fiction...sprinkled with partial facts and then sensationalized to created an emotional and swayful response.
It has become 's a form of MEDIA bashing of our President and it's not FAIR...you guys did the same thing during the past election.
It's BS!!!
TRUTH - not CRAP
Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA
Would it be completely dumb to appropriate a new tax that goes directly toward debt elimination? I realize the transparency on this would be near to impossible, but if I knew that my extra tax was going DIRECTLY toward lowering the debt (or possibly matching any additional spending that breaches the debt ceiling), I think I would be ok with that.
Guess he is gonna brag about rewriting the bankruptcy laws so he could screw the GM bond holders, who previosly helped keep GM afloat, while he REWARDS/REPAYS his big campaign donors at the UAW with taxpayer money.
This article sounds like baseball stats: Hitting 300 on Tuesday's after a holiday a day after it rained in afternoon games!
I think with all of the adversity and troubles America has been enduring for the last two years Obama is doing ok. He gets a lot of crap for campaign promises he made but has not yet had a chance to accomplish. He gets credit (blame really) for the economy and unemployment that was passed onto him by the previous administration. He gets blame for adding money to the deficit all the while maintaining two wars that should not have dragged on this long, one of which we should not have been in in the first place (Iraq), and stimulating a recession. He tried to do something about health care like so many before him tried to do. He gets criticized about Libya even though that is a NATO operation and we are a member of NATO and the world community so we are obligated. He gets blame for sending money to other countries even though even the Speaker of the House has said it is the right thing to do. He did stimulate the economy, maybe there were different ways or even better ones but it seems to be getting better out here but it all takes time and the job market will never be what it was before but that is not on him, companies have found new ways to be profitable for less. He did help the American Auto Makers which not only saved jobs they are growing and adding new jobs. He got Credit Card reform passed that helped so many people get control of their lives back from credit card companies. He seems to be fighting for the largest population in the country (middle class) which is the right thing to do. He cares about America helping and taking care of it's citizens as our country was built on.
I am an Independent voter in case it matters, so far Obama gets a good grade for effort and I personally believe his heart is in the right place. So far I have not seen a clear front runner for the GOP for me to consider and that is ashamed but I am sure the primaries will weed out Palin and Bachman and any other wanna bee's that have no place as POTUS.
You are not an independent as you claim. If you cannot see $4.5 tr debt in 28 months, 18.8 million unemployed, $4/gal gas, 50-70% inflation in groceries, collapsed housing market, weak dollar, incessant printing of money, higher taxes and perpetual deficit with no plan on paying the debt in the next 10 years, you are blind!
Fact that you blame Bush for the bad economy despite 4.5 % UE until Jan 2008 and third the rate of current debt and less than 500B deficit/year (again third of current), you are biased.
After the '08 elections, President Obama and the Democratic Congress abandoned the "populist" agenda almost immediately - tax code reform, Wall St. reform, housing-mortgage reform, and most importantly, trade policy reform (i.e. China as "most favored nation"). Instead of building on the momentum of '08 with progressives, displaced workers, and bewildered youth, Obama and the Democrats colluded with Wall St. to perpetuate the interests of Big Finance. Then, in formulating the Big Health Care Bill, the Demos immediately deleted the Public Option, price-controls, and the importation of cheaper pharmaceuticals. Meanwhile, the Republicans were playing Ebenezer Scrooge obstructionists, and offering nothing new or different. Then, the Demos get shellacked in the '10 mid-terms, and are bewildered. Both parties enjoy blaming the other, while raking in big contributions from those that benefit from stalemate - big corporations with big money.
I honestly wonder how much of what is going on in DC is Chicken Little yelling the sky is falling, if we are really going to go into default for reaching a self imposed debt limit then they would do something about it and stop maneuvering for 2012 debate material. Also when the media gets hold of or wind of something they have to make something out of it.
This I believe is 100% correct and I agree with it totally!
I don't care who you are, money not being collected counts as deficit. When GW Bush took office and the first Bush Tax cuts went into affect it added $1.5 Trillion to the Deficit, when they were extended in 2010 it added $8.62 Billion, that is more than $2 Trillion on the deficit because of lower tax rates. Honestly, Cut Spending, lower the budget and collect taxes are three huge ways the deficit/debt can be attacked.
The reason why the last Congress did not pass any jobs programs is the Republicants in the Senate either Filibustered or threatened to do so. The Republicants wanted to make sure there was no recovery so they could get a President in 2012>
you are correct, a letter sent to Senator Harry Reid signed by 42 Republican Senators saying they will not agree to work on anything other than Funding the Government or extending the Bush Tax Cuts. It is on the "Republican.Senate.Gov website:
http://republican.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Blogs.View&Blog_Id=d2fd96b0-535d-49ab-9e12-5f204fb330dc
And that's just this year, Robert. The did far worse in 2009 & 2010.
Anyone other than me sick to death of partisan politics? Why don't legislators care about the country and its people? They are more interested in voting in their next raise, fattening their pension plans, and the next election than they are about the economy, jobs, you and me. They say healthcare in this country is broken, but I say that our congress is broken. They could regulate healthcare costs is they wanted to. They have the power, but they don't use it. Their fix is to mess with Medicare, not to fix the actual problem which is outrageous costs.
Republicans are working hard to make sure the Economy fails and that Jobs dissapear, to ensure that the First Afrcian American President Fails, their words, except they delibertly left out "Afrcian American. So much for Country First, the current Theme is Whatever it takes to turn the country over to the Rich and Corporations even if it means destroying families which is occuring at record speed, Old people Killing Medicare & Social Security, The Poor & Wiping Out the Middle Class.
Somehow along the way these so called Evangicals and I say that because they don't qualify as Christians, mis read their bibles if they read them at all they would know that their entire Agenda is totally the opposite of Scripture.
Somehow they seem to forget who rules the Entire World and I can assure you it's not the Republican Party.
In the end Right will win not tricks, not lies, not wiping out families, the Old and the Poor including the Middle Class.
I'm sorry, in order for me to wrap my head around that gibberish, you are going to have to provide a few links.. I am especially interested in reading the "who, what and where" of your statement, as follows:
If you are going to spread evil like this around, you probably should provide sources... So let's have them!
Ellie Mae - Apparently you haven't taken the time to read the Ryan plan. And where have you been since the Reagan administration? The Republicans have never liked nor supported social programs be they medicare, medicade, planned parenthood, social security, etc. They also have done all in their power to kill the environment and rape the land. Reagan's trickle down economics and deregulation started the demise of the middle class and the Ryan plan is trying to finish it off. They still subscribe to the theory that if you give tax breaks to the wealthy in our society that it will help the poor and middle class. This theory is a myth that has put the burden of supporting our government squarely on the middle class. My wealthy friends say, we don't pay taxes, we leave that to the rest of you. They are in a position to evade taxes through tax shelters and breaks. Further, even when they say they'd happily pay taxes, they aren't asked to. I cite Warren Buffet who said he'd gladly pay more taxes, but he hadn't been asked, so he gave millions to charity.
Summertime-Apparently you didn't read my post? Why don't you give it a try.. Who knows, maybe your comprehension skills will kick in?
PS, I haven't read Ryan's plan totally through but I have read the CBO's report on their impressions. Why don't you post a link to the Democratic fix to all of the "social programs" that you have referenced so that I can compare them? Thank you!
June, Fl
Republicans are working hard to make sure the Economy fails and that Jobs dissapear, to ensure that the First Afrcian American President Fails, their words, except they delibertly left out "Afrcian American. So much for Country First, the current Theme is Whatever it takes to turn the country over to the Rich and Corporations even if it means destroying families which is occuring at record speed, Old people Killing Medicare & Social Security, The Poor & Wiping Out the Middle Class.
Where do you come up with this? Why would anyone work to destroy our economy, what happens if they are successful? Makes no sense.
I don't think people are that bad, and its sad to see you do.
Democrat Soldier,
No disrespect, but to say that the Media was and is bashing Obama is comical. Other then Fox News, please tell who is bashing Obama?
Republicans usually fall into two camps - corporate Republicans and Far Right nativists. Obama was bought off by the corporates long ago - notice how he has abandoned the progressive agenda regarding corporates. In exchange, the corporates aim very little criticism at him and are fairly content. Not so with the Far Right nativists - birthers, gun-toters, mama grizzlies, evangelicals, and other reactionaries who want the America of the idyllic 1950's. A true "conservative" holds true to the tenets of small-government and liberterianism, which means end the foreign wars, bring home the troops, end the drug war - legalize and decriminalize, move back to the gold standard, and take care of ourselves. This brand of conservatism conflicts with the Corporate Agenda, so nativists became distracted by Karl Rove and Dick Armey by stirring up anti-Obama sentiment, while Ron Paul is labeled as a "kook" by corporate Republicans. Sarah Palin was the quintessential nativist rouge, who has been reshaped into a nativist gone corporate.
Uh oh.. Someone hasn't been paying attention? If someone had been paying attention they would have noticed that both parties share an equal portion of the "gone corporate" pie... Why do you think it is that neither party has an interest it regulating the fruit in that pie?
It's the economy - stupid. There they go again! Trying to blame President Obama for the failings of the previous! To add insult to injury the GOP/TEA players are the ones not providing enough "Revenue Enhancement" to help cover the short fall. They will protect the richest 2%-ers and the mega-corporations, while loosening the restrictions on Wall Street and Big Banks. These GOP/TEA-ers are waging war on the unions and retired folk, while throwing the rest of America under the bus. "Every economist, liberal and conservative, says it would be grossly irresponsible to let the United States default on its debts. Apparently the Republicans want to campaign on their irresponsibility -- first to destroy Medicare and now to destroy the full faith and credit of America, putting our economy and the world's economy in peril. Symptoms are: Republicans campaigning irresponsibility, destroy Medicare and now to destroy the full faith and credit of America, putting our economy and the world's economy in peril, grossly inflated egos, Bad Bachmann syndrome, Pawlentytotid egos, Palinosis of your ear, Conservative Bachmann rash, Newt's Hangtoe, Cain-omylytis, rampant Paul-psychosys, and a possible blocked Santorum. In the event these conditions continue remain calm and got to your nearest voting booth, calmly present your voter certificate, sign the voters ledger, close the booth drapes behind and check any one but GOP/TEA party member! Await excellence in health care, renewed American vigor and credit, A multitude of saved jobs, corrections to and for economic growth!