Rome continues to burn while Boehner raids the safe!

I realize his bar ‘tabs’ have essentially doubled since his coronation but, why should the tax payers be subsidizing them?

I wonder how the ‘courageous’ Paul Ryan feels about his ‘fearless’ leader fiscal conservatism?

Instead of eradicating Medicare & Medicaid maybe they should clean up their own act
FIRST!

• By Paul Singer
• Roll Call Staff
• June 8, 2011, Midnight

When
John Boehner rose from
Minority Leader to Speaker in January, he not only expanded his staff and his
paycheck, he more than doubled the expense-account check he cashes each month.

As
Minority Leader, the Ohio Republican had received a direct payment of $833 each
month from taxpayers to cover “official expenses for leaders,” the same monthly
total then-Majority Leader Steny
Hoyer received.

But Boehner now receives a monthly
$2,083.33 direct payment for expenses, according to the most recent expenditure
reports from the Clerk of the House. Because the total of the expense payment
is the same each month, it is apparently not reimbursement for individual
itemized expenses.

Boehner’s office offered no details about
how his monthly check is spent. Spokesman Michael Steel would only say, “This
money is used in appropriate ways for expenses related to his official duties.”

Beginning in January, Hoyer, now the
Minority Whip, saw his monthly expense check drop to $527, and the Maryland
Democrat in March stopped accepting it entirely.

A spokeswoman in Hoyer’s office confirmed
he has not taken the expense payment since February because he decided “the
appropriate thing to do was to stop receiving it.”

While Congress has set aside $235,000 a
year to cover the expenses of House and Senate leaders, Boehner now appears to
be the only Member of the House accepting this money in direct payments each
month.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)
generally used the expense account to pay for meals or ceremonial events; the
expense payments were not made out to her directly. Since she became Minority
Leader in January, there is no record of any leadership expense-account
payments from her office.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), who
served as Minority Whip in the 111th Congress, doesn’t use the account at all.
Nor does Assistant Minority Leader James Clyburn (D-S.C.), who
served as Majority Whip in the last Congress, their offices said in March

The boost in Boehner’s expense account is
in addition to the $30,000 increase in the base pay that he began to collect in
January after becoming Speaker. According to the Congressional Research
Service, the Minority Leader’s salary was $193,400 last year. This year’s
Speaker salary is $223,500.

That means between his pay and his
expenses, Boehner saw his annual checks jump from $203,400 to $248,500 in
January, an increase of about 22 percent.

The boost in Boehner’s expense account is
in addition to the $30,000 increase in the base pay that he began to collect in
January after becoming Speaker. According to the Congressional Research
Service, the Minority Leader’s salary was $193,400 last year. This year’s
Speaker salary is $223,500.

That means between his pay and his
expenses, Boehner saw his annual checks jump from $203,400 to $248,500 in
January, an increase of about 22 percent.

How many people do you know that received a 22% salary increase to just say HELL NO?

If nothing else the GOP/TP is consistent with their theme on what is “GOOD” for America – Basically, more tax cuts for the richest 2%, increased deficits (not lower) and more (not less) National Debt. Makes you wonder what rock they are hiding under as they are so out of step with what the American People are saying they want – like JOBS and a stable economy. Here is their answer, note it has a strange similarity to another idea floating around in the GOP/TP halls of “Fiscal Responsibility” – yeah right and pigs fly, the moon is made of green cheese and Sarah Palin will be our next President.

T-Paw Proposal for the economy: http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/06/07/238929/analysis-pawlentys-tax-plan-cost/

“Earlier today, presidential candidate and former governor Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) outlined his economic policy “vision,” which included several major proposals to cut taxes. Pawlenty called for”:

– Cutting the top individual income tax rate down to 25 percent;

– Having just two income tax brackets, 10 percent and 25 percent;

– Eliminating all taxation on capital gains, dividends, and estates;

– Cutting the corporate tax rate down to 15 percent

“These proposals, taken together would bestow a massive tax cut on the wealthiest people in the country. They would also reduce overall federal revenues to a such a low level that even if Pawlenty’s draconian, radical spending targets were achieved, deficits and debt would still soar out of control”.

“All together, Pawlenty’s tax proposal would generate an average revenue level of just 13.6 percent of GDP from 2013-2021. That translates to a tax cut of $7.8 trillion, and that’s on top of $2.5 trillion cost of extending all of the Bush tax cuts (see below for details on how this estimate was calculated)”.

“Pawlenty also says that he will balance the budget, and cap spending at 18 percent of GDP. Unfortunately for Pawlenty, his tax plan leaves him about $8.4 trillion short. Given that reality, he can either embrace a huge middle-class tax increase, or give up his claims to a balanced budget. If he doesn’t make up that revenue, deficits and debt will skyrocket, even if he does slash spending back to levels not seen in half a century”.

And where is the part about creating Jobs in this country and stimulating the economy. All we have here is another plan from the GOP/TP that redistributes power and wealth to the Millionaires and Billionaires and screws everybody else. The amazing thing is that T-Paw is the same idiot that this week calls President Obama’s agenda “Class Warfare” Why does the GOP/TP continue to lie about who and what they are. They are the ones who are waging “Class Warfare” on America, and the above is the proof along with all the other crap they have been legislating and/or proposing like repealing Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, taking away reproductive rights from women, disenfranchising millions of citizens from voting, rigging elections – see what they are now trying to do in Wisconsin by hiring a fake Democrat to run in the recall elections, just like they were going to hire thugs to pretend they were democrats at the rallies and to start fights so they could get some negative air time.

This is one failed and totally despicable party, period. What is so repugnant is the arrogance of these people to outright spit in the face of America and count on the American people to be so stupid as to buy this crap.

People, this is all the GOP/TP Party has to offer – “huge tax cuts for the richest 2%, special tax incentives (subsidies) for Big Oil, and new rules and regulations giving Wall Street and Big Business greater freedom to “rape” American. They want to repeal Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security as we know it and give the control to “private insurance companies” and “Wall Street”. The elderly, senior citizens, the sick, disabled, low income citizens will not be able to able Health Care in decades to come and many will die for the lack of proper and affordable Health Care. The winners will be the “private insurance companies and Wall Street”. The losers will be over 50 Million US Citizens that basically will be left out in the cold to fend for themselves. The GOP/TP is NOT going to create and JOBS in this country as they promised during the last election cycle. They are not going to stimulate the economy as they promised in the last election cycle either.

This party is on the agenda of “Class Warfare” that WILL leave the United States of America a Nation of those “That Have” and “Those that Never Will”.

MSDNC’s coverage of Weiner’s Weiner last night was predictably Hillaryous. Shemp Mathews didn’t have any of the talking heads on last night that were on his show last week with their “I give Anthony Weiner the benefit of the doubt” and “Let’s wait until all the facts come out” and “There’s nothing in his background to indicate he would do something like this”. I guess Mathews doesn’t serve crow to lefty liberals on his show.

Cerk the Turk was all against Weiner having to resign because “He didn’t break any laws and all politicians lie when they get caught in a sex scandal, so what’s the big deal.” He’s gonna make a great father and his kids will grow up to be outstanding lefty liberals. Happy Father’s Day, Cerk.

I didn’t see Larry O.

Keanu Maddow did a 20-25 minute long litany of past Republican sex scandals. In the background were the initials for her contention “It’s OK If You Are a Republican”. Apparently, she was trying to make the point that two wrongs make a right. Again, a candidate for parent of the year, like Cerk.

LouisJ

Second thought...

President Obama still has work to do regarding the economic situation, but there is no doubt that he has been on the right course. His critics realize that many pundits and failed entertainers as well as failed politicians will paint everything in a negative color and the critics will pounce on this type of punditry as the overwhelming topic of the day.

Great anylasis

Did you forget about the sexual healing Louis? Just kidding I'm not talking about Weinergate today unless forced into it. Can't wait for this erotic jpg thee dirty Breibart won't reveal.

As I have said time and time again. If a politician goes off the reservation and does something that he should not have done, he/she needs to be called out and pay the price. This is true if they be democrats or republicans. If you do something wrong then you need to pay the price, period.

His constituents will be the ultimate judges as it should be. Again, it makes no difference what the party you represent is, you screw up then you need to face the penalties what ever they may be.

Wiener made a serious error in judgement and compounded it when he lied about it. What ever happens is his own fault and he just has to face the music and take his punishment like everybody else.

Today's local paper had an article about the frosty reception Teapublican governor LePage is giving to wind energy companies that want to invest in Maine and to the researchers at the University of Maine who have already won national recognition for their technical developments.

This is the governor who, like most Teapublicans, claims to want to make Maine more "business-friendly."

It's so frustrating because our last governor, John Baldacci, did so much to lay the groundwork for Maine's future as a leader in alternative energy. It's like we can't get a break in this country, the Republicans run us into the ground, the voters grow impatient with the Democrats after two years for not "fixing" the economy, and then we are stuck with neandrethral Tea Part-ites throwing us back to the stone age for four more years.

http://www.pressherald.com/news/doubt-cast-on-wind-message_2011-06-08.html?pageType=mobile&id=1

Joe........this thought comes to mind. HYPOCRISY, THY NAME IS .................REPUBLICAN

Your guys are in a class all by themselves.

I am calling on Barry to issue a Presidential Proclamation declaring a national Weiner’s Weiner Day. It would be a day for all American’s to celebrate Cyber-perversion and politicians lying about it when they get caught. It would be structured as an economic “stimulus” program with weiner roasts across the nation on a designated Monday, say August 1, 2011, the two month anniversary of the Weiner’s Weiner press conference. Barry would issue an executive Order making it a paid national holiday for all workers. People would be encouraged to go on a three day mini-vacation that they otherwise wouldn’t take and the spending on travel, food and lodging would provide an extra boost to the economy. Barry could call for corporate sponsorships from companies like Oscar Mayer Weiner’s and Fruit of the Loom and Twitter.

Feisty--I wonder if Speaker Boehner is paying tax on this so-called expense reimbursement.

Amy:

The hypocrisy continues. The GOP/TP cannot create jobs or stimulate the economy as that would make President Obama look good. So they probably will just continue to drag their feet, say they want jobs but do nothing to help create a working environment for those said jobs. This is their agenda and the people will suffer as usual. And do not forget,they will blame President Obama even though it is the GOP/TP "Obstructionist" that are really doing the damage to this country.

It never stops with the Party of no "Shame", and they are even arrogant about it feeling that they are now untouchable for their DRACONIAN ideology. Well look at what is going on in WI this week with Walker City and the upcoming recall elections.

US Navel Intelligence ("Navel" as in the intelligence of belly button lint.)

Old Navy, Groucho and many other libs still tout that Obama prevented a second depression, the stimulus worked .......

While President Obama’s History is still being written it will include the following:

1. Prevented a 2^nd Great Depression

That’s a pretty ignorant statement. The recession officially ended in June 2009, six months into the Obama administration. Bush stemmed the flow with TARP. We are officially in a “recovery”.

About that recovery, Reagan inherited a pretty bad situation ….. he had to deal with peak unemployment of 10.8% compared 10.1% for Obama. Unemployment was 7.2% for December 2008. Obama promised it wouldn’t go above 8% if we gave him about $800 billion. Gave him the money and it went another 2.1% above OBAMA’S WORST CASE SCENARIO!

At this point in the recovery, Reagan had dropped unemployment to around 7% from 10.8%. Obama’s has climbed back the last few months .3% to 9.1%! Adjusted to the respective percentage size of the work force, Reagan added the equivalent of 6 million jobs by this time. Obama – lol, right.

Obama said the stimulus would create a 150,000 new shovel ready infrastructure construction jobs. A recent study by economists Timothy Candor and Bill Dupor revealed that it actually cost 70,000 jobs. The states simply deferred borrowing and saved the money.

Jobs in general, they found Obama did save 443,000 state and local jobs. Problem was that it destroyed or forestalled a million private sector jobs – BIG NET LOSS!

Long-term unemployment? Under Reagan, just 18% for 27 weeks. Under Obama an ASTONISHING 45%!

GDP? Reagan was growing the economy at a 7.1% averaged rate at this point. Obama? 2.8% with the first qtr. Of this year sinking and going the wrong way to 1.8%!

Consumer confidence? By this point in the Reagan recovery, the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence had hit 100%. Under Obama …… a hair over 60%! (What idiots are so clueless to still have confidence in this guy other than the hard core?)

Deficits? Reagan trimmed it to 4.8% of GDP. Obama has raised his to 10.9% and it is still climbing, and he is still insisting he be allowed to spend more, to raise the debt limit again, with no restraint!

Housing? Have to actually go back the the Great Depression. During the Great Depression, 31% of homes were worth less than what was owed. Under Obama - 33%!

Prevented the 2^nd Great Depression? Yea, right.

One thing that is true is that Obama has quantifiably the worst recovery since the Great Depression.

US Navy -

I saw where House Republicans want to reduce the Fed workforce by 10%... now that is true job creation right there, they start firing people. Great!

Bev, it's a crazy world we live in. All I can say is don't put yourself in a position to where you have to answer for mistakes and politicians that participate in online forums are a trainwreck waiting to happen. I don't tweet.

My take on men and households is this... I have three daughters I have to answer to and if I don't want to have to explain any negative actions to them, I don't put myself into any situation where I have to bring it home to them. People just need to stop and think. But we all make mistakes, God forgives.

Today the president finds himself between a rock and a weiner. He is showing signs of stress and inexperience. He flubs protocol with foreign leaders and embarrasses our great country. There has to be a very big playbook on how and when to toast another world leader but also basic common sense should have told him that toasting the Queen of England WHILE THE BRITISH NATIONAL ANTHEM WAS PLAYING was inappropriate as well as toasting Merkel before giving her the award. Signing the Westminister Abbey book with the WRONG YEAR is definitely another sign of stress. I know I don’t want this man’s hand on the button. If you supporters are truly friends of his just remember that friends don’t let friends govern stupidly. It’s time you take away his keys to the White House.

He has shot his wad. He is distracted. His focus is not on the economy. He stammers and babbles. Now he knows we are not in a double dip recession but he doesn’t know what happened last month to the economy and he is not sure if it is a trend and he is not worried. Someone must have given him a double dose of Paxil. There is a total policy vacuum when it comes to the economy. He doesn’t even hold daily meetings with his staff on the economy anymore. Oh there is a double dip recession coming and this time it will be accompanied by inflation. With a 1.5 to 1.6 trillion dollar deficit and interest rates at ZERO, he is boxed in. There is nowhere else to go. Another stimulus package will never happen and whatever effects the last one had has faded precipitously.

To those of you who say “where’s the job bill the Republicans promised?” I say to you that the jobs bill is the repeal of Obamacare. Recent surveys have shown that the apprehension businesses have of what healthcare will cost them. They have the cash to hire but not the reserves to take on the increasing costs to them under Obamacare.

“Thirty percent of employers will definitely or probably stop offering health benefits to their employees once the main provisions of President Obama's federal health care law go into effect in 2014, a new survey finds.

The research published in the McKinsey Quarterly found that the number rises to 50 percent among employers who are highly aware of the health care law.”

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/06/07/1-in-3-employers-will-drop-health-benefits-after-obamacare-fully-kicks-in/#ixzz1OghZ49gk

These businesses will not hire and drop healthcare and 78 million Americans are at risk. The fines are easier to absorb than the healthcare costs. This was a jobs KILLING bill and needs to be repealed. Oh trying to raise the fines to force the businesses to offer healthcare will not work. The businesses will fold. And before you give me the rant that it came from Faux News, unbelievable, etc. just read the report. Educate yourself for a change.

I love Archie Bunker: http://www.texasrainmaker.com/2011/04/19/archie-bunker-has-a-few-words-for-barack-obama/

We learned last week that U.S. housing prices have fallen more than they did during the Great Depression. As the Wall Street Journal reported, home prices have dropped 33 percent since 2006, compared with a 31 percent decline in the 1930s. The values of bottom-tier homes have fallen a disastrous 63 percent. The Bush Recession – as some have called it – will now be the Obama Depression. Dodd-Frank needs repealing and the new financial regs need to be revisited if the housing market is to recover.

Goolsbie is gone. Jared is gone. Romer is gone. Summers is gone. Orszag is gone. The new Washington Post/ABC News poll is out with devastating news for this administration and the economy. The dead cat bounce of getting UBL is gone. If these guys were so great, don’t ya think the president would have used his influence to request the college presidents to extend the tenure track until the country is back on its feet. What lame excuses.

“By 2 to 1, Americans say the country is pretty seriously on the wrong track, and nine in 10 continue to rate the economy in negative terms. Nearly six in 10 say the economy has not started to recover, regardless of what official statistics may say, and most of those who say it has improved rate the recovery as weak.”

http://patdollard.com/2011/06/abc-newswashington-post-poll-obama-loses-bin-laden-bounce-romney-beats-him-60-say-economy-has-not-started-to-recover/

The poll also shows that Romney – who has been called at best the worst flip-flopper – is shown to be able to beat the president. So all the name calling, religion bashing, etc. has not worked to this point. The leader of one of the largest Tea Party groups has come out and said they will support any Republican candidate opposing the president. So all of you who say the Tea Party faction is a controlling influence in the Republican Party should be worried.

Maybe that is why the president has targeted the largest campaign war chest in history to beat such a “rag tag” group of Republicans. At least he has a better handle –not much – on reality than the infernal bloggers on here who seem to relish in the ability to dominate (still can’t determine how since they are commenting at least 20 minutes before the story even appears on my screen) and patting each other on the back. The most absurd concept is that your tripe is influencing the world. LOL! Really? Seriously? Oh wait a minute I hear the med cart coming down your hall to give you a double dose.

I said this: “To kick these problems down the road for another four years or another eight years would be to continue the same irresponsibility that led us to this point. That's not why I ran for this office. I didn't come here to pass on our problems to the next President or the next generation.” BUT I HAVE PROPOSED NOTHING ONLY RIDICULED OTHERS’ EFFORTS.

I said this: “We are living with a legacy of deficit spending that began almost a decade ago. And in the wake of the financial crisis, some of that was necessary to keep credit flowing, save jobs, and put money in people's pockets.” BUT ALL I HAVE DONE WAS EXACERBATE THE PROBLEM.

I said this: “But now that the worst of the recession is over, we have to confront the fact that our government spends more than it takes in. That is not sustainable. Every day, families sacrifice to live within their means. They deserve a government that does the same.” BUT I REFUSE TO TACKLE THE SPENDING PROBLEM, ONLY ADD TO IT.

I said this: “Now, even after paying for what we spent on my watch, we will still face the massive deficit we had when I took office. More importantly, the cost of Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security will continue to skyrocket. That's why I've called for a bipartisan, Fiscal Commission, modeled on a proposal by Republican Judd Gregg and Democrat Kent Conrad. This can't be one of those Washington gimmicks that lets us pretend we solved a problem. The Commission will have to provide a specific set of solutions by a certain deadline.” BUT I REFUSED TO INCORPORATE THEIR FINDINGS.

This man has hit his head on the debt ceiling and is suffering from a concussion.

FR: T- Paw is not a truth-teller; and don't appreciate him coming into my town telling lies.
Pawlenty did more than attack the President's record, while appearing just a few blocks from Mr. Obama's home. He also laid out his own plan for reviving America's economy. Key to the plan: dramatic tax cuts for businesses and individuals.

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/president-barack-obama-tim-pawlenty-gop-david-axelrod-candidate-20110607



But David Axelrod put T-Paw in check.

David Axelrod told reporters the former Minnesota governor is the last one who should be offering advice on budgets.

“He left his own state with a $5 billion deficit,” Axelrod claimed. “And now he's counselling the rest of the country on how to handle finances. I think he would have been well-served to have taken care of the finances of his own state.”

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/president-barack-obama-tim-pawlenty-gop-david-axelrod-candidate-20110607

That's right. You tell'em Axe; get him get that freakin liar in perceptive.

Conservative Media Pick Theme For GOP's 2012 Campaign: Obama "Made [The Economy] Worse"

http://mediamatters.org/research/201106080001

Latest Scheme: Koch Brothers Blame Obama for High Gas Prices

http://patdollard.com/2011/06/koch-brothers-launch-campaign-pinning-blame-for-outrageous-gas-prices-on-obama/

Question: Why Is Sarah Palin Going to Sudan?

Palin will visit Juba in South Sudan on July 9. That’s the date South Sudan, which is predominantly black and Christian, will become its own country separate from North Sudan, which is predominantly Arab and Muslim

http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2011/06/report-sarah-palin-to-visit-sudan-in-july.html

Didn't she get the hint when Aides to the ailing Margaret Thatcher told Sarah the former British prime minister won't be holding court for her?

Hey, Sarah they don't wanna roll with you either. When is she gonna get it? The world thinks she is a fool.

Wow,

bob-1805084

Talk about revising history. Ronald Reagan inherited 7.5% unemployment, which crested at 10.8% two years into his first term.

President Obama inherited 7.8% unemployment and the beginning of a financial crisis the likes of which we haven't seen since the 1930's. He also inherited two wars, and shortly thereafter, a major oil spill in the Gulf, and a nuclear meltdown/tusnami in our trading partner Japan.

Bob, if you can't argue using the facts, you are not credible. Sometimes I think I would make a better Republican than the posters who come on here and lie and slander, trying to sway Independent voters.

Ben:

There has to be a very big playbook on how and when to toast another world leader but also basic common sense should have told him that toasting the Queen of England WHILE THE BRITISH NATIONAL ANTHEM WAS PLAYING was inappropriate ....

Been watching too much FAUX, have you Benny? If you had actually WATCHED the video, rather than just spouting about something you don't know about, you might have learned that the music started AFTER the President began the toast. The band is the one that made the mistake. The President's choice was to continue the toast or to just shut up in the middle of it. Which one was more awkward? Actually, I give him credit for soldiering on even after the script had changed.

The poll also shows that Romney – who has been called at best the worst flip-flopper – is shown to be able to beat the president. So all the name calling, religion bashing, etc. has not worked to this point.

Whose name-calling and bashing? The President's or Romney's? Romney has certainly done his own share of that. But you're doing with the Romney poll EXACTLY what you and other right-wingers like to do with monthly unemployment numbers -- making a point that may not exist next week. Just a short while ago, for example, the President was whipping ALL the Republicans. Polls go up and they go down. Who knows what will happen between now and Election Day 2012? A single poll, taken about 17 months BEFORE the election in 2008, might have shown a very different outcome both in the Republican and Democratic candidates. A poll is nothing but a snapshot taken on a particular day. Trends matter but the only single poll that counts is the one they take on polling day.

The good news for America is that any of the Republican candidates is better than what is currently in the White House. Libs are going salivate over the repub campaign as they think it will make all of them look weak. But, what they don't seem to realize is that whoever survives the primary is faced with the weakest of candidates in the general election. I'm amazed that no one else in the dem party has seen the writing on the wall. Heck, Hillary would beat Obama this time around.

Reading Amy's reply to bob, above, about revising history, reminds me that the funniest story of the week so far is NOT Anthony’s wiener, but instead is Sarah Palin’s doubling down on her original misstatements about Paul Revere, and the resulting battle being waged by her supporters over the Wikipedia entry for Revere. It got so bad that Wikipedia editors “padlocked” the page for the timebeing.

http://www.care2.com/causes/politics/blog/palins-revisionist-paul-revere-history-stokes-wikipedia-wrassle/

Rather than acknowledge her error about one of those basic facts of American history we would hope American school children, whatever the political proclivities of their parents, would know, Palin has defended her mistake as being nothing but the truth. As she she said on Fox News Sunday:

"Part of his ride was to warn the British that were already there. That, hey, you're not going to succeed. You're not going to take American arms. You are not going to beat our own well-armed persons, individual, private militia that we have," she added. "He did warn the British."

It's not only Palin who has been revising history, but her supporters. On Sunday and Monday, Palinytes were waging a bit of a "war," as The Atlantic puts it, revising the history of Revere's ride as presented on a Wikipedia page in order to square up to Palin's version. The page -- I imagine poor Paul Revere might be turning in his grave over the revisions to accounts of his historic deed, though he might be wanting to ask first "what is this Wikipedia?" -- now bears a padlock so, as Wikimedia Foundation spokesman Jay Walsh says in the New York Times, there can be "a cooling-off period" in the wake of "numerous attempts to edit a site."

I’ll go ahead and multiple-source this for those right-wingers who doubt that their side could ever do anything even remotely lacking integrity – how DARE we even make such a suggestion?! -- and will inevitably question my source.

First, here’s the article from Atlantic Wire referred to above.

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2011/06/wikipedia-very-sick-sarah-palin-supporters/38535/

And even Business Week seems to think this is interesting news.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9NN1KLG0.htm

What this all illustrates, of course, is what I keep telling right-wing bloggers here who constantly demand that we liberals post cites to support what we say, mostly while never posting any cites to support what THEY say, and then when confronted with the facts, they simply dismiss the facts, claiming that the sources are biased, or just ignore the facts, and continue to argue the same dogma they did before.

Remember the old adage, “You’re entitled to your own opinion, but you are not entitled to your own set of facts”? Well, evidently this doesn’t apply to Sarah Palin.

And way too often, it doesn’t apply out here, either.

Nice mix here folks. The right and the left are busy sniping at each other - one-upsmanship in name-calling and finger pointing. How very productive.

The 61-Trillion-dollar debt number should have rendered us speechless. It is an absolutely irrefutable fact that this DID NOT happen overnight. An objective look at history yields another irrefutable fact: While this debt was accumulating, the machinery of government at all levels was in the hands of Democrats and/or Republicans. Well, here we are, and the best solution to this problem is to scream utterly irrelevant BS at each other?

Sixty-one-trillion dollars - literally an unfathomable number - and here is what we get. An example from the left and one from the right: First from Feisty: "When John Boehner rose from Minority Leader to Speaker in January, he not only expanded his staff and his paycheck, he more than doubled the expense-account check he cashes each month."

Second from bob lotsamunbers: "That’s a pretty ignorant statement. The recession officially ended in June 2009, six months into the Obama administration. Bush stemmed the flow with TARP. We are officially in a “recovery”.

OK, Boehner is a hypocrite. Is this a surprise to someone? OK, we get numbers that say the recession "officially ended". Officially? The government gets it right this time? A swing of 1/10 of a percentage point means the difference between being in a recession or a recovery?

Why don't you try this little exercise? Get off your fanny and go to a school board meeting. I have been to many of them and I have never - NEVER - seen a board that has a clue about what is happening in classrooms. Go to a City Council meeting, a Board of Supervisors meeting and prepare to be amazed at how out of touch your representatives are.

For a real treat, instead of sniping at your favorite left-wing or right wing target here, write to your Congressman. Take your time. Write an intelligent, well-researched letter that details your concerns and perhaps even a suggested solution to a particular problem. Put on a 44-cent stamp and send the letter to your Representative or Senator. Experience the joy when you finally receive a reply from your erudite and well-informed Congressman. There's just no reward like a form letter that says, "Thanks, stop wasting my time," or " We have noted your concern. We won't do a damned thing about it, but please vote for me. Oh, and be sure to sign up for my monthly pap-filled newsletter."

No, don't send an e-mail. Send a letter. It's very important to have a hard copy of the response that demonstrates the contempt your legislator feels for you. Get a taste of the real reason we are in this quagmire that really, honestly, truly threatens the future of not only our children and grandchildren, but of ourselves and the country itself.

LouisJ:

Thanks for the call out and great posts. I also have a family of women and all are redheads to boot. You make a good point in that if you do not want to defend a poor judgement then try not to do it. But, we all make mistakes and God does forgive, my wife - not so much (LOL). I judge not by the mistake but what does the individual do after the fact. Does he own up and learn from it or not?

It has been written by many, that it is by our mistakes that we learn and grow. I would like to believe that, since I make a lot of mistakes but it also has been written that show me a successful man (women) and I will show you a person that knows failure as well.

@Anna -- Your giving him credit for soldiering on in a disrespectful way is just plain wrong. He should have stopped. True Americans would give no one credit for "soldiering on" if someone was interrupting the Star Spangled Banner. He didn't know what to do.

The name calling and bashing I was referring to was from the lib-tards on here. The D-baggers who think the world's problems will be solved by extorting the rich and successful. You and your hoard rejoiced when the dead cat bounce occurred after UBL was killed, so don't throw stones if you live in a glass house.

Bob-ster .. surely you jest when you start comparing the economic tsumani that Obama inherited to thenon-event that Reagan inherited. They are nothing alike and are beyond compare. Also, own up to the fact that Reagan single-handedly dropped unemployment numbers by changing the calculations on unemployment. Through his infinite wisdom and actions, the unemployment numbers dropped because he quite counting people who fell out of the unemployment payment program. Of course, that is just another typical Republican move, proclaim success by cooking the books to your favor.

Experience the joy when you finally receive a reply from your erudite and well-informed Congressman. There's just no reward like a form letter that says, "Thanks, stop wasting my time," or " We have noted your concern. We won't do a damned thing about it, but please vote for me. Oh, and be sure to sign up for my monthly pap-filled newsletter."

LoLoL Now that made me smile. Gotta love someone who knows the "joy" of irony. The best laugh of my day, so far.

bob-1805084

US Navel Intelligence ("Navel" as in the intelligence of belly button lint.)

Old Navy, Groucho and many other libs still tout that Obama prevented a second depression, the stimulus worked .

But booby, you have no anatomical marking for intellect. Shame on you!!!

Jobs are growing in the U.S. They've grown for 12 straight months under Obama's economic stimulus policies and, in 2010 alone, more jobs were added than in Bush's 8 years as president.

http://ecopolitology.org/2011/01/12/obama-created-more-jobs-in-2010-than-bush-did-in-8-years/

Furthermore, the 0.4% drop in the unemployment rate in December from 9.8% to 9.4% "was the steepest one-month fall since 1998." Yes, 1998, when Clinton was president.

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

WHEN SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES

Good morning everybody. The smoke from the big wildfire in Arizona made it to Oklahoma yesterday and we were treated to a blood red sunrise this morning. Very eerie. And, it seems to be messing with my asthma. I don't understand how, but I'm coughing my head off this morning. Oh well, such is life.

Lots of good news to report this morning. Barack Obama is still the President and GBII is not! It's good to remember that and rejoice in it.

We should also be happy that John McCain and Paul Revere Palin are not running the country either. That's another plus and something to be happy about.

And so it begins, another campaign season is upon us. The sunrise reminds of of all the GOP/TP smoke and mirrors we'll be treated to over the coming months.

Personally, I'm glad to see Romney doing so well. I hope he gets the nomination. He's my plan B. He's a far better option than anything or anybody the GOP/TP has put forth to date and so I think that's something we can all be happy about as well. I believe that Romney, if elected, will revert to form and prove to be a moderate. He will do far less harm than a Pawlenty or a Santorum a Bachman or Paul Revere Palin. So let's be happy for Mitt.

Am I going to vote for Mr. Wonderful? No. I'll be voting for Barack Obama again. I think he's doing a good job. But if the GOP/TP Proganda (read "lies") machine succeeds in damaging this good man and he fails to be re-elected, I think we could do a lot worse than Mitt Romney. I just think he is the lesser of a WHOLE LOT of evils on the GOP/TP side.

So, the sky is clearing here. The Sun has returned to it's normal shade of blazing yellow and it looks like it's going to be another beautiful day (if a tad hot) on the prairie.

I wish you all, and I do mean ALL, a good day. Now play nice with each other and remember...

Obama/Biden 2012

Ben:

You and your hoard rejoiced when the dead cat bounce occurred after UBL was killed, so don't throw stones if you live in a glass house.

SHOW ME where I personally did that, Benny, and then we'll talk glass houses. Your side had to twist its own position into pretzel knots in order to avoid giving the President any credit for taking down bin Laden.

As for the toast, it's darned easy to make the call in hindsight, and from the cheap seats, isn't it? What a petty person you are. I'd love to see YOU recite the protocols for a visit with the Queen.

This is the kind of talks GOP backs. get rid of regulations so these corporations can run amok. they're reporting record profits as never experienced before yet teapublicants like Pawlenty, want cut taxes if possible eliminate taxes. these corporations seriously want a lawless environment so they can forever pick pockets on wall st.

this is Dimon spewing out his outrage regarding regulations as reported by NY POST.

"I have a great fear that somebody will write a book that the things we did in the crisis will slow down the recovery," said Dimon, who complained about a rise in banking regulations, including a 3 percent surcharge the government intends to impose on banks.

"We know more rules are coming," Dimon said. "Has anyone looked at the cumulative effect of all these regulations, and could they be the reason it's taking so long for credit and jobs to come back? Is this holding us back at this point?"

Dimon, once regarded as a likely Treasury Secretary choice by President Obama due to his political skills, began his three-minute spiel by ticking off changes for the better since the 2008 meltdown, saying, "Most of the bad actors are gone."

Dimon said the biggest dangers to the banking industry, such as exotic derivatives, toxic mortgages and weak thrifts, have already passed. He said regulators are tougher and deals "far more transparent."

Responding to the laundry list of changes, Bernanke drew laughs with a quip: "That list you gave me made me feel pretty good for awhile," he said. "It sounded like we're getting a lot done."

Read more: #ixzz1Oh5vYyok

@Anna -- If that is the best you can do means you are feeling the stress the president is having. He just doesn't know how to fix the problems. He just doesn't know how to lead. He just doesn't know how to bring others to his side. He has failed America.

LOL, Navy, how did you make it? I have two birthdays this month and they are holding my feet to the fire on delivering the goods. Everytime they say something about gifts, they have me thinking I need a second job. Ohhhhh the ag-oh-nee. I stay locked up in my prayer closet, praying that they don't find me! LOL SMH.

Bob,

Reagan was president when our only real competitor was Japan who regularly called us "lazy americans". Also, the US was the only one with the recession which weighed on other nations.

Today we have many competitors like China and India who are handing us our asses even during good times. Also, this recession was created in such a way that it has destroyed the economies of the world...Much harder to sweep up. For the US the recession hit citizens right in the money tree, their home values.

So you see, Bob, (if you allow yourself to) things are much bigger and much more complex than when Reagan was pres. For the record, I really liked Reagan.

I long for the security of the Cold War. Honestly, we never realized just how good we had it...

(sigh) Everyone knew what side they were on.

Well now....the DEMS & LIBBERS and their sophisticated "Democratic Propaganda Machine" are out in full force here today. Looks like they do not like the unfavorable news for Obama and his administration in recent days.........truth hurts!.......doesn't it!.........the bad news is.....it's going to get worse!.............Is it 11/6/12 yet?

I am so sick of hearing about Weiner I could spit. The last two nights with the MSNBC show hosts, have been nothing except Weiner stories, all of them saying the same things. Let's drop the story and get back to "real" newscasting.

Amy,

(This was originally placed somewhere else, sorry.)

Nothing was revised.

Two presidents inherited financial crisis that led to unemployment peaking at at 10.8% under Reagan and 10.1% under Obama.

At this time in the recovery, Reagan had dropped the unemployment over 3 full points - Obama 1 point. 1/3 Reagan's performance.

Indisputable.

So you try to obfuscate one thing to marginalize everything.

You still can't refute anything, huh? Of course not.

Obama inherited 2 wars. So what? Did he spend any time on them - one conversation with the Afghan commander in a hundred days? Took him a year to come up with an asinine plan .... while American deaths DOUBLED! Iraq? The war that was won that he said we couldn't win. Watching the wind down is real time consuming, huh?

Japan? Yea nothing ever happens to other presidents. Obama is probably the only president to ever have to deal with a tornado too. (A week after btw)

Why do you defend this guy? He has failed and your continued denial and support only hurts those suffering from his policies.

I know you are a bleeding heart that wants to give them extended unemployment and other welfare.......so you can feel better about yourself, but ...

Guess what idiot ....... they don't want your handouts ...... THEY WANT A JOB.

The last two nights with the MSNBC show hosts, have been nothing except Weiner stories

I agree!

Matthew's behavior last night was particularly appalling!

Reminded me of Gotcha Gregory when the Edwards scandel broke!

BLECH!

alwaysfaithfull

Well now....the DEMS & LIBBERS and their sophisticated "Democratic Propaganda Machine" are out in full force here today. Looks like they do not like the unfoavorable news for Obama and his administration in recent days.........truth hurts!.......doesn't it!.........the bad news is.....it's going to get worse!.............Is it 11/6/12 yet?

So you're here wishing it gets worse? How unpatriotic of you.

Feisty,

They haven't even begun to uncover the Lobbyist perqs,...But I imagine the income increase being reported is a drop in the proverbial Cow is Free bucket.

PS. Your line about the camera adding 10 pounds was pure comedic genius. I am still laughing!

@Beverly -- alwaysfaithful is not wishing -- it's a fact, a sad fact.

@Feisty -- what's even more amazing is Maddow's interest in weiner.

Ben-636050

@Beverly -- alwaysfaithful is not wishing -- it's a fact, a sad fact.

@Feisty -- what's even more amazing is Maddow's interest in weiner.

Really?

I thought Chris Matthews interest was a hoot. The forever wired was at a loss for words trying to figure out, sextexting, texting, twitter, and a kinky sex scandal. LOL

PS. Your line about the camera adding 10 pounds was pure comedic genius. I am still laughing!

Thanks Clara! After a week of asking why guys think dick pics are a turn on, it finally dawned on me! ;o)

Bob,

Ronald Reagan took office in 1981, when the average unemployment was 7.5%. After his first year in office, unemployment was at 9.7%. Unemployment crested at 10.8% in 1982. The average unemployment rate in 1983 was 9.6%. Reagan's approval rating was at 35% at the time. The media today chooses to forget all this.

I find it fascinating that Republicans want to skewer President Barack Obama over our current unemployment rate, without casting an eye back at St Reagan's first term and noting the parallels. You also brush off the economic crisis of 2008, which was so much worse than Carter's "malaise." You also make light of the two wars Obama inherited, belittling the impact of spending a billion dollars a month fighting Bush's wars while dealing with a melt down on Wall Street. I call it shameless partianship. President Obama has faced each crisis with calmness and intelligence. He has had nothing but attacks from the Republicans. I love this President.

http://www.bls.gov/cps/prev_yrs.htm

Joe in Albany

[homophobic slur deleted] Maddow did a 20-25 minute long litany of past Republican sex scandals. In the background were the initials for her contention “It’s OK If You Are a Republican”. Apparently, she was trying to make the point that two wrongs make a right.

Apparently, you're an idiot. What she demonstrated conclusively is that the rankest forms of hypocrisy are second nature to Republicans, with Eric Cantor turning all squishy bleeding heart liberal when it came to Republican Senator John Ensign's criminality, but suddenly turned puritanical in Weiner's case. And I can't believe you're whining about MSNBC's coverage of the Weiner story. Ed Schultz had four progressives on last night for a heated debate on whether Weiner should resign or not. Schultz wants him to resign.

If anything, MSNBC has overdone the coverage of this story. It's taken up more the 50% of Matthews' and O'Donnell's shows for two nights in a row. I'd bet Fox News only gave the Ensign and Vitters scandals a few minutes at most. They "accidentally" showed the label "Democrat" under the picture of the Republican congress critter caught in a scandal involving congressional pages a couple years ago.

Amy B.

Ronald Reagan took office in 1981, when the average unemployment was 7.5%. After his first year in office, unemployment was at 9.7%. Unemployment crested at 10.8% in 1982. The average unemployment rate in 1983 was 9.6%. Reagan's approval rating was at 35% at the time. The media today chooses to forget all this.

Somebody should ask Pawlenty and Romney whether they think that the increase in unemployment under Reagan was Reagan's fault, just like they're blaming the increase now on Obama. Of course, all you'd get from those two clowns would be weasel-worded evasions and hypocrisy. The bad economy in the '80s under Reagan was all Jimmy Carter's fault, but now the bad economy is all Obama's fault despite the fact that the collapse occurred after 7 years of Republican malfeasance under the Bush regime.

Beverly in Chicago - Since when is telling the truth unpatriotic?......I think your confusing what Weiner thinks is the truth is and what the rest of America thinks...who by the way...also tossed out several busloads of Democrats out of Congress in the worst "shellacking" in 60+ years just 7 months ago on 11/2/10. Just FYI, that is also the truth......and so is Obama's failure to win the hearts and minds of Americans (59% disapproval) as of today.

alwaysfaithfull,

That 59% is on the economy, not his job approval which still remains at 50% with a disapproval of 40%.

http://www.gallup.com/Home.aspx

@Dennis -- When I total up the approve and disapprove columns, divide by six, I come out with an overall 49.33 disapproval rating and a 45.5 approval rating. ???

Dennis......Oh ok.....so everything is just fine then? and what about the Romney 49% and Obama 46% Poll.....is that a good thing too?

Ben – you’re quite the math wizard!!!

Always – read the latest First Read article … Obama 47 – Romney 41.

Ed Schultz had four progressives on last night for a heated debate on whether Weiner should resign or not. Schultz wants him to resign.

____________________________________________________

Houston: You know the world has gone completely bonkers when Mr. Ed is considered a voice of reason. Well, maybe you don't know it, but, I do. No "slur" of any kind intended regarding Maddow. I just can't believe how much she and Keanu Reeves look alike. Twins separated at birth?

Wasn't going to say anything, but ah well.

People suffer. People have little breaks and chinks in their armor. Little habits form at critical times in their lives and even very bright folks with everything going for them will take refuge however they can, when they feel too much alone or the pressure is on. It may not come out as needing attention, reassurance or body issues, it might express as too much chocolate, beer or TV. We see the mind go there and go back again, until the pattern is used up or moved on.

My understanding is that Mr. Weiner was unusually dynamite at his job and much loved by those he represents. I'm not getting squishy or something like that, but saying something true about human beings. People suffer, their lives are complex and we can only speculate about causes and conditions. The habit of feeling superior and better than others is also a human refuge. Said it.

Steeler Fan-380417

Feisty--I wonder if Speaker Boehner is paying tax on this so-called expense reimbursement.

Do you know of ANYONE that pays taxes on expense reimbursements?

NO! Not in the private or public sector because.... here it comes... are you ready?

IT'S NOT INCOME!

(what a moron! your little attempt to insert controversy merely served to show how truly stupid you really are.)

Always Faithful

Uh, Dude, 49%-46% is nothing, 3% is well within the margin of error. That's called a statistical tie.

So, don't rush out and bet the farm on that.

Romney's Ok. As I clearly stated above he's my second choice. Far better than anything else the GOP/TP has to offer.

But thanks for giving me a window of opportunity here.

Hey, guys.

Look at my posting above. Fairly positive and happy. No real name-calling, no Wiener whining, I said something nice about Mitt. And look. No one engaged me. No one collapsed me. My message of shining optimism is still there and gaining more support by the hour.

D'ya think there might be a lesson in this for you all? And I do mean YOU ALL!

Obama/Biden 2012

Dear skip Nicholson:

Are you crazy? Are you nuts? If we spoke civilly to each other and offered constructive answers, we might get something done. That would be intolerable.

Right now our cumulative public debt is 61-trillion dollars. If we work together we could fix that. If we fight, we can make it bigger. America is all about bigger!

We could suggest balancing the federal budget by using a combination of budget cuts, a serious eye on fraud, waste, abuse, and by raising taxes. We could do that, but it's better to engage in magical thinking. We could pretend that tax cuts increase revenue even though the evidence shows that no longer works. We should dig our heels in and refuse to acknowledge that we must make painful cuts.

We could accept the fact that the burden for the success of America rests squarely on the shoulders of ALL Americans. On the other hand, a far superior solution is to blame President Bush for our problems, OR to blame President Obama OR we could blame everyone, except of course, ourselves.

Sheesh skip, you just don't get it.

Ooopsies, Sorry faithful, new poll data just out, Obama leads Romney by13%. Now THAT's a bankable lead.

See, I told you it woudln't last. Now aren't you glad you listened to me before you placed that bet?

Obama/Biden 2012 up by 13 points

Did any of you happen to catch the NPR interview of the American history expert. Apparently Ms Palins accounting of the event was close to the truth than any of you thought! As per the NPR web site

It's time now for your letters. There were opinions aplenty on my conversation with history Professor Robert Allison yesterday about Sarah Palin and Paul Revere. Palin has been taking heat for some off-the-cuff remark she made last week about Paul Revere's midnight ride. But Professor Allison said that while Palin did take a few liberties, she largely got the story right.

Oh David, you silly wabbit. Sarcasm never works. Now lighten up and smile, it's Bikini weather! :-)

Sick of the Bickering

Here's a NEWS flash,...this money isn't a REIMBURSEMENT,...that's why it is considered a fixed amount. Much like a Car Allowance or Housing Allowance,...and I hate to break it to you, YOU MORON, but that stuff is totally TAXABLE!

Most companies conflate the amount and 'include' enough to cover the tax; but it is still considered TAXABLE INCOME. By the way, SF is a Tax Attorney,...you might consider apologizing; but like any other troll, I am sure you can't be bothered.

Your statement was about as factual as Palin's account of Revere's FAMOUS ride! Keep on spinning there, sparky 'no' soul,...eventually, with the law of averages and all, Palin is BOUND to say something accurate, it just hasn't happened YET.

jollyoldsoul1

But Professor Allison said that while Palin did take a few liberties, she largely got the story right.

Whether largely right or largely wrong is a matter of whether you view Palin as half full or half empty of BS. What she did was try to force the story of Revere's ride into a ridiculous teabagger narrative. It's true that the British were going to seize the weapons stockpiled by the colonists in rebellion, but they certainly respected the "right to bear arms" of the colonists who stayed loyal to the Crown. Paul Revere was a patriot. He wasn't a teabagger.

Here's part of the NPR article that JollyOld is trying to spin. If you can spin Paul Revere's ride into a teabagger narrative, you can spin attempts to explain why Palin got it wrong any way you want, too.

http://www.npr.org/2011/06/06/137011636/how-accurate-were-palins-comments-on-paul-revere

BLOCK: So Paul Revere was ringing those bells? He was a silversmith, right?

Prof. ALLISON: Well, he was - he also was a bell ringer. That is, he rang the bells at Old North Church as a boy. But he, personally, is not getting off his horse and going to ring bells. He's telling other people - and this is their system before Facebook, before Twitter, before NPR - this was the way you get a message out, is by having people ring church bells, and everyone knows there is an emergency.

And by this time, of course, the various town committees of safety, militia knew what the signals were, so they knew something was afoot. So this is no longer a secret operation for the British.

Revere isn't trying to alert the British, but he is trying to warn them. And in April of 1775, no one was talking about independence. We're still part of the British Empire. We're trying to save it. So this is a warning to the British Empire what will happen if you provoke Americans.

BLOCK:Sarah Palin also was saying there that Paul Revere's message to the British in his warning was: You're not going to take American arms - you know, basically a Second Amendment argument, even though the Second Amendment didn't exist then.

Prof. ALLISON: Yeah. She was making a Second Amendment case. But in fact, the British were going out to Concord to seize colonists' arms, the weapons that the Massachusetts Provincial Congress was stockpiling there.

So, yeah, she is right in that. I mean, she may be pushing it too far to say this is a Second Amendment case. Of course, neither the Second Amendment nor the Constitution was in anyone's mind at the time. But the British objective was to get the arms that were stockpiled in Concord

Houston:

Just got off the phone with Michelle Bachmann. Looks like she and Palin are getting ready for a history war. Michelle would like to know if the British were going to seize the firearms of the patriots in Concord, what the hell were they doing in Massachusetts?

She also says there's a fourth amendment about illegal search and SEIZURE. How could they seize the arms anyway? Good grief, wasn't that on the side of Palin's bus or something? My explanation was that the patriots were working with almost-President Washington helping him free slaves.

Help me out on this, please.

This country is in desperate need of a robust Job Creation Plan and Economic Stimulus Plan. The GOP/TP Party is not going to do anything for America when it comes to JOBS and Stimulating the Economy. The GOP/TP cannot as their ideology has painted them into a corner. If they do pass a Jobs Bill that does also stimulate the economy the President when he signs it will get the credit and he will run on that come 2012. This is how politics works in this country. The GOP/TP cannot allow that to happen as it would pretty much guarantee that President Obama would get another term. So their only course of action is to do NOTHING and hope (pray) that the Job Market actually gets worse and the economy stalls or goes back into recession.

They (GOP/TP) are also using this weak economy and job market as a cloak for drastic Spending Cuts and Tax Cuts to the richest 2% as the answer to creating Jobs and stimulating the economy. This is pure BS. Spending Cuts alone will not move this country forward; you need revenue increases as well to make it work. Tax Cuts to the richest 2% does not stimulate the economy, the 2% will just put it into Wall Street, and it does not create Jobs just look at the last 10 years where we have the lowest income tax liabilities in over 50 years – still no job recovery and the economy is moving at a snails pace.

Repealing Medicare and Medicaid is also not the answer since it does nothing to address the problems – namely the double digit increases in costs every year (long before President Obama took the scene). All the Ryan Bill does is shift the burden of these costs to those that cannot afford it and both plans will fail over time jut because many people will not be able to afford them, period. What we should be doing is looking at the Insurance Companies, Drug Companies and the Medical Product Manufactures and Distributors. Those are the Health Care Cost drivers, NOT the Beneficiaries of the programs. This just kicks the can down the road AGAIN.

Stop the insane Tax Incentives (subsidies) to the Oil Companies, get us out of the Wars and take those hundreds of Billions of dollars to create an environment for Jobs that will stimulate the economy as well. This would not cost us one more penny than we are already spending, in fact a portion of that money can also be used to lower the debt as well.

President Obama had proposed a $50 Billion Dollar Infrastructure Bill that was fully paid for by rolling back the Tax Incentives to the Oil Companies. The GOP opposed it. The reason is that they felt the Tax Savings to the Oil Companies was more important than creating good paying jobs, reducing unemployment and the claims for UI, food stamps etc and the increased revenues that these jobs would create. This Bill also would have created secondary jobs – the multiplier effect that would have further reduced unemployment, the claims for UI and Food Stamps and more revenues.

The GOP/TP will continue on this path regardless of all their latest rhetoric on Jobs, they are not going to create any just watch and see.

This country is in desperate need of a robust Job Creation Plan and Economic Stimulus Plan.

Does this mean you take the position that the last 800B effort was a failure? What would you do different this time?

Repealing Medicare and Medicaid is also not the answer since it does nothing to address the problems

BTW Dick Durban stated this morning that Medicare will run out of money in 6 years. I hope you believe him more than me that there is not trust fund to dip into.

You are comical Navy. It is very evident that the repealing of the Obamacare law will be a tremendous job creator. Obama promised a windfall profits tax on oil companies during his campaign and once elected no one ever heard of it again. So, you think that as the oil companies lose incentives they will create jobs??? This will hold costs to the consumers down???? I thought LSD was illegal but you found some because you are living in fantasy world.

The Ryan Plan has been demagogued and blasted but with no substantive alternative given. It has done what I said it was intended to do – a starting point for debates and negotiations. Listening to Gov. Rendell and Rep. Connie Mack talk this morning, there can be compromises with calm, intelligent adults involved. The One-Cent Mack Plan has a well thought out approach to the deficit spending problem.

http://www.onecentsolution.org/

Someone on the left has a proposal of adding a one-cent tax on everything purchased that would go straight to reducing the debt. I believe it sounds like a great compromise, because the debt ceiling WILL NOT be raised unless the president agrees to spending cuts. Period. End of story.

It is sad that you think your constant misrepresentation of facts will be the light the world will follow.

Ben:

It is very evident that the repealing of the Obamacare law will be a tremendous job creator.

Put your money where your mouth is, Ben. "Very evident" HOW?

The Ryan Plan has been demagogued and blasted but with no substantive alternative given. It has done what I said it was intended to do – a starting point for debates and negotiations.

Oh, so the House of Representatives went to all the trouble of taking a formal vote and passing legislation merely to START a debate and OPEN negotiations? I don't think that's what Republicans thought at the time they did it, unless they were lying to the American people. But why would that come as a surprise. And what a waste of time and taxpayer money to keep taking these phony, symbolic votes rather than to engage in any real negotiations.

Seems to me like passing the Ryan plan was actually calculated to END the debate and CLOSE negotiations.

Our way or the highway. Just like everything else Republicans do. And just about as effective.

@Anna -- Read the McKinsey Report. Do your due diligence. Businesses who have the reserves to hire are scared and rightfully so. And yes, they pass legislation to get the ball rolling into the Senate. That is the way the Congress is supposed to work if you pay attention to history. Negotiations start by taking a hardline on issues and then the talks start. I don't think. I don't think. Yeah that says it all.

Anna Molly:

The mushrooms are persistent are they not. I have yet to see any new ideas from these people and I am still waiting for somebody to prove to me one thing that they [the GOP/Tp] have done in the last two plus years to move this country forward.

They continue to think that Tax Cuts for the richest 2% and DRACONIAN Spending Cuts to Social Programs and the repeal of Medicare and Medicaid is the answer to all our woes. It is not, it just makes things worse as was proved by the failed last administration. It does nothing to address any of the problems we are facing and until will cut out the causes this is not going to improve.

I guess the typical post from the mushroomscomes from living too long in the dark and eating crap. They have lost all touch with the majority of the American People who are screaming for Jobs and a stable Economy. They are not screaming for repeal of Medicare, Medicaid, They are not screaming for more uterus police and they cutting of education. They are not screaming for Tax Incentives for Big Oil and record tax cuts for the richest 2%. And the list goes on and on and on.

All they want (the American People) are good paying jobs and a stable economy. Neither of these appear to be on the mushrooms radar. Too bad, the GOP was never like that. This is a new GOP that has lost its way some time ago.

One more time: GOP/TP where are the jobs you promised in 2010, where is the economic improvement you promised in 2010 and please tell us what you have done in the last 2 plus years to move our great Nation forward???? We are waiting.

Ben:

Businesses who have the reserves to hire are scared and rightfully so.

That's total BS and a perfect of example of dogma leading the facts. Many corporations are saving that money for M&As, which are net job losers, and the smart money is that the remainder who are risking sitting on all that cash -- to the consternation of their shareholders, who might better have enjoyed dividend distributions -- are simply waiting for the outcome of the 2012 election.

And why shouldn't they? What better way to swing the election than to sit on those mounds of cash and not hire and not invest in infrastructure? Executives get paid, either way. If you don't believe that's a possibility, than you're even more stupid than you generally sound. Didn't Republican leaders in Congress openly announce that Job 1 was to see to it that the President did not get a second term? Who do you suppose gave them that idea? Why should anyone believe that this is not also the agenda of corporatists everywhere?

I don't think. I don't think. Yeah that says it all.

Speak for yourself, Benny. Or wait. Your posts say it all.

Navy:

This is a new GOP that has lost its way some time ago.

Good morning, Navy. Truer words were never spoken. That's why I've gone back to calling them neo-cons. Emphasis on "con."

The trouble is that there are a LOT of mushrooms out there willing to eat the manure.

But this may be the Democrats' own fault. To paraphrase Michael Douglas in THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT, they eat the manure because they don't know the difference.

Amy,

Nothing was revised.

Two presidents inherited financial crisis that led to unemployment peaking at at 10.8% under Reagan and 10.1% under Obama.

At this time in the recovery, Reagan had dropped the unemployment over 3 full points - Obama 1 point. 1/3 Reagan's performance.

Indisputable.

So you try to obfuscate one thing to marginalize everything.

You still can't refute anything, huh? Of course not.

Obama inherited 2 wars. So what? Did he spend any time on them - one conversation with the Afghan commander in a hundred days? Took him a year to come up with an asinine plan .... while American deaths DOUBLED! Iraq? The war that was won that he said we couldn't win. Watching the wind down is real time consuming, huh?

Japan? Yea nothing ever happens to other presidents. Obama is probably the only president to ever have to deal with a tornado too. (A week after btw)

Why do you defend this guy? He has failed and your continued denial and support only hurts those suffering from his policies.

I know you are a bleeding heart that wants to give them extended unemployment and other welfare.......so you can feel better about yourself, but ...

Guess what idiot ....... they don't want your handouts ...... THEY WANT A JOB.

US Navy Disabled Veteran - Retired

They (GOP/TP) are also using this weak economy and job market as a cloak for drastic Spending Cuts and Tax Cuts to the richest 2% as the answer to creating Jobs and stimulating the economy. This is pure BS. Spending Cuts alone will not move this country forward; you need revenue increases as well to make it work. Tax Cuts to the richest 2% does not stimulate the economy, the 2% will just put it into Wall Street, and it does not create Jobs just look at the last 10 years where we have the lowest income tax liabilities in over 50 years – still no job recovery and the economy is moving at a snails pace.

So true Navy

The Gop/t-baggers try to give a sanitized version of their LIES. You are so right. Republicans just don't have the audacity to get things done. Republican operative of the Koch brothers are using LIES, ads, Lobbyist, Republicans, and blue dog Dems all backed up by the Supreme Court to get what they want.

A new Quinnipiac poll finds President Obama, Romney still trails by six points, 47% to 41%, while every other candidate trails by double-digits.

I have a feeling the more these clowns try destroying the more they changes to lead are denied.

@Anna -- Your conspiracy theory does not hold water. The biggest employer is small business not large corporations. Small business will not expand if they do not have an idea of where the cost of them providing healthcare will be. Please read and learn about business.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/biggest-us-companies-hiring/story?id=13304073

Your article doesn't say a thing about small businesses fearing health care costs, Ben, but it does mention M&As. if you really think health care costs are the driver, then why aren't republicans and why isn't private industry more supportive of implementing REAL measures to control those costs so that we can get the economy back on track? Are they greedy or just lazy?

I'm guessing greedy because instead, they're doing everything they can to remove whatever cost-control measures HCR contains and trying to take benefits away from seniors. Not very creative, if you ask me.

As for why corporations aren't spending their cash, here are a couple of articles for you to consider:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303654804576349282770703112.html

http://seekingalpha.com/article/259723-corporate-tax-holiday-could-put-1-2-trillion-in-shareholders-pockets

I notice that neither one of them talks about health care costs being a determinative, or even driving, factor. But talk about lack of confidence. How on earth are consumers supposed to develop the confidence, followed by increased spending, that your theories rely upon when they have no jobs and no money?

Anna Molly:

Touche' Once again I watch bobble head bite the dust. Pretty soon his head is going to spin right off his little impotent body not that it matters much since he basically sits on his little brain.

If they ever presented one REAL new idea or a plan for creating jobs and moving the economy forward I think I would have a stroke.

They still have nothing but the same old rhetoric that has been debunked. They try and use sources that do not even support their claims and figure we will not check.

When cornered they scamper like little cockroaches when you turn the lights on. They do not like to be exposed either I guess. That is what happens when you spend you life living in the dark.

Despite all of his accomplishments, people are wondering what has happened to the "chosen one". The media has fawned over him for years. He was the supposed transformational player of our age set on the national stage. However when faced with real problems or adversity and he continues to falter he finally begins to receive criticism. His supporters are beginning to question him as well.

Finally the American public and the media understand that he can’t get it done. In his own heart he knows he is overmatched by his opponents.

Beat the Heat - Baby!

Congratulations to the Dallas Mavs for showing this poser and flopper for what he is. It takes a team to win.

Yellowdog

Without LeBron, the Heat wouldn't have made it to the finals,...This is a GREAT series, no doubt; but you manage to sully even that.

I am personally rooting for the Mavs; but reconsidering due to your asinine and petty behavior. Like any professional team, it takes a team; but not for the shining stars,...the passion pretty much fizzles. Nowitzki won games 2 & 4; but also 'lost' game 3,...careful how you gloat. It's been the undoing of much greater men then you.

Clara - You are entitled to your opinion. You are right, this is a great series. I believe for the NBA's sake they need the Heat to win to create the next basketball dynasty. Win or lose I will still be proud of my Mavs for standing up to the conventional wisdom from the media, fans and country. As no one gave them a chance from the beginning of the playoffs. Many still don't. As Journey sang - "Don't stop believing!"

Went through Portland, Swept the Lakers, rallied big time in OKC. This series, two sports miracles! I will continue to route for my team. The rest of you can join the bandwagon if you wish. I've been a fan through the lean and heart breaking years. Watched this team get better, develop a system, build a defense. Played as a team with one star and role players after their second option went down in Jan. I've watched as the nation has acted as if it was only a matter of time that Miami would win.

I respect Wade and James as atheletes. However, their preseason celebration and show boating were appalling. Mr. Wade is stepping up. James not so much. Whatever you say about their athleticism, they are floppers and therefore my respect for them has lessened. From the phantom foul calls Wade gets to Mr. James (a 260 lb. hulk) who acts that a 185 lb opponent can rock him. I've seen better acting in B movies.

Gloating, no just happy but such is the way of sports. I welcome you comment if the Heat come up on top.

By the way, I thought my comment, which you find petty brought more to the forum then "xxx".

Fair enough, Yellowdog:

After the Mavs beat my nubile Thunder (equally proud, and talk about infancy!) I threw my support behind them. I've followed Mark Cuban for several years and have seen his highs and lows. Can't say I followed the team all that much. I was born a Lakers fan; but I still consider myself an Okie,...and Okies don't have any other National Sports Teams. I like a good series and I was on the edge of my seat at ESPNZone in Downtown Disney last week for Game 2. The Mavs showed a TON of heart and I really became a 2nd tier fan in that moment. The woman on my right was from Dallas and we were high fiving BIG time. I think the bookies are having a field day, too - so it's ALL good, right?

It does suck when the media picks a 'darling' and then hinges all press on that darling. James is definitely going to suffer the microscope invasion. Who are we if we can't build them up and watch them fall? (that part was sarcasm).

Good luck to you and your Mavs! I love a good series and this one just hasn't disappointed, yet!

Clara, I watched game 2 at the Dallas AAC with my wife and son and we went crazy. It was a sports miracle to see the come back. Cuban opened the doors for free and we screamed and hollered unlike the normal Dallas botox and b**bs pretty people. Game 4 was fun at the house.

OKC is a great young team with Westbrook and Durant, fun to watch. Once Westbrook becomes more experienced playing point and learns to defer to Durant watch out. Definately the team to watch in the west, Spurs have peaked, Lakers on their last legs. Dallas due to age can't keep doing this in years to come. The time for them is now!

Woof, Woof - DAAAAAAAWWWWWG!

What a night! and a DECISIVE victory! One and Done! Tell 'em to get it done! Congrats!

Because it fits the GOP narrative...

"I don't think our troops ought to be used for what's called nation-building." - George W. Bush, Debate vs. Al Gore - 10/11/2000

I thought the exact same thing. I also was curious why they stay on that specific frame of thought after being there for 10 years. We need to be out of there 6 years ago. Nation should have already been built.

Don't know. Chuck Todd is a good political analysis and he should stay there and leave the other stuff alone.

Because he's way out of his league in the job he has now. But the trouble is, so are most of his counterparts.

At least out of the league of the way it used to be.

So another day of;

If you don't like the news (or commentary, or slant) shoot the messenger...

dangerfield.Shoot the messenger? After years listening to the right wing whining nonsense about the "liberal media" I have no apology.

So another day of;

If you don't like the news (or commentary, or slant) shoot the messenger...

No, it's every day with Chuck Todd, as far as I'm concerned. Offhand, I'd say that would be more likely to be your position.

And to think at one time I actually thought Chuckie T would be a good replacement for Tim Russert!

My BAD!

I still think Gotcha Gregory has GOT TO GO!

Steeler Fan:

How true. They did not work and what does the new T-Paw plan go after? The very same failed agenda.

I just cannot understand how any intelligent individual knowing that if you put your hand on a hot stove you are going to get burnt, so they keep putting their hands on this hot stove somehow thinking the result is going to be different.

The GOP/TP has nothing to offer this country and are putting all their hopes for taking the White House over on the economy and job markets failing.

Who would vote for a Party that is betting on the failure of this country as opposed to one that wants to make it strong?? GO figure.

Given the 10 year failure of the Bush tax cuts, as Mark's article yesterday pointed out, I think it is remarkable that the economy has recovered as well as it has. Not good enough for sure but at least a recovery and a change in tax policy could help immensely.

So why did a Democratic President and Congress extend them? I'm sorry but these are now the Obama tax rates. By doing nothing they would have expired but this administration choose to extend them.

So what your saying Alan, is when the tax cuts are under the Cheney/Bush administration there good, but when there under the President Obama administration there bad.

So why did a Democratic President and Congress extend them?

Senate Republicans threatened to fillibuster any tax cuts that did not include the top 2%. Any fillibuster and the tax cuts would have expired for everybody...at which point the GOP would have changed the narrative to, "Obama raised your taxes!"

Senate Republicans threatened to fillibuster any tax cuts that did not include the top 2%. Any fillibuster and the tax cuts would have expired for everybody...at which point the GOP would have changed the narrative to, "Obama raised your taxes!"

1. You talks about the Bush tax cuts...is that all of them or do you like the ones that apply to you and not the top 2%? (Difference in revenue 400B vs 70B).

2. From a political standpoint you are saying the Democrats could not frame the argument that "We proposed to maintain the tax rates for 98% of the country but the Republicans would not agree". Are you telling me that they would have lost this political fight? They didn't even get in the ring.

Those failed policies didn't work for Reagan either--he threw them under the bus in his first term. But republicans keep claiming they work; they keep claiming that cutting taxes will increase revenues but the truth is they know it. It is their goal to "starve the beast". What they fail to realize is that by starving the beast, the weaken the country and the "exceptionalism" they claim will continue to disappear. A country can't be exceptional if it cares only for the powerful business mogels and nothing for its people. Pawlenty's plan looks a great deal like Paul Ryan's 2012 budget. Not much imagination and vision from the right these days, same old tax cuts, cut government and eliminate regulations.

Alan: They didn't even get in the ring.

Of course they got in the ring. Whereupon the Republicans refused to fioght unless they got their way first.

Groucho:

Very well written as usual. Saw this little tid bit a few days ago on ThinkProgress.

Yesterday was the 10th anniversary of former President George W. Bush signing into law his 2001 tax cuts (he passed a second round in 2003). While doing so, Bush promised prosperity and growth, but the nation got neither.

The cost of these budget-busting 2001 and 2003 tax cuts was, as estimated by Citizens for Tax Justice, roughly $2.5 trillion through 2010. But America didn’t have to go down this route of cutting taxes and hoping for growth to miraculously appear. There were other policy options available to policymakers.

ThinkProgress, using data on various social spending projects from the National Priorities Project — which does these calculations for the cost of the Iraq and Afghan wars — has estimated ten other possible policies we could’ve paid for at the same $2.5 trillion price of the Bush tax cuts. While not all of these policies are currently performed by the federal government, they do represent an accurate calculation of the monetary tradeoffs, and each one individually would cost the same as the Bush tax cuts. Here are ten alternatives we could’ve pursued instead:

- Give 122.7 Million Children Low-Income Health Care Every Year For Ten Years

- Give 49.2 Million People Access To Low-Income Healthcare Every Year For Ten Years

- Provide 43.1 Million Students With Pell Grants Worth $5,500 Every Year For Ten Years

- Provide 31.5 Million Head Start Slots For Children Every Year For Ten Years

- Provide VA Care For 30.7 Million Military Veterans Every Year For Ten Years

- Provide 30.4 Million Scholarships For University Students Every Year For Ten Years

- Hire 4.19 Million Firefighters Every Year For Ten Years

- Hire 3.67 Million Elementary School Teachers Every Year For Ten Years

- Hire 3.6 Million Police Officers Every Year For Ten Years

- Retrofit 144.6 Million Households For Wind Power Every Year For Ten Years

- Retrofit 54.2 Million Households For Solar Photovoltaic Energy Every Year For Ten Years

The tradeoffs paint a stark picture. For the same price as the Bush tax cuts, which did little to help the economy, we could’ve sent tens of millions of students to college, retrofitted every household in America with the capacity to generate alternative energy, hired millions of firefighters and police officers, effectively ended our national shame of having kids who lack health care coverage, or put millions of more teachers into classrooms. But instead, Congress passed budget-breaking tax cuts, and then went on to pass even more in 2003. In 2010, Congress then went on to renew the Bush tax cuts for an additional two years, and the political will for the sort of public investments listed above appears to have dried up

GM: Of course, I'm not alone in my nostalgia

Navy Disabled: Groucho:Very well written as usual.

Too bad GM didn't write it. It's plagiarized from a Michael B. Keegan. It even has the same links embedded in the copy and pasted text from the original version.

Lets try and be more careful and not steal other people's work and claim it as our own, okay?

Source of original article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-b-keegan/why-i-support-the-ronald_b_872395.html

Navy,

The point of what I wrote was that Reagan and his team saw that the plan was causing a huge budget deficit and tried to reign it back in with his Tax Reform Act. Reagan explained that "vanishing loopholes and a minimum tax will mean that everybody and every corporation pay their fair share." This is the part the Tea Party and GOP miss when they talk about Reagan. He wanted a level playing field with shared pain.

Did you know that most Republicans in both Houses have signed a pledge, initiated by Grover Norquist, who is president of taxpayer advocacy group Americans for Tax Reform, which beholds them to not raise any income taxes by any amount under any circumstances, or to bring in new revenue by closing loopholes. This pledge, which Rep. Ryan's budget loyally adheres to, in effect freezes tax policy in time, preserving not only Bush's massive and supposedly temporary tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, but also a vast mishmash of tax breaks and loopholes for specific industries won by well-funded lobbyists.

Think about the pledge, think what violating the pledge would do to their re-election campaigns and then tell me how one man can hold an entire party and country hostage to a plan that htey don't even understand.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

JoAnnaSmith1..

The entire article is in quotes. LOOK again. From top to bottom.

You should be very careful when you accuse people of violations of the honor code. That's why it is in quotes. Also, I edited it, shortened it and added my own comments.

Nice try.

JoAnnaSmith1..

C'mon JS1..an apology would be nice.

GM: The entire article is in quotes. LOOK again. From top to bottom

Not good enough GM. You need to attribute it correctly.

GM: Navy, The point of what I wrote was that Reagan and his team saw that the plan

You seem to be claiming you were the author here GM. But you didn't write it. You copied and pasted it. Pathetic behavior on your part.

GM: The entire article is in quotes. LOOK again. From top to bottom

Not good enough GM. You need to attribute it correctly.

"Plagiarism and copyright infringement will not be tolerated. If you did not write something, do not portray it as your own (use the "blockquote" tag)."

Again, an apology would be in order.

It is amazing that republicans today embrace Reagan and his ideology but fail to realize his ideology was not his policy because within a year of trying his ideology, it failed miserably. Reagan was a pragmatist, a realist as was former President Clinton and our current President Obama. The GOPTP, however, has never moved beyond the ideology to face the reality that it cannot and did not work under Reagan, under Bush 41 and was an even greater disaster under Bush 43 because he believed the ideology of Grover Nordquist and ignoring the reality that was Reagan's policy.

Our current economic struggles to recover from the near depression are exaccerbated greatly by the Bush 43 trick-down ideology of tax cuts for business and the rich. It times of recession and near depression, Government must step in to fill the economic spending gap but the huge debt created by Bush and the GOP limited the Obama administration and democrat's ability to deficit spend not justs the first year, but more the second by providing money to State governments to avoid the layoffs and spending cuts now taking place at the local levels. This only slows economic recovery.

As is so typical of JS1, there is no discussion from her about the content of the article because she cannot debate the facts but rather a deflection to a discussion about the clearly marked "quoted" article and whether or not proper credit was given. Won't work, JS1, either debate the article or move on.

Simpleton92:

Not good enough GM. You need to attribute it correctly.

Don't be so self-righteous without any reason. At least GM tried to cite some facts but and not take to credit for the comments. Should he have cited the source? Of course. But more often, you neo-cons don't bother to do either. And when Democrats cite facts that make you uncomfortable, you attack the source, ignore the facts, and accuse us derisively of cutting and pasting.

The whole thing is nothing but a diversionary tactic to diminish GM's substantive point without responding to it. I see it so often out here, it's not funny anymore. I think an apology IS in order, but it ought to come from you.

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

Not good enough GM. You need to attribute it correctly.

It's a nasty habit of his...

Looks like someone posted under the wrong account again... LMAO!

Whole lot of XXX's going on again!

PS: Did I just vote for JS1? HOLY CRAP!

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

I warned you once politely and reported you. Your comments were collapsed.

This time we take it up a notch.

I don't care if you are the "queen" of the page, you have no right to post lies in print.

...and yes, we will find out if you can!

Oh, read Anna Molly's post.

Annie: Look at your comments and compare them Wiener's while he was in his denial stage last week. They look quite similar.

Plagiarism isn't a Left/Right issue AM, it's just wrong. To copy and paste a snippet of an article without attributes is one thing, to copy and paste an entire article without proper attribution in another. To then falsely take credit for the writing in a subsequent post ("The point of what I wrote . . . ") is the most egregious behavior.

I'm sorry if my judgement of what's right and what's wrong offends you. But there really should not be any tolerance for claiming others work as your own.

Groucho:

Yes I am aware of the Norquist letter and have commented on it in previous posts. Thanks for bringing it up again as it demonstrates just how far these people will go to trash this country.

Hang tough and ignore the mushrooms. They offer nothing for America and live in their on Little self-serving world that is all about them and has no room for anybody else. They seem to think that they inherited the world and the rest of us are here to serve them like the slaves they are trying to turn us into.

They have not had one individual thought in years and just keep quoting their old talking points, failed agendas, etc.

All you have to do is read a few of their posts and it is like soap operas. You can come back months later and it is the same old story, the faces change but the plot is still the same.

I'll grant all of that, and you know I don't do it myself. You were within bounds to point it out, but after that, it becomes an issue for the moderators. Where's your own response to what GM was saying?

Trying to compare me to Anthony Weiner is about as disingenuously low as I've ever seen you go. You know perfectly well that I'm not in any sort of denial. I said flat-out that GM should have attributed the quote, but also that Simpleton should have responded to the substance of it, rather than merely accusing GM of cheating.

@Groucho -- Newsvine will not touch her or others like her on here.

The newsvine monitors will not suspend the worst violators of the COH here but suspend someone (ME) for calling a person an ignorant toad and that was the first and only time I did that because I thought it was accepted when looking at other posts. The monitor will not respond to my questions as to why those who have been reported for equal violations are not suspended as well. If you want to squelch the appearance of collusion, then responses should be forthcoming. Justice should be even handed no matter what side of the aisle you sit on – wouldn’t you say?

Well, the rest of my edits got lost, but accusing me of being unconcerned about right/wrong is also disingenuously low, even for you, JoAnna. And aside from pointing out the lack of attribution, you haven't even taken issue with the source, much less the substance, of GM's post.

US Navy Disabled Veteran - Retired

Thanks for the note.

I block quoted the entire post. Top to bottom. Not good enough for some.

I've reported Feisty to the moderators and her posts were collapsed.

JS1, well she pissed off a very old Marine for the second time in less than a week.

I will deal with her also.

I've reported Feisty to the moderators and her posts were collapsed

NO!

What you did was call on 4 of your friends to flag it!

Now I know how you get 5 votes when you're the only comment on the thread in less than a minute!

I had been wondering how that only happens to you...

Thanks for clearing that up!

If you want to play the 'game' Groucho - you better know rules! lol

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL..

I have sent the following off to the moderators.

"Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL, has continually accused me of lying and violating the Code of Honor. With absolutely no proof or a single fact to support her claim, she continues to post lies about me and continually attempts to defame my character. For what purpose, I do not understand. Her posts have been continually collapsed by the community

I have politely asked her to stop but it continues and continues.

I respectfully ask that you suspend her for a time period as mandated by the Code of Honor."

Did you really think I was going to roll over and die cause you said so.

Now we'll see if Ben-636050 is correct.

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL Comment collapsed by the community

Not good enough GM. You need to attribute it correctly.

It's a nasty habit of his...

Looks like someone posted under the wrong account again... LMAO!

Whole lot of XXX's going on again!

PS: Did I just vote for JS1? HOLY CRAP!

I've reported Feisty to the moderators and her posts were collapsed

Her posts have been continually collapsed by the community

So which is it Groucho? lol

Is that the same e-mail you sent last time your were going to have me suspended?

Beverly in Chicago

I've also reported you to the moderators for re-posting a post collapsed by the moderators and have asked that you be warned that also violates the Code of Honor.

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL..

Second report to the moderators. I've got all day.

I have twice reported that Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL, is continually violating the Code of Honor and making a mockery of the rules. I posted the complaint I sent to you and this was the next post. She thinks it's funny and that nothing will be done about it.

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

I've reported Feisty to the moderators and her posts were collapsed

Her posts have been continually collapsed by the community

"So which is it Groucho? lol

Is that the same e-mail you sent last time your were going to have me suspended?"

Prove me wrong. Prove to the community that this sort of behavior will not be tolerated.

AM: I'll grant all of that, and you know I don't do it myself. You were within bounds to point it out, but after that, it becomes an issue for the moderators. Where's your own response to what GM was saying?

Response to GM? There can be no response to GM. The work GM posted was by Michael B. Keegan, not by GM. There can be no discussion with GM, it's not his work that can be responded to.

Trying to compare me to Anthony Weiner is about as disingenuously low as I've ever seen you go. You know perfectly well that I'm not in any sort of denial. I said flat-out that GM should have attributed the quote, but also that Simpleton should have responded to the substance of it, rather than merely accusing GM of cheating

It's not cheating. It's stealing. And either you adhere to the rules of the site, or you don't. What your advocating is that it is okay to violate the rules of the site. Is that really what you want to do? If so, you are very much in denial.

AM, we see enough articles fully copy and pasted from others here with the proper attributes made to the original author(s). It is not a difficult process to perform. GM initially gets the benefit of the doubt in that maybe he didn't know the rules or how to properly attribute the work he copy and pasted. His subsequent posts point towards the fact that he doesn't care about those rules, thinks the rules are different for him, and/or isn't interested in doing better next time. That's fine, we all make our choices. But I'd be very careful next time I see an article like GMs printed, and will probably look to see if it was plagiarized.

umm, Groucho, please, take a breather.

Tthe community can collapse a post. The moderators do NOT collapse them. It appears to take five 'flags' to collapse a post. Reporting Feisty because you don't like her is pretty petty. She has an ascerbic wit. I get that you don't appreciate it; but your threats to her are every bit as much a violation as her pointed remarks to you.

Step back and take a breath. This is a blog. It's not life or death. There are plenty of people on both sides that like or dislike each other's tone or style. I suggest you put her on ignore if she's going to get your goat every five minutes.

Surely a former Marine is capable of the high road?

http://www.newsvine.com/_nv/cms/info/codeOfHonor

JoAnnaSmith1, Anna Molly, Ben-636050 and to others in the community.

I reported myself to Newsvine for not completely fulfilling my obligations under the Code of Honor. I will take whatever disciplinary action they mead out.

I sent the following:

Today, under this name Groucho Marx, I posted an article without giving proper credit to the author.

I block quoted the entire article as can be seen from the post, but did not cite the authors name or the original source.

The article was edited, amended and my comments added.

As the post was block quoted, changed and amended, I assumed I had fulfilled my obligation under the Code.

My apologies for the mistake.

...and my apologies to the community.

You're a stand up guy GM. That should be respected. For what it's worth, it is by me.

And if I have any influence to what goes on here (yeah, right), you shouldn't have any disciplinary action.

Notes from the parallel universe...

If this wasn't so sadly predictable, it might actually be funny. When will people WAKE UP?

Jody--great post--thanks for sharing this. Can you blame the European businesses for being anti-union when they see state governments being anti-union themselves?

Anna Molly:

I think they are starting to. I just hope it is not too late. The GOP/TP agenda is not gaining any steam, they are totally relying (betting on) the failure of the economy to win the election.

Now there is a novel idea, vote for the party that is betting on an increase in unemployment and the stalling if not the total collapse of the American Economy and even the Global Economy as well. Repugnant all of them.

And any body that doesn't believe the GOP/TP are rooting for the collapse of the American economy, just listen to all the cheering from the right when there is economic bad news. Especially Joe form Albany.

No, you can't blame European countries for taking advantage of the conservative mindset that created it. It was a small article but really pointed out where the failed trickle-down, deregulation ideology has led us.

It reminded me of how republicans debated, fought and argued against the GM/Chrysler loans. They demanded that to receive the loan, the auto workers should be paid the same as those nonunion factories in the South; that the union was the problem behind the corporation's failures which was far from true. The auto manufacturers paid huge CEO salaries to people who badly managed the firms, made poor business decisions, failed to look at the future of more fuel economy, green technology, etc.

It is beyond me how anyone can think that paying lower wages to American workers, providing fewer benefits will improve the economy. It hasn't and it never will. The more money workers earn, the more money they have to spend on the very products they help build meaning their employer will earn increased profits pumping more into the American economy. It is the cycle that created American manufacturing and the huge growth of the middle class but conservative ideology has turned that philosophy upside down and put it into a downward spiral of lower wages, less money in the economy meaning less money for education, infrastructure, etc.

Navy:

Now there is a novel idea, vote for the party that is betting on an increase in unemployment and the stalling if not the total collapse of the American Economy and even the Global Economy as well.

Cynic that I am, I'm betting that millions upon millions of Koch brothers dollars will effectively to mask the scent of that, Navy, and make it smell fresh instead, sort of like "Morning in America."

No, you can't blame European countries for taking advantage of the conservative mindset that created it. It was a small article but I thought it really pointed out where the failed trickle-down, deregulation ideology has led us.

It reminded me of how republicans debated, fought and argued against the GM/Chrysler loans. They demanded that to receive the loan, the auto workers should be paid the same as those nonunion factories in the South; that the union was the problem behind the corporation's failures which was far from true. The auto manufacturers paid huge CEO salaries to people who badly managed the firms, made poor business decisions, failed to look at the future of more fuel economy vehicles and green technology, etc.

It is beyond me how anyone can think that paying lower wages to American workers, providing fewer benefits will improve the economy. It hasn't and it never will. The more money workers earn, the more money they have to spend on the very products they help build meaning their employer will earn increased profits pumping more into the American economy. It is the cycle that created American manufacturing and the huge growth of the middle class but conservative ideology has turned that philosophy upside down and put it into a downward spiral of lower wages, less money in the economy meaning less money for education, infrastructure, etc.

Note: First Read must be having trouble today. It told me my additional comment couldn't be posted and try again so now it's here twice.

Jody-

Excellent insight.

I caught Lawrence O'Donnell last night and he made Tim Pawlenty's little tirade about President Obama handling of the economy look pathetic.

He was unequivocal in labeling hima liar of the highest order.

What's sadder still is O'Donnell has previously given Pawlenty credibility as a serious Republican candidate for the POTUS.

I think he lost respect yesterday because T-Paw was so off base with his Tax Reduction plan that Lawrence had to laugh and went on to say it would not pass in any Congress. Infact it would not even get out of Committee. Meanwhile Euope and Asia are leaving the US behind because that only answer we have for every ill is "reduce taxes".

This discussion is way way ahead of events.

I haven't even heard the platforms of any of the esteemed Republican candidates. People like Herman Cain, Gary Johnson, Fred Karger, Andy Martin, Tom Miller, Buddy Roemer, Vern Wuensche, Joe Scarborough, and Alan West.

Have heard a little from Tim Pawlenty and Mitt Romney. Have heard a little from Newt Ginrich. Not enough to actually call a platform. I'm sure it will boil down to the best of the best. Them Obama can begin spending his $1 BILLION dollars on his attack ads. Thats all he can do, because it would be suicide to try to run on his record.

This article is way too early for even a reasonable debate about anything. Guess MSNBC just has to write something, even if it's meaningless.

Anna Molly:

Great post, it just does not stop. I can not wait for 2012 to see how this all pans out. Our first indications may come from WI in July and Jan.

They sure aren't hiding what they're doing, are they, Anna Molly? This is truly chilling news.

Why then, do you ask, would anyone make such a foolish decision?

_________________________________________________

Maybe to keep people safe from Cyber-perverts like Anthony Weiner?

Maybe to keep people safe from Cyber-perverts like Anthony Weiner?

Big nanny government, you mean? Gee, thanks, Republicans.

Thanks for the latest Wisconsin news, Anna Molly. I keep reminding myself that if it weren't for Gov Walker and his band of merry robber barons, and if those WI 14 democrats had not left town, the rest of the country would be oblivious to the real GOPTP agenda because no one was paying attention especially the media. For that, thank you Wisconsin; thank you for waking up America's sleeping giant.

Teapublican governor LePage is trying to cut state funds to Public Broadcasting, even though this is the only quality TV some people in rural areas are able to tune in to.

The Maine legislature has tabled his so-called right-to-work bill, which would hurt the unions, because it doesn't have the votes after a hew and a cry went up amongst organized labor which is finally showing its muscle.

It's amazing how the right-wing agenda is being promoted since 2010, across the country, "deregulation" (giving corporations whatever they want at the expense of the environment, public health and competition with smalled companies,) union busting, attacks on public broadcasting and planned parenthood, voting rights, etc. It almost seems coordinated.

Amy:

It almost seems coordinated.

It is. If nothing else the GOP/TP is very good at getting all their little soliders in line macrching to a single drummer. If they get out of step they get their toes stomped on.

Maybe to keep people safe from Cyber-perverts like Anthony Weiner?

Big nanny government, you mean? Gee, thanks, Republicans.

_______________________________________________

Protecting the general public, especially children (Weiner had no way of actually knowing the ages of the people he was tweeting), from perverts like Anthony Weiner is a proper role for govt. It's called "public safety".

Joe in Albany,

How much of YOUR tax dollars should be spent on public safety? Just curious.

White Collar, Burn Notice and Leverage are my summer time outlets.

We never miss Burn Notice!

Great points, especially the fact that the parties are misreading impatience with the political process and the pace of the recovery---their egos allow them to think it is all about them but they are wrong. You would think their polling would show them the truth but perhaps the pollsters don't ask the right questions.

The Daily Show w/ Jon Stewart last night was comedic GOLD. Kristen Schaal's bit was seriously the funniest thing EVAH,...and put weinergate in proper perspective - From a WOMAN's point of view, so to speak.

Check it out if you get the chance,...

dangerfield-

I'm a bit surprised at your dismissal of the economy as the central issue of the 2012 election cycle...particularly in light of your consistent (and effective) efforts to focus First Readers on the economy in the period leading up to last year's midterms.

GDP for the 1st quarter of this year was an anemic 1.8%...completely insufficient to suggest the sort of economic environment capable of making significant reductions in the nation's unacceptably high unemployment rate. There's no reason to believe that 2nd quarter numbers are going to look any better...in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if quarter-to-quarter growth shows further slowing when that report is released this summer. Look no further than last month's jobs report with only 54,000 jobs created and the unemployment rate rising to 9.1% for a clue about 2nd quarter economic growth.

While we're still a year and five months away from Election Day in 2012, consider this:

Two years ago (four months into the Obama Administration) the Labor Department released the May 2009 unemployment numbers, indicating a 9.4% unemployment rate. Then: 9.4%; Now: 9.1%.

The economy will have to suddenly roar back to life between now and the 2012 election in order to substantially impact the current unemployment numbers. Yet...the home market continues to post the most dismal sales figures since records have been kept; economic growth is in the 1-2% range; there's an impasse on how to deal with the nation's catastrophic debt levels; the Fed's QE2 economic stimulus is ending, and with interest rates near 0% their toolbox is pretty much empty. What are you seeing that suggests a change in the trendlines and minimizes the economy as the major issue between now and the upcoming presidential elections? This is "the issue" that elected President Obama, isn't it?

Can you offer any insight into what might become "the issue" which diverts voters from jobs and the performance of the economy? Medicare? Maybe...but, I doubt it.

In any event, why assume that "the issue" capable of moving voter attention away from economic conditions in the next 17 months will be an issue that benefits President Obama?

From here, it still looks like "It's the economy, stupid".

These are the worst economic conditions ever experienced by most Americans living today...

What am I missing?

By the way...I believe that it was primarily the geniuses on the left (including our current chief executive) who were convinced that the Iraq War would be "the issue" in 2008, no?

Seriously though...

Why not the economy?

Hey MB!

Please provide links to the geniuses on the right (You must KNOW that I read the "wisdom" of both sides.) who touted the economy as the #1 issue before summer of 2008? "Pundits" tend to mine the same tired veins of thought be they left, right, or out in left/right field...

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Among voters who expect to vote in a Democratic primary or caucus next year, the top three issues were the war in Iraq, health care and the economy and jobs.

Those who plan to vote in a Republican primary or caucus have different priorities — terrorism and national security was paramount, followed by immigration and Iraq.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/08/06/poll-the-2008-issues/

So the economy was on the back burner for the left and not even in the top three for the right...

My point is that nobody knows (What were the republicans talking about? It sure as hell wasn't the economy, except for the high price of gas (sound familiar?) and every pundit of every stripe was certain that Iraq was THE ISSUE) what will transpire over the next few weeks, let alone until November of 2012.

While things are certainly rough now, things were tough under Carter and Reagan, and many of us were alive then. I live not far from the original "debt clock" that loomed over our collective psyches in the 1980's and 90's when THAT seemed to be the, "worst economic conditions ever experienced by most Americans living today.." so the, "worst of times" thing is relative and subjective.

Everyone is always fighting the last war. Who foresaw the "Arab Spring" and who can say how it will impact on middle east politics, Israel and the "war on terror"? The Gulf oil spill? The Japan earthquake?

Didn't say events would break in the President's favor, but history shows that the electorate tends to stick with "the devil they know" in uncertain times, unless they look like they have no idea how much a gallon of milk costs...

Bottom line; While you certainly may be right, the future is unknowable and the past teaches us that whatever we plan for or expect is sure to be different form our expectations...

"Covert Affairs" is pretty good too...Piper Perabo!!!

dangerfield, mb - gentlemen,

Can I cut in here? By the number of commercials I see in RED Missouri (not sure how THAT happened) right next door to RED Kansas, it would appear that whomever is blitzing the ad campaign currently believes that repealing Obamacare is at least in the top 3 of Republican issues.

Care to comment?

dangerfield-

"...unless they look like they have no idea how much a gallon of milk costs..."

Personally, in light of recent economic data, I prefer "I'm not concerned about a double-dip recession"...

Actually, I think the President ought to be concerned...but, that's just my opinion.

And dangerfield...

Why would I provide you links in order to substantiate something that I did not suggest?

C'mon man...

You are correct in declaring the future unknowable...that said, I simply don't understand you, of all people, implying (as emphatically as anyone can "imply" anything) that the economy won't, in your opinion, be the central issue of the next presidential campaign.

Do you honestly believe that the economy is going to show atypical improvement, in an historical sense, between now and the 2012 general election?

If so, based on what, exactly?

Although...

I would never accuse you of being predictable in terms of the political views that you hold.

An iconoclast is an iconoclast...I suppose.

Clara-

Obamacare will likely be in the top three.

I suspect that the issue is big in your home state because Missouri voters soundly (and specifically) rejected the individual mandate in the Democrats' health care reform legislation in November's elections, didn't they?

Still, in most of the country, I'm guessing jobs and the economy will be number one.

Could be wrong, and certainly not for the first time, I assure you.

We'll see.

MB-

MB-By the way...I believe that it was primarily the geniuses on the left (including our current chief executive) who were convinced that the Iraq War would be "the issue" in 2008, no?

ME-Please provide links to the geniuses on the right (You must KNOW that I read the "wisdom" of both sides.) who touted the economy as the #1 issue before summer of 2008? "

MB-Why would I provide you links in order to substantiate something that I did not suggest?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

You claimed the the pundits on the left were alone in their touting the Iraq war as issue #1, and I asked you to link me to right wing pundits who had another opinion. To the best of my recollection Brooks, Will, Kondrake, Safire(he was still alive) Kristol, (both) Buchanan(s), McLaughlin, et al, were just as certain as their counterparts on the left that the war was the biggie, so I was asking you for your sources...

I am not implying ANYTHING other than my (iconoclastic?) opinion that it is entirely possible (not likely, not PROBABLE, but possible) that the obvious and common wisdom that the economy WILL be the issue come election day 2012 won't hold and that some unforeseen issue may emerge to change the electorate's priorities. I certainly don't know WHAT may occur in the next year and a half to influence domestic and world affairs, and I don't think anyone else does, but it wouldn't be the first time that the CW proved to anything but...

If the economy was the issue in jan 2008, you'd be criticizing President CLINTON right now, as opposition to the war in Iraq was President Obama's ticket into the public consciousness and Clinton's main vulnerability.

There is nothing in the present that would suggest anything other than a slow and inadequate "recovery" or an UE rate below the historical benchmark (7.5 %?) necessary for the President's re-election, and I don't have any scenarios or theories or even any desire to dispute the facts as they stand.

It doesn't take much to look at things as they are and assume that they will remain the same.

MB

Yes, voters sent it down in flames; but ironically (not sure if it should read sadly) Eric Cantor's position on releasing the FEMA funds is NOT playing well here. AT ALL. Missouri is a pretty funny state. The cities are true blue; but there are pockets and bubbles of Deep Southern Red. Joplin happens to be Roy Blunt's stomping grounds and I am not kidding you, people are feeling BEAT up literally and figuratively. They are already sick of the partisan bickering; but hundreds of people are homeless and areas that they definitely think Government should be covering are going unaddressed. It could very well be a factor in 2012. Kind of like Katrina was a major turning point for some voters against the Bush Administration (but of course on a more local level).

It's hard to really say with accuracy how it will play out; but conservatives are NOT showing any "Compassion" and people have picked up on it. And while President Obama was a little late to the dance, they APPRECIATED his words and his presence,...I was on my Kerouac tour and missed it all; but my conservative friends down that way are seriously on the fence on how Cantor is acting. Play political football with OTHER issues, not Natural Disasters,...is the read. Let's see if they figure it out before Missouri goes back to a deep shade of purple.

PS. I know a couple of former conservatives who have been directly and positively affected by Obamacare and they've already said they are voting for President Obama on that issue alone. I am a little surprised that more of the High Teen Pregnancy States aren't getting on that bandwagon,...That was the issue for the folks I am mentioning. Their children & the new babies were added to the parents' plans. So the insurance is getting a family plan rate, the kids are continuing in college and the grandkids are not on the state dole; which was their alternative before. I'm not sure how I feel about that personally; but in both of these cases the children will finish college whereas before, they were considering dropping out to take ANY job to get ANY insurance OR going on Medicaid. Neither of these former staunch Republicans see any problem with paying the premiums and keeping their children in college. I tend to agree that this is sound economics because they will both contribute MUCH more in Tax Revenue as college grads than as burger flippers. I would love them both whichever path they chose; but this has a greater LONG TERM benefit, in my opinion.

dangerfield-

I'm not certain what Messrs. Brooks, Will, Kondrake, Safire, Kristol, Buchanan, or McLaughlin et al were saying or when they were saying it (I only listen to Bill Kristol in that group, and I don't routinely agree with him), but by early 2008, it's my best recollection that it was pretty clear that the Iraq "surge" had largely achieved its goal of breaking the back of the insurgency. (In November 2007, the BBC had acknowledged the same thing)

In addition, by February 2008, the subprime mortgage market had collapsed, and President Bush signed a stimulus package into law hoping to address the subsequent rapidly deteriorating economic conditions. This initiative did little to arrest the downward slide in the economy, leading to a full-blown economic crisis in October...closely followed by the election of President Obama.

Don't second-guess yourself. You were right last fall, and unless President Obama's economic policies somehow take the economy off the table in a dramatic fashion very, very soon...it'll still be the economy in November 2012, my friend.

Mixed bag,

It is simplistic to just say the Economy will be the main issue of the next election. I am not disagreeing with you, but I believe the economy is a mix of several related issues. This is why it seems so complex.

1.) Unemployment

2.) underemployment

3.) The housing /mortgage crisis

4.) The National Debt, and the interest we pay for it.

5.) Deficit spending.

6.) Inflation

7.) Illegal immigration

8.) Outsourcing our jobs

Can you just see the links between all these issues?? I don't want to write a book here, but can't you just see how all this is interconnected??

So, yes, in broad terms, it is and will be the economy that motivates voters in 2012.

"Can you just see the links between all theses issues??"

Indeed I can, Edward.

I mentioned a number of the items on your list in my initial post at #10.4.

Of course any discussion of "the economy" involves a sub-set of economic issues, some of which I've already referred to.

Actually, it sounds as though you're agreeing with me, Edward.

President Obama was elected primarily to deal with the nation's economic crisis.

If he doesn't begin to produce better results in that regard, and soon...he'll struggle to be re-elected.

That's because he'll be running against his own record...as much as against his Republican opponent.

And that leadership change should come in the house of representatives, not the administration. The GOP has filibustered everything that could have helped our jobs problem in this administration for the first two years. Now we have a congress that its only intent is to make matters as bad as possible while Obama is in office- I really dont think the people are buying what the GOP is selling.

Marty, I think you are right a significant number of Senators and Representatives need to lose re-electtion along with Obama. But now more than ever we need a leader who doesnt "flibuster" American businesses. Just has his failed policies have done. Obama was sorely un-qualified to lead this country. It's unforunate he didnt have better advice from his side of the isle. I hope this doesnt sour the future succes of other minorities running for President. There are some really good leaders. To bad this isnt one of them. LET'S VOTE FOR CHANGE IN 2012 AND GET THIS COUNTRY MOVING AGAIN!

A religious cult? There are 14 million Mormons around the world; the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang at Regan's and four other president's inaugurations; the World Christian Encyclopedia lists the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a Christian religion. All religions are cults, but in the way you meant the gesture I think you are in need of a bit of education here.

LMBO, too funny!

Americans have had enough of black people?

What the Hell is wrong with you?

dontgivemethepenguin- Yeh!! the white vote will be strong, as a little ole white woman in S.C., my vote will go to the black guy.

marty you will waste your vote, SC is Rep all the way! The contest will be decided by Florida, NC, Virginia, Penn, and Ohio, Romney must win these states. We know which states will vote Dem.

Yes Florida and Ohio will be critical. Florida will go to Romney, especially after Obama's rude handling of the mideast/ Israeli problems. Ohio?? I don't know. Economywise, Republicans have all those states sewn up, but it is very early yet.

Beverly in Chicago..

Report number 2 filed. Keep it coming, I've got all day.

I want to know why this behavior is tolerated on the Blog and why you think your are immune.

Feisty.....and to think that just a few short weeks ago.....you did not think that Romney had a snowball's chance in hell!....and you berated his efforts up one side and down the other and for many days on end.........and now he is a contender and the rest of the field hasn't even come out to play yet!.........my.....my....how things have changed.

No Always faithful,

Things haven't really changed, it is just that things are more apparent now. We have been saying for two years what a bozo Obama really is, well now the Polls have confirmed what we always knew.

BTW, I love to watch the cat fight between Beverly and Groucho. Great side show.