There is just no way she is winning the nomination.

I wouldn't be so sure Grimey, remember, Teapubican's have mainstreamed CRAZY!

This isn't going to be any old ordinary election, these nuts are so blinded by their hatred of the President, who know what's going to happen!

PS: I like Huntsman (he's not bad for a Repug) which means if liberals 'like' him, he doesn't stand an ice cubes chance in hell of winning...

Speaking of hell, the temps here in Chi-Town are getting close!

If we don't get Ron Paul you might as well dig America's grave.

Both parties are establishment jokers bought and paid for by the corporate interest of the military industrial complex, wall street/banking cartel, pharmaceutical/health care industrial complex, energy sector, and agriculture.

All of these sectors are ran by mega corporate monopolies who control policy and law by influencing our legislators AND by controlling the regulatory bodies that are supposed to keep them in check.

Ron Paul is the ONLY one of the GOP field who served in the military, voted against every tax increase, voted against every pay raise for congress, has never participated in the congressional pension plan believing it to be too unfair to tax payers, and returns nearly $140K/year of his budget to the treasury. He is incorruptible and stands has principled well though out positions and doesn't back down when they position are unpopular. Paul is also the ONLY CANDIDATE talking about the Federal Reserve banking cartel.

America needs Ron Paul.

God, if it's not the Bachmann nutbags, it's the Ron Paul freaks. What a circus.

Frank Grimey Grimes,

Don't you think that Perry and Rubio would be a good combination?

Wait. . . I KNOW!!!!! Let's make it an all-wonderful ticket of Michelle Bachmann and Sarah Palin. Unbeatable!

Ron Paul is great on social and foreign policy issues, but he has the economic understanding of an above-average third grader. Keep him away from the money, and he'd be great.

Heaven forbid--just what we need--another shoot first ask questions later cowboy from Texas! We all saw how well the last one did--tanked the world economy! By all means, let's do it again!

This whole show keeps gettiing weirder and weirder. Bachmann and Perry both think they are annointed by God to bring this country back to its "christian roots"! It should be funny watching them duke it out! Popcorn please!

I love how Mr. Rogers spends most of his post explaining how gov't is overly influenced by corporations and corporate culture, then concludes that the best way forward is to privatize everything. Talk about WTF.

Ron Paul is indeed incorruptible, which is why we should all be afraid of him. Pure Idealism in politics has frightening implications due to the emphasis against compromise. We need leaders who can govern the country we HAVE, not the country we WANT, because we'll never actually achieve or agree on the latter. Libertarianism is nothing but scorched-earth social Darwinism. A dentist who fixes your cavity by smashing out all of your teeth could certainly be considered efficient, but I'm certain you could find an equally effective dentist who doesn't f*ck up your entire mouth in the process. Ron Paul would be a very efficient dentist, but ask him to use a scalpel instead of a sledgehammer and he won't know what to do with it. Smashy smashy Tea Party, way to go!

Ron Paul is indeed incorruptible, which is why we should all be afraid of him. Pure Idealism in politics has frightening implications due to the emphasis against compromise. We need leaders who can govern the country we HAVE, not the country we WANT, because we'll never actually achieve or agree on the latter. Libertarianism is nothing but scorched-earth social Darwinism. A dentist who fixes your cavity by smashing out all of your teeth could certainly be considered efficient, but I'm certain you could find an equally effective dentist who doesn't f*ck up your entire mouth in the process. Ron Paul would be a very efficient dentist, but ask him to use a scalpel instead of a sledgehammer and he won't know what to do with it. Smashy smashy Tea Party, way to go!

The country we have is UNSUSTAINABLE. SS and Medicare as they are are UNSUSTAINABLE. Our military conquest as they are are UNSUSTAINABLE.

You can elect another Bush/Obama if you like... soon our dollar will be worthless as the world dumps the dollar as reserve currency and America, left with no production base, will be left to permanent decline.

Ron's plans are actually the only ones that make any since. He would first avoid the debt ceiling issue by canceling the debt we owe to the Federal Reserve for money they printed out of thin air to buy 1.6 Trillion in treasuries. He would then work to close most of the 1000 bases in 120 countries. I mean do we really need to pay for the national defense of Germany and Japan still? Finally, he would work out a plan to close ineffective and pointless agencies like the Department of Education, which was founded decades ago to make the US more competitive with the world, and has done the opposite since its creation.

Paul would shrink the size of Federal government, break the power of mega monopolies, end all corporate subsidies and end all welfare for foreign rich dictators and put more power and freedoms in the hands of the people.

When you carfeully cosnider the ideas of Paul on an issue by issue basis, you will find more reason and logic than you think. Dr. Paul is JUST the man the patient needs.

He would first avoid the debt ceiling issue by canceling the debt we owe to the Federal Reserve for money they printed out of thin air to buy 1.6 Trillion in treasuries.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Mr. Rogers, I threw that idea out the other day and was attacked by both repubs ands dems. That means it must be a good idea.

She's Batsh!t crazy. What a great opening for Obama!!

I guess MSNBC considers having a 16% rating a "surge".

@Jamey: Read the article; she has increased her poll positives from 3% to the latest, 16%. All this means is that the TeaPublican Party is increasingly full of right-wing extremists who just LOVE a candidate who shoots from the hip, without regard to truthfulness. Go ahead, GOP! Have a knock-down, drag-out fight between those who know how to govern (who'll take Romney every time) and the Tea Party know-nothings (who will want someone just like them in the White House--so she can blow it up and go back and live in Minnesota). Either way.....Obama wins. As he should.

Seriously?? You need to get back on your meds.

Credibility and intellectual prowess is not wrapped up in calling anyone that disagrees with you:

Nuts

Blind

Freaks

Incapable of debate

Third Graders

Now there maybe be some reasons that everyone can come up with not to Vote for Ron Paul, but if you don't vote for him, what your really voting for is the one party monopoly held by the "Rebulicrats" who's sole goal it is to grow government. A Centralized government with no motivation other than to gain more and more control over your life regardless of what side of the same party your are on.

Also, realize, he wouldn't be President forever. Everything he believes in wouldn't get passed by the Congress, but he's the counter balance this country needs to reduce the size of "The Machine".

Don't believe what the Ministry of Propaganda is telling you about who's leading who in polls.

Sure thing,,,Obama 2012 !

Ron Paul is great on social and foreign policy issues, but he has the economic understanding of an above-average third grader. Keep him away from the money, and he'd be great.

Many think you are way off base. He wants to end the Fed. Read this quote explaining Reserve Banking and tell me his not on the right track with ending it:

What, exactly, is fractional reserve banking? Quite simply, it's where banks lend more money than their depositors have given them for that purpose. Perhaps the best way to explain it is to talk about how "honest" banking would work, and then highlight the differences.

Broadly speaking, banks serve two customer needs: safeguarding wealth for the depositor's peace of mind and convenience, and matching up savers who want to lend money with borrowers who want to borrow money. Those purposes are completely separate, and should not be confused. However, the temptation to confuse them in pursuit of greater profit has always led the banking industry to a precarious state. In the world of "honest banking", banks recognize two types of deposits, demand deposits and time deposits:

• Demand deposits, as the name implies, are available "on demand" and reflect the bank serving the customer's first need: safeguarding wealth for peace of mind and convenience. Since the bank is offering this service, the customer should expect to pay for the safety and convenience offered by a demand deposit (or typical checking account). The customer expects that her money is always available, and effectively "in the vault".

• Time deposits, in contrast, are not available on demand. They are savings that the depositor is looking to invest, and use to earn income. The simplest example of a time deposit is a Certificate of Deposit, or CD. CDs pay an interest rate, and the funds in a CD are returned with interest after a certain period of time. With a CD, the money is not available for immediate withdrawal. In fact, the customer expects that the money is not "in the vault" -- she can't access the funds until the CD matures since the money is literally "out working", and being used to create value by another customer who borrowed it through a loan.

From the descriptions above, you can imagine that a bank's income would come from two sources: fees for offering demand deposits, and the difference between interest paid to savers (who lend the bank money) and received from borrowers (who borrow money from the bank). That's pretty much the way banking should work. Unfortunately, however, it doesn't. You see, unscrupulous bankers throughout history realized that they could increase their profits by loaning out their demand deposits as well as their time deposits.

You can easily see the temptation -- as long as most customers don't ask for all their money out of their checking accounts, what's the harm in loaning out some of that demand deposit money and earning interest for the bank? No one will know the difference, and it's a profitable risk to take. Even better, once merchants began accepting checks or receipts from this banker instead of the underlying "money" (whatever it was) itself, the banker began to realize that he could create even more loans. Who will know, if the community accepts the bank's receipts as money?

Suddenly the bank is no longer just in the business of storing money, and matching lenders and borrowers. Now the bank is in the business of falsely creating new money when a customer takes out a loan. The problem is that eventually, inevitably, the bank's customers get suspicious -- perhaps in the face of rising prices, as new money floods the local economy. The customers realize that the bank has more receipts, or checks, outstanding than it can possibly cover. Once the bank's customers lose confidence, they all show up and demand their money. The bank, of course, doesn't have enough money to honor all the claims, so the depositors are left in the lurch. This "run on the bank" reveals the deception, and exposes the fractional reserve bank as an inherently bankrupt institution.

From a social perspective, what are the consequences of the banking industry creating new money (at essentially zero cost), only to loan it to you with interest? When the bank creates "money", is it actually creating value? The answer is no -- the banking industry is not creating value when it creates new money to fulfill a loan. In fact, the bank's new money is taking value from everyone else by reducing the purchasing power of everyone's savings, investments, and earnings.

You'd think that after generations of repeating the same pattern of booms, busts, and bank failures, we'd put control, and the rule of law, firmly on the side of the customers whose assets form the basis of society's prosperity. You'd think that fractional reserve banking would be illegal, and those who fraudulently make multiple loans against the same money, or loan out money that already has another claim against it, would be liable for civil or criminal prosecution. In fact, even the Bible warns against this practice, termed "multiple indebtedness":

If you ever take your neighbor's garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down. For that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What will he sleep in? And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I am gracious (Exodus 22:26-27)

This verse is talking about the prohibition of interest in loans, also known as usury. In this case, the borrower is so poor that his cloak is his collateral. While this is not a business loan, it's still important, and acceptable, that the borrower offer collateral -- even something as humble as his cloak. The fact that this impoverished borrower physically gives the cloak to the lender during the day is protection against the borrower being corrupt at heart -- the borrower cannot make the rounds of moneylenders, securing loans out of sympathy from each, and pledging his coat multiple times as collateral. Since only one lender can hold the cloak, there can be only one loan made against it.

As a matter of common sense, and as a matter of morality, it's wrong (and typically prohibited) to secure multiple loans with the same piece of collateral. So how does the concept of multiple indebtedness relate to banks? In the same way that the poor man should not defraud lenders by taking out multiple loans on the same piece of collateral, banks should not defraud their customers by creating multiple loans against the same money, or loaning out money that already has another claim against it.

In a nutshell, that's the problem with our financial system. If a pawnbroker were to make loans against family heirlooms with counterfeit paper currency photocopied in his office, he would be arrested. But when the bank gives you a mortgage against your house, and creates a new deposit in your checking account that's only partially backed by depositors' money, the bank has created new money just as certainly as the pawnbroker with counterfeit bills.

Then explain to me how this "third grader" called all the financial problems some 6 years before they happened:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=48Gfzgxh3ZQ&feature=relmfu

PLEASE PICK PALIN, BACHMANN or PAUL....They would absolutely insure a Democratic Victory of unparalleled proportions with coattails that would give the Democrats a super majority in both houses.

They are as some have said Bat Sh-t Crazy, Filled with bigoted hate, and that has always sold well with the American People. The tea reps are simplistic in thought and policy, gthey will keep dragging down the more normal GOP.

Yes RUn to the extreme right...see what it gets you.

Here I swear to donate $1000 ro the campaign of any of those three if you nominate them....the more they get out their message of hate, the better to insure they lose.

Mr. Rogers.

"If we don't get Ron Paul you might as well dig America's grave."

Dig that grave pal--the voters are freaked out about this guy. The only thing I do agree with Paul on is massive troop withdrawals and defense cuts. There's a way back that doesn't force us back to the 1820's--Paul's a absolute arrogant idiot that would do away with all protections that people should expect as Americans. Smaller is better--but he wishes to basically, have an isolationist ideology with no limits to the damages corporations can do to the environment, etc--and eliminating worker's rights, minimum wage laws. Great for the top 3%, but hell on the middle and working class.

Hey, I don't care if you don't like Ron Paul, but please don't lump him in with Palin and Bachmann. He actually has a working brain and many of his leftist views on foreign policy and social issues would make those little girls run screaming for their parents or pastors.

You must have never researched Ron Paul, he is by no means far right. He's very much Libertarian. As far as a message of hate. Again, you must know nothing of Ron Paul. Do your research, forum junkie. As far as Bachmann, up until recently she was a member of my church body. I can say that's about as conservative as it gets and is perceived by a great many as crazy. I wouldn't vote for her because there is such a thing as separation of church and state, both supported by a secular and Biblical standpoint, and from what I see from her, she doesn't support that separation.

Four Points Shy,

It's not that hard to predict a financial collapse in a capitalist system. The business cycle is designed such that we go into a recession every 20 years or so.

franklytrue,

You're right on target with Palin and Bachmann, but Paul isn't bigoted. He just wants social issues to be decided on a states' rights ideology. I don't agree with it (if not for the federal government, I have a feeling interracial marriage, racial integration and sodomy would still be illegal in a lot of the South), but it's not like he's this big racist or homophobe.

PLEASE PICK PALIN, BACHMANN or PAUL....They would absolutely insure a Democratic Victory of unparalleled proportions with coattails that would give the Democrats a super majority in both houses.

They are as some have said Bat Sh-t Crazy, Filled with bigoted hate, and that has always sold well with the American People. The tea reps are simplistic in thought and policy, gthey will keep dragging down the more normal GOP.

Yes RUn to the extreme right...see what it gets you.

Here I swear to donate $1000 ro the campaign of any of those three if you nominate them....the more they get out their message of hate, the better to insure they lose.

Kettle meet pot. Your statement is a textbook case of HATE. It's completely "hating" on anyone who's opinion differs from your own and ranting like a "bat sh-t crazy person" and calling them the "haters".

Hillarious.

Only if the GOP 'fix" it like they did in 200 & 2004

What the hell do you think the voter ID is all about?

Smaller is better--but he wishes to basically, have an isolationist ideology with no limits to the damages corporations can do to the environment, etc--and eliminating worker's rights, minimum wage laws. Great for the top 3%, but hell on the middle and working class.

Imagine a neighbourhood in which you and other people live at various economic levels. The richest guy on the block is paranoid that “everyone hates him and his family” so he hires an army and convinces or forces most people in the neighbourhood to house one soldier to make sure that you and everyone else don’t build rocket launchers and blow up his house from a distance.

This is and has been the foreign policy of the USA for decades.

Which would make you more resentful, a soldier stationed in your own living room 24/7 making sure you or a neighbor doesn’t plot to build a rocket launcher, or getting regular calls from your rich neighbor suggesting he’ll help you with things if you’re nice to him?

Reversing our past foreign policy is not being an "isolationist".

With respect to the environment and companies polluting he's basically said that polluting amounts to infringements of others and thier/our progeny's property rights as it effectively destroys it. As such he said he would support regulation of the Environment.

As I said: He wouldn't be President forever. Everything he believes in wouldn't get passed by the Congress, but he's the counter balance this country needs to reduce the size of "The Machine".

Any voter who casts a vote should have to show proof of citizenship! WTF is wrong with that?

Anyone who collects government assistance should have to submit to drug tests ie, piss test.

Yak-3400306

The tea party is going down. I predict they will lose their supporters. They will lose the seniors that have supported them when they demand medicare be destroyed. Let us look at the republican candidates. Romney that made a fortune by buying American companies then closing them and shipping jobs overseas. Bachman a hypocrite, she thinks entitlements are wrong unless she gets them and only her. Ron Paul the nut. Perry from Texas, he wanted to secede from the union, why would we trust him to be president.

Yep, nobody should ever have to prove their citizenship prior to voting. That's the liberal way.

It's not that hard to predict a financial collapse in a capitalist system. The business cycle is designed such that we go into a recession every 20 years or so.

To Quote:

The issues I have raised so far show how important it is for a free people to possess a sound understanding of economics. I myself identify with a school of economic thought known as the Austrian School of economics, whose key twentieth-century figures included Ludwig von Mises, F. A. Hayek, Murray Rothbard, and Hans Sennholz. The Austrian School has enjoyed something of a renaissance ever since Hayek, one of its brightest lights, won the Nobel Prize in 1974. And with all kinds of financial bubbles bursting, from the dot-coms a decade ago to housing today, financial analysts have been particularly interested in the Austrian message, especially since the Austrians were among the only ones who consistently warned about those bubbles. Mises himself was practically alone in 1928 when he insisted that not only had permanent prosperity not arrived (as the mainstream of the economics profession had been foolishly assuring everyone throughout the decade), but that a great economic downturn was inevitable.

Paul, Ron (2008-04-30). The Revolution: A Manifesto (p. 102). Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition.

It's today's Keynesian economics that is perpetuated by both parties that has caused bubbles you believe are so easy to predict.

I am woman, in your dreams. Obama is the worst president in history! One could thumb through the phone book and find a better, more qualified person than him. What is wrong with you liberals?

Check this out:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sNWbiAMf80

@Fiesty: Time to see your mental health doctor again!!!

When you stop and think about it ... the Republicans have become ... just plain weird!

In what way??Stop the crazy spending and balance the budget. Yeah, that's really weird..

Hmm... In a follow-up to Ron Paul, it just now occurred to me that we should probably keep him away from the Civil Rights Act. You know, just in case...

Hmm... In a follow-up to Ron Paul, it just now occurred to me that we should probably keep him away from the Civil Rights Act. You know, just in case...

Huh? Respecting the liberties of all others, by not infringing on the rights of others in anyway totally infers true equal rights.

Hehe, so glad you asked, Four Points...

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2011/05/ron-paul-would-have-opposed-civil-rights-act-1964/37726/

Received Private Caller telephone call today. The recorded voice rattled off the names of several candidates leading off with Bachmann. It waited less than a second for my response and did not give me an assigned number to make it easier to select someone further down the list. No wonder Bachmann is jumping ahead in the polls.

Follow the money. Understand who is taking the poll. Cross check your information gathering with multiple sources. Even seek sources outside your region or country. If you are English speaking, maybe you might like www.BBC.co.uk or www.Guardian.co.uk

Poll shows Bachmann's support surging

aka

Poll Shows Further Dumbing Down of America

Nice Toasty; way to use the cut down version of what he said which was this:

"Yeah, but I wouldn't vote against getting rid of the Jim Crow laws," Paul said. He explained that he would have opposed the Civil Rights Act "because of the property rights element, not because they got rid of the Jim Crow laws."

Some libertarians argue that the government overstepped its authority in the landmark legislation, which sought to ban discrimination by private businesses and organizations. Paul sought to draw a distinction between holding that opinion and supporting the segregation and other tools of discrimination that the '64 law sought to abolish.

"This gimmick, it's off the wall when you say I'm for property rights and for states rights, and therefore I'm a racist," said the Texas congressman. "That's just outlandish."

Paul appealed to the free market, and argued that if a business owner were to post signs declaring segregation in his or her business, people wouldn't patronize it.

"For you to imply that a property rights person is endorsing that stuff, you don't understand that there would be zero signs up today saying something like that," he said. "And if they did they would be an idiot and out of business."

You were so busy reading into the Ministry of Propaganda's spin you missed the sourcing at the bottom.

thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/161217-paul-says-he-would-have-opposed-civil-rights-act

Then there's this:

www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul188.html

Which was what he actually said on the floor of the Congress.

Not a single thing you posted disagreed with what I said.

Maybe I'm missing your point then. I thought you were implying he would repeal or is against Civil rights, which he wouldn't and is not. In fact he's more a champion of equal rights, verses the special rights that seem prevalent today.

Oh well. Night.

Toasty will never admit to anything that legitimately cast doubt on his liberal views or allow anyone to have an opinion that is contrary to his. You are not always right Toasty. Many times you sound like the very people you despise.

Toasty its one thing to have an opinion, its another to out right deny civil rights to any one. You act like having an opinion is the same as denying rights or doing what is right.

$4.00 gas sucks the life blood out of the American economy. Whatever is left after 9% unemployment that is.

Donald Duck would beat this president.

Yak-3400306

Any voter who casts a vote should have to show proof of citizenship! WTF is wrong with that?

• 4

• !

#1.31 - Tue Jul 19, 2011 6:58 PM CDT

Yak-3400306

Anyone who collects government assistance should have to submit to drug tests ie, piss test.

Jesus, you are one angry person,

Anyone else notice that whenever someone attacks Ron Paul it's either vague and insulting (e.g. he's a nut) or just plain wrong (e.g. he's an isolationist)?

@ one Fat Guy...LOL! I say Daffy Duck could be the president!!

Anybody but Obama!

Bachmann isn't likely to win the nomination, nor Rick Perry. However, one of them will have to be the VP nomination in order to secure the Tea Party vote for the Republicans. Downside is that this was tried in 2008 and it didn't work out so well then. Will 2012 be different? Could be, but I doubt it.

Showing one's ID at the voting polls will not actually prevent the overwhelming majority of voter fraud, considering most of it is done by mail. The majority of the ones that get caught are people that own more than 1 house in adjacent counties or nearby counties and try to vote in both. I don't want to pay for the drug testing of people applying for welfare, not worth the cost.

I would like to see a Perry / Rubio ticket for 2012

Bachmann wouldn't even be sporting for Obama.

If she wins the GOP nomination, we may have to handicap Obama vs Bachmann and give her 10 pts or so just to make it semi-interesting.

Wouldn't the debates be funny though? Comedy Central could host them.

Ron Paul is the only candidate that has a 100% voting record that aligns with the constitution. Wake up people.

And Toasty runs for the hills!

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

Speaking of hell, the temps here in Chi-Town are getting close!

Feeling right at home Fiesty?

Brent -

I don't want to pay for the drug testing of people applying for welfare, not worth the cost.

In case you didn't know this, if you pay taxes you are already paying for the drug testing and whatever other testing welfare and medicaid (one in the same usually) are already receiving. Visit your local hospital registration office and inquire about how many patients actually pay their bill. I promise you non-profit hospitals (which is an oxymoron) receive the majority of their payments from medicaid/medicare.

America needs to wake the F@#K up. America's free ride has to stop our it will be our demise. Didn't your parents teach you that you have to work to earn the things you need/want? Liberal gov't has taught its children to take what you can get and don't look back - there's always a sucker out there with a tear in their eye and a dollar in their wallet for some sob story.

Our grandchildren will be living in the equivalent of a third world country and we are all standing around with our credit cards in hand saying "what do ya mean? we have plenty of money!"

note the bias in how the WSJ reported this poll, leaving mention of Ron Paul at the bottom, despite his good showing in the results. USGwaste.com outlines the oversight in today's post.

MSM loves nothing more than to cheer for the front runners while ignoring the ONLY man in the race with real ideas and integrity: Ron Paul

Bloyd-

If Ron Paul "is the only candidate that has a 100% voting record that aligns with the constitution", then can't we just program a laptop and put it on his seat in Congress to enter all his votes based on the constitution (and not judgement) and save the taxpayers Paul's salary and expensive benefits?

Hear, hear! Ron Paul 2012!!

I just read all these postings - and I have yet to see the value in having postings. A bunch of people ranting at each other - actually being set up to rant against each other - and in sure takes your mind off what is really happening in Washington. Which is nothing. They are doing the same thing these postings are - ranting at one another. We are all different, will never think alike and we need to compromise to live together . We should not compromise on some things however - tolerance for one another. So for you that have bashed the "welfare" people - you have not walked in their shoes. Careful, you may be there someday. And for those small percentage that do abuse the system - take a look around. How many times did you call in "sick" to work and get paid, how many of you "borrowed something for work or your neighbor or even a store and it never got back, how many of you claim stuff on your taxes that isn't so, and how about our corporate wonder boys/girls that screw us every day with poor wages and no benefits while they whistle to the bank or send your job overseas,

Total Federal Budget for 2010 = $3,600.000.000,000

"Welfare" (called Temporary Aid to Needy Families since 1997) budget for 2010 $16,819,000,000

Department of Defense budget for 2010 $728,000,000,000

so Warfare gets 20.22%, and needy families get less than one half of 1 percent (0.47% to be exact

Brent - I agree with Yak. Welfare recipients should be drug & alcohol tested every 60 days or at the renewal of their application, whichever comes first. First fail, loss of benefits for 6 months. Second fail, loss of benefits for life. Also, no one in the same household can be approved for benefits during any period of loss of benefits due to failing a drug/alcohol test. Failure or refusal to submit to testing results in immediate termination of benefits.

The first point is the people who pay the taxes to provide you with benefits have to take at least a pre employment drug test and some are subject to randoms. The second point is that if you have enough money to buy drugs or alcohol you don't need assistance.

As far as paying for it, the reduction in payouts due to the number of fails would more than pay for it. It would eliminate those who lay around drunk or stoned taking a free ride from the rolls and if you're denied benefits you just might go out and find a job, that is if you like eating and sleeping inside. If you choose not to get a job that's a choice you made. There is no free lunch and certainly no free lifetime vacation.

What's another word for ROOSTER???

@CatRN, I used to use that same arguement:

"In case you didn't know this, if you pay taxes you are already paying for the drug testing and whatever other testing welfare and medicaid (one in the same usually) are already receiving. Visit your local hospital registration office and inquire about how many patients actually pay their bill. I promise you non-profit hospitals (which is an oxymoron) receive the majority of their payments from medicaid/medicare." To make the case for universal healthcare. To the best of my knowledge, nobody but Florida is drug testing welfare recipients, and it is being done by the Governor's company. Do you find that acceptable? Given the number of people that are on welfare or are soon to be going on welfare will add exponentially to the costs of welfare/entitlement programs.

@Soldier's Dad, you are already assuming that viertually everyone already on welfare is a drunk or drug addict. You play judge and jury so well. If the majority of the people, on welfare end up being clean, then you are supporting waste in the system. You can no more prove my notion wrong than you can prove your own notion to be true. You'd be growing the gov't. while saying you are a small gov't. supporter. Think about that.

You both seem to be of the mind that all welfare recipients are lazy good for nothings, whose only purpose in life is to live off of the gov't. and that has yet to be proven as fact. What this does show is that you tend toward the "I care more about money than humanity" (eventhough one of you is a nurse, doesn't mean you casn't have this disposition, if your posts are any indicators). Sorry, I just don't agree with your positions on this.

Michelle Bachman's mantra has been & still is... tax breaks for the huge corporate conglomerates is absolutely necessary in order to create jobs.... PLEASE! Let me tell you the truth & what a lie this is...

My father, recently retired SR VP of one of the top 5 largest corporate conglomerates on the entire planet.....(I won't say which one out of respect for him).... but even he is thankful he just retired because he knows what a blatant lie that is & he is thankful he no longer has to live it & breathe it 24 hours a day.

Either Mrs. Bachman is ignorant as a donkey's behind or she is aware it is a lie while she is touting this redderick for the wealthy republicans for which she serves..... I believe she is both.

People please! You are seeing what Fox News is made of right before your very eyes right now as murder investigations are under way for the murder of the main whistleblower for the corrupt criminal ways of doing business this very Republican news media outlet is a part of..... just a tiny tip of the iceberg.

The wealthy & greedy will do anything, & will not stop at anything to protect their greed..... & the little people they are using to promote their fraudulent & misrepresented message hidden to look like it's all about morality & balancing a budget that they truly do not care about...... it is, to put it simply...a sham.

It's pathetic the way the republican party uses the churches to solicit their votes..... they figured out a long time ago.....what better & cheaper way to solicit votes year round.... by "using" the "morality" hot button..... they knew they could get preachers to stand up & be their cheerleaders every Sunday, Saturday, Wednesday every week of the year.... to congregations of millions of people & who do the majority of the "faithful" listen to?

The republican platform is all about greed, protecting the money of the wealthy & protecting the money of huge corporate conglomerates & everything else they pretend to stand for is only a facade.

It's pathetic the way the republican party uses the churches to solicit their votes..... what better & cheaper way to solicit votes year round.... by "using" the "morality" hot button..... they knew they could get preachers to stand up & be their cheerleaders every Sunday, Saturday, Wednesday every week of the year.... to congregations of millions of people & who do the majority of the "faithful" listen to?
The republican platform is all about greed, protecting the money of the wealthy & protecting the money of huge corporate conglomerates & everything else they pretend to stand for is only a facade.

Mrs Bachman & the republican platform keeps demanding tax breaks for huge corporations. They say it is absolutely necessary to create jobs. This is such a lie. The only ones who will benefit from this will be the grossly overpaid higher up execs. They will never hire more people as a result of any tax breaks.
These huge corporations are already getting away with robbing all of us taxpayers. They have been getting tax breaks for "new hires" without having to subtract the number of employees they have been laying off, surplusing & dumping in huge volumns.
Most of the largest corporations have been making a very aggressive move to take advantage of this "economic downturn" to sift through their payrolls & filter out all of their baby boomers, people 48 & over.....blaming the layoffs on the economy while they are not only turning right around & hiring young 20 & 30 somethings who lack the knowledge, experience, discipline & wisdom the baby boomers bring to the table..... but these same corporations have been continuing to show profits in the billions.
They do it to keep their group insurance rates down, to keep from having to pay pensions & because they are just greedy & have no decency.

It's really sad, watching people debate about Ron Paul. Arguing that they disagree with his economic stances because they want their SS, or their Medicare, or that they don't want state's to have rights to vote for marijuana or gay marriage.

When the sad truth is that if any other Republican gets elected, our military spending will not go down at all because none of them urge reducing the size of the military drastically. They all want to reduce spending, reform things a little, get rid of waste, raise taxes. But this WILL NOT SAVE US. Run the numbers! We HAVE TO, that means no choice, drastically reduce the size of the Defense Budget, the Welfare budget, and the amount of money spent in our federal government- in order for the system to be stable.

If we don't do this, the system will simply NOT HAVE the money, and no one will get their SS, Medicare, unemployment, or anything else. It won't be a debate anymore because there won't be anymore money. So even though there's a few small debatable things about Ron Paul, he's the only incorruptible one who will reduce the spending rate enough to balance the budget. The other people running are just in it for the vote, and will not fix this mess.

You disagree? Wait and watch. It will be Obama all over again and you'll be understanding your mistake in 2016 when America is no longer the world's largest economy because of it's massive debts, outstretched military, and overspending that has all followed the exact path of every other world superpower who has ever fallen from power- and all of this has been warned by who? Ron Paul for 30 years.

Ron Paul in 2012 or bust!

so Warfare gets 20.22%, and needy families get less than one half of 1 percent (0.47% to be exact

That's because the Military is our #1 Export.

You disagree? Wait and watch. It will be Obama all over again and you'll be understanding your mistake in 2016 when America is no longer the world's largest economy because of it's massive debts, outstretched military, and overspending that has all followed the exact path of every other world superpower who has ever fallen from power- and all of this has been warned by who? Ron Paul for 30 years.

The US as the world's largest economy is not going anywhere for awhile, even in this major recession. You know why? Immigrants. The US still has more immigrants every year than all other countries combined. It's kind of ironic really, that immigrants (legal and illegal) are what's shoring up the US economy.

Side note to Ron Paul supporters: Average life span of white American males is about 76. Ron Paul will be 77 years old in August 2012....while more and more people are living to 100+, and he may be in excellent health now, who is the #2 you would really be voting for?

If the Tea Party and religious right activists can dominate the primaries and caucuses, she could actually win the nomination.

I believe, though, that if she does well in the first few states, that the old guard GOP will find a way to covertly knock her out of the race and if she does win will runs ads against her and funnel money to the Obama campaign. They'd rather deal with an enemy they know like Obama than a loose cannon they fear and have no control over like Bachmann.

Bachmann has ZERO chance at the nomination, she couldn't be elected dog catcher. The only people pumping this clown up is the MEDIA. They pump her up every chance they get. Just like they do with Palin, the can't stop talking about her or Bachmann, though as an independant who will never vote for Obama again, unless one of these religious kooks is on the republican ticket. By the way, that will never happen. Palin cost McCain the election in many many ways.

I have to admit, I've looked more closely at Ron Paul's take on issues, and if he means what he says, he'd be a much better pick than freaky insane Bachmann, and he's a lot less slimy than Romney. I think he's just not young or good looking enough to get the nomination, and his son, who is apparently also batsh-t crazy (although not as bad as Bachmann), could be a serious liability. I don't agree with him on every point, but I can say the same for every other candidate, including Obama.

And frosty, since you're going around posting your figures on Obama's approval ratings on just about every thread going, why don't you also share Congress' current approval ratings?

Ron Paul is great on social and foreign policy issues, but he has the economic understanding of an above-average third grader. Keep him away from the money, and he'd be great.

I just found it interesting that I think the opposite. I hold a more Reagan-based foreign policy attitude, so Ron Paul's foreign policy naturally bothers me... but I definitely think he has a wonderful economic understanding.

By the way, do you understand what a Keynesian bubble is? Actually, do you understand Keynesian economics at all? Ron Paul has shown an adequate understanding of it (ultimately rejecting it), which is most certainly above the grade-school levels. Your petty insults do nothing for actual conversation, try making your case with an explanation.

Try this on for "Opposite". Ron Paul sounds more like a DEM in this interview than a Republican:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXKrdE2x5og

Try this on for "Opposite". Ron Paul sounds more like a DEM in this interview than a Republican:

To be honest, he sounded like he always has. Very little waffling, and he still holds true to his "Opt out" idea, and isolationist foreign policy. He is a republican by name and designation, but ideologically, he is and always has been a Libertarian.

I have to respect him for his steadfast consistency. The people voting for him, know exactly what they're voting for. I'd trust him to do what he says he would more than anyone else running thus far. Will I vote for him? Dunno, probably not... but I trust him... which is saying a lot about a politician.

Will I vote for him? Dunno, probably not... but I trust him... which is saying a lot about a politician.

(hug)

I seriously like your honesty. :)

Inadequacy related to what, Bob?

Law degree. Check

Parent. Check

Spent time as public employee. Check

Successful legal career in the PRIVATE sector. I believe that one goes to me.

Crazy congresswoman. Well ... she's got one on me there.

But you Anna Molly, are special.

I suspect that the Feistys, Jodys, Amys, Claras, Gingerbread mommas, et al. might not match up so favorably.

Like with Palin, Bachmann has done very well for herself and her family. Some don't seem to cotton to well to that.

Plus they both look good. Bachmann is what, 53ish?

Gosh I was watching poor Debbie Wasser-Schultz on Chuck's show this morning. Putting aside the obvious fact she cannot form an independent thought [she repeated the same response to 5 questions in a row], she just ain't holding up too well.

Now maybe its the Florida sun, maybe is the bad dye job, but man she needs to step up her game.

Not biting, Spanky. You'll have to stand on your own comments.

Res ipsa loquitur.

"I suspect that the Feistys, Jodys, Amys, Claras, Gingerbread mommas, et al. might not match up so favorably."

Miss a day, miss a lot- when did all THESE people put in a bid for a Presidential run???

And this 'Wasser-Schultz'- is she running, too?

Dang.

Bachmann is the BEST candidate and the most conservative............she is also a woman and the Republican machine cannot tolerate that idea

achmann is the BEST candidate and the most conservative............she is also a woman and the Republican machine cannot tolerate that idea

Bachmann is a fraud. I am still waiting for her explanation on voting for the Patriot Act with ZERO debate or discussion in congress.

She is just another opportunistic hack looking for pay and popularity.

"she just ain't holding up too well."

Hey, Spanky -

Maybe you should try being an active member of Congress, a major fundraiser for your party, being named chairman of that party in a tough election cycle, raising three kids, being active in your community, undergoing seven surgeries for breast cancer, and helping one of your best friends recover from a near-fatal shooting - all in the space of three years - and then get back to us on how well YOU'RE "holding up".

Even for you, that was a pretty cheap shot.

In you guts you know she is nuts.

Even for you, that was a pretty cheap shot.

*gasp*

WHAT???

Spanky take a cheap shot at someone???

That would NEVER happen!

PS: The ambulance chasing/paralegal has trademarked 'cheap shots'!

Spanky - I don't like name-calling of any type, and while I don't like Ms. Bachmann or Ms. Palin, I won't insult them or call them names. Additionally, I agree that both of them are quite attractive. However, I believe that Ms. Wasserman-Schultz is a cancer survivor, so I believe that it is especially rude to comment on her looks.

Tell you what JoAnne - lets apply all that stuff to Bachmann. I'd say that they have both accomplished quite a lot.

I have no issue with what DWS has accomplished or not. My issue above was with her ability to respond to a direct question. This morning, she could not. Even Chuck gave up trying to get an actual response. Not what I would consider an ideal spokeswoman for the party, but since it ain't my party, it's all good.

I was unware of the breast cancer. That sucks. I must presume she is doing well, or she would not have taken on the role of chairwoman. I think that is fair. But I will lay off the looks. But come on, the hair coloring too? Man, that's going to be tough.

And there is no way I'd ever want to be an elected official.

And seriously, where is Bev.? I genuinely miss her.

When is the latest Republican hack from Texas supposed to announce his run ?

Didn't we learn about NOT having brainless Republican Governors being put into the Presidency with the last one ?

Oh and Feisty old gal that's - narcissistic, ambulance chasing, only right 39% of the time jackass.

Come on, keep up already.

I'm happy to see Ron Paul rising in the polls. Bachmann will get ripped apart because of her nutty religious social stances and Perry is a former Democrat with a pretty bad "Tea Party" approved record.

My two big issues are ending the wars (yes, actually ending them) and medical marijuana. Paul is the best candidate for both so I don't' care what letter is next to his name. He gets my vote.

Bob - the likes of Bachmann give no one feelings of inadequacy. And, she is a migraine. There are so many intelligent women out there - why are none of them in the GOP????

Spanky - I think that being unable to respond to a direct question is quite common for politicians from all parties. Additionally, I have seen both Ms. Palin and Ms. Bachmann unable or unwilling to answer questions. It would be helpful, for all of us, if politicians could answer the question being asked, without the talking points.

Bob-1887910

Ok seriously. Doesn't her blatant bigotry bother you? Just a little?

I think successful conservative women are great! But bigotry is just ugly, man.

There are so many intelligent women out there - why are none of them in the GOP????

W. Goin -- because Republicans are more into looks than they are into intelligence (and since I'm not sexist like Republicans...this also explains Romney's standing in these polls). ;-)

Cautiously Optimistic One - It always amazes me when people state that Democrats don't like strong, conservative women. Like you, I admire strong women of any political party. And, like you, I don't admire Ms. Bachmann's bigotry and social conservatism, which has nothing to do with true conservatism.

OBXRon:

I'm sorry man, but could you please explain to me what makes a person "the MOST conservative"? Is that the person who wants to hold the oldest ideas, the one who wants to go back the furthest, the one who believes in the oldest God, the one who hates the government handouts he or she takes the most? Who or what is it?

And Bob:

Please, women like Michelle Bachmann give everyone a headache. Good grief, look what she did to her husband. She turned him into a bald-faced liar.

David...she also turned him gay.

Spanky: I wasn't going to comment, but I feel compelled to add a word on DWS's breast cancer, the significance of which you don't seem to appreciate, while you concentrate your comments on her physical appearance, and, God forbid, her "dye-job."

DWS was 45 when her cancer was discovered, with no previous history of breast cancer in her family. Without such a history, she was five years too young for screening according to the so-called revised guidelines being touted by Republicans during the debate on HCR. Those proposed guidelines were based on the alleged marginal value of mammography for detecting breast cancer in women under 50. DWS found her cancer through breast self-examination, which was also discouraged under the guidelines because it supposedly isn't effective.

The fact that DWS found it that way means it was already pretty well developed. As DWS has had seven surgeries, one can assume the cancer was also quite aggressive. Mine, by contrast, was detected by mammography, which also violated those proposed screening guidelines; and because it WAS detected so early, it required only one minor, out-patient surgery and no further treatment. I am a 10-year survivor. My own experience, minor as it was, was bad enough. I can't even begin to imagine what DWS has been through. The fear alone is crippling, and I can only assume she has been through lots of treatments in addition to the surgeries. Cancer treatment is VERY draining, not to mention disruptive.

DWS and I are not statistics. We are living, breathing survivors precisely BECAUSE of early screening, and our families certainly appreciate that fact. Had DWS followed the recommendation about self-examination and waited five years to have an initial screening, she might very well have been dead. She and I are both poster children for early detection, which many Republicans, if they could have their way, would eliminate, based on a perverse cost-benefit analysis.

I wonder if you would mind commenting on that, rather than on DWS's appearance. As JoAnne points out, you should look so good -- not to mention still being alive -- after having been through what DWS has, and all while you are raising your family and trying to represent your country.

You try it some time.

By contrast, Michele Bachmann's many so-called achievements don't even begin to compare.

Ok a couple of points on Republican candidates. First whoever said that Ron Paul is illiterate when it comes to economic issues is wrong. Paul is well versed the Austrian School of Economics. It is a school of economic thought that dates back to the 1870s when it was founded by Carl Menger. You may not recognize the ideas Paul references but he is not a crackpot just making stuff up. I have studied many schools of economic thought; Chicago, Keynesian, Socialism, etc. and I have to say the Austrians have a very well thought out and consistent argument. Like it or not it is real economics and not crackpot. Second Bachmann is not Sarah Palin. Palin is an uneducated boob with zero intellectual curiosity. Bachmann was a successful tax attorney in the private sector and in addition to her JD law degree she also completed a post doctoral degree in tax law at the William and Mary Law School (one of the top 15 law schools in the country). She has been a mother, foster mother and congresswomen as well. So she has succeeded in business, academics, and politics as well as in family matters. She has a high degree of intellectual curiosity as evidenced by her statement that when she goes to the beach her hobby is to relax with economic theory books typically written by Ludwig Von Mises (who was the dominant economic scholar in the early part of the 20th century and the leader of the Austrian (those guys again) school at that time). By the way I know she is Christian but I don't see the bigotry. (Mises by the way was Jewish and had to flee Austria in 1934 to escape the Nazis). So while Paul and Bachmann may not be your cup of tea please remember these are serious people who are very interested in ideas and have a clear vision of the direction they want to take the country.

Jeff,

The bigotry comes from her statements that homosexuality is a prison, a disease, and pure sin. Not to mention the fact that she signed a pledge which stated that black people had stronger family values when they were slaves (this part was removed from the pledge, but not before she approved it).

Bachmann may not be the intellectual lightweight that Palin is, but she's also been caught lying quite a bit. Check her PolitiFact record...it's probably the worst one on the site, and she's only been a congresswoman for six years. Conservatives like her, but independents will run away from her quickly, making her unelectable. If Republicans want to win in 2012, they'll need Jon Huntsman or Mitt Romney (or both, I like the idea of two Mormons---the media and comedians would love it and give them press), plus a little political luck.

On a side note, does Bachmann remind anyone else of Maggie Lyzer from Arrested Development? Haha.

Jeff-3771177:

Dude, Michelle Bachmann thinks the earth is 6000 years old and gets American history wrong. I'm sure they're serious, and I'm too seriously opposed to the direction they want to take this country, which is NOT the the Barry Goldwater's fiscally conservative, social liberal (as in separation of church and state) GOP stance.

If anything else, she reminds me of Christine O'Donnell - but O'Donnell's much cuter. I'd hate to think what kind of answer I get if I ask Michelle B. about the separation of Church and State.

@ Jeff ~ Bachmann was a tax attorney for the IRS. It doesn't appear -- at least from what I've read -- that she ever practiced in the private sector. Don't you find that at least a little bit ironic? I know I do.

The bigotry relating to her religion applies to the Wisconsin Synod Lutheran Church to which she belonged until just recently. I'm from Wisconsin, and was raised Lutheran, although not that Synod, which is by far the most conservative Synod in this state. My own Synod was bigoted enough -- although we never called the Pope the Anti-christ, which the Wisconsin Synod does. I observed the bigotry firsthand every Saturday during confirmation classes, and every Sunday during sermons. It's real.

I see that others have discussed Bachmann's bigotry from other angles, including her apparent phobia regarding gays.

The "fostering" consisted in providing a place for teenage girls to live -- for a specific per diem reimbursement from the State -- while they underwent treatment for eating disorders at the University of Minnesota. Some stayed only a few weeks. Those who stayed longer were sent to public school, while her own children went to private school -- I wonder how they paid for that. You do the math.

i find William and Mary Law School ranked 27 for 2011. It's hard to say what it was when Bachmann went, but I've never heard it mentioned among the very top law schools.

http://www.top-law-schools.com/rankings.html

Bachmann has never succeeded in business, unless you count her foster home business and her husband's business, which conservatives were eager to separate her from when it turned out that her husband's business re-purposes gays with Medicaid funds, which she opposes. She has never, in fact, been in business, unless the family farm, which has received $260,000 in federal farm subsidies, can be considered.

She may go to the beach with economic texts, but frankly, I'd be hard-pressed to see evidence that she has absorbed any of the information in them, and you fail to cite any evidence of the so-called wisdom that she has gained that way.

A woman who doesn't even know that the American revolution began in Massachusetts and the founding fathers were slaveowners, and believes that slaves had more secure family lives than blacks have today is not someone I take terribly seriously. Her "clear vision" of where she wants to take the country is simply not the same vision I have.

unbelievable

any of you who claim to be true christians and vote for Mitt Romney (i'm not talking to you Mormons) I'm talking to the baptists, lutherans, non denomination church goers, Real denominations of Christiananity.

you are Fools

Mormons ARE NOT CHRISTIANS Thier god is a lying Adulturer who committed incest.

Mormons believe that the Father in heaven has a wife next him that he procreates spirit babies with Her.And before we entered into this world we were created in heaven first as a spirit child.

They also believe that The father had sexual Intercourse with Mary and thats how she became pregnant with Jesus.

so In reality thier god created mary first as a spirit with his Wife and then cheated on her with his own spirit child which inturn would be incest.

That right there is directly from the Pit of Hell.

Thats why you Mormons will never be considered Christians.

Also Mitt Romney will use his influence to advance the National Socialist Morman theocracy agenda.

Mormons are no different then the Nazis of the 1930s and 40s

White business men who are ultra nationalist gun toting racists.

kardack

unbelievable

any of you who claim to be true christians and vote for Mitt Romney (i'm not talking to you Mormons) I'm talking to the baptists, lutherans, non denomination church goers, Real denominations of Christiananity.

you are Fools

Mormons ARE NOT CHRISTIANS Thier god is a lying Adulturer who committed incest.

Mormons believe that the Father in heaven has a wife next him that he procreates spirit babies with Her.And before we entered into this world we were created in heaven first as a spirit child.

They also believe that The father had sexual Intercourse with Mary and thats how she became pregnant with Jesus.

so In reality thier god created mary first as a spirit with his Wife and then cheated on her with his own spirit child which inturn would be incest.

That right there is directly from the Pit of Hell.

Thats why you Mormons will never be considered Christians.

Also Mitt Romney will use his influence to advance the National Socialist Morman theocracy agenda.

Mormons are no different then the Nazis of the 1930s and 40s

White business men who are ultra nationalist gun toting racists.

Any Doctor would prescribe heavy doses of Prozac for your condition.

Yep better than what you will be prescribed

Anna Molly,

You brought up the mammography guidelines earlier. I know that there is debate between those who agree and those who don't but the guidelines were created by specialists in the medical field. Your bringing up Republicans in your post as if they made up these guidelines on their own and presented them in some sort of sinister plot really shows your political bias in a way that tends to minimize any thought, whether valid or not that you espouse.

Really? Really? Do you realize how pathetic you sound? THERE IS NO PROOF OF ANY GOD my friend. So who cares if someone is Mormon, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, etc., etc.... they are all bull and have no place in politics. What has "god" really ever done for any country?

THERE IS NO PROOF OF ANY GOD

Really? Then who was it that directed Michele Bachman to run for president?

johnr123:

I know that there is debate between those who agree and those who don't but the guidelines were created by specialists in the medical field.

Perhaps, but the calculus used to create the guidelines was cost-benefit analysis. Thus, the guidelines are biased from the outset by the very purpose for their development. I wonder if that comes out differently if those specialists are related to Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Every person who does not receive appropriate screening because of that analysis is at risk for the very same thing that happened to her. They're apparently just statistics to those who developed the guidelines, but they're real human beings, with lives, and families, and value that does not reduce neatly to a cost-benefit calculus.

Your bringing up Republicans in your post as if they made up these guidelines on their own and presented them in some sort of sinister plot really shows your political bias in a way that tends to minimize any thought, whether valid or not that you espouse.

Republicans on the whole supported the guidelines. From the way you're talking to me, I gather that you did, too. At least, you don't say otherwise. Well, then, why don't you take it upon yourself to explain to the families of those who die because they don't receive proper screening that they were not eligible for screenings because it costs too much to try to save every life.

Oh, and be sure to attend the funerals.

My "bias," to which you refer derisively, is in favor of saving lives. The "bias" of those guidelines was, by their nature, in favor of denying women screening where costs were considered too great. As I said above, Republican politicians are fond of applying that same calculus, and you do not deny that you agree with that.

It's possible that a physician who didn't share your bias saved my life by ordering me to a mammogram when I didn't want to go. If you believe that was wrong because some other health care specialists happen to think differently, then we obviously have nothing further to discuss.

Ron Paul 2012!

Anna Molly -

Bravo. I've never admired your eloquence more, and that's saying something. I was 45 myself when I was diagnosed - and yes, I did have a very recent family history at that time (my mother had had a bilateral mastectomy two years earlier), so my insurance company was actually the one who urged me to get that mammogram,and since mine was invasive ductile carcinoma, I'm pretty sure I'm only alive today because I did. So many other women don't have a family history. And hey, even if we coldly reduce the debate to a cost analysis, my two surgeries and six weeks of radiation probably cost "the system" a lot less than the endstage care I'd have needed if I was diagnosed too late.

In any case, thanks for the backup, and congratulations on your 10 years - it'll be 14 for me next month and almost 17 for my Mom.

I see Spanky has yet to respond. Ah, well.....he probably wouldn't like my dye job, either......

thoughts from cali, Michelle is not a male so we know you wouldn't with anyones and fiesty redhead roselle, il I'm sure spanky's is not as big as yours.

Can anyone explain to me why, since Bachmann apparently thinks women should be chained to the stove, barefoot and pregnant, she's out running for President, instead of home taking care of her man?

He's in.

Going to be pretty dicey in the debate with Obama. Topic 1-10 will be the economy and good golly but 1/2 of all those jobs Obama created were created in Texas.

Tell you who would be great - Rubio. He's good. Could you just imagine a Rubio v. Biden debate?

Yeah, I love Rick Perry, too -- a "real conservative" who was willing to use nearly $7 billion in borrowed federal money to solve his own short-term deficit crisis, and now brags about it while complaining about the federal deficit.

Essentially, he used one credit card to pay off another, and stuck the rest of us with the debt.

A REAL conservative, that Rick Perry. LoL

Damage123

Here is Rick Perry for any unsure of him:

He in his campaign for re-election for Texas governor said he would NOT be taking any of Obama's stimulus money. Over the next two years we saw more new schools being built and highways all on stimulus money. Once the money ran out however he cut the education funding in Texas by $4 Billion, oh and when you hear everyone talk about Perry's job creation here in Texas don't be fooled a bit, the largest land based natural gas reserve was discovered under at least 17 counties here in Texas, The Barnett Shale (I even got royalties from them), the natural gas industry created 100,000 jobs in the last few years. Plus, California companies are moving operations to Texas for the cheap labor cost, lower cost of living and no state taxes. All Perry had to do was figure out how to get his cut and now he gets a bunch of credit for a gift he was handed by God. When I hear folks like Newt say we need to follow Rick Perry's plan for job creation I just laugh, they are idiots...

Perry is an establishment hack who wanted to grab over half a million acres for a globalist super highway and give the profits to a Spanish Company. He also wanted to force vaccinate girls with an unproven vaccine.

Perry is not a Constitutionalists. He also uses his "Christianity" for political purposes.

Just what we need, another Red Neck Cowboy.

Careful throwing around that term Job1. Many true blue libbies on other sites now call Obama out for being a cowboy.

You know the whole proclivity for wars, the patriot act, and the new renditions. Hey, you see how he held that Somali pirate on a ship for months?

Cowboy, baby. Sure more Kid Rock than Audie Murphy, but is the @!$%# kickers fit.

Perry and Rubio!

Robert-1960,

Get your moonbat talking points on Gov Perry straight, would ya? Got to spin with one voice...

It is not "the economy is better in Texas and many new jobs were created, but Perry had nothing to do with it" ...

It is..."the economy actually stinks in Texas, all the jobs created in Texas were minimum wage..and vital services were cut to the bone. ..and Perry wants to secede...yee ha!"

Preacher Perry, why he'd be the best rootin' tootin' Presidental Candidate on the cards. He'd put everything under the big tent. Platform? I feel a healin' comin' on. You gotta love the guy. He's a show unto himself. Says nothing but that's irrevelant. Put on stage with Ms. Bachmann and you have a live rendition of the Katz and Jammer twins. You're right. I want him to run and run and run. He's the best Texas has to offer.

We had such great luck with that last Texas governor I'm sure Rick "Greaseball" Perry would be great!! See you at the polling booth.

Reverand Perry running for president, wow, he prayed for rain and it hasn't rained since. Now he has another "holy Roly" going in Houston. I don't think God cares for the man and I know I don't.

"Real conservative Perry" was Al Gore's campaign manager! When will we see the establishment loved candidates are opposite sides of the same coin?

Skip Murray:
Preacher Perry, why he'd be the best rootin' tootin' Presidental Candidate on the cards.....You're right. I want him to run and run and run. He's the best Texas has to offer.
---------------------
Better than Lyndon B. Johnson with his pointless Vietnam War and entitlement programs? Better than out of touch George "Read my lips, no new taxes" Bush Sr? Better than George W. ("Mission Accomplished") Bush of TARP program?

After those 3 presidents, we should seriously consider a Constitutional amendment prohibiting anyone from Texas from running.

Rick "Merck" Perry??? Seriously? mandated (read that again MANDATED) Gardasil vaccines for 11 year old girls when it hadn't even been on the market 2 years but pushing the agenda because his former chief of staff and his mother-in-law worked for/with the Pharma company and Merck gave a hefty campaign contribution? (fortunately the legislature overturned his order amid the first reports of deaths and paralysis rolling in from VAERS)

Rick "Secede"??? Perry now thinks he wants to run the whole show?

Rick "Subvert the Stimulus" Perry??? $700 million to plug holes in the state budget shortfall with $11 million specifically going for repairs to the governor's mansion?

Seriously????

Tell you who would be great - Rubio.

If you think he's so great, you take him. Unless you live in Florida, in which case, please move and take Rubio with you.

ROFL. Perhaps it was the DOG who called them both, since they are surely dyslexic!

That's a question that goes begging when some teavangleical from TX spouts about "Merika is a chrizzjun nation"....I ask which chrizzjun nation is it then - There's a handful of denominational a couple hundred non-denominational christo-centric religious and bible-based cults in this country and they all claim to being "gawd's chosen". So, which one should we follow to be the "chrizzjun nation" that the right claims we are?

Well of course none are.

Personally mine god is the god of small things.

But, any would be better than the angry god of Reverend Wright and the church Obama sat in for 12 odd years.

Better to be god blessed, than god damned, eh Left Jab?

Spanky - only the GOPers swear God called them to be President. And, we all know that ain't true! And, as far as Reverend Wright goes - I believe dear George had to drop one of his ministers because of some very unsavory comments. GOP isn't God blessed any more than anyone else.

Personally mine god is the god of small things.

Why does this not surprise me?

Rarely chime in on these things, but I wonder where all you people are? I have travelled all over the world and lived in 4 countries before I settled in a rural part of the Western US. I think there ought to be a turnstile in Mexico City where people pay $5 to come to the US and work. Yes I am of hispanic descent. I grew up in suburban white America and I appreciate the strength of suburban America. I do not make fun of it like the sophisticates who are fans of MSNBC and the crappy sitcoms that 80% of the MSNBC fans watch. Winning, duh, yourself. I do not care what lesbians and gays do. Love the sinner, not the sin. That is how I wish to be treated by gays, lesbians, Lebanese, dems, republicans, whatever. They can call it whatever they want. It is not marriage as God made created marriage. Go ahead and call it what you want. Call it marriage. It is not. None of you, I MEAN NO ONE OF YOU ever try to take my guns. I do not like Republicans, but I like the lying Dems less. Get big government out of our lives. Repeal the Patriot Act. Quit taxing people who work hard and risk it all. I do not care if rich people get richer. Envy is a sin. Get over it. I love God, I think Michelle Bachman would be a good Pres. I like Sarah Palin. Cannot say that she's two faced. Abortion under any circumstance is killing. Do not do it. Likewise, do not put vile murders to death. Not the job of government. From a middle class latino who thinks he's white, loves God and go Bob Barr and any other Libertarian who decides to run in 2012.

The same god that the Mormons call out to

It's so sad that we even have to talk about an imaginary invisible man in the sky (or is he/she everywhere??) when discussing politics. Maybe I will vote for the candidate who can prove "god" exists...?? Until then, I'd like to leave "god" out of all these political debates. What a joke.

I may be wrong on this, but I think John Locke actually proved (or believed he proved) the existence of God, in his writings in the 18th century, if I remember correctly. It has been 20 some odd years since I have read it, but it was a very interesting read, and I recommend reading it for the sake of learning another philosophy. As far a presidential candidate proving the existence of God, I won't be holding my breath on that.

Perry's job plan might work if there's Shale in every county in the country....and we pray a lot..

I had heard Texans call Perry one bulb short of George Bush...

What Has Obama done for us but to run this country into a ditch spend ,spend spend..... and now tax,tax,tax...... Where are the JOBS ?????? we are still at war in the middle east now with Lybia I thought he was going to bring everyone home by now what about Club Gittmo "still open" ... He's always trashing others for the problems we're facing, the companies for earning money the past president etc...

when is he going to take responsiblity for anything???? ohhh noo thats your fault ... Get a JOB "If you can find one" and if you do hope it doesnt pay well, you dont want to pay your fair share in taxs!! if any....

Arty-3771913

What Has Obama done for us but to run this country into a ditch spend ,spend spend..... and now tax,tax,tax...... Where are the JOBS ??????

It is not Obama's fault that there are no jobs. First of all the Republicans keep interfering so that the jobs don't exist. Secondly, nothing short of dictating by law the number of employees and the minimum number of hours they can work will help the Job issue. That is up to corporations and businesses to create jobs to help the unemployed have work. So get over the job issue when placing blame. Ultimately only businesses can effect Jobs. If you are unemployed, blame the business owners for not hiring.

tsk tsk The Republicans got control of the House in Oct. 2010 when the country saw how bad Obama is. He had two years with a House majority, remember Pelosi she was majority leader, and majority in the Senate do you know Altzheimer Reid he is the majority leader in the Senate, so please tell me genious how did the Republicans interfer. Waiting 'crickets chirping' waiting.

Bob Jones-3591206

tsk tsk The Republicans got control of the House in Oct. 2010 when the country saw how bad Obama is. He had two years with a House majority, remember Pelosi she was majority leader, and majority in the Senate do you know Altzheimer Reid he is the majority leader in the Senate, so please tell me genious how did the Republicans interfer. Waiting 'crickets chirping' waiting.

Very simply put, they keep voting NO, NO, NO to everything he tries to do. He cannot operate efficiently and implement any policies if the republicans keep voting it down. Have you ever heard of a filibuster? Even though dems had a majority in the senate, it wasn't enough to avoid a filibuster. The republicans need to show all of us that they care about America and it's citizens by cooperating with the only person who was elected collectively by the Majority of the Citizens.

Oh how sweet it would be if he came out of the the closet right after she gets the nod - you know, mother daughter teen pregnancy style. BAM!

Cal -- can you just imagine the parties that will be thrown for heads of state? FABULOUS!

so is bread dough with just about as much brain matter!

So that's her problem - she suffers from chronic 'yeast' infections...

Fiesty..... even for you that was bad... but I did chuckle.

Truly, are these types of comments helpful to the discussion. Can't we discuss her statements about not raising the debt ceiling, or her "light-bulb" bill, or her social conservatism without the vile comments?

sfilutze - don't insult the bread!

sfilutze - don't insult the bread!

Marcus's favorite recipe; 'pickle' bread! ;o)

I guess we can't have a reasonable conversation about Ms. Bachmann's views.

I guess we can't have a reasonable conversation about Ms. Bachmann's views.

Seriously? You want to include 'reasonable' & bat sh!t crazy Bachmann's 'views' in the same sentance?

Good luck with THAT! lol

Lighten up Mary, this is a political blog not Sunday school! It's not recommended for the faint of heart!

I'm aware that it is a political blog. I thought that is where people discussed politics, rather than trade middle-school type insults.

No, it is not Sunday School. And, I would like to see good, heated discussions over issues. But, so often, all I see is the juvenile posturing.

Mary...lighten up. We have another year and a half of these political debates. Sometimes you just have to laugh...and, fortunately for us, Michele Bachmann provides so many opportunities to laugh.

Mary, the main reason we can't have a reasonable discussion about Ms. Bachmann is because of Ms. Bachmann. Exactly who does she represent? She has never said one thing that I relate to. She brings God, O-baum-a rhetoric, a hazy history of subsidies which she hates (Big government and all that), a serious lack of knowledge of history. When I was growing up, knowing something was important. Education came with expectations and demanded results. Ms. Bachmann wants to be a candidate because she really wants to be a candidate. That's not good enough. I expect our Presidents to be well well educated. I expect our Presidents to know our history as well as history around the world. I expect our Presidents to be more than just figures. Ms. Bachmann ticks none of these boxes. Not one person I know (granted I don't live in Iowa or the Midwest) remotely speaks of Ms. Bachmann on any level except a shaking of the head and wondering how we ever set the bar so low. That's why there's not much to bring to the conversation when refering to Ms. Bachmann.

Mary, Mary, Mary, Michelle Bachman is a clown. You are supposed to make fun of, and laugh at, clowns.

Bachmans viewpoints on the debt ceiling and just about everything thing else are childish at best and downright evil at worst.

She is no better than a trained parrot with her repitition of Teabagger Talking Points.

The article states that Bachmann leads Romney among conservative Republicans. This tells me that many Republicans are still uneasy with the fact that Romney is Mormon. What else can it be? Bachman has no demonstrated leadership and is unable to articulate a position on most issues. I agree that her candidacy lacks substance. There is little conversation here - dissatisfaction is not a platform.

O.K. Mary, I will be serious. It is so Sweeeet that Bachmann has risen to 16% in this poll. She, I hope is on a roll. Hope she get a nomination.

The she will NOT RUN IN 6TH DISTRICT in MN. GReatest new for MN since we heard today that the 119 heat index will break late tomorrow night!!

Northstar - I think that it will be good news for the 6th district if she does not run.

While I don't like the vile comments about Ms. Bachmann, I do think that she has no place in the United States Congress. Her social conservatism negates anything else she may say or do. Additionally, that Marriage Pledge that she signed is proof of her bigotry.

Skip and Navy - I agree with your comments about Ms. Bachmann. However, My main point is that she, nor does anyone, deserve to be treated in such a vile manner as the "bread dough" comments.

Those comments are a response to her comments.

http://www.dumpbachmann.com/2010/02/favorite-michele-bachmann-quotes.html

Maybe when she begins to think before babbling nonsense, people will begin to take her seriously.

When I was growing up, knowing something was important. Education came with expectations and demanded results.

Yes, but now people have discovered that education is hard. And the political parties have realized that an educated populace is much harder to deceive, distract and control. Why do you think the GOP is working so hard to dismantle public education? Much better to hand it over to private concerns who will train children to be good little drones while raking in a profit.

Well, I was just over at Faux Nation so yes, I'm feeling a tad hateful right now...

Hell, I hope she wins the GOP primaries.... Be kinda fun watching Obama carry every state but Iowa..

HODAKA: From my observations of your post, you've done pretty well in the hate department yourself.

Besides which, I don't hate Bachmann, she's too much of a loon to hate.

It's not hate. And I'm no liberal. But if Bachmann, Palin or most of the mass of GOP candidates is the best the GOP can come up with we're in a lot more trouble than it seems. Are there no GOP cnadidates with credibility or are we content to knee-jerk our way to oblivion? There really ARE Republicans with substance but the GOP knows they can't control them like they did George II. He was 5 years into his Presidency before he knew he was President. We need a leader and not a GOP follower. McCain would be President today if the GOP hadn't forced the Tundra Twinkie on him.

They're in training hoda. On election day we're gonna post all the insults that keep this forum running. We're counting on the fact they can't resist a good playground feud and spend election day glued to the political forums, thus leaving the more rational folks of America to do the mature business of democracy.

Hey I take offense

I'm a republican conservative who just hates the Nazis I mean Mormons

Come on, "Hodaka," you can support or create another right-wing web site full of hate, theology, unreasonably narrow and naive idealism, full of logical fallacies, propaganda, racism, ultra-nationalism, isolationism, extremism, intolerance, progress-dismantling, historical revisionism, and the promotion of anarchy under the guise of patriotism, the Bible and your unchanging early version(s) of the Constitution that you want to amend ...you can do it!

Websites with Oppressive or Right-wing Agendas That Undermine Democracy & Diversity

www.publiceye.org/lnk_antidem.html

Any serious candidate the GOP could put up knows there's not a snowball's chance that Obama won't get back in. The real candidates will run in 2016. What we're seeing now is the GOP Clown Posse, along with a few who might be OK, but don't stand a chance.

I am hoping that Anrew Cuomo runs in 2016 as the dem

He is ONE Tough SOB

I Hope he does run.

Yeah MJL, he at least has a backbone and knows how to use it. I wonder about Obama at times.

Brent, don't give up on Obama, I have told you that before

Obama is a quit man, do not underestimate him. OK?

MJL-3:

Perhaps you meant "quiet man" .

Yes, Joe

Thank you for catching that :) :)

Why is it the religious right only likes "thier" religion... Didn't Jesus teach tolerence?

Don - I have always wondered the same thing. I don't get how they call themselves Christians when they don't follow the teachings of Christ.

Jesus might have been tolerant, but his old man was a bear....went around smitting Philistines, killing babies if there wasn't lamb blood on the door, destroyed Jerico and Soddom, and put the hurt on a lot of people way back when. Says vengance is his and preaches eye for eye and tooth for tooth, didn't mind wars and helped "his" people win. Hmmm, sounds like Bush doesn't he? Must have been a republican, but Jesus was a democrat, bethlehem carpenters union #1. But he sure didn't send rain to Texas when Perry was praying for it, must not like him much.

you are a fool

I thought that was cute.......and he is correct.

Didn't Jesus teach tolerence?

He was also a socialist who advocated redistribution of wealth. Shhh! Don't tell the Tea Party....

flbikerchick

Yes Jesus was AGAINST TAXES.

No, he wasn't. He himself said, when asked about having to pay taxes, "Render unto Caesar what is Caeser's." In other words, pay your taxes.

GOIN: 100 years, only??? Try the Dark Ages, and you'll be closer to the mark.

Yeah, lets put someone in who has three day migrane headaches to the point of being bed ridden. UUMMM, Mrs. President, we have inbound nuclear warheads what do you want to do???

Not Now!!!! I have a headache..............

Agreed, but, never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers

We can only hope. However, he is only one man, as long as the GOP are in control of the house and senate then Bushism is alive and well. Bush's policies were so effective we were losing 750,000 jobs per month. Have the GOP addressed this, Hell No. They are more concerned about corporations, banks, wall street and the morbidly weathy. GE profits for 2010--11.5 billion--no taxes paid. RedNeckRev, Social Security and small GE penison--had to pay taxes. All we need is for the workers,retirees and poor to do more and we would be out of this mess--Orin Hatch. God Save Us From Stupid People

KATCANDO: For a moment there, when referring to John Wayne Gacey, I almost thought I heard you say that her husband was gay? Hmmm, come to think of it, I think he just might be gay. Guess he's going to have to take one of his own courses so he's not longer a "Barbarian".

Hey OB, so you don't like females and gays, I guess that means you like yourself ALOT

among other things, thought John Wayne was born in her hometown of Waterloo, Iowa. it was John Wayne but his last name was Gaycey (sp?), a mass murderer.

It's possible she actually did mean Gacy. For all we know, he's a friend of hers. Wonder if she knows John Wayne's real name was Marion Morrison? Nah, probably not.

fbikerchick: are you kidding, she argued John Quincy Adams was our founding father that helped abolish slavery. lol

Is that you ms. Fonda?

Absolutely ...

I laughed....most people who hear voices are in the asylum.

Not anymore the GOP cut the funding for them :) :) :)

And some of them are delusional megalomaniacs who hear voices telling them to run for President, or Emperor of The North Pole, or Governor of Alaska, Or President of The Confederacy!

Cause he's from Texas, TEX. That's why.

What she needs are anti-psychotics.

Did no one hear her commit, she prescribes her own meds. Something wrong with that picture...

Just love Obama's new slogan...."Win The Future" Or "WTF" for short.

Obama in 2012....WTF???

LOL

Who??

Also it was "Patty" that loved to rock and roll and her cousin loved the "minuette"