Ahem...

Happy Birthday Mr. President… Happy Birthday to YOU!

To celebrate your milestone – I’m bringing your favorite Chicago Pizza!

I’ve had it up to here with MSNBC contributor Pat Buchanan and his long history of racist innuendo.

Tuesday while appearing on Al Sharpton's show, Buchanon couldn’t constrain himself and let go with this comment

Buchanan was on Al Sharpton's 6 PM show, having a very boisterous discussion with the Rev. about President Obama's debt deal. Sharpton was defending Obama's handling of
the situation, and Buchanan was challenging his interpretation of events. He brought up the issue of the Bush tax cuts.

"And let me tell you, your boy, Barack Obama, caved in on it in 2010 and he'll cave in
on it again," he said. Sharpton looked shocked.

"My what? My president Barack Obama? What did you say?" he asked. "He's your
boy in the ring, he's your fighter," Buchanan responded.

"He's nobody's boy," Sharpton thundered back. "He's your president and he's
our president. And that's what y'all have got to get through your head."

Having had the displeasure of listening to this old goat over the years, I was well aware,
this was NO ‘slip of the tongue’…

A fellow poster by the name of Charlotte directed me to a website where Buchanon frequently contributes op-ed’s. Here’s another example of Pat’s ‘greatest hits’;

Mocked by The Wall Street Journal and Sen. John McCain as the little people of the Lord of the Rings books, the Tea Party "Hobbits" are indeed returning to Middle Earth-- to nail the coonskin to the wall.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CCYQqwMoATAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.humanevents.com%2Fsearch.php%3Fauthor_name%3DPatrick%2BJ.%2BBuchanan&ei=4JA5TtWGKaqqsQLkz4D9Dw&usg=AFQjCNEVvuOQhzeILaJB5ADEGwZK9mSwOQ

Let’s make our disproval of his behavior known – send a e-mail to MSNBC & tell them it’s
time for Uncle Pat to be put out to pasture!

Great Post just as yours was yesterday

Feisty: Already did - this goes over the line and I am tired of the pundits thinking they can say anything they want and nobody will do anything about it. Mark H. found out the hard way and I hope Buchanan gets some well deserved time off as well.

Bev:

Thank you and glad to see you back. We missed you over here in the pit.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. PRESIDENT. MAY YOU HAVE MANY MORE.

President Obama in 2012.

Having had the displeasure of listening to this old goat over the years, I was well aware,
this was NO ‘slip of the tongue’…

Exactly Feisty! That guy has been haunting me for years. Hell he worked for Nixon, the original Dick! That says a lot about him.

[the Restore Our Future Super PAC] has been dissolved just months after it was formed, leaving few clues as to who was behind one of the biggest contributions yet of the 2012 presidential campaign

Does anyone need further proof that thanks to Citizen's United this country is now FOR SALE to the highest anonymous bidder?

This is a VERY slippery slope we're on... there's no where to go but down....

US Navy Disabled Veteran - Retired

Bev:

Thank you and glad to see you back. We missed you over here in the pit.

Thank you so much Navy you have no idea how much I wanted to be in the pit to give my candid opinions and facts.

You make excellent points; NAVY; MORE IMPORTANTLY, the truth.

The tea-baggers; however, are so deluded the truth means nothing to them.

I'm afraid Mc Connell will not see his ransom.

Dems have been saying that they want to get back to the jobs issue now that the debt ceiling is done. They should be careful what they ask for. Below are excerpts from a Politico story that highlights the piss-poor economic leadership of Barry Obama. He’s going to have a hard time running for re-election in 2012 because, unlike 2008, he will be forced to run on his actual record. He does not get to vote “present” on his handling of the economy. And to all the FR lefty liberals who will whine about the Republican’s:

If the economy was going great, Barry would be loudly claiming credit for it and you would be cheering him on. Since the economy sucks under his leadership, he has to take the blame for it.

Job report expected to cap ugly stats
By: Josh Boak
August 3, 2011 02:35 PM EDT

An avalanche of recent economic indicators has stirred fears that a lumbering recovery could soon devolve even more dramatically, putting a spotlight on the government jobs report being released Friday morning.

The Friday number caps weeks of brutal economic reports. So far this week, the Commerce Department said that consumer spending dropped in June, while other reports showed declines in the manufacturing and service sectors. Revised GDP estimates came out last week that had economic growth for the first six months of the year at less than 1 percent. And last month’s employment report found that a mere 18,000 jobs were created in June, a number several factors below market expectations.

Over the past three months, the unemployment rate has crept upward to 9.2 percent.

Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers, the first director of President Barack Obama’s National Economic Council, puts the odds of another recession at one-in-three. Harvard University’s Martin Feldstein, former head of the National Bureau of Economic Research, told Bloomberg TV the chances of a double-dip are 50 percent.

It’s critical to put some negative numbers into context. For example, human resources consultant Challenger, Gray & Christmas on Wednesday documented a 59 percent surge in planned layoffs last month compared to the year before.

“The spurt of layoff announcements in July also stood out because they came from major employers in bellwether industries, all within a span of a few days,” said John Challenger, CEO of the consulting firm. “A casual observer certainly might conclude that the wheels just fell off the recovery wagon.”

"You know what they say: Never negotiate with terrorists. It only encourages them. These last few months, much of the country has watched in horror as the Tea Party Republicans have waged jihad on the American people."

That's from a piece by Joe Nocera in the NYT a few days ago. Good grief, can you believe that language? Tea Party Republicans ran for office, got elected and then worked in Congress to deliver on the promises they made to their constituents. Equating their principled political stand with the scourge of terrorism that has infected our world is not only beyond the pale, it immediately brands the purveyor of that language as an extreme left wing nut job who has no hope of engaging in a serious and objective conversation on the debt issue.

That's bad enough, but what is absolutely striking about this choice of words (repeated in various forms by many others on the left) is this: from day one Obama and his leftist buds have bent over backwards to refrain from characterizing the world's Muslim problem in terms of Islamic terrorism or jihad. No, that characterization has become completely politically incorrect from the leftist point of view. Yet while it's OK for them to sugarcoat reality by avoiding such terms when applied to Muslims, it's entirely OK for them to apply those very same terms to some of their fellow Americans.

To say that is reckless and irresponsible would be an understatement. Even more, it's incomprehensible and just goes to show how looney (and hypocritical) the American left is. These people are in deep denial regarding the incivility of their rhetorical flourishes, and unfortunately for the rest of us that's not likely to change any time soon.

To say that is reckless and irresponsible would be an understatement.

Geeze Mr. Me First Bill -- and all this time I thought you had some thicker skin! ;o)

It's funnier then hell listening to the RWNJ's whine about name calling & incivility...

Politics is a contact sport buddy, maybe the left has had enough and decided to throw a couple of elbows of their own...

Pull up your MAN panties and deal with it OR continue applying your tea bagger moisturizer... ;P

fiesty we have been trying to tell you we are headed down. Maybe now the prez is 50 he will become wiser with age. We may only hope.

The U.S. debt ceiling battle is over for now, time to move on to the next calamitous crisis that could wreak havoc with the world economy. OMG, just in the nick of time we have one: the NYT is screaming about Europe's debt crisis reaching a "critical tipping point" by spreading from Greece, Ireland and Portugal to Italy and Spain. Good grief, whatever can we do to prevent the sky from falling…AGAIN.

I'd be tempted to say the NYT and others publish these sensational stories in order to sell newspapers. Except most of us don't buy papers any more, heck we just cruise online to get the scoop for free. So what's up with these folks anyway? Why do they insist on continually warning us of impending doom? The MSM is starting to remind me of the religious cults that make their preparations for the end of the world which is sure to occur on a date certain. Of course when that never happens, these folks are viewed as the loons they are and the rest of us just move on. But somehow our MSM gets a pass on that, and they live to push even more gloomy stories the next day.

I dunno maybe it's just me, but the MSM seems to be getting less and less credible all the time. If I believed all the crap they spew I'd be high tailing it to stake out my spot in the middle of the woods and stock up on canned goods and toilet paper. Oh, but I'd make sure my iPod could still connect me to the civilized world. After all, I'd want to be among the first to know when the MSM told me it was safe to come home.

Happy Birthday, Mr. President!

Well done, Navy. Mitch McConnell's comment that "it's a hostage worth ransoming" should be on every morning and night time newscast often. It's about time the media expose the true feelings of these legislators.

NBC had a report about the FAA partial shutdown but when they gave details, they failed to mention some of the most egregious demands of the GOP making sure to keep it "fair and balanced". While both sides may be stubborn, the difference is that democrats are being stubborn for the FAA workers and citizens in rural areas where airport service is difficult to find; republicans are once again at union busting and punishing average Americans. Fair and balanced means telling the truth, providing all the facts; it is not about making both sides sound equal.

Feisty:

We are on the same page today (again). Great posts.

Some are saying thanks to the "Citizens United" decision more hidden money is going to be spent in this election in history. Money speaks and buys elections. This is not how it was supposed to work.

Our election process was supposed to be open to all citizens to vote without any outside influence (domestic or foreign). Now we have a process that is controlled by big bucks and millions are being disenfranchised from voting.

At least President Obama has started to play this game using the GOP/TP Rules and they (GOP/TP) are trying to cry "foul". Hypocrites.

Navy ……. Do you think your children are stupid?

No offense intended or implied to your children, I'm sure they are bright and wonderful individuals.

But after reading so many of your comments, I've wondered the above, I've wondered if it has even occurred to you what your comments indirectly infer.

So do you? Do you think Obama and his bureaucrats are smarter than your children, that they need politicians and Harvard academics to make their decisions for them because these big government social technocrats know better what is best for children than your children do?

Does Obama know how to spend your children's and their children's money better than they do? Do your children need the government to tell them what kind of a light bulb to use, what kind of car they need to drive?

Do they need Obama to make restaurants not give away toys because they don't have the sense to determine what is good for, what their children should eat?

Does Obama need to buy 2 car companies with their money so they can have union jobs?

Do your adult children need Obama to protect them from little girls running lemonade stands by requiring licenses, permits, etc.?

Are your children to irresponsible to buy their own birth control, do they need Obama to make others pay for their abortions if they need them?

Do your children need to be dependent on the government for a living, for everything …….. or do they possess the talent, intelligence and work ethic to make it in a free society?

You ask?

There is no question they are going to play this "Hostage" gambit again. The only question is what "Hostage" they will take next time.

Of course you are talking about the repubs, but the repubs always said there would be money for SS, for the military, that it was not them, but Obama that despicably threatened the elderly and military families – He was the "Hostage" taker, not the repubs.

Do you not understand that is what happens when you make people dependent …. dependent on politicians?

Now Obama and you liberals have added another entitlement, created another dependency, this time for their VERY health.

How long will it before another Obama or McConnell (if you want) use this as a negotiating tool?

WHY WOULD YOU EVEN PUT YOUR CHILDREN IN A HOSTAGE SITUATION?

My kids don't need Obama.

And I certainly will do everything I can to prevent them from being taken "hostage" by big government politicians.

You?

Bill, Fairfax,VA: "You know what they say: Never negotiate with terrorists. It only encourages them. These last few months, much of the country has watched in horror as the Tea Party Republicans have waged jihad on the American people."

That's from a piece by Joe Nocera in the NYT a few days ago. Good grief, can you believe that language? Tea Party Republicans ran for office, got elected and then worked in Congress to deliver on the promises they made to their constituents.

Name calling. It's all the Left has left. The Lefts record of achievement? 9.2% and rising unemployment, 1 in 7 Americans on food stamps and rising. Gas $4/gal and rising, $230+ billion in new deficit spending in one day (yesterday)! 1.3% GDP and falling. The risk of a double dip recession is increasing.

The Leftwings echo chamber of the Right being "Terrorists", "Tealiban", "Hostage takers", "Putting a gun to the Democrats head", and "Teabaggers", is just not covering up the real issues, the kitchen table issues of the people in the country. The record of Obama and his Keynesian economics has failed, and it is Obama that will take responsibility of that failure. The Lefts smoke screen of their constant name calling of the Right make them look petty and whiny compared to the incredible damage they have done to the country.

Who was it recently who tried to tell me that GM was back on the road to bankruptcy?

http://money.cnn.com/2011/08/04/news/companies/gm_earnings/index.htm?iid=HP_LN

General Motors continued its turnaround as it posted big jumps in both quarterly sales and profit that were much better than expected.

The nation's No. 1 automaker, barely two years past its federal bailout and bankruptcy, reported Thursday that it earned $2.5 billion in the second quarter, nearly double the $1.3 billion it earned a year earlier when it was still a privately held company.

It earned $1.54 a share in the quarter, far better than the $1.20 a share forecast of analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Revenue soared 19% to $39.4 billion, as both the average pricing and the volume of vehicles sold improved. The company sold 2.3 million vehicles worldwide, an increase of 7%. Analysts had been looking for revenue of $36.7 billion.

Shares of GM (GM, Fortune 500) gained 2% in pre-market trading following the announcement.

Guess again.

Oh, man, it is so good to see President Obama going back to the old Bob the Builder slogan and reminding the uninformed voters who put him office that, "Yes, We Can!"

What is his next slogan going to be???

"YO, JOE!" ???

"Thundercats, HOOOOO!!!" ???

"Swiper, no swiping!" ???

"We just figured out Blue's Clues. We just figured out Blue's Clues. We just figured out Blue's Clues cause we're really smart!"???

I can't wait to see what he unveils for his next slogan!!!

Happy Birthday Obama; our gift to you? You've destroyed our country. What more can we do?

Jody:

Nice post and very true. The democrats want everybody to prosper and pay their fair share. The GOP/TP wants only the 2% to prosper and they want us to pay their way as well.

I saw something on MSNBC this morning on an article in the NYT (I think it was the NYT) where a well to do lady paid $1,500.00 for a pair of shoes.

This just proves that the 2% continues to thrive while the rest of us are withering trying to pay our rent or house payments put food on the table, gas in the auto etc. They economic divide is at new records and continues to increase.

We will have a society of those that have and those that never will.

Sorry, Bill, the Tea Party did NOT tell voters they planned to cause the USA to default on debt most of which was accrued by previous administrations and Congresses. In my view they are irresponsible hostage takers and the American people were their victims which includes republicans, too.

One of their promises was jobs, another smaller government but no one bothers to ask exactly what they mean by "smaller government". Voters must start asking tougher questions because small government can be good or bad. Small government may sound appealing but what is it, what can it do or not do, what will be sacrificed to achieve it. Small government can mean a continued decline in roads, bridges, power grids, sewer systems, schools, fire and police services. I don't want "small government", I want "smart" government regardless of the size needed to be smart.

Did you see Harry Reid's about what he thought was important for the country??

“I have a home in Nevada that I haven't seen in months,” a tired-looking Reid said. “My pomegranate trees are, I’m told, are blossoming and have some pomegranates on them. I have some fig trees and roses and things that I just haven't seen. So I have constituents that I’m anxious to see, friends I need to visit with, relatives I need to visit with.”

So Reid said as soon as the Senate completes their work he’d like to move “as quickly as I can to the summer recess period.”

Looks like he was happy with the bill and he is the Senate majority leader after all.

Politics is a contact sport buddy, maybe the right has had enough and decided to throw a couple of elbows of their own...

Pull up your MAN panties and deal with it OR continue applying your liberal moisturizer - to paraphrase the Red Queen!!

Did you hear what Obama said last night to the adoring crowd that could pay $35,000+ to have dinner with him -

"When I said, 'Change you can believe in,' I didn't mean, change you can believe in tomorrow, or next week." - My question - why didn't you say what you really meant.

"We're not even halfway there yet," - My point - Sorry but 2 1/2 yreas in is more than half way. You aren't getting 8 years of this garbage leadership.

"We knew this was going to take time, because we've got this big, messy tough democracy." My point - and you want to make it bigger and messier - Right!!!

I tell you, it’s a darn shame that this Republican majority Congress have turned their back on the American People and walked away from their unfinished business.

For God sake, you people have left 74,000 people unemployed, and $200,000, 000 in revenue, by not approving the bill in order to get these people working.

Come on, your Republican leaders say you are focused on jobs. Sure you are. No, you are focused on killing jobs. Your number one priority has been to make the President a one term President, no matter how many people you hurt in fulfilling this goal.

It makes me sick in seeing the disrespect you Republican Hostage Takers are showing toward the American People by turning your backs.

We the People demand that you get back to Washington and do your God Darn jobs.

So, Obama is turning the page? How in hell can you turn a page when you are on the last page of your book? Obama needs to go to the library and check out a new book. Come Nov. 2012 he will begin to have a lot more time for reading and less time for politics.

The best birthday gift Mr. Obama could give the country is to retire as soon as possible so the recovery can begin! Like most liberals he is addicted to spending our money, even though the message is very clear from the country to CUT spending!

Yeah, Welcome Back Beverly in Chicago.

I've read my history but was still amazed on how Hitler took over Germany. Now I'm living it.

Jody, Iowa:NBC had a report about the FAA partial shutdown but when they gave details, they failed to mention some of the most egregious demands of the GOP making sure to keep it "fair and balanced".

The House has passed their bill, it's now in the Senate where Harry Reid has adjourned that hard working chamber so he can do something more important like:

“It‘s been a pretty hard work period we’ve had. The last two weekends, working late. And I think the Senate deserves to be able to go home as soon as we can. If there was ever a time we need to work with our constituents, it’s now. And for me personally, I’ve been here for a long time. I have a home in Nevada that I haven’t seen in months. My pomegranate trees are, I’m told, are blossoming — there’s pomegranates on them, I have some fig trees, roses and stuff that I just haven’t seen. So I have constituents that I’m anxious to see, friends I’m eager to visit with, relatives I need to visit with. So as soon as we can complete our work, I would like to move as quick as I can to the summer recess period.”

Source: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/harry-reid-gives-odd-sen-speech-i-really-miss-my-pomegranate-trees-and-rose-bushes/

Congratulations on all your hard work Harry. Working those last two weekends must have been a killer for you. Please be sure to take up the FAA issue asap on your return next month, right after you discuss the DREAM Act and support for Obama's war in Libya, and maybe come up with an overall budget for FY2012.

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

Ahem...

Happy Birthday Mr. President… Happy Birthday to YOU!

Clap, Clap, indeed it is a Happy Day. Thank you Mr. PRESIDENT FOR BEING ONE OF THE MOST PROGRESSIVE presidents since LBJ as Chris Matthews said last night.

Sorry Feisty, I didn't get back to you yesterday. I tried to write you number down before the ambulance came so I could call you while I was in the hospital.

I want to thank everyone. I missed you all so much. After I got out of the hospital my family literally held me hostage. I spent a couple of days recuperating, only, because I was in so much pain; otherwise I would have been on line.

Then I went on vacation with my relatives to visit family in East St. Louis and Minnesota. I had my net-book while in the hospital. I tried to keep up. It was not easy between tests and being druged. Then I went on vacation with my relatives to visit family in East St. Louis and Minnesota. I had my net-book too. But, the battery is no good and no one would take me shopping to buy a new one since I'm, as they say, too ardent of an Obamabot. In fact, I was hoping to get a glimpse of our President in Uptown (Arragon Ballroom) last night when he came home.

By the way, it's also my daughter and grandson's B-day too. I'm thrilled my little grandson has a positive role model born on his birthday to emulate instead of an angry rapper. LOL

Thank you all so much for the concern. It means a lot and strengthens my poor heart.

How 'bout Professor Dyson doing the Ed Show? Loved it. I'm with Professor Dyson on Bill'O I'm not in the spin zone and T-baggers are hostage takers.

Love ya'll

Happy Birthday Mr. President, and may your 50^th year bring on the best fight of you life, and your new fight and message to the Republicans-Tea Terrorist be, “Bring it On.”

HOLY CR@P!

Many thanks to the poster who e-mailed me this link on Pat Buchanon & his outrageous opinions:

It's PURE GOLD!

Writing of "group fantasies of martyrdom," Buchanan challenged the historical record that thousands of Jews were gassed to death by diesel exhaust at Treblinka: "Diesel engines do not emit enough carbon monoxide to kill anybody." (New Republic, 10/22/90) Buchanan's columns have run in the Liberty Lobby's Spotlight, the German-American National PAC newsletter and other publications that claim Nazi death camps are a Zionist concoction.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CCUQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fair.org%2Findex.php%3Fpage%3D2553&ei=4p86TqHYH6KLsQKEyvUo&usg=AFQjCNF6sTIWrmEq7jKhyu9DAH7CX_94sw

MSNBC is this the type of person you want representating your network?

Welcome back, Beverly. Hope you enjoyed your vacation.

We missed your voice.

The country can't afford any more Obama birthdays, history has shown us he is spending at a rate of $2.3 trillion per birthday cake in the WH!

Tea Terrorist

Obama says his people are still saying "Yes, we can". Well, what exactly is it that they can?

Lose net 2.5 million jobs?

Add $4 trillion to the debt?

Not exactly sterling accomplishments.

The concert hall for last night's birthday bash holds 4500 people. 2400 showed up. So, no, they can't fill venues.

Initial claims for unemployment came in at 400,000. Last week's 398,000 was revised up to 401,000. So, no, they can't stem unemployment.

Quarter one GDP has been revised down to 0.4%, and is actually negative, (we'll get that in the next revision)- which puts the initial report of one percent growth GDP for quarter two in pretty good context. So, no, they can't grow the economy.

They also can't stop Iran from building nukes,or take the actions necessary to increase the food supply in the Middle East and North Africa that would have prevented this latest chaos in that region. They can't let Boeing open a plant that would employ a thousand people. Or let U.S. Companies drill for oil, despite gas prices that are close to four dollars a gallon.

While he's out there campaigning and asking for donations, maybe somebody should contribute something he and the family can use-

Moving cartons.

Obama shelved in 2012.

*GIANT HUG* to you Bev!

Knowing you're a 'full blown' Obamabot - You had me worried when I couldn't reach you... ;o(

Call me & we can catch up!

So Obama celebratess his personal milestone with all his best friends.

Anyone else wonder if he excoriated and ridiculed them about their jets and income before or after they paid their $35.8 k a plate and shelled out another $10 k per pic with their best friend? Talk about about putting "skin" in the game - $81, 600.00 for a couple? Ahh ...... the little people.

BTW - CONGRATS TO FEISTY for finally getting her hero's b-day right. Took 2-3 tries, but at least it can finally be said she got something right.

Shares of GM (GM, Fortune 500) gained 2% in pre-market trading following the announcement.

And fell 4.0% after trading opened. GM was sold back to the public at $34/share, it now stands at $26 a share. Stock price is the markets indication of a companies future earnings and future health. Looks like the market doesn't like GMs potential.

We've been warning for several months now about the Republican plan to attack the wages of average Americans by reducing our income. http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_03/028650.php Those warnings have been met with great criticism from the Right as if a plan developed by a committee of House Republicans and circulated by Speaker Boehner to his entire caucus was being imagined by Arianna Huffington.

Well, now the consequences of Republican austerity are becoming obvious in the slow economy. Tens of thousands of public employees have been fired every month since the GOPTP took control of numerous statehouses in January. The FAA shutdown has tens of thousands more sitting idle, their participation in the economy curtailed.

Now the recovery has slowed dramatically from where it was when locoweed tea became the drink of choice in government. How obvious does it need to be that Republicans are destroying our economy?

Pull up your MAN panties and deal with it

Miss Feisty – I'll have you know that this morning I'm wearing a stunning pair of man pants that coordinates perfectly with my RWNJ muscle shirt -- and accessorized with a concealed weapon, I might add. The perfect outfit to hop into the old pick-up, head down to the 7-11 and round up a bunch of illegals and send 'em back where they belong. Then a rewarding slurpee, and back to the board. Is this a great country or what.

Jody, Iowa

NBC had a report about the FAA partial shutdown but when they gave details, they failed to mention some of the most egregious demands of the GOP making sure to keep it "fair and balanced". While both sides may be stubborn, the difference is that democrats are being stubborn for the FAA workers and citizens in rural areas where airport service is difficult to find; republicans are once again at union busting and punishing average Americans. Fair and balanced means telling the truth, providing all the facts; it is not about making both sides sound equal.

Jody,

As long as the corporate media is controlled by the Wall Street Barons we'll always have a slant. How else will they pay their bills?

Congress doesn’t even need to come off their underserved vacation to resolve the FAA crisis; especially if the T-baggers are serious about creating jobs. But, we know T-baggers are not. Hell, they want to crash the economy just because they are grossly ignorant and bigots.

President Obama must use— his red line with his veto for the SuperCongress — if the triggers don’t benefit the people; hence a win- win for the American people and its economy.

Now that Mitch McConnell has admitted the Republicans held the economy for ransom to get their extremist demands met, perhaps we'll hear less screeching from Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann about how terrible it is that Joe Biden allegedly called Republicans "terrorists." Conservative columnist Kathleen Parker pointed out in her column today that it's not really accurate to call them terrorists, since as Mitch McConnell admitted, Republicans are really kidnappers, holding their victim for ransom.

Republican obstruction of FAA funding is more like terrorism, since they're putting the lives of people traveling on airlines at risk. FAA safety inspectors are now working without pay. What's going to happen to air travel once they stop working completely?

All you right wing nut jobs can cease with the whining about 'hostage taking' - your own fearless leader has called it just THAT!

"I think some of our members may have thought the default issue was a hostage you might take a chance at shooting. Most of us didn't think that. What we did learn is this — it's a hostage that's worth ransoming. And it focuses the Congress on something that must be done." — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, on the GOP. Don't call them terrorists though.

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2011/08/mitch_mcconnell_okay_fine_were.html

That quote is going to make for some priceless anti-tea bagger campaign ads... YOU BETCHA! lol

Job1:

Kudos today. The GOP/TP keep yapping about lowering the deficit. This little contrived scam with the FAA will cost the Federal Government $1.3 Billion Dollars in lost ticket revenues. Add in the lost revenues from Income taxes, payroll taxes etc and the number will be higher all because 74,000 Americans are being held "Hostage" by the GOP/TP.

McConnell said taking "Hostages" is now a viable part of the GOP/TP agenda.

GOP/TP => AINOS" [Americans in Name Only]

Anna Molly,

RE:GM

That would have been me.

While GM's U.S. sales climbed to 669,065 light vehicles in the second quarter, those gains came as its Japanese rivals, led by Toyota Motor Corp, struggled with fewer vehicles to sell due to the earthquake in Japan in March.

Profit climbed to $2.52 billion with almost half their profits coming from their international unit. That's China, AM.

Their inventories are high, especially trucks. The Volt is not selling and their total inventory is still about 120+ months. The Cruze is their bestselling car.

Analysts worry that if the U.S. recovery hits a pothole in the second half, GM could be forced to raise incentives on its vehicles to lure shoppers. GM's first-quarter results were marred by heavy incentives, but the automaker dialed back those deals.

The automaker also faces a new challenge in the second half as Toyota and other Japanese automakers return to full production levels and look to make up lost ground in sales.

They are still in trouble despite the numbers, and, remember, the US government is still holding 33% of the company. That's a real nice backer.

It's nice to see that both GM and Ford are coming back but GM, particularly has a long way to go.

Hey..everthing I ever learned about accounting, finance and law always said...take the conservative position and not the most optimistic. Hope for the best but report the worst case scenario. Jaded!

Busy day today...hope to talk to you later.

Bill, Fairfax VA

Miss Feisty – I'll have you know that this morning I'm wearing a stunning pair of man pants that coordinates perfectly with my RWNJ muscle shirt -- and accessorized with a concealed weapon, I might add.

Thanks for letting US know you rally are a terrorist.

The perfect outfit to hop into the old pick-up, head down to the 7-11 and round up a bunch of illegals and send 'em back where they belong. Then a rewarding slurpee, and back to the board. Is this a great country or what.

Not as long as nutjobs like you lurk the earth.

That would have been me.

LoL Ira -- that's exactly what I thought.

If the recovery hits a pothole in the second half, GM is not the only one that should be worried.

Have a great day. I'm off to work now, too.

JoAnna:

And fell 4.0% after trading opened.

To be perfectly fair, the entire DOW is currently down 138.01.

Beverly:

I hope everythingis ok now and my prayers are with you for a speedy recovery. I see you have not lost your mojo - Great Posts and so glad to see you back.

Disabled Navy: I saw something on MSNBC this morning on an article in the NYT (I think it was the NYT) where a well to do lady paid $1,500.00 for a pair of shoes.

Somebody getting ready to hop on their jet for din-din and pics at somebody's b-day party?

Jody, Iowa

Sorry, Bill, the Tea Party did NOT tell voters they planned to cause the USA to default on debt most of which was accrued by previous administrations and Congresses. In my view they are irresponsible hostage takers and the American people were their victims which includes republicans, too.

And Repub Senate leader Mitch McConnell agrees with you, Jody that he's a hostage-taker, although I'm sure he thinks he's a "responsible" hostage taker. Now, if we all develop Stockholm Syndrome, we can learn to love our kidnappers.

Navy D: The FAA shut down over House Republicans’ insistence on including anti-union provisions in the agency’s re-authorization bill and the airlines are poised to collect $1.3 billion or more of extra profits in forgone taxes.

Navy, it is appreciated that you know the amount of lost FAA tax revenue the Senate is holding up by not have taken up the House bill that addressed this issue.

Do you have thoughts on the bigger issue of the debt:

U.S. debt shot up $239 billion on Tuesday — the largest one-day bump in history — as the government flexed the new borrowing room it earned in this week’s debt-limit increase deal.

Source: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/aug/3/us-eats-most-debt-limit-one-day/

Sorry, Bill, the Tea Party did NOT tell voters they planned to cause the USA to default on debt

Umm, the U.S was not going to "default" on the debt.

Thanks for letting US know you rally are a terrorist

I see self deprecating humor is beyond the ken of our little miss Bev. No matter, we've all known about her limitations for quite some time.

Pride and Joy

The country can't afford any more Obama birthdays, history has shown us he is spending at a rate of $2.3 trillion per birthday cake in the WH!

Pride and Prejudiced

You are the epitome of ignorance and the secularization of demographic complications.

The trillions in defict added by Obama came from the following:
1. Two unfunded wars under Bush and passed by Republicans
2. An unfunded tax cut to the very wealthy under Bush
3. Unfunded tax refunds to average citizens under Bush
4. Unfunded Drug Deal with Big Pharma under Bush

Learn something about simplicity!!!

Breaking News: There is a report on another clown with a gun at Virginia Tech. They are in lock down as I type. Please do not let this happen their again. My nephew was in Medical School their the first time a few years back and foe 2 days we had no idea what happened and if he was OK.

So good to see you again Bev!!

You were missed,....trust me.

I'm so glad to hear you are OK.

Navy Boy:I saw something on MSNBC this morning on an article in the NYT (I think it was the NYT) where a well to do lady paid $1,500.00 for a pair of shoes.

Well that settles it - people have money to buy things - so lets tax them - and then complain that the economy is dragging because no one is buying anything.

Oxymoron: Liberal Logic.

And the sales tax in NYC (if that is where this sale was taking place) is just under 8.9%. The sale of those shoes alone, in addition to providing jobs for the shoe manufacture, would bring in about $130 in tax revenues.

The Obama administration's failures are the Obama administration's responsibility just like any other President. Time to stop justifying current stupidity by using past stupidity as an excuse. Funny how you critize Bush for his deficit spending, and you should, but yet it is OK if Obama does the same thing to a greater degree. So why are we still involved in stupid wars after 2 1/2 years into this administration?

The debt is now at ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of GDP, putting us on par with Italy and Belgium.

http://news.yahoo.com/us-aaa-rating-still-under-threat-204040123.html

Eric Cantor said that Obama was in over his head on the economy. That much is patently obvious.

Last night, Obama was joking about the economy, saying something along the lines of knowing it would be a steep climb, just not how steep.

The nitwits who actually paid to hear him speak laughed.

There is only one way out of this economic disaster- get rid of Obama and the democratic senate, and get people in office who understand that getting the government out of the way is the only way to create jobs and, thus, grow the economy.

Bill, your rose-colored glasses need adjusting. The TP's battle cry was led by Michelle Bachmann--"I will not vote to raise the debt ceiling." She voted "nay". Not raising it means default no matter how one slices it.

Bev, welcome back, we missed you.

AM: To be perfectly fair, the entire DOW is currently down 138.01.

There is no fair in the market. There are no consolation prizes. Everyone doesn't get a trophy. With all the federal money pumped into GM, with all the debt relief the government forced on the GM bondholders and its vendors, with all the hardships placed on the GM retirees, the same business model that failed before continues to be in place for GM today, and the result will be the same.

Annie,

You've destroyed our country. What more can we do?

Those were my exact thoughts... about your "boys", GW, Dick, Rummy, McConnel and Boehner.

America Held Hostage, day 216

As the GOP/TP continues to hold America hostage and actually has the gall to brag about it and plans more hostage taking in the future a new partner in this political Axis of Evil has reared it's head.

The Mormon Church.

Now we have the GOP/TP/LDS and that completes the Axis of Evil.

What???? I hear you ask.

I've said this before and it bears repeating today in light of this latest development. Two years ago the Mormon Church began the "I'm a Mormon" ad campaign. It's two-fold mission was to improve the image of the Mormon Church and to help Mitt Romney get elected President of the United States. Now the Mormon Church has begun contributing money to the Romney campaign through the loop-hole created by the US Supreme Court in the Citizens United case.

W Spann is Bain Investments, acting on behalf of the Mormon Church. So now the Axis of Evil is complete and the third member of the Triumvirate of Terror has stepped forward to create the GOP/TP/LDS.

Saints preserve us because the US Supreme Court has sold this country to the devil.

Folks, there are only two stories worth reporting and commenting on here today. Mitch McConnel's public statements he plans to continue to hold America hostage to promote his political agenda and the Mormon Church's efforts to illegally influence a Presidential election.

DO YOU JOBS NATIONAL MEDIA! Chase these rats down their holes. Get to the bottom of this or turn in your press cards.

Start demanding answers from Mitt Romney. Ask him about the "I'm a Mormon" ad campaign. Ask him about W Spann. Demand he answer those questions. Start asking his opponents in the GOP/TP/LDS primary about how they feel about facing the might and wealth of the Mormon Church in the primary.

C'mon folks do your jobs.

What a sad, sad, day this is in American politics.

Obama/Biden 2012 Say "No" to Domestic Terrorism.

America held hostage, day 216

Wow. Religious intolerance from the left.

Who would have believed that a group of people who worship a politician, using his books as their bibles, would be tarring an established religion with millions of members as "evil"?

I realize that bribery is OK with Conservatives, but if someone isn't investigating Mitt's latest "anonymous contribution" that would be a true miscarriage of justice. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44011308/ns/politics-decision_2012/#.Tjqxy2FBOyY

You are the epitome of ignorance and the secularization of demographic complications.

The trillions in defict added by Obama came from the following:
1. Two unfunded wars under Bush and passed by Republicans
2. An unfunded tax cut to the very wealthy under Bush
3. Unfunded tax refunds to average citizens under Bush
4. Unfunded Drug Deal with Big Pharma under Bush

1. Afghanistan escalated under Obama, Libya started

2. Tax cuts extended under Obama

3. Refunds implemented as part of Stimulus passed by Obama

4. Deals with Pharma consolidated and extended as part of Obamacare (re: closing the donut hole).

WTF are talking about Bev? (and I don't mean Win the Future). You are the epitome of a low information voter.

For those who are whining about the debt being too large a proportion of GDP there's a simple solution, and by happy coincidence it was the mantra of Republican campaigning last year. Jobs, jobs, jobs.

The equation is simple. More working people pay more taxes while needing less support from the government, while GDP grows so that the existing debt is automatically smaller in proportion. It shouldn't take a Nobel Prize winner to understand that, but at least one Nobel Prize winning economist has. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/52027.html

So, when will the GOPTP do what they promised and turn their attention to Jobs...oh, and eliminating jobs doesn't count, though they've been pretty good at that.

A good place to start would be to drop their attack on worker rights from the FAA reauthorization. It's the only thing standing in the way of 74,000 jobs. Clearly hostage taking isn't just limited to the debt ceiling.

Obviously, you have no idea of the meaning of the word "bribery".

Donating money is not a bribe- getting something in return for the donation is a bribe.

Like Steve Westly getting half a billion stimulous bribery bucks in return for his bundling half a million for Obama.

Or this

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40565987/ns/business-going_green/t/wind-their-backs-powerful-democrats-help-chinese-energy-firm-chase-stimulus-money/

See the difference? These are just two examples of the corruption in the Obama White House.

Maybe somebody should investigate that.

A Day in the Life of Joe Middle-Class Republican

A TvNewsLIES Reader contribution.
By John Gray Cincinnati, Ohio - jgray7@cinci.rr.com - July - 2004

Joe gets up at 6:00am to prepare his morning coffee. He fills his pot full of good clean drinking water because some liberal fought for minimum water quality standards. He takes his daily medication with his first swallow of coffee. His medications are safe to take because some liberal fought to insure their safety and work as advertised.

All but $10.00 of his medications are paid for by his employers medical plan because some liberal union workers fought their employers for paid medical insurance, nowJoe gets it too. He prepares his morning breakfast, bacon and eggs this day. Joe’s bacon is safe to eat because some liberal fought for laws to regulate the meat packing industry.

Joe takes his morning shower reaching for his shampoo; His bottle is properly labeled with every ingredient and the amount of its contents because some liberal fought for his right to know what he was putting on his body and how much it contained. Joedresses, walks outside and takes a deep breath. The air he breathes is clean because some tree hugging liberal fought for laws to stop industries from polluting our air. He walks to the subway station for his government subsidized ride to work; it saves him considerable money in parking and transportation fees. You see, some liberal fought for affordable public transportation, which gives everyone the opportunity to be a contributor.

Joe begins his work day; he has a good job with excellent pay, medicals benefits, retirement, paid holidays and vacation because some liberal union members fought and died for these working standards. Joe’s employer pays these standards because Joe’s employer doesn’t want his employees to call the union. If Joe is hurt on the job or becomes unemployed he’ll get a worker compensation or unemployment check because some liberal didn’t think he should loose his home because of his temporary misfortune.

Its noon time, Joe needs to make a Bank Deposit so he can pay some bills. Joe’s deposit is federally insured by the FSLIC because some liberal wanted to protect Joe’s money from unscrupulous bankers who ruined the banking system before the depression.

Joe has to pay his Fannie Mae underwritten Mortgage and his below market federal student loan because some stupid liberal decided that Joe and the government would be better off if he was educated and earned more money over his life-time.

Joe is home from work, he plans to visit his father this evening at his farm home in the country. He gets in his car for the drive to dads; his car is among the safest in the world because some liberal fought for car safety standards. He arrives at his boyhood home. He was the third generation to live in the house financed by Farmers Home Administration because bankers didn’t want to make rural loans. The house didn’t have electric until some big government liberal stuck his nose where it didn’t belong and demanded rural electrification. (Those rural Republican’s would still be sitting in the dark)

He is happy to see his dad who is now retired. His dad lives on Social Security and his union pension because some liberal made sure he could take care of himself soJoe wouldn’t have to. After his visit with dad he gets back in his car for the ride home.
He turns on a radio talk show, the host’s keeps saying that liberals are bad and conservatives are good. (He doesn’t tell Joe that his beloved Republicans have fought against every protection and benefit Joe enjoys throughout his day) Joeagrees, “We don’t need those big government liberals ruining our lives; after all, I’m a self made man who believes everyone should take care of themselves, just like I have”.

By John Gray Cincinnati, Ohio - jgray7@cinci.rr.com - Published July - 2004

Alan,NJ as long as the libtards at this site and in Congress continue to be allowed to spend other people's money you won't ever get them to take the blinders off and get a reality check! As far as they're (50% of the taxpayers who don't pay taxes) concerned, Obama can keep on spending!

Not raising it means default no matter how one slices it.

Wrong again, Jody. It only means "default" to those who need it to support their bogus narrative. In the financial world, "default" has a rather precise meaning associated with not paying one's bondholders. And there were many strategies the U.S. could have used to avoid that outcome.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/exclusive/uncle-sam-pay-no-debt-deal-182942805.html

http://www.cnbc.com/id/43879039

http://www.cnbc.com/id/43884683

http://www.cnbc.com/id/43899646

America held hostage, day 216.

No Jo

You really do crack me up sometimes. You can turn any issue into a slam against "the left".

Sorry sister, it's a no go no jo. First of all, I'm not a Democrat or a "liberal" and I'm certainly not from the left. I live in Oklahoma, the reddest state in the Union. Ronald Reagan was considered too Liberal for us. (Damned Actor!) I'm a registered independent and always have been. I consider my self a centrist. I believe the two party system works when both parties assert equal pressure on any issue and therefore move it to the middle.

To be religiously intolerant one must first say something negative about a bona fide religion. No go there either no jo.

Like 70% of America I do not regard the Church of Latter Day Saints as a religion. It's past history and secretiveness make it more akin to a cult like Scientology. In my personal opinion they are both CULTS, not religions.

But, whether I am intolerant or not, begs the central question. Where did the million bucks come from? Oh, I see, it's a SECRET blessed by YOUR Supreme Court. See my description above of the Mormon Church. What's the deal with the "I'm a Mormon" ads? They have been running for over two years. The cost of the production and air time must be staggering. Oh, just "brand promotion", huh? I've got some lovely lake front property in Southwestern Oklahoma I'd like to sell you.

THE QUESTIONS NEED TO BE ASKED, intolerant or not.

Ok, you go no jo, it's your turn again.

America held hostage, day 216.

The President and his advisors should turn the page to the business section. The DOW is down another 250 points.

Oh, and No Jo your response to me implies that religious intolerance is unexpected from the left which leaves us to ponder, is it expected from the right?

America held hostage, day 216.

I had to wonder if Bev was going to call Feisty on one of those Free Gov. Cell phones and if Feisty was going to answer the call on her free Gov cell phone! Wouldn't that be special?

And Lisa, you can thank Mitch McConnel, the Terrorist in Charge for the dip in the DOW. He's the one holding America Hostage and bragging about it.

AMERICA HELD HOSTAGE DAY 216.

He doesn't have time to, Lisa. He's too busy running around the country doing the only thing he does well - campaigning. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, his poll numbers continue to tank.

JoAnnaSmith1

Navy Boy:I saw something on MSNBC this morning on an article in the NYT (I think it was the NYT) where a well to do lady paid $1,500.00 for a pair of shoes.

Well that settles it - people have money to buy things - so lets tax them - and then complain that the economy is dragging because no one is buying anything.

Oxymoron: Liberal Logic.

And the sales tax in NYC (if that is where this sale was taking place) is just under 8.9%. The sale of those shoes alone, in addition to providing jobs for the shoe manufacture, would bring in about $130 in tax revenues.

Joanna your kidding right, a freaken pair of shoes, the shoes were probably made in china. the truth is no one is building office space, roads, Bridges. things that put American to work not the Chinese.

last 2 weeks i have been in NewYork interviewing for a job, while staying in a hotel in Manhattan i spoke to a man from Europe and he asked me, what the hell is wrong with the republican party. he asked why they would risk a complete credit melt down over ideology and the tea party he said screw the tea party. he asked is getting re-elected that important for the GOP that they would string something out for 7 months that when reagan was president took only a few weeks when the American debt was just as bad. he told me that most people in europe thinks that the tea party and come GOP leaders namely Mitch McConnell are nothing but racist in there view against the first black president. this is how people abroad view then, and the liberals as cry babys who feel that everybody must be helped by the government.

As i finished my drink(scotch) he said that the problems of the US are all about politics, Liberals going too far and Conservatives not going far enough and being war happy. i agreed, there is NO middle ground here any more. it took john McCain to slap the tea party around if john bohnoer had any balls left he should have crossed the isle and made a deal using moderate democrats and republicans.

No Jo you will be happy to know that, instead of me being in denver or chicago safely away from you, i will now be across the river in New York. i know that makes you happy.

i will say this about the unemployed, i have traveled where ever i have needed to, to find work. i have some friends who are commuting from chicago to Florida every 2 weeks so they can work(architect, engineers). i have learned that if your not willing to travel or stay where you live knowing there are no jobs your doomed to fail.

A Day In the Life of Joe Middle Class Republican

Yeah, that's EXACTLY the way it is, and keep your dirty stinking government out of it, okay?

Let's see...the president, the press and a lot of political figures that want to spend spend spend, refer to "hostages and terrorists" when someone doesn't agree with them. Which, couldn't be further from the truth. Those that advocate smaller government and fiscal responsibility are those looking out for our children's future.

Obama and his ilk are determined to spend this country into oblivion. At this current rate of spending we're looking at a national debt of $25 TRILLION in 2021. Someone, anyone, tell me how that is going to be managable? How are we going to afford the interest on that?

Obama is solely focused on his reelection. The debt deal was all about him not looking too bad, not about what's good for the country.

Feisty, how is ok that you call those who disagree with you "terrorists" and you chastise someone for referring to the president as "your boy?" Hypocrite!

Joe-755363

Feisty, how is ok that you call those who disagree with you "terrorists" and you chastise someone for referring to the president as "your boy?" Hypocrite!

No kidding. Americans are being called "terrorists" based on party affiliation only. But those red cross hairs used on Palin's website was an issue? They should change their party name to Democrite!

Nice try, but when Republican Mitch McConnell refers to the government he serves as a "hostage" you take him at his word.

Job1 Still blaming the republicans for the faa mess. I see the house passed legislation again and the senate has it. no up or down vote because Reid has to get home to see his pomegranite trees blooming.

"They are single-minded in their focus in wanting to cut programs and shrink government."

More like the simple-minded who focus like a laser on cutting only certain programs (not defense, not tax expenditures for the rich and corporations, etc.) to send the economy into a double-dip recession with hopes of winning the White House in 2012.

Oh wait, these anti-American Teabaggers also focus on conspiracy theories, especially about President Obama. POS Palin is out there with the old, tired claims that the president hangs out with terrorists like Bill Ayers. Gawd that woman is stupid.

About Romney the corporate raider (who's religion is barely Christianity and border-line cult), and the funny money campaign contribution -- no surprise to me -- Bill Maher coined the new term "Scumbaggers" in which scummy business (Romney) meets Teabagger crazies (Bachmann).

Also, Perry may well be another Trump. He seems serious about running...until the the scrutinizing vetting process. Don't be so sure he'll actually run people.

In the meantime, the Scumbagger GOP is trying to rig the debt commission with purists who will never compromise on anything. Which is just piling more stupid on top of stupid. I'll never understand why they wouldn't want to increase the tax base by ending tax expenditures, since tax rates could then be reduced for everyone and still generate more revenue. If they are really about lowering tax rates, they should be all for this. This just shows the Scumbagger GOP is NOT interested in lower taxes or balancing the budget or job creation or any other positive effort on behalf of the American people.

I recommend people listen to Alan Simpson about the debt. In particular an investigation into Grover Norquist, and where his money is coming from. Who is financing Norquist?! Also, Simpson said that any Republican who signs a pledge is stupid, and even more stupid to allow an unelected individual like Norquist run the Party by threatening to "primary" them. According to Simpson, such Republicans don't deserve to be elected and should get out of the way. Amen!

To DUDE, et al -- It has been said many times, and repeated -- The lack of civility originates from the far-right, with a personal vendetta against the president. At first it was subtle, but it didn't take long before conservatives came right out in the open with "You lie" to racist name calling like "tar baby" and "boy."

Even terms like "Obamacare" is offensive and untrue since it was congress that passed health "insurance" reform and was not what the president really wanted. Then when people started to refer to the Tea Party as "teabaggers," which the Tea Party started themselves, conservatives played their usual victim card. The fact is conservatives have a persecution complex. Even when they are victorious, as they were with extension of the Bush tax cuts by threatening to shut down government, or now with the spending cuts and no revenue by threatening to default on THIER own debts -- they play the victim card.

As the Republican Party has moved farther and farther to the right, I have agreed with them less and less. However, at this point of pure ugliness, I actually despise them. That's why I will vote for President Obama in 2012, no matter how bad the economy is, because I know it will be because of Republican policies, not Obama's policies. But most of all because the right-wing has become so ugly they are no longer fit to govern, heck they are no longer fit to call themselves Americans.

The Senate has made themselves clear, richard...attacks on worker rights have no place in the FAA reauthorization.

Let's make clear what this is all about. The GOPTP wants to replace the longstanding definition of success or failure in a union authorization vote--a majority of votes cast--with an entirely new standard. That new standard would be a majority of ALL employees to succeed, with any employees not casting a vote assuming to be 'no'.

Firstly, this attack on long established worker rights has no place in the FAA reauthorization. It simply isn't germane to the measure and as such can and should be discarded.

Secondly, this is an inherently undemocratic change intended to make it dramatically more difficult to organize a union. By this standard NOT ONE SEAT IN CONGRESS WOULD BE FILLED. That's right, NOT ONE member of Congress received votes from the majority of all eligible voters in their jurisdiction. Given the state of voter participation in our society it's hard to imagine that there would be more than a handful of elected positions with ANY representation if that standard applied broadly.

Democrats aren't going to back down from this attack on worker rights. Nor should they.

The VERY DAY Obama signs the Debt Ceiling Increase into law Geithner BORROWS BILLIONS of DOLLARS

NEW DEBT EXCEEDS 100% GDP

http://news.yahoo.com/us-aaa-rating-still-under-threat-204040123.html

Dow PLUMMETS

Anybody suprised?

All you right wing nut jobs can cease with the whining about 'hostage taking' - your own fearless leader has called it just THAT!

Feisty Does that mean all you left wing nut jobs will stop whining about this being Bush's fault as your own DNC chairwoman D. Wasserman-Schultz said "We own the economy now."

I guess hell has frozen over, because I actually agree with Feisty, Buchanan has to be fired or at least suspended for his comment "boy" on the sharpton show. Prefer fired.

Have to give it to President Obama demonizing the rich, corporations and banks on one hand and then with the other hand asking for money for his campaign to get reelected so he can demonize them some more. Any that donate to his campaign deserve what they get. Wait Democrats are against the evil rich corporations, until they need campaign money then they come calling with their hand out.

Skip I also agree with you on your comments of the LDS, they are more like a cult than a religion.

Skip I see that you are a longtime Rush Limbaugh listener. America Held Hostage was his opening line every day President Clinton was in office, and now you are using it.

Madison From NY

The VERY DAY Obama signs the Debt Ceiling Increase into law Geithner BORROWS BILLIONS of DOLLARS

NEW DEBT EXCEEDS 100% GDP

http://news.yahoo.com/us-aaa-rating-still-under-threat-204040123.html

Dow PLUMMETS

Anybody suprised?

Nope, not surprised at all. The Republicans have out performed the Democrats hands down for the past 30 years in running Congress. Go figure. I also won't be surprised to see our credit rating drop and our bond markets plummeting later this year.

What planet are you on DUDE? Heck, just the last decade of the last 30 years has sucked canal water.

Skip started this slogan: AMERICA HELD HOSTAGE DAY 216 -- It could be the slogan used in the 2012 elections to kick Scumbagger arse.

I can tell you from first-hand experience, Mormons believe in Jesus and the Bible. The problem is they believe in Jesus second to Joseph Smith and the Bible second to the Book of Mormon. Also, they are like a cult. Aside from once practicing things like polygamy, they believe in modern revelation (think Warren Jeff’s so-called letter from God), secret rituals and covenants, indoctrination of the children, keeping women in second-class roles in order to maintain prolific reproduction and volunteer work for the church, and belief in the Last Days -- though not on the level of heresy of the Rapture, nonetheless any Mormon POTUS would conduct foreign policy accordingly. Also, Utah was a theocracy and still is compared to other states in the Union, which is very disconcerting.

In the case of Romney, he represents the hypocrisy of modern Mormonism in which scummy business practice is separate from religious morals and therefore acceptable. Though Mormons are not as anti-science/education as Evangelicals, they do not represent the American people. Religion needs to be separate from politics in general.

The Senate has made themselves clear, richard...attacks on worker rights have no place in the FAA reauthorization.

John From what I have read the logjam seems to be a new rule allowing a simple majority to form a union whereas the old rule was anyone not voting was considered a no vote. Don't see why they have to bring a new rule in or is this a way to help unions get formed much more easily and democrats to get more campaign money. From all of this I can't see any attack on workers rights since there is no union formed hence no rights to be attacked. The old rule works fine leave it at that.

You have it backwards, richard. The existing rule is for a simple majority of votes cast to decide. The new rule demanded by Republicans would be for anyone not voting to count as a no vote.

It's a moot point now. With the Dow crashing after McConnell took the Senate hostage and Boehner got 98% of what he wanted, with Congressional approval down to 14% in the wake of their destructive power play there's suddenly an agreement to bring the bill to a vote in the Senate by unanimous content, with no chance of a filibuster.

John

My Apologies if I had it backwards, must have been dyslexic today. Your right the deal is done, it is moot. Even as a conservative and tea party member, I still say if the rule is working fine don't mess with it.

TruePatriot-445959

What planet are you on DUDE? Heck, just the last decade of the last 30 years has sucked canal water.

Here you go True... enjoy.

Who's better at running Congress?

Since it's Congress that sets the spending Budgets, sets the Deficits, and passes legislation affecting jobs and the economy (The President cannot spend one penny that has not been authorized by Congress), let's look at the record of Congresses over the last 30 years (Through 2010);

JOBS (39,761,000 Net New Jobs)

Jobs created when Democrats controlled Congress (12 years) = 8,100,000 net new jobs.
Jobs created when Republicans controlled Congress (10 years) = 21,773,000 net new jobs.
Jobs created when Congress was split (8 years) = 9,888,000 net new jobs.

DEFICITS (a) ($7.304 Trillion)

Total Deficits when Democrats controlled Congress (12 years) = $5.022 Trillion.
Total Deficits when Republicans controlled Congress (10 years) = $1.219 Trillion.
Total Deficits when Congress was split (8 years) = $1.063 Trillion.

NATIONAL DEBT ($12.878 Trillion = 93.4% of all the Debt in our History)

Total New Debt when Democrats controlled Congress (12 years) = $7.859 Trillion.
Total New Debt when Republicans controlled Congress (10 years) = $3.238 Trillion.
Total New Debt when Congress was split (8 years) = $1.781 Trillion.

ECONOMIC GROWTH ($11.873 Trillion of GDP growth)

Total Growth (GDP) when Democrats controlled Congress (12 years) = $3.887 Trillion.
Total Growth (GDP) when Republicans controlled Congress (10 years) = $5.623 Trillion.
Total Growth (GDP) when Congress was split (8 years) = $2.363 Trillion.

Draw your own conclusions, but these are undisputed facts from government sources.

(a) Deficits do not equal the increase in the Debt because of the government's 'funny accounting'.

Sources - Democrats controlled Congress from 1987 – 1994, and from 2007 – 2010. Republicans controlled Congress from 1995 – 2000, and from 2003 – 2006. There was a split Congress from 1980 – 1986 and for 2001 & 2002. Links to government data sites are as follows;

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

Deficits - See Table 1.1 http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/Historicals

National Debt - http://www.treasurydirect.gov/NP/BPDLogin?application=np

Statistics can prove anything, Dude, sometimes even the truth. In the case of your statistics you're using a time span that skews the results, because Congress was controlled by Democrats through the worst recession in 70 years. The first question is, is it reasonable to believe Congress is the determining factor in the performance of the economy? Most of the time no, when looking at the period post WWII through 2005;

Is it the Administration or Congress that matters for economic growth? Because Congress writes the laws and sets the budgets, it is reasonable to argue that the Legislative Branch is more responsible for the state of the economy than the Executive. To test this, I estimated the different effects on real growth rates of Republican control of each house of Congress as well as for a Republican administration. These results were not significantly different from zero. I then tested for the effect of having both houses and the administration under simultaneous control of either party, relative to the effect of simply having a Republican administration. The effect of having Democratic control of government on growth was positive on growth and the effect of having Republican control of government was negative, but neither effect was statistically significant. The party of the administration is a better explanatory variable.

http://www.business.unr.edu/econ/wp/papers/UNRECONWP06008.pdf

So the party of the President is the piece that's statistically significant. What does the party of the President tell us?

The Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA, 2006) has collected annual data since 1929 for the National Income and Product Accounts. If we use these data through 2005 to compare economic performance during Democratic and Republican administrations, the contrast, as shown in Table 1, is dramatic: the economy has grown significantly faster under Democratic administrations, and more than twice as fast in per-capita terms.

The idea that Republicans are better stewards of the economy than Democrats is fiction, pure and simple.

IR:

Great post today just like Perry and T-Paw stealing the stimulus money from their citizens to shore up their budget shortfalls and then claim how good a job they did. That money was supposed to create jobs not hide Fiscal Irresponsibility" by the Governors.

Same old gimmick. "Figures do not lie but liars figure" goes right along with the "Do as I say not as I do; More for Me and Less for You".

IR ~ Thank you. That's VERY interesting. It won't take long for all these birds to come home to roost.

Ironically, as I said out here last night. If the stimulus money had, instead, been used to actually create jobs, those jobs would have generated tax revenue, flowing back to the states, as well as stimulating demand, further increasing business development, and generating further revenue. All of this revenue would then have been available for deficit reduction, and with any luck, the recovery would have taken hold, and the job growth, with accompanying increased revenues, would have been long-term.

Instead, the money was poured down a black hole, the debt was passed back to the rest of us, and the states who used stimulus this way -- like Texas and Minnesota, and now apparently Virginia -- will STILL have to pick up these pieces without any federal dollars to help them.

Your welcome Anna. Here in Va. We also have the added twist that The Gov. has used the money to give tax breaks to the Defense Contractors to locate here. Going to be interesting to see how that works out for him.

Oh yeh Welcome home Bev. We kept a light on for you.

IR Great Information As Always.

Thank You

We also have the added twist that The Gov. has used the money to give tax breaks to the Defense Contractors to locate here.

Too funny, IR, if it weren't so tragic.

I recently read about South Carolina, too, which has a lot of public contracts to support its anti-worker economy that Spanky loves to crow about. A house built on sand that is about to fall. I wonder how Boeing feels about that deal now.

Wow IR, that's an eye opener. It's becoming more clear by the week that when Conservatives claim government should be run like a business they're thinking of Enron.

More humor from the Narcissist in Chief: ‘Yes we can.’ It doesn't matter how tough a week I have in Washington, because I know you've got my back. When I come to Chicago, when I travel across the country I know we can't be stopped.”

I know he wasn't speaking to me. Maybe he should change his tag line to "Campaigns R Us." There are plenty of people that don't have this guys back. He should take a look around and garner a true assessment of where he stands.

IR, excellent information and post about VA McDonnell's own version of voodoo economics. This is what I like about FR, we hear about what's going on elsewhere from the residents.

To my knowledge, Iowa governors (R or D) have not delayed payments or borrowed from the state pension fund for workers (IPERS). Doesn't mean it hasn't happened. In his first 16 yrs as Gov, Branstad kept two sets of books to make his budgets look better. He left a big mess, harmed Iowa's excellent education system among other things. I'll never understand why Iowans elected him again 12 years later. He was a mediocre governor at best the first time

Happy 50th birthday Mr. President!! We have a rare president who can do great things for America. A president who cares. A president with vision who has, according to Fact-Check (or one of those outfits) made good on 500 of his campaign promises.

The Party of NoNoNo is now predictable in its hostage-taking strategy. Right now, it is asking us to ignore the gun they're still holding over us all and cave once again to their agenda. This time they're holding 75,000 construction jobs and 400 FAA jobs hostage. This includes 40 airport inspector jobs who continue to do their work using their own credit cards for as long as they can. The right wing is holding their extremist anti-labor position higher than the safety and security of traveling citizens. Imagine that.

This is serious stuff. GOP bully tactics are hurting Americans big time. Congressionals do not even have to come back from vacation sign off on a clean bill to set this right over the summer. They've done it 20 times before since 2007 and they can do it now. The FAA Union issue has nothing to do with the Federal government. The time for the ideological fight is after they pass a clean bill and 75,000 workers are can pay their rent, buy food for their families.

This is not the time to play ideological stalemate. This is another manufactured crisis that can be resolved very quickly. Both chambers are in pro forma as GOP does not want the President to appoint a Consumer agency head, which Republicans are blocking, during recess. So they have no excuses. The time to let these innocent people go back to work is right now, Today.

Report from MN:

American Crystal Sugar Co. and its 1,300 union workers failed to reach agreement on contract that expired Sunday evening. The company locked out union workers at midnight Sunday. They brought in replacement workers. American Crystal Sugar Co. is the nations largest sugar beet processor . It is based in Moorhead MN.

"Brian Ingulsrud , VP at Amercian Sugar, said "replacement workers will remain on the job for the foreseeable future." Union members have set up picket lines in East Grand Forks, Moorhead, Crookston Mn and packaging stites in Chaska MN, and Mason City Iowa.

Some people go on vacation in Aug. Others walk the picket line.

Backhouse said: Happy 50th birthday Mr. President!! We have a rare president who can do great things for America. A president who cares. A president with vision who has, according to Fact-Check (or one of those outfits) made good on 500 of his campaign promises

Obama's rare alright. How much did the Obama campaign pay you to say this hogwash? He promised to go to the bathroom at least 5 times a day... wow! What a fulfilled campaign promise.

Oh, Backhouse - The house voted and approved their portion of the FAA deal. It's been tabled in the Senate. I guess you feel the Democratic controlled Senate is completely innocent of holding up the deal... Liberals... twist and spin.

Northstar. GPC and Kent Feeds in Iowa did the same thing 3 years ago this month while company and union negotiations were in process--there was NO strike planned by union workers. What the union workers demanded: paid sick days. The CEO decided to not bother talking and locked out the workers. They remain locked out today. Those jobs are now held by "temporary" workers who get no benefits.

Backhouse:

We are on the same page today. The GOP/TP talks a good game on reducing the deficit and then turn around and add what may be over $1.3 - 1.5 Billion Dollars to the deficit over 4-5 weeks. All because instead of just approving the FAA Bill they held it "Hostage" once again to get their own way and the hell with the American People.

And these are the people that want to run our government - Hope not.

Last year, with the stimulus dollars running dry and targets for further savings dwindling amid already shrunken government spending, Mr. McDonnell relied more heavily on budgetary gimmickry than he has before. He postponed $620 million in payments owed to the state pension system, which covers 600,000 teachers, among other beneficiaries. And he declared the money would be repaid starting in 2013 — conveniently, the year his gubernatorial term ends.

Now Mr. McDonnell has announced that Virginia notched up a “surplus” of $311 million for the fiscal year that ended June 30. But just like last year — when to manage a balanced budget he also postponed payments of $135 million to the state pension fund, known as the Virginia Retirement System — it is a surplus with a very large asterisk. In fact, the $620 million that Mr. McDonnell withheld from the pension fund is almost exactly twice the size of the “surplus.”

This is what happened in NJ under both Republican and Democratic governors. This is why the current public pensions system is corrupt and open to abuse by both politicians and unions at the expense of the taxpayer. "Future" benefits, ones that do not have to be fulfilled by current politicians, can be promised to workers that are going to be paid for by future taxpayers. They can promise a system, where there are lifetime benefits and 90% of wages because they will not be office when the bill comes due.

It is time to move to a 401(k) / 403(b) for all public workers. Then they see where their money is and what assets are backing it. It's time to stop this scam in its tracks.

Flash, suggest point your arrows at your own party.

The DOW is down because beyond all reality & responsibility, the Republican party held a gun to our heads over raising the debt ceiling - usually one-line on one page. A clean bill. They held the entire global economy to ransom for weeks on end and America lost $millions of dollars. Damage as yet unknown.

By taking an issue that is routinely passed like the debt ceiling (Reagan 18 times , Bush 7) and using it as a cudgel to get concessions you could not normally get, Republicans used blackmail and extortion for the third time this year. Big financial damage on a lot of fronts as you know.

Instead, the money was poured down a black hole, the debt was passed back to the rest of us, and the states who used stimulus this way -- like Texas and Minnesota, and now apparently Virginia -- will STILL have to pick up these pieces without any federal dollars to help them.

What state DID use the stimulus for investment? This why it was such a failure and becoming more apparent by the moment. Imagine instead the 800B had been divided into 200B blocks to be spent on investment projects over 4 years. Imagine for a moment that there had been some actual planning and allocation of resources designed to produce sustainable benefits, instead of the "throw it at the wall" approach. Ever read Christine Romer's follow-up about how she didn't realize that it was harder to spend a stimulus in reality than it was in academia? This is the problem with this administration. There are too many academics trying to implement their favorite theories.

BrianB: The house voted and approved their portion of the FAA deal. It's been tabled in the Senate. I guess you feel the Democratic controlled Senate is completely innocent of holding up the deal...

Only part of the story, Brian. BOTH houses passed their own approval of the bill. The hang-up is resolving the two. So save your righteous indignation.

Flash5,

Please explain how President Obama destroyed your personal wealth. In detail if you can (which i doubt). Thanks!

fielden, you just don't understand how "compromise" works in her world. It would be defined as "exactly what Republicans want, with no exceptions."

That's how hostage-takers work.

Bev......IR forgot to tell you.......the light was a red one! and it was only on from 9 Pm to 6 am!

I watched the President speak in Chicago last night (on something called ustream).

It's actually comforting to see him back in campaign mode, where he can once again actively advocate for his policies. When the President is not campaigning, he is trying to compromise with Republicans, and that's harder to watch.

ok tom you are signed in now. type something

Amy: he's never left the 'campaign mode'. Are you kidding me. Between his narcissism and the debt deal i'm sick to death of seeing him and not at all interested in any of his lies.

Amy B --When did Obama leave campaign mode? He has been in campaign mode since 2007.

On another note we reached the debt ceiling limit in one day,D.C. in action. Both sides!\

Hillary 2012 (still dreaming)

I've read my history but was still amazed on how Hitler took over Germany. Now I'm living it.

#1.28 - Thu Aug 4, 2011 9:37 AM EDT
-----------------------------------------------------------

So True. However, when will these Republican/Tea Terrorist start wearing the brown shirts and growing the little fuzzy thing on their upper lips.

"It's actually comforting to see him back in campaign mode, where he can once again actively advocate for his policies..."

__________________________________________________________

That's very telling and a sad commentary. It would be a lot better for him if he would do a little bit of that from the oval office and the "bully pulpit", campaign speeches are just talk.

You don't have to wait. Obama has his Red Shirts; the SEIU and the other Unions. The people put an enemy in the White House and destruction of our country has taken place. We have only to hold our noses now as we go down.

AnnieRich

Amy: he's never left the 'campaign mode'. Are you kidding me. Between his narcissism and the debt deal i'm sick to death of seeing him and not at all interested in any of his lies.

I take you're a FOX NOISE VIEWER. Isn't that why you don't really know a lie when you see one?

Speaking of narcissism, what do think those bleached, blonde, monkey-girls on Fox Noise who hold their jobs down showing their tails are? Surely, you can't think they are modest or humble?

President Obama is back in DC working today. Where are the Congressional legislators? On a 5-week campaign vacation. So conservatives, where's your outrage?

Our President can learn more about what people are thinking, experiencing, plus listen to their ideas on what needs to be done by being among them than by staying in the WH.

You are so sure it is President Obama is going to do something bad that you intellects are missing that the rich with their never raising taxes on the rich again are in the process of stealing your future right now. There will be nothing left for Obama to steal if the rich have their way.

I like how the majority in the country elected your enemy.

The destruction was happening when Obama got here, unless unfunded tax breaks and unfunded wars all started in November 2008.

As long as you vote republican and blame somebody else, the destruction will go on as you are continually voting for your own destruction. The rich are counting on your blind hatred so you never see what is happening to you.

Propaganda and blind hate is how Hitler got control of Germany. You probably don't even realize that you are getting censored news. You get half the story and come on here trying to act like you know what is going on.

You probably can't understand why no one gets as upset as you at the horrible news you hear. The real reason is that you are getting trumped up half truths, cranked up emotionalism news and it can be seen a half mile off.

Apparently the Conservative media isn't as quick to report the acquittal of the alleged SEIU "thugs" as they were to use them for gain.

After the verdict, the two SEIU members were pleased. “I’m glad that this is over and I won,” McCowan said, “I don’t have anything else to say.”

Molens was more outspoken. “Finally after two years of lies and distortion the jury got to hear the truth,” Molens said. “They got to see the evidence that wasn’t on Ann Coulter or some right wing blogs, and within 40 minutes they acquitted us.”

http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2011/07/12/acquittal-in-town-hall-assault-case/

In fact like most GOPTP smears I'm sure it'll live on for years, resurfacing every time Conservatives need a phony nontroversy to deflect from Republican failures.

devie,

I just read the story about the $1 million dollar donation to the Romney campaign from a mystery donor. You can't tell me this whole debt debacle wasn't about Republicans signalling to their wealthy base they would do anything to protect a few tax loopholes. After all, Republicans sacrificed deeper spending cuts to avoid raising taxes that might affect their base. Republicans sacrificed the respect of 70% of American voters, in order to protect tax cuts for the wealthiest. Look for ALOT of money to be spent to keep Republicans in power in the House.

well you Progressive/Socialist Democrats ought to be happy. Not only did this debt deal get us to 100% of the GDP but with Europe faltering and the US throughout history being the stablizing force, that is all gone. It takes LEADERSHIP to sturdy the boat and we have no one to lead.

Amy--This protect the wealth of the ultra rich at any cost will eventually backfire. I hope sooner than later. If the economy goes into a double-dip recession Americans are going to be looking somewhere else to spread the pain besides their own pocketbooks, and the profits the corporations are posting are incredible. Letting the Bush tax cuts expire will seem like chump change when people finally realize what has happened to them. We are getting royally screwed by the rich and they are going to get their due.

Job creators? How about wealth protectors?

A little tidbit that was thrown into this Budget Control Act 2011 that gives Obama the power to determine whether or not the debt ceiling needs to be raised and if so, the Secretary General is allowed to borrow up to an additional $1.5 trillion on the US behalf. It's called the "Debt Ceiling Approval Process". Yupper.....here we go. The only difference between Hitler and Obama is Hitler took over Germany and led them to wars. Obama and the Progressives have taken over our country leading us to Global Governance.

When will these Republican/Tea Terrorist start wearing the brown shirts and growing the little fuzzy thing on their upper lips?

Look for ALOT of money to be spent to keep Republicans in power in the House.

Amy,

Agreed! The money that is spent on politic campaigns in this country is astounding! Just imagine if that kind of private sector money was funneled into programs for the needy in our country. Now that would be something.

History and good economic theory both show that growth is the fastest and best way to improve the budget deficit. Meanwhile Republicans are doing everything in their power to increase unemployment. Apparently Conservatives didn't sufficiently destroy the American economy with the 2007 recession, they're back to finish the job.

Job1 - I think you are projecting. I'm certain that your health insurance pays for psychiatric treatment. Might I suggest that you schedule an appointment with your local mental health facility and have your delusions treated.

There's a commonly known phobia called Hitleritis. You might want to inquire about it.

Job: well we'll all see. So far Obama has taken us down. On all fronts from economy, to jobs, to health care, to foreign policy...I mean, there's just not much more the man can do to us. He wanted chaos, he wanted depression, he wanted jobless, he wanted a wellfare state and he's achieved all of that. The ONLY hope our country has is to unseat him and get someone else. If Obama gets re-elected, well that will be the ultimate end of the United States of America.

Annie,

It takes LEADERSHIP to sturdy the boat and we have no one to lead.

That dog won't hunt. We have a leader in this country and his name is Barack H. Obama. The problem is the TEA Party and the rest of the GOP refuse to work with him. They are just dittobots who kneel at the alter of Limbaugh and kiss his and Corporate America's A$$. They should all be booted out of Congress for signing a pledge that staps them from doing what is right for OUR (yours too) country!

Amy - You can't just say republicans will increase their warchests when Obama's goal is to raise $1 Billion for his re-election campaign.

How come you liberals never mention the amount of money democrats spend on their campaigns? Do you never acknowledge the democrats are just as bad as the republicans? I know, it doesn't suit your namecalling and begrudging, does it?

John B - The democrats did such a good job for the last few years, why not let them continue bringing America down? The year Obama started, unemployment was 7.2%... The democrats advanced that number to almost 10%... I guess in your world a higher number means they are doing good.

I know it's hard for you Republican/Tea Terrorist to understand. Hopefully, some day you wake up and see the garbage and lies your handlers are feeding you.

Get a grip Brian,

After 8 years of republicans doing everything they could to destroy American unfunded tax cuts and unfunded wars that have brought us to this debt and into a ditch.

These last couple years has been trying to pull American out of the ditch. It would be nice if you would let us get out of the ditch, where the republicans drove us, before you start judging our driving skills.

Brian is ignoring the fact that the economic news was all headed in the right direction as of January, when Tea Party politicians gained the majority in the House of Representatives as well as statehouses and governors mansions all around the country. Seven months of Conservative obstruction and destruction of public service jobs risks putting us right back in the tank.

John B - I agree with you except on one technicality. "Risks putting us right bank in the tank" should be changed to "Guarantees to put us right bank in the tank".

When Republican members of Congress are openly referring to the President of the United States as “tar baby” it is abundantly clear to me and I suspect a lot of other people that the GOP gives less than a tinker’s dam about the American people.

Their only concern since 01/20/2009 has been to make Barack Obama a

one term President. And if that means making a mess of the economy even more than it was and ruining the country in the process, well ole Mitch thinks “that’s a worthwhile

hostage to take”.

These people are insane!

Thanks for the correction, RedDev...you may just be right.

Amy,

I just read the story about the $1 million dollar donation to the Romney campaign from a mystery donor. You can't tell me this whole debt debacle wasn't about Republicans signalling to their wealthy base they would do anything to protect a few tax loopholes.

Last night at his birthday he was surround by very wealthy people, you think they are going to donation to his campaigner and not get anything in return. Obama always talks smack about the rich, and yet here he is rubbing elbows with them.

How's that FEC audit going?

FEC's audit became increasingly more likely as the FEC questioned some of Obama campaign filings. In all, the FEC wrote 26 letters to Obama for America warning the campaign that if it did not adequately respond to the agency's questions that it "could result in an audit or enforcement action."

These letters totaled more than 1,500 pages of questions and data that outlined compliance concerns — including the longest one ever sent to a presidential candidate.

The Obama campaign has shown signs of an audit for years as it has ramped up its spending on legal fees and other similar expenses, according to CQ MoneyLine study of disclosure reports.

John B, Des Moines, IA

History and good economic theory both show that growth is the fastest and best way to improve the budget deficit. Meanwhile Republicans are doing everything in their power to increase unemployment. Apparently Conservatives didn't sufficiently destroy the American economy with the 2007 recession, they're back to finish the job.

would you please tell me what good the 2T $ that your boy spent did for the economy, evidently it did NOT spur the growth.....

the dow is down 393.......spending more money is not the way.....not saying cutting taxes is the way either......but i do think if barry would relax some regulations it would spur some growth.

Couldn't help but laugh at this one. A judge has said that a contractor could sue Rumsfeld as an individual, seems the contractor claimed he was tortured. Then the Obama Administration sent out a press release saying he can not be sued if it was done while he (Rumsfeld) was on official duty.

Well, I've probably only posted this a couple of dozen times, then again Conservative talking points are relentless in their hard work to ignore the facts. Even CONSERVATIVE economists acknowledge that the stimulus worked. It's only denied by right wing hacks and the blind who follow them. Here's Mark Zandi, John McCain's economic advisor;

In this paper, we use the Moody’s Analytics model of the U.S. economy—adjusted to accommodate some recent financial-market policies—to simulate the macroeconomic effects of the government’s total policy response. We find that its effects on real GDP, jobs, and inflation are huge, and probably averted what could have been called Great Depression 2.0. For example, we estimate that, without the government’s response, GDP in 2010 would be about 11.5% lower, payroll employment would be less by some 8½ million jobs, and the nation would now be experiencing deflation.

http://www.economy.com/mark-zandi/documents/End-of-Great-Recession.pdf

The economy contracted 5.1% in the Great Recession. Without the stimulus not only would it have been worse, but we might have gotten into a liquidity trap similar to that which trapped us in the Depression until FDR took office.

As it is the market isn't too impressed with Republican efforts to force austerity, thereby taking money out of the economy.

When Republican members of Congress are openly referring to the President of the United States as “tar baby” it is abundantly clear to me and I suspect a lot of other people that the GOP gives less than a tinker’s dam about the American people.

Sheila MD That is crap and you know it. Where is your proof and don't say thinkprogressive or any of those wacky wackjob websites.

No question. Hostage taking worked for them this time even though it harmed the American people. It's time to stand up to the weak tea.

As Navy has said, the GOP will use this as a standard ploy from now on, you can bet on that.

and barry will threaten to withhold SS and armed forces pay

Constant blame and one excuse after another are not the mark of a great leader.

And constant, blind, continual adhesion to a proven failed ideology isn't the mark of a great citizen either Tony.

Tax cuts don't work,....period. Borrow and spend republicans have maxed out our credit cards with foreign wars and tax cuts for the wealthy who have proven they hang onto their money once they get their government welfare check.

Money given to the wealthy is wasted money.

So then ...you want it! are you the CEO of the gimme gimme gang?

First, no one gives money to the wealthy. Second, do you really believe that just giving money to the poor really helps them? Too many people who talk about helping people in need just want to soothe their own conscious, it is about them not the person in need. These are usually very liberal folks.

Our involvement in the wars were stupid and still are stupid. So tell me, why after 2 1/2 years into this administration are we still spending money and human life on these stupid ward? Funny that you critize Bush for his deficit spending, and you should, but Obama has created almost 3 trillion dollars of deficit spending in less than three years. Bush was responsible for 6 trillion over 8 years.

you the CEO of the gimme gimme gang?

No.

I'm the CEO of the "government should work for people, not corporations, gang".

I am also the CEO of the Liberty gang, the free speech gang, the pro-Union gang, and the getting repubs off the government teat gang.

Can I work for you? ;-)

You're hired. :o)

GOPisextinct,

Well said! Well said indeed! I especially liked this part ...and the getting repubs off the government teat gang.

I would like to post my resume with your company for the VP in charge of delivering the bad news to the GOTP that teat has gone division.

Thanks Devie. The military-industrial complex has been helping themselves to a quarter of the U.S. treasury since 1946. Eisenhower knew this.

"Small government" repubs on this board are hypocrites from the git-go. The internet, that they are reading this on, was funded and developed with government money. Golly,...for people that are "anti-government" there sure are a lot of repubs clamoring to get into government,...wouldn't you say?

Cell phones? Well, those cell phone communication satellites didn't get into space by themselves. Your government put them there. Tax money.

I could go on forever.

Golly,...for people that are "anti-government" there sure are a lot of repubs clamoring to get into government,...wouldn't you say?

Yes there are! Those I hate big government on this hand, but hey don't look at my other hand... yeah the one that is increases the size of government.

Give the GOTP the Boot in 2012!

Tony, We are still in these stupid wars because so many republicans are voting to keep them, just like they voted to keep Gitmo open.

Bachmann stated on her campaign that she won't cut and run on those women in Afghanistan.

Look behind you the republican party is trying to turn our country over to the rich with the never raising taxes on the rich again. This is not a path to smaller government, it is a path to never raise taxes on the rich again.

You can lead a man to knowledge, but you can't make him think.

@American -- Your post is full of some of the most untruthful statements I have seen. Voting to stay in wars????? Keep them???? Are you insane??? Your failed prez does not need any Congressional approval to pull out of the wars nor close Gitmo. That falls on your party's shoulders. In fact, the idiot empty suit entered into a war with Libya spending billions WITHOUT Congressional approval.

Do you want to cut and run on the women in Afghan???? Do you not want an orderly withdrawal to protect the women and children???? Do you want another Vietnam????? You are a poor soul if you do.

Spouting untrue class warfare statements are getting old and do not work. Stupid, stupid statements of non-fact. Grow up.

No, but expiring the Bush tax cuts for about 30years will.

Penguin.

You want people to forget this debt took 30 years to accrue.

This "tax the rich" does make a great talking point as we have 51% paying zero federal income tax. You can argue all day long whether or not taxing the rich will or will not be a job killer. But, raising the taxes will not create one job. So, what is Obama's real goal? Raising taxes or creating jobs? Answer is simple, raise taxes.

So, what is Obama's real goal?

Oh!! I got this one. Pick me,....pick me!!!

Uhmmmm,...is the President's goal,....retiring deficits?

Let the GOP try that Tony.

Nothing President Obama has done indicates he wants to retire the deficit. He constantly claims he wants to, but then his actions are always quite different than his words. His budget proposal back in the spring was a perfect example. No cuts, just spending that would have increased the debt by 10 trillion dollars over the next 10 years. The current projection is to add 7 trillion dollars to the debt over the next ten years. Given the current situation, we will have a real financial collapse sooner than in 10 years. You can attack and blame who you want, the President sets the tone for you. Unfortunately, unless there are real reforms in Washington it is going to take a financial collapse for people to understand and understand too late which is the case with some people. You know those checks that Obama and the Democrats claim to protect? Guess what? Those checks will really not go out down the road if there are not major changes in Washington as well as more and more folks becoming educated as to what this liberal agenda will ready do to this country. You can mock me all you want. It won't change where we are headed now that our debt is equal to our GDP.

(Tamara) Grigsby calls it "common sense reform," and notes that it would bring private schools funded by taxpayer dollars into compliance with requirements at public schools.

"Students deserve some measure of safety and security in their classrooms, and with a simple background check, the state can help provide that," Pasch said in a written statement regarding the bill, which is known as the Voucher Accountability and Child Safety Act.

Really! I consider this a no-brainer too! How could repubs ever justify blocking this measure? What could motivate them?

Thanks for bringing us this story AM. May be more of the same in store for the rest of us in these Koch-inspired / ALEC legislatures planted in state houses last year.

Anna Molly:

How true it just keeps getting worse with these guys. You only have another week and hopefully WI people will take their Government back from the Koch Brothers and Karl Rove. Next stop bye Mr. Walker.

What, indeed, GOPx?

Actually, the answer is pretty easy. You may not remember that the guy who replaced Russ Feingold in the Senate -- Ron Johnson -- testified against legislation designed to enhance the ability of victims of sexual abuse to recover damages. The reason? We wouldn't want to inhibit business by making it pay for what its employees do.

Just like the old days. The Neanderthal old days.

@ Navy

"Next stop bye Mr. Walker."

From your lips ....

Hopefully we can bounce these drooling morons out of office before they do too much more damage.

Sent in my donation to the Wisconsin Democrats yesterday. Gonna' send them another pizza in "Walkerville" too, probably tomorrow.

I wish I were there when they deliver the pizza. Imagine when those good people learn the pizza came all the way from Detroit!! Wouldn't that psyche you up knowing that someone 300 miles away had heard of your struggle and was supporting you? Imagine the boost to the spirit!!

Sometimes those good people must feel so alone in their fight. A small overture like that one must go a long way. :o)

I wish you were, too. It psychs me up, and I won't even be there to get the pizza.

How was your vacation?

Vacation was not good. Got rained out in a monsoon, and decided to take off a day early.

Never made it to that Sturgeon Bay beach, but it ain't goin' nowhere. We'll get it next year.

Thanks for asking. :o)

Still getting out of the city was a cool thing.

If you're ever in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, be sure to eat at the Inn at Cedar Crossing.

A very pretty little town.

I love the agate beaches in the UP, and the little rivers flowing through to the big lake.

Anna-- I agree with you on this one Gov. Walker is a joke,but Wis. was run by a horrible dem. gov. before this. I believe gov Doyle.. he was no prize either. Better luck next time dairyland.

19-year-old "assistant dean" who wants his victims to pray for him?

I'll pray for him. I pray for him to go directly to jail!

Anna Molly

It does make you wonder what Walker and his minions are REALLY thinking of, doesn't it?

Especially when Americans for Prosperity aka Karl Rove, ala Koch Brothers, is sending absentee ballots (absentee trickery ) to Democrats in at least two Wisconsin state Senate recall districts with instructions to return the paperwork after the election date. Simply put, T-baggers and Gov Snot Walker are not very well-rounded individuals.

http://progressillinois.com/quick-hits/content/2011/08/03/wisc-dems-say-koch-brothers-scheme-suppress-votes

BTW: Where will the fire be the next time? Fire destroys Wisconsin Democratic recall group's HQ right before recall election.

http://lunaticoutpost.com/Topic-Fire-destroys-Wisconsin-Democratic-recall-group-s-HQ-right-before-recall-election

On 8/28/10 this came from the Houston Chronicle…

The early work into determining the cause of the 3-alarm blaze, whether or not it was an accident or arson, is underway...along with determining the plan for how the county will proceed with the upcoming elections in the wake of the loss of $30 million dollars worth of unverifiable electronic voting machines...

http://www.bradblog.com/?p=8017

Accident or Arson? Paper or Plastic? Voters Card or Gun Card?

Thank you for the welcome back. I missed your cogent, straightforward humor, and truthfulness.

I think a little too convenient to be an accident. Especially when you look at all the dirty tricks the republicans have played in Wisconsin.

This last fake letter telling people to respond two days after the election. This feels like the republicans are telling us they don't believe in fair elections anymore. They want to kill union and rape America and the people had just better get out of the way.

If this is the only way republicans can win elections, no wonder they are so into voter suppression.

If the republicans were out doing the right thing for the American people they would not be having to fix elections to win.

When the rich are 2% and the republicans have become the party of the rich only. They need a lot of easily led people to vote for them and to fulfill their dream of never raising taxes on the richest again.

I saw that, Beverly, but not the part about the voting machines. They burned down a whole block to do it, too.

You're right, Americans First. What ARE we coming to?

Sooner, as opposed to later, the remedy may turn out to be pitchforks.

Frankly, my friend, they don't care about donations anymore.

They want it mainlined directly to 527 attack ads.

True with the 527's.

That and Citizens United will funnel a direct cash pipeline to the GOP.

Frank:

Good morning and I hope Haiti does not get another tragedy either.

I would like to see Huntsman in the hunt as well. He at least appear to be reasonable and a person that would be for the best interest of this Country. I fear the Tea Party will de-rail him as he is no where near radical enough for them.

Grimey,

I second your and Navy's wish for the Huntsman campaign to be straightened out. It would be awful for him to be derailed over internal squabbles. Said it before and I'll say it again, this country can not be healthy unless both right and left put forth viable candidates. Give the electorate, who ultimately decide who goes to Washington, something to work with.

Happy birthday to the President, we both hit 50 this year!

Before you reach 51, Who do you think will declare bankruptcy first, the state of California or the federal government. Looks like about a even race so far.

This just in:

Jolly has reveled that politicians hold fund raisers with,....wealthy people!

WOW Jolly. You really know how to get to the root of an issue dontcha' dude?

Makes better sense than to hold one with poor people, wouldn't you say Jolly?

Nobody is saying the wealthy should pay "extra taxes". I'd settle for them paying just the taxes they should pay,....sans loopholes, or is this kind of thinking "over-the-top" Socialism?

Where is your extra money big boy! I send extra money every month. Put your money where your mouth is! Its very easy, go try send them $40 a month maybe $100. I sent over $2300 in 2010 and $1400 this year so far. You can do I know you can, come on big boy! What have you done for your country.... Military service....... public service.............anything..... Speak up!

Sure "Jolly". This one is really going to get your goat. :o) And I love the thought of a "moderate" like you quivering with rage at a keyboard,...trust me.

I send in political donations using the V-CAP checkoff system to my Local Union. V-CAP donates to legislators with a worker-friendly agenda. Despite what the right-wing ding-a-lings say you have to consciously designate such donations using a checkoff form. Using monthly Union dues for political donations is extremely illegal.

It's the law.

Union members can opt out of their dues being used for anything but Union administrative functions via the Beck Ruling. It's the law too. Right wingies would rather people didn't know that fact either.

You're fuming by now,....I'm sure.

I'm really, really proud to be everything you're not "Jolly".

I didnt mean political donations...... can you even read and comprehend. I meant (sigh) Money to assist in running our country. I dont care which political party you give donations too. Those are deductible. I meant actual out of your pocket to the general fund for use in running the country. And Mr GOP you never answered my other question because you were too busy with your Union verbiage. What have you personally done to improve and support this country? I myself spend 10 years with 3 tours in our military assigned to a SOCOM ops weapons team. Im also a emergency foster parent, you know when the police pull a child out of their homes at 2am they bring them to my house with a plastic bag of clothes....you know that kind of stuff. Im also an emergency volunteer in Michigan in support of network services during emergency outages. Arent you a member of the Elks or the Moose something you do on your own and not Union supported!

knock knock....... GOP you home!

GOP your money would be better spent donating to a charity like a local food bank if you wanted to accomplish some good rather than supporting politicians...

I also donate a few $100 / year to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit. Jolly knows it. Capuchins do great work.

I am a Den leader in Cub Scouts, soon to be a Boy Scouts.

And I am volunteering to sweep the repub pestilence from every office in the land.

I volunteer with my church as well.

That nuf?

GOPisextinct

I also donate a few $100 / year to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit. Jolly knows it. Capuchins do great work.<-------- Yes I know of them, I donate clothes and toys to the CSK childrens fund and used to deliver food to shut ins before my service injury started acting up.

I am a Den leader in Cub Scouts, soon to be a Boy Scouts.<------- very good I was a Explorer scout until I joined the military

And I am volunteering to sweep the repub pestilence from every office in the land. <--- This ones going to be pretty rough, but dont blame your self too much!

I volunteer with my church as well.<---- We all need to believe in something

Of course its enough, some people dont do a damn thing yet they shoot their mouths off!

I read yesterday that we have more people on food stamps now than ever. My grandfather a decorated naval hero of Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal on his deathbed was rambling on about his life and experiences. In a moment of clarity he said to me.... The only thing that kept me alive and sane was that I never expected anything from anyone, I did it all myself with out a single hand out just like his father did! I have followed in his foot steps as will my children. Even my blind son knows he has to be responsible for himself and made his difficult transition through college.

The people we are trying to get off the government dole is the corporations getting millions in taxpayers money while they are the only ones doing well in this economy.

Let's end the tax breaks and loopholes for the richest in America.

Let's get the rich off the government dole.

If the poor are expected to live without government money, why not the rich?

Sounds like you really believe the wealth in this country really belongs to the government. Successful people earn money and pay taxes that in turn supports the government. Is your mind set that all a government has to do is print money? Tax breaks and loopholes are what allow 51% of federal income tax filers to pay zero income tax. If you think that attacking and destroying wealth in the hands of individuals is going to improve the life of poor people you are sadly mistaken. There is a reason Cuba looks like 1959 still.

You guys love to forget that bush carried the war debt off the books (think Enron)

When it got added, all the years of bush's war debt look like it happened on Obama's watch. Conservatives tell that lie over and over because they think its makes President Obama look bad. Conservatives are always so emotional as they tell that lie. How can we all not see what you see?

In reality it makes you looks misinformed. We know you have been getting censored news, but you don't.

I'm sure he will be golfing today,eating cake and ice cream because he can the rest of us can't . We can only eat carrots,lettuce,peas, etc..

Richard and Big Mike:

If you don't actually have anything to say, it is quite alright to not type anything.

We just got 98% of what the republicans wanted, so if the country is dying.......

Wonder who plan got us here.

Wrong......Very Very Wrong! That was a ploy from the Very left and the very right to make the TP people shut up! Make them think they won......when nothing could be further from the truth.

Awww nashville fan I can post what I want, when I want and as many times as I want. That was said recently by navy or words to that effect.

Hope your feelings aren't hurt.

You really have to stop eating those funny mushrooms. You got any proof that 70% of atheists voted for President Obama?? Lets see it.

You are just another radical tea party drone spouting dribble because you have no new ideas and the ones you support are the ones that caused this mess.

President Obama 2012

USNavy: ya know you can yak all you want and hammer the TP but facts are facts. No, the people are NOT better off now then they were 2 1/2 years ago. The people are much WORSE off and can contributed to only one thing: Obama and the Progressives. Now you can chatter and try to degrade all other aspects but it doesn't amount to anything. Talk the to young guy with kids unemployed with a Prez that's all over the TV constantly feeding his narcissim and ask that guy how he feels. Obama and the Progressive/Socialist Democrats OWN THIS ECONOMY!

I can assure you, I have a job, I pay my bills, and I am more than an informed VOTER, I pay close attention, and I WILL VOTE for President Obama AGAIN. Single, White Woman from Florida, and I pay my taxes and make under $ 30,000 a yr and also take care of two elderly parents. President Obama is for furthering our youths education, MORE EDUCATION less welfare, you should try looking at the big picture....and all that money you think HE spent, try this on for size from your Tea Party Darling CNN interview:

“Congress has the power to lay and collect taxes," Bachmann says. "It's Congress that does the spending. The President is prohibited to do that. If he had the power to do that he would effectively be a dictator. There would be no reason for congress to even come into Washington DC. He would be making the spending decisions. He would be making the tax decisions. Clearly that's unconstitutional.”

To US Navy: I have posted the proof that more than 70% of atheists and agnostics voted for Obama on these pages at least three times. It seem that all you left-wing nut sackers can't read and can't search. I won't post the proof again. If you want to find it, the Google "who voted for Obama" and you will find your ample proof. Otherwise, get off your lazy ass and do your own research.

I googled who voted for Obama and the religious affiliations weren't there. One was a graph by the BBC and the other the Telegraph. All kinds of graphs, none about religion or lack of religion.

I bet the main reason you won't post it again is because it doesn't exist.

I went into your history Mike and got the link you provided. It was a site that just threw numbers on the page without any information about where they got the information.

Here I can do it too.

70% of fascists and American haters voted for McCain. Anybody can throw a number on a page without backup.

I have never been asked if I was an atheist when going in to vote, has anyone else been asked?

Here's one link for you lazy left wing miscreants.

http://kilosparksitup.blogspot.com/2009/01/who-voted-for-obama.html

There are many others. By the way, McCain lost. So what the hell does it matter who voted for him?

And, data on the electorate is collected in many ways, in addition to voting day data. You believe polls so I am surprised that you don't seem to know where data comes from.

mikeljhn

Here's one link for you lazy left wing miscreants.

Well, OK, it shows that atheists and agnostics unsurprisingly supported Obama, the candidate who didn't use his religion to get votes. But the same information quoted also says that Obama won a majority of one class of voters who aren't "on the dole":

By income, 52 percent of voters with more than $200,000 in annual income voted for Obama.

How do you know this category of voters is not "on the government dole"? Have you looked at the salaries of government employees lately, especially those in the Senior Executive Service? And Obama has appointed enough czars, who were rich before their appointments, to actually fill up this category. Face it. You left-wing nut sackers have no idea what statistics actually mean. Obama is a failed incompetent president, and his supporters receive their largesse from he and his filthy government.

mikeljhn, trying to get us to disprove your original statement is a clever deflection, but has no validity. The fact of the matter is that YOU have not offered any support for YOUR position. You gave us an opinion and demand that we prove it isn't fact.

This really doesn't need to go any further than this; you offered an unsupported opinion because it backstops your beliefs and expect us to accept that unsupported position as fact.

You shouldn't be surprised to be challenged.

I hear you Bob, We aren't much better over here in Detroit, where the former Dem. Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was released from Prison on Tues. The rest of his admin are mostly still in prison, but he gets a small respite. He and his family are facing racketeering and bribery charges with minimum 20 years sentences.

So.....That Nancy did drain the swamp.......

excuse me: Rangle, Weiner, Dodd, WU, Waters...uh....and if the truth be known it should be Franks, James Johnson, Frank Raines and a whole bunch of others on the Fannie Mae catalyst meldown.

We were trying to drain the swamp and it got filled with tea, tea so bitter it's getting toxic.

Yes, a democratic house, a democratic senate and a democratic president. It's about time the left got a chance without being hamstrung by the republicans determined to see American fail.

You really think we should be voting for the party of never raising taxes on the richest again? Good luck with that.

Tony C'mon you know in your heart Ed will not give his food to the poor, but he will give yours.

Al Gore he will continue to use fossil fuels but ask you to ride a bike.

Michael Moore And Adriana Huffington and you can add Nancy Pelosi and the rest of those rich evil democrats won't give away their wealth to the poor but they will take your wealth and give it away.

Shared Sacrifice is the that republicans pay more and democrats pay less.

If taxes get raised, then the afore mentioned people also get their taxes raised. Your point is?

The tax rates on the rich are at a 50 year low. I think the rich should be able to pitch in and share more. Why should the rich be excluded from the shared sacrifice?

Seems that went over your head.....look up the word hypocrite.

Believe me I am in favor of the higher tax rate for the wealthy. It will take this talking point and way to encourage class warefare off the table. Obama will have to focus on another excuse for his failures. Laser focus I say laser focus.

Oh you mean like the republicans have stopped or fillabustered any bill that has had a chance for jobs or turning our country around.

When has Obama had a real chance to lead? All efforts have been to get us rolling along after the ditch that the republicans left us in.

The republicans are still fighting to keep the same bad policies that got us where we are today. The very same with unfunded tax cuts to the rich and unfunded wars. You may not care if we raise taxes on the rich, but the republicans do.

How can we change things when the republicans demand, demand we do the same thing? unfunded tax cuts and unfunded wars. With the worst mistakes made in the bush years still in place, what, President Obama just waves a magic wand and ......

I am sure anything President Obama does is a failure for you. It's hard to know what you are talking about.

People need to wake-up about this job issue. Everytime Obama attacks some part of free enterprise, people will lose their jobs. Thousands of workers are employed by general aviation in this country. Think about how many workers in the energy sector are out of work due to this administrations policies. Not to mention the boost in the economy from depending on more of our own energy resources would mean. It seems that this administration has an issue with jobs created in NC but yet has a jobs czar who is responsible for moving as many jobs to China as anyone.

Tony --Shame on you . Don't you know you can't blame Obama for anything what are you a racist?All job related blame goes to Boehner, everything else is Bush's fault. Now apologize.

Sorry, I let the facts get in way again.

When this administration leaves office, and God help us if Obama gets another term, there will be an asterick in the liberal history books that indicates "It was Bush's fault".

You know I would trust the republican a lot more if they would stand up and say the unfunded tax cuts and the unfunded wars were a mistake. Instead they want to continue on the exact same path that got us here with unfunded tax cuts and unfunded wars.

The only difference is we are to blame Obama and not the republicans that actually voted on the bad policy that got us where we are today.

Wow, I would respect Obama more if he would take responsibility for the results of his own policies. I would respect Obama more if he could make one speech without encouraging class warfare, blame and excuses. Bush made many mistakes and the wars are a great example. Obama needs a lesson from Harry Truman. "The Buck Stops Here" was on his desk. Obama seems to believe the buck gets passed from his desk. Time for Obama to lead and become President of all of us. Looking for solution by attacking people who have worked and made money and who are living well is a mistake. In the long run that strategy will fail.

When the President takes responsibility the talking point pivots without hesitation to "he only talks about himself."

Above you claim to be in favor of higher taxes on the wealthy, then you pivot without hesitation to "class warfare." You also make some vague point about how wealthy people calling for higher taxes on themselves is somehow hypocritical.

Conservatism, you see, isn't about consistency of thought or principle. It's about constructing messages designed to sell policies beneficial to the rich.

You seem to be unable to comprehend what you read. Oh well.

There is nothing President Obama could ever do to please you ever. If he had taken responsibility, you would have complained about something else.

You didn't comprehend what John was saying.

We are sorry that bush did all the things he did. He took 8 years to do it too. We have been trying to pull America out of a deep recession ditch. We were just starting to get out and boom the manufactured crisis of the debt ceiling.

Bush did do it, him and the republicans still in office voted for unfunded tax cuts and unfunded wars. Their brilliant answer, let keep doing the same only make cuts to the American people. We are still suffering from what bush did and we do tend to bring it up. Now these born again fiscal conservatives are out to hurt some people as long as it is not the rich.

Don't blame Obama he voted against the debt ceiling increase in 2006 and made a speech about how we couldn't continue the path we were on. And he didn't hold our country hostage, he just made his speech and voted.

Yes the debt is too high, but killing America and handling her to the rich is not a cure.

Don't blame Obama he voted against the debt ceiling increase in 2006 and made a speech about how we couldn't continue the path we were on. And he didn't hold our country hostage, he just made his speech and voted.

Americans First If the democrats had the votes they would have done the same thing. In fact 41 senators voted against raising the debt ceiling. Yeah he madde his speech and now he says he was wrong. flip flop flip flop

No one in the history of the United States have done what the tea people have done.

He says he was wrong because now he realizes the importance of passing the debt ceiling to our country. He wasn't wrong about what he said.

Re-read his speech and see if what he said is true.

Come on dan, you can come up with a more emotional lie than that.

You know as well as anybody else that the republicans have blocked and fillabustered any bill that remotely had a chance of jobs or turning around the economy.

Right now it is more important to bust unions than have 74,000 people at work and losing 33 million a day in revenue from airports. This one act alone proves the republicans neither care about the debt or jobs.

Be sure and let me know when you wake up and realize you are the lemming.

So they can spend it on some other social program or special interest group - no thanks. Not to mention Obama's 30 million would make a bigger difference.

Prove that it is wrong!!!

Attack the source if you want but why don't you check on the facts first?

Attack the fact, not the fact teller.

Let the GOP show itself.

Prove it wrong coming from that pompous airbag navy who never answers a legitimate question posed to him.

Navy gives more facts and links than just about anybody on this board.

We are not here to answer to the likes of the conservatives here. If you don't like what we say, don't read it, it's a free country.

Americans first facts that come from thinkprogressive, moveon, msnbc talking heads, limbaugh, etc are not facts. I asked him a simple question the other day and no answer.

I know you are not here to answer to conservatives, in order to answer you would first have to understand the question.

What's your question, richard? I'm up for a challenge today and the constant drumbeat of talking points and name calling from the Right today hasn't been of much interest today.

John sorry was responding to Americans First comment that we are not here to answer the likes of conservatives. You know how it is with the snide remarks.

Why is it that the left characterizes the Tea Party and republicans as terrorists and un-american and the right characterizes the democrats as big spending non-patriotic. Just because there is disagreement does not mean that both parties are not American and patrioitic. As far as spending goes both parties are guilty yet no one wants to admit it. The Tea Party for all their faults have introduced a new dynamic into the mix. Less spending, smaller gov't. They were not in Congress for all of the spending, they were voted in to stop the spending, so why call them terrorists when they are actually standing up for what they ran on and believe in.

Here is another question.

Why is it that the media characterizes the Tea Party and republicans as terrorists, yet refuse to call real terrorists terrorists like Maj Hasan and others?

Also for the record I don't do name calling except for Governor Moonbeam in California.

Have a nice day.

I'm unfamiliar with any serious MSM organization calling the Tea Party or Republicans terrorists in the same way that, say, Al Qaeda is a terrorist organization. Mitch McConnell invited the comparison when he admitted that they took the debt ceiling "hostage"--his words, not mine--and implied they'd not hesitate to do it again.

As far as Maj Hasan is concerned, terrorist or lone crazy seems to depend on where you stand. Is Jared Loughner a a terrorist or a lone crazy? Apparently neither of them has any real connections to any actual terrorist organizations, though one of them has sympathies for radical Islam and the other for the militia movement. Define them as you wish, but it seems to me they're two sides of the same coin.

John - Yours from this pm on another site

Thanks for making my point, REB...people have been predicting the end of Social Security for over 70 years. People told my Grandfather he'd never collect a dime from Social Security. He died in 1988.

HALF the shortfall in SS for the next 75 years could be made whole just by removing the cap on earnings subject to Social Security withholding.

But John why do we have to do that? Wasn't this plan thought out and set up so we would be running a surplus?? Why do I now have to pay more to get what they promised me??

Also in case you haven't read it yet - From the Trustees report - Social Security expenditures exceeded the program’s non-interest income in 2010 for the first time since 1983. The $49 billion deficit last year (excluding interest income) and $46 billion projected deficit in 2011 are in large part due to the weakened economy and to downward income adjustments that correct for excess payroll tax revenue credited to the trust funds in earlier years. This deficit is expected to shrink to about $20 billion for years 2012-2014 as the economy strengthens. After 2014, cash deficits are expected to grow rapidly as the number of beneficiaries continues to grow at a substantially faster rate than the number of covered workers. Through 2022, the annual cash deficits will be made up by redeeming trust fund assets from the General Fund of the Treasury. Because these redemptions will be less than interest earnings, trust fund balances will continue to grow. After 2022, trust fund assets will be redeemed in amounts that exceed interest earnings until trust fund reserves are exhausted in 2036, one year earlier than was projected last year. Thereafter, tax income would be sufficient to pay only about three-quarters of scheduled benefits through 2085.

Your solution TAX MORE - Typical of your ilk. I will begin collecting in 4 years so I'm not worried. I am worried about my kids and their kids. Why should they have to pay more for something that may never be there for them. Just take a look at a way to reform this or pass a law that the SS fund can't be raided by the politicans. Just like old Alf said when he said -

"There is every probability that the cash they pay in will be used for current deficits and new extravagances. We are going to have trouble enough to carry out an economy program without having the Treasury flush with money drawn from the workers…"

-
Alf Landon, the 1936 Republican nominee for president.

A prophet then and a man of vision now!!!!!

Also don’t you hate it when your own words come back to bite you in the butt? Back in Febuary 2009 President Obama told Today Show host Matt Lauer that he’d be a one-term president if he didn’t fix the economy in three years.

“I will be held accountable,” Obama said. “I’ve got four years and … A year form now, I think people are going to see that we’re starting to make some progress, but there’s still going to be some pain out there … If I don’t have this done in three years, then there’s going to be a one-term proposition.”

The clock is running, Mr. President. Six months and counting.

From the very beginning SS has been subject to periodic adjustments to deal with changing demographics. That held true even into the Reagan Administration, when everyone's prototypical Conservative realized a minor adjustment in withholding had always been part of the program. Now today's more radical Conservatives are ready to throw out a program that cut senior poverty by HALF for the last 80 years because we need to do what's always been done. Let's ask another question--what happens to SS 30 years down the road when the Baby Boom generation is largely off the rolls? The answer is that there's all kinds of money available for the program.

Are you for a reduction in witholding then? I think not. You'll want to keep it to spend on more give away programs. Let's hope we have a country in 30 years. If we keep Obama I don't think that's in the cards.

PS - what do you think of what Obama told Lauer?? Nothing to add???

Now you've tried to change the subject twice, REB. I guess once your Conservative talking points are challenged you have nothing to add.

Affinity1 - I don't want to agree with McConnell in any way shape or form, but we do have a huge WMD business going on here in the USA. Where do we sell all those arms? We either use them for war or we sell them to other countries, groups, or factions. If we scale back the military and wars, then the businesses that make the WMD will most likely sell more to nations that want to kill each other off or use them against us. Scaling back the WMD plants, the military, and the wars will cause unemployment. McConnell was right that WWII pulled us out of the depression, but look at how. The people had meat, sugar, shoes, gasoline, tires and other items rationed. Women worked in farming and plants that made planes and tanks. Every family that had a plot of land raised Victory gardens. It was a time of tremendous sacrifice and austerity for the people. I don't think anyone would abide it these days, but everyone was working, men at war or in essential industries, women and children doing men's work. It was also a time of great patriotism and pride, something sorely lacking these days.