Let me begin my expressing my sincere concern for all who may be effected by Hurricane Irene!

Know that my thoughts will be with you over what is sure to be a difficult weekend.

As promised the following are the 'cliff notes' from Karl Roves manifesto on conservative
blogging.

After reading, please reflect on these methods and ask yourself, who on First Read does it remind you of?

And by all means spread the word!

TACTICS FOR EFFECTIVE CONSERVATIVE BLOGGING By Karl Rove

Engage Demand an elaborate, time-consuming comparison / analysis between your position and theirs. Entangle Insist that the Liberal put their posts in their own words. That will consume the most time and effort for the Liberal poster

They will be unable to spread numerous points on numerous blogs if you have them occupied. Allowing a Liberal to post a web link is too quick and efficient for them. Tie them up. We are going for delay of game here. Demoralize Dismiss their narrative as rubbish immediately.

Do not even read it. Once the Liberal goes through the trouble to research, gather, collate, compose and write their narrative your job is to discredit it. Make it obvious you tossed their labor-intensive narrative aside like garbage. This will have the effect of demoralizing the Liberal poster.

It will make them unwilling to expend the effort again, and for us, that is a net win

Attack Attack the source. Any Liberal website or information source must be marginalized, trivialized and discounted. Let the blogosphere know that Truthout.org, thinkprogress.org,
the nation and moveon.org are Liberal rubbish propaganda. Discredit Liberal sources of information whenever possible. Confuse Challenge the Liberal position with questions,
always questions. The questions need not be relevant. The goal is to knock the Liberal poster off their game, and seize control of the narrative

Once you have control you can direct the narrative to where you want it to go, which is always away from letting the Liberal make their point. Conversely, do not respond to their leading questions. Don't rise to their bait. Contain Your job is to prevent the presentation and spread of Liberal viewpoints.

Do anything you must do to prevent a Liberal poster from presenting a well-reasoned argument or starting a civil discussion.

Don't allow a Liberal to present their dogma unchallenged EVER. Intimidate Taunt the Liberals.

If you find yourself in a debate with a Liberal where you are losing a fact-based argument
then call them a name to derail their diatribe. Remember your goal is toprevent a meaningful exchange of views and ideas which may portray Liberalism in a positive light.

Your goal as a conservative blogger is to stop the spread and advance of the Liberal agenda. Play upon any identifiable idiosyncrasies, character flaws, physical traits, names, to their disadvantage

Monitor other posts for vulnerabilities you can exploit. Stay on the offensive with Liberal wimps. Don't let up. Insult their Movement Assign as many character and moral flaws toLiberals as you can. You must portray Liberals as weak, vacillating, indecisive, amoral, baby killers, unpatriotic, effete snobs, elitists, Leftists, Commies, sense of entitlement, promiscuous, union lovers, tax raisers, Welfare Queens, Socialists, lazy, sex-obsessed, druggies, Jesus haters, moochers, troop hater,.etc. Always use these negative epithets when referring to, or describing Liberals / democrats.

Deceive Identify yourself as a moderate, centrist or independent. It will also cause Liberals to lower their guard a bit, which gives you an effective opening. This may also have the
effect of aligning conservative viewpoints with the real moderates we are attempting to reach.

It may serve to influence some moderates over to the Republican side. Patriotism Always claim the high ground of pro-military, low taxes, strong defense, morality and religion. We own those virtues. Learn how to exploit them when debating

Demean Always refer to the other
side as Liberals, Lefty Liberals, Libbies. Never assign them the status of a
bona-fide political party. Hang Liberalism around their neck like a burning
tire. Make Liberalism appear as a moral turpitude or a character flaw. They are
NEVER, NEVER to be referred to as the Democratic Party. At best it is the
democrat party. Never assign them respect

Opportunity Be alert for ways to
insert our catch phrases into your narrative. You will receive your daily list
of talking points and topics that we want you to cover. Consistent, persistent
repetition and inculcation will drive our talking points home and so will
neuro-linguistic programming. Stick with it and our talking points will become
truth. If they debunk your talking point, ignore it, and move on as if you didn't
hear it.

And for those yesterday who were pissing & moaning about the validity – here is the link to the site!

http://www.webster.edu/medialiteracy/journal/FINALKARLROVE.pdf

If that's not enough, try googling (or in the NJ nut jobs case 'goggling' Karl Roves' Playbook –
if that doesn't work try the Turdblossom's playbook – there's a plethora of info out there! ;o)

You can attack – attempt to discredit & whine from now until eternity – you can't however, change the cold hard FACTS!

My Senator from Vermont is back in the news with a solution many of us agree with on how to make Social Security viable at 100% of benefits for the next 75 years.

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/08/25/304387/bernie-sanders-introduces-bill-to-lift-the-payroll-tax-cap-ensuring-full-social-security-funding-for-nearly-75-years/

“Today, Shttp://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/08/25/304387/bernie-sanders-introduces-bill-to-lift-the-payroll-tax-cap-ensuring-full-social-security-funding-for-nearly-75-years/anders announced that he will introduce legislation that would strengthen Social Security without cutting benefits to any of its beneficiaries. Sanders’ legislation would eliminate the income cap that currently exists in the payroll tax that does not tax income above $106,800”:

“To keep Social Security strong for another 75 years, Sanders’ legislation would apply the same payroll tax already paid by more than nine out of 10 Americans to those with incomes over $250,000 a year. [...] Under Sanders’ legislation, Social Security benefits would be untouched. The system would be fully funded by making the wealthiest Americans pay the same payroll tax already assessed on those with incomes up to $106,800 a year”.

Read the complete article at the URL above. This is perhaps the fastest and cleanest way to shore up Social Security for another 75 years and it does not include cutting benefits. It does not extend the retirement age beyond current levels. Now this will never pass the TP/GOP people so it will be a moot point, since to them it is a tax increase but they do also benefit from it when they retire.

Huntsman Says He ‘Wouldn’t Hesitate’ To Ask The Rich To Make Sacrifices In Deficit Reduction .At a recent appearance on PBS’ NewsHour, the former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman said that if he gets elected president of the USA he would ask all Americans, yes all Americans even the Millionaires and Billionaires, to contribute their fair share in fixing the economy and reducing the nation’s debt and deficits.

“As president, I wouldn’t hesitate to call on a sacrifice from all of our people, even those at the very highest end of the income spectrum,” Huntsman said. “I’m not saying higher taxes. I’m saying there are contributions that they can make too.” First – Like what??

Ok, his chances for a TP/GOP nomination just get even slimmer now.

The “Hostage” takers are back. In lieu of the 5.8 magnitude earthquake (strongest since 1897) that rattled Virginia and other areas of this county this week Eric Cantor said that any Federal aid to the State must be offset by cuts someplace else.

Cantor said: “There is an appropriate federal role in incidents like this,” That role? The bare minimum. According to Cantor, Congress’s traditional practice of providing disaster relief without strings attached — a policy its followed for years — is going way beyond the call of duty. If Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) asks for federal aid, Cantor insists that the relief be offset elsewhere in the federal budget. And to make matters worse we have a major hurricane bearing down on this country over the weekend that many are saying is going to create a lot of damage on the east coast. Are all these millions and millions of people going to be held “Hostage” by the TP/GOP again?? You betcha. Just saw on MSNBC that 7 Governors have declared a “State of Emergency” including NJ. Maybe we should tell the TP/GOP controlled States – tough Sh!t – the Federal Government is closed you closed it remember – FEMA, you took away our funding so you are on your own – here are some shovels, sorry the best we can do.

More updated information on the Stimulus Package passed by President Obama:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/08/24/1003682/-Evaluating-the-stimulus:-Yes,-it-worked,-but-theres-more-to-thestory?via=blog_1

“The phrase "failed stimulus" has been a staple of Republican rhetoric since the fall of 2009. But it was wrong then and it’s wrong now, at least according to the people most qualified to judge it. As David Leonhardt wrote in the New York Times”: “Perhaps the best-known economic research firms are IHS Global Insight, Macroeconomic Advisers and Moody’s Economy.com. They all estimate that the bill has added 1.6 million to 1.8 million jobs so far and that its ultimate impact will be roughly 2.5 million jobs”.

“That was in February of 2010. Fifteen months later, in May of this year, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that, as of the most recent quarter, the Recovery Act had increased the number of people employed by between 1.2 million and 3.3 million and increased the number of full-time equivalent jobs by 1.6 million to 4.6 million compared with what would have occurred otherwise”.

“And just a month ago, the president's Council of Economic Advisers came up with similar estimates (2.4 to 3.6 million jobs) using its own forecasting models. You'll find a few critics on the right who dispute the reliability of these models, but they are a distinct minority and it's not as if they have a compelling alternative theory. Keep in mind, by the way, that the administration had predicted the Recovery Act would create 3.5 million jobs, which is on the high end but in the same ballpark as most other estimates”.

“For more evidence, Dylan Matthews reviews the "nine best studies" and concludes, "I'm inclined to believe that the preponderance of evidence indicates the stimulus worked."

I put this up because the Right Wing Radical Presidential Candidates the past few weeks keep saying the same old lie that has been disproved time and time again – that the stimulus was a failure. I have written many posts exposing this lie before. This is a lie and the only failure has been the 112^th Congress – period.

People, things could be a lot better than they are for sure, but you have to look at why they are not. We currently have a New TP/GOP that almost immediately after President Obama was sworn in they vowed to make him a failure (McConnell) and NO Compromises (Boehner). And that is exactly what they did through filibusters of Bills including many that would have created even more jobs than the stimulus did their agenda of “Obstructionism” and just a flat outright refusal to be part on the solution instead of being the biggest obstacle to future growth this country has ever seen. The constant “Obstructionism” of the TP/GOP Party has been so damaging to our economy that their agenda triggered the first every “Credit Rating” downgrade by S&P and has tossed Wall Street into a roller coaster ride. Thank you TP/GOP and you are not going to get to run this country again. You have done enough damage and the people are sick and tired of your self serving antics that place Wall Street over Main Street, that put Big Business over Small Business and gives huge rewards/bonuses to the 2% and demand that the 98% pay for them.

Yes, President Obama’s approval numbers are down but the bottom line is the approval numbers for the TP/GOP are even lower by double digits and over 50% of the people blame our current economic problems on the previous administration. The righties quoting the Gallup polls and others every day seem to forget these numbers.

And, the proof that lifting the income cap will make SS solvent is that it worked so well to make Medicare solvent when Bill Clinton lifted that income cap!

Oh, wait. . .

it’s a reminder that politicians – governors and mayors -- are often judged by their disaster-relief responses.

I'm positive NON of the Teapublicn Governors will have their hands out for that EVIL government $$$...

*snark off*

TGIF and Happy FRY-Day Everyone

Fellow liberals — listen up.-- Take A Deep Deep Breath

President Obama and the Democratic Party are looking great going into 2012.

Americans are plenty angry at Congress in the aftermath of the debt crisis and Republicans could pay the greatest price, a new Associated Press-GfK poll suggests.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=14381711

Don’t Obscure the Dream

Americans are closely divided on whether Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of racial equality has been fulfilled, a new poll marking the opening of the King memorial in Washington suggests.

Just over half of those surveyed for a USA Today/Gallup poll released Friday — 51 percent — say that King’s vision of racial equality has been reached, while 49 percent say it hasn’t been achieved.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0811/62113.html#ixzz1W8y1xKv7

Rigties, Eat your peas

Feisty:

Great Post and we are on the same page today. I had something similar but yours is so much better.

People, this is how the TP/GOP operates. Note Feisty's post does not say anything about sharing ideas and details of what they talk about.

It is all about trying to change the discourse by fraud, deceit and lies. Why - because the TP/GOP has NO New Ideas and the ones they have are the very same ones that caused this mess to begin with. They are not going to talk about creating jobs and moving this country forward. They are going to continue to be the "Obstructionists" they are until they drive this country into the ground.

We see the Karl Rove playbook in action here every day from the personal attacks from the right, the attacks on the sources, etc. but you never see and valid rebuttals to the facts.

Why - because they cannot dispute the truth.

Looks like Barry can’t even quiet the restless natives:

From cbsnews.com on 02/24/11: “Back in 2007, then-Sen. Barack Obama said that if he were president, he'd be walking the picket lines in solidarity with workers if unions were ever threatened.”

From Politico today (LMAO!!!!):

AFL-CIO head: Labor to ditch Dems
By: Byron Tau
August 25, 2011 11:03 AM EDT

The growing rift between labor and their Democratic allies was on full display Thursday, as AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka told reporters that labor groups are planning to scale back their involvement with the Democratic Party in advance of the 2012 elections.

Going forward, Trumka said, the labor movement will build up its own political structures and organizations rather than contribute to and depend on the Democratic Party’s political operation.

“We’re going to use a lot of our money to build structures that work for working people” Trumka said. “You’re going to see us give less money to build structures for others, and more of our money will be used to build our own structure.”

Trumka’s remarks follow the news that the AFL-CIO will set up a so-called super PAC, allowing the nation’s largest labor federation to spend unlimited amounts of money on political activity for next year’s elections and beyond. Trumka confirmed Thursday that the union is moving forward with plans to create the PAC.

Labor has traditionally been a major contributor to Democratic candidates and causes around the country. Trumka said that their outside effort will help keep union-backed candidates more accountable for promises made on the campaign trail.

OUCH!!!!

A monumental insult to Dr. King
By: Roger Simon
August 25, 2011 05:23 PM EDT

God and the weather willing, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial soon will be dedicated amid moving speeches, joyous hoopla and inevitable controversy.

The controversy is inevitable because there is little in America that is grandiose (and much that is not) that is not controversial.

In the case of the King memorial, the controversy is whether the enormous statue of one of the greatest figures in American history should be stamped “Made in China.”

The “Stone of Hope” statue of Dr. King was sculpted in China by a Chinese sculptor out of Chinese granite and shipped to the United States where it was assembled by Chinese workers.

The Chinese workers were paid nothing - - which would seem to me to violate not only Dr. King’s principles but also U.S. anti-slavery laws - - though they were hoping to get paid something when they returned to China.

So, what does a big tax increase do?

Does it increase revenue?  Or does it cost jobs?

Well, if we look to Illinois, we find out that the answers are no, and yes.

No, because it is tough to increase revenue when yes, you lose jobs.  89,000 of them, in a pretty short period of time, to be exact.

http://ptest.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article/582595/201108241815/Hike-Taxes-Hemorrhage-Jobs.htm

The article goes on to note a truth with which most intelligent people are familiar: that the Founders saw the states as separate entities experimenting with ideas that would bolster- or destroy- certain truths.  In this case, the truth that, if you tax something, you get less of it, has been proven.

Too bad it was jobs.

Then, we have this support for American jobs

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/News/gibson-0825-2011/

So, let's see if I understand this- Gibson has the certification for the wood.  The Indian government has no problem with the wood being finished by Gibson here- in America, by American workers- but Obama does?!?!

I wonder if Obama is paying attention.  I wonder if liberals are paying attention.  I wonder if all the newly unemployed people in Illinois are paying attention.

I'm pretty sure the people in Indiana are paying attention- and are throwing confetti over the fact that they were smart enough to elect a governor who understood certain basic precepts of economics.

I still wish he had run for president.  Too bad we have a media too interested in salacious details of a candidate's spouse's private life for him to have done so.  You guys must be so proud

http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/0811/plugged_in_985b456d-f954-4c0d-b285-a7735f459b72.html

Hey, give it a whirl- wear those Team Obama tee shirts today for the "week ahead" segment.

Be honest, for once in your lives.  And get used to saying President Perry.

It serves you right

You can attack – attempt to discredit & whine from now until eternity – you can't however, change the cold hard FACTS!

_____________________________________________

So, Barry's dismal poll numbers on job performance, handling the economy, the country going in the right direction/wrong direction REALLY do mean he's doing a pretty sh!tty job as President??

Feisty, thanks for posting--from the words of Karl Rove's manifesto to the keys of conservative FR posters who follow all those rules!

Navy, nice post and cheers to Bernie Sanders. The simple solution is always best.

To my friends; the moderators of First Read:

It's looking like hurricane Irene is moving all important political events to the back burner. So go home early, do last minute shopping, hunker down, and spend time with your respective families. The hurricane will pass, but next week the political beat will go on. We really appreciate all you do.

Here's what is greeting Obama when he returns from vacation. A country that is essentially leaderless. Obama has no clue how to lead. Absolutely none. A president is by definition a leader and those leadership qualities include communication and negotiation skills that are essential to any president. Obama has failed on both of those aspects and his decisions have been half-hearted, half-measures, pompous, sanctimonious, too late, and never without pointing his finger of blame at someone or somewhere other than on him. Obama has over promised (cut the deficit in half by the end of his first term, will create millions of jobs, will protect the entitlements), and under-performed (9%+ unemployment, a flat GDP, poverty increasing, bankruptcies increasing, credit rating downgrade, accumulating debt at an unsustainable rate). Obama has also failed at providing certainty to businesses, threatening business at every turn, being a demagogue of the job creators, telling the businesses that they are not paying their “fair-share”. Obama is not exactly making the country a business friendly environment, those businesses know they will be paying higher taxes, and it shows as those businesses take their operations overseas.

And Obama, what does he do? Take a bus tour through the Midwest. Does anyone remember what he talked about? He said nothing, and that’s okay, because no one was listening. Now Obama is scheduled to give another speech about “jobs” and the “economy”. It will be just another rehash of his old rhetoric, the same tired old populist lines , “The rich must pay their fair share”, “We must have a fair and balanced approach”, no substance, just lame lines he recites to the crowds.

And Obama wants 4 more years. To do what?

Looking forward to your "Really Big" speech Obama.

You can attack – attempt to discredit & whine from now until eternity – you can't however, change the cold hard FACTS!

Hi Feisty,

Spot on:-)

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

As promised the following are the 'cliff notes' from Karl Roves manifesto on conservative
blogging.

After reading, please reflect on these methods and ask yourself, who on First Read does it remind you of?

And by all means spread the word!

Feisty, great work!

And by all means spread the work-- do not buy the Killer -in Chief, as he has demonstrated, heartless, ex VP Dick Cheney's book.

"If you really want to light the fuse of a liberal Democrat, compare Barack Obama's economic performance after 30 months in office with that of Ronald Reagan. It's not at all flattering for Mr. Obama."

So begins a terrific piece in today's WSJ by Stephen Moore. Moore points out that the Reagan approach was to incentivize production – i.e. the supply side of the economy – by slashing marginal tax rates and eliminating burdensome regulations. That approach was ridiculed by the Keynsian economists at the time, and their media buds turned "Reaganomics" into a dirty word.

HA, those silly gooses. Reagan put the country on a path of 80 consecutive months of economic growth. Then in the face of that unquestionable success, the left argued that such a strong bounce back was normal from such a deep recession as the one we suffered through in 1981-82. And besides that, Reagan helped fuel the boom by running large (at that time) budget deficits, a classic Keynsian approach.

Fast forward to today when Obama is running deficits around 8% of GDP – twice the size of the Reagan deficits. And where the strong bounce back from the recent deep recession is still a figment of our collective imaginations. But the left has an excuse for that too, doncha know. Yup, you see it takes much longer to recover from a credit induced recession driven by a financial crisis than it does from your run of the mill recession rooted in overproduction. Left unsaid in that view is that from 1967-1982 stocks lost two thirds of their value relative to inflation – a vast elimination of wealth that would qualify as a financial calamity under any objective assessment. And a calamity from which Reagan rescued us.

So yeah, it's different this time. But the difference isn't the nature of the economic crisis, the difference is in the policy prescriptions applied to fix it. And at the end of the day there can be no dispute on this point: the Reagan approach worked wonderfully while the Obama approach has failed miserably. That's why those who continue to dismiss supply side remedies are condemning all us to a prolonged slog through the Keynsian swamp of failure.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904875404576530412322260784.html

OK Feisty, I read the "Thesis". Here is what it is. It is an analysis of events throughout the campaign and governance of the Bush years, with the authors take on on what and why those events happened the way they did.

It is not a Karl Rove "Newly discovered Hidden Playbook". In fact , the authors analysis is remarkably similiar to Alinsky.

So sorry, Feisty, these are not facts, but opinions that are debatable. I'm not saying there is probably some truth in the analysis. Politics is dirty, and I find it amusing that you don't see similar tactics, on this board by the Left.

But to think that everyday people like me, Spanky NJ, JAS1, etc have gotten some direction from Karl Rove on how to post on this site is, quite simply ridiculous.

Mostly I come here to be entertained and lately it has been top notch. The desperation in the failure of the President is showing up more and more in the posts here every day.

Joe in Albany

OUCH!!!!

A monumental insult to Dr. King

A monumental insult to Joe in Albany

POST what you like; but the fact is the gods decided to leave Dr. King's monumental statue in tact. That oughta tell you something Tea- Nut!!!

You can't dertroy thee dream and Preesident is going be fine.
By: Beverly in Chicago

Navy Boy (via thinkprogress) . . . . that would strengthen Social Security without cutting benefits to any of its beneficiaries. Sanders’ legislation would eliminate the income cap that currently exists in the payroll tax that does not tax income above $106,800”

So essentially Navy Boy you and Sen. Sanders want to raise taxes on the middle class. Didn't Obama say he only wanted to raise them on people making $250,000 and above?

It's amazing how the Leftwing socialists like Sanders redefine what "rich" means when they want other peoples money.

Thanks everyone for the support!

I think Jody's right - the manifesto should be posted every single day from now until the election...

Speaking of Attack Attack Attack - when will one of the right wing nut job's STOP attacking the President and start supporting one of the brillant candidates they have to chose from? lol

Here's a hint - Obama's approval rating may be in the 30's BUT Congress's is 12%. You will NOT win the WH based solely on Obama bashing...

News from Wisconsin, and this has got to be killing Annie Molly:

Special prosecutor: No charges for Prosser, Bradley in fracas

Madison - Neither [Wisconsin] Supreme Court Justice David Prosser nor fellow Justice Ann Walsh Bradley will face criminal charges for a June altercation that broke out as the judges were considering Gov. Scott Walker's union bargaining law, a special prosecutor has determined.

Source: http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/128389748.html

Been a bad year for the progressives and unions. And Obama didn't show up to walk the picket lines with them, even though he said he would. Another promise, another promise broken.

US Navy Disabled Veteran - Retired

My Senator from Vermont is back in the news with a solution many of us agree with on how to make Social Security viable at 100% of benefits for the next 75 years.

Navy,

You have one of the most progressive representatives in Congress. I wish he were on the SuperCommitte.

The Gop/TP would not tell the truth even when their lies can be debunked.

If you go to Sanders website the truth is there.

Great posts to start the morning, Feisty, USN, and Bev.

Feisty, you've managed to find the information needed to say what I've been looking for. Yesterday I illustrated how fantastically misinformed Americans are about what their government does and how it's done. Thomas Jefferson believed the most important thing in society was a well educated populace, whom he believed to be essential to our form of government.

The Conservative Movement has a well developed messaging apparatus designed specifically to thwart that wish of the Founding Fathers. You have in Karl Rove's own words that their goal is to PREVENT the free flow of information and ideas. They have a cable news network, a constellation of web sites, a host of talk radio shows, newspapers, and dozens of blogs ALL dedicated to preventing open discussion of facts in the public square. I'd like to particularly point out the following;

Remember your goal is to prevent a meaningful exchange of views and ideas which may portray Liberalism in a positive light.

If you want to know why our political discourse is so poisonous, why exclamations like "keep your government hands off my Medicare" don't surprise us, why Republicans are so upset at being called on lies like "death panels" it's encapsulated in that one statement.

The Conservative Movement is a movement of propagandists who seek to thwart the open, candid, and informed discussion essential to the functioning of our representative democracy. It's that simple.

It was a tough week for the Jug-Eared Socialist too. Looking really bad in the polls. In some places, he's less popular than Casey Anthony, although Obama, in favor of killing babies, hasn't actually done so physically so at least he has that going for him.

And to you people making your routine shout outs and tributes to those about to be affected by the hurricane: give it a rest. Or at least say what you mean to say; that you are hoping for (don't wanna pray, that would be Christian...ugh!) all liberals to make it through the storm ok. The storm is going to SLAM North Carolina and Virginia and the coastal parts of Maryland. ALL heavy Republican areas. You all daily express your contempt for White, Southern Christians so don't try to pretend you are decent, caring Americans now. Thank you.

Feisty, you've managed to find the information needed to say what I've been looking for.

Actually JohnB - the link was e-mailed to me by a fellow viner. ;o)

@Navy

Does this mean you finally admit that the SS trust fund is a fraud? Do you accept that SS taxes have been combined with general taxation and spent by whatever Congress and Administration was in power? IS this the conclusion you reached when the President stated that SS checks could not be guaranteed unless the Federal Government was allowed to borrow more money?

If so, why does raising the cap make any difference? All you are doing is raising taxes on those earning 250K by 6% or 12% depending on whether the tax is also raised on employers. What make you think that these funds will be available for SS and simply spent by the politicians de jour?

Now you may argue that you want to raise taxes on those earning more than 150K, or even 106K, but please join the debate and give me your reasoning as to why this is simply not just a tax hike?

John B: You have in Karl Rove's own words

Didn't bother to read the paper did you John B? Try it, it's 54 pages long, but I'm sure you can get through it.

Here again is the problem with lying. Feisty has gotten caught. These are not "Karl Rove's words" as implied by Feisty and bought into by you and the rest of the Libs here. This is an opinion/analysis piece whose authors have chosen to label as "Rovian Tactics"

If you people would just for once take a moment to educate yourselves rather than believe whatever you are told, the world would be a safer place.

Bev- I suspeced something was looking up for Obama and the Dems last night when Hannity was back to 'teleprompter' and Ayres and Wright. I'm a big 'oldies' fan, but this is getting riiculous.

So, Barry's dismal poll numbers on job performance, handling the economy, the country going in the right direction/wrong direction REALLY do mean he's doing a pretty sh!tty job as President??

And the dismal poll numbers on the approval ratings of the tea baggers - republicans, which by the way are much lower than our Presidents, by double digits, means then that the job they (TP/GOP) are doing is even a more sh!tty job.

Thanks for clearing that up for us.

Here's a hint - Obama's approval rating may be in the 30's BUT Congress's is 12%. You will NOT win the WH based solely on Obama bashing...

Feisty: Michael Steele agrees with you - Oh Oh.

Yes, great posts Navy, Feisty, and John B - Here is some more facts to comment on and to distract you from your cheerleading:

The U.S. economy grew much slower than previously thought in the second quarter as business inventories and exports were less robust, a government report showed on Friday, although consumer spending was revised up.

Gross domestic product growth rose at annual rate of 1.0 percent the Commerce Department said, a downward revision of its prior estimate of 1.3 percent. It also said after-tax corporate profits rose at the fastest pace in a year.,

Source: http://www.cnbc.com/id/44285105

So for those of you libs that thought there was no where but up from a GDP of 1.3%, apparently that's not true.

A monumental insult to Joe in Albany

POST what you like; but the fact is the gods decided to leave Dr. King's monumental statue in tact. That oughta tell you something Tea- Nut!!!

You can't dertroy thee dream and Preesident is going be fine.
By: Beverly in Chicago

________________________________________________________________

Bev, I do not normally laugh at the mentally challenged, but, in your case I will make an exception since I'm not trying to "dertroy thee dream":

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Hiya Kids, Hiya, Hiya, Hiya" Froggy

I try to flip through the content and comments on FIRST READ most weekdays during my coffee breaks and I read the same comments from the same people over and over again. I summarize:

"Obama is the greatest!"

"Obama is a disaster!"

That about sums it up. Oh, there are a few who try to shore up their diatribes with facts and figures and links to articles supporting their positions. But when you render it down, my summation is pretty accurate.

I freely admit I am an Obama cheerleader and I grow impatient with the constant nay-sayers who seem to find everything about our President objectionable. We constitute two polar extremes, the haves and the have-nots of politics. WE have our man in the White House and YOU have not.

Wah-wah-wah. It's going to be four more years of Wah-wah-wah for you poor GOP/TP/LDS whiners because I have analyzed the data, I have looked at all the polls, I have taken the pulse of the American people and ignored the spin. I've examined the opposition candidates and find them wanting. I will summarize:

Perry-Meathead (and a fraud)

Romney- Mormon (and a closet RINO)

Bachman-Moron (Palin light)

Despite their early, strong-showings, they are already fading into obscurity. Folks, I've run campaigns before. GOP Campaigns by the way. And my candidate WON when everyone predicted he would lose. Unlike most of you, I KNOW what I am talking about.

So, Ok, folks, mark your calenders, place your bets and get ready because here is my prediction.

I have studied the numbers, the candiates, and the American popular opinion and I believe President Obama will be re-elected in November of 2012 by the largest margin in US history. It's written in the stars. You can put that in the bank. Barring his assassination (heaven forbid) It is a done deal.

Sorry Whiners, but your candidates are, each and every one, fatally flawed and they will not garner the support of the American people or even a majority of their own party. The one man you have who could give Obama a run for his money, Huntsman, isn't even showing up on the radar screen.

So, read'em and weep, kids. The only thing GOP/TP/LDS can hope to accomplish in 2012 is to hold onto their gains in the House. Thanks to the President's probable coat-tail effect the Senate is safe and it's possible the Democrats will regain some seats in the House.

WAH-WAH-WAH. The cry of the have-nots. Get used to it, we're going to be hearing it for four more yeas.

America Held Hostage, Day 238. (But not for much longer)

Obama/Biden 2012 Save your money whiners, it's a done deal.

Haven't had time to read it yet, WCA...but I will. In spite of your protestations what have we seen from Conservatives on this thread already? Protestations, name calling, attempts to emotionalize the issue, diversions...anything necessary to prevent a rational discussion of the subject at hand.

In other words, exactly the behavior described in Feisty's post.

Drive-By--- Maybe you shouldn't watch Hannity, then.

Which reminds me; congratulations to Al "Crown Heights" Sharpton on getting his own show on MSNBC. Maybe he'll get higher ratings than whoever he's replacing. Or maybe MSNBC can get more balanced and hire Sharpton's right-wing equivalent, which would have to be a Klan member or somebody given Sharpton's history. Maybe they can hire a nazi and he and Sharpton can fight over who hates Jews more!

Feisty: Michael Steele agrees with you - Oh Oh.

Seriously Navy - when are we going to start to hear ideas other then tax cuts?

We've had 30 freakin years of tax cuts - so where are the J O B S????

Yeah John B, read it. You probably should have done that before you commented on it.

Never see any of those tactics used by the left here, eh?

Geeez.

Great use of deflection, WCA. You're following the playbook to perfection in order to prevent discussion of Navy's EXCELLENT post at 1.2.

Feisty-

What a great Post. Thank you for letting everyone how to deal with negative, lying and misdirecting Repug and TPotty posters. It makes no difference what you say or if it's the truth, they will attempt to discredit it. This is Lesson #1 in Debating. Watch them, then attack.

so where are the J O B S????

________________________________________

From the Nasty Redhead's newsvine profile:

"I volunteered for the Obama campaign for months driving up to my 'sister state' of WI to help get out the vote for more weekends than I can count. I donated what I could as thanks to 'W' I was out of work at the time."

Gee, Nasty, did you ever think that maybe your employer fired you because they found out you were spending the entire workday they were paying you for posting lefty liberal BS on blogs??

LMAO!!!!

This is in response to the aforementioned analysis of Karl Rove's methods:

Always remember the first rule of power tactics: Power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have.

The second rule is: Never go outside the experience of your people.

…The third rule is: Whereever possible go outside the experience of the enemy. Here you want to cause confusion, fear, and retreat.

…the fourth rule is: Make the enemy live up to their own book of rules.

…the fourth rule carries within it the fifth rule: Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.

…the sixth rule is: A good tactic is one that your people enjoy.

…the seventh rule is: A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag.

…the eighth rule: Keep the pressure on.

…the ninth rule: The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.

The tenth rule: The major premise for tactics is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition.

…The eleventh rule is: If you push a negative hard and deep enough it will break through into its counterside.

…The twelth rule: The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative.

…The thirteenth rule: Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it. — P.126-129

Rules 3-6 are most employed around here. That's why I made the text bold. These are the rules the left employs the most. There are other rules that are used, but this demonstrates the tactics of the left... and where did they originate? Saul Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals." This book has been around since 1971. Those on the right will recognize these rules as the way the left attacks the right in most cases. The left doesn't even know they are following these rules for the most part. The left has these rules so engrained in their ideology the tactics come out naturally.

Saul Alinsky was a devout Marxist.

OK Tom, Did you bother to read the paper and see that Feisty is misrepresenting these cut and pastes as Karl Roves long lost "playbook".

Or are you just like John B and the rest of the lemmings who believe everything Feisty says?

so where are the J O B S????

And on que the idiot from Albany chimes in... lol

Notice he didn't answer the question only deflected?

I donated what I could as thanks to 'W' I was out of work at the time

Do you know what at the time means? Moron!

Let me remind everyone that Skip Nicholson has gone on record a while back stating that anyone who bashes Barack Obama should be JAILED for a hate crime. He was serious.

no joe, no bo, nj

So, what does a big tax increase do?

Does it increase revenue? Or does it cost jobs?

Well, if we look to Illinois, we find out that the answers are no, and yes.

No, because it is tough to increase revenue when yes, you lose jobs. 89,000 of them, in a pretty short period of time, to be exact.

Dr. no

You can post all the right wing rhetoric you like. The truth is IL HAS one of the lowest taxes.

State Income Tax Trivia

• Seven states have only one income tax bracket, charging its residents one rate on all income, which is called a flat rate: Colorado (4.63%), Illinois (5.0%), Indiana (3.4%), Massachusetts (5.3%), Michigan (4.35%), Pennsylvania (3.07%) and Utah (5.0%).

Individual State Income Tax Rates 2011

State Tax Rate New Jersey
1.4 – 8.97%
Brackets 6
Bracket Range $20,000 – 500,000

State Tax Rate Illinois
Brackets 5.0%
1
Bracket Range Flat Rate

http://www.money-zine.com/Financial-Planning/Tax-Shelter/State-Income-Tax-Rates/

How many jobs has Gov. Krispie Kreme LOST?

Jobs Lost

• 45,000 – Number of permanent jobs Christie cost New Jersey by killing the Access to the Region’s Core tunnel project (Star Ledger, 10/28/2010)
• 30,700 – Jobs lost in New Jersey from December 2009 to December 2010(NewJerseyNewsroom.com, 1/19/2011)
• 16,300 – Jobs lost in New Jersey in December 2010 alone, including 13,300 private sector jobs (NewJerseyNewsroom.com, 1/19/2011)
• 10,000 – Teachers and school employees laid off in 2010 due to Christie’s budget cuts (Daily Journal, 12/29/2010)
• 6,000 – Number of construction jobs New Jersey lost when Christie decided to end the Access to the Region’s Core tunnel project (Star Ledger, 10/28/2010)
• 2,200 – Police officers laid off in New Jersey in 2010 due to Christie’s cuts to municipal aid (Star Ledger, 1/16/2011)

http://www.onenewjersey.org/christie-by-the-numbers/

What a great Post. Thank you for letting everyone how to deal with negative, lying and misdirecting Repug and TPotty posters.

Thanks Tom!

As demonstrated by all the howling going on from the right this morning - it sure struck a nerve! ;o)

Then again, the truth has a funny way of doing JUST that!

Have a great weekend!

What to watch next week: President Obama returns to Washington

The inside word from top DNC operatives is that Obama NOW (what has he been waiting for?) will SAVE the US economy by proposing . . . guess what . . . SPENDING MORE MONEY . . . on FAILING unionized public schools, green industry and UNIONS. Doesn't he have any OTHER playbook? Why doesn't he spend the money on VOUCHERS so hard working citizens can send their kids to THE SAME SCHOOLS Obama sends HIS KIDS? What a worthless elitist lefitst partisan hack we have for a president. All he ghas to do to CREATE JOBS is tell the NLRB to BACK OFF BOEING and INTERIOR to APPROVE oil and gas drilling and STATE DEPARTMENT to APPROVE the Canadian pipeline at NO COST. Isn't that is HIS job as CHIEF EXECUTIVE?

Wow, the leadoff post was just astonishing. It is a manifesto for "the politics of disaffection" tactics followed by revolutionary Irish Republican members of the UK Parliament in the late 1800's and early 1900's. More evidence that the objective of the right is crushing domination rather than democracy.

No jo, I followed your links. The first led to a Libertarian-themed site that was linked to a so-called "nonpartisan" policy think tank that is straight out of the Libertarian-Grover Norquist ideology. I haven't the time for further investigation of some of the events in Illinois, but in general you are comparing apples to oranges when you try to place events in Illinois against current needs of the United States government.

The issue of appropriate taxes to not only operate the government and address fiscal matters is simply not comparable to the issue you raised from Illinois. Adjustments in the federal tax code, a modest upper marginal rate adjustment and some related revenue actions that have been proposed by the President, some Democrats, and even some thoughtful Republicans (such as Huntsman) are entirely different than the cas in Illinois. The comparison, frankly, is simply not apt.

We needn't continue to debate the BS of "trickle down" economics. It has failed, on a grand scale.

As for the other link, it turns out to be to a press relese from Gibson Guitar. Kind of interesting, actually. And at least as told from Gibson's side, it seems that some enforcement folk in the Department of Justice have been more than over-zealous. However, again there isn't any riposte from the DoJ explaining their positions, and I have learned that especially in such kinds of actions, there are ALWAYS two sides to the story.

Now, Gibson is not chopped liver. That firm does have clout, and we can all be certain that its advocates in Washington have been quite busy with this matter for the past two years. That also tells me there's something more to the tale, or action would have been taken quite a while ago.

And, since I have frequently discovered advocates from the right posting half-truths here, I smell a rat.

In any event, Prsident Obama's plans are not at all comparable to, or connected with, events in Illinois, nor do I think the matter of Gibson Guitar's case has been even on the radar in the Oval Office. It is certainly not a major, pressing national issue and has nothing to do with the President's programs.

But a good try at a smear job. Back to your masters, no jo, and see what other obfuscations and disjointed logic they can provide to you.

Thanks for clearing that up for us.

_________________________________________

Mothballed Navy: If you are so desparate that you take comfort in the fact that Barry's poll numbers don't suck as much as some other groups numbers, be my guest.

It's like being proud of the fact that you have the brightest child in a school for morons and idiots.

Going to be a tough weekend on the east coast with Irene. How about some laughter?

“Let Detroit Go Bankrupt” – Mitt Romney

Hpost:

No Harm – No Foul –

AUDIENCE: But, uh, you see there's the spirit of something and there's the legalities of something. And, um, it just seems that this company was formed just, in relation to the Supreme Court ruling, to get money to your campaign and then dissolve itself.

ROMNEY: And -- and -- given the fact. You make -- you said it's a company acting as a person, I didn't get you. It may well be. Take it up with him. Uh, but there's actually--given the fact that he's said, "Oh, it's me." I don't think there was -- if you will, no harm, no foul.

Look at the remarks from posters. Hilarious.

______________________________________________

If you look up "Corporate Tool" in the dictionary there's a picture of Romney

Nothing shady here lady - that company was formed and then closed down after giving Romney a million dollars.

Just another day in the world of the Family Values and God's Favorite Republican­s.

What can you expect from a man who thinks his 12 million dollar house is too small for his family.

(Reponse: Give the guy a break. He’s unemployed) LOL

And destined to stay that way.......­......

Romney have you hugged your Corporatio­n today.

According to Republican leaders he is the fraud to Perry's dope. I think Romney is pushing for the Dunce Cap. Look out Perry you have competitio­n.

So Mitt your benefactor decided to abort his Corporatio­n (or person as you would call it) before it went to full Corporate status (or birth as you would call it) How can you support this I thought you were for Right to Life.

I still cannot understand why, with all his money, Mitt wants to be POTUS. He could easily be the man on the _viag_ra commercial­s, which would be easy work and good $$.

"no harm, no foul" interprete­d by edward g robinson : "you got nuthin on me, see, nyah."

As far as Mittens is concerned, if God wanted the poor to have health care he would have given them a trust fund, like he inherited.

Romney has been pogrammed to smile any time it looks like the people are turning against him.

He could be the first Stepford President.

Romney looks like the type of person that would shower after a town hall event, to get all the middle class off of him.

I feel sorry for Romney. He's just not comfortabl­e around people. You should see him with corporations though, then he's a real sweet guy.

_______________________________________________

Romney. Perry. Bachmann.

Something happened along the way here in America. People just aren't as smart as they used to be. It's all about being rich and sticking their noses into other people's lives.

Romney, you are not a "regular" guy. Regular guys are great; they're loyal friends and family members who will do anything for anyone. They are down to earth, with not a phony bone in their body.

That doesn't mean we want a regular guy as our President. We want someone who isn't a regular guy actually. Regular guys should not be given a role in foreign policy.

Rich white men as well shouldn't be President. They have no character. They're all about money and bombing countries and nothing else. Just like you.

We want a leader who will espouse our ideals, not bombs. Ideals you know nothing about.

Case in point - corporations are people.

That's not the type of leadership we want.

Brianb-999431

This is in response to the aforementioned analysis of Karl Rove's methods:

Always remember the first rule of power tactics: Power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have.

…The third rule is: Whereever possible go outside the experience of the enemy. Here you want to cause confusion, fear, and retreat.

Yeah, that's why progressives rely on facts to make their arguments, which throws rightwing nuts into confusion and panic. Works every time (heh, heh).

…the fourth rule is: Make the enemy live up to their own book of rules.

Seems like a pretty good rule. The "enemy" in this case is the supposed party of family values and high principles. It's SO unfair to mention how many wives Newt Gingrich and Rudy Giuliani have had, or what a unprincipled flip lopper Mitt Romney is.

…the fourth rule carries within it the fifth rule: Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.

That tactic wouldn't be so effective if you wingnuts didn't supply us with so much ammunition (see comments on Rule #4). If you don't like being ridiculed, stop being so ridiculous!

I donated what I could as thanks to 'W' I was out of work at the time

_______________________________________________________

In true blue Barry form "It's all W's fault".

BTW, is the owner's wife still running up the Nieman Marcus card, or did they fire you also?

Madison - One of your rare visits where you didn't just swoop and poop, but at least stated something.

Of course, it's ultra-right Libertarian crap.

It's the "party line" straight from Grover Norquist, the Club for Growth, the Heritage Foundation, the Cato Institute, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the K Street Project.

And it simply will not work. You are spouting claims for actions that cannot have any effect in the near- or mid-term to stimulate economic growth and start putting people back to work.

So, Madison, in the interest of promoting knowledge and enlightened discourse (yeah, SURE we'd some day get that from YOU!), here's a suggested bit of reading: Joseph E. Stiglitz, Freefall: America, Free Markets, and the Sinking of the World Economy. Read the "Afterword," if you have trouble either with comprehensive economic studies or little patience. It'll get straight to the point.

OK, screech owl, you have homework to do.

JoAnnaSmith1

And Obama wants 4 more years. To do what?

Looking forward to your "Really Big" speech Obama.

Lady Sniff1

You need to listen to the Real solutions instead of the same old rehash the T- nuts said.

Presidents who won over despite 8% unemployment.

http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j44/DisNoir36/?action=view&current=5791624507_4b2b2eae23.jpg

Speaker John Boehner and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor haven’t seen a draft of President Barack Obama’s upcoming jobs speech, but they took a swipe at it Wednesday anyway.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0811/61576.html#ixzz1W9LeNwYo

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0811/61576.html

Proof: Coverage of Boehner’s Speech: “This Coming Election is About One Issue: Jobs

John Boehner says "This coming election is about one issue: jobs,' he said. 'It's about jobs that were promised to the American people by the current administration, and were never delivered." (Associated Press, 10/8/10)

Speaker Boehner Americans are tired of waiting and the same old warmed over rehash since 233 days House Republicans have had the Speaker's gavel, there has been zero (0) Job zero (0) and Job Creation Bills

When are the jobs forthcoming T- nuts?

http://whenarethejobs.com/

I do believe your constant skewing of facts is a desperate attempt to project another one of your falsehoods.

Damaged

I'm flattered, you're a fan! I'm speechless, I don't know what to say.

And after saying that I feel really bad that I have to challenge your obvious adulation of my poor literary efforts. But the comments you (and others) like to refer to were specific to a certain thread of comments that clearly crossed the line into racism.

I let the juvenile name-calling like "Odumbo", or "Obamy"or "Barry" and so on, slide. They are pitiful attempts at political satire that fail due to their third grade level of humor.

That said, I'm really flattered that you follow my comments so closely, but dismayed that are unable to appreciate the truth in what I say.

I also note (reluctantly, you are my only fan afterall) that you did not REFUTE my prediction, you just tried to smear me personally (and in such a flattering, admiring way).

Your comment is just the nicest thing that's happened to me today.

Thanks, and it also give me the opportunity to say once more..

America Held Hostage, day 238

Obama/Biden 2012

In true blue Barry form "It's all W's fault".

Still can't answer the original question eh?

No worries - NO ONE expected you to! lol

Well, I guess the Tree House gang coordinated their "Don't respond when someone actually reads Feisty's link and finds out she is lying."

At least John admitted he hadn't bother to read it.

That way you can all keep your head buried in the sand and keep pasting those cute little snippets after every comment you disagree with.

Although there can't be many that you disagree with left since you all put anyone who doesn't agree with you on Ignore.

Pathetic.

"Romney's tough week"? how about this Romney...... the week that Romney became un-electable... he's done!~@!!! Finished

Fiesty what is up with the tick tock tick tock?

Bev,

The dream theme was 40 years ago. It is now 2011.

So, Houston.... you are admitting that you follow Marxist tactics... Very telling.

Bill in Fairfax, please explain how the farce of supply-side economics is supposed to work. Does giving rich people more money convince them to hire more unnecessary employees just out of the goodness of their hearts?

Texans say we struggled under Perry, hes a religious extremist bible thumping madman that would destroy our country if he ever got into office. Wake up America.

Still can't answer the original question eh?

________________________________________

So, the employer whose wife you were complaining about running up the Nieman Marcus card did fire you. Couldn't have happened to a nastier person. Have the 99 weeks run out yet??

BTW, in case you were wondering, it's a beautiful day here and it looks like there's grilled filet and AK sockeye salmon drenched in garlic butter on the menu for lunch. Have a Nasty day.

the week that Romney became un-electable

Romney does not have the necessary credentials as a small government conservative anyway. Just keep in mind that the professional left (main stream media) pundits decried Ronald Regan as an "extremist" and "unelectable" before the primaries just like Sarah Palin today. Watch the lefitsts' heads explode when she wins in 2012 and her AG indicts Obama/Bernanke for fraud. Did you notice the markets went haywire when Perry mentioned the possibly treasonous money printing by Obama/Bernanke stealing TRILLIONS from hard working citizens? Why? The corrupt lawyers in Washington (just about everybody) KNOW if an objective prosecutor ever invesgtigated the FED, Banksters, Wall Street/ Big Corporations and their incestous relationship with Washington politicians the whole gang of criminals would be in jail for the rest of their natural lives. That is why the professional left fears conservative politicians from Texas and Alaska.

So, the employer whose wife you were complaining about running up the Nieman Marcus card did fire you. Couldn't have happened to a nastier person. Have the 99 weeks run out yet??

What the HELL are you talking about?

Any reason why you won't answer the original question posed about tax cuts & jobs?

Eh nevermind...

So, the employer whose wife you were complaining about running up the Nieman Marcus card did fire you. Couldn't have happened to a nastier person. Have the 99 weeks run out yet??

The idiot from Albany should stick with his race baiting - he's much more effective!

Brianb-999431

So, Houston.... you are admitting that you follow Marxist tactics... Very telling.

Your abject ignorance is telling. Alinsky didn't consider himself to be a Marxist:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saul_Alinsky

When asked during an interview whether he ever considered becoming a Communist party member, he replied: "Not at any time. I've never joined any organization—not even the ones I've organized myself. I prize my own independence too much. And philosophically, I could never accept any rigid dogma or ideology, whether it's Christianity or Marxism.

So once again, a "libby" uses the evil tactic of confusing a wingnut with the facts. (Cackles maniacally).

White Collar: I read the piece Feisty links to. I find it to be a well documented run-down of tactics developed by Rove and used by Bush. There are plenty of references do back up the narrative.

You keep denigrating Feisty's post, even as you practice the very things the post outlines.

You keep telling us we are misreading the "real" source. Yet all we have is your word for this. You post no link you cite no reference.

And, especially after reading Feisty's post REGARDLESS of where it came from, your word alone is not good enough.

BTW: I think Feisty Redhead should get a humor-of-the-week award for her wisecrack about how the Republicans will refuse to accept Moammar Khadaffi's surrender unless they get more tax cuts for the rich.

You keep telling us we are misreading the "real" source. Yet all we have is your word for this. You post no link you cite no reference.

I noticed the same thing fielden - after all my years on this board, the very last thing I'll ever do, is take a righties word for it.

Given their propensity for embellishing the truth!

think Feisty Redhead should get a humor-of-the-week award

You mean this one?

URGENT-BREAKING: House won't accept Gaddafi surrender w/out cuts to Medicare & SS, & no revenue increases.

Please pass it around, if you haven't already done so! ;o)

PS: Thanks for the honor!

The idiot from Albany should stick with his race baiting

___________________________________________

As I explained to Bev last week, I only do moron-baiting and you swallowed it hook, line and sinker Betty.

After reading, please reflect on these methods and ask yourself, who on First Read does it remind you of?

Fiesty Redhead is my answer. So come clean, are you really Karl Rove in drag?

Seriously, you think this is news worthy? Really? Come on FRH! Your beloved Obama is falling in the polls and this is what you come up with. Wow, I could have told you that was Karl Rove's strategy without reading it. It was also the exact strategy of Ram Emanuel. You state it as if it is not the goal of the Republicans or the Democrats to defeat the other by whatever means they can. Lord knows none will stand on their records because none will actually make a stand on any issue.

We need leaders in this country who will:

1. Balance the budget
2. Reform entitlement - Medicare is not tenable in its current state
3. Stop scaring business through villification and excessive regulation
4. Stop putting party first.
5. Stop downgrading the United States

Both parties do it. And you are a very vocal mouthpiece for one side and very guilty of the practices of politics.

Good day Fiesty Red Headed Karl Rove....

Hey Fiesty, I think you are smokin' hot. Give me a call and let's go out tonight, 202-456-1414! Opposites attract! Should be explosive!

We need leaders who understand you don't slash and burn spending when you're trying to recover from a recession, basic health care is not a luxury, the dangers of deregulation are real and have been proven most recently in the financial debacle, continuing tax breaks in the midst of a recovery is not a sustainable policy, default is not an option, patriotic Americans can disagree with each other on policy without being labeled "traitors".

Obama designated the fault line that caused the Washington, DC/ Northeast earthquake as "Bush's fault"

The DNC needs some new talking points

It's amazing what a sex symbol Ronald Reagan has become to the Republican Party. I was only a kid but I don’t recall the 80’s being a very prosperous time in our history. Besides wasn’t he the one who started deregulating the economy? Atta boy…people are still peddling this nonsense?

As far as the payroll tax cap on SS if I have to pay into it all year so should everyone else. 1/10 people get a free pass. Gotta love how the rules don’t apply to the rich.

We need leaders who understand you don't slash and burn spending when you're trying to recover from a recession, basic health care is not a luxury, the dangers of deregulation are real and have been proven most recently in the financial debacle,...

Sorry AP, then I will continue to not hire people. All of the hiring in my company is 100% frozen through the end of the year. We are a Fortune 100 company. Interesting, we are slashing our spending across the board as instructed by our leader (CEO), health care is not a luxury but neither is spending $5k on an MRI and $10k on a ____. Insurance does one thing, it seperates the consumer from the cost of the transaction and makes them less responsible for cost controls. Just like payroll withholdings, I wonder how many of us would question how much we pay in taxes if we had to stroke the check instead of having it handled for us. No one is advocating eliminating regulations that protect people's health and safety or their financial practices to minimize risk. But of the millions of written regulations on everything from HCR requirements, ARRA requirements, licensure, redundant services and their audits, etc. make it down right difficult to conduct business at the smaller size levels.

I agree we do not need to denegrate each other to debate the issue. The regulations I am talking about are things like healthcare, mandating it be paid by the small business means they will not hire. Trust me when I tell you that as an evil executive who sits in on some high level meetings about hiring, budgets and strategy and this one is a hot topic as we plan 3 and 5 years out. We simply do not know with any measure of certainty what the impact will be to our business, so we are forced to take a wait and see position. Surely you can see the logic in that.

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

Hey Ed, I was 14 when Reagan was sworn in. Unemployment in my county was 19%. When I was 15, I applied for a job at McDonalds. 1300 people applied for jobs there that week. By the time I was 18 at the end of his first term, unemployment was down to 8% in my county and I had 2 jobs. When I graduated from college at the end of his term I got my first engineering job. I think it was a prosperous time.

Its astounding how the riech wing are so consumed with having a narrow, obtuse perspective become reality, even if it spites them! I guess thats what makes them a conservative. Conservative mental capacity.

Its as if they threw out stupid bait and the ones who showed up were the republicans!

Well, I guess the Tree House gang coordinated their "Don't respond when someone actually reads Feisty's link and finds out she is lying."

At least John admitted he hadn't bother to read it.

A great example of the Conservative method of running multiple story lines simultaneously to see which one sticks. On the one hand the Liberal members of FR supposedly coordinate our posts and our attacks on the poor, set upon Conservatives here. On the other hand I'm poorly informed of what another FR Liberal is actually up to and therefore not qualified to comment.

Neither is a rational argument. FR posters are all individuals, with our own point of view and writing style. Sometimes Liberal posters hold differing opinions and discuss them here openly, yet continue to be tarred as thinking alike. On the other hand, it's absurd on the face to assume I can read a 54 page link within a few minutes and comment.

I thanked Feisty for the link, admitted honestly that I hadn't studied the document in detail, and indicated I would do so. WCA, instead of participating in a rational discussion based in facts, launched multiple attacks from different angles.

That put a big smile on my face, because it follows perfectly the script laid out in Feisty's original post.

WCA, thanks for proving that those are the tactics of the Conservative Movement. You've executed well on the plan. The only problem is, I don't scare, I don't fluster, and I won't go away. I'll continue to speak out on the anti-egalitarian methods and goals of the Right. See you back here soon.

Perry continues to prove just how much of a “Fraud” he is. He has lied about everything from accepting Stimulus Funds and if it worked (see link below) to his bogus job creation record, poor State Education record and lack of Health Insurance in his State of Texas. Other things that Perry appears to be in favor of: (partial list)

1. Education: He does not feel that the Federal Government should be involved in education. He wants to do away with Pell Grants and Student Loans. He also wants to teach Creationism along with Evolution in Science Classes. You have to remember – Texas is the State that is re-writing the History Books for all schools in this country and editing out what they do not like, even though it is true and part of our History and who we are. And this is the State that ranks 47^th in educational standing – You would think they would take all the help they can get.

2. Labor Laws: Anti Collective Bargaining and thinks “Child Labor Laws” are unconstitutional

3. Voter Suppression: Perry wants to repeal the 17^th Amendment – the one that gives citizens the right to elect their ‘Senators” by popular vote. He wants them appointed by the Governor or the Party in power at the time. Now there is an idea, we have TP/GOP held States that are re-writing voter registration laws resulting in the disenfranchisement of millions of citizens, the “Citizens United” decision that literally sold our political process to the highest bidders (foreign or domestic) and ratified by the Republicans in their blocking of the “Disclosure Bill”.

4. Civil Rights: Perry says Federal Laws protecting “Civil Rights” are unconstitutional

5. Status of the Federal Government: Perry supports the repeal of the 16^th Amendment - the one that allows for the collection of Income taxes etc. This would wipe out 80% of the Federal Revenues. This would destroy the US Government to the point we just would not have one. No military, no FAA, FEMA, FBI, CIA, No Federal Judges (including SCOTUS), No Medicare, No Medicaid, No Social Security, NO NOTHING PERIOD. We would not even need a President, Senators or the House – there would be nothing to govern, the doors are closed. This is nothing more than a blatant assault on the Federal Government – Period: The AINOS want to “Privatize” the government. That is they want to give control of our government to Wall Street, Big Business, Big Oil and the Insurance Companies.

6. Perry wants to repeal the 16^th and 17^th Amendments claiming programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Educational programs and just about every Federal Program that benefits the Middle class and lower income families as unconstitutional and wants to do away with the IRS going to basically what amounts to a flat tax (National Sales Tax) which is a repressive tax structure that hurts the Middle Class and Low Income families while redistributing more wealth and power to the top 2%.

The latest yap from Perry is that talking point from the radical right that the Stimulus did not work – Sorry Perry you are not telling the truth again - especially in your own state – see below:

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/08/18/299174/rick-perry-stimulus-no-jobs/

New GOP presidential contender Gov. Rick Perry (TX) continues to get a free pass from the press for his stimulus hypocrisy on the campaign trail. Last week the governor claimed that the Recovery Act signed by President Obama had “failed” — conveniently forgetting that he accepted more stimulus money than any other state besides California, and used the funds to close 97 percent of Texas’ massive budget deficit.

The Houston Chronicle reported that as of July 2010, federal stimulus funds created or saved 47,700 jobs in the Lone Star State. Yet today during a question-and-answer session in Pembroke, New Hampshire, Perry once again feigned ignorance of the indispensable benefits his state received from stimulus money. In fact, he claimed that the stimulus “didn’t create any jobs, as far as I can tell”:

So far, Texas has used $17.4 billion in federal stimulus money to keep schools open, ensure Medicaid coverage for children, and put more people to work on infrastructure projects. About half of that was spent on “shovel ready” projects — “things we would not have done with our own money,” says a senior budget analyst for the Center for Public Policy Priorities. Texas benefited disproportionately from the stimulus, using it to balance its budget two years in a row.

Perry is just another radical tea bagger lying through his teeth hoping America will not notice. Well we are noticing and Walker and Kasich know we are watching.

More about Rick Perry at:

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/06/10/241830/top-10-thing-texas-gov-rick-perry/

Did the Stimulus Work?

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/08/24/1003682/-Evaluating-the-stimulus:-Yes,-it-worked,-but-theres-more-to-thestory?via=blog_1

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2010-08-30-stimulus30_CV_N.htm

http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/11/wait-did-the-stimulus-work/

http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=2910

Sorry, but I won't be reading the spin from thinkprogress, the alter net, media matters, or any other left wing spin site.

I also stay away from Redstate, and other right wing sites. I like facts, not spin. I can form my own opinion. So, one of the sites I like a lot, despite what some allege is their bias, is Politifact. They do a pretty good job debunking all the lies. Like the one about class sizes in Texas, as put forth by Arne Duncan.

Texas class sizes grew?  Really?

That's odd- Politifact seems to think the claim is false

http://www.politifact.com/texas/statements/2011/aug/19/arne-duncan/arne-duncan-says-class-sizes-texas-have-grown-mass/

So, I guess this goes-

The Obama administration lies,

Liberals repeat the lie,

Voilà!  It's a fact!

Sol Alinsky would be proud.

Sorry, but I won't be reading the spin from thinkprogress, the alter net, media matters, or any other left wing spin site.

Recognize anyone? lol

Attack Attack the source. Any Liberal website or information source must be marginalized, trivialized and discounted. Let the blogosphere know that Truthout.org, thinkprogress.org,
the nation and moveon.org are Liberal rubbish propaganda. Discredit Liberal sources of information whenever possible

You're on a roll, US Navy. Who knows what Mitt Romney stands for and as for Rick Perry, radical cowboy comes to mind.

Feisty, I think you should post the manifesto every day!

Hi Navy,

I wonder how anyone in their right mind can defend Slick Rick's record? Perry's is the most dangerous person in America and he is a rabid dog that needs to caged.

Here is some real news from Texas:

1. Texas economy continued to improve during the first half of the year. Manufacturing, travel, trade, job growth and consumer spending all up.

2. Luxury apartment rentals are up 13% in Dallas, with a lease rate of between $5,000 and $10,000 monthly. (must be all those low paying jobs)

3. More folks from California moving to Texas every day....

Feisty, the facts of your post are being seen as this thread grows. :) Thanks for exposing the method of the usual suspects.

Feisty:

They (the regular right wing posters here) just keep proving our points every day. They make it too easy.

Tony C:

Here is some real news from Texas:

1. Texas economy continued to improve during the first half of the year. Manufacturing, travel, trade, job growth and consumer spending all up.

2. Luxury apartment rentals are up 13% with a lease rate of between $5,000 and $10,000 monthly rental fees. (must be all those low paying jobs)

No, it just highlights the income disparities created by trickle up economics.

(By the way, a citation would e really nice so we don't know that you are just making that up or regurgitating some drivel you read on a right-wing blog.)

Or do you believe that the Bureau of Labor Statistics lies? Because this is the REAL news from Texas:

http://www.bls.gov/ro6/fax/minwage_tx.htm

Among hourly-paid workers in Texas, 550,000 had earnings at or below the prevailing Federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour in 2010, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (See chart 1.) Nearly 5.8 million workers were paid at hourly rates, representing 55.7 percent of all Texas wage and salary workers.¹. Regional Commissioner Stanley W. Suchman noted that the number of Texans paid at or below the Federal minimum wage increased as the number of workers earning the exact Federal minimum wage rose, while the number of Texans paid below the minimum wage declined. Combined, these workers accounted for 9.5 percent of all hourly-paid workers in Texas.

....

With the exception of 2003, the number of hourly-paid workers at or below the Federal minimum wage declined steadily in Texas from 1998 to 2006. (See chart 1.) However, annual increases in the Federal minimum wage from 2007 through 2009 contributed to increased numbers and higher percentages of workers in the State receiving pay at or below the mandated level. Although the Federal minimum wage was unchanged in 2010, the number of workers with pay at or below the minimum wage increased in both the State and the nation.

The number of Texas workers with hourly pay at or below the Federal minimum rose by 76,000 in 2010, with men and women accounting for nearly equal portions of the rise. The number of men earning at or below the Federal minimum wage rose by 36,000, an increase of almost 20 percent from 2009. The number of women earning at or below the Federal minimum rose by 39,000, an increase of less than 14 percent. As a result, men accounted for nearly 41 percent of the State’s workers with wages at or below the mandated level in 2010, their highest share since 2003. However, women continued to have a higher percentage of workers earning at or below the Federal minimum wage than men, 11.9 percent compared to 7.4 percent.

Luxury apartment rentals are up 13% in Dallas, with a lease rate of between $5,000 and $10,000 monthly. (must be all those low paying jobs)

Any new places to live for the minimum wage job holders.

If you need a minimum wage job, move to Texas. If you want your kids to have the worst education in the country, move to Texas. If you are a minimum wage worker and your kids go to school and you want to pay 740.00 a year for your kids to ride the school bus, then move to Texas. If you want the worst health care benefits, then move to Texas.

No, it just highlights the income disparities created by trickle up economics

Why do the liberals hate success? You on the left keep asking "Where are the jobs?" They're in Texas. Why do you liberals disparage that someone is actually and successfully doing what they promised to do?

Show us these successes in California, Oregon, New York, and in Illinois, the core states of liberalism in this country. You can't do it because those states are complete failures at creating jobs, but they sure can tax their people real well.

Illinois, who raised their state income tax 67% and drove tens of the thousands of jobs out of the state, decided to double down and raise their tollway fees by 87%. I guess they want to collect a few more dollars from the people leaving the state on their way to their new jobs in Wisconsin and Indiana.

Source: http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/128431243.html

Liberals. They just do not learn.

JoAnna ~ I believe I should probably tell you that I have you on ignore. Don't waste your time. I won't be responding to any of your comments anymore, either.

Same for JollyOldSoul1.

Lord, I feel so much better already. Have a nice day.

no joe, no bo, nj

"Sorry, but I won't be reading the spin from thinkprogress, the alter net, media matters, or any other left wing spin site"

Thanks, JoJo, fo rthe reminder:

"Any Liberal website or information source must be marginalized, trivialized and discounted. Let the blogosphere know that Truthout.org., thinkprogress.org, the nation and moveon.org are Liberal rubbish propaganda. Discredit Liberal sources of information whenever possible.”

Job1;

Happy Friday. Nice work this week all solid posts. Have a great weekend.

JoAnna ~ I believe I should probably tell you that I have you on ignore. Don't waste your time. I won't be responding to any of your comments anymore, either.

Seems to be the newest tactic of the tree house gang. Ignore everyone that mildly challenges their tiny insulated world. No matter. With an increasing conservative presence on this board, their ignore lists must be dozens of posters long.

My ignore list length? Zero. I read'm all.

JAS1

We Progressives don’t hate success. However, we don’t like it when corporations buy people such as Slick Rick in order to have their way with regulations and the running of government and controlling the lives of the every day people.

Job1: We Progressives don’t hate success.

You progressives have a funny way of showing it. Texas increased its job numbers in the face of a strong headwinds. It might be something that other states emulate to start creating jobs in their states (and some are). Corporations and business are not the enemy Job1, but the progressives certainly make them out to be just that.

We don't hate success. We are, however, deeply offended by the Conservative program to stack the deck in favor of those who are already wealthy and against the vast majority who are working hard to become more successful. Why should a wealthy member of the investor & CEO class pay a LOWER tax rate than the middle class?

OK DBO, I'll ask you too, did you bother to read the paper or are you taking Feisty at her word as well? Because, well, she's lying.

See, These little snippets Fiesty is posting and re-posting aren't "Karl Roves Words" From some hidden playbook. They are opinion/analysis in a thesis paper written by some Media professors.

So far 3 people that thanked Feisty or did what you just disd admitted they hadn't read the opinion piece.

How about you?

Anna Molly, my posts are my thoughts, my words and nothing else. The post you make reference to is information gained from reading the Dallas Morning News today.

Yes, there are low paying jobs in every state. This is a national issue. Texas is no exception. The idea behind isolating Texas data is all about Perry bashing. You know it and I know it.

Check Monster and Careerbuilder and you will see plenty of high paying jobs in Dallas, Austin and Houston. All things considered, Texas is in far better shape than most states. I get it, Obama is worried and I don't blame him, he needs to be worried. Obama never lets the facts get in the way of his talking points and the liberals and the liberal media do an excellent job of repeating it. No question about it.

Corporations and business are not the enemy Job1, but the progressives certainly make them out to be just that.

The truth is big Corporations need regulation on them to keep them honest. History proves this fact.

More real news from Texas:

http://www.dallasfed.org/news/speeches/fisher/2011/fs110817.cfm

BTW, I woulld be remiss in not pointing out that the Texas jobs story doumented in this speech by the head of the Dallas Fed is a wee bit hard to find on the websites of such paragons of journalistic rectitude as ThinkProgress, MoveOn. org, etc. So those of us who dismiss these sites do so not because of some imaginary "tactic" to defuse the left. We do so because the material on these sites has an unapologetic leftist slant and is not the slightest bit objective. Those sites are shouting in their own echo chamber, nothing more.

John B: We don't hate success. We are, however, deeply offended by the Conservative program to stack the deck in favor of those who are already wealthy and against the vast majority who are working hard to become more successful. Why should a wealthy member of the investor & CEO class pay a LOWER tax rate than the middle class?

You raise a good question John, and they shouldn't pay a lower rate. But the top 5% earners already pay well over 50% of the income tax revenue burden, so how much more do you want them to pay?

See the problem John is that even if we increase taxes on the so called wealth, those making more than $250,000, back to the Clinton era rates, that only brings in another $70 billion or so a year and barely makes a dent in the deficit. Now that may be a good start, but much more needs to be done.

Rather than continue to punish success, the government should work with business to create more success. With the current government/business relationship in this country, that just is not happening.

Tony C:

The idea behind isolating Texas data is all about Perry bashing. You know it and I know it.

You really don't get it, do you, Tony C?

Perry is lying about his job creation record and his other so-called accomplishments. That's the only reason I care about this. If he were honest, there would be no need to pile on him. But all his preening has certainly made him -- and by extension, Texas -- a fair target for scrutiny.

And it's no coincidence that the meaningful data is bad for Texas.

Saying that there are minimum workers everywhere doesn't get you past the inevitable conclusion that most of the new jobs being created in Texas are minimum wage jobs and that Texas has the most minimum wage workers. Saying that other states have drop-outs, too, doesn't get you past the fact that Texas has the most drop-outs in the country. Saying that other states have uninsured workers doesn't get you past the fact that MOST Texas workers do not have health insurance.

Telling the truth about a candidate's record is NOT bashing. Calling it bashing, however, IS bashing the messenger.

AM: Perry is lying about his job creation record and his other so-called accomplishments.

It's really getting pathetic. The Left just cannot admit that maybe, just maybe, that their Keynesian economics scheme has failed to produce jobs and that maybe, just maybe, someone else has figured out how to create some jobs in spite of it.

It is certainly clear the Left has to immediately be critical of any Republican that is a threat to Obama's second term. So they go off on these snipe hunts and find a way, any way to be critical of that person, in this Governor Perry.

Perry has found a way to create jobs. No other current governor, or president, can match his success. And yes, Perry would make a much better president then the one we currently have.

Rather than continue to punish success, the government should work with business to create more success. With the current government/business relationship in this country, that just is not happening.

And it won't happen until Obama is replaced by a leader who understands such things.

With any luck Governor Perry will give all you good republicans the medical care he has made available to most Texans, at least he will be able to offer a prayer over your disease riddled corpse, have a great weekend.

Anna Molly, soo you agree that telling the truth about Obama's record in the last 2 1/2 years is NOT bashing, just telling the truth. You know you can't have it both ways. I live in Texas, business is good, my house is up in value, never went down and the quality of life is equal to or better than other states I have lived, which is bunch. (GD Corporate American you know.) People are hurting all over this country. The only reason Texas is a topic is because Perry jumped into the race. Again, you know it, and I know it. All this Texas talk is about one thing and one thing only, shine a bad light on Perry.

It may come to a surprise to some on here but the accusations about Gov. Perry have been hashed and rehashed before. Each and every time he has come out on top. He overcame. Being elected twice to governor in Texas (first time moved in when President Bush was elected) shows he is a formidable opponent on any level despite the left's attacks. Here is a good analysis of Gov. Perry. You might want to read it. The read will expose all the claims warts and all and it didn't make one bit of difference -- sort of like the "gang of five or so" on here -- they make no diffeerence to this board, society in general and the world. In other words, they don't matter. Sort of makes the personal attackers moot and insignificant.

http://www.statesman.com/news/texas-politics/governors_race/frontrunner-perry-poised-to-add-another-win-to-1009391.html

Joanna proclaims:"Perry has found a way to create jobs. No other current governor, or president, can match his success. And yes, Perry would make a much better president then the one we currently have."

=====================================================================

Sure did create jobs, he created the kind of jobs any third world leader would be proud of, the kind of jobs that make people suck on the end of a shotgun late at night because they can't survive and pay their bills, I truely wish some of you get the kind of job Perry creates then maybe you would quit trying to defend this piece of $hit snake oil salemen.

Tony C:

Anna Molly, soo you agree that telling the truth about Obama's record in the last 2 1/2 years is NOT bashing, just telling the truth.You know you can't have it both ways.

This is a strawman. Show me where I tried. If anything, I try to be realistic about that.

And Texas is a fair target precisely BECAUSE Perry jumped into the race. You can't call it unfair when he's the one who brought it up. Like how he balanced the Texas budget, but without also telling you that he used federal stimulus money to do it, effectively passing along YOUR credit card debt to the rest of us. Exposing that he is, in reality, fiscally irresponsible is eminently fair. Exposing that he created jobs by using stimulus to hire government workers is eminently fair. Exposing that a lot of his job creating involves using government money for "stimulus" in the same way President Obama has done is also eminently fair. Exposing Perry for criticizing the stimulus and accepting stimulus funds ON THE SAME DAY is eminently fair.

It's not my fault, nor anyone else's, except maybe Perry's, if the so-called Texas miracle doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

@left loons -- I find it strange on one hand there are claims that the jobs Gov. Perry created were low paying jobs while others on the left argue that the jobs created were government jobs. It would seem that government jobs with state-approved salary ranges and benefits would hardly be low paying. So which is it???? Besides I know many, many people that would take a minimum wage job in a heart beat.

Actually, not a bad job for a governor with a state that has one of the -- if not the highest -- population of illegal aliens.

Sure did create jobs, he created the kind of jobs any third world leader would be proud of, the kind of jobs that make people suck on the end of a shotgun because they can't survive and pay their bills,

Please name someone else, governor or president, that is currently doing better.

I truely wish some of you get the kind of job Perry creates then maybe you would quit trying to defend this piece of $hit snake oil salemen

You're right. It's better to be unemployed. It's not like the federal safety net programs are being strained or anything, they got lots of money to give away.

See that the second quarter GDP number was revised wbush? Went from 1.3% to 1%. Good times.

AM: It's not my fault, nor anyone else's, except maybe Perry's, if the so-called Texas miracle doesn't stand up to scrutiny

Texas is doing a heck of a lot better than most other states. Can you point to one other state that is doing better?

Its clear that Perry trumps Obama in his ability to manage a large government. Where Obama has had failure, Perry has had success. Where Obama spouts empty rhetoric, Perry has ideas that are implemented and work. This is the reason the Left has to attack and belittle all of Perry's success, because they can't praise Obama and all his failures.

It's getting really pathetic reading what the Left like AM puts out.

"Joanna declares: See that the second quarter GDP number was revised wbush? Went from 1.3% to 1%. Good times"

======================================================================

As long as corporate America is encouraged by current tax laws to spend the trillions the U.S. taxpayer was forced to give them overseas GDP will continue to suck, so what's your point? And the poor bastards forced to take one of Governor Perry's "good jobs" will be on one of the Federal Government's safety net programs anyway, or stagger up to the emergency room when they are about dead, who will pay for that? You are not doing anyone a favor or helping the economy by giving someone a job they can't survive on, some people just don't get it.

Again, Texas is an issue only because Perry talked about it and then jumped into the race. Let the Perry bashing begin.....straight from the White House. They are even paying people to come up with negative comment for future ads against Perry. A blind man can see what this attack Texas, attack Perry stuff is all about. Obama can't run on his failed record. Obama is worried, the liberals are worried...oh wait that is the same thing....

AM: Perry is lying about his job creation record and his other so-called accomplishments.

Maybe Perry should talk about the number of jobs he's saved. That's something the Left seems to understand.

wbush: As long as corporate America is encouraged by current tax laws to spend the trillions the U.S. taxpayer was forced to give them overseas GDP will continue to suck, so what's your point?

Oh, so this is now the problem. Odd, for Obama and the Democrats, the major problem seemed to be that we need to stimulate the economy with a trillion dollars we did not have (and failed to do so), get the Dodd/Frank banking regulations in place, and pass a trillion dollar health care bill. And now we're somehow surprised that businesses, the ones that will be paying for all these programs, are finding it's better to do business elsewhere? Who would have thought it?

You see the results though, don't you wbush? 1% GDP.

Anna Molly, a Target? Wasn't that the word the liberal media jumped all over Sara Pallin for using?

Palin didn't SAY target, she just drew them on various people's districts.....

JoAnnaSmith1

Why do the liberals hate success?

Liberals don't hate honest success. They do hate dishonest corporate greed heads and the politicians they buy off.

JoAnnaSmith's problem is she hates successful people like Warren Buffet because they are "traitors to their class" like Franklin Roosevelt who advocate for justice rather than their own personal greed.

"Rick Perry is now the front runner. Of course they’re letting him run in front. Because he’s the one with the gun." –Stephen Colbert

Tony C-2383666

Yes, there are low paying jobs in every state. This is a national issue. Texas is no exception.

Oh, Texas IS quite exceptional because it has the most minimum-wage jobs in the country and is tied with Mississippi for the highest percentage of minimum-wage jobs.

Check Monster and Careerbuilder and you will see plenty of high paying jobs in Dallas, Austin and Houston.

Those three cities are heavily DEMOCRATIC. As I mentioned a while back, Harris County, where Houston is located, went for Barack Obama. Deal with it.

We did deal with. The state went for Bush. You didn't move yet?

Tony: no one needs to pay anyone for 'negative comments' about your good ol' boy Perry. He's a walking billboard for the latest bumper sticker "NO NEW TEXANS".

Are you kidding, we picked up 4 seats in the House.

Rather than continue to punish success, the government should work with business to create more success.

You've admitted that the wealthy get preferential tax rates, then you turn around and claim that expecting the rich to pay a lesser tax rate than us mere mortals is "punishing success." Not exactly a rational argument.

How much better do the wealthy elites need to be treated as compared to the middle class before it's fair?

Tony C-2383666

We did deal with. The state went for Bush.

Nope. You obviously can't deal with it. Harris County and Houston went for Obama. So did the United States of America.

You didn't move yet?

You didn't move to Somalia yet where they have the limited government you yearn for?

I am not into socialism.....and lack of equality for women..

Then why would you back a governor who wants to prohibit women from exercising their constitutional rights to privacy? (oh, equality for women EXCEPT when it comes to the most private and personal choices)

For the same reason mentioned above. thats why.

IR:

I agree. Lets all hope our friends on the East coast are safe and sound and no harm comes to them. That includes everybody who posts here as well - No politics on this one. If you are in the path of Irene, please move to a safe zone, nobody wants anybody to be hurt. Forget the personal belongings just get your self to a safe zone - please.

Well said, IR, pearls of wisdom! Thoughts and prayers to those on the east coast in Hurrican Irene's path and to those who are doing their best to protect them.

IR - Thanks for the kind words and for getting down to what really matters this weekend. I suspect there will be a lot of neighbors helping neighbors, without first stopping to ask for their political credentials. Where I live is not in the direct path, but close enough that it'll be a very stressful weekend. Hope everyone who IS in the direct path heeds the warnings. Personally, I'd rather have 28 inches of snow any day of the week and twice more on Sunday.

P.S. - To anyone in the Philly area looking for extra flashlights, don't bother with Target or Wal-Mart - they were both cleaned out already last night!

Thanks for putting it all into perspective, IR. Prayers and thoughts to everyone in or near the hurricane and those with families and loved ones at risk.

Jody:

Your weekly wrap ups are a hit. Many of us look for them first thing every Friday. Thank you for another great weekend round up. See you guys over at the DDI later - I am bringing Home Made Pizzas - 3 flavors and a fresh home grown three bean salad.

That there is just fine like frog hair split two ways that is Jody

Good morning Jody,

A Great wrap-up for the week.

Here's the other way it was-

Obama missed his putt when an earthquake rocked the east coast. Many were seriously upset over fallen lawn chairs.

Millions of Americans were dismayed to learn that Obama was "not having fun" on his vacation, as per MSNBC. Well, maybe not millions. More like a couple dozen.

Obama is hard at work on "the speech". To that end, he has dispatched a few liberal columnists, Ezra Klien and Johathan Alter being most most well known, to write columns inviting the public to give them serious ideas in just what the heck he can do to fix things. You have to admit, Obama has cornered the market on historic and unprecedented.

GDP was revised down- no big shock there. This revision only dropped the preliminary number down three tenths of a percent, so we went from measly 1.3% growth to scrawny 1%- but, hang on to your hats, because it is going lower still.

AP made headlines when it proved that, if you have a poll with a pool of 42% democrats to 20% republicans, approval of republicans in congress goes down! They also shocked the world by revealing that water is wet.

Oh, and the disturbing revelation that, even with a pool that stacked, Obama's approval is the lowest it's ever been in their poll, while his disapproval is the highest it's ever been. Go figure.

Well, with this kind of polling, Obama knew he had to do something HUGE to restore confidence in hia leadership- particularly on the economy.

To that end, he got Warren Buffet to throw all caution to the winds, unmask himself, and throw an Obama fundraiser! This caused one person in Alabama to express dismay that Buffet was a closet democrat. He then asked, "who, exactly, is Warren Buffet?". When told, the man shrugged- at first he had believed him to be his neighbor, the guy with the Reagan bumper sticker on his car.

Numbers from Illinois revealed that raising taxes sixty seven percent caused 89,000 jobs to slip over the border to Indiana. In other news, it was revealed that snow is cold, and not likely to fall in Florida during August.

So, that's the way it really was- Obama still leading from behind, taking bad situations and making them worse for most Americans, while playing more golf than most of the PGA members.

He'll have a lot more time for it soon. Very soon.

Obama shelved in 2012.

Thank you all for the kind words; I'm glad you enjoy it. Some weeks the right makes it too easy for a liberal to poke them!

Homemade pizza? Sounds great.

Here's the back ho Jody - the NJ nut job has left quite the mess on your porch!

It is kind of funny watching her imitate you every week! lol

Sadly, the bitter old granny doesn't even begin to come close!

See you over at the DDI later - I hear Navy's bringing pizza (I could go for some fresh basil) ;o)

PS: Floyd - do you think you can do something to protect Jody's porch?

No Joe, you need to work on your approach and ignore Rove's Manifesto. My weekly wrap is based on facts from current news and politician's own words with "liberal" poking fun at it; yours is based on personal hatred for President Obama, nothing more and nothing less. Want to play with the big guns--go back to school and study hard, your delivery needs a lot of work.

Jody:

Touche' - sums it up. The left posts facts and opinions based on those facts the right posts hate speech and and are a tad light on facts, unless you consider talking points facts.

They do make Karl Rove happy.

Feisty: Yes, I do use fresh basil from myVermont garden - the soil here makes it a tad sweeter. The cheese is also home made, my mothers recipe and the dough comes from my grandfather.

The day isn't complete until we get No Joe and the litany of the ain'ts!!

Jody, as always right spot on.

I have one little nugget to add to your comment on Allan West and his insulting remarks to the Black Caucus, his brother, who lives in Atlanta, recently became unemployed. Rep. West, in trying to help his brother, recommended he go the the Jobs Fair sponsored by the >>>Black Caucus and to seek out Maxine Waters for her attention to his plight. The brother was interviewed, and unlike Rep West, praised the Jobs Fair and the promised help from Ms. Waters, who also was interviewed, and confirmed the story.

Rep West is a Teabagger to his very soul, never misses an opportunity to bash anyone and everything that in anyway represents the Democrats, the present administration and all things associated with them......but is the first one to use or recommend them to help out a family member.

Hypocrite, thy name is Allan West.

Fiesty watch the calories in the pizza. Wouldn't want you to have to relie on obamacare to save you. haha

"Texas Governor Rick Perry distanced himself from George W. Bush by saying, 'I went to Texas A&M. He went to Yale.' In other words, his idea of instilling confidence is by saying, 'Don’t worry. I’m not as smart as George W. Bush.'" –Conan O'Brien

Penguin, Feisty will be fine. It's you that will be in trouble because you chose not to play with the rest of us...

Job1, what are you a parrot?

No, that is your role Tony C.

Thats funny.

Answer: the Tea Party brigade, they don't want Government to actually work for the people.

...The Congress, both parties, is why there is a Tea Party. Expand your mind and don't just listen to liberal talking points that exaggerate and are meant to mis-lead and scare people.

Then why is the Tea Party less popular with the American people than Islam or Atheism, and why does the Republican Party have a 59% disapproval rating?

My guess is that the Democrats do a good job with their mis-information campaign and the liberal media, which is most of the media, participates in the mis-information. Also, too many people do not challenge what they hear or see and investigate to determine what the truth about the subject. No doubt the scare tactics work. But, I have faith that most people will become aware that those who tell them what they want to hear, just may not be the ones who are really looking out for their best interest. Time will tell. Having fiscal responsibility in Washington is needed. That is what the Tea Party is all about. All the "put downs" with misinformation by the Democrats will not work in the final analysis.

Silly me. Here I thought it was because Republicans rode to big electoral gains and control of the House of Representatives on a promise of "jobs, jobs, jobs", then dedicated themselves to an agenda of attacking worker rights, attacking reproductive rights, attempting to dismantle the entire social safety net, and total obstructionist policies that brought about a first ever downgrade in the credit rating of the US Treasury. For some bizarre reason I thought it had to do with public who said overwhelmingly they said they wanted to see the two sides of the aisle work together and instead witnessed Republicans chanting "shut it down." Strangely enough I thought it was connected to a public which overwhelmingly wants to see the middle class strengthened, but instead watched the House pass a Tea Party budget destroying Social Security in order to give big new tax breaks to the already wealthy.

Which of those things didn't actually happen?

Silly you is correct. Once again , the exaggeration of the facts. Funny how for 2 years the word compromise never entered the picture in the Obama administration. No one wants to destroy SS. If reforms are not passed, those programs will not survive. Again, the mis-information and exaggerations along with scare tactics will not save those programs. The down grade was due to the level of debt and the expected deficit spending with no real plan to reduce either. Classis Obama " The Republicans can come along for the ride as I fix the economy, but they have to ride in the back seat." Allienate and agitate, Then after the midterm all of a sudden, the word is compromise. Obama lacks the leadership skills to bring people together. His actions and his speeches are all the proof you need.

Still denying reality, I see. How many times does President Obama have to speak of working together, how many meetings does the President have to have with Republicans, how many Conservative positions have to be accommodated in legislation before you abandon the tired and false narrative that the Administration has never compromised?

How long will Conservatives continue to lie, maintaining that calling a voucher program which won't cover the cost of a private insurance policy (if you aren't excluded for a preexisting condition) is somehow "saving Medicare"?

When the simple adjustment of lifting the cap on SS earnings would fill HALF THE PROJECTED SHORTFALL FOR 75 YEARS the GOPTP comes up with yet another plan to destroy a program that's served average Americans for generations;

Not content to try to kill Medicare and Medicaid, Republicans are now going where voters warned them not to go: A "voluntary" privatized version of the 2005 program called the Savings Account For Every American Act. (Where do they get these names?)

The legislation, introduced last Friday by Representative Pete Sessions of Texas, the chief Social Security Chicken Little, would allow wage earners to immediately opt out of Social Security in favor of a private "S.A.F.E." account.

"Our nation's Social Security Trust Fund is depleting at an alarming rate, and failure to implement immediate reforms endangers the ability of Americans to plan for their retirement with the options and certainty they deserve," Sessions said of the plan. "To simply maintain the status quo would weaken American competitiveness by adding more unsustainable debt and insolvent entitlements to our economy when we can least afford it."

The devil, of course, is in the details, in this instance provisions that would divert all wages that would go into Social Security after 15 years and 6.2 percent of wages into S.A.F.E. account as well as eventually let employers send their matching contribution to workers' Social Security to a "S.A.F.E." account, as well.
Whether the Social Security Trust Fund is being drawn down at the "alarming rate," as Sessions puts it, is open to debate.

What isn't is that the government finds itself in a fix. It needs to repay the money Baby Boomers like myself loaned it so we can cover our own retirements. Trouble is, much of that money was used to cover Bush era tax cuts for the rich while fighting the wrong war in the wrong place at the wrong time and a right war drained of funds, boots and materiel to fight the wrong war.

And Republicans, of course, would rather drink hemlock tea en masse than abolish tax cuts for the rich.

There are two certainties about the new program:

* It eventually will bankrupt Social Security, which of course is the intention.

* Republicans refuse to learn from their mistakes.

http://themoderatevoice.com/112789/the-new-republican-plan-to-destroy-social-security/

This is why satire is so difficult these days, by the way. You accuse the Left of scare tactics WHILE PREDICTING THAT SOCIAL SECURITY CAN'T BE SAVED WITHOUT DRACONIAN CHANGES. That was a performance worthy of Stephen Colbert.

As for the debt ceiling and related S&P downgrade, S&P specifically said;

The political brinksmanship of recent months highlights what we see as
America's governance and policymaking becoming less stable, less effective,
and less predictable than what we previously believed. The statutory debt
ceiling and the threat of default have become political bargaining chips in
the debate over fiscal policy.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/documents/spratingreport_080611.pdf

In other words the unprecedented actions by the GOPTP of insisting that the debt ceiling increase be tied to a draconian and one-sided remake of long-term budgetary policy led DIRECTLY to the downgrade.

I've offered facts, back up, and detailed reasons for my positions. You've offered tired Conservative lies. That's why people approve of the Republican Party less than EVER.

What the liberal media claims does not make it true.

That is not all the S&P said......

Obama made it clear in many speeches during his first two years and before the midterm elections, that elections had consequences. He said he would take input alright. Never intending to include of it from Republicans, and didn't.

That's it Tony, never bail on the Big Lie no matter how much evidence piles up to the contrary. Just attack the source.

Really now, that is a liberal tactic, not dealing with the facts...come on...

And the TP/GOP will continue to be the Obstructionist Party, Cantor wants to hold the victims of the Earthquake and the pending hurricane "Hostage" until he gets some cuts he wants before FEMA can help these people out.

We should not be playing politics with peoples lives.

Politics as usual. Maybe when these guys and gals get back into town we can get something done. One can always hope.

Dream on Tony.

Job1, Funny how things work out. Wisconsin as an example.......

By the way, Job1, did you see the first time unemployment number this week? Stay tuned, next August, the numbers will be the same along with the dream of an expanding economy.

As long as the GOPTP obstructs and places Party First, the economy will limp along. Anyone who thinks the Party First approach, Tony the Tiger, is a-okay is a fool, and not very smart--it's a lot long eating sugar-coated cereal for breakfast, "they're great" but the sugar high is temporary.

By the way, Job1, did you see the first time unemployment number this week? Stay tuned, next August, the numbers will be the same along with the dream of an expanding economy.

The Republican Congress had better get to work and quit blocking all of the job efforts in order to win the White House. Remember, their motto, "throw that tar baby out."

Tony C:

Job1, Funny how things work out. Wisconsin as an example.......

Are you talking about the LOSS of 12,500 private sector jobs last month? Or what?

http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/newsreleases/2011/unemployment/110818_july_state.pdf

The latest preliminary seasonally adjusted estimates show a decrease in employment from June to July, including 8,200 overall and 12,500 in the private sector.

....

Wisconsin’s seasonally adjusted July unemployment rate was 7.8 percent, up slightly from 7.6 percent in June, but down from 8.2 percent in July 2010.

Just more of those lying statistics, Tony C.

As long as the TP/GOP is going to blocked Job Bills (4 this year alone) and not increase revenues the economy will be slow - period.

Virtually every leading economist from both sides of the aisle say we need Jobs and increased revenues to be part of any recovery plan. Spending Cuts alone will not get the job done and tax cuts for the 2% does not create jobs nor does it stimulate the economy. It only serves to further increase the economic divide and help Wall Street.

Anna Molly, you seem to have the quote right......but somehow you tied "statistics" to it.

The Wisconsin election was the reference I was making in response to "my dream". You know Nov. 2012.

That is when you guys will call a loss a victory again.

If you think that, Tony C, then you haven't been following the demographics, as they have shifted decidedly toward the blue, even in traditionally republican areas, which was the place that the republican recalls occurred. And as red as those districts were before, democrats still managed to win 2 out of 6 and give it a real race in most of the others. Democrats won two recall elections in districts that might reasonably considered swing districts. The only recall election that occurred in a decidedly democratic district resulted in a huge thumping for the Republican candidate. This is, by the way, Paul Ryan's new Congressional district, which bodes very ill for him in 2012. In order to save him, the legislature had to carve up the old district, which went 60/40 blue during the Supreme Court election, to remove Ryan's hometown of Janesville, where he is no longer popular. Even so, the recall election shows that he will still have a struggle.

As you seem to not have a clue about the correct uses of statistics, I think you are probably in for a big surprise in the fall of 2012.

The election in 2012 will be interesting. We will see if Americans want to "put America on the correct track" or continue to ruin the private sector with this "change" to a social welfare state. So far, the polls say the majority are in favor of staying America. Being Greece would not be so good. There already is one of them....not a good example to follow.

The election in 2012 will indeed be interesting. We'll see whether Americans want to return to the failed policies of trickle down economics, return America to the standing of being the only western industrialized nation with no national health care. So far, the polls are saying the majority are in favor of America staying America, and not capitulating to the extremists of the Tea Party who would have led us into default.

Really, Obama's approval rating is what?....Are we on the right track, polls say what?...... Obama's approval in handling the economy? ..... The new healthcare law is a joke and the polls say most Americans say that as well.

Really, republican approval ratings are what??? The new healthcare law may be a joke to you, but the health care entities, insurance companies, hospitals and providers would disagree with you. They're already moving to implement it...and "most polls" show Americans do not want to go back to "you're on your own" care.

Believe what you will. All of Congress is a problem, not just Republicans. There are those exaggerations again. Got to give it to you liberals, some folks do buy into all the exaggerations and scare tactics. The healthcare law will cost those of us that pay the bills dearly for sure. That is if it stands. Governments record of managing programs, most programs is terrible. We don't need more of the same waste.

Anna Molly--- Thoughts on GE moving their med dept to China and taking those jobs away from the people of Wisconsin as the headquarters is based in Milwaukee. How about Immelt the President's hand-picked pointman on the the council of job creation and competitiveness, moving to partner with China and give them access to advanced avionics for their aircraft, including military. Will the President address this in his speech? His pointman creating jobs in China.

So richard, from your comment I take it you're on board with demands that Republicans stop blocking legislation to end tax breaks for sending jobs offshore?

Tony: I guess you missed the part about health care costs rising astronomically even BEFORE the health care bill was passed? Guess you thought everything was just going along swimmingly? Scare tactics are used by those on the right who were all for health care reform until it became the Obama health care reform. (forget about 'death panels' already??) We don't need more from the party of no solutions. We do not need to retreat from the first modest step in health care reform this nation has taken since beginning medicare...and a return to the absurdity of being the only industrialized nation in the world without any kind of national health plan. All because someone shouts "socialism" at you. Talk about scare tactics.

John B Absolutely

AP, I guess you missed the part about Obama's claim that the healthcare law would reduce costs. Also, there needed to be reform. No doubt. No one disputed this. The disagreement is with the approach, not whether or not reform is needed. Once again, the mis-information. The Republicans were blocked from having any input into this law and you know it. The word compromise only came from Obama's lips after the midterm elections. I travel a great deal and the level of care in Canada and countries in Europe is way less than we have in this country. For your information, in those countries, vital services are sometimes based on the person's life expectancy. Also, the decision panel in Obamacare members are not medical people. Did we need reforms, yes. Do we need the law that passed, no. Obamacare will not improve healthcare, it will reduce the quality. It will add people to a system, that is all.

I travel a great deal and the level of care in Canada and countries in Europe is way less than we have in this country.

How do you explain the FACT that all those countries outperform the United States in every reliable measure of health care effectiveness from infant mortality to average lifespan...for a WAY smaller expenditure in terms of percent GDP?

How do you explain the FACT that the mandate to purchase, virtually the ONLY aspect of the law not widely popular with the electorate, was a Republican idea?

Republicans were for President Obama’s requirement that Americans get health insurance before they were against it.

The obligation in the new health care law is a Republican idea that has been around at least two decades. It was once trumpeted as an alternative to Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton’s failed health care overhaul in the 1990s. These days, Republicans call it government overreach.

Mitt Romney, weighing another run for the GOP presidential nomination, signed such a requirement into law at the state level as Massachusetts governor in 2006. At the time, Romney defended it as “a personal responsibility principle’’ and Massachusetts’ newest GOP senator, Scott Brown, backed it. Romney now says Obama’s plan is a federal takeover that bears little resemblance to what he did as governor and should be repealed.

http://articles.boston.com/2010-03-28/news/29285190_1_individual-mandate-health-insurance-individual-requirement

How do you explain the Congressional Budget Office estimates that show budget deficits DECREASING with the passage of Affordable Care? http://www.cbo.gov/publications/collections/health.cfm

First of all, that world data is "played with" so to speak. The level of care is not very good. There are waiting lists for necessary operations that would happen here in the same day if you needed the operation. In some places Canada is closing hospitals due to costs and already extremely high taxes that people can't afford. BC is one place where this is happening as we speak. Some countries let people purchase private insurance due to the issues. The good aspects, like in Italy,are that a pharmacist can dispense without a perscription, will never happen here due to lawyers and other lobby groups. CBO numbers are also computed using specific guidelines which may or may not show what really will happen. The assumptions they must use are not reality. There numbers change with the wind. Most of Obama's stuff is never scored because it contains zero details and no specifics.

Romney is not the President.

"Ben" will continue to treat the symptoms when the real problem is in the White House.

The cure will be in 16 months.

Dan, well said. The GOPTP doesn't even understand the impact of their own ideas nor do they care.

The real problem is the GOPTP Congress not the White House. The President can only sign what Congress passes. The GOPTP House controls the purse strings--that's fact, not fiction.

Dream on Tony. You really think people when they find out are going to vote to kill Social Security and Medicare to protect the rich from paying fair taxes.

The rich are like 2% and need lots and lots of suckers like Tony to vote for the rich against their own self interest.

The republicans seem to worry about the debt being left to our grand-kids, but are not at all worried about killing the EPA. Our grand-kids don't need clear air to breathe and clean water to drink, not when the rich have money to make and polluting to do.

For those that love America Obama 2012 and a blue congress from sea to shining sea.

You have no ideas what a 14 trillion dollar debt and continued deficit spending will do to this country, do you?

The liberal mis-information will catch-up to the Democrats and Obama. No one wants to kill anybody or kill SS and Medicare. Those programs need to be reformed to survive. This "fair share" talking point is just that a talking point that plays well. The tax code needs to be reformed. Unfortunately we have a President who continues to allienate and agitate when he should be leading and bring people together. Instead he is the cheerleader for dividng Americans. You are a great example of his accomplishment in that regard.

I only know that the debt is not important enough to raise taxes on the richest or closing the tax loopholes for the rich oil companies.

If the debt is not important to republicans why should I worry? I will know it really is a problem and republicans are concerned with solving the debt problem when the republicans agree to raise taxes on the richest and not just the working poor and middle class.

When you done pretending to care about the debt, maybe you should contact your congress person and demand taxes be raised on the richest in America.

Tony: You have no idea what slashing and burning all government will do, do you? Such a simplistic solution and there's a reason it's not going anywhere at the same time continuing tax breaks and 'no new taxes' is the mantra of the party demanding it. The majority of voters in this country are not about to embrace the extremists idea of ending all social nets of medicare and social security and pretending that all spending of the taxes they've paid all of their lives is really something called "socialism". (not to mention being unwilling to hand over of the US Constitution to the states to decide which parts they agree with).

No body said slash and burn all government. Government over reach is the problem. No body is trying to end social nets. Those programs need to be reformed to survive. This is the problem on the left, exaggerate to scare people into your corner. If you tell the truth, you won't attract the independents. The independents just may have figured that out....

I think the independents have already figured out that every single Republican candidate's hand being raised to the question of "no new taxes" means balancing the budget on the backs of Americans with a little clearer idea of what "reform" means than the hallelujah chorus. Privatizing social security is not just a "reform", and gutting medicare isn't going to be hidden behind "state's rights". I think the independents have that and the extremists on the right, figured out just fine. As usual, the R's have overplayed their hand (and not been helped by fielding the weakest array of candidates since Wendell Wilkie).

So, how are the Democrats going to spin their support for a higher federal gasoline tax?

No extremists on the left now are there?

Again, the polls show the majority of independents do not support Obama. The results of the last 2 1/2 years are a weak eonomy, weak job growth, weak housing market and higher healthcare costs. I know, none of which is due to the failed policies of this administration. How long can Obama fool people by blaming and making excuses. Time may be up.

tony:You might want to wait just a bit before you go dancing on Obama's grave . There are 72 million registered Democrats. There are 55 million registered Republicans. Getting excited about Obama losing his double digit advantage with Independents, and excited before there's even a nominee, is just a wee bit premature. Your party will have to do far better than they did with McCain/Palin. If your nominee is an extremist like Perry (which I doubt will happen), who has no hope of winning the majority of independents, it's game, set, match for Obama--- which is why so many are still BEGGING a Republican, ANY Republican, to join the race who has the chops to carry votes in a general election, outside the right wing base. (hint, that's not Perry). Jebb has said no...now Pataki.. as you say, time for excuses is over...

Even the American Trucking Association, a strongly Republican and anti-regulation organization has been calling for an increase in the fuel tax for some time now. That's right, knee-jerk opposition to taxes has so endangered the infrastructure that even a lobby that spends massive amounts on fuel WANTS their taxes increased.

AP, I said time may be up. Do liberals alway exaggerate everything that someone says? I simply pointed out the weak economic conditions and asked a question.

Hum, Des Moines...ATA...must be working for Ruan....That is what is left of it. . The question was How are Democrats going to spin their support for a tax increase on gasoline? Not which lobbying group supports it. Afterall, it will be a tax on the working folks, right? Oh, I don't have a problem with the tax, as long as it goes toward what it is suppose to go towards. My questions stands.

I'm only pointing out that Republicans are more loyal to Grover Norquist than the United States of America.

The ATA recognizes that without investment in infrastructure their industry withers and dies...and with it the American economy.

Again, your first sentence is just not true. This questioning people's loyality is just wrong. The tax question still stands. How are the Democrats going to spin their support for a tax that will hit the working man in the packetbook. Avoiding the question, I see. that is OK.

Again, the higher tax may be needed. ATA's support is not the issue, if it is true in total. The trucking industry pays plenty of taxes. IFTA and IRP fees are not cheap. Read between the lines and you may not want to take me on when it comes to Transportation and regulations. There have been roads and bridges in this country in need of repair for years and the trucking industry did not, and will not wither and die. Yet another exaggerations. The American economy is being hurt by a President who does everything in his power to hinder free enterprise both in word and deed.

I'm not intimidated, if you want to take it there be my guest.

Even you indicate that we have infrastructure in need of repair, but Conservatives will continue to demagogue the actions needed to fix the problem. That's hypocritical. That's dishonest. That's damaging to our political discourse.

That's the Conservative approach.

Here is what I meant. In your mind, did deregulation in transportation benefit the shipping public and the traveling public? Did deregulation in transportation reduce freight rates? When outdated regulations were removed, like the rule of eights and regular route restrictions, the industry benefited. My point is over burdening the private sector with more and more regulations like the Obama administration is doing will not lead to economic growth. Tax increase will not lead to economic growth either. Again, exaggeration. Republicans will support infratructure improvements. The entire tax code needs to be reformed for individuals and corporations. But the Obama approach, which just pits one group of Americans against another is not the way to achieve the desired result. Wasn't trying to intimidate you, really. The President of the USA should be saying something like, Lets get the tax code brought up to date and make it fair for all Americans. What does he do? Attack wealthy Americans, single out private jet owners, etc. You agree with this approach to problem solving?

Yes, deregulation resulted in lower rates. It also resulted in plunging wages for employees and razor thin margins. That makes the industry a poor investment vehicle and means that many companies are on the verge of failure with each and every downturn, and industry gossip is constantly abuzz with rumors of who's about to go out of business.

As a result there's intense pressure to cut corners. The average age of equipment in 2010 was the highest it's been in at least 32 years with obvious impacts on reliability and operating costs. The low wages have a similar effect through massive turnover which historically runs at or above 100%. Companies know they could prevent much of this with a higher wage but the intense downward pressure on rates continues to force the industry to look for people willing to be away from home for as much as 2 weeks at a time for a median wage of only $38,000/yr. http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes533032.htm

Meanwhile, the pressure to eke out a profit against such headwinds tempts other companies to adopt a "cowboy attitude" in which they cut corners on maintenance and safety regulations in order to improve margins. Companies seeking to do things "the right way" are trapped between these organizations that seek to operate just beyond the law and a regulatory apparatus that is very stringent in an attempt to corral the long tradition of extra-legal operators.

Add in enormous costs from neglected infrastructure http://transportationnation.org/2011/07/27/report-failing-infrastructure-is-costing-households-700-per-year/ and regular victimization by speculators in the fuel market and it's apparent that while deregulation has been a net gain for the economy it's been a decidedly mixed blessing.

Good response. I asked for your thoughts. I am not sure about your claim about the average age of power equipment, maybe true with owner-operators. New technology pays for itself. No question that driver turnover is high, sometimes more than 100%, especially with owner-operators, been that way for years. My experience has been it is all about how you manage the situation. Turnover does not have to be that high. The cost of the turn-over is a real issue. Usually companies do a poor job in that area. You know the liberal approach--throw money at it. Smile. Yes, deregulation was a mixed blessing. There will always be companies entering the market place who will "cut" rates and operate with no regard for safety regulations, which are necessay and have a cost as you point out. But, service and realibility wins out if you have the guts to stay in there so to speak. Not an easy sell. Salesman sell rates. I would fire them. Also, accountants do not know how to run operations, looking forward. Kind of Obama's problem, even without accounting experience.

My hunble opinoin. If tradition has a place, it is in a church...if regulation has a place it is in transportation.

The problem is, unfortunately, those that decide regulation don't understand....and go too far. Welcome to Obama land.....

Do you agree with Obama's approach to problem solving? You didn't answer that question.....

No. They're probably not "liberal lies." But I would bet that a little bit of research would show that the horrible graduation rates are in areas in Texas that are governed by Democrats (inner cities of Houston, Dallas etc...). Also areas with high concentrations of illegal aliens. Why don't you look it up for us and tell us what you find.

The liberal "Perry bashing" machine leaves that out. Both Dallas and Houston voted for Obama. You are correct, both cities have terrible schools and are full of corruptions. There are plenty of great school districts, with high percentages of college bound students. The truth is out there, liberals don't bother with the truth....Obama's awful record is a great example. They can't deal with that truth either.

Dallas and Houston, have the misfortune of having Slick Rick as Governor who doesn't give a darn about education. Cut the states education budget anyone, which doesn't have a thing to do with the President.

Again, the solution to your "perceived" problem is easy. Move.

Tony: I thought 'love it leave it' was behind us (with Nixon). Having a little trouble with reality I see. The fact there are some good schools in Texas doesn't change the dismal reality: Texas has the lowest rate of high school graduation and the lowest rate of college graduation in the entire country (that's right, you beat Mississippi.) I'd hardly run around touting your "texas miracle" with that kind of record.

If you didn't understand my point to Job1, you have an issue with reality, not me. All big cities have issues with inner city schools. Texas is no exception. Texas has problems just like other states, maybe in total a lot less problems. This is just a foolish attempt for liberals to bash Perry. Obama can't run on his record, so the bash the other guy is alive and well.

Time to stop accepting stupidity and mistakes by Obama, based on the fact that Bush was stupid and made mistakes. Time to stop comparing the economy in Texas to the economy in the USA. Texas looks darn good in comparision, by doing the opposite of what Obama believes needs to be done. You and Obama will lose that arguement.

Well all "big city schools" still manage to graduate more kids with problems from high school than Texas does (and what's your excuse about having the worst college graduation rate....?) Obama can and is running on his record. Perry will need to run FROM his. He may look great to you...I suggest you keep him then. he's not ready for prime time and the fool is proving it on a daily basis. this has got to be one of the worst campaign starts since Newt's fourth time around fiasco.

Again, the only reason any of this is in the news is to bash Perry. Seems odd that we have real problems in this country and none of the problems are Obama's responsibility. But, yet problems in Texas are all about Perry. What did you say about not dancing on someones grave just yet? I guess you don't take your own advise. You do not seem to be very objective and only see things from one side. I will say it again. Perry is not perfect, Bush was not perfect. Obama is not perfect. Something people on the left just won't deal with in an objective manner. Don't count Perry out. Also, do not discount Obama's dismal handling of the economy and the impact on the Prersidential election in2012. The economy will be no better with his government solutions approach and continued anti-business attitude.

Morning Frank. I was thinking about you this morning and it looks like you are ok for now. Stay safe and great post by the way. I think Fugte will get he job done as long as Cantor is told to shut up and sit down.

He (Cantor) wants more spending cuts or no FEMA help. Sorry, this is not the time to play politics when peoples lives may be at stake.

FEMA wasn't even created until 1979. We had MASSIVE disasters in the 203 years before that. How did we survive all those decades without FEMA. Just sayin...FEMA is yet another federal agency that people now depend on and expect to have everything done by them, for them. Katrina is a shining example.

I think the key area to maintain funding is NOAA, which encompasses the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center. Kind of the old "ounce of prevention" thing. Better ability to forecast natural disasters means less people in harms way and hopefully a diminished need for FEMA funds, since less people will be in need of assistance.

Damage...I understand what you are saying. And trust me, I want less government as well. However, at least with FEMA, we have one federal agency involved as opposed to the approach in most of the pre-FEMA 1900's where multiple government agencies fought over jurisdiction after a disaster.

From Wikipedia:

FEMA was established under the 1978 Reorganization Plan No. 3, and activated April 1, 1979 by Jimmy Carter in his Executive Order 12127. In July, Carter signed Executive Order 12148 shifting disaster relief efforts to the new federal level agency. FEMA absorbed the Federal Insurance Administration, the National Fire Prevention and Control Administration, the National Weather Service Community Preparedness Program, the Federal Preparedness Agency of the General Services Administration and the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration activities from HUD.

To me, the creation of FEMA actually gave us fewer government agencies as it absorbed at least 5 separate agencies.

Katrina was a mess all the way around and the ball was dropped at darned near every level of government, local, state, and federal.

Grimey, good to hear from someone who saw a bit of Irene; also your first hand knowledge of Craig Fugate is appreciated. He has done a terrific job since taking the position; most important is that someone with expereience in disasters was appointed to do the job.

The GOPTP House demanded budget cuts for NOAA, the agency that monitors earthquakes, and FEMA--all agencies to help protect and provide assistance to the people.

Damage. For 203 years, entire regions of the country were "on their own". We are the United States of America, we are a compassionate people and as such We have a responsibility to collectively help when any of our fellow citizens, our sister states are in trouble. You, Damage, were never taught how to share.

Grimey, your informative post about FEMA is much appreciated. While you express wanting small government, what you mention about FEMA is what I want "smart government." I think that is what most people want, smart and efficient government; the size is irrelevant.

Jody: "I think that is what most people want, smart and efficient government; the size is irrelevant."

BINGO!!! And in my mind, if you get a smarter, more efficient government it will necessarily end up being smaller than it is right now. Take what I said above. If you INCREASE the funding to NOAA and they are better able to forecast lead times on tornadoes, or hurricane development (they are pretty good at this already), etc, you DECREASE the need for funding in FEMA. In the long run, the government would likely SHRINK. I realize this is a limited and fairly small example, but I think it can be extrapolated somewhat to government in general. (Forgive my youthful optimism. LOL)

Have a great day!

I don't think people have the slightest clue about the size of the federal government. It is now the smallest it's been (in terms of work force) since the Nixon era. Everyone wants clean water (except they don't want to pay for the inspectors to actually test it), safe skies (but not pay for the controllers in towers, inspectors and air marshalls), safe food (but not the people who might actually show up to figure out where that tainted meat might have come from), etc. I love these Republicans who tell everyone how horrible Washington is followed by the begging for votes to be sent there.

Texas is no exception. Texas has problems just like other states, maybe in total a lot less problems. This is just a foolish attempt for liberals to bash Perry. Obama can't run on his record, so the bash the other guy is alive and well.

Um yeah...right....speaking of education, Texas ranks 40th in High School Grad rates. Notice hownearly all the the rest of the worst are all Red low-tax States. Should I bring up more facts that discredit Perry's 'Texas Miracle' (chuckle)

Georgia 51 54%

Nevada 50 58%

Florida 49 59%

District of Columbia 48 59%

Arizona 47 59%

Tennessee 46 60%

South Carolina 45 62%

Mississippi 44 62%

Alabama 43 62%

North Carolina 42 63%

New Mexico 41 65%

Texas 40 67%

you forgot the word "out". It goes after Obama.

Considering the fact that California Tom has recieved 11 votes to your "none" I think he got it right.

Obama/Biden 2012 Yes!!!!

Not Hard to believe, with the liberals out numbering the people with common sense by 10 to one on these pages. Check Obama's approval rating et all.

Check out the Republican and the Tea party approval rating for a real knee slapper. Not hard to believe given the great posts by the "take back the country to the 1800's" crowd.

At a time when Republican disapproval is at an all time high of 59% and Tea Partiers less popular than Muslims or Atheists I don't think Conservatives want to draw attention to polls.

The polls are an indication of how people feel at the time they are polled. If you don't want to deal with what the polls say about Obama's approval that is your right. But it does seem you want to pick and chose what you like in a poll. Are all liberals in denial? Can you see things for what they are? Ever?

I'm not the one denying that while President Obama's numbers aren't ideal Republicans would gladly trade with him. His aren't sterling, theirs are disastrous with Congress "enjoying" a 12% approval rate. Democratic numbers are consistently and persistently beating their Republican counterparts. Looks like you're the one refusing to see things for what they are.

The Presidental race will be decided based on people's choice for President. The Congress is another story. I really don't know how anyone can support the current "crop" in Washington regardless of party. This idea on the left, that the Republicans are alway wrong and that Democrats are always right is just not true. If you want to support the likes of Pelosi, Reid or Barney Frank, that is your right. They do a better job of staying on message, no doubt. However, they are just as responsible for the problems we face today as anyone. If you can't see that, then you are just not willing to see things for what they are....Obama's approvals are down and will stay down. He will make speeches and talk about moving forward, making excuses, while we go in reverse. The next 16 months will be no different than the last 32. We will be lucky to see a 1% growth in GDP. Government solutions won't work.

Notice how Conservatives pull out the "both parties are really the same" argument when they've lost.

You really believe, the issues in Washington are one sided? I didn't say they were the same. I said, equally to blame for the problems that exist. I hold Republicans accountable as well as Democrats. If you want to see things from one view point, so be it. Seems liberals cannot see the entire picture.

Yesterday a Republican-voting colleague and I were talking about a call we got from the State Unemployment Office to verify that someone had actually applied to us for work.

My co-worker's first response was "I'm sure people milk the system!" I was taken aback, because my first response was "with all the anxiety about finding a job, it's too bad people have to worry they are getting checked up on like that."

When I said to my co-worker "I'd rather be working than on unemployment" she quickly agreed - a little too quickly! I swear, when you scratch a Republican who complains about people getting services they don't deserve - you find a person who either has gotten, or would like to get, services they don't deserve! I have said it before, I'll say it again, the people I personally know who get foodstamps and other forms of government assistance - vote Republican.

Seems like a savvy political strategist could use that to the Democrats' advantage. Have President Obama talk on and on about all the lazy, bad people who get services, and the lazy, bad people will vote for him!

Eric "Scrooge" Cantor will see to it that no big gubment money is given to them either UNLESS he can cut more spending from other needed services.

Amy, good point. Republicans are good at whining about the lazy freeloaders while standing in line for their own handouts.

You found out something..Fox actually covers and reports the news. MSNBC just feeds the liberal and socialist view of the news. Your prejudice is showing given your last sentence. MLK was actualy stimulating to listen to due to his positive attitude, unlike all the bashing liberals seem to partake in today. Now you know why the rating are what they are.....

"You found out something..Fox actually covers and reports the news. MSNBC just feeds the liberal and socialist view of the news."

See, Tony- Fox bills itself as 'Fair and Balanced" (which is total bovine-turdiosis, by the way), and MSNBC bills itself as 'The Place For Politics". See a difference there? What you gonna offer next, "Fox delivers news, and all Cartoon Network delivers is animated content"???

Tony all you get from faux is censored news, covered in fear with dashes of lies. I use to watch faux and saw how they turned news into a fear fest to push their right wing agenda.

Apparently you don't see that and have bought in hook, line and sinker into the propaganda.

You don't even realize that you only got half the story.

Good luck being suckers for the rich while the very conservative party you are defending is going to be the one to raise your taxes. The tea people are worried about the richest taxes not being raised, but yours is okay because you didn't donate enough to the party for the rich.

Yep, Rachael Maddow, Ed Shultz, Chris Mathews and Lawrence O"Donald Duck do not present socialist propaganda. I got a bridge to sell you..

You mean..Place for Liberal Politics and making fun of anyone who disagrees with their politics.

Tony, I am well aware you wish the only news we got was censored news. There happens to be a few liberal programs, but their is by no means a liberal media. Wow four whole liberal programs.

They do not push socialist propaganda, they just tell the truth that republicans try to hide.

I don't need a bridge to the lies of the republican party.

Yep, faux 24/7 right wing propaganda to blame Obama for everything. You mean...Place for right wing politics and making fun of anyone who disagrees with their politics.

Fox, the only station to go to court to win the right to lie.

Socialists not pushing a socialist agenda? You got to be kidding?

mrpotatohead:

Thank you for the kind words and I hope you are safe and out of Irene's path. Have a great weekend.

great posts from feisty, jody, us navy vet.

Thanks for the shout out!

Like Navy said - have a great weekend & be safe if you're in the crosshairs of Irene.

great posts from feisty, jody, us navy vet.

Yes, they do a terrific job all on their own time, and despite the nasty opposition, they are here, together with others who feel the same way too, almost every day. They are fabulous people that I can vouch for and am very proud to call them friends.

Thank you for the support. Keep reading and posting. Hope you are safe this weekend.

I DO NOT EXPECT MY PRESIDENT TO BE CHRISTIAN. I don't think being "christian" is in anybody's best interest at this time. I'm not christian. Why would I need one in the white house???

Tink1313,

The vast majority of Americans are some form of Christian. That is fact. So to appeal to the vast majority.....you are better off being Christian. This is called politics.

Yesterday, on another thread, they talked about the extreme right-wing evangelists supporting Perry, and Mitt Romney's unusual Mormon family history (great grandfather moved to Mexico to escape American law against polygamy.)

I can't help but wonder if this primary will come down to Evangelists vs Mormons, as it's hard to imagine folks on either side accepting the other's candidate. Personally, I wouldn't vote for either one, but I'm a Democrat, so it doesn't matter.

Joseph E. Parent, this from wikipedia:

83 percent of Americans claim to belong to a religious denomination

76% identify themselves as Christians

However, despite this seemingly high level of religiosity, only 9% of Americans in a 2008 poll said religion was the most important thing in their life

Leave religion out of politics. The right complains about big government, yet they want to include religion in government making it even bigger.

Joseph: Thank HEAVENS you do not speak for "America". We are NOT a theocracy. (geez, Jefferson must be rolling in his grave at that one)

I agree wholeheartedly Felden. Americans expect their President to be somewhat religious and attend Church once in a while, but then, keep it to themselves.

AP,

Relax, I'm not holding a poll here, I was just giving a taste of politics 101. Pretty basic I thought.

Ron Paul is just another republican that wants to destroy America with his no tax increases on the rich. Yes, the father of the tea-party is a fresh voice in maybe some alternate universe.

Ron Paul does have a couple good ideals, but the rest of his ideals are out in la la land.

You guys really need to get off this destroy America kick...The only guy who wants to, and is destroying America is in the White House.

Because he's secretly a Muslim, right Tony?

No, because he is anti-free enterprise. I couldn't care less what someone's religion is, as long as the person had the ability to lead this nation and not be a dividing force.

So he's deliberately destroying the country, out of pure spite for so-called "free enterprise." Okay.

Not really, Obama's priority is social justice. Obama puts social justice above everything. Just listen to him.

Oh noes, social justice! What a terrifying concept.

The problem is nothing else matters to Obama and the nation is broke. What do think will happen down the road if the deficit situation is not brought under control first? Those checks that Obama tried to scare you about not receiving if the debt ceiling was not increased, really won't go out, thats what.

The deficit situation would be easy to bring under control with a substantial tax increase on the wealthiest 2%, if there were any chance of it passing through Congress.

Yeah, I know, class warfare arglblargl bootstraps bootstraps.

Tony: I hate to interrupt your Fox talking points and I know this is just so hard to understand for you, but the country is not actually, ya know, broke. Running the country is not the same as running your household budget, as much a you would like to believe it is. Still, you insist we're supposed to take the right wing nuts seriously when they insist defaulting on the debt wouldn't have mattered?? And you want us to believe they are ready to run the country (again?) Uh, we are still trying to recover from the worst two term Presidency in modern history. It brought us to the brink. No thanks. No way. No way in hell.

My, My. you really believe that..... and so do a bunch of people... You really don't see the need for fiscal responsibility in a government? How much debt is too much? You really believe we will not have inflation down the road? Printing money and borrowing 40 cents of every dollar spent in Washington cannot go on forever. It will not be government spending that allows us to recover. Hasn't the last almost 3 years taught you anything? I know, tax the rich and our problems are solved. You really need to look at those numbers. Yes, it makes a great talking point and people buy into it for a lot of reasons. Here we go again, the blame game and excuses and zero leadership in the White House. The private sector is the engine of growth. Obama does everything he can to burden free enterprise from working. Actions speak louder than words. Of couse the misinformation. What was said was, that not raising the debt ceiling would not have to mean default. Do liberals twist everything? The debt in this country is now equal to our GDP, the Fed is printing money treating the symptoms and you believe that is a solution. There will be no recovery as long as Obama is in the White House. More government debt is not a solution, it is the problem

Also, no one needs Fox or any other media source to tell you what you eyes can see., or in your case should see.....it is called reality

So you're saying that the election B. Hussein Obama was all a big lie?

Pure truth, like pure gold, has been found unfit for circulation, because men have discovered that it is far more convenient to adulterate the truth, than to refine themselves.

CHARLES CALEB COLTON

Nashville,

Obviously. Thank you for finally seeing that!

Thanks for sharing that quote IR . . . hadn't seen that before . . . it's perfect!

Hope you have a good weekend.

You Too Nash.

Pat is that what you call what you post, political commentary. I have heard whore and other words worse than that, can you calm your rhetoric down. By the way good luck. Regardless of our political point of view I wish no harm to anyone. Stay safe all in the path of Irene. With a little luck or prayer Irene will weaken and not be much.

Wasn't that nice of richard to throw a "good luck" on his personal attack in a lame attempt to not be called on it?

John You of all people know I don't attack, I asked if the rhetoric could be calmed down, not an attack and the good luck is for all. I don't see lame, I commented on the commentary not the individual.

As navy boy is fond of saying. Stop trying to create an issue where there isn't one or words to that effect.

you nailed it, as usual, Houston!

Rev. Wright preached to Obama for twenty years but he never heard him? Wright preaches a "black liberation gospel" but Obama did hear him. Obama once said that Wright was his spiritual adviser. It didn't make any difference because the lame stream media wouldn't touch it.

You have sited some fridge group within "The Call", why don't you visit the website of Wright's old church and see what fridge groups are contained there. Also check out Wrights retirement benefits.

Obama is a loser, you can defend him all day but his record speaks for itself. He has surrounded himself with educated morons that could not make it in the business market place. The polls reflect that most Americans have figured out what was elected.

DEBT MAN WALKING - NOVEMBER 2012

Independent Republic of Texas

Your screen tag shows that your a proud secessionist kook, just like Slick Rick. You're not even worth responding to.

Independent Republic of Texas. Why can't you believe that President Obama is telling the truth about not hearing Rev Wright all those years. He hasn't heard the people speak for 3 years, that should be proof enough that he is deaf. lol.

He actually out does Ronald Reagan and that's quite a feat. I saw a speech that RR was giving in Palm Springs once and it was a seriously bad weather that day. Palm trees bending in the wind, cars getting sand blasted, any and all plastic furniture that wasn't tied down or brought indoors flew away...and not one hair on that man's head moved!!!

That was Howdy Dowdy in a Reagan Halloween costume.... or, that was the real Howdy Dowdy!!

Yeah, that' it!

No sir, that probably the next president. Hidi Dowdy, Howdy's sister, is currently in the White House.

Good!

You damn well should henceforth remember to begin anything addressed to me with, "SIR".

Now, stay in your place.

And..., BuddyThis~

Romney's imitation of the listing Titanic in the sights of the Perry's Bismark(before its sinking) is dead meat. Perry, your next, dude. Sorry I meant dud!