The non-partisan Congressional Budget reports:1) "The nation's richest citizens almost tripled their incomes between 1979 and 2007 as the inequality of the distribution of wealth in the United States expanded." 2) "The top 1 percent saw their inflation-adjusted, after-tax earnings grow by 275 percent during that period." 3) "Those at the other end of the spectrum, whose earnings put them in the bottom 20 percent of incomes, saw an 18 percent increase."

Increasing numbers of Americans want to end loopholes and get-arounds that come with capital gains and special deals that are not available to ordinary working people. Polls are showing 2:1 that a majority of Americans want millionaires to pay their fair share of taxes. A recent poll by the Spectrum Group shows that 68% of millionaires with investments of $1Million or more are in support of raising taxes on millionaires. And 61% of folks with a net worth of $5Million or more support more taxes on the wealthiest Americans.

George Walper (Spectrem) said "what this tells us is that there are a number of wealthy folks who said: 'Gee, we need to increase taxes to stimulate the economy. No one likes to be taxed more, but the reality is maybe it has to be done.'" President Reagan was right when he said that a busdriver paying more than a millionaire in taxes is "Crazy" and most people would agree with that. Let's pass the Buffet Rule into law.

The richest Americans have had a mind-blowing $$innings since the early 1980's. Meanwhile, ordinary Americans' wages flat-lined, costs of healthcare, food & gas went up, manufacturing jobs went overseas, etc. So now that the top percentile is fantastically rich and the rest of us want fair play. Today there's a loud concensus: Now is time for those most fortunate among us to pay more taxes.

The almighty Republican Senate at the behest of Norquist/ALEC/Koch and associates hit on the strategy of turning a deaf ear to millions of voices across America. Consistently they behave like enemies of the people, of the President and of the United States.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/cbo-top-1-percent-almost-tripled-incomes-fueling-inequality/2011/10/25/gIQAzbMrIM_story.html?hpid=z4
http://blogs.wsj.com/wealth/2011/10/27/most-millionaires-support-warren-buffetts-tax-on-the-rich/?mod=e2tw
http://cbo.gov/ftpdocs/124xx/doc12485/10-25-HouseholdIncome.pdf (*See 'Summary Figure 1', page x)

You have to feel it - an unnamed, uncomfortable, but undefined "something". It bothers you. It nags at you. It seems to always be there, these days. What is it? It's anger. It's there, it's real, and you have every right to be angry.

It doesn't matter whether you call yourself a conservative, a liberal, a progressive, a Democrat, a Republican, or a Libertarian. It doesn't matter whether you fall in some arbitrary numerical group; 66% say they're this, 37% believe that, 19% aren't sure, 48% don't know. We know in our guts, something is terribly wrong.

Thank you Paul Ryan - you miserable excuse for a Congressman, you miserable excuse for an American. Thank you for crystallizing EXACTLY what is terribly wrong. When you told America - that's right, ALL of America - that it is President Obama who is stoking the fires of class warfare and envy, we know you lied to us. You didn't tell that to President Obama. No, Mr. Ryan, you looked America in the eye and told us we were too stupid to know you were lying to us. WE do not want class warfare. WE do not envy the success of others. To the contrary, Mr. Ryan, they are proof of our greatness.

The vast majority of Americans KNOW we are citizens of the greatest nation in the history of this planet. We KNOW that we have the opportunity to truly realize our dreams. We KNOW that there is nothing, virtually nothing we cannot do. We KNOW that because we have seen The United States of America succeed time and again, working together and working alone. We have seen our friends, neighbors, and relatives succeed. They are not targets of our envy. Indeed, Mr. Ryan, they are our models.

Do we display envy, are we at war with our fellow citizens when we ask for top-notch schools? When we ask for equality? When we ask that all of us have the finest medical care available? When we ask that we have clean air, clean water, clean soil? When we ask for safe food and safe streets?

No, Mr. Ryan, a thousand times - NO! It is YOU, Mitch McConnell, John Boehner, Eric Cantor, and your evil henchmen who bring us class warfare. Indeed, YOU are the fifth column in this insidious war that YOU wish to wage. It is YOU who incites a civil war in our nation. YOU would tear this nation asunder by pitting American against American.

I remind my fellow citizens of the words of the great Irish Statesman Edmund Burke: "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

Heed those words, Mr. Ryan. We now have a name for the feeling we carry. It is anger - righteous anger. Good Americans will not stand by as you and your evil masters attempt to destroy OUR nation.

Happy Friday, Feisty! For all of us night owls who watched the game, I'm buying the first round of Irish coffee at the Dew Drop Inn tonight!!

I'm buying the first round of Irish coffee at the Dew Drop Inn tonight!!

I'll take mine with a double shot of expresso!

Thanks!

David Walker:

No, Mr. Ryan, a thousand times - NO! It is YOU, Mitch McConnell, John Boehner, Eric Cantor, and your evil henchmen who bring us class warfare. Indeed, YOU are the fifth column in this insidious war that YOU wish to wage. It is YOU who incites a civil war in our nation. YOU would tear this nation asunder by pitting American against American.

Spot on, David. The sniveling little weasel panderer is driving me crazy. No wonder the Republicans had to gerrymander his hometown out of his own district. They know no one will vote for him there after how he callously ignored the plight of GM workers and threatened to take Medicare away from seniors and replace it with insufficient vouchers, without guaranteeing the availability of coverage.

I never quite get over his hypocrisy about that after he admitted that his own grandmother benefited from social programs when she had Alzheimers. How on earth does he think his grandmother would get by in his Brave New World, and would she, too, be guilty of class envy?

As between Perry and Romney, one of these men is at least smart enough to know he won't hold up in a debate. He's decided just to lay back and milk his 15 minutes. After dinner with the Donald, can a book deal be far behind?

David Walker----what a fabulous post. *stands and applauds*. I have not read a better analysis. I hope you save this post and repeat it whenever anyone trots out the "Presdident Obama started the class warfare" line.

Here is a fact check article on Ryan's claims on regulations:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/bogus-claims-that-just-keep-getting-repeated--and-a-further-explanation-of-the-pinocchio-scale/2011/10/27/gIQAiPtUNM_blog.html

Here is a link fact checking healthcare reforms in general.

http://www.factcheck.org/tag/health-care-reform/

BTW the game was exciting!!! Although neither team is my home team I do have an affinity for cardinals in general so I went with them. GO CARDS!

Twice last week, GOP Senators used the millionaires’ surtax as justification for filibustering the American Jobs Act.

They were protecting the narrow interests of a teeny-tiny minority of their constituents.

The Citizens for Tax Justice reported just two-tenths of 1% of households would be affected by the Jobs Bill Surtax in the President's American Jobs Act.

0.2% of taxpayers = 354,532 taxpayers.

David Walker, excellent and eloquent post. Cheers to you! Have a nice weekend. Agree with Steeler Fan, save it and repeat often!

Definitely need an Irish coffee because of the game and it's only 28 degrees here!

Well at least Joe found some good news in all the bad news for the tea people GOP republicans this morning. Good for you Joe, good to see something so trivial makes you so happy. Seeing as how you can't cheer about how bad the economy is anymore. You tea people GOP republicans thought you were dealt an ace with the economy, but it turns out you were dealt a deuce.

don't carry:

I do have an affinity for cardinals in general so I went with them. GO CARDS!

Ditto, that. My favorite birds, in fact. ;-)

Backhouse:

0.2% of taxpayers = 354,532 taxpayers.

Yes, but obviously the most important 354,532 taxpayers, whose money allows right-wing poilticians to fool enough of the rest of us.

Money talks, but it don't sing and dance and it don't walk ....

David- I agree with Jody, Great job Thanks Everyone have a great safe weekend!

Hi David,

Spot on the button! The culture of envy has been long-promoted eg. via Hollywood, don't you think?

But the American people just want practical solutions right now.

They just want the most fortunate to pay their fair share.

While not my "favorite" team, the Cardinals are 2nd in line--Missouri is just a short drive from here.

And these guys want to be President. America is laughing at these clowns.

Obama/2012

David Walker,

Bravo. Thank you for having the insight to post the truth. Anger indeed. I feel it, especially when i hear the parroted talking heads on the radio railing against the President while the "Do Nothing" Congress gets a free pass. We the people shouldn't stand for it anymore. It's our time to shine. Vote them all out of office in 2012.

Hey - how about the Hurricane's IA campaign manager (you know the Marlboro man).

It's being reported he was kicked out of WI politics for voter suppresion, has TWO DUI arrests & his house is in foreclosure...

They sure do pick themselves some winners... lol

David, Speaking about what gets folks angry & frustrated,

In a "breathtaking act of economic vandalism" (NYT), GOP senators all voted No to the first chunk of the American Jobs Act. There was $35 billion in there to help prevent public sector layoffs.

That meant No to 400,000 jobs for teachers, police and firefighters. No to asking the very wealthiest Americans to pay a little more. No to creating jobs for folks who pull you from burning buildings. No to folks who help your child understand Math, English, the Sciences, Geography and History & opportunities to learn about the world. No to jobs for remarkable people who look out for us and keep our streets safe.

It's enough to make you want to spit....

David and Backhouse -- Powerful posts. The facts support the position of wealth disparity. No one can run from that no matter how hard they try.

Excellent post, David Walker!

Well said, David.

Flipping the script is a favorite GOP trick, accusing their opponents of the very same underhandedness that they themselves practice. And, as usual, it doesn't stand up to scrutiny. Portraying the richest Americans as the victims of class warfare just doesn't square with economic data showing - PROVING - that there has in fact been unprecedented growth in the income disparity between the top 1% and the rest of us going back several decades (since the GOP has been pushing for flatter and flatter taxes, i.e., pushing the top tax rates down from a high of over 70%). The richest Americans have done especially well during the most recent recession, which was for most Americans the worst economic downturn since the great depression. If anything, these data support the exact opposite claim - that class warfare has been waged by the wealthy against everybody else - i.e., Ryan flipped the script.

Backhouse said:

They just want the most fortunate to pay their fair share.

Doesn't it stand to reason that by paying the economy forward, the elite stand toi GAIN more than they pay in taxes to support this AJA? I mean with a stronger economy, won't they see increased demand for their products and services and the favorable impact to their bottom line?

It comes down to the GOP/TP cutting off their nose to spite their face. Or cutting of my nose to spite my face for me.

David Walker - excellent post today! You should email it to Boehner - but his response is usually - thank you for writing. We can not read all the emails that we receive but gee thank you.

Bryan,

"Doesn't it stand to reason that by paying the economy forward, the elite stand toi GAIN more than they pay in taxes to support this AJA?"

You would think so. But the big goals and plans of Big Money /ALEC/Americans for Prosperty et al. forwarded by the Norquistians, go way further in scope towards government control and the privatization of America.

And you're right. We've had our noses pulled enough.

@DCIA

From your fact check post

The law — the bulk of which has yet to be implemented — has caused only about a 1 percent to 3 percent increase in premiums, according to several independent experts. The rest of the 9 percent rise is due to rising health care costs, as usual.

Furthermore, the increase caused by the law is a result of the increased benefits it requires, a factor Republicans generally ignore. So far, insurance companies have been required to do the following:

• Cover preventive care without copays or deductibles.
• Allow adult children to stay on parents’ policies until age 26.
• Increase annual coverage limits.
• Cover children without regard for preexisting conditions.

On the other hand, the fact that the law caused any increase at all cast more doubt on Obama’s promise that the law “could save families $2,500 in the coming years.” We’ve been calling that claim into question for several years now. The plain fact is that — so far — the law has caused an increase in premiums, though not so large an increase as some Republicans claim.

Now what did the President promise us? "If you like your current policy then it will not change". But the changes caused by ACA are already affecting our policies. For those of us with common sense we understand that the more of something we use the more it is going to cost - There Ain't No Such Thing as a Free Lunch! Those of us with common sense understood that you cannot offer "free" diagnostics and with no co-pay and expect that the money would appear from thin air. We KNEW our premiums would increase by (medical) inflation PLUS the increase the ACA requirements would require. We knew adding kids (of 26?) to policies would cost more. How else could it be?

Now if you read this article you'll find that a proponent of Single-Payer dismisses the idea that ACA can stop long-term price increases, and that the Ryan plan (yes vouchers for premiums)and Single-Payer are basically the same idea, the only difference being that either the private sector or government controls the costs.

www2.timesdispatch.com/news/rtd-opinion/2011/oct/27/tdopin02-more-broken-health-care-promises-loom-ar-1412896/

Something needs to force change. Republicans have a strategy. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin would convert Medicare — the nation's largest insurance program — into a voucher system. Medicare beneficiaries would receive a fixed amount and would shop for the most appealing health plan that their money would buy. Government spending would be limited by the size of the vouchers. To attract patients, doctors and hospitals would be compelled — so the theory goes — to combine in ways that lowered costs and improved quality. Through tax credits, the same approach would apply to the under-65 population.

Relman's solution is not entirely dissimilar. He would replace fee-for-service with an annual per-patient payment to doctors, who would be responsible for the patient's "comprehensive care." Both Ryan's voucher and Relman's lump sum are what health experts call capitation or "global payments." The big difference is that Relman would have government administer the payments directly, with attendant regulations. A single-payer system, he thinks, would extract savings from the overhead and profit of the insurance industry. In 2011, those together are estimated at $152 billion, 5.6 percent of health spending.

But at the end of the day those of us with common sense know that government healthcare in 21st century will be Medicaid-for-All because there is no more money.

David - stunning words, wow, a keeper! Hope you don't mind if I pass it on with credit.

Alan-- Let truth stand even if one doesn't like it. The healthcare crisis in this Country will be permanently addressed as we cannot afford to turn away from the crisis. Too many being harmed for lack of care.

JH lotsanumbers:

About those evil unions - Perhaps some words from St. Ronald of Reagan might help alter your perspective. These are HIS words from 1980 as he praised the call for freedom in eastern Europe:

“They remind us that where free unions and collective bargaining are forbidden, freedom is lost.”

Words for you, Scott Walker, John Kasich and the hundreds of thousands who are going to send a thunderous, "NO!" to Kasich's union busting efforts.

You might also note his reference to Lady Liberty and his words for immigrants. This link will take you to the video clip: shoqvalue.com/ronald-reagan-where-collective-bargaining-is-forbidden

Yea Right:

No need for credit. It's enough to have you aboard.....we both play for Team America.

500,000 protestors right now in Spain, calling themselves the '99%ers'.

They're angry for a lot of reasons. The super-rich transnationals have had a good innings and it's way overdue time for them to look up and recognize all the other human beings on the planet:

Ordinary people don't just want to be left out of the equation, or to be other folks' objects of dominion.

btw, The Tea Party was funded by Koch/Exxon to forward their political agenda & not grassroots.

The OWS = folks from everywhere.

The evidence is all there and if you turn on your TV, you'll see folks in 60 countries are reacting to it.

Not short-sighted Prunella, then?

Alan you trying to pick a fight with on this beautiful Friday morning? Here I am with U2's Beautiful Day song up in my head and you are trying your best to ruin it. LOL Stop it. Your team must have lost last night and you need something to gripe about. Relax buddy, it's a beautiful day! I'll argue with you next week! ; ) I do so enjoy it!

Yet more Administration hypocrisy.

www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/10/28/141790201/report-prominent-obama-fundraisers-have-ties-to-lobbyists?ft=1&f=1014&sc=tw

"Change You Can Believe In?"

"You can fool some of the people some of the time........."

Your team must have lost last night

The Devils did lose to the Coyotes!!

Classy. Why even bother?

Just how vicious and idiotic Paul Ryan's jabbering about how Obama is stoking "class envy," was revealed by that poll showing a solid super majority of MILLIONAIRES think their own taxes should be raised. Maybe Ryan would suggest that these millionaires are envious of themselves, but a more rational explanation is enlightened self-interest.

Except for people like the Koch Brothers who inherited their daddy's wealth, most millionaires didn't get rich by being stupid. They realize that in order for their businesses to thrive, they need roads and other infrastructure to transport production materials to their factories and the goods they produce there to market. They realize that they have more property that needs protecting by police and firefighters than the average citizen, and they're willing to pay for it.

In other words, it seems a lot of millionaires are a lot closer in their views to Elizabeth Warren and the OWS protesters than they are to Ayn Rand disciple Paul Ryan and the do-nothing Republican "leadership" in Congress.

Is that hockey Alan? No favorite in BB?

Damage123

How about Obamas warning the other day that "if the Republicans take over, you'll be on your own"......

Isn't that just like a liberal. He threatens the American people with the painful idea of SELF RELIANCE.

Damage is yet another far right conservative who doesn't need police, firefighters, government inspectors to ensure the safety of food, drugs, autos, and aircraft, and protections against Bernie Madoff and other corporate criminals running financial scams on Wall Street. Damage does it all on his own. I'm truly impressed by such total "self-reliance."

Houston!, "Maybe Ryan would suggest that these millionaires are envious of themselves."

That is a crrrazy hoot, when ya think about it.... But what on earth would such folks be envious of?

According to the non-partisan CBO, as the inequality of the distribution of wealth in our country grew, the top 1 percent saw their (inflation-adjusted, after-tax earnings) increased by 275%.

Today, one in four children live in poverty and even food stamps are at risk by Senators like Sessions (R-Alabama). Americans want jobs to be created. Koch Industry profitsis laying off tens of thousands of workers while their profits went up 40% this year. GOP had no business voting down any jobanywhere, nohow of any kind.

The American Jobs Act is ABC and it is a godsend for millions of people.

The Project Rebuild provision of the AJA is coming up and it should be passed. No excuses.

Is that hockey Alan? No favorite in BB?

Not really. Texas...I don't think so and I can't stand LaRussa (from his Oakland days)

Don't you know BB season ended when Detroit won?

Spanky-

Gosh, it seems like just yesterday that Elizabeth Warren was taking credit for the OWS protests.

It seems you're living in an alternate reality, because she never claimed credit for originating the protests. And in THIS reality, it appears that a poll reported on by the Wall Street Journal found that 68% of millionaires agree with the opinion shared by her and the OWS protesters that taxes on millionaires need to be raised. No wonder Spanky prefers his alternate reality. Not much of what he says makes any sense in the real reality.

Spanky:

That fat boy straight up hates himself. But not twinkies.

No reason to hate Twinkies. They can be part of anyone's weight-lose regimen. A couple of Twinkies in the morning is only about 300 calories.

This is the same mistake that selfish righties make all the time. Moore, like George Soros, certainly has his, but unlike conservatives, he doesn't begrudge the rest of us. In fact, both of them -- unlike many of their wealthy counterparts -- have devoted their time to making things better for the rest of us -- not worse.

You should try it sometime, Spanky. And then, maybe you'd find it in your heart to give up one of your vacation houses or take fewer trips to Lake Havasu -- a place paid for, by the way, by someone else's taxes -- in order for your staff to make a decent income.

Looking into YOUR heart? Give this "mature" woman something tough to do.

Perfect.

Perfect, indeed.

"What got exposed: the suspicion that he doesn’t have a core set of beliefs and will say and do anything to win office"

Sounds like the total GOP group to me ................

Try what?

No rich person I know wants anything but success for people. Most started from little or less themselves.

Like us AM.

My staff makes a fine income. Plus if they are not satisfied they are free to go. n fact there are two great associates now that I tell need to go out on their own. One will, one will not. Just not a risk taker.

As you know AM - the attorneys can make as much or as little as they chose. Just like you, right?

Kinda sounds like yours is not an equity position. Less $, but less headache. Likely your choice, right?

This president is stoking class warfare and the sooner he's gone from our nations capital the better off we will be.

JH

LOL... You are a liar. A flat out LIAR.

In 2009, Eric Cantor went on record, ON CAMERA, telling Republicans to "GO TO WAR!" Yes, one of YOUR leaders proclaimed that Republicans need to go to war... WAR!

Now, when you get the war YOU wanted, you blame the President? Now, that may work in Republican circles, where they have a one-week memory span, and their intelligence is significantly lacking... but for the rest of America, we DO REMEMBER.

We REMEMBER the Republican call to arms.

We REMEMBER the Republican call to "take to the streets."

We REMEMBER the Republican call for WAR.

Well, JH... you wanted a war? Guess what? You got EXACTLY what you wanted. HERE is your mother f---ing WAR.

Spanky republicans control just enough to gum up the whole works, that is the reality, and that is the politics, and there killing themselves politcally, they are taking all the heat off Obama I told you this would happen over a month ago. They are going to get fired for lack of production.

They realize that in order for their businesses to thrive, they need roads and other infrastructure to transport production materials to their factories and the goods they produce there to market.

The problem with that theory is that their markets are in China and so are their factories. The do not need improved infrastructure here in the USA, they need it in China. Any support most of these millionaires are offering is token at best.

Alan you won't quit picking on me, lol. xoxoxoxox Remember I won that tic tac toe chess game. ; ) Stay on topic before we get called out! Sorry all!

Spanky:

My staff makes a fine income.

Nonsense. You told us otherwise a couple of weeks ago, at least as far as your non-attorney staff goes. I'm not the only one who saw through it.

No rich person I know wants anything but success for people. Most started from little or less themselves.

Like us AM.

Unlike you, I'm not rich, Spanky, certainly not by your standards. And yes, it is partly by choice, and partly by circumstances. Not all lawyers are rich.

But if you think that all rich people want the best for everyone, then why aren't more of them investing in our nation's youth, many of whom and unemployed and desperate for a chance ... any chance? Why aren't they hiring?

And why do so many of them oppose workers' rights, like collective bargaining, and call for repeal of the minimum wage? Why did Congress not extend unemployment benefits for the desperate so they have something to depend on until the economy turns around? Why are there movements in play in Wisconsin, just to name one example, to repeal worker protections for family and medical leave, and for employment discrimination?

How does any of that cultivate "success"?

I think we know, don't we, Spanky? It's just a question of whose success it cultivates?

In fact there are two great associates now that I tell need to go out on their own. One will, one will not. Just not a risk taker.

You have such a jaundiced view of the world, Spanky, and apparently not much understanding of human nature. Risk taking isn't the right option for everyone. Doesn't make you a bad person, or even a bad lawyer.

Have a nice weekend, Spanky.

No rich person I know wants anything but success for people. Most started from little or less themselves.

Spanky

If rich people are so good at succeeding, then why do they want a hand-out? Why are they asking for hand-outs, in the form of lower taxes? Why are they asking for hand-outs, in the form of less regulations?

Where is YOUR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY?

Thousands of people have run successful businesses with higher taxes and more regulations... THOUSANDS have been successful.

So why, now, do we need to cater to the failures? Why do we need to give hand-outs to the businessmen who are too f---ing stupid to be successful? Why is it our responsibility to help all the morons who are too God d--- stupid to run a successful business?

If YOU fail at business it is NOT because of Obama. It is NOT because of taxes. It is NOT because of regulations. It IS because you are too f---ing stupid to succeed. Thousands have been successful with higher taxes and regulations. It is NOT our job to give hand-outs to the morons who are not smart enough to be successful.

Where is the PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY? Why can they NOT take responsibility for the fact that they are FAILURES?

You talk about poor people on welfare who just want hand-outs, and how they need to be PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE. You talk about poor people who need to get up and make something with their life, like other people have. Well, the same thing applies to businessmen.

Thousands have been successful with these taxes and regulations. Thousands have created jobs with these taxes and regulations. If YOU can not do the same, that is because YOU are a failure. Not because of taxes. Not because of regulations. Not because of Obama. Because YOU have failed.

I find it ironic that the people who scream the loudest about "personal responsibility" (Republicans), are the very first to blame "taxes" and "regulations" for their personal failures.

Now I support taxing the rich more (mainly by removing exemptions) but I have to laugh at how often this money has already been spent.

1) Remove cap on SS

2) Surtax to lower deficit

3) Surtax to pay for ACA

4) Surtax to pay for AJA

and of course we have the states cut.

• California: 9.55% plus an additional 1% surcharge on income over $1 million

• Connecticut: 6.5% on income over $500,00

• Hawaii: 11% on income over $200,000

• Maryland: 6.25% on income over $1 million

• New Jersey: 8.97% on income over $500,000

• New York: 8.97% on income over $500,000 through December 31, 2011. In addition, taxpayers with an adjusted gross income over $1 million cannot claim itemized deductions, except for 50% of their Federal charitable contributions deduction.

• North Dakota: 4.86% on income over $373,650

• Oregon: 11% on income over $250,000

• Rhode Island: 9.9% on income over $373,650

• Vermont: 8.95% on income over $373,650

• Wisconsin: 7.75% on income over $225,000

Luckily? I'm not in this income bracket but how often can you spend the same money.

BTW did I miss any other proposals?

Alan:

They will not receive care through broken promises.

And they won't receive care by having their current care taken away from them, either, like Paul Ryan and others want to do.

Why is it that the conservative's solution to a broken toy is always to step on it?

And they won't receive care by having their current care taken away from them, either, like Paul Ryan and others want to do.

What exactly has Congressman Ryan proposed to take away that they currently have? An empty promise?

Looks like the FR lefty liberals don't like hearing what the American people are saying about Barry's ClunkerCare HCR.

Collapsing my post won't change the ugly facts about ClunkerCare.

I'm looking forward to seeing all the 2012 Dem campaign ads touting their votes for it.

LMAO!!!!

David Walker, # 1.2 Some EXCELLENT sentiments! Totally epitomized by the kind of [GOP trickled-down-to-now-be-pervasively-permeated]-Unconstitutional Governing by "brutality-mentality" that obviously was behind the Illegal and Unconstitutional actions taken "against" the Oakland Occupy Demonstrators. Unfortunately, I think, destined to continue if not halted, recognized, acknowledged and punished on that very basic level, to begin sending [THAT] message "up" ,from the fundamentals, to Paul Ryan, John Boehner, Mitch McConnell and the rest of the Constitutionally ignorant GOP Regime. Beginning with a severe and tangible reminder to them that they are dealing with Constitutionally Rights-protected American Citizens and not "Denizens" of some kind of illegal GOP Puppy-Mill. Attitude is Action.

AM said:

Why is it that the conservative's solution to a broken toy is always to step on it?

As my son will atest, Bob the Builder says:

Can we fix it? Yes we can!

Think the rethugs can learn a thing or two from good old Bob.

former GOP

What planet do live on?

Do you think that only republicans own businesses? It must be pitiful to be you.

Joe-- I'm not sure how a post gets collapsed and only just recently learned about the boxes. In fact I didn't even know what lean forward meant until a few months ago after hearing it on this blog. I really don't watch a lot of TV and am not a fan of collapsed posts as I just click on them anyway. Can't you have it restored? I'd like my argument to not argue on this beautiful day to at least have context. : ) Much obliged Joey, fitting name for your love of Australia.

Bryan -- There's an old Bob on here that would agree but he is not nearly as friendly as Bob the Builder. He's more like Oscar the Grouch but very conservative. Maybe he has a sense of humor but I haven't seen it yet.

Alan, NJ:

What exactly has Congressman Ryan proposed to take away that they currently have? An empty promise?

They currently have the promise of insured health care after the age of 65, with some exceptions.

In essence, a safety net.

Now, if you call that promise "empty," then consider what has happened -- and at whose hands -- to make it empty. We could fulfill that promise to the generation that raised us, and our children could fulfill that promise to us, if we wanted to.

Some of us just don't want to.

And by the way, what was there in the Ryan plan that was any more than the same sort of empty promise? We give you a voucher. But if even if that's a promise, we don't guarantee that you will be able to buy anything in the private insurance market with the voucher, or that what you can buy in the private insurance market with that voucher will be enough.

In essence, we have removed the safety net.

But don't ask me. Ask Paul Ryan if he would have thought that promise was sufficient for his grandmother.

A few things: the economy has been improving albeit slowly for the last fifteen months(including new jobs in the private sector)and no new jobs had been created starting in 1999 for ten years. Here's the thing Obama is getting this country on the right track and you funny hat-wearing folks your days of hate , ignorance, and selfishness are coming to an end.

Only time will tell.

Re-posting this simply for AM and her comments about Paul Ryan's plan. So my question would be, how will single-payer cut costs if they don't use the mechanism described below?

www2.timesdispatch.com/news/rtd-opinion/2011/oct/27/tdopin02-more-broken-health-care-promises-loom-ar-1412896/

Something needs to force change. Republicans have a strategy. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin would convert Medicare — the nation's largest insurance program — into a voucher system. Medicare beneficiaries would receive a fixed amount and would shop for the most appealing health plan that their money would buy. Government spending would be limited by the size of the vouchers. To attract patients, doctors and hospitals would be compelled — so the theory goes — to combine in ways that lowered costs and improved quality. Through tax credits, the same approach would apply to the under-65 population.

Relman's solution is not entirely dissimilar. He would replace fee-for-service with an annual per-patient payment to doctors, who would be responsible for the patient's "comprehensive care." Both Ryan's voucher and Relman's lump sum are what health experts call capitation or "global payments." The big difference is that Relman would have government administer the payments directly, with attendant regulations. A single-payer system, he thinks, would extract savings from the overhead and profit of the insurance industry. In 2011, those together are estimated at $152 billion, 5.6 percent of health spending.

Too easy, Alan.

Simply cutting the middleman will take 10 to 15 percent out of the current private sector costs. Medicare manages on about 5 percent overhead. Private sector runs 15 to 20 percent, including both costs and profit.

Capitation has its own problems, but some private health providers, in particular the non-profit cooperatives, already do this. This is not a new idea; it's been done for years. It has some merit, but it also incents physicians NOT to do some things they might otherwise do. It's the old horses and zebras problem.

The economics of Ryan's plan depended on the voucher being about $15,000 a year. Do you seriously suppose that Ryan's grandmother -- or yours -- could find coverage that would include Alzheimer's care, which would probably require inpatient treatment, for $15,000 per year in the private sector, even with "creativity" applied?

Try $15,000 per month, if you're lucky.

More importantly, could she find it without also imposing a requirement that insurance companies provide it? In which case, why do we need the middleman? Off that $15,000, they skim $1,500 to $2,000. Even if you cut that to 7 percent, through the procedures you mention, you'd still leave Grannie with a lot less than Medicare would give her. One might suspect that her coverage, even if she could find it, wouldn't be "Cadillac."

And again, why would we bother to do that, rather than just having single-payer, which would potentially save a lot more?

The way I see it, we still need people to administer single-payer, so there will still be jobs at the levels where people need jobs. We just don't need the executives and their bloated salaries.

Simple enough?

JH said ". Did you hear that Piper Aircraft is going to lay off workers? Yes they are because their corporate aircraft business is down. Who is the number one big mouth ahole who is demonizing corporate jets"

JH While agree Obama did demonize Companies like HP who laid off thousands while ordering 3 new G5 Gulfstreams for about 6 people, its factually incorrect to say Piper is laying off employees due to the Presidents Rhetoric.

In fact The General Aviation Industry is suffering immensely from Sky Rocketing Fuel Prices and Insurance Premiums going off the rails. Corporate Aircraft is only one part of Pipers Business, General Aviation is the real problem. I have been flying for 18 years and only recently have I become inactive due to commodity prices.

Let's hope the World Series is a good example of the TX results in the elections as well, hehe. Defeat the Texans.

As far as this story goes, the ONLY way to end this type of campaign funding is for all of you posters to get involved in the Popular Amendment Movement and help pass the Election/Campaign Finance Reform constitutional amendment. Have ANY of you signed and circulated the petition in your area or to all of your friends throughout the US? Don't just sit here at your computer and complain, get involved. IF all of you had signed the petition posted at http://wh.gov/4Qu and then gotten others to sign, we might have been able to advance it to the desk of the president. At the time I posted the petition there, we only needed to get 5,000 signatures. Now, petitions require 25,000 signatures in 30 days. But you can still get involved at www.faircampaignreform.us.

I am SO happy with the CARDS! Sent Texas packing! Whoo hoo!

David Walker; THANK YOU!!

Just to be clear JH, are you saying tax breaks for cooperate CEO's to buy toys is a good use of tax dollars? Which do you believe helps the economy more. The sale of one small corporate jet or 600 US made automobiles?

Perry and his "ROCK" are "DONE" His flat tax is a trickle up for the Rich. Slick Rick is a total "Fool"

'A rough week for Romney and Perry'

Heck, it's been a rough and bitter 3 years for President Obama and for the U.S. citizens.

Time for a 'change'.

Great way to end the week, Backhouse. If republicans wonder why Occupy has spread nationwide, they need only look at the CBO report.

Jody, Yep,

According to the non-partisan CBO, as the inequality of the distribution of wealth in our country grew, the top 1 percent saw their (inflation-adjusted, after-tax earnings) increased by 275%.

The American people just want fair play.....that's it.

Seriously? You're going to ask someone who served in the US military what they did to insure the wealth of the top 1%? I do believe you've hit a new personal low.

Is it a reading issue, or a comprehnsion issue AP?

Where did Isay anything about insuring the wealth of anyone EXCEPT his or her own?

Many have done well over the last 10 years. Some have not.

It's all about choices.

Stop arguing points that are not being asserted.

Oh and are you saying Backhouse was in the military? Huh. how do you know?

Spanky- Most people who brad about having money either have very little or have limited egos ...

Spanky when will the fog lift? First, Jobs had a $1 a year salary. He didn't take a lot of Apple options either. Most of his wealth is still Disney stock. He was never a man really concerned about wealth, unlike the MeFirsters whom you champion. As a former Apple employee I would suggest that rather than busting ass he busted chops, usually of those that he disagreed with. He didn't take a lot of risk with his own money with Apple either. He took all of his risk with Pixar. Success is as much about luck (right place, right time, right product) as it is about risk.

"Many have done well over the last 10 years" MOST have not, about, well, 1% did extremely well on the backs of the 99%. It isn't risk when you stack the deck by giving yourself huge tax breaks, and reduce the tax rate on your gambling down to the same rates as earned income.

And you post was addressed to Navy, not Backhouse. You're so busy spewing this drivel that you can't even remember who you are addressing it to. You are the typical attorney, full of double speak and truth shading but no facts as that wont sway the jury to your line of thinking. Don't cash that RNC check buba, you didn't earn it this week.

What is with you people? Are you incapable of grasping even this simple point that Spanky makes?

Let me spell it out for our slower readers...

The 'rich' people that you all so despise got rich by working hard AND taking risks. Risk takers reap the reward of success and feel the pain of failure.

Working hard alone is NOT enough to make you rich. Many of you are hard workers but you are not willing to risk everything you have to get to the next level. That's ok. A comfortable living and security is enough for most Americans. But don't begrudge those individuals that DID take that risk. What kind of a small person would do that?

And don't forget, those risk takers are the same people that employ you non-risk-takers. Take your frustration out on them and see just how uncomfortable and insecure your life can be... (when they say they have had enough and close shop or move somewhere else.)

My father always told me as a child that hard work was a good thing, but when possible it was always better to work smarter than harder. Most people don't get that. They would rather just complain about having to work harder. Go Figure.

(show me the clown nose, fisty!)

Amused...

Firstly, you don't sound amused... you just sound bitter and angry.

Secondly, you are obviously one of the slower readers I mentioned above...

Spanky knew EXACTLY who he was addressing his comment to... but you aren't quick enough to get it. (Sorry... the truth hurts.)

(shhh..... a little insider info... Navy and Backhouse are one in the same.... but don't tell anyone.)

.

(show me the clown nose, fisty!)

Eyyyy, and don't be telling me abahht it. Keep it on the level.

The 'rich' people that you all so despise got rich by working hard AND taking risks. Risk takers reap the reward of success and feel the pain of failure.

Alternatively, they could have their wealth handed to them in an inheritance, and never have to work at all. Or they could just keep the family business going, like Howard Hughes did, requiring little effort and no real risk taking - all the things Hughes did "take risks" on failed utterly, but the family business kept churning out no-risk wealth that paid for all his failures.

Working hard alone is NOT enough to make you rich.

Yep, the rich also needed a financial boost from their parents, expensive education at exclusive schools, and connections to other wealthy "movers and shakers" to get the cushy jobs that pay multimillion dollar salaries and "golden parachutes" when their lazy incompetence gets to be too much for their buddies on the Board of Directors.

And SOtB,

dON'T loOK noW, wE'RE TAkING RiSKS !!!!!!!!!!!

Fabulous, Jody, thanks,

This one's maybe the mom of all round-ups!

Seems Mr. Cain is caught in the: invasive women's-issues-Big-Government // pretense-at-small-Government thingy.

Another wonderful round up of the week in politics, Jody. Proving once again that you can't make this stuff up.

On the Rubio thing---I'm not sure it is irrelevant that he misstated his family history. I am the great-granddaughter of immigrants and I can tell you the date they landed at Ellis Island---it is part of my family's history. I am named for my great grandmother and she hand sewed shirts for the original H.J. Heinz (making it even funnier that I am challenged to sew on a button!). I know a family of legal immigrants who are counting the days to when they can apply for citizenship. I just don't think it is something one doesn't know.

BH. It is a bit long despite the tidbits on the cutting room floor.

SF, irrelevant was probably a bad choice of words--fudging the facts to create a more compelling (anti-communist) narrative would have been better.

Jody,

Fabulous as usual. Who needs to go info-hunting on Fridays?

We ought to pass a law requiring that those who build nuclear wepons also leav einstruction on how to take them apart,so that future generation can dismantle them safely, and that no weapon be constructed without strict enforcement of this provision.

Can't begin to tell you how I look forward to your weekly round-ups - factual and straight to the point.

A Standing "Ovation" for you.

Great job Jody!! Want to see what was on the editing floor!

Another Home Run, Jody. And the crowd goes wild!

Actually, the crowd fell asleep.....bored to death by the same old left wing whining.

Ah, Jody Jody dear, you forgot the ...And Obama's rating continued to decline.

And that Brown in Cali is going all Kasich and Walker on public unions.

Or that the feds are in terrible financial shape, and so many true blue states are flat out doomed.

So much in fact you have seemed to 'gloss over' or ignore.

Bliss, eh Jody?

Jody,

You are certainly a wordsmith. Great job again. I do look forward to your post every friday.

So Jody, you think, just maybe what Jacobs said about Iraq applies to Libya?

Say gang, how you liking the new laws so far in Libya?

Multiple wives and no interest. Sharia law.

Sounds great, right? This is what Obama had in mind?

I think it's being much too kind to say Rubio "embellished" his family history. He flat out lied over and over again, even on his official US government web page. And the reason he lied is obvious. The latest revelation is that his parents were not "exiles" of any sort. They started the process of applying for permanent residency in 1956, 7 months before Fidel Castro ever set foot on Cuban soil. The country doesn't need a person of low character like Rubio anywhere near the Oval Office.

Regarding the jobs bill, the righties are claiming it's for the unions. Bureau of Labor Statistics data for 2010 shows local government workers such as teachers, police officers, and fire fighters have a union membership rate of 42.3 percent. That is a high rate, but the truth is less than half of those targeted for help in the jobs bill belong to unions.

Thanks Again Jody, Iowa for another great wrap up.

So, Houston-have you written Obama, demanding he resign due to HIS low character? It has, after all, been revealed that he LIED bout his dying mother fighting with her health insurer. There was never a problem with her health insurer- she was attempting to get long term disability insurance coverage, even though she had not been with her employer long enough to qualify.

Oddly enough, she had sought treatment for her condition PRIOR to getting the health insurer who paid her medical bills- and they never brought up "pre-existing condition" issues.

So, someone with such a serious character defect he would lie about his own mother surely does not belong anywhere near the White House, am I right?

You tell him, Houston.

Jody:

I would have said, "Thank you," sooner but the chores of a Domestic God simply cannot be put on hold.

I am happy to report the solar clothes dryer is operating at peak efficiency and is painted what can only be called a startling blue. The chickens have graciously provided enough eggs for us AND the neighbors. Seed gathering is next on the list.

You're the best. This week's recap was absolutely sensational. They always raise the question: How do Republican vote totals ever make it into the double digit range?

Bright futures to all, and......go get 'em Cards.

Another great "And that's the way it is"..... Jody. Those post have become one of my Friday highlights. I really enjoy them! Thanks!

The US is a large, wealthy country but our child poverty level ranks with Portugal, Hungary and old Soviet bloc countries. The GOP's latest attacks come in the form of blaming Americans for being unemployed, for being poor. It's their own fault but the GOP ignores the truth--that is is 30 years of conservative, trickle down policies of giving more to those who already have while the 20% at the bottom struggle to survive. 1 in 6 children lives in poverty--and the GOPTP debate audience cheered when Herman Cain said "it's their own fault". That's something to be proud of--cheering for poverty!

It's is simply amazing that the GOTP is trying to blame the poor and the working class for what ails the economy. They must think we are stupid. Everyone knows who is responsible for the Economy. That's right the one's who hold all the gold. Sorry, the poor and the working classes don't. It's just that simple.

Okay, MSNBC, this is not the first time for Buchanan's racism to appear--it is time to kick this Jim Crow hate monger to the curb--fire him.

Yes, please do. It's time for the resident bigot to go.

Spanky-

So Jody, you think, just maybe what Jacobs said about Iraq applies to Libya?

Say gang, how you liking the new laws so far in Libya?

Multiple wives and no interest. Sharia law.

Sounds great, right? This is what Obama had in mind?

No Spanky apparently that is what the people in Libya had in mind.

Jody--as usual a great wrap-up. I did hear a couple of things that weren't mentioned.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanual had OWS nurse medical stations torn down and nurses arrested for being there. The nurses continue to fight back and rebuild the medical stations! Go nurses!

Wiki Leaks has had to stop releasing documents to fight the illegal financial blockade that Wall Street (BOA, Visa, PayPal, and others) has instituted. These organizations have blocked legal contributions to Wiki Leaks from concerned citizens. This is not legal. These citizens have a right to donate to whomever they want. One more strike against Wall Street!

Goldman Sachs is using TARP funds to go against small credit unions and banks. GS is withholding funds as a political hammer against those small institutions that support OWS. It should be illegal to use taxpayer funds as political punishment. We need more regulation of Wall Street--not less!

What a week!

"We have met the enemy and he is us!" Pogo by Walt Kelly

Anyone who feels it acceptable and appropriate to disrespect any president, for example referring to President Bush as "Shrub," or President Obama as "Obuttwad," earns the same lack of respect from me that they show toward the president. The more a presidential candidate's supporters do this, the less respect I have for that candidate, because they reflect the mentality of people attracted to that candidate. A lot of Tea Party people obviously don't understand the importance of treating their opponents with respect and dignity. Are these the kind of people we want running our country?

Hey all you teatards, biethers, religious fanatics, flat earthers, and all around anti American Republicans, get used to Obama because he's not leaving office until January 2017. And if your Republicans filed a similar collection of worthless candidates for 2016 like you have for 2012, a Democrat will win that time around too.

IR, terrific information; thank you for sharing this story. I had not heard it. It is another reminder of what is wrong with a health care system that only covers those who are lucky to have employer coverage or can afford to buy it privately.

And the republican response is "LET HIM DIE!!!!" The republican mantra is he is a lazy, gubment, teat sucking, welfare case, socialist who doesn't deserve a dime towards recovery. If ACA we in full play, the man would be covered. But no, not on the back of a republican. Their motto is "Hero's like this deserve to die!!"

What a shameful story, IR---thanks so much for bringing it to our attention. They should all hang their heads in shame.

Thanks for sharing Floyd!

For the life of me, I just can't wrap my head around stories like this...

"Steeler Fan": "They should all hang their heads in shame."

.....says the fan of the team with a serial rapist at QB.

Just another reason to take "insurance companies" COMPLETELY out of the picture. As long as we have "for profit" health care we will have unfair healthcare. Period.

Damage123----I believe in forgiveness and redemption. Our QB has apologized to his teammates, organization and the city, has undergone counseling, reached out to trusted advisors for ongoing mentoring, served his suspension and from all accounts has had a genuine transformation. I can't ask for more than that. Do I condone his past behaviors? Of course not. But I have forgiven him, just as I would forgive the people who would deny the hero in IRs article the workers' compensation he so clearly deserves if only they would recognize the error of their ways.

Damage Steeler is a whole lot nicer than I am. You take your serial rapist and stuff it. It has no place here. Keep yourself within bounds or stay off my space.

IR....What a story.

Running up $2.5Million is not something we can think up even on a bad day. The day will come in the US when like other industrial nations, folks are taken care of just because they are valuable human beings.

Not long ago, I saw and heard the PM of Canada (this is where the opp. goes wild), say very clearly and plainly, "If someone cannot pay, if they cannot afford it then it is our pleasure to pay the healthcare premium for her/him".

That is a conservative Prime Minister and he was proud to say it.

Little ol' canadian Justin Beiber said he wouldn't live in the US --"Because you don't have a responsible health care system".

Unfortunately.... in Canada the sick usually have to wait so long to get the healthcare they need, that they aren't around when it becomes available.

So Little ol' canadian Justin Beiber can have his government heathcare system.

BTW... you may be putting a little too much faith in the opinion of a child when it comes to such large matters.

SOTB,

Care to back that up with some data?

Not that i would expect someone of your caliber to quibble with the like of little old me, but maybe you and Spanky can rub two brain cells together and come up with some numbers?

Us "slow readers" sure could use some more of your "insight".

Your comment about Canada is false.

Got the scoop on 'Elthcare Canadien' firsthand from folks who have lived there for Ever.

Pls there ain't no more children multi-millionaires these days. They grow up FAST.

Backhouse--you are correct! I had an opportunity to work with the healthcare system in Ontario and had a chance to talk to many Canadians who are very happy with their system and were quite angry about the misrepresentation of their system here in the US. They may have to wait for elective procedures, otherwise, not a problem. And the big kicker...? I worked on the same kind of project here in the US, looking at outcomes...Canada has far better outcomes based on process and outcomes measures than we have here in the US! Their baseline data started out much higher than our ending data. They are very strong on prevention! The Commonwealth Fund does a scorecard of health outcomes of the 25 industrialized nations, and the US is consistently at the bottom of the list. Same results with the World Health Organization. We have a higher infant mortality rate than some countries we consider to be Third World or Developing Nations! Where is the outrage over that? And the most of the other countries operate with a lower level of technology and without the newest generation of medications! It just goes to show that all the technology we have does NOT produce better health outcomes. And TPGOP types continue to whinge on about US exceptionalism and having the best healthcare system in the world. That is simply not true--I have observed it myself! As you can tell, this is my soapbox issue! We need to quit spending on destructive wars and rebuilding other countries so we can spend money on our own citizens--UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE NOW!

"We have met the enemy and he is us!" Pogo by Walt Kelly

Nurse, thank you for sharing your firsthand info.

Will have a little whinge myself, since it's Friday and TGIF.

Well the first thing I notice if returning from Elsewhere, is folks walking, shopping and going about their business who clearly have not had treatment for leg injuries, or knee injuries, foot injuries, all kinds of injuries and didn't get any preventive care. (You don't see that in Canada, for example, you probably noticed.) When you feel taken care of & not worried about sudden debts from healthcare for example, it gives a confidence, a spring in your step and a sense of pride, a pride in your countrymen, that we are all here and we're doing OK. The good feelings spread around and folks are friendly.

The Healthcare Reform act will not be fully implemented until 2014 but there's a lot of good stuff already going. I hear stories all the time of how grateful folks are for what is already available, protections, young adults can stay on parents' plan till 26yrs, pre-conditions gone, no more caps, no more denials, lots of important critical stuff. Bankruptcies will end when it is fully in place. Bankruptcy and losing your home is something folks in other countries just cannot wrap their head around. They cannot believe it.

I remember the story of a woman with cancer before the Healthcare Reform Act came in who decided NOT to have any treatment for it, because she had two children & didn't want to leave them with a big debt. She died. She was 30 years old or less. Can you imagine? That just would not have happened in any other industrialized nation. There would have been an outcry and all hell let loose, I promise you.

See you,

Unfortunately.... in Canada the sick usually have to wait so long to get the healthcare they need, that they aren't around when it becomes available.

Canadians have the vote, they have elected officials, so if their health care is as bad as claimed, why haven't they tried to change it? Same question goes to the numerous other nations that have both Voting rights and Nationalized healthcare. But they don't want to change it, not even a notorious conservative like Margaret Thatcher would even consider it.

Fact is, their "socialized" health care actually does work and doesn't take nearly as long as the Teapublicans would have you believe. It's all part of right-wing propaganda that relies on most people having no experience with the health care in other nations.

BTW, our "for profit" healthcare often has delays, too, especially if the insurer doesn't want to pay for an expensive but necessary medical procedure.

CM-

Yes, Thatcher made a mess of the British working class and to some extent the middle class, but did not touch the Nationalized healthcare system, probably did not even think or dream of it.

Healthcare is a standard/norm/totally reasonable thing in other industrialized countries and the impact on the people who live there is really obvious if you go there, see & spend time talking with them.

LOL Bill, I'm with you on this one "Ontogeny Recapitulates Phylogeny" what???? And with you too Domenico!!! Those technical things can tire one out!

Can't imagine a Cubbies fan saying "Go Cards!" LOL!)

You sure got that right Grimey!

Truth be told, I'm not a huge fan of the baseball but having had the pleasure of catching a Card's game in July with some awesome friends, make me go all 'nostalgia'... ;o)

I prefer contact sports! ;o)

We can sustain the growth but only if we stop thinking "austerity and cuts" for a year or two.

You have a nice weekend, too, Grimey.

"Contact Sports" .... Like political debate!

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

Truth be told, I'm not a huge fan of the baseball but having had the pleasure of catching a Card's game in July with some awesome friends, make me go all 'nostalgia'... ;o)

I prefer contact sports! ;o)

AWESOME!

A DOUBLE CLOWN NOSE POST!!!!!!!

WHOO HOO!

Now that's a mental picture to end the week, Forrest Grump.

Shoot I meant to say; as they both tried to hobble back and forth across the tracks.....

In any event they roughed themselves up pretty good, all self inflicted gunshot wounds to the feet, Romney is walking with a limp, Perry is on crutches.

I'm not sure Cain really has much of a campaign staff anywhere either which is a negative for sure. Lawrence O'Donnell may be right--Cain never thought he'd gain traction, he just thought he could sell more books by being highly visible as a presidential candidate.

Oh, Paul, Paul, Paul, Paul, Paul...trying to put a finger on it? Really?

The big negatives for Cain? Easy!

1) He is merely a mouthpiece for the Koch Brothers

2) He is really only in it to sell books and to raise his speaking fess

Was that really so hard to figure out?

If youanayze Cain's record at Godfather'sit'snot muchto write home about. The number restrants decline significatlyafter the chainwent private falling behind Papa Murphy's and others to sixth or seventh. They once had a sore in Minneapolis, The space has is still empty. Herman Cain's turnaround artist record is not good.

Monetfan----the funny thing to me is that the debates aren't truly debates and the formats generally allow the candidates a lot of wiggle room and time to recite their talking points. And the moderators often focus on shiny objects and don't follow up enough. Despite all that, Perry is running away from them. Imagine if it were a true, no holds barred, debate?

Jack, on another page I just posted the question, why do they call themselves tea partiers? They certainly do not like to party.

Jack, I simply HEART you! (and I'm not offended in the least,...)

If you wanted to have a fun night on the town, would you rather go with Fiesty, Anna Molly and Amy? Or Leona, Smiff and no jo?

LOL!

Kind of like asking do you prefer filet mignon or butt steak?

I told you the other day you were a quick learner! ;o)

Jack---keep posting---you'll get the hang of it!!!

I have partied in reality with Feisty and virtually with Amy and Anna Molly and I can PROMISE you they are a ton of fun!!!

I knew there was a reason I loved Portsmouth, besides visiting the folks pretending to live in the 17th century in Strawberry Banke and attending concerts in Prescott Park!

er, just occured to me Jack could be in another Portsmouth, in which case, I'm sure I love it too!

Clara,

And certainly none intended.

I thought of you when I was rooting for the Cards last night, though. If they beat Texas tonight it might be a harbinger for that clown down there--time to hang up the spurs.

Jack, good one. Keep posting. I've partied with Feisty, Steeler and others not named--great fun!!

"Who says the GOP is boring?"

Well. . . lots of us do.

LOL...dude...you definitely have NOT met me! I constantly joke around and rarely take things too seriously. I understand your point in a general sense, but I think there are plenty of fun people on both sides of the aisle. And yes, there are plenty of serious (and boring) people on both sides of the aisle.

Amy,

Actually, I'm from the one in Kansas. :)

Walking through the Park one foggy night not long ago, I stumbled upon the lead singer from a local group called (something) Vampires. Everyone was sitting on folding chairs in the fog, mouths agape. He was so good! Reminded me of Bono. Keep an eye out for them. I'll have to dig up their name (no pun intended) and let you know. They're going to be big.

Jack, be sure and check out our local band, Vedera! They are pretty great, too!

Frank,

True enough. And I have friends whose views diverge greatly from mine. We agree to disagree, and give serious consideration to what the other is saying. My point was a veiled (or maybe not so veiled) reference to posts (rants) whose first sentences make me yawn so wide that tears spring to my eyes.

My point was a veiled (or maybe not so veiled) reference to posts (rants) whose first sentences make me yawn so wide that tears spring to my eyes.

LOL...fair enough my friend!!! Welcome to the board.

Jack in Portsmouth,

thanks for the shout out, I grew up not far from Portsmouth , NH

If you think Feisty's nasty witless snarks at Republicans are 'humor', then you are still in the snickering grade school level. Most of the libs here attack with no real wit, little real humor and no nuance. Not to mention substance.

As to partying with Fiesty, like most libs you prolly all have your snoughts at the public trough in one way or another, so you all are able to make fun of the poor hardworking private sector taxpayers, who are paying for your drinks.

To paraphrase Rush Limbaugh, Spanky can outwit the libs in here with half his brain tied behind his back.

Bob,

Spanky's a fraud, and the only person he outwits is himself.

Bob #'s-

Spanky does not have 1/2 a brain to spare to be tied behind his back to even try to outwit anyone on this board and neither does Lush Rimbaugh! Have a great weekend everone!!

Jody,

BTW - thanks for joining the welcoming committee.

Really enjoyed your post earlier--you put a lot of work into it!

You have a good weekend, too!

Thanks go to Bob lotsanumbers for solving the mystery of where Spanky's brain is attached,...Was pretty sure a 'missing report' had been filed.

The only reason Spanky has half his brain behind his back is he needed some brain surgery and the cheapskate had it done as an outpatient to save a buck. Soak it in a little Captain Morgan Spanky, it will make it heal faster. Oh geez be careful, you almost sat on the damn thing. You have a beautiful brain, it looks brand new, it looks like it is hardly ever used. You might be on to something Bob I think Spanky may in fact only use half his brain. Ha that was fun, right Spanky, who loves ya buddy, maybe we should start our own little regular FR celebrity roast on Fridays, I mean you know make it official and all, announce who gets roasted at the end of the week, instead of waiting for Bob to volunteer himself and Spanky. Happy Weekend both you guys

Yet the liberal paragon Washington Post used material researched by 'birthers' in its attack piece on Marco Rubio...you good with that?

They eat their young too!

A very tough 10 years for our country and especially the
middle class that has suffered the most thanks to the bad policies from DC for
the last 30 years with Republicans having two-thirds control 18 (60%) of those years.

Well at least he's stopped the hemmoraging on the economy, winding down one war and ending another, and stopped the right wing assault on women (on the federal level). Compared to what we would have seen under McCain/Palin, and after 8 years of the disastrously distructive George Bush, righting his wrongs will have to pass for progress. We'll see if we can pick up the pace on the economy, keep the modest regulations on the financial sector, and get going on some long-Reubilcan blocked judicial appointments.

diddo, that's an accurate description of today's GOP. Their mistake was embracing the Tea Party in 2009 for their enthusiasm without paying attention to how extreme they were. Now, more moderate legislators are too afraid of a primary challenge to do what they know is right. They're stuck between a rock and a hardplace but would do themselves a great deal of good, as you say, to kick the TP away.

Check out Jon Huntsman. He's the moderate running that no one talks about for whatever reason. I hope my party comes to its senses and nominates him.

"Frustrated republican"--

moonbat who stupidly thinks he fooled anyone by pretending to be a Republican.

Northstar,

DDI? I'm a babe in the woods here.

Northstar,

Thanks for the welcome.

DDI?

Jack, the reference is the the DEW DROP INN, a virtual gathering place for posters on Friday afternoon.

Be sure to check out the thread: The WEEK AHEAD later today on FR.

Good times, good music, cold drinks and great conversation...

Good times, good music, cold drinks and great conversation...

You BETCHA NorthstarDFL! ;o)

Thank you for the explanation. Unfortunately, I've got too many responsibilities at home after work to "drop in". But thanks for the invite.

All better than the disastrous failure in the White House now.

Lame comeback Bob - I've heard this one before - got anything better?

Pizza anyone??

Selling his book, of course!

Matt Taibbi does great investigative work---I always read anything he writes. Of all the things listed, and they are great, I'm kind of partial to "human price tag".

Here is something else the ABC TV station in Austin reported on last night. This is what has happened under our Governor's watch:

The KVUE Defenders uncovered in the last year alone, state agencies have reported more than 3,500 items missing or stolen -- a grand total of more than $10 million.

Every year, state agencies and universities file a report with the Texas Comptroller detailing all state-owned assets that are lost or stolen. In the last four years, departments reported more than $80 million in missing and stolen equipment, electronics, and weapons. It's a number that Peggy Venable with Americans for Prosperity, a taxpayer watchdog organization, says is unacceptable.

"I think taxpayers should be outraged at this," Venable said.

Outraged, by what's on the list from just this year:

• 2,573 computers
• 270 printers
• 212 cameras
• 23 guns
• 4 ipads
• 1 robot

Items that Venable says most taxpayers would keep a close eye on.

"We're working hard to pay our taxes, and some government employees have little regard for the equipment that is being purchased with our tax dollars," Venable said. But Venable says every nickel and dime should be accounted for when you're dealing with taxpayer dollars.

"It seems very often government employees don't hold themselves to the same level of accountability as you would in the private sector or if you owned it personally. And that's really where we, as taxpayers, have a big problem with that," Venable said.

There is also an additional $60 million in items that the state considers "pending," allowing agencies two years to determine if the items were lost, stolen, or still in the agency's possession.

Wow, now that's a Tiabbi critique that should send Perry home to Texas for good!

It's really bad when Americans for Prosperity are complaining. That's a list. 23 guns?

PerryB...

A robot is missing???? God, I would like to know that whole story...

They showed the robot on this video. AND the tarp that covers the Disch-Falk Baseball Field!

Sorry the link didn't show up. What is the deal with that?

www.kvue.com/news/Millions-of-dollars-in-state-owned-assets-missing-stolen-132741588.html

What is the deal with that?

New accounts are not able to post links - give it a little time & you'll soon be out of the 'greenhouse'!

Yeah, me too. I wonder how much the robot was worth. Maybe we could get Tiabbi to look into that. Love his work.

i saw that stuff in ricks garage last week man...

Well said, The Democrat Soldier.

Good post, Democrat soldier. You are right. The republicans are desperately trying reverse psychology and failing miserably.

Also, congrats for being a person who is employed by the military but has the common sense to be a Democrat and not fall for their propaganda. It is so good to see people who can think for themselves.

marinmom it is so good to see people who can think for themselves but watching the conservatives is funny too.

I sure ain't going to vote for no Mitt Romney. Flip-it Mitt? Not a chance.

"I sure ain't going to" ..... is that english?? Go back .. get your GED and then you'll have a better ability to make your point!!! See .... this is the type of guy that supports Barry!! How embarrasing for the Dems!!

zman spelling and grammer the mating call of the loser that has no argument....when typing on the move is your best play because that maybe the only argument you have..that's worth a hill of beans...by the way you're fat and ugly...lol

its hard to talk down to a party that claims the south as there base....what does a 12 year old girl in the south say after sex.? roll over daddy you're crushing my cigarettes....heard that in west virginia at a mcdonald on a rafting trip no sense of humor ...