People and Money:

Once upon a time in American there was a strong middle-class. Most people had jobs and they managed their money by buying things, sending their kids to college, even taking a vacation every now and then. They spent their hard earned money to make their life and the life of their kids more comfortable. Money actually trickled UPHILL as corporations also profited from a large middle-class.

Then over time things began to change. A conservative majority on the Supreme Court decided that for all intent and purposes, corporations were just like people. Corporations could make money and buy and sell whatever they wished. And because they were huge corporations, they had lots and lots of money.

So what do corporations want to buy? You guessed it…they want to own people. Congressmen and women from the House are good things to own. They are elected every two years and are in constant need of money to run a campaign. Senators are also a good investment. They stick around for 6 years and they vote on things like banking regulations and environmental restrictions. Today the cycle is reversed and money owns people.

Buying Congress and the Presidency is the Wall Street agenda. Enter Mitt Romney whose campaign is largely paid for by PAC money and donations from Wall Street. Mitt is a very wealthy man who bought corporations, fired employees thus increasing unemployment, and then profited from the sale of those gutted companies.

It is significant that Romney does not want to release his tax returns. I suspect that his tax returns were legally prepared, but ol' Mitt does not want the world to see how little he paid. Only the 1% can afford the best tax consultants and attorneys money can buy. Perhaps Romney's greatest hypocrisy is he campaigns like a commoner, but in fact he is a tool for the 1%.

It used to be that people would vote their pocketbook, but evidently that is not true for the majority of Republicans. Today's adage is, voters can be bought for a price.

Romney v Santorum tee hee

These Tea bagger savants are out and about in their into giddy lunacy and untherapeutic solemnity to take America off the cliff.
They are congenial echo chamber tools of right-wing crackpots of FOX NOISE

Is OWS Infilitrated By The Tea Party?

Surprise: OWS is strong arming people from voting all over America!!!! That's just not cool.

Statement on Activity at State Party Headquarters

December 29, 2011

DES MOINES – Iowa Democratic Party Executive Director Norm Sterzenbach released the following statement this afternoon following the activity of protestors at the IDP headquarters:

“This afternoon we gave these individuals an opportunity to express their opinion and we listened to their concerns. We remain committed to a dialogue with all Iowans concerned about the important issues facing us.

“However, as we have told this group previously, an occupation of our office is an unacceptable course of action. Not only does it interfere with the important work that our volunteers and staff do to engage Iowans in the political process, but physically blocking our staff from entering or exiting the building sets a very dangerous precedent.

“It’s unfortunate that some members chose to face arrest after we took time to listen to their concerns. These individuals were given multiple opportunities and warnings before any action was taken. We cannot thank the Des Moines Police Department enough for their professionalism in resolving this matter.”

http://www.iowademocrats.org/2011/12/statement-on-activity-at-state-party-headquarters/

======================================================
At first, I was all for OWS but here lately it appears they have become ill informed and misguided due to what I think some slick players are using with their deceitful agendas.

These people have no idea what a bunch of unpatriotic steeple they truly have become. I sincerely believe they have been infiltrated by Koch and FOX NOISE provocateurs to further the agenda of the anarchist, anti-government, land grabbing, no tax paying agenda of the Kochs and FOX NOISE aka the Republican/TEA NUT Headquarters.

~snippets~

Covert Operations. The billionaire brothers who are waging a war against Obama.

The Kochs are longtime libertarians who believe in drastically lower personal and corporate taxes, minimal social services for the needy, and much less oversight of industry—especially environmental regulation. [p1 paragraph 5]

Read more http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/08/30/100830fa_fact_mayer#ixzz1iIcHXMLG

Charles’s [Koch] goal, as Doherty described it, was to tear the government “out at the root.

Many of the ideas propounded in the 1980 campaign presaged the Tea Party movement. Ed Clark told The Nation that libertarians were getting ready to stage “a very big tea party,” because people were “sick to death” of taxes. The Libertarian Party platform called for the abolition of the F.B.I. and the C.I.A., as well as of federal regulatory agencies, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Energy. The Party wanted to end Social Security, minimum-wage laws, gun control, and all personal and corporate income taxes; it proposed the legalization of prostitution, recreational drugs, and suicide. [page 4 last paragraph]

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/08/30/100830fa_fact_mayer?currentPage=4

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

America is For Sale:

Wisconsin Union-Busting Concealing a Koch Brothers Power Grab?

Section 44. 16.896 of the statues is created to read: 16.896
Sale or contractual operation of state-owned heating, cooling, and power plants.

http://cleantechnica.com/2011/02/21/wisconsin-union-busting-concealing-a-koch-brothers-power-grab/

======================================================
Yes, I think these are the change agents along with provocateurs like the one from right wing publication American Spectator & FOX NOISE provocateurs infiltrating OWS.

Proof:
American Spectator editor admits to being agent provocateur at D.C. National Air and Space Museum

October 9, 2011

http://thepoliticalcarnival.net/2011/10/09/american-spectator-editor-admits-to-being-agent-provocateur-at-d-c-national-air-and-space-museum/

But on a serious note… it's not about racism, this is a culture war. There is a big difference. Even though there are people that are bigoted, Right Wing more so than Left Wing, the true nature of division is based on the inferiority vs. the superiority debate of whites and blacks. The large portion of white voters still believe blacks should be shackled much less not in a position to lead anything.

President Obama is changing a system of the GOP thought that only whites can have this position of leadership. It's not at all surprising.

BLACKS AINT SUPPUSSED TA BE SMART!!!

Well here's some true BREAKING NEWS!!! We is smart!!! And if Hilary won't run, can you believe we would vote in a Republican by the name of Colin Powell!!! Yes we can and YES WE WOULD!!!

What really drives these guys up the wall comes from the President's abilities to out run these sad little people. He's totally blown their minds. That's change you can believe in!

People are going to vote their pocketbooks- which is why Obama is going to lose. There is that one, great question- "Are you better off today than you were four years ago?"- the answer to which means Michelle better start getting boxes together.

Then, we have things like this

http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/29/world/meast/libya-jihadists/index.html?hpt=hp_bn2

Which kind of makes me wonder- why is it that Obama chooses to interject himself- nd us- into conflicts that work AGAINST this country's interests? He sure seems to alway choose the wrong battle.

So according to NoJo's thesis the wealthy 1% will be voting for Obama ... interesting.

Happy New Year LouisJ!

Don't be such a stranger, we need your strong voice now more than ever!

Good Morning Ron - good to see your mo-jo is back! ;o)

Happy 2012 all! You really have to wonder at the IQ's of people that would vote for either Romney OR Santorum, but when you read no jo's posts, you get it figured out.

They just aren't too bright!

Ron: good post as always. What's worse is that the people who would support Romney aren't bright enough to realize that they are being bought!

I do wonder if today's conservative every reads Edmund Burke and realizes what they are voting for when they vote conservative? Just an observation.

Welcome back Louis

10 things you might not know about Iowa

~snippets of two things~

Iowa's caucuses haven't always been so important. It wasn't until South Dakota's George McGovern and his campaign manager, Gary Hart, realized how, under new party protocols, the state's 1972 vote could launch his long-shot presidential bid that they rose to prominence. The campaign recruited many Iowans and convinced national political reporters to cover the caucuses. McGovern stole the show and headlines from front-runner Edmund Muskie. He won the nomination but lost to Richard Nixon in November. In 1976, an obscure Georgian named Jimmy Carter repeated the feat by shocking the Democratic field, but he went on to win it all.

Iowans demand efficient government. Exhibit A is the Squirrel Cage Jail, which served Council Bluffs from 1885 until 1969 and is now a museum. The jail, a three-story Lazy Susan and the only one of its size ever built, allowed one jailer to control more than 60 inmates in pie-shaped cells that revolved at the turn of a hand crank. An 1881 patent noted that the design would provide "maximum security with minimum jailer attention." An inmate could exit his cell only when the jailer ratcheted it to the sole doorway on that level.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/ct-perspec-0101-things-20111225,0,702495.story

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

Essentially, the GOP/ tea baggers have made Iowa caucus a place for a "Rat race and better promotion for the Ringling Bro Barnum Bailey& Circus

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2011-12/67073575.jpg

Ron Indiana,

Happy New Year.

Romney the perfect candidate of the 1% His superPacs will do all his dirty work. They have already produced results against Gingrich and Paul.

He is running on his business acumen. Buying companies, overloading them with debt to buy more whil driving the first company into the ground. Meanwhile being sure to pocket the millon dollar management fee.

http://www.massresistance.org/romney/ampad_062607/index.html

Rick Santorum tells Iowans that family values make America great as if such values only exist in the USA. Family values are important but unless those families earn a living wage, those values do little to put food on the table. They keep families together but do not put a roof over their heads. The GOP agenda represents greed, not common purpose or sacrifice. That conservative agenda has no respect for those who struggle. The GOP takes food from the table for families and gives it to those who already have everything they need along with plenty they don't need--and they label it free-market capitalism.

Conservatives do not want upward mobility of the lower classes - it is bad for their bottom line, Jody.

Oh please, please Iowa Republican voters, cast your vote for Santorum or Paul. You couldn't give President Obama a better gift. Not that Romney will be that much of a threat, but it would just make the upcoming election that much easier. Now, Nationally, just keep voting for those two and you'll insure a Obama victory.

Obama in 2012.

LouisJ

BLACKS AINT SUPPUSSED TA BE SMART!!!

O M freaking gawd Louis LOL

You sound like Ron Paul

He's totally blown their minds. That's change you can believe in!

First, you need a brain to have it blown away. These right wing nut jobs Don't have human brains. Well, at least what they do have is comparable to a bird's. So you are right. Those are all gone too

LouisJ,

I've said this before, and I'll say it again. Fifteen to twenty years from now historians will look back on this period as the "Jackie Robinson" presidency.

One of my favorite images from the 50's is the day Robinson was being booed, and Pee Wee Reese walked from his shortstop position over to second base and put his arm around Jackie's shoulders. It was a courageous thing to do, and it's doubtful many other Dodger players would have done it at the time.

Robinson had his wife to go home to after games, and President Obama has his wife to go home to at the end of the day. But there is no one to make the kind of public display of support for Obama that Reese did for Robinson.

It has been said that the presidency of the United States is the loneliest job in the world, and if that's true, President Obama is the loneliest of long line of presidents.

Jack,

You are a very wise and observant man. Well said.

Glenn Greenwald doesn't vote. Isn't that something? Not only doesn't he vote, but he is such a smart American, that he doesn't question GWB's abuses of power while it is going on.

Most, if not all of President Obama's fiercest critics are the ones who sat by w/o questioning the neocons. Funny how Barack Obama could see that Iraq was the wrong war. All it took was some honesty to say so.

Something we saw very little of by the so-called Libertarians. Neocons bullied just about everybody in this country, including Greenwald.

Written by Emilia, Whoo's Left -

The title of Greenwald's book - How Would a Patriot Act? Defending Values from a President Run Amok, and in that book, Glenn revealed some things which he'd never admit publically today. Perhaps he thinks that people didn't read his book, and if they didn't read it, they wouldn't know that he confessed - things like, he trusted so much in the government of his country and the ability of elected representatives to adhere to the Constitution that he didn't really see any importance in voting at all, his trust was that great. Great and unquestioning, like a child's:-

From Glenn Greenwald's book:
I never voted for George W. Bush—or for any of his political opponents. I believed that voting was not particularly important. Our country, it seemed to me, was essentially on the right track.Whether Democrats or Republicans held the White House or the majorities in Congress made only the most marginal difference.

During the lead-up to the invasion, I was concerned that the hell-bent focus on invading Iraq was being driven by agendas and strategic objectives that had nothing to do with terrorism or the 9/11 attacks. The overt rationale for the invasion was exceedingly weak, particularly given that it would lead to an open-ended, incalculably costly, and intensely risky preemptive war.

Around the same time, it was revealed that an invasion of Iraq and the removal of Saddam Hussein had been high on the agenda of various senior administration officials long before September 11.

Despite these doubts, concerns, and grounds for ambivalence, I had not abandoned my trust in the Bush administration. Between the president's performance in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, the swift removal of the Taliban in Afghanistan, and the fact that I wanted the president to succeed, because my loyalty is to my country and he was the leader of my country, I still gave the administration the benefit of the doubt.

I believed then that the president was entitled to have his national security judgment deferred to, and to the extent that I was able to develop a definitive view, I accepted his judgment that American security really would be enhanced by the invasion of this sovereign country.

*********************

Greenwald is going around now telling everybody that Bradley Manning in a hero. How gallant a thing to say.

This confused messed up young man Manning will probably spend most of his life in prison. So I don't think it is wise for jackasses like Greenwald to be calling the Manning's of the world "heroes". It gives other young men "ideas".

They aren't heroes. They are young men being used and then tossed in prison for 20-30 years. Something Greenwald is not willing to do himself.

Very sad.

Ron Indiana

It used to be that people would vote their pocketbook, but evidently that is not true for the majority of Republicans. Today's adage is, voters can be bought

So glad to see you back neighbor. You are right on the money. The majority of republicans have lost all sensibility. Did you see the lady Cris Matthews intervied in Iowa who said she voted for Obama but can't now because he has divided American with hate/

@LouisJ -- Thank you so much. You are so intelligent. I am sure that if you were head of a news organization you would not even mention the Republican caucus. I am glad I was able to read your elitist post so I can discard it with the rest of the trash on here from the other "ladies of the LW night." The true racist positions also emanate from the follow-up cheerleading posters welcoming you back. That is also out with the trash as well -- cause that is what it is.

Keep naming calling. Keep underestimating your opponent. This is fun to watch.

Ben,

So you think ladies who are progressive are trash? How very Conservative you are.

Never mind, phine: Ben NEVER has anything relevant or interesting to say. He just doesn't know much about the events of the moment.

Newday,

He certainly doesn't seem to approve of women thinking independently of men!

Well, let's see-

We have about twelve people- who post as many others, despite the supposed ban on multiple accounts.

We have an avowed communist- someone planning a vacation to Russia for the express purpose of visiting the Bolshevic shrines, happily proclaiming she will stay in the very house where they plotted the slaughter of the Czar and his children.

I don't know about "trash"- but nutty, ignorant, and immature sure fit.

Glenn was right. Ask the 16,000 subtracted Floridians in the 2000 election if their vote mattered. The "FIX" was in thanks to brother JEB. Look into who owns and operates Diebold and all the other eletronic voting machines, and how their "software" is supposedly so "proprietary" that even the Secretaries of States which employ them, are not allowed to examine it and have it checked for "trap" doors which allow vote switching in the tallying process. Why no paper receipts system for recounts? FRAUD. That's why.

Glenn Greenwald admits his naivette, when are you going to do the same, PAT?

A tweet shown over @ The Obama Diary, Annmarie Cairns:

To-date Romney sez he'll repeal Obamacare, Dodd Frank, Cons Fin Protection, reinstate DADT & just added repeal DREAM Act - GOP/2013 Warning.

There is also an article written that reports veterans stating they believe Michele Obama is the best First Lady ever. She has done tremendous work with our veterans. Both her and Jill Biden have.

The President of Huffington Post donated to Romney.

As Newt Gingrich said - Mitt Romney is going to buy his way into the presidency. I guess Karl Rove didn't do enough damage to America as it is. Now he's doing all he can to get Romney elected, just like he did with GWB.

And America doesn't pay attention. As usual.

@phine -- Never said that. Apparently you are not able to read. I am conservative and make no bones about it. I don't lie in my bio that I look at both sides before forming an opinion.

@newday -- I know the events of the moment -- more so than those who think the Iowa caucus means the primaries are over; that the winner will go on to the nomination; idiots who make fun of someone's name; idiots who make conspiracy theories of why the flawed and ill conceived OWS failed; idiots who make up cutesy names in an attempt to show intelligence they don't have (making up cutesy names only makes one look incredibly stupid); etc. Racist remarks are trash.

@nojo -- Okay add those as well. LMAO.

Hey, look Pat: No jo has finally jumped the shark!

She is in love with the Tsar Nicholas II, an Autocrat, and his wife Alix, raised to be a Constitutional Monarch by her grandmother, Victoria of Great Britain, but had some emotional health problems and became more Autocratic then Nicky himself!

You just can't make this stuff up!

By the way no jo, when WERE the Bolsheviks last in power?

And Ben proves his inability to be erudite by another nonsense post. Good work, Ben!

Ben,

If I misunderstood what you have written about throwing out the trash the other "ladies of the LW" write, I will apologize. Maybe you should clarify your remarks so I have a clearer understanding of what you mean.

"Well, let's see-

We have about twelve people- who post as many others, despite the supposed ban on multiple accounts."

OK, I'll come clean. I am no joe, no bo, nj!

Happy New Year to you as well Feisty and all you FR gurus! I have to say that the "O"12 will be a good year.

Bev, I don't know if it has been covered but I noticed this date of 1/21/12 will reflect 12/1/12... don't know what those dates mean but I'm sure the whacky guy with the DOOMSDAY date fetish will rear his little head again. Shoot, I'm sure there are many people in the GOP that will pop their little heads out to get some spotlight and a little cash on more messages of GLOOM AND DOOM. I can't wait for some more EXTREMIST GOP LOGIC of all things cosmic... NOT!!!

Jack, brilliant observation about Jackie Robinson... truly changed the whole map and definitely the conversation. They realized that if he gets his foot in the door, then the flood gates would be opened... well, well, well... the water is rushing and they can't stand it!!!!

Anyway, I'm just popping my little head thru the door to check on you guys... I read your comments time to time to see you all fighting the good fight and smile :^)!!! I'm glad to be able to contribute to such a diverse and eclectic Conversation!

Why, you little nojo spoiling ideology you!!!! You are a scamp!

Actually no joe, I hated the Bolsheviks. They weren't socialists. They were murderers. Just like I hated the Nazi's. Who were also murderes. I like to travel to places that made a huge impact on the 20th Century. Russia and Germany are two such places.

btw, go and read how the Romanovs treated jews. Go read how many Jewish Hollywood producers and writers and studio heads fled Russia because of the Tsars. Go and read why. Go and read about those who kept the Romanovs in captivity and did so because they were Jews and truly despised this depressing leaderless weak religious Tsar.

There are no heroes here. Just history. Something I enjoy revisiting when I can afford it.

I'm looking forward to it. Not really interested if you approve. I don't seek approval from Republican sell outs.

@ NOJO You asked "Are you better off today than you were four years ago?"

Yes, many women are because of

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009

Real Ladies are not ignorant of the facts.

Yes Obama needs to intensify the attacks on the Tea Party nuts in Congress. Because everyone knows that IS the problem.

Just like Romney would like to NOT be seen as a far right fanatic leading up to the election. Tea Party ideology is being REJECTED by the country massively in droves....... a sinking ship you might say.

Same with the GOP clown fest. The longer the clowns (Gingrich, Perry, Bachman, Cain, Trump, Palin) stay around, the more idiotic the GOP looks to the rest of America!!

Indy Ron -- Buying Congress and the Presidency is the Wall Street agenda. Enter Mitt Romney whose campaign is largely paid for by PAC money and donations from Wall Street.

And enter Barack Obama who received over $900,000 from Goldman Sachs and its employees in the last election cycle.

All candidates pander for money -- it is not a republican thing -- obama is no different than any other politician in this regard.

If anyone plays the lottery, pick those numbers throughout the month of January and December and I guarantee you won't win a damn thing!!! :^)

BTW Pat, the only weapon the TEA Drinkers have is a shot of whiskey and historical world dictators and murderers as reference to everything. They study history of violence as a historical reference only to themselves. Give these guys a shot gun and they'll be sure to make their self infamous.

Pat Boston MA.

Glenn Greenwald doesn't vote. Isn't that something? Not only doesn't he vote, but he is such a smart American, that he doesn't question GWB's abuses of power while it is going on.

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

Pat

I could care less what Glennzilla and Jane the firedoglake hamster say. He lies in Brazil with his boyfriend who is 20 years his junior. Both he and the rodent Jane are Koch operatives.

These libertarians really get my gall with all their so-called knowledge about what the President is doing to the Constitution; particularly, Glenn Greenwarld, Bill Maher, David Sirota, Cenk Uger, Jane Hamsher, Daily Kos, Arianna, Huffington, Jonathan Turely, and now Micheal Moore as well as the rest of the lot. They are jealous of our President and ex-republicans. I hardly give them a click because they are so depressing. Besides, they repeat just about evertyhing FOX NOISE says so really all I need do is read what the right wing nut jobs here like NO Jo, Joe in Albany et al say and I'll have their talking points.

I will not concede to firebaggery nonsense.

I really used to love reading some of their blogs. It has changed now I really can't tell the difference between them or FOX NOISE. I hardly give them a click unless another site leads me there. Had if not been for people of their ilk telling Democrats to stay home in 2010 the President would had a better Congress to work with. These people make up all kind of paranoid stuff and lie to make a point. Simply put they are bitter, greedy, egomanical people who think the President should be their step-it- fetch. That's why they have turned against him. They can't boss him. Here are some links that substantiate my remorse towards these people.

I found this @ Osbourne ink. I'm so glad it coincides with my views.

~snip~
Recognition that race is a cultural construct does not blunt the cumulative effect of constant attacks on the character and intelligence of the first African American president.

Put simply, the Bill Maher-Michael Moore set has alienated a huge Democratic demographic.

For those who want to start a whole new enterprise, I say that’s fine. Just don’t expect instant gratification. It took black America a long time to get any change; even with a black president in the White House, the problems of police racism and brutality still exist. This may be the hardest thing for the Occupation to accept: that winning a battle merely means you get to keep fighting. No single election, encampment, or confrontation will sweep aside the old order and give you a revolution. That’s not how the world works.

http://www.osborneink.com/2011/11/crossroads-at-a-president.html#.TtaslfUiD6E.twitter

Glennzilla works for Cato and Jane the hamster is in co-horts with Grover Norquist

This article appeared in The Politico on October 14, 2010.

http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=12476

Greenwald, like I said, is a greedy, spoiled, egomanic and so are most of them in his tribe . He is also a mercenary. The send out hysterical emails to their sheeple distorting the words of President Obama, every time the President opens his mouth to fire up the hate …. and then plead for donations to fight this dastardly traitor. [President Obama]

http://workbench.cadenhead.org/news/3604/jane-hamsher-spends-her-pac-money

http://extremeliberal.wordpress.com/2011/07/15/adam-greens-dishonest-attack-and-appeal-for-cash-grifters-will-grift/

24 hours to go and we will find out if all the great prognostications of the prognositcators are correct in Iowa. One (sad) thing for sure, Sarah Palin will not win the Iowa Caucuses.

I am so very disappointed that Cariboo Barbie decided not to run. While the clown field has been entertaining, it just has not been as much fun as it would have been with the 1/2 term governor attacking the media at every opportunity.

Prediction: in one month, the field will be down to Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich, and the eventual nominee, Mitt Romney. Ron Paul will fight to the end, simply because he can. All of the others will drop out due to a lack of money and organization.

Think Progress: REPORT: The Repubicans' Candidates Economic Agenda For The 1%

This Tuesday, Iowans will officially kick off the process to nominate the Republican candidate for president. A close examination of all of the GOP candidates’ records and policy positions reveals that Mitt Romney is not the only candidate who “represents the one percent.” All of the Republican candidates share at least one thing in common: an economic agenda that will benefit the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans at the expense of the other 99 percent.

Each and every Republican candidate has called for trillions of dollars in new tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and corporations — all while calling for ending Medicare as we know it and dramatic cuts to Social Security, Medicaid, and countless other programs and services that Americans depend on each day.

All of the candidates would take us back to the Bush-era policies that increased income inequality, resulted in the worst job growth in decades, exploded the deficit and national debt, and ultimately crashed the economy. Indeed, the policies proposed by the candidates would not only embrace this failed economic agenda, they would take it even further.

*****************

The Repubicans we have seen with the leadership of Boehner, Cantor and McConnell - and of course Norquist - will NEVER put American working families on their priority list. They never have and never will.

And Romney? He's the GOP establishment's puppet. He has more or less said he will abide by the opinions of the neocons when carrying out world affairs.

All the neocons are with Romney and Romney is with them. Hook, line and sinker. He has no thoughts of his own. When you ask him a question, he can't answer it directly. And that's because he has no answers.

Just like GWB.

By the way, Pat:

no jo claims that she went to Italy. By her definition and "logic" that makes her a fascist, no?

During the morning chatter, they discussed how badly Romney wants Gingrich out of the race; he doesn't want to debate him one on one because he knows he would not do well and that he can't defend his own positions against Gingrich's ability to hammer him on the issues. Sounds right. I heard a pundit this morning say that Romney wants to be president so much, that if he could, he would buy the votes directly. Seems to me his Super PACS and all the secret money is trying to do exactly that. The millions spent on attack ads and mailers against the others, especially Gingrich, is step one. Anyone who votes for Romney deserves what they get--a greedy, vulture capitalist with little regard for ordinary working people and a complete inability to identify with them to boot. "Corporations are people, my friend."

You have to remember Pat, history to the tea people GOP republicans begins with Ronald Reagan, there was no history before Reagan. Not BC (before Christ) or AC (after Christ), the tea people GOP republicans is BR (before Reagan) or AR (after Reagan).

Pat Boston MA.

Here is proof Jane the hamster of Firedoglake is in cohots with Grover Norqist, the Koch brother lobbyist:

Just why is Jane Hamsher in collusion with Grover Norquist who had Republicans and one (1) democrat, Ben Nelson, to sign a pledge to never raise taxes??? Norquist, by the way, is a lobbyist for the Koch Brothers.

Click here please------> http://tinyurl.com/bs2945t

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

AS far as I am concerned, Pat, these fakes are no different from the Tea Nuts and other wholly owned subsidiaries in Congress of the Wall Street Barons who essentially are telling the middle and poor classes to go to hell or drop dead.

Beverly, I agree with you 100%. These people are put on tv as though they represent the Democratic Party. They don't. They raise tons of money off of lies. They are phony; some are racists. The so-called "PL" are a bunch of rich white flame throwers looking to make a name for themselves. What do they do for the Democratic Party? For the working class? Nothing.

Democratic supporters do not want a left's version of Rush Limbaugh, which is what Cenk is attempting to be. He's a liar. And lifetime Democrats can see it.

There are so many democratic activists who do real democratic activism. They unfortunately have been swayed by the PL and it's sad to see. These activists have done the hard work their entire lives and I wish they wouldn't believe the PL. They were/are the real deal. The PL is not.

It's almost like some of these Democrats have fallen under Greenwald's/Cenk's spell like the Republicans did with Limbaugh and Hannity, etc.

We need to think for ourselves. We always used to. It's what made us Democrats. The PL is made up of a bunch of former Republicans.

Michael Moore, a huge huge sell out.

newday, I was going to mention Italy to no joe, but decided to let it go. But yes, I was thinking the same thing. haha.

no jo claims that she went to Italy. By her definition and "logic" that makes her a fascist, no?

Dang it NDD - you BEAT me to it! lmao!

It's a sad day in America when someone who enjoys history is labeled a 'self-avowed' Communist!

Just further proof the right wing nuts totally lack intellectual curiosity!

btw no joe, you remember Irving Berlin, right? Did you know he left Russia when he was a small boy? He has one memory of Russia.

He remembers seeing flames as his home was burnt to the ground during the Tsar's reign.

The pogroms it was called. Against the Jews.

Can I just ask what the comments would be if Bush/Cheney had signed this bill?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-signs-defense-bill-pledges-to-maintain-legal-rights-of-terror-suspects/2011/12/31/gIQATzbkSP_story.html?tid=pm_politics_pop

Where is the outrage? It's just like a liberal pundit complaining on 'Up' that Obama has killed the anti-war movement. No protests over Libya.

And the feisty one complains that the right lack intellectual curiosity. The left lack intellectual honesty.

I know, we can all trust the President when he says I will use this power judiciously.

With one day to go before the Iowa caucuses, the Republican presidential contest looks increasingly like a battle between Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum

Well, Santorum never had the chance to be the "flavor of the week", like Herman Cain, Rick Perry and Gingrich; so he gets to have 1 day of "Republican flavor of the day" After tomorrow, he is history.

Mitt is a very wealthy man who bought corporations, fired employees thus increasing unemployment, and then profited from the sale of those gutted companies.

The dozen of companies I looked at that have been supported, owned or restructured by Bain Capital, those companies currently employ 358,000 people. The two companies I found written about in the news and blogs that folded laid of 300 people combined. One story cited an unidentified report, offered no specifics but indicated Bain was responsible for the loss of 12,000 jobs through its restructuring, "gutting," capitalist efforts.

358,000 - 12,000 leaves 346,000 employed by companies. I know more than a few of those companies were on the verge of total collapse prior to being restructured.

So, Bain Capital directly or indirectly caused at least 346,000 people to work.

On the other hand, President Obama's one attempt at venture capitalism at Solyndra alone, caused the loss of 1,100 jobs.

I realize that Romney was a "job destroyer" is a talking point for the left. I don't think the talking point is grounded in fact. If it is, can someone provide the statistics?

James-1937467

Indy Ron -- Buying Congress and the Presidency is the Wall Street agenda. Enter Mitt Romney whose campaign is largely paid for by PAC money and donations from Wall Street.

And enter Barack Obama who received over $900,000 from Goldman Sachs and its employees in the last election cycle.

All candidates pander for money -- it is not a republican thing -- obama is no different than any other politician in this regards

James

Entre nous: A look at Open Secrets reveals that this is a lie. The top "industry" contributors to the Obama campaign this cycle are:

1. Retired people at over $7.5 million
2. Miscellaneous business at $4.5 million
3. Lawyers/Law firms at $4 million
4. Education at $2 million

lets review the fact that when these numbers are thrown around, what we're talking about is how much employees in a particular company/industry contributed to a campaign. Everyone who makes a contribution has to identify their employer. And each individual is limited to $2,300 for the primary and another $2,300 in the general election. So if a receptionist at Goldman Sachs contributed $25 to the Obama campaign, his/her gift would be part of that total. Goldman Sachs - as a company - cannot make contributions (that's what Rove's American Crossroads Super Pac is for) because Obama doesn't take money from PACs.

Its true, the employees of Goldman Sachs came in as the second largest contributors to the Obama campaign in 2008. I'm not sure that's a surprise given that the Republicans had just crashed the entire economy and their candidate Sen. John McCain showed himself to be completely clueless on what to do about that.

So how many lies did Michael Moore tell in 90 seconds with Piers Morgan on CNN?

Here's the video:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/07/michael-moore-barack-obama-wall-street-candidate_n_1134303.html

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

Since Micheal Moore and the rest of his ilk are practically gazzilonaires instead of sending OWS to disrupt democracy; pehaps they should had OWS MARCH ON THEIR PLACES OF BUSINESS? Particulary, Micheal Moore since he does not use union workers. He wants OWS to march on the WH. what a crock of sh^&

Putting "thoughts" in the same sentence as "Romney" and "Santorum" is inherently disrepectful to thoughts.

Ive been to several Muslim countries so, but none of the religious shrines or Mosques. and I live (most of the year) close to the largest Muslim population in North America. To your view, I should be bowing towards Mecca a few times a day. And again on my way back to snowy cold Detroit I latched onto a radio station that played this Adam Corolla funny as crap, but exactly mirrors my view.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJD8pZiRIzs

JOS1,

I can never figure out who you're talking to or what hell you're talking about. Are you hearing voices in your head?

“The question is: Are those values ones that you can trust when they become president of the United States? Is it someone who you know is going to fight not just for certainly things, but for the entire Republican platform?”

When will these dumb politicians realize that the Presidency is not about one set of ideals or platform - it is about what is right for the nation. Only when the politicians can get their heads out of their idealistic asses can they help bring about real progress in the country. Between worring about what side their "pocket" bread is buttered and kissing up to their base to stay in power the politicians have lost sight of what is required for putting the country back on a progressive path. Wake up before we realize that China or some other country is now the super power and we are the "used to be" powers.

Sadly none of the current field of GOP candidates has the leadership capability to run a country, much less a super power that provides world leadership. In all fairness, the same can be said of the current President.

These politician clowns continue to embarass themselves and the rest of America while the world watches and laughs!

Ate lunch today with my 3rd grader and noticed her lunch tray was missing along with something else... where is your retainer?

Hey Santorum and Romney, were you guys willing to trash dive through gallons of 3rd and 4th graders drool, mash taters, yogurt, mustard, barbeque sauce, ketchup, milk, juice to rescue what's important? Wait a minute, this is the family values bunch, they're cafeteria is the home kitchen. They wouldn't know what a public school look likes if it jumped up and bit them!

Man, I became Mr. Dyslexia on that last post.

You might have to join the NDA ,the National Association of Dyslexics!

Why even report on this. Romney has more money than any of the other candidates i.e. Romney will win.

Obama will have more money than Romney, i.e. Obama will win.

Thank the SCOTUS for this wonderful corptocracy they have given us.

The GOP is scaring away the most important voters: the minorities and young people. Their immigration policies alone scare away the Latino vote, and boosting the rich/Job Creators/1% while ignoring a constantly crappy economy will anger those new to the work force. If the Republicans plan of lowering taxes for the rich worked, we woud be in an economic boom right now, not a recesion.

Its RON PAUL or U.S. Bankruptcy, More Wars and Many More Dead Solders.

I need to understand this. Why do Republicans hate Obama??? He is much better than Bush, offered a balanced debt reduction plan that gave the GOP much of what they wanted, took out the public option to placate the GOP on Obamacare, has time and time again offered compromise to the Republican Party, etc. From what I have heard, many Republicans (not the party) like him and are willing to vote for him, as they feel sympathy for him because their party has participated on a never-ending campaign to demonize him. For a long time I have defended the GOP, or at least refused to consider, that they hated Obama because he was black. I thought it was because he was a liberal. Now, it seems like it is both. This is one of the reasons why I'm gonna support Obama. He's been demonized like no one has ever been. Even Bush had some degree of bipartisan support in the third year of his tenure. Obama has practically none. If there is any Republican who has the REAL reason, not some criticism like calling him a traitor, a Marxist, or a Muslim, say it now, or watch your party become branded as a racist organization.

Because they are all morons.

Romney has been running for President most of my adult life and I'm not that young. Santorum and Gingrich are just same ole hat retreads, although I'd take Santorum over Ganggreen anyday. Bachmann is an extremist who puts the bible before peoples rights which makes her un-electable. This leaves Paul and Huntsman, both of which I would vote for. They are not perfect but I would give them both a good look against the current President.

The PAC interest lies in the Wall Street Panderers, Gingrich, Romney and Perry.. Sorry but you wasted good money that could have provided a job to someone.. Just saying...

999!!!

Wait, is it too late for that?

I don't care much for either Republicans or Democrats. Both are lying, cheating thieves who want your vote and your money to further themselves, no one else. But in response to why Republicans don't like Obama, look back at the miserable campaign he ran, speaking loud and clear that he would take away the tax breaks from the corporations who took jobs from Americans. We bought it hook, line, and sinker. You think he's so great? Well then you must be employed, live in a home, and drive a car, and support your family. I am a registered Democrat. I am so ashamed of how low the party has stooped. It's not a fight about Republicans or Democrats, it's a fight for America. Both parties screwed us. Figure it out. Then take the family for a drive and cruise by the rest stops wherever you live around dusk. They are filled with Americans who no longer have homes, waiting to stand in line at the food bank. And you wonder why all Americans aren't drooling in love with Obama? Get real.

Republican hate Obama because he is bring to light the fact the the wealthy and corporations don't pay their fair share at taxes and the American people are over 70% in favor of seeing changes being made to such that the top 1% have to pay their fair share.

Web.-news, Joke from Romney's son: "MY DAY WILL SHOW TAX RETURN WHEN OBAMA SHOWS BIRTH CERTIFICATE" Wow - Nice way to raise your son with no respect, spoiled rich kid.

LouisJ

The GOP is a joke. The mere fact that these Whackadoodles are headlines has me wondering about the true nature of all mental aptitudes. Parroting FOX News Talking Points and people latching on as if that is a basis of fact, leads me to believe that a large portion of the voting bloc is seriously lost.

If the argument is about fiscal discipline, then those said voters would not have a problem with President Obama. He has shown he makes legitimate decisions on economic policy.

That brings me to only one conclusion they can’t stand the man based on his ethnic heritage. Oops, my bad, I think that has already been covered… never mind carry on.

Well Louis J, your comment in your last paragraph was not an Oops, but an intentional comment - the race card. When will your side end this practice when presenting an argument against the policy practices of this President? People are not concerned about the color of the skin but more concerned about his governence of the country, his spending, and his down-right arrogance.

Your broad brush-stroke comment about the supporters of the GOP also doesn't wash. There is a continuing spending problem in the nation, with the progressive side wanting to continue their spending ways with no funding in the kitty, while the Republicans believe that fiscal controls need to be put in place. But I will agree with you that a large portion of the voting bloc is seriously lost, and unfortunately that bloc are those who bought into this 'Hope and Change' thing during the previous election. Having seen the resuls of President Obama's policy changes, they may not continue their support for the man today.

It will be interesting to see how few will pull the Obama lever in the voting booth, or instead vote their pocketbooks. However you see the benefits of President Obama, many more people will move to someone who will provide leadership to overcome the issues we face today.

Louis J,

But on a serious note… it's not about racism, this is a culture war. There is a big difference. Even though there are people that are bigoted, Right Wing more so than Left Wing, the true nature of division is based on the inferiority vs. the superiority debate of whites and blacks. The large portion of white voters still believe blacks should be shackled much less not in a position to lead anything.

President Obama is changing a system of the GOP thought that only whites can have this position of leadership. It's not at all surprising.

BLACKS AINT SUPPUSSED TA BE SMART!!!

Well here's some true BREAKING NEWS!!! We is smart!!! And if Hilary won't run, can you believe we would vote in a Republican by the name of Colin Powell!!! Yes we can and YES WE WOULD!!!

What really drives these guys up the wall comes from the President's abilities to out run these sad little people. He's totally blown their minds. That's change you can believe in!

Really Louis, it is time to throw down your racist brush and join the world of reality! I can't remember hearing people making such statements about blacks not having the ability of reason, other than you or Bev in your comments.

And in addition, do you actually believe that only whites feel that they only should have positions of leadership? Man, that is a false statement if I ever heard one. Again, only you and Bev must buy into this racist diatribe. Many could care about race - in the real world it is only about can a man/woman be a leader, or a follower. In this world of politics, can the person elected be a leader or simply be a politician?

President Obama may be following the course of events you espound to, but to many others, he's not being effective to the majority.

And NO Louis, he hasn't created change we all can believe in. Hopefully, we will change this error in the presidency in 2012. I can't wait for him to run on his record. Or, will we see a very negative campaign by Obama during this election? He has to, since his record is wanting.

Obviously I live in Utah, home of the conservative Mormon faithful. I have had the opportunity to meet and talk with many people here that I would not really call right-wing-nuts, but somewhat sensible people. As of May 2010, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for a resident of Utah was $39,220.00 and the average hourly wage was $18.86.

Utah politics is heavily dominated by conservatives (22 of 29 state Senators and 58 of 75 state House members have the (R) behind their name). With this in mind I can not make sense of the fact that the average wage earner in this state continously votes against their own needs and self interest.

No independent thinking at all!

winemaker,

Really Louis, it is time to throw down your racist brush and join the world of reality! I can't remember hearing people making such statements about blacks not having the ability of reason, other than you or Bev in your comments.

What world do you live in that you could make such a comment? Are you five years old? Or living in a monastery? It's outrageous to say that you haven't heard racist comments in your life (except for the examples that Louis and Beverly have presented)--and frankly, I don't believe you.

People are a lot more careful about what they say in public these days, but racism is alive and well in the old ole USA. And the fact that you're denying that it exists, is racist in and of itself.

Patriotic American U.S.A.

Web.-news, Joke from Romney's son: "MY DAY WILL SHOW TAX RETURN WHEN OBAMA SHOWS BIRTH CERTIFICATE" Wow - Nice way to raise your son with no respect, spoiled rich kid.

This might be the most sensible thing I've ever seen you write. Romney has no problem sending our sons to "bomb bomb bomb Iran" but yet none of his have ever served.

Neither one of these guys would be fit to be POTUS, but now I'm thinking that they just might throw Santorum against Obama this time. Now if Mitt wasn't good enough the last time and McCain took it in the shorts against the Presudent then thats their only choice now. Ahhhh be, thats how things are starting to stack up now. They have kept Mitt handy the whole time they campaigned, but never wanted him and going through all the other candidates Santorum is the only one left. Crazy they didn't give Huntsmen a chance even, but other than Huntsmen theres no one left at all out of these dummies to even be able to look like a president should and thats the big problem with Santorum. They're stuck between a rock and a hard spot with these two dummies, but its starting to look like thats going to be their final offer now. How funny, I'm thinking that Santorum is even going to lose at a bigger margin than McCain did, he dosen't have a chance and so they throw Santorum out there, because he dosen't have a political career left and whats the difference, their big names couldn't do it so mght as well make Santorum the sacrifice this time. Oh yeah, one more thing too, vote McCain out of office already too.

1SGFitzsWife4ID, Thanks but day was meant to be Dad, not Day. Hit the wrong key - sorry about that, see you !

Joe, Huntsman was the best of them all, sad what they did to him ??????

Misinformation....Ron Paul at 23%

The recent attacks on Ron Paul have reminded me of the time-tested strategy for winning a debate by default...

"Losing the debate and have no points left? Shout racism! It will silence your opposition, which ends the argument and allows you to claim victory!"

Patriotic American U.S.A.

1SGFitzsWife4ID, Thanks but day was meant to be Dad, not Day. Hit the wrong key - sorry about that, see you

I didn't even notice lol I'm pretty proficient with typonese ;)

winemaker

While Obama is not what one would call the "ideal" president, he has a pretty good record, considering what he faced. He got bin Laden and 20+ al Qaeda leaders (and don't even think about giving me that "he didn't kill bin Laden. The troops did" BS), helped balance this economy, is creating jobs (check the 22 months of growth in the private sector employment area), took out Gaddafi without costing us trillions, AND showed political maturity during the debt deal, just to name a few. I say we ought to fix the mistake that we made in 2010, take out the Tea Party, and give Obama a Democratic-run Congress with a super-majority in the Senate.

Jack in Portsmouth

winemaker,

Really Louis, it is time to throw down your racist brush and join the world of reality! I can't remember hearing people making such statements about blacks not having the ability of reason, other than you or Bev in your comments.

What world do you live in that you could make such a comment? Are you five years old? Or living in a monastery? It's outrageous to say that you haven't heard racist comments in your life (except for the examples that Louis and Beverly have presented)--and frankly, I don't believe you.

People are a lot more careful about what they say in public these days, but racism is alive and well in the old ole USA. And the fact that you're denying that it exists, is racist in and of itself.

@Jack - Certainly people are more understanding about racism, but it does seem to live and breath on this site by certain folks who continually use the race card to defend Obama. Now isn't this racist Jack? Wouldnt you agree that it is time for those folks who use it to end it?

@Freshiie - No, I disagree with you that Obama has been an 'ideal' president with a lofty record of achievements. He certainly had to sign an order for the troops to eliminate bin Laden, but don't you believe that this has been an ongoing search for him? Obama was in charge and made the right decision to take him out. Had it happened under another president, wouldn't you praise that president too?

No, the voters will make the correct decision to change the error that was made during the last election.

Not necessarily. It would be like starting over again. We already know what the President can do and what he can not do. While it is true that the President has more experience now than he had 4 years ago, it has also been shown than he is incapable of running the economy while at the same time bowing down to ME diplomats. I know I would prefer a second chance to elect a good President, rather than accept the mediocre job the current President is now doing.

As for govt. scandal, just a couple of weeks ago Fox news broke the story that Obama secretly forced arms dealers to sell to Mexican drug cartels. Then when those arms were brought into the country, he persuaded to tell of how good his anti-gun regulations were when those drug cartels were caught. I don't know if it is a true story, but I know that MSNBC is used to shielding the President for bad press. I'm surprised that no one on this site has heard of it. It may be that MSNBC is making the president seem better than he is.

The op was called Fast and Furious, one of the guns was used to kill at least one of our border patrol agents!

It is an old scandal dating back to Bush administration in 2006 only then it was called "Operation Wide Receiver" and both it and "Fast and Furious" were conducted under the eye of Phoenix ATF agent William Newell. Both the Bush and Obama administrations are culpable.

Try to remember though, "guns don't kill people, criminals kill people."

Romney is pretty shiny plastic, Santorum is being looked at to see if he too is shiny plastic.

Santorum says, "I don't want to give black people other people's money. I want to create the opportunity for black people to earn their own money by working for it!" I can't believe that in the light of such obvious racist views, why whites complained when blacks turned out in record numbers for Obama. Santorum just lost any chance to appeal to black voters and then will likely turn around and say it isn't fair when blacks vote for other blacks. How dense can a person be? Black people are not looking for hand-outs, we are looking for a way out! Other blacks understand the difference but whites don't get it, so like silly, little, parrots, they keep repeating the same nonsense and losing black support and then BLAME the very nationality that they themselves alienated in the first place. HELLO! I follow the primaries TOO! This will bite him in the ass come time for the generals; I will make sure it does!!!

What a novel concept; blacks earning their own money instead taking it from "white people", and I would vote for this fool? 34% of food stamp recipients are white compared to 22% blacks, and 17% Latinos, but the minorities "are taking other people's (white people's) money? Gimme a break! How many times will I have to hear this same negative narrative come the new election seasons? If blacks live good and look good, they're selling dope or are on food stamps and welfare, or just running game on people; poor unsuspecting, white people again, of course!

Hey, JC, I agree with you and unfortunately despite all their denials I believe that Obama has had to withstand the usual racism that is still prevalent in this country as well as the stiff resistance to his progressive views by so many ignorant voters and their teabagger representatives.

1.18:

Most, if not all of President Obama's fiercest critics are the ones who sat by w/o questioning the neocons.

Well, that could certainly be said of many of Obama's rightist critics, but that's a charge you'd have a hard time trying to make stick to Glenn Greenwald.

And...I wouldn't put too much stock in the person whose blog you copy/pasted from. She's one of the more deranged online Obama cultists.

At least Burke was thoughtful about conservatism, which eludes today's "conservatives". I don't know how they evolved from Burke to the current group of mindless drones. I daresay Buckley is spinning in his grave.

The funny thing about the Republican party, Lincoln would never have been allowed in. Not only for ending slavery, but his belief in transportation (he wanted the transcontinental railroad), the opening up of homesteading are just a few examples.

TR would have been drummed right out for his reforming of the civil service and his national parks. Eisenhower would have been out along with TR for his interstate highway system. These are but a few examples.

Conservatism under the modern republican has become an odd little religion with but one law- If the person seated to the right of you has more money than you give your money to him; if the person seated to the left of you has less money than you, give it to the person seated to the right of you.

Exactly, Ideology. Problem for the person seated next to me on the right, the one on the left is becoming better educated AND the information age.

The information age (internet), thus all the social networking that is now available, is awakening a large group of people to not accepting the status quo. The next year, heck the next decade is going to be one of a lot of unrest - unless something positive is done.

TR left the Republican party over these very issues. He would have drummed them out and used some pretty colorful language along the way.

Newday,

The thought of TR facing down today's GOP elite establishment (McConnell, Boehner, Cantor, Romney, Newt, Kock Brothers, etc.) brings a big grin to this old progressive's face!

TR would be ROARING at this group of morons. Just over conservation alone! I sometimes wish some of the old folks could come back...TR, particularly Jefferson and Madison. Would love to hear what they have to say about this mess.

Lincoln, I do believe, could shame today's GOP to the core. They should also have to watch out for Eisenhower - he didn't get his 5 stars for nothing!

At least Burke was thoughtful about conservatism, which eludes today's "conservatives".

Now my feewins are hurt....;-0(

Egilman,

You are a card!!!!

Programming note: To all Ohio State Buckeye fans out there, I have one thing to say about today's bowl game - ahem - GO GATORS!!!!!

I hope this Radical Right, so called conservative circus continues and many of the players stay in the fight, which will be good for President Obama. Let's all remember that this country will never have a conservative President. Many may say that President Regan was a conservative. However, he was far from being one.

Ahhh, but Egilman...you are the one bright exception to this dismal rule!

ABBR,(anybody but Romney) is now the calling cry of the conservative branch of the Republican party; they would rather lose the White House than go with a moderate Republican; they have run the field of ultra conservative , CEO of a pizza chain, Newt, now they are pushing Santourm; all the while Romney is in there punching away; the Republicans will hold the house and also take the senate in the next election, so they believe so what if Obama is re-elected, they can bring everything to a stand still; Romney will be the Republican candidate, Christie has already been chosen as his running mate, if Trump runs a third party, Obama will be re-elected by the electoral congress, they would not deadlock and throw the election into congress, 2012 is going to be one hell of a year.

As I have said before, I really dont care if Mr Obama is re-elected. As long as the republicans take the Congress. Even if they dont I look forward to the carnage Mr. Obama will bring. (we have not observed anything yet) Im not in the 1% they so want to throttle like the black knight in Monty Python Holy grail. " get back here, Ill bite your bloody head off" . Im 3 years out of a home depot minimum wage job. I will be able to show a few of you to the terlit isle and make sure you have one large enough for all the "stuff" that comes out of you. I own everything and my moneys in safe annuities outside this country. So........ Happy New year! Ive sent Phine some of this cold weather, hope you enjoy it.

jolly,

That was plain, old fashioned mean to send the cold!!! On the bright side, I do have a warm heart! :)

Phine - great post. Interestingly enough, a recent poll suggests a large portion of Americans view the term "progressive" as positive, beating out the term "conservative".

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/12/29/395766/poll-progressive-is-the-most-positively-viewed-political-label-in-america/

phinephancy - you confuse conservatives with autocrats. Exit polling from 2008 showed that voting conservatives were the majority of the middle class and the middle educated. Democrats were mainly the very highest educated and the least educated AN the most wealthy and the poorest. Now, many complain that there is no middle class, the reality is that the Democratic party has the least in the middle class.

Seeing that your logic does not follow.

Read about Edmund Burke.

red

As of December 2011 35.4% of Americans see themselves as Republican. 32.7% see themselves as Democrats, and the remaining 30.3% as Independent and other parties. The parties switched places in from November 2011 where Americans seeing themselves as Republican was 34.3%, Democrats as 34.9%.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/partisan_trends

The poll you are quoting is showing 25% Republican 32% democrat, and 37% independent. That is a number close to Pollster.com which looks like a legitimate number until once notices that Survey USA, Gallup, Zogby, evaluations are not used who consistently have shown themselves to be the most conistent at accurately determining trends. Their numbers for what the america partisan trends are a lot closer to Rassmussen than Pew or even Pollster.com - and pollster.com is and average.

Phinephancy:

You keep quoting Lincoln, but you are forgetting that it was the democrats who wanted to keep slavery, not the republicans. Stop trying to rewrite history into something that suits your cause. I suggest you take a course in a local high school so that you can brush up on your American History.

According to Pew Research “progressive” is now the most positively viewed political term in America. It is viewed more favorably than Capitalism, Liberal or Conservative. From Pew:

A Pew Research Poll released Dec. 29, 2011 show that the term "Progressive" is the one most favored in America at 67 with "Conservative" coming in at 62 favorables with corresponding negative at 22 for Progressive and 30 for Conservative.

Well now I am confused Jolly, because I distinctly remember you saying that you were in the upper six figure income bracket which to me meant more than $500,000 thousand a year, I also remember you saying you worked as a network engineer for a multinational company, but now you say you have a minimum wage job at Home Depot? Do you even remember what you have previously posted because I sure do, just asking.

Technically, the top income bracket is $317,000+.

Yo, Forrest G!

I've discovered the same issues that you have discovered. I just don't know which name to choose for the guy?

What is the difference between a Sociopath, a Complusive, Pathological, a Chronic and a Habitual Liar?

A Sociopath

A sociopath is typically defined as someone who lies incessantly to get their way and does so with little concern for others. A sociopath is often goal-oriented (i.e., lying is focused - it is done to get one's way). Sociopaths have little regard or respect for the rights and feelings of others. Sociopaths are often charming and charismatic, but they use their talented social skills in manipulative and self-centered ways.

Compulsive Liar

A compulsive liar is defined as someone who lies out of habit. Lying is their normal and reflexive way of responding to questions. Compulsive liars bend the truth about everything, large and small. For a compulsive liar, telling the truth is very awkward and uncomfortable while lying feels right. Compulsive lying is usually thought to develop in early childhood, due to being placed in an environment where lying was necessary. For the most part, compulsive liars are not overly manipulative and cunning (unlike sociopaths), rather they simply lie out of habit - an automatic response which is hard to break and one that takes its toll on a relationship.

The terms Pathological Liar, Habitual Liar and Chronic Liar are often used to refer to a Compulsive Liar.

More can be found at www.truthaboutdeception.com

(I love cut & paste.)

I often respond to jolly but never get a reply to clear up inconsistencies, maybe there is an explanation, I am very wary of calling people I don't personally know a liar, so I think maybe just "teller of tall tales" might fit.

Forrest - and more from Grumpy Old Sole. Sounds like he really changed his lot in life from a minimum wage Hope Depot job, guiding folks to the terlit (toilets/tea lights - hard to tell) to some big communications job for a multi-national, where apparently, terlit is a common word.

Utah - you hit the nail on the head.

I do and I work for one of the auto companies, My desk has a view of the Local headquarters in Livonia Mi.

http://business.newsvine.com/_news/2011/12/29/9800587-uaw-takes-aim-at-foreign-automakers?commentId=61111343#c61111343

Well he must do pretty good, he now claims to own homes in Detroit, Texas, and Florida, and has claimed he sends from 200 to 600 hundred dollars every month above and beyond his tax liability to help the US pay off it's debt. He said his wife slipped and fell and broke both her legs, so he bought her a twelve gauge shotgun so she could protect herself in their Detroit home. For some reason my favorite was that both of his next door neighbors are named Wilberta, that's a hell of a coincidence! Honestly I can't or don't care to post the links these are just some of the things I remember off the top of my head, I think he is as I said simply a teller of tale tales, it is kinda of fun at this point.

For some reason my favorite was that both of his next door neighbors are named Wilberta

Those are the same neighbors who, according to him, know better than to bite the hand that feeds them! ;o)

Also, for being such a IT hot shot, he still saves stuff via 'screen shots' lmao!

Were those the same neighbors that were shot and killed every time they answered the door!

Were those the same neighbors that were shot and killed every time they answered the door!

That would be them! ;o)

I'm just not sure which gun he used from his ever expanding arsenal? lol

Fascinating that the personal claims and boasts from JOS as well as the postings are eerily similar to Spanky. Almost have to wonder if they are east/west twins.

I guess the homes in Texas and Florida are in bad neighborhoods!

The last thing Spanky would do is claim to send extra money to the government. He is so frugal the last time he left on vacation he turned out all the lights in San Diego!

Say I have not seen any postings from Spanky in awhile, and have not seen Mixed Bag in a long time, I hope all is well with them.

Haha .. good one Forrest. So Spanky was the cause of this massive blackout. Maybe we can help out the Feds investigation.

SAN DIEGO — Federal regulators are investigating the massive Southwest power outage that left millions of people in the dark.The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) said Friday it would work with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, to try to figure out what happened, NBC station KNSD of San Diego reported.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44449688/ns/us_news-life/t/feds-launch-probe-southwest-power-outage/#.TwJKhTXOydY

And had the GOP had its way, the middle class would be having more taken out of their checks starting today, but not the wealthiest of the country. Hmmmm.

Come, come, you're got your FICA decrease...

So, according to you, it is much better for the middle class to pay more in taxes than the wealthy, yes or no?

Reality Check,

And the Bush tax cuts will all expire on Dec 31, 2012.

The !% will be spending time and money with their accoutants and lawyers, but your free ride is over.

phinephancy-4252115

Did you watch the story about Eric Cantor on 60 minutes last night? He made it clear, his one priority in Congress is keeping taxes low for the wealthiest Americans. Republicans in Congress don't care they damaged our reputation abroad by almost defaulting on our loans, they don't care if they damage the nation's recovery by cutting government programs too early (like the Japanese famously did after their last recession.) The Republicans literally don't care about the sick, elderly, and low income families in this country, they just want to keep taxes low for the very rich. Republicans are insane with far right ideology.

Amy,

Problem with today's conservatives is the fact their thinking is still like that of the 19th century. They are in for a rude awakening - we are in the 21st century where EVERYBODY has access to information!!! I don't think the Cantor's of the world are ready for the upheaval of society that is coming.

phinephancy-4252115

Spot on. The problem isn't with personalites, although the Republicans seem to have opened the looney bin with the crop of whackos they are running this year - the problem is the intellectual and moral bankruptcy of the right-wing's ideology. They are literally more loyal to the lobbyist Grover Norquist, than to their own constituents.

Amy,

Sadly they are more loyal to their oath to Norquiest than not only to their constituents, but the US Constitution!

northstar -- time to catch up; the bush tax cuts expired last year; the obama tax cuts expire at the end of this year. dont forget whose signature is affixed to the tax cut bill. obama owns it - lock, stock and barrel.

Reality Check

Today should be a good day for you. "The free ride will be over."

Stop drinking clean water, stop breathing clean air, stop getting mail, stop

driving on good roads. You want smaller government right?

Some people just want to live in the US, enjoy everything it has to offer, make as much as possible and give back the least possible. It's the Me Generation.

james, Thank you

It was my slip.

You are right. And I understand the reason for continuing those Bush tax cuts into 2011-2012 by Obama. It was a hard choice, let tax cuts expire and not extend unemployment insurance for another year.

I am all for the tax cuts to expire, and Dec 31, 2012 it will happen.

Already is here in Michigan. Gov Snyder passed a 4 year limit, with a very good vetting out process to ensure people who really need assistance can still get it. Next up for Detroit is a financial manager, thats when its going to get testy. Those awful folks want to make good fiscal decisions for Detroit, How dare they!

Shelia it all started when parents started educating the 20 to 30 generation that its good to be part of the borg. Everyone wins were all special and deserve to have everything. Im happy to say that my Blind son has not been raised this way. Despite the way the education system for handicapped children works. As Ive tried to tell the Popcorn/Butter queen I grew up and went to school in Ct, where my son is NOT collecting ssi and has a job as a MS cert engineer. And all on his own. Interesting story on his blindness.

I have always believed in personal responsibility so when I found out my 1st wife was pregnant I took every course known to man to make sure "I" was ready. Including infant CPR, it is different. Well one afternoon I walked into my sons room and he was cold lifeless and purple. I administered "Infant" CPR as the EMT were on the way and he responded well. We got to the first hospital and the young uninterested doctor( also a Demcratic councilman) took a few mins of a look and informed me there was nothing wrong with him and to take him home. I was going to, thinking he is the doctor Im a network engineer. But some thing in my head said no.....and took him to a second hospital. As we were being brought into the Infant ICU unit he stroked out, thank god I re thought the doctor and saved his life. The stroke was contained to his Optical cortex leaving him blind. Even though he is handicapped he doesn't consider have self to be any different. He is a member of the Connecticut young republicans and way right of me . If any of you have had a blind child in Ct. your child is basically taken from you by the Dept of Education of the Blind. You have to fight an assigned public "official/socialworker) Until the child is 18. We had one woman the entire time that took enough time to know my son, the rest saw him for 45 mins a year and made decisions based on that.

jolly,

No snark. Good for you and your foresight in caring for your son. Just out of curiosity, where did your son get his education (I live in the same town of the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind)

That was inspirational. What else can I say? No more political or womanizing barbs to JOS.

He saved and I assisted him in attending several Certification classes using a few tools that turn Text into voice and passed so far 4 cert tests. I was never so happy to get him out of the Conn. public shcool system. I think the only thing that made the difference was that he was one of the first who were mainstreamed into regular Schools. He graduated from Newington High school and even played Soccer on the JV team. They used a beeping ball so he could locate it. He amazes me sometime......he actually plays Video games by the sounds. Better than I can with sight. But his mom and I did not coddle him, He has never had the whoa me's attitude. The one thing I did do to make him feel better about his life was put him on the deed to my florida home so he knows he will always have a place to live when his mother or I are gone.

Good for him! (Although I think the game thing is in the DNA of today's young people, so don't feel bad LOL)

Happy New Year, Jolly (and please take the cold back, too)

JOS = Dream Weaver!

I give him credit, he sure can spin a web...

Sorry pal, I wouldn't believe anything you said if your tongue was notarized!

You have been busted too many times with your lies by the regulars around here!

XOXO

The Buttered Popcorn Queen! lol

PS: My daughter who is a vision teacher was fascinated by your comments! ;o)

That conservative agenda has no respect for those who struggle.

Ain't that the truth. An educated middle class is a threat to them.

Lmao........Why the hell would I make that up? I gain nothing from it. I know you did a search on the internet and got some bad info.... as in I graduated fr HS in Maine. But it was not even close as I stated before. However Im not going to give an obviously nasty mean person as you any more information about me. Also your nastiness will not deter me from stating my opinions. You truly do need a reality show "Snarky housewives of Illinois"

Also your nastiness will not deter me from stating my opinions

Harry... honey...

Don't flatter yourself!

I hope you never go away, you are WAAAY to much fun to debunk play with! lol

It's like shooting fish in a barrel... ;o)

Queen of the one-liners.

What is the difference between a Sociopath, a Complusive, Pathological, a Chronic and a Habitual Liar?

A Sociopath

A sociopath is typically defined as someone who lies incessantly to get their way and does so with little concern for others. A sociopath is often goal-oriented (i.e., lying is focused - it is done to get one's way). Sociopaths have little regard or respect for the rights and feelings of others. Sociopaths are often charming and charismatic, but they use their talented social skills in manipulative and self-centered ways.

Compulsive Liar

A compulsive liar is defined as someone who lies out of habit. Lying is their normal and reflexive way of responding to questions. Compulsive liars bend the truth about everything, large and small. For a compulsive liar, telling the truth is very awkward and uncomfortable while lying feels right. Compulsive lying is usually thought to develop in early childhood, due to being placed in an environment where lying was necessary. For the most part, compulsive liars are not overly manipulative and cunning (unlike sociopaths), rather they simply lie out of habit - an automatic response which is hard to break and one that takes its toll on a relationship.

The terms Pathological Liar, Habitual Liar and Chronic Liar are often used to refer to a Compulsive Liar.

More can be found at www.truthaboutdeception.com

Unfortunately, the Bush tax cuts are still Bush's tax cuts. The name of the AUTHOR/CREATOR of something is usually affixed to its name. For example: Harry Truman created the Truman Doctrine to confront the expansion of Communism. If Eisenhower had adopted that policy, it would have still been called the Truman Doctrine, even though Eisenhower was president at the time. In addition, let us say that the Greek god Zeus created the Universe, but strangely died (hypothetical). Another being, named Poseidon, rose to dominance and became the new, universally-recognized deity. However, we would still refer to the Universe as the work of Zeus, even though Poseidon became the new chief god and dominated/maintained the same Universe. Unfortunately, my dear James, the Bush tax cuts are still the Bush tax cuts; even though Obama extended them, they are still the work of GWB and thus his name must be forever affixed to it.

The Bush tax cuts were passed through congress using reconcilliation. This put a Ten year limit on how long they could last. When they were extended beyond ten years Bush had nothing to do with it.

Frank: Why?

Obama needs to be replaced by Ron Paul. The other Republicans would have shredded the constitution by signing the NDAA bill too.

It's just more FOX brainwashing. They don't have any reasons why.

No reasons based in reality, anyway...

Whatever it takes, whoever it takes, 0bama must GO!

I agree. He must go back to the White House and serve 4 more years.

Obama/ Biden 2012

Dragon, you know darn well Frank doesn't have an answer for that.

not only Obama/Biden 2012 but a Democratic landslide to boot

By not pointing out that on the Republican list are former Governors; a sitting governor; a former Speaker of the House; a former statesman that had the full respect and acknowledgement from Obama to allow him to work with China; successful businessmen/women; former and sitting congressmen; former U.S. senator; etc. totally invalidates everything else you say and what everyone else says about those who have served this country in derogatory terms.

I loved the statement about the respect President Obama gave to Huntsman. You won't see any reciprocal respect from the GOP, the last I can remember is McCain's defense of Obamas birthplace.

Amy - who was the fifth sitting senator -- you only listed 4 and i cannot find the fifth. gravel was also a former senator. kusinich is kinda the democrats paul; imagine if we had elected edwards whom iowa democrats gave the second most votes.

Shelia,

The GOP seems to be incapable of showing respect to anyone who does not toe the party line.

Amy B. Portland...

Voting along party lines is out! It has out-lived its usefulness. Whoever has a platform, or supports one that wants to return control of the government back to the people, and remove the status quo (the corrupt political Establishment), no matter their party affiliation, should be voted into the Presidency, and fill the seats of the Senate, and Congress. Then we'll see some fireworks!

These crazy religious cult members are whats wrong with America ...I have to agree religion is something defined by its followers and their personal actions..these crazy cult members who allow a certain few... freedom ..and try to control the rest ...and will kill your and your family in the name of "their GOD" if you don't agree with them !

Amy B. Portland, ME

phinephancy-4252115

Did you watch the story about Eric Cantor on 60 minutes last night? He made it clear, his one priority in Congress is keeping taxes low for the wealthiest Americans. Republicans in Congress don't care they damaged our reputation abroad by almost defaulting on our loans, they don't care if they damage the nation's recovery by cutting government programs too early (like the Japanese famously did after their last recession.) The Republicans literally don't care about the sick, elderly, and low income families in this country, they just want to keep taxes low for the very rich. Republicans are insane with far right wing ideology.

Amy, this will be a good campaign ad for the Obama administration featuring the Kantor repeating Mitch McConnell jackassery "make Obama a one term president" while we do nothing to help him or the economy.

It is the common law of negligence, the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur (Latin for "the thing speaks for itself")

Well done Cantor

We voted Santorum out of the Senate in Pennsylvania and we won't vote for him as president. Iowa don't waste your vote on this guy.

Very true. It isn't just a jump on the bandwagon thing, people don't want to waste their vote. Most won't vote for someone who probably won't win ie: Huntsman. When the media puts the spotlight on one, people jump onboard thinking this guy has a chance. They also don't yet know that much about him because he has only been in the spotlight for a short time.

BTW, I'm another Pennsylvania native who says DO NOT go with Santorum.

no stress

Again.... it ain't over until the really, really, really fat lady sings.

Hillary in 2012

Hey no stress,

We recognize undercover RepubliCONS here. Your divide and conquer agenda won't work here. Hillary doesn't want the job.

Secondly, we know the drill and we LOL @ stupid a$$ suggestions from RWNJs tool's clandestine nuttery.

Have an Unhappy Tea Bagger New Year!

Bev - on a side note, a great article on why an Obama/Clinton ticket makes complete sense for 2012.

http://robertreich.org/post/14932718385

Do you realize that Obama just passed a law that allows at his discretion to use the military to arrest indefinitely US citizens on US soil?

And YOU are OK with that?

They are no more tools for the 1% than the democrats and probably much more aware of the fact.

You do realize that the law which was passed has specific exceptions for US Citizens and lawful residents of the United States ?

Hey "Dirp"

No it doesn't. The NDAA law gives the president the option of using the military to detain indefinitely US citizens on US soil.

Don't fall into the trap that the Republicans and the "mainstrea­­­m media" have set for us!

Remember, it was the Republican­­­s who attached such poisonous provisions to the defense bill that had to be passed, NOT President Obama. Republican­s KNEW that this bill MUST pass, that's why they put those provisions in it in the first place!

Both houses of Congress passed the bill with these bad provisions in it because of Republican extremism.

But the conservati­­­vely biased mainstream media presents it as President Obama's fault. In reality, President Obama was the ONLY one to come out against these provisions with his signing statement!

Republicans and Democrats are BOTH tools for the top 1% as it is the top 1% who pay for the multi-million dollar campaigns.

Its RON PAUL or U.S. Bankruptcy, More Wars and Many More Dead Solders.

Harbinger,

Democrats are just as beholden to the 1% as republicans are. Romneys #1 $ contributor Goldman Sachs, Obama's Goldman Sachs. Romney could win and not a god damn thing will change, just as when Obama won not a god damn thing has changed from Bush. Did anything change between Reagan and Clinton for that matter? Nope, good ole Bill finished Reagan's work with deregulation and free trade policy. The rest is history. A big reason nothing has changed virtually since I have been alive, or at least able to vote has been that the Federal reserve is beholden to nobody and does what they please.

Bonnie,

Is it possible the folks in Texas are happy to see Perry anywhere but in Texas? Just saying...............

where are the 'FLAG PINS' and who sells these things in the 21st Century?

Now that's an interesting question I hadn't thought about. In 2008, the media treated Obama not wearing a flag pin as an issue as big as the Bush Recession (or maybe bigger). But now that flag pins gone out of style with Republicans, it doesn't seem important anymore. It's interesting how the Republicans even set the fashion trends for the corporate media.

Bonnie,

Best shout of the day!!!

Keep it up

As if that half-wit Perry ever DID run things in Texas...wait, Texas? Well, maybe he did...

phinephancy-4252115

Bonnie,

Is it possible the folks in Texas are happy to see Perry anywhere but in Texas? Just saying.........

YES!!!! lol sorry, I personally want Perry gone (I won't speak for the rest of my fellow Texans) but not at the detriment to the rest of our country.

leroy brown

As if that half-wit Perry ever DID run things in Texas...wait, Texas? Well, maybe he did...

not because he's a half wit but because Texas is one of if not the only state where our Governor doesn't hold much power, but thanks for bashing my state I'm sure yours is SO much better *insert eye roll*

It's ok for anybody to be a one percenter, James, as long as they are willing to start paying their fair share of taxes just like the richest of them all, Warren Buffet, is.

Wow, you progressives that are worried about who pays what sure have their priorities mixed up.

What's more important - making sure that rich people pay 10% more or ensuring your country doesn't turn into a totalitarian state? Your President along with the Republicans and Democrats in congress all thought it would be a good idea if they had the power to use the military to be able to lock up US citizens they don't like. And here you are worrying about someone's tax rate. You have lost the last of your constitutional rights - you better get your priorities straight while you still can.

Ron Paul 2012 - he's the only guy that will fix it.

james, you miss the entire point of the OWS movement, don't you...

james,

Those Democrats you listed are indeed part of the !% and who want to raise revenue on the 1% to pay for the jobs bills that Mitchell McConnell threatened to filibuster time and time again this past fall.

Why do righties keep insisting OWS is a democratic party movement? Both sides agree that there is too much money in politics, too much corruption, too many wealthy politicians protecting their own interests. Even the Tea Party agrees with much of the OWS platform. OWSers DO NOT like president Obama. There is much common ground these days for ALL Americans to unite on. Why won't they?

so guys, how do you define "fair share"? is that where every citizen pays a percentage of their income in federal income tax? or only half of the citizens pay pays a percentage of their income in federal income tax? or anyone that makes more than you do should pay a greater share of their income in federal income tax? should we take all of the income from the wealthy? is there a point at which someone should get to keep some of their income? how much of his salary should a professional athlete pay? or a hollywood movie star?

should someone that earns $50k pay twice as much as someone making $25k?

mickey -- no, i got it. a bunch of entitlement-dependent folks that want everyone else to pay their way. i think that sums them up. the now out of the news cycle ows ... they just didnt have any staying power once people realized what they were after. harry, barry and the nan seem to have dropped like a hot potato.

A very good explanation for the OWS people. This was actually my own personal thought, Adam just said it better.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJD8pZiRIzs

Uh, James, so what? Like the 99%, the 1% is comprised of liberals, conservatives, progressives, right-wing religious freaks, libertarians, democrats, republicans, tea partiers, and the list goes on. Do you have some sort of point to make?

IMHO, taxes need to be fair for all. I don't think anyone doesn't want other people to be rich. We just want them to pay a fair share. I personally think ALL should pay tax. Maybe have the first 30,000 taxed at 5%. This would be a yearly amount of $5.00 for each $1000 or just pennies per week. At 5,000 it would be 50 cents per week. Nobody will starve from that and then everyone will feel they have contributed. Anyway, everything after the first 30,000 would be taxed at a flat level of whatever, say 20%. This needs to include all income. The only exceptions I would make are inheritance and perhaps an exemption on charitable contributions. My only concern with charities is that it would open the door for more fraud (ie: what constitutes a charity?). I would not have an exemption for kids, mortgages, childcare, etc. And yes I have a minor child and a home mortgage. As much as I appreciate the tax breaks, I have chosen to have them and government should not have to reward me for that.

Pay their fair share? WTF. These people already pay 40% income tax and use none of the socialist freebies the govt offers. I am sickened by the corruption of Wall St just as much as a nybody else, but if you want to stop that enact legislation to reregulate the finiancial sector. Also, the Warren Buffets are fine with paying more since they are so frigging rich. Any system the US govt comes up with will just kill off the middle class and give no real help to the lower classes. I mean has the redistribution of wealth that is already in place making any inroads with a lower class populace that lives well beyond their means and reproduces like rabbits?

Fair share is just that, fair share. Who has more to lose, a billionaire with $10b in the bank, or an average Joe with a $1,000 in the bank? I would answer the billionaire has more to lose. So why shouldn't that billionaire pay more per dollar in the bank for military protection?

james,

[mickey -- no, i got it. a bunch of entitlement-dependent folks that want everyone else to pay their way.]

Like I said, you have no idea what OWS is about...

Knowledge is power, my friend...knowledge is power...

Does OWS know what OWS is about?

If they're the Bill-Murray-in-Quick-Change-laughing-on-the-outside-crying-on-the-inside type, maybe they shouldn't, but they do. (My apologies to those who think Quick Change is funny and is cheapened by being mentioned in a post focusing on those who will never meet the standards of RBB&B.)

As Steven King pointed out, Clowns are friggin' scary!! Read IT!!

Good one Houston. If Romney gets the GOP nomination, I can't wait for the first Obama Super-pac attack ad tracking all the Romney lies against Obama. Unfortunately, the ad would run well over the 30 second ad limit, so they couldn't all be captured at once.

he is all that and then some.....used to live in the philly area (south nj)

You better be nice. Those 1% now have the power to use the military to bury you in a hole the rest of your life. Thanks Obama for making us a fascist state for new years.

dog -- so making over $250k in taxable income makes you rich? why not $500k or $75k each of which seems as arbitrary as the $250k?

in the past 30 years the senate has had a democrat majority for 16 years, the republicans for 14 years.

in the past 30 years the house has had a democrat majority for 18 years, the republicans for 12 years.

in the past 30 years the democrats have had a majority in both chambers for 12 years, the republicans for 10 years.

so you would agree that the democrats are responsible for the majority of the tax breaks and the numerous regressive taxes you claim are breaking the the back of the average middle class consumer.

then it is time to vote republican my friend and get those scoundrels out.

Thats what Ive been waiting for.......exactly what is a fair share? It seems to be all over the map!

To quote Warren Buffet, I should not pay less(%) than my secretary. I feel that the wealthy should pay a slightly higher % than middleclass.

If you have $250,000 worth of taxable income, you are likely making more like $1,000,000 a year. You are not middle class. I'm talking about "taxable" income, not NET income.

The problem is that taxation has changes subtly over the past 30 years with a gradual tendency toward a less progressive and more regressive tax system. Most people are too stupid to figure this out.

We need to get back to something which is more progressive, in fact wasn't it Adam Smith, the man credited for being the founder of modern capatilism who felt that a progressive tax system is necessary and that any profitable capatilist should be proud to contribute their fair share?

The wealthy have used their money and influence to manipulate the systems for their own benefit. They are able to hire the best of lawyers, the best of tax accountants, the best lobbyists and the best publicity managers to market their platform.

I'd vote straight up for a national flat tax, provided one stipulation........eliminate all other regressive taxes. This is something that will never happen, the wealthy and those with power will always be looking to provide themselves with as much of a free lunch as possible and will be the first ones to expect everyone else to work themselves to the bone to support their cause and pay their way.

American's ARE stupid, don't be fooled or manipulating into believing anything, research the facts & become knowledgable.

James,

I would not agree with your statement, look at the timing of each individual change and you'll see that Reagan and Bush were responsible for some of the most irresponsible tax changes this country has ever seen, changes in capital gains policy is an important component.

I personally believe that both parties are corrupt and that having political parties themselves is the source of the corruption. I think that there should be no parties permitted and that every office should be accountable to their constituents.

Why $250,000????? Well if the average american family makes about $50,000, this is net income too, then i think that someone making 5 times that ammount of "adjusted" income should be classified as being elite. I'm not advocating penalization, just progressivity!!!

Ummm Mr Buffett secretary pays income tax? How much income tax does Mr. Buffett pay? hmmm I think this is a trick question.....gasp.....No!