Why Romney is in trouble:

The "severely conservative" ex-governor of Massachusetts did not receive a lot of love at the Conservative Political Action Committee (PAC). Granted, he did get 38% of the votes, but he was not the first choice of 62% of those participating. In Maine he apparently received 39% of their caucus vote, but that is a far cry from 50% of the vote. In fact, he has not earned 50% of the votes in any of primaries or caucuses to date.

Romney appears shadier as the primary process continues to unfold. He tried to keep his tax returns hidden but Gingrich forced that issue and Americans learned that Mitt makes $57,000 per day on interest bearing investments and pays only 13% in taxes. Now Romney is keeping secret the names of his campaign fundraising bundlers. Clearly his mode of operation is to hide his finances, be it Cayman Island accounts, or campaign contributors. Mitt, it's called sins of omission.

Probably the biggest reason Mitt is in trouble is that very few Republicans have a passion, or express enthusiasm for his campaign. There is a reason for this lack of excitement: Mitt runs his campaign like a corporation he has just purchased; it's just another business deal. If someone like Gingrich or Santorum stands in his way, Mitt simply out-spends them with his enormous wealth and all the while attempts to keep secret the source of those riches.

Another reason Romney is in trouble is that he has no positive solutions to America's problems. The list of things he opposes is too long to mention here, so he continues to go negative by attacking Gingrich, Santorum and President Obama. In short, Mittens is not a good man and certainly not good for the country.

Dennis, terrific post; those numbers are astonishing. Hard to believe that a party so determined to defeat President Obama is so unenthused about their candidates. I've heard republican strategists say it won't matter in the general election, the GOP will vote but I cannot help wondering if the moderate republicans will either stay home or vote for Obama because they don't like what the GOP offers.

Ron, great points about Romney and his campaign. I think you are right, he is running his campaign as if he just bought a company; he also made the mistake of assuming he would be the nominee. His "severely conservative" remark was the only off script comment he made at CPAC, it fell flat and it became the most notable thing he said.

Beverly, terrific post.

Pope Benedict has accepted the resignation of one of the top Catholic bishops in the L.A. Archdiocese after Bishop Gabino Zavala confessed last month to fathering two teenage children.

As Zavala mused, damn tenet against a good old solid rubber.

Dennis -- There may be a drop in the primary voters, but I believe it was the apathy of the Democrats in 2010 that lead to their real defeat -- The House. Primary turnout has no real affect on the eventual outcome because conservatives will rally around the nominee. The excitement is defeating the worst president in history. General elections are what count.

Just boo Santorum off the stage again. That scene was priceless in New Hampshire... lol

Angry, self-righteous Rick Insanitorium sucks big time...

(he couldn't even get on the ballot in VA and Indiana.. nice organization skills there Rick... and I never thought there would be a GOP candidate women would hate more than Blingrich but I think we have a new contender!!)

Ignorant comment. Applauding booing anyone off stage. What a juvenile post. Of course what would one expect from that moniker and made up names in the post.

Another reason Romney is in trouble is that he has no positive solutions to America's problems. The list of things he opposes is too long to mention here, so he continues to go negative by attacking Gingrich, Santorum and President Obama. In short, Mittens is not a good man and certainly not good for the country.

And the current incumbent is different how? Just like George Bush he claims that he can pay for his programs from reduced war expenditures. But wait, the left has always claimed that the wars were never paid for. So what is the logic of using war savings to pay for a different program from money that is borrowed in the first place. Only a Washington politician (or used car salesman) would try and sell this logic.

2009 - $1T+ Deficit

2010 - $1T + Deficit

2011 - $1T+ Deficit

2012 - $1T+ Deficit

When do the left accept that Obama is responsible for the deficits? How about now that he is using the same funny money to pay for his programs just like Bush. He could be in the same economics class as Cheney and his deficits don't matter comment. Too peas in a pod.

As I said before Bush, Obama change my ass.

Well said Bev. The US Catholic Bishops are so far to the right in their treatment of women. Many of these men were elevated to their positions by Pope John Paul II, who while a good man, was very conservative, severely so.

None of them are in touch with the realities of everyday life and are more ideologues than prayerful. Yet they want to dictate to us how we should live our lives.

They are in for a rude surprise, as the women will set them straight. As with all extremists, they eventually overreach and that is usually their downfall.

Beverly in Chicago - How can you possibly list the recent sins of the Catholic Church and not bring up the theft of hundreds of thousands of new born infants in Spain for later resale?

I've said it before and I'll say it again: the Catholic Church's stance on birth control is an INVENTORY MANAGEMENT ISSUE!

FT: Meanwhile, First Read can confirm that Santorum is going up with two POSITIVE ads in Michigan (size of buy is unclear right now). What wins out in the Wolverine State -- positive or negative?

No matter what strategy Willard uses he never expands his poll numbers.

Repugs in favor of tax cuts for us (the unwashed)? Inconceivable and unbelievable. I smell a rat. "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts". Watch your wallets Dem's, someones sneaking up on you.

Love the Presidents Budget. It'll never pass (as is), but it's a pie in the face of the Repugs.

Obama in 2012.

See if the Bishop would have used birth control he would still have a job. Its kind of funny that the catholic church is so worked up over the contraception issue, Looking at there past history with there preachers and there alter boys

A surge of 'santorum' would have to be quite disgusting, if you're going by Google's definition at least.

They continually play with the faulty 'Acme' dynamite which ultimately blows up in the pale bloated faces! lmao

What is it with "Grumpy Old Men" that makes them unable to s(olive)it or get off the pot? It is called obstructionism. The GOP/TP invented it and has failed miserably. Ask McDonnell or Boehner how plugged up they feel right now as they concede on issue after issue after proclaiming they wouldn't budge an inch. Now we see the Catholic leadership following the same example as they condemn Obama's compromise on contraception. Apparently, moving an inch requires such strenuous effort that it is easier to pass hot air and let everyone else suffer the stench of your ideology.

The conservative movement is imploding - close the door, turn on the fan, and please, give us a courtesy flush.

Happy Valentines ♥ Day to all my favorite FR friends!

Dennis, great information. We knew their numbers were down, but it means more when set out by your terrific post. You are so good at the numbers.

Ron, what a great analysis and really explains why the numbers in Dennis' post are so astonishing.

If the Affordable Health Care Act leads to medicare for all in the future, that would free up the employer from a costly burden that interferes with their competitiveness as well as profitability. In the 90's I was not a supporter of the notion of medicare for all but when one really looks at the ridiculousness of our health care system which trades people's lives on the stock market, when it becomes about stockholders and profits, about advertising and not health, that's wrong-headed thinking.

The VA health care system is a perfect example of government run quality, quantity and not for profit health care system; medicare is another example. Health insurance should not be for profit. Blue Cross began as a not for profit insurance company. We need to remember that.

Childish minds only ask people to google search a vile made up name of a person. Sick, evil and ignorant.

Childish minds only ask people to google search a vile made up name of a person. Sick, evil and ignorant.

Muwhahaha!

Is it still the top result?

Edit:

Yes it is! Hahaha!

JS1,

The problem you won’t face it that the Paul Ryan budget (which Republicans love, love, love) adds more to our National debt over time than our Presidents budget.

Reid won't even let Obama's budget come to the floor.

Sick, evil and ignorant.

Yes, Santorum's out and out bigotry is sick, evil and ignorant. That is how he earned his name.

If he weren't such a whiny bigot people wouldn't think he is the intellectual equivalent of a frothy mix of lube and poo that results from man on man intercourse.

If the Affordable Health Care Act leads to medicare for all in the future, that would free up the employer from a costly burden that interferes with their competitiveness as well as profitability. In the 90's I was not a supporter of the notion of medicare for all but when one really looks at the ridiculousness of our health care system which trades people's lives on the stock market, when it becomes about stockholders and profits, about advertising and not health, that's wrong-headed thinking.

Only problem is Medicare is busting the federal budget as we speak. So what would the revenue (please don't include phony war savings) required to implement Medicare for All? Unless the government introduces rationing, which they were too cowardly to do in 2009, there is no way to pay for Medicare for All, or for Medicare as it is currently structured.

Only problem is Medicare is busting the federal budget as we speak.

That's because Medicare as it is needs serious reform. It's paying for things like scooters to penis pumps for old men, all on the taxpayer dime.

nisl -- I guess that is your opinion where that frothy mix is spewing from your mouth.

Not really, I'd call Senator Ass-Juice the one spewing it saying women don't belong on the front lines of our military.

There are days when you must look away from the crazy. This is one.

Some of us have been blessed with a partner who defined that word - "Love". No, we still can't put it into words, but we know it.

Don't waste time on the crazy. Invest it in the one(s) you love. If you have a few minutes to spare, you might want to take a look at this, a gift from a very great philosopher, George Carlin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WY6NpFitmI

Dennis -- Spot on concerning the Paul Ryan plan. All Republicans running have budget plans that add to deficits while depleting stealing revenues.

Alan NJ

And the current incumbent is different how? Just like George Bush he claims that he can pay for his programs from reduced war expenditures. But wait, the left has always claimed that the wars were never paid for. So what is the logic of using war savings to pay for a different program from money that is borrowed in the first place. Only a Washington politician (or used car salesman) would try and sell this logic.

President Obama put the war spending ON budget shortly after he was in office. As for the continued complaints about the size of the deficit, it still is, as before mostly due to those Bush wars, the unfunded Bush medicare benefit, and the budget shortfalls and increased unemployment benefits caused by the Bush Recession.

Obama's contribution to the deficit is primarily the successful stimulus bill for $800 billion, spread out over several years. And most economists outside of right wing "think" tanks agree that it was money well spent.

David -- What a perfect video for today! Thanks for posting it!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

If the Affordable Health Care Act leads to medicare for all in the future,

__________________________________________________

Jody, is that the same Medicare that the Medicare Trustees (all Barry appointees) predicted will start running out of money to cover those 65 or older beginning in 10-12 years??

Unless the government introduces rationing, which they were too cowardly to do in 2009, there is no way to pay for Medicare for All, or for Medicare as it is currently structured.

From Donald Berwick, Obama's socialist head of Medicare ....

“The decision is not whether or not we will ration care - the decision is whether we will ration with our eyes open.”

And then this classic ....

"Any health care funding plan that is just, equitable, civilized and humane must, must redistribute wealth from the richer among us to the poorer and the less fortunate. Excellent health care is by definition redistributional."

President Obama put the war spending ON budget shortly after he was in office.

And now he proposes to use that money to pay for new programs, so how is he different? Yes, Obama put war spending on budget, Bush used supplementals. In both cases the money is borrowed.

As for the continued complaints about the size of the deficit, it still is, as before mostly due to those Bush wars, the unfunded Bush medicare benefit, and the budget shortfalls and increased unemployment benefits caused by the Bush Recession.

So, the size of the deficit is due to Bush wars, but Obama escalated one of them, and started a new one in Libya. Now, as Iraq/Afghanistan winds down, Obama proposes to use the "savings" on new programs. Obama is responsible for the biggest change to healthcare in recent history, but did not address the unfunded medicare benefit.

How can you logically claim he is not responsible for the deficits from 2011? At that point he passed the ACA and chose to escalate the war in Afghanistan. Now he is continuing his spending by allocating phony saving to new programs.

Change my Ass.

Happy Valentines Day everyone from the old Froggy "Hiya kids, Hiya, Hiya."

Day after day I hear the same voices singing the same old song. I know it's all part of your group therapy session and it makes you feel like you're contributing. But all you are really contributing to is the great fog of negativity that envelopes this country and it's politics.

It started with Reagan, when he set aside the Fairness Doctrine and cleared the way for FOX NEWS and Rush Limbaugh and their imitators. The right-wing slant, the outright lies and misinformation spoon-fed to the low-info viewers and listeners who are not critical thinkers led the way to our current situation. But it's not just them anymore.

The rise of the un-informed right wing ditto-heads caused the once proud MSM to pull back. It's almost as if they are now afraid to report the news for fear of being called too "liberal" and "elitist". Where is Dan Rather when we really need him?

In frustration, anonymous bloggers take to web-sites like this one to shout (through the written word) at one-another. Each hiding behind their anonymous blog-moniker, avoiding the possible repercussions of standing up and having their say in their own name. They mostly shout talking points at one another without checking the validity of their statements.

And all this does is fuel the disharmony. Pogo has it right. We have met the enemy and he is us. Washington is dysfunctional because WE have become dysfunctional.

It may have started with Reagan, and FOX and Limbaugh, et al. But it has legs now, it's walking on it's own and we are all to blame.

I was watching Alex Wagner yesterday at noon. I have become quite a fan of that young woman and her show on MSNBC. She had Michael Steele, representing the right, and a couple of liberal bloggers (I'm sorry I forgot their names) and a old-time middle of the road Republican and they were all expressing their views, exchanging ideas and discussing the political news in a friendly, collegial, way. They agreed, they disagreed, and all the time they smiled at one another and were polite and respectful of the other person's viewpoint, even if they didn't agree with it.

I heard no "talking points". I heard no "rhetoric". What I did hear was rational, serious and polite discussion of the real issues.

Why can't we all be that like that?

I remain loyal to my President and my coutnry. As an independent with Liberal leanings who believes in governance from the MIDDLE, not the left, not the right, I believe I am representative of the vast majority of Americans.

The left tail and the right tail have got to stop wagging the dog. We've got to get back to a civil discourse in this country and address the issues facing us here in the early 21st Century. We've got to stop arguing over talking points and propaganda and start taking care of one another.

Plunk your magic twanger Froggy (not that anybody is listening)

Obama/Biden 2012

Good post, skip! Happy Valentine's day to you!

Ron Paul got second, (will end up winning) in Maine, and his name isn't mentioned. Nice reporting! At least us RP supporters find the truth outside of the big media. Uninformed and unfortunately where more people get there news than should. RON PAUL 2012!!!!!!!!!!

Just boo Santorum off the stage again. That scene was priceless in New Hampshire... lol

Newt is a pig - did you not ever get out of the teenager years?

Angry, self-righteous Rick Insanitorium sucks big time...

Calling someone angry when they are not, and self-righteous when they aren't only invalidates what you say.

Happy Valentines day everyone.

Dennis, first of all, your source is giving numbers of 100% for 2008 and 95 - 98% of the 2012 count.

Florida was down 20% in Romney areas won and up in Gingrich areas won. Romney was using attack adds, Gingrich was not

Nevada was down because the caucus system is bad.

Missouri was down because delegates would not be awarded, the same with Minnesota.

Negative campaigning is what candidates do when they have nothing to run on that would make people vote for them. It's like saying vote for me because the other candidate is worse. Negative campaigning suppresses the vote.

Ron Paul got second, (will end up winning) in Maine, and his name isn't mentioned.

I agree, what is it with the black out on Ron Paul news? If Santorum had gotten 36% of the Maine vote, to Romney's 38%, the media would have gassed up the Santorum bandwagon. Ron Paul possibly wins Maine, and the media is like "this is great news for Romney." ( ? )

Skip -- Well said! Hope you are feeling better. Happy Valentine's Day to you as well.

DB Akron -- Kudo's for your civility.

Great post Skip, a lot of food for thought there. The internet has many fine opportunities to learn about life, but in blogging and commenting, the anonymity unfortunately, allows the cowards of the world to spew their bullying ways. It has also contributed to the continued coarseness of our society which is too bad.

Good to see your post, Happy Valentine's Day.

Okay, first, the rising costs in healthcare and the overall crapiness of the system is a direct result of fee for service and health insurers who are excused from anti-trust laws. That is the issue that should be the legitimate source of our outrage. Obamacare's down point isn't that it mandates coverage or offers preventative care as both of those will eventually lead to better overall health and smaller payment shares for each of us, no AHA's problem is that it mandates that we buy into a monopoly and that preventative care is in direct conflict with the fee for service system.

Furthermore, Santorum and this influx of uber-conservatives will never get elected. Get over it, people. He's scary and so are you if you support him. I'm sorry, you aren't special and you don't get the right to legislate morality. You have no high ground to claim. Deal with it.

In the words of the great Jon Stewart, "You've confused a war on religion with NOT GETTING YOUR WAY."

Sarah -- Most recognize the problems in our healthcare system but ideology prevents any sensible solution. When politics steer the course there will be a wreck.

Thanks for the kind words everybody. I'm glad some of you took the time to read my post and to respond.

Happy Valentines day to you Dawn and you GBM.

Why don't we call a truce today and show some love to all Americans, huh?

Don't Carry it...thank you for your concern, I'm afraid my blood pressure medication has decided to stop working and the daily dose of vitriol here on the vine isn't helping me anymore than it is helping our country.

I've got a doctor's appointment and assuming I don't stroke out in the meantime I'm sure we'll get my blood pressure medication adjusted and I'll be right as rain in no time. I just wish we could find the right prescription for our country. A prescription we could all agree on and support. I'm beginning to think there is no such miracle drug and this country's ailment is going to prove fatal.

Sad, really. We had real potential.

Obama/Biden 2012

Get the money out of politics, our politicians will no longer be dependant on the health care lobby for campaign donations and cushy jobs will no longer be promised to them by the health care companies once they leave office. Voila, problem solved.

I'm so sick of this anger being aimed at false targets. We're getting played and we're too busy pointing our fingers at wedge issues to deal with the real problem.

Hi, Grandpa Skip! Feel better!

skip: please....feel better! Did not know you were ailing!

joe in albany joannesmith1 your comments are of no value! See ya!

That goes without saying.

I will say Santorum is not afraid to do Network interviews like Romney is.

Skip -- May you find a rainbow in the rain, the BP comes down soon and civility returns to our Country. Get well first and foremost. ; )

Dennis, Columbus, Ohio

I think the polling is down because people are running away from both parties, because people are smart enough to know that they are both corrupt, never stand by their word, and only will benefit their cronies.

Even though the party membership among the Republicans doesn't show a decrease, the polling shows it, and Democratic party has lost 5% in the last four months.

Okay, first, the rising costs in healthcare and the overall crapiness of the system is a direct result of fee for service and health insurers who are excused from anti-trust laws. That is the issue that should be the legitimate source of our outrage. Obamacare's down point isn't that it mandates coverage or offers preventative care as both of those will eventually lead to better overall health and smaller payment shares for each of us, no AHA's problem is that it mandates that we buy into amonopoly and that preventative care is in direct conflict with the fee for service system.

And who were the first lobbies on board for Obamacare? AHA and pHarma. How can you support this POS legislation? All it does is try and move rationing on to the Health Insurance companies because politicians are too scared to go after providers.

@ David Walker --

I haven't looked in here for a long time. I'm glad I chose today. Thank you for the video. It was, indeed, perfect.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.

May you always know love. ♥

@ Skip -- Let me add my own good wishes to the rest. Godspeed to you and be well.

Alan, NJ --

And who were the first lobbies on board for Obamacare? AHA and pHarma. How can you support this POS legislation? All it does is try and move rationing on to the Health Insurance companies because politicians are too scared to go after providers.

Okay, when did I start agreeing with you? ;-)

Anna,

I know, right???

Alan,

I'm not advocating for Obama on this. I'm advocating for addressing the actual problem. And it's a problem that can be laid at the doorsteps of BOTH parties and the health care companies.

I support mandated coverage and preventative care. I don't support the health care system we have in place. I don't support fee for service or monopolies, who does??? I don't support the fact that the system is only in place because the health care lobby has purchased it's placement.

I absolutely agree that somebody needs to grow some testicles and stand up to not just the health care lobby, but to all of the big money interests.

Anna -- Nice to see you posting again! A voice missed on this blog lately.

Alan occasionally surprises me too! ; )

Sarah- As usual you are correct. There is no daylight between politicians and money interests. One and the same.

I don't know Joe in Albany, it could be people are just getting tired of the same old bull@!$%# you regurgitate here day after @!$%#ing day.

Get some new @!$%#ing material.

Skip, thanks for the sincere post. I stopped watching / listening to all political news ~ 3 years ago for sanity's sake. Much prefer scanning the internet for the headlines and news from several sources. I don't fit into any box and don't like to be told what to think. I do just fine for myself.

Based on how the GOP has handled themselves in recent years and their disregard for the American people in their quest to hate and get rid of Mr. Obama, I will be voting Democrat straight ticket to ensure control of the House/Senate to move our country forward again. Amazing what the President has been able to do in spite of the roadblocks at every turn. His foreign policy and successes is a testament. Imagine how much better we would be domestically if he had leaders willing to work together on Americas problems.

Looking forward to 2012!

Wouldn't 45M uninsured Americans be considered rationing? You dope.

Alan, you forget one big factor in medicare as it exists--it covers those 65 and older, the most expensive group of people because like it or not, older people have more health problems. If it were open to ALL, it would add healthy, younger people into the mix making it sustainable on its own. Private insurance doesn't make a profit on the elderly, they never did, they make their money off the younger, healthier people.

Personally, I find it disturbing that my health is traded on the stock market as a commodity the equal to oil, gas, gold, corn and soy beans.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY First Readers!

For some reason I'm feeling Skip's sentiments with him today. Post after illogical and twisted post, you gotta wonder where truth has gone and how it got replaced wholesale by this idiocy...

A Santorum surge just causes one to shake their head... what the hell is that?

Big money that's tied to Romney but not "tied" to Romney puts out ad after ad of nothing but twisted lies... and all we call it is "politics"? It's called "hijacking our country" and it's disgusting, no more, no less.

Skip, go take a long walk or stroll through the park or at the beach... mind over matter, bud... maybe we should all do that today.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

"Santorum said rape victims should think of the babies conceived during their assault as gifts from God. This guy is weird, its scary this guy is running for President."

Alan, NJ

And now he proposes to use that money to pay for new programs, so how is he different? Yes, Obama put war spending on budget, Bush used supplementals. In both cases the money is borrowed.

The deficit cannot be attributed to any one expenditure. It's the difference between total revenue and total spending. Even with the deficit, it's legitimate to use the reductions in war spending to reduce the deficit below what it is now. As much as the Republicans would love it, Obama does not appear ready to impose an austerity program that would put the economy in a death spiral that they would then, of course, blame on Obama.

So, the size of the deficit is due to Bush wars, but Obama escalated one of them, and started a new one in Libya.

The cost of the Libya operations was $2 billion. The cost of Iraq at this point is $800 and will rise to three trillion dollars over time to pay for the medical expenses and psychological treatments for the tens of thousands of US soldiers broken in mind and body in Bush's bungled wars. There were zero US casualties in the Libya operations, so there won't be any additional costs for medical expenses.

How can you logically claim he is not responsible for the deficits from 2011? At that point he passed the ACA and chose to escalate the war in Afghanistan.

I already stated the factors contributing to the deficit that Obama inherited from Bush. You can "blame" the payroll tax cut on Obama if you want, but so far that hasn't worked out too well for the Republicans in Congress.

As for Afghanistan, Bush botched that war, which might have been ended decisively if he hadn't lost interest and launched his Iraq debacle. Like the incompetent generals in Lincoln's Union army, Bush decided not to follow up an initial victory over the Taliban with a decisive follow up assault. Obama escalated Bush's endless war in the hope of bringing it to a favorable end. Maybe his hopes are in vain, but if Obama hadn't escalated the war, you could be sure that John McCain and the neocon war hawks would have screamed about it, although they always find something to scream about.

Alan, one more thing, the unfunded Bush/GOP Rx Plan for Medicare caused much harm to the existing system. Why didn't the GOP pay for it? If they can make it insolvent, they can kill the program they have always hated.

Those who listen to the GOP about social security, medicare pay attention--if they starve government enough, they can kill whatever programs they hate. Two unfunded wars, unfunded tax cuts, unfunded Rx plan, unfunded everything for Bush's 8 years and then the GOP claims Government is broke. Well, no wonder.

A Santorum surge ????

eeeeeeewwwwwwwwww !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jody, Iowa --

Personally, I find it disturbing that my health is traded on the stock market as a commodity the equal to oil, gas, gold, corn and soy beans.

Better get used to it, my friend. If you and I live long enough, we'll also see big eDucation traded on the NYSE.

And, just like health care, education won't be any better for it.

As you know, single payer was, and still is, the only answer.

Corporate Shill --

A Santorum surge ????

Rick Santorum just called. He's seen what's all over the Internet, and he wants us to know he's on top of it.

There, don't we all feel better now?

I just don't get how it makes any sense to tackle the deficit by focusing on discretionary spending. That's like paying off a grad school loan with the change you find in your couch, it just ain't gonna work.

Than we have dudes like Santorum and Romney, proposing less revenue and more bombing. Can a single person explain how that makes sense??? Like lowering taxes and doubling down on war was a good choice the first time around???

you forget one big factor in medicare as it exists--it covers those 65 and older, the most expensive group of people because like it or not, older people have more health problems. If it were open to ALL, it would add healthy, younger people into the mix making it sustainable on its own.

________________________________________________

Jody, step away from the lefty liberal medical economics book before you hurt yourself and/or someone else. Medicare is going broke all by itself. The cost of health insurance in the existing under age 65 market is skyrocketing every year. Add 45 million new uninsured that would get "free" access to health care and drive costs further through the roof. Add it all up and YOU get Medicare "sustainable on its own"????

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jody, just because lefty liberals believe that if they add "2+2" and get an answer of "22" and don't have a clue they're wrong, doesn't mean it's going to work anywhere other than on Planet Liberal.

Ron Paul is dismissing Santorum as a desperate fool of deception.

Rick wants to make birth control illegal.

Santorum called S.S., & Medicare a coast to coast Welfare.

Rick called the G.I. Bill Welfare.

Sarah, great posts. Keep them coming.

I'm so impressed with how you grasp the subject and explain it. Thanks!

Jody -- You said:

Personally, I find it disturbing that my health is traded on the stock market as a commodity the equal to oil, gas, gold, corn and soy beans.

When that stock crashes so to will our health care. Shareholder's will see to it.

Some like to complain Medicare is underfunded and going broke. Here's a novel idea fund it properly!

Joe,

Tolerant yes, passive not necessarily. I can tolerate your opinion and obsessive use of the term "lefty liberal", that doesn't mean I have to passively swallow it.

Thanks, Fielden!!!

If the Catholic Church spent as much time worrying and fighting against their Priests molesting children as they do about ANY woman using birth control, then their church wouldn't be such a pathetic joke.

As for Santorum...He'd fit right in with the Taliban.

I can tolerate your opinion and obsessive use of the term "lefty liberal", that doesn't mean I have to passively swallow it.

_________________________________________

That's fine with me. If you have a different point of view from me, please express it using facts to support your arguments.

If you want to just wish I would commit suicide or just want to swear at me, then I will call you intolerant, and laugh at you for being a hypocritical lefty liberal moron.

Generally left and libbie here but...

Medicare will create serious budget issues very soon. Health care cost inflation and demographics clearly indicate the trend.

However, the issue isn't the ACA or the current Medicare structure - it is the incredibly high cost of medical care for everyone. Premiums paid by employers and individuals are rising much faster than overall inflation and that was before ACA was even debated.

I don't know the answer. Trimming Medicare cost increases without addressing the overall cost of healthcare will effectively ration service to beneficiaries. It will be either in the form of who is covered or what is covered. That is not an answer to medical care because you need it when you need it.

When someone can help explain why our per capita healthcare costs are so much higher than the rest of the world, offerred under system and with similar results, we should be able to find a solution for ALL healthcare costs to rise less rapidly.

This is neither a red or blue issue.

Rick Santorum took a dead fetus home from the hospital to pass it around and singing for eight hours with his kids so everybody could say their goodbyes. The hospital was very upset over this and called law enforcement on him. This is more than weird, its crazy.

Sarah,

Great posts...but they are lost on Joe in Albany. Anyone who disagrees with him is a "lefty liberal"...whatever that is. You can get a grasp of what makes him tick by who he voted for for Governor of New York: Carl Paladino.

One moonbat supporting another moonbat.

fee for service and health insurers who are excused from anti-trust laws.

By anti-trust you are assuming that they are price fixing. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Each insurer has it's on staff an actuary that continually is monitoring the demographics of the policy holders and demographic trends in terms of local and state trends. If your insurance costs are high, it is because the costs in your demographic is high, and the costs for drugs and services in your region are high. If the premiums are pretty close, it is because the demographics from company to company are pretty close.

One other thing - you don't need to worry about price fixing after 2013. There will be almost most health insurers figure that they won't survive more than 2 or 3 years. Already the number of insurers have shrunk form 600 in 2008 to 550 in 2009. Under 500 at the beginning of 2011. I know one locally that just sold out to a larger company - the initial wave of new requrements gave them nothing but red ink.

Skip, hope you start feeling better soon. Enjoyed your post as always.

David Walker, and thank you for the great clip.

Anna -- If eDucation becomes controlled by corporations we will have crossed the line where freedom is abandoned for a nation made up of human drones. God help us all at that point. They will have won.

There will be almost most health insurers figure that they won't survive more than 2 or 3 years.

should have read

Should have read there will be almost no Health Insurers left, most figure they won't survive more than 2 or 3 years.

Ran out of edit time.

Beverly in Chicago

Didn't you know The Catholic Church invented nuns and alter boys for the express purpose of raping them?

A little known fact about the Catholic Church is that it's written down in the Vatican that the Catholic Church intends to take over the US and burn all non-Catholics at the stake before Sharia Law comes to America. :)

WTF Bev, where do you come up with such trash? The church invented Nuns and alter boys for the express purpose of rape? Come now Queen of the Cut and Paste, how did you arrive at this amazing piece of analysis?

And the second statement is just as amazing. So, what makes you so against another religion other than yours?

You continue to prove your bigotry, with such statements. What an angry black woman you are.

DB,

Then there's the prescription drug problem, where pharmaceutical companies leverage their political influence to protect and expand drug monopolies. In one case, a company called KV Pharmaceuticals got the FDA to give it an exclusive franchise over a hormonal agent used for years by obstetricians. The price jumped from $300 a treatment to $25,000. Pharmaceutical companies advertise to convince you that you are sick, and spend $61,000 per doctor on promotional costs to get doctors to prescribe you their drugs.

This wouldn't be affordable for most of us if we had to pay the sticker price. But we don't, because most of us are covered by increasingly expensive third party health insurance (through our employers, which is yet another problem). This insurance is protected by a law granting health insurance companies the right to monopolize state coverage, a monopoly retained by the enormous sums spent by the health insurance industry in Washington ($263 million from 2009-2010 alone).

You can read the rest of the article here...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dylan-ratigan/auction-2012-bought-healt_b_1247465.html

Now, the author is NOT a politician and he has no affiliation with the health care system.

You can also try this...

http://www.ftc.gov/speeches/steiger/stg119.shtm

You have an overly simplistic view of our society. If only it were as easy as you try to make it appear.

is a "lefty liberal"...whatever that is

Hey Mickey - am I supposed to be embarrassed for being a 'lefty liberal'?

If so, just another EPIC FAIL from the Idiot in Albany!

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

They continually play with the faulty 'Acme' dynamite which ultimately blows up in the pale bloated faces! lmao

You gotta love those racist comments coming from the forward thinking left here at FR. The feisty one does this all the time... tosses in those little nuggets of hatred for those that are not like her. Pale indeed!

On another note... You also have to love the way the lefties out here always cry about how the conservatives try to suppress free speech by collapsing comment on FR... take a look above at the comments that are collapsed... then tell me who the suppressors of free speech are! (hypocrites!)

(btw... show me the clown nose, fisty!)

Dennis, terrific post; those numbers are astonishing. Hard to believe that a party so determined to defeat President Obama is so unenthused about their candidates.

Jody, imagine what it's like for a sane Republican (should one exist) to have the choices they have on offer: Gingrich, Santorum, or Romney. It's got to be hard to scare up any enthusiasm for any one of those clowns, unless you're in the 1% and you're counting all the money you'll make, and save in taxes, should the sky fall on America and one of those three get elected.

Ron Paul seems to be fading into the woodwork.

The people of Pennsylvania are very smart when they kicked Rick Santorum out because of his poor performance. Pennsylvania citizens called him a Loser.

DB Akron -- If health insurer's are given permission to cross state lines to compete you end up with the same result. The larger insurer's will gobble up the small potatoes until we are left with a very few too-big-to-fail price fixing monopolies. In the meantime......doctor's costs will go up because they will have to add staff to handle processing claims from 400+ insurer's each with a dozen or so different policies.

Jody, imagine what it's like for a sane Republican (should one exist)

kaybeetoys,

Good luck finding one - they have been extinct for the last 12 years...

*popcorn*?

[...am I supposed to be embarrassed for being a 'lefty liberal'? If so, just another EPIC FAIL from the Idiot in Albany!]

Happy Valentine's Day Feisty! I think Joey uses it in an attempt to "wound"...sad, really. Must be that vote for Paladino that has him so screwed up.

Don't carry it - so to you, this is something that is akin to a battlezone. If they win, you lose? Is that what you are saying in 1.96? How about the converse? Liberals now control the education system in this country, they have dumbed down our youth so much that they have serious problems entering college these days. They can't even do basic arithmetic, don't understand science, history or geography.

I guess in light of what you are saying, we have lost... in the converse.

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

Happy Valentines ♥ Day to all my favorite FR friends!

GEE Thanks Feisty! I didn't know you cared!

Thank you all very much for your kind words and wishes. I have confidence my doctor will figure out what's wrong with my medication and we'll get it adjusted. But your expressions of concern are very touching and sincerely appreciated.

Much love to you all.

Obama/Biden 2012

Brian,

The educational system is a wreck because, for the most part, it runs on property taxes. It's a vicious cycle, where the most impoverished neighborhoods pay the lowest taxes, which leads to underfunded schools, which leads to failing schools, which leads to poor job prospects, which leads to living in the most impoverished neighborhoods.

Than No Child Left Behind, just cycles more money to the districts that don't need while taking it from the ones that do. Oh yes, and the fact that we completely discount our most formative years by ignoring early childhood education, which particularly screws children who don't have a stable home life or stay at home parent.

Mix that with "first in last out" and it's a clusterfu*$. There's nothing liberal or conservative about it, it's just straight up stupid.

I think Joey uses it in an attempt to "wound"...sad, really

What I can't figure out is, first he begs to be collapsed & then when his *wish* comes true he bitches about it... lol

Proving one again, he is nothing more then a miserable SOB! ;o)

Happy Valentine's Day Feisty!

Right back at ya my friend ♥!

Brianb -- Why is it that 75% of the children come out of the public education system and go on to become successful productive citizens. If 75% come out with the tools needed to succeed we need to figure out what is going on with the other 25%. The focus should be on studying that aspect and quit beating up on the teachers.

Another Obama success story...

President Obama’s fourth budget has now been released, which allows for a relatively full accounting of deficit spending during his four years in office. The picture isn’t pretty, but it is revealing.

According to the White House’s own figures (see table S-1 here for 2011 to 2013, and table S-1 here for 2010), the actual or projected deficit tallies for the four years in which Obama has submitted budgets are as follows: $1.293 trillion in 2010, $1.300 trillion in 2011, $1.327 trillion in 2012, and $901 billion in 2013. In addition, Obama is responsible for the estimated $200 billion (the Congressional Budget Office’s figure) that his economic “stimulus” added to the deficit in 2009. Moreover, he shouldn’t get credit for the $149 billion in TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program) repayments made in 2010 and 2011 to cover most of the $154 billion in bank loans that remained unpaid at the end of the 2009 fiscal year — loans that count against President Bush’s 2009 deficit tally.

Adding all of this up, deficit spending during Obama’s four years in the White House (based on his own figures) will be an estimated $5.170 trillion — or $5,170,000,000,000.00.

To help put that colossal sum of money into perspective, if you take our deficit spending under Obama and divide it evenly among the roughly 300 million American citizens, that works out to just over $17,000 per person — or about $70,000 for a family of four.

Sure Sarah - blame it all on Bush's program. How nice. The education system has been run by liberals for over 40 years. They were experimenting when I was in high school after they pretty much took over the system. The breakdown occurred in the 70's and it's been declining ever since. Don't BLAME it on money. It's the leadership. The NEA has been liberal ever since I can remember... and I am a former educator... My parents took me out of public school because they recognized the value of education was starting to go down. It was the best thing my parents EVER did for me.

Now, you try to interject the failure of the education system on Bush. You are so narrow minded you couldn't see your way through a lighted avenue. Others may buy your bullsh!t, but I won't, I can't. I have lived within the system and know the failures.

Compare a textbook of today with one from the 60's. They don't even resemble each other.

DCIA --

Anna -- If eDucation becomes controlled by corporations we will have crossed the line where freedom is abandoned for a nation made up of human drones. God help us all at that point. They will have won.

True, that. And the bad news is that they're now about 50 yards from the finish line, and there's not a creature with a spine -- I know there's a word for that but I can't think of it -- anywhere close behind them.

The really bad news is that I must be among the spineless.

Yes, Brian, because it's more logical to assume our declining educational system has to do with some sort of liberal agenda, than it does with money.

Because it's not like money runs the world. Silly me, liberals do. Like we fund our schools with dollars, pshaw. We all know our schools are really funded through the liberal currency. That being dead fetuses and organic vegetables.

How narrow minded of me. Thinking mismanaged money leads to problems. What a dope I am.

Don't Carry it - It's the system. It's not the teachers. There is no discipline anymore. If you look at a student the wrong way, the next thing you know, you are sitting in the principle's office in front of the student, their parents and they bandy about lawsuit after lawsuit. If you threaten to fail a student because they won't do the work, you are disciplined. You cannot give a student a 0 on any test... the lowest grade you can give them is a 50... for turning in a blank page. The theory is, if the student has a change of heart and decides to do some of the work, they can't recover from a 0.

This boils down to teachers not being able to teach students self accountability. The NEA has taken that away from teachers.

Your 25% is BS! In many schools there is less than a 50% graduation rate. And Sarah wants to blame Bush for this. Sarah - it's the system... not Bush... when will you finally get over your anti-Bush syndrome? For heavens sake, there are other problems in this world besides Bush. Geeeeezzzzzz.

What I can't figure out is, first he begs to be collapsed & then when his *wish* comes true he bitches about it...

____________________________________________________________

Nasty: Still telling yourself that same old, same old, lie???

You weren't up to the challenge a few days ago when you last repeated this lie.

So, here it is again: I always thank the FR lefty liberals for collapsing my posts because it tells me I've made my point. If you can produce a post of mine to support your lie: " when his *wish* comes true he bitches about it..." I will call Barry "President Obama" for a week. If you can't produce one by, say Thursday at noon, you will call President Obama "Barry" for a week.

So, Nasty: Up for the challenge??

Or are you going to deflect again because deep down inside you really know you are completely full of sh!t??

LOL!!!

I'm not advocating for Obama on this. I'm advocating for addressing the actual problem. And it's a problem that can be laid at the doorsteps of BOTH parties and the health care companies.

I support mandated coverage and preventative care. I don't support the health care system we have in place. Idon't support fee for service or monopolies, who does??? I don't support the fact that the system is only in place because the health care lobby has purchased it's placement.

I couldn't agree more, but I do not support single-payer until someone actually details what they mean. Unlike Obamacare I want to know what the changes are before it is passed.

Alan,

Transparency would be fantastic, wouldn't it.

Brian,

I'm just interested about when I've mentioned Bush. He passed No Child Left Behind, but other than that, can you quote me where I've brought him up??? Did I mention him in regards to that policy even??? I mean, just so we can clarify, here. Please, quote me where I've been partisan or anti-Bush.

Sarah - If you were in the system, you would understand much better. Even the poorest of schools can have very successful programs. I've seen low rent district schools do very well. They can get good scores and have all the necessary instruction. Teachers do band together and make it work. I've seen very affluent schools do poorly. It all amounts to the leadership. It does not amount to money...

The liberal NEA has reduced the ability of teachers to do their jobs effectively. Students in general are coming out of the public schools with a much lower education today than they were 40 years ago. They can't score well on college admissions tests, they struggle when in college and many students simply drop out of school all together... but of course... it all has to do with money, right? It can't be the system... it can't be the way students are allowed to get away with anything, with very little discipline... Heck, they don't even keep scores in gym class these days... who thought up that brainchild?

Brian,

I asked you to quote me where I mentioned Bush, like you claimed I did. I disagree with you, and I think it's silly that you blame it on anything other than where the problem actually lays.

It's much simpler to point fingers at manufactured boogiemen, than it is to actually look the demon in the face. Huh?

And yes, money buys a lot. It buys the best teachers. It buys the best resources. It buys the best after school programs. Get real. Money buys the best educations.

If you can't see that, than nothing I say can help you, you'd be beyond help.

Anna - One just has to look at the success rate of for-profit educational institutions to see they have a much larger percentage of failure rates compared to public universities or colleges. Your posts have a pretty strong spine! lol

Sarah -- Well said. It is much easier to blame the "public" educational system than to look inward. In most cases the ones yelling the loudest are the problem. When they bash education their children will not respect education either. Any educated person understands that many factors contribute to a child's inability to obtain an education. Socioeconomics, parental involvement etc. to name a few.

Brianb -- It's called PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY to teach a child to behave. If they can't do that basic function then it is the parent who has failed.

Sarah - I'll conceed on the Bush statement. On this board, anyone mentioning Bush, drives me crazy. I'm so over the "It's Bush's fault" that is used for every excuse imaginable by anyone standing on the left. It's the failsafe of liberals... and it stinks to high heaven. I may have overreacted about No child left behind. Personally I believe it was a huge mistake of Bush to enforce that... I am of the firm contention that all children should be left behind if they are failing. They need to do the work and learn. If they can't they shouldn't be pushed forward... so to me it was a huge mistake. I am also against stage testing at the various levels.

Joe - anytime a conservative's post is collapsed, it is a badge of honor. Consider yourself honored today!

Brian,

Thank you. I disagree, but thank you for the concession. To me, I don't feel that a child should be left behind due to his/her unfortunate circumstances of birth. I think that simply continues the cycle of poverty and dependance. There's more insight into how we learn and develop as humans these days, and I feel it's inexcusable to not reach children of all learning types and poverty levels.

I agree that standardized testing is bunk. I feel that right now, we have a system that focuses on group think and individual problem solving. When it should really be, individual think, and group problem solving. Mix that in with team teaching and greater home outreach and a better funding system, and we may seem some improvements.

@ Sarah, That is not the only problem with the educational system, it is not that simple. I have several friends who are educators. Here is there take on some of the major issures.

There is a lack of parental support or student accountability. The teachers are bullied, pressured, etc... by parents who really are more interested that their child get a gold star rather than learn. They even go so far as to do their children's homework, projects, etc.. My english teacher friend went so far as to make her students hand write their homework instead of using a computer so she could insure it was their work instead of their mom's work. Another big issue is even in suburban areas any time a bond issue comes on the ballot to fund public schools it is voted down. A lot of these voters send their children to private or parochial schools and feel they don't need to also support public schools. Lastly there are a lot of tenured teachers who are not performing but can't be fired due to unions.

Brianb -- Just to reiterate the point....It is a parent's job to make sure their child is ready to follow the rules before that child even enters kindergarten. I hope you are not suggesting teachers need more leeway to physically discipline a student. That is counterproductive to say the least.

I'm fully aware some schools have a higher percentage of those who fail to succeed. Again, many factors contribute to that number.

KSW,

Everything you said makes sense, and I've heard similar stories. Looking at it in the context of society and government, there's not much we can do about wack-a-doodle parents and how they raise their children. I don't know what would be the best way to ensure all of our schools get the funding they need. Maybe some sort of public/private initiative??? Something that mandates those funds, regardless or perhaps doesn't make funding dependant on the ballot to begin with. We also need oversight of the NEA and the school administrators. Close oversight.

I absolutely believe that we need to protect our most competent teachers from over zealous parents, and allow them to run their classrooms without that worry. We also need to stop playing politics within our schools, that goes for both those outside of the unions and those within the unions.

@ Sarah Excuse my typo, it should have read their take not "there" take.

Sarah - I believe I may have been wrong about you. I agree with what you are saying whole heartedly. I actually like what you said in your last post about the way students should be taught. It strikes a huge familarity with the way I was taught in private school... and it was successful. My school had a 100% graduation rate and 80% of all students graduating went on to college... 50% received masters and 30% went on to PHD's. If that's not a sign of success, nothing could be.

Don't carry it - you couldn't be any more correct about it being the parents job... but... this is 2012... and if discipline is carried out in the home, Health and Human Services can come, knock down your door and take your children away from you. How do people win in this environment?

Ksw,

Sh(%$* happens, didn't even notice it.

Thanks, Brian.

The day after Santorum wins the nomination a commercial airs: The screen starts black the segues to a pretty young white girl in a orange prison jumpsuit. She is obviously in prison because there are some bull dyke prisoners behind her. She says "I got ten years for aborting the fetus of my rapist." With a tear in her eye. Then the Law and Order donk donk is heard followed by a slaming prison cell door. Future generations point to this moment as the start of Obama's second term.

You should just pitch a whole new Law and Order...

Law and Order: Planned Parenthood Unit.

The ability of the mind to stretch the imagination into unfathomable depths is outstanding. So is wishful thinking. Wishful in the manner that your imagination wants something to happen so badly that it is transcribed into words on a blog. Words that spurn others to imagine the same thing... eventually the original thought is brought to light in the brains of likeminded individuals and then spread to others as a rumor. These rumors grow into what some would call a measure of truth. This measure of truth grows more absolute and before you know it, it's common knowledge.

When the eventuality arrives, it is so different from what the original thought bearer stated that this truth will disappoint even the elect of those who just knew it to be truth... And that's the sad story of wishful thinking.

TO: Ron, Bev, Feisty and crew:

The crew is on fire today, just banging home runs on every post. DAM. We have 10 months to go put the foot on the gas crew. We need you and Thank you Keep up the great work. WOW!!!!!

Or are you going to deflect again because deep down inside you really know you are completely full of sh!t??

Simmer down there little Joey - as I told you last week, you are nothing but an attention WHORE who begs for my attention.

Sadly, for you, you are not worthy of it...

Take your juvenile challenge & stuff it where the sun don't shine buddy!

PS: I will have to confess knowing I cause you to lose sleep over me, brings me MUCH comfort! ;op

PPS: I could give a rats ass what you call President Obama or anyone else for that matter...

♥

A Proud Lefty Liberal

You just keep lying to yourself, Nasty, it's what you do best.

TO: Ron, Bev, Feisty and crew:

The crew is on fire today, just banging home runs on every post. DAM. We have 10 months to go put the foot on the gas crew... and in 9 months you hit ::SMACK:: right into a huge oak tree. Keep up the great work. WOW!!!!!

winemaker-4308406

Beverly in Chicago

Didn't you know The Catholic Church invented nuns and alter boys for the express purpose of raping them?

A little known fact about the Catholic Church is that it's written down in the Vatican that the Catholic Church intends to take over the US and burn all non-Catholics at the stake before Sharia Law comes to America. :)

WTF Bev, where do you come up with such trash? The church invented Nuns and alter boys for the express purpose of rape? Come now Queen of the Cut and Paste, how did you arrive at this amazing piece of analysis?

And the second statement is just as amazing. So, what makes you so against another religion other than yours?

You continue to prove your bigotry, with such statements. What an angry black woman you are.

From the Vatican idiot!!!!

Have you forgotten about those baby bones that were under the Nuns' Abbeys, the torturous Spanish Inquisition, the Crusades, the alter boys that were raped and other boys, and the flagellating Knights of Templar????

Sarah - Huffington is not a great source -I do check them out, but like any other source, any writer, they are about promoting their OPINION. Huffington is well known to be rather one sided.

DB,

If you had actually checked that out, you would realize that the CONTENT is from Dylan Ratigan, who has no affiliation with The Huff Post. They were merely reporting on the book he wrote, that does an excellent and non-partisan job of reporting on health care.

And Mr Rattigan is a from msnbc originally - some improvement. Sarah, you have to diversify, everything follow is one sided.

We have 10 months to go put the foot on the gas crew

Solutions539,

Thanks! You can rest assured I will have the pedal to the metal from now until 11.6.12! ;o)

Beverly in Chicago

You forgot about the most egregious crime the church condoned - aside from the Spamish Inquisition

Notice the blurb about "Women"

The Catholic Church's
position on castrati:

According to Rotten.com, in the late 16th century,

"Pope Clement VIII became smitten with the sweetness and
flexibility of their voices. ... While some Church officials suggested it would
be preferable to lift the ban on women singers than to continue endorsing the
castration of little boys, the Pope disagreed, quoting Saint Paul, 'Let women
be silent in the assemblies, for it is not permitted to them to speak.' ...
since it was illegal to perform castrations, ... all castrati presenting
themselves for the choir claimed to have lost their genitals through tragic
'accident'."

"After the Pope’s official acknowledgement and acceptance of castrati, the
number of these "accidents" increased dramatically. Parents seeking
upward mobility towed their little lads down to a barber or butcher who
separated them from their testicles for a fee. ₅

There's always a surge of Santorum on Valentine's Day...

Santorum supporters in this comment thread have NEVER justified his intent on forcing his religion on others, his intent to ban homosexuality, his claim that only Christians should hold office, or his claim that Social Security and Medicare should be abolished. Santorum's supporters here have failed to justify this, and whenever they are confronted, they only say "Well Obama's bad... anybody but him is OK". How about the Socialist Party of America? They aren't Obama. But wait, I thought anybody but Obama was fine as president?

DB,

Is that your attempt to discredit him??? And, actually, he's originally from CSPAN. I mean, what's your point? How does that discredit him, or the book?

Really, DB, you're grasping at straws. Come on, what about that link or what's said in it is untrue, and how do you know it's untrue???

Sarah -- Dylan Ratigan was on CNBC Fast Money, I believe. Have you read his book Greedy Bastards? If so, did you like it? I have a long list of books to purchase and read and that book happened to be one of them.

skip Nicholson, Oklahoma City

Thank you all very much for your kind words and wishes. I have confidence my doctor will figure out what's wrong with my medication and we'll get it adjusted. But your expressions of concern are very touching and sincerely appreciated.

Much love to you all.

Obama/Biden 2012

Best of luck and Happy Valentine's Day, skip. Keep on shining your light from Oklahoma City.

Don't Carry,

I'm sorry, you're right, it was CNBC. I just finished Greedy Bastards and I highly recommend it.

Thanks Sarah! Will order then. ; )

Blatant GOP election fraud in Maine? http://youtu.be/pqsyzTrWS0g

Where else has the GOP skewed the results of their own election?!

No, Sarah, I'm not seeing more opinion than news.

It is an extraordinarily weak field of presidential nomination chasers.

What's the deal with this glitterbombing. Is there some symbolic meaning to that? From a distance and independent's perspective, it looks about as childish as you can get.

What's the deal with this glitterbombing. Is there some symbolic meaning to that?

Basically it's a way of calling someone a homophobe, but makes a bigger statement than words.

I'll be LMAO at you guys when come election day, one of these candidates wipes the political floor with the garbage in the WH now.

I'll be LMAO at you guys when come election day, one of these candidates wipes the political floor with the garbage in the WH now.

Whatever you're smoking, I want some.

Gee, I thought the only thing you wanted was a frothy mixture.

Gee, I thought the only thing you wanted was a frothy mixture.

That revelation just totally torched your entire day didn't it?

I mean you might as well go back to bed, game over.

Ben-636050

I'll be LMAO at you guys when come election day, one of these candidates wipes the political floor with the garbage in the WH now.

Ben,

Most crazy people laugh inappropriately. Here's hoping you'll have someone around to comfort you when the uber landslide of President Obama comes in over the Clowns you guys deem worthy of the presidency.

Also, why aren't you keep up with latest polling. Even FOX NOISE had some polls showing President Obama kick @ss over the fools who want his job.

Ah! the fantasies of the right, in thinking that trying to ban contraception is the way to go in winning women's support.

No one is trying to bring down the Catholic Church, so chuckle all you want Ben.....the women will not bend on this nor will many of their partners. That you can take to the bank. This is not about religious freedom, it is about women's rights and their health issues. The Church is allowing themselves to used or manipulated by the conservatives, to try and undermine President Obama and his decisions.

The Church needs to be careful as they push this agenda, politics and religion are not a good mix and if they want to be Superpac for Republicans, then their tax-exempt status will come into question. They have enough image problems at the moment that they need to focus on.

Gingerbread Mamma

Out here, in the real world, pro-life women support increasing access to contraceptives, as the most pragmatic way to prevent abortion. Anti-poverty women support access to contraceptives. Young women and lower income women support increasing access to contraceptives. Insurance companies support increasing access to contraceptives (saves money in the long run.)

The only people who don't support increasing access to contraceptives are creepy men, who think forcing women to carry unwanted children is the only way losers like them will propagate their DNA.

Agree Amy, and thank you for having the patience to spell out for people like Ben, why women will win on this one. Most women of all political stripes and persuasions (I believe the number who wouldn't agree is around 4-5%) will strenuously fight to keep what rights we have obtained...the hard way. Religious freedom, is just a straw man argument.

mattpfl, it is disturbing; it should scare most people.

GBM, Amy, well said.

Interesting how Amy and Gingerbread Mamma hate men so much. They dismiss their opinion on abortion as if men aren't allowed to even think about such things. Have you ever lived with a woman? Women are about as hard to live with as pit bulls. In fact, I'd much rather live with a pit bull at times during the month. A pit bull would be much more tame compared to PMS... But of course to Amy and Gingerbread Mamma, it's all about men hate.

Brianb

If your side would go after the deadbeat dads as vociferously as they go after MY reproductive organs,...we might have a basis for a bilateral discussion,...

They don't,...See also, Joe Walsh - Congressman for Illinois 8th District,...although I could certainly give many other examples,...

Brian: Your mysogeny is showing. This is not about your inability to have or keep a sustained relationship with a woman. Get help...you're getting a little scary.

AP, you don't know me. Stop making assumptions. You look like a fool. You don't want to know what I really think about women who complain about reproductive rights. If you knew, your mysogeny statement would be highlighted, bolded, italicized, put in quotations and enlargened. But then again, that would only be your opinion... pretty much like your statement in 2.14.

Clara - are you having a problem with a deadbeat dad? What did you do to him to leave you, or did you make a wrong choice in life? Maybe you weren't everything you presented to him when you met him... eh? Did you change your course of action after you got to know him? Did you do something to him to reduce his manhood? When did you start nagging him? When did you start placing undue demands on him to cause him to change his feelings for you? There's two sides to every story Clara... Maybe it was you and not him? Did you ever consider that aspect?

Clara

If your side would go after the deadbeat dads as vociferously as they go after MY reproductive organs,...

What a ridiculous correlation, all based on slanted inuendo on what you think or have been taught to believe.

Brianb - tone it down a bit - get used to people saying far fetched things. Letting them get under your skin only gives them power over you.

Reading Comp - Brianb

It is your friend. I have no idea how or where you got your rant from my comment.

I am married to my first and only husband. And happily so. Several who post here have met him and my cherubs,...so I do not experience any issues with support,...I am merely pointing out the hypocrisy of the tighty righties to demand WOMEN manage the birth AND care of all offspring,...when the reality is that absentee FATHERS create MOST of the socioeconomic disadvantages we see in society.

But as you were, soldier. You sound a little like a jilted absentee father with that little scree there, buddy.

DB Akron,

Feel free to ignore me. See the follow through 'correlation' above. PS. Based on FACTS.

Ah! the fantasies of the right, in thinking that trying to ban contraception is the way to go in winning women's support.

Banning contraception is nowhere in the republican playbook. Never has been, never will be. This load of excriment is the brainchild of the Democratic party. Do you not understand that every "moderator" was a democrat registered and for some odd reason they were bringing up contraception for 15 - 20 minutes in every debate starting with George Stephanopolis On January 7th? Yeah George part of the weekly Obama strategy sessions from January 2009 - fall 2009. Don't you find it interesting that at the end of January Obama goes back on his promise to churches that they would be exempted from being required to provide contraception?

It is about trying to create an issue they can win on. You want to be the puppets of the democratic leadership be my guest!

The only ones who seem to be on to their leadership devises is the Republican membership who appear to be dumping the leadership pick for president for one of their own choosing.

All - what I find incredible was "The Pill" was ready for distribution in 1960 and I was on it in 1964

Joke - my friend and I were talking about this last year and she said "Barbara you realize the strength we were given - we could have sterilized a herd of cattle" 10 millograms - now what is it 1/10nth of 1%

And now 52 years later it's an issue? Give me a blankity blank break!

What next - Virgin Girdles?

Brian: How dare you attack these women! You sound like the rest of your party. For some reason you want to be able to control women and their ability to reproduce. (This is very natural Brian, all living things want to reproduce and your testosterone poisoning makes you want to spread your seed among any and everything you can to produce more offspring. Again, very natural. However, we humans (most) have a highly evolved prefrontal cortex which usually (barring any injuries) allows us to reason and use self control for the sake of logic. I think the anger and disagreement among men for birth control is it endangers their ability to impregnate every woman they see. It puts women in the driver's seat for once and that is frightening to them. Get used to it!) Just like all you conservative men, you seem to think that birth control is all about reproduction but it's not.

Women do like having control over what happens in their lives though. I'm not equating pregnancy with disease but it is difficult and it is something that completely changes a person's life. Men can just walk away from a pregnant woman but she cannot walk away from the child growing inside of her uterus. Until you have that kind of innate responsiblity to something no one who does is going to want to hear you talk about whether controlling it is ok, necessary, or anything of the like from your perspective because you have none.

I too, am married, no little ones yet, to an amazing man who agrees with everything I'm saying in this comment and he actually think that men are less evolved and lower human beings than women. Smart man.

It's too late for you to evolve Brian, but do us all a favor and don't reproduce. If you already have, let someone else raise the kid.

IR: Looks like we are on the same page. Just being against President Obama ain't going to feed the bulldog. Romney has no positive solutions and that's a fact.

IR -- Great post! Surprising that a conservative is the author. ; )

No solutions is about right! Notice how they avoid campaigning on what they are for other than tax cuts?

Same to you, Feisty:

Happy Valentine's Day to all. And again, thanks to our friends at FR for giving us this forum.

IR, terrific post. While I do not agree with George Will on many issues, I have always found his logic and reasoning worth reading and superior to the other Op Ed writers such as Krauthammer and Cal Thomas. Will's assessment is spot on as were your added thoughts!

Good morning IR.......thank you for this post. I am not a fan of George Will, but have always respected his ability to criticize republican candidates or presidents ( remember his feud with the Bush family when senior was Pres).

Following along with others who are interested in this primary season, I have to ask, who is advising Romney in the backrooms? I know that most of the cast of characters from the GW Bush administration have signed on, but before they lent their names, who advised Romney, that what was needed was a duplicate of those eight years? Who writes those awful speeches he gives? In his delivery he's wooden, but so are the words.

Is he not smart enough, to see that the country does not want to go in his direction, of more wars, bigger military, etc.? Perhaps he isn't and that's his problem.

Interesting article--thanks for sharing, IR.

Happy Valentine's Day to our FR hosts---we love you all for giving us this great place to discuss our passion for politics!

Happy Valentine's Day to all my FR friends--you are the best.

Thanks folks. I feel the need to keep pointing out to folks that just winning the Republican/T.P best of show contest ain't answering the myriad of questions that need to be answered to become an effective President..........Happy Valentine's Day to all my F.R. Ladies. You know I love and appreciate each and every one of you.

Romney says: “It is unacceptable for Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” that if he is elected, Iran will not get such a weapon, and if Obama is reelected, it will.

Of course, Willard doesn't say how he expects to do it.

Better question...how can he do it without sending gas and oil prices through the roof because of the rampant speculation from his hedge fund-manager buddies?

And what would we be without you, IR!

Independent Redneck Va.

Thanks so much for the article, in fact, when I read of it; the first think that came to mind was it being a step in the right direction.

I read what the right says about the President talking to the Taliban as bowing down, appeasing, apologizing, blah blah, blah. But, isn't that way most wars end by talking to reach an agreement or a treaty? Who knows the Taliban may be war weary too.

Some people need to use their nuggin for more that a hat rake.

Happy Valentine's Day to all my FR friends and to the people who make our participation here possible.....Mark and Domenico and their hardworking staffs. May your day be filled with sweetness and love.

You want answers, and good ones. Ron Paul gives them and nobody reports on it. Well I see his message and hope My fellow citizens start to get it. He is the only choice for the change we need! Not 4 more years of the same. Meaning Obama or Romney. No difference anyhow. Ron Paul 2012!

Floyd - you had me at hello! ♥

PS: Gingerbread Mamma - I love the new avatar! Perfect for Valentine's Day!

Ron Paul,

*** Has stood up for limited government, free markets, sound money, and constitutional principles for over 30 years;

*** Predicted this entire economic mess we're in years before it happened and knows what it takes to get our economy moving in the right direction;

*** Answered the call to duty by serving our country as a Flight Surgeon in the U.S. Air Force and in the Air National Guard;

*** Issued a plan to enact one TRILLION in real spending cuts during the first year of his presidency, abolish five unconstitutional federal departments, and balance the federal budget by year three;

*** Authored legislation to immediately begin saving unborn lives by repealing Roe v. Wade, federally defining that life begins at conception, and stripping out-of-control judges of any jurisdiction over the abortion issue;

*** Fought to fully audit - and then END - the out-of-control Federal Reserve System and to stop the printing of money out of thin air that is destroying our middle class;

*** Consistently stood up for our God-given right to keep and bear arms guaranteed to us by the Second Amendment;

*** Pushed for passage of a National Right to Work law to end forced union dues nationwide;

*** Put forth a plan to stop illegal immigration and secure our own borders instead of the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

See, Ron Paul would have been a decent candidate, and your post reflects that.

However, you neglect to mention his ideas that are out of left field.

Such as:

Abolishing the FDA (uh....what?)

That our interstate highway system is unconstitutional.

He wants to repeal the Civil Rights Act (uh....what?!?)

Ron Paul gives them and nobody reports on it.

Not true - his answers are reported, but they are answers that are overwhelmingly rejected. His stance on abortion, overwhelmingly rejected. His stance on racial equality, overwhelmingly rejected. His stance on the Fed, overwhelmingly rejected. His stance on free markets, overwhelmingly rejected.

He represents a small group of the electorate. What most folks seem to like about him is his refreshing honesty. That does not translate into agreement with his policies.

The FDA is responsible for the enormous prison population of non-violent offenders and the cost is proven to be far higher than its worth. Abortion isn't up to the federal government, how is that bad for anyone? And civil rights don't need to be pushed anymore! This causes more harm than good! And his stance on the FED is what we need! Why are you all scared of the inevitable changes? Do you really think we can spend like this forever? Do you want your kids and grandkids to pay for your selfishness? Come on people! Get your heads out of your behinds!

I <3 you, too, Scarecrow!

and a Happy Lover's Day to all!

oops!

I ♥ you, too, Scarecrow!

JJ-johnnyreb. Huh? The Food and Drug Administration is also responsible for keeping our food and drugs safe to eat and use. As for the prison population, that comes from outrageous laws that punish drug sellers and users harsher than rapists and sometimes murderers. About the only thing I agree with Ron Paul about is his stand on marijuana being made legal; and to some extent, his stand on getting involved in foreign wars. The rest of his libertarian chatter is a hodge podge of "purist" unworkable ideology that sounds great but would result in something other than democracy. Ask the USSR how their "purist" society worked--oh, wait, it collapsed because purism always fails because the world and government requires shades of gray.

I would suggest that those who support Ron Paul take a much closer look at what he represents beyond his financial chatter, his anti-war chatter, and his legalize marijuana chatter. There's a lot of disturbing baggage tucked in his closet.

IR, Happy Valentine's Day to you, too. Today the pearls of wisdom are heart shaped!

This is so funny. Who has Obama pissed off today? Last week it was the Catholics, then the other religious groups joined in. It seems Obama is slowly bleeding off his band of supporters...

If Obama keeps this up, I might run for President... I would have a much better chance of getting it than him.

You people crack me up. You compare atrocities Obama has committed to things Bush (or vise verse)and you defend one OR the other why? Because your "party hat" has fallen over your eyes and blinded you? HaHa you are comparing two turds and trying to say one smells better than the other. If "he is not as bad as the other" is the only defense you have and is the only reason you support someone that is sad indeed.

It also cracks me up when people try to portray Obama as a man of peace. Let me ask you some questions:

How come it took Obama 16 months longer to get the troops out of Iraq than Obama promised during his campaign? (he promised an end by 2009)

If troops are moved from Iraq to Afghanistan how does that constitute a "draw down"?

Our mission in Afghanistan was to pursue Alqaeda and get Bin Laden. Bin laden is dead and our generals told us Alqaeda in Afghanistan was decimated years ago. Why are we still there?

Why did we get involved in Libya at a cost of OVER 2 BILLION while our politicians were having meetings on trying to figure out how to get enough money to keep the government running back here at home? Funny how there was no problem at all finding unspecified number of billions for war huh?

BTW you Dems are also all saying the Repubs want war with Syria and Iran. What will you say if Obama starts either war before his term is up? I am sure it will be "he had no choice". Let's face it Obama is just another puppet just like Bush and just like Mitt, Newt and Santorum will be if any of them get the chance. The only one that would make a difference is ridiculed by the media and Washington because anyone who would actually stop the wars would put the profiteers out of business and have a negative affect on campaign donations. Like it or not war is profit and we are still involved in it becuase that is the way our government wants it.

.hugs, too.

I think Gingrich will stay in until after Super Tuesday. No way, he's going to listen to the conservatives who want a clear path for Santorum because in his mind, Santorum is less intellectual than the Great Newt.

That's exactly it, Jody. Gingrinch considers himself to be the "second coming," Callista views herself as the perfect FLOTUS, regardless of her inability to recognize and live the precepts of her religion regarding marriage.

newdayDAWNING...RETURNED

That's exactly it, Jody. Gingrinch considers himself to be the "second coming," Callista views herself as the perfect FLOTUS, regardless of her inability to recognize and live the precepts of her religion regarding marriage.

So that's why Noot's head is so big. LOL

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE

RIP Whitney.

The same to you, Beverly.

And yes. Whitney was a HUGE loss. Thoughts and prayers to those who loved her, especially her daughter.

Jody: Excellent analysis! Your comments are spot-on.

they were worried about Kennedy being Catholic in the 60s and not ONCE during his campaign did he throw the religion card.....not ONCE

I wonder what would have happened if Romney had simply stayed true to whatever beliefs he has and been willing to let the rest of the field implode. We've seen that they all do it and Gingrich and Santorum are only the latest who will hang themselves by their words and deeds. Instead, Mitt now looks desperate and the constant shifting right won't help in the general.

The result, the GOP is fighting an internal, civil war for its future. If it continues to embrace the zealots, the bigots, the extremists, it will be a dying party. For now, who knows what the GOP will be when the dust settles.

This statement has been made prior to every election in my lifetime. Next we will be hearing "This is the most important election in history". They always seem to appear during election seasons.

In regards to the GOP. You have to win a primary before you can run for POTUS. The base IS the primary.

Big Red One 4 Life aka Jump Master 80 Duece aka Willy Dynamite aka In The Middle TX

Tick, Tock

Get a life dude.

Careful Dennis - IntheMiddle likes to threaten people who 'ping' him... lmao

Get a life dude.

Apparently ITM are the one who needs to 'get a life' - you've been BANNED 3 times and still come back for more...

Buh Bye little buddy!

Get a life dude.

Laters doood.

Jody, excellent analysis. It's amazing, isn't it, how much time and energy us liberals put into trying to understand the ideological strains in the Republican Party, while Republicans spend time smearing each other and creating "birther" movements.

[Buh Bye little buddy!]

Apparently, ITM is about to bite the "BigRedOne"...possibly "4Life"?

BigRed or ITM, wrong, the idea that the GOP is dying is not said during every primary or election. The trouble for the GOP is they have been stepping further and further right. The once banned from the GOP John Birchers have been welcomed back with open arms. Allowing a White Supremist to appear on a CPAC panel proves my point about bigots. Winning the base of either party requires being honest with that base. Voters are smart enough to realize that even if they disagree with a candidate on some things, if that candidate represents most of their views, that candidate does not have to run to the far right or left to win the nomination.

Feisty wrote: Apparently ITM are the one who needs to 'get a life' - you've been BANNED 3 times and still come back for more...

I'm very curious how someone gets 'banned' here. Secondly, how do you or anyone know when someone has been banned?

Just asking................

nomoresameo:

Newsvine posts the banned list. Can't think of the name of the guy that does it, but if you go to Newsvine and search banned/suspension, you will find it. Someone else will post the name.

Really the only way you get banned on FR is to be a re reg, unless you post a threat to someone.

Actually it starts with COH violations that may garner you a 1 day suspension or longer. Your comment history is taken into account. Numerous 1 day suspensions will get you a week suspension, then a month. Registering another account while suspended will get you banned. registering multiple accounts will get you banned. Death wishing will definitely get you banned.

New Day is correct about the rules on First Read.

Here is the February list of bans and suspensions Sir Richard Owen posts a running list each month.

http://uncle-milty.newsvine.com/_news/2012/02/01/10286869-201202-feb-2012-bansuspension-list

Thanks, Cynthia: I was hoping one of you with more knowledge would post the information. I get tired of this meme that some who post here have "inside information."

Hey Cyn...Happy Valentine's Day!

Hey, Mickey! Happy Valentine's Day to you!

Happy Valentine's Day to you too, ndD...R!

Happy Valentine's Day to all of my friends! An extra "smooch" for Mickey (wink, wink, nudge nudge) ;-)

Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I've been ill for a few days and couldn't afford to take any time off or even post comments. I've been taking on as many extra security details as possible. I'll be around tomorrow!

Cyn, hope you are feeling better...:) How's the fishing going?

Smooches to you too, dollface! Be careful...you know Spanky doesn't like girl on girl action... ;)

No problem about getting back to me...I know all that wascally wabbit huntin' must have you exhausted.

TTYL

...and kudos to Jon Stewart and The Daily Show for calling out the Religious Right for claiming some kind of "War On Religion".

Yeah, go tell a Holocaust survivor that you're suffering religious persecution. Go talk to Christians in the Middle East and tell them you're being persecuted.

Prepare to be laughed at when you do so.

DaNoid, well said.

The GOP said that President Obama declared a War on Religion yet their very actions in Congress says it isn't about religion at all. If it were, their proposed legislation would simply address the Catholic Church employer provided insurance not being mandated to cover birth control. Instead, the GOP is making it a War on Women and a free-market issue by proposing legislation that will allow employers NOT to cover whatever medical procedures and medication they don't want to provide. This is a GOP step to allow employers to opt out of the employer-provided health care system slowly.

So true Da Noid. If Santorum beats out Romney, he will lose for sure to President Obama. Our Country is too progressive thinking and will never elect a social conservative as President, which would send us back in time on social issues, such as women’s rights.

Happy Valentine's Day, Jolly. Just got up - what does that tell you! :)

A lot! I hope you have a big smile! I bought my wife some 70% cocoa chocolate and a nice card from our 3 yorkies.

Got roses from the hubby. Nice surprise. Fixing a very special dinner tonight (we hate going out on V-Day, way too crowded). Even got the cats some special food for tonight (and some cat nip!)

I'm just going to say it, cuz' I am sure I ain't the only one thinking it,...

eeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

I'm just going to say it, cuz' I am sure I ain't the only one thinking it,...

Talk about TMI... lol

EEEEEEWWWWWW is right!

Sean, well said. The conservatives tell us how religious they are while ignoring the biblical teachings that those who have been given much have an obligation to care for the least among us.

a bunch of loonie toons

It's a santorum surge! Somebody get the disinfectant!

Jolly, You really have been funny lately. Happy Valentines Day.

Romney:

I don't care about the very poor.

I love to fire people.

*slaps his dog on the roof of the car*

Looks like Keanu or Pacino in *Devils Advocate* ... LOL.

i KNOW!!!! its a ploy by the GOP to have the US in control of the real Devil.......run for your lives.....lmao

Has MSNBC ever used a good photo of any GOP? Has MSNBC ever used a bad photo of Obama?

HACK MEDIA.

You forgot to mention that Rick Santorum doesn't just oppose abortion, he opposes birth control of any type because it is evil.

you're right Jody

Let me ask a simple question. You all doing the complaining, are you going to vote Republican?

are you going to vote Republican?

...well certainly NOT with these available choices.

Whats your point?

siesta, well said. If I ever saw that article, it long left my memory bank.

It reminds me of Sarah Palin in 2008, speaking about her "choice" to have her last child who has a disability. Whether it is Karen Santorum or Sarah Palin, there is a disconnect in their thinking. An inability to connect the logic they express about having the "choice" to make a decision in the best interest of the family or the health of the mother with the polar opposite view of advocating that no abortion is acceptable nor should it be legal. They had a choice yet they refuse to accept that other women should also have that choice.

oh and where was Mr. Catholic Dynasty when the priests were raping boys????

Oh! Lord.... you poor paranoid delusional individual. There is no attack by the President on the Catholic Church, this is all contrived by the paranoids on the right. We women will keep reminding you what it is about, WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

I swear, it seems conservatives have a disposition towards, paranoia. why else do you have to demonize everything you dont agree with.

Keep this up, you'll find when you wake up on November 7th, President Obama will be re-elected with a clear mandate.

Thank you Mama...You nailed it...

Yeah. I listen to a conservative christian radio show/station on the way home from work, just because I love hearing how angry they get.

One of their big talking points is how this November is going to be a clear mandate on which path the country is going to go down.

I can't wait to hear what they say when President Obama gets reelected.

"Now we know Santorum is a Crook and a liar and his wife is a two-face phony"

Bob,

And the Republicans in Congress will keep this issue up front as women see them as attacking their rights … a real looser for Republicans.

BTW – I see you closed your other account. Thanks for playing by the rules.

Gee, Bob Virginia--Gov McDonnell nice logo supporting yourself for VP. Sorry, I realize you're trying to be clever with the name and avatar but I couldn't resist poking fun at the attempt.

FYI, when 98% of Catholics say they have used birth control in some form or another; when most women say they use or have used birth control--it really is the ultiminate in stupidity for republicans to think they can win by making this a big issue. The only thing they'll do is alienate even more women voters.

Ask those 98% of catholics if they would prefer their church to set ethical and moral standards for them to live by or whether the government should be able to dictate those standards to the church.

I'm thinking they will side with their church. I'm thinking that's why Obama caved in the first place.

Rob,

Our President didn’t cave. The policy didn’t go into effect for 18 months (Aug 2013) which was intended to allow time to negotiate any issues with the new rule. However the Catholic Bishops and Republicans decided to make this an issue that needed immediate resolution. Our President dealt with it quickly and favorably for the majority of both Catholics and citizens.

Very touchy about Obama caving.

gitmo, patriot act, bush tax cuts those weren't cave ins either, huh?

Rob,

I’ll give you the patriot act but the Bush tax cuts and Gitmo had a lot to do with how Congress framed, leveraged and voted on those issues

Imagine the outrage if Bush decided to have dronesdo surveillance over the US.

yikes!

Dennis

How are you today? You are right the rule didn't go into effect until Aug 2013 but the excuse used for coming out with it now was bogus. This announcement was done now to try and play to the female voters and no other reason. It was the blow back that caused President Obama to cave.

When in the constitution does it give the President the right to tell insurance companies what they must provide, free of charge (no payment from anywhere), contraceptives? Why can't women pay for their contraceptives, why must it be free? I am sure a lot of women can afford paying for their contraceptives or at least a co-pay.

This was nothing but a political ploy by the campaigner in chief.

Hi Sarge,

How is this different than with Medicare parts C and D where the Government told Insurance companies what their supplemental insurance must cover for seniors?

Medicare parts C & D were both passed by congress and signed into law by the President. The individuals pay for medicare out of their Social Security benefits. Neither part C or D is mandatory coverage. BTW, doesn't the ACA do away with Part C (Medicare Advantage) except for those given waivers? Further I doubt seniors on Medicare are banging down the doors to get free contraceptives.

IMO, and I am sure you agree somewhat, this was a political move more geared toward a voting bloc and was more political than necessary at this time, especially since it didn't go into effect until Aug 2013.

Why should women, who can afford to pay a co-payment or even cash, get free contraceptives, and I understand that there are a lot of private charities that will provide free contraceptives for those who can't afford it.

Sarge,

Actually the ACA does not do away with part C it only limits the range of benefits offered – eliminates many of the free-bees.

Free contraceptives are part of the ACA which was passed by Congress and signed by the President.

“Neither part C or D is mandatory coverage” No, but the insurance companies are mandated what they must cover for seniors that enroll with them for that plan.

Dennis,

Sorry to disagree somewhat, but people covered by medicare are required to pay co-pays for most treatments which is why most purchase supplemental insurance.

If free contraceptives are part of the ACA then why was it necessary for HHS make it mandatory for all religious facilities and why did the President have to say that insurance companies would have to furnish free contraceptives for all women when their insurance does not cover it?

Sarge,

The supplemental insurance that is offered to seniors is paid for with Government funds that supplement the insurance companies. At the same time the Government directs what procedures it will cover. An example is that the Government will not supplement cosmetic procedures and does not allow coverage under part C.

It was not all religious facilities it was all medical and educational facilities – some happened to be operated by religious organizations.

Dennis,

Thanks, I don't have part D nor do I have to pay for a supplemental medicare insurance coverage. I have Medicare and because I am retired military I use my Tri-Care for Life as my supplemental coverage including medication. The Tri-Care for Life covers what Medicare doesn't pay.

I do remember when my mother was alive she had to pay a premium to AARP for supplemental insurance to cover what medicare wouldn't pay for. I don't remember seeing the government paying any part of that, but I am not sure. As I mentioned I am not really up on what the government does or does not pay for except in my own case.

I'm confident that YOU have SUDS for brains since you've bought into the Democratic rhetoric that all Republicans are rich; for big oil; don't want to pay their fair share of taxes; are against womens rights; etc., etc. You are either uneducated or myopic or both!!! Wake up and smell the roses and stop believing the Democrat's pandering and mis-information.

TJ,,, Suds didn't say they are rich, he was trying to say they are stupid & he's right

Republican's like yourself are totally oblivious to reality. You need to stop watching Fox Noos and listening to their nonsense and educate yourself.

Tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans will create jobs. This hasn’t happened yet, in fact every time Republican economic policies have been implemented they have caused a recession.

In the last four years Republicans have tried to eliminate union bargaining rights everywhere they could, and were successful in Wisconsin…….so far. I would consider this an attack on the middle class.

Republicans have consistently fought against contraception and abortion, both legal medical procedures that are opposed entirely for religious reasons.

Republicans are responsible for the deficit. Of the $14 Trillion we currently owe, $9 Trillion was incurred by Republicans, the majority of the debt added by Obama was needed to prevent the worst recession in 100 years from becoming the Second Republican Depression.

1978-2005 Democratic Federal Spending Increase 9.9%

1978-2005 Republican Federal Spending Increase 12.1%

1978-2005 Democratic Federal Debt Increase 4.2%

1978-2005 Republican Federal Debt Increase 36.4%

1978-2005 Democratic Gross Domestic Product Increase 12.6%

1978-2005 Republican Gross Domestic Product Increase 10.7%

As you can see republicans spend more, increase the debt more and produce less.

If the Bush Tax Cuts are allowed to expire, it will mean that the bottom part of the wealthiest people in America, those making $1,000,000.00 per year, will be forced to scrape by on $18,000.00 per week. How cruel!

Your comment, and my disdain for Santorum, reminds me of an exchange in the play "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum";

Hysterium: "My father is rolling in his grave!"

Pseudolus: "Your father is alive.

Hysterium: "THIS will kill him!!"

Santorum deserves all the "Disdain" American citizens can throw at him --- He LIED ABOUT IRAN

• It began on Iran's election day, when a hard-fought contest produced massive voter turnout. Noting the encouraging signs as Iranians awaited the results, President Obama said, "We are excited to see what appears to be a robust debate taking place in Iran. And obviously, after the speech that I made in Cairo, we tried to send a clear message that we think there is the possibility of change. And ultimately, the election is for the Iranians to decide.”

• After Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was announced the winner by a wide margin, President Obama expressed his reservations about the vote's legitimacy: “I have said before that I have deep concerns about the election. And I think that the world has deep concerns about the election.”

• When the Iranian government began its violent crackdown against peaceful protestors and the situation worsened, President Obama swiftly issued a stern rebuke: "The Iranian government must understand that the world is watching. We mourn each and every innocent life that is lost. We call on the Iranian government to stop all violent and unjust actions against its own people. The universal rights to assembly and free speech must be respected, and the United States stands with all who seek to exercise those rights. As I said in Cairo, suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. The Iranian people will ultimately judge the actions of their own government. If the Iranian government seeks the respect of the international community, it must respect the dignity of its own people and govern through consent, not coercion.”

• And at a press conference three days later, the President was clear again about where he stood: “The United States and the international community have been appalled and outraged by the threats, the beatings, and imprisonments of the last few days. I strongly condemn these unjust actions, and I join with the American people in mourning each and every innocent life that is lost.”

President Obama has not done "nothing" or "tacitly" supported Iran's election results—the fact is, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum are misleading Americans about the President's record on Iran.

The American people are getting sick and tired of the Teapugs lies, No solutions, No jobs, just hate & lies !!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with you American has had enough of the Teapug show