Good morning Ron.

Thank You for this Wonderful Post!

I filled up the tank this morning and national brand premium gas was at $4.09 a gallon. The no-name brand discount station across the street had premium gas at $4.00 a gallon.

The price is set by the market. "Big Oil" and hedge fund managers are making a ton of money off of the price of gas and oil.

So, what do you have against Capitalism?

If the polls were and are accurate, you get a sense that Romney is gaining support in Michigan but a few points here and there. Several days ago they were tied, but at the far reaches of the margin of error with Santorum having the bigger number. This poll today shows Romney up by two points - well within the margin of error, but still what could be seen as positive momentum.

My guess is that Romney's slip yesterday that spending cuts hurt economic growth aren't hurting him as bad as all the pseudo theological stuff Santorum keeps revolving around his campaign.

Tonight's debate will be important, but consider the odds that Romney flops versus the odds that Santorum gets asked about and fails to sidestep effectively his theological comments. I think the Romney camp is breathing a sigh of relief today, knowing they may just be about to dodge a bullet.

Looking forward to the debate tonight. Every time they get together they not only destroy themselves, but they lose more GOP followers to President Obama. The clowns make each other look so Un-Presidential that no one would want to vote for any of them. I love it.

Can't wait for the election.

Obama in 2012.

UAW - I wouldn't be so encouraged. First, if Iowa goes blue, it's over before even looking anywhere else. Second, note that whoever from this Republican field has any attention over any kind of an extended period starts to wear really quickly on voters - even those from his own party. After one is nominated, that candidate won't be able to hide in the pack. All attention all the time. I think your party ought to be very worried about that.

Joe in Albany,

While I understand you are anti Obama, your daily posts here prove that, one thing you do know, I hope, is that the president of the United States (no matter which party) has no control on the price of gasoline. While a lot of Americans that are not political junkies like the people who post here are, and I include you in the label of "political junkie", the vaunted free market capitalist set the price. And of course you realize there are many things that will influence that market. The bottom line is making the biggest profit for the company they can.

But, I am sure you already know this.

Hey Joe lets look at these gas hikes in historical terms. Gas prices went to $4.00/Gal. when the tea people GOP Koch republicans had control of congress and the White House remember. Then in 2008 during the presidential election when the big oil companies were tying to get McCain and tea people elected gas prices went down to $1.89/Gal. that didn't work. Then in 2009 after President Obama was sworn in the big Oil companies started raising prices again slowing economic growth. they've held their big price increases till this year. Why you ask. It's simple to help get tea people GOP Koch republicans elected just like in 2008. So Joe the ups and downs of gas prices has nothing to do with supply and demand or geopolitical or President Obama, it's all political. The big oil companies want the tea people GOP Koch republicans elected so they can raise gas prices as high as they want and deregulate the industry, without any obstruction from the President or Congress.

I'm encouraged that the three top Republicans are leading Obama in the polls according to the Des Moines Register....

Ahhh yes...

Now there's a true barometer of the entire country! lol

Louis, Did you even think before you typed that?

Noid: The price is set by the market. "Big Oil" and hedge fund managers are making a ton of money off of the price of gas and oil.

Looks like Obama had a problem with it in 2008:

"Progress" isn't exactly how Obama described the country's energy picture in 2008, when gas prices were closing in on $4 a gallon. Then, it was a clear sign of "Washington's failure to lead on energy," which was "turning the middle-class squeeze into a devastating vise-grip for millions of Americans.

Source: http://news.investors.com/article/601827/201202211837/obama-shifting-talk-on-high-gas-prices.htm

So today Noid and others say Obama has nothing to do with gas prices, even though to Obama, Bush had everything to do with them 4 years ago. This kind of looks like the debt ceiling debate Obama had with himself when he voted against raising the debt ceiling while a Senator, but lobbied hard for it as President. Either way, this is a president struggling to deal with yet another problem. Might be time for Obama to give a speech, you know, to blame others.

At least we have the main-stream-media to point out the facts. They too blamed Bush back in 2008. I'm certain they'll do the same with Obama this time around.

Ron, interesting analysis. It's hard to be a "predictor" in this odd, GOP race of rising and falling stars. Nothing surprises me any more especially with the rise of Santorum. While he appeals to the most conservative segment of the GOP, I'm not sure his anti-birth control stance will not ultimately hurt him especially with women voters.

POLITCO: In a general election contest against Mitt Romney, the president leads his Republican opponent 51 to 43 percent, according to an Associated Press-GfK survey on Wednesday. This demonstrates a significant lead for Obama compared to the December poll when the two were virtually tied at 47 to 46 percent.

Meanwhile, Obama would lead Rick Santorum 52 to 43 percent, Newt Gingrich 52 to 42 percent, and Ron Paul 53 to 44 percent.

And in the same poll: Interest in the Republican presidential race is slipping: Just 40% of Republicans say they have a great deal of interest in following the contest, compared with 48% in December. Key findings: Only 23% are strongly satisfied with the field and 40% said they are dissatisfied with the candidates running.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0212/73154.html

JAS1

Please tell me who sets the price of gasoline?

Huffington Post:

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said Tuesday that President Barack Obama's administration has "fought against religion" and sought to substitute a "secular" agenda for one grounded in faith.

**********

Faith in what? The Republican Party?

Let's get this straight. There is no reason in the world to vote for a republican, including Romney. What a disgraceful comment to make. This is what he has to say to win over republican voters. And he'll keep on saying it because he is a coward. Let's talk about Romney's faith, since he brought it up.

These Republicans honestly believe they have the market on religion. Listen to what they say and then watch what they do.

If there is anybody who has faith in this election it's President Obama. Not Romney. Not Santorum. They're both exploiting religious people and that to me is a sin. They're liars. Romney the worst of the bunch.

As Catholic mothers used to say way back when, when they were furious at one of their 6, 7, 8, 9 children -

Jesus, Mary & Joseph.

During the last 6 years of Bush's term, I heard liberals whine DAILY about the price of gasoline and blame it on Bush. Many of these people were on forums like this. Others were people I met personally. It seems they had this belief that Bush, being from the oil industry or whatever, set the prices high to make he and his "oil buddies" wealthy. I have NO doubt that many of you here said the same thing at that time. So, now that prices are even higher than Bush's time, why is it no longer the president's fault?

pp: Please tell me who sets the price of gasoline?

The market.

Now, who influences the market? Think maybe a countries energy policy, as well as its rules and regulations influence the price in any way? Obama sure does. He said so, it is quoted in post 1.15. Or do you disagree with Obama?

UAW, don't be too pleased with that Des Moines Register poll. It shows only Ron Paul winning outside the margin of error; Santorum, Romney are within or close to the margin of error and Gingrich loses to Obama. That poll most likely reflects the months and months of anti-everything Obama campaigning coming from a dozen GOP candidates prior to the Caucus; we are only 7 weeks out from the Caucus. President Obama has yet to campaign in Iowa.

The price is set by the market. "Big Oil" and hedge fund managers are making a ton of money off of the price of gas and oil.

So, what do you have against Capitalism?

________________________________________________

Nothing at all. I love capitalism. As I said yesterday in FT: "The only “good news” I see is that my Vanguard Energy fund posted increases of 20-25 times my extra monthly cost to fill the gas tank the last time gas went above $4.00 a gallon in 2008. Of course, the other good news is that Barry will get the blame for gas prices spiking right before the election."

So, I'm making money on high oil prices, too. And Barry getting the blame makes it a win-win for me.

Ain't capitalism great!!!!

Gee, Joe, guess you'll have to cut back on your 3 "s"'s to get your high test; salmon, Sammy's and steak. Welcome to the 98% and don't hold your breath waiting for the pity party. Don't think I know anyone who owns a sled that burns high test.

Wake up Michigan Voters!

Thanks to Obama this country is heading in the toilet. Aside from giving the green light to our elite forces on the Bin Laden hit everything Obama has touched has been made worse.

Mitt Romney is not a politician. He is not a fancy talker or sloganeer like the current embarrassment in the White House. Mitt Romney is a brilliant manager/administrator and leader.

There are very few leaders in this country capable of getting us back on the right path. I witnessed him first hand having to manage a state that is hopelessly liberal and it he did it with a conservative hand and got things accomplished without divisiveness without pitting classes against each other. He got things done with vision, leadership, and competence.

VOTE FOR ROMNEY. HE WILL BE ONE OF THE GREATEST PRESIDENTS TO EVER HOLD OFFICE.

I see that the DNC talking points, blaming the market and speculators, for high gas prices-exempting Obama from any blame- is alive and well.

Once again, I will explain basic market practices for the benefit of those who want to understand how the markets work-

Speculators are those who make educated guesses on what the price per barrel of crude will be. They look at supply and demand, and make purchase orders based on that information. If they guess a low price per barrel, and the price is higher than their guess, they wind up with cash in their pockets. If they guess high, and the price is lower, they have to shell out cash to make up the difference. Therefore, the incentive to guess low is greater than the incentive to guess high.

Perfect example- given the supply and demand situation, four years ago those who "speculate" on the oil situation guessed very high, and oil went way up. The price at the pump hit four dollars- and then president Bush signed an order opening up vast amounts of land for oil exploration. The price per barrel plummeted. Okay, class- what happened to those holding contracts to pay $150 per barrel when the price dropped to $60?

That's right- they lost their shirts.

What changed? The expectation that supply would increase due to Bush's actions. It was a variable the oil contract purchasers did not factor into their decisions.

The problem today is that Obama, by denying Keystone the ability to run their pipeline, has signaled a decrease, rather than an increase, in supply. What we saw last year and this, is called cost push inflation- the ONLY cure is an increase in supply.

It is not billions of taxpayer borrowed dollars given to big dollar Obama donors for fairy dust factories- that go bankrupt.

It is not battery operated cars that go 12 miles on a charge- when the electricity has to come from somewhere- and it sure isn't the aforementioned fairy dust factories.

We need oil. From tar sands, from shale, from deep water drilling rigs.

It is indeed unfortunate that the liberal posters on this board refuse to learn how the market works. It is disastrous that Obama refuses to learn. Instead, he relies on old fashioned Chicago graft politics to interfere in the market- with the attendant disastrous results

http://dailycaller.com/2012/02/22/documents-show-obamas-fcc-used-regulatory-muscle-to-destroy-lightsquareds-competition/

Now, you might recall that LightSquared, a company owned by another big dollar Obama donor, caused some controversy when the Obama administration attempted to intimidate witnesses- including a five star general- to testify that its spectrum did NOT interfere with GPS signals used by consumers, the military, and the airlines. You might recall that I posited that, if they were granted permission to install their broadband, the liberal posters on this board should volunteer to fly on the day of their inception. No one took me up on that proposal.

So, LightSquared was denied, as they should have been, and now there is-oops- no broadband service to these rural areas.

Gee. What went wrong?

The same thing that went wrong with dozens of "green" energy companies that went belly up despite huge infusions of taxpayer borrowed dollars- that all happened to be owned by, or heavily invested in by, big dollar Obama donors.

The same thing that is continuing to go wrong with Fisker Automotive- also heavily invested in by a big dollar Obama donor, which is manufacturing some high priced electric cars in Finland, but not, unfortunately, manufacturing the lower priced cars we taxpayers are funding in this country.

It is apparent that Obama's incompetence, and economic ignorance, is mirrored by the people who donate large sums to his campaigns. Under normal circumstances, the people would go broke with the companies in which they foolishly invest. Under Obama circumstances, the taxpayers are forced to borrow huge sums from the Chinese in order to keep them whole.

I, for one, want to break the vicious cycle.

Obama shelved in 2012.

Thenproblem

Gas prices and free markets at work. Funny how republicans are complaining about it.

The free market prompted us to get a hybrid car. ; )

Morning phine... Apparently MO numbers didn't get your memo. Human nature says that when something goes bad, find someone to blame. Pelosi and the media did it to bush in 2008, is it really a surprise to see it happenning to obama today?

LouisJ, if that is all you are hearing from the right is...

"Those blacks aren't supposed to do that... they shouldn't be allowed to sit in here with us... those blacks are not intelligent... they can't use that bathroom."

You either need to change meds or turn down your audio source.

JAS1 - What did you expect, FR progressive/liberals to reason? Very few are willing to do so.

the president of the United States (no matter which party) has no control on the price of gasoline.

_________________________________________________

Actually the President does have some limited control over prices through energy policy and tax policy. The political reality is that Barry and his supporters will try to take credit for gas prices going down and that political reality means he gets the blame when prices go up.

NJ, Obama shelved in 2012.

Thenproblem... truly begins.

If a Republican ever gets back into the White House, the problems will begin again... But hey, at least you know when the "Problems" truly occur. Glad you realize what the true problem is, "A post Obama, Republican Led Dictatorial Regime."

american: JAS1 - What did you expect, FR progressive/liberals to reason? Very few are willing to do so.

Obama 2012 - "Just keep whistling past the graveyard and vote for me"

David Walker, terrific post. 10-year old rape victims, contrary to Santorum's view, have not been given a "gift".

Pat, Boston, well said. They call themselves men of faith yet lie every day. To my knowledge, there is no Biblical exemption on lying just because someone is running for political office.

american,

I really dislike the excuse "well they did it first". Ranks right up there with me with "it's not my job". That excuse never would fly with me when my daughter was growing up and doesn't fly with me now. Markets set the price on their goods. That is capitalism. Don't like it. Change the system or learn to deal with it. But blaming either party is just childish.

Sorry for the rant. Just irks me when I hear excuses like that.

FAIR MEDIA ADVISORY, JUNE 2007

ROMNEY'S IRAQ GAFFE

At the Republican candidates' debate on June 5, White House contender Mitt Romney remarkably claimed that weapons inspectors were barred from entering Iraq before the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. But Romney's error was little noted by the mainstream media.

Asked if he thought it was "a mistake for us to invade Iraq," Romney declared the question a "null set," and explained:

"If you're saying let's turn back the clock, and Saddam Hussein had opened up his country to IAEA inspectors, and they'd come in and they'd found that there were no weapons of mass destruction, had Saddam Hussein, therefore, not violated United Nations resolutions, we wouldn't be in the conflict we're in. But he didn't do those things, and we knew what we knew at the point we made the decision to get in."

Romney is incorrect. He's lying. Or he didn't pay attention. When it came to war.

Romney's suggestion that weapons inspectors were not permitted into Iraq before the war started is, of course, incorrect. Weapons inspectors from UNMOVIC (the U.N. Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission) returned to Iraq on November 18, 2002. Led by Hans Blix, the inspectors spent months in Iraq, issuing reports on Iraqi compliance that were a crucial part of the debate over whether to invade Iraq.

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

Romney is now portraying himself as a man of faith and President Obama as a man of no faith. LoL.

If Romney were truly a man of faith, he would not have supported the Iraq War where thousands and thousands of innocent people were killed.

That's a fact. People who are not liars and cowards knew there were no WMDs. The inspectors said so, BEFORE THE WAR BEGAN.

What is it with these religious people who have no problem killing innocent people?

Republicans are destroying this country and we can't let them. Don't ever vote for one. Ever.

JoAnnaSmith:

So today Noid and others say Obama has nothing to do with gas prices, even though to Obama, Bush had everything to do with them 4 years ago.

The prices of gas are going up today because of the heightened tensions over Iran's nuclear program: Iran threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz through which much of the world's oil supply passes, Israel's threat to attack Iran, the two nations murdering each others citizens, and Iran shutting off oil exports to France and Britain.

What was Bush's excuse????

@Phine I don't like tit for tat either or the excuse that the other side did it first. When then shoe was on the other foot who got blamed for high gas prices?

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-04-22-dems-gas-prices_x.htm

Unfortunately both sides have double standards when it comes to their guy in the oval office.

No, dammit. You people blabbed on and on 4 or 5 years ago that gas prices were so high because BUSH was making himself and his oil buddies rich. Now, aside from your jealouy and hatred of rich people, why in the hell were you saying those things then, but not now? Kind of hypocritical, isn't it? It's similar to the way you people thought GITMO and the Patriot Act were atrocities worthy of prosecution and jailing 5 years ago. NOW, you don't seem to mind them. WTF gives???

I can not wait until summertime when President Obama opens the strategic oil reserve and lowers the gas prices. The right will scream bloody murder.

Houston: What was Bush's excuse????

The Democrats framed the Blame Bush campaign nicely, and the media went along with it. Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) put it at the feet of the administration with quotes such as:

"When President Bush took office, gas prices were less than half of what they are today – and oil was less than one-third. Then, seven years ago, President Bush and Vice President Cheney secretly invited executives from the big oil and big energy companies to the White House to write our national energy policy. When we finally uncovered the truth, we discovered – to no surprise – that Big Oil helped write a law that guaranteed them billions and billions of dollars in tax giveaways while they set in motion disastrous economic and environmental policies that have served no one but themselves."

Source: http://www.politicususa.com/en/Dem-radio-4-26

It's odd these "tax giveaways" were voted through Congress, you know, where Senator Lautenberg worked. You think he may have read the bill and noticed before the vote.

So the narrative was Bush/Cheney "rewarded their friends in Big Oil" in 2008 and that led to the sharp rise in oil.

So what's Obama's excuse, other than it someone elses fault?

And Houston, please, mid-east tensions have been around forever. Lame.

Once again NoJo lies re LightSquared ... from Wikipedia: note especially section in bold and also that Falcone contributed to both Parties

On September 15, 2011, Representative Michael Turner (R-Ohio) asked the United States House Oversight and Government Committee to investigate LightSquared under the premise that the Federal Communications Commission waived a rule for LightSquared because Harbinger Capital's Philip Falcone had made sizable campaign contributions to President Barack Obama.^[37]

LightSquared responded to Congressman Turner's letter by noting that "the size and scope of LightSquared's network, including the number of towers it would be allowed to construct and the allowable power levels, were approved back on February 25, 2005 – under the Bush Administration."^[38] The Federal Election Commission has no record of Phil Falcone, a registered Republican, nor LightSquared Chairman and CEO Sanjiv Ahuja of having ever contributed to President Obama's political campaigns.^[39] However, since 2007, Philip Falcone has donated $50,500 to the Democratic Senatorial campaign Committee (and $85,500 to Republicans). Both Falcone's wife and LightSquared CEO Ahuja donated $30,400 to the DSCC (Ahuja gave the same amount to Republicans).^[40][41] President Barack Obama himself invested $90,000 in LightSquared in 2005 but sold his stock for a $13,000 loss 8 months later.^[42]

Among the issues being raised is if political contributors and investors received favorable treatment by the Obama administration. Conservative media sources have reported that an Air Force General claimed in a closed congressional hearing that he had received political pressure to soften his testimony regarding the negative effects of LightSquared technology. ^{[43] [44]} However, the General's spokesperson has denied there was any improper influence and said that the General's testimony was reviewed appropriately by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and other executive agencies via the established OMB (Office of Management and Budget) process.^[45]

Some people can not give the President credit for one thing.

Sad for our country.

Damage, give it up. Phine spanked ya. Actually she spanked all partisan pea flingers in general; some are just so incensed that they got hit by a recent pea to realize it.

And to independents, that's really what it sounds like. The teacher separates you and a Democratic student, calmly explains why you can't throw food in the cafeteria, tells you both you aren't in trouble this time... and you can't keep blabbering about that pea that hit you. The teacher could say, "now, young Damage, that will be all I hear from you, or I'll start calling parents," and you still couldn't see your self interest for your fury over that one pea. And then when the note goes home, I'll suppose you'll say, "But mom, look at what they said about Bush..."

It's not your fault, Damage. People lose IQ, maturity and integrity when standing too close to political parties.

Phine - agreed, still doesn't change human nature. Just think of how few posts there would be without human nature and controversy. One of my favorite lifes observations is that there are 3 sides to every argument, your side, my side and the truth.

Nice Wiki quote. You write it yourself?

Try this

http://d23565i9abowyd.cloudfront.net/politics/white-house/profiles-patronage/lightsquared

I suggest you hit all the links to all of iWatch's articles on the subject.

The FACT is that Falcone is a big Obama donor.

The FACt is that the Obama administration tried to ram this through, after doing a yoeman's job of bankrupting the competition.

The FACT is that an Air Force General testified before congress that dministration officials attempted to coerce him into "coloring" his testimony so it would be more favorable to LightSquared. He refused.

The FACT is that the only reason this was stopped was because there was a bright, flashing arrow pointing to Obama. Had LightSquared gained approval, jammed GPS, interfering with, not just consumers, but the military and the airlines, EVERYONE would know who to blame.

Not Bush, by the way.

I find it ludicrous that the idol worshippers in his cult can ignore facts, twist information, and find their idol blameless in every circumstance.

It won't wash.

I'm reposting this for all the extremists on First Read. Because I know you all come here and don't read the rest of Newsvine:

Santorum represents everything wrong with the Republican party for me, and sadly, the cult part of the party thinks he represents everything that is correct.

He's the big government, as long as he's in power and can use the Bible to rule, big government candidate. You can't make up more screwed up stuff in your mind than this guy says out of his mouth. Sadly, I understand him. But it doesn't mean he should be a candidate.

Republicans have good candidates. Apparently, nobody in the party wants them to run, though. This could be the race that shows how the cult part of your party isn't the road to leading the country. Democrats could learn from this too, but right now, I don't see Kucinich as the candidate of choice. But Santorum is the equivalent for his party. Actually, he's worse, because he doesn't know when to stop.

By the way, another FACT

LightSquared got fast track approval from the FCC in January, 2011- Bush had been out of office, by my count, for three years at that time.

From the iWatch report, (in case you're too lazy to click the link),

Until recently, the administration had shown strong support for the politically connected company.

As the Center for Public Integrity first reported in July, the president was an early investor in LightSquared's precursor company and is tight with many of its biggest backers. White House visitor logs and emails obtained by the Center showed that the company executives met with administration officials before the FCC fast-tracked LightSquared's approval in January 2011.

The company also repeatedly mentioned the campaign contributions it had made to Democrats and the president in communications with White House staffers.

So, it is not just his big dollar donors standing to make money causing chaos with flawed technology- but Obama himself.

Inconvenient for your spin, but, nonetheless, a FACT.

In response to "no jo"'s post above, oil speculators DO NOT lose their shirts if the prices go down. Most if not all oil speculators NEVER buy the oil contracts, they buy a futures contract that gives them the right to buy an oil contract at a low percentage of the actual contract price. If the price goes up, they sell the futures contract for a gain, if the market goes down they never buy the contract - losingonly their "cents on the dollar" option.

That is how the futures market works - they never "shell out cash" if the price goes down! The potential gain is high and the potential losses are static and defined.

And the Keystone pipeline has no major impact on the supply and no impact on prices. A much higher factor is how much refinery capacity there is, and the major oil comapnies are "moth-balling" refineries heading into the summer period to try and keep the refined gas prices high. Look it up.

NoJo, the fact is that your are declaring guilty without knowing all of the facts. As for the great witch hunter Issa, I wouldn't follow that guy into a brightly lit room.

Youre making things up to blame someone out of office for three years. I supplied you with plenty of facts- that you refuse to comprehend them does not render them moot.

And, TNSEVOL- there is a difference between a futures contract and an option. Only options are, well, optional. Contracts are contracts. Are they hedged against? Of course. That only mitigates the losses- it does not erase them.

The more I read about Rick Santorum's extremism, the more it becomes clear that he cannot objectively be the leader of this Great Country. Founded on the principles of Freedom, Separation of Church & State, ALL men being created equal and NO Religion forcibly dictates the land or citizens. Our country was designed to embrace all immigrants, cultures, faiths as the Founding Fathers were themselves fleeing the oppressive religious constraints and mandates from their government.

Santorum and today's GOP hav chosen to violate the Constitution in this regard. And they say the Mr. Obama is the one with blatant disregard for the Constitution? I am more amazed by what I read and hear each day from the Evangelical Christian Right which not only contradicts the Constitution and intent of Founding Fathers, but the Bible and very life example of Christ towards others. I respect Mr. Santorum for living his life and managing his family based on his personal choices (that's the American way), however, he has shown me that he cannot separate his personal extreme choices from the decisions he would make for the Country and ALL of her people.

As a Christian, listening to Rev. Franklin Graham's interview on Morning Joe yesterday was painful to see a "man of faith" speak such hypocrisy when asked about the Christianity of Mr. Obama, Mr. Santorum and even Mr. Gingrich. His backpeddling, restatements and justifications would have been comical it not dealing with the serious issue of Christ, His love and His death for ALL men equally and unconditionally.

In summary, it was painfully clear that for this new GOP/TP preachers or politicians alike, ones political stripe determines if your a good person, have family values and even have the salvation of Christ himself. They don't need the Bible anymore...It has been replaced with the GOP Platform document.

God Help Us!

NJNB -- Here is an article for you to read:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/super-pac-donors-revealed-who-are-the-power-players-in-the-gop-primary/2012/02/21/gIQAPU3BSR_story.html?hpid=z1

BTW the original headline called the corporate donor's the GOP Kingmakers, lol. I suppose those kingmakers objected to WaPa's headline and WaPa bowed, maybe?

Personally I don't care about these debates as neither Romney or Santorum are fit to be the President of this country---Romney only wants to win the election to please his deceased Daddy and poor Ricky doesn't have a leg or word to stand on unless it relates to religious agendas which fortunately our founding fathers separated for a reasonable purpose--the 2 do not mix or should be applied to political agendas as such is not for ALL THE PEOPLE Ricky.

The desperation that Romney illustrated when his ratings dropped were pungent---he may fail his daddy! His only true agenda.

And Ricky bringing up religious issues in the 21st century illustrates how he will fail the majority of the people in favor of a religious group.

And yes I still would like to know if Romney supported Warrens Jeffs and Jeffs beliefs in the raping of and control of young girls based on Mormon beliefs.

@moonbaseGOP

Funny- I see that list list just a little differently- as do MOST people:

Worst Presidents ever: Carter, Johnson, Buchannan, Obama (but rising fast!)

W doesn't rate on the good or bad list- he will be forgettable after a while.

@ideologyspoilstheview

Who the heck quotes from Wikipedia and wants to be taken seriously??? you should know better than that...

@ Silly Shrinks

Jeffs et al and the Mainstream LDS faith are NOT the same- not by a long shot. The two do not mix- and Jeffs and his followers are twisted bunch.

First, don't carry, I saw the article.

Now, suppose you supply me with objective reporting on how any candidate supported by these individuals has diverted taxpayer dollars to them. Or rushed approval of flawed technology through for them.

Oh. That's right. You can't.

I can supply you with plenty that indicts Obama. How about Siga- couple billion for a smallpox vaccine that is not needed, and cannot be tested, because it's unethical to do so. Just coincidence, I suppose, that it is owned by a big dollar Obama donor, right?

I travel quite a bit and am very familiar with gas prices globally. I feel that these increases are not under the control of the President, but that being said I think the holy religion of the enviro bible thumpers have Mr. Obama's ear and asked him to not do anything that will keep the price from going up and discourage the buying of hybrids and electric cars. Im seeing more and more Chevy volt commercials on TV lately. But I sit in Detroit and see NONE on the road. People dont seem to want to drive them. We have 4 outside my office as test cars.....and no one has even checked out to test drive them.....they just sit there on the charging stations.

Paris, terrific post.

To nojo, no bo, nj, post 1.29. I'm sure to you it's just a trivial detail, but Lightsquared's application to the FAA for airwaves was turned down the other day, sorry, pay attention before you rant.

NJNB -- Look around and step outside of the tunnel. . You are disingenuous and have selective sight.

Paris -- Well said. Carry on. ; )

Thanks to all the FR lefty liberals for collapsing my first post above.

By doing so you have all confirmed that I made my point.

Again, Thanks.

LMAO@U!!!!!

Durin the election year, remember VOTING IS JUST LIKE DRIVING A CAR

Select "R" to move backward

Select "D" to move forward

Anyone who thinks that the president wants gas prices to go up before elections is a complete idiot.

If gas prices go up the president will take a hit at elections. If rising gas prices stall the fragile, growing economy then the president will take an even bigger hit.

It doesn't take a political genious to figure out that the president aboslutely does not want gas to go up, stall the economy and get him voted out of office.

Having said that, however, it's no surprise that the Obama hating crowd who aren't concerned about intellectual honesty are here waving about the talking points...and that is all this one is, a "talking point".

Ron, you could not be more wrong about Brewer. She is a Moderate Conservative that has been caught up in the insanity tornado that is the Tea Party. She seriously debated vetoing 1070, she took the full 15 days required to either sign or veto a law, because the TP legislature fought her tooth and nail on a 1 cent sales tax she pushed through (this generated over a billion in revenue). She eventually caved as is now pandering to the extremist side of the GOP like so many others.

Damage: I wish you whiny libs would stop referring to Dr. George Tiller as being "murdered". He wasn't murdered. He wasn't assassinated. He was merely ABORTED in his 324th trimester

I wish you whiny conservatives would stop confusing the law and your ideological extremism.

Per Roe v. Wade, abortion is legal. Per the laws of the country, murder of civilians is not.

Get over it

I'm trying to look at the entire scenario from an objective perspective as much as I possibly can which moves beyond the preliminaries and on into the actual presedential debates and election that will follow. I'm just honestly not seeing any sort of alternative to Obama will result in his defeat. I couldn't say, but I am guessing that president Obama will likely be re-elected. I will look forward to the presidential debates once the republican candidate is selected.

JoAnnaSmith!:

And Houston, please, mid-east tensions have been around forever. Lame.

Are you really that ignorant or are you just playing dumb? Sometimes I have trouble telling with you. The "tensions" are higher than they've ever been for decades, and the potential for disaster is much greater than even the disaster Bush created in Iraq. A war between Israel and Iran would make Iraq look like a minor skirmish. Saddam Hussein never had the ability to seriously threaten oil shipments through the Persian Gulf like Iran has. And Iran has gone beyond mere threats: They've ALREADY cut off oil to Britain and France, which is the immediate cause of the increased gas prices.

But thanks, JoAnna for the reminder of how Bush's cronies conspired to hike up the price of oil for their own profit. I'm sure there's some of that this time around, too. Just not with the collusion of the president and vice president of the United States as in the first decade of the 21st Century.

And what's really lame is your idiotic "the Democrats made Bush do it" excuse for Bush's crony capitalism.

Damage123

You people blabbed on and on 4 or 5 years ago that gas prices were so high because BUSH was making himself and his oil buddies rich. Now, aside from your jealouy and hatred of rich people, why in the hell were you saying those things then, but not now?

Um, maybe because President Obama doesn't have all that many "oil buddies"? If anyone today has oil buddies, it's Willard Mittens Romney.

Silly Shrinks- I have to correct your horrendous error. Warren Jeffs is not connected to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) in any way. He is part of a group that broke away many years ago and formed their own church. They just chose to use a variation of the name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Marrying more than one wife and/or raping young women- or anyone else- would all be grounds for excommunication from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jeffs does not use "Mormon beliefs". He uses a warped control based on his own tenets. Mitt Romney, and every other practicing member of the LDS Church, abhors with disgust the actions of Warren Jeffs and those like him.

Haven't we had enough of obama yet? another 4 years of this unleadership, questionable birth, hidden agenda, sloppy representer of the US as president, selling out, unmentionable facts, going back to the one's who he feels supported him best the first time around, and this country is done for. we had ample opportunity to see how he (mis)lead us these past four years, do we really want a repeat of this? come November we need to get him and his family, plus the dog out of the White House so we have a chance to recover what he made us lose! Obama does not rule, he reeks!

Ron,

I tend to agree with you but not entirely as you have presented your argument. There are 200,000 Mormons in the state and there has been a lot of early voting which in all liklihood favors Romney. Early balloting almost always favors the better organization. As to representation there are I believe 8 Congressional districts split 5 GOP 3 Dem. with one of the GOP districts a close call if I remember correctly. Also 30% of the state are Hispanic and immigration will be an issue but its hard to determine where it mightbreak because the positions of both are similar. Also until McCain went insane in the last election cycle he was always a fiscal conservative but a voice of moderation and consensus forming in all other things.

No matter how Michigan falls it is a loser for Romney who has had to spend an enormous amount of money and effort to keep a safe state for him. It bodes terribly for him in the general in Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Pennsylvania. He will have a hell of a time winning the general without two of these and it allows Obama to spend enormous time and money in Florida and Virginia. The worst scenario for Obama is a brokered convention where a rational human comes forth as the candidate with only a couple of months to go and a poorly defined record and low negatives. The down side to this is that the RNC would have to put together an organization in a hurry and Romney or Santorum loyalists will feel that they have been screwed and are unlikely to be wildly supportive.

jkh

Dogma Bites

Anyone who thinks that the president wants gas prices to go up before elections is a complete idiot.

We have a lot of those in stock, here. The looming crisis with Iran is causing gas prices to rise, which in turn will slow or even reverse the economic recovery. Obama will be blamed even though what's happening with Iran is mostly beyond his control. However, if he wanted to play crass political games, he could "appease" Iran by backing off the harsh sanctions he has imposed on them. The Repubs would predictably scream about Neville Chamberlain and such, but the public cares a lot more about the price of gas than they do about Iran. Appeasement would be a big plus for Obama, but it really might endanger nationa security if the US looked the other way while Iran develops a bomb. But Obama is putting the nation's well-being over his own political well-being. You'd never catch Mitt Romney making such a mistake.

An extreme libral energy polecey is whats killing refinerys(you know, the green poeple).... I agree with Bill Oreily, I think that there should be a 10% export tax on oil. You make it here, you sell it here.

caught in the middle - what a totally ridiculous post. Let's see - you're still hung up on the birth certificate? That pretty much says it all. Only those lacking any intelligence are still buying that bunk. And, our President is doing a very good job considering the mess he inherited.

Lloyd Dahl - you don't speak for MOST people - clearly. Bush is and probably will be for our lifetime the worst President. President Obama is moving up in the polls - another indication that you speak for a limited number of people with limited intelligence.

Joe in Albany

Actually the President does have some limited control over prices through energy policy and tax policy. The political reality is that Barry and his supporters will try to take credit for gas prices going down and that political reality means he gets the blame when prices go up.

Whoops - must have thought I was in the USA where legislation requires action by legislative branch of government with the executive branch doing the final OK'ing. So to that...

I guess all your ilk in the house is equally to blame. God you people make it so easy.

trent-2358408

An extreme libral energy polecey is whats killing refinerys(you know, the green poeple).... I agree with Bill Oreily, I think that there should be a 10% export tax on oil. You make it here, you sell it here.

Yes. Bill ORielly. Now there's a beacon of common sense and intelligence if I ever saw one.

Houston - That's backwards thinking. Obama has been against domestic oil production since day one. If we used our resources instead of importing them in from the middle east, we wouldn't be in such shape today. Because Obama has been against our production ability, it is all on him, no matter what happens in the middle east. Because of his strong opposition to developing our own oil fields and taking care of ourselves, we are placed in this position of paying more and more at the pump. Sorry if you don't like that, but it's another strike against Obama's policies.

Anyone starting a post with I agree with Bill O'Reilly should seriously re-evaluate their news sources and possibly their sanity. O'Reilly is an ignorant windbag as well as a sexual predator and has been demonstrably WRONG on almost every social and political issue for 30 years. Please give me any issue on which his gigantic head has provided incisive advice.

jkh

Seeking Sanity - still looking for it I see. It's real nice of you to opine on the thought processes of other people when you have none of your own.

No Joe,
Oil Speculation Basics

As oil prices (and, by extension gas prices) suddenly soared, the world was caught off guard. Competing theories seeking to explain the sudden rise emerged. Perhaps the world had finally hit peak oil -- the point where oil production inevitably begins to decline due to the finite amount of oil on the planet. That argument was undermined by the amount of oil left in reserve; supply still exceeded demand. Others pointed to geopolitics. Unstable nations or countries hostile to the West like Nigeria and Venezuela are depended on to supply much of the world's oil. Perhaps it was instability that was causing volatility in the markets. Michigan Sen. Carl Levin pointed out during a hearing on energy, "Without doubt, much of our oil comes from unstable parts of the world. But that is nothing new; it's been that way for decades" [source: Levin].

The more Congress and market watchers looked into the rise in oil prices, the more it looked like oil speculation was responsible.

Everything that can be bought or sold has what 18th-century political economist Adam Smith called a natural price. This price is the sum total of the values of everything that came together to create the product or service. Raw materials, labor, distribution -- all of these add to the natural price of a product. Any amount that the seller of a good or service can get above this natural price is profit.

What speculators do is bet on what price a commodity will reach by a future date, through instruments called derivatives. Unlike an investment in an actual commodity (such as a barrel of oil), a derivative's value is based on the value of a commodity (for example, a bet on whether a barrel of oil will increase or decrease in price). Speculators have no hand in the sale of the commodity they're betting on; they're not the buyer or the seller.

By betting on the price outcome with only a single futures contract, a speculator has no effect on a market. It's simply a bet. But a speculator with the capital to purchase a sizeable number of futures derivatives at one price can actually sway the market. (bolded by MGates) As energy researcher F. William Engdahl put it, "[s]peculators trade on rumor, not fact" [source: Engdahl]. A speculator purchasing vast futures at higher than the current market price can cause oil producers to horde their commodity in the hopes they'll be able to sell it later on at the future price. This drives prices up in reality -- both future and present prices -- due to the decreased amount of oil currently available on the market. (bolded by MGates)

Investment firms that can influence the oil futures market stand to make a lot; oil companies that both produce the commodity and drive prices up of their product up through oil futures derivatives stand to make even more. (bolded by MGates) Investigations into the unregulated oil futures exchanges turned up major financial institutions like Goldman Sachs and Citigroup. But it also revealed energy producers like Vitol, a Swiss company that owned 11 percent of the oil futures contracts on the New York Mercantile Exchange alone [source: Washington Post].

As a result of speculation among these and other major players, an estimated 60 percent of the price of oil per barrel was added; a $100 barrel of oil, in reality, should cost $40 [source: Engdahl]. And despite having an agency created to prevent just such speculative price inflation, by the time oil prices skyrocketed, the government had made a paper tiger out of it.

No Joe, come back with real facts like not ones created by conservatives to support their prexisting notions about how things ought to be, or whatever it is that they do without the use of real world fact and logic.

Let the oil prices rise. It will become more expensive for Asia to import raw materials and export manufactured goods.

Let the oil prices rise. It will provide incentive to move away from 100 year old transportation technology. Oil fueled engines have been around since 1873 - and - they are still inefficient. Fuel consumption of a Model T was no worse than most of today's automobiles.

Let the oil prices rise. Diesel fuel is cheaper to produce and more efficient, too. Trains are more efficient than trucks. Telecommuting is cheaper and more effective than transporting warm bodies to a windowless, nondescript conference room in an exotic hotel.

Let the oil prices rise. The United States Department of Defense is the largest single consumer of petroleum products on the planet. Our own military is subsidizing Middle Eastern oil by simply increasing consumption. Cutting defense also cuts our dependence on foreign oil. Less oil = less war.

Let the oil prices rise. 'Capitalism' drives innovation through supply/demand. If the cost of supply becomes too high - demand for alternatives increase.

Can President Obama change the price of oil?? Yes he can!! Dry dock the Navy's fleets, ground the Air Force's aircraft, park the Army's tanks and trucks - oil prices fall because there is less unproductive consumption. Nationalize energy production and set price controls. Close the interstates and restrict hours of travel. There are many things a president could do to lower the price of oil. Is that really what you want?

Brianb-999431

Houston - That's backwards thinking. Obama has been against domestic oil production since day one.

Yeah. That's why oil production is UP since Obama took office, and why his administration just approved more drilling in the Arctic. If Obama was any more "against" domestic production of oil, we'd be drowning in the stuff.

BTW: The gasoline refined from the proposed Canadian pipeline would mostly be sold on the global market and end up in the tanks of automobiles in foreign countries, while the profits would end up with the oil companies. Even if the spigots to that pipeline were opened tomorrow, it would have little effect on the price of gas in the US.

Pat Boston MA.

Huffington Post:

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said Tuesday that President Barack Obama's administration has "fought against religion" and sought to substitute a "secular" agenda for one grounded in faith.

I like your post, Pat - but I'd add one question....why is it a problem to substitute a secular agenda for one grounded in faith in the first place? We have a separation of church and state after all, so aren't we SUPPOSED to have a secular agenda, NOT one grounded in faith?

brianb- I'm seeking some sign of sanity in the Republican party - but alas - it's useless. President Obama has not been against oil production. We are producing more now than when he took office. But, you don't want truth or facts - just the deluge of lies you continue to post. As I said - still seeking sanity in the GOP but none to be found!

Houston - don't confuse Brianb with facts - he doesn't have a clue how to digest them.

@seeking sanity, i do believe you like to argue, seems you don't agree with anyone's post here.

Good morning IR.

Thank You for the Truth.

Great post IR. Always enjoy your facts and thoughts.

Obama in 2012.

Good Morning All,

IR, thank you for bringing that awesome piece of reporting to our attention. Mr. Santorum is an ideologue of the most dangerous kind. His right wing religious thinking is so far to the right it is out of the Middle Ages.

The Catholic Church and its representatives does itself no favors with stories like this, but in a roundabout way, Mr Santorum is bringing them an unwelcome look at what their role is in today's society and that's a good thing.

There was a time when I paid no mind to a candidate's religion, believing in the separation of church and state, I was more interested can that person do the job. Today, we have people in power, many of them very right wing Catholics, who are changing the very identity of the country, Anton Scalia, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Virginia's Gov. Bob McDonnell immediately comes to mind and we know how they are changing or interpreting our laws to suit their own beliefs.

These all male institutions and their benefactors need to be stopped. I am Catholic and cannot condone what they represent and aim to force upon us. We also know that it is not just Catholics there are plenty of Christian ideologues of all persuasions.

In the coming elections I urge voters to thoroughly get to know their choices as many of these candidates have hidden agendas that may not be evident until it is to late. Once in office it is hard to get them out before they can inflict damage on all of us.

IR, thank you for posting that information about Santorum; as well as your pearls of wisdom on the subject. Terrific.

GBM, well said.

IR:

Once again, a fabulous post. I am a non-believer, but if I were into that sort of stuff, Rick Santorum would have to be the anti-Christ.

Morning all and especially to you GBM who has most eloquently filled out my thoughts this morning.

Religious Zealots have the potential to do great harm to our great Republic. That is why we have to separation of church and state written into our constitution.

Crooked Religious Zealots are even worse because they detract from the good that is done by Folks of good will whatever their belief system.

Terrific post, IR--thanks for sharing. It is beyond me that these people seem incapable of comprehending the meaning of "separation of church and state." Combine that with their inability to accept any ways different than their own, it is a dangerous combination of rigid ideology that threatens our nation to its core.

David for the record I kind of lean toward Amerindian Spirituality myself.

Gee damage: you are one piece of work. Racist AND sexist...with friends like you, your side doesn't need enemies.

AP-You say tomato, I say....Ehhh, whatever. Ever notice it's ok to trash Republicans here in every conceivable way, but let somebody trash the liberals and you people immediately pull out your "racist" and "sexist" cards. Look at other people's posts before you accuse me of anything. And by the way, you don't think it's racist to tell people, in effect, "your race/gender etc... is not smart enough to make it on your own...you need special help??""

Damaged123: You are just pissed because feisty redhead and Beverly from chicago are on top of the issue's and tell's the truth, and 90% of the time you don't have a come back for what they expose. Maybe if you stopped depending on fox news to educate you your intellect level may grow a little bit.

"You people"???? Damage, you are beyond help. Just what would a racist look like in your book? Do they identify themselves by wearing sheets and burning crosses on people's lawns? Assigning every vote to the nation's first half-black President to "white guilt" is what in your book: an intellectual exercise? Does a sexist have to wear a sign saying down with women, instead of as you do, taking every opportunity to attack women by either the superficiality of their appearance -amazing since I presume you've never even met Feisty?--or the unwillingness to understand their need to have their decisions made for them? Racists and sexists never admit they are...no matter how they prove themselves otherwise. I'll just bet you even think you have a sense of humor...

if Romney take Michigan; he will be the Republican candidate; he will also be the next president of the United States !

I RED VA,

I agree that Santorum is anti-veteran as well as anti almost everything else. The only things he is actually in favor of are so far from the mainstream as to be almost unbelievable. He backed the Dover Area School District in the teaching of creationism as science, denies climate change, if given the power would outlaw all birth control, believes that US history should be presented as an extension of Christianity, took a 20week old still born home to cuddle and meet the family. He is also virulently anti labor and advocated for Pa to pass Right to get paid less legislation he also fought CAFE standards and would like to eliminate consumer safety regulations as well as rolling back Social Security and Medicaire. The only place I tend to disagree with you is his relationship to mainstream Catholicism. He in no way represents mainstream Catholic thought or action and his beliefs would be considered radical in all things other than abortion even for a clergy member. Pope Benedict an extreme conservative has opened the door just a sliver on condom use to protect from AIDS in high risk areas. The Church does NOT espouse creationism and has in the main accepted a Darwinian approach to evolution finding it not at all in opposition to divine creation. The church also acknowledges Climate Change as fact and its Social Doctrines demand that Catholics be shepards to the planet and its environment Sr Dorothy Strang was murdered in the Amazon for fighting for environmental issues. Hundreds of Catholic priests have been jailed over the last 50 years from Selma to Shanghai fighting the same issues that Santorum advocates for and have marched with labor for 100 years. As far as members 90% of Catholic women use birth control that he would outlaw and I have not heard birth control argued about from the pulpit since the early to mid 70s. No Catholic I have ever heard of brought a stillborn home to meet the family and asking clerics about it they found it deeply disturbing and indicated a family with serious issues and understanding of appropriate boundaries in raising ones children feeling that making children interact with a corpse potentially damaging. This man should probably be in therapy not campaigning for president.

jkh

saxon - in your dreams.

Ahhhhhh......you call that on top of issues? I call it verbal abuse and complete lack of moral fortitude. Hell one of those ahem female humans made the obvious purposeful attempt to find my name through someone at MSNBC and get the gmail address I used to sign up for this blog, then googled my name and gathered all my private and wrong info on linkedin and has on several occasions posted not only my name but also where I work. I would think that that would be enough to get someone banned for a long period of time. Apparently not, the good thing is... it wont stop me from commenting on this blog.

Gingerbread Mamma

Good Morning All,

IR, thank you for bringing that awesome piece of reporting to our attention. Mr. Santorum is an ideologue of the most dangerous kind. His right wing religious thinking is so far to the right it is out of the Middle Ages.

The Catholic Church and its representatives does itself no favors with stories like this, but in a roundabout way, Mr Santorum is bringing them an unwelcome look at what their role is in today's society and that's a good thing.

There was a time when I paid no mind to a candidate's religion, believing in the separation of church and state, I was more interested can that person do the job. Today, we have people in power, many of them very right wing Catholics, who are changing the very identity of the country, Anton Scalia, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Virginia's Gov. Bob McDonnell immediately comes to mind and we know how they are changing or interpreting our laws to suit their own beliefs.

These all male institutions and their benefactors need to be stopped. I am Catholic and cannot condone what they represent and aim to force upon us. We also know that it is not just Catholics there are plenty of Christian ideologues of all persuasions.

In the coming elections I urge voters to thoroughly get to know their choices as many of these candidates have hidden agendas that may not be evident until it is to late. Once in office it is hard to get them out before they can inflict damage on all of us.

Well Mama, as a Catholic and a liberal, do you agree with the comments made against the church by Bev of Chicago? Reposted for your review:

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. :)

Now do you buy into these bigoted remarks from a member of the liberal tribe or refute them? Or since she is a fellow liberal just ignore them?

And were also thankful for Job1's ability to plagiarize and to copy and paste this list from http://crystal-life.com/blog/the-cosmic-portalgratitude/

Great job Job.

President Obama sounded like he could go on a Blues tour last night stepping in with "Sweet Home Chicago." Does that mean Romney is going to try answer him with an attempt of his own? Get your ear plugs ready.

Tom - yep he did show a singing talent, let's hope that he will have plenty of time to pursue it in 2013. He could be quite the sensation on american idol.

BTW - why does one need to be musically inclined to be potus?

Too bad some people can not give the President credit for one thing.

No gratitude for anything.

Sad for our country.

Great post Job 1.......every time I see that smile it lights up my day and now I know he can sing.....can it get much better....YES, four more years.

I love when I wake up in the morning and Barack Obama is President.

4 More Years, Yes we can

Obama Biden 2012 get you bumper stickers out

Amen to that, Job123.

Correction: left out of Post by mistake:

Author Robert Dickerman 2011 and revised in 02-09-2012

Job1, excellent!!! I am thankful every day that our country has been given the gift of this extraordinary man, not a perfect man, but one who works day after day to make our lives better and does so with intelligence, humor and respect for all.

Well GM how are you on privacy issues? aka obama's project norwhal? Rather scary for anyone concerned with privacy. Perhaps you also agree that obama was right in supporting the NDAA as it potentially rips our rights away.

Will that still light up your face?

OMG 2012 - Obama Must Go 2012.

Job1 - thank you for making my day!

I ♥ waking up to positive thoughts!

Rick Santrum isn t the Anti-Christ--He s the re-incarnation of Father Coughlin.

Perhaps you also agree that obama was right in supporting the NDAA as it potentially rips our rights away.

American 205 good to see that you disagree with the extra police/government powers granted by the NDAA. However, who other than Ron Paul on the GOP side doesn't support NDAA?

For me, Obama or any politician has pros and cons and they all support positions and policies that I disagree with.

Jody - I'll agree though perhaps not as enthusiastically. Currently, Obama is the best we got.

Damage: wow. just wow. The only reason people support Obama is because he's half-black? Thanks for the reminder that racism is alive and well in this country. (not too sharp on that numbers thing, huh? You really don't know any caucasians who voted for President Obama? How the heck do you think he won the election, genius?)

Job1,...thanks!

And don't forget the man can play some mean hoops and has a KILLER three pointer,...yeah, we never get tired of his optimism, his positive outlook and the smile he keeps on his face,...

Haters are gonna' hate,...they are using MORE muscles to scowl; but they consider it their 'workout'. Quite frankly, I love waking up with President Obama at the helm. It makes me happy!

Damage: and why is there a connection in your mind between someone who votes for Obama and those who think he is "perfect" or "libs"? This is one of the most moderate Presidents in recent history (much to my disappointment)...and "white guilt" is a figment of your aged but enlivened imagination (just how old ARE you?? over 65 I would imagine?) I guess no one ever explained to you that one very unsurprising reason the President took an overwhelming number of black votes in this country is that the overwhelming number of black voters are registered democrats? As to white voters, I wouldn't try to speak to us, but I don't know any who wouldn't be laughed out of the room using the old epithet "white guilt" to explain why anyone BUT a white candidate would get a white vote...Guess you missed all of those independents and moderates running headlong from McCain's presumed rush to war with Iran, his unwillingness to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, his complete and utter ignorance about the economy and lack of any ideas for fixing it, and his insane embrace of the great unread Sarah Palin? As for conservatives--unfortunately, the extremist bible thumpers are soft on anyone running for preacher in chief and have always been...throw in red meat about how awful those terrible women are for not knowing their place and you've got a voting block on the far right...not a winning recipe for a national election supposedly about economic policy and jobs. (but if 'stale, male and pale' fits...by all means wear it proudly...maybe you'll have better luck in 2017.)

AP

Hey.. watch what you say about age. I was on the front lines with Roe V Wade, womens rights to birth control,

all the stuff in the 60"s. I just hope the younger people understand how these hard fought rights are in danger Again! How do you eat an elephant?....one bite at a time. Some may think these rights don't matter to them BUT they are only the beginning of all the rights we all take for granted. BE Wary of the "good old Boys" They want to keep women in there place. They want to keep minorities in there place,

they want to keep the 99% in there place. Show them there place...the DOOR in Nov. 22012

Damage: You forgot to mention "For being Black"...

The only people that care about that are you and your conservative friends.

As you just proved.

MS GLobal and Jon Corzine

NDAA -RIP Bill of Rights, where was his veto power??

No balance budget

Solyndra -$535 million

Goldman Sachs 2nd largest contributor to campaign over $1mil, JP morgan Chase over $800K

five versions of foreclosure relief; numerous lifelines to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac!! The Dodd-Frank financial reform law institutionalized "too big to fail" amid greater concentration of banking assets and mortgages in Fannie and Freddie. The foreclosure relief program permanently modified only a small percentage of the four million mortgages the president promised. And even Obama now admits that the shovels weren't ready in all those "shovel-ready" stimulus projects. ????????????

Bush took office our national debt was $5.7 trillion. By the time Bush left office, it had nearly doubled, to $10.626 trillion.

During Obama's presidency to date, the national debt has risen by an average of $1.723 trillion a year — or by a $1.116 trillion more, per year, than it rose even under Bush. I guess those jobs Obama created cost money!

The American public’s dependence on the federal government shot up 23% in just two years under President Obama, with 67 million now relying on some federal program, according to a newly released study by the Heritage Foundation. <---How can you cut budgets with this????

<--This is not coming from a Bush supporter. I voted for Obama and feel really betrayed!

Obama people look beyond you TV!!!

Thank you Job1! Many of us already thought it but it's nice to have someone else mention it! He IS amazing isn't he? Never a negative word about his opponents except to disagree calmly. He is so incredibly refreshing! My husband is jealous of my Obama crush and no Damage it's not because I'm black or he's black. It's because he could be purple and I would still love who he is. Get over the color of people's skin and what's between their legs please.

Good morning Jody. These folks on the right are making it their mission to dumb down America.

Come on Jody talk about how Obama is doing in Iowa..... Check out the Des Moines Sunday Register front page! :)

You're funny UAW, you find one poll that agree's with you and you make that your daily rant. You really don't put much thought into your posts do you. It's really funny you tea people GOP Koch republicans know it's over for you in November, but you keep grabbing for straws hoping one will save your political life. Sorry UAW you've dug too deep of a whole and nobody is going to give you a ladder to get out of it.

Excellent summary Jody!!

Excellent post Jody. Americans need to really pay close attention to these Wars being waged by the right. As pointed out on Maddow yesterday, Virginia has waged war on so many fronts, it is hard to tell where the front lines are. An appalling example is you can be denied from adopting based upon your religious faith. Jews, Mormons, forget your adoption plans in Virginia. They are attempting to pass legislation that does not allow curse words in emails. What the f(olive)ck?

The conservative movement in this country intends to legislate adoption, sex, contraception, abortion, speech, voting rights, unions, women's health, gays, and now religious beliefs. Be very afraid. Smack these idiots down by voting them out.

UAW, keep it up, but start including the fact that the register is a left leaning publication. Regardless, we iowans are unlikely to paint the state of iowa as being either red or blue. Chalk it up to our agriculturally business oriented background and a keen sense of smell for BS from either side.

Jody, great post.

I find it so disturbing and disgusting, that not one of those so-called 'good' Christians, those pious, sanctimonious hypocrites, cannot find it in their 'love' filled hearts, to chastise any who lie and malign the President about his faith and his character.

Hypocrisy of the highest order.

RedDevPS - but yet the far out right is all for "less government intrusion"

geez -I'd hate to see what happens if they want more government........

Jody:

George W. Bush wasn't a believer when he was young but Graham accepted Bush's claim that he became a Christian, found faith. Graham stated incorrect information regarding how President Obama came to his faith probably because it does not suit Graham's narrative.

But there's a big difference: G. W. Bush proved how Christian he was by starting a new Crusade in Iraq against the infidel Saracens. Obama has only killed a few terrorists, but hasn't started any new wars against Muslims. Of course, Bush's holy war backfired rather badly, with the ancient Christian population in Iraq being decimated after they lost the protection of Saddam Hussein during the civil war following the US invasion. But it's the thought that counts to folks like the Rev. Graham.

Jody, Iowa:

How I wish your post wasn't so accurate. What is it in these male control freaks - "Christians", RINO's, Republicans, whatever phony label they're using - that makes them hate women so much?

If Herman Cain can quote cartoon characters, so can I. When it comes to women, I quote Tony the Tiger, "They're grrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat!"

Maddow?? Isn't she the counterpart of the rights limbaugh, etc?

UAW, already did talk about that DSM poll--try reading it and sharpen your comprehensive skills first.

american lotsanumbers:

You ask:

"Maddow?? Isn't she the counterpart of the rights limbaugh, etc?"

No, as a matter of fact, she is not. Her information is very well-researched, and when she makes that rare error, she corrects it immediately. She is not a drug addict, nor has she suffered the consequences of drug addiction, like deafness. She does not rage and engage in wild invective while spitting in her microphone.

Really, is that the best you can do?

David- Seriously. That was pathetic beyond words. And you need to start providing some proof, including sources and quotes, that Republicans "hate women." Just because that's your worthless opinion, it doesn't make it a fact.

Thanks for the kind words. The more I thought about Franklin Graham and Rick Santorum, Romney and Gingrich, the more I had to say. At the country democratic central committee meeting last night, there was discussion about the war the GOP is waging against women's rights going on in the Iowa State Congress as well as the attacks on President Obama's faith.

You are on fire, Jody--thanks for sharing these thoughts. As I watched Graham on Morning Joe yesterday I was aghast that a man of religion could spout such bigotry and prejudice. Naive of me, I know. Has hatred so clouded his vision? Sad to watch.

Correction: that's "county" democratic central committee.

Maddow?? Isn't she the counterpart of the rights limbaugh, etc?

Maddow represents American values unlike the extreme fascist views put forward by Limbaugh, the right-wing party, and your UN-American losta#s ilk.

fas·cism/ˈfaSHizəm/

Noun:

1. An authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization.
2. (in general use) Extreme right-wing, authoritarian, or intolerant views or practice.

gingerbread

your icon makes you look like a cartoon.

the other joke is in the white house.

ABO

Damage123,

If you're such a conservative/Republican, then WHY are you commenting on a LIBERAL/DEMOCRATIC news forum, genius?

Well Caitlan. What would be the fun of being on a site where everyone agrees with me? What would be entertaining about making some statement, having everyone pat me on the back 10 different ways and say "great point Damage"......"way to go, Damage" and blah blah blah. Does that sound familiar to Caitlan? LOL.

Besides, unlike liberals, I don't believe that people who disagree with me are evil, stupid etc...I just think liberals need to grow out of their childhood grievances. Is it Rick Santorum's fault that you always got picked last for the dodgeball team? No.

Damage: if Republicans don't "hate women" they're doing a bang up imitation. Mandatory vaginal probe law in Virginia for any woman daring to seek a legal abortion? Defunding Planned Parenthood: for most of rural America, the ONLY woman's health care provider of mammography, cancer screenings and contraceptives? "Personhood" laws backed by Santorum, Romney, Paul and several Republican governors which would not only make legal abortions illegal, but outlaw many forms of contraceptives and thwart women's individual privacy rights under the US Constitution? Santorum's commitment to not only NOT expanding women's roles in the military, but getting women OUT of the military in any combat capacity? (And that's not even talking about efforts in Georgia and Tennessee by Republicans to criminalize miscarriage...that's right...those efforts would require a woman to PROVE she hadn't intended to miscarry). I'd hate to see what you'd actually agree might be a "war" on women....

It would seem that the Santorum and Graham purveyors of strong, Christian faith, who daily preach their version of faith whether on the campaign trail or from the pulpit ignore judge not, lest ye be judged and in the process they declare their own version of a War on Religion--a war our founding fathers purposely intended to avoid in this country and wrote in our Constitution the words "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...."

You've hit the proverbial nail with this one, Jody. There is NOTHING in the Constitution that says the POTUS is to be of a certain religious creed, and the U.S. does NOT have a national religion. It shouldn't matter what someone's personal religious conviction is--whether he or she attends a church, a synagogue, or is like Capt. Jonathan Tuttle and prays at bushes with the rest of the Reformed Druids. It becomes a problem when that person takes the ideology of his/her religion, forcing it on others and tries to make it into federal law.

Rick Santorum's extremism scares me--I'm a native of PA, and many of us have long memories of what Santorum did in the U.S. Senate. Santorum needs to decide if he's running for the Presidency of the United States, or if he's running for President of his church congregation.

Actually the Cosntitution does better than that...It expressly prohibits any religious test for ANYONE running for political office or serving anywhere in the government ). Article 6 paragraph 3 states:

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.

Gingerbread Mamma

Jody, great post.

I find it so disturbing and disgusting, that not one of those so-called 'good' Christians, those pious, sanctimonious hypocrites, cannot find it in their 'love' filled hearts, to chastise any who lie and malign the President about his faith and his character.

Hypocrisy of the highest order.

But it is appropriate for Bev from Chicago to make comments such as these, right Mama:

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. :)

So talk about hypocrisy of the highest order Mama. Right, only when it is in the belief system of your tribe.

Damage, Alan, and the rest of the right-opinioned that post on here. I should thank you because your comments and the responses to them are what really got me posting on here. It's nice to know what the "other side" thinks (or doesn't).

Excellent rebuttal, Ideology.

Ideology, this one belongs in the Rebuttal to No Joe Hall of Fame!

NJ's favorite word is "narcissist" and all variations of it--which show up at least once a day.

Bravo Ideology, brilliant rebuttal.

Ideolog - that one is gonna sting for a while! ☺

Nice work!

ideologyspoilstheview:

That was as good a rebuttal as I've ever seen, so I feel a bit guilty adding this, but I am compelled to do so.

no jo wrote:

"That you agree that you and others are competent to decide who should live and who should die is beyond my comprehension."

I distinctly remember a letter I received more than 40-years ago. It came from the Selective Service Board and it notified me that others - pro-lifers undoubtedly among them - who were competent had decided that I was eligible and fit to die. At the time, I was 18 and could not vote.

Funniest damned thing. Just a few years ago, those who were competent to decided who should and and who should die, included a five-time draft dodger and a guy who went AWOL - true Republican pro-life heroes.

Great job Ideology!

Bravo, Ideology *stands and applauds*

No Joe's hatred of President Obama has killed whatever intellectual honesty she might have had. Thank you for addressing her errors.

Ideology -- Nice work taking that argument down point by point. ; )

Ideology, if you don't mind, I think I just might have to borrow some of that rebuttal to use on a conservative friend of mine. :D

Why not use your own words? Do you use other people's words when you talk to a significant other? Tell me what to say to my boyfriend/husband...so I dont get in trouble.

A few comments of my own on nojonobo's festival of misinformation that Ideology cites:

Let's look at some of the spending Obama proposes, shall we? In his budget, there is an $800 million line item for aid to Egypt. Egypt, where 19 Americans, including the son of one of Obama's cabinet secretaries, are being held for trial. Their crimes? Helping the democratic movement. Seems the Muslim Brotherhood was very happy to use these people to achieve their ends- only to punish them when they had achieved those ends.

The Muslim Brotherhood is NOT behind the arrests of the Americans in Egypt. It's the military authorities who still rule the country, for the most part. The chief prosecutor is a former Mubarak crony. The Muslim Brotherhood may not be as democratic as they profess, but they've yet to take over power from them military, so we'll have to see what happens when they do -- if ever.

By the way, Libya is also a mess. And alQueda is behind the rebel forces in Syria. Is there anything at all Obama can't make worse than it was when he took office?

It's true that the current head of al Qaeda, who took over after Obama got Osama, has backed the Syrian rebels. But so has John McCain and (gasp!) Liz Cheney!!! Does that mean that john and Liz are secret Muslims? As for Libya, that's another country where the situation is dicey, but it certainly does not mean that President Obama didn't do the right thing in leading the effort to get rid of the blood-thirsty dictator there -- with minimal cost in money and zero American casualties.

That's all I'm going to say for now. Correcting all the BS that nojonobo slings at an enormous rate of speed could be a full-time job.

Houston!

Thanks for adding some things I had left out for fear of taking up too much space. And to the others also.

What I don't understand is why Washington doesn't realize that yes, you must cut spending but you have to raise revenue also. In any budget, when you see you are spending too much and have too much debt, you find ways to cut the spending but you also find ways to pay the debt - you find ways to increase revenue. In government, one way to increase revenue is to help promote more jobs thus increasing the tax base. No tax cut or budget cut has created one job. There is an old saying that to make money you have to spend money.

All the ideas I have just spouted off on are common sense, tried and true methods. Why won't our representatives see that?

Yellowdog - Mark D:

I think you're dead wrong on this one. The President has learned, and very, very well.

His proposal to cut the corporate tax rate to 28% also includes the elimination of many loopholes. Indeed corporate tax collections may actually increase.

You say you hope that the G.O.P. will turn down the proposal. That seems quite likely given their intransigence in the past. As you know, Grover Norquist has made it clear that the elimination of a loophole is the equivalent of a tax increase. He has boxed in the idiots who signed his pledge. So, they are going to have to fight the President.

Imagine yourself as President defending the fact that you proposed a 20% cut in the corporate tax rate, but the Republicans wanted 100%. Who do you think wins that argument?

To support your view, I can find absolutely no empirical evidence that tax cuts for the rich produce jobs. However, it seems clear that tax cuts for those in lower tax brackets certainly keep people employed because demand stays up.

To answer your question, yes, I'm ready for a pain pill. Our addiction only grows harder to kick with each passing day, and I truly want the President to come out and tell us the stark truth. Unfortunately, as you know by now, that vast majority of Americans aren't ready for it.

David -- Spot on! This Administration worked diligently over the past year to find a solution to the quagmire the U.S. finds itself concerning corporate tax rates. This is a start. Let the discussion begin here. When that's complete let's look to the individual tax rates and clean up the whole damn mess. Finally we are seeing progress.

David Walker

Yes the president has learned. When the GOP rebuff him once again, for a plan that is similar to provisions within Bowles Simpson, he will win the political point. To the general public he will seem to have been willing to compromise. It is all fine and good to win this political battle, but more importantly in the long term, we shift further to the right's ideology that tax cuts work.

The tax cut entitlement, mindset will be hard enough to squealch come this December. As you know the Bush/Obama tax cuts will be up for renewal. A re elected Obama will renew them once again. The only way they die is if a lame duck Obama who would have lost, vetoes them out of spite.

Knowing the damage that a GOP president could do, I hope to see Obama win and cringe as he renews the Bush/Obama tax cuts. Hopefully he never implements this corporate welfare.

I grant you that my point is lost.

Eliminating the special interest corporate loop holes for the really big businesses in order to lower the business tax rate for genuine small businesses and those which are not huge makes sense. This proposal was suggested by the Simpson Bowles commission.

Ah, yes Noid. We'll hear about repealing the job-killing ObamaCares!

I couldn't agree more!

Why is there not more outrage over Rick Santorum saying that Obama wanted to "cull the ranks" - basically saying the POTUS wanted to kill disabled babies? That is WAY over the top and absolutely unacceptable. How could any ratinal person actually say something like that?

The actual quote is below, so no one claims it was taken out of context:

One of the things that you don't know about ObamaCare in one of the mandates is they require free prenatal testing. Why? Because free prenatal testing ends up in more abortions and, therefore, less care that has to be done, because we cull the ranks of the disabled in our society. That too is part of ObamaCare — another hidden message as to what president Obama thinks of those who are less able than the elites who want to govern our country.

Christie must be trying to avoid more riots or anti-White violence in Newark. Surely I jest. She was a huuuuge star. Of course it's a big deal. She was also a dope fiend that destroyed her career. It's all part of this dumbed-down culture you people created where we worship people for being celebrities or just because they're "cool". Now we elect them president too.

Damage

"this dumbed-down culture" Is that the culture were people are not smart enough to give the

President credit for one thing he has done.

Answer: "dumbed-down culture"

Where people assume they are GOD and can judge another person's faith.

Sandy. Tell us just what it is that we dumb Americans are supposed to be giving him credit for. And why do I have a pretty good hunch that in November, 2008 you thought we were the smartest people on the planet? And if Hussein gets re-elected, amazingly!!!!! we're "smart"again. That always kills me about you liberals. You tell us the country is dumbed down and full of morons when someone you don't like is elected, or isn't sufficiently appreciated, apparently. But we're back to being brilliant when someone....ahhhh, why bother. lol

Damage

You can not think of one thing to to give him credit for???

I am not a liberal.

I am an American who respects the President and the job he has.

I also do not make fun of someone's name, because they did not chose it for themselves.

Damage, apparently I must repeat myself... If you hate liberals so much, then WHY ARE YOU COMMENTING ON A LIBERAL NEWS FORUM?

Damadge123

You are sooo right...the US IS dumbing-down...but the reason is bible thumpers like "Ricky" who wants to take away funding for education on the national And state level. He Wants to HOME/Church teach our kids!

BTW Because of the clowns put forth by my OLD party, and the attach on Woman, the Republicans are now the way of the dodo bird. Sad. These sick teabaggers have/ are changing this once great country.

Wake up folks. Vote the GOP bums out.

Yes, Sandy. I think he's done a good job of carrying on Bush's anti-Islamic Terrorism policies. Glad he kept the Patriot Act. Glad he kept Gitmo open. You know, things that got Bush labeled a "facist" by the very same people who praise Obama for them. He also does a good job of not putting up with those African pirates. By the way, what do you call a Somalian with a yeast infection? A Quarter-Pounder w/ Cheese! Hahahaha. I kill me.

I have heard a few ADULTS in the GOP give the president credit.

No praise, just facts for the job he has to do.

Too bad more of them do not put "Country First."

You did not truly give him credit for anything, so sad!

I will not post to you again - name calling is not something I respond to.

GOD BLESS THE USA

Damage, for about the millionth time, the President tried to close Guantanamo. Republicans stonewalled him on putting the prisoners anywhere else.

Perhaps you would agree to house some of them?

ahhhh I dont think it was republicans per se. I think it was the NIMBY factor. Nobody wanted to take a chance some idiot would try to break them out and wreak havoc.

Nash- But you and your friends routinely buy into the "piss poor pandering" of the nation's president creating and exploiting jealousy of those who are more wealthy and successful than others. Nice. By the way, show me that quote from Newt, with a source, or David "I Drool And Use A" Walker will call you a liar.

Ask and ye shall receive!

Newt Gingrich: 'You can't put a gun rack in a Volt'

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/02/newt-gingrich-chevrolet-volt-gun-rack-romney-santorum/1

Actually, I was talking about the "say anything to get elected" part. Some clown on here the other day jumped all over JAS for having a sarcastic quote attached to Hussein's name. Guess it's no big deal when it's Newt being bashed.

Damage:

If the sounds entering your ears don't validate the statement for ya, nothing else will.

Be blessed.

So in the world according to Damage, Nash referring to Gingrich as Newt "Say Anything To Get Elected" Gingrich is an actual quote for which he demands a factual source....... but Damage referring to another poster as David "I Drool And Use A" Walker is just fine and dandy and needs no evidence to support it.

Thanks, Damage, but Nash doesn't really need your help in proving her point.

Hi Hash---hope you are well & enjoyed a nice holiday weekend.

I saw Newt's quote and also saw a response from Chevrolet, offering to send him a brochure so he could see what accessories come with the Volt, since he is so interested. Wonder how they said that with a straight face!

The fact that Newt went to an area where NASA has many employees and said he wants to build a base on the moon no doubt entered into your conclusion about his pandering!

*waves to JoAnne and Steeler Fan*

You know, I had forgotten about Newt and the moonbase . . . lol . . . does THAT convince you that Newt will say anything to get elected Damage?

Crikey! :oP

I think it was Stephen Colbert last night that demonstrated you can, in fact, get a gun rack in a fuel efficient vehicle. LOL

Thermen Merman

Yea "WE " don't "Like" Mitt...but Ricky is by far the biggest sicko in the parade. So what ya going to do? Not vote? great. Obama is going to wipe his feet with this bunch of S&#$@. Thank you Teaparty! LOL

Again...... I live and work in Detroit, we manf some of the parts for the Volt product. We have 4 of them sitting on charging units 30 ft away from my office. Along with 25 other makes and models that we get for testing and modifications. This includes more than one small model. Fiat 500 and Mini coopers. The Volts have sat there undriven by anyone as of today. I have occasion to go to GM plants during the day and have observed none in the plants parking lots or on the road. People dont want them and are not going to buy them for the price they are. I think you know who the largest purchaser of the Volt is!

That's "Barack Who's Sane Obama in 2012", Tom!

I will be looking for that one. Thanks!

Obama/Hiden 2012

After the 2010 elections, the GOP re-branded itself as the GOP/TP. After this past month, we have seen the results of the merge and they have purged the brand GOP/TP. The new brand that emerged is the FVPP (Forced Vaginal Probe Party). The GOP/TP is now a dead brand name.

Amen

A proverbial race to the bottom lol

Who will Repubs like, least?

Why that's quite simple Hey, OBAMA! Not a difficult choice.

Get rid of the radical right, the Tea, and Obama would have the country doing extremely well. He's doing great in spite of them. Congress should be fired, that would be a good start!

Are you kidding me the only differece between obama and any republican is he's a way better liar

Slave

Don't ya just hate when ya know your party is dead meat? The only thing ya can do is say "both" party's suck.

Can't wait to see a landslide for Obama. 2012

praysalot, even tho dems might have repubs beat, it does not mean obama is a good president. I wouldnt say he would be worse than any of these repub candidates but he is has NOT made the best decisions. Sorry but america, like any nation, does not always have the best leaders. This next set of choices are not looking good just by simply comparing them to past presidents. Nothing else. American can do better than this

hey praysalot my point is there is no difference between these parties I wouldn't vote for either one it is people like you that are killing our country voting for these two parties

the only way to actually save this economy is for this nation to go back to being a producer of goods again. stop job outsourcing. give tax breaks and other benefits to businesses/corps that keep JOBS in AMERICA. then and only then, when american goods are more readily available, RAISE TAXES ON IMPORTS. This way money stays cirulated in our economy, we dont have to give china billions every time we buy THEIR military parts, and we actually SELL more than we BUY. WWII got america out of the great depression because it PRODUCED. now we just add billions and trillions to our debt. the economy might be going up for now, but it wont be "fixed" until this happens

funny people just regergitate what ever they here from the media, think for yourself and quit voting for democrats or republicans. they all make promises but in office they all do the same thing other than a few percentage points of tax breaks and abortion rights. government always grows, awful laws get passes like the patriot act, mandatory healthcare, that new one where they can lock up american citizens indefinately without a court hearing. vote away from these two parties.

I thought we already understood that dems and repubs are corrupt. That was irrelevant to my comment if thats what u were addressing. Its certainly NOT when either of these parties preach. And you better bet that suggestion wouldnt happen under a dem or repub anyways. For some reason it still surprises me that no candidate dares to suggest it, but then again they wouldnt get money from a TON of CEOs if they did. Trust me its been thought about

certainly not what*

dare*

the super rich should pay more taxes, a few tax percentage points doesn't matter when you have that much money besides they all work the system to pay an unbelievably small amount of taxes for how much money they make, and how much damage they do to the planet. We are in a downward spiral that can't be saved. we all need to live simpler lives, grow are own food, get off the grid, and step away from the industrial way. civilization always fails, name one that hasn't. you can only take and take for so long, pretty soon there is nothing left to take. Our country is the furthest thing from a democracy, how is it a democracy if you vote someone into office, and they pass any law they want and we have no say? it is all an illusion of freedom we have more laws than any other country on the planet. We are all slaves to these people and the corporations that run them. We need to start over and we are probably closer to that than we think.

Slave - Wake up. We do not live in a democracy, we are a republic. Remember high school civic's? Pledge of allegence "republic of america". We have a representative government. That way we do not have to vote on every item the government proposes or does.

I don't pledge my allegence to corporations of america and why do we spread our "democracy" to so many other countries? By bombing them into line

Slave - there you go again. We are the only country in the world to rebuild those countries we have gone to war with. Do you think Russia would have walked away from Iraq? Do you think that our government wanted the leaders that now exists in Iraq or Afghanistan. Germany and Japan are world powers because we did so much for them. If you are so much against corporation do not use them. Weave your own clothing, walk and don't use a car. Never travel on a plane. Give up medications providedthrough corporations. don't go to a corp hospital. Don't eat food grown or transported by a corporation. Turn off your corporation created computer. Get rid of lights made by corporations. In fact get the power turned off made by corporations. lose your phones and satellites. The list goes on and on until your sitting naked in a field.