President Bush's record is indeed a TRAVESTY. But President Obama is here with us now, and he has been very busy fixing all the messes that left on his doorstep by the previous Administration.

For those who have been misinformed about the very large accomplishments of this Administration, here are a FEW.

In spite of GOP leadership vowing not to help the President with our economic recovery, this President signed in critically needed Financial Reforms and:

Right away a bill saying an equal day’s means an equal day’s pay.

Rescued US Auto Industry on the verge of collapse. (GOP-ers like Romney said we should let it all go bankrupt as well as let the Housing meltdown "hit bottom'.)

Consequently, one million jobs saved, related and local businesses are recovering well.

The Big Three making money and rehiring workers, GM #1 in the world.
Fuel-efficient vehicles Made in America being exported.

Helping our environment, helping to end our oil addiction by raising fuel efficiency standards ...to 55 miles per gallon.

$60 billion of subsidies going to Banks for student loans, now go directly to students. Milions more can go to College because of it.

Healthcare reform after a century of Presidents tried. It doesn't go fully into effect till 2014, but for now:

Nobody goes bankrupt because they get sick.
2.5 million young people can stay on their parents's health plan and stay insured till they are 26 years old.

Seniors are already seeing discounts on their prescription drugs,

Preventive care is available to all.
Children and adults with preexisting conditions get insurance that cannot be denied or dropped by their insurance companies.

Don't ask, Don't Tell is over.
Our troops came home. The war in Iraq is over.

Afghanistan is drawing down.

Al Qaeda is weakened, Bin Laden is gone.

.....................................

Stop pretending this has not happened under the Obama Administration.

When President Obama was inaugurated we were losing 750,000 jobs a month and GDP fell to minus 8.9% (-8.9%). In the last 23 months, 3.7 million private sector jobs were created (even as GOP governors cut 700,000 jobs). Manufacturing jobs are up for the first time since the 1990's.

Stop listening to the spinners and bullies on the right. Stop pretending. Face up to it.

Classic - I was on a website discussing the crushing gas prices and expected economic impact.

There was a discussion about Obama's position on the rising prices in '07 and '08, which was "a failure of the administration."

Best part of all was a link to First Read.

Check it out - First Read, April 1, 2008 @6:16 pm EDT.

Nice work Dominico. Funny how neither you or Murray raised this yesterday when you tried to answer WCA's question.

See gang - all this stuff is out there. Obama cannot run away from his own words - He wants gas to skyrocket so we can all commute on unicorns.

Hasta la vista, baby. Gas just jumped to $4.33 here.

Well said Feisty!

Feisty, We know those who spin about the fabled "2 million jobs" LOST are wasting our time.

If you gave them a gold clock, they'd want to know why you're not giving them TWO.

Four million jobs were lost at the end of President Bush's term. That loss continued until another 4 million were lost in 2009.

...............................................

TO MY LIST OF OBAMA ACCOMPLISHMENTS ABOVE WOULD LIKE TO ADD:

Ratification of New START,

The biggest overhaul of our food-safety laws in 70 years,

New regulation of the credit card industry,

A national service bill,

The Hate Crimes Prevention Act,

Net neutrality,

The most sweeping land-protection act in 15 years,

and health care for 9/11 first responders.

Backhouse,

TARP was passed under President Bush, does he get any credit?

OMG, the TeaPeople and their 'lies of omission'.......Dubya and his failed policies finally...a small portion surfaces.

TeaPeople, will be punished......No Child Left Behind? Tax Breaks? Medicare Part D?...and dare I say it 'Wars'?....All a part of the 'team'!

Party first.....and only!

Finally, a couple of Republicans are getting the memory back, and admit "there actually WAS a guy named Bush who collapsed the entire United States economy!

TO: Spanky- who wrote:

"...I was on a website discussing the crushing gas prices and expected economic impact..."

You WHAT? So, Republicans are abandoning their position on "President Obama ought stay OUT of free enterprise" or do Republicans just go back and forth across the line whenever it suits them?

Now that Republicans are finally getting their memory back, next on their list ought to be "pick a position and stick to it" but more than likely what they'll stick to is hypocrisy.

Obama / Biden 2012

There was NO specific mention in my post about TARP - signed into law Sept/October 2008 by President Bush to avert a total Bank meltdown.

After making a small comment about President Bush at the outset:

My post was about the present Administration and their effectiveness and success in cleaning up all the messes left on their doorstep in 2009.

So Republicans blame Obama and then they don't have a plan to correct the high oil prices except "the pipeline".

The oil in the pipeline is not ours. We aren't building more refineries to refine it. So it accomplishes what.

Just like Republicans don't have a plan for health care, they just want to repeal it.

Sounds like the Republicans are fond of the status quo.

Yo Spanky ... still waiting to hear about Germany.

TO: Eric-913730 who wrote:

"So Republicans ... don't have a plan to correct the high oil prices except "the pipeline"..."

Republicans play "word" and "head" games with their base, just to con Republican followers into approving whatever the GOP wants for Wall Street Fat Cats, which has absolutely NOTHING to do with what's good for the American People.

It's a "con game" like, you know, "Iraq attacked us on 9/11", then Republicans go into Iraq, dismantle the entire Iraqi government, and drill for oil.

Obama / Biden 2012

[Gas just jumped to $4.33 here.]

Yeah, and the oil companies exported more gasoline than they imported...DAMN THAT CAPITALISM!

...and at YOUR expense!

The republicans forgot about bush 2.0, hell, going by what republicans talk about, the republican party sprang fully formed, like venus, from the forehead of goldwater, and the great hero reagan, like hercules, bought its power to bear on the government.

I defy ANY rightwinger here to list TEN speech refernces to ANY other republicans besides goldwater and reagan, including Lincoln, TR, Eisenhower, or even Robert Taft, Senator from Ohio, or US Grant or Coolidge. I won't expect any mentions of Hoover, or Taft, or Garfield, or Harrison, or Craig, or those guys, just mentions of the GIANTS of the republican party, EVER, by any of the recent candidates (and yes, I know newt has once or twice, but I want TEN or more, with examples from ALL the candidates).

TO: JH-479998 who wrote:

"...This administration is a failure..."

How would Republicans know? Republicans haven't had a "successful" administration in more than 50 years.

Republicans wouldn't know what "success" looked liked even if it kicked their butts all around the block.

Obama / Biden 2012

per·so·na non gra·ta   /pɛrˈsoʊnɑ noʊn ˈgrɑtɑ;

1.a person who is not welcome.

2.a diplomatic representative unacceptable to an accrediting government.

Poor Dubya!

Backhouse, you forgot to mention it is legal to be armed in National Parks, another fine accomplishment. A fact that the nra likes to overlook also, and the left does not like one bit.

Why wasn't it repealed?

Third Wheel man - I am a partisan, but I hear you. Voted.

They all are terrified to anger anyone, thus the desire to push perpetual tax cuts. The unwillingness to tell the truth, everyone needs to pay more in taxes and reasonable spending cuts must be made. While I do support Obama on some policies I disagree and am disappointed with some of his other policies - primarily the ones where he's morphed and co-opted the GOP talking points.

The only thing I would add to your comment is that even with the Dem majority the first two years you can't ignore the 60 vote filibuster hurdle.

That said, it is tiring to see both sides bickering adamantly that their side or talking points are completely true and righteous and that the other side is truely false and evil.

People are not being genuine if they don't at least try to look at all aspects of an issue. Case in point the blame Obama or blame Bush for gas prices crowd. Things don't happen in a vaccum, currently the Iranian crisis and speculation is driving the prices increases.

Obama 2012 - still the best we got. (edit, told you I was partisan)

Spanky:

Its fun to pointlessly generalize about Obama's big evil plan to have gas prices be high and all, but in reality you are aware that oil prices are high because of our sanctions on Iran, right? Also, if the campaign talk of the leading GOP candidates were to be put in action, these prices would be higher because they've basically said they'd go to war with Iran?

Either way, carry on. :-)

Themn we can get back to the real America.

Let's see now .. would that be the real America where; we experience the 2nd worse economic crash in our countries history, we start decades old wars, the president turns his back on terrorist threats that come to fruition, that allows shadow banking to to enter the mortgage business and cause one of the worst housing bubbles and subsequent crashes in our history, that transferred wealth from the middle class to the wealthy.

I'll take this reality over the days of yore any day.

TO: JH-479998 who wrote:

"American Girl, Both republicans and the majority of Americans know this administration is a failure..."

JH, save your hate speech for the zombies who "follow your words".

You need to check with Mitch McConnell's office, Republicans DON'T control the "majority of Americans", and if you listened to your own leaders you would hear that, Republicans are not capable of winning the popular vote, so don't expect Republicans to represent the "majority of Americans" anytime soon.

What a tickle!

Obama / Biden 2012

Third Wheel...You forgot a big one.

Bush enter Iraq spend 1 trillion borrowed from China Obama saves American lives gets out of useless war

JH: The numbers, statistics, and polling doesn't lie. The GOP failed to generate a candidate that could win the election.

I would love to hear you make a case for how a Mormon who is polling extremely low amongst his own (largely Christian) party is going to beat Obama. Or Gingrich, who is currently polling 1% above "anyone/no one/unsure" is going to beat Obama. Or the extreme right, very christian, Santorum is going to beat Obama.

The only chance of them coming even as close as the 2008 election is if they come out with a total rockstar of a VP running mate.

Its fun to pointlessly generalize about Obama's big evil plan to have gas prices be high and all, but in reality you are aware that oil prices are high because of our sanctions on Iran, right?

There were plenty of Mid-East tensions when Bush was around. Didn't see too many people or the media let Bush off the hook using that excuse.

Did you ever consider the devalued dollar might have something to do with the price of gas? You know, QE I, QE II, and such. Now who is responsible for that?

Yellowdog - Thanks for being cordial even if partisan. To read the boards or listen to debates, especially around election time, you'd think that the differences among the parties are radical. I'd venture to guess that most Americans share 99% of their goals (better world for all, especially our kids) and 85% of their politics. It's that 15% that is running us thru the ringer. Maybe in a non-election year, we can start addressing those pieces and move forward.

I'm still waiting for Bush to apologize to the World for starting a war based on lies. Thousands of lives lost... the country put in near ruins as he borrowed from SS to pay for it... then, forgetting to declare that borrowing in his books so when Obama took office... Oops... there it is so Obama had to write it in.

2012 and I'm still waiting...

Republican voting straight Dem Ticket and changing my voting status to Independent.

Guy - There's more to it than that. Yes, Bush got us into Iraq. I was against it then and certainly against it now. But, what you're not saying is that the Democrats voted with him and continued to vote to fund it. Ultimately, Bush's 'surge' strategy and timelind were executed and the troops are being withdrawn when he said they would.

But, that's my point. Bush will take the heat for it because he was the top man at the time. He should. The Democrats will rip into him for it and they have, ad nauseum. What they are leaving out is the funding they gave it multiple times. And they probably didn't do it because they believed in it but rather they did that not to appear 'weak' or anti-military or whatever. Then, when they campaigned, they campaigned as 'dove-like hawks.' "We support the troops but not the war!"

Support who you support. That's to be expected. But, dig beyond the sound bites and the headlines.

JoAnna: I didn't say mid east conflicts weren't a reason for high gas prices during Bush's years. They were a huge part of why prices were high. Same as now. My point is against the idiotic thinking that Obama has much control over oil prices. He doesn't, and Bush didn't either. Supply, speculation, speculation over areas where the supply comes from, etc. Thats what matters.

Why is it that the only compassion that republicans are allowed to show is for a fetus? Why is it every time something supports a sector of the american people, the republican base gets riled up? Why is it that the republican base would rather make bombs than feed people?

Oh the insanity of it all. This is why they should have stopped debating, its gotten either repetitive or stupid.

JoAnna: I didn't say mid east conflicts weren't a reason for high gas prices during Bush's years. They were a huge part of why prices were high. Same as now. My point is against the idiotic thinking that Obama has much control over oil prices. He doesn't, and Bush didn't either. Supply, speculation, speculation over areas where the supply comes from, etc. Thats what matters.

Oh, but Obama is responsible for his energy policies, his regulations, and his tax policies towards Big Oil. Obama, through Bernanke, is also responsible for his economic policies. Obama/Bernanke have severely devalued the dollar in the previous years. On a global scale these are things that cause the price of gas, and any other imports, to rise. We're seeing the results.

Think these policies of Obama have helped the middle class? Yeah, me neither.

WASHINGTON, July 24 | Thu
Jul 24, 2008 4:51pm EDT

WASHINGTON, July 24 (Reuters) - U.S.
Senate Republicans said they had the votes to block on Friday a Democratic bill
that seeks to curb excessive speculation in the energy markets.

Democrats want to rein in speculators, whom they blame for soaring crude oil
and gasoline costs

Yellowdog - greetings. I find fault with only one point you made in 1.22...

Obama 2012 - still the best we got. (edit, told you I was partisan)

I think we can do better without obama. Looks like at the national level our votes will cancel out :)

Enjoy life and I hope both texas and iowa don't have a drought this year.

What Romney was really saying to Santorum was: The reason we have "Romneylikecare" is because the senator you supported...

Ah the irony...

As the Lefties run out of distractions to talk about (contraceptives, abortion, gay rights, sweeping land protection acts (what ever they are)), they now turn their focus on Bush.

WTF? WHO is bringing up the social issues, JoannaSmith? The ones who are intent on legislating SOCIAL issues are REPUBLICANS! When we say "where are the jobs", teapubs say "lets legislate anti-women/contraception bills", or "gays should not have equal rights", or "illegal immigrants are the boogeyman". If teapubs say dems do it you can bet your life it is part of the republican playbook, I've never seen such projection in my life.

The Role of Speculation in the 2007-2008 Spike in Oil Prices.

Posted By Pete Morton • on March 9, 2009

Over the last 8 years many explanations have been offered on why oil prices gradually increased before spiking upward. In the United States, Bush administration officials and industry lobbyists consistently blamed conservation groups and the laws that protect our environment for causing high energy prices. The accusations reached a crescendo in the summer of 2008 as oil prices peaked and chants of Drill here, Drill Now, Pay less dominated the political debate on energy. In response to those accusations, and as a follow-up to a recent 60 Minutes story on speculation in the oil markets, I offer the following thesis on why oil prices spiked.

While oil prices will drift higher in the long run, I believe several external factors contributed to the recent 8 year run-up in oil prices. These factors include: 1) President Bush’s decision to go to war and his administration’s saber rattling rhetoric which resulted in a significant “Iraq war premium” that increased oil prices due to supply uncertainties and supply disruptions; 2) the declining dollar explains some of the past increase in oil prices; and 3) a growing public awareness of Peak Oil added mid to long term supply uncertainty to the markets putting upward pressure on oil prices.

These external factors, in addition to the already tight global supply-demand fundamentals, created an environment ripe for speculation. The opportunity for speculation was further enhanced by President Bush’s strong belief in free market fundamentalism and a lax regulatory environment, which meant that even if regulators wanted to do their job they would be strongly discouraged from doing so

Third...I was just pointing out a difference. You dont think Obama would have led us into Iraq, do you. He understands that it is cheaper if you dont put boots on the ground and basically accomplishes the same thing. Plus the US doesnt have to ALWAYS lead. America was lied to in order to invade Iraq and a lot more dems should have been clamoring to get us out of there. I gotta agree with you there. They all stand on politics instead of principle. Mission accomplished April 03. Withdrawl May 03 and we should have left their Army in tact.

I hope to God we stay out of Iran. That is their neighbors problem. Let Europe lead on that too as Iran missiles can reach Europe.

I think we can do better without obama.

american,

Who? Romney? Gingrich? Santorum?

Which one is better?

American 205

Good to see you again. I feel the President will be needed to wield his veto pen because the House will stay and the Senate will turn GOP. If that happens in a big enough amount, Obama will be needed to provide a check to what I predict will be Republican over reach.

_—

Looks like at the national level our votes will cancel out :)

__

I wonder if Texas will ever gets its act together if I was a R I would be upset. Actually, still waiting to see when the Texas primaries can be held (redistricting battles and voter id law suits) have pushed them back to at least late May. Hopefully everything will be settled by Nov.

You know who I will vote for and why. Although your vote in swing state Iowa may count more than mine in Tx.

Who do you support and why? You caucused for Romney, no?

When the House of Representatives voted on a transportation bill, H.R. 3408, that expands oil drilling into long-protected areas and forces construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, Republican lawmakers proved their complete allegiance is to Big Oil. Although Republicans like House Speaker John Boehner have parroted the myth that the pipeline would “lower gas prices” and “reduce our dependence on hostile, unstable sources of energy,” their actions show that helping American families is only an empty promise.

Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) offered an amendment to the bill during the Feb. 15 vote, giving the House a chance to “ensure that if the Keystone XL pipeline is built, the oil that it transports to the Gulf of Mexico and the fuels made from that oil remain in this country to benefit Americans.” But the amendment failed 173-254.

Not surprisingly, the 254 members who voted against the amendment have collected seven times more total campaign cash from oil and gas interests. The 254 members (230 Republicans) took in $37.3 million in career campaign contributions from oil and gas companies and executives

Jack colton - Other than a day to day taliking point, it is rather meaningless to use current poll numbers to predict who the republican nominee will be against obama.

Insight Iowa...

what lies? WMD's? Seems that saddams past actions using wmd's and threatening to use them again makes saddam the liar here. Perhaps if saddam had allowed a continuous inspection of facilities for wmd's it wouldn't have been an issue. Al-queda? low probability I agree, but still a possibility. Funding off the books or just using funding from another source? Never have seen a link verifying that funding was off the books. Not saying it wasn't done but just wondering how it was identified.

Have a nice wait for bush making an apology. It would be like me waiting for obama to apologe for not remaining focused on the economy or for obama to apologize for waiting until 2010 before inviting the minority leaders of congress to the WH for a sitdown.

American Girl-724855

Finally, a couple of Republicans are getting the memory back, and admit "there actually WAS a guy named Bush who collapsed the entire United States economy!

TO: Spanky- who wrote:

"...I was on a website discussing the crushing gas prices and expected economic impact...

American Girl-724855 -- This is part of Rove's Turd Blossom LIES. Oil production in the US had dropped at the end of the Bush administration, and has been at it's highest since President Obama was elected. The president also released some of the reserves awhile back to teach speculators on Wall Street a lesson, but of course we need regulation to stop that nonsense. We have less refineries, however, and Big Oil loves it that way.

What is the GOP/TP plan to regulate speculation on Wall Street, to increase alternative energy or even increase refineries, and what about subsidies for Big Oil? They have nothing. So they create lies and try to detract voters with Canadian pipelines for China.

As for Stinky, the off-topic post is typical of troll tactics, and best ignored.

Third Wheel Man

The Republicans won't talk of Bush policies as they were costly and failed. Democrats don't want to get into the details beyond 'It's Bush's fault' because Obama's are no better and, in fact, are remarkably similar.

Have you ever tried doing critical thinking as to why this is? The reason we still have deficit spending is because we still have Bush-era deficit wars and Republican voodoo economics of deregulation, helping the rich (which only helps the rich) and corporate welfare. We still have these policies because Teapublicans have resorted to abuse of everything from filibusters to hostage-taking to keep the Bush tax cuts -- And many want to keep the wars going and even starting some new wars.

The stimulus and other measures such as emergency extension of unemployment are the only reasons we are seeing some economic recovery. If the stimulus had been much larger and/or the Jobs Bill had passed, we would be seeing larger and faster gains. But these efforts, which could be attributed to the president, have been obstructed by the Do Nothing Teapublicans in congress.

Worse still, the Democrats held the House and Senate for Bush's last two years and the House, Senate and POTUS from 2009 - 2011 and didn't reverse ANYTHING they are now or had been complaining about.

This is garbage that is repeated incessantly because that's all that Teapublicans can do--even their leaders can only speak with talking points rather than have an original thought. After 2006 the Dems had a NARROW majority that wasn't enough to control anything. Dems did not get a filibuster-proof Super Majority of 60 votes until 2008, and only enjoyed that for about nine (9) months until Ted Kennedy passed away. In 2010 the Teapublicans gained an historical majority in the House and enough seats in the Senate to be about a 50/50 split.

Conservatives are always ranting about "accountability" and "personal responsibility" but can never own up to sh!t. Teapublicans have just as much if not more control since 2010, yet all you right-wingers never hold them responsible for anything.

No YOU get off your high horses, and out of the Echo Chamber and Cone of Silence propaganda machine, and stop with the lies.

Guy - I don't know if Obama would have led us into Iraq. I certainly didn't think he'd extend the Patriot Act. I really thought that was the one thing most conservatives and liberals wanted to be done with. I guess I'm naive in that way. I asked my senator (Feinstien- D, CA) why she supported the bill and got back the form response of it's used to track terrorists more easily but she couldn't/wouldn't provide examples as that wouldn't be prudent from a national security perspective. Anyway, back on topic...

Hopefully Obama and all other future POTUS's learned from Iraq and the Balkans and the Eastern Bloc and anywhere else a strongman dictator was deposed and a power vacuum ensued. I'd imagine Iran would be similar in that regard if we were to attack.

I'm with you 100% that it shouldn't always be us. We can't support doing it all from a money, moral or morale point of view.

Iraq was under Bush's timetable I give credit to Obama for not screwing that up.

The economy was mostly the DEMs like Barney Franks , Maxine Waters , Arthur Davis and many others who didn't let the inspector/regulator do there jobs and Mr Raines killed the economy.

Bush was a lame duck president since 2007 and the dems like Franks who has been in office 20+ years and headed up financing committe BBQed any controls on the GSEs.

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

And to the early poster there are NO CHILD ONLY policies now due to Obamacare, Hell that 1099 abortion in the bill slipped in wonder what else did too?

Obama has done some things right but at a BIG costs to the tune of 4.7 Trillion and climbing.

We need someone in office who will do what is smart and pave a way to a better tomorrow and overtaxing millionaires won't get that done.

example if I were president.

1. freeze all increases for 3 years

2. increase the MPG to vehicles over the 6,000 GVWR ceiling, include PU trucks and SUVs to get good MPG

3. more requirements for Algea base fuels and renewable fuels and more demand for diesel and hyrids cars and light trucks

4. roll back the Bush tax cuts and put Capital Gains tax to 25% and lower corp tax to 25% but take out loopholes and eliminate AMT tax

5. Outsourcing corps would be looked into, and a 10% corp tax penality on offshore tax sheltering corps

6. No tax deductions or child credits on any incomes over 200% of the poverty level

7. Flat tax on gasoline and diesel of 50 cents with no increases for 10 yrs

8. Welfare people will be required to do basic community service ie. work for the money they rec'v

and the list goes on and on and on

The G(R)opers are eating their own!

I high gas prices was Bush fault, are they now Obama's fault?????

Such simple (and narrow) minded people believe in only one party. many who post here lack the thinking skills and can only post the "party" BS (sorry FRH, you are the queen in this area, but I still love you)

have a good week.

JoAnna: Obama is responsible for his economic policies, and the fact that the economy is improving is also a factor in the oil prices as there is again more of a demand for oil. When the economy tanked, prices went down. Economy is improving, demand is higher, so are prices. So it goes.

Also, you really can't bring inflation into this argument as something Obama has or hasn't done. The rate of inflation is, and always has been, in the 2 - 4% range. It was the same under Bush, Clinton, Bush 1, etc, etc. That is not a relevant factor in oil prices.

In terms of his energy policies, what are you suggesting that he has done differently than anyone in the past 15 years?

Let us not forget Chaney who everytime he got caught on a misdeed flipped the bird to congress who bent over for him.

The order should be J.Carter and a close second Obama. you will scoff and fight, but if he is re-elected you will have a new meaning of bad. But be of good cheer you will always have those wonderful pictures of the Obama's vacations to cherish.

I see Spanky and Our Gang, The GOP Troll Patrol and the Tea Party Express trying to do Damage Control on this one. Let's face it even the Republican candidates she the Bush - Cheney debacla as a disaster that nearly destroyed America. It is hilarious to watch them ( The Troll Brigade ) spout their FOX noise points like good little robots. By the way Feisty keep up the good work work. Love your posts and comments. Keep a sharp needle. There is a lot of poking and needling left to do.

As for the Tea party, Stick a fork in 'em, Their Done!!!!

Truepatriot - I'm not a Republican, nor am I a Democrat. Personally, I think both parties are morally bankrupt. You can go on about Reps did this and the Democrats really tried to make it better but just couldn't because of those TeaBaggers. (Boohoo) It doesn't change the facts. The Democratic policies aren't any better. If they were and if they could have gotten their message out in a way that resonated with the majority of people, they could have brought about change even without the super majority. They didn't do that. And it wasn't because of some sycophant uber right wing Republican fringe group. They didn't appeal. And instead of going back to the drawing board, they chose to play politics and blamed Bush.

BTW - I don't have a high horse, just a Shetland pony. And my Cone of Silence is in the shop. Should be back sometime next week.

Randy: I agree with most of what you said you would do as President, but those things would never happen under this current political climate. Particularly the tax changes.

The biggest thing that any president needs to do is to put in place severe, harsh, and strict as all hell changes in the areas of lobbying and campaign finance. Until that happens, good luck having any sort of relevant energy or healthcare reform. Right now, most of our biggest challenges stem from people standing in the way of what needs to be done.

Bush's record FINALLY brought up... much to the dismay of Jeb. ;)

Study: Gingrich, Santorum plans hike deficit

By ANDREW TAYLOR, Associated Press – 7 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Massive tax cuts proposed by GOP presidential candidates Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum would cause the national debt to explode while Mitt Romney's budget plan could generate red ink in line with current projections, according to a new study released Thursday.

The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a Washington-based budget watchdog group, estimates that the wrenching budget cuts proposed by Ron Paul would lessen the flow of red ink compared with current policies but still leave the government running a sizable deficit.

The candidates' budget plans provide a sharp contrast with President Barack Obama, who released his latest fiscal blueprint just last week. Like Obama, the GOP candidates have the luxury of suspending political reality and assuming lawmakers would quickly enact their ideas into law.

That translates into a tax code in which taxes on investments and capital gains are sharply reduced or eliminated. Each candidate would eliminate inheritance taxes on large estates. And tax rates on individuals would be cut as well — all in the face of deficits that economists say would eventually cripple the economy.

The results, according to the study, would be higher deficits, except in the case of Paul, whose spending cuts dwarf anything being considered by his three rivals.

According to the study, Gingrich's plan would add $7 trillion to the nation's debt over the coming nine years — almost doubling the deficits that would be recorded if the government basically ran on autopilot. Santorum's plan would add $4.5 trillion over the period, or about $500 billion to the deficit every year on average.

By contrast, Romney's proposal would add $250 billion to the deficit over nine years, though that estimate was generated before he unveiled a new tax reform plan this week that could add considerably to the deficit.

And Paul, whose budget plans include eliminating five Cabinet departments, immediately ending operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and sharply cutting federal programs like Medicaid and food stamps, would reduce the deficit by $2.2 trillion. He is the only candidate whose spending cuts exceed the amount of revenue lost by cutting taxes.

The four GOP candidates vying to replace Obama each promise sweeping tax cuts, even as the deficit under current policies would never fall below $600 billion over the coming decade.

If there were a unified theme about any democratic country, it would be this:

"I HATE my government! But I'm living too comfortably to do anything."

We hear hordes of Internet posters griping about bad policies from both of the major parties, about high taxes, about expensive wars, about lobbyists, and on and on. That's great. Now that people have identified the problems, what are the suggested solutions? How do we implement them? Who will do it?

Just drill baby drill , and stop the whining about gas prices. Stop trying to stop America from any energy production at all. Go for gas, oil, nuclear etc. Do the way Americans know how to do it the best in the world. Then allow all the fracking we need. Our economy will go up so fast noone will know what to do. People hired, gas prices fall off of a cliff , since the Arabs, Hugo and others won't be in charge of what happens to us. We will be able to have cheap energy again and create millions of REAL jobs, not just Obama supporters getting work!! We can sell our gas to the rest of the world, if we want to. Get over it. Alternative energy is not due to arrive yet. Too costly and is causing the crash of the western world, and if that happens , it is all over anyways! Get REAL and stop paying scientists to get the results you want.

*Sigh*

When people bring up Obama's "failures", let me explain things in ways you might understand. For this analogy, pretend the country is a giant apartment building with a septic tank issue.

GWB and a bunch of people who live in the penthouse, threw things down their toilet that they shouldn't have, and the septic tank started to seep into the ground. The real negative effects started to be seen at the end of his term, when the holes started getting bigger. When Obama comes into office, at the same time, the septic tank completely busted. Obama starts trying to clean it up. To make matters worse, those who live in the penthouse completely deny they are at fault, and continue to throw things in the toilet, that they shouldn't. At first, he rented a bunch of equipment o try to clean it up, but he ran out of money for the rental. Congress, the penthouse butlers, are FUMING that he is knocking on the door, trying to get money from those at fault to clean it up. To make matters worse, those who live below the penthouse, are the ones dealing with the smell, many are forced to leave with no place to go, AND are the ones paying for the mess those in the penthouse made. Obama is forced to try to clean up the mess on a budget that now only provides a trowel and paper towels. Its a slow, slow process, but he is trying to get it cleaned up, as best as he could, with what he is provided.

Do you understand NOW, that it takes money to clean up messes? Or are you happy to live with the smell of sewage?

yellowdog - not romney, but paul. Paul has radical thoughts but if by some miracle he got the nod in november I would trust that congress would blunt some of them. I think the pendulum needs to swing back to center. If he doesn't get the nod, I would hope that some of his views would still influence the republican platform.

Point taken on your wanting obama to counteract a republican controlled congress. I look at the makeup of the senate and house being more numerically equal come next january and with whoever is residing in the WH having the common sense to work with congress.

Interesting comment on iowa being a swing state, maybe so, we have shown a proclivity to not vote only right or left. It even seems that as long as iowans are happy with the incumbent in office that incumbant tends to stay in office. Just have to wait for november.

Thanks for your input.

Navy patriot, obama is POTUS. We are just trying to control his damage.

JoAnnaSmith1 - You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. The dollar started free-falling several years ago, not in 2009. As a matter of fact, it is valued at a higher rate versus the Euro and British Pound than it has been in years.

Your understanding of gas prices and economics is limited (and I am being nice here). Gas prices are increasing because of one reason: Speculation, and that is it. There is no current oil supply shortage, oil production and reserves are easily meeting current world demand. The people who are setting prices are simply trying to sell at the highest price that buyers are willing to buy at, and that is the only thing keeping oil prices high (has nothing, NOTHING to do with taxes, Bernanke, Energy Policy or Obama, at all) For a recent example of this, just look at the increase in gas prices since Iran announced it will stop shipping to Europe, which represents 2-3% of the word's oil production. Gas prices have increased 10-15% since, NOT 2-3%....and that 2-3% supply impact won't even start until June (Iran will keep shipping until then, this has been reported by multiple sources), so the most recent increase can be attributed to one thing: The people setting prices see an opportunity to raise prices because of perceived shortages, and so they do just that...raise prices.

It is laughable to watch the GOP consistently blame Obama for high gas prices, i.e. Newt Gingrich recently stating "..If I were President, gas prices would be lower.." REALLY Newt? Well, you must be talking about the Magic Oil Price Wand that all Presidents have in their arsenal. I really wish Barack (for the record, there is no such wand, that was a joke....just wanted to be sure that the MANY ill-informed people who post on this page understand that!).

I also get a kick out of the GOP blasting Obama for being a Community Organizer, while touting their "Private Sector" and "Business" experience (a Harvard Grad who wants to work for an organization helping his community...what an evil, EVIL bastard he is for doing something like that!...again, that is a joke). Well, I have worked for numerous Corporations in the private sector....many, if not most, are lead by managers who are good at one thing: self-promotion. Running the National Government is NOT comparable to running a private business. The private business, in general, only cares about making a profit. Leaders of such entities have total control (or are Publicly held, in which case the major share holders have most of the control), and will make decisions that might be good for their bottom line, even if those decisions are detrimental to their employees (lower wages, lower benefits, lay-offs, etc..). Unfortunately or fortunately...depending on how you look at it, that is not how a democratic republic works (and a republic is a form of democracy, despite certain GOP talking heads who love to state "we are a republic, not a democracy"...go back to school and learn something). The Government can lay-off governmental employees, but they can’t exactly lay-off citizens. We have a government of the people, by the people, for the people. Why? Because we are a community. I, for one, would rather have a President who understands that. The current GOP field does not.

JH - Just see how many votes your Obama hating posts got here ... 4 ? or something ?

And then see how many votes somebody like Backhouse or Fiesty got on NewsVine.

That dear fellow, is us MAJORITY Americans telling you rightie weirdos to pack your bag and STFU !!!

I believe Saddams plan was to keep Iran guessing on the WMD's. Iran had to worry about its arch enemy Iraq until we defeated Iraq for them. Now they are best of friends.

Fiesty's comment collapsed? WTF?!?! Don't like her comments, respond with your POV and enter the fray. Collapse? C'mon....

Indie - I made my choice at the iowa caucuses in january. It is now up to the remaining states to decide on a potential candidate. Are any of the republican wannabees better than the next? They all have baggage, just as obama has baggage. For me, obama has failed to display a unifying presence to move America forward. To me that is the main function for a POTUS.

Can the republican wannabees do better? I doubt that they can be worse. I find it interesting that all past presidents have found a way to work with congress, yet obama can't.

This is hilarious, and getting better. The Retread candidates criticizing Bush? Did someone forget to tell them he was/is/most likely was on their side? I thinks they confused!!

They always get collapsed by spanky and the rest because they cannot tolerate the fact that people can actually see the world as it is, and not as they see it from their fantasies.

Some of the right-wingnuts are talking about gas prices, and even suggesting the stimulus has something to do with it?

Oil prices are affected more by speculators than anything else. And speculators act on news. Right now, the news is concern over Iran.

Only people that hate Obama the man, will blame gas prices on his policies.

The wingnuts are really struggling for logical arguments.

GOP, RIP

The biggest thing that any president needs to do is to put in place severe, harsh, and strict as all hell changes in the areas of lobbying and campaign finance. Until that happens, good luck having any sort of relevant energy or healthcare reform. Right now, most of our biggest challenges stem from people standing in the way of what needs to be done.

Jack,

I agree with this. The lobbyists control our government, and it doesn't help that an entire party signed a contract to one of the lobbyists.

I believe GOP candidate Buddy Roemer was the ONLY one who ran on the platform of getting rid of lobbyists and campaign contributions. Of course, Fox and the GOP establishment ostracized him for that.

I think he is running independent now, still pushing the anti-lobbyist message, and only allowing up to $100 in campaign contributions per source. Admirable. I would vote for him myself, if I didn't know it would be a wasted vote. We need someone like him, unfortunately neither party will support an anti-corrupt-money platform.

My mother told me their would be people like BackHouse and fiesty that would tell lies that would make your Grand folks stand up in their GRAVES and she was right!!!!!

I worked for what I have and I see with these people you stand in line and take what the Gov. Gives out...

What a SHAME life has come to this!!!!

My mother told me their would be people like BackHouse and fiesty that would tell lies that would make your Grand folks stand up in their GRAVES and she was right!!!!!

Don't look now Dick, but, judging by the vote totals Backhouse & I received, YOU & your ilk are a MINORITY! lol

Better get used to it! ;o)

Back House- You are either a job less waste of my tax payer dollars or a complete idiot. the only thing Obama has done worth typing is getting Bin laden and all he had to do there was say yes. The Seals did the rest. So that is kind of the same as saying he was president on 734 sunny days, lucky him. If you have a job he has done nothing but make your life more expensive to live. No I am not a ultra conservative talking smack. I voted for the idiot in 2008, I thought he might of been able to affect change. I and millions other were wrong. I will vote for anyone but Obama in 2012 and I encourage all look at reality not what you want to hear. Vote the bum out!!!!

I voted for the idiot in 2008,

Sure ya' did. And I saw a bigfoot run through my backyard carrying an alien. You sound just like all of the other card carrying right wing whack jobs who come here to dump their Faux News garbage.

The debates are getting interesting now..When they start blaming Bush for problems this country is facing..on bills that he had passed....and wars he had started..and at the same time...place all the blame also on Obama....can not be both ways. I felt Obama or anyone should have thought the running for office through considering how Bush left this country.

In all her quotes about high gasoline prices during the Bush era Joana forgot the most important one of all:

Huffington Post 3-28-08

During a White House news conference Thursday morning, President Bush said the country is not headed into a recession, noting that the government has acted "robustly." His view of the economy, however, is far more chipper than that of many economists, who fear the country is entering a recession (or may even already be in one. In fact, when asked by a reporter about what advice he'd given an average American, who is faced by the prospect of $4 gallon gas, the President responded: "That's interesting. I hadn't heard that. ... I know it's high now."

So NOW that the GOP candidates are admitting to BUSH's MESS, why don't they just get rid of the "DEFICIT" by "AXING THE TAX CODE", dis-vowing that so-called "Norquist Pledge and have REAL TAX REFORM?? Plus let Obama finish the job cleaning up the "Mess" he inherited??

All I need ot know, is that on 9/11, when all flights were grounded, President Bush arranged for over 100 members of the Bin Laden family to be flown out of the US. While President Obama, found and killed that SOB.

As for the next election - everybody in America needs to know that the only way out of this mess is to vote Dem. All those who waste their vote on third party, or believe their vote doesn't count - is only voting republican. Sorry, if you don't like Democrats - but 40 years of voting Republican has created this mess - hold your nose and do it - unless you want to become a slave nation to the 1%.

The Republicans have NO PLAN on how to fix this mess they've caused.

Let's be honest, the Republicans don't want unemployment to go down, they want to (have) formed a plutocracy. They continue to try and confuse the conservatives into believing they're for the people, but they very clearly are NOT. What the House of Representatives has done should be considered TREASON. The GOP should be prosecuted for intentionally undermining the president and in doing so the economy.

If you believe the GOP tried to intentionally make the president fail, every one of them are TRAITORS to the UNITED STATES of AMERICA.

Along with ALL the signers of the "so-called", "Norquist Pledge"?? Traitors..

Ahh, it feels strangely refreshing how the GOP is finally admitting how idiotic Dubya was. Finally they point out his erroneous actions.

American-If you are referring to the Republican sector of America, then yes, a majority oppose Obama. But if you are referring to America as a whole, I would have to say that you have made a bold and biased assertion. The majority of Americans approve Obama (50%).

JoAnna- It is the GOP that has brought up these social issues; especially with their accusations of Obama's anti-religious actions and Santorum saying that he supports a state's right to ban birth-control; they should have known about the backlash that they would face.

And to all conservatives out there, Obama has no control over gas prices. The two things that are driving up gas are the sanctions in Iran (which the Republicans urge to tighten, and thus make things worse) and speculation. And if you think Obama could have lowered prices by opening up Keystone, it wouldn't have an effect in years, and by that time the troubles with Iran will have ended or something more dangerous could have happened.

OBAMA BIDEN 2012

Feisty, I'd gladly have some of your popcorn.

After reading these posts I have concluded that WAY too many people never turn the dial from FOX news. Backhouse provided a true and respectable list that arguably constitutes Obama's accomplishments. The primary GOP response?... "uh uh!"

Look people. All these things are real and were accomplished. Bush f*cked-up like there was no tomorrow... and there almost wasn't one. Your GOP was there and involved in all the Bush decisions and followed along like sheep... now they criticize Bush yet cut peoples' heads off if they don't fall in-line and follow like sheep!

I think I'll stick with the unorganized set of self-thinkers called the Democrats.

LMarcT, just as many "never turn the dial from" MSNBC.

Right wingnuts? Left wingnuts? Brainwashed by Fox? Brainwashed by MSNBC?
It makes no difference.

It is good to see that there are some posters above that are making sense.
Interestingly, they don't seem to be extremists, right or left.

BTW: MrIndia and Redhead, it's MSNBC, so of course you have a bunch of "left wingnuts" voting your posts up.

So those that once voted ardently with President Bush, their President in full as his party owned both the congress and the senate, now bash that which they were integrally involved with and in support of as though they hold no responsibility for what their self serving non thinking actions brought about........

wow!............if that is not flip flopping I don't what is..................and flip flopping is a term born of the republican party and practiced with fervor.

Good to know that the republicans eat their own...makes it so much easier to clean up this mess they created..........fewer bodies to rake up and bury.

Long live thinking men and women and their well educated, thinking, reasoning and open minded offspring. Sheeple may breed more and faster but in the end it will be the intelligent and informed who will overcome and save the day..............

and saving the day will include the sheeple...but do you think they will thank us?........of course not, their egos will not allow it.

Pride goeth before a fall.

Thanks "W" for Destroying our Nation, nice job tea retards ? The only way the GOP can win is to have Obama as their Candidate, I'm just saying.

"OBAMA / 2012 GUARANTEED" ................................ "WE WON'T BE FOOLED AGAIN"

The only chance of them coming even as close as the 2008 election is if they come out with a total rockstar of a VP running mate.

GOP definition of a "rockstar running mate":

Chris Christie...too fat to tie his own shoes... couldn't pass the physical for boot camp, let alone be commander-in-chief...disses hope.

Bob McDonnell...ultra-right wing Christian fanatic fascist...wants to take women back to 1812.

Sarah Palin...brain dead... quitter... cash-aholic.

Marco Rubio...uses 'religion' to curry political favor...inexperienced Tea Party shill.

Go GOP. Go away, that is.

OBAMA/BIDEN 2012

The problem with that is the Teapugs have no rock stars because they are dumber than a Box of Rocks, Look in the Box ?

Middleman-1287262

LMarcT, just as many "never turn the dial from" MSNBC.

Right wingnuts? Left wingnuts? Brainwashed by Fox? Brainwashed by MSNBC?
It makes no difference.

I move consistently between CNN, FOX, MSNBC, and even ABC to try to round out the experience.

You will NEVER convince me that the rancor, the hate, the twisted facts, and specific purpose of FOX are not ORDERS of magnitude higher than on any of the others.

Now call out Reagan's pathetic legacy and we might be able to move forward finally.

Democrats need full control, and then when democrats don't live up to our expectations as mostly moderate left leaning progressives as we expect them to be, it is up to us to primary our own and get democrats in office that will do what we expect without excuse.

All rhetoric aside, I am amazed that any woman could actually bring herself to vote for a Republican today. The GOP has shown itself to be a party that truly hates women; hates that we are self-sufficient; hates that we are intelligent; hates that we can vote; hates that we actually believe we know what is best for ourselves; hates that they don't have control of us. Yet I look at the women on this site who defend these ignorant blowhards and wonder why these women's self-esteem is so low that they continue to support a party that has absolutely no respect for them? It makes no sense. And, before you go off ranting and raving about media bias, no media has forced these men to make the ridiculous statements they have. No media has forced them to make their assaults on women's rights. No media has forced them to debase women with every speech and every bill they try to enact. These men truly dislike women and want them to be subservient. Why would any sane women support any one of them?

Lots of comments about high gas prices, and how much is Obie's fault. It is true that Bush took a political hit over high prices, and republicans are itching for the same to happen to Obie - anything less is just hypocrisy, right? But there is a difference: Bush the Oil Man famously said in his first campaign for president that he would indeed lower oil prices, by going to the middle East and 'demanding that they open their spigots'. So when he went over there and kissed the Saudi king's butt and got nothing out of it - well, Americans were not impressed. Obie made no such 'over the top' claims, for good reason. He talked about a long-term approach with long-term benefits. Holding him to his own standards (and even to Republican standards), he's doing pretty well. Here are a couple snippets from an AP article on Gingrich's 30 minute ad on energy policy (parentheses are my comments):

"Presidents often get blamed for rising gasoline prices but can't do much about them because the price is set by global markets..." (Oh yeah, free markets. Forgot about that.)

"Gas prices follow oil prices, and oil prices have been rising. The price of the foreign oil that's imported by most U.S. refineries and turned into gasoline and other fuels has risen 11 percent so far this year, to about $119 a barrel, because of tensions with Iran, a cold snap in Europe and rising demand from developing nations. Oil produced in the U.S. and used by refineries in the middle of the country to produce gasoline is up 4 percent to about $103 a barrel, 19 percent higher than a year earlier. No presidential "big idea" can reverse those forces.

"...the energy information agency data show production has surged in the first two years of the Obama administration after being on a downward trend since 2003. In 2008, prior to Obama taking office, Gulf oil production hits its lowest level in a decade." (This is regarding offshore drilling)

Bush set himself up for failure by overstating his ability to lower prices, in order to get elected. Obama didn't. Instead, he and the Dems increased domestic production and began funding long-term alternate energy development. So there's a pretty big political difference, even if the pain at the pump is the same.

I voted for that; it was against the principles I believed in.

DO ANY OF YOU TRULY WANT A PRESIDENT LIKE THIS?????

Flip...flop; or

"voted ...against the principles I believe in." or

Moon base!

There really is NOT any true choice here:

President Obama for President 2012!

i have to pick between soros or koch i pick soros all day

Funny, it seems that all the GOP candidates did was rant about the past (Bush) as well last night...

The past? That was said last night. Nice try Gabriel but epic fail. As usual. But i can completely understand why you would want everyone to forget last night. LOL

Gabriel-1934044 - Just for you, kid:

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.."
Georgy Santayana

Sorry, Gabriel, but despite the GOP's fervent hope that we cannot remember, we REFUSE to repeat the past and put them back in the White House.

Ron Paul clearly won the debate last night. Yet, because of the establishment media, nothing changes because the average sheeple, goes by whatever they report or lean toward, and they know it.

Randy- Obama voted "Present" on around 3% of the votes he took in the Illinois Senate. This is not a "record number of times". A "present" vote is a way of indicating dissatisfaction with the premise, wording, or Constitutionality of a bill. You are making it sound as if voting "present" is a way of flip-flopping, when it is actually a legitimate political way of indicating you think a bill needs more work before coming up for a vote.

Ah, yes, Ron Paul. The one who wants to dismantle the EPA, FDA, Department of Education, FCC, etc. etc.

Coming soon to an America near you - SOMALIA 2!

Randy Largent

How do you explain that?

BIG difference Randy between voting "present" and voting FOR something that you believe to be unconscienable and against your "principals" (if it truly was and you are not just saying it was to get some votes...)

But YOU already realized that, didn't you Randy.

Nice (but very futile) attempt at deflection though.

Realamerican - haven't you learned anything yet? What a POTUS wants and what a POTUS gets are usually entirely different. I doubt paul will get the support to eliminate agencies unique to the federal government, but he can impact agencies that heavily duplicate what exists at the state level.

So let me get this straight, american. You're going to vote for a guy who wants far-out crazy cuts to everything under the sun because you believe that he's really going to be mostly impotent and unable to carry out his plan?

Yeah, that makes sense.

(Maybe that's why the GOP isn't talking about cutting funding for Viagra?)

Wait... I thought that Bush was "the greatest president ever!". What happened?

Maybe Obama used 'mind control' on him. That would explain how Obama started the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Or maybe Santorum and Mitt are just two more members of the liberal media, spreading lies and trying to destroy America. Yea, that must be it. Dang liberal America-destroying Santorum!

Are they seriously suggesting that someone existed before Obama that caused the financial meltdown? I am shocked...no really, its hard to blame Obama for everything when you admit what a load of crap we had before him!

hey man, bush was a true and true conservative until conservatism started to fail. and then the conservative rug was metaphorically pulled from underneath him right before he was, again, metaphorically, thrown under the bus.

now, you would think that republicans would have learned a lesson. but no. they want to do the exact same things bush did.

Since I've been old enough to understand politics more and was interesred enough in it, to have a somewhat educated opinion about it, I've seen nothing good from repubs. Absolutely nothing good from a repub that held an important position in this country. Newt shut down the government while President Clinton was in office because he wanted cuts made to medicare and medicaid and he wasn't budging an inch to work along with the President to make this a better country. Now hes running for pres on that record? Santorium wants people to work til their 80 yrs old. He claims people are still very productive til 80. Really? I guess if you did nothing but sit on your fat ass then yeah, but for people out there working physically, its not possible. Mitt buying companies then closing them up and filing for bankruptcy? Mitt changing his mind, to suit the people hes speaking to? Come on please, can the repubs be that short on the bingos upstairs to think one of these guys is capable of being president? Dubya is the worst as of now, but if a repubs elected then your going to see bad thats going to make Dubya look like Gandhi. Then for the repbulican women out there thinking about supporting one of these candidates, you don't have to listen to your husband and who he wants you to vote for. You can tell him you did vote for the person(s) he wanted you too and vote for Obama, he won't know, unless you confess to him which I think is illegal anyhow. If you get waterboarded and confess to him that you voted for Obama and get your allowance cut off, call the police, thats illegal. This is 2012 and women actually have some rights left. Theres nothing sexier than a strong confident women, don't let your husband make you a slave to him. Its a straight democratic vote in 2012. Its the only way America will get back on track to becoming number one again.

moonbaseGOP; All republicans too. Everyone of the presidents thats on the worst president ever top ten list is republican. You'd think the republicans would of figured this out already, lol, nope. They just don't get it. The thing thats scary about the bad presidents, back then people were smart enough to have dems voted into office the next 3 or 4 elections and long enough to correct the problems, long enough to get things straighten out. Now the people today aren't as intellegent as they were back then and they seem to think two wrongs make a right. Dubya should be proof of that, well he never won the election but daddy and Jeb got him in all the same, but twice? Republicans must be glutins for punishment.

one for the team

Santorum should take "one for the team", that is, the millions of Americans that think that he is a dumb conservative full of BS, pretending that he is the mesiah.

Santorum: Take "one for the team"and get the H****l out of Dodge....

Bush was arguably the worst president in American history.

It was on his watch that 9/11 took place; it was Bush & the GOP who failed to kill or capture Bin Laden: it was Bush & the GOP who failed to destroy Al Qaida and the Taliban after 8 years of war and trillions of dollars spent; It was Bush & the GOP who lied to the entire world about WMD in Iraq; It was Bush & the GOP who failed on the war on terror; It was Bush & the GOP who turned a record Federal surplus into a record deficit by failing to raise taxes to pay for the wars.

Is it any wonder that no one even mentions his name

Good Lord, the battery on my hearing aid must be busted again. Did I hear some Republican candidates saying it was Bush's fault, I ve got to give my TV a whack I know that can't be so. Not George Bush 11 the darling of the Republican party. Go put soap in your mouths and wash them out. Every one in this Country knows it was Obama who orchestrated this mess. He put some kind of Hawaiian hex or some Africa Voodoo on old Georgy boy and screwed with his mind while he was in the Senate, made him make those decisions he did. What will we be hearing next from this crowd, vote for Obama, no doubt. That will be the only sane arguement we'll get from this crowd of hucksters. They've already said it with their carnival side show, might as put it into words. Tell the lot of them there are a lot of communities across this Country in need of a dogcatcher, no experience required except being a Republican Presidential candidate.

NC ....that's brilliant !!!!

"Thanks "W" for the two unfunded Wars you and the Teapugs dumped on our Country"

Jan, just click pis out so hes goes back to his Fox and friends ?

I love how the far right wing actually thinks bringing up Soros as something that offends us...

However your right wing plutocratic fascists we do hate and will never stop pointing out the FACT that everything coming from the far right wing is a disaster it is a disease and it needs to be vaccinated.

Republicans are running away from the Bush years, a time when we saw conservative principles actually put into practice; and they didn't work.

Privatization? Ran up the cost of the Iraq War.

The Bush Doctrine of pre-emptive military action? A decade of two costly wars.

Voucher system for education? Taking money from public schools in the name of school "choice" just led to worse schools and more waste.

Less government regulation: led to the Gulf Oil Spill, and the financial crisis.

Republicans need to wander in the wilderness a bit longer, and come back when they have re-examined their principles from a practical point of view.

Amy---let's not forget the ultimate failure of trickle-down economics---tax cuts for the 1% resulting in the worst recession since the Great Depression. And piling on with unfunded Medicare benefits.

Bravo Amy AND steeler Fan! Well said.

But where are all of the mocking, sarcastic "blame Bush" republicon supporters???

Here we are, watching the action, as the ever entertaining republicon presidential candidates, eat their own and... blame Bush (and rightly so).

Well said, all!

the republican cadidates running from bush, yet all are running on bush policies.

Hmmmm, bush tax cuts were across the board.

Try taking those "unfunded" medicare part D bennies away, damn liberals and progressives have always wanted to throw granny and grandpa under the bus.

If trickle down is a failure why is obama and company promoting it? Perhaps you LWNJ's just refuse to see it. heck it took this conservative until last fall to recognize what obama was doing. LMAO that you all still don't see it! Here is a hint, what was the basic premise that libs use concerning your opinion that "trickle down" is a failure?

Thank you for reminding the tea baggers about how adopting failed philosophies of the past will cause a repeat of history. Let President Obama clean up the last big mess the Republicans made before the Cons attempt to make a new one.

Yet the Republicans still push his ideas instead of reversing them. Obama had to extend the tax cuts to appease the Republican cry babies, now they bash him for it. More proof of just how two-face the republicans are.

Now now, everyone, I'm sure that we can all move past the Bush-blaming epidemic that is nothing but a pack of lies from the evil marxist/atheist/muslim/socialist/nazi/black/anti-christ/leftist Kenyan fake president.

For instance, let's consider the candidates on their own merits:

Romney - won't ever stick to a principle, unless that principle is get elected and get re-elected. And, of course, he's having trouble with that one because he won't stick to a principle. He's become the anti-left, but all it's done is highlighted his "leftist" support of abortion, health care reform, and secularism, which is, of course, the devil. There are also the allegations (unprovable, since he removed all the emails and actual hard drives and servers of his administration) of corruption in Massachusetts. So, he moves to the right, and would probably have to govern to the right, but that won't count much as he probably wouldn't push too hard to the right himself unless prompted. Oh, and he speaks French. Big no-no. All-in-all, the best rounded politician they have to offer. No wonder they don't like him.

Paul - Wow. Has some really good ideas about finance reform. Has some really @!$%#ty ideas about finance reform. Has some really good ideas about troop movements. Has some really @!$%#ty ideas about isolationism. Has some really good ideas about foreign relations. Has some really @!$%#ty ideas about equality and civil rights. Essentially, an anarchist. Everything should go back to the days of the Articles of Confederation, when the states could found churches and force people to work for pennies a day, and labor unions were cracked down on mercilessly. Not only that, but no telling just what he would do to retain power, after aligning himself with the KKK and other extremist racial purity/dominance groups.

Santorum - Really? We had 2 presidents named Bush, and now we want one named Santorum? Okay, schoolyard humor aside, just no. He wants to govern as a complete social conservative, and he's willing to break the bank to do so. But, he's dumb enough to believe he won't need to. Another chickenhawk, with a cultish flavor of forcing everyone to believe and act as he does (unless they want an abortion to save the mother's life, in which case that's do as he says not as he did). Has become the darling of the religious right, which speaks volumes against him for a large portion of Americans. Of course, with the legislatures trying a new end-run around Roe v. Wade, not too surprising this idiot is gaining traction. Still, way, way, WAY too dumb, and bigoted, and ignorant, and bigoted, and theocratic.

Gingrich - He cheated on 2 wives to get to the 3rd. But God forgave him, and besides, it was for America! He took out a Contract with America designed to remove government regulation on important infrastructure (much of which was paid for by tax dollars, whether through actual money or subsidies), and the power grids took a hit, and the finance sector began its boom before the bust, and he ended up resigning in disgrace before he could get fired for ethics violations. Ended up paying $300k for those violations, but it's okay, because God forgave him, and it was for America! Hates those evil secularists, who are secretly installing Shariah law (so secret, it's even invisible and, like his God, unsupported by ANY EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER), and they're also marxists, because who ever heard of an atheist that wasn't marxist (besides his hero Ayn Rand)? Loves America so much, he should be president, if only America (for him) consisted of more than white men going through their mid-life crisis. Berates Romney for speaking French (oh noes!) but most likely speaks it himself, according to his dissertation. Unless, like everything else, he plagiarized and cheated on that.

So, in short, yeah, Bush, whatever. In some ways, particularly in the (FAIL) War on Drugs and the State Secrets Privilege, Obama is a bit of Bush Lite. In some other ways, he's more center, even a little left. Many things he's done I don't agree with. But, I definitely don't see anything in those piles of garbage worth voting for, and plenty to vote against.

Jonsmith — I wonder if obama had promoted letting the bush tax cuts expire across the board if the right would have objected to it?

Ron Paul has no need to run away - he wasn't with Bush in the first place, consistently. He's been further from Bush than Obama.

I would do that with all the made up stupid crap coming from the right on Obama but I am already bored.

Gypsy - that's what your crowd did while Bush pulled all the crap he did in office - just yawned.

But now that Obama's in office, you're all roused up out of your Barcoloungers to scream "socialist", "communist", "Kenyan", "Muslim", "God-hater" at Tea Party rallies.

At least maybe you'll lose some weight before "Obamacare" kicks in and we all have to insure your lazy butts.

American - Don't know where the Republican party would have been with that idea, but it is the correct one. Let's allow the rates to go back up, let's cut some spending - well, OK, a lot of spending - including spending for the military. Yes, we will have a few hard years ahead of us, and the timing stinks. But let's face it, it will never get any easier. The longer we wait, the more likely it is we will go the way of Ireland and Greece some time in the future.

I don't agree Sailcat. Based on the evidence, I really am beginning to suspect they are stupid. Check the water for lead, folks.....

remember folks that if you buy into an oilwell or gas field somewhere for the measley sum of $30,000.00, and you need a tax credit,of 70%, you could have one, just like all the big boy OIL and Gas giants have had since 1975 that would mean that $21,000.00 of your initial investment could come back to you in your FIRST year.however there is one catch, you have to be qualified to buy into an oil or gas field, for this information you can ask your presidential hopefuls Rick "the buck banger" Santorum, or "Just ask me how to hide money from the voters "Mitt,"the GLOVE" Romney, oh yeah If any body knows how to hide funds your man NEWT the Grinch would be able to help, after all he was an advisor to the PREDITORY LENDERS "freddie,Fannie, And Sallie"

You Republicans have a very short memory. From 1976 to 1992 you whined and cried, moan and groaned and complained and complained more and bitched, carried on and on and blamed President Carter of everything wrong in the entire universe. Then from 1992 to 2008 you whined and cried, moan and groaned and complained and complained more and bitched, carried on and on and blamed President Clinton for everything that was wrong in the entire universe. So – using the standard you set – the left has another 29 years to blame Bush for everything just to pull even with you.

yeah buddy

Charlie - I think I love you - thanks for the perspective.

Oh there you are.

I knew at least one would show up.

Thank you, Gypsy.

Now please post the same to the message board for the National Republicon Party. I"m sure they'll be impressed.

Here's some stuff I made up on Obama: Same foreign policy as Bush that keeps us in costly perpetual war (both $ and lives), extended Bush's Patriot Act (once one of Obama's campaign points), continues Gitmo (another campaign points). Signed the revised NDAA with its indefinite detention without trial of U.S. citizens (and to add to the lie - Obama's administration specifically demanded the "non-citizen" part be taken out). Expanded Bush's faith-based initiatives. Like Romney and Gingrich, voted in favor of corporate welfare (Wall Street bailouts). Romney and Obama share the same top contributor (Goldman Sachs), and their top ten contributors lists are nearly identical, filled with major Wall Street players. On government transparency and Wikileaks, Obama sounded no different than Sarah Palin and the rest of them.

True that Sandy...a pack of rabid, greedy, monkeys.

Hopefully, the encumbent TEAM gets replaced in the next election. Starting with Boehner.

Amazing and True, Sandy.

sounds like they are dissing the bush reign because it looks like there may be another....can you say Jeb?

Santorum, "I am unwavering on my beliefs and principals". Fast forward (a day or two) , I voted against my principals and "took one for the team".

Translation. S*&t I didn't think anyone would have the balls to bring up the Bush administration! LOL Notice how Santorum sputtered and fumbled all over the place last night.

Republicans vote as a pack, Democrats vote as a pack. The true anti-Establishment candidate who will bring real change will obviously experience opposition from both sold-out parties and will be marginalized or ignored by the Establishment media. An anti-Establishment candidate will not have supported corporate welfare (Wall Street bailouts, Romney/Obama), and definitely will not have Goldman Sachs at the top of their contributors list (Romney/Obama).

bushes fault ETC ETC ETD ETD ETC I love it totally on there buddy totally on the mark on the mark ETC ETC ETD

Bored YET want more

The GOP all but excommunicated Gingrich at one time and look where he is now! Of course Newt is running a poor third in a four-horse race, but the point is the hypocrites in the Republican Party would forgive the devil himself if it would win an election.

Mormons are the great excommunicaters. The other christian faiths send them to purgatory.

Now Santorum is spouting a familliar phrase "took one ofr the team" roughly translating to "I was only following orders"

Yeah notice how quite and reclusive Bush has been since he left the White House, and how he hasn't "endorsed" anyone. The GOP knows damn good and well that he is the main reason the economy crashed.

If only Sarah Palin would keep her mouth shut. You know her endorsement is like the kiss of death.

"W" will go down in History as the Worst President !

"W" lied to Congress to get us into Iraq !

The financial collapse has "W's" DNA on it !

"W" is a War Criminal !

"W" stole the Presidential election in 2000 with the help of Jeb !

"W" was a impostor !

We are still mopping up "W's" Mess !

"W" and the Teapugs put us into a depression !

"W" and the GOP Tea Retards are a dishonor to this Nation !

"W" destroyed the American dream !

Thanks "W" - Thanks GOP - Thanks You Tea Retards, your day is coming.

TO: Diverdown1 who wrote:

"How interesting, usually I get on here to read and there are TONS of comments bashing the President. Wonder why they are so quiet today..."

Well, first of all because they finally realize that President Obama is right.

Second, because their memories of Bush are coming back, and it's embarassing them.

Obama / Biden 2012

Then why are you here, ssmithlg? Does your "employer" know?

Get back to me in 45 years,,Thats how long I paid into MY GUBMT check. Hey does that message go to Michelle Bachman and the other 17 tea party members in congress who get 100 000 dollar FARM AID welfare checks.. lol

They are all waiting for Rush to tell them what to think. Then they will parrot whatever he says.

It is funny how they all go off and hide in a corner quietly until they are told what to come out screeching about next. And hey, what happened in Virginia? Thought that was all set and ready to sign that nifty new bill into law Bwaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaa

Wonder what the next non-issue will be they will try and distract with? I mean gee, their distractions have worked beautifully so far! LMAO

The majority of people are so blinded by the "us/them" charade, the "devil on the other side" mentality that it never occurs to them, never crosses their mind, to inquire whether it is both their faults. Lame economy, infringing on civil liberties, big support from Wall Street, people really believe it's strictly either one sold-out party or the other. Simple-minded.

The 17 Tea Retards in Congress are Crooks with that Farm Aid garbage they use to steal tax payers Money. They are filling their pockets with our tax dollars. Where is the Dept., of Justice ?????????????

I've always wondered what would have been had Gore been elected president. Do any of you know what life in America would be like now after a Gore presidency. Damn you, Supreme Court. If only....

OBAMA BIDEN 2012

I'll be glad when one of these Republicans takes one for the American People, instead of constantly kicking our butts.

Republicans = Tax Cuts for the Rich, Pay Cuts for Working Americans.

Obama / Biden 2012.

Raven, amen sister. well said.

talk about taking one for the team

how about the white trash church going terrorist who killled those doctors because they were doing something they didn't like

How about that white trash piece of shnit that skin head repuick in arizona who shot Gabby a beautiful person don't tell me he wasn't inticed by those (repuick governor) republicans to get ride of these democrats by any means

Hey R-sticker, that's crazy talk, Relax and take your high blood pressure Med's !!!!

NOBAMA2012 the END of an ERROR

Seems like they allow you to do drugs at work ssmithlg. You did say you was at work so are checks don't bounce. Care to share some of your drugs?

SallyAnn don't blame ssmtihlg, the GOP runs government by bumper sticker slogans. Have you ever noticed how most of their prized policies can be described in 8 syllables or less? Try counting them sometimes, like; Trickle down economics (7 syllables), War on drugs (3), Rammed down our throats (5), Death panels (3), Just say no (3), Drill baby drill (4), No child left behind (6), Tax and spend (3). It goes on and long like that.

As long as you Liberals are counting, add these to your list: I will Close Gitmo (5), Unemployment will not go above 8 percent (12), Solyndra (3), Fannie and Freddie (5), Cash For Clunkers (4), It's Bush's Fault (5), Hope and Change (3), Bush Tax Cuts (3), No Budget passed (4), Thirty Five Thousand Postal Workers to be fired (12), $100 Bar. oil (8), $5 gas (4), Food Stamp Nation (4), Increased Spending (4), Free Healthcare (3), Shovel Ready Jobs (5)......

Tax cheats have been nominated and confirmed from the Sec. of Treasury to failed nominations at Commerce (twice) and others who have ethical problems due to past fraud. (Tons of syllables)

Obama pledged to get out of Iraq within 16 months after he took office. He has failed as the new time period is 19 months. He also failed to mention that he will leave 50,000 troops behind and he moved 17,000 into Afghanistan without comment. (More Syllables)

The deficit spending from billions to trillions, the appointment of lobbyists to key positions, and the signing into law of billions of dollars of earmarks are only a few of the same old business as usual in Obama's administration. (More Syllables)

Let's let this failed experiment run on his record....Wait he cant, he has to run on a "divide the country, attack and blame strategy."

ssmithlg - You're about 3 years too late with that slogan, son.

It was all over bumper stickers and next to countdown clocks when Bush's "error" was coming to an end. (And it was funny then, see - that's how Bush said "era". Get it? No?)

Plagiarism seems to be the current crop of GOP candidates' strongest trait, though, so I guess you're in "good" company.

Tyrants - a Canadian once told me that Americans don't like words longer than 2 syllables and don't know any words longer than 3 syllables.

He might be right - at least about the right.

RealAmericansfirst: Ay? What you say? Ay?

We may do 2 and three syllables but how many syllables are in "Ay"?

By the Way; Canadians, themselves are Real Americans Too.

I cannot wait until November, when we right the wrong of electing the immature Teapublicans to office and return common sense to America.

Goodbye, GOP. In pace requiescat... (May you rest in peace).

Oh no wait. Never mind. Adolebit in inferno. (Burn in hell).

Posted on November 8, 2009 12:51:19 PM CST by American Dream 246

No photo ops, no grandstanding, no comments--just a quiet comforting visit from former President George W. Bush and his wife Laura to Fort Hood, Texas.

After traveling to the base, which is about 30 miles from their ranch, the former first couple spent about two hours visiting the wounded before slipping away as unobtrusively as they arrived, specifically telling the base commander no press coverage according to Bill Sammon of Fox News.

A fine example to set. Except President Obama decided to take a break from passing health care reform and holiday at Camp David.

The worst terrorist attack on American soil since 9/11 and Obama can't even make it to Fort Hood to visit his wounded troops?

An interesting contrast, don't you think?

"the worst terrorist attack on american soil since 9/11"? lol, give me a break..an american citixzen goes crazy and shoots people and its a "terrorist attack' to be mentioned in the same breath as 9.11?

In November 2009, after examining the e-mails and previous terrorism investigations, the FBI had found no information to indicate Hasan had any co-conspirators or was part of a broader terrorist plot. However, one year after the Fort Hood shooting, questions still lingered as to whether the incident was caused by mental health issues, and government agencies still had not officially linked Hasan to any radical terrorist groups.^[8]

FORT HOOD, Texas — Somberly reciting 13 names and 13 stories, President Barack Obama saluted the Americans killed at this Army post as heroes who died for their country – and promised a nation demanding answers that "the killer will be met with justice."

wow..ssmith is desperate or lame..or both. :)

more americans were killed on american soil by american rightwing terrorists then foriegn terrorists before 911........ssmith is deparatly cluthching at straws as he watches his rightwing party sink like the teatannic.

Does GOP stand for Government of Plutocracy?

Just asking cause that's what it is...

Actually, Bush seems relieved to no longer be President. He has steadfastly refused to criticize President Obama. Sadly, Dick Chaney hasn't show as much sense.

Did you just put "Dick Chaney" and "Sense" into the same sentence?

Wouldn't that be an oxymoron? You know like Chaney who's brain is starved by oxygen so he acts moronic.

Keep in mind that "Dick" Chaney is am emulant of LON Chaney.

Great post Alfonso! Unfortunately, the GOP and Faux news will paint you as a pinko communist pointing those facts out.

That is very debatable about whether or not he "saved" the country. Most of his policies didn't take effect until things started to turn around. A lot of peopel, including myself think that the natural course of the business cycle would have corrected things.

I agree with you about the most of the other stuff, except that Obama is a big spender. The facts prove it. Under his watch spending has increased by nearly 35% and we are spending at World War II levels. Regardless of the reason, it is irresponsible to spend the money that our young people and children need for education, unemployment and defense now, while leaving them with nothing in the future. We are doing a disservice to those in school right now. They will have to pay for this mess that we create and are unwilling to face.

"Most of his policies didn't take effect until things started to turn around."

You do realise this translates to "things didnt start to get better until his policies started working" right?

Exactly!

Put America First- Don't forget that half the bailout was put together by Bush Before the election. The sliding started before and continued for two years and every time a reasonable idea or program (usually ones that have been bi-partisan or even put forth by GOP/TP ers before) is laid out by Obama the GOPTP just vote it down or out . They don't care about anyone that isn't in the top 2.7% and they continue to prove it day after day by their actions!

Hey Denny!

Nice Avatar! ☺

Lets compare the money spent on the auto industry bailouts, with the money spent on an illegal, manufactured war in Iraq. How much of the American Taxpayer dollars went to Chaney, through his Haliburton stock (via all those no contract bids!)? What did we get out of Iraq, but a bunch of dead Americans and an ungrateful Iraq. I'll take a strong Amercian industry anyday, even if it did get President Obama a few union votes in the process! Another fact as well. Didn't Bush Jr. also send money to the Auto Industry, to bail them out during his watch? How much of that got paid back again?

Looks like PutAmericaFirst just put their foot in their mouth! LOL

Most of his policies didn't take effect until things started to turn around. I can't stop laughing at this!!!!!!

For what it's worth put, I agree 100%. Things did start to turn around when Obama's policies went into effect! Well said.

Just picked out something else lol.

"spending at World War II levels"

Didn't WWII get us OUT of the Great Depression?

Omnomnom

We've been cannibalising our own for the past 4 years. The tea party had just as much anger at liberal republicans as it did at the president.

Perhaps the Tea Party should split into its own, true party. The normal Republicans might actually be able to poach enough moderates to make up for losses given by purging the crazy right. As it is right now, Independent voters are very turned off by this circus sideshow. They very well may have voted for Romney had he not had to run so crazy right and dirty. If this goes on much longer, swing voters will not have enough time to forget some of the silly things Romney has had to say in order to win votes in crazy right states.

Funny -- I remember when Republicans worshiped the ground George W. Bush walked on. I remember my right wing friends telling me he was the greatest president of all times. Now -- those same Rpublicans act like he never existed. Don't forget ---- no president since Kennedy had the keys to the White House turned over to him from the former president with the nation in BETTER shape than did George W. Bush and no president since FDR had the keys to the White House turned over to him from the former president with the nation in WORSE than did President Obama.

Three Cheers Charlie! I love it when the facts get in the way of the GOPTP truths!

The candidates are all copying each other, or as I call them (G.O.P. py) goppy cats ! We can all get together and play Gops and robbers.

LOL Jim . Better clean that up right away. It can get pretty stinky!

economy and the unemployment ---- Everyone is right to blame Bush & it is relevant

Just a matter of semantics. You are entitled to your own interpretation and opinion. The statement referred to is "That Mr. Obama inherited Bush's problems is no longer relevant". The current issues of the economy and unemployment is definitely, without an iota of a doubt is relevant and currently valid!

After obama completes his 2nd term he will still be blaming bush.

We have the latest tactic! Compliments of Kokoodan! When all esle fails, say "OK now let's not talk anymore about who is at fault". LOL Ironic as hell but still amusing.

tell that to the repuicks

Sally - Actiually, I think RH's point is well taken. We on these posts tend to simply point fingers at the other guys. If you're left, it is the right's fault. If you're right, it's the left's fault. I hate to be the one to point his out, gang, but our country is fairly evenly split. About half to the right, and about half to the left. We'd all be better off focusing on solutions than blame.

"After obama completes his 2nd term he will still be blaming bush."

Well -- I'll give you credit for acknowledging the REALITY of President Obama winning a second term but I'll remind you Republicans one more time. From 1976 to 1992 you whined and cried, moan and groaned and complained and complained more and bitched, carried on and on and blamed President Carter of everything wrong in the entire universe. Then from 1992 to 2008 you whined and cried, moan and groaned and complained and complained more and bitched, carried on and on and blamed President Clinton for everything that was wrong in the entire universe. So – using the standard you set – the left has another 29 years to blame Bush for everything just to pull even with you.

That Mr. Obama inherited Bush's problems is no longer relevant.

But it is relevant! What makes it relevant is the current economic plan of every Republican candidate. Bush's prime piece of idiocy is that lower taxes will spur economic growth enough to make up for the loss in tax revenue. Something I think Cheney was alluding to when he said "Reagan proved that deficits don't matter." In spite of the fact that he was wrong and later events proved it, every Republican candidate has a decrease in taxes as their main point! Oh, oh, and lower the national debt, too! How? How? How? Independent agencies have weighed in on every candidate's economic plan and they all result in larger deficits, more debt! (Except Ron Paul's and he ain't got a chance in hell of winning the nomination)

Send them all back to the drawing board enough times with "Bush tried that, it doesn't work!" and maybe they will be inspired enough to come up with something that actually makes sense. Until then, no thanks Republicans! Bush tried that and it doesn't work!

The fact that every Republican candidate wants to return to the economic policies of Bush does make it relevant to point out that those policies of Bush caused a financial meltdown and a bad economy that is only now beginning to recover. So, correctly blaming Bush is the right thing to do. Without constant reminders, the voting public is likely to fall once again for the snakeoil salesmen of the right wing.

Sally - Actiually, I think RH's point is well taken. We on these posts tend to simply point fingers at the other guys. If you're left, it is the right's fault. If you're right, it's the left's fault. I hate to be the one to point his out, gang, but our country is fairly evenly split. About half to the right, and about half to the left. We'd all be better off focusing on solutions than blame..

When you break a family heirloom - whether it is cleaned up immediately or not - it matters! It will continue to matter and fingers will continue to be pointed at the loss of the treasured item. Looking on the shelf at the vacant space is the reminder. It is even more memorable when A.) the culpret who broke it refuses to take responsiblity and b.) The cause remains unresolved.

Bush has yet to fully admit to the be the cause (or at least the architect of the economic implosion) - is aided and abetted by his cadre of Reganite syncophants. There remains a entire segment of his party who refuse to cut that branch as a solution ... stay the course, we just never let ourselves surrender to the complete process - idiots who think the only "real" test is to ride the flaming wreck to the edge of the abyss is not a good test... to real test is ride it down the the rocks, create a flamming fire ball - then let the survirors decide ... are you better off now than you are just before impact?

OK, there may be some merit in banging your head against a brick wall ... undoubtably, it will feel better when you stop banging your head - until you realize that the cause of bang your head against the brick wall has not change. All you did was divert your attention and delay finding, fixing the problem. The brick wall did move, it was unaffect - it never even noticed your futile efforts. Doing nothing to effect progress means nothing changed. And everyone realizes ... we have had a constipated congress since jan 28, 2009. Yes, there was movement, a little grunting and groaning - but nothing of substance was ever produced.

Congress needs an enema ... there are a few really stubborn obstacles in the way ... once they are dislodged, things might flow freely. You obviously can't have boner and free movement at the same time.

That's "DDoomed",,, doomed with a double D cup size

I like "What's Opera, Doc?"!!!!!