"Believe me, if you can do this in New Jersey, you can do it anywhere."

If the FED can loan out $16 trillion to US and foreign banks for their junk securities losses they can loan it out to people who got screwed over by the frauds. Not that I'm necessarily a FED fan.

This is interesting coming from a Governor whos state LOST jobs...

http://www.deptofnumbers.com/employment/states/

thanks to New Jersey's unique Constitutional structure, cut spending through executive order," he said.

"Believe me, if you can do this in New Jersey, you can do it anywhere."

Crusty is absolutely Willard's soulmate. He can contradict himself in the same speech, unless he doesn't understand unique.

Did the rise of the 1 percent (or, better yet, the 0.01 percent) cause the Lesser Depression we’re now living through? It probably contributed. But the more important point is that inequality is a major reason the economy is still so depressed and unemployment so high. For we have responded to crisis with a mix of paralysis and confusion — both of which have a lot to do with the distorting effects of great wealth on our society. ...

But that was then. Today, Washington is marked by a combination of bitter partisanship and intellectual confusion — and both are, I would argue, largely the result of extreme income inequality.

On partisanship: The Congressional scholars Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein have been making waves with a new book acknowledging a truth that, until now, was unmentionable in polite circles. They say our political dysfunction is largely because of the transformation of the Republican Party into an extremist force that is “dismissive of the legitimacy of its political opposition.” You can’t get cooperation to serve the national interest when one side of the divide sees no distinction between the national interest and its own partisan triumph.

So how did that happen? For the past century, political polarization has closely tracked income inequality, and there’s every reason to believe that the relationship is causal. Specifically, money buys power, and the increasing wealth of a tiny minority has effectively bought the allegiance of one of our two major political parties, in the process destroying any prospect for cooperation.

And the takeover of half our political spectrum by the 0.01 percent is, I’d argue, also responsible for the degradation of our economic discourse, which has made any sensible discussion of what we should be doing impossible.

Disputes in economics used to be bounded by a shared understanding of the evidence, creating a broad range of agreement about economic policy. To take the most prominent example, Milton Friedman may have opposed fiscal activism, but he very much supported monetary activism to fight deep economic slumps, to an extent that would have put him well to the left of center in many current debates.

Now, however, the Republican Party is dominated by doctrines formerly on the political fringe. Friedman called for monetary flexibility; today, much of the G.O.P. is fanatically devoted to the gold standard. N. Gregory Mankiw of Harvard University, a Romney economic adviser, once dismissed those claiming that tax cuts pay for themselves as “charlatans and cranks”; today, that notion is very close to being official Republican doctrine.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/04/opinion/krugman-plutocracy-paralysis-perplexity.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

I saw Christie the other night on C-span speaking before the CATO Institute at the Milton Friedman Awards.

Christie deserves the Milton Friedman Award.

If anyone writes a halfway accurate history of the lated 20th Century Friedman will probably go down as one of the biggest frauds of that era. Every economy his polices touched (or I should say, were forced on) turned to @!$%#.

Chile's economy (Friedman's "economic miracle") where the Dictator Pinochet forced his policies on the country took a nose dive in the 1970's a couple of years after the Friedman's "Chicago Boys" started running things and the economy then collapsed again, worse, in the early 1980's.

The thing that finally bailed Chile' out to some degree were it's copper mines. The price of copper went up and thanks to the Marxist president Chile had had before Pinochet murdered him, the copper mines had been nationalized so the money really helped the country.

In Russia, after the fall of the Soviet Union, Milton's Free-Market "Shock Therapy" was applied and the country's economy promptly crashed into a depression in some ways worse than the Great Depression in America (in the Great Depression the U.S. lost 20% of it's wealth, in Russia in the early 1990's they lost 40%).

One of the reasons Putin is so popular in Russia is because he pulled the country out of that depression.

In Argentina, after the U.S. supported, Junta of Generals had murdered and tortured many of the leftists in the country, Neo-liberalism (Free-market economic policies) was forced on country. So thoroughly had the country embraced Milton Frieman inspired economics that they were considered the poster child of what Free-market policies could do.

Then their economy crashed in the mid-late 1990s.

Now they have rejected those policies and before the world recession hit (caused to a large extent by Milton Friedman's Free-market ideology) they were doing well.

So I would say that bloated bag of gas (he looks like a gangster to me) Christie richly deserves the Milton Friedman Award.

Raise Taxes on the rich. When Reagan took office the corporate tax rate was close to 80% and so was the rate for the top 1%, now its down to 35% or so. Hmm no wonder the rich get richer, like Romney and Buffet, etc, and the poor ad the ones who do all the work for the richies.

Fine American companies who don't produce more than 60% of their goods inside America, if their HQs are in America.

Gov. Christie, is PART of the problem, since he is in the government. His fat cat lifestyle doesn't help his cause.

Americans do need the truth. They need to know that if they elect the GOP in 2012 to lead, they will lead alright. Lead America right into WW3 with Iran, Russia & China. Gas prices will double or triple to $12/gallon. Unemployment will skyrocket to 15% under a Romney dictatorship. He'll fire over half of the government work force which will drive the economy backwards. Public education and the hardest working people in America, teachers, will get the boot. He'll decide who gets what rights, such as minorities and women. The GOP will finally get to rule with the babble in one hand and a automatic weapon in the the other.

Re-Elect President Obama, and OUR nation will come first. Not the world. We'll rebuild OUR nation first, not Iran, Russia or China. Under President Obama ALL Americans will be treated equally, fairly and without discrimination. Under a Romney or GOP dictatorship, women and those who don't kowtow to the GOP won't be able to choose their own lifestyles and partners. They won't have choices, all Americans won't have choices under the GOP, unless they mandate them through laws. If your not religious under the GOP then you're useless to them and will be extinguished. Romney and the mormon cultists have a plan to exterminate Americans who don't kowtow to Joseph Smith and the Angel Moroni.

"Don't tell me the American people aren't ready to hear the truth. They know our government is out of control," Christie said...

He's right about that, in the sense that the Tea Party has usurped the will of the American people and the progress of this country with their backward-looking agenda.

Christie is right that Republican obstructionism in Congress has slowed down the recovery from the worst recession this country has faced since the Great Depression.

Christie is a fine one to talk about others being out of control, a man who clearly lacks self control.

OBAMA/BIDEN 2012

Wow, dls-387641, that's quite a mouth full for that little brain. Does it hurt?

N.J. Crispy Cream is fattening, he looks like Mitt's piggy bank !

That big butt must be 500 lbs, that's alot of Pork !

Actual statistics show that private sector jobs have done better during Democratic administrations, while government jobs have grown during Republican administrations. The GOP/TP along with Chistie and their outrage about the government being out of control is just more Projection Politics.

We don't need "limited" government per the GOP with warrantless wiretaps, or mandated drug tests and ultrasounds, or being strip searched -- Or "small" government with even less education for our children, or a fire department, or roads and bridges. What we need is Smart Government. And YES government does create jobs beyond direct hire through contract work, and the multiplier effect from that.

These austerity ("starve the beast") measures are the reason the economy is not recovering faster. And after learning of GOP plotting and planning against President Obama starting the day of his inauguration, I know for certain that Teapublicans in Congress, and across the nation like Scott Walker, Rick Scott, John Kasich, Bob McDonnell are the ones who are out of control!

So stuff a Twinkie in it Chis Chrisite!

ArchStanton - Great historical recap, but rightwingers have their own mythology.

Cristy like most Republican will say ANYTHING to muddy the waters in order to take the spotlight off their own criminal activities. An important thing people should also realize is what's really "out of control" are this guys eating habits.

"...the public may not like the solutions necessary to fix the country's economic woes, but 'they know in their heart they have to accept it.'"

The one percent may not like the solutions necessary to fix the country's economic woes, and they are doing everything in their (considerable) power to avoid doing it!

If we put in place Eisenhower's tax rates just until the deficit was reduced, then went to something that taxes us all with the same impact (NOT a flat tax), things would improve immensely and quickly.

Someone,

Explain to me how how attacking the rich is uniting the country.

Explain to me how creating women's health issues when there is none is uniting the country.

Explain to me how telling seniors that the republicans are going to take away Medicare when it is the Democrats doing it is uniting the country?

Explain to me how republicans want dirtier air when they have never cut any clean anything standards is uniting the country.

By playing the contrast game, you trying to divide people through trumped up stories.

DB --

Yes, some people are interpreting this as "attack the rich." But that takes away from the real point. Lots of people -- from the 99% AND the 1% -- believe that the wealthiest people in the country, those who have benefited most from being Americans, should pay their fair share in taxes. And yes, that means they pay more than everyone else. And that's fair.

If proposed laws go into effect, women's bodies will become a political battleground. These folks claim to be against big government, but they are trying to pass laws that will require procedures that invade the bodies of women. You say that's not an issue?

You are completely wrong about Medicare (and Social Security) -- and about environmental standards. All you need to do is look at recent history to see what the Republicans have done (and continue to do) in those areas.

The country is already divided. Almost down the middle. It became obvious during the (questionable) election of 2000, reinforced during the (also questionable) election of 2004, and exacerbated during the (clear) election of 2008.

This conversation which you call divisive has to happen. We all have to have the conversation. The Democrats were too nice after the 2008 election. They believed in the value of discussion and compromise -- but it became obvious, after the election of 2010, that the Republicans had no interest at all in that form of lawmaking. Their sole purpose, as stated by their leaders, was to make President Obama a one-term President.

True debate is a positive thing. It is one of the foundations of a democracy. Let's get back to that, and not allow our lawmakers to wallow in obstructionism and vindictiveness!

First he says lawmakers should speak honestly with the American people, then he says:

"The great thing about operating by executive order is, first, that I didn't have to tell anybody,"

Next.

Something else that is out of control is Chris Christie's ego. He has delusions of adequacy, like most Repugs. He also had no clue what he's talking about, like most Repugs.

The Government out of Control??? Really??? I never would have know if Christie hadn't told me. It's been out of control for YEARS!!

DB

Enough with the class warfare logo. We all know that the rich control a disproportionate amount of income and wealth in the United States, and with Citizens United, they can now control the government. For the past 30 years the income of the top earners has skyrocketed, and the pay of the middle class has barely increased at all. That is not a coincidence. In the 1980s we adopted supply-side economics, which states that lowering taxes for the wealthy will encourage them to be more productive, and so they will create economic growth. Part of that did happen, as the wealthy began to amass huge profits. Yet we didn't really see the dynamic economic growth. We had occasional booms, like during Reagan and Clinton, but no long-term prosperity. We need to reject the failed supply-side economic argument and go back to demand-side economics (Keynesian). That would include raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans, so that their share of the economic pie will decrease and so will their influence. We can use that money to both pay down the deficit AND increase wages for the middle class via creating jobs and investing in infrastructure. I know the truth about income inequality hurts, but you'll just have to live with it.

And yes, blaming the rich isn't going to unite the country. But after seeing our country's political division about whether Obama deserves credit for killing bin Laden, I don't know what else will. And we tried blaming ourselves for the past 30 years, and that didn't work either. The wealthy need to stop soaking all the income and start paying their fair share so the middle class can thrive again.

OBAMA BIDEN 2012

NJ Gov. Chris Christie: 'Government is out of control'

He should take a long look in the mirror and see just how out of co0ntrol he is with his bad eating habits paid for by the taxpayers.

WASHINGTON -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Friday urged Washington lawmakers to speak honestly with the American people, warning the public may not like the solutions necessary to fix the country's economic woes, but "they know in their heart they have to accept it."

Is he also willing to take a 50% pay cut to help out with the economy as well? I don't think so. It's people like Chris Crispy Fried Chicken eater that we do not need leading a state and continuously living of the taxpayers dime.

We the People need to vote on a salary cut for all politicians and government officials, and we also need to end all their pension plans as well. The need to save like the rest of us are trying to do and retire on SS like the rest of us have to.

Toss this fat-azz pig out the door to the curb where he belongs.

Shoysun - or whatever can't keep your made up names straight - however I lived in New Jersy for about 20 years - you want to fix New Jersey - OK

New Jersey is made up with a thousand municipalities - all have fire departments - heads of local governments - all on the taxpayers dime

Look at Illinois, Virginia, New York - I cite these states because I am familiar with them and they have county governments

If New Jersey consolidated these jurisdictions they would save a ton of money

But Christie is either too stupid or unwilling to tackle the real problem - but go after the easy targets

By the way I was an elected official in New Jersey so I know of whence I speak

Shoysun - Christie is not liked - only the "Richies" like him - not the worker bees that teach your children, put out your fires or collect your garbage and protect you like the police

Again Republicans are for the RICH — GO ROMNEY — JUK

Hmmm...where's the outrage?

Seems Chris Christie has issues with the working class. He killed the Trans-Hudson Tunnel Project that was employing thousands of construction workers, simply because he could. Seems he also "cooked the books", if you will, regarding just how much New Jersey would have pay in doing it's part:

http://www.roadsbridges.com/gao-report-shows-christie-played-numbers-behind-nj-tunnel-project

And to think all it would have taken to cover the state's cost was to raise the gasoline tax a few pennies. Instead, he cost his state THOUSANDS OF JOBS and almost $100 MILLION:

http://www.roadsbridges.com/nj-settles-us-dot-over-cancelled-tunnel-project

It also seems that Governor Christie has a penchant for helicopters:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-12/christie-airborne-for-wrestlemania-as-helicopter-flights-triple.html

He used a state police chopper to attend his son's ball games, all on the taxpayer dime. He also only paid back a portion (after getting caught) to the taxpayers, with the NJ Republican Party paying the rest:

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2011/06/chris-christie-helicopter-new-jersey/38439/

And as another slap in the face to New Joisey tax payers, he said he would do it all again...of course, this time he'd do more to not get caught with his stumps in the taxpayer cookie jar.

Oh my...I almost forgot about the State Trooper Death Race 2000 ride down the Garden State Parkway at 100 miles an hour...and Christie claims he didn't know a thing about it. He even has his "shocked and disgusted" look down pat. But, as the governor of New Joisey, he's the BMOC right? And he claims he didn't know. I find that very difficult to believe.

All this, and nothing but a thug to boot. Seems Christie has a problem with simple social skills:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkuTm-ON904

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHy6S5u7M3w

And finally, there's this:

http://www.39online.com/newsfix/wpix-governor-christie-excuse-note,0,6594366.story

So, instead of telling the kid that he should be in school, he writes an excuse note to the teacher.

So, Nojo...as a teacher collecting her big FAT pension...no outrage? Just more inaccuracies, exaggerations, and lies? You really shouldn't be posting..pathalogical liars should seek help.

But then, again, you got yours right?

Say it ain't so, NoJo...

p.s. the "flag as inflammatory" button is in the lower right, in case you need a road map to find it.

dsb,

You must also think the guy who said "Walk Softly, and Carry a Big Stick" shouldn't have been anywhere near the White House either!

So, you're saying you have no outrage, feigned or otherwise? You can only bloviate about how great Christie is? Oh the hypocracy!

C'mon, surely even YOU were pissed off when he was using that helicopter as his own personal Segway...and what's with the Wrestlemania dealie?

Oh, something else I almost forgot...what is up with his reaction on the Nets leaving the state? What's that? He "doesn't care"?

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/sports/nba/chris-christie-very-sensitive-about-nets-leaving-new-jersey-brooklyn

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/nj/Nets-leave-Jersey-Christie-lets-door-hit-them-on-way-out.html

Isn't it a shame to let all that tax revenue slip through his stumps?

Christie's not the sharpest Crayola in the box, now is he...So, no feigned outrage?

Maybe you should check your email for some new material. Maybe then you could glean some information on how putting himself out front for Walker is a good idea.

[...I am not collecting any pension- fat, thin, or otherwise.]

Sure you're not...nice Nixon impression...

You know, when someone askes you "How stupid can you be?", you shouldn't take that as a challenge.

Remember ------------------------>

Shoyson and NoJo,

Christie is a Mussolini like bully who will NEVER engage in discussion or debate. Regardless of what a Chief Executive can do what is important is what a chief executive should do. Governing by caveat is bad government whether in a Republic or a Democracy. By the way Jefferson commonly referred to our form of government as a Democracy. Christie economic policies have placed NJ at the bottom of all meaningful economic categories. The current unemployment rate is 9.0 in a 4 way tie for 43rd through 46th tie with economic powerhouses Mississippi, Georgia and Florida. Unemployment rates in surrounding states have reduced at twice the rate as NJs. Manufacturing jobs have grown in the mid Atlantic region while NJ is bleeding jobs. The number of NJ residents living in poverty has grown under Christie. Property taxes are highest in the nations while home value declines and sales in NJ are the regions worst. NJs educational rankings have despite Christie propaganda dropped. He receives an enormous amount of positive national attention because of his shock jock like behavior and the fractured nature of national GOP politics where a strong leader has been lacking. The more folks feel the result of his autocracy the less they will like him.

jkh

Barbara

NJ is truly the land of the low hanging fruit. I was amazed at the armies of toll collectors employed be the state. This process is automated in pretty much all other states. Manual garbage pickup twice a week! Unheard of anywhere else. And, you can't pump your own gas. Another scheme to inflate unneeded jobs.

Like you point out, the patronage system is so well diffused into NJ politics, that a middle school student could find billions is savings.

Christie has a well-deserved reputation as a bully.

New Jersey used to be called the "Garden State', but under Christie's jackboot it's known as the Mafia State.

Thank goodness for Newark Mayor Cory Booker! It's people like him whose selflessness helps to counter-balance the ruthlessness of men like Christie.

Mickey, NY -- And Christie took money from the Federal government for the train system just the same. He used it to balance his budget so HE would look good. And he's not the only GOP/TP governor who has played this game. These Teapublican douchebags and their outrage about people taking handouts, WTF?

And why in the heck is the Federal government giving money to these douchebags without strings attached to require them to use it as intended or they don't get the $$$? Good old state's discretion -- this was why the stimulus didn't do as much good as it could have.

The pig is a waste of the taxpayers money. We all should be demanding a refund.

Which I know you are attacking in fun, but one thing that stood out to me watching the Tea Party protest Obama care, 85% of them are fat and obese and out of shape which is one of the largest culprits in out of control healthcare. I saw it on C-Span and saw it one of their gatherings in Oklahoma. FAT!!

but one thing that stood out to me watching the Tea Party protest Obama care, 85% of them are fat and obese and out of shape

And the other 15% are on Medicare, a government-run socialist program. Oh, the irony!

but one thing that stood out to me watching the Tea Party protest

Babina - Its like watching an episode of the "Biggest Loser".

Dear Gov. Chris Christie, The only thing that’s out of control is your fat a-s.

Have another lobster tail soaked in butter on us. Seems to be the Rep. fat fu-ks that are the biggest whinners. Got no where to go so make the economy/gov. spending the main issue.

From what our President had to deal with when he took office until now, it’s a no brainer.

We hear the same crap over and over from Rep. side and it’s getting real old fast. We know who you work for, and it’s not for the people of these United States.

babina

Maybe you can explain something for me since you are so well informed.

Why does Obama need a slush fund to pay for women's preventive health care needs if Obamacare is so good?

like I said, from what our president had to deal with when he took office until now. It's a no brainer. You can bring up all the old facts you want. In reality the economy/spending/banking corruption/collapse of economy damage had already been done. Get your sh-t together. Wake up.

Is it just a rumor or Christie really going to be on the Biggest Loser?

This is for Babina -

The people on Social Security paid into it all of their working lives and the people on Medicare are also charged by the Federal Government a part of their Social Security

You are absolutely right these Tea Party people were organized and paid for by the Koch Brothers to disrupt the government and are pawns who are clueless

The Koch Brothers father was one of the original founders of the Birch Society which even in the 60's was banned from the government

And now their venimous head has risen again - like a snake in the grass waiting to strike

@what happened

babina

Maybe you can explain something for me since you are so well informed.

Why does Obama need a slush fund to pay for women's preventive health care needs if Obamacare is so good?

Most of the parts of Obamacare- ACA to educated impartial Americans- hasn't kicked in yet. Did you not know that or are you trying to obfuscate?

As to the economic situation, here's an interesting little tidbit to chew on. In 2001, bushco's own economic advisers- the economists, not the politicians like Rover- were telling him that the proposed "Bush tax cuts" would ruin the economy. When word came to Boy George that it had passed, he was in a meeting with Cheney and his top economist. His economist said," We just destroyed the economy". The response?

Cheney replied," We won the election. It's our due." Several things here are interesting to me. First, our leaders in Congress and the White House are SUPPOSED to be stewards, not owners of the govt. Secondly, they didn't take issue with the assertion or even ask why. Third, and most debatable, it's questionable whether they actually even won.The only clear majority they got was in the SCOTUS.

And now comes the most interesting question of all: How can it be that these guys were told, and may well have known- or at the very least should have suspected- that the economy was destroyed by them and yet more than 10 years later people like you want to blame someone else? His own advisers told him he was to blame at the time it occurred. And yet when they were confronted with the imminent collapse of the entire banking system and economy, Boy George ,according to witnesses, looked like a deer in the headlights (a la 9-11) and said simply ,"What do we do?" And no one knew. ( I guess that's what happens when your daddy buys you an MBA.) In the face of all of this, it seems beyond comprehension that you can be intelligent enough to read and yet not place responsibility where it truly belongs. I don't love Obama but every honest, intelligent, objective person on the planet knows that Bush crashed the plane. Why don't you?

Christie could end hunger in New Jersey just by sharing his lunch.

That's got to be Christie's lunch bill, 10.5 billion, "Like Kaybeetoys said" !

here david, article for you:

"Look at the Records, Can the American People Trust Republicans to Strengthen the Economy for the Middle Class?"

http://dpc.senate.gov/dpcdoc.cfm?doc_name=fs-111-1-118

The little mustached guy from Munich used the line that he would make the trains run on time if he was given total authority. He was right.

He just didn't initially disclose where those trains would be dumping their passengers.

Bush always told us the truth, like Iraq's WMD program that was so evolved, a nuclear program alarmingly advanced!! Uh, huh, telling us the truth. +2 trillion later, +6,000 body bags later?30,000 limbs later? Good one, then you have Rep. Paul Ryan that tells us that his 6 trillion dollar debt reduction, is targeting entitlements, that's the only spending out of control huh??

Our defense budget in 2011 was $707 BILLION dollars, that's 43% of what the WHOLE world spent on defense... and that's not out of kilter according to the Republicans.

Ryan's budget would have cut programs for the poor while INCREASING defense spending by $228 Billion over 10 years!!

@UAW makes me sick
How many times on this thread do you intend to post this false drivel? Also, incase you were in a coma from 2001 until 2009, bushco crashed the plane into the mountain. That happened BEFORE Obama took office. There are many reasons to oppose or dislike him. That's not one. Educate yourself.

And that is exactly what Obama and Biden promised. Bet you thought that was a good goal then.

It's a good goal then or now lulu but anyone with any common sense knew in 2008 that it was going to be a LONG hard haul out of the worst recession since the great depression. Still the Repubs were moaning and crying that Obama should have had it back to better levels then the housing bubble gave us in less than 4 years. It wasn't going to happen and Mitt won't get to 4% unemployment IF by some wild chance he won the election. We'll be lucky if we ever completely get over the mortgage/banking/housing fiasco.

I would like to see some of those financial geniuses who gave us the 'creative' loans see a LOT of jail time over their fraud. It won't happen though since they still have the money to buy their way out of it.

//
//

500K jobs per month was a great goal until in 2009 we find the nation in The Great Bush Depression

Nobody is arguing your point, my arguement to the point is that you waste 2 trillion in Iraq & Afg. in the same 10+ year time frame you have tax cuts that removed almost 4 trillion in revenue. Before Bush left office you never heard of a debt problem, never!!!!!! Once Obama steps into office right into the beginnings of what I call The Great Bush Depression, within 6 months of his stepping into office the Rep. Paul Ryans come out screaming DEBT!!DEBT!!DEBT!! And blaming Obama for all of it doesn't cut it for me.

HNL, I respectfully disagree with your comment. Recently former President Reagan's economic advisor was interviewed regarding the current state of our economy. You'd probably be very surprised at his views. He stated during former President Reagan's presidency tax rates for corporations were way higher then today. He added the wealthiest in this country paid way higher then currently. He went so far as to say that if the former president's tax rates were in effect today more then half the deficit would be eliminated. Surprised? He even added the GOP today should be "ashamed," of itself and what they have done to this country. If a highly regarded former GOP president's economic advisor assesses the state of our economy as such how do you think Americans feel? If this blog is any indication then Americans are very disgusted with those who continue to put politics first.

Regarding Mr. Christie's comment his brand of leadership might work in N.J. but in much of this nation it simply would not. However, I've a suggestion for N.J. residents. For every percentage point of unemployed in N.J. Mr. Christie's compensation should equally be cut. N.J.'s unemployment rate supposedly is 9% one of the nation's highest. So Mr. Christie's compensation should be cut by 9% equally. Perhaps when he feels the pain of so many others he'll be motivated to do what the people want not what he wants.

A recent CBO report stated that the deficit over the next ten years will be in excess of 10 trillion. If the Bush tax cuts expire that deficit would be projected to be less than three trillion, nothing to sneeze at but add what the cost of those tax cuts over the time they have been in effect were to the current debt and you get a true picture of what the debt is and who created it. The tea party didn't have anything to say about the debt until the President was elected. Wise up America!!!

Republican governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin came into office with a surplus same as Bush, gave a tax cut and created a deficit that didn't exist, why? So he could go after unions. I see a pattern here.

Again, I say the great modern day fallacy is that the Republican's are the "fiscally" responsible party, they clearly are not!!!

Paul

So what do you call the Obama never ending, ever growing debt crises that pushed the debt ceiling up to $16.7 trillion?

I can tell you what Obama calls it. He calls it failed leadership that has put this country at risk. I agree with Obama, do you?

jeffery

You shouldn't be so hard on him. After all, since he's become Governor, New Jersey is no longer being called the cesspool of the nation.

whathappened? I call it The Great Bush Depression beginning back in 2007 and no one wants to call it a depression, but it's a modern day version of it, taking a good 8 years to dig out of and trying Rooseveltic techniques to revive it or the Romney alternative, let everything become disolvent and in bankruptcy and the strong will resurface, whether your 401k our mine still exists is irrelevant. Added to the depression, 2 wars, unfunded and 10 years of pixie dust tax breaks that did NOTHING, but accelerate debt.

FAILED LEADERSHIP FROM 2000-2008

Well, Jeffrey, you do as you like, but you won't have many with you.

Somewhere around thirty five percent, I believe, according to Quinnipiac.

Um, all of Bush's spending from 2001 to 2006 was unncessary and not paid for, ALL OF IT, resulting in an economic meltdown that required spending by the government to keep the entire economy from a complete meltdown.

No, republican proven failed policies created the never-ending, ever growing debt crises.

Nice try at re-writing history. Major fail.

Babina

I see you're another uninformed Obama supporter running off their mouth.

Try some research first or you'll keep demonstrating Obama supporters excel at being uninformed. Do you work on that individually or do you call a team practice?

Well, I do my research and what do you know I've come up with some information for you to spread around.

I think this Obama speech will help you get informed. As it directly reflect on your information.

From Sen. Obama’s Floor Speech, March 20, 2006:

The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can’t pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies. … Increasing America’s debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that “the buck stops here.” Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.

At the time, Senator Obama was urging Congress not to tolerate an increase that would bring the debt ceiling to $9 trillion.

"what happened"

About eighty percent of the amount which has been added to the national debt during the Obama Presidency is the direct result of Pres. Bush policies or the direct result of the Great Recession which began during the Bush Presidency. During the Bush/Cheney administration almost five trillion dollars was added to the national debt.

Since Pres. Obama took office, the continuation of the Bush policies[unfunded wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the unfunded Bush income tax cuts(2001-Jan. 2011) which were extended in January 2011, Bush's unfunded Medicare prescription drug benefits program, debt service on these unfunded endeavors and etc.] have added an additional 1.5 trillion dollars to the debt.

At the same time the the financial crisis and the Great Recession and the aftermath for the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012 have cost or will cost the federal government at least 2 trillion dollars in lost revenue, this has also been added to the debt since Pres. Obama took office.

In addition, Since Pres. Obama took office well over one trillion dollars has been added to the national debt to combat the effects and aftermath of the financial crisis and the Great Recession and forestall a second Great Depression, such as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act(the stimulus), the extension of the Bush income tax cuts(begining in Jan. 2011), the payroll tax cuts and expanded unemployment benefits.

So policies and events which began during the previous administration have added at least 4 trillion dollars to the deficits and debt since Obama took office. President Obama has not been on a spending spree at at all, in fact it is quite the opposite.

President Obama inherited the out-of-control debt producing disaster from his predecessor and the vast majority of the deficits and debt which have occurred since Obama took office are a result of the policies of the previous administration or are the result of the financial crisis, the Great Recession and their aftermath.

And just what has Obama done to stop "out-of-control debt producing disaster"? He hasn't even tried to stop it. Hell he INCREASED IT by 5 Trillion in 3 years!!

Your kidding, right. Bush got his debt ceiling raised so he couldn't pay for his own folly. In fact, Obama made an this impassioned speech about it.

From Sen. Obama’s Floor Speech, March 20, 2006:

The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can’t pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies. … Increasing America’s debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that “the buck stops here.” Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.

At the time, Senator Obama was urging Congress not to tolerate an increase that would bring the debt ceiling to $9 trillion.

So your telling me that Obama's speech was an attempt to stop the dept ceiling increase to tank our economy. That make sense considering the Obama never ending, ever growing debt crises that has pushed the debt ceiling to $16.7 trillion could tank our economy in a minute if credit was cut off and he couldn't borrow any more.

Oh but that paints a negative picture of Obama, so we will change the story. Obama was away on vacation or campaigning and didn't know anything about the debt ceiling raises on;

October 2008, February 2009, December 2009, February 2010, August 2011.

The cat was away and those bad republicans must have forged Obama's name on all those spending bills. The only problem with that story is that Obama kept giving press conferences after the signing of the debt ceiling Bills proclaiming that now he had money to fund his policies.

You democrats remind me of a kid who gets caught with his hand in the cookie jar; its not my fault, the boogieman made me do it"

hmmm...I guess we have a new Redeemer shill with us...How many times do you intend to paste that old news here? Is that all you've got? That's quite lame. And FYI, if your gods hadn't demolished the economy after they became prostitutes for the .1%, Mr. Obama's deficit spending wouldn't have been necessary. Bushco used 2 or 3 stimulus packages while he was trying to figure out what was wrong with our economy. Were you objecting then? A considerable part of Obama's debt is servicing the debt that your master ran up. You Redeemers are like a bunch of drunk frat boys who crash the house boat you rent and then complain to the renter that the boat leaks. What a joke...is this really the best you can do??? Pitiful....

Or the President with the hand in the cookie jar when it was realized that there were no WMD in Iraq and what they had was quite primitive. Oh... 2 trillion dollars later and 6,000+ body bags later. Oh darn, what those Iraqis need now is democracy and free elections and a congress so they can fight and bicker and accomplish nothing like US.

A new dumb mormon republican.

Can't we keep the Mormonism out of the dumb category, believing Joseph Smith received tablets from some glow in the dark angel is no more "out there" than seeing Mother Mary's silhouette on a wall in a men's room in Toledo, Ohio, and we had no problem electing John Kennedy.

I think I am going to lay my hands on SIMPLICIO A MENDOZA JR. dissertation and cast the demon out of it!!!!

Hey MENDOZA...BARF!!!

Carlson, you just said everything that I wanted to say. Everything started to tank under Bush from unfunded tax cuts (for the top), unfunded wars (and all the repercussions from a decade of wars), a mortgage crisis and a market crash.

The Repubs never mention about this, nor do the Dems harp on it as they should. They don't mention about the bank bailout that Bush gave out from the Reserve which was 7.7 trillion$$$. We were told that it would be 800 billion $$$. Most people aren't aware of this because the media has seldom mentioned it.

What they did was lull us into thinking that everything was fine and prosperous. When Obama took office, they dumped it all on him. Suddenly there's a 13 trillion $$$ deficit that's being blamed on Medicare, SS and other government programs. Why did everything run so efficiently under Clinton who left us with a surplus? Why would anyone with fiscal sense give 2 huge tax cuts while fighting 2 wars?

Let's not forget the outsourcing of jobs that accelerated under Bush. Look at all those people who had good paying jobs suddenly working for lower wages and no benefits while the CEOs enjoyed all the cheap labor from China and India.

I'm frustrated with people who think that Obama and entitlement programs are the sole problem of our deficit. They should ask about tax cuts, wars, unemployment and bailouts for banks. That should be about what's on the table now.

poet

Obama is directly responsible for our DEFICIT. He is only responsible for 5 Trillion of our DEBT.

Deficit= spending more than you make.

Debt= total of all deficits.

A new dumb as republican.

You mean "dumb ass republican" it was either Rooseveltic technique in dealing with The Great Bush Depression or the never tried Romneytarian "let everything collapse and it will come back to life on it's own. The problem is my entire life savings in 401 portfolios hinge on someones economic philosophy and I don't want any f— — — ing free market purist idea possibly dismantling what currently is at 13,038.27 points!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, damn you. Slodan and "what happened.