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President Obama embraced a general election fight versus Mitt Romney on the core issue of the economy, casting the fall campaign as a chance to break a "stalemate" between warring political factions in Washington.
In a highly-anticipated speech in the swing state of Ohio, the president sought to re-frame the 2012 campaign after weathering a series of setbacks mostly connected to voters' concern that the economic recovery has begun to sputter.
Speaking in Cleveland, Ohio, President Obama says "this election presents a choice between two fundamentally different visions of how to create strong, sustained growth; how to pay down our long-term debt; and most of all, how to generate good, middle-class jobs."
"There is one place where I stand in complete agreement with my opponent: this election is about our economic future," Obama said at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland.
Jewel Samad / AFP - Getty Images
President Barack Obama speaks on the economy during a campaign event at the Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio, on June 14.
The speech was intended to offer a sharp contrast versus Romney, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, who delivered a stinging rebuke of the president’s economic stewardship in a speech moments earlier in Cincinnati. The Obama campaign said it was the first in a series of actions by Obama meant to frame the general election.
“What's holding us back is a stalemate in Washington between two fundamentally different views of which direction America should take. And this election is your chance to break that stalemate,” Obama said. “At stake is not simply a choice between two candidates or two political parties, but between two paths for our country.”
For Obama, the GOP path – which, he said, Romney would advance along with unpopular congressional Republicans, hand-in-hand – represented a retread of the policies during the Bush administration. A Romney administration, the president warned, would award expensive tax cuts mostly to the wealthy and let corporations run amok of regulations, all while gutting support for education and infrastructure.
The speech was firmly ensconced in a kind of “Blame Bush” strategy that Republicans frequently decry as a political red herring, and Romney tried to keep the focus on the past three years.
“He’s going to be saying today that he wants four more years. He may have forgotten he talked about a one term proposition if he couldn’t get the economy turned around in three years. But we’re going to hold him to his word,” Romney said in Cincinnati, referring to an interview given by Obama in which he said he’d be voted out if his administration failed to improve the economy.
“I know that he will have all sorts of excuses and he’ll have all sorts of ideas he’ll describe about how he’ll make things better,” Romney said. “And so if people want to know how his economic policies have worked and how they perform, why they can talk to their neighbor and ask if things are better.”
The president’s speech was billed as a major one by both the White House and Obama’s re-election team. It follows a bruising couple of weeks politically for Obama, coming after May’s lackluster jobs report, Gov. Scott Walker’s victory in the Wisconsin recall election and the president’s gaffe last Friday, in which he suggested the private sector was doing “fine.”
(Obama made light of those comments at the top of his speech: "Over the next five months, this election will take many twists and many turns, polls will go up and polls will go down, there will be no shortage of gaffes and controversies that keep both campaigns busy and give the press something to write about. You may have heard I recently made my own unique contribution to that process.")
Obama’s message on Thursday ironically mirrored much of the rhetoric he used at his last speech at Cuyahoga Community College in September of 2010. Then, when Republicans were on the cusp of a swarming victory in that year’s midterm elections, Obama also warned in that speech about the perils of electing Republicans who would return to Bush policies.
“That’s the choice, Ohio. Do we return to the same failed policies that ran our economy into a ditch, or do we keep moving forward with policies that are slowly pulling us out? “ Obama asked in the 2010 speech. “Do we settle for a slow decline, or do we reach for an America with a growing economy and a thriving middle class? That’s the America that I see. We may not be there yet, but we know where this country needs to go.”
Obama paired his criticism of Romney with what he said was an alternative vision that made up the choice in front of voters this autumn.
"The debate in this election is not about whether we need to grow faster, or whether we need to create more jobs, or whether we need to pay down our debt," Obama said. "The debate in this election is about how we grow faster, and how we create more jobs, and how we pay down our debt. That's the question facing the American voter."
The crowd of about 1,500 cheered throughout most of the speech, which extended toward almost an hour in length. The president spent a considerable amount of time delving into his hopes for what investments in energy, technology, infrastructure and other priorities could do for rebuilding the middle class.
The dueling speeches, though, offered a glimpse of the general election battle that’s set to dominate the next five months. Romney will return to the Buckeye State as soon as Sunday, during a stop on a bus tour that will take him through six swing states.
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TO: Joe in Albany who wrote:
Versus the same old, same old, failed policies of the former Republican Administration.
We know how we benefitted from the Democratic Clinton Presidency, which was the last time our economy what doing beautifully.
And we know how we suffered with the last Republican Administration that bankrupt all of America and nearly every single one of the American People (only the wealthiest were spared any pain from Republican economic calamity).
It's an easy choice for me. The Democrats who always have winning economic policies, or Republicans who always have losing economic policies.
Obama/Biden 2012
I have to apologize for calling Democrats Libtards. It is now apparent with comments like this that it should be Libturds. The same as come out of Odumbo's mouth.
Saw both speeches today and President Obama clearly the winner. I believe I heard Mr Romney state he has traveled around the country talking to many people and learned that businesses are growing...well how does he think this happened? Surely not by anything the GOP has done...only thing they know is obstruction. Ohio unemployment 7.4% and Cleveland Plain Dealer and Akron Beacon contribute it to President Obama saving the auto industry. Kasich and Romney can spin it however they want but Ohio people smarter than they think. I found Romney's speech to be boring without substance...no answers on how he would fix the economy except to return to same policies that got us into this mess....don't think so Mr Romney...American people not stupid!!!! Can't wait until President Obama kicks your a## in debates...you don't stand a chance!!!
lollllllllllllll
the funniest line of the week.
teleprompter vs skilled debater. (good luck Barry)
Jason are you really this ignorant, Romney uses a teleprompter as well. You watch any news including Fox and guess what, yep teleprompter. So I guess you are not a fan of technology, a little above your level of understanding. If everyone uses its ok except for Obama and that must or has to make him stupid like you right.
time will tell who is the better debater.
Right so why don't you let time tell and stop your silly BS
Tis.. Because that would leave only your silly bs.
Cogito.. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! good one. I am impressed you come up with that one all by yourself or did you have help.
Same ole we are the only ones that can fix this economy, just disregard that we got us in to this mess.
The only time the GOP/baggers are "fiscally" responsible is when there is a Democrat in office, then the smaller leaner talking points come out.
What is sad is that they care more about getting President Obama out of office, then they do about the Country!
What is Romoney's plan, cut taxs and deregulation's. Been there done that! Been trickled on enough!
Obama/Biden 2012 forward not back!
Yes.
When Clinton was POTUS and the GOP run Congress actually balanced the budget.
Now, tell me...when was the last time a Democrat-run Congress balanced the budget?
what's sad is... well... barry
What got us into this mess what the liberal mindset of "every American has a right to own a home", and protecting Fannie and Freddie as they cooked their books and sold hundreds of billions of dollars in toxic mortgages as "securities".
I guess you haven't had enough of history making debt, deficits, borrowing, and spending from our "history maker", right? After all, higher taxes, more regulation, more debt, more borrowing, more deficits, and more spending is GUARANTEED to get this nation going, isn't it?
Especially seein as "the private sector is doing fine", right? It's ONLY the public employee and teacher unions that really need money, because after all, they are the REAL "middle class", aren't they?
The other 50 MILLION Americans that are considered middle class are just people to steal from to pay for the unions, government spending, and of course those wonderful "entitlements".
Cheryl keep repeating this and maybe someday you will start to believe it.
It's really hard to scare people with President Obama's 'It could be worse' strategy.
lol
“The problem is, is that the way Bush has done it over the last eight years is to take out a credit card from the Bank of China in the name of our children, driving up our national debt from $5 trillion for the first 42 presidents – #43 added $4 trillion by his lonesome, so that we now have over $9 trillion of debt that we are going to have to pay back — $30,000 for every man, woman and child. That’s irresponsible. It’s unpatriotic.”.
-Barak Hussein Obama
“today I’m pledging to cut the deficit we inherited in half by the end of my first term in office. This will not be easy. It will require us to make difficult decisions and face challenges we’ve long neglected. But I refuse to leave our children with a debt that they cannot repay — and that means taking responsibility right now, in this administration, for getting our spending under control.”
-Barak Hussein Obama
Failed POTUS
The trubble is, we'll never know how bad things could've been without Obama's actions.
I'm not saying he was perfect, but it was good (not great).
I'm thankful he was smart enough to pass a stimulus- we fixed some stuff in this country at a great price and helped the economy with middle class jobs- its better action than Germany imposed on Europe which they're suffering for.
I don't think cutting teachers, cops and first responders like Romney wants is any solution. Those actions hurt our economy, our safety, our justice and our future.
lolll
trubble... like bubble?
another wel edmacted demiscrat
Jason walk on water much these days do you. How about we go back over your post and highlight your errors. You remember that glass house don't you.
sorry, I'm not generally that much of an idiot- I should've put my burrito down and focused.. Trouble.
i was only joking anyhow.
i can't spell for sh#t
Lets talk about what was missing from Mr. Obama's speech. . SUBSTANCE. He spells out a long list of various things he wants to spend money on, his Christmas wish list,, but fails to say how much they will all cost. Undoubtedly Trillions over what the government takes in for income. Then he says he wants to pay for it all by raising taxes on those making over $200,000.00 per year. Yet he fails to say how much additional revenue, if any, will be raised by doing so and fails to recognize that a significant number of those individuals making over $200,000.00 per year are members of the middle class and/or small business owners. Then he fails to give US any projection whatsoever of how long his plan will take to pay down the national debt and eliminate deficit spending.
And this is where Mr. Obama's high rhetoric feel good speeches hit the brick wall . Because, facts be known, Mr Obama's proposed tax increases will in no way create enough additional revenues coming into the government to pay for his laundry list of programs. Which means that, if Mr Obama is allowed to stay in office and his plans are passed, we can expect deficit spending to continue, no end in sight and no plan to stop it. Which in turn means that we will be looking at ever mounting record setting national debt. Presently at $15 trillion and growing at a record setting pace under Mr Obama present spending, which Congress has managed to constrain to some degree.
And when the federal government has to borrow unprecedented sums to pay the interest alone on that debt, it will take away the ability of private sector investors, that want to start a small company (or a large one), to obtain loans to do so, as all the loan money will be going to pay the interest on the massive debt Obama is presently building and will continue to build under his plans. And the economy will continue to crumble into ruins after another very brief period of revival.
This is what the future will look like under Mr. Obama Massive debts and deficits laid at the feet of our children and grandchildren for them to figure out how to pay for the rest of their lives. No thanks, Mr. Obama!!!
If you loved Bush, you'll really love the sequel named Romney, because all that Mitt is offering is GWB on steroids. He is offering nothing but a doubled-down repeat of 2001-2008.
YESSSSS
Based on your economic performance, there is no future for you Mr Obama. More of the same will not improve this nation or the quality of life of it's citizens. A 30% lost of personal wealth does not bode well for someone who is out of ideas, out of touch and out of time.
You're right. What we need is more of Dubya's brilliant policies that worked so well. Only difference is, Willard wants to double down and as Bill Clinton says "Bush on steroids". No thanks, I barely survived the crash of 2008.
lollllllll
the crash of 2008 was created by Clinton and Greenspan
OK someone call 911 Jason has completely lost it, or more of it, anyway he is over the cliff and hanging by a testicle,,,, no sorry does not have one. hanging by a........oh sorry he is gone nevermind.
don't do much reading do you Tis?
Here's some bed time reading for you.
GRIFTOPIA.
It was even written by a super libtard.
You aren't going to like what you learn though.
So now liberals have things right, Jason you need to stay on message liberal are stupid remember how could Matt write anything with intelligence. So which is it the left knows what it is talking about or we do not.
You mean your dad almost decided to pull out? Who do you think you're fooling, Intrepid?
read the book... then get back to me on the Great Recession.
Just think of how much money we could save just by taking a deep look at entitlement reform. This is a double edge sword for odumbo...if he makes cuts to welfare, he risks losing his core voter base but saves billions, do nothing and he gets the welfare vote but continues the upward spending trend.
The odumbo experiment failed! It's time to get our country back on the right track.
the crash of 2008 was caused by the CRA signed by Clinton, despite pleas from responsible conservatives Maxine Waters, Pelosi and Reed ingorned the writing on the wall. When the Pelosi Reed Congress was elected in 2006, the economy ran out of gas and tanked leaving George W. holding the bag. Look up the Community Redevelopment Act and draw your own conclusions.
Seriously Republicans....why dont you go to Fox News and comment there? Oh yeah, they dont have public comments section. I wonder why? Could it be......SATAN?????
Listen, if someone digs a hole 40 feet into the ground and then asks you to fill it up, but then gives you a shovel that has only a 2 inch wide blade, how long do you think it would take to fill up the hole created by the people who dug the hole? Answer.....FOUR MORE YEARS!!!
Now if Americans have any smarts to them, they will boot out the R party so commen sense laws and programs can 1. Fill in the ditch and 2. Create a brighter future for ALL Americans!
tick tock... tick tock... the socialist is leaving
Not according to the polls. Obama is so far ahead right now it's funny. However, D's still need to work hard to overcome the Reich Wing disinformation MACHINE. I have NEVER heard so many lies and mis truths. Ive been a republican but I have seen what their deeds have done to this great country of ours. Reverse Robin Hood....take from the poor and give to the rich. That's not my dream of what America is. Why is it yours?
we shall see.
the rich work for what they have, the majority of the 'poor' have done nothing to deserve my sympathy or my money
Jason a true Christian attitude if ever I saw one.
So you know, I make an excellent income. I am willing to pay higher taxes because I love my country and I am willing to help in it's time of need. Of course I would like to keep more of my income, who wouldn't? But in order for us to have a well run country, we cannot just cut off those less fortunate than ourselves. It's not the christian thing to do. It's not the American thing to do. Unless you like riots and burning cities. When a society takes away it's social safety net, we all pay for it. I understand it takes all of us working together, being good and fair citizens, and all of us getting ahead with a fair, progressive tax system. That being said, I'm all for new ideas that bring hope and prosperity. Just not into tired R policies that haven't worked in the past and won't work in the future.
i thought God helped those who helped themselves?
If that is the case Jason then why do you bother to pray for help.
Christians give to charity and church because the want to, Government just takes. Churches have no police, FBI or Armies to force payment, the govrnment does. The Churches and charities have no jails, the Government does. So don't throw that Christian attitude BS to make hard working Americans feel guilty.
Conservatives give more than Liberals, countless studies support that. Liberals believe more government is good. They believe in spending other peoples money rather than their own....except for $40,000 a plate fundraiser for Owebama.
The Obama campaign plan.
Blame Bush, Blame Republicans, Blame the Rich, Blame Whitey, Blame Guns, Blame Christians. It is a tired mantra that Americans are sick of hearing.
His problem is his inability to take 1 iota of responsibility for any of his failures. What is he going to say when the SCOTUS rules against the ACA? I know "its all Bush's fault". Say what you want about Bush, but the guy had at least some humility.
The Romney campaign plan.
Blame Obama
As for Bush having humility, good lord, the guy had hubris enough to start an illegal war or two, and that's just for starters.
Well now that Obama finally has a political record (that is since he never voted on anything of importance during his time in the Senate), of course Romney is going to attack his record as POTUS.
If the POTUS had a plan, maybe he could attack that.
Life Dream........How much more money that WE DON'T HAVE do we have to spend anyway?
That seems to be the answer to people like you. Borrow more and spend more.
Who gives a dam that our kids, grandkids, and greatgrandkids have to pay it off?
As long as you get "yours", right?
The GoP never cared about debt until now Cheryl! Two wars, two rounds of tax cuts, a Medicare prescription drug plan all placed on credit. Who pays for that? We all do! This economy is not going to improve on cuts alone. We need balanced cuts along with investment in things that put people back to work. Aside from the wealthy and the private sector, no one is doing particularly well. Still waiting for the "trickle down" from all of these tax cuts. When will that happen? Let's cut them some more! Sure that's working so well...
I agree we can lower spending. We must change SS and medicare/caid. AT THE SAME TIME, we must increase revenues. Get rid of the TEMPORARY Bush tax cuts. If we can't keep the middle class tax cuts, so be it.
I have a few question for all of the people who are going to vote for Mitt Romney.
1.Why?
2. What has he said that makes you believe he will change things for the better...for you?
3. Do you really believe that he will make your life better, the people making under 100k?
4. What has the GOP done for you over the past 30 years that makes you think "Ah, but this guy is different, there's just something about him"?
5. Why do you vote against your own economic interest?
Please let me know because I'm really trying to understand how any working class citizen could vote republican.
1) socialism doesn't work, the guys a product of capitalism.
2) he said he would repeal Obamascare... that will save us trillions.
3) I make more than that.
4) stupid question
5) i'm interested in debt controls something bam bam doesn't get
Here are a few questions for you. What did 5 trillion dollars of debt accomplish? Did we really get our monies worth? Do you really believe all of us will not pay the price for this massive government spending that only props up the economy for a short time? Do you really believe that more government that requires more and more tax dollars is the solution?
Answers: We need a President who will take responsibility and not make excuses and blame everybody and everything for his own failures. Free enterprise works. We need jobs that produce tax revenue not jobs that require tax revenue. The national debt will catch up to us and those that will be hurt the most will be those that can least afford it.
Jason:
1) look up the definition of socialism; it's not here! Govt. provided health care would be a good start.
2) Obamacare when fully implemented would reduce the deficit by billions. Or do you want to go back to the days of "preexisting conditions" where people are not covered?
3) then you are one of the lucky one
4) why has the GoP found religion on debt? They've been the ones exploding it with wars, tax cuts, and government jobs and spending and bailouts. Have you forgotten what happened prior to Jan. 2009?
Sacred.
that's quite a flawed post you have there.
Oh, please do tell Jason! Or do you prefer to hear it from Romney "the capitalist" who sent jobs overseas or eliminated them entirely to make a profit for Bain Capital? What's his plan?
Just what I thought.
Oh. My. God.
"The speech was firmly ensconced in a kind of “Blame Bush” strategy that Republicans frequently decry as a political red herring"....."I know that he will have all sorts of excuses and he’ll have all sorts of ideas he’ll describe about how he’ll make things better,” Romney said." ......."The president’s speech was billed as a major one by both the White House and Obama’s re-election team."
Billed as a "major one" - Why? Same ol' lame blame game. Can you believe this POS cannot take responsibility for not one of his tremendous screw-ups. The turd bombs were falling out of mouth so fast I thought he was bleeding out.
Lol if you think you are bad now vote Romney lol. You will see just how much worse things are going to get.
There is one advantage to Romney's campaign. He only has to visit 50 states as opposed to Oblamya's 57.
lolllllllllllllll
Zapper that was a real funny,, got any more hanging around that cobweb crotch of yours.
What about the seven U.S. territories and protectorates like Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S Virgin Islands that make up the U.S? Gee and that adds up to 57! Wow...
Sacred-U.S. territories are now states? Chicago Public School at work here folks.
and none of those you mentioned are states.
Tis- if your futile attempt at a cut-down was even remotely funny I might have laughed.
Obama never said they were states! He mentioned the areas he had visited along with the 50 states and that adds up to 57 states and territories. Try and keep up!
Watch if you dare Sacred. I do stand corrected on one thing, he actually refered to 58 STATES.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpGH02DtIws
The District of Columbia. You're welcome.
Your not going to watch the facts are you?
Heh heh. It was absolutely wonderful watching that exchange unfold. That Tis character is tragically misinformed.
Check this site out: www.economyincrisis.org
www.economyincrisis.org/content/protectionism-matter-self-survival#comment-6632
Too bad we'll never see these types of articles in the mainstream media
Most US Citizens are not as concerned about the "Global Economy" as they are about being able to earn a living, their children's future and the future of our country. The people with all of the excuses as to why we can't use tariffs and can't or aren't willing to manufacture products here in the US are the same people who have provided us with the thinking that's gotten us into this mess in the first place.
Unfortunately our political leaders are unlikely to do right by the United States Citizens that elected them, because they and or their parties are beholden to the same people who have been exporting our industries and our jobs.
It shouldn't be all about Democrats or Republicans!
It should be about doing the right thing for our country and the majority of its citizens. I consider myself an independent voter, but going back to the Reagan days and with the only exception having been Perot, I’ve always voted Republican. But all this single-minded, left versus right, ideological one dimensional bull has got to go! This is the problem with our country. It shouldn't be about Democrats or Republicans! It should be about Americans, especially our elected officials, doing the right thing for our country and its citizens.
Both parties have sold out the bulk of the American citizens, who they're supposed to represent, by allowing the "out-sourcing" floodgates to open wider and wider without taking any sensible measures to stem the tide. (Under Clinton jobs to China, Under Bush I & II influx of illegals or cheap easily abused labor into the US and jobs to Mexico/NAFTA) Our leaders are elected by the Citizens of the United States of America to represent the interests of those citizens and the country itself. They are NOT elected by the Global Market Place or foreign citizens!
We need whoever wins the next election to Start Protecting American Jobs and do whatever it takes to bring back the jobs they let go. They've got to give us somebody who will stand up for the American people.
We need to bring manufacturing back to the United States of America and both parties are ignoring tariffs as a way to level the playing field, raise money and bring jobs back home. Let's guess why. Oh that's right, tariff is a dirty word. Hum, maybe it’s that our so called leaders (political leaders) are beholden to the same people who are exporting our jobs.
I guess we should keep letting Corp Boards, Wall Street, CEOs and Foreign Lobbyists promote sending US jobs to countries where they work for slave wages, no benefits, no OSHA safety standards or no real environment regulations. How's that been working for us?
The so called “Global Market Place” is not a level playing field. Companies may have made higher profits by "out sourcing", but they've been putting middle class Americans who are a good part of the world’s customer base out of work. I’m not a lefty or member of any union. I run a business that employs over 20 people and produces products that are purchased by customers that do manufacturing and packaging. I’m just an average Joe, but I've been saying this for more than 10 years now. If I can see it, so can our so called leaders (political leaders) who are beholden to the same people who are exporting our jobs.
We need to add tariffs that are proportionate to the inequities in wages and regulations in the country where the goods were produced and or where we’re importing them from. We could then use the money raised by these tariffs to help companies build state of the art manufacturing plants here in the USA, which would create more jobs here at home for US citizens, which would then in turn increase our income tax revenue.
The people with all of the excuses as to why we can’t or aren’t willing to manufacture products here in the US are the same people who have provided us with the thinking that’s gotten us into this mess in the first place.
Over the past 15-20 years, I've seen too many of our customer's close manufacturing plants here in the USA and move those plants to different countries, decimating entire areas here in OUR COUNTRY. And I'm not alone. Returning jobs to American Citizens will provide income tax revenue to OUR Government versus our government having to pay unemployment benefits to those who would be jobless instead.
Bringing manufacturing back to the US not only gives jobs to the US citizens who would be working in those manufacturing facilities, but to the people that would be working in the businesses that would spring up all around them. This should also include the safe harvesting, production and distribution of our own natural energy here in the USA, rather than paying for fuel from countries where they hate us. Let’s keep that money and those jobs here in the US.
These so-called “free trade agreements” have to go. It was obvious when they were passing these agreements as to what was going to happen and sure enough it did. Our leaders had to have known this as well when they were passing these bills. It’s just common sense. We also need to bring customer support services back to the United States of America and staff them with employees who are US Citizens.
The “Global Market Place” is not a level playing field! The whole idea of the tariffs is so we can pay our factory workers a decent wage and not be blown out by these other countries where they don’t play by the same rules.
We may have to pay a bit more for products made here in the USA by US citizens, but at least we'll still have jobs and a future for our children.
The bottom line is that “Our Government” has to protect American industry and the jobs that those industries provide. If they do that, the rest will take care of itself.
All this single-minded, left versus right, ideological one dimensional bull has got to go!
This is the problem with our country.
It shouldn't be about Democrats or Republicans!
It should be about Americans, especially our elected officials, doing the right thing for our country and its citizens.
It doesn’t matter who fixes it – Just Fix It.
HereinUSA......... Well said! And as long as you mentioned Perot, he actually warned "there will be a huge sucking sound as the jobs leave this country" if NAFTA is passed. Being a highly successful businessman, he was able to foresee what would happen.
Some might say, well now we can sell our goods in so many other countries. That's true, and there certainly are benefits to that, but when over time most of the goods being sold to these other countries aren't even made in America, how is it benefiting us as US citizens? As with many consumers, there was a time when I would look for the best deal available and didn't care where the product was made. Now, I'd be more than willing to pay a little more if it meant helping bring back and keep jobs here in America. I think many other people would do likewise.
Our politicians on both sides of the aisle sold us down the river years ago and continue to do so. Take into account that NEITHER side is truly willing to compromise and do what's right for the people and you have the mess we're currently in. At no time in my 54 years have I seen the country so divided, and that's largely due to the rhetoric from BOTH parties and their inability to do anything to fix the problems we currently face.
I don't like Obama or Romney, but I feel a successful business man "might" have more success at helping turn our economy around than someone who really has no business experience. What bothers me most is that for many of my voting years it's always been a choice of the lesser of 2 evils versus voting for someone who I really believe has America's best interests at heart. This election will be no different.
Reply to richinmaine1
If all the American citizens that felt the same way that we do marched to Washington to protest, I think think the earth might tip over.
They have to stop fighting with each other and actually get things done that are in the best interests of the citizens of the United States of America, who are the people that elect them and the people and country that they are supposed to represent!
Jason- you say socialism doesnt work. Obviously you feel obama is a socialist. Then why in Jan and Feb 2009 did he not move to nationalize the banks( there was a large section calling for this) rather then just "give the banks money" to restabilize.
Now what sociaslist would give up the opportunity to not take control of the banking sector. This is a core belief of socialists.
But then reality and facts coupled with your belief system are contradictions in terms
he couldn't get away it.
do you really think he's a capitalist? really?
Jason got his info from Rush Limbaugh and Fox News! America is no where near a socialist country but that doesn't stop the right wing from throwing words around, hopefully people won't find out what they really mean...
i don't own a TV or listen RL.
folks, Obama's a socialist pure and simple.
You said you made more than $100K and you don't own a TV? Sounds like you're the socialist...
Everytime I wonder how on Earth we managed to end up with Barry in office, some moron comes along and answers the question without even realizing it.
I have a question, that requires a 1 word answer; there's no need for spin, no need for explanations. The answer will be either Democrats, or Repulicans. You ready for the question?
Over the last several years, President Obama and the Democrats have introduced several Transportation bills or infastructure bills, that would have put, according to all economists, millions to work, and the bills were all paid for, adding nothing to our debt. Which party in the Senate used their "voting block" to not allow even a discussion or compromise on the bill to make it "better" on the Senate Floor?
Your 1 word answer please.
economist are great at predicting past results.
don't listen to a one of them, no matter what aisle they sit on
Not an answer..But, they were looking forward not backward..Try again..
Brad. you are simply STUPID and should not be allowed to vote. You are in the ditch with Obama. He is a loser and has done nothing except campaign and vacation over the past 3.5 years and has introducted nothing accept a bunch of talk and blame.
You're either young, stupid, or both if you believe anyone in DC who says "this will add nothing to our debt." Sounds like something Imtepid would post.
Awesome.
then you missed my answer and my joke.
let's try again.
you wrote, "according to economists"
since i don't value anything that any economist has to say then the entirety of your sentence can be dismissed.
I'm still waiting for an answer..Up to now, your comments are nothing but blowhard comments and signs of ignorance of fact. Would you like to try again?
Republicans
Tis The Season,
We have a winner!!
Simply stated... If you try to defend Obama's failures and continue to vote for him,
you are STUPID!!!
Your opinion and you are entitled to it
Bush lead the economy into a hole
Obama lead the economy out
Bush lost 800,000 jobs a month
Obama created 60,000
Complain all you want about the recovery being slow, there IS a recovery. A recovery from the failed policies of a president who cut taxes during a recession and 2 wars. What happened, the economy tanked.
Obama comes along and increases spending, the economy starts picking up.
GOP takes over the House and puts an end to all domestic spending, the economy starts to suffer again.
With all other things equal, we can say definitely that GOP policies will tank the economy.
First thing you've said that's made any sense. Nice job.
If Democrat had any brains they would run anyone except Obama. Even Hillary would be better. Actually, anyone would be better
To clarify: "Nice job" was for Brad, not Bear's BS.
When did it become the Federal Government's job to provide for LGA? Don't states tax their citizens as well? It was never intended that the Federal Government was suppose to balance the state's budget.
We have sales tax, state income tax, Federal Income tax. Then you spend your whole life working hard to provide for your children and grandchildren, but unfortunately you eventually die. Now we have Uncle Sam with their hands out again with the Estate tax. I am sure if local governments could figure out a way, they would charge your family an annual property tax for your burial plot.
The Obama slogan should be. "Work harder, millions on welfare depend on you" Still waiting on the 50% deficit reduction Mr. President! Still waiting for you to reach across the aisle.
You are wasting your comments on this site. Most of the egg heads are Obama supports and too stupid to understand that he and the Democrats are killing America.
I am out of here. Can't stand the stupidity.
Avg American,
Don't let the door hit you on the way out..
My Michigan family came for a visit this week. They are as republican as you can get - will not listen to anything good about Obama and definitely does not watch MSNBC. Last evening I asked them what the Dow was when Obama took office - they said - Oh, somewhere around 14000. I told them - NO, it was somewhere around 8300.
This point has to be made again and again on a daily basis. Unbelievable how short some people's memory can be.
All Democrats reading this post....We MUST work hard to prevent our beautiful country from being ravaged by another round of selfish thinking. We must be willing to give our time and our $$ to stop the REICH wing from gaining the Presidency. And if we also create super majorities in Congress we can begin to shape this country into what it needs to be for the next century!
This does nothing but cast doubts on your own bloodline. Sounds like a personal issue.
and the point is...
With interest rates at practically negative rates, the stock market should be at 20,000. That it isn't speaks volumes about the POS potus. There is nowhere is to go except gold, which has gone up dramatically more than the stock market. Because when you are really scared, gold is the ticket.
Dudelips - Its not about my bloodline - its the *hole my sister married. People need to be reminded how bad things were in the fall of 2008.
I've done very well with my Canadian Stocks (and not a cent invested in gold - 14+% return last year. But I have to pay close attention to what the lunatic right is doing in Washington and sit tight when another debt ceiling debate happens. I sold almost everything and put it in cash about 3 months before the debt ceiling debate last summer - when everything tanked I bought.
I guess the point is that businesses are not really doing that badly - they are making money and I get dividends.
Feisty=Filthy
Democrat=Demon
Obama=Odumbo
Before you write Filthy, read your words to yourself in a mirror. The filth is going to be removed in November both Republican and Democrats alike, the gentle giant has been awakened and he doesn't like the fact that you can maybe talk filthy, retort angrily and or spend all day waiting to be the first to post. In fact that is probably such a boring existence that I to could become you, well not. The only thing this administration has accomplished is some of the worst rational for a out of control spending spree, a lack of knowledge of what is truly needed to create jobs, a large number of people who will never now know anything other then how to cash a government check, and I truly find it amazing that a mass of people find it totally acceptable that this President who receives a check from me and has done absolutely nothing other then deliver speeches that purely seem to have a different date stamp.
It's Bush's fault. It's Bush's fault. It's Bush's fault. It's Bush's fault. It's Bush's fault. It's Bush's fault.
It's Bush's fault Odumbo is a POS.
It's Bush's fault Libturds are morons.
Its Bush's fault that America is sick of horsesh!t excuses.
Its Bush's fault the POS blew so much money.
It's Bush's fault Obamacare sucks and the numbers were so bogus.
It's Bush's fault the Libturds never put forward a budget.
It's Bush's fault Odumbo lies all the time.
It's Bush's fault Obamanation will lose with a mandate in November.
It's Bush's fault the Libtards will have to get jobs.
Jimmy Carter now comes in black.
Buh Bye Obama/Biden with a Mandate 2012
ROMNEY 2012
Sadly it was Bush's fault along with Reagan who raised taxes, spent like a drunken sailor and exploded the ranks of the government. Funny how conservatives think that everything happened in the last 3 years and blame Obama for the mess he inherited.
The poor baby shouldn't have taken the job if everything was so messed up.
Let me just ask you this, what was your life truly like when either Reagan or Bush were in office? I pose this question to everyone who tells me they are either wavering or voting for Mr. Obama. This usually starts as a very lively discussion but in the end it usually comes out that they were living rather well with a job.
YUP it is Bush's fault!
Hussein Zero talks about the "economic future." 2012 is HIS "economic future" of 2008. Nice work FAILURE. There is No Future with Less Than ZERO! Start Packing barry-and take your Pathetic Delusions with you. Good Riddance To Bad White House Trash!
Alan - sounds more like you are racist trash. And all you other blow hards out there - don't come back at me with the "Oh - that's the Democratic answer to everything - Racism." That's baloney!
Why should you get a shot at the future another time Mr Current President? When you ran under the same assumption last election. And everything is still the same 3 plus years later.......even your excuse for things not getting better, that you inherited this still atrociously bad economy.
You sound like an old scratched viynl record Mr. Current President.
Don't worry Romney will go back to the same policies that created this mess. So you'll be happy perhaps...
Some will never get it. When the President took office we were shedding 800,000 jobs a month. 3 years later we are adding 60,000+ a month.
How is this not getting better?
Things are better than they were in the fall of 2008 - MUCH better.