Between A Rock And A Hard Place:

Seems like everyone in Washington is talking about taxes. President Obama does not want to raise taxes on the middle-class and would like the wealthy to pay their fair share. Members of Congress do what they do best: Divide along party lines, do nothing and talk, talk, talk. And Mitt Romney wants to protect his one percent friends by cutting their taxes even more.

The fact is that taxes is the last thing Romney should be talking about because it opens the door regarding his holdings in Swiss bank accounts, secret accounts in the Cayman Islands and in Bermuda. It also reminds people that he paid approximately 15% in taxes while average Americans paid between 30% to 35% of their income in taxes. Warren Buffett reports that none of his money is in foreign bank accounts. Buffett stated that American banks do a good job holding his money.

So why would Romney have money in Switzerland? Does he believe the Swiss Franc is stronger than the American dollar? If that were true, then there would be no need to have money stashed away in Bermuda or the Caymans. There must be some other reason. Maybe he is using tax loopholes to avoid paying his fair share; but if they are legal tax loopholes, there is no need to hide his fortune. Could it be that he has made money in foreign investments that has not been reported? Now that would be a real problem.

Democrats will continue to insist that Romney release multiple years of tax returns. That pressure puts Willard between a rock and a hard place. Right now Romney is hoping the issue will go away, but by not releasing his tax returns Romney looks guilty of something. Month after month of ads asking Romney to release his tax returns will take a terrible toll. The longer he waits the more guilty he looks and the perception of being a tax dodger becomes a reality. If he does release his returns close to the election, then that will be the topic until Election Day.

So maybe Willard should immediately release old tax returns…like this Friday the 13th. But that could be a nightmare if we see that Willard's investments are not fitting of a man running for POTUS. Perhaps there is a "smoking gun" that reveals there are large sums of money that went untaxed.

Personally, I do not want to believe Romney and his team of accountants has engaged in any form of tax evasion. But the longer he remains silent, the more doubt that is created. With the exception of tax evasion, whatever the Romney camp fears will be less significant than the perception that he is hiding something.

Beyond Decimating Public Sector Jobs: GOP's next move to keep unemployment high?

GOP is putting women out of work at a much faster rate than men. Women have lost four public sector jobs for every 10 gained in the private sector since June 2009. (Men have lost respectively, one in every ten).

The GOP/Koch cuts to government jobs are stalling our nation's economic recovery and especially hurting women, according to a new report from the National Women's Law Center. This finding goes along with their general assault on females.

Hey lefty liberals: Did you see what those evil Republican bastards are doing in Scranton PA??

The city is broke and the mayor reduced all city workers pay to the minimum wage of $7.25 an hour in order to make payroll. The mayor said they are so broke they only have $5,000 left in the bank with a $1,000,000 payroll.

Bastard Republican’s!!!!!!!!!!

What?!?

WTF?!?

NFW

Really???????

The mayor and the city council are all Democrats??????

Now, THAT’S FUNNY!!!!

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

Scranton's Public Workers Now Paid Minimum Wage

July 7, 2012

The city of Scranton, Pa., sent out paychecks to its employees Friday, like it does every two weeks. But this time the checks were much smaller than usual. Mayor Chris Doherty has reduced everyone's pay — including his own — to the state's minimum wage: $7.25 an hour.

Doherty says his city has run out of money.

Scranton has had financial troubles for a couple of decades — the town has been losing population since the end of World War II. But the budget problems became more serious in recent months as the mayor and the city council fought over how to balance the budget.

Doherty wants to raise taxes to fill a $16.8-million gap. The city council wants to take a different approach and borrow money. City council members did not respond to NPR's requests to discuss the dispute.

"I'm trying to do the best I can with the limited amount of funds that I have," Doherty says, "I want the employees to get paid. Our people work hard — our police and fire — I just don't have enough money and I can't print it in the basement."

After paying workers Friday, the city had only about $5,000 left in the bank. More money flowed into city accounts that day, but it was still not enough to pay the $1 million the city still owes to its nearly 400 employees.

Scranton's public workers received a few days' warning this was coming. John Judge, a firefighter and president of the International Association of Firefighters, Local 60, typically receives about $1,500 every two weeks, after deductions. On Friday his check was less than $600 — before deductions.

"Don't know how I'm going to pay bills at home. I may be able to stave it off for a little while," Judge says. "[The] kids aren't going to be able to do certain activities this summer — maybe we're not going to be able to go on vacation."

The firefighters' union, along with the police and public works unions, have taken the city to court. Lackawanna County Judge Michael Barrasse issued an injunction, essentially agreeing with the unions that the city was breaking the law, but Doherty says he doesn't have another choice. Despite the injunction, he had the city send out paychecks based on minimum wage.

The unions plan to be back in court first thing Monday morning to ask the judge to hold Doherty in contempt.

There's been no love lost between Doherty and the public employee unions because of this battle; they've already spent the past decade in a legal dispute over pay that went all the way to the state supreme court. Both sides come to this latest battle with plenty of baggage and hard feelings. But with nearly 400 city workers receiving a fraction of the pay they typically get, pressure is building to resolve the issue soon.

Good morning all my liberal friends

This Is It!

For the 31st time tea baggers will vote in tandem to repeal Obamacare; BTW, Our President does care

Today the House Republicans will again bring up ACA for a political vote. It doesn’t matter to them that they are wasting time. Time that could be spent passing the JOBS ACT. Now that would be a productive use of time. Nonetheless, they are committed to making FOOLS of themselves. Go right ahead. These extremists have had 2 years to come up with an alternative solution to the healthcare crisis. TWO YEARS. Nothing, nada, zilch has been brought forth. These Republicans are COWARDS. They are afraid to tell the American people what they would or wouldn’t do to replace ACA. Why? Because they know if the American people knew what they had planned they would never vote for them.

VOTE these useless REPUBLICAN FOOLS out of office. They do not deserve their government paychecks.

Defining Willard is equivalent to Mission Impossible!

Trying to identify the pathological serial liar who earns 57K per day is like trying to nail Jello to a wall!

Willard has NEVER met a position he wouldn't switch!

Shame the GNOP is stuck with the most flawed candidate in history... well NOT really... lol

JoA: Mayor Chris Doherty has reduced everyone's pay — including his own — to the state's minimum wage: $7.25 an hour.

Of course, the Democrats answer to this will be to raise the minimum wage.

Come on Feisty - I can define Romney quite easily. He is arrogant, he is an elitist, he is greedy, and he is a Morman. Add to the fact that he is a cheat, the people of Mass - where he was governor don't really like him much and it is doubtful he will carry that state in Nov, and he is a Morman - Bubba and the SBC in the south are not gonna turn out for him - I think I'll define Mittens as over and done. Gone, like a Nixon file, gone, gone away (John Hiatt - Gone).

The battle to define Romney

Yeah it sure is! Even his own handlers are having a hard time of it. They've already shaken the Etch-A-Sketch more times than a kid on a long summer road trip.

Defining Willard is equivalent to Mission Impossible!

I like lying, conniving piece of crap! Just sayin'.

If R-money does not know where his money is he can't run the American economy. Simply put!!!

Hey Mitt what are you hiding? I heard if you reveal those tax returns you'll be accused of *gasp* voter fraud. Then I heard you are worst than Chicago's Al Capone in regards to tax evasion.

But, hey it's all good R-money because it's legit. Then again on the other hand it is unpatriotic and hypocritical to LIE about our President not knowing what he's doing when it is you R-money who doesn't know where y0ur money is.

What's on the house business for today? Oh another repeal vote on the AHCA, making 31 or 32. Tomorrow will be another abortion bill vote. Friday go home. Great, another productive week, in adding jobs.

Good private sector news from NY State Dept of Labor:

Albany, NY (June 14, 2012) -

"New York State's private sector continues steady growth while the labor force expands at a rapid pace, the State Labor Department reported today. New York State's economy added 6,100 private sector jobs, or 0.1%, in May 2012. Since the beginning of the state's economic recovery in November 2009, New York State has added 336,900 private sector jobs and regained all of the private sector jobs it lost during the recession. The state's private sector job count now stands at 7,321,400 - an all-time high."

http://labor.ny.gov/stats/pressreleases/pruistat.shtm

UB: Come on Feisty - I can define Romney quite easily. He is arrogant, he is an elitist, he is greedy, and he is a Morman.

My. Care to explain what you have against the Mormon (note spelling) religion Baby? Please, spare no details. Waiting patiently for your answer. Many thanks.

*waves to Bev*

Hiya GF - trust you have fully recovered from your Birthday festivities... ;o)

*wave to Snuffy*

Good to see you back from rehab - are you gonna try for another "time-out" today honey? lol

The last one was priceless...

One of the big differences between the liberal and conservative philosophies is our views on poverty. The liberals believe that being poor is a permanent, immutable condition; conversely, conservatives believe that while there are certainly those who will need help indefinitely (for example the physically and mentally disabled, seniors living solely on their SS benefits etc.), the majority of them just need a hand up.

With the massive entitlements available today, being poor has actually become a viable lifestyle choice. Remember, it's politacally convenient for the Democrats to maintain a solid base of poor people. If they didn't, who would vote for them?

Obama/Biden...the tantalizing choice for masochists in 2012

On the day President Obama was sworn in, 15 senior GOP leaders met and got the wrecking ball out. With the goal of sabotaging our economy, they went on the warpath with austerities and obstruction. They planned to bring down Barack Obama's presidency by preventing a strong U.S. recovery. And they pledged to keep this strategy going all the way till the 2012 election, without regard for human suffering.

So tell me Backhouse what did these 15 accomplish when the Democrats controlled the Whitehouse, the Senate and the House from 2009 through 2011?

Did they stop an increase in the top tax rate? No, because that only requires 50 votes in the Senate.

Did they stop comprehensive immigration reform or the Dream Act? No, because that was not important enough and not introduced until after the 2010 election.

Did they stop Single Payer or the Public Option from being included in the PPACA? No, that was Joe Lieberman and other Democrats such as Ben Nelson and Mary Landrieu.

Did they prevent the Senate from presenting a budget in over 3 years?

Now, we have cities going bust because the money is running out as predicted. Stockton, Scranton and San Bernardino have no money left and as the Democratic mayor of Scranton says, "the state has no money and the Federal Government has no money". Did the Republicans cause the failed budgets these cities? No, but what the Administration did was to expand Medicaid with a 3 year limit on what they will pay and expect the states to find even more money (maybe the type that grows on trees).

The Administration spends 800B+ on a stimulus did they invest in the future or create any lasting infrastructure. No, the Administration simply hands money out to the states to hide their budget excesses for two years, and when the money runs out the jobs go away.

Were the Republicans responsible for this? How about the 30,000 troop surge in Afghanistan?

All this Administration has is excuses and you Backhouse, by continuing to post this drivel are it's biggest apologist.

Excellent post Backhouse: And for those who may like to know who was at that meeting and what these less than patriotic citizens plotted......

Robert Draper Book: GOP's Anti-Obama Campaign Started Night Of Inauguration

WASHINGTON -- As President Barack Obama was celebrating his inauguration at various balls, top Republican lawmakers and strategists were conjuring up ways to submarine his presidency at a private dinner in Washington.

The event -- which provides a telling revelation for how quickly the post-election climate soured -- serves as the prologue of Robert Draper's much-discussed and heavily-reported new book, "Do Not Ask What Good We Do: Inside the U.S. House of Representatives."

According to Draper, the guest list that night (which was just over 15 people in total) included Republican Reps. Eric Cantor (Va.), Kevin McCarthy (Calif.), Paul Ryan (Wis.), Pete Sessions (Texas), Jeb Hensarling (Texas), Pete Hoekstra (Mich.) and Dan Lungren (Calif.), along with Republican Sens. Jim DeMint (S.C.), Jon Kyl (Ariz.), Tom Coburn (Okla.), John Ensign (Nev.) and Bob Corker (Tenn.). The non-lawmakers present included Newt Gingrich, several years removed from his presidential campaign, and Frank Luntz, the long-time Republican wordsmith. Notably absent were Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) -- who, Draper writes, had an acrimonious relationship with Luntz.

For several hours in the Caucus Room (a high-end D.C. establishment), the book says they plotted out ways to not just win back political power, but to also put the brakes on Obama's legislative platform.

"If you act like you're the minority, you're going to stay in the minority," Draper quotes McCarthy as saying. "We've gotta challenge them on every single bill and challenge them on every single campaign."

The conversation got only more specific from there, Draper reports. Kyl suggested going after incoming Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner for failing to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes while at the International Monetary Fund. Gingrich noted that House Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) had a similar tax problem. McCarthy chimed in to declare "there's a web" before arguing that Republicans could put pressure on any Democrat who accepted campaign money from Rangel to give it back.

The dinner lasted nearly four hours. They parted company almost giddily. The Republicans had agreed on a way forward:

Go after Geithner. (And indeed Kyl did, the next day: ‘Would you answer my question rather than dancing around it—please?’)

Show united and unyielding opposition to the president’s economic policies. (Eight days later, Minority Whip Cantor would hold the House Republicans to a unanimous No against Obama’s economic stimulus plan.)

Begin attacking vulnerable Democrats on the airwaves. (The first National Republican Congressional Committee attack ads would run in less than two months.)

Win the spear point of the House in 2010. Jab Obama relentlessly in 2011. Win the White House and the Senate in 2012.

"You will remember this day," Draper reports Newt Gingrich as saying on the way out. "You’ll remember this as the day the seeds of 2012 were sown."

Draper's timeline is correct. On Jan. 21, 2009, Kyl aggressively questioned Geithner during his confirmation hearings. On Jan. 28, 2009, House GOP leadership held the line against the stimulus package (Senate GOP leadership would prove less successful in stopping defections).

The votes, of course, can be attributed to legitimate philosophical objection to the idea of stimulus spending as well as sincere concern that the secretary of the Treasury should personally have a clean tax-paying record. But what Draper's book makes clear is that blunt electoral-minded ambitions were the animating force.

Whether or not that's shocking depends on the degree to which one's view of politics has been jaded. What's certainly noteworthy is the timing. When Mitch McConnell said in October 2010 that his party's primary goal in the next Congress was to make Obama a one-term president, it was treated as remarkably candid and deeply cynical. Had he said it publicly in January 2009, it would likely have caused an uproar.

By extension, however, the Draper anecdote also negatively reflects on the Obama administration for failing to appreciate how quickly congressional Republicans would oppose the president's agenda.

Anyway you want to slice this, their actions are tantamount to treason, these so called 'leaders'. If you support what these men plotted you too are equally to blame. Not once since this congress has been in session have the republican/tp members on their own initiative done a single thing to help the economy, the country or its citizens. It would appear they are rather proud of themselves.

Shame on them, and shame on anyone who supports this kind of activity. Shame on Romney for supporting their plans and helping to keep the country in a state of disrepair.

Scranton and Harrisburg do not have the options available to Stockton and San Bernadino- Pennsyvania municipalities must get the Governor's approval before filing for bankruptcy. Harrisburg sought to circumvent this law and file without the approval; their petition was tossed as being an illegal filing.

By the way, the Democratic mayor of Scranton has an added option to fix his fiscal mess- he wants to raise taxes in Scranton by 78% over the next few years.

Should he prevail, the last resident should please remember to turnout the lights before leaving that benighted town.

Personally, I do not want to believe Romney and his team of accountants has engaged in any form of tax evasion.

___________________________________

Dr. Ron: Do you really believe the BS you post here on FR??

I guess PT Barnum was right "There's a sucker born every minute." YOU would love it if it turned out that Romney engaged in tax evasion.

Of course, that would just make him look like one of the many tax crooks that Barry has in his cabinet or tried to nominate to his cabinet. Geithner, Sebelius, Daschle, and let's not forget former Chairman of the tax law writing House Ways and Means Committee "Cheater Charlie" Rangel.

Women have lost four public sector jobs for every 10 gained in the private sector since June 2009. (Men have lost respectively, one in every ten).

Can we have the rest of the story please? Like, what is the ratio women to men employed by the public sector? I'll be waiting and thanks.

New York State's private sector continues steady growth while the labor force expands at a rapid pace, the State Labor Department reported today. New York State's economy added 6,100 private sector jobs, or 0.1%

Anybody see the contradiction between the word "rapid" and the actual number of 0.1%?

It appears that poor JoAnna has not learned anything from her enforced time out. But, there are people who cannot learn, and having read her posts these many years, she is certainly among them.

The House Republicans continue to obstruct by trying to repeal the ACA. You have to hand it to them, once they decided that the American people are unimportant and the only thing on their agenda was to obstruct and defeat their President, why, they simply keep that tunnel vision focus on themselves and refuse to do what is best for the country.

It is JOBS, "teabaggers". You said that only YOU could create JOBS.

That is, if you actually are patriots and care about country.

We know that you don't.

This coming from someone who touts his financial expertise lmao;

Facing renewed criticism from the Obama campaign and new questions about his offshore investments in recent reports, Mitt Romney said on Monday that his offshore investments were managed by a blind trust and he had no knowledge of their whereabouts.

"I don't manage them," he said in an interview with Radio Iowa's O. Kay Henderson. "I don't even know where they are. That trustee follows all U.S. laws. All the taxes are paid, as appropriate. All of them have been reported to the government. There's nothing hidden there. If, for instance, you own shares in Renault or Fiat, you still have to disclose that in the United States."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/10/romney-offshore-investments_n_1661708.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

If Willard doesn't know where is OWN money is, why the hell should we trust him with ours?

Ron,

Just like the GOP strategy of austerities and obstruction, Mitt Romney lives in a private world where he is sure he can screw folks over and get away with it.

Something in Romney/GOP psyche says there really is one rule for him/them and one for us.

For 30 years, Presidential candidates have been releasing tax returns. Some part of Romney thinks the American people will roll over on the elephant in the room -- his refusing to show his record. Not going to happen.

Romney is applying to be President of the United States, and his tax returns matter 350%.

Any one hear from Ruken lately?

COME ON ROMNEY. LET'S SEE THOSE TAX RETURNS. Not just 1 or 2 more (we've only seen 1), but at least 5 or 6. For crying out loud your Father produced 12. You've had plenty of time to "DOCTOR" them up by now. Who wants to vote for a President who won't come clean with the citizens of the United States of America? Who does this guy think he is? To good for the common man or women of this Country I guess.

You've got to be crazy to even think about voting for this guy.

OBAMA IN 2012.

In 1994, Mitt Romney said "blind trusts are a ruse"; you can give a blind trusts rules. If Romney thought blind trusts were a ruse to avoid paying taxes, to hide the money from the US, then why should we believe him today when he claims he has no idea what his blind trusts are doing and has no idea where his money is. Liar, liar, pants on fire.

I'll repeat it again, I do not care how much money Mitt Romney has; I may feel that purposely bankrupting companies is immoral and contemptible but it was/is legal. We have had many very wealthy presidents and presidential candidates but we have never had a presidential candidate with millions hidden in off-shore accounts. I DO care that Romney feels he is above the rules for everyone else, rules his own father established. Romney must release close to the same number of tax returns as President Obama has (11). If Romney keeps his millions hidden in secretive and off-shore accounts, how can and why would any voter trust him as President?

No one questions whether or not Romney has paid the taxes required under the law, we question his secretiveness. If, as Romney claims, he has nothing to hide, then why does he continue to hide his tax returns? Inquiring minds should want to know this. Romney is the most secretive candidate since Richard Nixon. We know how that worked out.

Hey, Bill Fairfax, that last sentence describes Mitt Romney perfectly--"you can tell when this guy is lying, his lips move".

The battle to define Romney: The Obama campaign and its allies argue that their work to define Romney... is working.

The Obama campaign bought 68,000 spots for their ads in swing states in the month of June, 75% of which were negative (By the way, where is all the liberal outrage that was leveled at Romney for running negative ads during the primaries? Hypocrites much?). By contrast the Romney campaign only ran about 23,000 ads in the swing states. Currently, in an average of all the polls in all the swing states, Obama only leads Romney by 2 points---47-45. Can you say rope-a-dope?

njnbnj: By the way, the Democratic mayor of Scranton has an added option to fix his fiscal mess- he wants to raise taxes in Scranton by 78% over the next few years.

Looks like Dunder Mifflin will have to move on. Maybe to a GOP controlled city/state.

JoAnnaSmith1

JoA: Mayor Chris Doherty has reduced everyone's pay — including his own — to the state's minimum wage: $7.25 an hour.

Of course, the Democrats answer to this will be to raise the minimum wage.

But, of course! You can't buy Grey Poupon mustard on minimum wage. Neither can you pay rent/ mortgage, car note, insurance, etc.

You also forgot--The city of Scranton, Penn. now faces two federal lawsuits over a decision last week to slash public employee's pay to minimum wage. Unions representing the city's workers also are asking Lackawanna County Judge Michael Barrasse to hold Mayor Chris Doherty in contempt of court.

I was amazed and confused by the revelation that Mitt Romney is now running as a Clinton Democrat. But Romney claimed that Clinton cut taxes when the commonly known truth is that Clinton raised taxes. Is Romney a liar or an idiot? Or both?

Anybody see the contradiction between the word "rapid" and the actual number of 0.1%?

_________________________________

Alan: This is lefty liberal spin for low infomation Obamabots (ALL Dems and some left leaning independents). It works due to the successful education efforts of all those wonderful Math and English teachers that got laid off.

So Backhouse and Gingerbread Mamma, how many Republicans have been defeated in elections for "obstructing" the Administration?

Given the 2010 election results and the predictions for the House and Senate elections in 2012 it would seem that the majority supports their obstruction. Given the fact that Claire McCaskill does not support increasing the tax on those earning more than 250K is she considered an obstructionist, or simply representing the majority view? What about Bill Nelson, Jim Webb, Chuck Schumer, Jon Tester and Joe Manchin. All obstructionist?

Joe:

Yes, I do believe what I write here. You see, I'm more open-minded than you and have no desire to poison my opponents. That too is unlike you.

Additionally have more respect for our President and do not engage in the childish game of name calling.

Alan: This is lefty liberal spin for the low infomation Obamabots. Must be due to the successful education efforts of all those wonderful Math and English teachers that got laid off.

I'm now happy to know my salary has being growing rapidly throughout this Administration.

GBM good morning. Your comment and quote is great.

On that meeting of senior GOP leaders in the Caucus Restaurant on President Obama's Inauguration Day :

Thom Hartmann said you can see congressionals going in and out - he can see the Caucus from where he lives.

Was it treason, sedition or conspiracy, or all three?

The media so far, has been mighty quiet about such an unconscionable, inconceivable moment in American history. While 1.3 million Americans watched the Inauguration, could they have imagined this plot to bring down our country and its President, and during a Great Recession?

I was amazed and confused by the revelation that Mitt Romney is now running as a Clinton Democrat

Houston!

When did that happen?

Last I heard Willard was running as "severely conservative".

You mean he pulled another switch-a-roo? lol

Additionally have more respect for our President and do not engage in the childish game of name calling.

Ron,

You just have to consider the source...

Bevvie: But, of course! You can't buy Grey Poupon mustard on minimum wage. Neither can you pay rent/ mortgage, car note, insurance, etc.

Of course the entire point goes right over Bevvies head. See Bevvie, having a good economy and a solid tax base is the solution to the problem. Two things the Democrats cannot provide.

Health care theatrics on the Hill...

Theatrics? This is a brilliant political move. It forces the Democrats to stand up and be counted on a bill that is immensely unpopular. Those who are running in vulnerable districts will almost certainly pay the price and for the others, this will give their Republican opponents another issue to run against them on.

Joe:

Yes, I do believe what I write here. You see, I'm more open-minded than you and have no desire to poison my opponents. That too is unlike you.

Additionally have more respect for our President and do not engage in the childish game of name calling.

_________________________________

Dr. Ron: You seem very impressed with yourself, which only proves you are VERY EASILY impressed.

Bev. On the day the President Obama was sworn in.....

Rom deadfish flipped the bird at President Bush on national TV (covered up by MSNBC) thus showing the nation how they intended to govern and establishing the relationship with the republicans. They stayed true to form and got what they asked for. Dems said "F U", Reps said "F U" back.

In times of economic recession, Presidents have increased public sector workers (and teachers) as a proven recovery strategy. But this time GOP cut 700,000 public sector jobs. The total cost of fallout, including loss to local economies and businesses, has been estimated at 2.3 million jobs. Now please factor in the cost of GOP obstructing an additional 1.9 million jobs in the American Jobs Act:

So Presidents used hire teachers? That's news to me. Did they do this before or after the creation of the Department of Education? However, out your figure of 700,000, are these job losses exclusive to states with Republican governors? Have there been any public sector cuts in Democratic states? Given that cities are now filing for bankruptcy, although non controlled by Republicans yet, how do you propose to employ more teachers, police and firefighters when they can't pay the ones they already have?

On the AJA, please tell me how this is materially different from the 2009 stimulus and why you think its lasting effects would be different. Consider in your answer that Insanity is defined doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome.

Well imagine that, the guy who brags about his own wealth (which anyone who really has it rarely does) Albany Joe thinks fire fighters and police officers who put their lives on the line every single day, should be paid minimum wage. He may not have meant it that way but he more or less agreed with it. Ignorance is bliss, Albany, if the GOPers in the House and the filibustering GOPer Senators got off their collective rear ends, those cities and towns would not be bankrupt. Econ 101 is recommended reading.

As for "leftie liberals" and big government spending, Albany Joe should direct that question to none other than Reagan, Bush and Bush, and their respective political off-spring plus throw in Romney for good measure. Paul Ryan's budget blows a hole in the budget with more massive and unfunded tax cuts for the wealthy but Mitt thinks it is "marvelous". Anyone who takes a bit of time to do real research instead of throwing out Frank Luntz talking points, will find that Democrats reduce the size of government and Republicans increase it. This phenomenon began with their saintly Ronald Reagan. Conservative? Really, the GOP hasn't been fiscally responsible or conservation for 30 years. The last GOP President to balance a budget was the crook Richard Nixon, the last GOP President with a budget surplus was Dwight Eisenhower. The last Democratic president to both balance the budget and create a budget surplus was Bill Clinton--who did not have a near Depression dumped in his lap by the irresponsible GOP. Clinton cleaned up Reagan and Bush's mess but neither of them left economic Armageddon in their wake.

Hey, Albany Joe, don't let truth get in the way of your narrative. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

Must be nice to live in a bubble where when you continually hear a word bandied about, decide it would be a good idea to use it RATHER than research its true origins.

“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” - Plato

Girl friend, that is an echo chamber the tea baggers and the puppets manipulated by the Koch bros lobbyist, Grover Norquist, the NRA, and ALEC reverberate nothing but empty noise. The NYT debunked R-money's LIE about our President out sourcing jobs.

Plato is right Willard and the GOP/T Baggers are fools.

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

*waves to Bev*

Hiya GF - trust you have fully recovered from your Birthday festivities... ;o)

Thanks GF I partied until 3AM, I had so much fun. It was a wang dang doodle, I danced so much I still need liniment. I slept all day Monday and had meetings to attend Tuesday.

I see the idiot in Albany is still doing his unimpressive copying and pasting while Fool's Gold is posting things only a fool would post.

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

I was amazed and confused by the revelation that Mitt Romney is now running as a Clinton Democrat

Houston!

When did that happen?

Last I heard Willard was running as "severely conservative".

I guess you missed the video that Lawrence O'Donnell ran of Romney praising Clinton and the "good things" that the New Democrats had done. Like Clinton "cutting" taxes. Apparently, Romney's trying to bamboozle the low-information voters into believing he's a moderate -- like Bill Clinton, who was no more or no less a moderate than Barack Obama.

Ron Indiana

Joe:

Yes, I do believe what I write here. You see, I'm more open-minded than you and have no desire to poison my opponents. That too is unlike you.

Good Morning Ron

I would say, since Ron copies and pastes his comments from the GOPolitico website and the laughs his ass off, Joee has no mind at all. At the very least with all the laughter Joee excudes his mind is not at all where it is supposed to be. It is just like most Fox Viewer minds

http://www.politicalarticles.net/images/Fox-News-Brain-Room.jpg

Mind you this GOPolitico is the website who fired a man for telling the truth about R-money

define Romney: No Core, arrogant, spineless, likes trees, likes to fire people, saved the auto industry, secretive, callus, has friends that own athletic teams, straps dog to car roof, does laundry, defunder of planned parenthood, capital venture vulture, panderer, etch-a-sketcher, greedy, never missed a meal, elitist, bully, out-sourcer, raiser of fees, 49th Country for job creation, one term Governer, boring. The list of Willards attributes is endless. Wasn't there a movie named Willard, about rats?

Let's play "Find the Troll". Ready?

Review the above posts. Find the person that baits, baits, gets ignored then finally calls someone out by name. The Troll will reveal themselves below...

Ready... Go! (winner gets an all expense paid trip to Amercia). Have fun!

Regardless of the frantic damage control for Romney that so-called "fact checkers" are doing regarding his outsourcing of jobs, here are the real facts as reported by an actual investigative reporter (unlike fact checkers, investigative reporters deal in facts):

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/romneys-bain-capital-invested-in-companies-that-moved-jobs-overseas/2012/06/21/gJQAsD9ptV_story.html

During the nearly 15 years that Romney was actively involved in running Bain, a private equity firm that he founded, it owned companies that were pioneers in the practice of shipping work from the United States to overseas call centers and factories making computer components, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

...

Bain’s foray into outsourcing began in 1993 when the private equity firm took a stake in Corporate Software Inc., or CSI, after helping to finance a $93 million buyout of the firm. CSI, which catered to technology companies like Microsoft, provided a range of services including outsourcing of customer support. Initially, CSI employed U.S. workers to provide these services but by the mid-1990s was setting up call centers outside the country.

Fools Gold wrote:

Remember, it's politacally convenient for the Democrats to maintain a solid base of poor people. If they didn't, who would vote for them?

This is classic right wing BS. REPUBLICAN governors prefer to keep the workers in their states poor and dependent on government hand outs. They keep minimum wages low and offer no healthcare so that workers are forced into taking food stamps and assistance for medical needs. All this while handing out tax cuts and other welfare to Business. Then they can scream about all the people on welfare while toting their balanced budgets. Those balanced budgets are balanced because they throw everyone on to the federal government's tab.

Hey, Albany Joe, don't let truth get in the way of your narrative. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

__________________________________

Jody: You're kinda cute when you go on a rant and let your leftous indignation run wild. How's the weather today on Planet Liberal, or as you call it "Iowa"?? :~)

BTW, your post was cute enough that I voted for it.

Here's another hint ^^^^!^^^^

Beverly in Chicago

"The city of Scranton, Penn. now faces two federal lawsuits over a decision last week toslash public employee's pay to minimum wage. Unions representing the city's workers also are asking Lackawanna County Judge Michael Barrasse to hold Mayor Chris Doherty in contempt of court."

So, Bev, tell us what your solution in Scranton would be. Obviously, the Scranton tank is empty. I believe Doherty is a democrat.

Houston!

CSI employed U.S. workers to provide these services but by the mid-1990s was setting up call centers outside the country

Except that CSI wasn't "outsourcing " jobs as much as enhancing sales of American products overseas:

"By the time Romney left Bain, Stream’s call centers had grown from just a few hundred people in Massachusetts to approximately 5,000 employees across the United States . Stream was not ‘shipping jobs overseas,’ but creating thousands of jobs for American workers in places like Massachusetts, Oregon, Tennessee, and Texas. Stream’s international operations served foreign clients in their local languages across Europe …If you called Microsoft or Dell from the United States for technical support, we answered the phones from one of our locations in the United States. If you called Microsoft, for instance, in French from France, we answered your call in France."

- Scott Murray, Former President of Stream International

The Washington Post article cited in your post was ironically debunked by The Washington Post when it gave the Obama attack ads based on the same article, four Pinnochios.

Joee excudes his mind is not at all where it is supposed to be.

_____________________________

"excudes"??????????

Bev: it looks like all that money you spent on those ESL courses was totally wasted.

Moron.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Backhouse

Was it treason, sedition or conspiracy, or all three?

The media so far, has been mighty quiet about such an unconscionable, inconceivable moment in American history. While 1.3 million Americans watched the Inauguration, could they have imagined this plot to bring down our country and its President, and during a Great Recession?

Yes, Yes, Yes!!!

Rand Paul Calls for Revolt After Health Law Ruling

He also suggested Americans should revolt. “The Stamp Act was a direct tax imposed on the colonies by King George III. This act inevitably led to the American Revolution,” Mr. Paul wrote. “Just as the Stamp Act did in 1765, Obamacare should act as a wake-up call. Chief Justice Roberts provides us with a similar call to action.”

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2012/06/29/rand-paul-calls-for-revolt-after-health-law-ruling/

Texas will secede and you’ll finally get that pony

• Batsh*t Crazy • Conservatives • Texas

http://pandagon.net/index.php/site/comments/texas_will_secede_and_youll_finally_get_that_pony/

http://www.prosebeforehos.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/obama-wants-white-slaves.jpg

http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/antheabutler/5776/_sarah_palin%3A_obama_wants_to_make_white_people_slaves/

Let's play "Find the Troll". Ready?

Well, that is easy. It is the I'm a fat cat Albanian Idiot. That pond scum honestly thinks his dollar is worth more than your dollar, which makes the idiot-savant thinks he is wealthy. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

Poor, POOR, JoAnna: Dems can't provide a good economy? Really?

So what were the Clinton years?

By the way poor JoAnna: I wouldn't say much about Ruken. What is this, your SECOND suspension?

Here is the latest from Rasmussen, the most accurate pollster over the last two presidential elections – this is among 'Likely Voters', which is much more accurate than polls of 'Registered Voters' since polls of Registered Voters typically overstate the Democrat by about 4% compared with actual results (Republicans are more likely to vote);

Electoral Votes for Obama (strong + leaners) = 246

Electoral Votes for Romney (strong + leaners) = 192

There are 7 'Battleground States' – CO, FL, IA, NC, OH, VA, WI. In those states, Romney has a slight lead in FL, IA, NC, OH and WI, with 78 Electoral Votes which would bring him to the magic number of 270 Electoral Votes to win. In the other two states of CO and VA, with 22 Electoral Votes the candidates are exactly tied among Likely Voters.

One other point worth mentioning is that 'Undecided Voters' typically go to the challenger (Romney in this case) by anywhere from 60% to 90%, and with about 8% in the 'Undecided' column, Romney has a distinct advantage at this time – the 'best guess' at this time is Romney with 292 Electoral Votes to 246 for Obama. But of course the election is months away, and anything could happen. The link is as follows;

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/archive/2012_electoral_college_scoreboard

Romney's Character.

Sometimes, this facet of Romney’s personality isn’t so subtle. In July 1996, the 14-year-old daughter of Robert Gay, a partner at Bain Capital, had disappeared. She had attended a rave party in New York City and gotten high on ecstasy. Three days later, her distraught father had no idea where she was. Romney took immediate action. He closed down the entire firm and asked all 30 partners and employees to fly to New York to help find Gay’s daughter. Romney set up a command center at the LaGuardia Marriott and hired a private detective firm to assist with the search. He established a toll-free number for tips, coordinating the effort with the NYPD, and went through his Rolodex and called everyone Bain did business with in New York, and asked them to help find his friend’s missing daughter. Romney’s accountants at Price Waterhouse Cooper put up posters on street poles, while cashiers at a pharmacy owned by Bain put fliers in the bag of every shopper. Romney and the other Bain employees scoured every part of New York and talked with everyone they could – prostitutes, drug addicts – anyone.

That day, their hunt made the evening news, which featured photos of the girl and the Bain employees searching for her. As a result, a teenage boy phoned in, asked if there was a reward, and then hung up abruptly. The NYPD traced the call to a home in New Jersey, where they found the girl in the basement, shivering and experiencing withdrawal symptoms from a massive ecstasy dose. Doctors later said the girl might not have survived another day. Romney’s former partner credits Mitt Romney with saving his daughter’s life, saying, “It was the most amazing thing, and I’ll never forget this to the day I die.”

So, here’s my epiphany: Mitt Romney simply can’t help himself. He sees a problem, and his mind immediately sets to work solving it, sometimes consciously, and sometimes not-so-consciously. He doesn’t do it for self-aggrandizement, or for personal gain. He does it because that’s just how he’s wired.

Many people are unaware of the fact that when Romney was asked by his old employer, Bill Bain, to come back to Bain & Company as CEO to rescue the firm from bankruptcy, Romney left Bain Capital to work at Bain & Company for an annual salary of one dollar. When Romney went to the rescue of the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics, he accepted no salary for three years, and wouldn’t use an expense account. He also accepted no salary as Governor of Massachusetts.

Character counts!! (and yes...that's worth reading again!)

For those inquiring as to Romney's "Clinton" like 'philosophy' -

did you all see THIS little gem?

http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/06/a_balanced_approach_tax_like_bush_spend_like_clinton.html

Yeah,...good luck with that whole

Tax like a Bush and spend like a Clinton thing. Bwaaahaaaa! you 'con'servatives crack me up.

Anything to WIN, eh?

PS. You pretty much have to put anything Romney says in sarcastic 'air quotes' because every fact checker in the world knows you can find Romney taking a completely opposite quotable position usually within the same speech! more laughable than W's compassionate conservative comment is Romney vs Romney.

Roy Wilson -- I've seen that same post posted everywhere by right wing trolls. What's up with that?

Bitterhawk

The Washington Post article cited in your post was ironically debunked by The Washington Post when it gave the Obama attack ads based on the same article, four Pinnochios.

You got it backwards, Sparky. The "fact" checker's attack on Obama came BEFORE the article exposing Romney's role in outsourcing jobs to foreign countries:

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/06/wapo-fact-checker-defends-four-pinocchios-for-outsourcing-ad-against-romney.php

Where I live, long division is taught at the third grade level- I'm assuming everyone posting here achieved at least that much education.

So- pencils ready? Okay. You have 328 employees. You have exactly five thousand dollars with which to pay them from now until October first. How much should they be paid.

No fair using a calculator- I am pretty sure that's what's wrong with so many people today. They simply cannot do simple arithmetic.

Any of you liberals ever understand the old saying about the impossibility of getting blood from a turnip? This is not a discussion about the relative worth of firefighters and police officers- it is an arithmetic problem, caused by a democratic mayor who spent money on things like Treehouses, Dog Parks, and First Night celebrations- while his city was going broke.

Good grief, do you folks EVER focus on the real issue?

Alan haven't you heard that obamabots have this tree in DC where you pick money from, yea I think hussein planted it in the south lawn. Wait till they find out the tree died along with public sector jobs. Yep you libbies are going to have to compete in the private sector for jobs based on performance and without union protection. Oh and by the way you can sue Mama all you want but if she can't pay the rent and buy groceries you still won't get an allowance. There is this thing called going broke just ask the citizen's of Greece and Spain.

JoAnnaSmith1

Bevvie: But, of course! You can't buy Grey Poupon mustard on minimum wage. Neither can you pay rent/ mortgage, car note, insurance, etc.

Of course the entire point goes right over Bevvies head. See Bevvie, having a good economy and a solid tax base is the solution to the problem. Two things the Democrats cannot provide.

No. It is not making a dent in your cranium; honey.

Without a solid tax base, such as the middle class, you can't pay things that allow the economy to expand. Are you aware that there are differences between the state and federal exemption standards?

For another thing, you have no F***king idea what you are talking about. Stupid is as stupid does. Repeating the same failed RWNJ talking points and actions with no production is stupid.

Don't be stupid!!!

Sometimes, this facet of Romney’s personality isn’t so subtle. In July 1996, the 14-year-old daughter of Robert Gay, a partner at Bain Capital, had disappeared

Are you seriously pandering a run away crack whore to tout Willard's character? lmao!

Ooo-ooo-ooo- I know, pick me, pick me.

JoannaSmith1 is the troll.

Actually, it is believed that JS1 is several trolls who work for the RNC. During the training period for one of the trolls they forgot the password for the former "JoannaSmith" and had to create a new account and add the "1" to the troll name.

Ok, what do I win? Huh-huh-huh?

But seriously folks, define Romney?

A liberal, a conservative and a progressive walked into a bar. The bartender looked up and said....(wait for it).....What'll it be Mr. Romney?

That really much says it all.

Obama/Biden 2012

HI ya, Skip! Are you sweltering there? Good to see you!

And laughed at the joke!

Houston!

Did you bother reading the rest of the post? CSI (formerly Stream International) did not outsource jobs as your post claims. As for the article you linked, it appears that you are correct (my bad), but that doesn't change the fact that both you and Obama are blatantly lying about Romney's background. You also should note that Kessler stood by his rating AFTER THE FACT.

Roy

Great post about Romney's character. A pity you posted it way down here where nobody reads. Maybe a re-post is in order?

I had heard these things before, but strangely Romney himself is silent about them (maybe a Mormon thing?) which somehow makes them mean more to me.

@Dont....carry....it...all #1.66: I'll answer. The Righties wish to establish a modicum of integrity upon Romney, who, if the story is true, behaved as any normal person would, especially toward a very monied partner. Does nothing to modify the general perception held by so many, that Romney's lack of integrity and character, amply illustrated by His political behavior, His disdain for the poor and middle class, renders Him unfit for the Presidency.

Yes, there are cities in California going bankrupt. Yes, Scranton is in a crisis as well.

Republicans/Conservatives/GOPTP are ecstatic. Nice.

Wouldn't it be better if Congress tried to work together, tried to compromise, tried to actually fix things? Instead, Congress is having another symbolic vote to repeal the recently-affirmed-as-constitutional health care act. Instead, Congress is infatuated with abortion. Instead, Congress is decimating public sector jobs.

Sigh...

I think it is funny that at this point in the election season, the GOP is still having to define Romney. And, they will still be trying to define him on November 6th. Romney has no convictions so you can't define him by what he stands for - or against.

He has no personality so you can't define him according to that. He has no beliefs -they change faster than most of us change our underwear.

He has little or no integrity - the lie after lie after lie proves that.

He has few friends to ask about him.

He is the politician who, during the worst economic time in our country outside of the great Depression, decided it was appropriate to build a car elevator in his home. Let's see, people losing their homes, wondering where they are going to get money for food and he thinks it's the best time in the world for a presidential candidate to flaunt his wealth.

This is the man who believes so much in our country that he keeps his money in accounts in the Caymans and Switzerland.

This is the man (and I use that term loosely) who actually believes we should vote for him because it's "his turn."

And, the GOP is still trying to "define" him. Good luck with that. I don't think they'll like the definition very much.

Obama/Biden 2012

Bitterhwak-

Romney was silent about that incident? Seriously? He used it in a campaign ad when he ran against McCain, and it was recycled (frame for frame, word for word) by an "unrelated" SuperPAc during the Republican primaries.

I am glad Romney did what he did, but the fact that he capitalized on and publicized his friend's tragedy for political gain is reprehensible.

[So- pencils ready?]

Aww...isn't that cute...NoJo still putting her "teaching skills" to work.

So, NoJo...how's that big FAT teachers' pension working out for you? You know the one...paid for by New Joisey taxpayers?

And no, Smiffy (another "retired" teacher) you may not answer for her...although I'm sure you're not sending your big, FAT TEACHERS PENSION check back any time soon, right?

Yeah...now what was that about hypocrites?

Romney on blind trusts in 1994: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkikKelEuQM

Mitt Romney questioning Democrat Edward Kennedy over the then-senator's blind trust in a 1994 Senate debate. During the campaign, he called Kennedy's blind trust "a ruse," arguing that it is easy to determine where one's money is going.

Fast forward…

Romney on blind trust in 2012: "With regard to any foreign investments, I understand, and you understand of course, that my investments have been held by a blind trust, have been managed by a trustee," Romney said. "I don't manage them. I don't even know where they are. That trustee follows all U.S. laws. All the taxes are paid, as appropriate. All of them have been reported to the government. There's nothing hidden there."

Are you seriously pandering a run away crack whore to tout Willard's character? lmao!

Feisty - one interesting outcome of Romney being president - the nation will get a week off to search for every crack whore teenager that the GOP/TP cannot control. Talk about an indefinite vacation. That will kick the economy into gear.

Agreed Mac. Well said.

[I had heard these things before, but strangely Romney himself is silent about them (maybe a Mormon thing?) which somehow makes them mean more to me.]

Wait...what?

Really?

So, you like the "silence" factor in your "candidate"? Fact is, Romney has some questions that need to be answered, and even some in his own party are calling for those answers. You would think you would want to know if he is hiding anything, yet you want to take Romney at his word?

That post by Roy has excerpts from the same crap that has been circulating the internets for weeks...at least Roy is defending Romney, something NoJo just can't bring herself to do.

Ain't that right, NoJo?

VOL

He used it in a campaign ad when he ran against McCain...

I didn't know this as they don't run political ads in the state where I live because it's so consistently blue. As for capitalizing on the story, you KNOW if this was Obama's story, the entire country would be made aware of it, if not by Obama himself, then by the drooling liberal media.

Not releasing those tax returns is a bad idea for Romney. And he has taken so long to respond to this or just to make it happen that it is ridiculous.This was damaging in this primary and in 2008! Ted Kennedy brought it up! Did you think Obama was not going to bring it up? I wasn't going to vote for him anyway, but if i was on the fence i would be troubled by this and start thinking all kinds of outrages things because of Romney's inability to explain himself. Like for example, what if he companies he owns in the Caymans or else where own factories that employ children or are sweatshops. Or worst, like that republican operative who was convicted of running a sweatshop that performed forced abortions and wanted the tags to say "Made In America" he also lobbied conservatives with propaganda to support the tag because the locals were being taught Christianity (only in conservative America smh!)... i cant remember the guys name right now.. but if there are things that bad that would come out through his tax returns.. I would probably keep those under rapps too lol

Not releasing those tax returns is a bad idea for Romney.

LosMan123

This is only an issue for liberals.

I wasn't going to vote for him anyway...

And this is why nobody else cares.

Bitterhawk -- Sorry but many CONSERVATIVES are calling Romney out for not being forthright on anything. Wall Street Journal and Weekly Standard are two very conservative papers that had op-ed's on Romney's inability to take a stand or be up front.

Bitterhawk - it is an issue for liberals, Independents and Moderate Republicans. There has NEVER been a presidential candidate who has not released their tax returns. Romney's father released 10 years of his. Romney clearly has something to hide - if not, then he's a totally ignorant buffoon who doesn't understand what he is doing. Either way, he's not Presidential material.

Obama/Biden 2012

Bitterhawk,

Wrong! notice i said that if i was in the fence?? 10% of us are!

If the guy who wants to make changes in our tax code cant or refuses to produce his own tax returns should be alarming to anyone Reps, Dems and Indi's.. even a person running for mayor produces tax returns to allow a vetting process by the people. Reps made a big argument at some point or another over birth certificates... This is much bigger than that i think! The fact that ppl like your self are so blinded by the "anyone but Obama" way of thinking that you would elect a guy that you cant vet is scary to me. Obama is not perfect but at least you know where he stands and he is not afraid to take unpopular positions without having to check with his handlers first.

SHOW US YOUR TAX RETURNS... this is not going to go away!! Even Gov. Christie is calling him out on it although not specifically by name! so Reps care too

LosMan123 -- You are correct. For decades the standard practice is for Presidential candidates to release their tax returns, many years worth. This is fairly simple to do and all Presidents and candidates have done so. The fact that Romney refuses to do so speaks volumes.

Sorry but many CONSERVATIVES are calling Romney out for not being forthright on anything.

it is an issue for liberals, Independents and Moderate Republicans

I realize that you want this to be an issue, but it simply isn't. It's like all of the other straw men that the left has thrown out there hoping to find something that will stick. While I typically don't place a lot of importance in poll numbers this early for predicting the outcome in November, they are good for showing current trends. Unlike June where Obama enjoyed a consistent 2-3 point lead, the race has recently returned to being a statistical dead heat. What that means is that they are trending in Romney's direction. If the Bain attacks or the more recent calls for tax returns and the hoopla about offshore accounts were having any affect, this would not be the case.

Wrong! notice i said that if i was in the fence?? 10% of us are!

Well which is it, are you not going to vote for him anyway or are you sitting on the fence? You can't claim to be a member of the group of undecided voters if you've already made up your mind.

If I was John Cornyn I don't believe I'd ah told that. Any half wit would be bound to retort; what the hell were the republicans doing during the last 2 plus years? Where was their plan to get us outta this gulley? Additionally, most are beginning to like most of the A.C.A. provisions, now that they are being forced to correctly understand It's real personal benefits. I will add here, the insurance industry would never sanction a repeal of this act. Too much volume coming their way.

Now to Scranton, Pa., and another thousand or more cities and towns across this nation. Their plight is a direct result of constricting revenues, brought about by joblessness in both the private and public sectors, inequitable wages for those who do have jobs, and a lack of funds from state and federal governments to even maintain vital infrastructure necessary to their survival. Meanwhile, republicans and their looney minions, continue pushing for reduced taxes on the wealthy, reduced wages for those who work, and an absence of basic sustenance for the infirm, and those who are disabled, or too old to work.

An overwhelming national spending stimulus on all segments of infrastructure will relieve this, targeted and managed correctly, will in fact, right our economic plight.

Now, enter the crazies. How will we pay for It? The government has no money. Do you people actually believe, when money is spent It disappears? The problem is quite evident. Due to outlandish government corruption, allowed by both wall street financial entities, the wealthy in general, and really pissy actions by our Federal reserve, the countries wealth, currency, supply and demand equations, etc, are all out of reasonable balance. It is vital for this nation, that we have this stimulus. It is vital for this nation that we have "Universal health care". It is vital for this nation to maintain and enforce a progressive tax system appropriate to the wealth of those taxed. It is way past time those elected to represent us, get about the business of our well being, and the economic security of the nation. I believe our President is, and in fact, has been ready. Now, responsible people must ask themselves; why haven't the republicans, who criticize the President for using government to help the nations people, even offered anything of substantive relief for anyone, other than the wealthy who built and hold the peoples present suppression?

TYLER - I still don't understand how you allow this type of offensive post by Feisty while banning others for things far less serious. Where is your 'fairness'?

"Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL "Are you seriously pandering a run away crack whore to tout Willard's character? lmao!"

Bitterhawk

Did you bother reading the rest of the post? CSI (formerly Stream International) did not outsource jobs as your post claims.

An executive for the company claims that, despite what SEC filings by the company prove as reported by the Washington Post. Facts that the Stream executive you quote didn't deny:

By 1997, Stream was running three tech-support call centers in Europe and was part of a call center joint venture in Japan, an SEC filing shows. “The Company believes that the trend toward outsourcing technical support occurring in the U.S. is also occurring in international markets,” the SEC filing said.

Stream continued to expand its overseas call centers. And Bain’s role also grew with time. It ultimately became the majority shareholder in Stream in 1999 several months after Romney left Bain to run the Salt Lake City Olympics.

Bitterhawk rants:

As for the article you linked, it appears that you are correct (my bad), but that doesn't change the fact that both you and Obama are blatantly lying about Romney's background. You also should note that Kessler stood by his rating AFTER THE FACT.

Kessler is a coward who refuses to admit his mistakes. He's doing damage control for Romney. Sure Kessler has given Romney many four-Pinocchio awards for his lies, but he's fearful of being accused of liberal bias, so he has to hand out a few to Democrats to even the score. Kessler ought to award himself four Pinocchio's for denying he screwed up when he clearly did.

No wonder Bitterhawk is bitter, having to back a loser like Romney.

Dont_carry_it_all "Roy Wilson -- I've seen that same post posted everywhere by right wing trolls. What's up with that?"

Just a nice story about Romney's 'Character'. Feel free to post one about Obama's 'Character' - if you can find one.

TYLER - I still don't understand how you allow this type of offensive post by Feisty while banning others for things far less serious. Where is your 'fairness'?

Will you look at that?

Big bad comment spamming Roy-boy is squealing to the moderators... lol

Pull up your big-boy depends and deal with it!

PS: Since when is telling the TRUTH grounds for a suspension?

Moron!

ROY WILSON-336103

Romney's Character.

Sometimes, this facet of Romney’s personality isn’t so subtle. In July 1996, the 14-year-old daughter of Robert Gay, a partner at Bain Capital, had disappeared.

I've no doubt that Romney views the lives of his business cronies' kin as having some value. It's the "little people" whose jobs, pensions, and lives he destroyed without compunction during his years as a vampire capitalist that Romney apparently views as worthless.

Bitterhawk -- Guess you missed to today's poll out showing Obama ahead:

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/polls/237189-poll-obama-holds-small-lead-nationally

BTW -- Romney not releasing his tax returns is AN ISSUE whether you want it to be or not.

An executive for the company claims that, despite what SEC filings by the company prove as reported by the Washington Post. Facts that the Stream executive you quote didn't deny

Nobody is denying that jobs were created overseas, that isn't the issue. The question is if these jobs helped or hurt job creation here. These jobs actually increased jobs in the US by enhancing the ability of companies to sell American products in foreign countries. For you to try to spin it any other way is just outright lying. If you were interested in providing your fellow liberals here with the truth, why don't you link them to Politifact or Factcheck.org? I would, but I'm tired of this topic, it's a non-issue.

There is one thing though that you might ponder, however. How do you think this will play out in the debates when the moderators inevitably ask about it? Romney not only will be provided with the oppurtunity to exonerate himself, but he will also be able to expose Obama as the bald-faced liar that he is.

Ah, chaos is sprawling over the Newsvine!! Just how I like it....

Mitt Romney is, frankly, an elitist, right-wing, corporate sell-out. The man blathers on and on about how he spent his time in business and how he wants to create jobs for the middle class, but he fails to give them a single major job-creating idea. His 59 point plan has some good parts, but not a lot of specifics. He claims to know how jobs are created, yet fails to realize that tax cuts don't create jobs and that the "job creators" are the consumers, not the wealthy or businesses. The man has practically thrown out all of his ideals just to become electable; he used to be for abortion; now he's against it. He is a pathological liar: his own website contains a basic mathematical lie about the national debt. If Obama raised the debt by $6 trillion, and the rest of the presidents raised it by a little less, how is it that the debt is $15 trillion??? If he's counting public debt, he botched up the ratios of Obama's debt; if he isn't, he plainly doesn't know how to add. Romney claims that he can balance the budget, cut the debt, and rein in entitlement costs, all without raising taxes or cutting defense. If Romney were to extend the Bush tax cuts (adding roughly $4 trillion to the deficit) and pass his own round of tax cuts, he would raise the deficit to an enormous $10 trillion+, not to mention his expansion of the defense budget. In short, Romney has no idea of where he is going, how he will fix our nation's problems, or even what he believes in.

OBAMA BIDEN 2012

We all (including most Republicans) know that Mitt Romney is a habitual LIAR. We all know that he was a LIBERAL governor with a LIBERAL agenda. We all know about his experience at Bain. We pretty much know everything about the former Mitt Romney. What we don’t know is what he ACTUALLY BELIEVES IN (other than more tax cuts for the “job creators” – ie. THE RICH) or how he will implement the “secret” plans he has to “save” this country. When asked a question on his position about an issue of the day, the frequently repeated answer is “we’ll get back to you on this.”

After listening to Mitt day after day, the best way to define him: he is like the “weather.”

Don't

Apparently you missed the word TRENDING in my post, even though I took pains to make it stand out for you. Look at this link, and make sure you scroll down to view earlier polls so you can see the trend:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/us/general_election_romney_vs_obama-1171.html

If future polls revert back to the June trend that I was talking about, it won't be because of the issues we were previously talking about as they have probably been discounted into the current polls. Also, note the RCP average which is currently at 1.6 points, well within all of the polls' margins of error ( making the race a statistical dead heat, like I said).

Hi Dawn,

NAAAHHHH, we're used to the heat. It's actually only 95 right now. Brrrrrrr. Chilly. Now my little foundling Shih Tzu would argue with me about that. After rescuing him from the middle of a busy street I did some research and learned that Shih Tzu's do not do well in hot weather because they have trouble regulating their body heat. Luckily "Taz" (that's his name) has a nice big air-conditioned dog house (my home) to live in with his beautiful beardie big sisters so he only has to suffer the heat when he goes out to do his business.

Take care,

Skip

Obama/Biden 2012

Fiesty- Your first post of this page had the following quote:

“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” - Plato

Have you considered what part of that sentence you and most other people who posts here fall into?

If you guessed the first part, read again. If you guessd the second part, you are correct!

Consider this: You and your fellow anti-GOP liberals are the real reason why there is such a divide in the USA today. You and your fellow liberals have a small frame-of-mind that you must absolutly follow what XXX person said because not only is that gospel, that has to be repeated and shoved down the throats of not only the opposition, but independent minds like myself. I see a continual growth of polarity among Americans today, and, based by what I see on not only this website, but a few others, those who are pro-Obama tend to be very aggressive in their viewpoints into being worse than preachers in "spreading the good word."

Guess what! Your opinion is just that, an opinion.

It is not fact.

It is not correct.

It is not even right.

If you want more people to listen to what you have to say, not only say what you want to say, but back it up with independent fact!

Dude from nowhere

Nowadays, facts seem to be in the eye of the beholder. I simply turn down the sound and watch what people do. That way, I can draw my own conclusions. These internet blogs are like playing solitaire. It seems that winning the argument with a witty post or rebuttal entertains the masses. But it matters not. Everyone has made up their mind and no one will change it for them. This country is in trouble.

I defined the entire republican party on the day McConnell made his historic unhonorable and unamerican montra. They have fulfilled and proven my definition DAILY since. Truly, there is not an honorable american bone in their collective bodies. Honor used to have SOME meaning in politics. This new GOP obviously made a decision to throw it out the window. Thus we have ... missfit romney. So dysfunctional only a self polarized fool could not see the shame behind the GOP's lies and deception in it's unhonorable and futile grab for power. The time and treasure they have WASTED the last decade was and is unwarranted and fools still carry their obviously tainted water. OUR only design for this country should be lifting up the middle class. At ANY cost!

Bitterhawk -- You wrote:

If future polls revert back to the June trend

Sounds like conjecture to me.

It is estimated that without these two negative actions alone, unemployment would be well under 6%.

Just like it was estimated that the stimulus would prevent unemployment from going above 8%? Get real.

Beverly, thanks for the chuckle...

BTW, Our President does care

Only when it comes to being re-elected, not when it comes to being a leader and unifier.

mrwarmth,

I agree with you. I think, however, that some of our fellows here have forgotten small things like taking what is written "with a grain of salt," or, really, able to tell the difference between opinion and fact.

That is the real problem here. Instead of forming an opinion, they rehash something that somebody else said as the absolute truth. That, my friend, is the real tragedy of society today.

Let's see. I'll take a shot at defining Romney. OK, here goes….

.....................He's not Obama.......................

That alone is reason enough to vote for Romney.

Bitterhawk

Nobody is denying that jobs were created overseas, that isn't the issue. The question is if these jobs helped or hurt job creation here. These jobs actually increased jobs in the US by enhancing the ability of companies to sell American products in foreign countries.

Explain how THIS create jobs for Americans:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/romneys-bain-capital-invested-in-companies-that-moved-jobs-overseas/2012/06/21/gJQAsD9ptV_story_1.html

Bain’s foray into outsourcing began in 1993 when the private equity firm took a stake in Corporate Software Inc., or CSI [that later became Stream], after helping to finance a $93 million buyout of the firm. CSI, which catered to technology companies like Microsoft, provided a range of services including outsourcing of customer support. Initially, CSI employed U.S. workers to provide these services but by the mid-1990s was setting up call centers outside the country.

And this:

The corporate merger that created Stream also gave birth to another, related business known as Modus Media Inc., which specialized in helping companies outsource their manufacturing. Modus Media was a subsidiary of Stream that became an independent company in early 1998. Bain was the largest shareholder, SEC filings show.

And this:

Modus Media grew rapidly. In December 1997, it announced it had contracted with Microsoft to produce software and training products at a center in Australia.

It's reasonable to have French people at call centers in France to assist customers in their own language, but it does NOT help American workers to contract with Microsoft in Australia, where people speak ENGLISH.

There is one thing though that you might ponder, however. How do you think this will play out in the debates when the moderators inevitably ask about it? Romney not only will be provided with the oppurtunity to exonerate himself, but he will also be able to expose Obama as the bald-faced liar that he is.

Since it's a proven fact that Romney was involved in outsourcing jobs I guess Romney will have to exonerate himself like he always does: By equivocating and outright lying.

You're all wet, Willy.

Obama/Biden 2012

Dude from nowhere

Unfortunately, I agree. I think the internet has helped to dumb down America. I am quite sure it has divided us.

Wet Willy

Let's see. I'll take a shot at defining Romney. OK, here goes….

.....................He's not Obama.......................

That alone is reason enough to vote for Romney.

Yeah. He's not Obama. He's the guy that would have let the auto industry go down the tubes if by some misfortune he'd been elected president in 2008.

The issue for Willard Romney is that he attempted to define himself as a business man. When his opponents took him at his word and looked at WHAT KIND of businessman he was, they found out that he really was, to some extent, a VULTURE capitalist, taking advantage of weak companies, often loading them with additional debt, taking out his fees and commissions, selling off or abandoning what was left.

For employees of the target companies, they often found that jobs were cut or sent off shore, along with the profits of the company. Not all of the companies failed or had all the jobs sent overseas (Staples is an example,) however you have to wonder if the companies which survived would have done better with a person whose main goal is to build an excellent company for the long term, instead of building short term profits for investors and fees carried interest for himself.

When confronted with the specifics of what he did and stands for, the GOP cries foul, not wanting to have anyone look too closely at Willard's record. Since there is nothing else Willard has done which he will stand behind, you have to question why anyone would support him at all. The true problem, to paraphrase an old saying, is with Willard Romney, you can't find any substance to support anything you might want to do... truly "There's no there there."

"First Thoughts: The battle to define Romney"

My vote goes to: Panderer in Chief.

Houston!

Here, educate yourself:

http://factcheck.org/2012/06/obamas-outsourcer-overreach/

I'm sure you've used FactCheck.org/Politifact/Washington Post to defend your positions in the past when they've agreed with you. Now that none of them do, I'll bet you'll conveniently find a reason to dismiss them out of hand. Again, this is a non-issue. With the exceptions of you and President Obama, everybody else has already moved on. Isn't it about time for you to bone up on the latest talking points about unreleased tax returns and offshore bank accounts? Here, let me help you:

http://mediamatters.org/

Bitterhawk

Here, educate yourself:

Educate your own self and read the Tom Hamburger article. You obviously haven't. All of these so-called "fact checkers" have discredited themselves with their bogus "checks" that check whether opinions acceptable to the corporate media establishment more than they check facts. Politifact discredited itself by rating a statement by Obama as "half true" about petroleum production increasing during his term in office. They were finally shamed into changing it to "mostly true," even though it was 100% true.

In the Poliltifact article attacking Obama for criticizing Bain, it sez:

One TV ad, called “Come and Go,” claims that Romney “shipped jobs to China and Mexico.” But two examples cited by the Obama campaign occurred after Romney left Bain

How much criticism did Romney get from the "fact" checkers by claiming credit for jobs created at Staples long after he quit Bain? If he gets the credit for jobs created a decade after he left Bain, then he CERTAINLY deserves blame for offshoring perpetrated by Bain shortly after he left.

The Washington Post article by Tom Hamburger proves that Romney was involved in offshoring American jobs with FACTS that the "fact checkers" seem to have overlooked in their desperate attempts to do Romney's damage control for him.

I just hope the Obama campaign isn't bullied into stopping their criticism of Romney's record as a vampire capitalist at Bain.

Romney can be defined as a religious cult member, protector of the rich, protector of high profits at all costs and out of touch with Americans who are middle and lower class!

There is a very interesting article in the most recent Vanity Fair about Romney's off shore investments and blind trusts. I didn't know this previously but there are 55 pages in his 2010 tax returns listing his off shore investments. What great Americans Mitt and Ann are. Shady!

ROY WILSON --- Here is a nice story about President Obama. It shows he cares. We know Romney would just lay these guys off. He said so.

Obama says part-time firefighters can buy employee health insurance

By Joe Davidson, Published: July 10

Uncle Sam is finally closing a loophole that allowed him to avoid offering health insurance for some federal employees who risk their lives to save the lives and property of others.

Federal firefighters regularly work in a burning hell. But many are allowed to work only 1,039 hours, just under six months, not including overtime. That makes them part-timers who are not eligible to secure health insurance through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP)

Until now.

President Obama met with firefighters during his trip to a Colorado fire area last month. Now, his administration plans to issue interim regulations allowing them to buy health insurance just like other employees.

“Federal firefighters are putting their lives at risk every day across the country,” said John Berry, director of the Office of Personnel Management, in an e-mail. “When the President returned from his trip to Colorado, he directed us to solve the problem of extending access to the FEHBP for those firefighters.”

The 1039 rule, which the Federal Diary wrote about in 2010, always made Sam appear cheap, like he was just looking for a way to cheat heroic firefighters out of insurance needed to combat ailments often received in the line of duty.

It’s a bogus rule because many firefighters work so much overtime that they put in nearly a year’s worth of work in a half-year’s time.

“It’s not uncommon to put in a thousand hours of overtime” in six months, said John Lauer, 27, a six-year firefighter with the Tatanka Hotshot Crew based in Custer, South Dakota.

Lauer, who lives in Denver, started an online petition in late April “asking President Obama to extend health coverage benefits to seasonal wildland firefighters.” As of early Tuesday evening, the petition had more than 126,300 signatures. With the help of the National Federation of Federal Employees, the petition and the plight of the firefighters got national media attention.

On the petition, Lauer tells the story of his godson, Rudy, who was born prematurely: “Rudy’s dad, a fellow firefighter, was stuck with $70,000 worth of hospital bills that he and his wife couldn’t pay back. All because the federal government won’t allow him to access health insurance. Another crew member’s child, who was born even more recently, required special attention in the hospital and his parents’ are now facing $40,000 in medical bills.”

Rudy’s mom, Constance Van Kley, said the hospital forgave some of the charges, but the family still was stuck with a big bill. “We pay the little we can every month and have been doing that for four years,” she said in an interview. Now her husband is classified permanent seasonal, rather than temporary seasonal, so the family does have health insurance, but that doesn’t help with previous debts.

“We’re not asking for a handout,” Lauer told the Federal Diary. “We’re not looking for anything free here. We’re just looking for an opportunity to buy into [the insurance program] like other federal employees.”

That opportunity is almost here, but not a minute too soon.

“After a season, your body is broken down,” said Aaron Alpe, 29. A smoke jumper, he parachutes to remote areas to fight fires. “You inhale a lot of smoke,” said Alpe, who has had repeated bouts of bronchitis.

Before he got his permanent firefighting gig, after seven years in temporary status, he went without needed knee and foot surgeries because he couldn’t afford medical care.

“I just withheld going to the doctor a lot of the time,” he said. “And when I did go, I just paid out of pocket for needed medication for bronchitis and things like that.”

At one time, he bought health insurance on his own, but he had to let it go after less than a year.

“I couldn’t afford it,” he said.

Now part-timers won’t have the same problems Alpe faced.

NFFE President William R. Dougan, himself a former temporary seasonal wildland firefighter, said “this was one of those issues that made so much sense it was just screaming for someone to change it.”

Previous columns by Joe Davidson are available at wapo.st/JoeDavidson.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-says-part-time-firefighters-can-buy-employee-health-insurance/2012/07/10/gJQAUdJebW_story.html?hpid=z10

Define Romney: Flip Flopper, Robber Barron, Greedy, Liar, Tool, and candidate for a psychopath test.

"Obama says part-time firefighters can buy employee health insurance"

Whoop de doo - they still have to pay for it.

Roy Wilson -- That's a huge deal to the firefighter's that went without insurance for years and years. Only a Republican would think otherwise.

“We’re not asking for a handout,” Lauer told the Federal Diary. “We’re not looking for anything free here. We’re just looking for an opportunity to buy into [the insurance program] like other federal employees.”

“When the President returned from his trip to Colorado, he directed us to solve the problem of extending access to the FEHBP for those firefighters.”

Every attack the media and the 0bama campaign have coordinated on has failed to stick to Romney.

Every "damning" revelation has been proven to be an absolute falsehood or a serious case of hypocrisy.

So I guess that means Romney and the people get to do the defining. Sorry 0bama and media lackeys.

Really, Elliot? Then explain why Romney is sinking in many of the battle ground state polls. Explain why the GOP is frantic that the Obama Campaign's Bain and out-sourcing ads are working. While the WaPo poll showed a tie at 47, Reuters shows Obama at 49, Romney at 43, a 6 pt lead which is outside the margin of error.

Elliot is just repeating what he's heard on Conservative talk radio. I make a point of listening to a variety of information sources. At this point the radio talkers are absolutely frantic in their efforts to insist that Romney is squeaky clean with no baggage. All in all it's pretty hilarious.

Jody, thats not what the polls suggest, thats what MSNBC suggested yesterday but got dead wrong

This morning, USA Today/Gallup released their latest survey of 12 battleground states. The poll, conducted at the end of June, found Obama and Romney essentially tied in the swing states, with Obama pulling 47% to 45% for Romney. Nationally, Obama leads Romney among all registered voters, 48-44. The paper tried to use today's poll to argue that Obama's attacks on Bain Capitol were hurting Romney. But, the results suggest almost the opposite.

USAToday/Gallup doesn't make internal poll details readily available. Its hard for us to know whether the sample of battleground states is properly weighted or if the partisan screen on the poll is realistic. However, this poll is an ongoing series, allowing us to compare the poll's findings across time. Even if the sample is biased, it is consistently biased over the series, providing us with a meaningful comparison. The battleground poll released in April, after Romney had effectively secured the GOP nomination, found Obama with a sizable lead in the swing states; 51% to Romney's 42%. So, in the last two months, Obama's "effective" barrage of negative ads on Bain Capital have resulted in his numbers falling 4 points and Romney's climbing 3 points.

More success like that and Obama will confirm his legacy as this century's first Jimmy Carter.

Keep in mind, since the April poll, the Obama campaign has spent almost $50 million on TV ads, against Romney's $17 million. As my colleague, Joel Pollak, notes this morning, over three-fourths of Obama's ad spending has been on negative ads, chiefly attacks on Romney and his time at Bain Capital. Virtually all of these ads have been run in battleground states. If the attacks were so effective, why has Obama lost ground in the swing states since the start of the barrage and why does he have a slightly larger lead in states where the ads haven't run?

Indeed, USA Today notes that the Bain attack ads have generally only been effective in bringing Democrats back into the Obama fold:

To be sure, Obama's ads have done more to win back Democrats than to win over independents or Republicans: Thirteen percent of Democrats say their minds have been changed by ads, compared with 9% of independents and 3% of Republicans.

The paper also notes that, while virtually all the swing state voters recall the ads, only around 8% of registered voters say they have had any impact on their voting intentions. Obama has enjoyed an almost 3-1 advertising advantage, an edge he is unlikely to enjoy for the rest of the campaign, and not only has the needle not moved, it has arguably moved against him. It seems the attacks have only worked with the media and the DC GOP mandarins whose favorite parlor game is to wring their hands over others' campaign decisions.

Several weeks ago, I wrote that Obama has a real problem in Pennsylvania. The lefty twitter-sphere had a grand time making fun of me for this. And yet, last week, where did Obama take his campaign bus? Western Pennsylvania. You don't spend time campaign in states you are confident of winning.

But, I missed something important about Obama's swing through PA and Northern Ohio that Michael Barone noted. The areas where Obama campaigned are bastions of the blue-collar vote in these states. Walter Mondale beat Reagan in the areas where Obama campaigned. If the Obama campaign is worried about a traditionally democrat area, how are they going to make inroads with the critical independent voters? How would the media report if Romney were campaigning in traditionally Republican areas?

Obama is in serious trouble in the swing states. Don't believe what a campaign says, believe what it does. When an incumbent president, who just four years ago had won GOP states, now has to shore up support within his own party just four months before an election, you know things aren't working according to plan.

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/07/09/obama-struggling-in-swing-states

Every "damning" revelation has been proven to be an absolute falsehood or a serious case of hypocrisy.

Oh really? Which 'damming' revelation has proven to be a falsehood? The one where he implemented Romney care. Wow, that is a falsehood. How about that falsehood that he claims corporations are people too? Who knew it was a falsehood that Romney likes to dress up like a serial killer cop and pull people over for fun? Let's talk about the falsehood where Romney stashes mucho bucks in foreign accounts and conveniently forgets about them during tax season. I love that falsehood where Romney tells us he loves to fire people - the poor wanker can't stop touching himself when he talks about that one.

Romney's middle name is falsehood.

Real Clear Politics has Obama winning this morning. And not to burst a bunch of bubbles; but so does FOX.

Ironically, FOX was more accurate in the overall on predicting Obama the winner in 2008 than even the Republican's 'precious' Rasmussen reports.

Good luck quoting Breitbart as a source. There are lies, damn lies and then there are the Breitbarts, Drudges and O'Keefes of the world. None of them seem grounded in REALITY or honesty, for that matter.

The only definition Romney needs is he is NOT Obama. That's the only reason Obama won because he "wasn't Bush". More MSN propaganda chumming for the obot minions. It is hilarious to see all the bloggers from the 2008 campaign back on the vine, but it won't work this time. Obama is a complete failure and only the system suckers are too stupid to still be trying to defend his dismal record. Their favorite mantra is "it would have been worse" when they have nothing to back that up. Obama couldn't lead a scout troop, let alone the greatest country on earth. He is the president of the Democrats, not the President of the UNITED STATES. He is neutered without Pelousy. Let the name calling begin- pay attention Tyler.

RedDev

Oh really? Which 'damming' revelation has proven to be a falsehood? The one where he implemented Romney care. Wow, that is a falsehood. How about that falsehood that he claims corporations are people too? Who knew it was a falsehood that Romney likes to dress up like a serial killer cop and pull people over for fun? Let's talk about the falsehood where Romney stashes mucho bucks in foreign accounts and conveniently forgets about them during tax season. I love that falsehood where Romney tells us he loves to fire people - the poor wanker can't stop touching himself when he talks about that one.

Nothing damning about a state doing what a state wants to do

Nothing damning about corporations being protected by the 1st amendment

nothing damning about Romney investing his money around the world (nothing damning about people making money in other countries to bring back to the US)

Nothing damning about being able to fire someone for not doing their job or providing the service you paid for.

All of these gripes are only issues for liberals who think Romney owes them something. None of these gripes have a damn thing to do with running the country, therefore conservatives and independents don't care about them and dismiss them as pathetic DNC and media distractions.

What else do you have?

Romney 2012

Crystal - it appears you're the one doing the name calling. I guess you think Pelousy is clever - not really unless you're 10. But that appears to be your intellectual level.

President Obama is actually well liked by a majority of Americans. They don't think the country is going in the right direction but place the blame squarely on Congress. And, a majority of US Citizens say President Obama inherited his mess from Bush. Try to keep up!

Our President has done a good job keeping the country out of a Depression. He will do even better in his 2nd term - after we vote out a lot of the GOP.

The suckers and stupid people - you're the perfect representative for them. You are the epitome of stupid and vacuous! You can call Tyler any time!

Obama/Biden 2012

"The suckers and stupid people - you're the perfect representative for them. You are the epitome of stupid and vacuous!"

Pot meet kettle- won't even waste my time on the likes of you.

Relative to the meeting in early 2009 by the Republican leadership...

Newt Gingrich has been quoted as saying he was proud to be asked to participate in this treasonous act.

Lamestream Media shall remain so until someone with some integrity corrects the next

Pundit who dares to utter that President Obama has not done enough to reach across the aisle!!

What they really mean is “he hasn’t kissed our collective a$$ enough therefore he is not worthy.”

Utterly disgusting human beings and so is the LSM who allows them to get away

with their slander and lies.

How dare any Republican complain about negative campaign strategy by the President!

Amen, Sheila.

They REFUSE to compromise. They've stated unabashedly that they want him to fail. Every single Proposal and Bill has been completely watered down to include Republican amendments and then they STILL don't vote for these amended bills.

The blatant obstruction at America's peril with NO CONCERN for the consequences (which now seem to be intentional) should be enough for the electorate to punish them.

And yet I read the FEAR screes from people I once believed to have some level of intelligence and it is truly BAFFLING that they can so readily align themselves with the single ambition of making ONE MAN fail at the detriment of the rest of the country.

That is how we know the MONEY has purchased exactly the amount of 'influence' the monied had HOPED that it would.

Shame on them! I'd like to see them push that Romney Camel through the eye of the Pearly Gate Needle at the end of time. Pretty sure there will be HELL to pay,...literally!

Hi Clara,

[And yet I read the FEAR screes from people...]

Seems the GOP strategy is that if you can't give the public a good reason to vote for you, scare them into believing something terrible will happen if they don't.

elliot-3020456

RedDev

Oh really? Which 'damming' revelation has proven to be a falsehood? The one where he implemented Romney care. Wow, that is a falsehood. How about that falsehood that he claims corporations are people too? Who knew it was a falsehood that Romney likes to dress up like a serial killer cop and pull people over for fun? Let's talk about the falsehood where Romney stashes mucho bucks in foreign accounts and conveniently forgets about them during tax season. I love that falsehood where Romney tells us he loves to fire people - the poor wanker can't stop touching himself when he talks about that one.

Nothing damning about a state doing what a state wants to do

Yet it is damning when the leader of that state opposes virtually everything he did and lies about what he did.

Nothing damning about corporations being protected by the 1st amendment

Yet it is damning when those corporations are given the right to decide elections.

nothing damning about Romney investing his money around the world (nothing damning about people making money in other countries to bring back to the US)

Yet it can be damning when you ask "how many voters have a Swiss bank account?"

Nothing damning about being able to fire someone for not doing their job or providing the service you paid for.

Yet it is damning when you say that during a time when unemployment is high.

OBAMA BIDEN 2012

"Corporations ARE people, my friends!" - Willard "Mitt" Romney, August 11, 2011

I do have to wonder, will the GOP continue to try to destroy the country for the next 4 years, after President Obama wins in November ?

The last Republican dominated Congress which tried to push through its Destroy America agenda was run out along with its leader, Newt Gingrich.

Republicans destroyed the economy last time they were in charge. Their economic platform is a copy of the bush policy that destroyed the economy. We do not need another more for the rich and everyone else can suck it Republican majority.

Vote Democrat across the board, clear the Republicans right out. If the economy hasn't recovered by 2016, vote Republican across the board.

It took 10 years and a world war to fix the the only economic crisis worse than this one.

Jody terrific post, and to that, I think the above headline should read who is the real Mitt Romney?

As he dodges and weaves his way to Tampa, the one constant that comes through is, he is a severe faux conservative liar.

Jody,

The image of needing a fork-lift to remove Mitt Romney's nose from the venue, is one for the ages.

We must come up with an Instant Nostril Fact-check on everything Romney says.

Sarah Palin lied up a storm when she came down to the lower 48 and declared in front of multi-millions whatever they told her to, no matter how far-fetched. But Romney may be beating Palin's record.

Have never seen the like.

Thanks GBM and Backhouse; your posts in thread #1, terrific!

Heard a comment yesterday that many republicans do not like or trust Mitt Romney but have embraced him simply because they hate President Obama so much, they don't care that he is a dufus (my word, not the analysts). Hard to imagine voting for someone they can't stand just because he's not Barack Obama. Says a great deal about what the GOP has become and it isn't good. To pre-but the right wingers who will ask/say I would vote for anyone with a "D" even if I felt he was wrong for the country and I didn't like him--the answer is NO; I have not and would never; I leave that spot blank on the ballot.

Edit failure by me, that should be fork-lift in paragraph one; I think most readers knew that but just in case......

Jody, I just posted this link above on thread one; but it fits here, too:

http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/06/a_balanced_approach_tax_like_bush_spend_like_clinton.html

These "honorable" Republicans can't seem to hug Bill Clinton hard enough, lately!

And I am cracking up over it. At no point do they acknowledge that their Lost Decade POLICIES caused a freefall economic NIGHTMARE, damn near depression DEFINITE Recession and that it takes a bit of spending to recover from THAT.

Nope, they just double down on how great CLINTON was! Gotta' love THAT!

It's just because Obama is the worst president in history, and even Billary would have been a better choice!

Hard to imagine voting for someone they can't stand just because he's not Barack Obama?!

Really??? because that is EXACTLY how Obama got elected, he wasn't Bush. That and he can talk like a tent revival preacher to the brain dead who totally ignored his past, and now have invested too much "hope and change" to realize what a failure he is. Libocrasy- mind numbing hypocrisy.

If Mitt Romney believes in America why does he have his money in foreign banks and has sent thousands of jobs out of the country?

That is such a lame MSM talking point. Obama is sending jobs out of the country with his failed policies and the pandering "tax the rich" BS. The only thing accomplished by "taxing the rich" is to send them out of the country to create jobs somewhere else, and it might enable him to get his hands on more money because he has spent (wasted) every last dime available now.

Crystal - you would do much better if you actually had some idea of what you are talking about. President Obama is the reason many large manufacturers are bringing back manufacturing to the US. You ignorance is only overshadowed by your eagerness to show how totally ignorant you are.

Your posting of the same GOP talking points over and over again is so totally lame and, since they aren't true anyway, so totally useless.

Get a clue!

Obama/Biden 2012

The only thing accomplished by "taxing the rich" is to send them out of the country to create jobs somewhere else, and it might enable him to get his hands on more money because he has spent (wasted) every last dime available now.

Newsflash: the wealthy DO NOT create jobs. They can't. They don't spend enough of their money to create as many jobs as the rest of the US does. The CONSUMER creates jobs, and the biggest consumers in the United States are the middle and lower classes. THEY are the job creators. So when the Republicans talk about raising taxes on "those freeloading welfare bums" and on the 47% who don't pay income taxes, they're raising taxes on the REAL jobs creators.

OBAMA BIDEN 2012

Pathological lying and an absence of empathy are two of the qualities defining a Psychopath. According to Dr. Robert Hare, creator of the test used worldwide for Psychopathy, only 1% of psychopaths are in jail, most are not violent, and they rise quickly through corporate structure comprising 6-8% of CEOs. Romney should be subjected to the test.

An opinion piece from WaPo, worth posting today:

GOP to the uninsured: Drop dead

By Matt Miller,

The House is voting (again) to repeal the Affordable Care Act on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, six Republican governors (so far) say they won’t go along with the law’s planned Medicaid expansion for 4 million uninsured people in their states, even though the feds would pick up nearly all the tab.

See the pattern here?

The Republican message to uninsured Americans in the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling couldn’t be clearer: You’re on your own.

The party may not have officially adopted the “let ’em die” policy of right-wing hecklers at that CNN primary debate, when Ron Paul was asked what should be done when uninsured folks show up at the hospital. But as a practical matter, Republicans are in pretty unsavory territory. What other conclusion can we draw when Rick Perry, who presides over a state where fully one in four people lack health coverage, makes swaggering indifference to these Texans’ plight a point of sovereign pride?

Fifty million uninsured Americans would be the immediate casualties of the GOP’s “let them eat the emergency room” mentality. But all of us would be at risk. In America — alone among wealthy nations — everyone is a pink slip or job change or new illness away from finding they’ve lost coverage or are uninsurable.

This is the shameful reality behind the GOP’s rhetoric on health care. Republicans don’t want to spend a penny to insure the uninsured.

We know this because back during the original debate over Obamacare, the “boldest” GOP alternative would have extended coverage to 3 million of the 50 million uninsured, versus Obama’s 30 million (which still leaves us 20 million short of behaving like every other civilized nation, mind you).

It was not always thus. It’s striking to recall that back in 1992, George H.W. Bush put out a serious plan to cover 30 million of the then 35 million uninsured. (Democrats at the time rejected it, figuring they’d do the job on their own terms once Bill Clinton won. We know how that turned out.) So the erosion of Republican seriousness over two decades can be tracked with unusual precision. As the ranks of the uninsured have soared, the size of Republican compassion has shriveled.

Why?

Daniel Patrick Moynihan gave me the most convincing explanation not long before he died in 2003. “Those folks never vote for us,” he told me, summing up the Republican mind on the issue, “and we have our priorities for the money.”

Like trillions more in tax cuts for the best-off Americans over the next decade.

You may have noticed that Republicans have been struggling to come up with a credible alternative to the Affordable Care Act once they repeal it. Why is it so hard? Because Obamacare WAS the Republican alternative. It was the conservative-designed mandate and subsidy approach. Republicans are in such an intellectual cul-de-sac on this issue that Paul Ryan actually blasted Obamacare for being a sop to the president’s “cronies” in the insurance industry. Oy!

I feel like a broken record but some truths bear repeating. Only in America could a Democratic president pass Mitt Romney’s health plan and fund it partly through John McCain’s best idea from the last campaign (taxing some employer provided plans) and be branded a “socialist.”

In every other advanced nation, the idea that government has a central role in assuring basic health security was settled decades ago — a consensus conservatives abroad embrace. Always remember: conservative icon Margaret Thatcher would have been chased from office if she had proposed anything as radically conservative as Obamacare — which relies on private docs to deliver the medicine, after all, and still leaves 20 million people uncovered.

Here’s what you should do, Mr. President. In the debates this fall, pull out a small laminated card you’ve had made as a prop for this purpose. Then remind Mitt Romney that the ranks of the uninsured today are equal to the combined populations of Oklahoma, Connecticut, Iowa, Mississippi, Kansas, Kentucky, Arkansas, Utah, Oregon, Nevada, New Mexico, West Virginia, Nebraska, Idaho, Maine, New Hampshire, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Montana, Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, Alaska, Vermont and Wyoming.

Read that list slowly, Mr. President. Then ask your opponent: Would America turn its back on the citizens of these 25 states if everyone there lacked basic health coverage? That’s what we’ve been doing for decades. You knew it was right to act when you were governor of Massachusetts, Mitt. How can you pretend we don’t need to solve this for the nation? And how can you object with a straight face when your own pioneering plan was my model?

The president should also say he’d be happy to talk reform once Republicans offer a rival plan that the CBO certifies will cover 30 million people, as the Affordable Care Act does.

Today’s Republican party won’t do it. They want the money for tax cuts for the top. They don’t care.

Matt Miller, a co-host of public radio’s “Left, Right & Center,” writes a weekly online column for The Post. His e-mail address is mattino2@gmail.com.

Dont Carry,

Thanks you for the article with real facts about the history of ACA.

It supports Backhouse post that the GOP from day one only wanted to defeat Obama.

The states governors who are saying no or dragging their feet show that they too will do nothing for the uninsured in their states. Another example of the party of NO.

Northstar -- Let's hope with all these posts the uninformed learn something. Those governor's will have to face their constituents and answer to them why they refuse to cover the most basic needs of its citizens. They have revealed themselves to be looking out for a few at the expense of many. What's disgusting is that their hatred for Obama trumps good governance, something they were put in office to do. Hopefully people wake up and vote these idiots out.

Damn......the dems dont like being tagged do they. Lets see how many Dems vote with the republicans....or just vote "present"!

San Bernardino is the third city to file for bankruptcy in California. It boggles the mind, we are flat out broke, but our legislators keeps piling it on. This time the approval to fund the bullet train. Do they really expect us to vote for a tax increase in November?

Remember, As California goes, so goes the nation.

thetotas:

Your post is precisely WHY you have to raise taxes. You have to pay the bills. North Dakota certainly knows that, they voted by 75% to keep paying property taxes. It is a GIANT misunderstanding about taxpayers that they don't want to pay taxes. If it makes sense to them, they will vote to pay taxes, or maintain taxes.

Your problem in CA has nothing to do with Democratic policies or Republicans. It is your system whereby special interests can take advantage of lax referral and initiative laws.

Well. That and good old Howard Jarvis.

Here is one native CA that looks forward to going back home at some future date, IF they get their mess straightened out.

Dont_carry ... the sad thing about your statement

Northstar -- Let's hope with all these posts the uninformed learn something

Is that so many of the comments that are worthwhile and enjoyable reads are collapsed just because of who posted them. Seems like today is a good day around here without too much moaning, groaning, and name calling by the RW .. yet (knock on wood).

Oh and totas ..

Remember, As California goes, so goes the nation.

Bell, California and Romney .. you're right those two DO fit together very, very well.

Layton --To borrow a phrase from a friend, those that do that are called collapse holes. Ha!

Dont_carry .... just another one of those little comments that totally make my day! Thanks for sharing!

thetotas

San Bernardino is the third city to file for bankruptcy in California. It boggles the mind, we are flat out broke, but our legislators keeps piling it on. This time the approval to fund the bullet train. Do they really expect us to vote for a tax increase in November?

First of all, you say that this nation is broke, but then you go against a tax increase that would help lower the deficit. That doesn't make a lot of sense. Secondly, WE ARE NOT BROKE. Over the past 12 years, we produced approximately $125 trillion (with a "t") worth of goods and services. We have a massive corporate sector with record-high profits, yet corporate taxes are down to record lows. Income inequality is high. The nation isn't broke; the money is just in the wrong hands. For 10 years, we have cut taxes to the lowest in a half-century, precisely at the time when we should have been raising taxes, cutting spending, and prioritizing investments to education, infrastructure, and healthcare. The first step to saving America is to let all of the Bush tax cuts expire; that, along with the sequester, will reduce the deficit and debt over the long run. Secondly, we must reform entitlements; raise the payroll tax, remove the cap on the tax, reduce outlays, etc. Thirdly, we must make a final, complete overhaul of healthcare and education, maybe by federalizing education and instituting single-payer to the US. Finally, we must start spending money to boost the economy, especially by repairing our roads and bridges. THAT is how we can keep the country from falling.

OBAMA BIDEN 2012

Freshieee,

I was referring to California.

In that case, I would, as Governor, repeal the balanced budget amendment and ask for a federal loan to spend about $150 billion over the next decade repairing California infrastructure and $15 billion for high speed rail projects. That would create hundreds of thousands of construction jobs and boost consumer demand, creating even more jobs.

OBAMA BIDEN 2012

Come on Willard, tell the truth. Also, show us your taxes.

Job1 - GNOPers don't KNOW what the truth is anymore...

GNOP - THEY CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!

So true. They live in that GOP make believe bubble.

lmao.....shes quoting Joe Louis! The people here in Detroit would........just adore you!

Come on Obama, show us your college records. And thanks to the internet, Obama is also on record- like the video of him telling Hillary- "mandating people to buy insurance is like mandating homeless people to buy houses" or the youtube videos of the debates where he lied like a rug. Obama bought the election with union funds and now squealing that Romney is raising more money than he is. WAAAAAA

Job1 Hey you know jobs are not that important. The important thing is for the republican/tea bagger party is to keep the President from being reelected. Their heads are exploding because a black man is President and he has good ideas. They have nothing to hang on the man so they make s#it up. The best part is anyone with a brain can see what there doing. The world is watching all you republican/tea baggers and laughing at you people making a$$holes out of yourselves. As a matter of fact all of us on the left are laughing at the fact all of you on the right can't see how stupid you all look.

Amen to that Smitty.

"...the gop have never done one single thing to help patients in this country....". Would you expect otherwise from a group of Republicans who loudly applaud and cheer the death penalty and "let them die" death panels?

Ahhhhh...... I think shes a Democrat ...or was lmao! You may want to check her freinds list. You may find a few Clinton's on it! Although she did make old Chuckie Schumer weep!

Ron Paul supporters are not going to vote for Romney.

That is the funniest part of it, they hate him!!

But they love Mr. Obama?

Okay, so in the last sentence, I meant to say "The Republican Party is using their money to run ADS" (not eyes). . . guess it is still "way too early" for some of us.

So now, we have a very clear case of the "corporate people" attempting to elect a man President of the United States who tells a demonstrable lie every time he opens his mouth.

Good Morning Nash!

They don't care!

Like Grover "puppet-master" Norquist said himself, all they need is someone with enough "digits" to sign what ever is put in from of him...

Scary when you think about how low these greedy bastards are willing to go...

It is scary Feisty . . . and scarier still that so many folks seem to blindly follow these folks who have nothing to back up the things they say other than the hush money . . . I mean ad money . . . they pay to the "media".

Amen, Nash *stands and applauds*. I keep hoping that the American people will tire of the endless lies and negative ads and take a long, hard look at Mitt Romney. How anyone who is not in the 1% could vote for him is beyond me.

So Nash, you give a President who campaigned on "I don't believe you should force people to buy insurance" and then signed legislation containing the individual mandate a pass, but you hold Romney to his state plan.

Your example of foreign policy experience is laughable given President Obama lack experience when elected. If this is the case I assume you voted for Senator McCain in the last election.

President Obama's flip-flops are legendary. Maybe he does't have corporate sponsors (Blackrock, GE and big pharma excepted) but political expediency is everything. (individual mandate, debt ceiling, executive power, war powers act, warrentless wire tapping, accepting federal election funds).

Raising money for the election is only a problem when you are running second. In 2008 then there was no worries about the amount of money Obama was raising.

Love your pretzel logic.

Alan:

My post is about truth, not money.

Changing your position, and stating that you have changed your position is not telling a lie.

An example of a lie is when Mitt Romney claims that President Obama has made the economy worse . . . that is just not true.

An example of pretzel logic is when Mitt Romney says his mandate was a penalty, but the mandate in the Affodable Care Act is a tax.

We can play word games all day Alan, but the facts are the facts.

I actually like the one yesterday...where he took a train on vacation as s child and spent many days in Howard Johnsons swimming in a tiny mud pool. I wonder what train line runs from Hawaii to LA.....and where the heel are those train station HJ's. As a child growing up in New England we had many HJ's how many were near Train Stations ........ yea I dont remember hearing the train whistles blowing during our stays every summer.

Changing your position, and stating that you have changed your position is not telling a lie.

My mistake. There is a distinction between flip-flops and changing your position 180 degrees...got it

Support for Gay marriage was an evolution for Barack Obama but supporting pro-life was a flip-flop for Romney. How can I not see this?

Alan . . . you know . . . the best part is . . . you don't deny that Mitt Romney is a liar . . . you've made peace with it . . . sad for you.

jolly . . . there is more than one way to leave an island . . . you need to broaden your horizons. :o)

Alan . . . you know . . . the best part is . . . you don't deny that Mitt Romney is a liar . . . you've made peace with it . . . sad for you.

Ahh Romney is a liar but what did Reverend Wright say? "Obama says what he has to say as a politician".

The fact that you think there is a difference between Romney and Obama is the sad part.

Don't you ever even think about the fact that the millionaires have hundreds of millions of dollars to convince you to vote for the republicans that promised the rich forever tax cuts.

But these same millionaires (job creators), we were told by the republicans, would suffer irreparable harm if we ask them for a small surcharge to get Americans working again.

So plenty of money to affect elections, just no money to put Americans back to work. How dumb do you have to be to think republicans care about jobs?

Are the tax cuts for the 1% more important than jobs or the American economy?

They are if you vote for a republican.

Alan,

Do you really think that President Obama's concessions to political reality (debt ceiling, individual mandate, federal election funds) that do not involve core principles are comparable to Mitt Romney's seismic shifts in almost all of his political beliefs?

In a span of ten years or less Romney has completely reversed his positions on Abortion, Stem Cell Research, Minimum Wage, Gay Rights, Healthcare and Taxes.

Romney stated he was "left of Kennedy" on Gay Rights, then campaigned as a self-proclaimed "Moderate" and now he calls himself "Severely Conservative"!

Romney did not "evolve" by moving slightly left or right on some issues, he completely reversed himself on almost all major political issues.

It is clear from your posts you do not support President Obama, but to compare Obama's political compromises to Romney's "weather-vane" tactics is disingenuous at best.

Alan:

Reverened Wright? That's whatcha got? Damn.

How about U.S. News and World Report . . . and there is more where that came from of course . . .

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2012/01/12/mitt-romneys-lies

This one article from January lists how Mitt Romney lied about how he created 100,000 jobs, he lied about President Obama cutting defense spending when he actually increased it, he liked about President Obama's jobs record, and that is just the tip of the ice burg.

If there is no difference between Mitt Romeny and President Obama, then why would you vote for Mitt Romney?

Apparently, you make an exception for lies that you like to hear.

P.S. *waves to Steeler Fan* . . . good to see you this morning!

Nash-

Romney lies about big things and lies about little things. He lied about his residence to vote in the special election to replace Ted Kennedy. He even lied about being at a Red Sox game!

Romney, who was governor at the time, told an Air Force pilot he was there at Fenway Park for the historic championship-clinching Game 4 of the 2004 World Series. The Truth? No, he wasn't. In addition to the fact that Romney was in New Hampshire campaigning for GW Bush that day, Game 4 was played at Busch Stadium in St. Louis!

So even though Romney has a proven track record of bending the truth, we are supposed to just take his word about not getting any special tax breaks from his Cayman Island and Swiss bank accounts?

Nashville_fan

"We can play word games all day Alan, but the facts are the facts."

8%+ unemployment is a fact. Facts are facts.

mrwarmth:

First of all, I love the fact that Mr. Romney's "supporters" like yourself have accepted the fact that he is a liar.

Second of all, don't even get me started on the "Obama promised unemployment wouldn't go over 8%" lie.

The President NEVER said anything like that. Unemployment was at just under 8% and rising when the stimulus bill was signed, as a result of the the economic policies that Mitt Romney is still championing to this day.

So like I said, Republicans lie and the media helps.

Nashville_fan

Better check your facts about Obama's promises. Also, you presume I am a Romney supporter. Having voted for both Reagan and Clinton, I do not think you can pigeonhole me like that, but nice try. Actually, neither Obama nor Romney is a Reagan or Clinton, but we must deal with what is put in front of us. Try to stop spewing uninformed insults at people. It is so unbecoming.

mrwarmth:

My facts about Obama's promises are rock solid . . . maybe you should check yours?

The debate about the numbers comes from the inherent uncertainty in economic forecasting. How can you ever prove that if the unemployment rate gets to X percent, it would or would not have gotten a point or two higher if not for the stimulus? The same holds true for Republicans who say the rising unemployment rates prove the stimulus isn't working. Again, it's difficult to empirically prove whether they're right or wrong.

We're certainly not going to try here. What we can rule on, however, is whether the Obama administration "promised" that unemployment rates would not rise above 8 percent if the stimulus were passed. We could find no instance of anyone in the administration directly making such a public pledge.

What we saw from the administration in January was a projection, not a promise. And it was a projection that came with heavy disclaimers.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/jul/09/eric-cantor/Cantor-and-other-republicans-say-obama-promised-s/

P.S. What "uninformed insults" are you referring to? Do you think being referred to as a "Romney supporter" is an insult? Oh well . . . that's a matter of opinion I suppose. ;o)

Do you really think that President Obama's concessions to political reality (debt ceiling, individual mandate, federal election funds) that do not involve core principles are comparable to Mitt Romney's seismic shifts in almost all of his political beliefs?

I'll give you the debt ceiling as every politician reversed their position on that one.

The individual mandate does matter to me. The fact that Obama campaigned against it, used it to attack Clinton and Edwards in the primaries, then signs it into law is pretty big. It was included to get Democrats on board not Republicans so the fact that he didn't even stand up to his own party paints him craven at best.

Even the Federal Funding is pretty big because of what he said prior to ignoring it. Expediency in action.

Gay Marriage... expediency not evolution and irrelevant as he then turns round and leaves it up to the states.

Executive action for DREAMer...expediency

Tax rates on the rich....total political expediency

Tell me one core principle of Barack Obama.

SO if Romney is a liar so is Obama, but I just prefer to think of them as politicians.

Steeler fan ...

I keep hoping that the American people will tire of the endless lies and negative ads and take a long, hard look at Mitt Romney

In order to do so, they'd have to get off their backsides, change the channel, pick up a paper, or actually take the time to read the comments and links on threads like this. I for one know my parents will do NONE of the above (and that is sad!)

Nashville_fan

Your condescending reaction to my post was unnecessary. Also, using politico as a source is simply one sided. But, beyond that, try to keep an open mind regarding politics and do not let it become all-consuming, like some of the empty suited people who post in this blog. I go back to before the Eisenhower administration and can assure you that since then, as the money gets bigger, so do the lies.

Definition of LIE

intransitive verb

1
: to make an untrue statement with intent to deceive

2
: to create a false or misleading impression

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lie?show=2&t=1342021674

Alan:
You can say what you want about President Obama's motives for doing the things he has done, but you can't say he lied about it.

Mitt Romney says that President Obama made the economy worse, and when called on it, then claims he never said it.

That is a lie.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) launched his presidential campaign in May on the premise that he was a better alternative to President Obama on the economy, and in the ensuing months his attack on Obama was precise: Obama, Romney said, “made the recession worse.”

When multiple outlets, ThinkProgress included, pointed out that Romney’s claim was false, he walked it back. In July, NBC’s Sue Kroll asked Romney, “How can you continue to say things are worse when they really aren’t worse?” Romney responded: “I didn’t say that things are worse. What I said is that the economy hasn’t turned around.”

In New Hampshire this week, however, Romney has repeatedly returned to the old talking point, saying during both debates here that Obama made the economy worse and repeating it again at an event in Rochester this morning.

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/01/08/400146/romney-returns-to-false-attack-obama-made-the-economy-worse/?mobile=nc

mrwarmth:

Attacking the source of information when you cannot refute the actual information presented is not very impressive.

Can you please list some completely impartial sources of information that you approve of? Here's a hint: There is no such thing as "impartial".

But there is such a thing as "true" and "false".

Lastly, I find it ironic that you complain about me condescending to you, when you have done nothing but the same since your first post. The simple truth is, the facts support me, and you are loathe to admit it.

Which is fine with me, but don't try to play the victim.

Nashville_fan

We are all victims of this economy. When that happens, usually the president pays for it. BTW, my original post never said anything about the president stating that unemployment would not exceed 8%. It referred to today's unemployment numbers. Apparently your rabbit ears detected misinformation that did not exist. Perhaps a bit defensive regarding your political stance?

mrwarmth:

There is no harm is speaking the truth, as I rarely hear someone refer to 8% unemployment without that classic nugget of rogue misinformation being their intent.

Now, if you are actually the sweet and misunderstood lamb of a guy that you are now portraying yourself as, then excuse me for walloping you upside the head with the truth condescendingly.

My bad. :o)

Alan,

Gay Marriage... expediency not evolution and irrelevant as he then turns round and leaves it up to the states.

Executive action for DREAMer...expediency

Tax rates on the rich....total political expediency

How are any of these examples LIES?

When did Obama ever say he was AGAINST Gay Marriage? He has always supported Gay Rights, repealed DADT, supported Civil Unions for same-sex couples, etc. Supporting Gay Marriage IS just a slight step to the left - an "evolution" not a "revolution".

Obama supported Immigration Reform and tried to get it through Congress earlier in his term. I agree that the timing was political but the position remains unchanged.

Obama has always supported higher taxes on the wealthy and ran on a repeal of the Bush Tax rates for the wealthy. Again, I fail to see how that is either political expediency or a lie.

I still disagree as to whether Federal Funding for elections and the Individual Mandate are "Core Principles" along the lines of Abortion, Gun Control, Gay Rights and Tax Policy.

Nashville_fan

While I am no wallflower, I am also not, what was it, "a misunderstood lamb?" I simply remember when guys like Reagan and O'Neill, while enemies on the floor, could still hammer out a compromise that looked like a win-win for both. I think Clinton had that attribute, also. But, today, I see none of that. My way or the high way mentality exists, no, prevails. I have three kids, a second year special ed teacher, a senior at a DC university and a senior to be in high school. At my age of 64, I want what is best for their future. I do not know you or what drives you, but I hope it is what is in the best interest of your family and this country. To me, that is the definition of an American.

Also, you showed class with you last response. Thank you.

mrwarmth:

I too want what is best for this country, and I feel that the inability to reach an agreement is a choice that has been deliberately made. As a 41 year old mother of two daughters, I am directly impacted when folks treat the U.S. economy, job market and housing market as simply a nifty way for them to make money, leaving me holding the back when their crooked schemes implode.

I congratulate you on your success with your family, and I urge you to verify everything you hear come out of any politicians mouth. I have done so, and as I said in my initial post, I do not feel that the the current Republican party is advocating positions that benefit the majority of Americans.

I base this statement on the outcomes of their policies, not on my personal feelings about a particular candidate.

Nashville_fan

I wish you luck with your daughters, also. It is ours kid's futures I worry about. To that end. I do not see much upset with either candidate, nor with the congress. We live in an "all about me" society that is getting worse. I am fearful of the future. I do not think the drunken sailor spending mentality will work. Throwing money at problems never works...the money always runs out. Inflation is also a huge fear. I do not know the age of your daughters, but have you checked the price of college these days? In fact, college tuition has risen at a 9% rate per year for the past 15 years.

The America I grew up in is obviously gone...except perhaps when the interest rates went to 18-19% during the 1970's...that will come soon. God help us.

Good luck with your girls. I hope they will be happy and healthy.

Nice talking with you.

Nashville_fan

meant "upside" not upset...sorry

mrwarmth:

Thanks for the kind words and the conversation, nice to know there are some thoughtful folks still around.

Nashville_fan

It has been my pleasure...

The individual mandate does matter to me. The fact that Obama campaigned against it, used it to attack Clinton and Edwards in the primaries, then signs it into law is pretty big. It was included to get Democrats on board not Republicans so the fact that he didn't even stand up to his own party paints him craven at best.

To be accurate, Obama did oppose the individual mandate during the campaign, but settled for it when he realized that a government-run healthcare system wasn't politically feasible. And he was really determined to rally the Democrats and be bipartisan.

OBAMA BIDEN 2012

The easy way to define Willard. POLS.

the easy way to define Mitt.

He ain't Obama.

Oh, very nice. Ask the Democrats how 2004 went with Sen. John Kerry and how he kept running as "Not President Whats-His-Face" (still not allowed to say his name). At some point you have to stop running against something and start running for something.

Union baby...... You just keep believing that! Were ok with your opinion. In fact the more you share your opinion the better, so stay on message.

kr........ Please come to Detroit!

Terry, are you willing to post where are you getting that information. I know of many companies that are doing that without Bain. do you know if the administration is using Bain also?

Concern ...

do you know if the administration is using Bain also?

Are you KIDDING ME?????

Perhaps you did hear something about DWS and foreign bank accounts. At which point, the drunk on the next bar stool fell off!

Auntie,

Just google it.

Disclosure forms show that in 2010, "Wasserman Schultz invested between $1,001-$15,000 in a 401k retirement fund run by Davis Financial Fund. As the fund discloses, it is invested in the Julius Baer Group Ltd. and the State Bank of India GDR Ltd., as well as other financial, insurance, bank institutions," Halper added.

Disclosure forms from 2004 also show that she had holdings in the Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund, a fund with investments in a number of foreign institutions, including a Swiss luxury goods company.

Halper adds that nothing in her disclosure forms suggests any illegal activity, but the hypocrisy is quite clear.

Do you know what's in your 401k or any other mutual fund that you own?

Concern

Get a life--birth certificate really, what a bunch of horse patoots! Listen I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours.

Auntie Fascist

Yes I know what is in my 401k.

Parrot.

Is not the birth certificate, but the game of hiding it until 3 years after. I could care less if Obama was born in Mars. I don't know how to spell but you folks don't know how to read.

If it is the hiding that is bothering you, then you should be all over Romney releasing his past tax returns.

We all know that is not the truth, right concerned?

Concerned is so concerned about America he will be voting for the tax cuts for the 1% over jobs and over the economy of America.

So concerned is he that he will be voting for tax cuts for the 1% and taking food out of the mouths of poor children.

So concerned is he that he will be voting for tax cuts for the 1% over care for our wounded veterans.

So concerned is he that he will be voting for tax cuts for the 1% over social security for grandma and grandpa.

So concerned is he that the will be voting for tax cuts for the 1% over education for our American children.

Yes we know you care for the 1%, what about the other 99% in this country, what about us?

Debbie Wasserman-Schultz is not running for President. And she did not open individual accounts in Cayman's. And she has not been secretive about her tax returns. There's a difference.

but you folks don't know how to read.

As the Albanian Idiot would say - hahahahahahaha. Please tell us more about Bain and John Deere!!

Mitt Romney is running for President. Debbie Wasserman Shultz is not running for President.

Obama DID release his birth certificate. Before his election. As required.

Too confusing for you, Concern Citizen?

Life is too confusing for Concern.

Do you know what's in your 401k or any other mutual fund that you own?

All of Concern's assets are either under the mattress or in a "whole" in the backyard BTW ... ;-)

Buchanan and Harding come to mind as two presidents who were infinitely worse than President Obama. Were you smoking in the crapper the day those two gems were discussed in history class?

Hey Romney is no gem but only an idiot would not choose the lesser of 2 evils...........

Oh Larry you sat this one up perfectly. I wasn't going to give you tea people the time of day, but I couldn't pass this one up. It's nice to see what you think of yourself for voting for Romney. And I have to agree, only an idiot would vote for Romney. Finally an honest tea people Koch republican.

The President just prior to Pres. Obama (the name that we cannot mention) also ranks right up there as even worse than anyone else mentioned...

Hey Auntie... Didja know that President Buchanan was related to the Bushs... Yep it seems the tradition has been carried on...

Oh, we do understand how it works... Which is why I'll not be voting for GOoPers like Romney this season.

You can re-package and otherwise market horse apples any way you like. They'll still be horse apples!!