E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Mitt Romney promised Monday to offer more specifics about how he would turn around the economy, offering detail on at least one policy plank by calling on Congress to halt automatic defense cuts set to take place next year.
"I'll describe in some depth my economic plans as we continue through the campaign," Romney said in response to CNBC's Larry Kudlow, who echoed criticism to Romney that his plans lacked specificity.
The presumptive GOP nominee has previously drawn criticism for generally avoiding specifying how his tax and spending plans would add up. In an interview last month on CBS, Romney refused to say, for instance, which tax breaks he would eliminate to finance his overall package of tax reforms.
Frederic J. Brown / AFP - Getty Images
Mitt Romney speaks at a small-business roundtable discussion at Endural, a manufacturer of plastic containers, on July 23 in Costa Mesa, Calif.
Nonetheless, Romney did offer new details about how he would prefer to handle the looming so-called "fiscal cliff," the cocktail of automatic tax hikes and spending cuts -- particularly to the defense budget -- set to snap into place on Jan. 1 barring action by Congress.
Romney, who's criticized President Obama for making cuts to defense spending, said in particular that Congress must delay the onset of the automatic defense cuts, which were included as part of last August's agreement to approve an increase in the debt ceiling. The defense cuts were inserted as an incentive for lawmakers to reach an overarching deal on fiscal reform, since the cuts were viewed as so distasteful of an alternative.
"This sequestration related to defense spending, in particular, has to be put off," Romney said.
The presidential campaign resumed more traditional form on Monday after taking a break for most of the weekend in mourning of victims in last Friday's mass shooting at a Colorado movie theater. Romney argued that it would be wrong to invoke politics, as they relate to gun control, so soon after the massacre. But he did defend the assault weapons ban he signed as governor, calling it a bipartisan compromise that expanded some gun rights, too.
"Well, actually the law that we signed in Massachusetts was a combination of efforts both on the part of those that were for additional gun rights and those that opposed gun rights, and they came together and made some changes that provided, I think, a better environment for both, and that's why both sides came to celebrate the signing of the bill," he said. "Where there are opportunities for people of reasonable minds to come together and find common ground, that's the kind of legislation I like."
Kudlow's full interview with Romney airs at 7 p.m. ET on CNBC.
Leave a Comment:
YADA...YADA...YADA...
Hey Willard, what's stopping you from describing them NOW?
Also, I think the American people are going to demand something greater than some depth!
You can't hide for ever Willard!
Man... the debates are going to be delicous!
*popcorn*?
Nope. Defense, like every single thing else has to be cut.
Cause $4 billion in new debt per day sicks bad.
Economic reality always winds.
Besides I bet Europe and Japan can get along just fine without those huge and very costly American Bases. Unless they want to pay to keep them.
And god knows it's time to get out of the pit of despair that is the middle east. Let it implode out to itself. It's gonna anyway.
Willard is waiting until he has lost the election........
Kinda like McCain saying during the campaign that he knew how to get Bin Laden, if elected!...
I don't get it, everyone including Willard agreed to the automatic cuts if an agreement wasn't made. Now all the sudden when reality is about to hit he is trying to etcha sketch one more time. Wow, the Balls on this man are huge.. HUGE i tell you. HUGE.
I can't believe I am writing this, but I fully agree with everything in Spanky's post.
Israel needs to put on its Big Boy pants and learn to fend for itself. Japan and Korea need for the U.S. to stop defending the plants that destroy and compete with our own domestic auto jobs. And we need to stop corporate welfare of defense interests selling us $700 toilet seats.
Government waste and abuse? Nowhere more evident than in the defense industry. They account for 1/2 the budget, and need to be trimmed back,.....what,....about 70%? Mostly in Republican districts too I believe.
Look at the bright side,....you'll have the government off your back at last.
Specifics would be great Mitt:
1) How much money do you have?
2) How much of it is offshore?
3) How many illegal servants do you have?
4) Have you ever paid taxes?
5) Would you consider taking singing lessons after you lose in November?
One more example of " I was for it before I was agin' it".... Is there ONE subject this man hasn't changed position on in order to win????? Just one????
Just like his state health care law he signed. In his, it was ok to force people to buy insurance or charge a penalty. But when it is the Fed, well that is a horse of a different color.
Seriously Fiesty, stop being such a dumb bitch. Romney is saying more than Obama did when he ran in 08.
I'm not saying it's right, but it's the truth.
Translated, it means I haven't a clue.
What? Talk about talking out of both sides of your mouth. Mitt sounds like Hank Kimball from Green Acres.
"I'll describe in some depth my economic plans as we continue through the campaign,"
translation:
"I currently have no clue."
They need to stop calling it defense cuts. It's merely a reduction in projected spending. And do we really need over military 650 bases outside the U.S.?
Sorry Tony. Didn't see your post before I posted mine
Damn refresh button
Americans have lost faith not only in the Republicans, but in its economic philosophy: a new corporate welfarism masquerading behind free-market ideology; another version of trickle-down economics, where the hundreds of billions to Wall Street that caused the problem were supposed to somehow trickle down to help ordinary Americans. Trickle-down hasn't been working well in America over the past years.
Romney signed on to The Ryan Plan and he signed on with Grover Nordquist waaay back during the Republican Debates.
Now what do people want Romney to do, lie and say he's FOR the American People when he's really not? Romney and the Republicans will ONLY serve the Rich, the rest of us are nothing more than "filthy beggars" to Republicans.
Obama/Biden 2012
'salright!'
TO: AlexM-3929653 who wrote:
Only if you count how many times Romney has said he's not gonna let anybody see his tax returns.
Obama/Biden 2012
Right, there going to cut spending, cut taxes and grow the economy. As Bullwinkle used to say to Rocky, "Hey Rock, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat!" Rocket J Squirrel's reply, "That trick never works."
Tax rates are the lowest they've been in 60 years... where are the f@cking JOBS?
"Trickle down" never trickled down, but it's still Republicans' No. 1 Plan!
Obama/Biden 2012
Romney will never show his tax returns because he doesn't want the American people to find out that he owns a small island nation in the Caribbean..... He needed a place to hide all that money that he's stolen from millions of hard working Americans.
TO: BigAl Las Vegas who wrote:
Of course he's not!
If Romney shows his Tax Returns, he'll never get elected, and if Romney DOESN'T show his Tax Returns he won't get elected.
Plus, if Romney DOES show his tax returns, there's a chance it'll prove that Romney may have committed a Felony, and again he's out of the race.
Romney's only chance is if people fall for his B.S.
Obama/Biden 2012
So we can assume by Romney's "vow" that he admits he hasn't been specific so far? And in the meantime he's got his celestial undies in a bundle...about more spending on defense, really, seriously -- MORE SPENDING? Oh, but what about the debt/deficit?!!!
We don't need no stinkin' plan from Romney about tax policy. His own tax evasion is all we need to know. His father paid an effective tax rate of 40% in his day -- the days when successful businessmen believed in doing their bit for the country, and paying it forward.
We don't give a rat's arse about Romney and the Teapublicans and going off the fiscal cliff -- The Bush tax cuts expiring for the richest 1% like Romney is the best thing that could happen. And this is only the beginning, 'cuz special tax rates on capital gains and loopholes for sheltering money in the Cayman's is going to go next!
Let's get this clear. The rich need to pay more because; 1) government programs are very important for society, 2) more equality creates a better society and democracy, and 3) corruption is reduced when loopholes are reduced.
A recent study shows that 2/3rds of minimum wage jobs are at large, profitable corporations -- Corporations where the average CEO pay is $9 million up. Romney says the minimum wage should be indexed to inflation -- that would be a good start, which would raise the minimum wage from $7.20 to over $10.00/hour immediately. Another related issue is paid sick leave. For many workers it's ridiculous right now.
Back to the topic, if Romney wants to spend such a large percent of GDP on defense, he needs to propose where those funds are supposed to come from. *crickets*
Feisty- Here is a snapshot.
The trickle-down economic theory makes an assumption that as the wealthy get wealthier than they will put money back into the economy by creating businesses and therefore jobs. But what if the wealthy don’t? What if the wealthy simply sit on this wealth, or invest this wealth in overseas markets? What if corporations pursue overseas markets, and use their increase in corporate wealth to build plants, and hire employees in overseas markets? Then the trickle-down theory fails the majority of Americans. That is how you can have high corporate profits and an increase in top levels of wealth for many Americans and a high unemployment rate in distressed economies. This is what we see occurring today.
GOPisextinct -- We definitely don't need to subsidize Europe or have bases in Japan, but we don't need thermonuclear weapons against Russia anymore either -- Does Romney know that? I doubt it. Cheney and McCain who never saw a war they didn't like are on Capital Hill fear-mongering. In Cheney's case the Military Industrial Complex and his war profiteering via Haliburton has been despicable.
If folks want to talk about big government, Homeland Security is the fastest growing department--ever. It's insane to spend so much on this instead of infrastructure, education, research, etc. This is bin Laden's plan, to bleed the US financially by putting tons of deadbolts on our door and never going outside again, and worse yet "eating the corn seed" in the process.
"He who sacrifices freedom for security deserves neither." -- Benjamin Franklin
Chad-4213400 -- The main reason Bush Sr. called Reagan's supply-side economics "voodoo economics" was the claim that tax cuts pay for themselves. Throw in deregulation, the invisible hand, and trickle-down tax cuts for the rich, and you have some major voodoo going on. But realize this was BEFORE the global economy, as you allude to. Why anyone still supports supply-side, and most of all "trickle-down" tax cuts for the rich is beyond me.
"This sequestration related to defense spending, in particular, has to be put off," Romney said.
Cut defense spending? Of course not. This is typical rethugli-con mantra that they bring out every four years. It's their big boogey man card to scare the American people. What we should be asking them is why are we spending billions of dollars on weapons systems, ie F-35, when there is no country in the world that can stand up to what we currently have.
These cuts that Congress agreed to do not cut our debt load. All they do is SLIGHTLY DECREASE the deficit each year for ten years. We'll still be spending more than $1 trillion more each year than we take in. Enough. Why is it our pols can not remove their heads from their anal cavity and see the road they have us on.
Spanky, never thought I'd say this, but I agree 100% with #1.1, we need to cut spending everywhere, but with intelligence and judiciousness. As far as defense, I've said this before, there is quantity spending and quality spending, kick those fatass generals in the Pentagon in the butt and tell them to get the job done more efficiently, and if they say they can't , then get someone else who can, just like in business. I served in the military in the 60s and saw plenty of waste, it can be eliminated. For those who still don't believe, try to see a movie called Pentagon Wars with Kelsey Grammar about the development of the Bradley fighting machine, it's based on a true story, and if it doesn't get you ticked off, there is something wrong with you, or you work for a defense contractor.
Most of that wealth was invested in the Treasury bonds that finance the deficits - much less risk than investing in job creating businesses. Over 10 trillion of our national debt is owed, with interest, to wealthy investors right here in the US.
That explains why the Bush tax cuts lead to soaring unemployment and a faltering economy, and also why Republicans were totally unconcerned about soaring deficits during the Bush administration. The Republicans are quite literally trying to sell the US to the wealthy elite - and giving them tax breaks to help them do it.
It has to percolate up before it can trickle down.
The US defense budget is approximately as much as the rest of the world combined. We could cut our defense spending by 25% and we would still outspend the next 10 countries put together. How could anyone who claims to have business sense defend runaway military spending as Mitt and the GOP are doing now? It's insane.
http://www.globalfirepower.com/defense-spending-budget.asp
So, let's get this straight. In 2010 Republicans and Tea Party loyalists ran for office complaining about debt and our national deficit; they clamored for the need to reduce government spending, and many of them were praising the need for austerity measures.
Congress' inaction is heading us toward austerity measures, and now the GOP is complaining.
This is exactly what the President tried to accomplish with his $4T "Grand Bargain", but Republicans walked away from negotiations because the plan included tax hikes for the wealthy and that would be breach of their pledge to Grover Norquist.
The problem with our Government is that Republicans don't Govern. Vote out the GOP Fascists in 2012.
republicans complain about welfare. so when they had both houses and the oval office what did they do? nothing. they didn't stop welfare, they didn't stop food stamps, they didn't fix anything. so they come back and tell you they will fix it this time. lol they want to spend money on weapons but not troops health, so typical of them.
Is Romney going to do away with the mortgage deduction?
Rev. Al Sharpton, Thank You and the MSNBC team for reporting excellent political/news events. I WOULD LIKE TO SALUTE THE TROOPS, VETERANS and THEIR FAMILIES. Thanks for your sacrifices. If any politician or accountant said, "TRUST ME" because I said so, I would say BS and check out their credentials with a fine tooth comb. Why are there untraceable document dumps being destroyed with no archival or historical evidence about some of Mitt's business transactions during the 1999 Olympics and some of Romney's business time as governor?!! Why did they destroy this information? Who made the executive decision to destroy the documents during the Olympics and Romney's time as governor? The American people have the right to know why this is happening because it is a possible "National Security Issue." If he was elected President would he be destroying government documents without anyone's knowledge?!!!! From my perspective, the new poll of 63% about Romney's business background would be better is misleading compared to people losing their jobs and the jobs being outsourced overseas. Mitt Etch-A-Sketch Romney allegedly still receives a huge stipend from his investments with Bain Capital. This does not extensively help our economy. It only increases Romney's assests. It harms each individual and their families who has lost their jobs and it devastates the American economy. In my opinion, these polls are not primarily from a multicultural standpoint. FROM MY VIEWPOINT, ITS NOT LOGICAL/OKAY TO CHANGE MIDSTREAM AND ASSERT THAT SOMEONE WHO OUTSOURCES JOBS TO OVERSEAS BUSINESSES WOULD HELP THE AMERICAN ECONOMY INCREASE. If Mitt Hide n Seek Romney has a stellar reputation as a charitable person to his church or to whomever he should have no problem with his political reputation as the presumptive nominee to at least release the same amount of years of his tax returns as President Obama. What is he hiding from the American people? This is definitely "POLITICAL RED FLAG!" Someone should pay attention!!!! Remember President Nixon and ENRON?!!!! Rev. Al Sharpton, Thank You. HAVE A WONDERFUL AND BLESSED DAY!!
Mitt Romney is the biggest douche bag in the political arena. He has absolutely no clue what the hell is going on, what people want ,what they need, he's just another Paris Hilton dumber than dirt.
TO: TruePatriot 445959 who wrote:
You're kiddin me, right?
You ought to know Republicans by now, they'll just deny inflation exists, turn it around, and lie about how people DON'T need as much money as the used to.
Part of the Republicans' "Ryan Plan" is to repeal minimum wage so that Republicans can lower American Workers' wages. Giving American Workers "a raise" ain't nowhere in Republicans' plans!
You must have forgotten how hard Republicans fight when Democrats want to raise the minimum wage! You'd think Republicans were voting on giving blood!
Obama/Biden 2012
The sequestration plan was supposed to be so unpalatable that both the extreme left and the extreme right would have to come together, form a compromise plan, and actually govern. What was not anticipated was the intransigence of the Tea Party/Grover Norquist crowd.
Virtually every single member of the House GOP has signed Grover Norquist's "no tax increases" blood oath, which, for reasons yet to be explained to the American public, apparently takes precedent over their oath of office. When you sell your soul to the devil to gain power, you have no soul left with which to use that power.
TRUTH!!!
.Obama the promise BREAKER!! Equals a LIAR!!! BIG EMBARRASSMENT to the USA!!!
Obama’s promise that his healthcare proposals would “never be purchased with [a] tax increase on middle-class families.” The SUPREME COURT & JUSTICE DEPT say it is a TAX!!! .Attack on the middle Class! Taxation by misrepresentation
…….…NOW Obama wants to invade Syria and Iran!!!
..mr. American businessman..YOU DID NOT MAKE THAT!! It was stolen from the back of the worker---PURE MARXISM!!
Remember these?
THE OBAMA CHRONICLES:
“I promise 100% transparency in my administration.”.
“I promise NO NEW TAXES on a family making less than $250K a year.”.
“I will allow 5 days of public comment before I sign any bills.”.
“I will remove earmarks from PORK projects before I sign any bill.”.
“I will end Income Tax for seniors making less than $50K a year.”.
"I will bring ALL of our troops home within ONE year."
“I’ll put the Health Care negotiations on CSPAN so everyone can see who is at the table!”.
“I’ll have no lobbyists in my administration."
"I'll close Guantanamo."
"I'll resign if I don't cut the deficit in half by the end of four years."
"I'll unite the people of this great country."
“The TROOPS will be home for CHRISTMAS.” WHY ARE MORE LEAVING EVERYDAY???? AND DYING every day…
NOW Obama invokes Executive Privilege( as a Sen. called it’s use a RUSE!) for Holder on GUN SMUGGLING and killing US Agent Brain Terry!!! That only applies if Obama was part of it!! Obama & Holder should be on trial for giving Machine Guns to the Mexican Drug cartels!!
BETTER KNOWN AS LIES.
Fool me once shame on YOU!
Fool me twice shame on ME!
Cut and paste is a wonderful thing, isn't it? It protects you from thinking and you can tell other people's lies and they don't have to work at it.
Guantanamo? The GOP vowed to keep it open and there continues to be a deadlock on the subject. Blame the GOP.
Unite the country? Talk to the divisive and hateful Republicans.
I googled some of the other specious quotes and the only place they appear is on the exact same chain email crap grinder you have shared with us here.
In other words, fail.
Hey, the GOP made the deal - they need to stick to their word.
They do, but come on what is the value of a politician's word?
Say, I remember when O said he'd cut the deficit in half by the end of his first term.
Man, he better hurry up, only a few months to go.
Gee...
And here I was thinking the Democrats had a hand in that deal as well.
Play #1 in the lib handbook - always blame a rich person, or at minimum a republican. Never admit to any responsibility for anything at all.
NoPoints
It was ROMNEY, you know, the REPUBLICAN candidate for president, that is now stating he wants to renege on the deal.
But nice to see you use the typical republicon M.O.: CLAIM IT"S THE OTHER GUY THAT"S GUILTY OF WHAT YOU REGULARLY PRACTICE.
Puh-lease -
Perhaps you might want to revisit the democratic gnashing of teeth over the cuts, and how badly they publicly want to "renege" on that deal.
That is a bipartisan thing, not just a republican one.
Very nice use of caps, tho - it certainly added emphasis to your otherwise fairly pointless post.
TO: Spanky- who wrote:
Republicans wouldn't let him.
You and the whole world knows that Republicans stalled our economic Recovery because they were afraid it would make President Obama look good.
Get real, would ya!
Obama/Biden 2012
Romney is a friggin idiot! Why the press keeps reporting on every word this fool utters is just as crazy as the stuff he says. Seriously has anyone heard this guy say ANYTHING that would fix our nations problems? Romney is like a wind sock he changes direction with every political breeze. He stands for nothing and he says nothing; however he is very good at destroying peoples lives by stealing their retirement funds and sending their jobs to China.
TO: notalkingpoints who wrote:
Romney and George "Curveball" Bush are both Republicans, and you're right neither one has taken any responsiblity for anything at all, and it doesn't look as though they ever will.
Obama/Biden 2012
TO: BigAl Las Vegas who wrote:
I think the Press just gets a tickle watching Romney contradict himself.
Obama/Biden 2012
No, with friends like, Boehner, Cantor, Issa, Bachmann, Alan West, DeMint, Ryan, McConnell, Norquist, Rove, Koch Boys, Adelson, Entire Repbulican Senate, exception Olympia Snowe, War Criminal Chenney, Fame and Power Bush, Limbaugh, Beck, Hannity, NRA, Tea Baggers, Trump, Birthers, Palin, and last but not least the Repug, Evangelical Right Haters: the President could not get anything done to really help the country after 2010. Mich McConnell said in front of the world that the grand old bloated Elephant was going to do everything to stop him. Well the Repugs certainly did their best, but didn't quite succeed. Some of you posters need to crawl out of the Fox hole, and stop feeding at the Elephant's patoot trough.
Obama/Biden 2012
"Say, I remember when O said he'd cut the deficit in half by the end of his first term."
Hey Spanky -- I remember Reagan telling us he was going to balance the budget in 2 years. He didn't. In fact -- at the end of his second year, we had the biggest deficit of all times up until then. Were you all would up over that too?
Yo spanky,
I think you have it wrong. Wasn't it bushie who said he'd cut the deficit in half by the end of his first term? Oh wait. That's right, there wasn't a deficit when he took off. My bad.
Romney is going to make huge tax cuts and not cut defense spending. How is he planning on balancing the budget? Voodoo economics?
The nations defense is specifically outlined in the Constitution. Most of the social welfare is not. But there are certainly areas of defense that can be cut, such as continuing to maintain hundreds of bases around the globe.
However it is pretty funny that liberals are diving on Romney for suggesting what Obama's Secretary of Defense Leon Penetta has already said. Penetta has said that automatic cuts to defense will hurt the nations ability to defend itself.
There is no winning in any of the regions our forces are fighting. The culture of violence inherit in the Middle East has been bred and taught for generations, and our presence for even a decade will do nothing to change anything. They have been fighting wars for 1000's of years, they can wait us out for sure.
Lacking true democracies in which all members of society can benefit from development or their countries natural resources, most in the Middle East remain impoverished and a breeding ground for hate. Lacking hope and opportunity the US is nothing more then a police presence protecting the interests of global corporations. Hardly a recipe for success.
The GOP stepped right into the compromise thinking they would never have to keep their word, But Obama didn't relie on their word, he had it put in writing to hold them to the law.
Now they want to scream the sky is falling. Well it's not and these defense contractors that love the GOP for bring home the bacon need to be tooling up for other industries instead of riding the back of the Military complex bandwagon. Maybe they can move to china and produce for the chinese.
TO: Rick-3416939 who wrote:
But Rick, the United States already has enough weapons to destroy the entire planet at least 100 times.
The United States has so many nuclear weapons they can't get rid of them to build more newer weapons without destroying the entire planet!
At the time the U.S. Constitution was written we didn't have nuclear weapons, AND we have stockpiles of tons of stuff none of us have even heard of yet!
Get real, would you! There is waaaaay too much money in Defense, which only continues to encourage Republicans to wage war on anybody and everybody, just so they get to tap into all that "Defense" cash and squander it, making sure a whole lot of that "Defense" money finds its way into their own pockets!
Obama/Biden 2012
Since all our leaders seem to 'fear' the NRA, how about gun control on the ballot and letting the majority decide what the majority wants! National registry for all purchases, including gun shows. Eliminating assult rifles and clips over 10.
For my hunting friends, if you can't hit your target in 10 tries, you probably shouldn't be hunting in the 1st place.
So we gonna put the 2nd Amend only up for a vote, or you up for putting them all up?
Why is 10 your magic number? Why not 20 or 2?
Oh and you might not know this, but no all guns are used for hunting.
Ah well, no matter, your calls for gun control will go nowhere.
Too many of us clingers out there I suppose.
Lyn -
Bad plan there, since poll after poll says that intitative would be DOA.
Gun control liberal style is not going to happen - there is simply not the support that would require.
Calls for increased gun control always follow incidents such as in Aurora, and it always goes nowhere, for the same reason - there is simply not the support that it requires.
The act of one madman should not change the laws for the other 312 million or so citizens.
Spanky, can you explain to me what you need to use assault rifles for?
Why it's simple silly - to shoot stuff.
Or is this an "assault" rifle thing-y?
Cause to me they all tend to be very assaulting.
It's about liberty boss. What I need is not an issue, what with the whole 1st amendment and all. But funny thing is I bet you drive a car. Cars kill far more than guns.
Heartlight do you drive an assault vehicle? How many people have died in or because of the make, model of your car?
59-points, and the man still has pointless plans coming soon, at a theater near you. Whatevah.
RedDev -
Pointless plans? I wonder how it is that you know already they are pointless....
Actually, I dont wonder at all - it is coming from a (gasp) republican, therefore in your world view must be twisted and evil. Your mind is completely made up, and set in stone.
I notice that you did not answer any of my points, so it must be that you can not.
Yeah,......but you can't cap somebody at 200 yards out with a 1972 Ford Galaxy 500.
No point in responding as I agree with you. The NRA has brainwashed the American public that they must own guns because owning guns to point-aim-fire at dirt <wink, wink> is the bestest pastime ever conceived. Just ask Spanky. Why, it is more fun than baseball, apple pie, and a Chevrolet. Why no doubt, there will a Guns-R-Us on every corner, where anyone - everyone can buy a gun and run it across the border or better yet, walk into a theater and open fire. That is after all, the GOP theme - God and Guns against Gays, Girls and GEDs.
Red Dev -
And there is lib playbook, page 2.
Deflect, and then call names, hoping that the opposition does not notice the lack of an anwer.
And thanks, by the way, for equating republicans in general with the shooter in Colorado twice in two posts.
So very open minded of you, and how very fair
there you go again, not answering the question. Which I believe was "Spanky, can you explain to me what you need to use assault rifles for?" So how about it, Spankster? And quit trying to be funny, because you're not. Cars are not made specifically for killing. Firearms are. So the comparison ends there.
Well, this is getting just absurd. I agree with your claim that any effort at gun control is pointless, and you call that deflection. Where did I call anyone names?
But you do seem to be an epic fail at disputing my claim that Romney's 59-point plan is pointless.
I'd like to know what people think a "WELL REGULATED malitia" is?
Meaning of "well regulated militia"
The term "regulated" means "disciplined" or "trained". In Heller, the U.S. Supreme Court stated that "[t]he adjective 'well-regulated' implies nothing more than the imposition of proper discipline and training.
what I would like to know is how many of the 2nd Amendment nuts are well trained in the use of firearms? I'm going to guess not many. I support the 2nd Amendment and own firearms. No assault weapons, no tear gas and no body armor. The argument about only criminals owing guns is irrelevant in the Aurora, CO shootings. The suspect had no criminal past and was free to buy as many guns, rounds of ammo, and other implements of destruction as wanted. So how do you stop a nut case such as this? Well, for one, outlaw the sale of certain items once only available to the military or law officers. Really, why does someone need body armor? So they can kill as many people as possible before they are cut down themselves.
You need to enlist to be part of the U.S. Army. You can't just declare yourself a soldier. A well-regulated militia would mean armed soldiers, regulated by the authority that has a right to regulate a U.S. "militia" -- which would be the government. Private citizens believing they have a god-given right to own firearms doesn't make sense (sorry, but the Supreme Court's been wrong before). In that case, I believe I have a god-given right to win the lottery, among other things. However, realizing that outlawing guns just isn't going to happen (even though it worked for awhile in Britain, just saying), it seems the damage can be mitigated by outlawing assault rifles and the like. Who needs assault rifles for recreation? Nobody. Only those with some sort of a grudge and lots of agression.
I think the majority of Americans support the right to have guns. Where we differ with the NRA zealots are we believe in reason. I believe you should have to show an ID to buy guns and high capacity clips and ammo. If you buy an extremely large number of guns in a short period of time you should have to prove you aren't selling them illegally. Legitimate gun collectors wouldn't have a problem.
The expired federal assault weapons ban should be reinstated.
Actually Tony - Our well regulated militia were very well trained in "muskets"
Stop - take out your pointed cylinder - prime your rifle - take your powder horn - fill your musket - point and shoot - maybe 15 - 20 feet
Yeah - you shot a squirrel - Whoopee
2nd Amendment Rights - my dead squirrel
Isn't big businees wonderful? Aim to kill!
Scalia and the rest of the right wing of the GOP on the court read the Constitution, but failed to understand the plain meaning of the words in front of them. Like every other case they have taken on where the Constitution conflicts with their pre-conceived end results, they simply ignore the plain meaning of what the Constitution says.
Barbara Adams Jackson, that was humorous to say the least.
It sure seems to me that Mitt is one of those constantly banging the war drums. He is so hot to trot to send our children and grandchildren to fight, but not so enthusiastic to send those of his family to "fight for our freedom." Of course, he and his are way too good to consort with the rest of "you people" (us). Besides, their patriotic duties are so different than ours. Mitt equates patriotism with getting himself elected as president. Talk about entitlement mentality!
"We have met the enemy and he is us!" Pogo by Walt Kelly
Nurse -
What a collection of out of context qoutes, spiced well with assumptions, and cooked to a golden brown with overheated rhetoric and distortion.
It is blindingly obvious that you dont like people with money, and equally obvious you have not spent much time around them. If you had, you might then understand that Romney is not the first rich person to take advantage of his wealth, and that this is not a crime.
Or perhaps you think that President Obama is not doing his "patriotic" duty in serving as president? So how would Romney serving as President be any less patriotic?
Double standard much?
...Yeah... The wealthy are the first ones to employ the Double Standards.
During Vietnam guys like Romney got lots of deferments, or were able to do their active military time in the National Guard where their attendance wasn't all that well charted (Anyone remember that slacker by the name of Bush?).
For the poor and middle class? No such luck. If your draft number got picked your only choices were to run to Canada, or head for Vietnam.
What I always find interesting, that Nurse so quickly noted, was the love these guys have for foreign intervention when it comes to sending other peoples children to war. For these guys, that's no big deal.
By the way...
The United States Defense Budget, the highest defense budget in the world, is up around 711 Billion dollars spent per year (41% of the total world's military spending). The closest runner-up is China with an estimated budget of 143 Billion dollars (about 8%). Next is Russia with about 71 Billion dollars (4% and 1/10 of the US budget).
I think our very, very, very excessive budget could use some trimming (I'd say in the neighborhood of about 500 Billion a year).
Anjisan -
And when you have a point against Romney that is not 40 years old, I will start to be interested.
Or just for fun, you could maybe try not blaming Bush for just a moment, or at least not invoking the name at every opportunity you think you see.
Maybe you should consider the troops still out there in the Middle East - you know, the troops that President Obama said he was going to bring home?
Spare me the empty rhetoric about how all republicans are warmongers, please. I realise that it is an article of the liberal faith, but that does not change the fact that at best it is a serious overstatement of fact.
Nopoint...."double standard" is an adjective followed by a noun. Do you actually believe that using them as a verb makes you look clever? Are all people that flunked 4th grade English as clever as you are?
I'm interested in reading, exactly, how much you think the DOD should receive and where that money will come from. Then, if you can, explain which out of date, useless weapons you plan to continue paying for and why.
Put your money where your mouth is, little one.
No, Spineless, no core, etch-e-sketch, flip-flopper was a draft avoider, just like your Hero Chenney and National Guarder Bush. Beat the drums for war I think the American people have had enough of that. Meanwhile all these right-wingers shrieking about Syria, where were you when the people of Darfur were being slaughtered. I know, could it be because they are black and not worth the ground they died on. Hypocrites, mean-spirited, haters. Ignorant elephants.
Obama/Biden 2012
At least he isn't as bad as McCain. McCain said after the leader of North Korea died it would have been a good time to take care of them before they stabilized. There must be a republican gene that requires regular payments of blood to soothe the beast.
Romneys plan is to cut all social program payments 20%, That's 120 billion out of the current 600 billion total but increase military spending 260 billion a year. No idea how that will reduce the deficit.
Boy when you read these posts wouldn't you like to respond with the smug - self serving people who have no other joy than trying to put down somebody
This is for Nontalkingpoints first of all in your attempt to put down Nurse - it's "quote" - Oh well spelling not your strong point -
I have spent a great deal of time with wealthy people - in the horse country of Virginia
Most of them were nice people - my children played with their children
The idiots were what we called "new money" or thought their money gave them benefits they didn't deserve - like treating their help like "crap" or saying things like "you people"
We avoided these people - they were boors - like the Romney's
So Not so Well Talking Points - you come from money? - I doubt - next time pick on some one your own size like a termite
I love the warmonger reference tossed around by liberals to define Bush and the Republicans. As if the Democrats have a history of pacification. In July of 1950 Democrat President Harry Truman sent the first US servicemen to Vietnam. Democrat presidents that followed escalated our involvement, and in the end 58,000.00 plus died. More then all our military involvement since, combined.
Our constitution specifically details the defense of our nation as the duty of government. But one would have to ask if protecting the oil fields is defense of our nation? Or is it free investment security for politically connected corporations? Who really believes we would have boots in the sand were it not for the oil?
Obama pledged to bring the troops home. He has not. Bush maybe is to blame for sending our troops to Iraq, even if he could not have done so without Congressional approval of a bi-partisan nature. But Obama has had almost 4 years to bring them home and hasn't. Why not? Because a bloviating Obama on the campaign trail doesn't trump the reality of the anti-western desires of Iran.
A stable Middle East is in the worlds best interest, but can it ever be achieved? The entire region has been fighting wars for 1000's of years, so it would seem they can't learn the hard way. They teach hatred in schools and most of the citizens are impoverished, just a formula for failure. The US doesn't get any real help from the rest of the world to deal with the region because the rest of the world knows hatred will win out, and they don't want to be a target for the next 1000 years.
War mongering by Republicans? War mongering by Democrats? Who cares. Let's just focus on American war mongering. We love to go to war. On cable TV, we have "The Military Channel" which is 24 hours of wars and war machines. That's not enough though, so we broadcast our excess war documentaries on The History Channel, The Discovery Channel, etc...
Again I state:
The United States Defense Budget, the highest defense budget in the world, is up around 711 Billion dollars spent per year (41% of the total world's military spending). The closest runner-up is China with an estimated budget of 143 Billion dollars (about 8%). Next is Russia with about 71 Billion dollars (4% and 1/10 of the US budget).
Nearly half of all military expenditures for the entire planet is generated by Americans. We have entire graveyards in the Arizona desert dedicated to machines of war that are no longer used (Davis-Monthan Air Base). We've got oil-fired supercarriers that would put any other nation's aircraft carriers to shame in inactive ship maintenance facilities while we field 11 nuclear carriers (there are only 21 total ACTIVE aircraft carriers in the entire world - most countries have only 1 or two, and these are very limited compared to our super carriers).
The jest of this article is Romney's pledge to halt automatic defense cuts.
Why? How much money was wasted in Iraq fighting a war because we were told Saddam was in league with Al Qaeda and building weapons of mass destruction (neither of which were true).
It's simply amazing how many people demand that we buy more bullets, but provide no food for the poor, while insisting on cutting back our government's efforts to help our own people
(Isn't that the whole point of a government? To protect our shores [with 11 aircraft carriers? Overkill], and to maintain the infrastructure of this country.)
YES!!! We must stop out-of-control spending, right, Republicans?
Oh...unless it's Defense spending? Right...because bombs are free?
Hey Noid--we must not cut defense because you never know when someone is going to attack us--enemies are everywhere--even under your pillow!
"We have met the enemy and he is us!" Pogo by Walt Kelly
Noid -
Actually, correct. We must indeed control spending
Pretty sure when you say because bombs are free, you are attempting to be funny.
Defense spending must be cut, there we agree. But, I would argue that is only one of the areas that needs to be cut to levels that can be sustained, and that the other areas are the sacred cows of the liberal/democratic party. You know, sort of like the defense budget is a republican sacred cow.
So yes....cut spending, correct....but...the entitlement programs must also be included. Unless of course those are free?
Nopoint...Why are you defending the party that is obviously against what you profess to believe in? You whine about double standards and then you show us that your entire argument is a double standard.
By the way..."sacred cow" is a very over-used talking point...and yet you are calling yourself "notalkingponts".
At what point do you wish to be taken seriously?
Obama's proposed budget deal was to match 2 trillion in increased taxes on the rich mostly by eliminating loopholes with 2 trillion in expenditures including social program spending. Republicans refused any deal that included any tax increases and Romneys proposal would increase military spending 260 billion a year. Which party's plan is the more responsible one?
Defense spending is Republican BIG GOVERNMENT
Actually, Rob -
Defense spending is defense spending.
Big government is the government dictating to us what we can and can not do via regulations. Big government is the government forcing us to buy a product from a private company. Big government is ever expanding entitlement programs, with ever expanding rolls of reipients. Big government is raising taxes on some in order to pay for others.
See the difference there?
May I point out that Defense Spending is listed in the Constitution as a direct responsibility of the federal government. All this social spending including welfare, green energy, education,food stamps, housing among many others are never mentioned which makes them the responsibility of the states not Washington
Notalkingpoints,
Big government is forcing me into two major wars that is going to cost me and the rest of us $4 Trillion dollars
Big government wants to maintain an old cold war defense posture so the very very few can get very rich off of the many (The military industrial complex).
Big government is big government. There is no difference there.
Rob -
You missed my point entirely, and if you can not see the difference between an enumerated power and government over reach, then there is no point at all in trying with you.
You have a good time in your fantasy land.
Uhm Ray, in that same line where we "provide for the common defence." We also "Promote the General Welfare"
notalkingpoints equals no talking points
My point is that Republicans like big government like anybody else does. What is your point??
I think you're trying to justify why your vision of big government is okay while others are not. Now that is fantasy land.
Ray,
If there is too much social welfare than we must end all the Republican created tax breaks and subsidies for their pet industries and individual tax shelters too.
The rich take as much or more from the fed government than the poor do.
EMDF9A
Maybe you should look up the definitions of Provide and Promote. BIG DIFFERENCE!!
I think arguing that our penchant for invading other countries doesn't really fit the definition of defense. Can anyone really argue the hundreds of billions we've spent policing and rebuilding Iraq after our futile search for WMD was money well spent?
Over the last 24 years we've had 12 years with republican presidents and 12 years with democrats. 12 years with no new wars started under democrats and 3 invasions under republicans. I guess that explains why democrats want to cut miltary budgets and republicans increase them.
Bring our Troops and Money HOME!! Secure our borders!!!
But Republican have to one thing and then do the opposite when it comes to spending. Otherwise, how can people like Cheney become so rich? The Republicans have to feed their draft dodging hawks through illegal contracts to their "service" companies like Halliburton. Writing porno novels like Lynne Cheney and Scooter Libby (they actually did write and publish them) cannot bring that much money.
Romney said that he wants to end the sequester and the Defense cuts so what will he put in its place so that we get $4 trillion worth of cuts to our debt?
Very simple, he balances the budget.
Ray,
Mitt Romney has no plan to balance the budget what-so-ever.
His budget proposal would add an estimated $7 trillion to our debt over the next 10 years.
Romney has adopted the Paul Ryan budget plan that will not balance the budget until 2040 and that depends on Ryan’s assumption that unemployment will drop to 3% which we haven’t seen in 50 years.
Yep, Republicans don't worry about deficits when they are in power - it just means more investment opportunities in the no-risk Treasury Bonds that finance those deficits. Even better, when interest on the growing National Debt gets big enough, they plan to use that as a convenient excuse to eliminate all the "social welfare" programs they don't like - food stamps, medicaid, medicare, social security, public education, etc.
They'll never touch the corporate welfare that benefits the rich.
Romney "vows".....everyone knows what that means!
hmm, just days after the king of private defense firms (Cheney) helps him throw a fundraiser, hes out and about talking about not cutting defense budgets..
Another liberal can kicker. Lets keep spending like no tomorrow. All you romney lovers. Its business as usual. While I detest obama---This is just another liberal potentially coming into office. ALa mccain.
Obama offered to match 2 trillion in tax increases closing loopholes mostly on the rich with 2 trillion in cuts including social programs. Romney does offer to cut social program spending by 120 billion a year but wants to increase military spending 260 billion a year. Sounds like Obama's plan is less kicking the can than Romneys.
Romney finally opened his mouth with a specific, and it involves spending money. Well, actually, it's his second specific, after cutting everyone's taxes another 20 percent, without offering to mention any of the loopholes he's going to close. Two specifics so far, one of which involves bringing in less money, the other involves spending more. Yeah, that budget is closer to getting balanced.
The man signed Obamacare into law in his state years before anyone had any idea what Obamacare is. Today, he has made its repeal the centerpiece of his campaign.
This is the "Conservative option" this year? Really?
Gary Johnson 2012: His numbers add up.
.Obama the promise BREAKER!! Equals a LIAR!!! BIG EMBARRASSMENT to the USA!!!
Obama’s promise that his healthcare proposals would “never be purchased with [a] tax increase on middle-class families.” The SUPREME COURT & JUSTICE DEPT say it is a TAX!!! .Attack on the middle Class! Taxation by misrepresentation
…….…NOW Obama wants to invade Syria and Iran!!!
..mr. American businessman..YOU DID NOT MAKE THAT!! It was stolen from the back of the worker---PURE MARXISM!!
Remember these?
THE OBAMA CHRONICLES:
“I promise 100% transparency in my administration.”.
“I promise NO NEW TAXES on a family making less than $250K a year.”.
“I will allow 5 days of public comment before I sign any bills.”.
“I will remove earmarks from PORK projects before I sign any bill.”.
“I will end Income Tax for seniors making less than $50K a year.”.
"I will bring ALL of our troops home within ONE year."
“I’ll put the Health Care negotiations on CSPAN so everyone can see who is at the table!”.
“I’ll have no lobbyists in my administration."
"I'll close Guantanamo."
"I'll resign if I don't cut the deficit in half by the end of four years."
"I'll unite the people of this great country."
“The TROOPS will be home for CHRISTMAS.” WHY ARE MORE LEAVING EVERYDAY???? AND DYING every day…
NOW Obama invokes Executive Privilege( as a Sen. called it’s use a RUSE!) for Holder on GUN SMUGGLING and killing US Agent Brain Terry!!! That only applies if Obama was part of it!! Obama & Holder should be on trial for giving Machine Guns to the Mexican Drug cartels!!
BETTER KNOWN AS LIES.
Fool me once shame on YOU!
Fool me twice shame on ME!
time to institute "decimation" into the american political system,no?
Ten percent is way too low kerber, fifty percent is way better, one hundred percent ideal!
Or best of all, just vote them out of office!
The only specifics I want to see are the tax returns he continues to cover up. There is something very damaging contained in his tax returns. Otherwise, he would release them!
I don't know how anyone can trust a word out of this man's mouth.
What Romneys hiding is the fact for many years he paid zero taxes like General Electric. He's part of the 48% who pay no taxes the right rants about.
All romney is doing is following President Obama around trying to copy his ideas so he can have something to talk about because he has shown he is also mentally dense and has nothing original to speak on. Even with the shooting in colorado without President Obama coming out speaking on it you can bet no one would have ever saw romney or his wife's face.
Cheney made a special trip to D.C. to talk with the GOP Congress - guess he felt the need for more warmongering. Mitt had a private chat with Cheney, promised more warmongering if elected - gota love those Republicans, they keep the killing of U.S. Soldiers going at the taxpayers expense!
Poor Mittens is forgetting that Congress already tried to shift the defense cuts back and it didn't work because why? The GNOP blocked it! Shocker!
How about those tax returns?
So, Romney wants to continue the ignorance which has doubled our military budget over the past decade of wars, Even though Obama has ended one war and the other is ending after next year, Even the military itself is refusing some expenditure Republicans in Congress are insisting upon them making for un-needed equipment!!
When did the USA become no more than a military Nation??
How many billions will go to Halliburton and the other warmongering corporate military interest??
It's about Jobs STUPID!
The governments role in creating jobs is limited. About the only thing they can do is make money cheaper though it's near zero, lower taxes or increase spending on military or infrastructure programs all unpopular with such a massive deficit.
I guess those who want to divert attention from Romney's lies would rather we all sit around talking about jobs. Hey man, 8.2% unemployment really sucks. Ya...
Lets talk about Romney refusing to release his returns instead.
8,000 Oklahoma defense-related jobs could be at risk with federal cuts
Ha - Republican Propagandist at work. How much does the GOP Elephant pay for this bag of cracked nuts?
bobs, you're an idiot.... crawl back in your hole!
It's called smaller government....exactly what you GOP are constantly complaining about. We need to get out of the business of war and killing people around the world. It's not the government job to employ people you GOPs keep telling us. So have the rich GOPs create non-defense jobs....like a factory producting clothes in the good old USA.
sssssmith
interesting you re concerned about the 8000 defense jobs
but you teapublicans have no concerns about jobs of police/fireman and the likes!
btw - your post #17.2 demsonstrates you and your ilk have no desire for discussion....stick to the standard GOP scare tactic and leave the name calling out!
TO: ssmithlg who wrote:
You want us to think that Republicans give a crap about jobs after the way Republicans stalled our Recovery?!!!
You gotta be kiddin me!
They're "federal" jobs, so let them all go to hell, Romney would!
Automatic cuts in federal spending will cost the economy more than 2 million jobs, if Congress fails to resolve the looming budget crisis, according to an analysis released Tuesday.
The study, obtained by The Associated Press, was conducted for the Aerospace Industries Association, but it examined the shared pain for defense and domestic programs from the across-the-board reductions slated to kick in Jan. 2. The cuts would reduce the nation's gross domestic product by $215 billion next year while consumer confidence would plummet, said the report by Dr. Stephen Fuller of George Mason University and Chmura Economics and Analytics.
You do realize, ssmith, that this "looming buget crisis" in completely the fault of the Republicans in the House, right? Can you remember as far back as a year ago?
How are you going to hold your party accountable for this mess that they have created?
Congress created the problem so let Congress solve it. So what if the defense department has to layoff people. Look at all the state, county and cities who are laying off people and these people actually had jobs giving services to the people in their communities.
.Obama the promise BREAKER!! Equals a LIAR!!! BIG EMBARRASSMENT to the USA!!!
Obama’s promise that his healthcare proposals would “never be purchased with [a] tax increase on middle-class families.” The SUPREME COURT & JUSTICE DEPT say it is a TAX!!! .Attack on the middle Class! Taxation by misrepresentation
…….…NOW Obama wants to invade Syria and Iran!!!
..mr. American businessman..YOU DID NOT MAKE THAT!! It was stolen from the back of the worker---PURE MARXISM!!
Remember these?
THE OBAMA CHRONICLES:
“I promise 100% transparency in my administration.”.
“I promise NO NEW TAXES on a family making less than $250K a year.”.
“I will allow 5 days of public comment before I sign any bills.”.
“I will remove earmarks from PORK projects before I sign any bill.”.
“I will end Income Tax for seniors making less than $50K a year.”.
"I will bring ALL of our troops home within ONE year."
“I’ll put the Health Care negotiations on CSPAN so everyone can see who is at the table!”.
“I’ll have no lobbyists in my administration."
"I'll close Guantanamo."
"I'll resign if I don't cut the deficit in half by the end of four years."
"I'll unite the people of this great country."
“The TROOPS will be home for CHRISTMAS.” WHY ARE MORE LEAVING EVERYDAY???? AND DYING every day…
NOW Obama invokes Executive Privilege( as a Sen. called it’s use a RUSE!) for Holder on GUN SMUGGLING and killing US Agent Brain Terry!!! That only applies if Obama was part of it!! Obama & Holder should be on trial for giving Machine Guns to the Mexican Drug cartels!!
BETTER KNOWN AS LIES.
Fool me once shame on YOU!
Fool me twice shame on ME!
Florida will lose nearly 80,000 jobs if Congress cannot agree on a deficit-reduction plan by the end of the year and automatic spending cutbacks kick in
Then tell the governor of Florida and the hundreds of politicians in that state to create jobs. Why does the federal government have to do it? Have you seen all the yachts parked on the shores of Florida? Get the rich to invest in their state.
Arizona could lose 49,000 jobs if federal budget cuts take effect
That the GOP authorized.
Georgia to lose 54,512 jobs with federal cuts
That the GOP authorized.
Federal cuts could cost 207,000 Virginia jobs
That the GOP authorized.
See, I can cut and paste too.
A cult member Mittens with nukes. Now that is scary.
Cuts to defense spending would cost 34,000 jobs to North Carolina.
Does the GOP pay by the Quantity of BS, or by the Quality? From the smell of it, The G.W. Bush Presidential Library supplied your Sniggeristics.
bobs, what's the first thing you see when you open your eyes in the morning, Obama's colon, or your own?
NOBAMA2012.. NEVER send a "community organizer" to do a CEO's job!
Stick to cutting and pasting your useless and, no doubt, horribly inaccurate numbers, ssmith. When you venture out on your own, you cease to appear as human.
Bobs - since ssmith obviously works for the RNC, ssmith, no doubt, is working out of a computer bank in India getting paid 50 cents a post. Republicans do not employ Americans.
Shockedanddisgusted, you're an idiot too! Crawl back into the hole you share with bobs!
Well...I guess it's some consolation that the GOP is willing to hire the mentally disabled in India.
Cut the military budget in half.
We're not policeman to the world any more- the morons who killed the middle class also destroyed the tax base funding that largess.
It's over- and by the way...if we did cut our military budget in two, we'd still outspend every other country on this planet.
We destroyed it completely already- at least economically.
We can kill all chordate life in the twinkling of a nuke- just how much more power do we need?
We're not planning to rule the world, so we don't need an army of occupation.
Romney's a sock puppet who wants solid gold buttons and silk embroidery- and he's not getting either on my watch.
FeO2 Dreams... 2 Million people are about to lose their jobs, are YOU going to employ them?
Well, Mitt certainly isn't. His record at Bain was one of off-shoring and firing, with a little minimum wage hiring for those retail jobs that just couldn't be "off-shored".
If we're going to have the Government hiring people, or paying companies to hire people, it would be much better if those people were hired to do useful work and produce useful goods, rather than hiring them to produce weapons that should never be used and which could destroy us.