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Subscribe to RSSTAMPA, Fla. -- It’s government, “not cultures” that define the difference between Israelis and Palestinians. That’s according to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), who appeared to differ with presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney as he tried to defend him.
“I am sure that Gov. Romney was not talking about difference in cultures, or difference in anybody superior or inferior,” said McCain, a chief Romney foreign policy surrogate, today during a news conference after an event here with Sens. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). “What I’m sure Gov. Romney was talking was that the Israeli economy has grown and prospered in a dramatic fashion. And unfortunately, the Palestinians have not had that same economic development.
“And that goes to the leadership of the Palestinians. Everybody knows that Yasser Arafat was corrupt. And we also know that the Palestinian people have not been blessed with the kind of government that has lower regulations, less taxes, entrepreneurship, which have caused the Israeli economy to be one of the world’s most successful. It has nothing to do with cultures. It has nothing to do with superiority or inferiority. But facts of the booming Israeli economy has to do with the kind of government that the Israeli people have freely and democratically elected which has given them a very prosperous country.”
McCain noted he had not seen or heard Romney’s remarks, but that didn’t stop him from defending what Romney meant.
“I’m sure I know what he was saying, though,” McCain continued. “And what he was saying, though, is that the Israelis have had a government with less regulation, lower taxes, which has allowed them to have a strong and prosperous economy. Unfortunately, when you go over to many of the Palestinian areas, you do not see that same kind of economic development. Governments matter.”
Yesterday at a fundraiser in Israel, Romney said:
“[A]as you come here and you see the GDP per capita for instance in Israel which is about 21,000 dollars and you compare that with the GDP per capita just across the areas managed by the Palestinian Authority which is more like 10,000 dollars per capita you notice a dramatic, stark difference in economic vitality.”
Then paraphrasing a book by a Harvard professor called, “The Wealth and Poverty of Nations,” he added:
“[I]f you could learn anything from the economic history of the world it’s this: culture makes all the difference. Culture makes all the difference. And as I come here and I look out over this city and consider the accomplishments of the people of this nation, I recognize the power of at least culture and a few other things.”
The Associated Press picked up on the comments and noted: “Romney said some economic histories have theorized that ‘culture makes all the difference’.” And that “Palestinian reaction to Romney was swift and pointed.”
It quoted Saeb Erekat, a senior aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who said: "It is a racist statement and this man doesn't realize that the Palestinian economy cannot reach its potential because there is an Israeli occupation.”
And AP added:
“While speaking to U.S. audiences, Romney often highlights culture as a key to economic success and emphasizes the power of the American entrepreneurial spirit compared to the values of other countries. But his decision to highlight cultural differences in a region where such differences have helped fuel violence for generations raises new questions about the former businessman's diplomacy skills.”
The Romney campaign called for a correction from the AP, because of "his remarks being grossly mischaracterized," it claimed.
The campaign also passed around the broader context of his speech – and highlighted that he had made similar remarks in Chicago in March while talking about other countries.
But that context does not appear to change the meaning of what Romney was saying. And he certainly did not make the case that government was a reason for the differences. (That context, sent by the campaign, is copied at the end of this post in full.)
*** UPDATE: NBC's Garrett Haake, traveling with the campaign, reports from Gdansk, Poland, that senior Romney campaign strategist Stuart Stevens told reporters he takes issue with the story, calling it "completely manufactured," "sloppy," and even "invented."
He said the quote from Romney "revolves around an observation the governor has made in his book" and "mentioned in big speeches." The story, he claims, "never should have been written, was not handled responsibly and the Romney campaign was never called for comment. The economic situations for prosperity are interesting to study and important. "
He added that the comments were "not in any way an attempt to slight the Palestinians, and everyone knows that." And he even goes so far as to say: "It is regrettable whenever a story is handled improperly and I think we all agree on that." ***
--
McCain also said he agreed with Romney that the American embassy in Israel should be moved to Jerusalem.
“Absolutely. I agree that the embassy should be moved to Jerusalem, and I think that those who are strong supporters of Israel should take note that the President of the United States has failed to take a position on the embassy location,” McCain said. “And it should be in Jerusalem and that has been the subject of numerous resolutions by the United States Congress over the years.”
The American embassy – and every other country's in the world – is currently located in Tel Aviv. At the heart of the long-running peace process dispute between Israelis and Palestinians is where a Palestinian capital would be. Palestinians would like it to be centered in East Jerusalem.
Here are the remarks, passed along by the Romney campaign:
Gov. Romney: “I was thinking this morning as I prepared to come into this room of a discussion I had across the country in the United States about my perceptions about differences between countries. And as you come here and you see the GDP per capita for instance in Israel which is about 21,000 dollars and you compare that with the GDP per capita just across the areas managed by the Palestinian Authority which is more like 10,000 dollars per capita you notice a dramatic, stark difference in economic vitality. And that is also between other countries that are near or next to each other. Chile and Ecuador, Mexico and the United States. I noted that part of my interest when I used to be in the world of business is I would travel to different countries was to understand why there were such enormous disparities in the economic success of various countries. I read a number of books on the topic. One, that is widely acclaimed, is by someone named Jared Diamond called ‘Guns, Germs and Steel,’ which basically says the physical characteristics of the land account for the differences in the success of the people that live there. There is iron ore on the land and so forth. And you look at Israel and you say you have a hard time suggesting that all of the natural resources on the land could account for all the accomplishment of the people here. And likewise other nations that are next door to each other have very similar, in some cases, geographic elements. But then there was a book written by a former Harvard professor named ‘The Wealth and Poverty of Nations.’ And in this book Dr. Landes describes differences that have existed—particularly among the great civilizations that grew and why they grew and why they became great and those that declined and why they declined. And after about 500 pages of this lifelong analysis—this had been his study for his entire life—and he’s in his early 70s at this point, he says this, he says, if you could learn anything from the economic history of the world it’s this: culture makes all the difference. Culture makes all the difference. And as I come here and I look out over this city and consider the accomplishments of the people of this nation, I recognize the power of at least culture and a few other things. One, I recognize the hand of providence in selecting this place. I’m told in a Sunday school class I attended— I think my son Tagg was teaching the class. He’s not here. I look around to see. Of course he’s not here. He was in London. He taught a class in which he was describing the concern on the part of some of the Jews that left Egypt to come to the promised land, that in the promised land was down the River Nile, that would provide the essential water they had enjoyed in Egypt. They came here recognizing that they must be relied upon, themselves and the arm of God to provide rain from the sky. And this therefore represented a sign of faith and a show of faith to come here. That this is a people that has long recognized the purpose in this place and in their lives that is greater than themselves and their own particular interests, but a purpose of accomplishment and caring and building and serving. There’s also something very unusual about the people of this place. And Dan Senor-- And Dan, I saw him this morning, I don’t know where he is, he’s probably out twisting someone’s arm—There’s Dan Senor, co-author of ‘Start-up Nation,’ described-- If you haven’t read the book, you really should-- Described why it is Israel is the leading nation for start-ups in the world. And why businesses one after the other tend to start up in this place. And he goes through some of the cultural elements that have led Israel to become a nation that has begun so many businesses and so many enterprises and that is becomes so successful.” (Mitt Romney, Remarks at Fundraiser, Israel, 7/30/12)
***
Gov. Romney: “Now as you know, this November we face a -- an important decision. Our choice will be not just one of party and personality. This election is going to be about principle. Our economic freedom will be on the ballot. And I intend to offer the American people a choice. I spent 25 years in business, by the way as you probably know. My business used to take me to different parts of the world and -- and I was often struck by enormous differences between different nations that in many cases were living right next door to each other. I -- I was interested in the differences in their prosperity and how it was that nations so close to each other in terms of geography, could be so different in terms of prosperity. I mean look at Mexico and the United States, Israel and Egypt, Chile and Ecuador. And -- and I read a number of books that purported to explain the differences. One of them by Jared Diamond called "Guns, Germs and Steel", argued that the difference was due largely to the minerals in the ground and the -- the physical characteristics, natural resources associated with different countries. But that didn't explain it all, just a part. And then I happened to read a book by Professor David Landes called, "The Wealth and Poverty of Nations." And in that he -- he traces the history of all the great civilizations on the earth. Those that have come and gone. And after about 500 pages of scholarly analysis he concludes with -- with this observation. He says, "If we learn anything from the economic -- the history of economic development it is this, culture makes all the difference." Culture makes all the difference. Culture. What is it about America's culture that's made us the greatest economic power in the history of the earth? And of course there are a lot of things that come to mind. Our work ethic. Our appreciation for -- for education. The -- the willingness of Americans to take risk. Our commitment to honor contract oath, our family devotion. Our -- our commitment to purpose greater than ourselves. Our patriotism.” (Mitt Romney, Remarks, Chicago, IL, 3/19/12)
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*yawn*
Why is this old codger still relevant?
Time for McNasty to retire and go back to doing what he does best; Yelling at pigeons on park benches & counting his houses!
I have never seen a campaign as "touchy" as Team Willard's is...
It's a sympton of hoof & mouth disease!
McCain cannot fix what came out of Willards mouth!......Willard continues to insult and offend world leaders with ignorance and word-salads.......
So, McCain, tell it to Saeb Erekat..."Willard didn't mean that"!...........sure!
“I am sure that Gov. Romney was not talking about difference in cultures, or difference in anybody superior or inferior,” said McCain, a chief Romney foreign policy surrogate, today during a news conference after an event here with Sens. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)
Sorry John, When you're dealing with politics at this level, foreign or domestic, you don't get a second chance. Your idiot candidate said what he said, end of argument.........
Obama/Biden 2012
The ONLY real reason that the Palestinians are not being 'successful' economically is the same one that has plagued any and all nations under military occupation. The Israelis are directly to blame for the lack of development when they steal the best lands, cut the West bank into tiny sections and rarely let anyone move around, completely control imports and exports to the region and if the Palestinians DO build anything, it gets bombed back to the Bronze Age.
Get Israel OUT of the West bank, Entirely and the Palestinians will do just fine!
Rmoney is being coached by his big money man, Adelson, and so OF COURSE he is hammering the ZIONIST (NOT 'Jewish') line of BS on the matter.
And you should know that the "some guy" Willard refers to (Jared Diamond) won the Pulitzer Prize for that book. But beyond that- the book itself is brilliant and should be required reading for all. Unfortunately, Willard has completely misunderstood and misstated the ideas of the book. Considering his dishonesty in other areas it should be no surprise that he is self-serving and intellectually dishonest as well.
Romney says he "knows business", but its clear he doesn't understand the basics of foreign policy.
Heh, McCain pretending to know cultural differences in countries on the other side of the planet amuses me.
Please McCain, you have three major religions that feel they have a God given right to a small territory, Basically the area is the birthplace of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, for over two thousand years their problems with each other have always been cultural. Nobody has ever been ever to negotiate a long lasting peace over there because all three religions will never let any man negotiate over what they all believe God himself has bequeathed to them. The Exodus, Jihad, and the Crusades were never about government, I can see why you were at the very bottom of your class McCain, did you ever crack a book?
Methinks Mr. Romney and Mr. McCain do not like each other very much.
Just go back and substitute the name "Palin" for "Romney" and you have a story right out of 2008.
Phine...
McCain and the inner circle of GOP know all there is to know about Willard and it ain't good. That clearly explains why McCain chose Palin instead of Willard.
But now, that same inner circle is trying desperately to keep all that they know under wraps as they try to hoist Willard on the American people!
Those who would vote for him ought to be afraid, very afraid!
Romney is NOT accustomed to let alone tolerant of scrutiny or criticism of any kind. The man can't even stand to be touched, whether the Secret Service or the Vet who introduced him -- certainly not by "you people" as in common folk, peasants (his hand shake looks like touching a cold fish). IMO Romney has some "issues" beyond the need for secrecy and related paranoia, also authority issues from bullying, impersonating a cop -- And physical inhibitions such as being touched, stiffness, and lack of genuineness whether his laugh or pretty much anything he says or does.
Aside from complete disgust with his economic, foreign policy, and religious positions, Romney lacks the correct temperament to be POTUS, and more importantly each day we see that being a CEO does not automatically translate into qualification to be a statesman, Commander in Chief, and leader of the free world. He is more "disconcerting" than the Manchurian candidate.
No Mormon Last Days Neocon Foreign Policy! No GOP/Bush-era voodoo economics on steroids! No legislating morality and attacking women's rights! No corporate raiding of the middle class! No going backward to the Dark Ages! Throw the Teapublicans out, and Romney the plutocrat with them!
"The Romney campaign called for a correction from the AP, because of "his remarks being grossly mischaracterized," it claimed."
This is just too funny. Romney and his group have taken lots out of context that Obama has said..and now his own group is complaining about most likely true statements made by Romney as being taken wrong..this is just too cool. Romney and his own handlers are lieing about what Obama says ..yet have a hard time with their own truths. And this man , Romney , is running for president of this nation..and there are folks willing to vote for him..and his republican teaparty whatevers. Bush ran this country into a huge debt and an even larger job loss..can not wait to see just how far Romney would take this country..and how much farther into debt this country would get into with republicans in control. Wonder just how many more jobs he would want to ship elsewhere...
Could part pf it also be that the Palestinian boarders have been closed by the Israelis for years, except for a couple of crossing points which prevent free flow of trade into Palestine?
So now the Romney campaign thinks it is wrong to be "taken out of context".. Wow.. "Do as I say not as I do" anyone??
You could agree or disagree with the Palestinian spokes person.. but he did have a point when talking about Romney's diplomacy or lack there of.. and some people want this guy representing us all abroad!?! No thanks! Replacing Obama should come with an upgrade if that were ever to happen.. not a downgrade president!
McCain is a good example of why there should be term limits.I dont know one person who likes him or voted for him.It was hard to beleave he was actually the republican candidate for president.Im in arizona.
All those old brain dead farts in congress need to go also,my 78 year old dad thinks so also.i recommend a six year term limit for congress.
I wish we could have an election with no encumbents.You dems,Harry Reid and Nancy Pulousy?really?
The culture a country or a people most certainly can determine the level of their economic success. All cultures are not created equal. Culture determines work ethic, educational philosophy, political philosophy, religious philosophy, utilization of resources, relationships with other governments and cultures, and many other areas that affect economic success. Israel is superior to most of the other cultures in the middle east. Their success and prosperity in the face of so many daunting challenges is obvious proof of that. It is not just American support either. Israel is simply a better country and culture from any perspective you care to choose. By the way, I am not Jewish.
As an aside, the economic success of the US is being threatened by a change in our culture.
Willard Romney's world tour has made him almost as unpopular as George W. Bush and Dick Cheney. He has three countries on the agenda and so far he has managed to insult his hosts or otherwise speak poorly in two of the three. We'll have to see what he does in Poland. Maybe he can go for the hat trick.
The Republican party just simply does not have ANYONE who is an effective, intelligent leader. The last one they had was President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and that was 50 years ago. Ever since they became the party of hate in the 1960's, fully absorbing the Dixiecrats who couldn't stand LBJ giving any kind of rights to blacks, they have been going down hill and taking the country over the cliff with them whenever they can.
Don't tell me Mittens stepped in it again? Good thing his "apology tour" is a short one!
Before, the liberals were saying "Just give some land for peace".
Sure.
Israel left Gaza, and instead of peace, Israel got terror attacks and thousands of rockets lobbed against her.
How about this for a change: Stop attacking Israel for 2 years, and then try to sincerely negotiate.
They move the embassy to Jerusalem and it will become a target. This is just another Gulf of Tonkin. Give them a reason to attack and then you can start another war because they attacked.
Romney's comments are 100% on the mark. There is a marked cultural difference among Israelis (who themselves have significant cultural diversity with economic ramifications) and Palestininans and residents of many other Arab countries as well (see Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Egypt as prime examples) that impacts not only economic but other societal issues. The issue has nothing to do with racism or inherent ability or talent or genetics or any other possible allegation of favored or chosen status. There are plenty of educationally and economically successful Palestinians who live in the United States and other Western countries and, indeed, there are even more than a few in Israel itself. However, an environment where perpetuation of hatred for Israelis and others who espouse Western cultural values takes precedence over all other considerations, where suicide bombers and terrorist murderers are regarded as the role models most admired, where killing of women and children is the cause of mass celebration, where potential concentration on social and economic progress is regarded as inimical to a political agenda that is directed solely at delegitimization, non-recognition and eventual destruction of Israel and therefore publicly suppressed, irreutably attests to the existence of a huge divide in culture and values. Indeed, this divide is the essence of the problem. THere can be no peace process when two societies are so clearly on different wavelengths. The "occupation" of Judea and Samaria (West Bank) is not the essence of the dispute. Rather, it hinges on what perpetually occupies the Arab mind, the 80 year obsession, pre-dating the establishment of Israel in 1948 and the 1967 change in borders, to get rid of Israel and the Jews to the exclusion of any other interest and whatever the cost in lost opportunities for a better life.
It must be hard to walk with your foot in your mouth and your head up your butt.
The truth hurts does't it LIBERALS , Romney will get elected because he tells the truth not because he's politicaly correct !!! REPUBLICANS WILL ROMP IN NOVEMBER !!!
Johnny - Put the crack pipe down.
McCain is a war monger just like the Axis of Evil 3....Bush, Cheney and Rumsfield. We better be glad he lost or we'd bein 4 or 5 endless wars unstead of just 2 !!
Wow... our presidential choices the past 20 years from the Democrats and Republicans have been less than stellar times our national debt (something odd trillion and counting).
Ignorance and poverty have smashed this land.
Wow you guys are grasping at straws. America has a culture with many different races. France has a culture.....Italy.....Germany....etc....
Israel has a culture and the Palestinians have a culture. The difference being that in the Palestinian culture the most important thing is to kill Jews. The left has become so pathetic.
I have an honest and sincere question: If the Israeli economy is so great, why do they need $3+ billion per year from us, maybe the money should be going the other way?
Israel has a culture and the Palestinians have a culture. The difference being that in the Palestinian culture the most important thing is to kill Jews.......
.......and the Israeli culture is to take Palestinian land, nobody is innocent over there (ever hear of the Irgun and the Haganah?). Some people are pathetically narrow minded and historically ignorant about this, then again, maybe they conveniently choose to deny it.
I am not persuaded by Mitt Romney's overtly racist statements about the Palestinians during his visit to Israel. I don't believe that Mitt Romney is actually a racist, anymore than I believe Mitt Romney is actually anything else he has pretended to be over the past two years in order to pander for Republican support in the presidential primaries.
Mitt is only pretending to be a racist in order to greatly enhance his appeal to the mainstream and base of the Republican party. This isn't 'rocket science', it's political science, and the equation is simple:
"Republican base" + "Racist" = "Redundant."
Israel receives a great deal of military support from the US. They live in a land surrounded by people hell bent on their destruction. That is why they need our help. Apart from that they don't need anything from America.
If Arafat had decided to work with President Clinton and Israeli officials on the peace agreement presented to him a dozen years ago instead of choosing years of more death and war, if the Palestinians in Gaza hadn't chosen a terrorist group to represent them 5 years ago, I might have more sympathy for the Palestinians" plight and maybe even been willing to Move On from the BULL$H*T that went down in Munich 40 years ago, but as it stands I hope they're offended by Romney and McCain's comments, they should be offended by them, but they shouldn't be mad at our politicians or Israel's government, they should be mad at themselves for choosing losers for leaders and for choosing to cause trouble and commit violence for generations against multiple nations instead of honestly trying to work out a deal to get their own state and recognition.
Oh my word. That speech given today is just downright scary. It's illogical, unclear, and filled with grammar errors. It reminds me of Bush and especially of Palin, who used to get all twisted up in her sentences. (Well, I guess she still does, but thankfully, I don't have to listen to her.)
For example, what is he even talking about in these sentences: "I’m told in a Sunday school class I attended— I think my son Tagg was teaching the class. He’s not here. I look around to see. Of course he’s not here. He was in London. He taught a class in which he was describing the concern on the part of some of the Jews that left Egypt to come to the promised land, that in the promised land was down the River Nile, that would provide the essential water they had enjoyed in Egypt."
If you guys think this rhetoric is presidential, go for it. Vote for someone who would set back theMid-East peace process a century, start another war in Iran, and alienate our allies, all while making us the laughingstock of the world.
That is his best attempt at diplomacy with FRIENDLY NATIONS! As my Grandmother from the old country used to say, "with friends like these[Romney] who needs enemies?" At least the last crook the GOP selected as their Presidential candidate did have some foreign policy credentials and skills but I figured it would be at least another decade since Nixon resigned in disgrace but the GOP proved me wrong and nominated Romney, the crook who cheated on his taxes.
The culture remark is based in part on Teavangelical/Mormon mythology about Israel as a beacon of light in the Middle East because they are a democracy that practices capitalism, and most of all is not Muslim and is important according to the Bible. In reality, Israel and the UK both have socialized health care, and in the case of Israel much of their economy depends on aid from the US.
The criticism from folks in those countries that Romney has no clue is correct. Romney who gave President Obama all "F's" has just earned a great big F- And Pawlenty's teleprompter BS is not only old but debunked because Romney can't function without one, and heaven forbid he goes off script!
The Teapublicans made a big mistake going with Romney instead of Huntsman, the more capable Mormon. Or maybe Buddy Roemer, or Pawlenty who isn't even VP material -- That's how bad Romney is.
As for VP, I was just listening to Portman speaking, if that's what you call it. And Bob "Vaginal Probe" McDonnell, is a safe pick, really?
I laughed at pundits and Teapublicans talking about how wonderful the GOP/TP bench is, like Scott Brown. OMG another pretty face like Romney and even less between the ears. What world do these people live in?
Firstly, since when has anyone been elected because they told the truth. Remember, Romney is a politician and right now his job is to get himself elected and he will lie about whatever he needs to in order to convince the most people. ( all the politicians lie, look at *any* of the fact-checking web sites.)
Secondly, since when have conservatives *ever* been concerned about being PC?? When the the topic of political correctness comes up, conservatives are always sick and tired of it. ( example: The "PC concept of gay marriage.)
It is unbelieveable to me that McCain is able to turn Rove talking points (less regulations, less taxes, etc) into a discussion on the Palestinians.. lol This country is totally controlled economically by Isreal. How in the HELL can their country prosper? Anytime something happens, Isreal blocks all the borders. Or they bomb them to hell. I'm NOT defending the violence the Palenstinians have caused, but Isreal is no angel either. Now McCain demands the US moves the embassy while EVERY other country has theirs in the current location. Gee, yeah, let's do something that makes the middle east hate us even more and cause even more suicide bombings. Isreal is ready to bomb Iran that will more than likely cause a wwIII, but oh Willard "respects" that... wow.. anyone else scared of the future under Mittens????
I respect Senator McCain as about the only guy in Washington who has actually paid any dues but I gotta disagree with him on this.
For its entire existence Israel has been destroying as much Palestinian economic activity as possible as a matter of policy. Had they included Palestinians in their little country to begin with the Jews would still be in charge and Israel would be far stronger and not a dangerous and reviled outcast.
TruePatriot-445959
.....As for VP, I was just listening to Portman speaking, if that's what you call it. And Bob "Vaginal Probe" McDonnell, is a safe pick, really?.....
.........Maybe Romney should pick Netanyahoo for VP, he has plenty of experience telling our country what to do.
zeropointfield
Israel receives a great deal of military support from the US. They live in a land surrounded by people hell bent on their destruction. That is why they need our help. Apart from that they don't need anything from America
.......Well, once again, if Israel's economy is so great, why don't they BUY that military equipment from us, why do we have to GIVE it to them as AID?
Watching the news this morning and seeing the item about Romney's aide yelling "Kiss my a$$" at reporters, I'm thinking about how much fun this is getting to be. Maybe Romney should extend his tour and add some more countries, like Spain, Italy and Greece, where he can them how much smarter he is than they. Interestingly, Romney's aide yelled at the reporters telling them they were at a holy site (Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) and shouldn't be asking questions, yet he yelled what he did, that's like being in church and telling someone talking behind you to STFU! Actually, according to the report, the reporters waited until Romney was about 100 yards away from the site. Is there any sign of intelligent life in the GOP?
This would make a great campaign ad (but one made by a third party)
"The American people asked Mitt Romney for details about his tax returns. Romney replied, "Kiss my ass! What will the American voter say to him if he asks for their vote? Kiss my Ass!"
Someone should tell Romney that the press are there not as entourage but as working Representatives of the American People. Their job is supposed to be asking questions that inform the public interest.
Not ready for Prime Time. Romney=#EpicFail
Because the level of military support necessary to keep them safe exceeds what they could reasonably pay and still keep their economy humming. We are protecting the only democracy in the region from being obliterated by Muslims who wake up each day trying to figure out how to kill every single Jew in the Middle East. Israel is not a large country and simply can't do this by themselves.
You forget they are not oil exporters.
Yes. And that change took place in 1980 and it has nearly destroyed the country. To make matters worse, one party wants to increase supply-side economics, increase off-shoring and decrease regulations that prevent another Wall Street economic meltdown...go figure.
Remember that guy?... the guy on the original Die Hard movie?... the self proclaimed "business negotiator" that thinks so highly of himself that he thinks he can negotiate with terrorists?... he tries to negotiate, puts his foot squarely in his mouth, and paid the price for his know-it-all attitude... remember?
Romney.
Glad-handing and selling things for parts isn't going to cut it in the real world, bud.
Actually, Ol Doc, I was talking about how a very large percentage of our population has lost their sense of individual responsibility and personal sacrifice. They don't want to work hard or stay in school. Instead they want immediate gratification. Instead they want government assistance and cry when anyone talks about cutting it back. Any failure they suffer is claimed to not be their own fault. It is always the fault of someone else. This is what is killing our culture and our country. There simply is no pride left.
That's funny Zero, I was talking about a smaller part of our population that has never had a sense of social responsibility and personal sacrifice. They were willing for the labor of others to make their education possible and now that they "have theirs", instead of paying it forward for the next generation, they want to slam the door behind them. I'm talking about those who are more than happy to send other people's children off to fight and die to preserve their opportunities but not willing to kick in for those who have paid the cost. THIS is what's killing our country! When it becomes "it's all about me and mine and screw the rest of you"...we no longer have a country worth defending.
I wish McCain had the balls to tell us all, what parts of the 23 years of Romney's tax returns that he saw, made him unattractive as a vice-presidential candidate.
Ol Doc, the only people I owe any personal responsibility to is to my children and my wife. Sorry, but that is just how it is. My job is to ensure my success and their success in life. Theirs is to do the same for themselves and their kids. That is where it ends for me. This is how it should be.
I have never been happy to send anyone off to war. Sending kids to any war after WW II did not preserve anything that I needed to be successful or safe. In that regard I agree with you to some extent. Absent an invasion of the US or one of our allies we should keep to ourselves. The only exception was related to Al Qaeda in Afghanistan after 9-11. The rest was not necessary.
My family and I do well. We paid for our education just like everyone else. We worked hard, stayed focused, made personal sacrifices, and planed for the future. As a result we are successful. No one handed us anything. We made it by the sweat of our brow and our dedication to our goals. That path is available to anyone. Kids in school today, including parents, are happy with mediocrity. This is a change to our culture that was not present when I was in school. This is one part of our culture that is hurting this country much more than the part you believe is hurting this country. Our country is great about redistributing the money of others, but no so good at helping those people to not want or need the help in the first place. Feed a man a fish and he eats for one day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for a life time. You get the idea.
Everyone has a shot at success. The question you have to ask is are you willing to do whatever it takes to get there. Don't blame a person's failure on the success of others. We are stewards of our own future. This lack of personal responsibility is a growing and disturbing trend in our culture.
One last point. We should also remember that the military is an all volunteer force. No one forces you to join.
How gay. Not that that's a bad thing...
Love how he is improving his skills of foot in mouth technique... a true Grand Master... or Wizard.
I appreciate the way the News Cycle has portrayed Mitt's trip to Israel as a complete turn-around in his campaign... wow, one trip where he insulted race relations between Israel and Palestine. That's a true rebound. He is the leader we really need.
I'm sure he'll make President Obama look like a novice in the debates.
I agree Louis, They are going to have to get an extremely Obama friendly moderator when Romney debates him or it will be a very embarrassing night for liberals. Obama has not been able to convince Americans that his failed policies have helped in the past 3.6 years.
UAW, I don't think you'd understand sarcasm if it jumped up and bit you on the butt.
UAW,,, so an extremely friendly moderator will be the reason Obama shellacs Romney. Excuses already? You're pathetic!
I guess we're getting a preview of how the right is going to explain away Obama making Romney look like a fool in the debates - the moderators were more favorable to Obama.
the moderators were more favorable to Obama.
......They certainly project an image of the party of whine, just another reason I no longer support them, they are both dangerous and embarassing. Bring back Eisenhower and Goldwater, even G.H.W. Bush.
UAW, please read the speech above and tell me again that Romney will be able to speak in a more articulate manner than Obama. Seriously? I want some of that koolaid you're drinking!
Layton it's not that poor UAW doesn't get sarcasm.
It's just that he's too dense to be capable of reading more than the last line of LouisJ's comment and so in poor little UAW's muddled head that line encompasses the entirety of the tone of Louis' comment.
Romney is a joke, he may be worse than Palin.
The more he opens his mouth the more voters flee from him, the more the Republicans cringe.
Can't wait to see the debates.
How can you run for president and obfuscate every position that you have?
I agree Joe.
And even worse for Romney is that he has shown himself,time and again,to be a man with absolutely NO SPINE whatsoever and when the President challenges him to tell him when he ever,for one example,went anywhere and apologized for American exceptionalism,Romney will fold like the cheap suit that he is and always has been.
Remember Mittens pretty much got a pass in the GOP debates as they were too busy whacking each other to try and get it to a one on one scenario with Romney.
Alone,against Obama,Mittens has nowhere to run and nowhere to hide.
Yeah heaven forbid Romney gaffs, after all we could be stuck with a president that just panders to the next crowd he is speaking too. Wait, that is what we have with Obama. So never mind.
ROFLMAO...he didn't and it just did!
Wait a moment...a Romney supporter accusing Obama of pandering?
...................................."Republican Doublespeak Alert"!!!.......................................................
Doublespeak is language that deliberately disguises, distorts, or reverses the meaning of words. Doublespeak may take the form of euphemisms (e.g., "downsizing" for layoffs, "servicing the target" for bombing), making the truth less unpleasant, without denying its nature. It may also be deployed as intentional ambiguity, or reversal of meaning (for example, naming a state of war "peace"). In such cases, doublespeak disguises the nature of the truth, producing a communication bypass.
Republicans like this tactic nearly as much as diversion, projection or "reorienting" history. Although this does appear to be a brilliant combination of doublespeak and projection, we get a 2 for 1.
To see the Romney campaign arguing for "context" at this point is rich in irony.
Didn't McCain sing "bomb, bomb, bomb,.....bomb, bomb Iran"?
Hee hee. So damn funny. Mittens goes off on a spiel somewhere and the republican home crew must tell the world what He was really saying. And there are people who actually buy into this sh^t! Hee, heee. Damn!
it really is! it's the blind leading the blind but both have NO IDEA what they're talking about. Israel is more prosperous than Palestine because they have a boot firmly stuck in their neck- not because of the lower taxes. If that's the knowledge of foreign policy republicans are comfortable backing as a leader of this country, i am scared for our future.
Liberals grasping at straws. No one has needed more help in clarifying his words then Obama. But that is what happens when you pander to every crowd. Come the fall election, Obama will be on the defensive to explain his words and promises. We will see how well he fares. No one is going to care one bit about Romney's foreign trip, after all he didn't bow to foreign leaders, and people are more concerned with how he is going to help the US recover from Obama.
Amazing shift Rick...from doublespeak to projection. Liberals grasping at straws? Half your party hates Mitt Romney. I doubt Southern Evangelicals will vote for the man (Mormon). Most Fiscal Conservative don't trust him (Fed bail-out of Olympics and RomneyCare). Listen to Willard now compared to the Willard of 2002. He has flip-flopped on every stand he has made pre-20010. You're right though, he didn't bow to foreign leaders...he insulted them (Republican Diplomacy, as opposed to neoconservative Diplomacy which is to invade foreign countries). The British Parliament even passed a motion in Romney honor demanding Barclays stop fundraising for him. Now that's diplomacy.
No Rick, it's not straws the Republican party is grasping for, it's hope in a hopeless situation.
I'm so relieved that there is someone who really knows what Mitt really means, in spite of what he says. Maybe they can appoint McCain as his personal translator who can screen all of his public statements. Too bad he couldn't do that for Ms. Palin...
Israel personal income tax rate on income over $125,000 is 48%.
"And we also know that the Palestinian people have not been blessed with the kind of government that has lower regulations, less taxes, entrepreneurship, which have caused the Israeli economy to be one of the world’s most successful."
Does McCain not endorse Israel's high tax rate as the path to economic growth?
...and Israel also has a 16% VAT. But these numbers will be greeted by Republicans with their hands over their ears yelling LA-LA-LA to drown out anything that challenges their dogma that All Good Things MUST come from lower taxes.
Rick-346915 - No one can do that for Ms. Palin. And if the American people need a translator to understand what Mr. Romney is saying, I would say it's not Mr. Obama who is "different", unAmerican, foreign, other than. It's Mr. Romney who is so far out of touch with the American people he might as well have been born in Kenya (or what ever that country is that's so popular with the Birthers).
Romney in trying to toddy up to Israel and U.S. Jews thinks he was flattering them when he made comments pertaining to the "cultural advantages" or whatever he was trying to express. It is basically using stereotyping. Does not anybody remember how the Nazies used steriotyping in the negative way to attack Jews? It is nonsense and just shows where his head is at underneath his carefully cut hair.
So, Jews are more productive and make more money that the Arabs? In the next iteration you can use that to attack them just as did Hitler.
The guy would drag us into another war and feel proud about it.
Romney knew exactly what he was saying, and he spoke very clearly to his Islamaphobic base.
Wow -Mitt Romney goes to Britain and insults his host country's government and the entire British people. Then he leaves that country under a cloud of disdain -just ahead of the pitchforks and tar and feather.... and angry mob.... to go to Israel where he basically gets on his knees and abases himself to the Jewish Government and high value Jewish donors in a foreign country to promise them a new war with our tax dollars (that he himself avoids paying by having untold millions in off-shore and Swiss bank accounts and refuses to show the American people his tax returns!).... so he abases himself to the Israeli "kingmakers"... and calls their economy a tribute to "cultural superiority" and the Palestinians' lack of a decent economy..... - he seems to have forgotten Israel has its foot on the throat of Palestine and tanks on their lawns and turns the lights and water off and on at will.. and controls their movements at checkpoints and even can stop them all from working -depending on how they are feeling about their own "security"... He seems blind to the fact that the Israelis don't allow even food aide and medicine flotillas into their "areas"/prisons- (where they cant leave and others cant come in.)...
Mitt Romney is an unMITigated disaster... please Mitt stop embarrassing America and shut UP! And come home before some of the people you have insulted overseas tries to harm you- and a Secret Service dude has to defend your sorry behind. You are a risk to good Security agents, Mitt.. come home dude- tell us more lies on our soil...but stop talking overseas... please. It just gets worse every country you go to, man.
I am concerned by the absurdity expressed by conservatives on this site. First, Obama is not anti-business. The only reason you believe this is because Hannity told you so. If you think otherwise please state, in detail, citing legislation, exactly how Obama is anti-business. Dont forget to first cite his tax cuts.
Additionally, as a Subway owner, I do not care about politics or tax policy with re to hiring. I hire based on demand. I hire based on how many people are walking in the door. Obama and tax policy has ZERO to do with hiring.
Wake up. Limbaugh and the right wing scare tactics are a joke.
John McCain is trying to sell us the very Mitt he rejected. John, if Mitt was not good enough to be your VP why are you distilling his words to try to sell him to us? Please tell us truthfully what is in Mitt's tax return. Were the returns the dealbreaker that caused you to go with Sarah Palin? See...now you have Dick Cheney calling your choice a mistake, thus implying that you are a poor decisionmaker... And you know how important that is after eight years of George Bush the Decider in Chief.
Jeff, excellent post in 5.3. Yes, businesses will not hire unless demand for their goods and services increase to the point where they can't meet it without additional staff. It's always been that way. Those saying that cutting business taxes will increase hiring are either disingenuous or just plain stupid. Corporations today are sitting on billions in cash reserves, you think cutting their taxes to give them even more cash is going to make a difference. And the crap about uncertainty is just that - crap. If a business can make more money today by hiring to increase sales, it will. There has always been uncertainty in our economy, it's a part of doing business. The Tax Policy Center has analyzed the effect of reducing taxes on the wealthy and has stated that they do not spend this money to help stimulate the economy, they invest it, often in places like Swiss banks and the Cayman islands. We are a consumer driven economy (as opposed to oil like OPEC), and the Middle Class is (or at least was) the largest consumer group. We have to get jobs and money back into the hands of the Middle Class.
The small company that I work for has, over the past 3 years, received tremendous depreciation tax breaks from the evil Obama, to the point where they paid no Fed income tax. But did they hire anyone....no...nor should they have, our existing employee staff is handling the work, so people who tell you that tax cuts equal hiring are full of it, as you have found in your own Subway business. Thank you.
The Corporate types saying cutting business taxes will increase hiring are disingenuous. The Middle-class and poor conservatives parroting it are just plain stupid. By the way, my understanding is that the corporate reserves are closer to $3.5 Trillion.
McCain has just as big a problem with what he said...suggesting that governments have a roll in economics. According to Romney, successful businesses are created independent of government!
There's a subtle difference between "created" and "promoted". The govt is supposed to be Promoting the general welfare, not managing it.
peanut, if government doesn't "manage" on behalf of the general welfare, we have economic crashes like the one we are trying to dig out of. If government had not lifted regulations on banks that were put in place after the Depression, and if banks/businesses were not "too big to fail", we the taxpayers would not be paying the price, literally OR figuratively.
As an aside, Hoover was the last businessman in office, and that went well, didn't it.
It is about a thin line on the ground, called b-o-r-d-e-r.
Wow, sure glad he didn't insult the American people and business owners like our good old Oba....oops, sorry, wrong thread...
Nah, Mitt just insulted Christians, mlk (or did you forget taht there are a lot of Palestinian Christians? But that's okay to do when it's convenient. lol
insulting is very different from going into foreign policy with no historical context. i'd rather say something pretentious or arrogant than open my mouth and reveal that i failed a basic history course.
@mlkboneundrwear:
President Obama has not insulted the American people and business owners. If you watch Fox then it might appear so as they consistently redact the portion before "you did not build that". The subject of that phrase was the infrastructure systems that support all enterprises. In the next sentence of that speech (the one beginning "The point is") he expanded on the fact that contrary to Libertarian fantasies, the success of any enterprise owes a lot to the support of the society in which it is embedded.
BTW The speech was given without a teleprompter. Also the "that" of "you did not build that" should have been "those".
MDH1949, people with brains knew that, then there's the other guys playing with their Rush Limbaugh bobblehead dolls, which I understand are extremely top heavy and can also be used as hair dryers.
If I received as much foreign aid from the United States as Israel does, I'd be doing pretty well, too.
He meant exactly what he said. He believes that one group is culturally superior to the other.
Coinicidentally, so did Hitler.
Coinicidentally, so did Hitler.
mlkboneundrwear, nice try at being disingenuous. That dog doesn't hunt with any thinking person...
I do not understand why there is even a question about what the "differences" are. The Palestinian people held that land for at least 1,500 years and the United States and Great Britain used military force to kick these people out of their homes based on some stories about a sheep herder 3,500 years ago who said that his "God" gave his people that land. Since that time the Palestinians have been trampled on by the Jews, who refuse them even token recognition and they do this with American military support. This single act is 90% of the reason for terrorism coming from this region. We need to stop living in denial and in the belief that the Jews have any legal claim to that land.
Think about legalities. Let us assume that some powerful being did give them this land. First of all, did the powerful being have legal title? Did he register his name as the legal land holder? Under the law you cannot give someone something that you cannot PROVE that you own.
But a more salient legal point is this: When this powerful being gave them the land, in the next generation the abandoned it to move to Egypt, where they lived exclusively for 400 years, according to their OWN STATEMENTS. Abandonment forfeits ownership, plain and simple. When they returned they, again by their own admission, took Canaan by force of arms. This does not establish a right to possess any more than me moving into your home by gunpoint establishes me as the owner. The Kingdom of Israel only existed for about 3 generations under a couple of Kings, most of the rest of this time they spent in Babylon. Finally, the Romans took control of the land and ruled it as a province of Rome, originally under the Republic and later under the Empire, until they scattered the Jews in 75 AD. Rome essentially fell in about the 6th Century. During the next 1,300 years the Jews were free to move back to their promised land but chose not too.
Now consider all of these valid legal points and tell me again why the Jews and Palestinians do not get along!!!
The Israelis BOUGHT the land from the Arabs, starting in the late 19th Century, and acquired additional holdings when it was used as a base to attack them three times. As for the Israelis and Palestinians having different cultures...they probably do. Perhaps he should ask his wife to visit Israel and Palestine and tell me which of the cultures she, as a woman, prefers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel#Independence_and_first_years
She'd probably prefer the Palestinian one, since Christian Palestinians and even Muslim Palestinians generally don't force women to cover their heads up, unlike the orthodox Jews in Israel, who are known to throw rocks and fling feces at women that don't.
So you agree they were there before the palestinians -GOT IT!!!
In as much as there is not yet a recognized government of "Palestine" I wonder why anyone even cares to mention palestinians.
The only way the people who live on the West Bank of the Jordan River and the Gaza strip will ever get a functioning government and a country of their own is to get rid of the terrorists attempting to destroy Israel and form a government who, as one of their first acts would be to put an embassy in the historic capital of Israel, Jerusalem.
I don't understand why this candidate is meddling in the foreign affairs of the United States of America. Hes a nobody pretending to be the leader of the free world. This has the potential of being a very dangerous premise.
Israel didn't even EXIST until the British controlled PALESTINE was divided in 1947
WOW That's my argument exactly.....but unfortunately, and even when you understand that in a purely Anthropological way, these people are not even the same Jews geneticaly speaking as those who followed Moses,,,,, people look at me as though they do not understand.... Then I try the one where I say: " a Roman Catholic of South American origin but with friends and family in the U S wants the US government to go to war with Italy,murder or otherwise eject all people of Italian blood and turn the country over to him, lock, stock and barrel and then, make him POPE. Then, the U S as an entity and it's citizens individualy should pay support for this effort and be prepared to go to war with any and every opponent of the idea!
That doesn't seem to get the point across either. So what can you do?
And an interesting follow up to this situation.... this guy has many of his friends and relations deported or abused because, "They look too Italian".... figure that one out?
Bonos rama,
Actually, arabs that practice christianity are executed.
Irony...pure irony...
A show of hands....
Who thinks that there are "any" regulations or taxes in Palestine?
McCain thinks that good ole Republican strategies is what Palentine needs to move forward...yeah.
If it were really this simple, why have the last 5-6 Presidents failed to bring peace to Isreal & Palestine?
Perhaps they should have enacted the Bush tax cuts?
I would also like to ask Americans how they would feel if China and Russia decided that the American Indians had a stronger claim to North America than the descendants of European colonists. They lived here continuously for nearly 50,000 years and STILL do. Now...based on the above argument and this comment, if the United States wants to support Israels claim to Palestine, they shouldn't this descendants be planning to re-immigrate to Europe?
I'm just saying.
You bring up a valid analogy.
Carlo, will you stop your nonsense? The Europeans won the United States by right of conquest, and the Russians sure know about THAT.
So...the nazis won Poland, France, and England by right of conquest. Does that make it right? Would you defend them just as vehemently?
Reaper, it appears to me that Cassandra has only 51 cards. What in God's name, in a supposedly civilized world, is the "right of conquest". She previous posted that Israel "acquired additional holdings". Acquired, a politically correct way of saying confiscated? How much of Japan did we acquire? How much of Germany did we acquire? How much of Italy did we acquire? Remember WWII and who won?
Man, this guy Romney is such a lyin' little weasel. Sleazy is another word that Romney brings to mind.
Most people would be jailed for impersonating an official of the United States of America.
Let me get this straight... Willard says Quote A... AP reports and prints Quote A... when the Mitt hits the fan, his campaign complains he is misrepresented... campaign issues Quote A Interpretation... John McCain defends what he makes up Quote A to really be about...
and this guy wants to be President? What a clown show!!!
The Mittster has a history of making these kinds of stupid remarks (Google Mitt Romney tar baby). Either his speech writers are slipping in some mad libs or he goes of course and these comments are the result. It's funny to watch him back pedal and explain his choice of words.
Yeah, cutting taxes and reducing regulations is all the Palestinian government needs to do to make their country succeed. Anybody out there actually BELIEVE that? Any Palestinians even know what the heck he's TALKING about???
When the Palestinians in Gaza were finally able to have free elections, they elected as their representatives: HAMAS, a terrorist organization whose charter talks about killing Jews (not just Israelis) everywhere. HAMAS is to Israel as al-Qaeda was to America: A fanatical murderous terrorist organization.
And any people who freely vote to be led by either are savages.
The problem with the Palestinians is that they won't give up their savagery, their terrorist attacks on young children, and their mad pipe dreams of destroying Israel some day.
They need to get beyond their self-pity and their thirst for revenge, replace HAMAS with leaders who are willing to live with Jews rather than kill them, and devote themselves to the peaceful development of their own society. If Israel saw that happening, they would gradually reduce their occupation.
One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. We should know considering how much we taught Osama bin Laden.
sinz You first Statement says it All They Voted! It may not be what the US wants..but its the people"s Choice.
The US needs to stay out of this.
Another commentor posted a very good documentary that can be viewed on youtube: "Peace, Propaganda and the Promised Land".......
perhaps when the Israelis give up violent incursions into Palestine, building houses on stolen land, destroying the livelihoods of Palestinian farmers, killing and injuring Palestinians with impunity and bulldozing their houses and land, then perhaps there will be something to talk about. Moderate Israelis don't agree with the settlements; the 'settlements' are against international law and yet everyone turns a blind eye to them. Israelis get enormous amounts of aid from US. they are not a true democracy and without the disproportionate amount of US aid, they would have a hard time thriving. Mitt Romney is receiving massive support from Adelson, in return for what exactly? America deserves a president who is not bought with millions of $$ to further a small group's aims.
annie13
Wise comment. President takes flack from wanna be President Willard for being cold towards our good friends in Israel. Guilty, he is pissed that they continue to flagrantly build settlements on land supposedly up for negotiation and he let them know it.
Willard is greenlighting Israel expansion into disputed territory and frustrating any further peace negotiations.
This brings pandering to an entire new level. Any thought that Romney would bring anything to the M/East other than war with Iran is clearly mistaken. How could even the most rabid Israeli supporter defend an attack on the Palestinian economic system with a straight face.
Mitt Romney's thoughts on foreign policy have nothing to do with what he himself knows or thinks, because he knows very little and has stopped thinking ever since he committed his fate to his "handlers" and billionaire donors, to whom he is beholden and obediently subjected. When Romney speaks, it's from the frightened little corners of a the mind of a little boy who is desperate to please his elders....in Romney's case, his owners.
Mitt Romney lacks every thinkable character trait we look for in a President. The most obvious one missing: A conscience. Romney is almost as "qualified" to be President as Sarah Palin. The only thing Palin has that Romney doesn't: Balls.
When McCain picked Palin for his Vice President they said it was because she was the better person.
With that in mind the republicans don't think we should be allowed to vet Richey Romney and be able to see his tax returns.
The republicans keep saying just trust us, because we brought you Palin our other non vetted candidate.
If Mitt the twit is not a crook then prove it and release his tax returns.
Good thing for Romney americans are 25th in education. Hey dumb americans. . . look at this map for one minute and learn something. Religous morons.
middleeast.about.com/b/2009/07/24/israel-bans-al-naqba-from-textbooks.htm
Brought to you by the International Relations Experts at the G.W. Bush Presidential Library. The GOP grouped their brilliant minds to bring you the Iraq War & supplying Osama Bin Laden weapons for the Afghanistan War with the USSR.
With all this talk about how great the Israel economy is doing. It should be mentioned that Israel has universal health care and participation is compulsory. So, how come it is good for Israel, but not for the US? Below is an excerpt I gathered from Wikipedia.
Health care in Israel is universal and participation in a medical insurance plan is compulsory. Health care coverage is administered by a small number of organizations, with funding from the government. All Israeli citizens are entitled to the same Uniform Benefits Package, regardless of which organization they are a member of, and treatment under this package is funded for all citizens regardless of their financial means. Generally, health care in Israel is of high-quality and is delivered in an efficient and effective manner. Partly as a result of this, at an overall 82 years, Israelis enjoy the fourth-longest life expectancy in the world as of 2012.
Jews take care of their own - they are the Doctors, Nurses, Administrators, & Insurance Companies. The Promise Land is just that; if you are a Jew, you get FREE HEALTH CARE. The U.S. Taxpayers send $100 million+ to Israel to fund their Public Services.
bobs ur uncle - try $3 Billion for 6.5 million people which includes the Palistinians
Iran has 25 Million people - David and Goliath
Yea, and the culture of Hip Hop and Gang-bangers has nothing to do with why Blacks cannot achieve the advancements that Whites have accomplished. NOT.
What you teach your kids makes a difference in their lives, Culture makes a difference.
I really wonder if we would be any better off if McCain had won in 2008.
How could we be better off if we elected McCain?
We would be in a double-dipped recession with the rest of the world if McCain had been elected and the republicans could have pushed the austerity they wanted here.
Lets kill jobs, medicare and social security and starve our children doesn't make much sense except to Romney who wants more tax cuts for himself.
President Obama is fighting to raise his own taxes for a better America for us all.
Romney is fighting to lower his taxes for a better life for himself and his rich friends.
Which one do you think cares more for America and her people?
Please, the only thing that has kept us from going into another recession is the fact the the Republicans won big in 2010. If Obama still had control of the purse we would be FUBAR'd right now. As it is we still have a slim chance of pulling our chest nuts out of the fire if we implement cuts and decrease regulations to allow business to come back.
i think its unfair to blame hip hop when kids start going in schools with no books, poor teachers and heavy crime in their neighborhoods. You have to look at the whole picture; past and present. African-American children start off with a lot less than white children do and it's harder for them to succeed.
Cannon....Boy have U got a Shock coming in November. The Teabaggers have dam near
destroyed this country. Get a life, turn off Fox, Read more, go back to school, lay off the "Rush" Tea
and get a clue. If that isn't enough..get help!
You better Pray a lot because divine intervention is the only thing that can save Obama.
If Romney and the GOP/TP win in November, I WILL pray for divine intervention, and I'm an atheist!
Canon-2792131...you are greatly mistaken. You can see the effects of the austerity measures in Europe, especially in England and Ireland. Their economies have slowed down even more than in the US, and their current situation is quite bleak. It has not increased confidence nor employment as they had projected.
You can fault President Obama for not doing a bigger stimulus, and placing a greater focus on jobs. Having said that, on a recent survey of of economist done by the University of Chicago, it showed that the vast majority of economists agreed that stimulus did create jobs and it staved off a great depression. We are quick to forget that this country was on the brink of depression. Again, the Democrats should have done much more in the first couple of years, but the Republicans recalcitrance and unwillingness to work with Democrats has hurt the economy. Current goverment spending as a percentage of GDP is lower than it was under President Reagan. And in the last two years we have seen the effects of austerity measures in this country, from all the cutbacks done by the state.
Ignorance is no excuse. The information is out there if you seek it.
By then you will have already gotten it.