Reposted from last week because it was collapsed, but was definitely within the Code of Honor

The Secret Man:

As the campaign unfolds, the issue that is most troublesome is how little we know about Mitt Romney. By withholding his tax returns we have little knowledge of his business acquaintances, his business investments, how he earned his money, how much tax he paid, and the purpose of his Cayman Islands and Bermuda tax shelters. All we do know is that the tax returns hold politically damaging information.

We don't know the names of Romney's political bundlers or the sources of these many million dollar contributions. We don't know who Romney is "beholden" to.

We don't know how Romney spent his time at Bain Capital. Much of his work was behind closed doors in private meetings. Bain computers became the employee's personal possession and the memory chips of the remaining computers were wiped clean.

Upon leaving his post as Governor of Massachusetts, Romney was criticized for failing to preserve internal records. Again, computers were void of internal emails, executive calendar appointments, financial information, and operational details.

Then we have the 2002 Olympics when Romney was chairman of the Olympic committee. Romney promised complete transparency of all documents including emails, appointment calendars, and other correspondence. But archivists say that most of the key records were destroyed under the supervision of a staffer as the flame was extinguished in Cauldron Park.

The remaining documents were sent to the University of Utah Marriott Library, and Gregory Thompson, curator, reported that the records were "scrubbed" before they reached the University of Utah. So the remaining 1,100 boxes of records will likely have little information regarding Romney's involvement in the Olympic Games.

It is possible that American voters could elect a person whom they know practically nothing about. If this were a movie, people would say the plot line is unfeasible, but here we are: A rich guy with many secrets and a tool of the conservative Tea Party. It's one thing to vote against Barack Obama, but it is
a risky matter to vote for someone you don't even know.

Yet another California city is filing for bankruptcy.

Does anyone else see a pattern here?? CA is the leftiest, most liberal state in the country and its local governments are the canary in the coal mine warning us that the philosophy of unlimited lefty govt spending is unsustainable. The state of CA is also in very bad fiscal condition and my prediction is it will soon be following its cities into bankruptcy court as well.

And what’s the standard operating procedure lefty liberal prescription for this situation??

JUST RAISE TAXES ON THE “RICH”!!

Unfortunately, Margaret Thacher nailed it when she said “The only problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money to spend”.

And without major changes in the fiscal nonsense in Washington, the philosophy of unlimited lefty govt spending is also going to bankrupt America.

San Bernardino, Calif., files for bankruptcy with over $1 billion in debts

By Tim Reid, Reuters

San Bernardino, Calif., filed for bankruptcy protection on Wednesday citing more than $1 billion of debts and making it the third California city to seek protection from creditors.

San Bernardino declared a fiscal crisis last month after a report said local government had tapped out its reserves and projected spending would top revenue by $45 million in the fiscal year that began on July 1.

The filing, made in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Central California District, states that the city has "more than $1 billion" in liabilities, and estimated that it has between 10,001 and 25,000 creditors.

It also states that San Bernardino, a city of about 210,000 residents 65 miles east of Los Angeles, has estimated assets of more than $1 billion.

A recent report by the city attorney said officials had falsified budget reports to the mayor and council for 13 of the last 16 years, hiding the scale of the city's debt.

"The bankruptcy filing was just to get the protection in place, to kick the process off," a city spokesperson said.

In the past two months, the cities of Stockton and Mammoth Lakes have also filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection, a special bankruptcy provision for municipalities.

Stockton, which like San Bernardino has suffered from the housing crash that was particularly acute in southern California, filed for bankruptcy in June, becoming the largest U.S. city to do so.

Other cities in California are also in deep fiscal trouble and more could file for bankruptcy.

On July 17 the mayor of Compton, a city outside Los Angeles, said he had asked state auditors to look into unspecified "waste, fraud and abuse of public monies." That city could file for bankruptcy by September 1, its financial officials said.

In Victorville, also in southern California, auditors in January said there "was substantial doubt about the city's ability to continue as a going concern."

Harry Reid is absolutely the sorriest excuse for a Senate leader this country has ever seen. This is sorority politics of the worst kind. How dare he make accusations without proof? What a pig. What an a$$hole! Invoking a person's father as to what he would think is as close to the ground as a snake belly.

Stay your ground Gov. Romney. This country needs someone who can "manage" money; can "lead" people; can turn a bad situation into a success. This country has seen none of this for the last four years. It's time for a change and the movement is afoot from the Tea Party; Christians and even the Black Pastor's. We have had enough.

ROMNEY 2012

Harry Reid has heard the same story from many sources. He told some investigative reporters to do some digging. Follow the money.(We've heard that line before.) My guess is some investigative reporter will hit pay dirt. Romney's tax issue will not go away.

Well done Feisty!

Great post, Joe. If you want to see where this country is headed under current liberal economic theory, you need look no farther than California.

Sorry to dispute you Ben, but that honor goes to none other than Bill Frist (Terri Shaivo), I should know, I've known him for years, actually worked for his Dad (who was a good guy until the boys turned him into a greedy old man - by the way, their wealth came from his mother, not his dad) and remember those Frist kids running amock in the hospital. Just so you know, Bill Frist was the absolute worst, try as hard as you might that is a title you probably will never be able to take away from him, just like being the worst president in the 21st centry is going to always belong to George H. W. Bush.

Ron -- Prove it where Reid said he got the information from multiple sources. The HP story says "a" business acquaintance.

Do you think Romney was really vetted by the McCain campaign? Perhaps a more likely scenario was that they looked at several thousand pages of tax returns and realized that they were going to get someone else anyway, so why bother? After all it would probably take some real experts to understand the return- that is to say to track down all the foreign investments and make a comprehensive report, being certain you hadn't missed anything that the opposition campaign might find later. Who wants that job?

R-money has money, but Pres. Obama has people on his side, see which is more important in November.

But do attack R-money, his failure to release tax returns, among others.

Hey Ben --- I think you have Harry Reid confused with John -- the crying tam -man speaker --- Boehner.

Lech Walesa Endorses Romney

The highly respected Polish icon effectively endorsed Romney when he said: "I wish you to be successful...Gov. Romney, get your success – be successful." If I'm Romney, I'm kind of liking having a man like Walesa on my side. A man who was – and remains – a vibrant symbol of freedom in opposition to the oppression of his country by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Just the kind of man an American president-to-be would want to rub elbows with. No apologies for alleged past American sins during this encounter, just mutual admiration by two men who share some very important values.

Unfortunately, the MSM relegated this endorsement to below the fold status and focused instead on their preferred narrative of Romney's supposedly gaffe prone European trip. Indeed, their determination to manufacture this story line pushed them to shout out hostile questions to Romney during a solemn event near the Polish Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Good grief, can anyone one even imagine the press doing the same during an Obama visit to a similar venue?? The Romney aide who told those hopelessly disrespectful folks to "shove it" should get a medal.

Even more unfortunately, none of us should be surprised about all of this. The MSM is in the tank for Obama bigtime and will use their platforms to advance the cause of their man. Rich Lowry of National Review had a terrific take on this state of affairs: "We send people to journalism school for this? Why not just outsource the work to Media Matters and be done with it."

So the negative coverage by a clearly biased MSM will be an obstacle on Romney's path to the White House, but nothing that can't be overcome. These days, respect for the MSM is only a notch or two above approval for Congress so it's not clear that many folks are paying much attention to what these jokers have to say. That must really stick in the craw of those self important elitists, but those weasels have made their bed over a period of many, many years and now they have to sleep in it.

Be that as it may, I want to end on a more uplifting note so here's a quick quiz question that my friends on the right may enjoy: What's the biggest difference between Lech Walesa and President Obama? Answer: Walesa got his Nobel Peace Prize the old fashioned way – he earned it.

Looks like Chik Fil-A appreciation day was a HUGE success! And I was proud to help.

Congratulations...whatever makes you guys feel better...and I hope that sandwich didn't give you a bad case of the s***s!

Lech Walesa Endorses Romney

And guess who endorsed Obama? Hugo Chavez. ROFL!

Charlie --- When did Speaker Boehner become the Senate leader????

Fool's Gold -- Don't leave out Obama's latest endorser -- Ahmadinejhad.

http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/02/13085626-romney-robin-hood-in-reverse?lite

Romney is Robin Hood in REVERSE.

"Mitt Romney's tax plan would provide large tax cuts to wealthy Americans and hike taxes on middle- and low-income households, according to an analysis by The Brookings Institution," the Boston Globe writes of the study conducted by the Tax Policy Center a joint project of Brookings and the Urban Institute. "The report published Wednesday estimated households with incomes over $1 million would receive average tax cuts of $87,117 under Romney's plan, while those earning $200,000 or less would pay higher taxes. … The Romney campaign dismissed the report as a 'liberal' study."

But that's not what the Romney campaign was saying awhile back. They cited this SAME non-partisan group as OBJECTIVE, Third-Party Anaylsis

It's a group the Romney campaign has cited. Talking Points Memo: "[T]he Obama campaign notes that Romney aides took a very different view of the group when they put out a similar analysis of Rick Perry's tax plan during the Republican primaries. Here's how a Romney press release in November described their work: Objective, Third-Party Analysis Showed Governor Perry's Plan Would Raise Taxes On Millions Of American Families – But He Doesn't Seem Interested In The Discussion."

To Joe in Albany: The Federal Government is not giving as much money to the states, cities, etc. due to the Bush tax cuts. As long as the austerity measures go on, and the refusal of Republicans to add revenue to the Treasury, cities, and perhaps states, might have to declare bankruptcy.

It's like this. A politician runs on his promise to "cut taxes." When that actually happens, money has to be cut from the Federal Treasury, so states get less. The state politician runs on "we must cut taxes!" Therefore, States have to cut cities budgets. The City politician runs on "cutting your taxes." BUT he runs into a brick wall because there hasn't been any "trickle-down" to the city. So, balancing the city budget requires police, firefighters, and other city workers to have their budgets cut. Inflation alone causes prices to rise, making asphalt to repair potholes, gasoline price hikes, and the like to increase budget demands. This leaves the city to bear the brunt of the Federal cuts.

Therefore, when a politician says "I want your taxes to be cut," what he really is saying is "I want your taxes RAISED at the next lower levels of Government, OR your services cut.

Simple math. It takes taxes to make this country work.

Seems Republicans are very adept at spending all that corporate welfare and entitlement money, provided at taxpayer expense to those job creators and the rich and sleazy, to put their guy in charge.

Romney seems pretty confident he can get away with tax increases on the middle-class in the name of saving the middle class. Guess Grover will turn a blind eye to putting a little tax hurt on 'you people'.

The GOP/Corporate interests have to outspend the President at least 3 to 1. The GOP has no new ideas, nothing to run on, and a candidate no one likes so they only have two plays left in the Rove Playbook: go negative and rewrite reality. It's going to be a very tough sell no matter how much they spend. Most people realize that GOP control of Congress and the White House almost caused the second great depression, and all they're offering now is more of the same.

Last night I saw an interview with Tea Party candidate Cruz from Texas. I can't fathom why anyone would vote for him, but we're told he'll replace Kay Bailey Hutchinson. Judging from Cruz's rhetoric, the Tea Party has only one issue on their platform: cut government spending. What's funny is, they claim the Democrats led Republicans astray, lo these many decades. It's all the Democrats' fault we waged two wars and created a drug prescription bill while cutting taxes. It's all the Democrats' fault so much pork was sent to Alaska, and all those other red states. Now the Tea Party is riding in to foment "revolution." Oh what poppycock.

A Party with only one cause is a party on a mission to deliver the goods to it's special sponsers. The Tea Party is all about cutting investment in America in order to keep taxes low for the wealthiest. The old Republican Party, at least, was concerned with national security and protecting civil institutions. The old Republican Party encouraged higher learning, law and order, and other aspirations necessary to be a "shining city on a hill." The Tea Party is just about protecting tax cuts for the billionaires who think the country was created just for them.

The “death of the middle class” myth is debunked by Barry’s own intelligence analysts.

I have believed for a while now that America’s best days are seen in the rear view mirror as it becomes more like other former world powers like Spain, France and England which are now just socialist mediocracies. That doesn’t mean there won’t be a thriving middle class anymore, it just means the middle class will be thriving elsewhere on the planet. America has become become fat and lazy. Just take a stroll through any public forum like the mall, a grocery store or an airport and marvel at the number and size of the land-whales you see. It’s a metaphor for America as a country.

This article reinforces my decision years ago to reduce my retirement accounts investment exposure to US-centric companies and increase its exposure to US multi-national and foreign companies.

US intelligence predicts poverty plummet by 2030

By By KIMBERLY DOZIER – 4 days ago

ASPEN, Colo. (AP) — Poverty across the planet will be virtually eliminated by 2030, with a rising middle class of some two billion people pushing for more rights and demanding more resources, the chief of the top U.S. intelligence analysis shop said Saturday.

If current trends continue, the 1 billion people who live on less than a dollar a day now will drop to half that number in roughly two decades, Christoper Kojm said.

"We see the rise of the global middle class going from one to two billion," Kojm said, in a preview of the National Intelligence Council's global forecast offered at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado.

Bloomberg is reporting Iranian Oil LO$$E$, $133 MILLION a DAY, because of Sanctions put on them by President Barrack Obama. Also Saudi Arabia has Increased production to 10 million Barrels a day to help ease Oil prices worldwide. Also increased Domestic(American) production is the Highest in 13 Years.

You Betcha !

Occupy "Vegas Baby" !

I am looking forward to the first debate. I can see the moderator walking up to the podium, and saying: "Gentlemen...as you are both no doubt aware, the voters have made it clear that this election will be decided by one over-riding issue. So the first question is this: Are you pro- or anti- Chick-Fil-A?" ;-)

The controversy surrounding Chick-fil-A has certainly been a shiny metal object. But if anything, it does show how culturally divided this country still is. And it shows that social issues can surface at any moment.

It also shows what notoriously terrible spellers cows really are!

Happy Thursday!!!! Go Team USA!!

Amy -- Read this article. The Tea Party is telling Romney he better move far to the right.

"These guys [newly elected Tea Party candidates]" are going to force Romney to the right," said Andrea Shell, a spokeswoman for Tea Party group Freedom Works. "That is our entire mission."

http://news.yahoo.com/mitt-romney-better-move-says-emboldened-tea-party-175919258.html

Meanwhile, the HOUSE with many Tea Party members spent 18 months renaming Post Offices. In 18 months hey haven't come up with any credible JOBS BILLS, we now know why. JOBS were never their priority.

In the 18 months the 112 th Congress has been sworn in, the House has introduced 60 bills to rename post offices. Thirty-eight have passed the House and 26 have become law. During those 18 months, the House has produced 151 laws, 17 percent of which have been to rename post offices, according toCongressional Democrats.

http://news.yahoo.com/60-house-bills-name-post-offices-zero-fix-144624099--abc-news-politics.html

#1.22 edit: FR cut off the last two paragraphs of the article:

US intelligence predicts poverty plummet by 2030

By KIMBERLY DOZIER – 4 days ago

ASPEN, Colo. (AP) — Poverty across the planet will be virtually eliminated by 2030, with a rising middle class of some two billion people pushing for more rights and demanding more resources, the chief of the top U.S. intelligence analysis shop said Saturday.

If current trends continue, the 1 billion people who live on less than a dollar a day now will drop to half that number in roughly two decades, Christoper Kojm said.

"We see the rise of the global middle class going from one to two billion," Kojm said, in a preview of the National Intelligence Council's global forecast offered at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado.

"Even if some of the most dire predictions of economic upheaval" in the coming years prove accurate, the intelligence council still sees "several hundred million people...entering the middle class," Kojm said.

The National Intelligence Council analyzes critical national security issues drawing from all U.S. intelligence agencies. The unclassified global forecast, which is due out by the end of the year, tries to "describe drivers of future behavior" to help government agencies from the White House to the State Department plan future policy and programs, Kojm said.

Great to see a hero like Lech Walesa endorsing Romney. Funny, isn't it, how people who know what it's like to live under the boot of communism, can't stand modern-day lefties who would like to bring it back?

Grover - is a Joke.

How can he make them pledge cut taxes when the house voted not to cut taxes. Seem a bit ironic to me.

Republican right wing nut jobs are losers

fo: and the refusal of Republicans to add revenue to the Treasury, cities, and perhaps states, might have to declare bankruptcy.

Notice where cities, and soon to be the state, have been declaring bankruptcy. Yeah, the great Conservative icon state of California. They can't keep there schools open, they can't build/fix any roads, they can't pay their welfare costs, but apparently they have $100 billion to spend on a high speed train to nowhere. California also has the highest tax rates in the country, and to solve that problem, they're raising them some more.

Romney's entire argument for making him president is basically "Obama's is president so the bad economy is all his fault. Vote for me because I made lots of money." While it's true that John McCain only released two years of tax returns, too, he wasn't running on his financial brilliance. He even said he wasn't that knowledgeable on economic matters, and gave nobody any reason to doubt him.

When making lots of money is all Romney is running on, then voters have every right to know exactly HOW he made all that money. I hope the Democrats keep hammering him on it and come up with more interesting explanations as to why Romney refuses to let anyone see his tax returns.

Ummm... is Mr. Walesa able to cast a vote for Willard?

Miss Feisty, in Chicago politics all things are possible.

LOL. Neither the donkeys or elephants are "in charge". who is "in charge" are the

wealthiest .01% of Americans, of which group Mitt Romney belongs to. they are laughing

all the way to the bank-err Cayman Islands because they have the poor old little people

making fun of each other all over internet boards and other earth bound cafe's and wal-

marts while they keep counting the money stolen from the US Treasury. BOTH parties, all

nationally recognized politicians, President Obama included, are making sure the

interests of "we the people" are trampled in the interest of making the rich richer. The

Oligarchs have hit on the right approach, they simply fund both sides of the "argument",

more or less evenly, let the minions go out and "fight" about the "issues" and ultimately

vote for and allow laws to be prosecuted in the name of "the people" for the good of the

"very few". THey have us all fooled; as Gore Vidal infamously stated, “It makes no

difference who you vote for - the two parties are really one party representing four

percent of the people”.

So, to correct you, it is not the modern day lefties, nor the neanderthal righties, it is the failed policies

of the elected leaders of American Government, and thus, the failure belongs to "we the

people". As Benjamin Franklin stated, "we have a Republic, if you can keep it". And, if

you are being honest with yourself, you will note the leaders of this concept may not

consider the current situation a failure, they may consider it exactly what has been

planned. Get ready, Malta awaits!

Dont_carry_it_all

Thanks for the link. Our Tea Party governor came into office in 2010 and proceeded to focus on: cutting public worker's benefits, dropping poor folks from Medicaid, and trying to roll back environmental protections (in the name of "reducing regulations.") That, at least, didn't work, because even Republican legislators in Maine don't want billboards along our roads.

In a nutshell, the Tea Party has no new ideas on creating jobs, unless they are in casinos and fireworks stores.

If Harry Reid's comment was not based on truth, why the silence from Bain Capital? Better yet, why has Bain not defended Romney on much of what has been reported?

BWhite, more likely the McCain legal staff took one look at the many years of Romney's tax returns, the off-shore tax havens and immediately nixed him. It doesn't take an expert to see the problems associated with stashing millions off-shore to avoid paying taxes to the United States. That does not sit well with the 99% of the American people; no doubt, the McCain campaign recognized the odor of something rotten.

Ben,

Please keep your god out of my politics: (and obviously, the following is not for you as you won't comprehend it anyway; I figure other readers may be interested in where all of this America was created as a Christian Country is taking us)

There is this thing called Prosperity Theology. Even though Romney is a Mormon, he/they espouse the principle of this religious approach while still not having Jesus as their saviour. Kenneth Copelands ministry is widely held as the model of prosperity theology.

Prosperity religion: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosperity_theology

The domionists are also part of this movement in that it is their goal to "gain dominion" over the earth (and therefore, the people on the earth) by controlling the "seven mountains" of culture.

FROM: www.reclaim7mountains.com/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=41538&columnid=4347

"God’s purpose for humanity was to bless a people so that they could possess and bless the earth.”

(1) God’s covenant people taking dominion of the earth has been the main theme of every covenant that God has ever made with mankind.The New Covenant for the church is no different with its expectation of dominion by making disciples of all nations.

(2) The Dominion Process is two-fold.First, human beings are blessed by God.Secondly, these blessed human beings are given a mandate to take dominion of the earth for the purpose of blessing it.

(3) The first advent of Christ was for the purpose of creating a blessed seed upon the earth - the church.The second coming of Jesus will take place after this blessed seed has completed the Dominion Process upon the earth by making disciples of all nations.

FROM: First amendment to the Constitution of the United States:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Fools Gold, we are still laboring under the same conservative economics we've been in since 1980. Its the main reason we still have not recovered.

Chucky, FG will never admit that. You are so spot on. St. Ronnie, Deukmejian, Wilson and Schwarzenegger had to have been among the worst Governors CA's history.

Will Rmoney's dancing horse horse be in his adds. Rmoney should explain the 70k tax break he gets for his dancing horse. W.T.F. Ask any man on the street if thats a good idea to give tax breaks for dancing horses. Do you want your President getting tax breaks for a dancing horse?

Bill, Fairfax: Miss Feisty, in Chicago politics all things are possible.

I'm certain the Prime Minister has a photo ID. Something that seems to confound Liberals.

Jody, Iowa

BWhite, more likely the McCain legal staff took one look at the many years of Romney's tax returns, the off-shore tax havens and immediately nixed him. It doesn't take an expert to see the problems associated with stashing millions off-shore to avoid paying taxes to the United States.

I've never been totally convinced that's the reason. It's no secret that McCain, like all the other Republican presidential candidates then, loathed Romney personally. I suspect McCain could have just rejected Romney out of hand without even bothering to glance at the 20 years of tax returns.

In the 18 months the 112 th Congress has been sworn in, the House has introduced 60 bills to rename post offices.

WTF? You mean those very same post office that maybe forced to close? Those very ones that were highly profitable until Congress crush the life (and profit) out of them?

The GOP hasn't seen a government agency, besides the military it didn't want to bilk or do away with. The Tea Party, (Patriots my ass!) wouldn't the Founding Fathers be proud!

Lefty liberals still vying to denounce Romney at all costs. Still bringing up the tax return issue... No proof, no actual facts, but an issue to the left, none the less. I see lefties are still trying to claim Romney has no experience, but are completely ignoring the fact that Obama had Zero, 0, none, nada experience when he took office and they still support him... and his lack of experience has proven what a know nothing can do to screw up the freedoms of this country. Liberals still support Obama... has to be a mental disease. Just the fact that Romney is pro America is enough for me in comparison to the complete showing of disdain Obama has for this country... but still the liberals support Obama. I guess most liberals are against this country... definitely shows up in groves on this board... daily!

"it’s hard to do math based on assumptions."

That doesn't bother the Democrats - like when they told the CBO to 'assume' that Obamacare would 'save' $500 Billion from Medicare - none of which has materialized. In fact, the CBO's last estimate is that the cost of Obamacare has ballooned to $1.76 Trillion over 10 years - up from the $920 Billion when Obama signed it.

By the way - who's going to pay the TAX part of Obamacare for not having coverage? Not the rich because they have insurance so they are exempt. Not the poor because they get free Medicaid - paid by taxpayers. That leaves the Middle Class to pay the TAX - typically the Working Poor who don't get insurance at work.

Smitty -- ask the IRS what the guidelines are. If it a legal deduction, then what is wrong?

FZ -- As my freedom of speech, I will put God anywhere I like.

joannasmith1 I'm certain the Prime Minister has a photo ID.

Certain is not fact.

Libs are too FUNNY

So let me understand Reid's contention here.

• He infers Roms may be a tax cheat, yet the same government entity the IRS has found no wrong, you know the same IRS that will monitor health care.
• A person who DID get caught fudging his taxes was little Timmy G who sits on the Obama administration and heads the treasury.
• Got it now...

Houston: I hope the Democrats keep hammering him [Romney] on it and come up with more interesting explanations as to why Romney refuses to let anyone see his tax returns.

Well, if nothing else, it will keep the Libs from having to talk about the economy.

Obama 2012 - "Vote for me because we can't see all of Romney's tax returns"

Bill Fairfax complains

Lech Walesa Endorses Romney

Unfortunately, the MSM relegated this endorsement to below the fold status and focused instead on their preferred narrative of Romney's supposedly gaffe prone European trip.

You should still count Mitt lucky because the big bad liberal media ALSO failed to report on his abject ignorance of Polish society, which he praised for its supposedly limited government despite the fact that government involvement in people's lives there is far more extensive than in the U.S. This is worse than mere gaffes. Like G. W. Bush before him, Romney simply doesn't care if what he wants people to believe is totally at odds with reality. We saw how having a president like that worked out after Bush's "cake walk" through Iraq and the great economy his ideology-driven economic policies left to Obama.

Here's a few of those inconvenient facts from an article by an AP reporter who has covered Poland for eight years:

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/viewart/20120801/OPINION/308010002/Fact-Check-Romney-Polish-economy-government-role

Republican presidential challenger Mitt Romney hailed Poland’s economy Tuesday as something akin to a Republican dream: a place of small government, individual empowerment and free enterprise.

While it’s true that Poland is one of Europe’s fastest-growing economies and boasts dynamic entrepreneurs, Romney’s depiction of Poland as a place of small government is debatable. Even 23 years after throwing off a communist command economy, the Polish government continues to have a strong presence in people’s lives: it gives women $300 for each baby they have, doubling that sum for poor families; it fully funds state university educations; and it guarantees health care to all its 38 million citizens.

And while Poland’s economic growth has certainly been impressive in recent years, this is partly the result of economic redistribution in the form of subsidies that have been flowing in from the European Union since it joined the bloc in 2004.

...

St. Ronnie, Deukmejian, Wilson and Schwarzenegger had to have been among the worst Governors CA's history.

Incredible. You point your finger at three Republican Governors and fail to mention the scores of Democrats that not only were Governors but that dominated the state legislature. Please explain to me, if the economic chaos that is California was caused by three Republicans, what have all these Democrats been doing all of this time?

Ben Most people in this country can't get any deductions on there taxes. Rmoney who can afford it gets a 70k deduction for a dancing horse. Is that fair? The sad part yes its legal. But is it right?

Roy Wilson -- They pay the tax for choosing to stick with the emergency room for doctor's services. Better they pay for that than those of us with insurance.

Romney will TAX all EMPLOYER provided INSURANCE to pay for those freeloaders.

JoAnnaSmith1

Houston: I hope the Democrats keep hammering him [Romney] on it and come up with more interesting explanations as to why Romney refuses to let anyone see his tax returns.

Well, if nothing else, it will keep the Libs from having to talk about the economy.

Unfortunately for Romney, Obama IS talking about the economy and what Mitt's "Let Detroit Go Bankrupt" advice would have done to the auto industry and what his reverse Robin Hood policies would do to the middle class if he's elected. Romney is the one who's running away from Obama's record as desperately as he's running away from his own record at Bain.

fred owen, terrific rebuttal.

Fairfax Bill must not have read the reports this week that said Lech Walesa stopped short of endorsing Mitt Romney. Walesa was pro-union, common sense says no way he would endorse an anti-union candidate, not to mention that foreign leaders--past or present--are not known to endorse any American presidential candidates. Just because he met with Romney doesn't mean he endorsed him.

Romney....Romney he's our man, if he can't raise middle class taxes....

no one can !!! (insert herkie for effect).

Well, if nothing else, it will keep the Libs from having to talk about the economy.

JAS1, we are talking about the economy. What part of Romney's plan to give the wealthy an $87,000 +/- tax break and making middle America pay $2000 in taxes more to pay for it is not about the economy? Middle America would spend that money. The wealthy would find a tax haven for it. You know of course that this info comes from an independent group that the Romney campaign so loved to quote when fighting against that other loser from Texas.

To Joe in Albany: The Federal Government is not giving as much money to the states, cities, etc. due to the Bush tax cuts. As long as the austerity measures go on, and the refusal of Republicans to add revenue to the Treasury, cities, and perhaps states, might have to declare bankruptcy.

Please, please, please tell me what these austerity measures are? We are BORROWING the difference. There have been no cuts. You want more revenue? The Clinton tax rates will cut the annual deficit from 1.2T to 800B. That's right after the falling off the fiscal cliff we will still be borrowing almost 30% of the Federal Government spends. Then there's sequestration. This cuts roughly 100B in spending from the defense budget and from non-discretionary spending. Only thing is, is that Medicare increases by 100B each year for the next 10 years as the Baby Boomers retire, so assuming the fiscal cliff and you get the revenue you crave, the deficit will be around 700B in 2013, and will increase each year for the next 10 if nothing changes. SS will also start to require funding from general taxation and its disability fund will simply run out of money in less that two years.

So, as I keep asking here, how do you to intend to fund all the goodies the Federal Government has committed to?

PS Don't forget that the states are also up @!$%#-creek as they over promised their employees!

Smitty -- Are you for real??? Are any of you for real that question any who follows the letter of the law as right or wrong. Your are damn skippy it is right. The law is there for all. If you can't take advantage of it, then so be it.

Exactly when did the liberal voter base go from being poor and needy to "freeloaders"? What happened to the bleeding hearts? Oh, I guess if it is to defend Obama's failures, anything goes?

DCIA said: Romney will TAX all EMPLOYER provided INSURANCE to pay for those freeloaders.

Did you get this statement from a reliable source, or is it something you pulled out of your nether regions? Not sure because this is the first time I'm hearing that Romney will be taxing anything. I tend to think this is you just making things up. Not surprising since you do this a lot when it comes to Romney.

@DCIA

Romney will TAX all EMPLOYER provided INSURANCE to pay for those freeloaders.

My prediction is that Obamacare will cause over 80% of businesses who employ under 1000 to drop all benefits and pay the fine.

However, what will kill the Democrats, is when a highly unionized company like Verizon proposes to drop union members benefits. The law of unintended consequences.

These are my predictions, and there won't be time to set up a single-payer system before the @!$%# hits the fan.

bcwc: JAS1, we are talking about the economy.

Sure you are. Lets talk about the 1.5% GDP growth. Why is it so poor? What has Obama done that has caused this to happen? What happened to the massive stimulus plan that was supposed to prevent that anemic growth from occurring? Lets talk about the 8%+ unemployment rate. Lets be real and state the truth that it is really 15% because many people have just stopped looking. Why hasn't Obama economic policies prevented such misery from occurring? Lets talk about the $6 TRILLION dollars of new debt Obama has incurred in less than 4 years. Where exactly did that money go? The Solyndras of the world? GM, who still owes the taxpayers $40+ billion, and whose sales have dropped by 41%? Lets talk about the doubling of people on food stamps as the result of Obama's economic policies. How has that happened? Why has Obama's policies put more people on the public welfare programs? Pelosi thinks welfare/unemployment stimulates the economy - why hasn't that happened?

Obama 2012 - "Really, it's still Bush's fault - I've got nothing to do with it"

devie --

You mean those very same post office that maybe forced to close? Those very ones that were highly profitable until Congress crush the life (and profit) out of them?

The very ones. These guys want to privatize everything but what they forget is business frequently rips off the taxpayer every chance they get.

Ben,

You do not seem to be aware of what freedom of Speech means in the context of the US Constitution. Since most of this is covered in first year law courses, I will provide a link to a scholarly appraoch to this which is very understandable for non lawyers.

FROM: caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data/constitution/amendment01/06.html#1

The First Amendment by its terms applies only to laws enacted by Congress, and not to the actions of private persons. Supp.15 This leads to a ''state action'' (or ''governmental action'') limitation similar to that applicable to the Fourteenth Amendment. Supp.16 The limitation has seldom been litigated in the First Amendment context, but there is no obvious reason why analysis should differ markedly from Fourteenth Amendment state action analysis. Both contexts require ''cautious analysis of the quality and degree of Government relationship to the particular acts in question.''

To be clear: when i ask you to take your God out of my politics; I am not asking or telling you what to think or believe in; I am merely asking that "we the people" do not include God as a reason for making or enforcing laws. You are "free" to belive what you wish, but none of us BY LAW are free to place god in the middle of governmental issues (such as health care).

Finally, the current Supreme Court, far from being originalists, are rapidly devolving into a rubberstamp for policies which would not erode, but erase most of the individual protections the Court has ruled on since 1803.

www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2010/06/03/why-supreme-court-originalists-are-wrong-about-the-constitution

FROM: www.scotusblog.com/community/originalism-and-the-supreme-court/

One last point. If you read James Madison’s notes on the Constitutional Convention and accept them as a generally accurate description of the proceedings, it is clear that Framers intentionally left some provisions vague because the delegates could not agree on more specific language. Some provisions were proposed and rejected, and the delegates accepted more ambigious language with the expectation those provisions would be given meaning over time. If a judge interprets such a provision by applying some original understanding of the words isn’t that judge betraying the original intent of the Framers?

Alan -- Maybe they will then be forced to look at best practices around the world. American is falling behind in just about everything over the past few decades.

BRIANb -- Look to the Heritage Foundation's PLAN. It's all in there. Republicans invite these guys to press conferences when they talk about healthcare.

http://www.savingthedream.org/about-the-plan/plan-details/SavAmerDream.pdf

FACT TIME:

So we hear from Albany Joe and Fool's Gold about the San Bernardino bankruptcy. Oh those lefty liberal, commie, pinko Californians! (Did I miss anything there Joe? Isn't that just Hilaryous?

Folks, San Bernardino - or as natives call it, San Berdoo - is in a place generally known as the Inland Empire. The Inland Empire is notoriously right-wing, although to some extent they have migrated a bit leftward to experience the taste of sanity.

While FG and AJ want you to believe this bankruptcy is the result of liberal excesses, you can see for yourselves that is hardly the case. Here's the link that will show that these two are full of it, but then, most of you already knew that. http://cms.sbcounty.gov/Portals/9/Registration%20and%20Voting%20Information/DistrictSummary-2012.07.22.pdf

There are a number of reasons for the bankruptcy, not the least of which is that city functionaries were cooking books. That, of course, escapes the likes of Albany Joe - a guy who can't tout his financial acumen enough. The housing crash has played an outsized role in this debacle as well.

Another reason that is not mentioned is the fact that Republicans in California have this thing about not paying for what they buy. They pretend it's fiscal conservatism, but of course, it's not. A true fiscal conservative pays for what he buys. A Chapter 9 Bankruptcy virtually screams that these folks aren't paying for what they "buy".

FG and AJ really, really don't get it, and it's not mere partisan hackery that gets in the way. They simply don't grasp reality.

fzknew Your damn straight Frank was right!

Maybe they will then be forced to look at best practices around the world. American is falling behind in just about everything over the past few decades.

It's taken 6 years to set up an insurance exchange. By the time they look round the world it will be too late. And the answer is very simple, providers charge too much.

BTW, Is anybody here willing to buy the Bonds to fund the California High Speed rail? Any news on what the interest will be? Either way, too risky for my retirement portfolio.

JoAnnaSmith1

bcwc: JAS1, we are talking about the economy.

Sure you are. Lets talk about the 1.5% GDP growth. Why is it so poor? What has Obama done that has caused this to happen? What happened to the massive stimulus plan that ... yada yada

And America stands alone in this? Go ask the Chinese gal they are not doing so well either and then after them ask the rest of the world. The economy is global, get used to it. I have read some of your posts and you can do better than this bs.

No doubt you can take what Harry Reid says to the bank. Harry Reid epitomizes what is wrong with Washington politics, as there is no politician more for sale. Corruption is how Reid came to power, it is how Reid made his money, and it is how Reid conducts business in Washington. Harry Reid has never released a single tax return in the time he has been in the senate, or people would learn how he went to Washington and became a multimillionaire. As long as Harry Reid is serving in Washington under the Democratic Party flag, there is no Democrat supporter that should be complaining about any Republican.

BrianB - foulmouth:

For Romney's plan to work, virtually all tax expenditures will have to be eliminated. Employer-paid health insurance is just such a tax expenditure.

Here's two links for you. Granted, you won't understand them, but others will and it will be perfectly clear that you, like most right-wingers, are clueless.

1. http://money.cnn.com/2012/08/01/news/economy/romney-tax-plan/

2. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/08/02/nine-takeaways-on-romneys-tax-plan/

When it becomes clear that those sacred cows like mortgage interest and employer-paid health insurance premiums will be taxed, Romney will run away from that as fast as he can. Of course, that means higher deficits.

That's it BrianB. Come back when you know what you're talking about. On the other hand, you'd seem a good deal more intelligent if you simply deferred to DCIA's superior intellect, and kept your vulgar comments to yourself.

Leave it to the Republicans to take economic growth (GDP 1.5%) and call it poor, when Bush through us right down the tank.

Add to that, that Romney's tax plan benefits the wealthy at the expense of the poor.

Smitty-4183671

fzknew Your damn straight Frank was right!

The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing (Frank Zappa)

Some take the bible
For what it's worth
When it says that the meek
Shall inherit the Earth
Well, I heard that some sheik
Has bought New Jersey last week
'N you suckers ain't gettin' nothin'

Is Hare Rama really wrong
If you wander around
With a napkin on
With a bell on a stick
An' your hair is all gone...
(The geek shall inherit nothin')

You say yer life's a bum deal
'N yer up against the wall...
Well, people, you ain't even got no
Deal at all
'Cause what they do
In Washington
They just takes care
of NUMBER ONE
An' NUMBER ONE ain't YOU
You ain't even NUMBER TWO

Those Jesus Freaks
Well, they're friendly but
The @!$%# they believe
Has got their minds all shut
An' they don't even care
When the church takes a cut
Ain't it bleak when you got so much nothin'
(So whaddya do)
Eat that pork
Eat that ham
Laugh till ya choke
On Billy Graham
Moses, Aaron 'n Abraham...
They're all a waste of time
'N it's yer a$$ that's on the line
(IT'S YER A$$ THAT'S ON THE LINE)

Do what you wanna
Do what you will
Just don't mess up
Your neighbor's thrill
'N when you pay the bill
Kindly leave a little tip
And help the next poor sucker
On his one way trip. . .
SOME TAKE THE BIBLE. . .
(Aw gimme a half a dozen for the hotel room!)

The liberal media is the most powerful and wealthy super PAC for 0bama.

Romney has to buy ad time to highlight his successes and refute accusation while 0bama has a chorus of yellow hack journalists with thrills up their legs and tents in their pants to do his bidding.

Hah! Hah! Romney's "lost" Tax Returns, which already we know shows that Mitt Romney outsourced Good old American jobs to China and Mexico, and for all we know might show all of Mitt Romney's shady Finanacial dealings with known Middle Eastern Terrorists groups, or that ROMNEY did NOT pay TAXES for TEN YEARS. Who knows, but now it's the "chatter" on all the blogs and the World Wide Web.

Plus SLUSH FUNDS to "laundry" Mitt Romney's ill gotten "income" thru his phony Cayman Island shell companies?

RETROACTIVELY RETIRING from Bain Capital when you're still drawing an OBSCENE SALARY as CEO? Can you and I do that? What the HELL is "RETROACTIVE RETIREMENT" anyway? It doesn't sound like a very "MANLY" thing to do, now does it?

And taking your wife's Olympic show Horse off for Taxes?

I do not like this Uncle Sam,

I do not like his health care scam.

I do not like these dirty crooks,

or how they lie and cook the books.

I do not like when Congress steals,

I do not like their secret deals.

I do not like ex-speaker Nan ,

I do not like this 'YES, WE CAN!'

I do not like this spending spree ---

I'm smart; I know that nothing's free.

I do not like your smug replies,

when we complain about your lies.

I do not like this kind of hope.

I do not like it --- nope, nope, nope!

You point your finger at three Republican Governors and fail to mention the scores of Democrats that not only were Governors but that dominated the state legislature.

Three? Try four. No wonder you guys aren't fiscally responsible. Yeah, okay. So you obviously either have never lived there, just moved there or are angry I called Reagan St. Ronnie. There were four Democrats that were governors before and all three were fiscally responsible and good stewards, in all aspects. Who where they? Edmund G. Brown Sr. (Pat), Edmund G. Brown Jr. (Jerry), Gray Davis and Edmund G. Brown Jr. (Jerry). They liked Jerry so much they elected him again 28 years later! Gray Davis was railroaded by the GOP and crybaby Darrell "the Thief" Issa. You can be real proud of that guy (Issa), his record speaks for itself.

These guys want to privatize everything but what they forget is business frequently rips off the taxpayer every chance they get.

dcia, You know it! Business is about helping themselves while Goverment is about helping the public.

Right on, David Walker!

But will FG and AG pay attention to the facts?

Just to clarify for all those confused right-wing posters, Lech Walesa DID NOT endorse Romney. He met with him as a curtesy, and of course wished him success.

Solidarity, the union Walesa has been linked with from the start, is in "solid" disagreement with Romney and his policies.

I know you are desperate for someone (anyone) to actually like Mitt Romney, but your statements are false and misleading.

Well, it stimulates the economy.... yawn

David Walker's introductory line against my post to DCIA: BrianB - foulmouth:

Foulmouth? You have to be on drugs. There are several ways I could have made my statement that would qualify for foulmouth status but I can see you are in liberal sensitivity mode today. As far as DCIA being a superior intellect, I'll just disregard that remark as you seem to be off in la la land... like I said, you must be on drugs.

I stand by my statement. Romney never stated he would raise anything, in fact as most of you liberals claim, he is intending to drop taxes... make up your minds... which is it? Romney is going to raise taxes or Romney is going to drop taxes... it seems liberals can't come to a consensus on WHAT Romney is going to do... so it amounts to whatever talking point is fresh to the libs, that becomes the flavor of the day... You guys change talking points like they are going out of style... and you call that intelligence? No wonder the libs in government have screwed this country so much... and you have the unmitigated gall to blame it on the republicans. Liberals don't think, they react, even if that reaction causes more mayhem.

San Bernardino is bankrupt. Why?

There was an oil field and refinery there. Was. The field dried up and the refinery closed.

The housing bubble burst and then came the 24% unemployment.

Speaking of the housing bubble, real estate speculators started buying water from farmers for their houses. The farmers who had been watering the desert found they could make more money by selling said water. The problem was that back in the 1930s there were a series of dams built in the mountains. It was a New Deal project and the state has been selling that water to farmers at 1930s prices ever since. When the farmers started selling it at today's prices instead of farming, the state cut them off because they had violated the terms of their contract.

So, no oil field = reduced tax base.

No new housing = reduced tax base.

Reduced farming = reduced tax base.

Then came the cooked books. Can you say "Greece"?

Also, Berdoo is in red country, not blue country.

Ummm, when someone wishes the challenger to President Obama "success" what the heck do you think he means?? This isn't hard folks -- not nearly as hard as figuring out what the meaning of the word "is" is.

San Bredoo COUNTY is NOT San Berdoo CITY. It is the Democratic baston of San Berdoo CITY that is going Bankrupt. NOT HE COUNTY of San Berdoo. 49.9% of the population of San Berdoo County is Hispanic. Now I suppose they are REPUBLICANS now???

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/06071.html

So David get your facts right.

BrianB, who refuses to learn, wrote:

"I stand by my statement. Romney never stated he would raise anything, in fact as most of you liberals claim, he is intending to drop taxes... make up your minds... which is it?"

He didn't have to state that he would raise taxes. He has however, said that he would reduce the debt. Given his love of and allegiance to the filthy rich for whom he promises tax cuts, even as he increases defense spending, even as he reduces the deficit and in consequence the debt, he MUST eliminate tax expenditures. He must also gut any number of other programs and departments. There are no alternatives. None.

Of course, you have to understand simple arithmetic, and BrianB, being simple doesn't mean you're halfway there. Come on dude, stop eating those lumps in the sandbox.

Slodon:

My facts are spot on and come from the Registrar of Voters. Indeed it even shows the breakdown of Hispanics, including the fact that some are actually registered as Republicans. By golly, the Registrar's numbers even show the breakdown for the CITY of San Bernardino. Further, the city's financial situation did not obtain overnight. In the very recent past, San Bernardino - the City AND the County - were very, very red.

Go piss on someone else's leg.

David

The current Mayor of San Berdoo is Pat Morris A DEMOCRAT. He has been Mayor for 6 years.

If you look at this from purely a non-partisan opposition research issue, it is very, very interesting.

1) The first opp reesearch people looking into Romney's finances were not Democrats or Obama supporters, but opp rearch people working for Gingrich and Santorum. Their advice (not followed obviously) was that if too much attention was paid to Bain and Romney's tax status, that the ticket was doomed. Even Ron Paul was on that particular bandwagon.

2) The second group of opp research people were RNC employees who were essentially "vetting" Romney. No one knows what they found because they were fired and their report to the RNC was deep-sixed. We do know, however, that a central issue was the 13 years of tax returns that Romney gave to McCain as a part of vetting potential vice presiudential candidates. The proof of that pudding is that McCain chose Palin with almost no vetting over Romney.

3) There have been rumors for several months about Romney's tax returns and what they might contain. These rumors weren't started by the Democrats or the Obama campaign, but by the Gingrich, Santorum, and Perry camps. In fact, one thing that hurt Perry badly with the GOP leadership was that he contributed privately to such rumors.

4) It is actually pretty easy to determine what is on most people's tax returns. You back in what you know from such documents as SEC filings and in Romney's case, tithing records from the Mormon church. The bloggers who seem to be in the know are absolutely mum about it. Apparently it is so bad that they insist that the tax records have to come directly from Romney and no one else, including the GOP leadership.

5) We do know that the oldest tax return that was released showed that at least one secret Swiss bank account was shut down and the funds transferred to Ann Romney. We also know that the half-owned hjorse currently competing in the Olympics dressage was bought as a "treatment" for Ann Romney's multiple schlerosis and that BOTH medical deductions and a passive loss of over $76k was claimed for the horse. And these are from tax returns that Romney did supply, so what could be worse?

6) The current speculation, from several sources and by several different people, are that a) Romney paid no taxes for some or all the years he won't release. b) Romney has a number of secret accounts, false front companies in Bermuda and the Caymans, and "shell" companies in the Caymans that constantly shift huge amounts of cash in order to evade taxes. c) That Romney made use of tax loopholes created especially for himself and Bain. These are easy to speculate about because Bain specialized in setting up such situations for clients that would enable them, like Romney, to evade most taxes, though the Bain prospectus does state that the IRS has not ruled on the legality of several of the "financial maneuvers."

This single issue seems destined to kill Romney's bid. He simply cannot both run away from Bain and take credit for its actions at the same time. Even the Olympics are coming back to bite Romney because of corruption charges. At some point Romney will have to try to defuse the tax return issue and release them and try to move on. But every day he delays and every day he says he "paid all the taxes [he] legally owed" makes it harder to move on.

No wonder McCain passed on Romney and is calling on Romney to release his tax returns. McCain knows what is in them and how much damage Romney will do to the Republican "brand."

The GOP is like a sinking ship with all the passengers poking holes in the hull to let the water out.

Some moron wrote a poem about healthcare. What he should be writing about is how the AHCA is great because it is taking care of his mama and grandmother.

If not i want him to tell every last member in his family to get off government assistance Now!.

That means refuse social security & refuse medicaid that way she can ask you to pay the high doctor bills. Refuse police help, fire fighters, emergency room, don't pay any local, state and Federal income taxes. That will turn our country around in a hurry. - No tax revenue to run the country with. - I think that no revenue thing will create millions and millions and millions of Jobs. - Not! - we tried that for 30 years now. Other than the Clinton years.

No revenue to run the country and all women who gets pregnant must have the baby. Even if they can't take care of it.

fzknew Zappa was a genius. The man was ahead of his time.

"The United States Government is the entertainment division of the United States Military Complex." Frank Zappa

President Obama need to release his School records. We all Americans have the right to know why Obama is qualified to be President since his 3.5 years are a failure. Obama sayshe will turn the country around if we electit him for President , but he is a fiasco, we are going tin the wrong direction. Obama got C- in Economic 101.

By the way, Romney has to spend more money in advertising because Obama got it for free, MSNBC, CNN, NBC, Washington Post, New York Times , NPR , etc.

Previous mayor of San Bernardino for 8 years was also a Democrat.

Oskar, Good Point! As for the Liberals!! Cry and suck up some more wine! Why is the left so scared of Obamas school records? Where are they? Why the big deal about Mitt? The left did a good job at doing nothing for the past year and they don't want us to focus on that! Lets get all the cards on the table, starting with this Obama failure. The left is so out of touch, just look at how many are still out of work!! Lets talk about that!!! More jobs were lost then saved, with the left running Washington, and that is a fact!

Slodon and DB Akron:

The successful President during the boom years 1993-2001, who preceded the guy who was busy crashing the United States economy from 2001-2009, was a Democrat.

See, I can play the non sequitur game, too.

Do your whirling dervish spin dance on your fellow right-wingers. Those of us who understand numbers know that Republicans are NOT fiscal conservatives.

JoAnnaSmith1

bcwc: JAS1, we are talking about the economy.

Lets talk about the 1.5% GDP growth.

Let's. Let's talk about the economy was CONTRACTING at a rate of 8.5% the last quarter of 2008 before Obama even took office. The 1.5% growth is a substantial 10% change thanks in large part to the stimulus, even though it had too little in spending and too many of those tax cuts that you cons refuse to admit were in it.

Why is it so poor? What has Obama done that has caused this to happen?

Now, that's REALLY a "when did you stop beating your wife" question. You tell US what Obama has done to slow down the global economy. What evil magic did he use to put Britain, now under conservative leadership, into its current double-dip recession? How did he mess up the Greek, Spanish, Irish, Italian, and Portuguese economies so badly? How did he slow down the massive Chinese economy? Put up or shut up. Not that JoAnnaSmith ever would deprive us of her fact-free attacks on the president.

"I don't care too much for money, 'cause money can't buy me love." The Beatles

And LOVE is the one thing that Romney lacks and it will cost him the election. Obama is 6 points ahead in the battleground states of Ohio and Florida. Whoa Dude.

Sadly, the reason Romney can't buy the love of his country, much less the love of the nation, is because of two things: 1. He has so much money and he's hiding it off shore to avoid paying US Taxes. 2. He's a Mormon and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is viewed as a "heresy" by most Christians and a cult by 70% of the US population.

But at least he'll have his millions in off-shore banks to fall back on after November.

Obama/Biden 2012 Happy Days are here again!

I find it interesting that there was not much written about all of the good things that were put in place yesterday, 8.1.2012, through the ACA.

Women now have free mammograms, breast screenings, birth control etc.. etc.. etc... without having to pay co-pays or deductibles.

Not a word, why is that?

Blah bla blaaa blaa bla ....blaa blaaaaaa, blaabblaa....blaa bla bla bla bla bla boblablobaaa

How is Romney considered a "fiscal conservative" when he has NOT explained how he will PAY for his proposed tax cuts, and he has NOT explained how he will PAY for his healthcare plan?

So is this the new Republican party? Spend, spend, spend and never pay for it?

mguy-478

Blaah blahh blaa,,,blah blaahh blaablaa?

EVERYBODY, and I mean Everybody, read POST #1.90 by CHRIS, just 10 posts above.

The POST (#1.90) by CHRIS is so SHOCKING and PROVOCATIVE, it will make your BLOOD RUN COLD.

It's the FACTS and TRUTH about MITT ROMNEY and his LACK of CHARACTER, that even the REPUBLICAN PARTY had hoped that Newt, or Santorum, and/or even Ron Paul would win the Republican Nomination.

NOT only is MITT from a FALSE CHURCH he also ACTIVELY AVOIDS Paying ANY TAXES for OVER TEN YEARS.

MITT ROMNY is NOT an HONORABLE MAN.

He's definitely is NOT very "MANLY", now is he?

Romney is doing the same thing O'bama did with his birth certificate...let the opposition make it an issue, then silence them in the final hour. If he does have something to hide, he just needs to find and bribe the right people to get it covered up, as O'bama possibly did as well with his birth certificate. Either scenario makes it a non issue. Find something else, he has plenty of faults.

Obama is a war criminal and he should be impeached.

Obama has:

Signed the NDAA bill into law allowing the assassination of any us citizen without trial (yes, I know it's been around for a long time but Obama signed it into law even though it's unconstitutional)

Obama has killed hundreds of innocent people (including 3 Americans) with drone strikes he has ordered in Pakistan And Yemen.

Obama has raised the National debt Nearly $5 TRILLION.

Obama has allowed almost 1 Million ILLEGAL aliens to become legal citizens (thanks to those he allowed to become citizens, they have committed 19 murders and 142 sex crimes)

Google Search "Dreams from my REAL father" and you'll see, Obama's father was a failed communist who's dream was to DESTROY America, at age 18, Obama went to a MARXIST school.

Crystal, Great job

Hope and Change is now Mope and Blame

@ Crystal-569996

I do not like this Uncle Sam,

I do not like his health care scam.

I do not like these dirty crooks,

or how they lie and cook the books.

I do not like when Congress steals,

I do not like their secret deals.

I do not like ex-speaker Nan ,

I do not like this 'YES, WE CAN!'

I do not like this spending spree ---

I'm smart; I know that nothing's free.

I do not like your smug replies,

when we complain about your lies.

I do not like this kind of hope.

I do not like it --- nope, nope, nope!

I got no prob with Uncle Sam

The ACA is not a scam

The dirty crooks are mostly (R)'s

who only care 'bout getting thars

Dunno about what Congress "steals"

You talking taxes? Save your schpiels

"Entitlements" to help the needy

Should not be cut because you're greedy

You're right, we need to "reign in" spending

But look around, the world's not ending

(Despite what (R)'s would have you think

While claiming that their mess don't stink)

We say "Yes, we can!" -- you don't

Your party only says "We won't!"

I bet you don't like "FORWARD" too

But I won't go backward with you

So, come November, please don't cry

If (R)'s get served some humble pie

You're gonna eat it, yes you will

So grab your fork, you right-wing shill

Romney pays a lower tax rate than many teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other middle-class Americans.

Go Virgil Goode!

The liberal media is the most powerful and wealthy super PAC for 0bama.

Romney has to buy ad time to highlight his successes and refute accusation while 0bama has a chorus of yellow hack journalists with thrills up their legs and tents in their pants to do his bidding.

First, the article is about campaign spending. Seems the libbie press just can't help themselves, as they did not put richie-rich Obama under similar scrutiny... when he outspent McCain by $200 million or so.

As to taxes, they are none of your or my business. His work record and education are, as we need to know if he is qualified. And as we have seen with the child who now inhabits the White House and had zero management or leadership experience, these things matter.

Romney is qualified, and all the leftie crowing won't move a single reasonable voter towards their cat calls.

Fact is the polls have been wrong, and as we are now learning, they have been oversampling democrats 9-11%. This is a sad commentary on the left and the media.

And not surprisingly the media lambasted Mrs Romney for wearing a $990 blouse in May, saying is shows how out of touch the Romney's are, and applauded Mrs Obama in July for wearing a $6,800 jacket saying how stylish she was.

Just like with Chik-fil-A, there is going to be a big surprise in November for all the rabid red heads and everyone else as the irresponsible lefties in DC will be looking for work.

Mitt Romney presents one enormous problem for Barack Obama’s campaign: No divorce records. That’s why the media are so hot to get their hands on Romney’s tax records for the past 25 years. They need something to “pick through, distort and lie about” – as the Republican candidate says.

Obama’s usual campaign method, used in 100 percent of his races, has been to pry into the private records of his opponents.

The liberal media is the most powerful and wealthy super PAC for 0bama.

What a load of crap! RWNJ talking points. elliot lots of #s ever heard of Roger Ailes? or Rupert Murdoch? or ...

Romney is a THIEF and a LIAR. Perfect GOP candidate.

@Roy Wilson: "Hard to do math based on assumptions". Strange, especially since you have hundreds of posts containing same. You seem to do it so well too.

Where's your gwaddamned TAX RETURNS MITTENS?

Obama/Biden! 2012

Hah! Hah! MITT ROMNEY has a "CHARACTER PROBLEM" and Now all his horrific Character Shortcomings, and his hideous Character Defects, are really beginning to show!

"RETROACTIVELY RETIRING" so you don't get brought up on CRIMINAL FELONY charges is a very "UNMANLY" thing to do, especially when you're still drawing an OBSCENCE SALARY as CEO at BAIN CAPITAL. Very "UNMANLY"

Taking your Wife's OLYMPIC SHOW HORSE off as a TAX WRITE-OFF, just because you call it a "THERAPY HORSE"? please! I don't care what you call it. It's still a very "UNMANLY" thing to do!

"LOST" Tax Returns that we already know for a Fact, that show that Mitt Romney OUTSOURCES good old AMERICAN JOBS to CHINA and MEXICO, and according to the "chatter" on the blogs and the world wide web, might even show shady Financial dealings with known Terrorist Groups. How come I'm Not surprised?

"SLUSH FUNDS" in the CAYMAN ISLANDS to "LAUNDRY" your ill-gotten loot through phony Shell-companies?

HIDDEN SWISS BANK ACCOUNTS that you just mysteriously TRANSFER into your Wife's name, just before becoming the Republican "Etch a Scetch" wannabe "Outsourcer and Chief"?

And finally just breaking in the today's News: NOT PAYING TAXES for TEN YEARS!

All of the ABOVE really shows, without a doubt, that Mitt Romney has a Major "CHARACTER PROBLEM".

Wouldn't you all agree?

ps. Is this a Great post, or what?

Is it working?

@elliot-3020456 - FlipRomney is not highlighting his success he is just saying President Obama is bad, I made money I wont tell you how Just F-N vote for me.

Since FlipRomney refuse to highlight his successes I would like you to do it for him by posting it Now Please.

Mitt's tax returns? Why won't Obama release his admission records, grades etc.? Some of us would like to know how he got into Harvard and paid for it.

I don't think throwing a ton of money will not really help the GOP, the bottom line is what's best for the American people and I'm not talking about the GOP wanna be's, majority of the people Middle income or worst, Poor, and they don't want or need a President so out of touch as ROMNEY is, yes Obama has not been as effective as We all would want, but the problem here is the GOP has slowed our economy down in the hope of gaining more political power, if you can't see it then maybe you better put down that can of BEER.

It will be interesting to see if Romney actually releases any details on his tax plan. It seems Obama is being more fiscally conservative, as he is the ONLY candidate addressing the issue of paying for tax cuts.

So let's see if Romney can actually be responsible and PAY for the tax cuts he wants to give out... or if he follows the typical Republican policy of handing out tax cuts without paying for them.

If Romney won't show the numbers of how many jobs he created and how many he has sent overseas then I can't vote for him. His lastest commercial in Ohio shows a local car dealer complaining because his dealership was shut down during their financial issues. He blames Obama. What he doesn't say say is that GM shut him down. Obama did not chose who was shut down and who wasn't. If he hadn't done something all of the dealerships would have shut down, along with all of the factories and suppliers. Which option should we prefer? I have yet to see a commercial showing all the jobs that Romney created, that leads me to believe that he sent more jobs away then he created. Show me what he has done besides borrowing money for the Olympics. Show me his real accomplishments and I may rethink my vote.

Obama won in '08 outspending McCain two to one. All the libs were shocked in 2010. Wait until November.

People vote their pocketbooks and no sane person wants a continuation of this.

Romney would be foolish to release any more of his tax records. All that would do is give the Democrats something else to take the message from the real issue: the economy. Obama wants to talk about Bain, gay marriage, illegal immigration, and Mitt's taxes rather than talk about how the economy is taking a nose dive under his watch. He surely doesn't want to talk about the Democrat's budget. Oh, they haven't passed one since Obama was elected ...not even Obamas.

Mac

I do taxes every year including taxes for people with trusts. If you have seen one, you've seen them all.

Obama received the great majority of his money from individual Citizens, McCain received his money from Corporations, and even they saw that it was a losing battle and so held on to their money. Romney is getting HUGE backing from a handful of Billionaires and Corporations, while Obama is still getting most of his money from individuals.

Do you really want the billionaires and corporations to have unfettered control of the Govt, like they did under Bush, we all saw how that went and we are still paying for it!

@DB Akron #2.16: Waaa, Ha, ha, ha, that's a good one DB. I'm sure there's some truth to it too. Bet you don't do many for Presidential Candidates though. I know you're having fun with me. You do hang in there for your man DB. While I think you're wrong I do respect your tenacity. Regards

How else do you market a sorry product?

Why don't you check with the Obama campaign?

Romney may have more money but the guy keeps digging himself into a deeper hole every single day. Mitt simply cannot think in his feet. When he goes off script he makes a total fool out of himself. Come debate time President Obama will eat him up and spit him out.

Fool's Gold, your name is appropriate!

Fool's Gold, your name is appropriate!

Yes. I thought so too, but you do have to understand the implication.

"Yes. I thought so too, but you do have to understand the implication."

To me, the implication is that a fool and his gold are soon parted.

Adelson is trying very hard to buy this country with his puppet MittWitt. He is a very, very creepy man. Do republican's really want Adelson running this country for his billionaire boys club? Really?

What the story is implicating is Obama doesn't have the support he had in 08. It appears as though Romney is gaining steam and momentum because as the election draws near, people are waking up to the idea that Obama needs to go. Everyone realizes that once a president is elected it takes 4 years to do something different... Considering the economic conditions in this country, those that are hurting and know the reason why they are hurting will definitely vote for a change. That is the major difference this time around... we have an incumbent that has not helped improve the economy, jobs, people's welfare but instead has strapped us with a healthcare bill that does nothing to improve people's positions.

I've noticed in the Obama TV ads his only approach is to attack Romney. If his healthcare bill is so outstanding why isn't he running on that? If all his investments into green energy are so good, why isn't he running on that? If he's creating jobs, why isn't he running on that? I mean these are the things the liberals always say is good about Obama... why isn't Obama running on these things? I'll tell you why.. because in each of these things, Obama has lost... failed... and utterly wasted taxpayers money. And liberals still support him.

Romney has said that 99.5% of his money is in American enterprises. Extrapolating from what little we know about his foreign accounts, that means he is worth $6 Billion!

Is that why he is hiding his tax returns?

The liberal media is the most powerful and wealthy super PAC for 0bama.

Romney has to buy ad time to highlight his successes and refute accusation while 0bama has a chorus of yellow hack journalists with thrills up their legs and tents in their pants to do his bidding.

Fools Gold = someone thinks that what they have is valuable, but in reality it is crap?

Fools Gold #3.4: How do we understand the implication when it's evident you don't? Taken singularly, you're probably neither. Add the two though, you're likely quite close. A lot of mouth and no substance.

Elliot, not only are you repeating yourself, but your repeating yourself in bold type. We heard your rant the first time. Get some new material.

Dim4Free - LOL!

Oh, and to the host at the top of the hour on MSNBC who pointed out that Stephen Colbert called Dressage "the sport of the summer"...

...you do know that he was joking, yes?

Dressage? I thought that was a gay pride parade. Outta da closet now Mittsy!

I actually like watching dressage - I saw a documentary about how they use that to train horses for chasing steer.

Nevertheless, it seems to be another bad decision on Romney's part to participate in such a 'hoity-toity' event while he's running for president and trying to look like a regular guy. It's easier to picture Romney in britches and riding boots than those stupid blue jeans he's been wearing.

Hmmmm......is "Rafalca" an acronym for the owners of the horse?

Those Romneys - a never ending source of amusement.

Enough about the damn oat-sucking nag!! This has nothing to do with jobs, health care, education or anything else that I care about. That said, watching Colbert on horseback, inquiring as to his need for a cup, was hilarious!

Ursula the western riding version of Dressage is called Reining, same moves just faster and done in western tack, I have a horse that was very good in the sport we used to show and that was his specialty.

Since the Romney's have pushed the burden of paying for this horse in this sport onto the American taxpayers via tax deductions, we can only hope that hard-earned money spent on fancy-prancy-horsie-dancing will result in a gold medal for Rafalca.

Ann, thanks for the info - I just thought it was interesting to learn that dressage (or reining) had a practical purpose.

RedDevPS: It looks like Rmoney gave us a bad deal once again.

Like, which candidate is in FAVOR of pulling newborn babies partially out of their mothers, then murdering them while they scream and kick?

I rarely read Damage and have the idiot savant on ignore, but once every couple of weeks or so, I read one of his posts to see how the mind of a pathetic psychopath works, and like clock-work, Damage never fails me. I'm not aware of any candidate or any non-psychopath in favor of pulling a baby from the womb and murdering it while it kicks and screams. FYI Damage, newborn babies cannot be pulled out of their mothers - they are either in the womb and unborn or out of the womb and newborn.

RedDevPS

Since the Romney's have pushed the burden of paying for this horse in this sport onto the American taxpayers via tax deductions, we can only hope that hard-earned money spent on fancy-prancy-horsie-dancing will result in a gold medal for Rafalca.

Will Rafalca pay taxes on the medal? It is earned income. Or, will Rafalca use Mrs. Romney as a tax deduction?

@ Auntie Fascist #4.6: Been meaning to say this. Ma'am, I like the hell outta you! Smart, witty, and a straight shooter. Keep your posts coming! My best to you ma'am.

Nice words to hear, Mac. I am, however, all the "woman" that Silence Dogood was.

@Auntie Fascist #4.15: I'll just retroactively remove the "Ma'am's" then. Benjamin did well with Miss Dogood, as I'm sure you are and will. Best regards

Enough about the damn oat-sucking nag!!

Yeah, let's start talking about the horse!

Didn't you get the campaign slogan?

"Romney 2012 - Vote For Him Or We Won't Give You Any Jobs!!!"

Da Noid -

i think the slogan was, "... or you people don't get jobs.

kinda sad that there are all these people who care more about the person sitting in the oval office than the prosperity of the nation that enabled them to reach their success... 'Country first' my muscular buttocks...

"You gotta wonder who the players are on "Team Romney."

I agree!! Who is managing this guy?? What are they truing to do? I've seen better campaigns by high school kids running for class president.

The big donors and all true red-blooded Americans want this country to be lead by a real person who has proven leadership;

Ben -- you're either in total denial or totally misinformed. The donors are the big banks, the big oil companies, the big hedge fund managers and the big money people. Chase bank has probably given more to Romney than all the Joe 6-packs in this nation combined.

Ben-636050 aka Bimbo-6....

Believe in God. Believe in America!

God has nothing to do with this and neither does believing in Her. All Americans have red blood and all Americans believe in her ... America.

Charlie -- Not hard to come to that conclusion. What you fail to mention is that four years ago that list of big donors gave overwhelmingly to Barack Hussein Obama. So maybe you are the one in total denial. Since the horse they backed four years ago turned out to be a total f&&k-up glue factory nag, they know this country needs to change its man at the reins a bring this country to victory.

BELIEVE IN GOD! BELIEVE IN AMERICA!

BELIEVE IN ROMNEY 2012!!!

@ Ben

My faith tells me that God would not call any President in Office a piece of sh!t.

Republicans = False Christians. Religious hypocricy at its finest, brought to you by the GOP.

Ben, I believe in God, and I love my country. I also happen to be a red-blooded American. I care about people, their safety, their education, and their health. Therefore, I will continue to support my president, for he has done the best he could do under very difficult circumstances. I do not trust Romney's secrecy or his lack of concern for the poor. I'm going with Obama again, thank you very much.

One of Romney's biggest donor is Sheldon Adelson, the gambling guy of Vegas and Macao. He is being investigated for bribing government officials in China and Macao.

And for all the money of the superpac guys, Romney is still spinning his wheels.

So I am off to Vegas to check out the landscape.

I might even listen to one of superpac ads in the tv.

Feisty and all, see you folks soon. Love the guest speaker, and all the fun that is planned!!!

This country was built on the blue collar people who were my ancestors. The people Romney's put outta work!

Why is Mitt Romney so Un-American as to hide his money in the Cayman Islands, Swiss Banks, Bermuda and any tax haven he can find? Since when did it become "the land of the FEE, home of the Investment Banker"?

I do not feel that my Italian Immigrant Grandparents, with 25 brothers and sisters as well as 3 children of their own could have ever imagined this country being taken over by the type sof ideological zealots that are running for office today. And Grandpa was a died in the wool Republican! I guarantee you he would see right through Mitt Romney's BS; errrrrr dress(age)!

What do Romney's big money donors want?

Amy -- They want another war and they want more tax breaks so they can put even more money in their overseas accounts.

Believe in God. Believe in America!

If God played any role in politics, he would have stamped out the Tea Party at its inception. From what I have read, He tends to frown upon hypocrites.

Bethie -- You are wrong in your support for a miserable socialist, communist-mentored turd.

Do you talk to God with that mouth, or is that the one you use to lick His arse?

FZknew -- The RICH will never have to worry about a RUN on American Banks. We the People, however, would.

Why do you people vote against your owe interest?

Ben--you are wrong to disrespect the President of the United States of America, who was democratically elected by a clear margin. He is none of the things that you mentioned. If you were a true Christian, you would not use such language, nor would you lie about President Obama. If you were intelligent, you would not need to stoop to such ridiculous name-calling in order to somehow win support for the other guy. If you think my support for Obama is wrong, you can first try to be civil and then include some facts about how Romney is better. Since it's almost impossible to know what Romney has been doing the last 12 - 15 years, and he likes it that way, I really don't feel comfortable voting for him.

Gotta wonder who the members of Team Obama are. They throw down THOUSANDS of $$$ PER PLATE at some Hollywood dinner and, by the end of the night they have MILLIONS collected. All the while, people out in the "flyover states" are struggling to make ends meet and pay the bills and are being told that they would be nothing without the kind and benevolent government.

And who are these people forking over millions of $$$ to the Chosen One? People who never miss a chance to accuse Romney and his wife of "not caring for the little guy." People who WORSHIP as heroes movie directors who marry their own stepdaughters, drug and rape 13 year-old girls in hot tubs, people who make movies that poison the minds of our kids. Ahhhh Hollywood. Where would the Dems be without it.

How's that bubble you're living in, or were you born yesterday.

Romney resort fundraiser REMEMBER.

Ahhhh stupid people, where would Romney be without them.

Bethie -- Am I wrong to disrespect the president because he is the president or is it because of this "clear margin" thing you mention?

I am not lying about Obama. He is what he is. What do you know about him??? Where are his friends and/or girl friends that he grew up with? Did drugs with? Joined Socialist organizations with? Mentored by a communist?? Do you even question why in 2008 Obama said publicly that his "father" served in WWII which would make his father 9 years old? Do you excuse gaffes for one and not the other? How about his bio in the Harvard Law Review where it stated he was born in Kenya?? Again, oh the girl made a mistake and you believe it but chose not to believe another's gaffe?? Do you think she just pulled "Kenya" out of thin air????

Tax returns are personal -- yours, mine, and Gov. Romney's. If he is fulfilling all of the requirements of financial disclosure required for the office of President, then by the standards set by law that should be good enough. Screw anyone else's curiosity when it comes to anothers personal finances. We have government agencies in place to monitor all activity. You do trust in big government don't you???

Ben-636050

BCWC -- God has everything to do with this. God has everything to do with everything in our lives -- our successes and our sorrows. Since you must be from Rio Linda ..

Sorry pal but I choose not to believe in your 'God" and that phantom of your programmed imagination has nothing to do with my life. Rio Linda? You must be one of Rush's parrots.

#5.19--Cheers, Bethie from Texas! Most of us long-time FR readers and posters grew weary of pointing out how foolish and ugly his own words made him appear and just let Damage's hateful rants stand for all to read and make their own conclusions. That said, it's great to see someone call him out again!

Ben, I really don't care about Obama's childhood friends! I believe that his official birth certificate from Hawaii is valid, not some bio in one issue of a newsletter. She may have thought he was Kenyan because his father was from Kenya. I never said I excused his gaffes--he's definitely had his share of them. I don't see any proof of his being "mentored by a commmunist" or having joined socialist organizations--sounds like unfounded accusations. Obama's policies support businesses (supporting GM, tax cuts for small businesses, etc.), so I think the whole "socialist" label is a scare tactic.

I also don't care about Romney's childhood, possible drug use when a teenager/young adult, clubs he may have belonged to, etc. What I care about is his recent activities and his current stances, both of which are next to impossible to discern. If Romney's own father thought it was important and helpful to release 12 years' worth of tax returns, then why can't Romney release even a few years' worth? If he has done nothing illegal, why not release them as Obama and Biden have? Why was it OK to show McCain nearly two dozen years' worth of tax returns (when he was being vetted for VP in 2008), but we can't see more than one? What is he hiding?

I'm sorry, but this is a big albatross around Romney's neck that is not going to go away.

Nice work Bethie - I love when posters like Ben get backed into a corner, and let loose a tirade that fully discloses they are stark raving mad. Now if we could just get Romney to disclose those 1040s.

Well, Jody, I cannot stand it when someone mentions God in one sentence and then utters outright lies and curse words in the next breath. If your candidate is so great and so strong, then you shouldn't have to lie about the President in order to unseat him. Good luck with that.

Tax returns are personal -- yours, mine, and Gov. Romney's.

Not when you're a candidate for President, and especially not when your claim to qualification for the office is your business acumen.

"What you fail to mention is that four years ago that list of big donors gave overwhelmingly to Barack Hussein Obama. "

Ben -- while that may have been true in 2008, this is 2012 and the big money people are supporting Romney this time around -- not the Joe 6 packs of the nation. But -- from the numbers we are seeing so far -- it's wasted money. President Obama's numbers improve each day while Romney's get worse.

You demanded President Obama's birth certificate then still called him not American.

Well this born and raised American would like to see Flip Romney's F-IN Tax Returns NOW!

Too F-IN bad; it's none of your business! Now get over it and shut up!

Too F-IN bad; it's none of your business!

No, actually it is our business. He's running for President and the tradition established by his own father is to disclose 12 years of income tax returns.

But he can't, because it will make him look bad, and could even cost him the election. That says something. He got away with this nonsense ten years ago when he ran for Governor in Massachusetts and pulled this same maneuver. Not because he wasn't at fault but because he lied.

Romney will say anything to get elected, even if it's not true - that's quite clear. But the contra-positive is also true - he'll never say anything that will prevent him from getting elected, even if it's true.

It's all part of his pathological pattern of pandering.

RTFS

That's what I say! I went to see Romney speak in person during the primaries and I was really surprised how not-bright he was. How can someone be a millionaire and not have an extraordinary intellect? I guess I bought the myth that the super-rich are inherently more gifted than us ordinary folks. I was simply amazed Romney seemed so dim. "Empty suit" pretty much covers it.

Funny that you should say that Amy. When I started out in corporate business I used to think that the CEOs of the world must be smarter and work harder than the rest of us. As I worked my way up the proverbial ladder and met some of them - and these were multi-national companies - I realized that it wasn't necessarily true. That's why the argument that he'd be a capable president will never hold water with me. All his background means is that through some combination of family name, prestigious education, luck and hard-working people "below" him he was successful in business. It all means nothing if he has no core convictions or ideas on how to lead this country.

I heard on NPR yesterday that the Republicans in Congress like Rep. Ryan want Romney to say as little as possible and to give as few specifics as possible about his "policies" (???) because they want someone in office whom they can just send their pet legislation to and he will sign off on whatever they write. If Romney gives details, he'll just get into trouble with explaining them, and these ideas might not be exactly what the conservative legislators want to focus on. Kinda scary, hmm?

I would like to know what conservatives feel about this. Is it OK with you that you that Romney is so ambiguous with the details of what he wants to do once in office? That his records at Bain, the Olympics, and his governorship have been sealed, or destroyed? That he refuses to reveal his tax returns for even one full year? (Despite saying earlier that he would release more?)

It's like he wants to be president, but he doesn't want to undergo the necessary scrutiny that goes with the territory. It's as if he thinks we Americans are so dumb that he can get elected without telling us what he really stands for.

RTFS

I know exactly what you mean. And the most brilliant CEO's I've known had a sociopathic streak that would make them unfit for public office. Being successful in business is not the best qualification for President, or at least, not an automatic qualification, in my book.

Listen to these folks talk abouty the CEO's they have worked with or known in their lives. I have had two successful companies both based on manufacturing electronics IN THE UNITED STATES. Of course, the last one was sold in 1997 because I wouldn't be able to build that same company today due to investors greed. I sold it to Halliburton. I have met with and worked with members of the Bush family; in fact, some of them invested in my small company in 1989 and received an ROI over 500% when we sold to Halliburton. What I can say with 100% certainty is that most CEO's of multi national corporations did not become CEO by being a nice, or ethical person. in fact, from where I sat, being funded by some of them, I thought the more successful they are monetarily, the more of a jerk they appear to us "regular" folks.

Here is the worst part: even though these folks helped me to earn a living and then made me a small amount money to invest; in the end, I lost almost all of that money because they convinced me to play their game. The game is the US stock and treasury markets. I took my money made from Halliburton, invested it with one f the top 5 invesstment firms and within 3 years, along with the crash of 1999 , $400,000 became $4,000. I was invested in all of the big companies which fleeced us all: Enron, Cisco, Nortel, etc. I played by all "THE RULES"; employed over 20 Americans, mostly highly skilled highly paid engineering types; created a small business in my garage, convinced two men with more experience that I to build it with me. We then applied for and received US Patents on our INVENTIONS; we then sold our excellent devices to the US Navy, Coast Guard, and 30 oil exploration countries (Saudi Arabia among them). Then, after they "made me rich" they steadily took it away. Do not read this wrong; I PLAYED BY ALL THEIR RULES; INCLUDING INVESTING IN THE COMPANIES THEY "VALUED" AND STILL GOT SCREWED.

This is what the Mitt Romneys of the world wish for any creative American, they wish for us to be worked to death, have all of our ideas malpropriated, squeeze all of the knowledge and energy from us, then SCREW US OVER.

Business experience does not qualify one to be President.

Dumbya had business experience. His business could not find oil in Texas.

Cheney had business experience. Halliburton sold nuclear technology including centrifuges to Iran from 1998 to 2005.

Rmoney has business experience. He cleaned $44 million out of the pension plan of Georgetown Steel knowing full well that we people (the taxpayers) are obligated to pay it back.

Business experience does not mean that individual would make a good President.

Being a marginal Chicago Senator who was too chicken @!$%#ttt to vote anything other than "present" does not make a good President.

FZknew

Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Seems like venture capitalism has become vulture capitalism. And the Republicans resist exercising any oversight over the financial system.

Crystal--add civil rights lawyer, constitutional law professor, community organizer (yeah--so horrible to invest in communities!!) and now President of the USA to that list of positions he has held. I would much rather have a president who has held jobs in which he served the people instead of making money off of the people.

Amy B. Portland, ME

FZknew

Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Seems like venture capitalism has become vulture capitalism. And the Republicans resist exercising any oversight over the financial system

Amy, Thanks. I used to live in Portland; best 2 years of my life. I started out in the back bay then moved to Wiscasset Bay for the second year. Since I was being paid to write, I didn't need to be close to the city.

Here is the thing about my personal experience which is hard to share (given all the security clearances, etc):

I was educated to be an inventor of electronic devices. Through the hard work of my family putting me through a major US University, and the patience of great teachers and mentors, I became good at developing devices which were able to be sold on the market. One of my professors holds over 300 Patents. He taught us well; to the point that when I was supposed to earn the Phd under him and he told me to quit school, and go out and run the company I started when I was a 19 year old Sophomore.

At 21, I had a company with 3 employees based on a US Patented audio device technology. At 31 I had a company with 22 employees based on 2 more US Patented military technology devices. At 41 I had a great business plan for an internet based business, a VERY successful track record and not one previous investor or any other investor could see their way into the future. in 1999 I was actually told, "the internet is a fad" by a VP at Sony U.S.!

My point is, as a known quantity with proven results I could not obtain funding for my idea. When told I didn't have 20% profit built in for 5 years, I said, "Correct, i wish to own and run this business for 20 years, not 5 and sell out". I made the plan with the intention of not falling into the trap we fell into with the other two businesses. Unfortunately for me, and moreso for America, I did not want to be screwed again for the use of my own ideas/inventions. Therefore, I choose NOT to work in any field where my education and creativity can be misused.

Now, don't cry for me; I have enough money that I could never spend it all. Cry for America and our young people. This current crop of corporations and governmental agencies are based on making money off of money rather than making money off of making and selling products. We went from a manufacturing economy (40s, 50s, 60s) to a service economy (70s, 80s) and to an informaation age economy (90s, early "oughts") to a foolsgold, rentiers class economy in 2012.

Sadly, I know I have seen the best this country has and can see the RAPID downhill decline in our GDP, our standing in the world, and fear it will all end with massive warmongering forcing the rest of the world to treat us as the parasites we have become.

FZknew -- There is much wisdom in your posts. Carry on.

How can someone be a millionaire and not have an extraordinary intellect?

Easily. He was born that way - rich and stupid.

"Being successful in business is not the best qualification for President, or at least, not an automatic qualification, in my book."

Some of our best presidents failed at business. Truman went broke and was still paying off debts from his failed store during his second term in the Senate. Lincoln referred to his business debts as "the national debt." George Washington was broke when he took office. On the other hand -- some successful business people made lousy presidents. Hoover made millions in the private sector. Carter was a very successful peanut farmer. Harding was a successful newspaper owner.

@tim-2799493: Agree. Happens a lot. Often "accomplished thievery" is the most fitting tool. Romney is a Thief and a Liar.

Romney is trying to make a mockery of the the United State of America Elections.

Will you bye his BS of course you will because you hate black people.

Curious to know why so many people are worried about Romney's taxes. Nearly 50% of Americans don't pay income taxes. Their answer is tax the rich. If Obama gets his way, it will pay 8 days. Where is the rest coming from? For democrats it is tax and waste. The democrats haven't passed a budget, including the Obama budget, in nearly 4 years. They are turning America into a welfare state. All the little piggys saying ...give me ...give me ...give me.

Like what is happening in Greece, Ireland and Spain? That is your future under Obama.

You mean just like the corporations are taking away wages from the American people?

Romney killed American with corporate welfare. We spent millions on his companies. Hey his aborted fetus disposal company made 75 million. Romney made BANK on dead babies. Good for Romney

Dougxxxx(paid shill) the United states is nothing close to Greece or Spain in an economic sense:

FROM: thehill.com/opinion/op-ed/103365-comparisons-between-us-greece-are-overblown

The Greek fiscal crisis has often been cited by deficit hawks in the United States as a warning of what will happen here if we do not correct our profligate ways. This makes about as much sense as holding up Bernie Madoff’s fund as a warning for bad things happening to TIAA-CREF.....

While there are many grounds for complaining about both the budgetary process and outcomes, it is silly to build on analogies with Greece that simply don’t fit. Our short-term deficit is overwhelmingly a story of an economy that was badly weakened by the collapse of the housing bubble. The deficit is making up for the enormous loss of private sector demand. If we could simply snap our fingers and make the deficit disappear, we would be rewarded with a weaker economy and higher unemployment....

Over the long-term, the deficit horror stories are driven almost entirely by projections of exploding health care cost growth. If per person healthcare costs were comparable to those in any other wealthy country we would be looking at enormous budget surpluses, not deficits....

The Greek tragedy might be a compelling story of corruption and sorrows, but it tells us nothing about the U.S. budget situation. We would be better off worrying about our own problems.

One of the reasons why France and other European countires failed during the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries was that they were controlled by stupid aristocrats who inherited their money and relied on smart underlings to maintain them. Once they decided that their needs outweighed the concerns of their countrymen the whole house of cards collapsed and they lost their heads.

Like what is happening in Greece, Ireland and Spain? That is your future under Obama.

Actually, to the contrary, they're suffering under recent government austerity programs very much like that which Republicans would impose on us if we let them.

If you want to see what a Republican economic plan would look like, look at Greece.

The newest research from Nate has it as:

“Obama chance of winning 70.8% Romney 29.2%”

Who is Mitt Romney? No one knows - all we do know for sure is that he's hiding his tax returns. Why? Maybe because he probably didn't pay US taxes for many years, paychecks from Bain after 1999, more offshore accounts, and huge chunks of cash going to his IRA account - how is that even possible when you can only contribute $6,000 a year and he has a 100 million dollar IRA. Nothing about him passes the smell test - not one thing.

Who is Obama? No one knows- all we do know is he is hiding his college records. Why? Maybe because he wrote a racist thesis? Nothing about him passes the smell test- not one thing.

Who is Obama?

Commander-in-Chief. President of the United States. Michelle's husband. Malia and Sasha's Dad (and coach.) Ann Dunham's son. A good guy, a smart man, my favorite politician.

and the person most responsible for our economic plight.

Crystal, how original of you....

No one knows who the incompetent oaf in the White House is, and are complaining about a lack of knowledge of Romney. That would make a good comedy routine.

oh, wow, AnaBanana, I never thought of that - Reid probably got the tip from another Mormon who knows Romney didn't pay any taxes on his wealth for ten years. Makes sense.

@AnaBanana/Amy:

And now we are at the gist of why Romney won't release those tax returns. He is afraid the Mormon's will see that he claimed no income, and hence, paid no tithing, all the while holding onto millions in assets. Romney isn't afraid of the American public - he is scared @!$%#less of the Mormon mafia.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/06/02/1096826/-The-Mormon-Mafia-Mitt-Romney-The-LDS-Church

http://www.equip.org/articles/mormon-mafia-cited-in-fbi-discrimination-case/

http://romney4president.us/Mormonmafia.html

Mitt Romney is hiding something big and cannot be trusted.

What about Obama's college records? I would personally like to see his admission records, grades, essays. He has refused to have any of these released. How did he get from an obscure college where he made marginal grades (his book) into two of the most prestige schools in the world?

eating fried food shortens your lifespan. It also drives up healthcare costs for all of us, due to the rise in diabetes and heart disease. You do know we have an obesity epidemic in the U.S., don't you? That giant coke you drank with it doesn't help your health much either.

Another way the united corporations of the US are hurting America.

There were a lot of bigots at Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day. However, there are more sane and even thinking people that will turn out and vote for our President Obama.

The projected election Electoral Vote out come totals are:

Electoral Vote:

Projected Winner Obama 297

Projected Loser Romney 241

I know a lot of people who don't care about politics too much but they love CFA's food, so they went there yesterday to support their neighborhood business and local economy. Some people went just to see and be seen. Some conservatives I know ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner there. Kinda funny, but I guess it's their right. The best thing about this whole brouhaha is that some real dialogue about the issue of same sex marriage has taken place. A lot of people did not truly understand how gays in a monogamous relationship lack basic legal rights that heterosexuals enjoy. Maybe they still don't like the idea of "gay marriage", but at least they are more informed about it.

Hey Lilberals, the turn out for Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day is a preview of the polling stations in November.

No need to turn up and look at that hideous line of bigots. There are enough Bigot-Fil-A's served here each day. When I need my daily dose of bigotry, I simply look at videos, such as these.

http://www.history.com/videos/little-rock-9#us-army-escorts-little-rock-nine

I don' think so Harley - just take a look at the latest polls. President Obama goes up every day while Willard puts his foot in his mouth time and time again. But you go ahead and think that gay bashing will determine the election.

RedDevPS

"Hey Liberals, the turn out for Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day is a preview of the polling stations in November."

Perhaps you're right. After all, weren't a substantial number of anti-Chik-Fil-A protesters there, too?

You libs have a short memory. It was less than two years ago when you got your clock cleaned. 2012 will be just like 2010. The economy, deficit and unemployment are even worse and it all falls on your guy. You were shocked then and will be again. He wasn't qualified for the job. He has zero leadership ability and bad ideas. Easy choice.

Doug, the 2010 midterms ushered in Republican majorities based on promises they made to turn the country around, create jobs, pay down the deficit. Instead, the Republicans have blocked legislation, decimated social programs, failed to act on the budget or jobs.

The country is smart enough to see that Republicans blew it. They not only failed to deliver on their promises, they went the other way. And they deceived the people.

It won't happen again.

They blocked more spending. The democrats wouldn't even pass Obama's budget in the Senate and they never proposed one on their own.

The country is smart enough to know the GOP only controls 1/3 but that will change. You had all three for the first two years. He could have done anything he wanted. He got Obamacare and most Americans want it torn up.

Highest unemployment since the great depression, highest national debt in history, and GNP at 1.5%. Tell me, how is that hope and change working for us? He didn't keep one election promise and ran the country into the ditch.

Nice post, but I think the term is tea bagger

If being concerned about fiscal policy, our national debt, actually having a budget and not leaving my grand children saddled with a huge national debt makes me a tea bagger.... I'm one!

Reid looks really bad - until you consider the alternatives. Like Sharron Angle, batsh%t crazy's poster child. Or John Ensign, who cheats on his wife and gets his parents to pay for it.

Reids approval ratings.

Well -- he's not going to run for another 4 years so what's your point? You probably could have beaten him in 2010 had you not run some tea bag clown against him.

Romney has already proved it by hiding his Tax Forms. Also, he takes business expense deductions for expenses incurred during the period 1999 - 2002 for meetings with Bain clients and Board meetings and travel to and from Boston on private jets and limo services and lavish meals with Bain executives and clients and five-star hotel stays yet now he says he "retroactively retired" effective in 1999. He is not entitled to have it both ways. Either he didn't work there and therefore is not entitled to these deductions from his income or he did work there and is responsible for the malfeasance and the outsourcing of US manufacturing jobs to China and the looting og American workers' pension so Romney could get paid. ROMNEY IS A CROOK. WE ALL KNOW HE IS A HABITUAL LIAR WITH NO BACKBONE BUT NOW WE ALL KNOW BEYOND A DOUBT HE IS A CROOK.

ContemptMe...careful now...remember when Gary Hart challenged the media to follow him if he was cheating on his wife? They did, and he was.

Amy B. Portland, ME writes:

ContemptMe...careful now...remember when Gary Hart challenged the media to follow him if he was cheating on his wife? They did, and he was.

OK, I'm going to agree with Amy on this one. Even if Romney has satisfy the amount of years of Tax returns that are required along with a financial statement.

I do like transparency, but it has to be from all sides. So far I'm a little mad not concerned as to why Mitt won't release a couple of more years even if the left will demand more after he does.

Now to President Obama who took three years to produce his Birth Certicate. I do not see any transprency when his has been asked to release his College transcripts and papers which were pulled out shortly after he was elected.

Having said all that I'm still voting for Romney and voting against Obama.

Just prove that Romney did not file his taxes and the IRS is anything but satisfied.....no big deal.

I don't think anyone is claiming he didn't file. The suggestion is that he didn't pay any taxes. This is not a new issue for Romney. In 2002 when he ran for Governor of Massachusetts, he had filed his taxes as a resident of Utah in 1999 and 2000, thereby saving $54,000 in taxes, even though Massachusetts state law would have required him to be a resident of the state for the seven years previous. He supposedly went back and retroactively changed his taxes to comply with Mass. law...and got away with it.

This is not the first time Romney has gotten in trouble for allegedly gaming the system. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if what Reid said turns out to be true.

Anyone that doesn't take advantage of tax breaks that are authorized by the government is an idiot.

He isn't going to provide his records. It would just give the democrats something to take away from the real issues like the highest unemployment since the great depression (the real statistics are being understated), our national debt and a GNP of 1.5%. He wants to talk about gay marriage, amnesty, Bain and tax records. Let's get back to what is important. It's all on your guys head.

issues like the highest unemployment since the great depression (the real statistics are being understated),

Not true. Unemployment was higher during the first Reagan administration, and for a longer period of time. Look it up.

And it's GDP, not GNP. There's a difference.

No one is suggesting Romney broke the tax laws (although he may have violated SEC regulations by claiming to run a company that he now says he wasn't). There's just something wrong with one of the richest men in the country paying no taxes for a decade and then running for president based on a platform of cutting taxes for the rich.

I suppose if he's elected, we'll be giving the rich tax credits for Unearned income. Oh, wait, we already do that. Nice.

I recommend a shopping trip to Personalities 'R Us!!

However, Romney is losing.

I will stick with Nate.

The newest research from Nate has it as:

“Obama chance of winning 70.8% Romney 29.2%”

If you only compare the "official" campaigns, then yes, Obama is spending more.

But thanks to Citizens United, more total ad money has been spent for the (R) team. The unions apparently cannot keep pace with the billionaires when it comes to putting out those ads, which must all be negative ads since they cannot use the name of the candidate they are supporting.

Also, the article did not imply that Romney was winning.

Job1,

You will stick with anyone that has Obama winning even if the poll was done by Bin Ladin.

It goes with out say that the extreme Reps will do the same, However those that are more moderate will listen to all sides and make up their own mine.

It is a free Country and there are 57 States. LOL

It always comes down to Election Day.

Actually, Nate has been right on the money for years and you can learn a lot from him as far as predicting the voter outcomes.

For my research I see current projected election Electoral Vote out come totals are:

Electoral Vote:

Projected Winner Obama 297

Projected Loser Romney 241

And so do you.....so what.....next comment.....just a reminder......WISCONSIN........and 11/2/10............

Yes, and Nate called that outcome. He also said that Wisconsin voters would give the State Senate back to the Democrats which will keep Walker in check.

And that did happen. So, the way it currently looks, we get the President back for 4 more years.

Rasmussen is probably the only one showing Romney in the lead - they have a history of bias toward the right side of everything.

I will stick with Rasmussen..........we are even................

LOL!! Funny - all you conservatives just love Rasmussen. But -- more often than not -- they're wrong. In late October 2008 Rasmussen had McCain ahead in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Colorado, Virginia and Florida. President Obama won them all. Today even Fox News has President Obama up by 4% and The Wall Street Journal--- another Murdoch publication, has him up by 6%.

Concern Citizen-856329

You will stick with anyone that has Obama winning even if the poll was done by Bin Ladin.

Um, I think Bin Laden would be kind of biased AGAINST Obama if he were around to conduct a poll since Obama killed him and all. That sort of treatment can lead to hard feelings.

Charlie-1915998

will stick with Rasmussen..........we are even................

LOL!! Funny - all you conservatives just love Rasmussen. But -- more often than not -- they're wrong.I

I'm sure that Rasmussen is an excellent pollster -- when he wants to be. One thing the cons keep forgetting is that he can keep his thumb on the scale three months in advance of the election, and then take it off a few days before the election for his final polls. That way, he can maintain his reputation for accuracy based on how close the election conformed to his predictions even though the polls he's done way before the election are wildly off.

President Obama does not currently have enough white support to win re-election even if he retains his minority base from 2008.

Well -- that may be true but this is 2012 not 1812 and white people are not the only people allowed to vote.

President Obama does not currently have enough white support to win re-election even if he retains his minority base from 2008. At the same time, electoral data indicates Mitt Romney has not yet attracted enough of these white voters to capitalize on Obama's weakness.

Even if this is true, which I sincerely doubt, historically statistical ties go to the incumbent.

And the more Romney speaks extemporaneously, the worse things get for him.

I can hardly wait for the debates. Same thing goes for Scott "He's for us! (duh)" Brown, BTW.

This good ole white boy club was, and still is hell bent on getting rid of our President, who was elected by the people of the United States. Their actions continue to harm our nation, and it’s time that these people are exposed for the low-life racist they are.

I love the talking lying point the Republicans use when the topic of the Presidents race comes up and allegations of racism comes up.

There number one response is that the President is not really black, because his mother is white. The hidden message by this stupid statement on their part is “see we aren't racist because the President is not black."

Sure you did, like I voted for Palin.

KR,

Who was the Reverend that said " Obama was not Black enough

What was it that Biden said about Obama at the beginning?

What was it that another Rev. said about wanting to grab some President by the B and rip them off for talking down at the Black community.

Myself being half black and spanish could not care less if The President was green. Again the Libs playing the race card when they are more racist deep inside than any other group that I have dealt with.

You know when a republican is lying, because their lips are moving.

Willard Romney is, "DAMN GOOD AT LYING."

I say Willard is "DAMN GOOD AT LYING." So, according to some republicans, President Obama lies. Well, that is to be debated and fact checked. But, one honor Willard can claim is the, "Liar in Chief."

However, I think we will stick with President Obama because we is the honest and best choice for American, and there is nothing you people can say or do to change our mind.

Obama - Biden 2012!!!

I know that I'm right, and you are wrong. So, it's a waste of time with you people!!!

Obama is black?.....since when?.....I thought he was half white?

You've seen his picture, right? I mean, he's pretty hard to miss in the media. Perhaps you're not aware that the vast majority of African Americans have some Caucasian ancestry? Given that, what's your point, exactly?

You people?......where have I heard that before?.....oh yeah....at a David Duke TV news conference...

Or maybe Ann Romney in her July 19, 2012 ABC interview with Robin Roberts.

"We've given all you people need to know and understand about our financial situation and how we live our life."

Oh I forgot, you don't ask questions of Queen, (my poop don't stink ) Ann Romney.

However, it gives us liberals a tingle up our legs in knowing that Queen Ann will never be First Lady.

Job 1, why do you liberals talk so ignorant ? Job 1 ? That's how many jobs your man has created. Don't brag.

According to RealClearPolitics

Obama 247 delegates

Romney 191 delegates

Of the 8 remaining swing states it breaks down as follows:

>3.0% lead Obama 24 delegates Romney 0

3.0% lead Obama 13 delegates Romney 0

<3.0% Obama 48 delegates Romney 15 delegates

I use 3.0% because it is the margin of error in the polls.

So, it is pretty clear who the front runner is and Obama merely has to not fall off his show pony, wait a minute he doesn't own a show pony, and he should win fairly easily. But, keep in mind that the Republicans still have their voter suppression attempts at full speed. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE REPUBLICAN CHEATING TO WIN.

You might want to get better facts. These numbers are not accurate. Never underestimate the dead voters democrats use which is why we have such a problem getting a voter ID to suppress the issue.

I took the numbers from the RCP page as of 8.2.2012 2pm CST.

The President has created between 4 and 5 million jobs. That is a fact.

The newest research from Nate has it as:

“Obama chance of winning 70.8% Romney 29.2%”

Job1-The President has created between 4 and 5 million jobs. That is a fact.

Where are they, besides the Federal gov't, and at what cost to each tax payer? You know, since you think you know the "facts".

Job1, you're close! But please don't skew the number's politically and do account for jobs lost as well. Okay. By the way those figures are roughly a/o May 2012:

3.75 million gained, 4.3 million lost.

No I won't give you the gov't source. Because you're smart and already know this.

This race is all about Obama's record.....and how his policies are not working...

You see, that's really not true. The economy is improving, albeit more slowly than anyone would prefer. If Republicans had not filibustered every bill in the Senate that wasn't attacking women's rights, then it's likely the economy would be even better. Nevertheless, this administration has created more jobs in 3 years than Bush did in 8, despite a dramatically more challenging economy.

The Affordable Care act, although imperfect, is a landmark in addressing a systemic problem that has plagued the country for over fifty years. The only reason the Republicans don't like it is because they themselves didn't manage to pass it themselves when they tried to do so during the Clinton years. It's a thorn in their sides and a reminder of their many failures to lead and to govern.

We could not ask for a better foreign policy. Period.

If we could do something about the unqualified lunatics from the extreme right who have taken over the Republican party, we might actually get some real work done.

Seriously, it's time we stop listening to all the silly nonsense coming from Republicans and their crazy neo-cons and tea party trailer trash.

Tim - Obama's mother was as white as the driven snow.....so how does being black or white matter here at all?

Oh, I get it. You were just pretending to be stupid.