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Subscribe to RSSGOLDEN, Colo. -- Making his first public campaign appearance since returning stateside in the battleground state of Colorado, presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney talked up a five-point economic plan he believes will help bring America “roaring back.”
The five parts of the plan: (1) Energy: “take advantage of our energy, number one; (2) Education: “get our skills right. I’m talking about our kids and also our adults- right programs to get people back to work and have the skills to succeed; (3) Trade: “opening up trade and keeping the cheaters from being able to steal American jobs; (4) Balancing the budget: “getting us on track to a balanced budget by lowering our deficits”; and (5) Deregulation of business: “championing small business, making it easier for small business to grow and thrive in every way possible.
“We do those things,” Romney insisted, “you’re going to see this economy come roaring back- manufacturing, jobs of all kinds are going to come back.”
However, these five points aren’t new; they were ones he has talked about previously on the campaign trail. In fact, his campaign acknowledged this morning in a conference call with reporters that he would not likely tread new economic policy ground in this election.
So far, the campaign has offered few specifics on these five points. Yet the campaign later passed around an eight-page “white paper” with more on his plan and defending its rationale (which was pasted below).
Romney’s event in this Denver suburb Thursday was just 30 miles from where the shootings in Aurora, CO, took place nearly two weeks ago. Romney mentioned the tragedy during his 25-minute speech, prompting a standing ovation in support of the victims, and then told the crowd he met with one of the victims this morning.
“I'm sure you know this,” Romney said, “this tragedy has impacted the community of Aurora. I'm sure it’s impacted the entire state. The trauma here has got to be extraordinary. But across the country, people are thinking about Aurora and the tragedy there and the lives that have been lost and lives changed forever. We love you, and we pray for you. You're in our hearts, and you're in our prayers."
Marking his return from a six-day stint overseas that included a trip to the 2012 London Olympic Games plus Israel and Poland, Romney was gave a shout out to one of Colorado’s own Olympians – swimmer Missy Franklin.
But the event here was also a chance for presumptive nominee to reset the tone of the campaign after several public gaffes while he was abroad.
With less than 100 days before the election in November, the Romney campaign again tried to show the difference in records between President Obama and Romney as governor of Massachusetts. At the event here, the Romney campaign handed out a new “Presidential Accountability Scorecard,” a report card on President Obama’s economic record.
“Ever since I was in elementary school, we got report cards, and you saw on the report card, how you were doing,” Romney told the several hundred people at the Jeffco Fairgrounds. “I am going to be a little more straight forwarding with grading today because, you see, when the president was here as a candidate accepting the nomination four years ago in Colorado, he laid out the report card upon which he hoped to be judged by.”
Romney added, “All measures he laid out, are measures that have gone in the wrong direction. … if I am elected President of the United States of America, my promise to you is I am going to get all those arrows green again."
Also joining the former Massachusetts governor today in the Centennial State -- Beth Myers, Romney’s longtime confidant who is heading up his vice-presidential search. Myers’ presence will only further the growing speculation that Romney will announce his choice very soon for his No. 2.
This afternoon, Romney will join Republican governors – including potential VP picks, LA Gov. Bobby Jindal and VA Gov. Bob McDonnell – near Aspen, CO for a roundtable event.
“The Romney plan has three overarching objectives: to restore confidence in America’s economic future, to make America once again a place to invest and grow, and to provide opportunities for Americans to compete and succeed. These objectives are all about unlocking the potential for innovation, investment, and initiative in America’s dynamic economy.
“The Romney plan will achieve these objectives with four main economic pillars:
- Stop Runaway Federal Spending And Debt.
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- Reduce federal spending as a share of GDP to 20 percent – its pre-crisis average – by 2016.
- In so doing, reduce policy uncertainty over the need for future tax increases.
- Reform The Nation’s Tax Code To Increase Growth And Job Creation.
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- Reduce individual marginal income tax rates across-the-board by 20 percent, while keeping current low tax rates on dividends and capital gains. Reduce the corporate income tax rate – the highest in the world – to 25 percent.
- Broaden the tax base to ensure that tax reform is revenue-neutral.
- Reform Entitlement Programs To Ensure Their Viability.
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- Gradually reduce growth in Social Security and Medicare benefits for more affluent seniors. Give more choice in Medicare to improve value in health care spending.
- Block grant the Medicaid program to states, enabling experimentation to better fit local situations.
- Make Growth And Cost-Benefit Analysis Important Features Of Regulation.
- Remove regulatory impediments to energy production and innovation that raise costs to consumers and limit job creation.
- Repeal and replace the Dodd-Frank Act and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The Romney alternatives will emphasize better financial regulation and market-oriented, patient-centered health care reform.
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What the.....?
Another word salad !
Read this 3 times and am confused. Are we to presume he's going to get rid of vulture capitalists in #3?? Another jaw dropping day in political land I guess.
Willard, the cheaters didn't steal jobs.....You and your corporate friends gave them away to make more money!
Worry not my libbie amigos - the new jobs numbers come out tomorrow.
Yep, there will be plenty of fun stuff to talk about.
You all are ready, yes?
(1) Energy: “take advantage of our energy, number one
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad (R) schooled Romney for his anti-wind position, which would affect the state’s 7,000 wind jobs.
http://www.radioiowa.com/2012/08/02/branstad-says-romney-needs-to-be-educated-about-importance-of-wind-energy-audio/
OOOOO Dennis - 7k jobs?
Wow. Damn near GM like numbers, right?
Say, where cah I get a windmill to power my whip?
Dennis, how are your energy needs met by wind?
Shoot Dennis - I bet you don't even drive a domestic, let alone a Volt.
In order to reduce federal spending to 20% of GDP, Romney needs to cut $0.8 trillion. We know he plans to increase military spending, so where do you think it's going to come from? It goes back to what he's said before: find a cheaper college, ask your parents for a loan...you know, you're on your own! He had no qualms about liquidating pensions at Bain - do you think he views Social Security any differently?
Pensions $0.8 trillion
Health Care $0.8 trillion
Education $0.2 trillion
Defense $0.9 trillion
Welfare $0.5 trillion
Romney still doesn't say HOW he will accomplish these "economic goals." Still no details forthcoming.
"We have met the enemy and he is us!" Pogo by Walt Kelly
Nationwide there are 37,000 wind jobs so why is it that you laugh at the possibility of those good paying jobs being done away with by Mitt Romney’s policies.
When a far Right, Obama hater, like Terry Branstad is concerned with Mitt’s policy then shouldn’t we all?
My Toyota has a higher percentage of parts and labor in it than any “so called” American car. And of ALL cars sold in America the one with the highest percentage of American made parts and American labor is the Honda Civic.
Romney:
1.) "Repeal the 20th Century; kill all social safety nets for anybody who is not rich...."
2.) "Total, permanent Tax Amnesty for Rich People"
3.) "Mandatory Death Sentence for Union Members"
4.) "Attack Iran, Saudi Arabia, and every non-Jewish state in the Middle East,....cause Sheldon says so....."
5.) "Hike the Deficit another $18 trillion or so......."
"There,.....that oughta' fix America,.....now I can watch Annie's horse trot around...."
Will ya pass the bleu cheese, Dennis? It's delicious on 'chopped' salads... ☺
A little exaggeration much? Come on Mitt, stop being such a snake oil salesman. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. At least President Obama is honest with the American people that recovery from the Great Recession, essentially a depression, won't happen over night.
Of course recovery could be faster if the Teapublican anarchists weren't obstructing all the efforts. You know, I just realized that if there was a chance in hell that Romney could be elected, the Democrats would cooperate on improvements -- because unlike the Teapublicans they won't throw the American people under the bus -- and Romney and the Teabaggers would take all the credit. Pathetic.
Spanky, try and keep up.
True, 40% of our energy is consumed by transportation. That 40% is used very inefficiently. That still leaves 60% of our energy, which goes to power factories and light homes. This 60% certainly CAN be supplemented by wind, solar, and other means.
http://phys.org/news/2011-04-energy_1.html
Or would you rather fiddle around and burn oil like there is no tomorrow?
How does R-money think he helps the economy by repealing ACA & Dodd Frank?
Healthcare was one of the major costs of bankruptcy for Americans and Dodd Frank protects consumers from Robber Barons like "Myth" Romney.
OMG - I can put together a list too and it frankly would make actual sense. THIS is supposed to impress anyone? Oh wait, the little right wingers will be ooohing and ahhhhhhhing all night. No specifics but when has that stopped them?
Obama/Biden 2012
That Bain investor who called Harry Reid about the ten years Romney didn't pay taxes...the hens are coming home to roost. The investors are learning about how much money Romney and others in management at Bain made 10 times for themselves what they made for investors. Yeah, that ought make an investor a little peeved.
And to add insult to injury, Romney talks about closing loopholes the rich enjoys? They know Mitt will say anything to get elected, but do they want to take the chance? Do Republicans want to take the chance of voting for a tax cheat who will have to resign after election?
In the meantime, the "word salad" tells more than it doesn't...
hey yoohoo, you have the name of this mysterious Bain investor? I bet you called Harry Reid and told him that huh... or is it that Harry just lied, like politicians do and the libtard media will just go with it?
Mitt's 5 economic goals refer to 5 million dollars he tries to make in the next 5 days as a vulture - 5 for 5 deal.
Yawn.
At least he has a plan. Better than the Empty Suit in Chief there now that hasn't a clue what to do.
Seriously. Tax cheat? You talking about Geitner? Must be. Don't you think if Romney had cheated on his taxes it would be OUT by now?
BTW, the Obamas pay their taxes at the lowest possible rate, and do not check the box that says, "If you would like to contribute more..." But, they DON'T have to lead by example, do they?
Mitt's 5 goals:
(1) Energy: Mitt will do his best to pollute;
(2) Education: Mitt will destroy your American Dream by destroying education
(3) Trade: Mitt will send more jobs overseas;
(4) Balancing the budget: Mitt's policies will make the deficit worse; and
(5) Deregulation of business: Mitt will make the recession worse.
In conclusion, Mitt is a clueless buffon.
Obama/Biden 2012
Okay, before you reiterate something you should have actually said it once, right? So, when are the GOP and Mitt pretending he actually stated - anything????
Obama/Biden 2012
Steampunk75 -- I didn't say Mitt cheated on his taxes, I said he cheated on his eligibility to run for governor of Massachusetts by lying about filing his taxes in Massachusetts instead of in Utah -- This is documented.
Now it would be interesting to learn how all that money got into his IRA and a few other things, and just because something is legal it doesn't mean; 1) it should be, 2) that it isn't unethical, or 3) that it isn't un-American. Certainly a gazillionaire paying little or no taxes is not the kind of characteristic folks want in a president, and this is why Romney won't release his returns.
Those changes make too much sense for liberals - Obama will find a way to demonize them and pit one group of Americans against another.
The Obama plan is simple, tax the top 1% and spend the country into oblivion. With Romney, not new ideas, but no previous politician that touted them even tried to get it done. We know the country is going to sink faster then the Titanic with Obama, so that boat is no longer an option. After four years of Obama doing nothing but playing the blame game, Romney is the best hope for getting the country on the right track. If Romney doesn't follow through, he should be one and done just like Obama.
Romney pledged support for pushing tea party agenda in first 100 days, according to DeMint.
The U.S. economy has been facing the strong headwinds of the European economic crisis the past five or so months. Without those headwinds, unemployment would likely be a a point lower. Mr. Romney, how do you plan on dealing with the European economic crisis?
Bush managed that one rather well, and the Tea Party and its founder put the final clincher on that one. No reason to pander to those fruit cakes.
Truepatritot- You're right. There are a ton of questions about Romney's tax history. It's amazing how the right will get all riled up over a single mother who makes $20k not paying any taxes, like it's some kind of a crime, but some millionaire doesn't pay a dime by taking deductions for things like his wife's dancing horse, and somehow that's something to admire.
Rick- as usual you're wrong. We should be taxing the top 1% at a much higher rate. They're the ones that can afford it and not lose their houses and cars. And the only way to get out of this recession is TO SPEND. If the tea party traitors in Congress hadn't been obstructing every move the President has tried to make, we'd be a million miles ahead of where we are today. Our infrastructure is crumbling at an alarming rate. We could put millions to work repairing and upgrading it. This would offer decades of return on the investment. We could create 100s of thousands of jobs in alternative energy research and production, but Big Oil and their lackeys in the republican party won't go for it.
This Romney "plan" is just a regurgitation of the stock rhetoric of the last 12 years. Trickle down economics doesn't work. bush tried it for 8 years, and look where we ended up. Remember, he started with a surplus.
Are you for real? Only an idiot would believe this drivel.
Everything Pigotry said is true.
Why is it that the right wing has to have a candidate that is just not intellectually up to the job? GW Bush, Sarah Palin, Rick Perry, Mitch McConnell, Mitt Romney.
I can't decide whether "dumb as a box of rocks" or "dumb as a sack of hair" is more appropriate.
I live in Mass. In Mass you only have to be in Mass >6 months of the year to be considered a resident of the state. Believe me, this got reported ad infinitum. I was against his running for Gov too until this law was stated.
Can't help it. He may have some 'questions', but I've had enough of Obama to last a lifetime. He is NOT a good President. At this point I'd vote for Carter.
Wrong, Steampunk. The Mass. constitution says 6 years to be eligible to run for Governor. He went back and retroactively changed his residence from 3 years earlier to get the commission to let him run. He actually had to <gasp> pay some more Mass. state tax to establish this.
Doug-384925 -- If the Teapublicans had not blocked the Jobs Act and other efforts by the president/Dems, and if so many public employees had not been fired, the unemployment would be lower than 7% right now. This has been calculated so it's not conjecture.
Mike from AZ -- Excellent point about the 47% who don't pay federal taxes, and how Romney and others like him in the 1% are part of the 47%. So are many self-employed/business owners who misuse write-offs to show zero income. And yet rightwingers will attack the working poor, who still pay all the other taxes and are hardest hit by sales taxes, but the reason the working poor pay no taxes after tax credits is because Republicans agreed to this in lieu of indexing the minimum wage to inflation.
What happened to the days when folks believed that paying their taxes was an honorable and good thing? The Tea Party "race to the bottom" and every man, woman, and child for his/herself is twisted.
Romney -- You put up or shut up. Show us the tax returns!
Steampunk75 -- Rules for residency, say to get in-state tuition, are not the same as the rules to run for governor.
To become a governor, you must be 30+ years of age and you must be a citizen of the United States. A candidate for the governorship of Massachusetts must be a registered elector in the state and have been a resident for at least seven years before taking office -- consecutive, not a couple here and a couple there. That Mitt bought a home in Utah to help with the Olympics was why his eligibility was contested, as well as his claims he paid taxes in Massachusetts not Utah, which was a lie.
In addition, is this:
That last sentence is in keeping with the consecutive matter, which we all know Mitt did not do -- and also claims he didn't have anything to do with Bain Capital in any way other than trips to Massachusetts for board meetings and holidays like Thanksgiving.
Give us a friggin' break, and stop with the steaming piles.
Since Education is a topic of great interest to me, let me just comment on that. Mitt #2 goal:
How is he going to do that if his stated goal (spoken to a private group of donors in April 2012 and recorded by reporters) is to abolish the Departments of Education, Energy, and HUD?
His solution for getting right education for our kids is to de-strengthen public schools and universities and channel the money to charter, parochial, and private schools. Give the federal education grants as block money to states so that they do whatever they want with that grant.
Amazing guy. Mitt Romney doesn't have a clue as to what kind of education and training in trades are needed to take America to the next level of manufacturing and technological renaissance.
I remember all this, but I was living in CT at the time. But, I guess he managed to pass the state's eligibility, eh? All he had to do was spend >6 months in the state for each year. Like he said to Harry Reid, Bring it. He didn't get the cuffs slapped on then, and I doubt he will now.
PS. Yours was the first decent argument presented since I came here. Well done. I was going to say, you got me thinking, but I ALWAYS think (that's why I won't be voting for Obama) but what I mean is You have me wondering. I'll have to revisit the past and find out what the controversy was over his residence. And if he was paying taxes to Mass while in Utah.
And, Tea Sucks, yeah, right. Teaching kids condom use, PC and Islam is really preparing them for jobs, right?
Sheesh.
Mike from AZ
"Everything Pigotry said is true.
Why is it that the right wing has to have a candidate that is just not intellectually up to the job? GW Bush, Sarah Palin, Rick Perry, Mitch McConnell, Mitt Romney.
I can't decide whether "dumb as a box of rocks" or "dumb as a sack of hair" is more appropriate."
Well, if you don't like candidates that are as dumb as a box of rocks, then you certainly won't be voting for Obama. Unless you're as dumb as a box of rocks as well.
Considering you said "Everything Pigottry said is true", that's a distinct possibility. How can you people actually believe this stuff?
I'm with you Amy. I've read it and it re-read and it sounds an awfully lot like what the President is doing and wants to do more of.
Typical Romney, if I can't bash him, I'll steal from him.
except Hussein isn't doing that. care to try again
Typical libtards, always rooting for the enemy and wetting their pants
FrankH-1860605
Which president are you referring to?? Certainly not Obama!!
Augustus,.......not even half right.
no you guys root for the enemy and wet your pants...
I never argue with a twerp who has been dead for 2,000 years
only if you knew irony GOP, only if LOL
Come on Caesar, stop acting like a Neo-Nut Right Wing Drones stuck in Rush World.
come again? a Neo Nut Right Wing Drones in Rush world? I am afraid i dont understand, hold on, getting the english to libtard dictionary now..
speaking of exinct why is the house GOP controlled?
Is THAT why nothing is getting done!
nothing was getting done before that...hows the budget coming? Dem controlled Senate, you know hard workin and all
OMG - we've buried Caesar sooooo long ago. From time to time the rotted corpse rises up again - makes no sense but still comes back.
Obama/Biden 2012
Caesar -and the Republicans have filibustered everything the Democrats in the Senate have tried to do. The MOST filibusters EVER - but of course you know that, right????
Caesar, I know why because the republicans promised jobs, jobs, jobs.
No money for jobs with all that tax cut money, but the republicans have convinced the billionaires to spend all that tax cuts money instead for lying and buying the election for the republicans that have promised them forever tax cuts.
I am not sure why all you republicans are so excited about the jobs report and hoping it will be bad. You do know that a bad jobs reports proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that tax cuts never did and never will create jobs or a bad jobs report would be upsetting to republicans.
President Obama is fighting to increase taxes on himself for a better America for us all.
Romney is fighting to get bigger tax cuts for himself and pushing for war in Iran. How is that any different from what bush did to our country?
how is Obama different than bush, he extended the tax cuts, patriot act, gitmo, still in Afghan, libya, fast and furious. Really do you guys ever stop and use that noggin of yours? you see i know what Hussein will do, its 3.5 years in, 8.2% unemployment (suppose to be under 8 with stimulus), horrible economy, gas prices still through the roof. you may settle for malaise, i will try some CHANGE..
FrankH-1860605 -- Agreed, and sadly funny. Remember how Romney had "Change" in his slogan during the 2008 campaign? What a Poser. If the man has ever had an original thought of his own...for Pete's sake how do these guys get so rich...it proves equal opportunity and upward mobility in our nation has eroded down to nothing and only the rich turds can float to the top.
Ya' gotta admit it True Patriot. Caesar has alllll the repub talking points we've been shooting down on these boards for almost 4 years now.
This Stepford repub, and genetic mistake not only drinks the Kool-Aid, he snorts it and main-lines it!!!
GOP, shooting down? let me guess, you're using spit wads as ammo LOL. I am not the one with a cartoon character committing a lewd act on an elephant...typical of you occutard types.
Serious? Obama had a Democrat House for his first year and STILL they couldn't decide on anything. At least this Congress is STOPPING him from his idiotic plans.
I got news for Romney, these policies have been tried in previous Republican administrations, (the reason we have Dodd-Frank!) and the result was a financial collapse in 2008, global warming, and stagnant wages for the middleclass. This is a recipe for disaster.
Amy, it is the Romney plan- To boldly go where others have gone before him. So much for the next generation, all aboard for the past generation.
Great point AMy.
Dodd-Frank. So totally awesome.
And yet in spite of it, Obama's 'man on wall street' Corzine lost $1.6billion, in addition to $40 billion in investments.
Global arming? Oh my dear, that ship sailed a while ago. You all lost.
Badly, as per usual.
But say Amy - can you tell us how many people had jobs in '08, as compare to now? See how the '08 number is bigger?
Stimulus, smimulus.
well that depends spanky, according to the Obama infomercials, its millions created... somehow we are worse off than 08' though... oh well, hot coals, hot lava.
Global (w)arming? Oh my dear, that ship sailed a while ago. You all lost.
Spanky enlighten me as the lawyer you claim to be. If you were to defend the deniers of global warming in a court of law, just how many bona-fide experts could you call on compared to the opposing side? It would be about 1000 to 1 against you. No? About the same numbers you would get defending flat-earthers.
Spanky Re: global arming (i'm assuming you meant warming...)
apparently you didn't hear the one scientist who the global warming myth crowd listened to about it being a hoax came out recently that he was wrong in his initial statements, and that further studies have incontrovertable proof that the planet is warming as a result of human actions. So if by 'you all lost', you mean that we have to live in a more messed up environment as a result of the naysayers, you are correct. We have all lost, especially the next generations who conservatives are soooooo concerned about having to deal with the debt, but not so concerned with the quality of life after all the pollution of the environment.
You realize that future generations will live with the consequences of previous generations not caring enough to leave the planet as they found it for them? oh, just like the debt, you guys don't really care about the future generations and what they'll have to deal with, it is just a red herring distraction in order to continue the selfish interests of the present.
Tzalaran, Spanky apparently travels from his air-conditioned trailer by his air-conditioned car to his air-conditioned office. His weather is constant and that is all the proof he needs.
Not if you are a rich Republican Amy. The wealthy are going to make out just fine under this plan. That is after all, Romney's constituency.
blackcatwhitecat
Global (w)arming? Oh my dear, that ship sailed a while ago. You all lost.
Spanky enlighten me as the lawyer you claim to be. If you were to defend the deniers of global warming in a court of law, just how many bona-fide experts could you call on compared to the opposing side? It would be about 1000 to 1 against you. No? About the same numbers you would get defending flat-earthers.
blackcatwhitecat,
To reiterate your point, Spanky is a flat earther with obviously a flat head. If Spanky was a smart person he would know about this bombshell a Koch Study funded:
Bombshell: Koch-Funded Study Finds ‘Global Warming Is Real’, ‘On The High End’ And ‘Essentially All’ Due To Carbon Pollution
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2012/07/28/602151/bombshell-koch-funded-study-finds-global-warming-is-real-on-the-high-end-and-essentially-all-due-to-carbon-pollution/
===============================================
Now the question is Spanky and the Koch polluters accept the findings or will Spanky persist in his lies?
Global warming. And so the Democrats not only want to control most decisions one makes about one's life, they also want to control the weather. Good luck with that!
Us control the weather Candice?
The whole point of this study's findings is that someone beat us to it.
Below are two individuals contradicting themselves. One is saying that it has been tried and did not work, the other is saying that it is the same as Obama is doing and more. I read just once and got it. I guess is too much detail. The main thing here is knowing what he is going to do which counters the uncertainty that comes with President Obama. Heck he might evolve and tax everyone if he gets elected.
They are both liberal for what I can tell, or they just go along with what they hear and make it a talking point.
FrankH-1860605
Amy B. Portland, ME
Concern Citizen, it just goes to show that no matter how you look at Romney, he is just not intellectually photogenic.
blackcat, that made no sense... yet Hussein is uber smart he is out maneuvered by 'neanderthalish' republicans. FAIL.
from Concern Citizen-856329 "I read just once and got it. I guess is too much detail."
Obviously he/she must figure that 3 sentences each (maximum) is what qualifies as "detail" under the Republican version of things.
Dear CC, the reason both Frank H and Amy B didn't get it (and I don't get it either) is because there is one very important thing missing from each of his plan items, HOW HE IS GOING TO ACCOMPLISH EACH OF THESE ITEMS. Maybe him just saying so is enough for the likes of you and the rest of the Republican party, but I for one am interested in the specifics of how he is going to (for instance) "Reduce federal spending as a share of GDP to 20 percent – its pre-crisis average – by 2016." for example.
You know in high school, and definitely in college, any student turning in a "plan" with the type of detail that Mr. Romney has given would receive a failing grade (speaking of grading performances Mr. Romney).
So Mr. Romney, give us the details on how you intend to accomplish your five-point-plan, and we don't mean telling us to refer to your 59-point plan for further explanation. If you want the concerned, informed electorate to cast their ballot in your favor you're going to have to provide them with more details in your stump speeches, take questions from all of the media, and prove to us you are a human being who actually believes in what they are saying; not somebody who is just pitching a product like some actor in a TV Infomercial.
care to explain Husseins plan there yoohoo? blah blah blah Bin Laden? Romney didnt get us a downgrade, so i wouldnt speak too much of grades there.
I'll take Romney's five point plan over the presidents fly by the seat of my pants plan any day
I know, I know!
Hope and Change is how.
See, easy, peasy, fresh and easy.
Caesar Augustus-
blackcat, that made no sense
Obviously not to you. If I do one day address you, I will keep in mind to keep it simple.
no it made no sense but thats ok, i dont speak libtard anyways
Concerned, my personal focus is on the environment. I'm not thrilled that the Obama administration has increased domestic oil production over what it was during the Bush administration. I'm not thrilled the Obama administration hasn't blocked the Keystone project. These are moves that Romney supports, as Frank points out. Doesn't mean I support them, even though I support Obama's re-election.
President Obama extended the Bush tax cuts - didn't lead to the creation of jobs.
Romney wants to repeal Dodd-Frank, that is an area where Romeny and Obama disagree.
President Obama signed the Affordable HealthCare Act - Romney wants to repeal it.
There are differences and similarities between Romney and Obama's policies. Frank and I were focusing on different aspects. I think it's safe to say, Romney supports the Obama policies I most disagree with, and doesn't offer anything new that might actually be better.
What I don't get is why conservatives don't like Obama. I mean, I understand why liberals are pissed at him....but so many of his policies are echoes of Bush that anybody who is conservative and doesn't like him must just have a problem with the (D). He's no more liberal than Reagan was, and arguably less so.
So true, SayitAin'tSo ... love the old saying "The Devil is in the Details" Overall pictures are great for two year olds, it's the detail that counts . . . .
Terry-3860888
What I don't get is why conservatives don't like Obama. I mean, I understand why liberals are pissed at him....but so many of his policies are echoes of Bush that anybody who is conservative and doesn't like him must just have a problem with the (D). He's no more liberal than Reagan was, and arguably less so.
I agree for the most part. I believe that the only reason that Republicans do not like Obama is precisely because he is not one. Had he been so the GOP would have pushed and passed every economic stimulus plan he put forward. But then the Center has become the Left in Republican land.
Layton what are Obama's details pray tell? nice balloons....
idk . . . I was able to interpret a few details. For instance, "Remove regulatory impediments to energy production and innovation that raise costs to consumers and limit job creation" translates as "get rid of the EPA, eliminate the Clean Air and Water Act, mercury poisening from coal power plants only affects fish and causes birth defects - so no big deal. Pay no attention to that silly cancer thing."
This one was easy too: "Broaden the tax base to ensure that tax reform is revenue-neutral." It means, raise taxes on the poor.
This wasn't too tough - "Reduce individual marginal income tax rates across-the-board by 20 percent, while keeping current low tax rates on dividends and capital gains. Reduce the corporate income tax rate – the highest in the world – to 25 percent." It means, reduce taxes on the top earners and reduce taxes on corporations but don't get rid of the loopholes that already make the effective corporate tax rate 23.6% per the CBO (source: http ://www .cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/ftpdocs/57xx/doc5746/08-13-effectivefedtaxrates.pdf )
blackcatwhitecat,
" But then the Center has become the Left in Republican land."
ah , yes the Republican land...
With Romney leading them, they are hoping he is the new Brigham Young, having been run out of the center by the tea party folks, the whole party is off looking for paradise with Romney's map left to him by GWB.
Those of us who voted for Reagan and Clinton and are fiscal conservatives who think both of these presidents were great, dont see Obama within light years of being a moderate or even slightly left on economic matters. He is so far off the cliff left on financial issues which is why he creates such a negative reaction. Have you noticed the inconsistency between some of you who want to claim how great Obama has done bringing us from the edge of financial collapse but fail to describe the welfare state he has created and how the level of poverty has grown? Our social safety net along with government assistance programs is over a trillion dollars this fiscal year grown close to 100% since he got in office but you guys claim that he has actually improved the economy since 2008. Dont worry I also advocate for the elimination of corporate welfare and the elimination of all tax deductions and loopholes too to make our tax system fair and progressive. But Obama wants equality of outcomes without equality of investment, talent, hard work, ambition, merit and ability. He pits the successful against everyone else creating class warfare and he thinks the government is the great equalizer. Both Clinton and Reagan knew otherwise and understood that private enterprise and providing the right incentives for economic behavior creates growth, not government stimulus.
So no Obama isnt even close to being a moderate
If that's true, you certainly accept a lot without question.
How? By doing what? At what cost?
How? Republicans are cutting education. Despite promising otherwise, Republicans have stymied all attempts to create jobs.
Cheaters? What cheaters? The banks? Corporations?
How? Republicans are lowering taxes so there will be less income. They are also intent on maintaining our overkill military budget.
How is he going to do this? What does he mean by championing? What is this going to cost? How will he pay for it?
How does the republicans crashing our economy become President Obama's fault? Are we just suppose to let our people starve? We had plenty of money for the greedy bankers to bail them out, but we are creating a welfare state if we take care of our people too?
President Obama has not divided anyone.
The republicans just voted for the corporations to keep their special tax cuts to pay for taking our jobs out of this country. Is that not warfare against the people and their jobs?
Romney wants to tax the poor more to pay for more tax cuts for himself and that somehow is not class warfare? Romney already pays half of the percentage in taxes that the rest of pay already and he thinks he deserves to pay even less. What is in his tax returns he won't release must be really, really bad.
It only became class warfare when the poor had the nerve to speak up about being screwed and wanting more fairness.
Reagan never cared about America. He proudly threw our Vietnam veterans out into the streets because their care cost too much and from one day to the next homeless veterans were everywhere.
Romney with the Ryan budget would do the same thing to our veterans again.
VOTE FOR SANITY...VOTE FOR A DEMOCRAT 2012
fielden - if Concern got it you know it makes no sense. YOUR post, however, was right on target!
Obama/Biden 2012
Thank you, Matthew, again. And Caesar Augustus, all I can tell you is that in this wonderful world of posting, it is so nice to have friends that have your back and answer for you, because I don't have all of the answers and my friends know that.
Life is short and time is precious, take the time to thank those that have your back.
Concerned
Good catch. Shows that the policies he advocates are so general, Anybody can like them or trash them.
Glad to see that he is going to abolish the "Carried Interest" concept that changes earned income into capital gains. He did say that didn't he?
Also he will abolish PPACA and resurrect it under the name Romneycare. The financial markets may soar with the repeal of regulations, unless they crash due to the lack of adults at the helms of the big banks.
too much Republik party code in his plan - example: "Give more choice in Medicare to improve value in health care spending." = privatize Medicare.
This more from the FYIGM crowd.
How does it incourange us to preserve the planet for future generations?
It doesn't it promotes greed, pollution and exploitation!
Is the only way the large multi-national corporations going to move jobs back to the US is by gutting the Clean Air, Clean Water and OSHA laws?
I am a proud FDR Democrat who will vote to save my Country! I'm proud to pay my taxes to keep my country strong and Free!
Willard sets a pretty low bar for himself on energy production. Domestic energy production will be at an all time high in 2012 with significant increases in Natural Gas projected. The US exports refined petroleum (otherwise gas prices would be lower) and as natural gas replaces coal and fuel oil, abundant low cost electrical power will be available.
Way to go
Gov. Romneyoops President Obama.Here is the part of the plan that strikes me:
so, we're going to lower taxes 20% across the board (putting wealthy at 8-12% tax rate and the lower classes at 0ish) and keep other taxes at their low rate. = greatly reduced revenue = massive cuts to all social programs (and this is the ultimate neo-con goal after all... remove the safety net government aspect entirely and return to laissez faire capitalism)
Broaden the tax base - WTF does this mean? are they going to start taxing other countries citizens? no, i get it now, by abolishing abortion they will exponentially increase the number of taxpaying individuals over the next 20 years... no, that can't be it either. must mean they are going to start taxing the black market, i mean if the govt got a cut of all the illegal drug trade, that might offset the tax cut.... only way that happens is legalization and regulation though, don't think the drug lords are just going to fork over cash to the US govt... The only other thing this could mean is that those who make under 16,000 and therefore don't have to pay income tax are going to have to start paying income taxes on their earnings, which means that the poorest amongst us are going to be paying for the top earners tax cuts. This sounds distinctly unamerican to me.
so my conclusion is that the only way this economic plan works is through legalization and regulation or through reverse robin hood tactics. i'm all for the legalization and regulation aspect, wholeheartedly disagree with the other method...
I bet he is also in favor of motherhood and apple pie.
all great goals but how is he going to get there? Specifics
You know what this means don't you? Romney plans on raising taxes on the poor and middle class to pay for more tax cuts for himself. Those people who in the past have been too poor to pay taxes, well Romney is going to fix that. The poor get poorer to pay for the rich getting richer.
I would be ashamed to take a tax cuts that would take food away from hungry American children and take care away from our wounded veterans. Apparently Romney has no shame.
The republicans are now calling the Iraq veterans heroes. I know what that means too. The republicans were calling fire fighters and first responders heroes right before they denied them health care for the illness they contracted from cleaning up the toxic trade center site.
Just like in the Ryan budget republicans cut care for our wounded veterans after they are done using them.
By the way just where are those tax returns? If Romney is as honest as he wants us to believe, then there should be no problem showing us he is telling the truth.
Then don't take them. Obama has already raised taxes on every man, woman, and child in America. And their children and grandchildren. He's never seen a private sector job he didn't think he could do without. Never missed a chance to place whatever inept crony into an office as payback for giving him money. Or ensure billions of taxpayer money goes their way for "green" loans for failing business.
Why aren't you questioning Obama's honesty? I can only guess that you know it doesn't exist.
Conservative - you know your entire post makes no sense and is just regurgitation of the lies of Limbaugh, Beck, etc., right? What utter garbage.
Obama/Biden 2012
As opposed to the lies we been fed spoon fed by Obama?
Sanity
Conservative could of been more specific by saying the 6 trillion added Obama debt is a tax increase that will affect all Americans for years to come.
Of course I wasn,t thrilled with the Bush 4 trillion added debt or the many mistakes he made which is why you do not see much of him.
John...given how many mistakes Bush made (and I'm not arguing that Obama hasn't made his own) why are Republicans running someone who is going to follow Bush's policies, only more severely?
Romney's real plan: a Dressage horse for everyone. Instant tax write-off- and dinner in a pinch.
Romney the crook speaks and all that comes out are word salads and lies. Who in their right mind would vote for a tax cheat? Remember I said right mind. Romney is one of those people who talks and talks and talks but never says anything.
Well at least Romney put his plan down on paper and released it to the public - as goofy as it looks - Obama has yet to release his economic plan - we are still waiting to see what he has planned for the economy
I think Mr. Romney is boxing himself in to get slammed in the debates, about what he's actually up to help his folks get richer. I've been saying for a year now that the guy is unseemly and will be the type of President that will sign any bill that's going to make him money instead of what's best for the American citizen. So this deregulation of industry, the fact he said I'm not concerned about the poor they have a safety net and if that safety net needs fixing I"LL FIX IT"!!, should speak volumes to people and for more americans to be informed about him. Don't let this guy just tell you anything and you fall for it and again that's my opinion. And finally let me agree there was nothing in his statements (because I didnt see any detailed plan there) that should give you confidence that he's on the side of the average American.
Jeffrey,
Did it occur to you that this was a Country of "average Americans", before Obama divided it? Mark my word, he will go down in history as the worst President this Nation has ever had. He may be a good preacher, but he has no substance to lead us out of this horrific mess. He's floating around on his own little sea of Grandeur.
Dave - too bad you can't be honest and admit that the GOP has done everything they could to divide this country - then you have the dishonesty to try to pin it on Obama. It must be hard for someone as two-faced as you to look in the mirror every day!
Obama/Biden 2012
dave- pleaSE check out draper's book, spectors interview dated dec 09, or ny times articles regarding the republican leadership meeting either 1/19 or 1/20/09 to discuss how to defeat Obama. Now from a political standpoint I can understand it. The last time we had a republican inspired depression you were in the political wilderness for like 20 years. Demint tweets Feb 09 we will break him referring to obama. we have had 180+ and counting filibusters- highest number in US history. Obama had 63 nominees blocked by Republican senators for his administration. During Bush 2001 three nominees blocked by dems. I understand why but your side put party ahead of country. The irony is the campaign motto in 2008 was country first.
Now I know with the economy in bad shape its the only reason why you have a shot at the white house. But at what harm to the country?
I can name you four countries that used keynesian stimulus that worked- how many deficit first countries can you naME WHERE IT WORKED?
Dave...are you high? The only reason conservatives say Obama divided the country is because liberals didn't outright riot during the Bush years. We hated him, and all of you for electing him. Still do. Probably always will. Most of the rest of the world agrees with us. The nation was divided before Obama, you just didn't care because "your guy" was in charge.
G-9,
All of these goals are salient points to get this economy moving forward and to get people back to work so they can raise their families. You call it word salad.
If you want to follow the Community Organizer off the cliff, then please do so, but in the process, get out of our way.
Dave - well again Romney puts his plans on paper and releases it to the public. Businesses and governments worldwide are still waiting for Obama's economic plan. It has been 3.5 years and no mention of any plan.
Dave - if you and the rest of the GOP had stayed out of the Democrats way we would be further ahead in coming out of the recession. But, the GOP is the party of obstructionists - no honor; no integrity; no inteligence; just lies and obstruction - it's all the GOP is and has.
Obama/Biden 2012
the major obstruction we have now is Harry Reid for political reasons and even the senate democrats are tired of it but cannot reason with him.
Sounds like an excellent start. It's not a new plan but it has worked in the past.
What's Obama's plan? Oh yeah, tax "the evil rich". Pit "us" versus "them". It's never worked.He's the king of the job killers. King of crony capitalism and king of failure.
Romney landslide coming 2012. Dems lose big in house and senate. Then maybe we can start working on the left leaning media.
What planet do you live on? It has worked in the past? When? Where?
That is the plan that crashed the country and the entire world's economies. Yeah, that worked well!!!
No, it's not. It is what has led to recovery in the past. Of course, there are multiple factors which affect how economies recover but one thing that has been demonstrated time after time in America, the less attempting to manipulate the markets the better. Ease regulation and let the American people do it. If you don't know this I suggest you study history and listen to economists other than the ones Obama listens to.
In other words, your premise is a Democratic Party talking point, nothing more.
Details Mr. Romney; details; how do you plan to do this??? America deserves, expects and has a right to know the details. I'll bet your radical right-wing buddies know; the same buddies whose butts you've been kissing for how many years??? This is a bunch of political mumbo-jumbo that is headline material at best.
Let us guess; you're going to take the same position on not releasing details of your plans as you've taken on not releasing your past tax returns. Hiding soemthing again else sir??? You have no integrity.
yankee17 - he doesn't have a plan. Someone put these words down on paper - he doesn't even know what they mean. He's the puppet the Koch brothers are prancing around - nothing more.
Obama/Biden 2012
yankee,
I'll bet Romney would be glad to release 10 years of taxes, if Obama would release his college transcripts from Columbia and Harvard, along with his and Michelle's thesis's. Thesis's are typically kept, as a matter of public record, in the school libraries, so why are their's sealed? Hiding something???? Talk about no integrity.
Mittens would be glad to release 10 years of tax returns, if it wouldn't guarantee than he'd lose the election when America found out what he did. Why are you so sure theses are kept "as a matter of public record?" I went to a reasonably prestigious school and I doubt they have anything of mine other than an old microfiche of my grades and a record that they gave me a degree in economics (which are interesting, you should read up on them sometime.)
Middle,
What do you mean "find out what he did"?? Being a well off guy, I'm quite certain that Romney has been audited by the IRS, and have we heard anything out of the norm from the IRS regarding Romney and his tax returns? I mean if you can't trust the IRS, why should we trust Harvard regarding Obama?
JK, just because something is legal doesn't mean that it is ethical. Romney said himself that if he released his tax returns he would lose. What is so damaging in them that he would make this statement?
Care to provide a link to what Romney said?? Or is this yet in another flip comments ala Sen. Reid?
Spending cuts alone will not solve the problem. There has to be revenue increases too. Where are those coming from, the middle class? Surely we couldn't expect the wealthy to give up one cent, now, could we?
Back in the day when rich people paid far more than we are asking them to pay now the economy was booming. We sold bonds to pay for our wars and didn't try and borrow or say deficits don't matter, middle class people could afford a home, a couple of cars and could depend on services provided by their government like good roads, fine schools, and affordable health care. All that has disappeared in the days of trickle down economics, called voodoo echonmics by George HW Bush and for a good reason. It is! The right is so eager to go retro on everything else maybe they could consider going retro on this and progress on everything else.
Back in those days one could definately like IKE and Teddy Roosevelt. We could see what a businessman like Hoover failed to do after his GOP buddies Harding and Coolidge messed things up so much it led to the Great Depression. It took uber liberal Franklin D. Roosevelt to get the nation going again. With government sponsored programs, many of them turned over to private enterprise, in the WPA and the CCC brought us out of the Depression. It didn't happen over night but it happened. With the recent recession doing nearly the same damage it is going to take similar drastic measures and govt support to get it done. Working TOGETHER, industry and government can do marvelous things. Each needs the support of the other to make it happen. Until recently, Democrats and Republicans came together and compromised for the good of the country and our people. Each side gave a little and got a little. No one got everything they wanted but everyone got much of what they wanted. It worked out great. Just like the great compromises that were made by the foundingg fathers things got done and done right. Where there were a few improfectionns patches and fixes were made later. Millions and millions of people are benefitting even today from the New Deal era. Today the rest of the world is getting ahead of us while we sit and bicker, neither side giving an inch. We were a world leader but now just a pathetic shell of a once great nation, the envy of the world. Today we are behind most industrialized nations in healthcare, education, infrastructure and so much more. Sure we have a powerful military but being a bully and butting into other countries' business won''t make friends and influence people. After the disasterous Bush years, Secretary Hilary Clinton has had her hands full mending fences with allies and trying to make friends elsewhere. Mitt Romney makes a fool of himself and nearly undoes the progress made by Secretary Clinton and the diplomancy of Henry Kissinger, Madeline Albright and others.
When something doesn't work we need to try something else. Trickle down economics didn't work. If it did we'd be begging for legal aliens to come work in America becase Americans would all be employed. We'd be able to afford a home and to do many of the things we simply can't afford now. Greedy people who believe greed is good and deficits don't matter unless they are someone else's deficits or can be blamed on someone else who is trying to clean up after them, need to realize this isn't the 80s any more. It didn't work! Now try something more progressive, something for the people and not just the rich and corporations.
Romney is right on on so many points.
Energy independence puts us back in the drivers seat. Addressing the trade deficit by simply leveling the playing field. Charging the same extra tariffs/taxes that the other countries charge us will go a long way to accomplish this.
Empowering small business to invest and take risks will create an economic powerhouse. Small businesses that are nurtured and just allowed to grow have that potential to become medium and then large businesses.
Watch the unbelievable hiring surge the day after Obama makes his concession speech. These companies have the money, and the desire to expand, but they are playing the growth card very close to their chests. Not knowing what the government is going to pull on them next advocates caution, and that means no hiring.
This mateur in our White House has had his shot, and he blew it big time.
Time for a real leader with real world business experience. Time for Mitt Romney for the next eight years.
Joseph E Parent, business are not hiring because there is no demand!! (no one has money to buy things) It has nothing to do with uncertainty. They do not have the desire to expand for no reason
What kind of company would expand without demand? You think if Romney were elected that suddenly these companies would expand and hire people to sit around and do nothing since no one will be buying their product?
I like to think I don't much care which PARTY is in office, I want to know how either party is going to help the poor and middle class with better paying jobs so we can have more consmerism that WILL creat more jobs.
I myself do care about what party is in office, but agree with you completely about what it will take to get us moving forward again. We tried the huge cuts for the wealthy and got this recession to show for it.
Middle Man I don't consider the T.P. a party, their nothing more than fantical nut jobs, there veiws on womans rights proves that. I don't want ANYONE telling my wife and girls what they can or can't do with their bodys . I'm not a republican but I know there are still some sane ones ot there.
old man...*were* still some sane ones out there. Check out the number retiring or not running for reelection.
The main matter that the US people are really interested in By Romney are his TAX returns to see how much he has hidden in foriegn countries that he hides TAX FREE. This guy is at the top of the sleeze list, won't answer questions won't let America see his tax returns to see how much money he has abscounded with. The Presidency is the least of his worries because it isn't going to happen. You must show signs of honesty and integrity to win over the AMERICAN VOTERS and he can't get there.
I hate to tell you this, but Romney doesn't have to show us squat about his tax returns. Say he does release his tax returns and they show he paid his taxes he owed...would that make you vote for him? Please get real...you have already decided to vote for the Looser in Chief again, so what practical purpose would it serve other than to get someone like you salivating...
Add to that...don't you think that the IRS has already audited Romney's tax returns? I mean he is a well off guy and I'm sure that being that wealthy would raise some usual red flags with the IRS. I mean if you can't trust the IRS, how are supposed to trust Harvard regarding Obama?
What you really should be asking is do I want to gamble another 4 years with a PROVEN failure?
ED
there is nothing tax free even in the Caymans and Bermuda. all money transfers and money stored is reported through the international financial network and yes you have to report it to the IRS on your returns,
You cannot hide it from the IRS either as the IRS tracks those international reports.
I know as I am a level 3 trader and have investments in Canada and South America and they are reported to the IRS.
If people would have transferred their 401K and IRA accounts to the Caymans before 2008,they would have been safe and not lost.
The financial markets are not efficient and fluid here in the U.S. or safe and that is why smart people have their money stored offshore.
The Corrupted Frank/Dodd bill that favors the corrupt big banks and punishes the small and medium banks is one example of why our financial system is not trusted.
Yes the same big banks that did the predatory lending struck a deal with the government- pay the fines and settlements and they will have their monopoly crushing the competion by small and medium banks.
This is not what I would call open free market enterprise and is why I closed my account with Wells Fargo who was one of the key players in the predatory lending.
Last year Wells had a profit of 2.8 billion and paid no taxes and showed million dollar losses- this kind of corruption with the government needs to stop and their is no party lines here- it is the government in general giving favortism.
Oh, come on folks. We are so polarized we will defend anything! I'm all for hearing some ideas that will get us out of this mess, but, this is like the Monty Python skit where they explain how to play the flute. "You blow in this end and move your fingers over the holes." This is not a plan. It's not something to all rally around.
Romney evaded paying taxes for 10 years on hundreds of millions in income. He is unfit for any office. http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7416956n
sharky,
You really need some help here. If you believe some senile old man like Reid who doesn't even know how to put his pants on in the morning, you really need to cite a better source. Ok...here is what *I* heard about Reid...that he likes to dress up like Lil Bo Peep and do naughty things with farm animals...
sharky
a video with a biased CBS commentator is not a reliable reference.
At least he has a plan, and its pretty clear to me, rather than turning our country over to the communists.