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Anticipating having to play defense this fall on the issue of Medicare, Republicans have been preparing a strategy for the upcoming elections: punch back.
And this strategy undoubtedly assumed more urgency after Mitt Romney selected Paul Ryan -- the author of a Republican budget that overhauls the government-run health insurance program for seniors -- as his running mate, which only elevated Medicare as a central issue in November.
Govs. Bob McDonnell and Martin O'Malley discuss the differences between the 2012 presidential candidates' Medicare and economic plans with NBC's David Gregory.
The Republican strategy entails accusing President Obama of cutting $716 billion from Medicare -- and then, taking it a step further, by linking those cuts to paying for the president's health care reform law.
It was something, after all, that worked well during the 2010 midterm elections.
"We were going to get hit on this," a National Republican Congressional Committee official told NBC News last week about the impending Medicare battles, "but we had a good side of the story to tell."
But there are warning signs for the GOP that executing this plan might not be as easy as it seems.
MSNBC's Thomas Roberts talks to Peter Brown, Assistant Director of the Quinnipiac Polling Institute, and a political power panel, including JP Freire of American Spectator, Democratic strategist Chris Kofinis, and Nia-Malika Henderson of the Washington Post, about new polling that shows swing state voters favoring President Barack Obama on issues related to Medicare.
This week's NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found, for instance, that twice as many voters (30 percent to 15 percent), when read a description of GOP-favored reforms to Medicare, said they were a bad idea.
More worrying, though, might be the 51 percent of voters who said they had no opinion about the changes.
That suggests that the issue of Medicare is practically begging for definition this fall on the campaign trail. The number of voters who by Election Day say they have no opinion about either side of the Medicare debate is almost sure to drop. And these voters, when they leave the sidelines, could end up shaping the outcome in November.
Sara D. Davis / AP
Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan refers to a list of deceased enlisted men during a campaign event at Partnership for Defense Innovation in Fayetteville, N.C.
Central to the Democratic case is the Ryan plan. The House Budget Committee chairman authored two versions of a plan that would essentially provide future seniors with a voucher or premium support to purchase private insurance that they deem suitable. The second iteration of the Ryan plan allows these future seniors the option to use the voucher/premium support to also gain access to traditional Medicare.
Democrats, led by President Barack Obama, charge this plan would end Medicare "as we know it," and argue that Romney and Ryan's joint plan would raise costs not just for future retirees, but current seniors, as well.
It's an issue on which Democrats have traditionally held a political advantage, and their messaging on Ryan's budgets is credited with contributing to special election victories this cycle.
But Republicans argue their twin-pronged counter-offensive has essentially brought the issue to a stalemate.
Republican pollster David Winston argued in a memo Thursday for the American Action Network that this message tests about evenly with Democrats' charge that Republicans would end Medicare and turn it into a voucher system.
"For Republicans to break even on these issues is a major shift and the survey shows that the issue Democrats have counted on as a reliable driver of voter support in past elections, is being overwhelmed by the economy," he wrote in the memo.
That's why Romney has voiced this argument much more on the campaign trail than explain his own changes to the entitlement program. It's why the NRCC's first independent expenditure ad on the topic of Medicare made this same argument.
The bottom line is that Republicans feel as though they can come out ahead on the strength of other issues, like the economy and the budget -- IF they can keep themselves even with Democrats on the issue of Medicare.
But on that issue, Obama has an early advantage over Romney. Tying each candidate to their party's proposals, the NBC News/WSJ poll found that 50 percent preferred Obama's approach toward Medicare to the 34 percent who favor Romney's.
And new polls released Thursday by Quinnipiac University, CBS News and the New York Times found that voters think Obama would do a better job on Medicare by 8, 10 and 9 percent in Florida, Ohio and Wisconsin, respectively. (That margin grows in Obama's favor among voters who rate Medicare as "extremely important" in determining their vote.)
Medicare appears to remain turf on which Democrats have an advantage, which explains why some Republicans -- while gratified by the party's efforts to defend the party on that issue -- have begun to push Romney and the rest of the GOP leadership to turn back toward the economy, an issue on which they have an advantage.
"There’s a difference between inoculation and playing all-out defense. When Republicans are talking about Medicare, we’re not winning," one veteran GOP strategist said. "That’s not to say Republicans shouldn’t push back and be aggressive in doing so, but making Medicare a centerpiece in the election with less than 90 days to go is fraught with risk."
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OUCH!
This has to hurt! lol
Figures don't lie... but... liars sure figure!
Read em & weep righties!
I'm just relieved to see after almost 2 weeks, the GNOP has found it's position on the Ryan plan!
Nothing like coming out of the gate, well prepared... *snark off*
Vulture/Voucher 2012!
So, accusing President Obama, blah, blah,blah....
The strategy is the same as it has been since he took the oath of office.......
The GOP strategy......Lie, Lie, repeat the lies....keep on lying......!
Even the NY Times is reporting that President Obama is trusted more by Americans in three key states regarding Medicare than his greedy, grasping opponent and his party:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/23/us/politics/polls-say-medicare-is-key-issue-in-3-swing-states.html
Playing defence when you are behind is a winning strategy? Last minute fumble followed by a hail mary pass, that should do it.
Well, Rick Santorum said it best. When the RED WHITE AND BLUE HE-MAN WOMAN-HATERS party runs AGAINST Obama..they can win and they were all set to do just that when Romney picked Paul Ryan as his running mate and the discussion switched to Ryan and his plan for Medicare.
Santorum further stated that any discussion OTHER than what they like to refer to as the President's failed economic policy and the hypocrisy part loses.
Well, guess what Rick, and the rest of you, the discussion is going to be about Medicare and the 2% and Romney's Tax Returns (and how little he pays in taxes) and what Ryan's budget plan would mean for the middle-class (sudden death).
We don't need a President who wants to RAISE medicare costs while dramatically LOWERING the coverage.
We don't want a "voucher" program.
We don't need a President who HIDES his enormous wealth in off-shore accounts and pays ONE THIRD the percentage of tax that that rest of us pay.
We don't need a Vice President who thinks the government should have a say in a woman's reproductive rights.
We don't need a Vice President OR a President who wants to gut Social Security and pull the rug off from under America's seniors.
We don't need a President or a Vice President who want to hand this country, on a silver platter to the banks, Wall Street and the big oil companies.
And we're not going to have a President or Vice President who propose these things.
We're going to vote for the man who CARES about America and the American people.
Barack Hussien Obama. Four more for Forty-four.
Obama/Biden 2012
The Republican plan is to lie, lie, lie, and then lie some more. Per King Willard, if they told what they were really planning on doing, they would lose the election. That Eddie Munster budget is a real house of horrors for the middle class and seniors.
Gone to www.politifact.com lately or www.factcheck.org ?
Go and see whose lying on Medicare.....it's not Obama.
This election comes down to either you believe the lies the Democrats are telling or you believe in what the Republicans are saying. I wouldn't trust anything the New York Times says as they are a Liberal rag. Obama says anything he needs to to get elected. He did last time and he is again. He doesn't care about any of you, the only thing he cares about is staying in the White House. Stop reading all the Liberal crap such as MSN, CNN and the New York Times and do some REAL research. Start using the brains God gave you.
Here is a blast from the past:
You mean like these lies ol' Etch-A-Sketch is spreading around?
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2012/mar/22/mitt-romney/mitt-romney-says-barack-obama-ending-medicare-we-k/
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2012/jul/09/mitt-romney/health-law-puts-government-between-patients-and-do/
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2012/jun/29/mitt-romney/mitt-romney-says-obamacare-means-20-million-americ/
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2012/aug/07/mitt-romney/mitt-romney-says-barack-obamas-plan-abandons-tenet/
I suppose in Jersey Girl's dimly lit fantasy world "real research" would be to visit the right-wing-extremist neo-fascist zombie sites she obviously favors.
Thank you, Jersey Girl. That will be all. You can run along now.
JERSY GIRL 1
First off, my brain is a gift from my DNA. Please list the places where you do your REAL research. Inquiring minds want to know, but please don't blithely say the internet.
JERSY GIRL - the election will come down to how many gullible, ignorant people the Republicans can get to believe their lies. Clearly you're one of them!
Obama/Biden 2012
There is no " GOP counter-offensive" on Medicare", the Republican party is just plain offensive, to Medicare and everything else which helps the old, poor, women, veterans and the middle class.
The GOP long term "final solution" for each of these groups is very simple "DIE !!! "
Its as good thing NBC Snooze throws these PUFF Pieces out for the Liberals to snack on.
I see the usual lot is here. Kind of funny how you never see them on Articles about substantive issues such as the economy, taxes, foreign affairs, Unemployment, etc.
I'm not even sure why I bother looking at these Propaganda Articles. Its not like there going to make any difference in Nov when its time to vote. "Its the Economy Stupid". Must be to see if the Left has come up with any new derogatory terms to use against anyone they don't agree with.
I was thinking the other day about Obama's Campaign slogan "Are you In?". I was thinking that would be a great product slogan.
"Trojans, Are you In?"
P.S. Have you heard Napolitano is being sued? I'm sure NBC Snooze will get to it sooner or Later.
I'm not sure what you mean by "even the NY Times"...while I like the NY Times, they are a fairly far left newspaper. As such, I would expect them to support Obama's ideas and I view their poling with the same cynicism I use when viewing right-wing polls showing support for Romney.
TO: JERSY GIRL 1 who wrote:
It's no secret that Republicans have been trying to do away with Medicare AND Social Security for decades now.
If Republicans were talking about giving us all or money back with interest paid thereon at the legal rate, they might get some traction. But what Republicans want is to keep all our money AND cancel the programs we have already paid for.
As far as Medicare goes, Republicans are talking about cancelling the program in its entirety and turning it into a Voucher for a discount for 65 year olds and upwards to buy their own health insurance AFTER they retire. No thanks Republicans!
Obama/Biden 2012
Name ONE benefit of Medicare that President Obama will cut.
Jersey Girl,
Why don't YOU stop reading all this liberal crap and head on over to FOX where you belong. We don't care what you think or write. You obviously don' t know what you're talking about.
How 'bout giving us a break and stay off this board since it's nothing by "liberal crap" anyway. Hmm?
Obama/Biden 2012
Ooooooooo. Skippy, are you a democrat-communist internet soldier? How about you give everyone a break and hit the road. Or, get a job!! :o}
My suggestion is save your money and dont count on medicare or soical security to be around in 20 years. Social security is ment to be a supplement and not meant to be the only source of income when you get old. Eventualy China will call in our marker and we will have to pony up what we owe. The well is going to run dry and thats just the way it is. So if your smart you want put all your eggs in the government basket. Save some money on your on so you will have it when the government can no longer send you a check.
Ryancare will kill our Medicare system. Private medicare will be denied medical bills, corner cutting, HMO driven, really bad way to spend our final days. I am close to the age it will effect me. Romney is done in my book. Anyone in their 40's or less black, white, or green voting for Romney are killing themselves.
This new extreme so called GOP under unhonorable leadership lead by McConnell from the first day of this administration and the misuse of the fillibuster rules have given ANY and ALL republicans ZERO credibility. When you have zero credibility, how can you have a COUNTER-offensive?. LOL Simple math. Republicans have cost this country more than is fathomable the last decade. Anyone that would want to give these phonys, at ANY level of govt., the keys, is an idiot.
O & JOE 2012 - Romney 1040
This site draws the dumbest leberals in America. Do you all really believe that Obamacare is progress. Did you not see your insurance premiums increase the year he signed that awful bill. Sorry, I forgot the majority of you have your hands out, waiting to get what Big Gov will give you. It is easy to create a nation of sheep when you take from the hard working wealthy and give to the so called poor. I'll bet you all have cell phones and cable tv. You probably think the government should provide that too. You all make me sick, get jobs, you know that 3 letter word dumba$$ Biden was talking about. Then make real contributions to America.
Save America and Vote for the American Romney/Ryan 2012
Jersy Girl - so, you don't mind old white women hating men dictating what can you do with your vagina?
Hello!!!!!!
I've missed everyone, but you'll all be glad to know I'm back. Except for some of you. Some of you may not be happy about this news.
If you think Medicare and Social Security will be around without major changes you need to put down the crack pipe. This blog is so funny as it serves as a therapy piece for dillusional liberals who think talking about an alternative to a broken medicare system is somehow evil. Libs just can't comprehend that you can't spend your life living off the government dime.
To Brian-Nobama,
Thank you very much for your hate-filled rant. Pretty much sums up the only defense your side has to any conversation, which is to not present any factual information and start calling people names. Keep in mind there are plenty of poor republicans out there who also have their "hands out" as you mention. Does it make you feel good to criticize poor people, people who were financially doing alright until our economy collapsed in 2008? Do you remember who was President then and leading up to then?
Good to see you Sarah.
GOP strategy:
LIE. Ok didn't work. TELL BIGGER LIE. Ok didn't work. TELL EVEN BIGGER LIE ...
.
So, the typical limp-wristed Liberals are out again groveling in the dirt trying to protect another one of their failing entitlement programs. It must be getting so tiring coming up with so many lies and distortions to save your sacrosanct government disasters.
Isn’t it amusing how much the Libbies were prancing around in 2008 about “change” yet they resist every effort to save their economy consuming government calamities. So the question remains, just what “changes” do they want? None. The alleged “Forward” cabal is as stagnant as molasses in December. This is the embarrassment they have chosen to live with.
Medicare in its current form is unsustainable.
A couple retiring last year will have, on average, paid in about $150,000 in Medicare taxes over their lifetime. However, they will receive more than $350,000 in benefits.
Last year the program ran a combined deficit of $288 billion. Medicares future Unfunded Liabilities, in most optimistic terms, are more than $35 trillion. More realistic estimates put it at more than $90 trillion.
Brokeback Barrack Husseins plan it from the top down. This is the dreaded Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). They will cut reimbursements to doctors and hospitals. The questions remain. Will another government bureaucracy, of unelected policy wonks, be able to keep costs down when this has never been attempted? Regardless, if IPAB’s cuts are too Draconian in order to preserve Obamacare the results will be catastrophic. Medicare’s own actuary predicts that as many as 15-25% of hospitals could close and some estimates show that 40-50% of doctors will stop taking Medicare. Combine this with the expected 150,000-200,000 doctor shortage by 2025 and the writing is on the wall. Grandma won’t need to be pushed off a cliff, she’ll just die in the waiting room.
Of course let’s not forget the always continuing resolution known as the “Doctor Fix”. This will be the straw that truly breaks the camel’s back as Obamacare only delays the cuts that have been delayed since1997. If these accumulated cuts were to take effect this year the payments to physicians would decrease by 25%. You might as well just double the number of physicians you’ll need by 2025 that I mentioned above.
Ryans reform is from the bottom up, by increasing competition and consumer cost-sharing. Those over 55 are unaffected, even though I believe they should have the option also. Those under 55 will have the option of staying in conventional Medicare if they want. The cap in growth would be roughly the same as Barrack Husseins. Those who want another option can choose a voucher, or premium support payment based on bids by private insurers in their area. I would expand this to allow interstate purchase of insurance. Imagine the degree of competition this would create. Seniors who choose a lower-cost plan can keep the difference. Those preferring a more expensive plan will pay the difference between the government payment and the premium.
Over time seniors will have to pay more to receive the same benefits, but as noted above Medicare simply cannot survive in its current form. Ryans plan gives seniors options, Barrack Hussein will just continue the same until the system collapses.
By increasing competition in the private sector and forcing consumers to make value-based decisions the Ryan plan allows costs and growth to be restrained. It allows consumers to make better decisions and promotes more competition in the marketplace. This is similar to how Bush’s Medicare Part-D has become so successful.
Medicare Part D is the most cost-effective program within the federal health insurance programs and a good deal for taxpayers. Estimates by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office indicate that Part D's price to the public will come in at 46% less than initially estimated for the first decade.
In fact, Part D is saving the entire Medicare program money, according to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Improved access and adherence to medicine is saving $1,200 per year in hospital, nursing home and other costs for each senior who previously lacked prescription drug coverage, according to the study. This is saving the Medicare program an estimated $12 billion each year.
It’s a good deal for seniors too because they are paying less out of pocket for their prescriptions. The total average out-of-pocket prescription drug costs dropped between 13% and 15% thanks to the creation of Part D.
Medicare Part D plans are available for as little as $14.80 per month in most States.
The competitive-based Medicare Part D program is working and should be used as a model for reforming other elements of federal health care programs. Medicare Part D enrollees are overwhelmingly satisfied with this program. A recent Medicare Today survey reported that 84 % of seniors are satisfied with the program.
It seems the Republican Programs are much more successful than the Liberal Hope and Change Keep it the Same Even if it Bankrupts the Country Programs.
Romney/Ryan 2012 for real Americans.
God Bless and save America
Geterright, guess the government dime (Social Security) is only for the rich and powerful. (sarcasm) Ryan used Social Security to pay his way through college!!!! But those of us who have paid in for decades, tens and tens of thousands of dollars and expect the promise to be kept for it to be there for us as a major backup are planning on living off the government dime!!!! You so absolutely insulting to every honest, hardworking American.
Gee, now the Romney campaign is about Flip Flop not just Romney, looks like they will say anything just to get votes, what this shows is how weak their stance is, they themselves are their worst enemies.
What is it with republicans and vouchers? the reality is that SS and medicare are "not for profit" insurance plans. Republicans cant stand anything that does not put money in their pocket. just the usual greed and nerd rage. people who tell the truth do not need a "strategy" unless the strategy is to just tell the truth. When was the last time a republican was honest? here's a hint. His was a general and they only had black and white television in his day and no Ipods.
Hey jersey girl: please stop embarrassing our state with idiotic statements. thank you
I don't think that pattern will continue.... the 2016 movie reviews are startling!
Box Office Report: Anti-Obama Doc Drawing Big Crowds, Even in New York City
Already the No. 2-grossing non-nature documentary of the year, "2016: Obama's America" expands nationwide this weekend.
Some in Hollywood were stumped by the amount of business the documentary did at the Regal Union Square Stadium 14 in Lower Manhattan, situated in a liberal neighborhood where films from the likes of Moore have done huge business.
Obama's America was the No. 3 film of the weekend behind The Dark Knight Rises and Total Recall at Union Square,
Obama's America intends to show how the country's future will look if President Obama is elected to a second term in the White House and includes an interview with the president's half brother, George Obama.
http://www.fandango.com/2016obamasamerica_157117/moviereviews
I challenge everyone to go see the movie!
I am glad to see that the President Obama sent a thrill up my leg crowd are out and about spewing the liberal talking points.
Glad to see that you must have one of the 4 million jobs President Obama has created. That calculation is a real fuzzy math abstract accounting of why there are only 135k more jobs now than when he started office.
When you create 100K jobs and have 150K in new unemployment claims every month, how are you creating jobs. This will give a net loss of 50k jobs. Time to get some people in Washington that can actually add and understand how the economy works.
FedupwithFed, How can "2016: Obama's America" be a documentary when "it intends to show how the country's future will look if President Obama is elected to a second term."
By definition: Documentary films constitute a category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality.
@Joe Thomas
Oh, how clever, using the diminutive of of my nickname. Boy do I feel put in MY place.
Nope, not a commie, not a democrat and not an internet soldier. I'm an American and as such entitled to express my opinion whether you like it or not. So, why don't you join Jersey Girl over at the Fox news web-site where you belong and leave the rest of us alone. You'll be happier there and by default, so will we.
SARA! Where have you been girlfriend your grandmother and I have be SOOOOO worried about you.
Good to see your pretty face back on the board.
Obama/Biden 2012
You are so correct Brian-NOBAMA. For decades, insurance premiums hadn't gone up one red cent, and then... BAM! The year Obamacare is signed premiums start increasing....
{/sarcasm, for those that can't tell}
That movie looks like the dumbest mother @!$%#ing mockumentary ever produced.
"Based on the book by Dinesh D'Souza..."
Well, that's about all I need to know to realize the movie if full of crap...
HERE IS THE RECORD
Over 8% unemployment
17%unemployment among blacks
50% unemployment among black youths
$5 trillion added to national dept in 3 years
Failed energy policy electric rates sky rocketing (part of Obama's stated agenda)
Gasoline and food prices through the roof
Billions of stimulus dollars wasted making Obama's friends rich
Housing market still on the skids
Record numbers of people on welfare and food vouchers (WOW a voucher the Dems love)
Repeal of welfare to work
Dangerous foreign policy blunders
And speaking of lies... whatever happened to "If I can't turn this around in 3 years it's gonna be a one term proposition". (sic)
CHANGE and FORWARD in the wrong direction is a very very BAD THING
This campaign is not about any one or two ideas, but about an overall big picture concerning two opposing main ideas. One group thinks that the country is better off being run by religion and big business, and the other group believes that government has a responsibility to all it's citizens. One group wants to monitor your bedroom, your sexual preference, and your body, and the other group believes that handouts are necessary in times of crisis. One group thinks that by giving breaks to rich people, more jobs will be created for all the rest of the country, and the other group thinks that jobs can be created by federal jobs programs. These two groups have diametrically opposing plans, but both could work. It just depends on what you personally want happening with your life. If you don't mind government intrusion in social areas instead of government intrusion in most other aspects of support, then vote Republican. If you also support the idea that supporting the rich works for you and you want the rich to get richer, then vote Republican. The Democrats do have their faults...they have way more handouts than I like to see, but overall, they have a much saner strategy for me than the bizarre behaviour that I have seen from the Republicans the last decade.
The fct is, the Republicans are beholden to the Koch Bros and the rest that are just like them which means they are going to have to do their bidding. Treasonous is what it is. Just like their filthy pledge to that filthy pig Norquist. How about a pledge to your country????? Ryan thinks he's a real smart ass cowtowing to the health insurance industry and promising to hand over all the sick, old people to them with their crappy vouchers.
Ryan has been a govenment leech for years receiving cadillac health insurance and all those great benefits and perks you get. We need to change the benefits of these polticians so they have to deal with what the rest of us have to deal with. Ryan has basically done NOTHING great during his years of leeching off the government and supposedly working for us taxpayers. He's nothing but an arrogant snot.
I can't believe 35% of the country are such morons they can't see how bad republican policy is for America. I cannot fathom how their teeny brains even start to think wealth concentration and slashing every bit of progress in the last 200 years will end well.
I surmise. . .
I dont know, I guess you will have to go see the movie to find out what the FACTS are...
doc·u·men·ta·ry/ËŒdäkyəˈment(É™)rÄ“/
Adjective:
Consisting of official pieces of written, printed, or other matter.
Noun:
A movie or a television or radio program that provides a factual record or report.
Here's what I believe it will come down to:
1. Romney and Ryan are going to try to distance themselves from the radicals in their own party.
- Here's the problem, now that Senator Olympia Snow is leaving the Senate, they really have no moderates left in a leadership position with the possible exception of the Speaker of the House and he can't influence his own freshmen.
- Their records don't reflect the distance they are going to want to establish. Romney could have pulled of a moderate stance were it not for those pesky videos shot during the campaign and the continual appeal to his "red meat" base. Ryan, no hope there. Too much legislation in his name.
2. The Republicans will try to depict the economy as Obama's fault.
- Historically this has a better chance to stick. The problem will be that last election they ran on "Jobs are priority #1". All the DNC has to do is dredge up all the anti-Obama rhetoric put out by Republican Congress and show what they did (or didn't do) to create jobs. They're legislative record of "social" hot button issues won't help them.
3. They are going to go one of two ways with Medicare.
-privatize and voucherize it, which certainly hasn't worked in the past or
- distance themselves from the Ryan plan...that would prove interesting.
In my personal opinion, Romney ended it for all practical purposes when he selected Ryan. I believe the American people are looking for moderation...not fascism lite.
will-2193211
While you at it...you might start repeating "There's no place like home...there's no place like home."
It's a national election. This isn't Kansas anymore Toto.
I saw a snippet of the move '2016' and have to give the republicans a hand. they have created an ad for romney and people are paying to see it.
And half of the snippet was a LIE.
God, I hate Republicans. They can never tell the truth, because their policies hurt the very people they need to vote for them. They really are the Party of the uber rich.
New Republican motto:
If you 'aint lying.
You 'aint trying.
Anyone with half a brain can fact check the Republican claim made about Medicare and see that these Republicans are, "DAMN GOOD AT LYING."
Republicans even lie about their lies..........
Not to be dim here, but I just can't figure out why anyone except the uber-rich would vote for Romney!
There is a very real difference between the Mitt Romney's Medicare Plan and President Obama's Medicare Plan.
President Obama's plan, made into law in the ACA (Obamacare) takes $716Billion from private insurance companies and overcharges from hospitals and turns it into additional benefits for seniors.
Mitt Romney's Medicare plan takes that same $716Billion from Medicare, gives seniors a voucher to go out and try to buy insurance from private insurance companies, and gives the $716billion to the wealthy.
Only a brain dead person would vote for Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan.
ZOMBIES for Romney/Ryan 2012 !!!!
Really? They both limit the growth in Medicare to GDP plus 1%. The Republicans favor premium support and the private market. The Democrats favor cost-controls and rationing.
The way I see it for those 54 and younger is that the Republican plan will give you a voucher and you choose how much to pay for additional benefits. The Democrats plan will give you a defined set of benefits if you can find a provider. To gain access to the providers you want, you will have to buy a supplementary policy for benefits the Democrats say are covered but for which there will be no providers.
It is two paths to the same destination. If you are 54 and younger you will be paying substantially more for health care in your retirement.
How can it be any other way? There are too many people want too many benefits for the current revenue stream.
Yeah, because pre-ACA the private market was doing such a great job.
Alan nJ
Government uses 1.5% of every dollar to cover expenses of overseeing healthcare. Private insures use 25% of every dollar to cover expenses and make profits. The answer to the problem should be obvious. Single payer.
And how's that search for 500B in waste and fraud going? I don't see anything remotely adding up to 50B never mind 500B
http://www.stopmedicarefraud.gov/index.html
Alan, NJ. Your very last phrase is the true key to the distinction between the two parties:
You see, the modern Democratic party, like all governments the world over, firmly believes that if you want to balance a budget, your revenues must equal your expenditures. When you decide to go to war, you should increase revenues. When you decide to add additional domestic spending, you should increase revenues.
The Republican Party, on the other hand, firmly believes that you can increase revenues by cutting taxes. They also believe that you can balance the budget by cutting revenues and increasing spending. They also believe that not authorizing payment for the debt of the United States will instill confidence in themselves.
Why is this relevant if they can't pay for the benefits in the first place. Also, this ratio is not as black and white as it seems. Medicare offsets many of its fixed costs through other agencies. For example the equivalent of premium collection is performed by the IRS when it collects the medicare tax. But the main difference in the ratio of admin cost to treatment is explained below.
I don't disagree with your description of the Republican Party, 2002 - 2006 the expression was "Spending like Drunken Sailors". However, your description of the current Democratic Party is fantasy. They want the revenue increases but refuse to cut spending. The fact we are now on our fourth year of 1T+ deficits in unsustainable. I can accept that the first two years of the Obama Administration had unprecedented challenges, and they had to spend (although I disagree on the structure of the stimulus), but for this to continue into the third and fourth years shows me that they have no idea what to do next.
Alan
It becomes very relevant if you remove private insurance from the game. The money is spent more efficiently on heathcare in any other country in the world with a single payer system.
While there are aspects of the Ryan plan I don't like, one thing I do give it credit for is trying to come up with a real solution to the Medicare solvency issue. Even Obama's 10 year budget has medicare expenses 3 time expected revenue (and that's using some fairly generous GDP expectations).
I'm open to the discussion of maintaining the current level of care, but if so, we need to pay for it or find ways to dramatically cut costs (to the tune of 1/3 what they are projected to be). If Obama doesn't want to cut services and can't or won't cut costs, then he needs to increase taxes (or come up with another solution I'm not seeing). What we can't do is stick our heads in the sand and hope our children can solve the problem and likely make the sacrifices we don't seem to be able to stomach.
How? If you go with the Democrats plan then as health care costs grow they will outstrip the GDP +1% cap. Although Medicare will offer benefits, there is no guarantee that there will be providers who will deliver the benefits for the compensation offered by the government. AARP and others are already moving into the market to meet this need with supplementary health insurance.
As I said, two paths to the same destination.
I haven't seen anything that indicates to me the Democrats want to balance the budget. The tax rate increases they have proposed on the wealthy will barely make a dent in the deficit. I believe the highest estimate I've seen is about $50 billion/year...our deficit is over $1 trillion/year.
The Republicans were fiscally conservative from 1994 to 1999. I agree the Republicans from 2000 to 2006 spent like drunken sailors. It's hard to tell from 2007 to 2010 since they were the minority party and didn't have much say on spending. It looks like some of the new members are fiscal conservatives - but again, it's hard to tell until they have a majority and we see what they really stand for.
I believe you are just referring to the "Buffett Rule" with that number. Letting the Bush Tax Cuts expire for those making over $250k would do tons more.
Letting those Bush/Obama tax cuts expire would add about another $70 billion/year...so, combined that's about $120 billion/year (and that's assuming the assumptions from the administration are correct and not inflated).
We are running $1+ trillion/year deficits.
If we want to maintain the current level of spending, the middle class is going to have to pay more - and I don't see the Democrats of today attempting to deal with this issue. I'm not sure if the Republicans will really try and deal with it either, but at least they are making some comments about getting spending under control.
That seems rather low. You have a link for that?
Im uisng single payer now its called the VA. It is very frustarting dealing with the VA. I sent a sleep study to them back in April. Thye wouldnt just give me the sleep study I had to fill out a sleep diary. I sent it in a moth ago. I still havent recieved an apointment. When I schedule an apointment with my primary care doctor it takes 3 to 6 months. The gov also gives the doctors guidelines that they have to follow as well. So if you end up having to depend on the gov you will be in for a rude awaening.
Seems the biggest problem for the Republicans have been the T Party why haven't the Republcans disavowed the T Party doctrine and force them to seek they're own political charter and party. Then the GOP could move forward with they're traditional agenda.
Any Answers
Amy:
You need some new material. I've seen this post numerous times on other issues.
Repubs always talk about taxes increases not being enough to cut the debt. Most people agree. Most people insist on a combination of spending cuts and revenue increases. What isn't mentioned is that Obama proposed spending cuts equal to 3 times the revenue increases and was turned down. Can we have a conversation about that? Why wouldn't repubs agree to a 3 to 1 exchange in order to reduce the debt? You'd have to ask Grover - not the one from Sesame Street, well - maybe.
But then again, Grover would have to ask permission to grant a waiver to his petition, and he won't be getting that from the brothers.
And after we make adjustments to spending and revenue, we need to start on reforming the tax code and our social programs. This is a long term process and will not be solved in the next 4 years, and probably not in the next 10 years. And its going to require compromise - without it we are dead in the water and no amount of bailing will save us.
"dirp" Why don't you go thru the Congressional archives and see who does all the spending. You will find its 99% if the time the Democrats who does all the spending . Its the Democrats who keep rasing taxes on the poor and middle class, cause they know if they force the rich to pay more taxes they to would be forced to pay more taxes.
Why do you think that they raided the Social Security trust fund? It was they could spend the surplus on their pork barrel projects. Who allowed druggies to claim disability and get those free checks to buy more coke or heroin. It was the Democrats. Who allowed imigrants to come to the US and collect retirement from Social Security with out putting any money into it. It was the Democrats.
On Obama care if your employer provides heathcare for you, you will start having to pay a 40% tax on the amount that they provide. This is from the Health care law site.
They are also going to tax the health insurance companies , as well as the medical device makers and the drug makers who will pass on the extra cost onto the consumers, raising our healthcare even more.
About Ryans medicare plan. Yes it will give our seniors a voucher who will have a choice of which healthcare insurance company that competes in that plan , then the Government will pay the premium.
This is the same plan that Congress currently has as well as most of the federal employee's, So tell me why is the voucher program good for congress but not good enough for our seniors on medicare. Or is it that our Senior Citizens not good enough for the same deal Congress gives to them selves.
I also wonder if most of the Federal employee know that they are going to be paying the cadillac tax on their Federal plans. Everyone except for congress who excempted them selves from tha tax.
I understand that the initial proposal to increase the tax rates on those earning over $250,000 would supposedly generate ONLY $50,000,000,000.00 each year.
However, did you know that the building of the Hoover Dam involved moving over 100million cubic yards of soil was begun by a shovel moving less than one square foot of soil ?
In other words, if we don't begin somewhere, the task will never be accomplished.
And why should the wealthy be taxed more ? Because they have money. If you tax the poor, they don't have any money so you won't gain anything.
BTW, I am in favor of eliminating the capital gains tax.
All those who are paying that 15% rate should be paying the same, ordinary income rate as everyone else.
Ryancare will kill our Medicare system. Private medicare will be denied medical bills, corner cutting, HMO driven, really bad way to spend our final days. I am close to the age it will effect me. Romney is done in my book. Anyone in their 40's or less black, white, or green voting for Romney are killing themselves.
Repubs are doing very well with lies and misdirections. Public is thoroughly confused now.
Which is exactly why YOU & everyone you know needs to volunteer to knock on doors, phone bank, stuff envelopes, etc...
No matter how limited your time may be!
Every minute counts when it comes to disseminating the lies the right is spreading like fertilizer! ☺
There is too much at stake this time around...
If I understand the article 50 percent of the public think the Republican plan for Medicare is wrong. How are the Republicans going to fix that problem in the next 90 days.
It is a dumb idea and made 75% of Seniors mad and 80% of Women mad. That is a big problem for the Republicans.
I am not sure they even noticed the problem because they seem to be so disjointed from main stream America.
TO: High rolla who wrote:
If I'm paying for Medicare you can be darn sure I expect to get it, and the same with Social Security! The real problem is, a lot of folks who never paid a dime are trying to find a way to get to our money without having to pay us back all that we paid into Social Security AND Medicare (with interest), and without giving us the benefit of the bargain.
It was meant to be there for us if we paid into it, and I have been paying into Social Security AND Medicare all my working life, and so have most all other Working Americans.
Obama/Biden 2012
Xabre:
No, you are not correct. If the highest USA Federal Income Tax bracket is increased to 39.5% from the current 35%, it will bring in a grand total amount to fund the USA federal government for seven (7) days as per the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Not really "a ton more".
www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/08/14/romneys-right-obamacare-cuts-medicare-by-716-billion-heres-how/
Perhaps you need to learn more about what you post about.
This election is going to be a land slide. Comrade Obama has no chance.
Save America and Vote for the American Romney/Ryan 2012
American Girl-724855:
TO: High rolla who wrote:
100% are correct! The FDR Aadministration NEVER intended it to be a retirement program.
There are thousands of USA citizens that have paid into the SSA for their entire adult lives and they will not receive their due amount thank to the Democrat Party.
No, democrats are fighting to keep these programs intact and republicans are fighting to cut them. You seem confused, dementia?
Amy
Hate is the beginning of the path to the dark side. - Yoda
Kirigami
Such as small world you chose to live in when the world is so big!
American girl social security is a tax that they take out of your check. Its not put into a personal account in your name. So if it goes broke your not guarateed one dime. Now if you put money into a 401k mutal fund IRA etc etc it will be yours. You would make alot more invested that money yourself. . Depending on social security alone is not a very wise move.
dirp
Where do you get this crap?
$420 Billion is cuts to payments made to doctors and hospitals, that already do not cover the costs of the services.
FALSE. The Ryan Plan is based on the Senior Prescription Drug Plan. That program is the first program in 40 years that the fed created that actually under budget.
Currently, in the ACA medicare advantage is wiped out. Medicare advantage permitted Seniors who wanted better care than just medicare, to contribute additional premium. The Ryan plan keeps that going, but limits the increase per year in premiums to .5% per year. That is actually how the Ryan plan gets it's $716 Billion in savings.
The voucher is the amount for the base insurance will cost and be the same benefit level as provided before the ACA cut services in medicare. Seniors who would like the Medicare Advantage option, which allows for a better level of care then could pay the extra premium for that care. This is exactly what most seniors are doing in the prescription drug program. Where the insurance will be able to make up for any funding shortages for care the base plan they have the opportunity to charge more from those seniors who are buying the premium plan(s).
db akron
You should really look into Medicare Part C, Medicare Part D, the donut hole, and supplimental insurance. President Obama wants to clean up Part C, that is where the 716 billion comes from.
Feisty is right. We need to get out the facts on this election door-to-door if need be. Sitting at your computer jousting with RWNJs, TPers, and GNOPers who can not or refuse to investigate or reason their way through the issues will not sway Independents and voters on the fence.
People will buy what they hear repeatedly. Money has the power to buy propaganda at its finest. Remember, the current crop of Congressional representatives rode the wave of the promise of jobs and no taxes. These same Congressional representatives are now deemed the worst ever by Americans. Remind them of that by volunteering to make calls, canvas, and if you can't do those things, then yes, please donate money to provide support. Don't waste time on your die-hard GOP in-laws. Seek out those asking questions, those on the sidelines, etc.
Lord knows the GOP has provided enough ammo to do them in, but not if we don't use it to the same level and degree. Still don't know why Romney's interview on his draft dodging during the Vietnam war isn't being blasted in the media. Send letters to the troops on this, to VA homes, American Legions, etc. Get out and make it happen. We do need people to vote like their life depends on it, because it does.
No they're not! They're just damn consistent. Look, they will try anything an unlimited number of time regardless of the results. Just look at Trickle-Down Economics!
Don't bother Mr. Akron, he received his credit for the post from his masters and he's done. You can't argue with money.
DB AKRON,
Where you get your "facts" FOX?
First of all the 716 billion comes from savings of waste and abuse that was negotiated with hospitals and insurance companies with agreement they will have more people on their plans due to ACA, and this money goes to to Medicare to cover donut hole and pay for preventive care.
Romney Voucher program will leave seniors 6000-8000 in hole on fixed income according to CBO report.
Nice spit, but try facts first.
What's this...........unemployment up AGAIN! This ad has not been approved by the committee to re-elect Barry Soetoro.
Unemployment is NOT up. The weekly first time claims were up a whopping 0.5% and the 4 week moving average is below expectations.
You better look again.
Weekly first time unemployment claims (BLS News Release):
http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/ui/current.htm
Dennis, these guys don't use facts to form their insane fantasies. They rely on Limbaugh/FOX for their daily dose of mind-altering fiction.
The bill for Obamacare is on its way, and guess what? It's addressed to you.
You see, all those great benefits included in the Affordable Care Act don't come cheap, which is why the new healthcare law includes a barrage of new "Obamacare taxes."
And don't believe for a second the new Obamacare taxes will hit only the "rich" or those making over $250,000.
Some do, but you'd be surprised at how many of these new taxes also hit the middle class.
New research shows that the federal government's current economic policies and programs could be exponentially more dangerous than first suspected. And time could be running out for Americans to prepare their wealth, investments and day-to-day life.
Worse still, many of these new measures are disguised as taxes on businesses. The bulk of these "stealth taxes" will be transferred to consumers via higher prices for drugs and health insurance.
"The legislation imposes more than $569 billion in new or increased taxes, the vast majority of which will fall on businesses," writes Michael Tanner in a 2011 Cato Institute report on the impact of the healthcare law. "Many of those taxes, especially those on hospitals, insurers, and medical device manufacturers, will ultimately be passed on through higher health costs."
Even still, few realize just how many new taxes lurk within the law's 2,500-plus pages because most of the talk about the Affordable Care Act focuses on the constitutionality of the individual mandate.
Of course, according to Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, even that turned out to be a tax.
The ACA is good for America. I know the tea baggers don't like it, because they would then have to stop getting medical care for free off of the tax payer dime.
So, we can say any adult who doesn't want health care insurance is not only a fool, and leach, but is pretty darn stupid.
Harley, the topic being discussed was unemployment and TopDrum's pathological inability to distinguish up from down. Your transparent attempt to highjack the discussion by diverting attention to an out of date report (and your blithering interpretation of it) on a subject the Supreme Court has laid to rest is failing.
Try to keep up with the conversation or you will be banished to the little kids' table.
I don't mind paying an extra 14 cents for pizza if it means every child in America can see a doctor when they get sick.
Rethug/teabaggers, the unemployment numbers are stuck at 8% because the party of NO, (rethug/teabaggers) have obstructed every jobs bill that this President had sent their way. But you KNOW that RIGHT!!!
Republicans complain about jobs but obstructed Obama's jobs bill that would have put unemployment under 8%.
A tax that you will have a credit for if you have insurance. Do you have insurance? If so, why do you care?
If i need to explain it to you, then you would not understand.
Try me. I'm not your average "dweb", as you so eloquently stated.
My bad, i was not aware that you are below average....thanks for the update. Face palm.
Okay, Harley, that proves it. Off to the little kids table for you.
And while you're at it, would you please stop being so rude? That's kids table behavior for sure.
Wow! She sounds like Mitt Romney! No details, No explanation, Just, Here this is what I say believe it!
And then if you ask again, she takes the low road. Too Funny DWEB!
Clearly your position is so weak that it can not stand up to a debate.
Well said, Kirigami. It will be fish sticks and drool bibs for Harley, now.
Pretty obvious from the pic, and her silly rants, more boobs than brain
Yet she still manages to soften the penis...
Xabre...if she does that to you, you are gay!
Sailcat - I believe that would be a step up for Harley Chic!
Obama/Biden 2012
No, that means I have standards.
Fuzzy,
I see you've found your little geologist friend who ran off of the last thread like a scalded cat after getting her fat cellulite riddled ass (her words not mine) handed to her!
As for the boobs, just make sure you don't give her a fork, she might accidently pop one of those puppies!
Unemployment has been trending downward for 3 years now, we have had umpteen (forget the actual number) consecutive months of private sector job growth. While I wish things were better, it sure is better than the economic free fall and the 750K/month in job losses that greeted Obama at the door.
That bring me to another question. At a time when the country was obviously in crisis, Republicans on the day of Obama's inaguration made a deliberate decision to not to do anything that would help the country out of this crisis. Despite Obama's efforts to work with Republicans (does anyone really think Romneycare was a Democratic idea) Republicans refused all efforts at compromise and reaching solutions. In my view, that is close to treason isn't it?
Harley Chic, David Zeiler, Associate Editor, Money Morning is really pissed at you for not citing him.
Harley does her research at sodahead.com ... chortle.
I think Fact Check explains it quite well, Harley as long as you can understand it. Some of us are willing to listen if you can actually provide proof that what you're saying is true. Squabbling like a thirteen year old, though? It's no surprise you're not taken seriously...hopefully nobody in the real world takes you seriously, either.
"If I need to explain it to you then you wouldn't understand"? Why don't you really say what that means? "I don't understand how to defend the lies I spread so I'm going to resort to personal attacks."
FRR: Those aren't fake. Fake ones wouldn't sag that much.
I've come to the conclusion Harley Chic doesn't wear a helmet when she rides and she's had a few nasty falls - to the head. That's the only explanation for her rants.
Obama/Biden 2012
She used a 50% off coupon for the boob job!
Hey... you get what you pay for... ;o)
Hey folks, thanks for demonstrating the double standard when it come to the democrats being the party that "stands up for women." Maybe you should admit that democrats only stand up for liberal women. If conservatives were spouting garbage about a liberal woman like you all are about a conservative woman, you would all be losing your minds over it.
I think Harley Chic answer some ad about an at home mom making $7000 a month from home and signed up. Now she has to write these stupid attacks or she loses her easy money.
Oh well - we all have to do something to make a living.
Have we heard any "defense" by the Republications about their inaugural day meeting? It seems odd to me that they would accept the charges about this meeting (which appear to be true, by the way) without in any way defending themselves. I haven't found any articles in a quick search, and I don't remember seeing any. Can someone fill me in? Did they defend themselves against these charges? I have no doubt but that they are accurate, but I'd just like to know!
The problem with the "option" plan is that it goes against President Reagan.
President Reagan said if you want to shrink government, you need to streamline it by eliminating options. The more options you mandate government to support the more government grows.
Ryan isn't old enough to have voted for Reagan, so he wouldn't know that Reagan was a fierce enemy to every politician who proposed mandating that government support more options. However, Romney and Republican leaders are old enough to know that this grows government and will be wasting Medicare money.
Reagan would be appalled at what's become of the GNOP. (Pretty much any past GOP president would be as well!)
Republicans ... the party of obfuscation!
Reagan was the fool who believed in "trickle down" and started the country on the journey to where we are today, which is between a rock and a hard place.
Layton - any DECENT Republican would be appalled at what the GOP (Gross Old Perverts) has become.
Obama/Biden 2012
Decent republicans left to become independents once the bible thumping, knuckle dragging, mouth breathers took it over.
Ice tea out nose and on monitor!!!!! LOLOL!!!
Layton - ooooh sorry! I used that long ago and just remembered it again. I think it sums them up pretty well. You betcha!
Obama/Biden 2012
Ryans original plan called for a voucher only option for the future but after analysis bu the CBO that calculated it would raise the average seniors health costs $6400+ dollars a year more and the resulting outrage they changed it to include a medicare option. Clearly the first plan was the one they preferred as leaving medicare as an option saves nothing so what's the point? People have to decide whether they vote for people based on proposals they've changed simply to get elected or on what they obviously believe. If you elect them there's no going back and they can then enact what they want.
A voucher. Here's $100. Get your ass insurance. Right.
Does anyone have a clue about how this voucher thing works. First Seniors don't do well with fine print and hate the idea of spending their whole day working with any insurance jerk. Talk about being disconnected from the middle class this is a perfect example. Conversely, Medsicare tells the Doctor what he can charge them and you, done deal. If you have any experience with the Supplements you may have some idea of what is involved and all the different but ill described options you have. "Oh sorry for that condition you should have picked the so and so plan, we don't cover that". And if you think it wont change the cost to current seniors you must be nuts. How can you trust any of these "say anything to get elected or no I didn't say that" politicians. They will never follow through.
Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan seem to think they’re starring in some sort of Hollywood film with a plot that ends badly for everyone but them and their rich buddies.
“The Privatize Guys” want to wave goodbye to Medicare, pushing an agenda that couldn’t be worse for working families.
The Ryan budget plan, which Romney has wholeheartedly endorsed in the past and the GOP embraced in its convention platform, would further shift the tax burden from the wealthy to working families, cut Social Security, end Medicare as we know it—an idea the Republican National Committee is embracing in the platform—and gut Medicaid.
And it’s not just seniors who are getting the shaft. The Ryan budget also would terminate the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
For millions of seniors, children and working families, the Ryan plan means turning our country into an entitlement program for the rich.
As the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities put it, this is “Robin Hood in reverse—on steroids.”
Romney and Ryan: You can’t turn America into a horror show for working families. They will cut Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security and shift the tax burden from the wealthy to the middle class.
What about those 55 and under? The only reason the GOP didn't go with their "fabulous plan" for older people was that it's not really so "fabulous" and they were afraid they'd lost the older votes.
I figure there are enough 55 and under who can figure it out, too.
All this insanity leaves me with this thought. The Republicans are cock sure they can buy the election. Otherwise, this team of robots is not going to get it on any merit system.
real american
It gives you an option to stay with the traditional plan or select your own plan.
What Obama has done to the current system is already affected my wife as she will be losing her dental and vision which are very important to seniors.
Her plan is on the verge of going away completely and that would be disastrous to the family budget.
She only pays $29 month for her advantage plan and I have figured out that an alternative will be much more costly which proves the point that Obama plans to give seniors less care and higher costs.
We both looked at the Romney proposal and really liked it.
This is not the only situation we have been victimized by Obama and my wife will be voting this year which is somthing she has not done in over 20 years.
ROMNEY/RYAN 2012
They seem to forget that many of us who are older than 55 have children and grandchildren who will some day need Medicare and Social Security. Since salaries for so many people have been reduced, many people have suffered through long unemployment, savings earn little to no interest, home values have plummeted, etc. how will they ever be able to save enough to pay for their entire retirement and medical care as senior citizens? You younger people need to remember that if you live long enough you will be a senior and it comes much quicker than you realize now. They want to eliminate any assistance for sending your children to college, some want to eliminate public schools and the list of cuts for the middle class goes on. How do you think you will ever earn enough money to do all this, plus possibly have to care for your parents if they no longer have social security or medicare, and still be able to save enough to take care of yourself when you are a senior? Unless you are in the 1% I can guarantee you that you can't do it. Think long and hard before you cast your vote for any Republican. They just don't get it, how can they when they are so wealthy that none of these costs even cause them to bat an eye? Most of the rest of us know very well how hard it is to get by on what they would consider pocket change.
Oh, that same 700 billions that Ryan plans to fund tax cut for the rich for the next 10 years.
Between Obama using that same money for millions of uninsured and Ryan using it for more tax cut. I guess the media failed to mention that.
witchking
you are being fed false and and in accurate information especially if you are getting it from the center on budget and policy priorities.
Even the CBO cannot determine how much in increased revenues Will be in the treasury by the Romney proposals. past experiences from the previous tax cuts for everyone under Reagan and Clinton have produced substantial revenue increases.
Bush cuts only provided modest increases as he did not reform loop holes like Reagan and Clinton did.
Romney said he will create 12 millions jobs in his first term. Anyone care to explain how he is going to do that?
Or is this another sale pitch to get vote?
Sale pitch and lie. Just like everything else Replicans say.
Gee, now the Romney campaign is about Flip Flop not just Romney, looks like they will say anything just to get votes, what this shows is how weak their stance is, they themselves are their worst enemies.
"It is not the government's jobs to create jobs. That is up to the PRIVATE sector"- John Boehner. Of course who is running on "creating jobs" AGAIN? The jerkwad gop/tp who as usual, talk out of both sides of their LYING MOUTHS!!!! Leave MC alone. Leave my SS ALONE!!! Leave ME alone and let us "live" for a change. I can't afford to keep subsidzing Big Oil, MORE wars and MORE tax cuts that have not done JACK to "create jobs". Stop VOTING in MORE of these fascists America!!!
Will the GOP's counter-offensive on Medicare be enough?
Yes, it will be enough to convince their less-educated, right-wing electorate to continue to vote against their own interests.
---------------------------------
Excerpts:
Last summer's Canadian study is one of many finding that people with conservative beliefs are likely to be of low intelligence.
-- Biology? Fallopian tubes do not release eggs to rapist sperm.
-- Economics? Automatic improvement when rich people pay no taxes.
-- Criminal science? Guns don't kill people, people kill people, tactical weapons on demand.
-- Planetary science? Climate change not happening, or if so, God-caused, not anthropogenic.
-- World geography? Flat.
Where are the conservatives today who can make a cogent argument about conservative views that doesn't alienate women, blacks, the middle class? Those of us on the left, socialists like me, who relish a good debate, are doomed along with that lost breed. There's no one left with a brain with whom to debate.
Having de-funded American education, bankrupted the treasury with a dumb war, and shredded the safety net, the cynical right has certainly made gains among the ill-educated, who are scientifically predisposed to God, guns, xenophobia, and fear of feminism.
http://pss.sagepub.com/content/23/2/187
http://article.wn.com/view/2012/08/22/Mr_Akin_and_the_Apocalypse_of_the_Republican_Mind/
If Romney cared about seniors, he wouldn't have picked Ryan. Now that he has, he has to do damage control on Medicare and S.S. (which means lying and hoping enough seniors are dumb enough to believe him), because, Ryan has no compassion for the elderly. Obama certainly hasn't helped on this subject, but the elderly are better off with the Dems. on this.
Will the person who fully understands the healthcare reform act ( Obama care ) please raise their hand.... waiting..... waiting... waiting.... thats right NO ONE FULLYUNDERSTANDS THIS BILL. It was russhed through by the President while he had Democratic control. Other wise it would not have gotten passed. Then the supreme court voted on it was legal ONLY because they decided to call the penalties a tax even though it is my understanding tax collection isn't mentioned in the bill.This document is so complex we will never know the full consequinces of it . New things will come out of it for a generation. It still seems that my rights are being violated when the government can order me to have to buy something from a private company. What will be next ? Will we be ordered to buy a GM product because they still owe us a few billion that was actually buying votes for this election and nothing more. Remeber Ford did just fine without any stimulus money.
Those of you who keep pointing to factcheck and politifact as verification of your opinions please. We all know these two groups favor the Democratic view and are hardly un-biased. I am growing tired of the mud slinging on both sides and it is further proof that regardless who we put in the oval office nothing will change for the better. Until we all view each candidate , not by political affiliation, but by record and what is best for the country not just ourselves, We will remain on the downhill slide we are on. The President can't do squat without a supportive congress and Senate and until we get the people in office who truely work for the people and not a partyline we are screwed. Vote for who is best suited for the job. Not because the is a D or R beside their name. It is time to vote responsibly or shut up
The larger the pool the smaller the cost!
Break it up automatically raises cost.
They are going to lose this election.
Babby boomers will eventually see through it.
U can look at it as the government or you can wake the f up and realize it is your government.
Standards are absolutely necessary look around you.
Personally I think one pool for all paying 60% of cost and personal responsibility for the rest, out of pocket or health insurance.
It's flexible with out a republican or democrat cliff.
It is the law of large numbers, who's using it?
xe
"Sale pitch and lie. Just like everything else Replicans say." You mean like this sales pitch? If you pass my stimulus bill, then unemployment will never go above 8%. How about "Hope and Change?" Talk about another dem pitch and lie. BTW I am an independent, and have voted for both in past elections
The Fundamentalist Corporate Republican't Teabag party can dream. But it still will not help them. Dispite what NBC has said, Wisconsin is solid behind Obama, and due to the Monster Paul "Kill Medicare" Ryan addition to the Corporate Raider Willard "Tax Cheat" Romney dismal candidacy, Florida, Iowa, Ohio, and maybe even South Carolina and North Dakota are jumping the republican't ship.
Grandma still hates the Republican't Plan. The Senior Citizens will not accept a 75 dollar a year voucher to go toward buying a 2,000 a month Insurance plan from a Big Wig Health Insurance Company, and Seniors will not tolerate the Republican't cutting off Medicare and Social Security for those below 55 because Seniors want their Grandchildren to have the same benefits as they do. The Addition of Monster Paul "Kill Medicare" Ryan is enough to plunge Corporate Raider Willard "I love tax havens" Romney's Presidential Campaign down the toilet.
And there is no way out of it.
And thats my opinion.
Look at the polls. Romney/Ryan are either winning or even. This is dispite the lies and misdirection the Dems have campained on. Why doesn't Obama run on his own record?
The GOP is hoping to develop credible lies and misinformation in time for the debates. Voters must realize that when the Gop is caught in multiple lies it takes time to develop storys and time lines that are somewhat believeable.
@News 98; you do realize you just made yourself look like a total ass don't you. grow up at least learn how to be mean tactfully and how to lie with dignity
He did and with his promises he won overwhelmingly. But better than that he enacted his campaign promise to create a health care system in America that isn't regulated by profit. I can now buy health care insurance where before Obama no corporation would sell it to me.
He has done more than most presidents in his first 3 years and shouldn't be compared to any other president other than FDR because of the economy that was left for him to fix. "Don't blame the clean up crew for the Tsunami!"
Hey Grandma - I got news for ya. Medicare is going BROKE! Its going more broke every day! Its quaint of you to talk about children and grandchildren. If you really have any you might ask them how they’re gonna pay that $35 TRILLION bill politicians like Obama have already stuck them with. Here’s another bit of news, if medicare isn’t changed there won’t be any medicare for anyone, including you.
*Yawn* Fox News feed you that?
Ronald Regan triples debt during his 8 years (the first president to take our debt into the trillions) - thats OK.
Obama stuck paying for 2 unfunded wars, deficit creating tax cuts and a completely dysfunctional congress - and "HE'S A SOCIALIST!1!!"
You people are clowns.
I thought news98 did a very nice job with his post. Libbies just have a hard time admitting that obumbo is a dismal failure and is in over his socialist head. We have been in a tailspin for nearly 4 yrs and the people want results, not excuses.
Mitt/Paul 2012 to save America from the stupidity of this failed president.
I am currently on Medicare, I hope they open up the Romney/Ryan Plan so I can participate in it! Medicare pays for @!$%#. and it will get worse if we have to keep Obamacare. The Drug RX Plan works well, you just have to do your homework and look for the one that best suits you. I use to end up paying over a thousand dollars at the end of the year because of the doughnut hole, with the plan I now have I PAY NOTHING!
Quick question, why are the libtards the first to respond to any thread? Could it be they are unemployed? Hows that hope and change B.S working for ya? more smoke and mirrors from the bottom feeders
Obama gutted medicare in favor of "Obamacare". It is only a matter of time before the system goes bust. The fact is Obama's Presidency is a failure. This is what happens when a community organizer ascends to the Presidency. He needs to be voted out of office and take Biden, Pelosi and Reid with him.
So are the dems saying we should stick to the current Medicare model? You know the one going bankrupt?
Or are they pounding the tax the rich for Medicare drum?
You do know that that Rich can't pay for everything you want they don't have enough money?
Mike - "Obama stuck paying for 2 unfunded wars, deficit creating tax cuts and a completely dysfunctional congress"
He didn't get stuck, he volunteered for the job. How long have we been out of IRAQ, and what was the total cost of that during his term? Afghan is his war, he said it himself.
Second point, the Dems controlled all three branches of the Government for his first two years, so if you including the Dems in the dysfunctional point, you have a decent point.
At least the Republicans are addressing the looming catastrophe. Obama and the Democrats are doing the same old 'kick the can down the road' routine - leaving some future President and Congress to struggle with an far bigger problem.
Ignoring a rapidly growing problem is not what leadership is all about.
FACTS FACTS show us facts and where you got them.. what you write is grossly untrue..
allan BONE IN :-) since ryan speaks out of both sides of hyis mouth.. stimulus monies were good enuf for him.. even though he had a temper tantrum when it passed.. .. and the job's bill came flooding in and 39 of them are still settiing on BONERS desk gathering dust..
plus what the republicans plan on doing is CONTROL every woman's body. I suppose there will have to be a certificate issued for every woman and her health care.. that should lead to smaller gov't
Thats odd - I feel the exact same way about your ilk. At least the feeling is reciprocated (big word I know - let me know if you need a dictionary).
TOM PLYMOUTH
it is so interesting reading your justification on the wars and all.. NOW let's all not forget where this huge deficit came from.. when BUSH43 ran out of washington he lleft behnd him aa deficit of $11.7 billion dollar deficit.. all you republicans seem to forget that... all that from a war that was started as revenge for bush43's father WMD's did not and still do not exist.. it would be really great if you used the facts when beating up on the president CBO info us3ed for facts in this comment
Obama refused Medicare the option to seek cheaper drug prices....I cant stand GOP or Dems, either way we are screwed out of healthcare anyways and will have to flee to Mexico if were faced with illness...
Its not profitable for doctors to exist in America
First off - I do include dems in that statement. Thats why I said congress - and not simply the House.
And repubs controlled congress and the presidency from 2000-2006 - whats your point? Are you saying they accomplished more? LOL
Spoken like a true ignorant bottom feeder?
And why arent you working now instead of posting on a message board? Could it be you are a bum on SSI with a partial disability?
How so? Ryans plan increases debt for almost 30 years before paying for itself.
Is that your idea of addressing the catastrophe?
Nice try. Bush started both wars so whatever anyone says it is not "Obamas" war. He is working to get us out of there as he did in Iraq. Asking what the Iraq war during his term cost is not the issue. The republicans under Bush never put it in the budget and hid the cost under emergency declarations that don't show in the budget. Obama ended that practice and counted the hole it created in the budget figure where it should have been all along.
As for having control of the Senate and House while in terms of who had the majority they did. They also had a minority party thats only mission was to tank the country so Obama would fail and only get a single term. Under McConnells "leadership" the republicans have shattered all records for the number of filibusters and blocked bills. If you want to look at why the country is in the state it is in look to your beloved republicans and their 1800s ideas fiscal policy. Everything to the robber barons and let the people starve. They have proven themselves to be the worst enemy this country has had to face in my rather long lifetime. The only thing worse than them are the people that believe their nonsense and vote for them even tho they then turn around and take more away from the people that voted for them so they can give it to the wealthy and corporations. Even now you have a multimillionaire whos tax plan is to zeero out what little percentage of taxes he pays on the millions he makes per year. Wake up. Unless you are already wealthy the republicans don't represent you they represent the few multimillionaires that are giving them huge checks and licking their chops dreaming of the rewards they will reap if Romney/Ryan are elected. These people don't spend that kind of money with no expectation of Return On Investment.
Its interesting to me that Ryan claims he is tough on the creation of more debt..but voted for every debt increase Bush put forward...every one...it is all in the fine print..but how many will actually read..or even take the time to see just what is in that fine print the republican are handing out ? Romney is admitting to nothing...other than wanting more tax cuts for his wealthy friends..what does he stand for ? As for Ryan..he is against anything that takes away from his wealthy friends. Which will mean huge takeaways from the poor, children..and education....this is or was a country that took care of its own. Today we have politicans who are only concerned with themselves..and their wealthy lobbyist. AS for Obama not getting much done in his first term..someone explain to me just how he could get anything done with a broken down, crooked and lying congress.? The entire house, controlled by republicans has been a joke...these people were elected to work together..not as a stand alone party.
My husband was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer's three years ago. We are now at a point where this horrible disease has rendered him unable to stay at home. Fortunately he is receiving SSI (and he's not a loser) and Medicare and I have insurance thru my employer.
But we now need Medicaid to help with the outrageous nursing home costs (I don't have an extra $8,000 per month to pay for a nursing home).
To get Medicaid I am only allowed $50,000 in cash (which includes IRA's, 401K's etc). To put these into a
"Medicaid Annuity" i have to essentially take an early withdrawal out of these accounts which will be subject to all the fines and taxes associated with it.
Don't assume that if you are under the age of 55 you don't need to worry about these things just yet. That's what I thought too - and yet here we are in the middle of this Hell.
Pay close attention to the details of both sides ideas about this. Big government doesn't give a damn about the working class or our elderly (who should NOT have to liquidate everything they ever earned just to have health care!).
The Republicans does not have a clue what is happening,they are controlled by their left wing Tea Party whose thinking is so archaic its bordering on crazy,they controlled congress and their only purpose is to get rid of progress,i hope when they are sent packing this time is the last time we hear of these kooks.
Mike - when BUSH43 ran out of washington he lleft behnd him aa deficit of $11.7 billion dollar deficit.. all you republicans seem to forget that..
You do know the difference between deficit and debt correct?
FYI - Bush spend way way too much but that doesn't justify PBO doing the same.
and Gary ignorance is not Bliss! Every dollar the Government takes in that isn't spend directly on defending our country is a dollar taken out of somebody's pocket that they earned (Rich or Poor) and pissed down the drain. But some people think they should be able to keep their own money, but the Government should take others money. and those people are called hypocrites!!!!!!
We spend way too much on Military, you would think 50 - 60% of what we spend would be enough.
But some
Allen - please enlighten the rest of us with the definition of "progress"
If any of you where in management and lets say they fired the manager because he was doing a bad job. So they hire you to take over the company and staighten it out. You keep blaming everything on the other manager for the reason you can't fix the company. How long do you thing you would last before you where fired. After all you went to the job,applied for the job told the boss you can turn things around.It wasn't like he was told he had to do it!
mtb, you left out one piece and that is you asked to spend a crap load of the companies money and seen no results from it.
Tom-True,my bad!
"Republicans can never tell the truth".................oh really. I suppose the liberal media always prints the complete truth about politics, especially. That'll be a cold day in hell. Take away the media and the democrats will vanish like a fart in the wind.
Got that from Faux News(?) did you?
bobbski...next time you take a picture for your Avatar, try to get your head closer to the camera...
Oh my, another clever remark from the knuckle dragging, mouth breathing fringe of the republican party.
boobski...I am black so your "knuckle dragging" remark is very racist. Do you feel that way about Obama too as he is half black?
Yes, remember the false piece MSNBC ran on Zimmerman, and then there was the one CNN ran. Oh yeah, they both tell the truth until they get caught with their pants down that is.
Bob, you're over the edge with your racist remark. NOTHING regarding skin color was meant by the previous comment. Do you want to get uptight about the "mouth-breathing" part of the remark too? I don't care a flying flip about what color you are, and I strongly suspect that most of the rest on this vine don't either.
Stop being so sensitive, and focus on what he was talking about. He was using common phrases (not racist) to emphasize how the Republican party has become a fringe party. And they certainly have.
Bob- take your complaint to the Republican Speaker of the House talking of his own Congressmen.
Krigdummy, yeah I forgot, only the dems can play the race card. By the way, what Klan do you belong to?
Jersy, ah yes and lets not forget the lilly-white reputation for the veracity of their stories.
Amen
Uh, Bob, were you referring to me here?
Are you unable to spell a word that looks like it might not be an American English word? Kirigami is a four-syllable word, so that might be over your head.
To answer your first statement, I don't think that anyone should play the race card. And, I must say, you are the first in this series of posts to have brought up race . . . so who in that case is the racist? I would certainly hope that neither of us would be considered racist. In my case, without reference to color of skin or country of origin or anything else upon which one might discriminate, I can tell you that I don't--discriminate, that is. Not a racist of any kind, shape, personality, color, or anything else.
You then ask which Klan I belong to. I had a great laugh with this question, since you obviously don't know who I am, nor have you read any of my posts over the last several years.
Asking about my Klan, I can only reply that I am a member of the family clan. I am member of the human race, so if that makes me racist, so be it.
Top Drum: It wasn't the main stream media that sued and won the right to lie, it was Fox.
Every time one of the phoney Obama is taking away your medicare ads comes on, I feel like the television might burst into fire from so many lies spewing out!
Does one person really buy that Republican'ts want TO SAVE MEDICARE? This gets 10 Pinocchio's, and a LIAR,LIAR pants on fire! LMAO!
The desperation has gone up twenty notch's, vaginal probes anyone?
Yeah..................the democrats are suffering from PMS, again!
@TopDrum: I see you've crawled out form under the rock again.
Romney and Ryan = Together still don't have a complete brain.
And when you find out it's true, you will be one of the loudest complainers, sold down the river.
The GOP is in a death spiral. War on women, on Latino's, on African Americans, on working class families. Look at the GOP demographics and you see an aging membership that is rapidly dying off.
They stole power and then they over-reached. Trickle down farce. Giveaways to the uber rich.
Now we have Mittens Romney with his hidden off shore assets and Paul Ryan "No exceptions for rape or insest.
Bye bye GOP, you will not be missed.
That is what usually happens when a political party is dominated by knuckle dragging, mouth breathing, idiots.
bobbski (cute name), why are you describing the Democratic pary - very racist by the way (knuckle dragging)....
It isn't the democrats who are heavily engaged in voter suppression in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida, etc..
Boobski..yeah what a terrible supression to require people to prove that they are registered legal voters...the nerve of them. Need to change that Avatar..people are feeling uncomfortable.
The issue is government issued photo IDs, not "proving that they are registered legal voters". If you've ever voted, you know you have to provide ID. With 10 cases of in-person voter fraud in the past 12 years, it's simply not an issue. And there is zero reason to limit early voting.
Who doesn't have driver's licenses? People in cities, minorities, people in poverty, seniors, college students. It's a poll tax, plain and simple. it's voter suppression by Republican governors, and it's plain un-American to deprive citizens of their Constitutional right to vote.
Voter fraud only exist in the mind of a republican-tea bag. Like I said before, I'm not worried about the intent of the people to re-elect President Obama. But, I’m especially worried about Voter Suppression in PA, FL, and Ohio, which could be a big problem. The real voter fraud occurring is going on with the republicans in power. I'm hoping that the civil rights marches start again, in order to bring this issue up nationally and show these republican thugs that they won't get away with it.
At worst, I hope it doesn't have to come to peaceful civil disobedience in which suppressed voters such as in PA are bused by the thousands to heavy republican areas, and voting in their republican locations is disrupted, by protest or a blocked sit in. Think about it, the police would be forced to arrest and id the folks being arrested and there is the proof of ID needed provided by the police.
However, that is what it takes to get some peoples attention. In this case it's known as leveling the playing field.
You are delusional and pretty small minded.
The only voter fraud that has occurred has been the fraud committed by the Republican party during the various GOP elections and state conventions. Why are the duly elected delegates from Maine be locked out of the convention ? Why was there fraud in Iowa, Colorado, Maine, and other locations where, although he lost the election, Mitt Romney was awarded all or most of the delegates ?
The Republican party is only interested in the voter fraud they can get away with.
Jersey Girl, you do seem to have a knack for name-calling. What's with that . . . don't have anything of substance to say?
.......the republ;ican party is only intersted in the voter fraud they caan get away with
Exactly!! The GOP is helping the rich buy the country and since they see that may not be enough they are going to try accusing someone of voter fraud. That's something they know all about ask, the state of Florida and some of those Supreme Court Justices. Please people don't keep falling for thee GOP bull crap. Especially if you are not making less than $50,000 a year. They only need or want your vote. They will screw you too.Please wake up. DimWit Mitt and his Guppie-Eye Flunkie are trying to pull a con job, lets show them and the GOP you have fooled us long enough.
Bob, I see you're still accusing people of racist remarks. Totally unnecessary and untrue. Don't you have anything worthwhile to say? If this is it, I'm not sure why you're bothering to be on this vine at all.
What I find funny is Romney and Ryan keep talking about "thievery" for Obama to cut 700 billions in subsidies for health insurance that no longer needed. Yet Ryan plans to use that same 700 billions to fund tax cut for the rich in the next 10 years.
Really Ryan? 1 TRILLION in tax cut for 12 years is not enough and you want 700 billions more?
Honest people don't need a "strategy" unless said strategy is just to tell the truth. When was the last time a republican told the truth? I'll give you a hint. he was a general before becoming the president and they only black and white television in his day. Republicans and vouchers? they can't stand anything that does not put money in their pocket. medicare and SS are "NOT FOR PROFIT" insurance plans. they both give republicans NERD RAGE.
And hey jersey girl, stop embarrassing our state. MOST people here are reasonable. (not like our Governor )
Repuglicans want to talk about voter ID like that is the main reason they lose elections in heavy turn outs. Folks like this Bob fellow above. Like ileagal voters show up in droves to vote against them. Yeah right dude. Sooner or later you are going to have to come to grips with the reality of the matter. You have bad ideas. Bad human beings in charge. Bad breath and teeth and most of all Bad eyesight. Remember one thing when you go to the polls this November. Everything Romney says he is going to do. Is exactly what he is not going to do. He just just wants your vote. He couldn't kill Obamacare if he wanted to which he doesn't. Nope he will try to take credit for it though you can be sure. Which is why I will join you all in calling it Obamacare. No new taxes sound familiar? Yes hope and change to be fair. Difference is I didn't vote for hope and change I knew it was campaign elect me crap. I voted for him so I could sit back and watch conservatives lose their fool minds and not one of you disappointed me. In fact your whining and rascist contorting more than exceeded my wildest expectations. Hooray for the GOP. Gullible Old People.
I still remember NAFTA when Clinton signed it was to be the best thing to ever happen to the middle class. He forgot to mention it was the middle class in China and India . Obama didn't mention the the Healthcare bill was a multi billion dollar tax bill either. But the supreme court pointed it out a few weeks ago we will all get to pay for that too.
Well considering we pay many billions to pay for people to go to the emergency room already I think it is an improvement and will also help people get preventitive care which in the long run will cost less. What Clinton forgot to mention was that Bush and Cheney were going to use it to screw the middle class and send all our manufacturing companies and customer service banks over seas. He didn't mention it because he didn't think anyone would do that to his own countrymen and that was his failure. To recognize the greed of his competition. Nice try.
Bob113.....................you must be doing something right!! The libbies keep collapsing you! But they have nothing to work with so they just attack. Never fear, though, obumbo is a GONNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why Mitt Romney is Unlikable!
A lot is being said in the media about Mitt Romney not being "likable" or that he doesn't "relate well" to people. Frankly, we struggled to understand why. So after much research, we have come up with a Top Ten List to explain why he is "unlikable."
Top Ten Reasons To Dislike Mitt Romney:
1. Drop-dead, collar-ad handsome with gracious, statesmanlike aura. Looks like every central casting's #1 choice for Commander-in-Chief.
2. Been married to ONE woman his entire life, and has been faithful to her, including through her bouts with breast cancer and MS.
3. No scandals or skeletons in his closet. (How boring is that?)
4. Can't speak in a fake, southern, "black preacher voice" when necessary.
5. Highly intelligent. Graduated cum laude from both Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School ...and by the way, his academic records are NOT sealed.
6. Doesn't smoke or drink alcohol, and has never done drugs, not even in the counter-culture age when he went to college. Too square for today's America ?
7. Represents an America of "yesterday", where people believed in God, went to Church, didn't screw around, worked hard, and became a SUCCESS!
8. Has a family of five great sons....and none of them have police records or are in drug rehab. But of course, they were raised by a stay-at-home mom, and that "choice" deserves America 's scorn.
9. Oh yes.....he's a MORMON. We need to be very afraid of that very strange religion that teaches its members to be clean-living, patriotic, fiscally conservative, charitable, self-reliant, and honest.
10. And one more point.....pundits say because of his wealth, he can't relate to ordinary Americans. I guess that's because he made that money HIMSELF.....as opposed to marrying it or inheriting it from Dad.
Apparently, he didn't understand that actually working at a job and earning your own money made you un-relatable to Americans.
My goodness, it's a strange world, isn't it?
*****************************************************
Personal Information:
His full Name is: Willard Mitt Romney
He was Born: March 12, 1947 and is 65 years old.
His Father: George W. Romney, former Governor
of the State of Michigan
He was raised in Bloomfield Hills , Michigan
He is Married to Ann Romney since 1969; they five children.
Education:
B.A. from Brigham Young University ,
J.D. and M.B.A. from Harvard University
Religion:
Mormon - The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints
Working Background:
After high school, he spent 30 months in France as a
Mormon missionary.
After going to both Harvard Business School and
Harvard Law School simultaneously, he passed the Michigan
bar exam, but never worked as an attorney.
In 1984, he co-founded Bain Capital a private equity
investment firm, one of the largest such firms in the United States .
In 1994, he ran for Senator of Massachusetts and lost
to Ted Kennedy.
He was President and CEO of the 2002 Winter OlympicGames.
In 2002, he was elected Governor of the State of
Massachusetts where he eliminated a 1.5 billion deficit.
Some Interesting Facts about Romney:
Bain Capital, starting with one small office supply store
in Massachusetts , turned it into Staples; now over
2,000 stores employing 90,000 people.
Bain Capital also worked to perform the same kinds
of business miracles again and again, with companies
like Domino's, Sealy, Brookstone, Weather Channel,
Burger King, Warner Music Group, Dollarama,
Home Depot Supply and many others.
He was an unpaid volunteer campaign worker for
his dad's gubernatorial campaign 1 year.
He was an unpaid intern in his dad's governor's
office for eight years.
He was an unpaid bishop and state president of
his church for ten years.
He was an unpaid President of the Salt Lake
Olympic Committee for three years.
He took no salary and was the unpaid Governor of
Massachusetts for four years.
He gave his entire inheritance from his father to charity.
Mitt Romney is one of the wealthiest self-made men
in our country but has given more back to its citizens
in terms of money, service and time than most men.
And in 2011 Mitt Romney gave over $4 million to charity,
almost 19% of his income.... Just for comparison purposes,
Obama gave 1% and Joe Biden gave $300 or .0013%.
Mitt Romney is Trustworthy:
He will show us his birth certificate
He will show us his high school and college transcripts.
He will show us his social security card.
He will show us his law degree.
He will show us his draft notice.
He will show us his medical records.
He will show us he has nothing to hide.
Mitt Romney's background, experience and
trustworthiness show him to be a great leader and
an excellent citizen for President of the United States .
You may think that Romney may not be the best
representative the Republicans could have selected.
At least I know what religion he is, and that he won't
desecrate the flag, bow down to foreign powers,
or practice fiscal irresponsibility.
I know he has the ability to turn this financial debacle
that the current regime has gotten us into. We won't
like all the things necessary to recover from this
debt, but someone with Romney's background can do it.
But, on the minus side, he never was a "Community
Organizer", never took drugs or smoked pot, never
got drunk, did not associate with communists
or terrorists, nor did he attend a church whose pastor
called for God to damn the US . [Oooops!]
Im curious how you can speak to this exhaustively.
LOL
Except for those pesky tax returns.
It looks like you forgot one thing: showing us his taxes. Many other past nominated presidential candidates had too, why can't Romney? And how do you know he never got drunk or smoked pot?
Absolute crap. Try calling his college and getting them. You won't be able to, because it is private information and colleges are not allowed to release that private information. This goes for everyone... Romney, Obama, and even you.
The whole documents being sealed thing is an absolute lie and you'd have to be spectacularly naive to fall for it.
Fisty Redhead...you just keep overlooking those rising unemployment numbers...that is just what we want you and the rest of your delusional followers to do. The day of recogning is near....or as Michelle recently said to a group "make sure to get out and vote on Nov. 2". To rich, you can't make this stuff up. I think she was referring to Husseins golf game that day, but we sure hope you encourage all of you trolls to do the same!
"make sure to get out and vote on Nov. 2"
Cite please.
Bobbski...Weekly Standard. Not sure if you could follow going to a link so here it is:
Michelle Obama, speaking yesterday at a campaign event in Florida:
The presidential election this year is November 6.
Please don't tell her anything..we love her message! Just let her keep talking and gorging on hamburgers.
Post the link.
Rock on Michelle, the people love you!
Boobski...here you go, let me know if you need help..you Dems expect the Government to do everything for you so maybe get them to do this for you:
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/michelle-obama-get-polls-november-2_650573.html
Florida Division of Elections:
Early voting begins 10 days before an election and ends on the 3rd day before any election in which there is a state or federal office race. Early voting may be held for a maximum of 12 hours, but no less than 6 hours, a day. The hours for each day for each early voting site during that period are set at the Supervisor’s discretion. Supervisors of Elections designate early voting sites 30 days prior to an election. Early voting is held in the main or branch office of the Supervisor of Elections. Supervisors may also designate any city hall or public library geographically located so that all voters in the county will have an equal opportunity to cast a vote. Please contact your Supervisor of Elections for dates, times and location.
http://election.dos.state.fl.us/voting/early.shtml
Bob-1136191, The Weekly Standard? Seriously? Really? When I saw that was your source I almost busted a gut laughing. You DO know what the "Standard" in the name of that publication stands for, right?
Re-elect...your point? Nov. 2 is 4 days before..she can't even get that right (probably too busy scheduling that next vacation or Hollywood event at the White House?
Re-Elect Obama 2012, you must remember that The Weekly Standard is a purveyor of political fiction for mouth breathing, knuckle dragging conservatives.
In addition to the hidden Obamacare taxes, the law reaches directly into your pocket in several ways:
Bob-1136191 - Obviously you have no clue about Florida early voting but keep on embarrassing yourself, you pretty much hit a nadir by admitting you read The Weekly Standard.
Bob 1136191 the "Weekly Standard" Billy Crystal makes up his own news, it is easier than reporting on real events
And you all assume that MSNBC and CNN doesn't make up the news even though they have been caught doing so. Tsk tsk.
So she made a simple mistake, whatever.
Early voting ends on 11/2 in Duval County and early voting favors Democrats anyway.
She later went on to refer to Election Day and November 7th as the day after, etc.
NON-troversy.
How bout that Akin guy and how he and Paul Ryan co sponsored the forcible rape bill, and the personhood bill in the House? Or should we talk about Romney's lies on Medicare and Welfare?
Boobski..I live in Florida...by the way, Nov. 2 is 4 days off...please for us, take off that avatar.
HEY BOB lol you overlooked them when Bush was pres and the dow was 7k. duhhhhh
its funny how some of you violate the rules and vote to collapse comments for no reason.
I read Harley chic post and all she did was post some of the 28 hidden taxes to the middle class in the so called ACA bill.
I have informed newsvine of the hypocrisy being done by some of you posters.
This is suppose to be a nuetral site to post comments as long as they are not offensive in language,racist,etc. I have posted accurate information with references and they to have been collapsed.
Of course they were reinstated and I have reported the abuse to Newsvine.
collapse= nerd rage.
Harley Chic and Jersey Girl have made more sense than all the libbies combined. You can tell that they are getting to the libs as their posts get collapsed quickly.
Mitt/Paul 2012 End the insanity!!!!
John -1960608
They are not hidden taxes, mandory tax for people who don't want to get insurance, that not part of aca, racing medicare tax is worth having that to make sure the program is solvent. higher tax on people who make more then 250,000, obama was talking about for long time. Nothing hidden about it.
During the debates, I can't wait to hear Soetoro's responses about the economy, the national debt, umemployment, a balanced budget. "You didn't build that". "Blame GW".
Who is "Soetoro"?
"Soetoro" is how the knuckle draggers and mouth breathers refer to Obama. It was his step father's name when he lived, as a child, in Indonesia.
"Willard" is the kindest term used here in moonbatland to describe the GOP nominee..
I have a step-father but I kept my father's name. From everything I've read, President Obama was never adopted by his step-father. Isn't "Willard" Romney's first name? There's nothing pejorative about it.
We can do better than that VP Bob. Willard Mitt-Wit Romney the talking lying buffoon, as the Republican choice for President of the United States. You people really sit your bar low.
Bob in Virginia - I hate to tell you this and I know you're going to be dumbfounded but Willard is Mitts name. What else ya got?
Obama/Biden 2012
well Topdrum
THE CONS-ervatives flushed our ECONOMY DOWN THE TOILET and you are saying that
WHO WAS THE LAST REPUBLICAN INEPT THAT TOOK OUR COUNTRY FROM ECONOMICAL SURPLUS to
WHY YOUR CONS-ervatives leaders don't want Junior's name to be mentioned BUT YOU STILL PUSHING HIS AGENDA ?
Ps. My dear fellow TopD. Obviusly the TAX BREAK FOR THE WEALTHY IS NOT WORKING ( Those tax breaks have been in place untouched OVER A DECADE and yet, UNEMPLOYMENT STILL TOO HIGH).
TIME TO KICK OUT ALL CONS-ervative from office. NO CONS-ervatives in office, THERE WILL BE NOBODY TO DEFEND CORPORATED FREE-LOADERS.
Period, end of the story.
Amen
There is NO, NATA issue that the republican have a factual advantage on
"We want to make sure we preserve and protect Medicare," Romney claimed.
Congressman Paul Ryan is best known as the author of a budget so radical The New York Times called it "the most extreme budget plan passed by a House of Congress in modern times." With Mitt Romney's support, Ryan would end Medicare as we know it and slash the investments we need to keep our economy growing -- all while cutting taxes for those at the very top.
We find Mitt Romney GUILTY of lying to the American people. If he and Ryan were to be elected, then Medicare would be gone. Case closed.
Thankfully, R&R for the R&R* don't stand a chance, and will be beaten by Obama/Biden like Red-Headed Step Children.
...
(* R&R for the R&R - Romney & Ryan for the Rich & Richer)
You are right Bruce. November election is a choice :
Again, THE CHOICE IS UP TO THE PEOPLE. We are not pushing anyone. It's all UP TO THEM.
Ps. CORPORATIONS CANNOT NO VOTE, BUT WE THE PEOPLE DO. VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS
Medicare is not staying the same under Obama and my wife is already a victim of that as she is losing her dental and vision benefit thanks to Obama and has been informed that her Medicare advantage is going away.
Under Romney the 716 billion that Obama took will be put back into the Medicare trust fund, Medicare advantage will stay, and those 55 and under will have a choice to stay with the existing traditional Medicare or select a plan that fits their needs.
Medicare Advantage is actually very similar to the voucher plan.
My wife has a good plan and it cost only $29 a month and she does not want to lose it.
ROMNEY/RYAN 2012.
Medicare Advantage: Insurance "disguised as MC" when all they are is more managed care plans with all the restrictions and hoops people have to jump through to make sure their claims are not denied for "no referral from PCP, no pre-cert for scheduled hsp stays and surgery, high cost tests denied if THOSE are not pre-certified and approved through the HMO, POS plan first and higher copays for seeing a specialist vs the PCP". I know all about these plans and for most elderly patients that were "conned into buying them", as a medical biller, they were confused and angry at the things they were NOT told about these so-called "MC replacement plans" and it was'nt until claims got deneid that traditional MC and a Medigap supplement would have paid, they're getting denials and we on the provider end, had to fight for pymt.
Try dealing with that crap when you're old, sick and/or in an SNF? The only thing these "replacment/Advantage plans" have in common with traditional MC is that they have to reimburse providers at the same current CMS rates and that's it "john". I can't COUNT how many retroactive "referrals" we had to try and do after one of these lovely plans denied someone's claims for not getting one and the window of time to complete one after the DOS had passed was almost impossible at times. Who gets billed then? The PATIENT does whereas if a provider accepts MC "assignment with regular MC" and they d/n do soemthing in accrdodance with MC/CMS g/l and/or use the proper codes to indicate that a particular was TX is n/c and the patient KNOWS they'll be responsible for the bill-I.E. AODA TX, the patient is NOT charged and the provider has to write it off.
Take your "gift-wrapped" HMO crud and stick it as I dealt with all this and most elderly hated these plans.
My dear fellow John-19. we know that F(i)X NEWS want you to believe that. Let me try to EXPLAIN TO YOU; but remember john : I CANNOT UNDERSTAND IT FOR YOU. Just read it and try
PRESIDENT Obama hasn't take any money for personal benefit. That money went to paid for co-paids, mamogran and other services.
ALL IN EXCHANGE OF 'VOUCHERS' or 'DISCOUNT COUPONS, JUST IN CASE. ? ? ?
Don't forget that YOUR CONS-ervatives leaders want TAX BREAK FOR THE WEALTHY TO BE PERMANENT. Go into another UNFUNDED WAR ( against Iran this ) JUST TO GIVE THE SPOILERS TO THE SUPER-WEALTHY while you and I will be paying for the bill.
WHO WAS THE LAST REPUBLICAN STOOGE that tell us "the military spending in Iraq will be paid with the oil we take ? You know THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.
Again John. Read it, take it and thin about it. THE CHOICE IS UP TO YOU. I already did my decision. Made yours and TRY TO OPEN YOUR MIND.
2008...........Obama says "Hope and change".
2012...........Obama says "Hope to change".
TopDrum,
Such a clever child....
Forward 2012
Obama – Biden 2012 - Still Cleaning up Bush’s Mess!!!
4 more for 44!
Obama 2012/Romney 1040
Job1 - unfortunately we'll be cleaning up Bush's mess for at least another decade.
Obama/Biden 2012
It took 25 years to recover from the Great Depression in spite of 9% growth during most of the 1930s.
It will take longer to recover from this Great Recession because of republicon filibusters, hostage taking, and extortion.
Seeking
If it takes that long, you definitely hired the wrong guy!
Oh my, another clever remark from the knuckle dragging, mouth breathing fringe of the republican party. Are you a bible thumper as well?
He's a certified snake handler. All true Christians must handle venomous snakes because the Bible clearly says that if they're true believers thy will not be harmed.
Grab a big handful boys.
here's a quarter.............call someone who gives a sh!t
So you ARE a member of the knuckle dragging, mouth breathing fringe of the republican party and a bible thumper as well. Getting angry when it's pointed out only means you have unresolved issues about that.
Boobski...is that why we only see a gigantic head...show us your arms and your knuckles. I bet there is no skin on them.
Hey Bob-why r u mad at bobski was just quoting the head of the RepubliCON party in the House where he has to deal with the "knuckle draggers." Got a complaint write to the Republicon leadership
Bob, you certainly are fixated on Bobbski's avatar, aren't you? What's the problem? You've asked him to remove it previously, and now you're referring to his "giant head" (not at all true, just a facial close-up). And you can't seem to spell HIS name right, either! (And his name is only TWO syllables, not four, like mine!)
Seems to me that you are the one with the problem.
If Ryan's plan is so great why doesn't Congress adopt it for it's health care???
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-23/ryan-plan-for-health-care-doesn-t-give-constituents-what-he-gets.html
Because Harry and his minions will block it. Talk about knuckle heads, you guys take the care. I swear the only things you can repeat, are phrases someone gave you. You obviously do not have a single thought of your own or are capable of your own thoughts.
same reason they don't adopt obamacare....really? You had to ask?
JERSY GIRL 1: Can't read links can you?
"Hope to change" says Barry.
More doom and gloom about the GOP, from David Axelrod's favorite mouthpiece...
They should rename Obama-poodle First Read after that Danny Devito sitcom:
"It's Always Sunny in Obamaland"
President Obama will have an easy job responding, taking over a tanking economy, a huge budget deficit
that didn't even include the 2 wars. I know you all LOVE to pretend the Bush Adm never happened, but it took
8 long years to get us into this mess, and it also takes the Country working together Congress and Senate.
Republicans, Democrats, Independent's everyone.
And with the 24/7 faux noise machine and GOP/baggers fighting the Obama Adm every step of the way!
With citizen united ruling 100's of millions running phoney ads, but the message is coming through, the
GOP/baggers have the same old ideas, tax cuts for the rich, and deregulation's.
Obama/Biden 2012 forward not back!
Oh, let me see, Obama didn't have a clue when he ran for office four years ago that the economy was bad? He spent a ton of money running for office for years ago because he told you all he could fix it and have the deficit turned around in four years. You bought his bill of goods hook, line and sinker. Not only did he not fix the economy, it isn't far better than it was four years ago and our deficit has doubled in size. Keep drinking his kool-aid, Jim Jones followers.
what do you think of a party where the opposition wins the majority of the popular vote(54%) has a electoral college blowout and the opposition meets before he takes office to devise a strategy to make his Presidency a failure?
Is that the party that deserves your vote?
demtothedrone....I would say genius comes to mind...problem was no one had to devise a strategy. Hussein has taken care of that all by himself. On the positive side though, his golf game has improved dramatically!
The economy tanked as the elections were in their final stride so to answer your silly question - the economy changed drastically in the final months.
I suppose you will still be blaming Bush at the end of 2016, if Obama wins and gives us a $22 trillion national debt, not counting what the Affordable Care Act, now 3 times more expensive than Obama promised ($900 billion up to $2.7 TRILLION. Obama has spent almost $6 trillion to pay back favorite donors and unions and we have 26 million unemployed, unemployment over 8% for 42 months and the fewest workers vs population in history. He stated in 2008 that Bush was irresponsible and unpatriotic for $4 trillion debt added in eight years. He also said he should be a one term President if he didn't meet his objectives to turn the economy around! Quite all your scare tactics and bringing up trivial events to disguise Obama's dismal record! By the way, did you see Rep. Charley Wrangel chastizing Biden for his "y'all are going to be in chains" comment. To him, Biden WAS using race in front of a mainly black audience and was despicable and wrong! Wrangel said there was no question whether it was race baiting!
Here is my research from ww. presidentialdebt. org
OBAMA 3 years - 5T (16077.17/citizen/year with 311 million citizens
Bush Jr 8 years - 4T
Clinton 8 years - 1.5T
Bush Sr 4 years - 1.5T
Reagan 8 Years - 1.6T
Carter 4 years - 1T
Per result of 3 years of 5T deficit - A family of 4 can receive $64k per year for 3 years (not counting the 4th year)
to pay for their mortgage, student loan, food, medical etc. Do you think you deserve the 16k per year? If no, why not?
@gogobill1540
And that is a direct result of Bush's 2 UNFUNDED WARS and CUTTING TAXES ON THE UBER-RICH at the same time.
gogobill -- Problem is we had two wars, and unfunded medicare drug program, Bush tax cuts and a 12 trillion dollar debt to pay for. Oh ya the economy was in free fall and the republicans refuse to get rid of the tax cuts at least the top brackets so we had some money to spend on education and infrastructure to create jobs. Before Reagan the total debt was less than a Trillion so he better than doubled it. Bush 1 was on target to double it until he got voted out for raising taxes. Bush 2 is a little more like 6 to 7 trillion but what is a trillion or two among friends.
owencoffin - again with the stupid left wing talking points. The so called "unfunded wars" are included in the National Debt, every dime spent over revenue is included in the National debt. As for cutting taxes, I believe everyone got a tax cut from the so called "Bush tax cut", which by the way was extended by President Obama, so he is just as responsible as Bush. Further if Obama got his way and taxed only the so called "rich" it would only raise enough revenue to run the federal government for about 8 days. Even Obama admits it won't really help the deficit but as he says "It's a matter of fairness". Now if that statement isn't promoting class warfare then I don't know what does.
Owenmuffer...you mean the 2 wars that democrats voted for also. How about Husseins Afganistan debacle. the first 9 years resulted in 1,000 deaths to our soldiers, but under Nussien's watch, we just marked another 1,000 deaths in the last 27 months...Guess that doesn't count, hey genius?
Bob - Have you noticed how the left never talks about Afghanistan anymore since Obama became President? Have you ever seen the MSM publish a casualty report daily since Obama became President? All you hear from the left is "Obama got Osama" and Obama takes a victory lap. Don't hear about the deaths at the hands of the Afghanistan police and military personnel we are training. (60 in the past two years). BTW, seen any news people at Dover taking pictures of military coffins lately? I can't remember any since Obama became President.
The left is nothing but HYPOCRITES.
According to the CBO 5.4 trillion of the deficit was directly attributed to Bush's programs he enacted while Obamas was 1.4 trillion. The non partisan CBO recognizes when a president enacts a 300 billion a year drug plan unfunded it adds that 300 billion a year to every president yet to come with this debt. As does 2 unfunded wars and a 400 billion a year tax cut.
Sfcret: You realise Bush invaded Afganistan not Obama right?
94% of our national debt belongs to three people. Reagan, bush, and bush/cheney.
Larry - Yes I am aware that Bush invaded Afghanistan because the Taliban refused to surrender OBL to the United States. I have said Bush took his eye off the reason for invading Afghanistan and put it on the back burner. However, it was Obama that approved the 30,000 troop surge. It was Obama that called it "the just war". It was Obama that took a victory lap after claiming credit for the killing of OBL. I grant he gave the order for the operation which any sane person in the WH would have done. It still does not relieve Obama as Commander-in-Chief from the fact that more Americans have died under his watch than under President Bush. BTW, OBL and numerous of his Lieutenants have been killed, the main reason for going to Afghanistan, so why are we still there and why are we tolerating the killing of Americans by the people we are actually training and arming. It's time to get out now, it can be done in 6 months or less.
Obama and you lefties want to give Obama credit for withdrawing American military from Iraq because it "took place under his command". What Obama and the left won't say is that the Obama Administration tried to negotiating an agreement with Iraq to keep Americans there after the 31 Dec 2011 deadline set by President Bush. He was denied by the Iraqi government because an agreement could not be reached on criminal jurisdiction of American soldiers. Obama had NO CHOICE but to pull Americans out in accordance with the Agreement between BUSH and the Iraqi Government.
BTW, your post at 17.6 is nothing but BS.
Romney/Ryan continue to lie and lies will get you to the land of nowhere.
It is amusing to see liberal Democrats accusing anyone of lying. Even the name liberal is a lie, liberals are intolerant not liberal. Progressives are more repressive. Ethics, morals, religion, character are all foreign to a "liberal". Liberals all gravitate to socialism and socialism always gravitates to totalitarianism. Conservatives tend to mind their own business, liberals always want everyone to follow their ideology and look to government to solve their problems and aspire to be one of Obama's composite people. Just stay out of my life you mean hateful liberals.
ROMNEY/RYAN IN 2012 stop Obama's economic disaster and destruction of Medicare and SS.
Sorry toots but being liberal is not a LIE and what leads to totalitarianism is FASCISM which is what the gop/tp clearly are-FASCISTS!!!! Please look up the definitions of the terms: Socialism, Communism and Fascsim as you need too. Conservatives "mind their OWN business"? THAT party who is crushing labour rights, women's rights, VOTING RIGHTS, wants to impose their religious extremist views and make them LAW, who mandate our personal lives at every turn and want to "rule"?
The only "business conservatives mind is BIG BUSINESS as corporations are people my friends"-Mitt Robme
You are so full of crap and lies, I'd laugh but I can't anymore.
Talking about liars.Haha. We have the biggest liar in the whitehouse!!!!!!
LEST WE FORGET . . .
. . . since we now have Representative Paul Ryan who will no doubt be advising Mister Romney on the issues such as the Medicare voucher proposal. This voucher program will dramatically reduce benefits to seniors while dramatically increasing their healthcare costs, (OMB estimates that the Romney approach to Medicare/Medicaid will reduce benefits while significantly adding costs for seniors and the poor, and even AARP, which was against the Affordable Care Act has come around. Hospitals also are crying foul that the voucher program will shift already limited healthcare dollars to insurance company administrative costs; costs which far outstrip current Medicare/Medicaid administrative costs). Ryan also supports Social Security privatization. He and Romney want to hand over Social Security dollars to Wall Street (with fewer regulations to protect your retirement dollars). And let’s not forget the magical, mystical budget, where the GOP would increase defense spending while shrinking revenue (Romney plans to reduce taxes for the upper income folks, (a tack that is the reverse of Bill Clinton, who left office with a surplus). Ryan also will push his immigration agenda, (no path to citizenship for millions of kids, many of whom have never known any other country and call America home. In other words since the parents did something, which is illegal, we must punish the kids). Ryan and Romney also share a common bed regarding their opposition to the use of certain kinds of contraception (an overwhelming majority of women in Ryan’s church use various kinds of contraceptive techniques, some of which would get criminalized if Ryan has his way). And let us not forget this war on women. Ryan co-sponsored a bill with Representative Akin redefining rape as “forcible,” out of their shared belief that some women lie about being raped in order to gain access to abortion services. The bill passed, but only after the term “forcible” was removed, something that Congressman Ryan fails to mention when touting the passage of the “forcible rape” bill. Moreover, Akin got the insane facts that women who are raped never get pregnant (he believes that their biology will not allow a rapists sperm to fertilize a victim’s egg) from Doctor John Wilke, founder of the Pro LIfe Movement. This is the same physician who influenced Ryan and Romney’s pro-life stance. In fact in 2007 Romney touted the endorsement of Doctor Wilke, the uninformed physician who pushed this “Legitimate Rape" nonsense and Wilke spoke as a surrogate for Romney on the hustings).
All of this is happening on the home front, but remember, we also have the following men advising Mister Romney on foreign Affairs:
John Bolton — Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security and Ambassador to the United Nations under George W. Bush. Bolton cherry-picked intelligence reports in the rush to war in Iraq.
Elliot Cohen — Defense Policy Advisory Board and Counselor of the Department of State during the Bush administration. Cohen pushed false claims that there was a connection between Saddam Hussein and 9/11.
Robert Joseph — Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security under George W. Bush. Insisted on including the false claim that Iraq tried to buy uranium from Niger in Bush’s 2003 State of the Union Address.
Dov Zakheim — Comptroller for the Secretary of Defense under George W. Bush. He predicted that Iraq War spending would be billions less than it was.
Cofer Black — Department of State Coordinator for Counter Terrorism under George W. Bush. Black played a key roll in the CIA’s use of “enhanced interrogation techniques.”
Dan Senor — Senior Advisor and Chief Spokesman for the Coalition Provision Authority in Iraq under George W. Bush. The New York Times wrote that, ” As Iraq was entering its bloodiest days, Mr. Senor was a prophet and cheerleader for the Bush administration.”
All of these people were on the Bush foreign policy team. Now they are all on the Romney foreign policy team. In fact, Dan Senor, who was one of the most ardent apologists for the disastrous War in Iraq, has emerged as Romney’s chief foreign policy spokesman.
With Congressman Ryan added to the ticket we have the same old right wing ideas on both the domestic and foreign fronts. And let us not forget the trickle down economic theories and de-regulation, which helped reduce America’s bond rating, while helping create a worldwide economic disaster.
In light of all this I'd suggest a campaign theme song; let’s imagine Mary Hopkins singing: Those Were the Days My Friend . . . can’t you just see George W. smiling in nostalgic remembrance.
(Comments from Bolton to Senor excerpted from: Huffingtonpost.com)
Correct. Ryan's plan is carefully devised to avoid paying any Medicare for future seniors. There is nothing in Ryan's plan to control the private insurance premium costs for seniors. There is nothing to control our world-record healthcare costs in the US. So, of course, private insurance companies will price future seniors out of the market due to the liabilities of the age-related diseases of senior citizens that they do not want to pay for. Private insurance did this before our healthcare costs were at a world record, and they will certainly do it again now. But, by eliminating healthcare for future seniors and Medicare payments and later probably sneaking in something similar for Social Security, the repubs/CONservatives may finally start paying on their massive multitrillion dollar war debt in 10 to 15 years from now, that is if that money is not needed to fund more tax cuts for the super-rich so they can send more jobs to Communist China.
THANKS FOR AN EXCELLENT POST, THOMAS TYRRELL!
Show us how well you avoid paying taxes, Willard--and doesn't your church frown on your investments in Las Vegas Sands (Adelson's casino), in cigarette companies, and the National Enquirer??
Willard, where are your tax returns? Why won't you say what tax deductions you'd eliminate, or what your energy plan is? Or give any details on what your policies might be??
Why won't Ryan allow questions from reporters? Isn't he a hypocrite for advising Akin to drop out, the co-author of Ryan's bill granting full personhood to zygotes? Why are R&R trying to hide their agenda?
How can they expect to get elected by being completely opaque on all public policy issues? Or by running from the party platform and Ryan budget they professed to love during primaries?
Yes, primary voters in 2010 were pretty dumb but newsflash, GOP--you can't fool all the people ALL THE TIME. I think your time is up!
4 more for 44 Romney 1040 and a Blue Congress come November!
HuffPost, you got to be kidding to use that radical Occupy site for any reference.
unclesam
there is a good summary of Romney,s health care plan at Kaiser Health News article-Romney on Health Care.
Bankrate.com compares The tax plan differences of Obama and Romney and
the Wall Street Journal.com has the truth on the Romney Hood fairy tale along with the GSI steel story-Vulture capitalism please.
Something that's very interesting - please watch the video that is presented in the article. The interesting spot is about 2/3rds of the way through it.
Paul Ryan is specifically asked about his position on co-sponsoring the bill concerning abortion with Akin. PLEASE take some time to review what he said. Basically, what Ryan said (I'm paraphrasing from memory) was that Mitt Romney would be the President and he's the one that sets the tone for policy. If you read between the lines of what Ryan is saying - he's basically telling you that Mitt Romney is against abortion EXCEPT in cases of rape/incest - and he's behind the assumptive President's policy.
Now hold on a flippin minute here. I don't care what Mitt's policy is. As Vice-President, God forbid that something happened to Mitt Romney if he was President... I'm not worrying about what "Mitt's" position was. I would now need to worry what HIS position is. The Vice-President is there to support the President and his positions - but if something happens to the President, he's elevated to President. Therefore, his opinions are VERY important on how he - not the President - would handle things.
What you're basically being told, my fellow citizens, is swallow the crap sammich that Mitt's feeding you because I want to be Vice-President. I'll follow Mitt's agenda only so far as I have to. This man doesn't agree with Mitt's agenda on abortion rights - and you can clearly tell he'd love nothing more than to ban abortion completely (no exceptions).
While I may have a modicum of comfort with Mitt's plans (the ones I know... he's still not been exceptionally forthright on a number of critical "how would you handle this issue" questions) - I have absolutely NO comfort with Paul Ryan's Teabagger crap. Romney might have gotten a second glance (the President has failed, in my opinion, to present and fully wage the ideological war that needed to be fought - he should have used the bully-pulpit like FDR to make his case to the American people and shame the Republicans into doing what needed to be done instead of trying to pander to their whims) - but with Paul Ryan on the ticket...
Obama/Biden 2012
Why Mitt Romney is Unlikable!
A lot is being said in the media about Mitt Romney not being "likable" or that he doesn't "relate well" to people. Frankly, we struggled to understand why. So after much research, we have come up with a Top Ten List to explain why he is "unlikable."
Top Ten Reasons To Dislike Mitt Romney:
1. Drop-dead, collar-ad handsome with gracious, statesmanlike aura. Looks like every central casting's #1 choice for Commander-in-Chief.
2. Been married to ONE woman his entire life, and has been faithful to her, including through her bouts with breast cancer and MS.
3. No scandals or skeletons in his closet. (How boring is that?)
4. Can't speak in a fake, southern, "black preacher voice" when necessary.
5. Highly intelligent. Graduated cum laude from both Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School ...and by the way, his academic records are NOT sealed.
6. Doesn't smoke or drink alcohol, and has never done drugs, not even in the counter-culture age when he went to college. Too square for today's America ?
7. Represents an America of "yesterday", where people believed in God, went to Church, didn't screw around, worked hard, and became a SUCCESS!
8. Has a family of five great sons....and none of them have police records or are in drug rehab. But of course, they were raised by a stay-at-home mom, and that "choice" deserves America 's scorn.
9. Oh yes.....he's a MORMON. We need to be very afraid of that very strange religion that teaches its members to be clean-living, patriotic, fiscally conservative, charitable, self-reliant, and honest.
10. And one more point.....pundits say because of his wealth, he can't relate to ordinary Americans. I guess that's because he made that money HIMSELF.....as opposed to marrying it or inheriting it from Dad.
Apparently, he didn't understand that actually working at a job and earning your own money made you un-relatable to Americans.
My goodness, it's a strange world, isn't it?
*****************************************************
Personal Information:
His full Name is: Willard Mitt Romney
He was Born: March 12, 1947 and is 65 years old.
His Father: George W. Romney, former Governor
of the State of Michigan
He was raised in Bloomfield Hills , Michigan
He is Married to Ann Romney since 1969; they five children.
Education:
B.A. from Brigham Young University ,
J.D. and M.B.A. from Harvard University
Religion:
Mormon - The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints
Working Background:
After high school, he spent 30 months in France as a
Mormon missionary.
After going to both Harvard Business School and
Harvard Law School simultaneously, he passed the Michigan
bar exam, but never worked as an attorney.
In 1984, he co-founded Bain Capital a private equity
investment firm, one of the largest such firms in the United States .
In 1994, he ran for Senator of Massachusetts and lost
to Ted Kennedy.
He was President and CEO of the 2002 Winter OlympicGames.
In 2002, he was elected Governor of the State of
Massachusetts where he eliminated a 1.5 billion deficit.
Some Interesting Facts about Romney:
Bain Capital, starting with one small office supply store
in Massachusetts , turned it into Staples; now over
2,000 stores employing 90,000 people.
Bain Capital also worked to perform the same kinds
of business miracles again and again, with companies
like Domino's, Sealy, Brookstone, Weather Channel,
Burger King, Warner Music Group, Dollarama,
Home Depot Supply and many others.
He was an unpaid volunteer campaign worker for
his dad's gubernatorial campaign 1 year.
He was an unpaid intern in his dad's governor's
office for eight years.
He was an unpaid bishop and state president of
his church for ten years.
He was an unpaid President of the Salt Lake
Olympic Committee for three years.
He took no salary and was the unpaid Governor of
Massachusetts for four years.
He gave his entire inheritance from his father to charity.
Mitt Romney is one of the wealthiest self-made men
in our country but has given more back to its citizens
in terms of money, service and time than most men.
And in 2011 Mitt Romney gave over $4 million to charity,
almost 19% of his income.... Just for comparison purposes,
Obama gave 1% and Joe Biden gave $300 or .0013%.
Mitt Romney is Trustworthy:
He will show us his birth certificate
He will show us his high school and college transcripts.
He will show us his social security card.
He will show us his law degree.
He will show us his draft notice.
He will show us his medical records.
He will show us he has nothing to hide.
Mitt Romney's background, experience and
trustworthiness show him to be a great leader and
an excellent citizen for President of the United States .
You may think that Romney may not be the best
representative the Republicans could have selected.
At least I know what religion he is, and that he won't
desecrate the flag, bow down to foreign powers,
or practice fiscal irresponsibility.
I know he has the ability to turn this financial debacle
that the current regime has gotten us into. We won't
like all the things necessary to recover from this
debt, but someone with Romney's background can do it.
But, on the minus side, he never was a "Community
Organizer", never took drugs or smoked pot, never
got drunk, did not associate with communists
or terrorists, nor did he attend a church whose pastor
called for God to damn the US . [Oooops!]
No but he is much worse than you think, and he goes to a church that allows him multiple wives. No wonder he doesn't think much of women beyond pregnant, barefoot and in the kitchen. And how do you know he never took drugs, were you with him through his high school years (cause you can't believe a word Romney saids). And again how do you know he never associated with communists or terrorists. If that comment is associated with the last election and what people were saying about our Pres., just you radical fanaticals dumb heads still believe what the nut case Palin was saying, the one that just gave up on Alaska because she thought she could make more money doing something else, (unbelievable).
You can go almost anywhere on the internet, and see that Private insurance has always cost more then public health care. During the beginning of the Affordable Health Act the GOP fought to keep public option off the table. Doing everything they can possibly do to keep the money coming in to the private insurance company. And now they want to do again with Medicare. Do you really want to pay for Medicare, retire at age 65 and pay more for Health care when you need it most? If our government spends more that it takes in, then they, meaning all our congress men & woman who are the top 2% money makers in the American who continuously give themselves tax-cuts to allegedly help our economy and providing more jobs, should use their money by paying their fair share of taxes to help pay down the federal deficit. Not to use our money that we paid on Medicare all of our working careers. This is not fair to all of us and we need to make our voices heard!
When 53 democrats disappeared in the great "shellacking" that took place in 2010, you would think they would learn. You can't FORCE something on people that they do not want.
Don't tell that to Paul Ryan. I hear he loves it "forcible".
mid term elections are not the same as Presidential elections. Lets see how many Congressmen you lose this time around.
In 2010, people voted out of fear because Republicans advertised Obamacare would mess up their Medicare. Many who voted weren't even aware Medicare is a government-paid program. They held signs that read, "Get government off my Medicare!" Clearly uninformed. Boy oh boy, were these voters surprised when they learned the folks they'd just voted for want to END MEDICARE.
This time, Republican ads are trying the exact same thing: "Obamacare cuts $716 billion from Medicare"--failing to mention that money comes from lowering payments to providers and streamlining data bases, i.e., so the same tests won't be done two and three times, NOT BY REDUCING ANY BENEFITS TO PATIENTS.
This time, people know the Ryan 'Medicare' plan will only give them discount coupons, with rate increases tied to GDP--while healthcare costs will rise exponentially as science improves. They'll squeeze people out of the Medicare option they just added this week (so they could get elected).
Will people be fooled again??
As for you, Harley Chic, I get that you're young & think you're invincible--of course, you don't want to buy health insurance you don't feel you need.
But the first time you and your Harley fly sidewards on wet asphalt at 80 mph without health insurance (been there, done that), you'll be just an almost dead, really banged-up FREELOADER the rest of us have to pay for. Do you remember how, during the primaries, Republicans shouted a young man with cancer and no health insurance should die?? That's how much help you'd get from the party you'd vote for, to save yourself some money. Shortsighted in the extreme!
Better to have all of us pool our resources, buy together, and use economies of scale to leverage prices down. (Btw, there is no economy of scale to bring prices down in the Ryan plan. For-profit health insurers would not be regulated or even inspired to cut profits.) Isn't it ghoulish to have for-profit healthcare? Blue Cross/Blue Shield used to be a non-profit--this year their CEO graciously took a cut in pay, all the way down to 4.6 million a year! For-profit is why we pay twice as much as the next nation for healthcare, and get half as much.
This time, American voters need to wake up and not vote against their own best interests.
Hey Duh...I mean Dee....
What do you think the "PROVIDERS" are going to do when they receive less money for their services and then have to pay for streamlining their database by having to purchase better software, equipment, hire more people?
Yeah, take a minute it'll come to you..."ding"...Yes that's right...The "PROVIDERS" will raise the costs to the rest of us not on Medicare, and then refuse to take Medicare patients.
OBRAINLESS IS GONE IN NOVEMBER!!!...
you have enough to say grace over there in Ohio - with the voter corruption. you may be so confident about President Obama losing because you and other cleaver Republicans are working tirelessly to steal this election - Republicans should be ashamed of themselves each and every one. this is not how America was
Obama 2012
For all of the whiny-righty babies who constantly bleat about how unfair MSNBC is to them just take a gander at this headline...
Counter Attack?? Really? How about a barrage of outright lies! That's what their counter attack amounts to and has been debunked by just about everyone including a lot of Republicans...
How do you know when a Republican is lying, every time they open their mouths.
When Rush is happy as well as everyone at Faux Noise because you can see how "pissed Coultergeist" got when now TWO slipped up by telling the TRUTH. Can't have ANY of that nonsense as it will mess up our propaganda "message" to brainwash, deflect and deceive our blind followers. Keep telling the BIG LIE over and over with mega-millions to help you is their "message". The truth SUCKS and will cost the fascists the election.
Attacking Obama for Medicare cuts will work for Republicans if they continue to benefit from articles like this one that fail to inform people that the Ryan budget included those same cuts 2 years in a row. The Ryan budget that Romney called "Marvelous" and said he would sign.
They won the house in 2010 by attacking these cuts, then turned around and kept them in their budget. Now the media and the public seem to be letting them get away with it again.
Barack Obama:
Alias: Barry Soetoro
Father: Barack Obama, muslin, communist sympathizer
Mother: Stanley Ann Dunham
Mother's parents; acclaimed communists
Parents married 2/2/61; Barack born 8/5/61...umm
Parents divorced 1964
Mother remarries Lolo Soetoro, Muslim, moves to Indonesia 1967
Barack adopted by Lolo and renamed Barry Soetoro age 6
Barack sent to mother's parents to live 1971. Frank Marshall Davis (proclaimed communist)
becomes Barack's mentor, while in high school. Barack becomes attracted to Marxism with help from his mentor.
Attended Occidental College (L.A., Ca) registered as Barry Soetoro and received a state grant as a foreign exchange student from Indonesia.
Barack Obama writes in his book "Dreams From My Father", that while @ Occidental, he chose his freinds very
carefully........politically active black students, along with Marxist professors and structural feminists.
After 2 yrs. he leaves Occidental and attends Columbia U. Graduates and then attends Harvard where he becomes president of the Harvard Law Review.
Barack reads "Rules for Radicals" by Saul Alinsky & embraces the concepts.
Barack Obama meets Bill Akers an unrepented terrorist & co-founder of the Weather Underground. In the 1960's, this group claimed responsibility for a dozen bombings.
Barack Obama joins the New Party formed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), the largest socialistic organization in the US.
Years later, when Barack Obama was being sworn in as IL State Attorney, he was asked (under oath) if he had ever used any other name. He responded "none".
Because the government knows people don't like to pay taxes, the architects of Obamacare shifted most of the costs to businesses. While companies may "eat" some of the extra cost, most of the money will eventually come out of the pockets of average Americans.
These more stealth Obamacare taxes include:
Whether you realize you're paying for it or not, there seems to be no escape from Obamacare taxes. As Americans will soon learn, there's no free lunch.
meetoo999 you said:
Oh no!! So now the GOP is going to be accusing the President of the United States of having had a sex change and being a former Catholic Nun !!!!!!!
Will the madness of the GOP ever end ?
Austin Powers: "It's a MAN baby!"
The CBO has already said that implementing the ACA will bring down government spending on healthcare and adding 30 million+ people to the insurance pool will more than offset these minor tax increases and the Industry agrees.
Besides, Cato is a right wing think tank and can't be trusted to give neutral analysis.
Harley Girl- so the manufacturers are cursed with the tax- to pass on or not to pass on as they gain 17 to 30 million new insurance paying customers.
metoo999 - you clearly are a me too spouting the nonsense and stupidity that has been debunked over and over and over again.
I'll just talk about two of your list - it was verified over and over that President Obama NEVER belonged to the New Party.
His association with Bill Ayers was as an acquaintance. Both taught at University of Chicago and served on the same board. They were NEVER close friends. President Obama was a child when Ayers was head of the Weather Underground. Get over it!
Your stupidity is only compounded by your eagerness to show it by making such an idiotic post.
Harley Chic - there are no words to express how totally stupid you are! Oh, and posting your nonsense in large type only emphasizes your stupidity!
Obama/Biden 2012
SleepingInsanity, did you have an extra bowl of stupid this morning? Your insults are as weak and lame as your comments. But hang in there, Obamacare might cover your mental retardation :-)
Harley Chic - clearly you are the missing link. But, if it makes you happy, go ahead and put me down. The fact that you have NO arguments about anything tells everything there is to know about you - none of it good.
You don't have any facts to post - no nothing. You regurgitate GOP talking points like a baby regurgitates formula. And, you're just about as smelly.
Now go back to riding - the biker boys want the dumb girl back. You prove that there is absolutely no sanity or class in the GOP. But, crude is in for biker chicks I hear!
Obama/Biden 2012
So you read Corsi and Malkin's books that told these lies about the President and that is OK for you I see. meto and Harley. Go see your new favorite movie 2016 and eat up MORE already debunked propaganda conspiracy theories and lies about the President.
To Bob-1136191
Take your meds, man. And take a nap. When you wake up, we'll still be laughing at your stupidity.
OK that list is psycho, and I won't waste my time debunking every single nutjob claim, but here is one:
There's no evidence President Obama was ever formally adopted by his stepfather. Indonesia didn't allow children of his age to be adopted. Indonesia also didn't allow adoption if it would create a dual-citizenship.
Even if there was any legal way for Obama to be adopted in Indonesia, he would not have lost his US citizenship. Children can't relinquish their US citizenship without proving to a US consulate/embassy that they understand the consequences of their decision, something no 6-year-old can do. Parents can’t relinquish the US citizenship of their children either. Obama was and still is a natural born citizen of the United States of America.
http://www.thefogbow.com/birther-claims-debunked1/three-theories/adopted-in-indonesia/#soetoro
for the real answers, 2016, the movie
LOL
2016, ANOTHER pile of reich wing propaganda crap to tear the President apart and tell MORE lies about him, just like that pile of garbage, "The Undefeated" wanted to make Sarah Palin look like Wonder Woman and a WINNER!!! Man, you brain-washed cons are something ELSE!!!