you didnt build that.

Because no American should have to spend their golden years at the mercy of insurance companies

Sure Mr. president, better that they should spend it at the mercy of the government.

Every tax law ever passed "redistributed" wealth;

here we go. Too funny. Sounds like Xabre neverleft. Geeze a toll on a road is a tax in order to maintain said road. not redistribute wealth.

Something conservatives routinely call communism or socialism or Marxism.

quit trying to fluff it up like people are bad by calling a spade a spade. Obama the proletariat supporter whilst being bourgeois.

after World War 2 Americans paid the highest tax rates in history. It paid off the war debt, and for some reason business and the economy thrived.

Now we have a huge debt to pay off and can't seem to balance the budget.

Romney and Ryan want to give tax breaks to the rich and the corporations they own.

How will that help get us out of the hole we've dug?

Some entitlements will need to be cut down and everyone needs to pay their fair share in taxes. Yes, even you Mitt!

Obama says.... “The truth is it’s going to take a few more years to solve the challenges that were building up over decades. But I want everybody to understand our problems can be solved"

under his breath, he said "unless we can get someone in this presidency that knows what he is doing"

fuzzy44

after World War 2 Americans paid the highest tax rates in history. It paid off the war debt, and for some reason business and the economy thrived.

To prove your point

Year Median Millionaire or Top
1%
---------------------------------------
1948 5.3% 76.9%
1955 9.1 85.5
1960 12.4 85.5
1965 11.6 66.9
1970 16.1 68.6
1975 20.0 --
1977 -- 35.5
1980 23.7 31.7
1985 24.4 24.9
1989 24.4 26.7

Ring around the collar. I completely understand your position. You conservatives have been redistributing wealth for years as Jody says. Special breaks for corporations which I utilize all the time in my biz dontcha know. So just so I get this straight:

Tax breaks for biz and the wealth "investors" and "derivitives traders" Good!

Yup I got it!

Tax breaks for the middle class BAD

What say we start selling Terrorism Bonds to pay off the wars in the AFG and Iraq. Comon connies do your patriotic duty! Mitt can be the first in line to by a $10,000.000 bond and invest in the America who provided the infrastructure to build his business.

no he won't turn Medicare into a voucher system, he'll turn it into a non existent program with his policies. Like the 716 BILLION $$$ that he's stealing from the program to fund his ego -- HC

Tax breaks for the middle class BAD

Bush tax cuts or are they Obamas now? Please do pick and choose to suit your agenda. Hey Torp if you believe Repubs are the only ones, I have some prime Real estate in Yuma, nice ocean view.

Save your talking points for the DDi Torpedo.

They just make you look like....what was that I saw Someone post earlier????

Oh yeah, a Liberal parrot.

Now watch the MSM circle the wagons

You and your BFF Scott Brown are the ones doing the wagon circling.

Jody, Iowa said:

It's called citizenship! Something conservatives routinely call communism or socialism or Marxism. No Jody, to you, a liberal, it's called citizenship. You are fully on board with redistribution of wealth... all your 15 paragraph diatribes prove what you believe. You are all in when it comes to increasing taxes, but not on everyone... only those who you believe can afford it... like the rich.

Every tax law ever passed "redistributed" wealth; it is that simple. Not true. Paying for roads, bridges, infrastructure benefits me because I get to use what I pay for. Tax increases to pay for welfare, food stamps, cell phones for people in Cleveland, their heating, electricity, day care, housing, living expenses IS redistribution of wealth.

The Bush Obama tax cuts redistributed more wealth to the wealthy as did the Reagan tax cuts. Guess only thinking people can grasp the concept that all tax laws redistribute wealth in one direction or another so why bother explaining it to those who never think. See, here's a problem. We have a liberal thinking that all taxes are bad in the minds of conservatives, and there's no convincing Jody that she is wrong. She can't grasp the concept that conservatives actually know what taxes redistribute the wealth. No wonder liberals have such a far out, skewed view of life.

Torpedo You said: Mitt can be the first in line to by a $10,000.000 bond and invest in the America who provided the infrastructure to build his business.

I guess the $3 million he paid in taxes last year don't count for any of the infrastructure or even redistribution of wealth the democrats are so fond of.

I smell tax increase, and redistribution of my hard earned money to someone else who sits on their "duff" collecting gub-mint "cheese."

Sailcat said: Looking good! The good people of Virginia will be proud to say they contributed to President Obama's victory in November!

Will they also be proud when the national debt rises to $20 trillion... and when Obamacare kicks in and our budget deficit goes to somewhere near $4 Trillion? Will they also be proud when Obama finally does give his latitude to Putin because it's after the election? Will they be proud to live in a country where an additional 20 million will be added to the food stamp count? I'm also wondering if they will be proud when unemployment never falls below 8% in the next 4 years... and to live in a country that has completely eradicated the space program.

Only in the liberal mind do these things look good.

The truth is it’s going to take a few more years to solve the challenges that were building up over decades.

bad President Obama looking for more than 4 years to shovel the steamin' pile of sh*t left by the Bush Administration. The Republicans say it should have taken less than 4!

Unless, of course, you are Willard Mitt Romney:

Doing it in the first term would cause, I believe, a dramatic impact on the economy,” Romney said. “Too dramatic. And therefore the steps I've put in place and we've put together a plan that lays out how we get to a balanced budget within eight to 10 years.

WTA, I actually agree with you. That slogan sounds like they are gonna make everyone cough up more.

RedDevPS

You and your BFF Scott Brown are the ones doing the wagon circling.

it is comical that Scott Brown stays away from anything Romney in his TV and radio adds. He keeps cheating on his BFF Romney with President Obama every chance he gets!

Nope Brian...Mitt didn't pay enough taxes especially when the construction worker who built his house or the auto worker who built his car paid a higher effective tax rate. And all of his charitable contributions went to the LDS church in which 70% of it goes to a building fund. This as opposed to other faiths who send out doctors and nurses and social workers to help the impoverished.

"Bleeding heart Liberal" comments in 3 2 1

WCA -

When you say MSM do you include Fox News, conservative talk radio and the Wall Street Journal?

Those three outlets combined means conservative voices make up a substantial part of the MSM......

Wealth distribution has taken place steadily over the last few decades. Reagan began the transfer of wealth from the middle class to the upper class which was continued by GHW Bush and GW Bush.

Clinton slowed the pace temporarily but the uber-wealthy now control the highest percentage of wealth since - you guessed it - the Great Depression.

Coincidence? I think not.

You gotta admit, "Economic Patriotism" sounds a whole lot better than "Please drink the Kool Aid again!"....

Paying for roads, bridges, infrastructure benefits me because I get to use what I pay for.

MeMeMeMeMeMeMeMeMe!!!

Brianb doesn't understand. . . well, just about everything. A small mind living in a tiny world whose walls he can reach out and touch. Nothing exists outside those walls.

TNSEVOl Please see my comment 1.12 to Torpedo.

How about some of you folks come up with an original thought other than the coordinated talking points that you all beat to death in the First Read Echo Chamber on a daily basis?

It just shows that Hussein doesn't even have a clue as to what patriotism regards.

"It's time for a new economic patriotism, an economic patriotism rooted in the belief that growing our economy begins with a strong and thriving middle class," he said.

Patriotism is the love and defense of our country, its Constitution ....

Where in the Constitution does it favor one "class" over another ... where does it emphasize one group over another and promote class envy / warfare?

America is founded on freedom and liberty, not big government control.

A president should know this .... community organizers don't.

"The truth is it's going to take a few more years to solve the challenges that were building up over decades.

Yeah, and how many more years until Summer of Recovery 2010?

This guy acknowledges his ineptitude .... and libs mindlessly ignore the reality of his ineptitude, of the worst recovery since the last great "progressive" president - FDR.

But I want everybody to understand our problems can be solved.

Duh #1 - Yeah by Romney.

Duh #2 - as if a recovery is new .... as if other presidents in the last 70 years haven't solved the problem of a recession.

Sheez .... does Obama not realize America, became the greatest country on the planet ... without him ..... before he came along?

What a detached narcissist.

The top 1% earn 24% of national income now, up from 10% in 1980.

In 1980, Reagan's plan to grow the economy revolved around trickle down economics, but in actuality he almost tripled the national debt using deficit spending to stimulate the economy through a series of tax cuts and spending measures. The Fed also stimulated the economy cutting the discount rate from 14% in March 1981 to less than 8% by end of 1982. 7 million jobs were created. The rich benefited immensely from big tax cuts as well as from the high interest rates, and then growing sales.

In 1993, Clinton raised taxes on the rich and expanded the earned income tax credit to help the working poor. This was not trickle down economics and Republicans attacked it saying it would ruin the economy. 18 million jobs were created and 4 balanced budgets were produced. Way better than Reagan did.

In 2001, Bush faced a small recession. He cut taxes to stimulate the economy. In 2003, the economy was still a bit sluggish despite spending increases on homeland security and 2 wars, so he did another tax cut to stimulate the economy.

These tax cuts are still in place. They should have expired when we had sufficient growth (3%).

Now, we have the rich with all this extra income (top 1%'s share of national income up 240% since 1980, but it isn't creating jobs. If trickle down really worked as advertised, job growth should be up 240% over the last 30 years. Instead, it is up only 1% this past year and only up an average of 0.33% over last 12 years.

It is apparent that the rationale for giving the rich all those tax cuts is fatally flawed. Trickle down did not work to create more jobs as advertised. They refuse to yield though, mounting a campaign behind their guy Romney to get even more, even though it doesn't help the rest of America.

A call to patriotism is something the rich may understand. Though there bank accounts and investment portfolios are their biggest ever, the sales of their companies is sluggish. They are perplexed. The solution is obvious, but they don't want to see that their excess wealth is the problem. An economy deprived of all the money they are sitting on, can be put into economy through tax increases and government spending. We will then all do better, even the rich.

Rich guys, we need your help to get this economy growing faster. Then you will have something more to invest in.

WhiteCollarAuto: Because Americans need another cupholder...

PIZZA! PIZZA!

Bob #'s -- You wrote:

favor one "class" over another ... where does it emphasize one group over another and promote class envy / warfare?

It's in the TAX CODE, look there.

Torpedo You said: Nope Brian...Mitt didn't pay enough taxes especially when the construction worker who built his house or the auto worker who built his car paid a higher effective tax rate. And all of his charitable contributions went to the LDS church in which 70% of it goes to a building fund. This as opposed to other faiths who send out doctors and nurses and social workers to help the impoverished.

This sounds like you are angry about it... well are you? ARE YOU? Not angry enough!!! If you have a problem with the tax code... bring it up with the Federal government who sets the tax code... I wouldn't direct it towards any individual... since he's following the rules set in place... take it up with the feds.

Hey Brian...find a job yet? Or are you still holding out for a "management position"...

The only reason why I ask is that Romney is tired of supporting freeloaders like you...(his words, not mine)...

Tax cuts aren't a way of redistributing the wealth. It's allowing those who earned the big bucks to keep what they earned. Letting someone keep what they earned is NOT redistribution when it's not the government's money to begin with.

It's in the TAX CODE, look there.

What a totally fatuous response?

cupcakes-

Tax cuts aren't a way of redistributing the wealth

Sure they are, when they are targeted to a select few. Letting one group of people keep a higher percentage of "what they earned" because it is not classified as "earned" income is redistribution.

When we reward investment much more than we do hard work it is redistribution.

Despite a sluggish GDP, Tax Revenue as a percent of GDP is at historic lows. Romney is arguing for new tax cuts that would reduce our already low top marginal rates.

How would that reduce the deficit and improve our economic situation?

Torpedo Mormons do humanitarian work and contributions for disaster relief for others, not just for Mormons as much as that doesn't fit in your view of the world.

@White Collar Auto #1: "Economic Patriotism? What the hell is that"? Read, or, better yet, have someone read "The Federalist Papers" to you. Explains it quite well actually. Several other historical ancillary written accounts available also. If we are to survive as a nation, we must re-route todays economic perversion, which also perverts the tenets of our freedoms, back to the oneness of economic and societal patriotism governed by laws and rules that hold and enhance those freedoms. We can then collectively be about the business of "the pursuit of happiness" within a great and powerful capitalistic system beneficial to all.

Mickey, ny

Those aren't Romney's words....be real.....

Romney said that since 47% of the people do not pay federal Income taxes that they would not be swayed or influenced by his Cut Taxes ideoligy...

He's right....

He also said getting people to work would solve this...

take the whole statement and context instead of the lib media spin

If it has taken decades to get to this point and will take years to fix then why in the world did you, until only very recently, blame only Bush 43 for the mess and promise during your 2008 campaign to fix it or you'd be a one-term proposition? More proof that what is said on the campaign trail, and what becomes reality, are two very different things.

tnsevol, how does raising taxes (or not letting people in higher income brackets keep what they rightfully earned or invested) reduce the deficit and improve our economic situation? The government isn't going to use that tax money to pay down the deficit. They're going to go right on spending, spending, spending because now they've got more of our money to work with. This is the same government that hasn't had a budget since 2009. Are they suddenly going to straighten up and spend wisely? Please.

WhiteCollar: I was going to say the same thing:) WHAT THE HELL IS "ECONOMIC PATRIOTISM"?!?!?

I'll translate for those on the left that don't understand - it means that EVERYBODY must pay more in taxes. Not the rich (not enough money from JUST the rich) but EVERYBODY!! You see this administration believes in the Socialist philosophy meaning what you earn is not yours - it is the governments. It is society's. It is everybody's.

So what he is saying with this bull#^$% comment is get ready for taxes on EVERYTHING going up. Sales tax. Income tax. Property tax. Social Security Tax. Medicare Tax. Oh, he will use fancy words (like "economic patriotism") and he will INSURE that ONLY the rich will pay. But if you do just a LITTLE bit of math you will find that is impossible. There are not enough "rich" people to cover this deficit. So if you reelect this incompetent president don't come crying to me two years from now when you say "but Obama said he wouldn't raise MY taxes". Well congratulations - you just got played. Scammed by your own president.

Wake up and realize that bigger government MUST mean more taxes for EVERYBODY because we ONLY have one more chance to fix this useless reckless and incompetent president. Last chance because if Obama is reelected we will not recognize our country in four years for the NEXT election and it will be too late............

@bob-1805084#1.28: No one can truthfully accuse you of being a fool. You are too gwaddamned stupid.

lforst

Romney said that since 47% of the people do not pay federal Income taxes that they would not be swayed or influenced by his Cut Taxes ideoligy...

He's right....

He also said getting people to work would solve this...

Social Security recipients (part of the 47%) have paid taxes to qualify for those benefits and dont need to "getting people to work would solve this..." as you so elegantly put

Your the one that needs to understand the whole context bud...

The rich loved Reagan's version of economic patriotism. The rest of us paid interest rates of from 14-20% to rid the nation of excessive inflation. The rich gleefully loaned us the money. The middle class sacrificed then for the greater good. And the rich profited then.

Now, we are faced with a sluggish economy and slow job growth. Obama has proposed taking back the Bush tax cuts on incomes over $250,000. This revenue could be used to grow the economy to produce needed jobs. Now, the wealthy have been called on to sacrifice for the greater good.

Sacrifice is not just for 1980's middle class.

TNSEVOL

cupcakes-

How would that reduce the deficit and improve our economic situation?

Notice how cupcake cant answer your question and can only pose a question in response?

lforst -

Those aren't Romney's words....be real.....

OK, here are Romney's words.....

There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. That that's an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what…These are people who pay no income tax.

My job is not to worry about those people. I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives

So Romney makes the crystal-clear contention that not only will 47% of the people vote for Obama, those same 47% do not pay any federal income taxes, are dependent on the government, and feel they are entitled to free everything.

Romney goes on to say that those same 47% will never be persuaded to take personal responsibilty and it is not his job to worry about them.

Romney said that since 47% of the people do not pay federal Income taxes that they would not be swayed or influenced by his Cut Taxes ideoligy...

He's right....

He also said getting people to work would solve this...

take the whole statement and context instead of the lib media spin

Romney never offered a solution, in fact he says "I'll never convince them" to act otherwise. How can you possibly spin Romney's own words that way?

The context and meaning is clear.

cupcake-

The government isn't going to use that tax money to pay down the deficit. They're going to go right on spending, spending, spending because now they've got more of our money to work with. This is the same government that hasn't had a budget since 2009. Are they suddenly going to straighten up and spend wisely? Please.

If you really believe that, why vote for Romney? Why doesn't Romney propose to first control spending, then cut taxes? Why does Romney have details for all the tax cuts and spending increases but no details about spending cuts or tax reforms?

The Romney plan of Tax Cuts and additional military spending will increase the deficit.

The Obama plan of targeted Tax Increases in conjunction with tax reform and military spending decreases will lower the deficit.

@ProBusiness#1.42: You are "pro business" in the same way a hog promotes the delicacy of chitlins.

I'm glad White Collar was the first to post. He was thinking the exact same thing I was when I read the words "Economic Patriotism." Its a catch phrase designed to make something horrific seem good. Like "Liberation Armies" or "Fighters for Freedom" that run around forcing children into their army to bolster their numbers. And commit terrible crimes of rape and murder. But they're obviously good because they are fighting promote freedom and liberty and justice. Just like their name says. "Economic Patriotism" A BS phrase to hide the nasty truth, because if Pres. Obama called it what it really was no one would fall for it.

Who said I was voting for Romney?

The fair share bleaters will be all over this 'economic patriotism' baloney.

40% of my family's income goes into federal, state, and local tax coffers. I think I'm being "patriotic" enough and also believe that is far more than any "fair share".

Mr. Obama can stuff his 'fair share' and his phony 'patriotism'.

Torpedo...

Mr. Romney paid capital gains taxes on his investments...the money used for those investments was originally earned as 'income'....assuming a multi millionaire's income was taxed at the max (35%) and then the capital gains (15%)...isn't that enough of a cut for the US goverment to mishandle ??? And out of the half he was allowed to keep, he still had his state & local taxes to pay so much of that money could be mishandled too.

But according to you he didn't pay enough ??? His federal 'contribution' was about $2,000,000 last year. Not enough ???

Our nation is becoming very sick...must be either from the water or the hot air blowing in from DC.

If there is economic patriotism, then there must economic treason. When Mitch McConnell said, on the Senate floor, that the republican's only focus would be making President Obama a one term president, never mind what happens to the country in the mean time, that was treason.

When the big banks went belly up, and the US taxpayers had to bail them out, then the banks foreclosed on the unemployed house holders because they couldn't pay their mortgages because of the recession that the banks caused. Then the banks resold the repossessed houses back to other banks or to their buddies who made it through the collapse, at pennies on the dollar, that also is economic treason.

Now this idiot gets up, at a $50,000 a plate dinner, and writes off nearly half of our country as parasites and ingrates, and says we need to go back to the same policy's that started all this mess in the first place, are people brain dead!!

If it was me, there would be a lot high financial dudes heading for Gitmo.

Mr. Obama should realize that one of the key factors of the swing in Virgina is the states draconian policies toward women. Many are mad. Itching, gun-toting, screaming mad and they have a mind to show the stupid white men in charge what they're really up against.

go women.

"economic patriotism" ? Sounds like a new name for socialism to me.

Economic patriotism! That is code for Obama telling the American voters that the Bush tax cuts for everyone are over because he isn't going to compromise with anyone.

Obama knows that the republicans will control the House after the election. That means that any tax legislation will have to originate in the House. Because Todd Akin is a self centered idiot, the democrats will probably retain control of the senate. This means gridlock continues. No budget will be passed for another 4 years.

The House will pass tax legislation in a bi-partisan manner. But, Harry Reid will block a vote on that legislation. The result will be higher tax rates across the board...excuse me...I meant economic patriotism.

"Because no American should have to spend their golden years at the mercy of insurance companies"

Sure Mr. president, better that they should spend it at the mercy of the government.

Well, I'm going to go out on a limb here, but I'd rather depend on the government (whose top executives I can vote for or fire) than on a company that is only seeking to make a profit out of me. Tell me, how many healthcare bureaucrats in Sweden are multimillionaires, and how many insurance executives in the U.S. are multimillionaires?

Exactly.

Economic Patriotism? Obama...start by calling in Charlie Rangle, John Kerry, & Tim Geitner and tell them to quit cheating on their taxes. Then, cancel all the Obamacare waivers handed out to Pelosi's political donors and unions.

Where is YOUR patriotism Obama?

All we can hope is that the majority of American voters won't believe the lies they did when they voted for this socialist, marxist idiot before. We know who and what this fool is THIS time. Please, America, wake the ___— up and show this socialist fool we WILL NOT be a socialist state that HE wants us to be. NO MORE MARXIST theory from the WH, Bozobama!

Economic patriotism.

Back in the 50s and 60s it was called corporate citizenship. Corporations worried about the communities in which they had their facilities, and about paying their workers a fair and livable wage. Sure, they worried about making reasonable profits and worried about controlling costs and worried about their tax burden.

But their profits grew and the economy boomed during this time because the middle class thrived because the workers were making livable wages.

Today, corporations would sooner move their production to China and make 2% more profits. They would rather invest in other countries and make slightly more profits than invest in America and help build the economy.

THAT's what the President means.

NObama talks about economics and gives away free LifeLine phones?? Double Talk and more lies from America's best liar.

You asked. Economic Patriotism is when we keep jobs and capital from flying out of our country. Also, look up economic slavery and capitalism for a better and more complete understanding.

Obama and his cronies keep speaking of the middle class. If he gets his way there will be no more middle class. Only poor and wealthy. That's all redistribution does is kill the middle class. This man has to go. He has no clue as to what he is doing.

When the economy is unleashed (lower taxes and regulations) employers expand and people are hired. Those people pay taxes and get off of welfare. A rising tide lifts ALL ships.

Liberals think there is one pie that has to be distributed. Conservatives believe the pie can be made bigger so everyone gets more pie.

My own company is an example. Salespeople get paid a commission on everything they sell, and can do VERY well if they sell alot. In fact, they make more than anyone else. I prefer that the salespeople continue to do very well and make a lot of money, because the sales they bring in are what fuels everything else in the company. Were it not for the highly paid sales people who give up a lot to make a ton of money, no one else would have a job! What if we said, "Gee, that's not fair. Let's make it so the sales people make the same amount as everyone else." What would happen? The salespeople would say, "Why should I travel 80% of the time and live like a vagabond out of a suitcase if I don't get paid extra for it? Forget this."

The drive of certain individuals to succeed and do great things is what provides so much opportunity for others. How many people does Apple employ worldwide? Demonize the 1% all you want, but we NEED them as a society, and the MORE of them we have, the more jobs and prosperity there will be for everyone else.

AndresTM wrote: Well, I'm going to go out on a limb here, but I'd rather depend on the government (whose top executives I can vote for or fire) than on a company that is only seeking to make a profit out of me.

First: If you have a problem with a government program you are never going to talk to the guy you can vote out. You are going to talk to some bureaucrat that doesn't care who your'e going to vote for.

Second: Private companies stay in business by keeping their customers happy. If you screw with the customer they will go with some other insurance company. It's called competition.

Third: If there is no competition, only single payer government, and you don't like how you are being treated, where you gonna go then. Hmmmmm.

Economic Patriotism - Maybe that would start with Reid passing a budget. Maybe that would start by cutting all wastefull spending. Maybe that would start with not letting Pelosi have $100K booze flights.

Economic Patriotism starts with lawmakers doing what is right and setting an example. It does not start with raising my taxes to pay for your corruption.

Amen. People are merely following the example of their so-called leaders!

PC/NOT

sigh ...this is getting boring - you win - I admit Romney's a liar.

• !

#312.17 - Sat Sep 29, 2012 3:22 AM EDT

This sounds like you are angry about it... well are you? ARE YOU? Not angry enough!!! If you have a problem with the tax code... bring it up with the Federal government who sets the tax code... I wouldn't direct it towards any individual... since he's following the rules set in place... take it up with the feds.

BrianB: And who writes those tax codes including all the nice exemptions, middle class tax payers? As long as people like you vote for those like Romney whose latest tax return required him to pay 10.3% on 13 million income yet he's running on a platform to cut his taxes 10% and eliminate capital gains altogether which means he'd paid zero it's a bit hard for the 99% to even have a voice. At least when the 1% hits 0% they'll quit their self serving policies. Unless of course they institute earned income payments for the 1%. Kind of like house republicans who block everything Obama try's to do saying it's not our fault blame Obama.

It is becoming laughable how much venon is being spewed by libs and conservatives at each other. The laughable part is that both the republicans party and democratic party are the same ticket. When will you rubes wake up to the reality that the game is rigged? It's big money baby, and if you don't have it, you are a pawn in the game and are being duped.

First clue: Ever notice how US journalism has gone soft? National media is now a softball league brought to you by sponsorship of big pharma ect. All the decent national nightly news anchors have been replaced with former members of Good Morning America. Yeah, those hard hitters....lol. Accident, yeah right....lmao. Do you see serious journalism or do you see stories about Lindsey Lohan or Lady Gaga in between advertisements about a pill that "will make all your troubles go away?"

Second Clue: Why have all the US jobs gone overseas and our government seems not to care. Isn't our government just a representative our ourselves, We the People? Sorry, not anymore it isn't. Our government has been bought and paid for by big money (corporations).

"Okay McReal, show me some proof!" Sorry rube, you have to earn your intellectual freedom. But, I'll provide some leads. First do some research on the biotech company Monsanto and their ties to the FDA. Yeah, the Food and Drug Administration (the government agency tasked with protecting your health). Maybe you might see a conflict of interest in former employees running the show. If you do enough research, you will see those same conflicts of interest in EVERY branch of government with EVERY industry they are supposed to oversee. It's all bought and paid for and there is nothing you can do. Well, except vote on a Diebold machine, which is made by the same big money baby.

Even though I am speaking tongue and cheek, I am deeply ashamed of our nation and myself for our collective blindness and lack of civic oversight. We really need to step up our civilian duty if we have a chance to right this quickly sinking ship.

PS: an excellent start for alternate news outside of US boundaries, if you have basic understanding of economics, is the Keiser Report - RT programs. Thanks for reading :)

Beautifully said Cupcake. Only in the demented mines of the liberals is keeping what you EARNED bad. My favorite liberal term is CORPORATE WELFARE. They are clueless to understand that not taking as much from a corporation is not welfare and that the corporation is only responsible to its stockholders and not to Uncle Sam. You never hear them complain about government rape of resources of a corporation. You never hear them talk about shared pain with government employees getting their wages and benefits cut or reducing handouts to those who should and can work.

So in the liberal mind giving a tax break to a citizen must also be considered welfare. I'm sure that AVERAGE JOE PUBLIC doesn't see it that way. If JOE earned it he should keep as much as he can.

Here is another liberal joke. My employer use to say, you take your profit percent (effective rate) to the bank an I'll take my dollars and who do you think the bankers will talk to first.

One more thought, when the debt gets to a tipping point you will not find anyone that will lend you money unless the get a higher rate of return called a higher interest rate. If this concept is foreign to you ask the guy who has a high balance on his credit card how it works. The more you are in debt the high interest you pay. Wait until a bond cost 7 to 8% and it drives up the national debt by a trillion dollars per year. Who do you think is going to pay it off?

This country did not get into this problem by not taxing enough, it got there because we spend to much.

I'm being to think that Obama is just a TALKING HEAD with no brains, like an actor playing Einstein. The actor can speak the part but has no idea what Einstein thought. I also believe that OBAMA has never passed a remedial math course. Prove me wrong. You can't because his educational history is sealed.

Screeeminglib

To prove your point

Year Median Millionaire or Top
1%
---------------------------------------
1948 5.3% 76.9%
1955 9.1 85.5
1960 12.4 85.5
1965 11.6 66.9
1970 16.1 68.6
1975 20.0 --
1977 -- 35.5
1980 23.7 31.7
1985 24.4 24.9
1989 24.4 26.7

Let see what your so called proof actually did to the economy of the US and manufacturing.

The Northeast saw a loss of population with manufacturing leading the way. They took jobs south and west to lower taxed states. In the 60, 70 and 80's the manufacturing did not go overseas they moved to states that wanted jobs and offered lower taxes.

The steel industry closed plants in the northeast when they did not have the resources to retool due to a lack of capital from investors and could not compete against foreign manufactures who build modern plants after the war. You see I lived in a city that had a steel plant closed losing 25,000 jobs. It certainly was not because of lack of demand for their product. The plant began to decline in the late 50's and was gone in the mid 70's. Without capital investment though stockholders the companies had to raise their price for their product for capital improvements which further exasperated the problem.

The auto industry saw the start of Japanese cars flooding the market in the 70's which was the beginning of the decline of the big three. Again these companies lacked the resources to retool and compete. Cutting corners allowed the foreign companies to gain a foot hold in that market. They were faced with the same problems as the steel industry. Their cost of basic materials increased and the price for the cars increased.

The Northeast states suffered further population loses with the loss of their base industries and raise taxes to maintain service levels. These added to the cost of doing business. It was the perfect storm that lead to the declining population in the northeast and rust belt states.

All companies need to have investors to buy their stock. When people invest their dollars with a company the company uses the money to improve the infrastructure of the industry without having to get loans at a higher cost. When this fails they have only one option left to raise the price of their product to pay for increased cost of capital. These usually leads to the death of the business and the decline of middle class. When they go bankrupt they defaut on those loans from the bank. This had a direct effect on the banking failures in the 70's.

You liberal morons never have understood the relationship between big investors with money and jobs. You make villains out of those people that kept this country growing. I am a believer that Americans would rather have a job than take a handout. Food stamps, welfare and other handouts are the signs of economics failure. Good jobs with benefits creates a growing economy. Only a fool believes that investment dollars grows on trees and that there is a finite pool of money. If you raise taxes on those investors they move their money to tax free bonds and take it out of the stock market. Why take a risk when there is no reward.

So we paid off the debt and killed the middle class. Once the jobs are gone they rarely come back. The rich will always make money. They have many options on where to invest.

Why don't you ask the 24,000,000 unemployed worker or under employed worker in this country if they would want more investments in our companies. Maybe we could ask the rust belt states if they want to have their manufacturing jobs back. We have one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world and now we want to tax investors at a higher rate. Where do you think future investment dollars are going to come from. If an investor does not see a chance to improve their investment with a profit they don't invest.

The debt of this country is going to slam future growth. Somebody is going to have to pay for it. We are setting up another perfect strom for failure.

Every action has a response. Most people never truely analysis the negative effects of their action.

shaak322

The rich loved Reagan's version of economic patriotism. The rest of us paid interest rates of from 14-20% to rid the nation of excessive inflation.

You really should let reality seep into your thoughts on occasion. You would obviously blame Reagan for all the ills of life, but data doesn't support you. In '76, when Carter took office, the inflation rate was 5.8% (yearly average.) By '79 it had climbed to 11.3% (thanks Jimmy) and by '80, Carter's last year, it hit 13.5%. With Reagan in office, it fell rapidly to 10.3% in '81 and 6.2% in '82. It continued downward until hitting a low of 1.9% in '86.

I also dislike the effects of spiraling inflation, but you need to get the facts right to figure out what sort of policies caused it. I personally think QE3 is worse for long-term inflation than any tax cut policy. Remember that in April '77 Carter spoke of his stimulus package that would "put people to work with public works projects, public service jobs, training programs, and countercyclical aid to local governments." (Sound strangely familiar?) But he cancelled his plans for a tax rebate. How did all this turn out for us? Just look at the numbers above.

Ursula, that's another problem with liberals.

Romney did not, in any way, shape or form, mean stimulus. He meant lowering taxes, getting rid of economic draining regulations and letting the greatest country in the world thrive on capitalism again.

In other words, getting out of the way.

But, sadly, you will never quite understand that, I am afraid.

Oh dear, look @ this photo. No words can describe this picture of the look in this little girl's eyes as she meets her president in Virginia today.

http://twitter.com/TheObamaDiary/status/251380607106555904/photo/1

Pat - what a WONDERFUL photo! She'll treasure that experience for the rest of her life. Ever see anyone look at Romney that way? Not even Anne!

Obama/Biden 2012

I know SeekingSanity, it is a wonderful photo. I love it.

Main Entry:

invigorate  [in-vig-uh-reyt]

Part of Speech:
verb

Definition:
stimulate

Synonyms:
activate, animate, brace, buck up, energize,enliven, excite, exhilarate, fortify, freshen,galvanize, harden, inspirit, liven up, nerve, pepup, perk up, pick up, quicken, rally, refresh,reinforce, rejuvenate, renew, restore, revitalize,rouse, snap up, stir, strengthen, trigger, turn on,vitalize, vivify, zap

WCA, it's a verb and it means taking positive action. Trust me, I don't believe for a second that Romney would ask for a stimulus to get the economy moving. I just think it's ironic that he'd use a word that means exactly the same thing - but not that particular word because his party hates it so much.

Ursula, good one. The Romney team probably spent weeks searching for a way to describe "stimulus" without actually using the word--reinvigorate, though, clearly goes right over conservatives heads. In the right-wing world, stimulus became a dirty word when President Obama took office. Reagan, Bush and Bush all passed stimulus packages. It's what presidents of both parties have done since we started building roads and bridges.

Well Ursula I tnink it is safe to say that due to the events of the past 4 years the word "Stimulus" has come to mean only one thing and that is the government passing out money.

So I guess I can see why he would steer clear of the word or anything that sounds like it, since it would never be his intention.

Every once in a while, people are known to be taken out of context, so I guess he needs to guard against that.

Oh do tell ring around the collar. Be specific now what regulations would you get rid of ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL?

We can start with the FDA

then

The FAA

then

The EPA

then

The FCC

Then

The SCC

and so on. Comon now fill in the blanks. Just what regs do you want to scrap?

Frankly here in the great tea party state of AZ I have lotsa trouble dealing with the idiots on the state level.

We have a sales tax rate of almost 10% and rank in the bottom 10 in education. Go figure!

WCA

please name these economic draining regulations we hear so much about. Personally, I think it's another term for: Democrats not letting corporations pillage, pollute and risk the banking system anymore.

Pat from Boston... I went and looked at the picture.. I love the look of wonderment on her face...
Good Job...

O and Joe 2012

Torpedo you

Don't be scared of the Tea party.....they're just conservatives....

Trying to shrink the size of Gov'ment...you know the real cause of the National Debt....

"Crickets" from WCA and the other conservative trolls regarding "excessive" government regs.

I love to confront Tea Party Pusses. Especially at gun shows. Lotsa fun!

Ideology meets Reality...Go figure!

Torpedo You, I can name about 2 or 3 dozen regulations out of OSHA alone. I can also name about 6 dozen out of the EPA... and the Fair Housing Act. I can further name some high cost regulations that effect housing, construction, roads, bridges, farming, forestry and airports. Each of these regulations are unnecessary but cost the taxpayers billions each year.

How do I know what the regulations are and what they cost? My career for the past 25 years has been in construction... From heavy to single family. Many of the government regulations that were added over the past 20 years have done nothing to increase safety, or cost effectiveness. Many were added because someone thought they were a good idea. Well let me assure you, most of them have been terrible ideas.

Pat, Boston, love the picture. I hadn't checked the ObamaDiary yet today but almost always, my favorites are of the little ones who clearly are enthralled with our President. He has a way with children.

You folks really can't do anything for yourselves can you? You gonna disagree with the CBO?

CBO: Regulations, Taxes Can Hurt Small Businesses

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/cbo-regulations-taxes-can-hurt-small-businesses

Well, then Brianb, name them.

WCA, which is exactly why President Obama has passed and signed so many tax cuts for genuine small businesses. That said, Koch Industries and Bechtel are considered small businesses by definition--they are quite profitable with or without the cuts.

Is Romney finally admitting that Tea Party austerity plan cannot possibly speed up recovery and add more jobs?

National Review on line Dec. 19, 2008

Romney wrote this asking congress to pass his stimulus plan

before Obama took the oath

link

Dec. 19,2008

National review

Jody - Perhaps as a "construction" guy Brianb would rather endanger the safety and welfare of his employees or fellow employees by minimizing the importance of OSHA job site regulations.

Let me tell you as an architect who specializes in construction administration and site observations/inspections, I see contractors like Brianb who attempt to scrimp on safety.

Who but someone who values the safety and welfare of others so little would rail against the expense of ensuring OSHA safety guidelines. Guidelines are in place to avoid job site accidents and one of the most satisfying things I accomplish is being able to ensure that the contractor is being responsible to safeguard his job site and workers.

Sorry for the long list but here are the major areas that OSHA regulations address and mandate training about. You know those useless regulations that Brianb wails about. The regulations that every contractor must meet. Brianb now doubt must also rail against building to the Life safety code NFPA 101, or the appropriate International Building Codes. I bet our intrepid "construction" guy isn't too excited about the civil right's legislation that is the Americans with disability Act. Would love to walk one of his job sites as an inspector, or as a Registered Accessibility Specialist, one of my other credentials.

Subpart C - General Safety and Health Provisions

§ 1926.20 - General safety and health provisions
§ 1926.21 - Safety training and education
§ 1926.23 - First aid and medical attention
§ 1926.24 - Fire protection and prevention
§ 1926.25 - Housekeeping
§ 1926.26 - Illumination
§ 1926.27 - Sanitation
§ 1926.28 - Personal protective equipment
§ 1926.31 - Incorporation by reference
§ 1926.32 - Definitions
§ 1926.33 - Access to employee exposure and medical records
§ 1926.34 - Means of egress

Subpart D - Occupational Health and Environmental Controls

§ 1926.50 - Medical services and first aid
§ 1926.51 - Sanitation
§ 1926.52 - Occupational noise exposure
§ 1926.54 - Nonionizing radiation
§ 1926.55 - Gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists
§ 1926.55 - Appendix A - Gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists
§ 1926.56 - Illumination
§ 1926.57 - Ventilation
§ 1926.59 - Hazard communication
§ 1926.62 - Lead

Subpart E - Personal Protective and Life Saving Equipment

§ 1926.95 - Criteria for personal protective equipment
§ 1926.96 - Occupational foot protection
§ 1926.100 - Head protection
§ 1926.101 - Hearing protection
§ 1926.102 - Eye and face protection
§ 1926.103 - Respiratory protection
§ 1926.104 - Safety belts, lifelines, and lanyards

Subpart F - Fire Protection and Prevention

§ 1926.150 - Fire protection
§ 1926.151 - Fire prevention
§ 1926.152 - Flammable and combustible liquids
§ 1926.153 - Liquefied petroleum gas (LP-Gas)
§ 1926.154 - Temporary heating devices
§ 1926.155 - Definitions applicable to this subpart

Subpart G - Signs, Signals, and Barricades

§ 1926.200 - Accident prevention signs and tags
§ 1926.203 - Definitions applicable to this subpart

Subpart H - Materials Handling, Storage, Use, and Disposal

§ 1926.251 - Rigging equipment for material handling
§ 1926.252 - Disposal of waste materials

Subpart I - Tools - Hand and Power

§ 1926.300 - General requirements
§ 1926.301 - Hand tools
§ 1926.302 - Power-operated hand tools
§ 1926.304 - Woodworking tools

Subpart J - Welding and Cutting

§ 1926.350 - Gas welding and cutting
§ 1926.352 - Fire prevention

Subpart K - Electrical

§ 1926.400 - Electrical - General
§ 1926.402 - Applicability
§ 1926.403 - General requirements
§ 1926.404 - Wiring design and protection
§ 1926.405 - Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use
§ 1926.416 - General requirements
§ 1926.417 - Lockout and tagging of circuits
§ 1926.432 - Environmental deterioration of equipment
§ 1926.449 - Definitions applicable to this subpart

Subpart L - Scaffolds

§ 1926.450 - Scope, application and definitions applicable to this subpart
§ 1926.451 - General requirements
§ 1926.452 - Additional requirements applicable to specific types of scaffolds
§ 1926.454 - Training requirements
Subpart L Appendix A - Scaffold Specifications
Subpart L Appendix C - List of National Consensus Standards
Subpart L Appendix D - List of Training Topics for Scaffold Erectors and Dismantlers

Subpart M - Fall Protection

§ 1926.500 - Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpart
§ 1926.501 - Duty to have fall protection
§ 1926.502 - Fall protection systems criteria and practices
§ 1926.503 - Training requirements
Subpart M Appendix A - Determining Roof Widths - Non-mandatory Guidelines for Complying with 1926.501(b)(10)
Subpart M Appendix B - Guardrail Systems - Non-Mandatory Guidelines for Complying with 1926.502(b)
Subpart M Appendix C - Personal Fall Arrest Systems - Non-Mandatory Guidelines for Complying with 1926.502(d)
Subpart M Appendix D - Positioning Device Systems - Non-Mandatory Guidelines for Complying with 1926.502(e)
Subpart M Appendix E - Sample Fall Protection Plan - Non-Mandatory Guidelines for Complying with 1926.502(k)

Subpart N - Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Elevators, and Conveyors

§ 1926.550 - Cranes and derricks

Subpart O - Motor Vehicles, Mechanized Equipment, and Marine Operations

§ 1926.601 - Motor vehicles
§ 1926.602 - Material handling equipment
§ 1926.604 - Mechanized equipment, and marine operation

Subpart P - Excavations

§ 1926.650 - Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpart
§ 1926.651 - Specific excavation requirements
§ 1926.652 - Requirements for protective systems
Subpart P Appendix A - Soil Classification
Subpart P Appendix B - Sloping and Benching

Subpart Q - Concrete and Masonry Construction

§ 1926.700 - Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpart
§ 1926.701 - General requirements
§ 1926.702 - Requirements for equipment and tools
§ 1926.703 - Requirements for cast-in-place concrete
§ 1926.706 - Requirements for masonry construction

Subpart T - Demolition

§ 1926.850 - Preparatory operations

Subpart W - Rollover Protective Structures; Overhead Protection

§ 1926.1000 - Rollover protective structures (ROPS) for material handling equipment

Subpart X - Stairways and Ladders

§ 1926.1050 - Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpart
§ 1926.1051 - General requirements
§ 1926.1052 - Stairways
§ 1926.1053 - Ladders
§ 1926.1060 - Training requirements

Subpart Z - Toxic and Hazardous Substances

Yeah, everyone believed that stimulus meant "construction jobs", "roads and bridges".......

They didn't realize it meant.....

paybacks to political doners....

goggle

Dec.19, 2008

National Review

Republican Stimulus Plan-Mitt Romney

Sandy

Thanks for the read!!! Aside from the usual tax cut argument he says

On the spending front, infrastructure projects should be a high priority.

A Republican Stimulus Plan - Mitt Romney - National Review Online

Lforst

Stimulus plan included construction work, aid to states to allow them to avoid 600,000 layoffs, extended unemployment benefit, jobs training programs, investment in new technology companies (one went under, but investing in businesses is a risky business, ask Romney about why he made $250 mill

Your negative comments focus on a tiny, tiny, tiny portion of $700 billion stimulus which worked in improving our economic growth from -8.5% to positive growth in half a year, stopping the recession in its tracks.

Recovery was strong until most of stimulus was spent. 2nd round of needed stimulus was blocked by Tea Party House the past 2 years. Even Romney's talking stimulus now.

The TEA PARTY...... Destroying America's Future.

Shaak322

It takes $7 to produce $1 in the Stimulus plan when you consider borrowing the money and the devaluation of the dollar... We'd be better off burning the money to produce electricity...

At least we'd get something for the money...

Excellent post Yellowdog!

@screeeminglib

I just hate hearing Romney say how Obama's stimulus failed.

Wonder how much money Romney wanted congress to spend for his plan?

Romney did not, in any way, shape or form, mean stimulus. He meant lowering taxes, getting rid of economic draining regulations and letting the greatest country in the world thrive on capitalism again.

In other words, getting out of the way.

But, sadly, you will never quite understand that, I am afraid.

Sadly, you'll never quite understand you aren't good enough to shine Mitt Romney's shoes no matter how much wealth you've built up in your tiny little closed mind.

You'll also never get, despite watching it play out over and over in the last 30 years that the Republicans want to deregulate so they can pay less, screw the environment and use up every resource they can find to line the pockets of the wealthy.

But I grew up in an auto-worker state so I have an idea of how you reason. You've spent your life taking perks from the unions, heck now you're probably retired on a fat union pension plus your social security, but you don't see how that is an entitlement. In fact you've probably been given so much you never saved a dime in your life. But I'll bet you had 2 snowmobiles and a cabin. You worked for it you did. You probably never planned a day in your life for the education of your children either.

All unskilled labor should make 60.00 an hour for sleeping on third shift. All unskilled labor should have unlimited health care and several months of vacation and paid education, which you won't use by the way. Because you earned it with your stellar ability to put that nut on that bolt. You need it because you still can't manage to balance that checkbook.

You're a hypocrite.

Like Congress you have the best of everything and because you are a petty mean spirited empty little soul, you think everyone else should twist.

Just a few facts. First Fact, the tea party doesn't want a smaller government, they want no government. They have completely stopped our government from working. I think mostly because President Obama is black and they don't want any black President to be successful. The thought of a successful black president makes them crazy.

Second Fact, this is for Brainb. He hates OSHA and all the constricting safety regulations. But you have to ask yourself, if Brian worked in construction for 25 years and is still alive and kicking, maybe OSHA got something right. I worked construction as a union carpenter for thirty years anyway, and I always was glad when OSHA was on the job, I knew the job was safety first, and I'm still alive and kicking!!

Bain Capital is an investment partnership which was formed to invest in startup companies and ongoing companies, then to take an active hand in managing them and hopefully, five to eight years later, to harvest them at a significant profit," Romney tells employees of Bain & Company, the consulting firm that spawned the new venture.

Romney wants to be president so he can harvest taxpayers. Funny how he never mentions his desire to create jobs or promote good wages for employee's. I guess that doesn't go with harvesting. When you harvest you just want the maximum yield, the weeds you just step on.

blackcatwhitecat - not a chance!

Pork shortage - that really is sad!

Obama/Biden 2012

Whew! Very happy to report that:

"Don't worry, no one is coming for your BLT.

Even though headlines for the past couple of days screamed, "Bacon shortage!" (including one of our own) and social media blew up with jokes about the impending "porkocalypse," it's all a lot of oinking over nothing.

The summer drought, and rising corn prices have hurt hog farmers for sure. Soy, a component of hog meal, is also costing more, driven by ravenous demand by China. But all that will only lead to bacon being temporarily more expensive, not an outright "shortage."

"It's a challenging time because of drought for both consumers and producers and food costs will rise," Cindy Cunningham of the National Pork Board told NBC News, but we're "not going to see people in line for bacon... there will be no bacon rationing."

http://lifeinc.today.com/_news/2012/09/27/14123841-hogwash-bacon-shortage-is-a-load-of-bull?ocid=ansmsnbc11

Of course, better safe than sorry, right? I'm heading out to the store to engage in a little "economic patriotism"! When it comes to bacon, I'm a "Me-Firster" all the way!

I am patriotic, and will vote Republican.

Economic patriotism, per Government-centric Obama liberals, means you must not object if your hardearned property is confiscated by the Government to distribute for votes...

Bob in VA - grow up and stop the stupidity! Those kind of scare tactics are just what the ignorant in the Tea Party spew. Surely that is beneath you!

Obama/Biden 2012

Bob in VA.."Gov't Centric Liberals." Be specific! How is the government interfering in your life? Like I said in a previous post, I have more problems with the State regs and the reports I have to fill out for them here in the teabag State of AZ. The Feds. Not so much! I pay my form 940 taxes on the EFTPS system which works quite will.

Strange how your arguments fall apart when your neanderthal ideology meets the reality of running a business.

Romney is full of Sh*t in this issue. Especially in the manufacturing sector.

Bob,

I don't think you know what Economic patriotism means. It means the same thing as. E Pluribus Unum (meaning: we are all in this together). So, if you're not with the Citizens of the United States Of America then you're against us. (Almost sounds like a Bush quote)

Let me ask you a 3 questions, are you a Corperation? Are Corperations Citizens? So how do they have rights of Citizens?

I am the 99%. I am the 47%. I am an American

Msgt USMC Retired

People that disagree with you are less than American???

At a recent family gathering my sister served chocolate covered bacon for dessert. It was strangely compelling.

I see economic patriotism as investing in this country instead of overseas.

Watch out,,,in 3,,2,,,1,,,bacon shortage is Pres, Obama's fault!

GNOP - we don't need no fact checkers...GNOP CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!

C'mon Mythe - Show us the 1040's...What ARE you hiding@?!

lfrost,

I was being cynical. Don't you see the Bush quote similarity? Remember "Either you're with us or you're against us". The quote he used to drag the USA into Iraq, you know the war he started so Halliburton and it's stock holders could get rich. You know the one. You know Iraq the place his father bombed for a few years, the same one Clinton bombed for 4 years. Booming every thing we thought was a place he could build WMD's.

BCWC, that's funny.

It is true, though, there will be a pork shortage because of the drought which has reduced the corn and grain crops in the midwest which increases the cost of feeding the pigs and hogs which means farmers won't raise as many. We'll still be able to buy bacon and pork but the price will be a lot higher.

Economic patriotism is putting your country first. Before your self-interest.

Patriotism leads young men and women to sacrifice their lives for America.

They have put country first. Before their own self-interest.

The Tea Party claims to be patriotic, but they hurt unemployed Americans by blocking the stimulus this economy needs. And this hurts all Americans as we continue to pay for the bigger safety net the unemployed need. American businesses are also hurt by slow sales growth.

The rich have 42% of nation's wealth, but those who can afford some sacrifice refuse to yield. Our nation needs their help, but I don't see them hiring. They just wait for sales to grow before hiring. Who's going to do all this buying? Where do workers get their money?

Something's got to give. And with 42% of all our wealth, the rich can afford to help our economy grow and get all those unemployed back to work.

How grateful we would be if they helped our economy grow out of a sense of patriotism. They could be viewed as heros here.

Patriotism. Self sacrifice for the greater good.

The Tea Party blocked stimulus?????

You mean that no one fell for the "stimulus" gimick the second time around..

Stimulus just means "Slush Fund" to this administration...

More money sent to the Government is more money wasted by the government.

newdayDAWNING, Mitt bragged about "harvesting" companies at Bain?

Yes, new video gone viral, at Bain's 25th Anniversary. This is going to be bad for Mittens.Check Politics page, Huffington Post.

Okay, thanks NDD for the heads up. Wow.

Wow indeed!

NDD - that article is going to be interesting on the heels of his 47% useless Americans comments. I found this, while not surprising, most enlightening as it reaffirms his committment to Vulture Capitalism.

He explained that its goal was to identify potential and hidden value in companies, buy significant stakes in these businesses, and then "harvest them at a significant profit" within five to eight years. http://www.motherjones.com/authors/david-corn

Oh Snap NDD! Wonder if this is one of Concern's "surprises!"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/27/mitt-romney-video-bain-harvest-companies_n_1918892.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

Obama/Biden 2012

You have to wonder, Layton! Do you think she would understand the ramifications of it?

RedDev: I don't know how much more evidence the American people need that Mitty is out for him and his buddies. He will further destroy any safety net, including things like 40 hour work week, any job benefit or pay package to increase profit to HIM!

The treasury will be raped, and those who vote for Mitty will be the cause.

money to spend creates demand.....if the middle class has no money to spend, how can it grow????

The middle class and everyone else does better when large and small businesses do better...

When I came home, they were ending the discussion about another damaging video of Mitt, now I know what it was.

It's a beaut, Jody.

Layton, thanks for the link.

Wowser, Bain "harvested" all right, they leveraged profitable companies into bankruptsy, stole the pension funds then shut the doors pocketing millions. It makes you wonder what else is out there that will return to haunt Mitt Romney.

I find it very odd that Romney can't say the word China without also saying Cheats, but that sure doesn't stop his fund raising efforts in Hong Kong. Nor did it stop him taking 3 years to divest himself from his beloved Chinese investments. Which is it Romney .. China Cheats, or you loves you some Chinese money?

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57521224/romney-fundraiser-planned-thursday-in-hong-kong/

Vulture Capitalism.....destroying America's future.

This advertisement brought to you by Mitt Romney and his Billionaire Buddies.

another way mitt is screwing with americans ..

Romney's ‘I Dig It’ Trust Gives Heirs Triple Benefit

Bloomberg: Romney ‘I Dig It’ Trust Gives Heirs Triple Benefit, by Jesse Drucker:

In January 1999, a trust set up by Mitt Romney for his children and grandchildren reaped a 1,000 percent return on the sale of shares in Internet advertising firm DoubleClick Inc. If Romney had given the cash directly, he could have owed a gift tax at a rate as high as 55%. He avoided gift and estate taxes by using a type of generation-skipping trust known to tax planners by the nickname: “I Dig It.”

The sale of DoubleClick shares received before the company went public, detailed in previously unreported securities filings reviewed by Bloomberg News, sheds new light on Romney’s estate planning -- the art of leaving assets for heirs while avoiding taxes. The Republican presidential candidate used a trust considered one of the most effective techniques for the wealthy to bypass estate and gift taxes. The Obama administration proposed cracking down on the tax benefits in February.

While Romney’s tax avoidance is both legal and common among high-net-worth individuals, it has become increasingly awkward for his candidacy since the disclosure of his remarks at a May fundraiser. He said that the nearly one-half of Americans who pay no income taxes are “dependent upon government” and “believe that they are victims.”

“People like Mitt Romney make a lot of money, but they pay very little income tax,” said Victor Fleischer, a tax law professor at the University of Colorado who has written extensively about private equity and taxes. “Then by dodging the estate and gift tax, they are able to build dynastic wealth. These DoubleClick documents really show that tax planning in action.” The Obama administration estimates that closing the loophole Romney used would bring the federal government almost $1 billion in the coming decade. ...

Multimillionaires use such trusts to avoid those taxes in three ways. First, they can assign a low value to assets they donate to the trust. Second, when the trust sells assets at a profit, the donors can pay the relatively low capital gains taxes on behalf of the trust. By doing so, they leave more money in the trust, untouched by the much higher gift tax. Third, by paying those taxes, they can reduce the pile of wealth eventually subject to an estate tax when they die.

Jody where was your whining when Ted Kennedy hid his millions in foreign trusts and paid not taxes? Why are you not offended that Pelosi's husband pays less in tax than Romney and yet every cent he made was under a Government contract? Why were you not offended by middle class tax money bailing out billionaire Warren Buffet when he messed up AIG? Why is it patriotic to not work? Not save? Not pay any taxes? How is it patriotic of Obama to not require all of us to contribute at least something? Hypocrtical fraud.

Notice the liberals who complain about Romney's tax shelters never call for simplifying and reforming the tax code.

That is because the progressives want a complex tax code, and think it is great that the Government can use the complexities of the tax code to dispense favors to special interest groups, for votes....

Your empty suit doesn't know a thing about Patriotism, at least not to this country.

i don't blame anyone trying to shelter their hard earned money from the @!$%#s in congress and the white house....

Bob in Virginia ...

Notice the liberals who complain about Romney's tax shelters never call for simplifying and reforming the tax code.

Oh, we want the tax code simplified. We want a lot of things for this country. We want corporate welfare looked at. We want to give States the rights to opt out of No Child Left Behind and to create their own set of accountability's. We want states to create Welfare requirements that work for their state (that do not remove the work requirement by the way), we want a lot of things that the do NOTHING Congress apparently does not want for their constituents. Stop lumping and start voting.

Obama/Biden 2012

Yes, the empty suit's patriotism is all for the Caymans!

Obama/Biden 2012

Then mcpaddywack ... stay off the roads, stay out of our National Parks, keep your kids out of public schools, never call 911 .... and then you can keep all of your hard earned $ because guess what ...

WE BUILT THAT!

Obama/Biden 2012

Also, if the President truly wants to lead in the new economic patriotism, part of which I'm sure will be his push for higher tax rates on the wealthy and the Buffet rule, why doesn't he lead by example and write a check to the US Treasury department for the difference between his 20% effectvie tax rate the the tax rate of 30% that he wants wealthy individuals to pay. Why doesn't he lead by example. Its fine that he's wealthy and pass what he should in federal taxes and not a dime more but it's not okay for Romney to be wealthy and actually pay more in federal taxes than he was legally required to due to the fact he didn't claim the full amount of charitable dedcutions he could have to furhter reduce his tax liability. And why won't anyone in the media ask the Presdient why he doesn't buck up and lead by example?

Hey Jeffery,

State you're sources! Making a statement like that you have to have a real source of info. So What is it?

Bob in VA -

I may occasionally (grudgingly) respect your opinion on other issues, but if you think Liberals are against a simplification of the tax code you are sorely mistaken and blindly partisan.

The true beneficiaries of the complex tax code and the labyrinth of loopholes are those who are best positioned to take advantage of it.

Do you really believe that Mitt Romney and other multi-millionaires would EVER support a simplified tax code that would not allow them to take advantage of loopholes and tax shelters that others simply can't afford to pursue?

Unbelievable.

Haven't we heard this before.....Hope and change ....rainbows and butterflies...

Words mean nothing without actions.....

This time I'll vote for the person that hasn't lied to me...

"if you like your insurance you can keep it", "The process will be televised on CSPAN", "I'll cut the deficit in half by the end of my first term".....

How is taking advantage of off-shore tax havens permitted by the US tax code any less patriotic than your family taking advantage of child credits, mortgage interest credits, green energy credits, etc? If anyone here takes advantage of tax deductions to make their tax burden less, you have no right to criticize Romney, Obama, Charlie Rangel or anyone else who does.

cupcakes -

How are taking advantages of tax breaks any different from accepting government assistance that you are legally qualified to receive?

Why does Romney demean the "47%" when most of them are seniors, students, military or working poor that are not legally required to pay taxes?

Why do they lack personal responsibility and he does not? Because they were not born rich?

If Romney accepts any deductions or exemptions that lower his tax burden he has no right to criticize those who work and pay their legal federal income tax rate of zero.

Jeff, please note the last part of my last sentence "whether republican, democrat or other." It's pretty clear.

We need to overhaul the tax code for many reasons; one is to rid ourselves of loopholes that make it acceptable, in fact encourages, people to stash millions to avoid taxes.

TNSEVOL, definitely liberals want a complete overhaul of the tax code. It's long past due.

tnsevol, I have no problem with people who are paying income tax taking advantage of whatever tax deductions they can find. I have no problem with seniors and veterans taking advantage of benefit programs they earned.

I do have a problem with people who aren't working getting money back from a system they didn't pay in to. I have a problem with people who aren't working and have no reason to work because it's more beneficial for them to collect government checks they've not earned. That, in my mind, was to whom Romney was referring.

cupcakes-

So you automatically assume that everyone on welfare and food stamps has never worked and will never work? That is the contention Romney made in his statement - he said "I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives."

I do have a problem with people who aren't working getting money back from a system they didn't pay in to. I have a problem with people who aren't working and have no reason to work because it's more beneficial for them to collect government checks they've not earned

Which benefits are you referring to? Welfare has a back to work requirement and is temporary. Unemployment is only paid to those who have worked. Food Stamps are not enough to live on.

Come on, be specific, which programs would you eliminate? Which programs are so beneficial that they pay better than working?

Cupcakes,

Aren't you really talking about the cheaters? Government checks aren't very big, but many people I have heard about take an unemployment check and work under the table for cash. Or a businessman who pays an employee out of company funds to fix up his house or wash his car or run errands for his family or use the pretense of a business trip to take a vacation or go to the Super Bowl. In this way he gets tax free illegal income.

I'm all for pursuing the cheaters in our country, but I'd start at the top with the IRS doing more audits of rich guys. Also, close some of those outrageously big loopholes.

Toll free numbers could help government find cheaters (like a tip line). Of course, we would have to hire more investigators and administrators to manage it. Many on disability really need it to survive, others just cheat.

It's like a store that has a big shoplifting problem. You invest in more store security and cut the losses from retail theft.

cupcakes - you don't have much of a grasp on reality do you? I know of no one who isn't working who isn't trying to get employment. Try to become educated - it will do you a world of good. Stay off Fox and try to talk to people who aren't Tea Partiers. That would be a great start!

Obama/Biden 2012

Funny!

FrankH,

That is what the "ignore" feature is for.

Save monitors everywhere; ignore WCA!

I put WCA on Ignore a long time ago....

Frank...Best post of the day dude!

Frank H, that's a really, really good one!

And it will be $31,000,000,000,000.00 if republicans are given the keys again..

90% of the current debt came from Republican administrations...

After you figure up how much of every dollar Bush 43 borrowed, come back and report it. Just love the conservatives who moan and groan about the deficit and the debt now but sat on their backsides while "Dubya" and his minions doubled what Reagan and Bush 41 had already quadrupled.

Paul Ryan complains about the deficit and debt but not once from 2001-2008 did Ryan ever demand his party stop borrowing money; he voted YEA for every single unfunded piece of Bush/GOP legislation that was passed. Deficit hawk, my foot; Ryan is a Hypocrite, just like all the other GOPers.

Reagan tripled the national debt to get out of his recession, but 7 million jobs were created. Some of this huge amount of money went to richest people who oftentimes just loaned it back to the government at a high rate of interest.

Romney managed Massachusetts economy for 4 years. He used austerity measures cutting aid to education, local governments, job training programs, and trade assistance. He raised user fees (a very regressive solution) instead of raising taxes.

Romney can accurately claim he took Massachusetts in his 4 years as Governor from 37th in job creation to...........47th. Oh my.

Please explain this job training program stuff. Is there any checks on this? If the gov't would let the companies keep more money they could train their own workers. The city of Detroit already has a workforce development dept. How is that going?

Economic Patriotism is Liberal Code for Go F*** Yourself!

or better yet Planned Economy

CA...Planned economy my A$$...Here in the manufacturing sector, (And yes that includes companies in America who make stuff for the Military like Raytheon) We are doing quite well. My business is good in the high technology field.

Economic Patriotism is Liberal Code for Go F*** Yourself!

"Compassionate Conservatism" was code for "bend over and we'll do it for you"....

Patriotism is putting country first. We honor patriotism in this country.

I have often argued that paying taxes is a patriotic thing to do. It is not a new argument.

We have soldiers sacrificing their lives to defend the American way of life. This is the highest form of patriotism. For some to sacrifice a little money to create a faster growing economy and increase in jobs seems like such a small thing to ask.

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country". This is a call to patriotic Americans by JFK. To have a great country sometimes requires that we sacrifice for the greater good.

The past 32 years have seen the top 1% increase their share of the nation's annual income from 10% to 24%. It's way past time for a little sacrificing here, don't you think?

Conservative Economic Patriotism is you give all your money to the rich and they will "Trickle Down" on you and tell you it's raining...

I know the President is saying "Economic Patriotism" but all I can hear is "Hey middle class - BOHICA"

lonesome - you say this because.....?

Are YOU the definitive litmus tester of patriots? Should we reinstate the Committee for Investigating UnAmerican Activities? Are YOU a patriot? Is your neighbor?

Lonesome Rhoades - you sir are in no postion to say who is and isn't a patriot. In my book, the tax cheater who puts his money in Cayman Islands is no patriot. Our President is a great Patriot!

Obama/Biden 2012

Keep SeekingSanity: "the tax cheater who puts him money in Caymon Islands is not patriot"....really?...that's all you've got...he'd be in mucho trouble with the IRS if that were the case...keep it up...maybe you'll even start convincing yourself that this stuff that you repeat over and over again is true.

juanita - no that's not all I've got - it is just all I wrote in that post dumbbell. Any candidate who only releases a summary of his tax returns is clearly hiding something. He most likely took advantage of the tax amnesty program - which, considering his millions - I call cheating. Most Americans paid their taxes. If he didn't and took advantage of the program I call it as I see it - he's a cheat!

Either that or his taxes will show he still has a vested interest in Bain which would make him a damned liar!

Obama/Biden 2012

Obama......"When theres a tax bill being debated in Congress, you will know the names of the Corporations that stand to benefit" . Solyndra for instance!

How come all the RED states survive on government hand outs....yet complain about government handouts?

GNOP - we don't need no fact checkers....GNOP CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!

C'mon Mythe - Show us the 1040's - What ARE you hiding@?!

Paul...we don't need no fact checkers? I think that YOU do.

"Are you Patriots"? Do you care about your fellow Americans"?

Are you asking the 10% of Americans that pay 70% of the income taxes, and implying they should do more?

"everybody doing their part for our nation's economy"

What is everyone's part? Is it spend, spend, spend!?! That what gotten us into this mess in the 1st place.

So government is the answer?

They can't even past a balanced budget. so we are to follow their example to get us out of this mess? I know in family budget is "you don't have it you don't spend it" and my personal economy is doing a little better than the US's.

We need to let the market work and keep the government hands out of it.

"everybody doing their part for our nation’s economy"

What is everyone's part? Is spend,spend,spend!?! That what gotten us into this mess in the 1st place.

So government is the answer?

They can't even past a balanced budget. so we are to follow their example to get us out of this mess? I know in family budget is you don't have it you don't spend and my personal economy is doing a little better than the US's.

We need to let the market work and keep the government hands out of it.

Letusreason-

Are you asking the 10% of Americans that pay 70% of the income taxes, and implying they should do more?

The same 10% that receive 80% of the income and control over 90% of the wealth?

The same 10% whose top marginal tax rates are at historic lows?

The same 10% who probably pay the lower Carried Interest or Capital Gains tax rates instead of the Earned Income rate?

Yep, they should pay more.

Yep, they should pay more.

Right. Just as long as you get your bennies, and you don't have to pay, right?

Easy to demand that someone else should carry your load, as long as there are a lot of you.

No, it means doing what is in the best interest of 100% of Americans not just your billionaire supporters/owners.

TNSEVOL -

Help! The Paranoids are after me!

Salud

The best interest of Americans.

Code for someone else should pay for me?

Economic patriotism = everyone paying what the government says they must pay without complaint. Cause letting the government take care of you from cradle to grave is what America is all about, if you agree with Obama's fantastic movie, "The Life of Julia."

Class warfare, coming to a town near you if Obama gets re-elected.

It is a joke to get reelected, why hasn't he been reducing the debt, with all the money given to green companies alone would have helped. He has no plans, except for more of the same, spending more money.

Mitt Romney has said he wants a tax reduction for the middle class by eliminating the tax on interest, dividends and capital gains.. No mention of the rich.

BULL.

He wants to lower all rates by 20%, and in the past has proposed eliminating the inheritance tax and the capital gains tax entirely.

ALL of those things would benefit mainly the rich.

Lowering ALL rates by 20% wouldn't help EVERYONE????

sounds like "all" rates means..

EVERYONE

Showing an ID is not a threat to the Constitution.

AffinityGW: ??????

Fraud is what helped get Oclown'O elected. What part of having an legal ID to vote don't you understand? I have to show my ID for everything else, why not to vote???? I have an actual birth certificate that I could carry with me if necessary. You don't vote without a legal ID, PERIOD. If it means both sides lose votes, oh well. The problem is, the libs lose because then their voters have to actually be human, alive, and legal and they can only vote once. God forbid. Why else do the libs fight the voter ID issue???? Obonzo wipes his @ss with the Constitution all the time so it must be on a roll in the white house toilet.

The problems we have today with everything is because of the government period. It has nothing to do with groups of people not paying enough in taxes. if you would all take five minutes to quit blaming each other for this mess and put blame where it is truly due any half intelligent person would be able to figure this out. While they have all of us out here focused on blaming each other this is what is really going on.

Our Constitution has been so stomped all over for so many years I had no idea. I am getting the idea though. I would strongly recommend to anyone that gives a @!$%# about America to read and investigate NDAA. Here is what the government now is calling terrorism:

The United States is now defining terrorism as “blaming the government”, “traveling an illogical distance” and “paying with cash.”

I would also recommend that if you are opposed to being arrested and detained in this manner that you also look at the P.A.N.D.A which stands for People Against National Defense Authorization Act. This is really important to every American no matter which party you think you want in office because both parties are pushing for this for us.

I don't think either party is fit to run the country but my god Obama is sitting on national tv for the last two weeks lying his ass off and nobody seems to care at all. Clinton did it everyone still loves him too? What the hell is wrong with everybody?

Stinky (BO) can't win re-election without voter fraud. Everybody knows that, including Stinks Himself.

If Romney didn't agree with the polls, why would he stop advertising in some of them.....

The only polls that matter is the ones within 2 weeks of the election. They are one ones that give creditability to the firm. All the others are used to sway elections.

Because neither the polls nor President Stinky (BO) can be relied on.

After so many lies, what is one more? I am surprised that it was even in the paper at all. Nixion liked about the breakin, and lost his job, Obama lies about the killed ambassador and nothing.

Its a little too late to do the right thing now....as the song goes. The banks are having trouble NOW because they are filled with money to lend out and NO ONE IS BUYING. Who can buy a home when they dont know how longs jobs are going to last? And republicons are about to take off the deduction on taxes of interest paid on home mortgages. Talking about killing the housing market!

Why don't people have to pay taxes on 100 percent of capital gains? The rest of us have to pay taxes on all we make. This has allowed wealth to accumulate with no one to BUY products.

Supply and demand are out of balance. The government can no longer keep up the demand side....ESPECIALLY in military wealthcare. Its time to empower the middle class...so they can once again buy necessities. And this requires getting rid of trickle down economics. It may be too late to do that after all the damage that has been done for YEARS.

There is one area that hasnt been exploited yet...and that is the 401Ks. Look for corporate raider RoMONEY and republicon partners to "loot" that in a hurry before that group finds they have been duped.

It is my opinion that America has already been written off by the elite. They are just in the final stages of finishing the job. The ONLY chance we have is to get rid of ALL republicons in congress and pray.

CJ - you can't have an all democrat government AND pray. It doesn't work that way.

Reading the rest of your post, it's obvious that you've taken full advantage of the public school system, and just parrot what your owners tell you. On the 401K, it's the liberal democrat party that is looking at looking them. What they'll do is offer you an annuity. A lifetime payment in exchange for turning over the balance to them so they can spend it, and give you (another) IOU. Nothing to pass to your children, should you die early, they keep the balance.

We DO pay taxes on 100% of our capital gains. We also paid income tax when we originally earned the money, so we pay again and again.