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Subscribe to RSSThe GOP establishment strikes back?... But in the long run, DeMint could make the conservative (and anti-establishment) movement even more powerful… Is the Senate losing its inside influence?... South Carolina, the place to be in 2014… The monthly job numbers: 146,000 jobs created in November, unemployment rate dips to 7.7%... The one-billion-dollar men: Both Team Obama and Team Romney raise more than $1 billion each… Another labor battle in the Midwest -- this time in Michigan… And welcome back, Alan Grayson.
*** The GOP establishment strikes back? An interesting thing has happened in the month since the Republican Party’s losses in the November election: The GOP establishment has struck back -- at least in the short term. Consider the evidence: In the race for GOP conference chair, the establishment-backed Cathy McMorris Rodgers defeated the more conservative Tom Price. John Boehner’s position as speaker seems stronger than it has before. More and more congressional Republicans are signaling that they’re open to raising taxes (as long as they get something in return). And then yesterday, Sen. Jim DeMint, one of the biggest thorns in the GOP establishment’s side, announced that he was leaving the Senate in January to lead the conservative Heritage Foundation. While the DeMint-founded PAC Senate Conservatives Fund backed some of the rising stars in the party (Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, Ted Cruz), it also supported candidates that went on to lose potential lay-up contests (Sharron Angle, Ken Buck, Christine O’Donnell, Richard Mourdock). It’s a question worth pondering: Would Mitch McConnell be the incoming majority leader if DeMint’s PAC and activism didn’t exist?
J. Scott Applewhite / AP
House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, accompanied by the House GOP leadership, gestures as he speak to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012, following a closed-door GOP strategy session. From left are, House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy of Calif., Boehner, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Va.
*** But in the long run, DeMint could make the conservative movement more powerful : Yet the establishment GOP’s new mojo is only a short-term development for now. It’s very possible that, in the long run, DeMint could make the conservative -- and anti-establishment -- movement even stronger from the outside. If Dick Armey could organize conservative forces in 2009-2010, just think what someone like DeMint could do; he very well could turn Heritage into a Club for Growth on steroids. As a prominent conservative told one of us, DeMint could very well “become the CEO of the conservative movement” at Heritage. In fact, DeMint told Rush Limbaugh yesterday that he could have a greater impact on politics from outside the Senate than inside of it. “I believe that I can do more good for the conservative movement outside of the Senate in leveraging the assets of the Heritage Foundation to communicate a more positive, optimistic message to the American people.”
NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro discuss the comeback of the House Republican establishment and Sen. Jim DeMint's resignation to lead the Heritage Foundation.
*** The Senate and its influence: Chew on that quote above for a few minutes. What does it say about the institution of the Senate that a member has more potential power outside of it than inside it? Is it a recognition that if you’re not in leadership, you can’t be as influential as you want to be? That’s always been a reality of the House. But the Senate, too?
*** South Carolina -- the place to be in 2014: With DeMint’s exit, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) gets to appoint a successor through 2014. Some of the possibilities: U.S. Rep. Tim Scott (who is African American and is the favorite among many conservatives), U.S. Rep. Mick Mulvaney, former U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett (whom Haley defeated in the 2010 SC GOP GOV runoff), former state Attorney General Henry McMaster (who also competed in that crowded GOV field), state Rep. Nathan Ballentine (a close Haley ally), and the governor's deputy chief of staff Ted Pitts (a former legislator). Perhaps more importantly, South Carolina will have three marquee contests in 2014 -- two Senate seats and a governorship will all be up for grabs, and there are plenty of ambitious state Republicans who want these positions. But it’s also not out of the realm of possibility that a Democrat could emerge to be a player in one of these races, taking advantage of what could turn into some nasty and ugly GOP primaries. If you’re a young political reporter, move to Columbia. It could very well be the most fascinating place to be in 2013-2014. And don’t forget: As an early presidential primary state, 2016 will be impacted by what takes place in the state in 2014.
*** The monthly jobs numbers: 146,000 jobs created in November; unemployment rate drops to 7.7%: You know the presidential election is over when today’s monthly jobs report is far from your top political story of the day. Indeed, the Wall Street Journal calls today’s report the “Least important jobs report in 5 years.” One reason why is that the election is over. Another reason is the potential impact that Hurricane Sandy made. But given Sandy, the numbers are surprisingly strong. The AP: “The U.S. economy added a solid 146,000 jobs in November and the unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent, the lowest since December 2008. The government said Superstorm Sandy had only a minimal effect on the figures.” Two economists indicated to one of us that Sandy was worth a loss of 80,000-100,000 jobs. So imagine what this report would be without Sandy?
*** The One-Billion-Dollar Men: Politico notes that, with the final numbers in, both Team Obama and Team Romney raised more than $1 billion. “Obama: $1.123 billion vs. Romney: $1.019 billion. That’s the final fundraising tally in the most expensive presidential election ever, according to reports filed Thursday with the Federal Election Commission by the rival campaigns and party committees.”
*** Another labor battle in the Midwest: And here’s the top political story outside of Washington, per the Detroit Free Press: “Michigan, considered the birthplace of the American organized labor movement, was on a fast track to becoming the nation's 24th right-to-work state late Thursday after the state House and Senate passed bills as part of a package to pass the law. Labor and Democrats were pushing back hard against the Workplace Fairness and Equity Act, but the efforts seemed futile as the controversial measures moved like greased lightning -- and without going through committees or public debate -- and could land on Gov. Rick Snyder's desk by next week. The debate raged across Michigan, and the country on Thursday, as to whether the legislation would do what proponents say, bring fairness to workers and spark economic growth; or do as opponents claim, lower wages and benefits and destroy the middle class.”
*** Welcome back, Alan Grayson: NBC’s Carrie Dann has profiled 10 new members to watch in the next Congress. Today’s profile: Alan Grayson (and he’s a familiar face). “He's ba-ack. Alan Grayson, the quotable liberal firebrand whose zippy insults served as cable catnip during his previous stint in Congress, will be back on the Hill again next year. After losing his 2010 re-election bid, Grayson moved to a new Orlando district and sailed to victory this year over Republican Todd Long. The man who disgraced former Rep. Anthony Weiner once labeled as ‘one fry short of a happy meal,’ has garnered frequent outrage for his rhetorical bombs. He was forced to apologize after referring to a banking lobbyist as a ‘K Street whore’; he said Florida Gov. Rick Scott would have ‘blood on his hands’ if he did not implement some parts of the health-care plan; and he accused Republicans of offering only the health-care proposal that sick people should ‘die quickly.’ He was roundly beaten by Republican Daniel Webster in 2010 but will return having won by a 25-point margin in a redrawn district. Cable news bookers, start your engines.”
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“Bear Witness” Old Quaker tradition (and no I’m not, far from it) Walk beside two stone faced people in uniform up a front walk to deliver bad news to parents or a young widow or set and read letters from home to a recently blinded young man or women and suddenly the big mouth that mumbles platitudes about honoring their service and in the next breath says that he hopes the country they fought for fails becomes irrelevant.
4487 Bear witness to that number. There has been a lot of discussion about who deserves credit for what and why. Most of the folks doing the discussing don’t want to discuss that number or the folly that caused it. 4487 of our brothers and sisters, husband and wives, fathers and mothers are no longer with us. Bear Witness to this sacrifice by our best and brightest and suddenly you will find that even the most eloquent speaker’s words pale in comparison in the simple truth that is shown by their honor, sacrifice and devotion to country. Bear Witness to their eloquent voices and never forget them especially when the next group comes along beating the drums of war and intervention. We owe them no less
This week Bob Dole former Senator, erstwhile Presidential Candidate, Disabled World War II Veteran and a man of Uncommon Honor and Valor came to the floor of the Senate to Bear Witness to something he thought was right and just. Thirty eight of you decided to treat him to your paranoid delusions and couch it in terms of God, Honor and Love of Country. Absent from all the posturing in that Senate chamber was the simple reminder to take a short walk down the Mall and visit the Freedom Wall at the World War II Memorial or that that long Black Wall that represents Vietnam to many. “Bear witness” to the quiet dignity of Senator Dole’s presence , the 4048 Gold Stars on the Freedom Wall or the 50,000 names from ‘Nam and listen to what those voices are trying to tell you. I think that their message of Honor, Duty, Sacrifice and Devotion to this great Nation and its Ideals speak louder and more eloquently than any earthly speaker ever could. Too bad that thirty eight men of scant Honor and no Devotion to anything outside their own narrow paranoid interests don’t seem to be able to hear it.
“Bear Witness” and then you will know why I have no use for your Charlatans, False Prophets and Nabobs of Negativity that are misusing their influence in blind pursuit of ratings and power with absolutely no intention of doing a d@mn thing to help unless it is in their own best interest. They are simply irrelevant to the discussion.
Pearl Harbor Day:
Today is Pearl Harbor day and a perfect day to honor our WWII veterans. Most are now in their 80's they are becoming more and more scarce. If you are lucky enough to see a veteran, stop what you are doing and thank them for their service. If you spot a veteran in a restaurant anonymously buy their breakfast or lunch. It was their sacrifice that gives us the freedom we enjoy and too often take for granted.
WWII veterans fought for all of us, not just Republicans or Democrats. They fought so that we would all have the right to vote, both white and minorities. They fought for our freedom of speech and the right to attend the church of our choice.
So thank a veteran for his or her service. After all we are the sons, daughters and grandchildren of the greatest generation and showing our appreciation is the right thing to do.
Last weekend, NPR interviewed shoppers outside a Wal-Mart where workers were trying to unionize. One shopper was railing against the workers, saying that shoppers like him should band together in support of the Wal-Mart ownership because unionization would result in skyrocketing prices.
This seemed to me a perfect window into the Right’s mindset. On the one hand they rant about those accepting government assistance, calling them “takers”. On the other they want to deny workers the right to earn a decent wage. They don’t acknowledge that Wal-Mart is not everyone’s ideal workplace, that many are trapped—for one of life’s many reasons, and perhaps only temporarily—in low-paying jobs.
Indeed, the self-congratulatory Me! Me! Me! among them say, “I pulled myself up by my bootstraps! They can, too!” It never occurs to them that if everyone was actually able to access those higher paying jobs. . . there would be no Wal-Marts.
(Perhaps they think that immigrants could fill the void. Oh, wait. . . .)
19th Century French philosopher Charles Fourier believed that children were idlers who nonetheless possess a great deal of energy. He felt classroom education was wasted on children. His utopia was one in which children would perform all the dirty work of society—sweep the factory floors, scrub out the cisterns. They would do this gladly, he said, because children love being dirty and playing in filth.
A similar vision apparently infects the minds of the Right.
“If those people are so lazy that the only jobs they can get is at Wal-Mart. . . well, then those are jobs they deserve!”
“Yeah! And they should be glad to have them!”
Back to my hero who was being interviewed by NPR. It didn’t seem to occur to him that he—and his fellow shoppers who wish to deny Wal-Mart workers the right to unionize—are in fact the “takers”.
Nor did it appear to occur to him that the biggest “taker” of all is Wal-Mart.
IR, beautifully said! Thank you.
G.O.P. Chairman Reince Priebus is sniveling this morning. It seems he got a letter telling him the Republican Credibility Account has been closed. It's overdrawn and has a negative balance.
The letter was blunt. It said defending tax cuts for the rich was untenable. Indeed, it appears Credibility Analysts note while corporate profits are off the charts, employee wages have not kept up with the cost of living. The letter said demonizing socialism, while touting capitalism resulted in a major credibility withdrawal. They cited the words of Professor Jason Read, who said, "People who dismiss the unemployed and dependent as “parasites” fail to understand economics and parasitism. A successful parasite is one that is not recognized by it’s host, one that can make it’s host work for it without appearing as a burden. Such is the ruling class in a capitalist society."
Credibility Analysts also took Priebus and company to task for lying about the debt ceiling. The fact is Congress sets a budget, and the President is expected to implement the laws of Congress. Those laws include massive tax cuts, legal drugs for seniors, and those pesky war thingies. That costs money and the President must find it somewhere, and since tax collections are down, he has to borrow. That's the debt part of "debt ceiling".
When Congress keeps spending like drug addicts with their own prescription pads, the debt just keeps going up. So, Congress invented this debt ceiling to pretend they were being responsible. When their spending hit the ceiling, they used to quietly raise it. But today's Republicans have raised victimhood to an art and somehow they've made themselves the victims by spending too much and it's someone else's fault. They scream about it. That's how addicts are.
It's like this McConnell thing. Now, there's an addict for you. Obviously he knows he has a problem because he keeps screaming about wasteful government spending, but he just keeps taking government money. Heck, his wife was the Secretary of Labor for President George W. Bush. It's that addiction thing, and it leads to muddled thinking. That's why McConnell filibusters his own bills. There's that credibility thing. Addict or not, this guy has gotten very, very wealthy while he was sucking it up at the government trough. Check this out. http://apps.washingtonpost.com/politics/capitol-assets/member/mitch-mcconnell/
The letter to Priebus closed by saying that Republicans voted for so much spending while they were cutting revenue sources, that the economy had to crash, which it did just before Obama was elected. The Credibility Analysts say you really can't blame Obama for not cleaning up that kind of mess in just a few years. It's just not credible.
Account closed.
Floyd,
You made Betty tear up!
I have been so angry about that disgrace, you put it into proper perspective with a sense of calm words and redneck wisdom...
Thank You!
Good Morning and Happy Friday Independent Redneck Va. Jody, David, Ron, Feisty,and Jack
The right heads are going explode the Job numbers are better than expected; the President's Approval Rating is the highest since Bin Laden; and Forbes has named our President number 1 as the most influential people in the world. Umm, what was that about Waterloo?
Jack in Portsmouth
19th Century French philosopher Charles Fourier ... and founder of Utopia, Ohio. Didn't last too long, about 3 years.
As the son of a WW l l vet, my dad never talked much about the war. But he would upon occasion talk about the terrible day that F.D.R. spoke of in his day that will live in infamy speech. Today W.W. l l vets are getting fewer and fewer, my dad has long ago went to his rest. But the lessons he learned, and the lessons that this country learned will live forever in the hearts of Americans. I ask all of you on both sides of the aisle to stop sometime today and share a quiet moment paying tribute to those that have gone before us. The hero's that rose out of that war could show today's polititions something about bravery. Do what is best for the country should be high on anyone's list of to do. Not do what is best for a segment of society that already has it made and really doesn't need help from the government in any fashion.
Ron...well said. I was gonna post something about Pearl Harbor Day today, but I don't think I could say it any better than you did. Thanks my friend!
And the unemployment numbers just keep looking better and better. And so long DeMint. You WON'T be missed. Now If we could just get rid of a few more "old crotchety white Republican men" life would just keep getting better.
Oh, have you noticed how many of our "old Repug posters" have disappeared? But now we see a whole new group of Repugs with new names and lots of numbers after their names. Gee, I wonder if these could be our old lost friends. Hummm?
And the unemployment numbers just keep looking better and better. And so long DeMint. You WON'T be missed. Now If we could just get rid of a few more "old crotchety white Republican men" life would just keep getting better.
Oh, have you noticed how many of our "old Repug posters" have disappeared? But now we see a whole new group of Repugs with new names and lots of numbers after their names. Gee, I wonder if these could be our old lost friends. Hummm?
IR: Thank you. I feel guilty when I allow the fallen to slip from my mind. A perfect day to bring remorse to our hearts.
Ron, well said tribute.
Jack, Portsmouth, great post. Walmart pays its workers low wages, denies them full-time work in order to avoid paying for benefits....then those workers, in order to feed their families and survive, apply for food assistance, medicaid. By the actions of Walmart to NOT pay its workers living wages and deny them benefits, We the People subsidize the multi-billion dollar profiteers who run the company. Conservatives rant about food stamps being evil yet cheer Walmart's version of capitalism--selfishness and greed.
IR:
Your post touches the full range of emotion.
I thought We Americans are proud that we don't have kings!
IR, Perfect! Pitch Perfect!
David Walker, Bravo!
Ron, Great Reminder!
Waves to my other fellow Libs - All's well in KCMO - Happy Friday! Baking all day for Dew Drop party!
Hugs!
I've wondered the same thing Tom.
Where's NoJo, Spanky or JAS........?
Trading Places
From the article above:
* * *
Courtesy of Wikipedia
Trading Places is a 1983 American comedy satire film directed by John Landis and written by Timothy Harris and Herschel Weingrod.
The film tells the story of an upper class commodities broker (Dan Aykroyd) and a homeless street hustler (Eddie Murphy) whose lives cross paths when they are unknowingly made part of an elaborate test of nature vs. nurture by wealthy Duke brothers, Randolph (Ralph Bellamy) and Mortimer (Don Ameche).
The film also stars Denholm Elliott and Jamie Lee Curtis.
The storyline is often called a modern take on Mark Twain's classic 19th century novel The Prince and the Pauper.
Parallels have also been drawn between Trading Places and Mozart's 18th century comic opera The Marriage of Figaro in which a servant (Figaro) foils the plans of his rich master who tried to steal Figaro's bride to be.
Denholm Elliott and Jamie Lee Curtis won the awards for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and Best Actress in a Supporting Role, respectively, at the 37th British Academy Film Awards.
The film was nominated for several additional awards including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the 41st Golden Globe Awards.
Tom Davis and (Senator) Al Franken cameo as train baggage handlers.
* * *
This has always been one of my favorite holiday classics, and I’m sure one of yours.
Nice tribute, Ron. Well said.
Happy Friday everyone!
Salud
The GOP is in a mess...hahahahaha
I am so happy. I hope the GOP is up to the challenge....no I am kidding.
TomasGrande
Nuevo amigo... muchas gracias.
Thanks, IR. I share in your outrage. Those 38 will be the first to support sending more men and women off to war in the name of patriotism. Disgusting. Every one of them.
Great posts as always, David (above) and Jody's wrap (below). Thanks.
Republicans and their supporters have never liked the idea of SS, Medicare, unemployment
insurance, child labor laws, unions or environmental laws. The types of things that protect people and
build the American middle class. To them, these are the gifts that Romney complained about. They
are the "entitlements" they want to cut and eventually get rid of and now is their opportunity to do so.
Republicans do not want a compromise and so over the fiscal cliff we go.
Hey Floyd... you SIT and read... you don' SET and read.
LOL!
BTW freedomfry's... why does the government have to provide THOSE protections to people? Could it be because they are too lazy, stupid or just not disciplined enough to take action to protect themselves? Could it be because they wouldn't save for their retirement, or healthcare in old age? Instead opting to spend their money on 'other' things now and the beg for charity later?
Great posts this morning, too many to mention one by one so I will instead say thanks to all my liberal friends and conservative friend Grimey, for providing thoughtful comments to read and ponder.
Jody,
Wal-Mart's version of capitalism wouldn't work if people didn't shop there. Consumers have a lot more power, and responsibility than they realize. If low prices for cheap crap is more important than a thriving community of local business that sell better stuff with better service, abeit at a higher price, than Wal-Mart, then Wal-Mart will thrive and can do whatever it wants. I detest Wal-Mart with a fiery passion for many reasons!
Frank: Thanks for the shout-out. I just read (after posting) that a WWII veteran passes away every 90 seconds.
IR: "Bear Witness to their eloquent voices and never forget them especially when the next group comes along beating the drums of war and intervention. We owe them no less"
Like Grimey, I had planned to post something about Pearl Harbor Day this morning too, but the words weren't just coming together. Glad to see we have our own eloquent voices here in Uncle Redneck, Ron, and John in Battle Creek. Thanks, guys. And thanks to all veterans everywhere.
As for Sick of the Bickering.....was that comment really necessary? If you don't want to respect your fellow posters here, that's your privilege, but there's no need to disrespect a very heartfelt tribute like that. Do us all a favor and take it somewhere else, okay?
Hah! Hah! You Republicans and Teabaggers are too Late.
We got our Muslim-Marxist President in for a 2nd term and there's Nothing you can do!
Soon our Socialist Worker's Utopia will be realized on the Planet Earth, in the Country you once called America!
First we'll re-enact the "Obama Snitch-Line" where us Party faithfuls can report you Republicans and Teabaggers in, if you "get out of line".
Then we're going to Take away your Guns and Bibles and issue Muslim Prayer Rugs, so every morning you are forced to Pray towards Mecca.
Finally, we'll stack the Supreme Court with as many Socialists (aka Dems), Leninists, Marxists and Old-Style Soviet Commies as we can, and you can't stop us! And Judges are appointed for Life!
That should teach you Republicans and Teabaggers a "thing or two about a thing or two", for voting that idiot George Bush in for a 2nd term!
Do any of you have a "problem" with all this?
ps. Is this a Great post. or what?
pss. and Obama really was born in Kenya!
"The debate raged across Michigan, and the country on Thursday, as to whether the legislation would do what proponents say, bring fairness to workers and spark economic growth; or do as opponents claim, lower wages and benefits and destroy the middle class.”
The right to work for less and less and less, has in fact lowered the wage and benefit levels for wage earners across the board in every state that ha passed those laws, and that includes middle management as well.
The way this was done in MI is another shameful example of republican politicians ramming through their own personal agendas, without regard for the opinions and desires of the citizens they are supposed to represent. This move by MI republicans will be another nail in republicans political coffins in upcoming elections, and they wonder why the majority of the country no longer trusts them to bargain in good faith.
Friends don't let friends vote republican.
Thanks folks. Sometimes my Southernisms aren't adequate for the task at hand but something about this Forum keeps me striving anyway in the hopes that enough of you will get the gist of what I'm trying to say...........And Sick Of for those of us that lost the War of Northern Aggresion "set"is the proper venacular. As in "Sometimes I sets and thinks and sometime I just sets"
SickOfTheBickering's grammatical punishment is ten sits of setups.
Jack in Portsmith: Walmart is in business to make money...end of story. If their employees feel as thought they're not being treated fairly/not being paid enough, whatever; quit and go work somewhere else. I'm sure that all of us that are employed have at one time or another, perceived that we have been treated unfairly...life's not fair...take responsibility for one's own perdicament and do something about instead of complaining...and if you don't like Walmart, you have a right not to shop there; don't you?
So you as taxpayer are willing to bear the brunt of Walmart's intransigence through food stamps and such for their workers?
What obligation does an employer that size have to the larger community, juanita? I would say their first obligation for the tremendous amount of profit they make, is to pay a living wage. You?
Thank heavens, we have Costco. I don't have to shop at Walmart or Sam's for "low prices," allow them to make tremendous profit, and treat their employees like cattle.
Thanks for the reminder, Jack. Those that celebrate the Christmas season ought to be aware of their social obligation to others that extend to where they shop.
Remember, Remember, the 7th of December.
The one thing i fear about these great job numbers is that Republican congressmen now have something else in their arsenal to threaten to f$%* up if they dont get their way... lets keep this momentum going by extending benefits to the unemployed. Which to me is more important than the tax cut to the 98%. I can afford to pay a little more in taxes. If Republicans dont like it, they need to suggest some kind of work training initiative to go along with unemployment benefits or just flat out extend them. We dont need folks who are already unemployed to be threatened with the prospect of actual poverty and homelessness... during the holidays no less.
Happy Pearl Harbor day and a great deal of thanks to those who fought in the great war!
“I believe that I can do more good for the conservative movement outside of the Senate in leveraging the assets of the Heritage Foundation to communicate a more positive, optimistic message to the American people.”
*** The Senate and its influence: Chew on that quote above for a few minutes. What does it say about the institution of the Senate that a member has more potential power outside of it than inside it? Is it a recognition that if you’re not in leadership, you can’t be as influential as you want to be? That’s always been a reality of the House. But the Senate, too?
============
No, you don't need to be in "leadership" in the Senate in order to be an obstructionist. DeMint may bitch about not being to get the change he wants via the Senate, but that doesn't move the Senate into a 'leadership' only club like the House.
Apples n Green Peppers.
Dont always agree with her, but Juanita does have a point!
A lawyer, an illegal alien, a pathological liar, a muslim, a communist and a black guy walk into a bar.
Bartender asks...
"What'll it be Mr. President?
And to the 47%ers..... despite what you think, o'bama is no Santa Claus! Get a job, help you community, paricipate in something other than bitching at Republicans (or those who pay for your benefits) at FR! Basically, your New Year's Resolution this year is get off your asses and quit trolling truck stops!
On the other hand... Merry Christmas to the workers and producers!
IR, non-Southerners just don't realize what they're missing. I'll come set with you anytime!
I have been to Wal-mart exactly once in my life, many years ago I was camping with my young family and my car battery shot craps, the nearest small town only had a walmart, I bought a battery, and that is the first and last time I have ever set foot in a Wal-mart.
While Alice Walton buys Piscaso's the taxpayers and those that pay health care premiums subsidize the healthcare costs of one of the most profitable companies on the planet, and who fights to keep it this way, republicans, the same people who claim they are fighting for taxpayers, and are opposed to the AHCA. Again they wonder why the majority of Americans no longer trust republicans to bargain in good faith.
I could give a rats patootie if republicans screw up the debt ceiling and we go into default, if only it would cause China to send the repo men to come get their cheap crap from Wal-mart.
I agree with my fellow dems an libs. Today those right wing nuts will be mad as hell and making up whatever stuff they hear from Rush an Hannity today.
Another month of job growth and the president approval rating is high. I love it!!
I would like to know have any of you seen these new right wing nut jobs on FR lately. Names:
hesfailing, oscar, jim, just to name a few. These freakin losers are something else. They'll be on here probably sometime this afternoon. Thats when these idiots be in full force.
Well I see Ol' Seldom is making a bid this morning to become the front runner in this years Cheerio Go-Kart Racing Rookie of the Year Awards.
Has it really been 71 years since that day "that will live in infamy?" The day the Empire of Japan, barely 100 years out of isolation and feudalism, would launch it's third surprise attack in modern times to start a war. First it was the Chinese in 1894, then the Russians in 1904, both wars started with surprise naval attacks on the enemy fleet. And then us, in 1941.
Oh the signs were there, we knew their history, we knew of their military build-up and their emphasis on their carrier force while the rest of the world still believed in the battleship, soon to be painfully obsolete. We cracked their military cipher. We knew they were up to something. But we told ourselves they would be crazy to draw us into a war that the GOP in Congress had out-done themselves to keep us out of.
That's right, it was the Republicans who fought FDR every inch of the way over lend-lease and increasing our military budget to modernize our armed forces. The GOP were the isolationists. Churchill and Great Britain were literally begging for our help but all President Roosevelt could do was send a tiny fraction of the aide the Brits needed to stave off the German war machine. All because of the Republicans in Congress. That's history folks, not rhetoric.
Short-sighted and blind, the GOP steadfastly blocked what they saw as the President's attempts to involve us in another European war. Then came December 7, 1941, "A day that will live in infamy." The nation wanted to avenge the defeat at Pearl Harbor. We declared war on the Axis powers, Germany and Japan and Italy within a few weeks. But it would be months before we could partially recover and truly fight back in the Pacific and it would be two years before we could enter the war in Europe.
Following Pearl Harbor Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto uttered the most famous and most prophetic words of the war. He said "I fear we have awakened a sleeping giant and filled him with a terrible resolve."
That prophecy would be fulfilled in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. To this day we remain the only nation to have used atomic/nuclear weapons in war and our victims were the helpless civilians of those two doomed cities.
All thanks to the short-sightedness of the isolationist GOP, their tight-fisted control of the nation's purse strings and their refusal to allow the President to prepare the nation for war and to aide our allies.
So, here we are again, 71 years and many tens of thousands of military deaths later, and the GOP is still an obstruction, preventing our nation from growing, evolving, becoming greater than ever before in this, a new century and what is becoming a new world.
On this Pearl Harbor day we honor the men and women who died to protect our own nation and all the freedom-loving people of the world. We remember the greatest generation as they slowly fade into history.
But it's also important to remember those who caused those unnecessary casualties at Pearl Harbor in 1941 and who should rightly share the "infamy" the nation felt 71 years ago. Those GOP congressmen who weakened our armed forces and abandoned our allies and continue today hold this nation hostage with their petty political games.
Goodbye, "Dr. DeMinto", you will not be missed. Why not take Mr. Ryan and Senator McConnell with you to the Heritage Foundation? Certainly the Heritage Foundation could find a couple more million dollar positions for your former Congressional colleagues. We the people...won't miss them or mourn them.
Winston Churchill reportedly once said, "You can depend on the Americans to do the right thing, after they have tried everything else."
It's time we do the right thing, we've tried everything else.
Amen Jody
Oh now, Redneck... Don't be so sensitive. I was jus pokin' a li'l fun atcha! ;-)
(Seems that you folks sure like to poke... but don't like to get poked.)
Congressman Tim Scott may be the next Senator from South Carolina!
This will make the Bob Byrd wing of the Democrat party seethe. It will make the registered Democrats who voted for Keith Judd, a jailed felon, over President Obama in the primary furious.
Many Democrats cannot stand Black Republicans in ANY position of power: Justice Clarence Thomas, Condi Rice, General Colin Powell, Michael Steele, Colonel Allen West, Mia Love. What intolerance!!
Go Tim Scott, Go!
Fox Tabloid News report - Christine O'Donnell to replace Jim Dimwit Senate Seat !!!!!!!!!!!
Fine, WalMart keeps prices down and that's partly through low wages. The larger issue here is that we the tax payers SUBSIDIZE those wages. They end up on welfare, Medicaid, SNAP...the whole gamut of programs that have successfully reduced poverty in our society.
The WalMartization of the workforce has been a huge imposition on the tax payer, effectively making those "low prices" higher through hidden costs that are borne on April 15 and paid throughout the year.
EVERYTHING that is fiscally wrong relates back to that.
If the average American made more money the economy would be stronger.
If the average American made more money fewer people would be on assistance.
If the average American made more money it would improve solvency of Social Security.
If the average American made the money that has been hoarded by the wealthy elites to whom 93% of new income has gone since the end of the Great Recession all of our fiscal issues would be easier to handle.
The Conservative economic experiment has failed.
"A lawyer, an illegal alien, a pathological liar, a muslim, a communist and a black guy walk into a bar.
Bartender asks...
What'll it be Mr. President?"
Ha that is pretty funny Sam, you know why? Because that insistence on things that the nation knows is not true is exactly why the republican party ha lost the confidence of the American electorate. You do Democrats and liberals a great service by continuing to make republicans look like damn fools to the majority of America. Again they wonder why the nation no longer trusts them to bargain in good faith, people no longer trust republicans, I can't think of a bigger political problem for them than that. Good one Sam.
LOL! Touch'e !!!
;-)
So are you saying workers shouldn't have the right to unionize and negotiate higher wages? Really?
Your solution (quit and go work somewhere else) is overly simplistic. But I'm not going to waste my time arguing with you. Besides, John B. in Des Moines explains it well in #1.48. That's the whole point of why Wal-Mart is a "taker".
DeMint = "to communicate a more positive, optimistic message to the American people."
In other words, deceive, lie, and twist the message to the American People.
Sick of.....And apparently you are to sensitive to realise it when an old southern feller is poking fun right back at you.
@Independent Redneck Va. Beautiful! May I add a little tid bit to your piece? This am, about 8:00, I drove over by an old friends place a few miles from me. His name is "Howard". 88 years old and a WW2 Vet. Disease and time have mauled Him rather harshly, yet, He still stands with sparkling eyes despite stooping shoulders and trembling hands. I immediately saw Him out behind His house, to the left of His barn, standing erect, facing His flag pole, giving Grand salute to "Old Glory". The morning is raw, overcast, about 37 degrees, and a brisk Northwesterly wind. I stopped, and slowly and softly walked out, and stood beside Him. I then became erect, and as best I could joined Howard in that salute. Not a word had been spoken. After some time I stole a sideways glance toward Howard's face. Solemn, but tears streamed freely from unblinking eyes. I couldn't help it. I began to sob. Reached out and touched Howards back, gently patted it, then turned and softly walked back toward my pickup. Howard never reacted. Just before I drove away, I looked again. Howard persisted. Standing there, in grand salute, on a raw, grey, cold morning, honoring that which deserves honor, as the great "Old Glory" waved mightily in the wind. I sobbed all the way back home. Just couldn't help it. Regards my friend
Part of success in business involves good public relations, does it not? WalMart is poorly managed if they think they can ignore public perception of the way they practice business. Some customers do care about whether or not the retailers they frequent are good corporate citizens.
Some of us feel it's wrong for WalMart to treat their employees like serfs and expect the rest of us--the taxpayers-- to subsidize their poorly-paid workers with food stamps. Meanwhile, members of the Walton family are among the richest people on Earth.
For many people there is nowhere else to go and they feel lucky to have a job at all, even under such terrible conditions. WalMart, the largest retailer in the world, has driven many smaller stores out of business. In some communities, it is literally the only place to find a job.
That is precisely what the striking and protesting WalMart workers are doing. It is perfectly legal to do so.
Assuming there is anywhere else in your town left to shop, you mean?
Mac...... Thanks and next time you get a chance thank Ol' Howard for me and many others here at F.R. I will carry the picture that you painted today for a long time. Well done
Yeah Demint quitting really gives the Republicans an edge.
Think how strong they could be if they all quit. There would be no stopping them.
Mac Forrester -
There are a couple of tears on my keyboard now just from reading your story. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Great idea, put all the wackos together in one place outside of government where they can no longer upset simple tasks or continue their demands for "no compromise".
It's really a brilliant plan on Boehner's part (to find a way to get rid of obstructionist Teagaggers) and a signal that finally someone in the Republican Party is listening to the American People, instead of plugging their ears, putting their blinders on, and trying to blame the President.
Good move, Boner.
IR - well put and we all need to remember - every day. Mac- you have me crying at my desk. Thank you for sharing.
Sick - there are days your post prove your name and certainly today the "sick" part of it is right.
juanita - you clearly don't get it and probably never will. EVERY company should have to treat their employees with respect and pay them a livable wage. It is what makes us different than India and China where people are paid $10 a month.
To everyone else - remember those who have served for us - in every war - and make sure they all know we appreciate their sacrifice!
Despite the solemnity of Pearl Harbor Day, there are many reasons to be joyful this holiday season.
I'm awed by the comments posted here by my fellow Americans...not just today but every day.
...and I'm STILL CELEBRATING!! :)
Geez Mac, first it's IR and then you come along and start the whole thing all over again. Doncha know us growed-up men folks have leaky eyes?
Independent Redneck Va.
Many of the folks who love the sight of soldiers in their neat uniforms and shiny brass buttons going off to war don't want to look at those same soldiers when they come back home broken in body or spirit. I had an uncle who fought in the Pacific theater in WW II. Like many veterans, he never talked about it much except to say that the things he saw were too horrible to speak of. He died years ago from alcoholism, which my mom believed was linked to his wartime experience. There were tens of thousands of other veterans from that war and the ones that have been fought since who survived the war but not the psychological or physical after-effects. We need fewer politicians who view war as a game they can play from the comfort of their air conditioned offices and more who really understand how terrible it really is.
*waves to Clara*
Good to see you GF, awesome post below!
Can't wait to sample some of your legendary "baked goods" later over at the Dew Drop Inn! ☺
@Mac - Just when I managed to turn off the "water works" you come along...
Like Floyd, the picture you painted will be with me for a long time! Thank you for sharing!
@Kaybee - couldn't agree with you more!
The implosion and self-destruction of the GOP isn't good news for the rest of the country. No one system of government works - what really works is taking bits and pieces from mutually contradictory philosophies. So, for example, the US prospered when it had unbridled capitalism with a very strong social safety net: this encouraged entrepreneurs to take risks and yet gave them "handouts" if they failed so that they could get on their feet and keep trying till they succeeded, which benefited everyone through reasonable taxation. When reasonable taxation started getting called "punishing success", when we shredded the safety net, Big Business started buying government and implementing policies that would make it harder for smaller business to grow. That's the situation we are in today, with record profits on Wall Street and the rest of the country struggling.
Back when Republicans had real principles and stood for fiscal responsibility, freedom, etc., we had a serious debate about the direction of the country. We still need this debate. At this point, it's fairly obvious what needs to be done, but that's because idiots have driven us to extremes. We need to get back into the place where politics was incredibly boring and only policy wonks could understand all the ins and outs of a proposal - back when we were driven by need and practicality and not ideology.
Right, I'll go tell my lazy parents to get back to work. They only worked their whole lives but they quit working at 65, those lazy bums. And I'll be sure to tell them to also send you a thank-you note for having supported them after they paid into social security their whole lives.
Yes! We need serious discussion and a willingness to cooperate, not more political posturing and playing games on the taxpayer's account.
We also need legislators who are sensible and trustworthy. At least we have a president who is up to the task!
Seldom Seen - you're still seen too often. Your 47% comment has even been debunked by Republican leadership (okay, oxymoron there) as total garbage. Get a clue and learn what is really going on.
TO: Forrest Grump 2.0 who wrote:
Perfectly said Grump, you hit it right on the head!
It seems like Boehner made a fast move to the center, and side-lined the Teagaggers.
The only trouble that remains for Republicans is getting the wackos in line, which looks quite impossible because they're too far gone (they start believing the Republicans talking points - none of which were true, they were just meant to incite hatred and anger).
Excellent posts this morning. I thank all of you for giving a lovely start to my day. Thank you.
Houston! -
Your post reminded me of the old song about Gallipoli, "And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda". The last two verses especially:
"So they collected the cripples, the wounded, the maimed
And they shipped us back home to Australia;
The armless, the legless, the blind, the insane
Those proud wounded heroes of Suvla.
And as our ship pulled into Circular Quay,
I looked at the place where my legs used to be;
And thank Christ there was nobody waiting for me
To grieve and to mourn and to pity.
And the band played Waltzing Matilda
As they carried us down the gangway.
But nobody cheered, they just stood and stared
Then turned all their faces away.
And now every April I sit on my porch
And I watch the parade pass before me.
And I watch my old comrades, how proudly they march
Reliving old dreams of past glory.
And the old men march slowly, all bent, stiff and sore
The forgotten heroes from a forgotten war;
And the young people ask, "What are they marching for?"
And I ask myself the same question.
And the band plays Waltzing Matilda
And the old men answer to the call.
But year after year their numbers get fewer;
Some day no one will march there at all."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VktJNNKm3B0
Some are calling the Conservative Heritage Foundation the New KKK, good fit for Jim Dimwit !!!
Oh, have you noticed how many of our "old Repug posters" have disappeared?
I've wondered the same thing Tom.
Where's NoJo, Spanky or JAS........?
Maybe THEY were the paid posters that they kept accusing some of us to be.
Seldom seen Sam, you sure know how to yank the libbies chains, lol! Keep it up.
Here's a very good article explaining Obama's profound confusion on his 'proposal to avoid the FC, a good read, but something he or his minions won't understand.....
SteveH, great article and valid points that obama had ignored in his feeble negotiations with the Republicans! This president's ego will prevent him from negotiating any deal during his administration! He failed miserably in his first term, and it looks like he hasn't learned from those mistakes this time around! Pity the fools who voted for him!
Come on now old friend... surely you know the correct word it TOO not TO... ;-)
*** The monthly jobs numbers: 146,000 jobs created in November; unemployment rate drops to 7.7%: I believe FR left out an important number is their left wing slant to the unemployment numbers. Where was the mention that 370K people quit looking for work so are not counted. So if we take those 370K and add them, it more than off sets the jobs created. Further how many of those 146K jobs were part time/holiday workers.
SpeakingInSanity...
You and I couldn't be farther apart on every issue... and that brings me joy :-)
You are the one that simply does not 'get it'. You say to juanita that 'every company should have to treat their employees with respect and pay them a livable wage.' You fail to realize that those employees have the REAL power. They set their own price for respect and wages by accepting what they do.
If they all walked out and no one else was willing to do that job for that level of respect and pay... then the company would have to pay more (respect and pay) or it would simply go out of business for a lack of production.
Instead, the fact that people ARE willing to do the job for that level of respect and pay... indicates that the job is only WORTH that level of respect and pay. THAT IS THE DEFINITION OF A FREE MARKET!
By settling for that pay the employees set the market value of their labor. Are you (in your highly educated state of mind) too stupid to understand that?
It's really VERY simple.
----------------------------------
As for your opinion of me... OOOOOO.... sticks and stones... hahahah!
I am "SICK"... you're right... I have a terrible head cold right now... if you were here I would show you by sneezing all over you!
:-P
SeekingSanity you stated - juanita - you clearly don't get it and probably never will. EVERY company should have to treat their employees with respect and pay them a livable wage. It is what makes us different than India and China where people are paid $10 a month.
What do you consider a "livable wage", and how does one go about determining what is a "livable wage?" CA and some other states have minimum wage laws which are higher than the Federal minimum wage.
Theodore O'Hara.
IR, Ron, Jack and David....
The four posts that you made at the top of this string are the best I have seen in some time. You each couldn't have said it any better. Really excellent posts.
D
Republicans have perfected the Privatization of Profit while Socializing the Risk; as evident by American subsidized wages above.
Another classic example which I told anyone who would listed about Romney
The GOP and republicans Privatize Profit while the Taxpayers unknowingly accept and finance the risk.
World Wide Grinding systems - renamed GS Technologies.
After Bain was through with them 750 people lost their Jobs
Pension benefits were cut in half - causing the government funded insurance to pony up more than 44 million dollars while Bain Walked away with over 12 million on a 8 million investment.
Seriously this behavior is acceptable to those on Wall Street but not a value asset for someone who wants to be the President of the United States.
That's why I say Romney and the Republicans are all about Privatized Profits while Taxpayers assume ALL the Risk.
Their methods are a 1% er's wet dream. Make the money leave the government to clean up the mess from their profit taking... all the unemployment, medicaid and food stamps that had to be paid out because of Bain...Then blame the economic crisis of those that use them.....all while they laugh and drink martini's and get people to support eliminating safety nets.
So Michigan is going to try 'Right To Work'.... Yet another assult on the working class and proof that the rich/right never rest in their quest to shift more money to the rich.
Never mind that average wages in RTW states is over $5K less. And that your chances of being injured on the job go up by over 50%. Or that your access to affordable health care goes down.
Idaho was a late adopter (1985) of RTW and one of the reasons touted for passing it was that it would save the state money on public projects when coupled with repeal of 'prevailing wage' laws. It didn't prove to be the case. It did prove to be a perfect 'laboratory' for a 'before/after' comparison as nearly all other states passed these laws in the 40s and no studies were done. While bid costs went down, cost overruns, repairs caused by poor work performed by low-wage unskilled workers, and the exporting of job profits to out-of-state 'traveling' contractors increased costs and reduced revenues to the state, for a net loss. All while reducing the standard of living for Idaho workers.
One aspect of RTW law should be of interest to all you GOP supporters who loudly talk about 'freedom' and 'personal responsibility; in a RTW state, if an employee who works under a union contract but refuses to pay union dues (his 'rights'), that employee still gets full union representation even though he/she doesn't pay for it. The union is forced to expend time/money defending them if asked by that employee (and many times, even if they're not asked) and failure to do so leaves the union open to lawsuits. To put that into perspective, this is the same as if you worked in a non-union shop and if an employee got fired or disiplined, that employee could go hire a legal team to fight it then send the bill to the rest of you. And you would be forced to pay that bill. Explain that one to me if you can....
Union membership is voluntary. If you're in a non-RTW state ('closed shop' where membership is required) and don't want to belong to a union with it's benefits and obligations, then go get a job at a non-union employer. It's that simple. But don't ask for the benefits if you don't like the obligations, that makes you a 'taker' (to use the GOP definition).
Hi Ya Sarge how ya doing, fine I hope. I'm going to quote part of your post here and then answer you.
"What do you consider a "livable wage", and how does one go about determining what is a "livable wage?" CA and some other states have minimum wage laws which are higher than the Federal minimum wage."
The fact is the cost of living is vastly different in different areas of the nation, that is why prevailing wage laws are so important, these laws have come under attack from republicans from time to time, but they are crucial to the economic health of the nation, because the fact is, you can't live on the same money in Mississippi as you need in NYC. Prevailing wage laws are a good thing, they solve many more problems than some republicans claim they create.
Actualy Sick Of with my southern drawl it's tooooo but I have trouble getting that to come out on paper.
sfcret, further proof that the left ignores certain facts if it doesn't support their argument!
Ecomonics people:
1 - If you raise minimum wage or unionize nonskilled labor, that causes inflation. If you want a better life for yourself, then better yourself. I for one did not want a minimum wage job, so I went to school and got an education. Fifteen years later I am still paying off student loans. I had a small child and I borrowed money to pay for daycare too....all this while I worked full time. It can be done. Yes, its hard, very hard....but you have to be willing to make that sacrifice or be stuck in a rotten minimum wage job.
2- Why should non-skilled labor be paid more than what they are worth? Businesses are in business to make money. If they don't, they fail. Walmart is very successful - hence their low prices. You want prices to go up? Unionize non skilled labor.
3- The unemployment numbers - gonna love this one guys - makes way too much sense. ITS SEASONAL! It happens every year! Next month it will be over 8% again when they lay off all the extra seasonal help.
4- Where are all the repugs you say? AT WORK! You should try it sometime....as well as take an economics class because you all people have no clue.
5- I can hear it now....I suppose no debt ceiling is also a good idea....am I right? This is like giving a teenager an endless supply of credit cards with no job and no way to pay for it. I know....mom and dad will pay for it! Maybe they can take it from my little sister's college fund to pay for it. Sounds great! That's exactly what is happening in America! Wake up people!
John B, Des Moines, IA, way back at # 1.48 first says,
Now, there's a term: "Walmartization". That should become the rallying cry of the American taxpayer and the American worker. The taxpayer picks up the tab for the food stamps, welfare and publically provided Emerg. Room Health care that Walmart can easily resist paying, because labor is dirt cheap.
John B. then goes on to 'splain how labor is dirt cheap, and the vicious cycle it keeps spinning.
The other cycle that could occur is if labor was more in demand. Higher demand for labor would drive up labor value, and provide workers with more money to spend thereby creating higher demand. Higher demand in turn causes higher production, which creates more jobs.
The priviate sector cannot "produce" its way out of a recession. Production is driven by demand, not investment. Investment comes along to meet demand. The demand needed to increase production can only come from increasing wages, and the only way to get demand re-started from the current slump is the hiring of more workers by the only entity that does not require demand to hire people. That entity would be government, all levels of government, spending money while it is cheap on highways, bridges, research and all the other public services that makes the public more productive.
Let's be clear about one thing. Business creates wealth, not jobs. Demand creates jobs, and demand at this point can only be inspired by government spending.
Thank you John B. (we should "Hoist up your sails, and see how your main sail sets.")
Did anyone even bother to read the unemployment report??
Not in labor force = 542,000 difference between OCT to NOV
Unemployed = dropped 229,000
Employed = dropped 122,000
Civilian labor force = a drop of 350,000 people
Our workforce is shrinking due to people dropping off the charts this is bad.
I don't know about you guys but Jim DeMint is showing signs of inbreeding to me.
What is worse is the constant filibuster and outright blocking of jobs bills by the Republicans in congress for the past 3 1/2 years. If they had passed only half of those bills there might not even be a budget problem today due to people actually paying taxes instead of drawing unemployment.
Larry did you even read the Jobs bill that's being rejected???
First it came out with a reduction in charity deduction that would take 8 billion out of the mouths of charities.
That didn't fly so then Obama put a 5.6% tax on the wealthy & businesses
So if Obama had his way
39.6% Pre Bush + 4.7% in Obama Care + 5.6% jobs bill = 49.9% federal tax
That's over a 40% in additional increase.
The bill was 447 Billion in added Debt which would have our debt over 6 trillion vs the 5.7 its at since Obama took office less than 4 years ago.
Obama is so out of touch his own party won't pass his BS budgets and he is spewing the same BS at the REP during the cliff discussions. Obama is a joke and doing anything he says is bad for this country.
Ah, the inflation bogeyman, Conservatives roll out constantly to argue against doing the right thing. It's the same argument they used against the stimulus. Only two problems;
1) Inflation is NO WHERE IN SIGHT. We nearly had DEFLATION in the Great Recession, and at no point in YEARS has inflation been a factor except during the regular bouts of oil price spikes to which deregulation has subjected us.
2) Anyone ever notice that giving rich people more money doesn't do anything but make them work harder, while giving anyone else more money for their labor would recreate the Weimar Republic?
Stop the extremism of the republican right that has even driven me, years ago, into the arms of the Democratic Party. The party that isn't a pile of crap like the republican party has become in the hands of the rich and corporate control!
John B.
No I haven't noticed it and since I left the Germany of the National Socialists as a small child I can see a lot of similarities between that party and the current extremism of the republican, Do nothing Party!
Randy your numbers are a little off, but yes the increase would be close to what you say. However, since two years ago the top 5% owned 40% of the wealth and last year owned 42% of the wealth and this eyen it is estimated to be 45% of the wealth I think it is more than fair for the greedy to feed the needy! My neighbor jumps for joy over the fact he paid 14% and I paid almost 20%. he makes $5,000 a week
Good point, clwyd.
As a partial aside Michael Gerson was incredibly annoying this morning on one of the Sunday shows. He repeatedly insisted that because the President and Democrats will get tax increases they MUST throw the elderly and poor under the bus with entitlement reform in order to give Republicans a "soft place to land" when negotiations are completed. I don't see where the fact that a sizable part of Boehner's caucus is bat-crazy imparts any obligation upon President Obama. Let the Speaker deal with that problem on his own.
Where do tides come from and is that soufflé ready yet? … Wait, I hear prognostics from those of ideology before fact. In what has become a ubiquitous manner, many of those on this board still looking for new bridges to an even more distant right-wing land, leapt into the fray accusing Democrats in the Senate or Liberal posters of not having the balls or brains to deal with what has become fundamentally stupidity on the Right. To wit, a post by our esteemed colleague and poster, sonmanvb:
“WOW! Liberals really are the most ignorant among us. While you id10ts are fighting with the president to rais taxes on your employer and to give obama all the spending he wants by removing the dept ceiling, you ignorant people can't even get your senate to vote for obama's spending spree.”
Of course this comes with a quote from Mitch McConnell …
“If the President’s proposal was made in good faith, Democrats should be eager to vote for it,” McConnell said today. “So I’m surprised the Majority Leader just declined the chance for them to support it with their votes. I guess we’re left to conclude that it couldn’t even pass by a bare majority of votes, and that they’d rather take the country off the cliff than actually work out a good-faith agreement that reflects tough choices on both sides.”
The response to this is all too easy as the event had not yet baked the requisite allotted time … “It was a stunt by McConnell, pure and simple.” The addition of another view taken from the Hill did little to increase sonmanvb’s perspective:
McConnell suggested that the Senate vote on what he called the president’s “ridiculous” plan as an amendment to the Russian trade bill that is being considered.
Reid, however, objected to McConnell’s suggestion, saying the Russian trade bill, H.R. 6156, is about job creation, not political stunts from Republicans.
“The purpose of this bill is to protect American jobs,” Reid said. “Are we going to get serious here and legislate or is this more of the political stunts that the Republican leader is going to pull today?”
Sonmanvb attempted to return fire with: “Yep, keep those goggles on blackcat, it will only get better from here.”
Ah, and now 24 hours later the soufflé is baked to perfection and what do we have? Senator Reid says okay, let’s bring this to the floor … McConnell’s reaction is to … drumroll please … to filibuster his own proposal. I await sonmanvb’s steamy unbaked response as soon as the Loonar tide brings him in.
Well, if the GOP believes in social darwinism...it's their social darwinist moment - the survival of the fittest. If the GOP wants to survive, it should adopt Obama policies wholesale.
.
These GOP leaders have acted as if they still have options after 2012 elections. No, they don't. They have to look up to the President for clues. Either the GOP shapes up, or the voters will ship more republiCONs out in 2014.
.
Jim DeMinted has already chickened out. I am expecting more such exits. Oh... the DeMinted Quitters - such delightful sights
Did you see my Senator call "whiplash" on this deal? LOL She's awesome! and there for another six years!
Give 'em HELL, Claire!
blackcatwhitecat
Ah, and now 24 hours later the soufflé is baked to perfection and what do we have? Senator Reid says okay, let’s bring this to the floor … McConnell’s reaction is to … drumroll please … to filibuster his own proposal. I await sonmanvb’s steamy unbaked response as soon as the Loonar tide brings him in.
Mitch McConnell is a muddling idiot. He proved it yesterday.
Clara KCMO
Clara, I almost fell out of bed laughing when I saw the clip of her saying that on the news last night. Brilliant woman with a brilliant future.
BCWC-
Playground politics.
Nice post, BCWC.
Salud
I agree, Sen. Claire McCaskill is awesome, Clara.
Right on, BCWC.
DeMint = "to communicate a more positive, optimistic message to the American people."
In other words, deceive, lie, and twist the message to the American People.
Yes, saw that about Claire! Great job!!
But I also heard that the White House wanted to veto her bill...??
Remember Pearl Harbor and what the GOP Tea Loonies did to or Vets & Bob Dole, these lowlifes will go down into "Infamy" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Most of these Loonies that Voted are Cowards !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BCWC, terrific post. Your humor never fails to bring a smile, and often, an outright noisy laugh.
Can someone point me in the direction of this story? I missed it. Thanks.
I like novels of weird fiction and preposterous fantasy. That's probably why the real-life weirdness and preposterous reality supplied by Republicans like McConnell keep me fascinated with politics. Mitch McConnell is like a character at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party. The Mad Hatter's Tea Party is, of course, remarkably similar to the real-life Tea Party. Lewis Carroll had no idea how close to reality he was getting when he wrote Alice in Wonderland. Or did he? Maybe he modeled some of his characters after Tea Party types of his day.
Forest gump brings up a good point! In many rural areas, the only store in town is Wally World! They have destroyed most of the old time businesses and to shop elsewhere is a 40 to 80 mile round trip!
For folks who have to watch every cent, the gasoline usage alone precludes them from traveling that far. In many places, Wal Mart is also the only grocery store!
This was a deliberate move by Wal-Mart. If they could monopolize local populations, they would ensure themselves a definite income source. Low wages, because the jobs were local.
@Jack - L. O'Donnell does it best on this clip. It is the funniest frickin' dumbest move I have ever seen. And to think McConnell is paid money for this crap. It is like hiring an arsonist to work for the fire department.
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/49263362#__utma=34328804.244145779.1350582038.1351868777.1354900726.3&__utmb=34328804.1.10.1354900726&__utmc=34328804&__utmx=-&__utmz=34328804.1354900726.3.3.utmcsr=nbcnews.com|utmccn=(referral)|utmcmd=referral|utmcct=/&__utmv=-&__utmk=60137007
Thanks, RedDevPS. I'll take a look at it right now!
"And that's the way it is"....this week.
December 7th, Pearl Harbor Day. Take a moment to reflect on those we lost that day, the sacrifices made by so many. Then take another moment to remember the military men and women still fighting yet another war in Afghanistan.
FISCAL CLIFF, Fiscal Cliff, fiscal cliff......gloom and doom shouting replaced with maybe it'll keep 'til next year.
Republicans continue suffering Post-election Denial Trauma Syndrome; 25% want to secede, 19% can't decide if that's good or bad....a bit like selecting Rick Santorum or Mitt Romney as their nominee.
49% of republicans blame ACORN for stealing the 2012 election for President Obama--never mind ACORN closed its doors in 2010 thanks to a phony GOP Pimp and Pimpee who were later charged with fraud.
The GOP House released its 2013 calendar. They are scheduled to work 126 days next year....to solve all the problems they have kicked down the road the last two years. Well, 126 days...that'll do it.
Mitch McConnell said changing the Senate filibuster rules will "marginalize the minority." HA, that's the point, Mr. MaGoo. After abuse by 386 filibusters, the American people demand that the Majority chosen by the people not be "marginalized" by a tyrannical bunch of ideological yahoos. The GOP lost, deal with it!
John Boehner was "flabbergasted" that President Obama's proposed fiscal cliff avoidance plan was exactly what he campaigned to do. Who knew...well, obviously republicans campaign on one thing and if they win, promptly drop it, ala Boehner's jobs, jobs, jobs replaced by the GOP war on women's rights!
Jay Carney described Boehner's fiscal cliff avoidance proposal as "magic beans and fairy dust." Oddly enough, magic beans and fairy dust has been the GOP's tax cuts and spend more anyway policies since Reagan sprinkled "fairy dust" on GOPer heads and said...trust me, trickle down will work....he he he.
Karl Rove and Dick Morris were fired by FOX. Appears predictions of a landslide victory for Romney followed by on-air temper tantrum denial was too much...even for FOX Noise.
Senator Jim DeMint will quit his job at the end of the current session. Looks as if DeMint's January 20,2009, obstruction plot to make President Obama a "one-term president" turned out to be DeMint's very own "Waterloo". Don't let the door hit you in the rear on the way out, Senator.
Oh, and The Heritage Foundation has my deepest sympathy...add to my 2013 predictions that hiring Jim DeMint will be The Heritage Foundation's very own "Waterloo".
Shock of shock. Ann Coulter told Sean Hannity, "we lost", "what principle..." "How is that winning" if the GOP stands on principle and makes tax rates go up on everyone else to protect the top 2%. It isn't often that truth to wisdom comes from Ann Coulter. She deserves a gold star for blunt honesty on this.
Tim Cook, head of Apple, announced that in 2013 Apple will begin manfacturing computers in the USA. Now that's more "change we can believe in."
Freedom Works paid Dick Armey $8 million to quit. Nothing like failing miserably and then being rewarded for said failure. Sounds like Hostess. Deny wage increases to union workers, blame said workers for their woes, close the business....then ask the bankruptcy judge for over $1 million in bonuses for 19 miserable failures Hostess called executives.
The GOP Senators embarrassed themselves and shamed the Senate this week when they failed to vote for making the US's Americans with Disabilities the global law. 8 republicans voted Yea, the rest may as well have slapped former Senator Bob Dole in the face as they walked by him on the Senate floor.
Senator Mitch McConnell called for a vote on his bill to grant presidents the authority to raise the debt ceiling without approval of Congress; democrats agreed to allow the vote and....wait for it....Senator Mitch McConnell filibustered his own bill. For that circular firing squad effort, McConnell wins the Bachmann "Chitspa" Award, temporarily renamed the "Whiplash" Yahoo GOPer of the Week Award. Mr. Mitch MaGoo proved once again, you just can't make this stuff up!
Food for Thought: "It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something." Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Conservative legislators should ponder those words as the fiscal cliff approaches. Trickle down by tax cuts benefiting mostly the wealthy did not work for Reagan, or Bush, or Bush; in fact, it created the massive debt this country faces today. It failed, admit it frankly and try something else. It is not failure to admit one is wrong, it is only failure when one continues to do the same thing over and over.
Jody,
Well done as always - Thanks
McConnell made Senate history (not in a good way) with that move.
John Boehner made a couple rookie mistakes when he became Speaker but there is no excuse for this blunder from a seasoned minority Leader.
What a pleasant surprise, Jody!
Superb as always...
I agree with Dennis, Mitch McTurtle's move is going down in history as a CLASSIC! lol
What's sad about McConnell is he doesn't even realize he made a fool of himself. Kentucky must be really proud of their senator. Just remember Kentucky you elected this nut.
Thanks, friends, glad you enjoyed it.
Feisty, had some time last night as I watched Senator McCaskell's "whiplash" remark and realized this week just couldn't pass without a wrap; inspiration comes at odd moments in politics. Even nicer is we don't need any Snookie repellent or IR's backhoe.
Jody: Super well done!
Jody, you are a treasure in the FR chest.
Jody, fanatic wrap up. I agree Mitch McConnell looks like Mr. Magoo; but he talks and is slow as a turtle.
http://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?id=I.4912318057678533&pid=1.7&w=98&h=154&c=7&rs=1
Isn't that something crazy DeMint left for a $1million to be a sock puppet for the Koch bros?
Jody:
My Friday has come back into balance. Thanks.
Jody, Iowa-
"It's beginning to look alot like Christmas..."
Nice work, Jody!!!
Salud
Dennis, definitely McConnell made senate history. His action just provides more proof that the GOPTPers are totally inept but then they don't believe in Government so it should come as no surprise.
My Iowa Ace... Always glad to see it when inspiration strikes you. That's as always just fine like frog hair split two ways
Nice one Jody,
I was laughing so hard when Dick Morris kept repeating over an over again, Romney is going to win in a landslide. And what was even more funnier is that a lot right wingers actually believe that fool.
Poor dick morris n karl rove. So long SUCKERS!!
Independent Redneck Va.
Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit!
Other fine Southern sayings can be found at ...
//everything2.com/title/Old+Southern+Slang
Great Jody !!!
DeMint = "to communicate a more positive, optimistic message to the American people."
In other words, deceive, lie, and twist the message to the American People.
M0-681343
What's sad about McConnell is he doesn't even realize he made a fool of himself. Kentucky must be really proud of their senator. Just remember Kentucky you elected this nut.
Hell, they did worse than that! They elected Rand Paul. Around Kentucky, they call McConnell "the sane one".
Jody,
Great recap for the week. Personally, I would love to see modern day capitalism of "selfishness and greed" taken down a notch and revamped to be a fairer system.
For example the WalMart CEO makes $16,270,000 a year and the average worker there makes
$ 22,700 a year. 717 to 1 Pay Ratio
All is well in the world of politics when the Friday wrap up is published! Thanks for your hard work, Jody---must be tough selecting the best material to post!
I am still appalled that 38 Senators could vote against the Disabilities Treaty. How embarrassing and what a horrible way to treat Bob Dole---who ran for President against all odds for the sake of his party. I sent a scathing email to Sen. Toomey and got back a cheery "thanks for your feedback" email. Obviously my note wasn't even read.
Thanks Jody for your great post....
To all those who served and sacrificed during WWII and all the other wars and conflicts we have been through.....THANK YOU!!! You will not be forgotten....
You think McConnell has a dartboard in his office with a picture of Ashley Judd on it? Hope her possible run in 14' is causing him to lose sleep ... could explain yesterday's filibuster gaffe.
Hey, Collie guy! Love the breed! Amazing, aren't they?
Jody - thank you! Your wrap up has been sooooo missed but you came back with a bang! As always - well done
Great wrap up. The departure of Morris and Rove shows that apparently there is a limit to how badly and frequently you can be wrong and still maintain a higly paid position in the punditocracy. That comes as a surprise to me.
Jody
As usual a wonderful wrap up. I regard myself as a political student on this site. There are really very smart people here. I will try to express my opinion from next year.
Great wrap-up Jody! I am glad you were inspired as well. I look forward to the FR Friday reads! Thanks to all!
Mo&Auntie Thanks for the reminder, but I for one do not need it, I live with the fact that there are a lot of real red neck hillbilly's have to live here, to keep electing the likes of these two.
Mitch's actions are from the party of fiscal responsibility.
So how much did this grandstanding act cost the taxpayers?
Conservatives and fiscal reponsibility don't belong in the same sentance anymore.
What a tool.
Senator McConnell filibuster's his own proposal on the debt ceiling.
www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/06/debt-ceiling-mitch-mcconnell_n_2251515.html
Is that some kind of record?
Da Noid
Probably, and our 'gang' is all over it today and in a very festive manner.
"POWER"ball
Who among us has never purchased a lottery ticket? Just the dream of somehow striking it rich can be satisfying. Sharing that hope and dreaming big around the dinner table, well it's fun stuff! What would YOU do? New House? New Car? Vacation? Philanthropy? Quit your job? Be the same Great Guy you were before?
In the dynamic of the speculation, do you EVER think about the 'burdens'? Do you ever think about your privacy? The risks? The absolute bombardment of NEW responsibilities and obligations? Most people don't even consider it. Financial planners, tax accountants, lawyers, trusts, etc.
An entire army of people whose very employment now depend on your recently found wealth. And during that enlightenment, do you then turn to commiserate about the TAXES? I have never, one time, heard someone say, "I am forfeiting my winning ticket because I don't agree with the tax burden!" In the case of the Missourian who just won, the tax burden is very close to $75 million dollars, on a $192 million dollar 'take home'. Is that FAIR?
Because the one thing separating a Powerball winner from an 'ordinary' millionaire is that the Powerball winner KNOWS there was a fair amount of LUCK involved in the windfall. Picking (or letting the computer pick) 6 numbers out of a possible 175 million combinations is LUCK. Just as being born to a family of wealth is LUCK. Investing in companies that succeed is LUCK (or insider trading). Being born of high intellect and capacity for learning is LUCK. All of these 'self' created people are the myth. There is not such thing as self-creation on the scale it takes to be in the upper 1%. It is an illusion. If Rush Limbaugh REALLY believes that he has superior boot straps to get the job he has without an education, he is perpetuating the greatest myth of all. His rise to wealth is pure LUCK.
The difference between those who understand the "Power"ball and those who do not seems to be centered around one basic trait. Those who feel "Lucky" don't seem to have a problem paying their 'fair' share and those who are convinced that THEY created their own destiny through NO series of circumstances beyond their control – well you can only assume they feel ENTITLED!
________________________________________
So Jim DeMint can influence Republican Policy better from a desk at the Heritage Foundation than his seat in the Senate? So as Americans, can we get our money back on all his wages and benefits? I mean isn't this an admission that he was useless as tits on a boar in the Senate? Perhaps he never took that job seriously?
While I would agree that there is a bit of 'LUCK' involved in striking it rich...
Some might say that you make your own luck. How? By working hard, planning, saving and keeping your eyes open to opportunity... then having the courage to take the risk and seize the opportunity.
That is the difference in the liberal and conservative point of view... the liberal believes it is only by good or bad luck that a person is rich or poor... while the conservative believes that you can help to push the luck to the good side by putting in the effort it takes to position yourself to be there when the 'lucky' opportunity presents itself.
You speak of the rich as if they are all spoiled brats that only got their wealth through inheritance... but to inherit that wealth someone in their family had to... at some time... create it by taking a risk and making sure that they were ready to seize opportunity.
We all work hard and the reason for doing so vary with each person... as for me... I work hard to help my children gain opportunity and to pass on to them what I can... for some reason that makes them bad in your eyes...
Sad for you.
not so,...SOB
Liberals believe that luck first begins with the family you are born into, the DNA you are blessed with or the ability to study and learn enough to be competitive in an ever changing market place. Hard work is definitely a factor; but with the blink of an eye, an unfortunate accident, or an unplanned windfall - even the BEST laid plans can go astray. And thus we support a social contract!
Republicans honestly seem to believe that anyone who ISN'T in the 1% are LAZY. Moochers. Ne'er do wells.
That gross display of 'christianity' leaves MOST of us Dems scratching our heads and saying, WTF?
And yet there are thousands of examples of conservatives with their hands out suckling that evil government teat for the very life blood they condemn others for 'needing'. Priceless doesn't begin to cover it.
Oh, stop! That's pure nonsense.
Clara,
It's interesting, just this morning I was thinking about Albany Joe, and how a lot of people who post here don't believe he is as wealthy as he claims. And then it struck me that maybe he is. But if that's true, he didn't earn it. He was born into it--and has never worked a day in his life. That's explains a lot, don't you think?
SickOfTheBickering you didn't get the point. It's not their money or them inheriting it. It's the way they act, their arrogance, the way they look down on other people, the way they treat other people and they think their entitled to everything they want and a lot of things they don't want but think their entitled too. No inheriting money and assets is a good thing, the point is how do you use this new found wealth, constructive or destructive.
Clara, people like SOB never get it because they don't want to. Their view flies in the face of all evidence and facts, but they wrap themselves in it to justify anger, hatred, frustration - whatever character flaw they have that makes them denigrate people they don't even know to make themselves feel better, or place blame for their perceived failure in life.
not so, Clara
Republicans don't believe that anyone who isn't in the 1% are lazy moochers.... Not at all... but (dare I say) we do believe they are whiners.
You are correct in the fact that one unfortunate accident can ruin the best of plans... but that is the RISK that garners the REWARD. Many (if not most) 'rich' people have had their plans ruined (at some point) by unforeseen circumstances, but they persevere and adapt. THAT is how you succeed.
Far too many people either do not have the courage to take the risk or they simply give up when they run into an obstacle. THEN they whine that they had bad luck and expect someone else to pick them up.
OH.... I'm sorry... So what you are saying is that your feelings get hurt when they don't embrace you!
We wouldn't want your feelings to get hurt now would we? My bad.
(That's just silly, Mo and you know it)
Clara,
I understand your point but I can not agree. My line of work has me in contact with the uber-wealthy on a regular basis and almost to a man and women these are unimaginably hard working people to whom luck is an anathema. And Mo, for the most part the wealthy are not as you describe them. That a few loud-mouths get the spotlight does not reflect upon the majority. Also, in the SoCal wealth stratosphere there are more Democrats than Republicans.
Many lottery winners do not do a good job with their money and end up right back where they were pre-win in sometimes surprisingly short time periods. It takes more than luck to become, and remain wealthy. Money really is its own discipline. Something I have not exactly mastered!
The hell with Rush Limbaugh. Who cares what he thinks? An amusing piss-ant at best.
Jack in Portsmouth -
Lots of us are wealthy. Every day we're able to enjoy the riches in our lives like family and friends, the beauty of nature, the wealth of ideas we get from reading and exchanging thoughts with others here, the rewards of working hard and making the most out of what we're given in life, and the incredible fortune we have just to live in this great country.
Then there are the really poor people. The ones who only have money. Maybe Joe is one of them.
Clara, it's so good to see you back here in fine form!
RTFS... you seem a bit judgmental (or just mental) and angry yourself.
You don't know anything about me... yet there you are say 'people SOB...'
I happen to be a hard-working middle class person myself. Fairly well educated and focused on my family - that is.. my wife and three sons. I am not rich by any stretch of the imagination but I am able to provide a good home for my family. I pay my bills and ask no one for help. I go to church regularly and likewise give to charity. Just an average Joe.
Yet you vilify me for wanting people to take pride in themselves and work hard to make it on their own. I am not opposed to helping a fellow man when he needs a hand... but I do not embrace the idea of supporting those that do not want to better themselves through hard work.
There... now you know me a little better... fling your poo at will.
Finally... Mark in SoCal... a tip of the hat to you. YOU understand. (voted you up!)
@clara
So how is it that 47% of voters cast their ballet for Republicans? All are not in the 1%. As much as you want to say republicans only care about the rich, the math just doesn't support it. 47% of voters are not in the 1% nor are all of them in the percentage that makes over $250,000. Its just not possible.
JoAnne,
Beautifully said, and Oh, so true.
Clara, terrific post; perfect analogy. Glad to see you back, and back with a bases loaded, homerun post!
Mark, agree with of some of your post as I also know wealthy people who are as you describe. However, it is those few loud mouths such as Sheldon Adelson, the Koch brothers, Donald Trump, and it is those millionaires who sat during Romney's 47% comments, applauded and agreed with him that provide the stereotype for selfish, greedy republicans--people looking for more of what they already have while dissing the poor, the disabled, the challenged. I see no difference in the stereotyping of the wealthy by liberals, and the stereotyping by conservatives of the poor and those who struggle often due to life's circumstances as all being "welfare queens...moochers, lazy no goods." There are bad apples in both barrels.
Many of the 47% of voters that cast their ballet for Republicans are the low income and low education white folks, with the majority being from red states. Also, I might add that there are Republican voters who are collecting welfare, and for some reason they vote against their own self interest.
Jody,
Agreed. There is no difference in either side's characterizations and stereotypes. Unproductive generalizations. This election cycle certainly seemed to be all about percentages - the 2%, the 47%, and so on. The problem with the way these percentages were used was the assignment of across-the-board characteristics assigned to each percentage group. If you opposed the particular percentage group, that group was portrayed pretty much all bad. I enjoy engaging in discussion here but often get put off by both side's complete acceptance of the worst of their opposition characterizing all their opposition. I prefer not to use percentage terms that start with an article, like "the 2%," I believe these terms are destructive to meaningful dialogue.
I am a Republican. For many here just that fact makes them immedately assume certian things about me, few of them complimentary. Judge the individual, not the label - will foster much more productive and enjoyable interaction.
Wow, wow, wow! Liberalism really is a mental disorder! There are no self created rich people, "they didn't build that"! The fact is, at least what I've gathered on this site, is that liberals are the most arrogant, self righteous people on the planet. They could be rich tomorrow if they wanted, but they are far to morally superior to those nasty people. But if they bought a $2 in a power-ball ticket and accidentally became one, they of course would voluntarily pay more in taxes than they were legally required to, so they wouldn't be one of those nasty already rich people. They of course would give all of it away and only keep a small pittance for themselves because ONLY they care about human suffrage; only liberals have souls and care about children and elderly, the sick and downtrodden, puppy dogs and butterflies! But no; it's the rich that look down on them!
To be fair; that thinking is as stupid as the right saying all libs are on foostamps. Get it? Doubt it!
sick of the bickering, really?
The attitudes of people towards work does not determine if they are conservative or liberal. It is their attitude towards what we can do together to help solve the problems of poverty and unemployment that separates them.
Conservatism is dead! RIP!
Bowled over Clara. As Phil Ochs put it, "There but for fortune....."
Of course, there's more to it. You got the stuff to write like that, but it took work to put it into words so splendidly.
SOB =SickOfTheBickering reading is fundamental,comprehension is priceless.
When I heard the description of some jobs as "jobs Americans won't do", I always said that they hadn't completed the sentence or thought. These are "jobs Americans won't do for what you want to pay". I feel the same about "right to work". It's actually "right to work for less".
Auntifascist, we are facing a republican power grab at this very moment in the state of Michigan as an all republican legislature is ram rodding a bill through both houses to implement right to work for less in Michigan. They will send it to a republican governor that will sign it immediately. I see nothing good that has come from republicans in this state nor will I as long as they continue to win jobs based on the lie they will make things better. Maybe, when 5 years down the road or so we point and say this is republican, people will fully understand what damage that they do to working people in this country. My hope is the republican party either becomes extinct or sees the light at the end of the hall that things like right to work hurt the average person and as a result hurt the economy as ruthless and greedy people take over more and more of the jobs in this state.
It just utterly kills me when I hear about a lack of enthusiasm for voting. When you don't vote, 2010 happens! When ya snooze, ya lose!
I wish that the United States were of the mind set to change as far as CEO Pay Ratio to average workers. We all know these CEO aren't worth the pay they are receiving.
For example the WalMart CEO makes $16,270,000 a year and the average worker there makes
$ 22,700 a year. 717 to 1 Pay Ratio
Who would ever think the we would have Dictators running our states. Our forefathers are cringing in their graves.
Michigan better wake up and throw these bums out! Fast tracking votes to deny people a decent living. More serfs for the master! Get rid of these state representatives who championed this bill. You can start by telling the voters, Grover Norquist backs these guys!They don't have "impure" thoughts."
I bet the ratio of people on this planet with the ability to swipe a candy bar over a bar-code scanner compared to successfully running a large company is much higher than a 717 to one ratio. I'm just spit-balling here but I bet it's more like 6 billion to 17 thousand. Supply and demand I believe is the term.
GOP Conspiracy Theorists...DISCUSS!!!
Where are all those self proclaimed posters who kept saying just wait till after the election, the unemployment rate will go above 8% and they will revise the jobs numbers down? These same posters keep running around flailing their arms saying the sky is falling, the worlds coming to an end, run for the hills, save yourself.
They're waiting for Rush to tell them why this is actually bad news.
A lot these folks are in hiding. I remember all of their trash talk leading up to the election about how President Obama would be packing up for Chicago.
From time to time I go back and read some of the oldie but goodies from these far right wing folks.
Here is an example:
elliot-3020456
"Biden told a crowd of hundreds"
Hundreds? That's pathetic, nobody even shows up for this clown.
0bama only gets 2,800 to show up in Cleveland while Romney draws 30,000 in his Franklin County rally.
Ohio is going to Romney for sure.
#1.4 - Sat Nov 3, 2012 3:23 PM EDT
And most of the 30,00 were paid to be there or forced to be there by there employers.
Where are all those self proclaimed posters who kept saying just wait till after the election, the unemployment rate will go above 8% and they will revise the jobs numbers down? These same posters keep running around flailing their arms saying the sky is falling, the worlds coming to an end, run for the hills, save yourself.
Wait until after the holidays and the seasonal workers get laid off, then tell me how great the unemployment numbers are.
iowa retiree,
The same thing was stated for the last few years and it never happened mainly because the numbers are seasonally adjusted.
Iowa Retiree, and when your latest prediction doesn't come true, you'll have another "well wait till" ready to go. It's what you RWNJ's do, make stupid predictions.
This follows the "wait 'til November 7" predictions that didn't come true.
Follow up on story is they are saying it dropped because of the people who have given up looking for work!!!
The bat crap crazy right wing are always preying for our Nation to fail.
Why? Because they can't stand it that a Black Man is the President of the United States.
iowaretiree,
466,000 jobs created,169,000 seasonaly adjusted jobs.The seasonal jobs are 297,000 jobs,169,000+297,000=466,000 jobs.
Sorry for the triple post the gremlins are at work.
It is hard for the teabaggers to admit that unemployment is going down and it will get better next year. They still say, wait unemplyment will go back up. They ignore the trends in our economy that things are getting better and better but it takes time. I see construction booming next year and unemployment falling to as low as 7.2% by the end of 2013, and as low as 6.5% by the end of 2014. Obama and the liberal economic philosophy to build our economy from the middle class is the correct economic path but teabaggers just won't accept reality.
Well, they are right in a sense, because things like unemployment always rise and fall in a cyclical way. That's why it's relatively easy to be a doomsayer. Eventually, no matter how long it takes, your 'prediction' will be proven true. After all, during the Bush presidency, unemployment reached 6.3% at one point. During the Clinton years, it trended generally downward, but started at 7.3%. During Bush 41, it peaked at 7.8% during the last year of his term. Under Reagan, it spiked all the way to 10.8% before receding.
So the point is that there will always be fodder for the doomsayers because they are making a prediction that is in certain ways inevitable.
To the Teabaggers and Iowa: Don't worry, Dec. 22 the world will end and all your predictions will come true! That's right, waid until Dec. 22.............
Of course, there will be no one around to see that, but what does that matter?..........
Prepare for a bloody fight between factions within the republican party for control.
The Tea Parties won't win because they can't match the money of traditional (corporate) republicans.
(Reasonable) Tea Party Folk: Consider working within (and voting for) the democrat party. You won't have control here either. But, at least you won't be working against your own interests.
Caveat: racists, misogynists, misanthropes, and other miscellaneous hateful types need not apply.
I hope you're right and the tea party's 15 minutes of fame are over, but manipulators like the Koch brothers are in it for the long haul, have billions, and consider the tea party their "foot soldiers".
Foot soldiers? Or foot stools?
Foot serfs.
you are so right - they are regrouping after their defeat - they believed if they threw enough money at the election and succeeded in enough voter obstruction and lied enough, it would be in the bag. when they lost they were dumbfounded. After licking their wounds for a bit, they will retrench and regroup.
my sincere hope is that nothing will work for them again and they will have 8 years of Hillary Clinton
now won't that chap their stuff
or fool stoots?
It is up to each individual Tea Party member whether they will continue to march to the drumbeat$ of the Koch bros. (and their ilk).
If they can't be democrats, they should at least be true to their own principles rather than accepting empty republican promises in exchange for their votes.
They should form their own party together with the Libertarians. How can that be worse than being perennial dupes of the plutocrats?
The Republican "establishment" is still out of touch - it's just a different level of delusion. But brand, regardless of policy, is toast for the next few cycles. Maybe this kind of thing is relevant inside the beltway, but none of these establishment types called out the over-the-top crazy wing of the party - i.e. Bachmann and Trump - when they had the opportunity. There's no way they do an about face in time for either the mid-terms or the next presidential election. The RWNJs were given free reign and even IF they were able to pull them back, the brand will suffer for the long term.
duplicate post, sorry.
Stephen Colbert for Senate !!!!!!!!!!!
He already has a super pac so why not.
The fact that DeMint thinks the he can "...communicate a more positive, optimistic message to the American people.” through the Heritage Foundation reveals just how delusional and out of touch he is; the Republicans do not have a positive or optimistic message.
Rick: you're right...the Republicans "do not have a positive or optimistic message" as far as those that represent the old guard; but The Heritage Foundation is the voice of conservative principles, which I embrace which are very optimistic and very positive...unfortunately many that are posting here do not have a clue what conservative principles are.
We do and we reject those principals. Let all wealth go to the richest of us. Start foreign wars. Dump on the sick and elderly and the most vulnerable because they are deadbeats. Allow the largest corporations to own the government and consolidate wealth and form monopolies and manipulate our economic system so they can stay in power. We know and we fight against those greedy principals every day.
markinbecker: thanks for demonstrating my point; you clearly have no understanding of conservative principles.
Accept it, DeMint is to radical to communicate anything.
juanita, the Republican Party's primary principle used to be protecting the free market system, but ever since the Moral Majority, the Party has evolved into an organization bent on ensuring the morality of Americans as defined by a few zealots.
Dole, Dirkson, Harfield and other thoughtful Republicans are no longer electable in Republican primaries and we now have self-appointed wackos representing the Party.
juanita: Martin describes the current state of conservatism. I'm guessing your description of conservatism is what the old guard represents, and we would welcome back that pre-teaparty brand.
juanita, the reason we have no understanding of conservative principles is that conservatives themselves are unable to spell them out. When conservatives do make statements, the ideas are so far removed from reality that they are difficult to understand or resolve.
Not sure how anyone could have any kind of understanding of "concertive principals", they change on an hourly basis.
juanita, the Rethuglican party stands for "POLITICS WITHOUT PRINCIPLE."
Don't minimize the impact of the Heritage Foundation nor the addition of Jim Demint.
The Heritage foundation was the first to suggest the Privatization of SS "because it's going broke" and "to save it for future generations" both of which are not true. If the were to make small changes in the program it would still be healthy.
The bottom line is they want the control over this serious cash cow so they can rape it dry.
The Heritage foundation is a dangerous organization that somewhere along the line gained credibility.
It will be fun watching the establishment republicans trying to rid themselves of the teabagger crazies they welcomed with open arms over the years. The establishment felt they were an asset and now realize they are a huge weight sinking them to defeat. The likely outcome will be a separate teabagger party.
Sorry sharky, you got that backwords. It is the Tea Party that is try to rid it's self and America of the "establishment republicans" and the "establishment democrats".
Sorry sonmanvb the tea people are extinct.
sonmanvb, the teabaggers are not intelligent enough to think through such an action, let alone take it. They have repeatedly shown an inability to extrapolate even their own ideas beyond the most immediate result.
Oh really? The Tea Party was founded and funded by a couple of Kochs. You can't get much more 'establishment republican' than two Koch's with a boatload of money.
Did you forget about king obama?
Most likely they are at WORK! It's good for the soul, you should try it.
They had been posting on First Read/First Thoughts daily for 4 years until November 7th
Most likely they are at WORK!
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See, the economy IS getting better...;_)
Please explain what makes Obama a 'King'?
Please explain what makes Obama a 'King'?
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Erasmus...
Actually, since the "Bring Down Obama And Make Him A One-Term President By Just Saying No" right wing blog corporation folded after Nov 7th, they are no longer getting paid to blog, and so are not here.
Pretty simple, really.
dangerfield
Please explain what makes Obama a 'King'?
One-eyed men in the land of the blind ... :-)
Damn Erasmus, he is a rotter.
All those paid bloggers being laid off impacted the unemployment numbers. They would have been even better otherwise! Yet another way the GOP wasted money in the election.
I have a simple solution to the "fiscal cliff" thing. Obama wants higher tax rates. Boehner wants loopholes closed. Let's do BOTH of them. With individuals AND Corporations. That should be a good starting point, then go to other subjects.
Sorry, but unless we have the spending cuts together with the tax actions there is no point.
STARVE THE BEASTS. President Blackula and his Demoncratic spending vampires must stop sucking the economic blood out of our country.
You just can't make yourself say tax increases can you had enuf of our elected ones.
Shows you're a racist.
had enuf of our elected ones I agree with you about spending cuts with tax increases. Shoot than you had to show your a$$! You paint a good picture of yourself.
The jobs reports continue to baffle me.
Most economists say to keep pace with the growth in the workforce, there must be roughly 140,000 jobs created a month. This month, there are 148,000 and the jobless rate drops (I am also factoring in the Sept and October figures which were revised downward by 49,000 (no surprise there as this has happened for something like 39 of the past 42 months)). I ask myself how is this possible if the estimates to hold steady are correct. Is it because they were wrong, or are more people falling off the workforce rolls?
It would be very interesting to see what is really going on with the figures
Between those who fall off the roles of UI due to benefit expiration and those leaving the workforce the numbers are artificially low. Labor force continues to SHRINK as people are choosing to become Obama teat suckers instead of productive members of society.
Just playing into the hands of the spending vampires who are sucking the economic blood of our country dry.
The numbers are calculated the exact same way that they have always been calculated. You might want to read up on how the Unemployment rate is calculated.
@joe,
yes they are.
What is different is the dramatic increase in the numbers of people who are no longer looking for work or have used up 99 weeks of UI benefits and are no longer counted.
The statistic is a feel good number, but the patient is still in critical condition and getting worse.
Well I have been saying for months that the easier way to generate additional tax revenue is to have a vibrant and more fully participating workforce which is proven by the revenues taken in by the Fed in FY 2007 and 2008.
If we could find a way to get people working again, the Republicans idea of closing loopholes and then cutting spending would have been able to close the budget deficit pretty quickly.
Just getting the workforce participation back on par with 2008 would generate an additional $250 B to $300 B per year. Add in whatever the revenues generated by reducing deductions would be (lets estimate $30 B per year) and this would be potentially 4 times as much revenue as letting the tax rates increase on those making $250,000 a year or more.
I know it is a quicker fix to increase the rates, but in the long term, it is better to increase the workforce participation. It generates a heck of a lot more revenue.
Joe
Actually they just started calculating them in a different manner as of Sept / October of this year.
I bet when the unemployment rate drops below 7% in 2013 or 2014 "had" will continue to sing the same tune. If the rate was 5% "had" would say, everybody is a deadbeat - they are not looking for work. He lives in a fantasy world.
politicoguy, I must have missed the story regarding changes in how employment is calculated. Got a link?
It is liberlas living in the "fantasy" world. You should read the news papers, businesses are dropping people every day. 2013 and 2014 will not bode well for employment in this country and taxing the job creaters will help it ANY.
Dem want the Clinton tax rates? Then Obama and Congress just needs to let the Bush tax rates expire on 1/1/2013. Then all tax rates go back up to the Clinton era. But of course that can't even happen because that would not give Obama the authority to borrow and spend like a drunkin libtard on welfare or unemployment.
Politicoguy is lying. They are still calculating the unemployment numbers the same way they always did, it just makes him feel better to lie. As usual republicans like politicoguy present another dooms day theory.
What does the expiration of the Bush tax cuts have to do with authority to borrow and spend?
Easy - You have more people no longer counted (99-weeks unemployed then poof! Your gone.) then have entered the work force.
You have a smaller working pie from which to count. And its has been shrinking since Obama took office.
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BTW - Your posts my liberal friends under this topic have been great comedic theater. But you can't really believe half of what your typing though right? I mean no is this naive..........right?
If so then boy.....talk about sheep drinking the kool-aid. Oye!
David:
You do realize that the Baby Boomer Generation is much, much larger than than the Gen X generation, right?
The spike to a workforce participation rate of 66-67% percent since about 1984 or so had a lot more to do with the fact that the generation taking over the workforce was much larger than the one preceding it than anything else.
Now the Boomers are aging out of the workforce. The percentage of retirees is going to be larger than ever before because of that same population bulge.
The workforce participation rate is basically more an indicator of generation size than anything else.
The truth is that the American economy can be perfectly healthy with a workforce participation rate of 63.5%. Heck it can go down to 60%. It can go even lower. How do we know this? Because having a workforce participation rate over 65% is a historical anomaly and there were decades when the American economy was perfectly healthy prior to 1980.
Michael - The normal rate of unemployment in the U.S. and any economy changes over time, but it has historically been at 5 percent in a post-World War II world. During the 1980s, the Congressional Budget Office considered 6 percent to be the normal rate of unemployment. For 2007 to 2017, the CBO anticipated normal unemployment back at 5 percent. Through the the end of the 2000s to the beginning of the '10s, however, the U.S. has seen unemployment over 9 percent and it is possible the normal could become 7 percent.
What your not taking into account is annual GDP growth which has been 1.5% to 2%. At that level of growth it's not possible for the rate to keep trending downward legitimately.
The workforce "pie" is shrinking far faster then the Baby Boomer generation leaving the workforce.
Yes, but the labor participation rate and the unemployment rate are not the same thing. They are loosely tied to each other, but in right wing commentary, they are conflated all of the time. One look at an 'unemployment rate' graph from 1948-2012 will tell you that there is no 'normal' unemployment rate. The unemployment rate spikes up and down all the time.
The 'labor force participation' rate from 1948-2012, which measures the percentage of the total population that is in the workforce, is a much smoother and less spiky graph. It basically follows the population curve. No matter that the unemployment rate is over the next 13 years to 2025, the labor force participation rate graph is still going to continue to travel in a downward manner because the percentage of the population under 18 and over the age of 65 is going to continue to increase.
GDP growth has been mildly lower than usual, but only mildly. Unemployment has gone through one of its cyclical high patches and is going down. But demographics are demographics. Republicans are just going have to get it through their heads that 67% workforce participation is going to be unrealistic given the changing demographics of the country.
Either that or try to convince Americans to give up on the notion of retirement beginning at 65 and work starting at 18.
When the collapse happened at the end of 2008, there were a lot of corporations who took advantage of it to downsize a lot of their elderly workers. I know... my mother was one of them. She was 63 when Goodyear fired her. She has no intention of reentering the workforce and never will. I imagine there are quite a few people in her situation. They were forced to retire early so that when these corporations started rehiring, they could retool their labor pool with much younger and cheaper workers. The unfortunate side effect of that is that structural unemployment probably will remain in the neighborhood of 7% at least for a few years because there will be some unhirable 60+ unemployed who are not as fortunate as my mother and cannot afford to just accept the fact that their company decided to 'retire' them.
Michael
You are a very good teacher. Thanks for your explanation.
Virtually agree with everything you said. Except...
1.5 to 2% GDP growth is not mildly lower then usual - far from it. That figure is an economy that's essentially adrift. And stagnant economic growth means stagnant employment growth. This 7.7% rate is a sham and I think you know it.
I think the 7.0% rate will be the new norm however due to global market forces. And that does not bode well for CBO cost estimates for existing entitlement programs and the new grandaddy of them all - ObamaCare. But President Obama will have washed his hands of that as he will long be out of office before the massive bill for that program comes due.
He'll leave that for Hilliary or the GOP candidate to take care of. They'll be thrilled!
Good discussion.
David Does the unemployment rate, unusually higher, have anything to do with the shutting down and off-shoring of jobs?
It seems that the Michigan legislature has found a way to streamline the legislative process to deal with union busting: No committee hearings and no public input.
Out here in the Old West, we had a similar approach to dealing with those accused of crimes: "Give the man a fair trial, then hang him."
MI is now doing a great job for the people of that state and this move will help the state from going into bankruptcy. Good job Gov.
And instead sonmanvb the people will be declaring bankruptcy because they cannot afford to live in their homes, or educate their children! Great way to help the state. Explain to me how lowering a persons wages helps the state! Does the state just raise the taxes they are losing from well paid workers onto the lower wage earner?
Another dirty deal done without regard to what the people of the state want! Done without public comment or committe hearings! Time to rid Michigan of the free loaders, i.e., the Rethugs !
It sounds like Michigan wants to hang them then give them a fair trial.
Way to go again NBC. Proving all your journalistic integrity with your little subliminal wording. "Establishment", "Strikes back". Nothing like making the GOP look like a bunch of rotten people in a smoke filled room sending out henchmen to do some dirty work, or like a violent powerful army pounding on the poor freedom fighters or something. "Upper hand", perfect. It is too bad you don't hire as many real reporters to write factual information as you seem to do hiring PR people with loads of experience with psychological manipulation. Must be time for you to get with some of those big firms that are starting to use the synaptic control advertising practices. Hey, I'm just a conspiracy nut about this... but take a look.
Semantics. The issue in my mind is a conflict between 'traditional Republicans' like my parents who believed in protecting the free market system and 'new guard Republicans' who apparently believe that a primary role of the Party is to ensure that their view of moral behavior is more important than economic tenets.
Bruce the Lemming Hearted. Wasn't that a bad knight way back in the day? I know a lot of you people run around using the sandwhich technique of even more subliminal attempts to control someones thoughts. Yours, not so bright. More like a burned out xmas tree bulb. First the ... oh my parents back in the old days when Republicans all had such happy liberal democratic values... and today... they just want to rip out your liver and kill your women... oh how I long for the old days.... If people are stupid enough to fall for that crap, then thats just how stupid they have become.
Hmmm, don't know what you are saying, but if you turned down your anger level a bit, maybe we could talk intelligently to each other.
Back in the 'old days' (and I am approaching my seventh decade on this planet) it was Republicans supporting business versus Democrats supporting labor, and both parties kept their noses out of personal choices about how to live their lives.
Gofigureit:
It's been working great for republicans - dems are just now catching on to the tactic. How does it feel to have it working against you instead of for you?
Gofigure, since the article didn't express those meanings, they are wholly the result of your thought processes. Denigrating the messenger is a tired right-wing response when faced with irrefutable facts.
Oh gosh. You folks are really in brainwashed drone protectionist mode. Amazing. You all confuse talk show hosts from either side, who are slanting their opinions and wordings to keep their audience and market share to sell advertising to generate revenue, with what is supposed to be a factual news agency who people can turn to for news. This is sad. I am out of time here, sorry.
gofigureit Speaking for brainwashed sounds like it takes one who is brainwashed to know other people who are brainwashed. Your argument for brainwashing is rightwing bull$hit! Happy Holidays!!!
now wait, are you talking about Fox News - the ones with no real reporters or factual information??
I thought so, for a minute there I thought you were talking about legitimate News reports and reporters. I knew what you were saying could only apply to Fox - the great pretender of all things news
Gofigureit needs to seek professional help. He/she is seeing subliminal messages in everything. Wait a minute, the very definition of a subliminal messages is that you CAN'T see them. Bet money Gofigureit is from Georgia. LMAO
Here in Michigan we not only have a nerd republican governor(ex venture capitalist---like Romney) we have a bald-faced liar too.
First he gave the seniors the shaft(don't seniors vote republican?) for the sake of business tax relief,which he would not spell out during election race(shades of Romney again) now he lies about his support for right to work........what a guy!!!
Good thing we didn't elect Romney....me thinks.
Agreed. Due to your legislature & governors actions I just cancelled my relocation to the state along with 200 jobs I would have brought. I already live in a right to work state that i was trying to escape. Glad they did this before I finalized the move. I will now look into another state that is not right to work.
Old pasty faced,simple minded,low iq angry turds,lie spewing,,aka GOP tea baggers
The best is yet to come,,Omama will deliver
MRABILITY: what if I don't want or need what Omama is delivering?
Secede. Don't let the door hit ya in the @$$ on the way out!
juanita dominguez
You will just have to suck it up and try again in 4 years just as Liberals would have had to do if Romney had won.
BCWC . . .
Great advice ... or juanita could simply move to a country of her choice where she doesn't have to worry about what the President does.