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Subscribe to RSSWhat we learned from this surprisingly busy week… Today’s big event and news: Karzai comes to the White House… On guns: a still-combative NRA -- and lowering expectations on an assault-weapons ban… Chuck & Chuck (Hagel and Schumer)… Colin Powell to appear on “Meet the Press”… And is Barney Frank’s public campaign backfiring?
*** What we learned this week: It was a surprisingly busy first full week of 2013, especially since Congress is out and the White House had all of Washington to itself. And here’s what we learned: The Obama White House circled the wagons around Chuck Hagel’s nomination to be defense secretary, with Hagel’s chances of confirmation improving but also with him having little margin of error. Team Obama continued to build a second-term team -- Hagel, John Brennan to CIA, Jack Lew to Treasury -- that is more closely aligned with Obama’s priorities rather than pleasing the Washington establishment to implement the president’s agenda, even if it’s creating the perception problem of a boy’s club. The White House lowered expectations on guns, with Vice President Biden talking about executive action (by definition small-bore) and with many doubtful that an assault-weapons ban could pass Congress. But it also raised expectations on Afghanistan, with the prospect that the administration might pull out ALL U.S. troops by 2014. And finally, everyone began to lay the groundwork for the latest fiscal fight in Washington, with the threats of a government shutdown and a $1 trillion platinum coin. What a week -- and now we’re just 10 days before Obama’s inauguration.
Larry Downing / Reuters
President Barack Obama announces that White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew will be his nominee for Treasury Secretary, replacing Timothy Geithner in the East Room of the White House, Jan. 10, 2013.
*** Karzai comes to the White House: The big political story today is Afghanistan, given that Obama is meeting with Afghan President Karzai at the White House, and the two men hold a press conference at 1:15 pm ET. The New York Times sets up the meeting -- and the intrigue. “Emboldened by what administration officials assert are gains against operatives of Al Qaeda, and concerned about the financial and political costs at home, Mr. Obama is leaning toward a more aggressive timetable for withdrawing troops than his military commander in Afghanistan initially recommended.” More: “Mr. Karzai, who met Thursday with Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, has far different expectations, according to Afghan officials. Although he has been careful not to discuss specific troop numbers in public, Mr. Karzai appears to be counting on a substantial residual American force — perhaps as many as 15,000 troops, whose mission would be to advise Afghan security forces in their fight against the Taliban insurgency and carry out raids against Al Qaeda.” If Karzai didn’t know it before he came Washington, the president seemed to make it CRYSTAL clear he wants out of Afghanistan quickly. First, he nominated a defense secretary that shares his view on this issue, and plans to push back on any military commander plans that call for more troops. Second, the White House publicly floated the idea of “zero” troops in Afghanistan in 2015. It’s something that is spooking Karzai privately. How each man words this issue of U.S. troop involvement while standing next to each other today will be fascinating.
*** A combative NRA -- and lowering expectations on an assault-weapons ban: Given Wayne LaPierre's combative press conference and "Meet the Press" appearance after Newtown, the National Rifle Association's statement after meeting yesterday at the White House shouldn't have been surprising. “We were disappointed with how little this meeting had to do with keeping our children safe and how much it had to do with an agenda to attack the 2nd Amendment… We will not allow law-abiding gun owners to be blamed for the acts of criminals and madmen. Instead, we will now take our commitment and meaningful contributions to members of congress of both parties who are interested in having an honest conversation about what works -- and what does not.” Meanwhile, the Times notes the White House realizes that an assault-weapons ban might be the most difficult component to pass Congress. And therefore, it "is trying to avoid making its passage the sole definition of success and is emphasizing other new gun rules that could conceivably win bipartisan support and reduce gun threats." Everything that happened this week in the Biden group indicated that this task force may end up looking like a lot of talk with little possibility of action. The White House is in a box -- the bigger they go on guns, the more likely they get nothing done. But the more “incremental” they look in their proposals, the louder the criticism gets from folks like Michael Bloomberg. That said, we’re hearing the White House INSISTS it isn’t giving up on the assault-weapons ban. It might be hard, but the White House isn’t giving up.
*** Chuck & Chuck: Politico writes that Hagel’s confirmation might very well come down to whether or not he gets support from Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer. “If Schumer were to oppose Hagel, it would almost certainly amount to a fatal blow to his candidacy since a number of pro-Israel Democrats who are squeamish about the nominee could very well be influenced by the No. 3 Democrat’s position… Still, Schumer could also provide critical support for Hagel’s nomination. Should he support Hagel, it very likely would ride on what the former Nebraska GOP senator eventually says on Israel at an upcoming one-on-one meeting with the New York Democrat and during his confirmation hearings before the Senate Armed Services Committee.” But we won’t go as far as Politico does here. Yes, if Schumer ultimately supports Hagel, the former Republican senator will almost be a shoo-in to be defense secretary. But if Schumer votes against, it doesn’t mean Hagel’s chances are dead. In fact, one thing Schumer is UNLIKELY to do is campaign against Hagel. If he’s a “no” on Hagel, he’ll keep it to himself for some time.
*** Colin Powell on “Meet”: Speaking of Hagel, Colin Powell will appear on “Meet the Press” to defend the administration’s nominee to be defense secretary.
*** Is Barney Frank’s campaign backfiring? Finally, yesterday we noted how liberal groups are beginning to coalesce around former Congressman Barney Frank for the interim appointment to fill John Kerry’s Senate seat. But National Journal reports -- and we’ve now heard this, too -- that Frank’s public campaign for the job might not be helping him. “[S]ay Massachusetts Democrats and people close to Gov. Deval Patrick, Frank has undercut his own explicit hopes for the seat likely to be vacated if Sen. John Kerry is confirmed as secretary of State. Frank’s very public lobbying for the job—he disclosed his aspirations on Morning Joe—make Patrick, the man who would have power of appointment, less likely to go along.”
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AIG actually considered suing the federal government for bailing out AIG this week
AIG had been weighing whether to join a lawsuit against the U.S. government over the terms
of the company's bailout filed by its former chief executive, Hank Greenberg. Greenberg
alleges the rescue was unfair to shareholders, and has sought billions of dollars in damages.
The idea AIG might sue the government struck a raw nerve with the public, which took to the Internet to vent its anger at what it viewed as the company's audacity. The volume of AIG
mentions on Twitter rose more than 50-fold Tuesday (1/8), according to Topsy Analytics.
Former Obama administration adviser Austan Goolsbee said "GO SCREW YOURSELVES"
in a multi-tweet tirade. Comedian Andy Borowitz drafted a mock letter from the
company to taxpayers, asking for more bailout money to pay for the cost of the
lawsuit. Dozens of obscene comments made descriptive references to the anatomy
of Chief Executive Robert Benmosche.
And those were the gentler barbs. The New York Daily News ran an editorial cartoon in which a lifeguard saves a drowning man with "AIG" on his belly. When the lifeguard asks the man
how he feels, the victim says, "like suing you."
The board of AIG decided on Wednesday (1/9) not to join the lawsuit, following two days of fevered backlash from Congress and the public over the prospect.
The vitriol was just like in late 2008 and early 2009, shortly after the bailout, when AIG employees hid ID badges and their families were threatened amid an uproar over post-rescue bonuses.
Talking about clueless greedy pigs!!
It's a mistake to think we can change the minds of the NRA leadership. Arguments that lean on ethics will carry no weight with them.
The N.R.A. represents the gun manufacturers. These corporations are chartered to make a profit, and they do so by selling as many guns as possible regardless of consequences.
As the mouthpiece for gun capitalists - the N.R.A.'s job is to prevent all restrictions imposed on the sale, manufacture, and use of every kind of weapon.
As yesterday, the N.R.A. delegation will always report that they are "disappointed" in the content of a meeting about gun reform.
One assault weapon (or more) in every home will create the potential for gun violence anywhere, anytime. Violent death from gunshots is seen by the gun lobby as the Cost of Doing Business.
Let's be quick to acknowledge this reality. And not waste any more time genuflecting to the NRA.
P.S.: AIG lawsuit ……. cont.
After hearing about an AIG lawsuit against the federal gov for the bailout, a group of congressmen led by Vermont Democrat Peter Welch sent AIG's chairman a letter late Tuesday (1/8), advising, "Don't do it. Don't even think about it." Other members of Congress threatened hearings.
AIG took to Twitter to defend itself, saying it was legally obligated to at least consider action. But its
defense mostly fell on deaf ears.
The government rescued the company from the brink of bankruptcy in September 2008 with a bailout that ultimately topped $182 billion.
Treasury sold the last of that stake in mid-December. All totaled, the government has said it earned a return of $22.7 billion on the rescue.
AIG is considering Wednesday (1/9) whether the company should join a lawsuit against the government that spent $182 billion to save it from collapse.
A leading congressional Democrat called criticism of the deal's terms "utterly ridiculous," and former
New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer called the prospect of a lawsuit "insulting to the public."
The White House declined to comment on the potential for a lawsuit.
Newly elected Senator Elizabeth Warren, feared by Wall Street as a potential thorn in its side on the Senate Banking Committee, called the lawsuit talk "outrageous" and said the company should not "bite the hand that fed them for helping them out in a crisis."
Elijah Cummings, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, he said in a statement: "The idea that AIG might sue the government is an unbelievable insult to our nation's taxpayers, who cleaned up the mess this firm created.".
Cummings' former colleague, the recently retired Barney Frank, said he was "stunned" by the news. "There was not the hint of a suggestion of any coercion. They did this very voluntarily, very gratefully. And if the company were now to go around and join this lawsuit, that would be outrageous," Frank said in an interview.
We also have the right to live our lives, and walk about our neighborhoods safely with our children and seniors. To get there, sensible changes to America's gun laws will have to happen. And to do it we will resolve to stand up to the N.R.A. and U.S. gun manufacturers.
Last week, General McChrystal (Ret) said "serious" changes to gun laws will be necessary to protect our people here, at home. He said the weapons used in Afghanistan were designed for soldiers, and no need "for that kind of weaponry on the streets and particularly around the schools in America."
General McChrystal said limited actions on gun reform will not be enough.
So many insincere people on MSNBC. So so many. Lean Forward? Since when is Lean Forward lies and made up controversies? These PUNDITS wouldn’t know a thing about women’s issues and how we women know full well the differences between Republican and Democratic policies.
President Obama picks who he believes are best qualified.
MSNBC - I wonder, what do they take into consideration when they hand over programs to people who
just sit there and make stuff up.
But hey, they need to do something with their time on air to justify their huge salaries.
As John Lennon would say, it’s all show biz. And the sooner Americans understand this, the better off we as a country will be.
Nobody loves you when you're down and out
Nobody sees you when you're on cloud nine
Everybody's hustlin' for a buck and a dime
I'll scratch your back and you scratch mine
I've been across to the other side
I've shown you everything, I got nothing to hide
And still you ask me, do I love you, what it is, what it
is?
All I can tell you is, it's all show biz
In the meantime, while the media slept:
US comes in last in UN’s latest health rankings of 17 countries
We've known for years that Americans tend to be overweight and sedentary, and that our health care system, despite being the priciest in the world, produces some less-than-plum results. Health nerds who
closely follow the news may even have known that we live shorter lives than people in other rich nations, and that infants in the U.S. die from various causes at far higher rates.
But a fresh report, out Wednesday, tapped vast stores of data to compare the health of affluent nations
and delivered a worrisome new message: Americans' health is even worse than we thought, ranking below 16 other developed nations.
Among the most striking of the report's findings are that, among the countries studied, the U.S. has:
The highest rate of death by violence, by a stunning margin
The highest rate of death by car accident, also dramatically so
The highest chance that a child will die before age 5
The second-highest rate of death by coronary heart disease
The second-highest rate of death by lung disease
The highest teen pregnancy rate
The highest rate of women dying due to complications of pregnancy and
childbirth
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/01/11/1178076/-US-come-last-in-UN-s-latest-health-rankings-of-17-countries
We learned the NRA is non negotiable.
"I will sign a universal health care bill into law by the end of my first term as president that will cover every American and cut the cost of a typical family's premium by up to $2,500 a year."
-Barry Obama in a 2008 Presidential campaign speech
What a lying sack of sh!t.
I'm still waiting for my insurance company to send me the grand announcement of a $2,500 reduction in next year's premium, giving ALL the credit to Barry, of course.
Any lefty liberal who was stupid enough to believe this Barry BS, should also admit they believe in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Yeah, yeah, I already know the lefty liberal kneejerk response: it's all the "greedy insurance companies" fault.
Sorry, lefty liberals , but, there is no such thing as a "free lunch". SOMEBODY has to pay for it.
When Sandra Fluck whines to Nancy Pelosi about her "right" to free recreational-sex Rx's, the rest of the premium payers HAVE to pick up the tab for her. And when you set up a health insurance system that has minimal penalties for not paying for your own health insurance and then require insurance companies to sign up everyone with pre-existing conditions, SOMEBODY has to pay for that.
Just for David Wanker: So, how do I make a profit on the lefty liberal's stupidity??
I'm considering starting or investing in a business that would provide ClunkerCare sign-ups for the schlubs that show up in their ERs without health insurance. For a reasonable fee this business would process all the bureaucratic paperwork to get the schlub into a ClunkerCare policy in Barry's health exchanges. And here's the best part, the business would arrange for loan financing to cover the premium costs, again for a reasonable fee, that would be enormously profitable.
Ain't capitalism great!!!!!
Life is good.
Enjoy.
From Politico:
Insurers' 2014 hikes already taking toll
By: Jennifer Haberkorn
January 11, 2013 12:01 AM EST
If you work for a small business, your next health insurance premium may give you sticker shock.
Many of the small-business and individual insurance policies are working the health reform law's 2014 fees into their 2013 bills, contributing to double-digit premium increases for some people.
All those new consumer benefits packed into the health reform law — birth control without a co-pay, free preventive care and limits on when insurers can turn down a customer — had to be paid for somehow.
So the law's drafters included a new tax on health insurers, starting at $8 billion in 2014 and increasing to $14 billion within four years, to help meet the new expenses. And insurers in 2014 will also have to pay a "reinsurance contribution" to cushion health plans that end up with a lot of sick customers under new rules requiring them to cover people with pre-existing conditions.
Some health insurance companies are getting a jump-start, passing on those 2014 fees to consumers in policies that start in 2013.
Insurers say they have no choice but to increase premiums to cover those costs. But it's hitting pocketbooks sooner than some people expected, and that's causing controversy.
Everyone, even many of the law's supporters, admit premiums are going to go up under the health law — although many people will get subsidies to help pay for coverage. Many of the costs — and the priciest benefits — were pushed beyond the 2012 election to 2014. But if the public revolts when they see 10 percent,15 percent or 20 percent rate hikes, already shaky support for the health law could suffer.
Stop me if you've heard this before. So, these four guys walk into a bar, and the bar falls silent except for the constant noise the four guys are making. A fellow whispers to the bartender, "Who are those guys?" The stunned bartender says, "You don't know? You really don't know? That's the Four whore men of the flappy lips." In a reverential and awe-filled voice he says, "That's Rush Limbaugh, Dick Cheney, Wayne LaPierre, and Mitt Romney. They're the last line of defense for freedom-loving Americans who don't trust the government."
Those four men stand between a tyrannical government and the few remaining tatters of our freedom. While we were running around playing and ignoring "existential threats" (that is the correct buzz term, isn't it?) the Four Whore Men, unbeknownst to us lackadaisical Americans, were keeping their trained eyes on Washington, D.C. Indeed, when Washington called them to serve in Viet Nam, our heroes recognizing the real threat to America, valiantly guarded the halls of academia. Well, all but Rush Limbaugh, who almost finished a whole semester there.
Dick Cheney went on to protect us as a Vice-President and gun safety expert. Romney kept people out of dangerous work places and in the safety of their homes, even if they could no longer afford the payments. He also served on the front lines of France. Limbaugh filled our airwaves to keep us aware of threats, and by gum, they're everywhere. (As my personal tribute to the great Rush, I try to remain in a state of fear at all times.) Then of course, there's the greatest gunner of our times, Wayne LaPierre, a good guy who strikes fear into the black hearts of bad guys everywhere. Wayne commands a group of committed patriots who love their guns, their freedom, and irrational dogma, more than life itself.
I am saddened that I am not able to call them fellow veterans, but I am gratified to know that they are protecting others by allowing them to have massive firepower at their fingertips.
I feel so safe.
Bev, hi. - We don't have to put up with it. And we won't.
When will the NRA admit that assault weapons are built to kill people? They are extremists. There is nothing reasonable about it, and their 'favorability polling' is dropping fast.
NRA reps are effectively lobbyists out to make money for the gun corporations. Not at all about saving lives - they're about making money.
We want Senator Barney, let's be Frank.
Senator Frank will be fun to watch ... he is soooooooooooo talented
Written by Emily Hauser, h/t TOD:
Feminism is the radical notion that women are people and as such, have an innate right to the same
human and civil rights enjoyed by other people.
I say this because there is a flap being made about the fact that President Obama’s second Cabinet is
shaping up to be a very male (and very white, it should be noted) group.
Some Democrats are behaving as if the President has betrayed us, and some Republicans are suggesting that the whole “Obama is better for women” thing was so much mendacious diversion,
because look!
It’s a sausage fest up in the Oval Office! Joe Scarborough went so far this morning as to yell the following at his Democratic co-host Mika Brzezinski (and then later snap his fingers at her!
For Barack Obama and his team to savage Mitt Romney for a month off of an offhanded comment that really meant nothing, and here we are on something that matters. And you’re forgiving him, while you lit into Romney for a month, and the media lit into Romney for a month, and now you all are hypocritically, and I will say it, hypocritically giving this man a pass because he’s a Democrat that you’re cheering for.
Scarborough’s reference was, of course, to Romney’s “binders full of women” comment, which, had it been an isolated moment of poor phrasing would, in fact have been “an offhanded comment that really meant
nothing.”
But here’s the damn thing, aggrieved progressives and conservatives alike: That comment was neither
offhanded nor meaningless, because it reflected the Republican Party’s oft-expressed and acted-upon attitude toward the rights of Americans who happen to be women, and feminism is more than a headcount.
The feminist movement (to the extent that there is one thing that can be called that) is about bringing
women’s humanity to bear on every aspect of life, and as I have noted on several occasions, President Obama has spent his Presidency expressing his dedication to feminist values. Over and over and over (and overand over) again, he has done the work and forwarded the ideas necessary to actually changethe reality in which women and girls live, to not pay lip service to our humanity but to acknowledge and acton it.
Here’s another radical notion: Part of why this President has so many more men than women to choose
from when filling any post rests in the sexism which continues to mark and harm our society, at each and every level, not least the professional level where women continue to suffer systematic discrimination. And for all that, 43% of Obama appointees have been women (and hey now! Valerie Jarrett’s leg is just visible in this by-now infamous but somewhat misleading photograph). Not to mention that if the GOP had not successfully hounded Susan Rice out of the nomination process last month, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation right now — because the optics of a single woman of color would have been magically enough.
I want to see more women in leadership positions. I want to see more women getting better jobs and better pay and better benefits. And (note to the Republican Party) I want to see women treated as human beings, rather than vessels for the next generation and/or lying sluts who spread our legs and cry rape. I want my daughter and son to see these things, and believe me, I’m hoping that the President surprises us over the next week or two with a couple of women. Press Secretary Jay Carney has suggested that we wait until Obama has actually made all of his appointments before we pass judgment, and given the President’s record, I’m inclined to take the suggestion to heart. If I’m disappointed in the end, I will not hesitate to join those holding Obama’s feet to the fire on the issue. That’s my job as an American citizen, and I take it seriously.
But not a feminist? Not good for women? Somehow pulled the wool over our eyes and tricked all us silly,
slow-witted, eyelash-batting wimminz? Just stop it.
We are, as I have said before, in the process of actually recreating humanity right now, and there is simply
no way in which any such process could ever be easy or smooth.
In word and deed, in promise and in policy, my President has demonstrated his feminism time and again, making the country in which I live and in which my daughter is coming of age a better, more perfect union. And that is much, much more important to me than an Oval Office headcount.
Pat Boston MA.
So many insincere people on MSNBC. So so many. Lean Forward? Since when is Lean Forward lies and made up controversies? These PUNDITS wouldn’t know a thing about women’s issues and how we women know full well the differences between Republican and Democratic policies.
President Obama picks who he believes are best qualified.
MSNBC - I wonder, what do they take into consideration when they hand over programs to people who just sit there and make stuff up.
Good Morning Pat,
I'm just as disappointed. I got this picture from the Obama Photo Diary;
President Barack Obama talks with Felicia Escobar, Senior Policy Director for Immigration, left, and Cecilia Muñoz, Director of the Domestic Policy Council, at the end of a meeting with advisors in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Jan. 10, 2013. Pictured in the background are: Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Nancy-Ann DeParle; Acting Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Jeffrey Zients; National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling; Rob Nabors, Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs; and Rob Nabors, Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/imagecache/gallery_img_full/image/image_file/p011013ps-01913.jpg
AIG should sue. What the government did to trample on private rights in 2008 and 2009 was unconscionable.
I just want to expose some piggish bankers....I am totally angry with the lawsuit by bankers against the government for bailing them out. I am angry with AIG .... even for thinking about joining the lawsuit.
.
I can't believe there are so many ungrateful welfare-receiving bankers.
This is ... Bankers Gone Wild
Dictatorship, tyranny and executive order as far as the eye can see.
I don't see why states talk about succession when they should be talking about kicking DC out of the union. Much simpler.
Mr. President, please don't back off banning public ownership of assault weapons. They belong in the Military not in the public domain. What does a citizen need an assault weapon for. Not hunting for sure, not even for target practice. Their only purpose is for mass killing of people, men,women and children. Manufactuers like the BIG PROFITS from these weapons and could care less who they kill. So please ban them from civilian ownership. Go getum Joe Biden.
Yesterday, there was yet another school shooting in California.
When the gun was recovered, the gun said ...'don't blame me.'
Can't freaking believe it - I mean - I can't believe 'guns can talk'.
Before this case of a talking gun, I simply couldn't believe that 'Guns don't kill.'
Beverly, I did see those photos yesterday, but it didn't matter. The media (MSNBC) has decided our president doesn't care about women. They just made it up. Literally made it up.
It's all BS what you see particularly on morning/daytime MSNBC. All BS.
And quite frankly, it's insulting to us viewers. Lean Forward? What a joke.
First Thoughts: What we learned this week
First Thoughts: What we learned this week
=====================
We learned that Jeff Sessions now thinks that Secretary Geithner now has "gravitas" and that Jack Lew allegedly does not.
I believe an acceptable definition of gravitas can be 'a serious and solemn attitude or way of behaving'.
Although not unusual, I once again am unable to follow Republican thinking.
Pigotry, thanks for keeping a focus on the banksters. THEY crashed the entire world economy in 2008. THEY were made whole in Bush's TARP plan. THEY paid back OUR TAX DOLLARS by raising fees on us, their customers. THEY have blocked or delayed the most needed reforms since that time...NOW they want to also take more of our money to further enrich themselves? It's an outrage.
I'll never regret the day I took my money out of Bank of America and moved it to a regional credit union. I regret it even more now that it's clear that fraud by BoA acquisition Countrywide Financial helped crash Fannie Mae...yet another thing MY tax dollars helped fix.
Get your money out of these giant, too big to fail banks and into locally-based banks and credit unions. It's the only way to curb the power of the banksters.
Joe,
I think this every time I hear these so called conservatives, such a Willard Romney, Rush Limbaugh and Wayne LaPierre speak.
Good Morning All,
What I learned this week: Very few of our GOP/Conservatives leaders have publicly stated their disgust and horror that 20 little seven/eight year olds were murdered in cold blood and we, as a nation, must enact legislation to prevent this from happening again.....other than we must arm teachers.
Gun violence is an ongoing problem and something has to be done to at least reduce it. So far, with the encouragement of the NRA, every suggestion has been ridiculed. We have a professor at a Florida University (FAU), pronouncing that it was staged by the Obama Administration, this fellow is an employee of the State of Florida and he's still there.....why has he not beeen fired by Republican Rick Scott? This goes beyond anything the 1st Amendment should cover......and not a word of outrage.
The NRA has one objective, and that is to promote the sale of guns, and in lobbying for the gun manufacturers, they trample all over others right to be safe in our everyday activities. It is not right that we should worry when we send our children or grandchildren to school. It is not alright to have to worry when any of us go shopping in a mall, or when we go to the movies. These activities, should be carefree and we have a right to expect them.
Yeah, John B, Des Moines, IA (comment #1.19)
CFPB just announced new rules for these giant mortgage banks yesterday - more sensible regulations designed to protect consumers and protect our economy.
The creator of Consumer Financial Protection Agency is Elizabeth Warren, now the senior Senator from Massachusetts (when Kerry is replaced by Barney Frank). She is going to be on the Senate Banking Committee. Watch out, bankers, she is a true watchdog.
Regardless of your feelings on gun control, this should be upsetting to anybody.
California Tom
Alcohol kills thousands of people, nobody needs alcohol, we should ban alcohol. That makes sense to you?
Backhouse
The N.R.A. represents the gun manufacturers. These corporations are chartered to make a profit, and they do so by selling as many guns as possible regardless of consequences.
===============
This really is the best summation of the 'issue' with the NRA. The NRA represents these manufacturers, all the while promoting themselves as an organization for the 'people'. Money is the game with these folks and at the end of the day, membership dues alone don't cut it.
'People'...NRA could give 2 scoops about them. They are a dime a dozen..they will come and they will go. The NRA is about pushing hardware on the streets and does nothing but USE people to do it.
FR:
According to the beltway media, it didn't create a perception problem for the bitter old white men of the Republican party to smear Susan Rice, an African American woman of excellent qualifications who had nothing to do with the Benghazi attack that Mitt Whatzisface, John McCain, and Lindsey Graham cynically exploited for their own political benefit. But after they torpedoed Rice's nomination for Secretary of State, it's Obama's perception problem.
But but Obama and Congress loved the AIG bailouts. They saved the economy and even made a profit. All is well, no crimes committed.
Backhouse
Bev, hi. - We don't have to put up with it. And we won't.
When will the NRA admit that assault weapons are built to kill people? They are extremists. There is nothing reasonable about it, and their 'favorability polling' is dropping fast.
Good morning Backhouse,
This is why I'm so glad their intransigence will bring more attention to their greed. For sure they have blood on their hands. The NRA is boasting about 100,000 new members. Mayors Against Illegal Guns has 400,000 new members!
http://www.politico.com/story/2013/01/400000-join-anti-illegal-guns-group-86031.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, they will need to stop the killing. Jobs In: Guns OUT!
Beverly, I did see those photos yesterday, but it didn't matter. The media (MSNBC) has decided our president doesn't care about women. They just made it up. Literally made it up.
It's all BS what you see particularly on morning/daytime MSNBC. All BS.
And quite frankly, it's insulting to us viewers. Lean Forward? What a joke.
________________________________
WOW!!!
Lefty liberal Obamabots criticizing their official cable network MSDNC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DingleB
Are you really unaware that there are restrictions on the use of alcohol, such as DUI laws in every state of the union? Are you just playing dumb, or do you really fail to comprehend that there is a difference between restrictions on alcohol or guns and outright bans?
DingleB writes:
Missed the day your civics class covered the 18th Amendment, did you? Really, a knowledge of history is important.
The real Madmen
From the article above:
Wayne certainly knows how to spin it for his constituents.
It just goes to show you that guns have become the new drug of choice in America.
So, what happens to the rest of American’s who would like to see a ban on assault weapons; who would like to see tougher restrictions at gun shows; who think the answer to minimizing these acts of terrorism is less guns instead of more guns?
Don’t we have rights also?
Seems to me, that this is an issue where common sense should trump adolescent paranoia and that “freedom” comes with sacrifice.
Taking assault weapons off the streets and keeping it in the hands of our trained, professionals like our military, does NOT take away the rights of “law-abiding gun owners” to “bear arms”.
My guess is that we will never hear Wayne say anything like that.
***
“A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice”.
Bill Cosby
Salud
Sarah-3152994
AIG should sue. What the government did to trample on private rights in 2008 and 2009 was unconscionable.
=============
That definitely is a perspective, but AIG was not suing because of "private rights". Rather they openly admit the assistance was needed, but are trying to allegedly make the argument that the 'deal' they got, wasn't the best for their shareholders.
In my mind, it kind of aligns with what I perceived as an irony yesterday with those who claim that a vast majority of gun owners are law abiding, while also maintaining that laws allegedly don't work. In my mind, you can't say the former, if the latter is not true.
In a somewhat different type of irony, how hilarious is it that a publicly traded firm puts itself in a position to consume $180B of taxpayer bailout funds, only to later decry the actions of the Government and its terms from that $180B as not being in the best interest of it's shareholders?
Only in America...you can't write this stuff any better.
David Walker
Interesting you bring up the 18th Amendment. Did you forget about the 2nd Amendment, you know, part of the Bill of Rights?
By the way, how did the 18th Amendment go over? How well do you think gun control will work?
Houston!
The point, which clearly went over your head, was that stating that someone doesn't need something isn't sufficient reason to ban it.
Damyou
Unfortunately, Obama's payroll tax cut expired.
Damyou,
You do know that the payroll tax cut expired? So instead of paying 4.2 % the rate went back to 6.2%.That has nothing to due with President Obama being re-elected.
Pat Boston MA.
Beverly, I did see those photos yesterday, but it didn't matter. The media (MSNBC) has decided our president doesn't care about women. They just made it up. Literally made it up.
It's all BS what you see particularly on morning/daytime MSNBC. All BS.
And quite frankly, it's insulting to us viewers. Lean Forward? What a joke.
Pat, Yet they had the nerve to put up a picture empathizing Valerie Jarrert's leg. Such betryal! We knew when Comcast took over the script would flip. In your post from the Obama Diary written by
Emily Hauser, I suggest everyone read it; particularly these young daytime MSNBC journos. They could learn something; in addition to putting forth the truth.
I also suggest everyone click on this picture if you don't have time to read Pat's
#1.10 - Fri Jan 11, 2013 9:29 AM EST post
This picture says it all:
http://emilylhauserinmyhead.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/obama-feminist.jpg?w=216&h=288
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Yup, this is a President who stands for all women. Perhaps one of the crack investigative MSNBC Journos might want to burn their fingers preparing this picture as a topic. I know if Joy Reid sees it she will discuss it to the nth degree. I love her and i think it's time MSNBC gives either her or Dyson a show.
Just saw a weird story on Politico
Just from a pure observational standpoint, there has been countless public statements, press briefings, appearances, articles written, hearings had, allegations made because of the death of 4 (which is also a number that has been highlighted by these same individuals) of our US Civil Servants and their Security who work in hostile Countries by the Republican Party and yet again (from a purely observational perspective) who can produce even 0.01% of the same effort, by the same the Republican Party concerning the death, let alone the manner in which 20 children were gunned down in minutes at their school?
The same Republican Party won't wait for the Administration to gather the facts before commenting on what happened in Libya, but will cower in silence, for a week and a half/2 weeks while they wait for the NRA to give a presser.
Purely observational, tell me how you cannot see one as an easy ding against the President so they 'act' and the other an easy ding against themselves so they 'deflect'.
Someone please prove to me how this is not an accurate observation.
Great posts from the left this Friday morning.
Pat, Boston excellent thoughts times two. While most females would like to see more women in cabinet positions, you point out reasons why we don't see more. Just because there aren't more women being named is absolutely no reflection on President Obama's support of women.
This country has many serious problems, the GOP House is once again introducing and passing anti-women's health rights legislation yet the MEDIA does not point out and question the GOP House's actions against women. Instead they stir a nontroversy about Obama's cabinet nominees being all male; and spend a day discussing Jack Lew's signature.
Most days I can't watch Joe Scarborough; he has no right to criticize President Obama while he treats Mika so badly. If he's so concerned with women in the Obama administration, where are the women moderators on Morning Joe? Shouldn't it be two women and two men in all fairness. Mika is treated as a token by Joe himself; dismissed, mocked, interrupted and often ridiculed. Why she stays is beyond me.
Joe in Albany
________________________________
WOW!!!
Lefty liberal Obamabots criticizing their official cable network MSDNC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Look Albanian idiot , You are not qualified to criticize anyone. You are constantly in the face of GOP opposition each time you copy, paste, and snicker about what you get from your FAV(GOPolitoco).
Now laugh your moronic a$$ off at yourself!!!
Michelle,
Why are the 14 people being denied by the ACA ?
Since you copied part of the article and the link I assume you read the entire article so why didn’t you explain that part so everyone can understand the full controversy? Why did you intentionally leave that part out?
As I said from the beginning, this pandering, tough talking , do nothing, pass the buck, take a picture of me looking sad, let me pull out a nose hair to start crying, let someone else do it, I have no ideas President will do nothing on guns. The fudge packin, male prostitution supporting, Bank destroyin Barney Frank as Senator, HILLLLARIOUS. The demoralization of America brought to you by todays Democratic party.
The idea of a "$1 Trillion Platinum Coin' is just nonsense. If it's that simple, just mint 16 of them and pay off the entire National Debt.
But what are the consequences?
Just 'printing money' has been tried numerous times in the past - for example;
In 1923, the German Weimar Republic tried it to pay off war debts, and the resulting inflation quickly turned the exchange rate from 4.2 Marks to the dollar to 4,200,000,000 Marks to the dollar, and the result was a devastating depression for Germany that eventually lead to the rise of Adolf Hitler as a 'savior of Germany'.
More recently, in Zimbabwe in Africa, the government also turned loose the printing presses, and here's a quote: "Prof. Hanke’s HHIZ measure indicated that the inflation peaked at an annual rate of 89.7 sextillion percent (89,700,000,000,000,000,000,000%) in mid-November 2008." Their economy quickly changed to an inefficient 'barter economy' when citizens refused to accept the worthless paper money.
I doubt that those people who scrimped and saved for their entire lives would appreciate learning that their life savings are now worth the equivalent of only 2 cents.
Yes, we have learned what is on the agenda for the president's second term.....dismantling the constitution, circumnavigating the legislative branch by executive decree, increasing taxes, appointing incompetent cabinet members and selling out to the Muslim brotherhood.
@ Dennis - I read it but I'm not an insurance person, and don't really understand just exactly why they are getting dumped.
Has anyone recieved thier first pay check of 2013 yet. I mean any of you who do not earn $400,000 a year? I got mine this morning its $160 less than the last check of 2012. I just took a walk around the office and its the major topic of almost everyone here. The major question, "I dont make $400k why is my take home pay affected. People are not happy and these are people who voted and trusted Mr. Obama would not take money from them only the Uber rich! The year end total is WAY more than I and many of my fellow employees ever expected.
==============
This post to me represents much of America. We are good at highlighting the outrage, but not always a a good at contexting the reason for our outrage. The fact that you and apparently your office believe your marginal tax rate was changed vs. the expiration of the payroll tax (which has been in place for 2 years...proposed by the President and signed off on by the GOP), again shows our quick our outrage is and our need to backtrack to actually 'validate' that outrage.
What you failed to mention in your commentary was if there were any rate changes in the benefits your company provides...but assuming there wasn't and your check is a $160 less, you're not exactly walking around making chump change on an annual basis, even more so if you are being paid on a bi-weekly basis.
You enjoyed for 2 years a tax cut that many would argue should not be one because of the nature of what it funds. Come down on the President...ok, but I'm having a hard time finding the footage of GOP congressional members fighting for the extension of this same tax cut.
If you folks are all OK with the Obama Payroll tax expiring, why so much hand wringing over letting all the Bush Tax cuts expire?
Why pick and choose?
If the government needs the money, then all "cuts" should have been allowed to expire on everyone, right?
Why didn't the President propose that the Payroll Tax cut only expire for the rich?
And using a teleprompter. Geez, some people's kids...
"The White House lowered expectations on guns, with Vice President Biden talking about executive action (by definition small-bore) and with many doubtful that an assault-weapons ban could pass Congress."
For those who think nobody should have a firearm for protection, consider this story;
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/10/16449815-911-tape-shoot-him-again-husband-tells-wife-hiding-from-home-intruder?lite&lite=obnetwork
Ha if you thought this is a whopper wait until 2014 hits.
ROFLMAO!!
Michelle,
They are not getting dumped, they are being denied because they intentionally dropped their prior insurance coverage.
From the article … after determining they had previous coverage that disqualified them. [from enrolling in the high risk pool].
Here is the second term results:
• More gridlock
• Weak growth
• Continued high unemployment
• Mounting debt
Just more of the same. No hope, no change.
Yes, Dennis... their coverage was so lousy that they wanted to get on the ACA... however they were denied.
Kind of like having flood insurance with premiums more than your house payment, ya know?
ToxicChemist
Yes, we have learned what is on the agenda for the president's second term.....dismantling the constitution, circumnavigating the legislative branch by executive decree, increasing taxes, appointing incompetent cabinet members and selling out to the Muslim brotherhood.
=============
Um, you are aware that the same constitution that I guess he is 'dismantling' according to you, also grants the Executive Branch to issue Executive Orders right? It's not exactly a new practice that was ushered in in Jan 09.
Dingle Berry -
Your an idiot. Your talking apples and oranges.
Allen - Omaha "Has anyone recieved thier first pay check of 2013 yet. I mean any of you who do not earn $400,000 a year? I got mine this morning its $160 less than the last check of 2012. I just took a walk around the office and its the major topic of almost everyone here. The major question, "I dont make $400k why is my take home pay affected. People are not happy and these are people who voted and trusted Mr. Obama would not take money from them only the Uber rich! The year end total is WAY more than I and many of my fellow employees ever expected."
Welcome to the 'Wonderful World of Obama', and his rhetoric about 'I will protect the middle class and poor from tax increases - just reelect me, not that 'out of touch' rich Romney'.
Get used to tax increases - Somebody has to pay for those big spending plans of Obama, and you should be comforted to know that the 'rich' will be paying a lot more in new taxes than you will. Of course, this will NOT reduce consumer spending and economic growth because people have less money to spend - Just ask Obama. Remember Obama said that the 'Bush tax cuts' didn't help the economy grow, so be sure to send just as much as you did last year, even if you DID get less income.
Missed the day your civics class covered the 18th Amendment, did you? Really, a knowledge of history is important.
____________________________________________________
David Wanker: ANY discussion of the history of the 18th Amendment would REQUIRE a discussion of the 21st Amendment. Prohibition of alcohol was a failed lefty liberal do-gooder experiment that should be instructive for lefty liberal do-gooders now screaming for gun control laws.
What was it you said??
Oh yeah: "Really, a knowledge of history is important."
LMFAO!!!!!
Hey blackhouse, Abortions are made to kill people too but you don't seem to have any issue with them. Get off your soap box, your just another liberal who wants it both ways!!!!
elliot-3020456
So the Drudge hypes spike in Google searches for "Hitler Gun Control" after linking Hitler And Gun Laws to Our President gives you reason to believe it's true?
elliot,
That is exactly right. Why don't you educate FAKE NEWS about that?
The well-regulated militia referred to in the Second Amendment was, in fact, the 18th-century equivalent to the U.S. Armed Forces. Other than a small force of paid officers (primarily responsible for supervising civilian conscripts), the United States that existed at the time the Second Amendment was proposed had no professional, trained army. Instead it relied almost exclusively on civilian militias for self-defense--in other words, the rounding up of all available men between the ages of 18 and 50. In the event of foreign invasion, there would be no trained military force to hold back the British or the French. The United States relied on the power of its own citizens to defend the country against attack, and had committed to such an isolationist foreign policy that the chances of ever deploying forces overseas seemed remote at best.
This began to change with the presidency of John Adams, who established a professional navy to protect U.S.-bound trade vessels from privateers. Today, there is no military draft at all. The U.S. Army is made up of a mix of full-time and part-time professional soldiers who are trained well, and compensated for their service. Furthermore, the U.S. Armed Forces have not fought a single battle on home soil since the end of the American Civil War in 1865. Clearly, a well-regulated civilian militia is no longer a military necessity. Does the second clause of the Second Amendment still apply even if the first clause, providing its rationale, is no longer meaningful?
http://civilliberty.about.com/od/guncontrol/i/2ndamendment.htm
BTW; that is secede not succession. However, I do agree success instead of seceding. LEAN FORWARD!
Thank you Jody.
I see so many here and elsewhere who volunteered their time for the re-election of President Obama and it really bothers me so much that the media (and some on the left) can then just step in and lie about him, after all the hard work you and others put into his campaign. We all donated money, time and effort for a full year so that Romney and the lying GOP would stay out of the White House.
While we were helping the president get re-elected, we as well worked our butts off trying to keep the Senate.
We won.
It wasn't easy. Yet the media continues to lie. They are not progressive. They are actors on a stage, just trying to get attention.
President Obama is such a good person, such a good president. That is NOT kissing his backside. That's seeing the difference from a McCain or Romney Administration v. an Obama Administration.
And the differences are huge. The media are corporate. They want republicans in office, despite their incompetence. And they don't care who suffers from GOP policies.
I just saw a story about a woman with 3 children who was working for a mid-sized company that got her hours cut from about 40 hours a week to less than 28 hours a week, thanks to Omamacare's requirement that large companies provide expensive health insurance for those working over 28 hours a week.
She had to struggle to find a new job as a waitress at a lower wage but more hours - and she still doesn't have health insurance because the new employer is exempt from Obamacare because they have less than 50 employees.
I guess you might call that 'Unintended Consequences' - Thank you Obama - nice 'Legacy'..
DingleB
What's clearly going over your head is that nobody is proposing a ban on all guns.
Yet.
Joe in Albany
Insurance premiums went from about $6k per family per year to about $12k per family per year from 1999 to 2008.
On top of that, each year, more and more people became uninsured because they could not afford it. That automatically raises the premiums for those who have insurance because someone has to cover the uninsured (in addition to the taxpayers).
That increased premium causes more to drop insurance because they can no longer afford it...
which automatically raises premiums for those who have it...
...and the cycle continues.
Show me, where in the past 10-15-20 years, health insurance premiums have not been skyrocketing?
I will give you an example: this year my health insurance increased $1.25 per week for me, and $1.25 per week for my employer. On top of that, I got a refund from the insurance company for about $200 because of the MLR law which is 80/20 federally and 88/12 in Massachusetts so in reality, my insurance actually WENT DOWN.
Show me where President Obama promised you a $2500 check. He didn't so why call the president a liar? You should be happy that your insurance premium can no longer go up 20-30% each year just because your insurance company cries "poverty" - now they have to prove it that why the needed increase if it's more than what's allowed.
BTW, Obama care = RomneyCare = Health Equity and Access Reform Today Act of 1993 sponsored by Republicans. It was a Republican idea before it was Obama's. Get over it.
@ Damyou --
To sympathize with you, or even empathize with you, would be wrong.
To begin with, it might be helpful if you paid attention.
The payroll tax holiday was intended as short-term relief to get us through the worst of the recession. As pointed out above by Job1, it was never meant to be permanent. To make it permanent would have been to poke another stick in the eye of Social Security, which doesn't need any more help, thank you.
Moreover, if $160 represents 2 percent of your bi-weekly gross pay, then you are making a pretty good income. Not $400,000, but rather somewhere in the neighborhood of $200,000.
In short, you can probably spare it. And if not, then give some thought as to how seniors who currently live on Social Security of about $12,000 to $15,000 per year are supposed to get along on less and pay more for their health care.
Because, essentially, that's what your personal selfishness, and the selfishness of many others who think like you, will force them to do.
There's nothing worse that this kind of petty whining.
ROY WILSON-336103
we live in the richest country on this planet so the fact that a company like Wal-Mart cuts employees' hours to deny them health insurance while reporting a NET INCOME of 15,699.0 (in millions) is despicable.
Republicans bitch about safety net programs like Medicaid for the poor or food stamps but support leeches like Wal-Mart. You cannot have it both ways so pick one. BTW, you wouldn't want your grandkids to lose their food stamps, would you?
Succession.
Succession of states is a theory and practice in international relations regarding the recognition and acceptance of a newly created sovereign state by other states, based on a perceived historical relationship the new state has with a prior state. The theory has its root in 19th century diplomacy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Succession_of_states
White Collar Auto asks:
I never want to miss a chance exposing your ignorance.
The payroll tax to which you refer is FICA. It funds a dedicated program. That would be Social Security. The approximate 30% cut in FICA withholding for the wage earner was meant as a temporary stimulus for the economy. However, that cut could not be sustained as Social Security MUST be funded at least at the 6.2% rate.
The Bush/Obama tax cut also had an expiration date. However, those taxes go to the "general fund" if you will, and pay everything from interest expenses, to defense, to environmental protection. Instead of keeping the rates of the Clinton years, President George W. Bush and his Congress went on a spending spree. Well, doggone it, someone seems to have forgotten to pay for that.
So, as part of a negotiation, President Obama agreed to allow the Bush tax cuts to continue. Now, however, the President has negotiated the silly Republicans right into a corner and was able to extract some revenues from the super-rich.
You see, the President is up on the negotiating techniques of those same union thugs who made the white collar guys in the auto industry look so very, very stupid.
Gee Roy, you say you read a story about a woman who was told she got her hours cut because....
There's an entire herd of weasel words in there. Do you have any FACTS?
They have always had to do that, moron. The Insurance industry is and has been one of the most highly regulated industries in the country. If they make too much money they need to explain why. If they make too little money they also need to explain why. Premiums are based entirely on actuarial tables that have been honed for decades. They know almost exactly how much they will pay out and how much assets they will need on hand. Premiums go up because costs go up and one of the major reasons for costs going up is lawmakers dictating what coverages the insurance companies MUST cover. Premiums jumped over the past decade when insurance companies were mandated to include mental health and addiction coverage in every policy. Obamacare is full of these mandates so expect premiums to skyrocket even more.
Here's what you can look forward to in 2014, thanks to Obamacare.
Since health insurance premiums have 'gone through the roof' because of the added coverage required under Obamacare, many companies that now provide health coverage for their employees will make the calculation that it's cheaper to drop their coverage plan, give their employees a 'raise' to cover an equivalent cost for health insurance, and then tell the employees to get their insurance through one of the government 'exchanges'.
That way, the companies will effectively 'cap' their health insurance costs instead of just paying higher premiums each year. Of course, that makes the extra 'income' that employees get taxable instead of being 'tax free' when it was paid by the employer, and your coverage will likely be far less than you previously had - at higher cost.
Congratulations on that 'Change we can believe in' that you voted for - again.
ROY WILSON-336103
you had the extra $ in your check BECAUSE of Obama so STFU!
Welcome to the 'Wonderful World of Obama', and his rhetoric about 'I will protect the middle class and poor from tax increases - just reelect me, not that 'out of touch' rich Romney'.
Regarding the pay roll tax holiday and its cessation, do any of you understand the term temporary? Are those of you whining about the "correct" amount being retaken out pleased that the money will help to shore up Social security? Isn't it short sighted, selfish, even hypocritical to moan about your check when your common gripe is usually against not being responsible.
Hypocrital. Ditto for those of you who are griping about the cessation of the temporary tax rates.
@Anna Molly
What's ironic about the payroll tax increase is that it does not affect the "rich" (or people earning over $113K). They paid to the limit before, now they will just hit the threshold quicker. But for those earning less than 113K welcome to your tax hike.
Maybe it's not ironic but good prank played on voters by the Obama Administration.
The problem here is that you liberals have sold everyone on the notion that the only people who should ever have their taxes increased are the super rich. So when working people - who bought into this notion - see their withholdings soar they are rightfully confused.
We learned that Mr Obama has already lied to the American people and is
reneging backpeddling"evolving" on his campaign promise to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by 2014
http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/08/16418110-white-house-open-to-full-afghanistan-withdrawal-after-2014
The prohibition of alcohol was championed by Temperance movements, Henry Ford and those who thought breweries were owned by German immigrants. Not liberals.
It was repealed in part because organized crime took over supplying alcohol.
Yes. They were too busy lynching blacks.
John B, Des Moines, IA "Gee Roy, you say you read a story about a woman who was told she got her hours cut because....There's an entire herd of weasel words in there. Do you have any FACTS?"
I said I 'saw' a story, not that I 'read' a story. It was on a TV news channel yesterday. If I remember correctly, the woman was working for Taco Bell, but had to find a new job as a waitress because her hours were cut to less than 28 per week because of Obamacare.
@ Roy --
President Obama was referring to what would have happened in a world where people cared about each other and behaved accordingly.
If people who live in 40,000-square-foot homes feel the need to cut their employees's hours to deny them health insurance benefits, merely so they can have one more Bentley in the garage, there's absolutely nothing President Obama can do about that.
To amass that kind of money while selling fast food already shows some general lack of concern for employee welfare that their hostility to Obamacare only confirms.
Witness the Waltons, whose family has more personal wealth than 40 percent of the population, and many of whose employees already do not have health care benefits, but must depend on Medicaid, which means that all of the rest of us pay for that. Apparently, the Waltons have already calculated that it's cheaper to pay taxes to support Medicaid than it is to take care of their own employees.
So, too, these same employers are now calculating that it is cheaper -- for them -- to pay the penalties than it is to pay for health insurance. Meanwhile, they give not one hill of beans that their employees will end up paying more.
What you're seeing merely proves that there's no end to human greed and there's nothing new under the sun.
@ Alan, NJ --
Maybe so, but what else would you have had him do about it? After Congress robbed $2 trillion from Social Security, we couldn't afford to continue at the reduced rates.
Social Security wasn't going insolvent for a while, anyway, but it would have become insolvent more quickly, if those cuts had not been eliminated.
Is that what you wanted to see? Or would you have agreed to raise the maximum? Because that was the only other way to fix it. I would have liked that better.
Yellowdog-Mark D "Regarding the pay roll tax holiday and its cessation, do any of you understand the term temporary?"
Yes, the Bush tax cuts were designed to be 'temporary', and were to expire at the end of 2010. Since Liberals insist that the Bush tax cuts did not help anything and only caused more Debt, why did Obama go to great pains to EXTEND them?
Q22
beore you call someone a moron make sure you have the right info.
It started on September 1, 2011: insurers seeking rate increases of 10% or more for non-grandfathered plans in the individual and small group markets are required to publicly disclose the proposed increases and the justification for them. Such increases will be reviewed by State or Federal independent experts to determine whether they are unreasonable.
http://www.familiesusa.org/issues/private-insurance/rate-regulation-41-rate.html
what you are confused about is RATE BANDS which were regulated byt vary from state to state. Rate bands set limits on the amounts that insurers can vary premiums based on health status.
again, Q22, it's not enough to call someone a moron - you need to prove it.
California Tom
If "your" going to call someone an idiot....
Houston!
Some people are, but that isn't what I was referring to. Plenty are calling for a ban on all "assault rifles" though, and as justification for it they are saying that people don't need "assault rifles" therefore they should be banned. Why is this so difficult to explain?
Does this meet your criteria?
There's also this link from a reliable source
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/01/08/1177236/-Wendy-s-franchise-owner-cutting-worker-hours-to-avoid-Obamacare-despite-backlash-to-other-chains?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dailykos%2Findex+(Daily+Kos)#
I'm actually more confused as to why you didn't anticipate that business would react this way to the new law. I am not one for conspiracy theories, but I do believe that the true intention of Obamacare is to destroy private health insurance.
ROY WILSON-336103
Thanks for bringing up the Republican extortion; the Republicans were willing to sacrifice the 9/11 First Responders and the Unemployed to get their precious tax cuts for the rich so Obama caved in.
John B. @ 1.72: You really think Roy @ 1.64 is making up facts. Try this article.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2012/11/15/the-corporate-blackmailing-of-america-is-now-all-the-rage/
The Waltons don't run Walmart. It is a publicly traded company who's CEO is Michael Duke. The Waltons own shares of Walmart stock - which accounts for their wealth - but they are just shareholders and do not run the day-to-day operations of the company.
Anna Molly "What you're seeing merely proves that there's no end to human greed and there's nothing new under the sun."
I agree with you completely, but that's how businesses work. If they don't try to be as efficient as possible, their competitors will put them out of business.
Indeed, there is 'nothing new under the sun'. What you call 'greed' is what the businesses call 'survival'. If you can devise a better way, I'd love to see it, but 'Socialism' didn't work out so well in the former Soviet Union. The way I see it, there is a constantly changing (evolving) relationship between the private sector (which wants freedom to pursue 'profits') and the government (which uses regulations to pursue 'fairness').
The 'proper balance' is in the 'eye of the beholder'.
Once and for all, let's get this straight.
Employees are not having their hours reduced because of Obamacare, especially in the cases that have been cited here.
They are losing their health care -- pure and simple -- because of their employers' greed. And because their employers don't give a tinker's dam about whether their employees get health care coverage or not.
Don't blame that on President Obama. Blame that on the new corporate America and the culture of selfishness that it cultivates.
John B, Des Moines, IA
companies like Wal-Mart have been practicing this for years now - way before we even knew who Obama was. They also forced people to work off the clock and hired illegal immigrants to save on labor costs.
But that's business.
I had a proposal from an insurance agency to take over our account. After closer inspection, I noticed wrong coding for Workers' Comp, as well as many lowered limits and dropped coverages. They did that to lower the annual premium to lure us in. After I gave them the list of discrepancies, they tried to explain themselves but tt was a quick "thanks but no thanks" for me. They were not mistakes - it was deliberate and I don't deal with crooks. I see the owner just got himself another brand new, shiny Jag. The moral of this story is that greed is too powerful to resist for some and they will do anything and everything to increase that bottom line even if it means screwing others.
bayllie "Thanks for bringing up the Republican extortion; the Republicans were willing to sacrifice the 9/11 First Responders and the Unemployed to get their precious tax cuts for the rich so Obama caved in."
Really? You think the 'sacrifice (of) the 9/11 First Responders and the Unemployed' was the reason that Obama extended the tax cuts?
You sound desperate in 'grasping for straws' with that one.
But you ignored my question - Since Liberals insist that the Bush tax cuts did not help anything and only caused more Debt, why did Obama go to great pains to EXTEND them?
You obviously don't understand the concept of cause and effect. Obamacare is having a causal effect on employer's decisions concerning access to health care. There is no denying that.
Anna Molly
I love the fake compassion for all the poor single mothers who just had their hours cut because of ObamaCare. The same people believe that the 47% are moochers; foodstamps, Medicare and other safety net programs should be cut; and some here even believe that Obama won becuase he paid for his votes with food stamps! Bunch of lying hypocrites!
Yes, the Bush tax cuts were designed to be 'temporary', and were to expire at the end of 2010. Since Liberals insist that the Bush tax cuts did not help anything and only caused more Debt, why did Obama go to great pains to EXTEND them?
Roy - I don't believe tax cuts create jobs. I don't think tax cuts necessarily spur spending, they definately do not create demand. Obama campaigned to not raise taxes on the middle class, it was a political move. It was a move that helped him politically. It was something I was against, not my only disagreement or the only thing I take Obama to task for.
Lest we only blame Obama, look at your sniveling congressman and senators, I definately look at mine. They had no guts to make the right choice. Look around at the 300 million Americans, I would say that the 1% number thrown around so much would encompass the amount of people who actually wanted all tax rates to go up. What number were you in?
As I stated before - States already did this. What Obamacare does is put a number on what would trigger a review. 9.95% increase - no problem. 10% - big problem. Before there was no set trigger. States were able to review increases that seemed excessive even if it were less than 10%. Some didn't but, interestingly, rate increases in those states pretty much matched the increases in highly regulated states. You liberals operate on the fiction that insurance companies (HMOs, really) operate to rip people off. Yet the profit margin or HMOs is a pretty modest 2%.
bayllie "Republicans bitch about safety net programs like Medicaid for the poor or food stamps but support leeches like Wal-Mart. You cannot have it both ways so pick one. BTW, you wouldn't want your grandkids to lose their food stamps, would you?"
I have no problem with Medicaid - In fact, I support Universal Health Care for every legal resident, but I just think we should PAY FOR IT - with a National Sales Tax.
As for Wal-Mart, they are a private company that costs the taxpayers nothing (actually, they pay lots of taxes, so they actually make a sizable contribution to paying for the cost of Medicaid). I do appreciate the truth in their Motto "Save Money - Live Better". Since the typical Wal-Mart shopper saves over $2,000 per year, I don't have a problem with them keeping their prices low.
As for my grandkids, I wish they would 'get a job' and 'stop taking advantage of the system'. By the way - only 2 of our 11 (soon to be 12) grandkids are 'moochers'. But thanks for your concern.
@Anna Molly
I want to see all SS and Medicare taxes ended. Lets be honest there are no Trust Funds. Everything should be paid from general revenues. To this end I would say that the first tax band should be around 10%. The additional revenues needed should come from higher bands. Ending these taxes on employment, because this would also end the employers contribution, I think would create jobs, and it would be a more honest accounting of how much government costs. (BTW this would also remove a SS tax threshold as all income would be liable to the same tax rates).
Show me where President Obama promised you a $2500 check. He didn't so why call the president a liar?
____________________________________
Bayliar: Here's the link under Politifact's Barry "Promises Broken" list.
Now STFU, a$$wipe.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/promise/521/cut-cost-typical-familys-health-insurance-premium-/
Yellowdog-Mark D "Roy - I don't believe tax cuts create jobs. I don't think tax cuts necessarily spur spending, they definately do not create demand."
Then the corollary must also be true - that increasing taxes will not cut spending and will not cost jobs, so why do economists insist that allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire for 'everyone' would create a 'recession'?
DingleB @ 1.86: I think no one but me understands the point you are trying to make re: assualt rifles. May I add to you point?
Nobody needs a Cadillac or Lincoln TC or $45,000 pickups that drink gas like an alcoholic and kill our environment with polution (according to the tree huggers). They also occasionally crash those vehicles due to drunk driving. Let's take away all the big cars & trucks and alcohol because no one needs them to survive. The American Way is if you want something and can afford it (or think you can) you buy it. Assualt rifles, cars, alcohol, no difference.
am -- so it would seem that an unintended consequence of the democrats in congress and the democrat administration who could not be bothered to understand what they were voting for and signing into law is that business will not simply absorb the new costs that will be imposed by obamacare.
the fact that this was not understood by the democrats in congress and the democrat administration is sad and irresponsible and yet many people continue to put their trust into these same people.
obama made many promises about obamacare that he will not and cannot keep. we will all feel the impact except for those that get fully subsidized or simply continue to use emergency rooms as needed.
Nobody needs a Cadillac or Lincoln TC or $45,000 pickups that drink gas like an alcoholic and kill our environment with polution (according to the tree huggers).
________________________________
I understand and support your intention with this post. But, please consider that you might be giving the lefty liberals a new idea: banning all vehicles except $40,000+ Chevy Volts made by the UAW and Government Motors.
bayllie "I had a proposal from an insurance agency to take over our account. After closer inspection, I noticed wrong coding for Workers' Comp, as well as many lowered limits and dropped coverages."
As a former CFO for a group of mid-sized companies, I too oversaw the insurance coverages for them, and yes, insurance companies are always looking for a way to 'cut corners', and you have to keep them honest, but that's just part of the job. Fortunately, the private sector does a much better job of it than the public sector, where efficiency and saving money is not a serious concern (I also worked briefly in the public sector, but the waste was too much for my conscience to bear, despite the great benefits).
imnotlost
The problem with them is that they have no rational argument to support banning assault rifles so they cling to anything they can wrap their simple @!$%#ing minds around.
California Tom, Houston!
I'm not arguing by analogy, therefore the "apples to oranges" response is invalid. The alcohol analogy is simply to highlight the absurdity of banning something just because you don't think I need it. People need to do better than that.
ROY WILSON-336103
it would have taken you 30 seconds to look it up but here it is:
H.R. 847 (James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 )
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to extend and improve protections and services to individuals directly impacted by the terrorist attack in New York City on September 11, 2001, and for other purposes.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00269
WASHINGTON — Republican senators blocked Democratic legislation on Thursday that sought to provide medical care to rescue workers and others who became ill as a result of breathing in toxic fumes, dust and smoke at the site of the World Trade Center attack in 2001
In a vote largely along party lines, the Senate rejected a procedural move by Democrats to end debate on the 9/11 health bill and to bring it to a vote; 60 yes votes were needed, but the move received 57, with 42 votes against.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/10/nyregion/10health.html
Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) said he voted against the first responders bill because Republicans had threatened to vote against everything until tax cuts for the rich were extended and a measure to fund the government was passed.
Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) also said he opposed moving forward on the bill because he wanted to get to tax cuts and the budget first.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/17/senate-republicans-explai_n_798349.html
In July Republicans tried to block House passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010. They voted the bill down-with 155 of 159 nays being Republicans. The bill was later passed in a different form to the Senate, where it was defeated today by a Republican-led filibuster.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-kane/republicans-to-911-respon_b_795093.html
Even some Republicans who might have backed 9/11's emergency workers gave them the thumbs-down, sticking to a party pledge to block anything until they get a tax deal extending the Bush-era cuts for the wealthy.
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/9-11-health-bill-fails-test-senate-republicans-filibuster-measure-57-42-vote-article-1.472189
these are some examples. I guess you must have been hiding under a rock when this was going on since you do not remember it.
Excuse me, I meant to say that ....
We learned that Mr Obama has lied again to the American people and is now
renegingbackpeddling"evolving" on his 2012 campaign promise to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by 2014http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/08/16418110-white-house-open-to-full-afghanistan-withdrawal-after-2014
PS - It appears his Ministry of Propaganda at nbcnews is being proactive but quietly leaking the news to the
sheepleAmerican people.bayllie "ROY WILSON-336103 you had the extra $ in your check BECAUSE of Obama so STFU!"
Temper, temper, temper.
By the way - I'm retired, so it didn't apply to me, and unless I'm mistaken, it also required the approval of the Republican-led House. By the way, does your employer know that you spend much of your day 'blogging'?
Gotta go now - things to do before we move to Costa Rica.
Bye, and 'have a nice day' :)
Then the corollary must also be true - that increasing taxes will not cut spending and will not cost jobs, so why do economists insist that allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire for 'everyone' would create a 'recession'?
I don't follow. Increasing taxes will not cut spending? Correct. However, increasing taxes will help decrease the deficit. Increasing taxes will not cost jobs? I believe any job losses based on the taxes on the 1% going up will be negligible. I am not an economist. Could a recession have started, again, if all people were hit with Clinton rates? My opinion to this now impossible, never to happen scenario; I think if everyone's tax rates went up there would have been a weakening of GDP not quite a recession. I think an immediate hit would have gone to Wall Street, they would have overeacted but after a few months settled down. Overall I think we could have weathered it and be back up to normal speed by summer. Lets say they included all Clinton rates and then addressed the sequester cuts and raised the debt limit all at once. Now that would have been an acheivement.
What was actually done on taxes will have no negligible helpful affect on the economy. We will see the job reports continue as they have over the past two years ok not great, until... What is to come on the sequester and debt limit fight will make the tax rate fight seem like a walk in the park. And those fights and how they end will determine on if we go back into a recession.
ROY WILSON-336103
this is not an example of "cutting corners. " This is an example of plain legal theft. They were knowingly and willingly manipulating numbers to gain an account. After getting this account, they would have found the "mistakes" and increased the premiums. It's not business, it's theft - and I am sure plenty of businesses caught the bait just to be screwed down the road. It's like saying Enron was "cutting corners." Not of such scale but no different ethically and morally.
I'm sorry but I don't care who you are, AIG or some small business if you manipulate numbers willingly and knowingly you should be prosecuted and fined heavily. Instead, we protect them because "it's business." because punishment would be considered further regulation and regulation is a DIRTY WORD - just look at the Republican presidential candidate and his "deregulate deregulate deregulate."
Joe in Albany @1.105: Gawrsh! I never thought of that. I'll be more careful in the future.:o)
ROY WILSON-336103
yeah when I see an idiotic comments blaming Obama for the increased taxes in a paycheck when the reason why they decreased in the first place was Obama.
you and AIG would get so along: both bitch about the freebie you got because you got it.
sorry, it was a rhetorical "you."
yes, it did so why aren't you blaming the Norquist Puppet Republicans for not fighting to extend these tax cuts??? oh, I forgot, they opposed it from day one, and they only care about the tax cuts for the rich.
I'm independently rich, Roy. I have people working for me but thanks for asking. You should be more concern about them mooching grandkids of yours instead of some stranger like me.
You oh so quick to blame Obama, you poor ignorant soul. You don't realize that we went over the cliff, not because of Obama but because the Republicans in Congress didn't pass legislation in time. They still haven't sent anything to the President's desk for signature. Once the law is passed and is signed into law you will find that the money removed may well be given back to you and otherwise, unless you make 400K you won't see the increase. People must think the President has a magic wand or can act as a dictator (like Dubya wanted to be because it was easier) but it is Congress not the President you should be focusing on. More specifically you should be looking at the House of Representatives and particularly a group of extremist Republicans that have been holding this nation hostage and a leader (John Boehner) who has been ineffective in getting their cooperation and them to compromise.
Some people are, but that isn't what I was referring to. Plenty are calling for a ban on all "assault rifles" though, and as justification for it they are saying that people don't need "assault rifles" therefore they should be banned. Why is this so difficult to explain?
So Dingle you refuse to see the logic behind a ban due to a lack of need of the assault weapon ie. ability to kill, maim discharge quickly. You have repeatably refused this argument. Ok, your perogative.
Would you accept that assault rifles need to be banned because Police officers, departments and chiefs want them banned (you know those regulated milita types). If the ban could help limit the type of slaughter we saw at Sandy Hook or Aurora, or yesterday or tomorrow or next week. It could be part of a multi pronged approach.
____________
Chicago sun times *
* (Ok cue the guy that will sneer and mock me about Chicago gun violence. Also cue the other guy that will somehow diminish their deaths as all being gang bangers)
Miami Police Chief John Timoney (pictured in 2007) says assault weapons were used in about 4 percent of all homicides in 2004 in Miami as the ban expired. Now, Timoney says, the number is about 21 percent. | AP file photo
storyidforme: 34432600
tmspicid: 12615253
fileheaderid: 5762584
Updated: September 2, 2012 6:14AM
‘We’re talking about weapons that are made for war,” said Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee. “An AK-47 is a Russian-made weapon that is made for war. An AR-15, which is an answer to the AK-47 . . . these high-capacity [guns] . . . you can shoot 50 to 60 rounds within a minute. Within a minute you can literally shoot through brick, shoot through steel.”
Yellowdog-Mark D
While I do respect the police officers and chiefs, they are not the intellectual authority on issues involving the protection of the rights of citizens, nor are they immune to irrational ideas or logical errors. The opinion of a police officer carries no more weight than yours.
That's a big IF. The truth is those two pshcyos could have committed their mass murders with a $300 Walmart 12ga or any hand gun if they wanted to. The logical position to take if one thinks banning guns will save lives, is to ban ALL guns. Anything less is merely an attempt to give the illusion of doing something.
Thanks to everyone who highlighted companies who are callously sacrificing their employees to make a political point. Particular thanks to imnotlost who totally destroyed his own argument with his link;
http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2012/11/15/the-corporate-blackmailing-of-america-is-now-all-the-rage/
So thank you imnotlost for providing the information that this REALLY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ACA, and everything to do with a desire for corporate blackmail, a demand that we knuckle under to the corporate elites who aren't happy with their 36,000 squre foot mansions.
In fact, not only is the cost increase minimal, not only are these CEOs using Obamacare as an excuse to increase their profit margins, but it highlights the WalMartization of America, in which the public welfare programs are actually INCREASED by their expoloitive labor practices;
So thank you once again to all of you who were so eager to prove me wrong that you ended up exposing the names of executives who are abusing their fiduciary responsibility to their companies for political purposes and using exploitive labor practices to increase profits while shoving costs at the tax payer. Job well done.
John B, Des Moines, IA
there is also Papa John's. But that's also not shocking considering that a Papa John's assistant manager, on average makes $9.78/hr. but Papa John's net income in 2011 was (in thousands) $55,655.
Papa John's founder John Schnatter bitched and compained about cutting hours due to ObamaCare even though providing health insurance for his employees will mean a 0.4% to 0.7% expense increase.
that's an increase of only 5.6-9.8 cents per pie! and your employees have access to health insurance!
DingleB
yes but the difference is that with an AR-15 you can kill more and much faster. This is why each kid had a minimum of 3 bullets in his/her little body and some had as many as 11.
I am sorry but I do not agree that civilians should have these guns. There is no need for it. And when the Constitution was written, not one Founding Father was waking around with his AR-15 or even imagined one.
um Allen - Omaha, yes I do know that the president has the power to issue Executive Orders. My comment about the prsident dismantling the constitution refers to the inevitable rewriting of the 2nd amendment, which is what prominent leaders of his party want, and will mission creep to get.
The fact that the president is bypassing congress on an ever increasing rate of issues should be alarming.
bayllie "I'm independently rich, Roy. I have people working for me but thanks for asking."
Congratulations, but that makes another of your posts confusing - At your Post #1.93, you said 'I had a proposal from an insurance agency to take over our account................ I see the owner just got himself another brand new, shiny Jag. The moral of this story is that greed is too powerful to resist for some and they will do anything and everything to increase that bottom line even if it means screwing others'
If you're 'independently rich', it must be frustrating, working for 'the owner (that) just got himself another brand new, shiny Jag' and is busy 'screwing others'.
Bye again - Time for Lunch. :)
AnnaMolly - Buisness unlike our guvment, has to make a profit to continue to operate. We can not write checks knowing we'll just borrow more money from foriegn governments. The Obama economy which has sucked for all 4 years of his pathetic Presidency, will continue to be draged down by his lack of any buisness friendly policy. Buisnesses knowing this, to survive, HAVE to have a plan and a budget unlike our incompetent President. You call buisnesses that make money greedy? What an ignorant comment. Why should any buisness owner who WORKS 60+hrs a week be punished for achieving? All this hard work to give money to the Obama Phone Lady?
ROY WILSON-336103
my bad for confusing you, Roy...the owner of the Jag is the owner of the insurance agency that tried to pull a fast one on me...
I know I left it somewhat vague and maybe I am expecting too much of someone like to to figure out that I am bitchin' about a crooked insurance company and not my own...
geo-1957883
and yet under this "anti-business" president, average annual corporate profit growth is nearly three times as large as it was under President Reagan while both Presidents Bush actually had corporate profit declines.
Obama kinda makes your guys look incompetent, doesn't it?
Through cutting their workforce. Not good for the country.
Q22
cutting workforce would = to contant increase in unemplyment. Instead, jobs are being added systematically even if smaller than desired
But hey, we could do something about bringing jobs home and we've had 2 attempts to start bringing jobs home by changing the tax codes so that:
1. it rewards those who do bring jobs home
2. it stops rewarding those who offshore.
Both attempts blocked by the Republicans.
You are delusional. Business slashed millions of jobs - which increased their profitability - but they are not adding any back. In fact, they are issuing dividends instead of hiring because of the terrible business climate under this administration. We have the lowest workforce participation since the Carter years.
Both were part of Obama's budget that garnered zero votes in the House and Senate. Not blocked by Republicans - rejected by both sides. Besides, you can't bribe companies with short term tax incentives to take on more employees that will stay long past the tax incentive. Businesses will add employees when the climate is such that they have a reasonable expectation that their companies will grow. This president and his administration have no answers for economic growth.
Bayllie,
Deal with it. There are already a crap ton of them out there already and thanks to Obama and Feinstein, companies that produce AR's are selling them in record numbers. Their efforts are having the opposite affects. It could be said that they have been the most successful gun salemen in history Even banning them will make them extraoridinarily valuable. With the few that I have, I could retire. Buying AR's is a very lucrative investment right now since they are now worth 3-5 times what they were a month ago.
Bay lie - How damn dumb are you? This president has the highest average unemployment? Your boy, The clueless President with a 9.42% over his presidency. HMMM, What was GW's? 5.54%, DUMBASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
John B. @1.118: God forgive me if I've helped you prove anything! My point is this will go on in an astronomical scale and involve ALL borderline business starting next year and Obama's chickens will be coming to the hen house. They left too many loop holes when they hurried it through (we have to pass the bill so we can see what's in the bill"). You did get one thing right, taxpayers will pick up the slack. It's not the fault of the businesses though, Congress could have eliminated the minimum number clause and prevented much of it. Would I look for a loop hole (if I had a business) to keep from buying prohibitively costly insurance for employees? You betcha!
ZERO comment on the economy.....2nd term 'focus' - ha ha....like a laser I suppose. Another wasted 4 years.
geo-1957883
I see you don't understand simple math I will simplify it for you:
GWB (1/2009)8%-(1/2004)4%= +4% so GWB doubled his unemployment
Obama (1/2009)8%-(1/2013)8% = 0%
don't dispute the rounding up- I did that to simplify it.
see geo, Bush doesn't get to ride on the fact that he inherited LOW LOW unemployment numbers from Clinton.
go back to school!
To those complaining about their cuts in pay due to the expiration of the payroll tax holiday. Did any of you ever question why you suddenly got a pay increase when it went into effect knowing your employer did not raise your salary?
To those asking why all of the tax cuts should not have expired it's pretty simple. Tax cuts do not help the economy but they help individuals, especially at the lower wage levels. Let me explain. Any taxes received by the government represent monies that were guaranteed to be spent in the economy on goods and services which drives the economy by creating demand. When those monies are placed into the hands of consumers, there is no guarantee it will be spent. At the low end of the wage scale all or most of it will but as income levels rise, less and less of the money is spent and more is withdrawn from the economy in the form of short term and long term savings and investments. At the highest wage levels almost none of the tax cut monies are spent because they just add to the surplus income. Some of the justification in Obama's original $200/$250K stance was that at those wage levels and below, more of the tax cut money would be spent on goods and services as a driver of the economy. He probably reasoned that above those levels, little or none would be spent but would be used by the recipients elsewhere such as increasing finding of the 401k's etc. So tax cuts no matter what the wage level were good for the wage earner but at some wage level no longer serve as an economic driver.
Google "Do Tax Cuts Stimulate the Economy?" for interesting background reading.
I love the fake compassion for all the poor single mothers who just had their hours cut because of ObamaCare. The same people believe that the 47% are moochers; foodstamps, Medicare and other safety net programs should be cut; and some here even believe that Obama won becuase he paid for his votes with food stamps! Bunch of lying hypocrites!
Yet I haven't seen one of you brain @!$%#ed libs mention complain about obama cutting the payroll tax extension while extending the major tax cuts for GE, Citigoup and other large corps. How do you think that is affecting the 'poor' single working mothers? I know my wife and I are short about $120 a month due to the 2% we now pay again. That doesn't include the 20% premium increase my wife took in October due to ACHA.
And if you haven't seen SOME (not all) of these people that are bleeding the welfare coffers as lazy, then you're @!$%#ing blind.
I return to you your own statement, you @!$%#ing hypocrite bitch.
President Obama took what Congressional Republicans were willing to give him, Alex. They were barely willing to even do that. If you have a problem it's a problem with them. Why do Conservatives hate the middle class?
John B, Des Moines, IA
intead of being happy that we got 2 years of little extra money in our paycheks thanks to President Obama, people like Alex, blame the fact that Congress let the payroll tax expire...If it wasn't for Prez. O, he would not have even known what payroll tax cut is.
It's a mistake to think we can change the minds of the NRA leadership. Arguments that lean on ethics will carry no weight with them.
The N.R.A. represents the gun manufacturers. These corporations are chartered to make a profit, and they do so by selling as many guns as possible regardless of consequences.
As the mouthpiece for gun capitalists - the N.R.A.'s job is to prevent all restrictions imposed on the sale, manufacture, and use of every kind of weapon.
As yesterday, the N.R.A. delegation will always report that they are "disappointed" in the content of a meeting about gun reform.
One assault weapon (or more) in every home will create the potential for gun violence anywhere, anytime. Violent death from gunshots is seen by the gun lobby as the Cost of Doing Business.
Let's be quick to acknowledge this reality. And not waste any more time genuflecting to the NRA.
Yesterday, there was yet another school shooting in California.
...but, of course, there wouldn't have been a shooting if someone at the school had a gun, right?
Good morning Backhouse:
The truth is the N.R.A. is reeling, no thanks to their idiot spokesman. I know it's hard to believe, but somehow most Americans are actually appalled, and quite angry, about the Newtown bloodbath. Add to that the insults that are heaped on us via the mindless chants of "Second-Amendment rights", "Guns don't kill people", and other inanities, we are going to remain aware.....and angry.
LaPierre is unable to grasp that fact. That should come as no surprise as he is blind to the wishes of three-quarters of the people who pay this murderous pig his salary. Three out of four N.R.A. members support background checks.
The N.R.A. should be a very important part of any effort to stem gun violence, but LaPierre's insane position is such obvious lunacy, that he has no business in the debate. By his intransigence, he relegates the N.R.A. to a position with the lunatic fringe squad.
I feel about the N.R.A. as I do about the Republican Party. Both can and should be valuable components of this country we call America. However, until they can purge the incredibly stupid and insane people who now dominate their groups, their only value is to remind us that very crazy people walk among us.
If you haven't seen this Colbert Report clip you should...it's brilliant. http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/422753/january-09-2013/gun-control-backlash
David, I think good old Wayne can't be that nuts, but he knows that the gun manufacturers will keep pumping money into the NRA to protect their interests if he keeps up the nonsense. His job is to whip up the low-information and paranoid people into thinking that a ban on military style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines is a violation of their constitutional rights. What they don't seem to recognize is that no one is talking about outlawing all guns, just those designed to kill the most people in the shortest amount of time.
Backhouse, well said. When the NRA says it is "disappointed" in the task force's recomments, it means VP Biden's group is doing a great job.
There is a real misconception that the NRA has far more power than it has. The candidates it backed in the last election mostly lost; the candidates it targeted won. It has 4.4 million members, most are responsible, sensible gun owners who hunt and/or enjoy target shooting. Most of those members believe that miltary-style assault weapons should be banned, that magazine clip size should be limited, believe the gun-show loopholes should be closed, and that back ground checks should be mandatory for anyone buying a gun.
The question for lawmakers is do they have the courage to tell the NRA lobby to not let the door hit them on the way out? The majority of Americans, including those in red states and members of the NRA, believe that sensible gun laws are long overdue. It would be wise for the legislators representing those states and districts to listen to their constituents who will have their backs in the next election. The NRA only has power over them IF they allow them to.
David Walker, terrific observations.
David-You have to be one of the most ignorant people on here. Do you realize that there's a lot of "Democrats" that are members of the NRA? Because people, doesn't matter what political party they belong too, don't have that same progressive thinking you do are "murderous", "idiot", or "crazy".
The Daily Kos wrote a good article about the 2nd Amendment rights about a year ago. Maybe you should take time a read it.
Now I'm off to work to contribute to your entitlements so you can spew your BS during the day.
Keep your powder dry!!
The NRA lost all credibility with me when they endorsed Romney. They need new leadership.
Damyou, no one says that sensible gun laws will prevent all gun violence. I'm a liberal, I have liberal family members who own guns because they hunt; have an uncle who is a democrat who used to collect shotguns and rifles. It is right-wing ignorance to imply that only conservatives hunt and own guns. I could suggest that I never see any conservatives speak his or her mind in public without a bunch of extra ones standing behind or beside them but that wouldn't be any more truthful than what you said.
Joe in Albany,
The only lying sack of sh*t is you, Pal. Obviously, you didn't get the memo; For the first time in over 50 years, Insurance inflation since the Obamacare passage is below 4%, annually. Refer to Clinton's DNC speech on 9-6-12. Obama also cut over $716 billion in waste/fraud previously pocketed by Insurance companies (Medicare Advantage). Further, spending cap limits on coverage are now prohibited on the sick and/or dying who previously paid privately in desperation after policy termination preventing bankruptcies/foreclosures across the Nation. You're a Liar because you leave out information in your post. By the way, people pay for Insurance coverage. And they have voted to do so. Those who propose refusing to pay until showing up in an emergency room historically made Insurance inflationary rates rise up to 15%, annually. You're delusional.....getting your info from Insurance Company articles.
Wrong John. Clinton did it when he coerced banks through losing FDIC status, and billions in fines if they refused to open bank branches in the ghettos and loan unqualified borrowers hundreds of billions of dollars that they had no ability to pay back.
When they began to default on the loans, Clinton was safely out of office, and the mess he made fell on George Bushes lap. The bankers were as much a victim of Bill Clintons failed economic policies as anyone else. Americas road to hell was paved with Clintons good intentions.
Rocky, that pile of baloney has been debunked so many times it doesn't even sound sincere. NO ONE forced the banks to loan money to people who couldn't pay it back. Much of the subprime business didn't even FDIC regulated institutions. Fannie and Freddie held less than 20% of the subprime loans, largely because they weren't open to the "liar loans", falsified paperwork, and other legalized fraud that created them in the first place.
It wasn't the CRA that created the crash, it was greed allowed to flourish through lack of regulation.
Seems there's no reasonableness anymore. I understand the merits of responsible gun ownership and use. I don't understand those who wish to keep, and hope sometime to use assault weapons. I don't understand the thin, and often lying arguments, such as "Hitler grabbed all the citizens guns to more easily take over Germany" which is a gwaddamned lie, or, "we are just waiting to go to war with our own government and need our guns to fight". Then the ultimate, "we were given the 2ed amendment to deter the governments wish to oppress us". All that is so much bullsh^t, and glaringly indicative of mentally warped folk. Responsible gun ownership can only be attained through the efforts of responsible people. Surely, by the efforts of responsible citizens, legislators, gun manufacturers, law enforcement, and, accounting the real historical record of gun accessibility and what it has wrought, this country can find and enact a better and less dangerous distribution of guns appropriate to a civilized, non militarized society. Gonna cost gun owners more money, but It must get done. Too many crazies to continue avoiding it.
David, Jody, hi on a Fri.
V-P Biden said yesterday about his meetings: There was a "surprising recurrence of suggestions" proposing for "universal background checks."
For starters, in any possible world: Would the N.R.A. acknowledge the FACT - that 74% of their OWN members support criminal background checks on ALL gun sales?
WE know it, and WE will act on it.
Yo outhouse and commiefornia tom, niether one of you even know what an assault weapon is, just like many members of the federal gov't. Thats why we can't trust these people to make new laws. They already screwed us over with an illegal vote in 1968. Thanks to that bigot charles rangel!!!! If you want to ban something ban alcohol.. How many lives are lost to drunk drivers. But no all these politicians aren't gonna lose all that tax money, are they!!!!!
If your'e bitchin about your'e paycheck thats what you get for voting for obama, mr tax!!!!! You people saw the health bill, nothing but taxes. Ignorant people should not be allowed to vote!!!!!!!! Romney was gonna leave the tax cuts in place!!! You only have yourselves to blame if you voted for obama!!!!!!!
@John B, Des Moines, Ia#2.13: You are absolutely correct. You may as well though, be talking to a cracked wall. Many don't want to know truth, and even more don't have sense enough to see it, or understand it, even when It's the sole thing left standing between them and la la land. All our economic problems have been put upon us by the wonderous fools of wall street, of course, with much help from elected politicians (mostly republicans) and a very stupid electorate. I will add here; to date, very little has been done to correct this. Regards
Mac Forrester
Being the reasonable person that you are (sincerely), you wouldn't suggest that your lack of understanding in the desires of others to keep "assault weapons" is sufficient reason to ban them, would you? If not, then why arbitrarily ban one type of gun, yet allow another that is used in 30 times more deaths than the one for which a ban is being proposed?
Tim, it was a conservative poster who whined about his paycheck; liberals were telling that uninformed individual why.
For the record, the payroll tax cuts were temporary; they lasted two years and it is good to see that a tax break intended to be temporary actually was. In addition, those payroll taxes are payments into future social security and medicare benefits, so when the whiners hit 65 and/or retire, they will get their money back.
Jody,
And so were the tax cuts for the middle class were supposed to be temporary, now their permenant...
@Dingle B#2.18: I am reluctant to impose my will or conclusions on others regarding personal desires. What you state is, in fact, factual. I guess one can rationalize, the keeping of assault weapons by documented responsible people as harmless, and it probably is. Yet, if we are to allow this under some law, then the ambiguity of such a law renders it unenforceable, and would ultimately cause more harm than good, especially among those who are not so responsible. I'm sure there are some who would like to keep an "Abrams" tank parked on their lawns, and would do so responsibly, yet, such is unlawful and inappropriate. Sometimes, responsible individuals must waive a particular privilege for the enhancement of the whole. Will banning such weapons curb future Newtowns? Unlikely, but it's a beginning. I have a Son (Marine Corp) who likes and keeps assault weapons. He and I argue some about this. Simply put; I honestly do not believe such weapons are appropriate to a civilized and non militaristic society, therefore, I do not believe anyone should be allowed to legally buy or possess them. Regards
Paul-Florida writes:
Why do I have to be the one of the most ignorant people on here? You're doing a fine job for a lot of people.
@David Walker#2.22: Aye gwad David don't you get the "big head" over "Paul-Florida's" claim. I submit I'm at least as ignorant as you. Fact, humbly, I believe I'm even considerably more ignorant than you in much broader areas. I contend "Paul-Florida" is just a"David Walker" suck up, too damn ignorant to recognize real, high quality ignorance, like that which I possess. Proper fairness requires You to think on my contention awhile.
Mac Forrester, you wrote:
So, I ran down to the courthouse and registered Republican. I no longer understand fairness, and I can't think. I am Republican ignorant. You can't beat that, and I'm not going to be humble about it. In fact, I can hardly wait to display my ignorance.
@Dingle B#2.18: I am innocent. I posted (Marine Corps) correctly. However, when I reviewed the post, there was a mix of another link in the lower part of my post. I edited but wasn't able to repair the word "Corp" back to "Corps" in the allotted time. Apologize to any offended Marines, or, anyone else.
@David Walker #2.34: AYE GWAD!!! Now I'm angry! What a low down, underhanded mean sum-bitch you are. YOU CHEATED ME WHILE I WASN"T LOOKING! Whoa hell! I can yet beat you! I'm surrounded by sick and certifiable "Tea Partyites". I'll join 'em and then we'll see whose ignorant. Hell, I may even go all the way to "bat sh^t" crazy. Shed my britches and drawers, learn to stand on my head, read the Bible several hours each day so I can half assed quote scripture, then go forth each night in pursuit of all their natural calling, which is to become an accomplished "peeping tom". Yeah, that's the ticket. A fornicating, masturbating, God fearing holy man, adhering to all the required discipleship of Frankie Luntz. Then, aye gwad, we'll see who really is immodest, and crazy as a horney boy monkey playing with a bowlingball.
Mac Forrester:
Go ahead. I'm waiting to be connected to Michelle Bachmann. I doubt it will take five minutes and her perfect vacuum of a mind will reduce me to a world-class blithering idiot. Oh wait, she's on the line right now and dkencoiencfopijZCkfjd;ajnvicnslncjdkapoi
David Walker
Since Palin has been worn down to little more than a fuzzy grided wind tunnel I guess you have bettered me. I would present myself to her just to stay even with you, but, I'm deathly afraid of "northern root rot" and "gaping gas". I just can't do it. I submit my friend. You betcha! Be advised though. I could yet return and displace you. Newt visits hereabouts sometimes, I hear. That sucker knows more tricks than a carnival whore. I won't easily forget this David!
Professor won’t back down from Newtown massacre conspiracy
By Claudine Zap
James Tracy, who writes a personal blog about conspiracy theories, believes the events that unfolded at Sandy Hook did not happen as reported
The professor writes on his blog, Memory Hole, “While it sounds like an outrageous claim, one is left to inquire whether the Sandy Hook shooting ever took place—at least in the way law enforcement authorities and the nation’s news media have described.” He suggests that there were multiple shooters and that the number of dead is incorrect.
The academic, who is known for his conspiracy theories on 9/11 and the Oklahoma bombing, believes—as he claims on his blog and recently stated on a radio show—that trained “crisis actors” may have been employed by the Obama administration to shape public opinion on gun control.
The 47-year-old, who holds a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in mass communication, wrote on his blog, “ As documents relating to the Sandy Hook shooting continue to be assessed and interpreted by independent researchers there is a growing awareness that the media coverage of the massacre of 26 children and adults was intended primarily for public consumption to further larger political ends.”
When questioned about his theories by a local CBS12 news reporter, Tracy responded, "The whole country mourned about Sandy Hook, but yet again the investigation that journalistic institutions should have carried out never took place, in my opinion."
He added, "As a society we need to look at things more carefully. Perhaps we as a society have been conditioned to be duped."
His blog, with 222 followers, lays out his theory in detail, suggesting that it was a training exercise in which actually nobody was killed. He writes, "To declare that the shooting 'never took place' is cause for intense opprobrium in most polite circles where, in familiar Orwellian fashion, the media-induced trance and dehistoricized will to believe maintain their hold."
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/professor-won-t-back-down-newtown-massacre-conspiracy-183530799.html
If you ever wonder about why Little Johnny and Johnette come home from school spouting the latest Yahoo Conspiracy Theory you need look no further than Here:
http://jasencomstock.tumblr.com/post/5397459578/florida-state-university-and-the-koch-brothers
Now there’s a Conspiracy Theory for you
______________________________________________________
Amazing. Simply Amazing (my second grade teacher Mrs. Hale taught me to say amazing instead of Bullsh!t! I was a precocious youngster).
Surely I says to self my Fellow Americans can evaluate Bushra like this for what it is.
Then on my Radidio early the next morning I hear a Yahoo from the “Oath Keepers” who is not only buying into this but is expanding on it as is the Host.
Then I got to thinking about all the Conspiracy Theories that I have seen repeated here about “Fast and Furious”, Benghazi and the U.N.
Then it hit me like a ton of bricks.
A larger percentage of you’ll Yahoo’s than I think are actually willing to believe this.
What makes you hate one man so much that you would be willing to believe that he could be involved in such a nefarious plot?
What makes you hate one group of your Fellow Americans so much that you would be ready to believe that they could ever be involved in such a nefarious plot?
What makes you hate America so much that you could ever believe that She would ever do something like this for any reason?
Hate is a powerful emotion. When a Scorpion accumulates enough of it it causes him to sting himself to death.
Amazing. Simply Amazing.
IR, just when you think you've heard the most outrageous conspiracy theory possible, along comes another even more outrageous one. This is simply crazy, mind-boggling drivel, makes me ashamed to note this yahoo whack-a-do graduated from the U of Iowa.
Floyd,
Kudos to you for your tenacity on the "gun" issue!
Jody,
There is nothing that surprises me anymore when it comes to the Republican party... nothing!
PS: I left some toasted pecan rolls in the break room for ya'll! ☺
That Alex Jones, who was on with Piers Morgan, was foaming at the mouth claiming people need assault weapons to defend themselves against the "tyrannical" government. Talk about a paranoid conspiracy theory. Why would anyone think that high-powered weapons in the hands of someone so disconnected from reality is a good idea. Believe me, if a trained military force ever came for that dolt he'd last about 10 seconds no matter what type of guns he had.
Obviously this professor has never heard of "Occam's Razor".
As an Iowan I apologize for failing to educate James Tracy.
Or maybe I should apologize for trying to educate the likes of him.
Jody Pretty work down below BTW. I don't think that the good Professor learned this lesson for U of I. As I mentioned above I think he learned it at the behest of Koch Brothers Largess.......Morning Betty. As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago I might not be the keenest authority on Monetary Policy but Implements of Destruction I am quite familiar with.........RTFS you need look no further than Mr. Jones and you will find out what the NRA is really fighting for. That is why they are becoming increasingly irrelevant to the discussion.
All right IR:
Here's the picture. You color it, and don't forget a yellow crayon.
The N.R.A. was right. The government has come to take our guns and the "cold, dead, finger types" are barricaded in their bastions of security. The army has come out to take their guns. Take a look inside the home and color our heroic gunner's furniture and clothing - do you have camo crayons? Oh yeah, got an olive drab for the walls? That puddle around the feet of our heroes? That's why you need the yellow crayon.
Independent Redneck Va-
Top-notch yet again.
Ms. Redhead-
Yum! That will go great with my NM Pinon coffee!!!
Gracias.
Salud
Folks The Elephant in the Room here is that the NRA is simply trying to support the Various Militia Groups and yes Cartels ability to stockpile a large number of Military Style Weapons and Ammunition relatively anonymously and without interference. His Corporate Masters make a huge profit and that's all that matters to them. As I have mentioned before America's Hunter's and Sportsmen by and large don't have a dog in that fight so he has to couch his opposition in more arcane terms but that is the heart of the matter not with standing.
As a Floridian, I am as mad as hell that this individual, is still employed by the State of Florida and is allowed to teach in one of our State universities.
I apologize to all parents who are struggling to pay tuition for their child to be subjected to this kind of thinking. How these idiots are allowed to roam free, never mind teach in state run schools is appalling. I am ashamed for Florida, the Republican run legislature and the Republican Governor, Rick Scott who allow the Board of Governors for the university system to sit silent and not throw this mentally challenged individual out of the education system.
Most of all, I feel so badly that the parents of murdered children have to learn about this awful theory as they grieve over their tremendous losses.
Uncle Redneck -
I made the mistake of actually following the link to this sicko's blog, and the quotes that Claudine Zap mentions above don't even begin to give us an idea of just how delusional and paranoid this "professor" is. He also says "With the exception of an unusual and apparently contrived appearance by Emilie Parker's alleged father, victims' family members have been almost wholly absent from public scrutiny" and then seems to base his entire crazed "theory" on the fact that the media - who of course are complicit in this "plot" - haven't released any actual bloody crime scene photos and that none of the first responders seem willing to give interviews about what the scene looked like when they arrived or whether they saw "signs of a struggle". Dear God.....my skin is absolutely crawling now.
Though of course the "professor" himself is not really the scary part of this. What worries me even more is how many of our fellow Americans will eagerly believe - and repeat - every idiotic word he says. Every time I think the insane hate out there has reached its peak, someone like this comes along to ramp it up another notch.
This gives new meaning to Roosevelt's quote about us having nothing to fear but fear itself. People like this guy - and those who would cheer him on in their own unfounded fear of one man - absolutely terrify me.
Joanne I did to and kinda left it out this morning so nobody else wasn't subjected to this madness. Sorry you were. i thought that Ms. Zap was enought to make the point............GBM Rather than apologize for Florida which I don't even think is warrented in this case I would rather you call Gov. Scott and ask him why he thinks it's nescessary to use Koch Money to fund his University's. I plan to explore that little thing with Geo. Mason in Va.
I know most people don't think very highly of lawyers---goes without saying. But one thing people should know---a course on Constitutional law is required in all law schools. For a year you read and analyze Supreme Court decisions written throughout our history. And whether you agree with them all or not, you come away with a reverence for the document that has served us as a nation so well. Add to that the fact that both the President and Vice President have taught Constitutional law and you have to believe that they truly respect this document. They are not out to repeal the Second Amendment---they only want to make it safe for us to go to our schools, theaters, grocery stores and churches.
Damyou Here pussy pussy.
When you are trying to solve a problem in a 'Lean Manufacturing' environment you are trained to ask "Why" multiple times. The answer to each question of "why" leads to another question of "why" until you get to the true root cause of the problem.
If you continue to ask the NRA and supposed 2nd Amendment supporters "why" they need access to assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, and "why" they oppose background checks or registrations, you get to the true root casue of their fanaticism:
They fervently believe they need these weapons to defend themselves against a tyrannical goverment who wants to take all their guns away.
Not for self-defense, sport, or target practice, but to protect themselves against an imaginary government threat.
Do we really want to avoid an opportunity to reduce the threat of violence in order to pacify a few crazy individuals?
TSNEVOL,
Will the NRA leadership and the corporates they represent be happy, only and if they have Americans at perpetual war with each other?
Stand Your Ground is raising the murder rate.
Is there any conceivable number that will satiate them?
Yup...as soon as everyone is legally required to be armed at all times the NRA will be happy.
And not until.
A toasted pecan roll by any other name would be a Sticky Bun and we ALL know how I feel about THOSE! lol (and if you don't know, just put your lips together and BLOW, Steve!)
Excellent work today, soldiers! As you were!
"And that's the way it is".....this week.
67 House republicans voted against disaster relief aid for Hurricane Sandy victims. "Offsets", we demand offsets--ignoring, of course, that Price, Ryan, Blackburn, Jordan, Gohmert and many others voting NAY did not need "offsets" when they voted for disaster aid for their districts and states. Nothing like the selfish to vote for what they need while denying the needs of others.
Cheers to NJ Gov. Chris Christie who did not mince words with his criticism of the House GOP Majority or Speaker Boehner after seeing them turn tail and run from their responsibilities to Hurricane Sandy victims.
GOPer David Addington, architect of Bush's Unitarian presidency, had the audacity to say President Obama has too much executive power. Hypocrisy at its finest.
Bank of America agreed to pay $11.6 billion to Fannie Mae including $6.5 billion to buy back bad loans that B of A's Country Wide financial unit foisted off on Fannie Mae from 1/1/2000-12/31/08. Hmmm, thought the GOP said Fannie Mae was the culprit.
The White House approved the ACA health insurance exchange plans for seven more states. Meanwhile, Iowa's GOPer Gov Branstad is still pondering what to do.....but he did have time for a Photo Op of himself kneeling behind the deer he shot!
In his farewell address, outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta took a parting poke at Congress by saying that after 50 years of public service, it was time to return home to his wife, family......and his Walnut Farm where "I'll be dealing with a different set of nuts." Touche', Mr. Panetta.
Speaking of Congress, Public Policy Polling found that Congress is less popular than root canals, NFL replacement refs, head lice, colonoscopies, carnies, traffic jams, cockroaches, Donald Trump (note he was listed right after cockroaches), France, Ganghis Khan, used car salesmen and Brussel sprouts. Now I don't get France and like Brussel sprouts but the rest sounds right.
Michele Bachmann, conspiracy-theorist extraordinaire, kept her seat on the House intelligence committee. Some things defy reason--Bachmann in the same sentence with intelligence is one of those things.
The GOP House picked up where it left off proposing and/or passing legislation to repeal ObamaCare, define person hood as the moment of conception including banning contraception and mandatory invasive ultrasounds against ones will, defund Planned Parenthood, deny US citizenship to babies born here if their parents are not citizens. So much for saying post-election that they want to soften their tone, be less anti-women and be a more tolerant and inclusive party....guess they forgot to add the part about pigs flying.
A gun nut suffered a meltdown on CNN, yelling and threatening everyone. That guy shouldn't own a gun; he represents the problem: angry, wild-eyed, paranoid, 2nd amendment ranters with lots of guns who think "in my cold, dead hands" is a motto for the right to hunt varmints.
AIG, the recipient of $182 billion taxpayer bailout in 2008, decided not to sue Uncle Sam who saved AIG's backside. Guess the news AIG might sue the USA created enough outrage that thankless greed was not a good option for them.
If confirmed, John Kerry as Secretary of State and Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense will join four-star General Eric Shenseki who is Secretary of Veterans Affairs. That means for the first time, there will be three Vietnam combat veterans in cabinet positions. Between them, they have 7 Purple Hearts, 4 Bronze Stars and 1 Silver Star.
The NRA vowed to stop the Tucson gun buy-back event demanding those guns be sold to the highest bidder rather than destroyed. Here's a thought for Wayne LaPierre, shove....oops, I can't post that.
Richard Nixon would have been 100 on Jan 9. "The press is the enemy....Professors are the enemy..." Enemies, enemies everywhere. Tricky Dick's fear and paranoia should have been a red flag alert of a disease symptom that spread rapidly through the ranks and afflicts the GOP today.
President Obama nominated Jack Lew as the new Secretary of Treasury. The GOPers scoffed at the prospect. McConnell said he'd been "irked" by Lew in the past. Oh, Mitch, you "irk" hundreds of people every day--don't be so sensitive.
What is it about Jack Lew that has the GOPers feathers ruffled--thick glasses, mild mannered, nondescript, quiet, business suit. Wait, Speaker Boehner said Lew "was in the middle of everything"; faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap the Treasury building in a single bound....that's it. The GOP knows Jack Lew is secretly "Superman", and they can't find their kryptonite!
With Mr. Lew's nomination, the media immediately focused on important and relevant facts about Jack Lew~his loop da loop, illegible signature. Some things never change.
Thanks to Lawrence O'Donnell, here's something I doubt many know about Barney Frank. When he was young, he went to Mississippi as a Freedom Rider to help register blacks to vote. For those too young to remember, MS was the most dangerous southern state to desegregate and push voting rights. In the words of John Lewis, "it was all segregated, all brutally racist, and extremely perilous." Frank went to MS before three Freedom Riders were murdered there but despite the danger, he stayed. Bravo, Barney Frank!
Flashback: Franklin D. Roosevelt, "The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough to those who have too little."
John F. Kennedy, "If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich."
Willard Mitt Romney, "My job is not to worry about those (poor) people." One more reason to be thankful Mitt is home riding his car elevator.
Brilliant as always Jody!
The terrifying part is, someone might think you're writing for "The Onion"... ;o)
Salud!
Jody:
What's to say? Truly, your wrap-up's are a treat and a highlight. Heartfelt thanks.
I also learned from Lawrence O'Donnell of Barney Frank's Freedom Rider history. That took courage. Real courage. It's one of those accomplishments that a Republican could never claim. It makes their attacks on him look all the more childish.
Good morning Jody. GREAT!
Outstanding wrap up as always, Jody. I'd like to point out regarding the following;
That never meant more than a better PR campaign from the Right. After all, Conservatism isn't about consistency of thought or principle. Conservatism is nothing more than a series of talking points to sell policies beneficial to the wealthy elites.
Jody, nicely done, particularly your story on Barney Frank.
To be honest though, I'm a little puzzled by everyone (not you) jumping on the Christie bandwagon. Didn't he just say he wouldn't support a minimum wage increase?
He always struck me as nothing but a bully and mean spirited. Yes he should have stood up to the GOP over Hurricane Sandy, but I don't trust him one bit.
Jody, I was going to take the day off from the boards but then I recalled that Friday has become Joday on my calendar ... both the first and last day of my week.
Great post, Jody.
...but about pigs flying... pigs can fly ... in a cop-ter, for example ...heli-cop-ter, that is.
Did you see that Geico commercial? Maxwell the Pig can fly...
bcwc...we all will miss you.
Where do cats take vacation?
Jody -
Excellent wrap up as always.
I too was stunned to see that Republicans in the House have not learned their lesson, they continue to waste OUR time and money on either frivolous or dangerous legislation.
I can only hope that the level of dissatisfaction becomes high enough to overcome the redistricting barriers and we can elect some saner minds to Congress.
Jody that was great. A great beginning to the New Year, I look forward to many more in the weeks ahead.
THANK YOU!
Thanks, Jody. Your weekly wrap-ups are the best way to start the weekend!
Jody, Iowa-
Nicely done.
Salud
Pigotry
In a litterbox called the 2nd. Amendment.
"If confirmed, John Kerry as Secretary of State and Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense will join four-star General Eric Shenseki who is Secretary of Veterans Affairs. That means for the first time, there will be three Vietnam combat veterans in cabinet positions. Between them, they have 7 Purple Hearts, 4 Bronze Stars and 1 Silver Star."
Thanks, Jody - I've been out of the loop this week and hadn't heard that. In fact, all I did seem to hear was a bunch of whining from assorted conservative posters here that they were all white males - conveniently ignoring the fact, of course, that if the President had nominated minority females to all three positons, those same people would have been outraged that he was just "pandering" to women and minorities.
Pat, Boston: "He always struck me as nothing but a bully and mean spirited. Yes he should have stood up to the GOP over Hurricane Sandy, but I don't trust him one bit."
Oddly enough, while I'm not a big fan of Christie myself, the one thing I CAN say about him is that I trust him. I disagree with him a lot, and can't see a circumstance where I would ever vote for him - but in our media market, we get to see a lot more of him than the rest of the country does. I've even heard him on an "Ask the Governor" radio show. And if I'm going to give him grudging respect for anything, it's that he seems to say what he means and he means what he says. Unlike, say, Mitt Romney, he doesn't change his story depending on his audience. I may not often agree with him - but at least I feel I know where he actually stands. He also seems to have a great self-deprecating sense of humor, and he's not above making fun of himself, which is rare in a politician these days. So I may not love him.....but I sorta like him. And I can say I trust him. Does that make any sense?
Thanks, everyone. Have a great weekend! Sometimes I think there won't be anything to poke at but then the GOPers open their mouths and prove me wrong.
As for Christie's bandwagon, I think the reason people are jumping on is the fact that he's not afraid to call out his own party in Congress as being useless and irresponsible. I don't agree with most of his views, think he is a bully, loud and abrasive and is positioning himself for his re-election and 2016, but I will always give a shout out to anyone like him who dares to challenge the craziness and dysfunction within a party.
Regarding women and cabinet nominees.
________
Kay Bailed Hutchinson a contender for transportation secretary.
by BRAD WATSON WFAA Dallas
Posted on January 10, 2013 at 7:48 PM
She just stepped down, but Kay Bailey Hutchison's time in Washington may not be finished.
The congressional blog The Hill reports Hutchison may be a contender for Secretary of Transportation.
The blog quotes sources who say naming Hutchison to the post would give President Obama the chance to put a Republican on his cabinet.
______
I surely hope that just because she is a woman and a republican that he is lnot ooking at her for transportation. Hutchinson is for the creation of more toll roads. Here in texas her policies have been to work with Txdot to push for lower speed limits on non toll roads to coerce people to use toll roads. Although there is a place for public private parterships in road construction and maintenance, that is the only way she rolls. In fact her disagreement against the Trans Texas Corridor was mainly for political purposes, to discredit Rick Perry during her failed Governor run.
Besides since when does Obama need to appoint a republican or a woman? Just appoint the most qualified person.
edit - Oops this was supposed to go under 1's discussion about women nominees.
So I may not love him.....but I sorta like him. And I can say I trust him. Does that make any sense?
JoAnne, yes it certainly makes sense.
I can only speak for myself, and I recall more than anything his disrespect for just about anyone who questioned him and I won't forget it. I didn't like it. The only difference I see in him today is that he had to humble himself when his state needed help.
Before the hurricane, I never once saw it. I doubt I will ever be able to vote for him if he chooses to run in 2016.
Peter King the same. Nasty nasty individual, despite his standing up to the GOP when his state needed help.
john b -- and the class warfare mantra lives on.
how about barry rewarding corporations and hollywood while taking back the 2% fica cut he sold a couple years ago. reward your backers and screw the middle class.
sure helps him now that he has the flexibility to ignore the people
What class warfare, bb(numb)? All I said was that Conservatives don't see the need to back policies that are actually popular, only a need to do a better job pitching policies people don't want.
As for the FICA cut it was ALWAYS a temporary cut and was already extended once. I should be mad at President Obama for not giving me what he never promised? He's already overdelivered on that one.
Well done our Jody!
Clearly folks have a right to turn in their guns and have them melted down, if they want. It is their decision, if they want to sign on to a deal like that.
"..but he did have time for a Photo Op of himself kneeling behind the deer he shot!":
We have nursed a baby deer back to health in our house. Deer are completely and utterly trusting & defenceless. Living where i live, the idea of a deer trophy photo is just daft.
On a certain level, it does sound this ridiculous...
Brilliant!!
Da Noid:
Wish you hadn't put that up. The libbies here are already in an uproar. They're talking about a gorilla ban. Fortunately, here in Kansas, we can still get them without a background check at a gorilla show.
However, I will remain vigilant. I say no compromise with these libtards. First, it's gorillas. It's only a question of time until they come after our monkeys.
Only the armed forces should be allowed to use Gorillas.
Salud
Da Noid,
How BIG a gorilla can you buy? Any forseeable legal restrictions?
DaNoid... That was great... I just shared it on my facebook...
I don't believe there is a current limit to the size of the gorilla. Perhaps if we can not pass legislation on the size of the gorilla we might be able to put a limit on the number of bananas you may feed it.
DaNoid, we can always count on The Onion to point out the ridiculous with humor. Thanks for sharing.
Our gorilla store was shut down recently thanks to GOP Gov Branstad; he was upset no one had to show ID to buy one so he defunded it.
I recently purchased 6 high-powered assault gorillas, fully licensed, which includes the right to conceal. Now, I'm carrying all these monkeys on my back, but my real problem is, where the f**k do I buy a coat large enough to conceal these beasts of burden, and one that doesn't leave me looking like the Humpback of Notre Dame.
My Gorilla is on backorder but I have a Monkey as a backup... The problem is that I have to keep spanking it...
Why no right-wingers with a sense of humor here? Oh, I see, they started a thread at 6.0.
RedDevPS:
Forget their value as concealed weapons. Sedate them, wear them openly with a sign that says "Dead Endangered Species", run for election as a Republican. You can't buy better publicity.
The Obama agenda continues to be:
1) Screw America
2) Screw America
3) Screw America
I think you meant Michelle.
R U that 'Sarah'?
Drill Baby Drill? actually that's Sarah Palin talking dirty in bed to Todd Akin Palin who worked for BP. But the slogan has ended up becoming GOP slogan for assaulting Mother Earth.
hey markinbutt...what a classy guy you are. Maybe you should get your hands out of your panties!!
What is the difference between a conservative and a Pit Bull? A Pit Bull knows when to stop whining.
What is the difference between a lib and an American Patriot? EVERYTHING!!
Assuming you're the pit bull, go hump someones leg, "joblessone"
CT-4008986
How did you ever guess that Job1 resides in a Red State?
Actually CT (numbers),
The American Patriots are the Liberals. If we hated America we would vote for conservatives.
CT I was just making a joke? Chill out.
Job1
and that is the "Ohhhh, SNAP!!!" response of the morning.
Salud
Job 1, ditto what Tomas Grande said!! Perfect response.
martinbecker, you're new to this board or at least not seen often. You need to know that conservatives post some really ugly stuff regarding our First Lady so liberals posters are not inclined to be generous which comments such as yours are posted however benign the intent.
I think this year, 2013 , should be directed toward getting out of Afghanistan, continued great economic numbers and jobs, gun control. Next year 2014 more economic growth and immigration reform, right before and during the 2014 mid-terms so the teabaggers can show their hate and bigotry. I see the house going democratic after the 2014 mid-terms.
If you think this is great economic numbers you are an idot. This has been the worst economic recovery outside of the Great Depression. Ever stop to wonder why? It's because BO is pursuing the exact same policies that FDR employed. Research history and you will find that Government spending NEVER pulls a country out of a downturn. Newsflash for you, the government doesn't have any money. It takes it from the taxpayers (you and I) and spends it, after paying the government employees of course. The more they take from us, the less we have to spend. Consumer spending accounts for approximately 70% of GDP. Taking from us reduces what we have to spend. It's really very simple. Why not as DamnYou above how he feels about having $160 less a paycheck to spend now. To all of the koolaid drinkers who thought BO wouldn't raise taxes on the middle class, I suggest you remove your head from his rear end and take a look around! LOL
Five million jobs created under Obama's watch. Jobs zooming. Stock market up up up. Real estates starts, financing and sales booming. Republican party in total shambles. Boo Yah.
StMA, care to prove ANY of that? Anything at all.
Yes, the economic recovery is slower than we'd like to see. The 2001 recovery was at that time ALSO the slowest since the Great Depression. This isn't coincidence. The Depression was the ultimate failure of Laissez Faire Economics, continuing to get worse for YEARS as the Classical Economists insisted the economy would self correct. Recent recessions have gotten progressively worse and progressively harder to recover from due to the complete and abject failure of Trickle Down and an religious devotion to deregulation by the Right.
So PROVE that the New Deal made the Depression worse. PROVE that government spending only subtracts from the economy, never expands it. PROVE that government spending never pulls a country out of a downturn.
I can prove the opposite quite easily using the argument of Conservatives. According to all the radio talkers WWII ended the Depression. What did we do in WWII? A massive work program paid for with borrowed money and tax cuts during a downturn.
The ball is in your court.
Let's remember the bigger the Government the better we will all be. This talking point of smaller Government was a talking point that President Reagan started, and we all know how much expansion happened in the 1980s. So, don't get in to the Republican argument of smaller Government. It's a myth and a big lie that will never happen.
So, let the Government grow and expand, because that is how jobs and opportunities come about. Remember the expansion started by FDR that created GREATNESS!!!
WOW! You lib@!$%#s are the most ignorant people on the planet.
You are incorrect on this point. This "talking point" was stared by the founding fathers when they ratified the US Constitution. SO MUCH IGNORANCE.
If you went to college, you need to demand your money be returned.
Remember the expansion started by FDR that created GREATNESS!!!
@martinbecker
"Five million jobs created under Obama's watch. Jobs zooming."
Wow. What a distortion. You fail to mention the number of jobs lost. The best estimates put us at about 300,000 more jobs than when Obama took office. That is barely enough to keep pace with population growth.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/05/politics/fact-check-obama-jobs/index.html
Basically, since the end of the recession, the economy has been stuck in neutral.
sonmanvb,
Bush (GOP) brought in smaller Gov't.....period. Yet.....our Federal deficit went from a surplus in 2000 after 8 years with Clinton's bigger Gov't to a Federal deficit of $1.4 trillion in FY 2009 (July 2008- July 2009) with Bush's smaller Gov't.....
Point and case: A smaller Gov't isn't definitive of less spending. Only efficient Gov't (no matter the size) brings about less spending. So....take your little Grover Norquist obsolete argument and toss it in the waste can.......case closed.
Why do I have a sudden feeling of Brave New World sneaking up behind me? The idea that bigger government is better for us all floors me. I got my first paycheck of the year today and I was expecting the 2% raise in my FICA cause I knew it was coming. I think they never should have implemented that. I'm waiting for the income/state taxes to go up now. I own a 1993 Toyota Camry and live in the state of CA. I'm having a HELL of a time getting my tags renewed on the car cause my car won't pass the smog test because the state requires more tests or a special test or SOME kind of crapola like that because my car is older than 1995. It's now getting to the point of I'm dumping more money into the car to fix it than the car is worth, but I can't sell it cause it needs a smog check to transfer title and I can't afford a newer car cause my credit is FUBAR, (this was because of my own stupidity, I will fully take responsibility for this), and I don't have the savings built up to buy a new one. Some people would say just junk the car and take public transport. Well, that's kinda HARD cause I live in an area of CA that doesn't have great public transport and live three towns south of my job. The next answer is to move. Can't do that, I'm on a lease. AND I have to drive a good forty minuets from my house to pickup my son every weekend. So I KINDA need my car. I'm stressed over this because I'm in a corner cause gov't is regulating the hell out of things. I'm all for clean air and water, but when regulations make my car effectively ILLEGAL and it costs an arm and a leg to fix, I get a little cranky.
I'm very lucky this year, I managed to finally score a good paying job with good benefits and the whole nine yards. (And for those of you who will sneer cause I'm blogging during work hours, I'm on break.) So I take my "first world problems" with grace as I can and will get my car fixed, it's just a pain because I find it idiotic that I have to jump through so many hoops just to own an older car. I'm tired of whenever elections roll around, I get a novel in the mail detailing all the new rules and regs they want us to vote in. I'm sick of the words "choice" and "my right" and "war on women/minorities". I'm all for equality and fairness, but that's for EVERYONE regardless of skin color, the bits between your legs, your race, your dress size, or your fondness for wearing purple panties. I don't give a crap, if you can do the job you should be hired on your merits. And for those of you who will railroad me and sneer cause I'm ranting, it's my CHOICE to be angry at the gov't for wanting to regulate the populace for "our own good", it's my RIGHT to voice my opinion about it, and it's YOUR choice to not agree with me and YOUR right to fire your opinion right back. I'll listen. I might not agree, but it's your right to say it. (Yes, I used a word I'm tired of hearing, I'm being... I think it's facetious. Could be wrong on the terminology.) Because we live in a country where the first amendment, (which has ALWAYS changed with the changes in media and ability to spread words and ideas. It WAS written when the only forms of getting an idea out was via printed media or word of mouth, so shouldn't the second amendment be allowed to change with the advancements in personal arms technology? I'm not talking military hardware, I wouldn't want to own a rocket launcher even if I could), allows me to rant on a blog during my break. And with that, I'm gonna go distract myself with something shiny. Have a good day!
Juli316,
It's not the size of Gov't that brings about bigger deficits/spending. Historically, it has been PROVEN more efficient Gov't/targeted spending/ and raising of revenue decreases deficits . In contrast, smaller Gov't/ unfunded coporate tax cuts/less revenue creates greater deficits.
Austerity measures do not pay the bills. If you don't believe me......try decreasing electricty usage in your home (austerity measure) and asses if paying no revenue to electric company is acceptable.......
If you encounter darkness.....you've been proven wrong..
The thing is, Tony, I'm fine with the gov't paying the bills. I'm fine with paying taxes, I understand you need to do these things for the world to spin round and round financially/societally. I've had my power turned off cause I couldn't pay the bill cause I wasn't making enough money. I've been evicted cause I couldn't pay the rent. So yes, spending money is needed to keep things going but what I find scary isn't so much the idea of the gov't paying the bills to keep the lights on, metaphorically speaking, it's them spending like mad and keep asking for more and more money, more and more restrictions on the people to the point of... well, like me in my early twenties with a credit card. It's irresponsible to think that regulating and spending the people's money/freedoms/time to the point where people can't even buy bread and milk to survive is irresponsible on the part of the gov't and it's irresponsible for the gov't to STOP spending to the point of we don't pay our bills. I know it's not an accurate comparison of a gov't budget to a household budget, but there are some parallels. You cut the wrong things, something gets turned off. Austerity isn't needed, sensibility is. Throwing money at the problem doesn't make it go away all the time. Sometimes you have to step back and go "hmmm, this isn't working, what can I do to fix this?" This goes for both sides cause I know Republicans/conservatives have their own pet projects they love just like the Democrats/liberals(progressives) do. Am I afraid that the gov't will regulate us into no guns or personal freedoms or that I won't be able to buy with either an insurance perscription plan or out of my own pocket birth control? No, I don't think that would happen, Americans as a society and people wouldn't allow that to happen. People, both gov't and ordinary people, need to learn to compromise. Whether it is monitary policy or immigration policy or gun policy or... whatever, compromise is needed. Extremes are not. And you know a compromise happens when both sides leave the table pissed. I would just like to see both people and gov't to take personal responsibility for themselves and their actions. For every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction. People need to remember this. Okay, end rant, oo shiny object!
5 million "created"?? Still with that notion that Obama "created" jobs? WOW...some delusions are hard to break... So you want to give credit to Obama for the stock market but then argue he has no control over gas prices...priceless!
time to impeach king obama
Impeach our President for exactly what high crimes and misdemeanors ?
For being a Black Man who was elected twice by over 50% of the American People. Those 47% that voted for Willard need to settle down. Remember, we won and their guy lost and there is nothing they can do about it. Period!
Hey joblessone...how about putting the race card away and realize that some do not agree with his agenda, and that has nothing to do with his color!! The racists are the ones that keep referring to skin color.
I can't be job less, because I draw a nice pay check by working 50 plus hours a week. Most of the job less you keep referring to are part of the 47% that voted for Willard. You know red state people.
CT - How about the dozens and dozens of post everyday from Teabaggers like you that refer to President Obama as a Kenyan. Isn't that racist?
For your information mark, I have never called obama any names. I may have referred to him as dishonest, or having an agenda that I disagree with, but I and above calling names.
I will say in the pass, I have called you libs names, but that is not normally how I roll and will not going forward. I do however, enjoy playing games with "poster's calling names"
It's not up to the White House alone to make sure the assault weapons ban is passed. We citizens who are outraged by all the multiple killings must join together, organize and pressure every representative and senator.
The groundswell is still coming...we will not stop until magazine sizes are reduced, assault weapons are banned, background checks are universal and mental health checks are enacted.
Why not add making irresponsible firearms owners potentially liable for damages caused by their firearms on potentially both a civil and/or criminal basis?
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
alan_static
Wouldn't dram of it. Eventually you will shoot your head off using a gun for its secondary purpose ... to crack open walnuts ... remember to hold it by the muzzle.
Obama's 2nd term focus should be on not overstepping his powers so badly that he gets forcibly removed from office by American Patriots demonstrating why the 2nd amendment was given to us by our founders.
If Obama wants to move "forward" then he has two proper paths he can follow:
1) Get legislation passed by congress
2) Get constitutional amendments passed and ratified
If he trys to create LAW through executive order he will be TOAST!
Hadenuf.........you appear to be threatening the President of the United States, I hope you are aware that even on an anonymous blog that is against the law.
I hope the Secret Service keeps tabs on you and your so called American Patriots, because all the 2nd Amendment guarantees you is the ability to own a gun, it doesn't give you the right to threaten anyone on such absurd notions.
Gingerbread Mamma: That is one sick pup. That is what has pushed me more to the gun regulation side. He is so mentally deranged he should not be allowed to own a gun or even a stick.
Ginger and Exit, your stupidity is appalling. Your absurd interpretation of a negative assessment of the POTUS performance as a death threat just goes to show how low lib retards will stoop to denigrate and demean the opinions and positions of those with whom they disagree. You two and many other Marxist sympathizers on this site are a poison to our society, and, by your vitriolic and false comments, you continue to fuel a resentment toward this administration that will not be easily repaired. Of course you do so under the cloak of anonymity afforded by this left wing propaganda machine called MSNBC... You also mimic the Dick-Tator in Chief who has also chosen to display willful and amplified disdain for any opposing viewpoints. May you all rot in hell, and the sooner the better.
Ginger and Exito
You are clearly products of our failure of an education system.
Expressing an opinion about what the wannabe Emperor should focus on right after he and his court jester start talking about stepping outside our Constitution to take unilateral action is far from a threat.
The second amendment was provided to the American people by our founders as the ultimate check/balance. We have HUNDREDS of documented quotes from them about the reason for this amendment that could only be misinterpreted to mean something other than this by people who are folos or simply ignorant.
Rest assured that not only will the American people rise up with force against a President who violates his oath of office requiring adherence to our Constitution, but they would also get the support of a majority of the US military who have sworn a similar oath to protect and defend our Constitution against all enemies, foreign AND DOMESTIC!
But for simpletons like you two who consider anyone who disagrees with your messiah's agenda to be a racist, what more could we expect.
As I said originally, the arrogant bastard who is currently President is boxed in. The Legislative branch has exclusive powers to create the laws. All the Executive Branch gets to do is issue orders to see that they are executed in the spirit that they were intended. Anything beyond that, and the Executive branch has gone beyond their authorized powers and they will be TOAST!
If he wants to effect change then he has only 2 legal paths available to him; Get the laws passed by Congress or get Constitutional Amendments passed and then ratified by 3/4 of the states.
Our founders were clever. They set up a system such that major changes just don't get passed quickly. It has to happen over a long period of time.
Thanks for playing. Now go put your heads back up Obama's butt and tell him that it smells like sunshine!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank president Obama and the Democrat party for bring the US Economy down from the worlds largest and most-free to the 10th largest and least-free. President Obama, Mission accomplished. Well done for your first term.
Ah, the Heritage Foundation, a part of the Koch Foundation Associate Program.
The Wall Street Journal and the Heritage Foundation - not exactly unbiased sources.
I would suggest that if those seeking "economic freedom" i.e. unrestrained capitalism truly found Canada or other countries to be more to their likely they would do their business there.
I would also suggest that all of the economies ranked "higher" than the US are nowhere near as large and complex as our economy.
Communist China's Hong Kong is #1 and has been since the creation of the index in 1995. We have never ranked first, and were also 10th last year. Singapore has ranked #2 in every index. Anybody moving there based on this news?
I can see where folks could get all upset about this all important ranking, but...
we are 50th in infant mortality...
38th in life expectancy...
There is room for improvement in many areas, some perhaps even more important than "economic freedom"
sonmanvb,
According to the Wall Street Journal, the middle class begins at an income starting above $500,000 per year. Which then prompts the question; whose economic freedom are they referring to ????????????
Obamas agenda:
1) Allow anyone that wants benefits intended for U.S. citizens whatever U.S. citizens are eligible for.
2) Blocking anything the other parties want.
3) Coercing through media pressure all other parties to vote along Democratic party lines.
4) Installing Sunni Islamic radical run governments throughout the middle east so that they may oppress all others and install Sharia Law as the norm.
5) Create a Sunni Islamic 4th superpower onto the world stage that will upset the balance of power in the middle east, and our world, and legitimize Islamic radicalism the world over.
6) Alienate our country from the rest of the civilized world.
7) Take as many rights away from Americans as possible.
8) Make Bill Gates richer through GMO favoritism via government appointments and laws passed on riders to thank him for his MSNBC media bias that so greatly helped him to get re elected.
9) Get a bigger teleprompter.
10) Ignore as many security threats of terrorism as possible, and when there is a breach, and Americans are being killed, grab a beer and find a party to go to or take off for Hawaii to golf until they are all dead, then find someone else to blame it on.
Don't forget getting rid of AR-15's
Wow, are you guys(Sonman & Rocky) in big trouble now!! The libs will really call you bad names now you bad guys!!
Oops, you too alan_!!
Yes CT, I've seen how foul mouthed they can be here on MSNBC. Doesn't aybody monitor what those guys say on here ? I guess MSNBC either doesn't care, or they must be working for them. It seems to me that many of them regularly break the code of honor, yet always get away with it as Republicans here are punished for the least of infractions to extinction.
Rocky Rhode
Thanks for posting Drudge's, Rush's, and Hannity's talking points today.
What's scary, is you believe it.
Salud
If you republicans don't like MSNBC, then why do you post here? For myself I'm glad you guys post here, because you give us Progressives a good laugh.
Also, we are kidding when we refer to you guys as the, "dumb down America crowd."
Job 1: Some of them scare me, see #10. Love your post.
set your DVR to record Biggest Loser and it will record Pigorty's post.
2nd Term Agend: more of the same, lack of leadership, and continued economic malaise.
Lack of both Parties making America better. There is room to fix but neither Party will give a inch. I am still so disapointed in the lack of Smart People for the Republicans. If they had some then the debate needed in America could go forward. I know this is said all the time but McCain could have won without Palin. My god Romney, Cain, Bachman Gingrich, 9,9,9, all the Crap about the Family and Bachmabn and her stupic comments. Please get some smart people who can discuss a issue, McCain tries but has to have Graham at his side to give him facts. Seems senile and I don't wish this on anyone but John is unable to speak on an issue in an articulate way. Graham is the only Republican that is seen as the Party just doesa not have a voice. No Senator able to come forward to speak. The Democtrats just blow them away, Not a fan of either Pasrty but the Republicans need help in the Smarts Category!
Lack of both Parties making America better. There is room to fix but neither Party will give a inch. I am still so disappointed in the lack of Smart People for the Republicans. If they had some then the debate needed in America could go forward. I know this is said all the time but McCain could have won without Palin. My god Romney, Cain, Bachman Gingrich, 9,9,9, all the Crap about the Family and Bachman and her stupid comments. Please get some smart people who can discuss a issue, McCain tries but has to have Graham at his side to give him facts. Seems senile and I don't wish this on anyone but John is unable to speak on an issue in an articulate way. Graham is the only Republican that is seen as the Party just does not have a voice. No Senator able to come forward to speak. The Democrats just blow them away, Not a fan of either Party but the Republicans need help in the Smarts Category!
Frank is the person who brought this Country to the Brink of a Depression. Why the hell would the governor bring this person back. My god it will say what the state is made of. Obama is not going to be able to do better this term as the Republicans will constantly block every move!
Do think that something on limiting the size of clips will be passed along with a mandate for background checks. That's all. Immigration will not move forward nor will the Health Care thing improve as the companies will learn how the program will be able to be cheated. Such a shame. The Deficit will grow and all the hell we will hear is bull @!$%# from the Parties. Hang on America another 4 years of Crap. If you want jobs and the chance to improve you better take it in you own hands. Get off your butt and get more relevant education Something that will pay instead of things like Sociology 8.00 a hour. All Colleges should be required to show what the Degree gets in the market for the time spent. 100k in loans will pay 20k a year! The School system needs to get rid of the teachers that feed off the kids with non relevant things like the Liberal Arts no pay 4 year Degree. Such a problem for the kids who do not listen. Be a Lawyer, Chemist, Engineer, but my god don't be a stupid person taking such things as political Science that pays nothing. This is the true problem for America!
Chuck could not be more "Toadier" today. It's amazing???!! In one day the disaster that was the White House is now miraculously 'rounding into shape'. What happened Chuck? Did the DNC threaten to cutoff your funding?
From the Bureau of Labor statistics - Jobs created/lost by month.
Bush
2008/9
Feb. -136,000
Mar. -112,000
Apr. -215,000
May. -216,000
Jun. -231,000
Jul. -259,000
Aug. -294,000
Sep. -425,000
Oct. -480,000
Nov. -797,000
Dec. -658,000
Jan. -839,000
Obama
2010/11
Mar. +141,000
Apr. +193,000
May. +84,000
Jun. +92,000
Jul. +92,000
Aug. +128,000
Sep. +115,000
Oct. +196,000
Nov. +134,000
Dec. +140,000
Jan. +119,000
Feb. +257,000
As you can see, there is a stark difference between the Republican administration and our present one.
'fuzzy math' - a quote from G. W. Bush, since you like Bush so much.
You should show Bush numbers before 2008, like between 2000 - 2007 before Barny Frank caused the collapse of 2008. Then the numbers would LOOK much different. Bu then that would put obama in a very bad light and we can't have that!
What bill did Barney Frank sponsor that caused the crash and why did Bush sign it?
sonmanvb-
I thought it was greedy Wall Street investors and bankers who created the risky Collateralized Debt Obligations and persuaded AIG and other insurance companies to rate them as "not risky".
Thanks for clearing that up.
Now if you want the true cause of the financial collapse, the U.S. Senate's Levin–Coburn Report asserted that the crisis was the result of "high risk, complex financial products; undisclosed conflicts of interest; the failure of regulators, the credit rating agencies, and the market itself to rein in the excesses of Wall Street".
The 1999 repeal of the Glass–Steagall Act allowed depository banks to make previously un-allowed risky investments. Banks issued mortgage-backed derivative financial instruments. Credit-rating agencies failed to accurately calculate the risk involved, and the government did not adjust their regulations to account for these relatively new financial instruments.
How did Barney Frank figure in to all of that?
That very question shows your ignorance. Look up Barny Frank and the housing bubble. Bush signed nothing. That was already law which Frank made worse while Bush tried to get Frank and the dems to fix it way back in 2006 and 2007.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/02/13/housing-bubble-subprime-opinions-contributors_0216_peter_wallison_edward_pinto.html
Very convenient to pull job numbers during the downturn. Go back a little further in history, say after Reagan came in following BO version 1.0....aka Jimmy Carter, and take a look at what job numbers looked like over his 8 years.
“We can put light where there’s darkness, and hope where there’s despondency in this country. And part of it is working together as a nation to encourage folks to own their own home.” — President Bush, Oct. 15, 2002
The global financial system was teetering on the edge of collapse when President Bush and his economics team huddled in the Roosevelt Room of the White House for a briefing that, in the words of one participant, “scared the hell out of everybody.”
It was Sept. 18. Lehman Brothers had just gone belly-up, overwhelmed by toxic mortgages. Bank of America had swallowed Merrill Lynch in a hastily arranged sale. Two days earlier, Mr. Bush had agreed to pump $85 billion into the failing insurance giant American International Group.
The president listened as Ben S. Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve, laid out the latest terrifying news: The credit markets, gripped by panic, had frozen overnight, and banks were refusing to lend money.
Then his Treasury secretary, Henry M. Paulson Jr., told him that to stave off disaster, he would have to sign off on the biggest government bailout in history.
Mr. Bush, according to several people in the room, paused for a single, stunned moment to take it all in.
“How,” he wondered aloud, “did we get here?”
Eight years after arriving in Washington vowing to spread the dream of homeownership, Mr. Bush is leaving office, as he himself said recently, “faced with the prospect of a global meltdown” with roots in the housing sector he so ardently championed.
“The Bush administration took a lot of pride that homeownership had reached historic highs,” Mr. Snow said in an interview. “But what we forgot in the process was that it has to be done in the context of people being able to afford their house. We now realize there was a high cost.”
For much of the Bush presidency, the White House was preoccupied by terrorism and war; on the economic front, its pressing concerns were cutting taxes and privatizing Social Security. The housing market was a bright spot: ever-rising home values kept the economy humming, as owners drew down on their equity to buy consumer goods and pack their children off to college.
Lawrence B. Lindsey, Mr. Bush’s first chief economics adviser, said there was little impetus to raise alarms about the proliferation of easy credit that was helping Mr. Bush meet housing goals.
“No one wanted to stop that bubble,” Mr. Lindsey said. “It would have conflicted with the president’s own policies.”
Today, millions of Americans are facing foreclosure, homeownership rates are virtually no higher than when Mr. Bush took office, Fannie and Freddie are in a government conservatorship, and the bailout cost to taxpayers could run in the trillions.
Indisputable
indisputably false.
sonmanvb,
Yes....but Phil Grahm (R) Texas was the Author and Sponsor of the Commodity Future Modernization Act in 2000 which completely dereguated a Glass-Steigall Act of 1933 prohibiting Banks from defrauding Investors with stiff prison penalties. Without this exact deregulation Bill; the Sub Prime mortgage meltdown would NOT have happened.....period. And your post leaves this fact excluded.
Financial Regulation Reform sponsored by Barney Frank and signed by President Obama is a sincere attempt at prevention of naother sub prime mortgage melt down. Bush did nothing to legislate such a Bill preventing Banks from fraudulence with commodities trading regarding CDO's to correct Clinton's error of signing the flawed (for Coporate benefit) Phil Gramm Bill.
Willard, I didn't know Bush was still president up until march of 2010....wow you learn something new everyday. sonmanvb I agree with you. Willard is cherrypicking data.
Rules for Conservatives
1. Conservative principles (e.g. liberty, fiscal responsibility, promoting national morality, and ensuring our national security) are derived from the Constitution and are not negotiable. Because these principles transcend political cycles, once defined they do not need to be constantly updated. They must form the bedrock of our core beliefs. Anyone who rejects any of these principles should not be recognized as a conservative. This is especially true when someone changes their mind on core conservative beliefs but still wants to be considered a conservative. Pragmatism is one of our greatest enemies. Far more damage is done to the conservative movement (and our country) by compromising our principles and backing liberal policies than by standing firm but failing to win the immediate battle. The only reason liberals want bipartisanship is to give them political cover when their ideas eventually crash and burn.
2. While conservatives should respect our courts, bad decisions that violate the constitution and common sense must be opposed and strongly criticized. Offensive rulings should initiate thousands of letters to the editor and scholarly legal papers which identify the judge(s) by name and how their ruling is wrong and hurts our country. In particular, the notion of a "living constitution" must be firmly rejected and treated with the derision it deserves. We must demand that the constitution only be changed through the amendment process not judicial fiat.
3. Those who claim to be conservatives, but talk and act more like liberals must be the recipients of our constant ridicle. It is better that they leave our ranks and declare themselves to be the liberals they truly are than allow them to dilute and poison our message. That goes double for mavericks.
4. Always remind the press whenever they are attacking a conservative for a moral lapse, that you understand why liberals are rarely investigated in the same manner. When you have no moral values to follow, you have none to break. Make it sting!
5. Conservatives must be fearless and mercilessly attack - with facts - the illogical positions liberals invariably take on the issues. Keep bringing the focus of the debate back to the fundamental issue and its violation of common sense (and usually the constitution as well). Aways attach the name of the liberal supporter(s) to these positions, for example, "The Durbin Censorship Doctrine". Never refer to it by any other name. Repetition of this theme will eventually reach and influence those who still have an open and rational mind. Liberals assume the voters are not capable of understanding the issues and require their enlightened help to make good decisions. Use their arrogance as a weapon against them. Conservatives can and do trust the voters when they are provided with unbiased facts. Make sure that voters know what liberals really think about them.
6. Because liberals start their indoctrination process on our children from the first day of school, conservatives must regain control of our schools and universities to reinstitute balance. Because this will take a long time (decades at least) in the interim, we should create a parallel education system that eliminates this liberal monopoly. Failure to vigorously challenge liberals in this area will cede our children to liberal philosophy that gets more difficult to counter as they get older.
7. Conservative principles naturally appeal to common sense, therefore it is never necessary to hide or water them down to win converts to our cause. We should never apologize for being conservatives. If we can clearly articulate conservative positions on the issues and why we believe in them, we will win converts and elections. The "big tent" approach for expanding the conservative ranks will only result in multiple disputing factions that prevent philosophical unity and sends mixed messages to the voters. As such it will fail and eventually destroy us from within.
8. Today, we must recognize that the mainstream media is the open enemy of conservatives. Therefore, we cannot trust them to report our message in an unbiased manner. In the short term, conservatives must develop and exploit alternative media avenues like the internet. We must be prepared to aggressively challenge the media on those occasions when they stoop to interview one of us. We should force them into a position of having to scrap an interview because it carries a clear coherent conservative message than allow them a "got you" moment that reflects poorly on our movement. We should not hesitate to get up and walk out on an interview that turns biased and hostile. It is better to have no coverage in the mainstream media than uniformly bad coverage. It is common for the media to pick people who they claim are "moderates" to represent the conservative position. We cannot accept this situation since it misrepresents and poisons our message. Conservatives must loudly say "they do not speak for us!" whenever this happens.
9. Conservatives must identify, promote and groom conservatives at an early age for public office. As part of this process, the conservative candidate needs to be philosophically prepared to play hardball with liberals. Conservatives should never hesitate to replace current office holders who have betrayed our trust by compromising our core principles. In a similar manner, conservatives should also be encouraged to enter fields that are currently dominated by liberals, like education, the media and entertainment industries. This will take special people who are willing to accept that their advancement may be hampered by their beliefs. We have to start now if we ever want to change these systems from within. Eventually, these fields can be pried loose from liberals as we make advances in all areas of society.
10. Liberals are not our friends, nor can they be made our friends by compromising our core principles while helping them implement their agenda. They uniformly despise conservatives and will smile at you as they stab you in the back. Since liberals rarely have any ideas worthy of serious consideration by conservatives, do not waste any time or effort to try to appease them. Liberals only respect power. Compromising with them will only confirm their belief that conservatives are weak and impotent. Therefore, we can make more inroads by giving them humiliating defeats than by trying to be pragmatic. We should cultivate their fear of us rather than seeking their respect.
11. When in power, conservatives must make the most of our opportunities to reverse the damage done to our government and institutions by liberals. It is not easy to do and faces many legislative hurdles. However, just making the effort helps define those policies that conservatives consider harmful to our prosperity. These policies must be demonized and given no respect. Needless to say, it should be clearly advertised that these policies are the failed and misbegotten offspring of liberals. Whenever possible, laws and constitutional amendments should be passed that impede future liberal administrations from reinstituting these failed policies. Finally, given the importance of the judiciary, only conservative judges (i.e. proven strict constructionists) should be nominated and appointed to the bench. Any attempt by liberals to block these appointments should cause conservatives to shutdown all legislative business (even to the point of shutting down government) until their resistance is broken.
12. Limited government must be a core value of any elected conservative. A valuable side benefit of shrinking the government to its constitutional boundaries, besides reducing its cost, is that it is less able to violate our rights and infringe in our everyday lives. Conservatives should review the powers delegated to the various federal and state entities by the constitution and rigidly restrict the government to just those powers. Any areas that have expanded beyond their legal scope should be chopped off without apology (or anesthesia). It will cause liberals pain to see this happen, but consider it tough love.
13. Gridlock can be our best friend. Our economy works best when government gets out of the way. If you do not believe in capitalism, you are living in the wrong country. When liberals are in power and trying to pass bad legislation, often the best thing conservatives can do is gum-up the works to delay or prevent the bad policies from being enacted. There is no benefit in trying to amend their legislation to make it less offensive, just work to kill it and propose a better conservative alternative. Gridlock is brinkmanship to be sure, but is almost always better than letting liberal policies be enacted without resistance. Other conservatives will understand and support your principled actions. If the liberals manage to overcome the gridlock and implement their policies anyway, they will unquestionably own them. This message of liberal ownership should be the first thing out of a conservative's mouth when speaking to the media. It requires consistent repetition until even the mainstream media cannot give political cover for the disaster liberal policies invariably cause.
14. Avoid getting sucked into the latest alarmist issue. It has become a trend for liberals to push their policies as the solution to emergencies that must be addressed quickly (i.e. without normal debate). Short of a foreign invasion, such situations are extremely rare. Conservatives must resist the temptation to act hastily since good decisions are almost impossible to make with limited information. These situations often become less threatening when the facts are examined. Unfortunately, policies developed in haste are often difficult to undo once enacted even when determined to be the wrong approach to the problem. No action is better than risky action without all of the facts. Solutions that violate or compromise our constitution must be rejected.
15. A conservative should never vote for any legislation that they have not read and completely understand. No legislation deserves our support without this minimal due diligence.
Please!
sonmanvb-
There are so many fallacies, inaccuracies, and outright lies in your post that it is hard to pick just one - so I will pick the one that made me laugh the hardest:
What "mainstream media" are you talking about? The Wall Street Journal has the highest circulation of any newspaper, Fox News is the most-watched cable news channel, and conservative voices dominate talk radio. Almost every major city has either a conservative-leaning newspaper or at minimum a conservative Op-Ed columnist.
Face it, so-called "conservatives" are part and parcel of the "mainstream media".
sonmanvb
Plagiarize much?
Thank God that our Nation is growing more as a Progressive Nation, and the conservative movement will die out.
TNSEVOL-
The one Roger Ailes, Rupert Murdoch and Rush Limbaugh invented as a marketing strategy in order to get people like sonmanvb to watch Faux sNewzzzzz.
Folks like sonmanvb STILL haven't made that connection.
Salud
The IRA is not combative the obama administration is combative. And if the main stream media thinks the IRA is combative wait until they get a load of the American People should the obama administration continue to over ride it's Constitutional authority. The IRA and the American People are doing what we always do. Living our lives and minding our own business-the obama administration brought this fight on with their typical arrogant, aggressive, vile manner. We just are not going to back down this time. If fact we are preparing to bring the fight a whole new level-Benghazi. No, we have not forgotten or fallen heros.
The IRA?
Yes, typo...thanks for catching that. I have had my second cup of coffee now. NRA but I hope goes International to take on the UN.
The American People are overwhelmngly in favor of some common-sense reforms such as universal background checks, limits on magazine sizes, and limitations on assault weapons.
The American People will do what they almost always do, ignore the radicals on both sides and demand something be done.
Neither you or the IRA/NRA can claim to speak for the "American Peple" when you ignore those facts.
One time is a "typo"!
3 times proves you're a moron, coffee or not, keyboard warrior...
HUH?
There is a distinct pattern of illiteracy forming here...
Well if someones typing is all you can come up with-I guess that is all you can come up with...good for you.
BobW, twenty little 6 and 7 year old bodies along with 6 adults riddled with assault weapon bullets in a few minutes is what finally brought gun violence outrage to the table. You whine about Benghazi which occurred in Libya yet dismiss the tragic gun-related massacres in this country as people just minding their own business. You need a dose of humanity with that first cup of coffee and a dose of intelligence with the second.
GOPers still reeling that the community organizer kicked the businessman's butt, and that GOP lost seats in both House and Senate.
But GOPers have a sliver linning, as seen in many of these posts, they have 4 more years to rant and wail...not accomplishing anything....but it makes them feel good.
BTW, that is probably 12 more years since Hilliary will be elected in 2016 & 2020.
You will not win the future by living in the past, stupid. I guess you have to live more the 16-18 years to know that though.
Alan West is out and Alan Grayson is in. Snap!
At the end of the day all the comments prove is that in order to be a Progressive you have to be stupid. Connecticut has an assault weapons ban. We have 1100 gun laws in America. Its not the law you ignorant people, its the people your policies have created. Last 5 shootings have all been in very blue Democrat controlled states.
There are so many guns it cannot be stopped. Shootings every day by depraved people. Focus on Education with degrees that mean something. Political Science pays 8.00 a hour. Focus on concealed weapons for more people to be able to defend themselves. Don't need 100 shot clips. Do background checks. Improve the economy which seems to have dropped off the radar. Get out of Afghanistan and stop the stupid Bush Cheney Wars!
Afghan is obama's war! Like this is obama's economy.
There will not be a single thing in the final "Obama gun law" that would have stopped the killings of those children. It will be more political posturing.
The obvious answer is to drop one of the excessive administrators in each school and replace her with a security officer with a gun - retired policeman or veteran. It wouldn't cost a cent and in fact would save money. Let it be public knowledge and these cowards will find some other easier target. You will note that there are armed guards at all the federal buildings and offices where these politicicans work. And there are six armed secret service assigned to the school that Obama's kids attend. Why are our kids worth less protection?
skibum -
So how did owning those assault rifles work out for the CT shooter's mom? Did they protect her or others? No - they just made it easier to kill her and others.
Watermoon-
They would have just been the first one shot. Banks with armed security guards still get robbed.
"Guns don't kill people, people with guns kill people"
The school involved in the shooting in California yesterday had an armed guard on the payroll. The shooter went anyway. Armed guards or the suggestion of armed guards did not prevent this.
The guard was not at school when the shooter attacked. The shooter was ultimately subdued by being talked down by school administrators. No weapons were used to neutralize the shooter.
No one, including liberals, believes that sensible gun, ammunition and universal background check laws will prevent every single shooting incident. What is beyond me is the mentality of those like skibum who willingly accept the deaths of twenty little first graders and six teachers (and the hundreds of others every year) as just the way it has to be. We can never prevent all gun violence but as a civilized society, we have an obligation to make it more difficult and reduce the numbers of massacres and senseless killings in this country.
The parties and their followers have gotten like spoiled children. They blame and believe that the other side is completely at fault for this mess we are in. There is no threat to gun ownership because the American public does not want there to be one. If they did it would become law and the army would pick them up as they have in other countries. I don't care how many times you go to the shooting range, join a militia or how tough you think you really are you will change your tune if an army assault team shows up. We have considered gun control before. We have amended the constitution many times and can amend it about guns if the public desires. This is a ridiculous argument. We need to try to do what is reasonable even though I don't think anything will work.
The country is toast. We have voted to leave economic ruin for our children. Obama is spending and printing money so as to buy votes and destroy the economic life of us all. Just few years ago the US dollar was worth $1.40 in Canada, At the present moment it is selling for 98.34 cents there. And it was 98.65 cents yesterday. It is falling daily! Here is an important story NBC! Why not report this one? We are indeed chumps!
I guess you think the democrats started these
two wars I mean useless wars and do you think this if free? How come you never
mention that the Bush has killed more young men than all of 911 Seems to me you
got your priorities wrong at least Obama is spending money on the American
people where you guys spent trillions on those rag heads and two bull
sh&& wars
Has anyone noticed that the only Republicans speaking are McCain who needs Grahams help to be in the discussion. No smarts in the Party. I have supported them and the Democrats. Think smart people help in the American debate but hello no one home in the Republican Party. Kids run in this arena as American sees a Void for improvement!
well, time to get our boys home...ASAP.
Obama has succeeded where Bush failed...twice (Iraq and Afghanistan), actually thrice (recession, included).
Spot On. McCain is pushing for a large contingency force to be kept there indefinitely. McCain needs to retire.
Lack of both Parties making America better. There is room to fix but neither Party will give a inch. I am still so disappointed in the lack of Smart People for the Republicans. If they had some then the debate needed in America could go forward. I know this is said all the time but McCain could have won without Palin. My god Romney, Cain, Bachman Gingrich, 9,9,9, all the Crap about the Family and Bachman and her stupid comments. Please get some smart people who can discuss a issue, McCain tries but has to have Graham at his side to give him facts. Seems senile and I don't wish this on anyone but John is unable to speak on an issue in an articulate way. Graham is the only Republican that is seen as the Party just does not have a voice. No Senator able to come forward to speak. The Democrats just blow them away, Not a fan of either Party but the Republicans need help in the Smarts Category!