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Subscribe to RSSObama’s promises kept… And promises broken… President pins the debt-ceiling responsibility on Congress… Executive recommendations on guns… Keeping track of the cabinet shuffle… Boxer backs Hagel… And a deeper look at Hagel’s “openly aggressive gay” comment.
Alex Wong / Getty Images
President Barack Obama speaks during his final news conference of his first term at the East Room of the White House Jan. 14, 2013.
*** Promises kept… : With President Obama’s second inaugural address now less than a week away, we took a look at his biggest three speeches over the past five years -- the 2007 presidential announcement speech in Springfield, IL, the 2008 convention acceptance speech in Denver, and the 2009 inaugural -- to checklist what he promised. And, by and large, he accomplished many of his big objectives. Or he mostly accomplished them. He promised ending the war in Iraq. (“America, it's time to start bringing our troops home,” he said in his ’07 announcement speech.) He promised health care reform. (“Let's be the generation that says right here, right now, that we will have universal health care in America by the end of the next president's first term,” he said in that same ’07 address.) And he promised quick action in dealing with the financial collapse of 2008. (“The state of our economy calls for action: bold and swift. And we will act not only to create new jobs but to lay a new foundation for growth,” he said in his ’09 inaugural.) Of course, there is still debate about whether his fixes will work, but the point is: He made a promise and got his vision of a fix.
Chuck takes a deep dive look into the promises President Obama made before his first term – during his campaign speeches and first inaugural address – and compares them to the things the President did accomplish in his first term.
*** … and promises broken: But he also didn’t accomplish some of his other goals -- like changing the country’s politics, a huge recurring theme in all three speeches. (“On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics,” he said in his ’09 inaugural.) Or recruiting more teachers when it turns out that about 212,000 teacher jobs have been cut between 2009 and 2011. (“Let's recruit a new army of teachers, and give them better pay and more support in exchange for more accountability,” he said in that ’07 speech.) And then there are the issues that barely got mentioned in those three big speeches, issues that ironically will make up the bulk of Obama’s second term agenda. Guns only received one mention. (“Don't tell me we can't uphold the 2nd Amendment while keeping AK-47s out of the hands of criminals,” he said in ’08 acceptance speech.) Ditto immigration. (“Passions fly on immigration, but I don't know anyone who benefits when a mother is separated from her infant child or an employer undercuts American wages by hiring illegal workers.”) And if you believe the increased burden on the government for natural disaster cleanup is related to climate change and global warming, you’ll also be disappointed. Looking back at those most important Obama speeches from ’07, ’08 and ’09, the issue BARELY got a mention. Indeed, it’s remarkable what was in those speeches and what wasn’t.
*** Pinning the debt-ceiling responsibility on Congress: It appears that the chief goal of Obama’s press conference yesterday was to pin the responsibility -- and potential blame -- on Congress for raising (or not raising) the debt ceiling. “There's one way to get around this. There's one way to deal with it. And that is for Congress to authorize me to pay for those items of spending that they have already authorized,” Obama said. And there’s also a reason why the White House decided to abandon the idea of any Plan B (like the $1 trillion platinum coin or the 14th Amendment): They will own part of the chaos if they pursue a Plan B. But by having no Plan B, the Obama White House is trying to ensure that raising the debt ceiling is all on Congress. What’s more, Obama seemed to accept that a government shutdown -- and not the debt ceiling -- is the better place to have a fiscal fight. “Well, ultimately, Congress makes the decisions about whether or not we spend money and whether or not we keep this government open… I think [a government shutdown] would be a mistake. I think it would be profoundly damaging to our economy… But they’re elected representatives, and folks put them into those positions and they’re going to have to make a decision about that.”
*** Executive recommendations on guns: Per NBC’s Frank Thorp, House Democrats were told yesterday that Vice President Joe Biden and his task force have developed 19 areas where President Obama could use executive orders to institute new gun control policy. The New York Times has more: “Actions the president could take on his own are likely to include imposing new limits on guns imported from overseas, compelling federal agencies to improve sharing of mental health records and directing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct research on gun violence, according to those briefed on the effort.”
*** The cabinet shuffle: Yesterday, we learned that Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will remain in their jobs during President Obama's second term. So to recap, here are the cabinet secretaries who are remaining:
Napolitano (DHS)
Duncan (Education)
Vilsack (Agriculture)
Holder (Justice)
Sebelius (HHS)
Shinseki (Veterans Affairs)
And here are the cabinet members leaving, plus their nominated replacements if applicable:
Clinton at State (John Kerry nominated)
Panetta at Defense (Chuck Hagel nominated)
Geithner at Treasury (Jack Lew nominated)
Solis at Labor
Jackson at EPA
*** Boxer backs Hagel: Yesterday, Sen. Barbara Boxer -- who is Jewish -- came out in support of Hagel. “After speaking extensively with Sen. Hagel by phone last week and after receiving a detailed written response to my questions late today, I will support Senator Hagel’s nomination as Secretary of Defense,” Boxer said. “First and foremost, he has pledged without reservation to support President Obama’s polices – policies that I believe have made our world safer and our alliances stronger.” More: “I asked him about a number of issues – including America’s special relationship with Israel, the threats posed by Iran to the world and the treatment of women and gay and lesbian members of our military – and his answers were reassuring and show a sensitivity and understanding of these issues. In addition, Sen. Hagel has pledged to meet with me once he has been confirmed for a more detailed discussion about the Defense Department’s efforts to combat sexual assault in the military.”
*** “Openly aggressive gay”: Yesterday, we took an in-depth look at Chuck Hagel’s controversial “Jewish lobby” remark. Today, we examine his nearly 15-year-old description of James Hormel, nominated to be ambassador to Luxembourg, as an “openly aggressive gay.” Explaining his opposition to Hormel in a 1998 interview with the Omaha World-Herald, Hagel said: “They are representing America. They are representing our lifestyle, our values, our standards. And I think it is an inhibiting factor to be gay -- openly aggressive gay like Mr. Hormel -- to do an effective job.” Later, the Omaha World-Herald noted that Hagel said “he has seen another video clip that showed Hormel at what Hagel called an anti-Catholic event in San Francisco, featuring the ‘Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence,’ a group of male drag queens.” Luxembourg is mostly Catholic.
*** Apology accepted -- but not by all: Hagel has apologized for the 1998 remarks on Hormel. "They do not reflect my views or the totality of my public record, and I apologize to Ambassador Hormel and any LGBT Americans who may question my commitment to their civil rights. I am fully supportive of ‘open service’ and committed to LGBT military families.” Hormel accepted the apology, and so did the Human Rights Campaign. "Sen. Hagel's apology and his statement of support for LGBT equality is appreciated and shows just how far as a country we have come when a conservative former senator from Nebraska can have a change of heart on LGBT issues,” the organization said. But the Log Cabin Republicans took out a full-page ad in the Washington Post hitting Hagel’s record on gay rights. “Chuck Hagel’s Apology: Too Little, Too Late,” the ad said.
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Guess we need another tax increase. These are good times if you are a Democrat.
Two things: First. Chuck Todd, you embarrassed yourself at the news conference yesterday. You are the Jay Randolph of television news. Jay was a sports announcer for many years. He was the son of a senator and an able broadcaster but rarely did he ever interject an opinion or any sports news which was of any value beyond the game he was announcing. In other words, he was adequate but lacked the ability to make the game interesting. But, in Jay's favor, he seldom embarrassed himself by repeating the same thing over and over. Second, on the issues of gun control and the debt. I'm not a political junkie but even I understand the nuances between the national debt and deficit reduction. You pay your bills first or you are considered a deadbeat and your credit rating suffers. Even if you try to negotiate better payment terms, your credit rate suffers. So, to prevent this, of course, you pay the bills already incurred and cut your future spending so that your bills aren't so high later. Also, I am a Vietnam combat vet and I have seen what guns can do; they kill people. They kill efficiently and finally. I have no problem with someone collecting guns. It's like art; let them hang in the wall or in a climate controlled safe. What I do have a problem with is some yahoo who thinks shooting a gun makes him a man and has to collect guns in order for his testosterone level to be normal. Guns are tools. They are used to kill. If someone can't find the meat they want in a store and wants to hunt, fine. I just can't see someone hunting a deer or an elk with a M-16, a Mini-14, a HK of any size or any machine pistol. If the idea is to eat the meat and not obliterate it... When someone's right to own a gun outweighs a child's right to live, I think it's time we back up and look at our own motives for what we do rather than to blindly defend the indefensible. Such selfishness and egomania.
It's a blast to hunt feral hogs with an assualt rifle. Try it you'll like it.
Nope, killing for fun rather than necessity is not my glass of beer.
Do a little research on the wild hog problem we have. It's fun and necessary.
Robert C J
It's not for fun, it's for population control & we DO clean them & eat them. They are a lot better than domestic pork. Better for you too.
Feral hogs are so prolific and dangerous there was actually a program that documented the problem called "Pig Bomb", referring to the explosive growth of these animals. They destroy crops, kill animals, and multiply like rabbits.
Also, if you watch Alaska, the Final Frontier, you'll see one of the participants hunt with an AR-15. I've heard they are good for wolf and coyote control as well. There are over 1700 coyotes in the Chicago area alone, don't think it's just an out west issue either.
Well Robert, I agreed with most of what you said ,even about the machine pistols and AR,s..I'm a gun owner and cant really see a purpose for those types of weapons being in society..however the part I didnt agree with you on,not so much disagree with you on but more along the lines of how you WORDED it was :someones right to own a gun outweighs a childs right to live..I dont think thats anywhere near a true statement, do you?
I dont think I've heard ANYONE even remotely suggest that their right to own a gun is more important than a childs life..let me ask you this..Do you think that iF they were to outlaw guns and CONFISCATE every single gun in America tomrrow that not a single life of a child from that day forward will EVER be taken again by some other weapon???..Baseball bats are perfectly legal to own, but children get beaten to death with them nearly everyday..So do we ban them next? ..Knives..Perfectly legal to own..but..People{including children} die from knife wounds everyday..Do we go after them next?
I'm not trying to in ANYWAY say that those precious little lives lost in Newtown werent IMPORTANT..I cried for weeks everytime I seen their pictures ..But.. My point is that poeple die EVERYDAY in america on our highways in car crashes..We hardly EVER see these reported except in local news..BUT..when a plane crashes and hundreds of people die, Its PLASTERED all over the news for weeks on end..Because of the simple fact that aLOT more people died at ONE time..More drama if you will..Do we Ban planes because they are more dangerous?.. Same thing when one of these school or theatre shootings occur..Because ALOT more people are killed at one time, ALOT more media coverage..But you never hear of the little girl that was gunned down by her alcoholic dad/mom at home useing that same AR that was used to kill 20 people at a school someplace now do you? Think about that for a moment..WHY is that?
Its already open season on Americans--20,000,000 illegals in America--many rapist and killers--O bama want to disarm the Americans
The house has repeatedly sent cost cutting budgets to the Senate where prince harry does not even allow them to be voted on. In the meantime it's been over 3 years since the Senate passed a budget and the 3 that barry sent to the senate were UNANIMOUSLY voted down. The truth is available to all. You just have to go somewhere that will provide it, not just a web site that cheerleads for the savior. Try being honest for a change liberals. If even just to yourselves.
Hey Democrats, Where is your Budget, Budget, Budget, Budget?????????????
ask your boner?
DaveandSher Bird
Congress has sent budgets to the Senate & Harry Man has just sat on them. Obama has sent three & couldn't get one vote. Demorat or Republican.
What does a promise mean, coming from a habitual LIAR,and Heathen ?????????
"dream on". Try to follow along here. The budget is presented by the President to the HOUSE. The current OBSTRUCTIONIST HOUSE. In turn the House revises the bill. When working as it should this is USUALLY a process were both parties compromise, with each party getting somethings they want, and somethings they are not happy with. In turn, the HOUSE submits that budget to the SENATE. The Senate does further revisons, again with compromises on BOTH sides and then sends the budget to the HOUSE for final approval.
Now, you want to know where the "Democrats BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET" is? It is being TOTALLY IGNORED by our anti-American REPUBLICANS in the HOUSE. Who have CONSISTENTLY submitted budgest to the Senate that literally TOTALLY IGNORE the Democratic side of the aisle (See Paul Ryan Budget) and instead is a conservative wet dream wish list of EVERYTHING they want. So when it gets to the DEMOCRATIC controlled Senate, they revise it or REJECT it. Now is that clear enough for you or do you need flaming letters in the sky, stick figures and a 5 year old to tutor you?
Geez I don't know "big john". Maybe you should do the following:
1. Obtain a BIG book called a dictionary.
2. Look up the definition of "heathen"
3. Have somebody with intelligence read the definition to you and use VERY small words to explain it.
4. Then use that BIG book again and look up the definition of ignorant.
5. See step 3.
More progressive abject ignorance on display. The president presents a budget to congress, both houses, and the house assigns appropriations but the entire congress is responsible for the budget. If it were only the house they would just dictate terms and we'd be done.
OUR GOVERNMENT IS NOT SET UP THAT WAY! It is set up so all sides must agree, that means liberals "my way or the highway" fails.
So who's the obstructionists? Republicans have passed a budget every year, democrats have not. It is Reid who won't even let bills come to the floor. It is Obama that says all things are on the table then turns around and takes everything off the table.
I did as you said and looked up those two words in the dictionary..Know what I found??. A picture of ObamaGod beside both words used as an example..
And they DO say that a picture is worth a thousand words..In THIS case, just TWO will do
A nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse.
Phil you are correct that the budget is presented to both the House and the Senate but I did not think I had to state the obvious. My apology for skipping it.
But there is no doubt that the HOUSE's version of the budget is, as I stated previously " a conservative wet dream wish list of EVERYTHING they want". So I will try to clarify that even more. It is EVERYTHING THEY WANT, while totally ignoring the DEMOCRATIC side of the aisle. And that includes the Democratic Party in both the House and SENATE. They ignore any revisions/compromises/requests from the Democratic Party. And because they control the House, of course the Budget is "passed" there.
So you ask "So who's the obstructionists? Republicans have passed a budget every year, democrats have not". I repeat, the "OBSTRUCTIONISTS" are the REPUBLICANS. Because the budgets they pass, then send back to the Senate are totally devoid of compromise and literally IGNORE the Democratic side of the aisle. You state it is "liberals my way or the highway" and that is an enormous CROCK. The EXACT opposite has been the case since Republicans regained the House and in fact even before then as they used a combination of blind holds and filibusters to block almost ANY legislation that the Senate tried to pass. And that includes legislation that they had PREVIOUSLY approved. Take off your blinders and read the following article: "Let’s just say it: The Republicans are the problem"
And by the way, that is just one of MANY articles and studies out there that totally negate your OPINION. So of course the budgets they submit are rejected by the Senate. As they SHOULD BE.
Blade and puglrich, thank you for making my point. No facts, just opinions. Geez what a surprise. Conservatives who display zero critical thinking skills, no research, no facts but insist that President Obama is a bad president. Whereas I will be glad to point you to one simple site to disprove your OPINIONS. Google "President Obama's Accomplishments".
Also, I am not a blind ideolouge who believes everything either this president or the Democratic (or in my case the Progressive) party says. Unlike yourselves who gleefully and quite willingly believe everything the rightwing propaganda machine throws at you.
There are MANY things I do not agree with for both this President and the so called liberals in Congress. And I have stated so on numerous occasions in this comment forum. But that is the difference here. I do something called RESEARCH. I find the facts, both negative and positive. I post those facts. End of discussion.
I know, You still have nothing!
GOP is irrelevant in addressing this nation's issues, that was proven with President Obama's re-election and Dems gaining seats in House and Senate.
Look on the bright side Repubs, you have 4 more years to rant and wail....and accomplish nothing.
Actually you have 12 more years as Hilliary will win in 2016 and 2020.
The two senate seats were liberal to start with, only temporary republican wins as a protest against Obamacare. Republican STILL overwhelmingly retained the house by a far wider margin than Obama's paltry 3%.
Dream on with more wins though. If democrats push gun control they'll lose the senate and the white house.
Hillary will be dead by then from that blood clot she got from being summond to testify on Benghazi..But IF she isnt, she doesnt scare me HALF as bad as having that FLATFACED Michelle running for president..The people in America as so GD STUPID that they will probably vote her in..
Hopefully Hillary is dead by then, she already looks like it.
Obama has done an admirable job dividing the country, and failing to lead on any issue. Leadership requires more than grand and general statements. Leadership requires real work and willingness to work with others to achieve a goal. He surrounds himself with yes men and falsely believes that his minions are representative of the country.
He is delusional to patholgy. Unfortunately, the bottom feeders see more detritus falling to their level and are thus easily satiated. As long as the brain dead masses are well fed and feel secure in its' continuing then we may very well be doomed as a nation. Try and take anything away from the might 47% and you will see the ugly beast rear its head.
Leadership focused on food stamps, expansionism of both entitlements and the size of the federal government.
Unfortunately this is Obama's view of the new Amerika.
God help us all as he leads us down the road to ruin.
My question to the president would be, how can you stand there and say you have not raised taxes on the middle class? And I am not speaking about the running out of the social security tax break, I am talking about the disconcern for the debt limit. Raising the debt limit is not as petty as Obama made it out to be in his press conference, what it is is giving the federal reserve reason and justification to print more money with out responsibility, now that money is not new money and they are not creating more wealth, it is just the dilution and debasement of the current supply of money aka inflation. Now where the new tax comes in is when the rate of inflation is greater than the rate of interest that I recieve on my savings, there fore taking value(money) from my and transfering it the government, so once again how is that not a tax on the american people?
I would also pose the same question to any other politician, not just the president, because I don't remember any politician saying they wanted to raise taxes on the middle or lower class, I thought I should add that in before I was accused of blaming the president for everything. The only reason I just based the question toward the president is because the article is based about him and he is unwilling to negotiate cuts based upon the debt ceiling.
Obamacare is the largest middle class tax hike in history. Over 75% will be paid by those making less than $120K.
All government spending is a tax on the people, my point was deficit spending is a hidden tax.
Al Gore, another fat liberal hypocrite just sold his network to Al Jazeera and the country of Qatar who are known backers of terrorist and yet not one outcry from the liberal press and the left. this is very typical of the cowards that control the left.
Why should there be an "outcry"? Al Jazeera is known throughout the WORLD, as a news network that actually reports REAL OBJECTIVE FACTS. Without the corporate censorship and dumbing down of facts that Americans seem to thrive on. You see "stopfreeloaders" the last sentence is called RESEARCH. I realize that for many conservatives the word RESEARCH is considered a profanity, but believe it or not, the word is VERY common and amongst intelligent Americans is NOT a profanity.
stopfreeloaders, YEP!
progressives for America should rename himself Liberal Socialist for America changing to take care of those who are lazy and have no desire to get a job and work
As bad as this pains me to say, I sort of AGREE with Progressive..The media in america has been OBAMACISED to the point that they cant actually REPORT the news FAIRLY in this country without putting their own brand of "political agenda" on it..When was the last time you seen a NEWs OUTLET... NBC...CBC..ABC...CNN or any other for that matter critisize Obama for ANYTHING..
The ONLY problem I have with Al Gore selling that news stating to Al Jazeera is that that blood sucking, green pushing, tree hugging,dick breath, cocksucking M O T H E R F U C K E R made a fortune off 'global warming" while the rest of us were supposed to cut back on carbon emmissions, he thought he was GOD. And I'll tell you what I REALLY think of him if you want me to..
Progressive, don't waste your enegy on these roaches. Research, and science come straight from Lucifer's domain...ask that Georgia Republican Congressman. As for Al Jazeera, I agree with you. These hicks would call Le Monde, Le Figaro, Der Spiegel or London's Telegraph extensions of the old Pravda
Stopfreeloaders, get on with it. America Crossroads, the largest Tea Party affiliate, just gave $8,000,000 donated by thousands of sheep like you to Dick Armey, just to go away from the organization. I wonder if he's giving some of it tho the new leadership as a kickback.....money drives the Tea Party and the GOP. They have not even introduced anything resembling a decent jobs bill.
lol, al jazeera is objective? You obviously have never read or watched any of their news programs. I think they're currently saying that Mossad is using their global weather device to influence the U.S. weather which is why California is so cold while the northeast is unseasonably warm.
No matter what any of you individuals say,just wait for the midterms,i am more than positive that the atmosphere will change in the government and i believe that it won't be dominated by money but by common sense.And i truly believe that all republicans are afraid it is actually going to happen,and they can't call back their reps because it is too late and the fact that they can't come up with a better choice.The only reason it is going to happen this way is because your reps and most of you repubs have been published in the news and that is what is changing on how america thinks and will continue on even in the next administration which will be democrat.It isnt our fault,remember those words when america's democrats and other americans who were'nt democrat apoligized to the world when the weasel bush was voted in?
Not happening, democrats current leg humping of the gun grabbers will likely cost them the senate as it did last time.
Take the rose colored glasses off Drsgon. Congress is irrelevent in solving this nation's problems. Get rid of them all.
Don't know about that, but it really seems to work for her! I'll have mine hot, not cooled and a little shaken
More taxes for those with jobs, less jobs for those without one, more benefits for those who don't want one that is the Obama way. Illegals in the US will get all the benefits of the state, while law abiding American gun owners will feel the wrath of the Federal justice system facing stiff sentences for mere possession of guns declared illegal by Executive Order. Obama is the first President the country has had who punishes the productive and law abiding to benefit the criminal and idle.
100% Accurate ~ Take Take and Take more is all King Obama knows
The Butcher of Benghazi will give the 49% another song and dance. I will take from the Rich and give to the poor ! The Parasites and the Media will swallow it hook line and sinker ! How about another vacation Butcher you have been working so hard. I think you deserve one . Django Unchained ! LMFAO
Total unfunded U.S. liabilities is now 122+ trillion dollars. Includes national debt, medicare/medicade , SS IOU's left by congress, pensions for government workers...
This is the real problem, the unfunded liabilities. There is almost no way to come up with the money required by either or both of taxation or spending cuts without inciting a revolt (a la Greece). Spending has to be addressed NOW or there is no hope later.
This President is the biggest joke for a president this country has ever seen ~ Very sad time for this country as the only thing he has succeeded in doing is spending faster than any of the previous 43 presidents combined and thoroughly dividing the country from those that work and earn a living and those that want to live off the government, which for you blind lazy liberals is those of us who are proud to have a job and not depend on others to take care of us ~
Politicians focus on selling their time and effort to the highest bidder...news organizations focus their time and effort to selling advertisements...the public focus their time and effort on watching the news and arguing politics...so what's the big surprise about Obama not keeping his campaign promises after he's elected...
Bingo Dee Ten! Remember Wall Street always wins.
I hear that "guns have no place in schools universities, etc and that the thougth of it is silly". I say, anywhere there may be danger, approriate steps and planning should be taken.
I hear "assault rifles should be banned". I say that assault rifles were not used in Conneticut, it was left in the car, and hand guns were used. I do not think we should abolish handguns
I hear " restrict the magazine size". I think doing this would restirct the ability of some law abidding citizens to protect themselves...good example last week, mother with twins, shot the burglar/killer who broke through several locked doors to get at them. Husband was on the phone, out of town listening to this and talking to the wife, while he was also on the phone with 911.....horrific terrifying story. She shot 6 times, hit him 5 times, and he drove away.....6 bullets were not enough.
Gun free zones clearly do not work as the criminals ignore the laws
100,000,000 more guns in the US in the last 20 years, murder and violent crime down by 50%...check the data, it is true
People say "having an armed teacher will not affect the outcome" . I believ e that the 3 teachers that ran to the gun fire at the school and 2 of them weree killed, the killer continued to fire. If they all had a pistol, and started shooting...that killer would have been dead, and the killing stopped. This logic of not being armed for safety is as convoluted as telling the Russians in WW11 to lay down their arms against the Nazis....or tell it to our Military today.
Nuff said
The thing I like most about Obama is his incredible ability to bring the people of this nation together.....
Here's to our sitting PO
TUS!!!! God help us all.So you say you'd rather default than lifting the debt ceiling....? Proceed Republicans!
The debt ceiling is Obama's issue...and as I recall he's not a republican...
Dee you seem to be a Rush Limbaugh zombie. Congress has to raise the debt ceiling, not the President.
I would like to start by saying I am not a republican, I am a libertarian. My first point and as I said earlier in this thread when you raise the debt ceiling you allow the federal reserve to "create more money" because they can loan money the does not exist, so it has to come from some where, when more money is printed wealth is not created, the money that already exists is diluted and debased aka it that is another way for the government to take money away from the people, by diluting what the people have to make more for themselves, that is the hidden tax on the people for the government to support its deficit spending "with out raising taxes".
My second point is when you give the government more ability to spend you give them more power. When the government can go and raise the debt limit when ever they want, that gives them endless power and an end ability to fund what ever programs they want aka no incentive to change.
My third point is most if not all of the wealth in this nation is based off of debt. We don't have the money to cover that debt, so it has to be liquidated or defaulted on, so that real value can flow back in. This point is a little harder to put into common talk to I will try my best. What the government is doing now is propping up the economy with debt, they are printing money to bail themselves out, it is much like paying a credit card with another credit(not smart as we all no). When the debt is liquidated private(real money) can come in and buy up what actually has value and let what is worthless be let go. I rambled a little bit in this point but I hope you can pick out the point that I was trying to get across.
I would like to add that I did not insult you as a person, nor blame either party for this problem, I blamed both.
Yhbua, you seem to be a George Schultz zombie. The president only has to pay the interest on our debt to avoid default, it is on his back.
It's refreshing to see that most intelligent Americans are seeing through this fraud that got re-elected. There are several loyal Lefturds on here that would still back him if we had a picture of Hussien screwing a goat, but overall, it looks like America is grasping the problem in Washington. Just think, we have another four years of this. Just remember America, we NEED checks & balances to keep this Dictator in check. Please make sure we have enough of them voted in during the 2014 elections.
from the fiesty red
"Sad day in America when the President is the one who has to explain to the "press" the difference between debt & deficit!"
lmfao.....sad day in america when a president cares nothing about the debt & deficit!
"Against the grain". Sad day in America when ignorant Americans like yourself are literally clueless AND revel in it.
Exactly ProgressiveFor America.
Watch this "Against the Grain" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyeJ55o3El0
Get a BASIC understanding of how our government works.. and then read Article 1 - Section 8, and tell me WHO is responsible for spending....
Progressive -
When you don't agree with someone, you call the other person ignorant...that's the expanse of your intellectual capital...that's it...just ignorant...
"Dee Ten", not correct. I simply indicate when somebody is ignorant. If you make an ignorant statement, And that statment is an OPINION not backed by FACTS, then I point out that yes you are ignorant. Because OPINIONS are not FACTS. If however, you make a valid point with FACTS I acknowledge it and have even on numerous occasions on this forum apologized for being wrong. But when somebody states "lmfao.....sad day in america when a president cares nothing about the debt & deficit!" that is DEFINITELY ignorant.
From the article and one of the many objections I have too certain platforms in the Obama administration, And that is the CORPORATE PLUTOCRACY approach to education that is being embraced by some ignorant liberals and is LOVED by many (but not all) conservatives. From the article:
Or recruiting more teachers when it turns out that about 212,000 teacher jobs have been cut between 2009 and 2011. (“Let's recruit a new army of teachers, and give them better pay and more support in exchange for more accountability,” he said in that ’07 speech.)
Yes, teachers should be held "more accountable". But that is a VERY SMALL MINORITY of teachers. The OVERWHELMING majority of teachers are EXTREMELY competent, dedicated, love their profession with a passion and do EVERYTHING they can to teach.
But President Obama sees this just like corporate America. It is all the teachers fault, because STUDENTS are coming to class hungry. STUDENTS are coming to class totally unprepared to learn. STUDENTS are coming BACK to class, with no homework complete, but with tremendous knowledge on how to use their smart phone, play their video games, "hook up" through Facebook and what is happening on whatever shows they watch on television. And PARENTS blame the schools.
While conservatives and some liberals believe that the corporate approach is best. Which of course is testing to the test, eliminating any program or course that actually teaches CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS and makes a school more than just a mindless drone of facts and figures. Believing (much like in a corporation) that EVERY STUDENT is exactly the same and thus they all must be TAUGHT exactly the same way, layoff as many teachers as you can then expect the rest to cover the gaps, pay administrators obscene salaries and then turn those administrators into corporate shills who have two main tasks: Protect their jobs and push students through the system. And the list goes on and on.
If you take a look at the countries that do well in education, they pay their teachers well AND value what they bring to their students. AND they hold the PARENTS responsible as well as the TEACHERS. They also FUND education because they are well aware that the results of that funding are students who will one day be running their nation.
I'm sorry, they probably will tell you that he never said that. Or that is not what he really meant.
The majority of teachers are NOT competent or we wouldn't be getting third world results. Funny how charter schools can run rings around public schools yet somehow it isn't the teachers. According to charter schools it IS the teachers!
Yes and in many other countries its not the bottom third of college graduates that go into teaching and they don't have teachers unions dedicated to making it impossible to get rid of bad teachers.
Here we go again VP. There are NUMEROUS studies out there that indicate that Charter Schools do not do any better than public schools and in fact sometimes do worse. By the way, those studies are non-biased and have not been debunked.
Also, the majority of teachers are VERY competent. That is the reality and again can easily be proved. Want me to bring up the facts to prove it? Nope, do your own research.