@ jo-an. i don't watch fox on there channel i usually watch it on MSNBC why'll they are spewing there

drivel. i mean seriously you believe the crap they spew ? Al Sharpton ? what a joke.

It's interesting that the comparison was between 2009 and 2013 (which just started) instead of 2008 vs 2012 (just finished).

If the comparisons were for for the actual results for Obama's first 4 years vs Bush's last year, Obama would look far worse. For example;

Total average Employment for 2008 = 136,794,000 people working

Total average Employment for 2012 = 133,363,000 people working, a net LOSS of 3,431,000 jobs

Average Unemployment Rate for 2008 = 5.80%

Average Unemployment Rate for 2012 = 8.08%

Source - Official government Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Budget Deficit for fiscal 2008 = $459 Billion.

Budget Deficit for fiscal 2012 = $1,100 Billion ($1.1 Trillion).

National Debt for fiscal 2008 = $9.986 Trillion.

National Debt for fiscal 2012 = $16.066 Trillion, an increase of $6.08 Trillion.

Federal Spending for fiscal 2008 = $2.983 Trillion.

Federal Spending for 2012 = $3.538 Trillion

Backhouse

OF COURSE WE ARE BETTER OFF !!!!!!!!!!!!

In a hundred ways...

A thousand ways.

Can you list say oh,,,,, 15 or so?

Johntho "So what you are comparing Roy, is George W. Bush's horrible record against Obama's successes."

That's right - The loss of an average of 3,431,000 jobs in Obama's first 4 years, the average Unemployment Rate going up from 5.80% in 2008 to over 8% in 2012, the Deficits more than doubling, the Debt increasing by over $6 Trillion, and an extra 13.1 million people needing Food Stamps.

If that's your idea of 'Obama's successes', I'd hate to see his 'failures'.

Rick-3416939 "The Obama failure is leadership. He simply has no clue how to bring the country together, and that could be in part because his policies are so far left, and it could be his arrogance in believing he is entitled as president. But since Obama took office we have seen him conjure up the war on women, class warfare, race warfare, and above all else partisan political politics the likes of which has never been seen in modern times. Obama simply has no ability to work across party lines"

Very true - Reagan had to work with majority Democrats in Congress, and got lots of good things done. Clinton worked with a Republican controlled Congress and got lots done (including welfare reform and Budget Surpluses). Even Bush had to work with Democrats to get NCLB and the Bush tax cuts for the 99% (that Democrats now love).

Obama is the most partisan President in recent memory, and refuses to even consider working with the Republicans on anything - witness his getting his 'tax increases on the rich', but his refusal to even talk about cutting spending.

Johntho

Roy, those are Bush failures whether you want to be honest or not, that is a fact.

They occurred during Obama's term, but they are Bush's failures? They are our failures.

Our representatives accurately represent us. It's much easier to play the blame game than it is to look for solutions.

Johntho "Roy, those are Bush failures whether you want to be honest or not, that is a fact."

Ah, yes - It's always 'Bush's Fault', isn't it?

By the way - an OPINION is not a FACT. Facts are what I posted, quoting official government sources that can be easily verified.

Beverly - Yep, Obama invited the republicans to talk, then he went out and mad a speech slamming them, and I'm sure they were really in a conciliatory mood after that.

The man is simply divisive. He thinks he can get his way by trying to pressure people through the media.

@johntho,

You are so eloquent in expressing your feelings. You hurt me, truly, you have.

@Beverly,

I get it, but obviously you don't. Also, you must not have read any of my previous posts, otherwise you'd know I'm not a right wing anything. I'm into equal hating, both parties suck. Ok, maybe not equal, I despise the left a tad bit more than the right, but only because you all are off the farm a bit further.

I'm no bush fan. He was a failure. But come on, Roy has every right to post what he want's. I mean, the guy is using facts. This just exemplifies the partisianship that is present on msnbc. Just because he's right and that pisses you off doesn't mean his voice shouldn't be heard.

moshuluu "Sorry Roy, you and your group are playing the same old tired games of "budget balance.".......Roy, you're full of yourself, I post facts also"

Posting a partisan speech by Clinton is your idea of a 'FACT'?

Thanks for the laugh.

I especially appreciated the part of Clinton's speech that said "I am going to wait now until they do their constitutional duty, which is to present a budget, which is something that has not happened," the President said, scoring his own political points even as he appealed for pre-election year gentility. "Then I am going to work with them."

I find it humorous that the Republican House has passed a Budget for each of the two years their Constitutional Duty they have been in control (their constitutional duty) but the Democratic Senate has not passed a timely Budget in over 4 years - Harry Reid continues to stall. I guess 'constitutional duties' only apply to the Republicans.

Jason797 "Everyone ignore Roy,"

I guess that's the liberal version of 'Free Speech".

lol

Everyone has a right to post their opinions. Everyone's got an @!$%# too right? If you don't like it do not read it. Simply because another's opinions does not suit your outlook doesn't not give anyone the right to bash nor bully. Is this truly grade school? Regardless, the talking points from EVERYONE are skewed in some way. Every media outlet is slanted in one fashion or another. Thus, you read it with a grain of salt and keep searching for your own information.

Have a nice day. *smiles*

You right everyone has there opinion, I choose to ignore some of those opinions. And that is my right.

Sarah - News flash, disagreeing with Obama's policies doesn't make anyone a racist. Folks had political disagreements long before 2008. Now when someone disagrees, because the President is part black, the race card comes out to stifle the people who disagree.

This thread has taught me several things. Libs will take stark facts about their failures and somehow be proud about them. Libs will call everybody and anybody who disagrees with them a racist, generally using racist comments (ie, they're racist). Johntho is a barely literate, mathematically incompetentant, socially retarded example of what I've just said. When you see facts cited from the GOVERNMENT, the one you so very much support, and call it BS, you just prove your own delusion.

Comparisons were carefully chosen as many were omitted. Also, there are comparisons that aren't always represented by numbers like arrogance, demeanor, negotiate, compromise, division, likable, trust to name a few.

His largest gain from 2009 to present is the support by the liberal media in their slanted and partisan reporting which has misled many low information people to be misinformed.

Sarah-3043284

Truth is no one cares about race, its just the libs use that when they have nothing else to go on.

The article addresses (primarily) the absolute numbers rather than rates. That is a big problem in this comparison. Obama inherited an economy that was in decline. From January 2009 over the next few months, we saw an incredible 5 million jobs lost, the DJIA sank to 6600, and unemployment rose to 10.2%. The worse year (by many indicators) of the recession was 2009.

Today, the trends show clear improvement. We'll have made 3.3 million jobs over the last two years, the DJIA has risen to 13,570 as of now, and unemployment is falling steadily at 0.8% per year.

An honest assessment of things is this -- we had a really deep, absolutely horrible recession (go back to 2008 and read how people wondered if this would be a second great depression). Obama inherited the economy as its worst collapsing rate (the very worst job losses were that month of January). It took a full year to bottom out. Since the end of 2009, we have had sterling, stunning, wonderful improvement by any measure (including the best two years in stock market history). And today we are on a path of improvement in virtually all indicators.

An honest assessment along those lines concludes that America is great at recoveries, and Obama has done a fine job.

Sarah,

There has been racism around as long as there has been people of different colors. My point is that during my life time (qualifier there) he has done more to bring racism out (in a bad way) than any other president (during my life time). I'll admit that part of it is not by any personal doing of his. Just the fact that he isn't white has caused negative racism. Good example is the fact that I didn't vote for him in 2012, I've been called racist for that. Never mind the fact that I DID vote for him in 2008. Also never mind the fact that I fully admitted that I voted for bush his first term, and didn't the second for the same reason as my 2012 vote, I didn't like where either president was taking the country. But despite stating that, I'm still called a racist for not voting for him.

He has supported racism by his Trayvon comment, but he couldn't make a comment about all the racist tweets both during the zimmerman incident or the 2012 election. All he would've had to say is that we're above that, and it shouldn't be about race. By both his comments, and his silence, he has caused a large race rift in this country.

Admittedly, maybe it's a good thing. The rift has probably always been there, and he has brought it out into the open. But I will say, there is far more racism from the liberal party and minorities than what I've seen from independents and the right. I'm not talking racism from the kkk or gangs, I'm talking among the average citizen.

These boards are a fine example. How many racist comments have you seen by the right compared to the left calling people racist (both are racism). The left is far guiltier.

Personally, I work with people from all races and could really give a @!$%# what color you are. We all bleed red.

So, by Obama's campaign promise to "cut the national debt in half" we should only be about $5 trillion in the hole by now, not $16 trillion. By this fact alone he is a failure. BTW, spare me the B.S., I don't have a problem with a black president, I only have a problem with the fact that he doesn't care how deeply this country goes into debt. Because I personally, cannot do well if the country is falling apart economically. (Also, I have always felt that GW's second term was a failure as well.)

Toxic Chemist -- Obama never promised to "cut the national debt in half." Misinformation like this is the only way that people can conclude that Obama is doing a poor job. See post 1.48.

Incidentally, what really matters is national debt as %GDP. We reduced national debt as %GDP from 117% to 36% over the years 1945 to 1980 without once balancing the budget. How? Because if GDP goes up more than debt, the debt fraction goes down.

In 2008/2009, the last year on Bush's budget, the national debt rose 14% of GDP. This year it will rise about 3%. By 2014, it will start shrinking again. From investors.com:

U.S. Deficit Shrinking At Fastest Pace Since WWII, Before Fiscal Cliff

Believe it or not, the federal deficit has fallen faster over the past three years than it has in any such stretch since demobilization from World War II...

military spending is now on the decline due to fewer troops in Iraq and Afghanistan; Medicare costs rose 3% last year vs. the average 7% growth in recent years; and after the last year's Budget Control Act, excluding the automatic cuts set to take effect in January, nondefense discretionary spending is already on a path to shrink to 2.7% of GDP, well below the 3.9% average

Sarah-3043284 says "I love when people blame Obama for bringing out the "racism" and "dividing us". News flash, those people didn't wake up in 2008 and decide to be racists. THEY ALREADY WERE."

The reason there appears to be so much racism in this country is that liberals redefined the meaning of the word to anyone that does not agree with President Obama. Same if you didn't vote for Obama you are a racist. Liberals have thrown racism charges around to the point it has incited the country. Much like a peaceful demonstration turning into a rioting angry mob. All that was needed was someone to light the fuse. Liberals have used the words racist and racism in an effort to instill a fear if you do not conform. Psychology teaches that you can talk people into almost anything, especially when they have heard it often enough to starting believing it to be true. We are seeing a time of division in this country, not because it should exist, but because it is a strategy for winning.

paddywack - you demonstrate the often repeated statement that conservatives are rotten at comedy. There is some conservative gene that just gets in the way of cleverness. How else do we explain Dennis Miller?

to all: Please see post 1.48. And consider the quality of conservative posts, such as 1.53 or any number of others on this thread.

The simple fact is that conservatism has degraded. The hate message of Limbaugh and friends have rotted the core of the conservative soul. Good people, smart people, have left the conservative movement, and all we have left on the right are name callers and the factually-challenged. Conservatism means believers in 6000 year-old earth, intelligent design, tax cuts reduce the deficit, the greatest threat to humanity is Islam, Obama promised to cut the national debt in half, and a host of ridiculous and mean-spirited stuff.

So with such a pathetic leadership role and now forever known as the president with the WORST economic recovery in U.S. history how can there be so many uninformed and unintelligent people that REELECTED this failure?!?!?

"Today I'm pledging to cut the deficit in half by the end of my first term in office. This will not be easy. It will require us to make difficult decisions and face challenges we've long neglected. But I refuse to leave our children with a debt they cannot repay - and that means taking the responsibility right now, in this administration, for getting our spending under control" - President Obama

With President Barack Obama beginning his second term less than a week from now, there are plenty of numbers suggesting that the country is on more solid footing than it was when he first took office on Jan. 20, 2009

What a bunch of BS distortion this statement is. Anybody with any brain knows that statistics are garbage and can be manipulated to "support" anything you want.

Bottom line, Dumbama's first four years were a catastrophe and so will be the second set of this nonsense he is trying to get America into.

Johntho, led us to recovery? Median income down by $2,000, 3 million more people living in poverty, 6 trillion more in debt, and unemployment the same. That's recovery?

Pro,

Plus you have to add the money that spent that year from TARP and was paid back in later years thereby reducing his deficit. AIG has paid back $220 Billion, plus Chrysler, GM and all of the banks yet the deficit has not been reduced by much each year.

TO: Disgusted Tampa mom who wrote:

"... The president does not care to unite American people on any common ground..."

The only person I've seen "reach out" to the President is John "Crybaby" Boehner, who immediately got his butt kicked by Eric Cantor as soon as Boehner got back to Congress after leaving the White House meeting with the President.

I haven't seen any effort on the part of Republicans to "unite" at all, quite the contrary. All I heard from Republicans is constant hate speech and repeated mantras of failure. As it turns out, Republicans are the biggest failures in the world.

Republicans want to take over, and want the American People to take their crap, while Republicans steal our money.

Well, we answered that by keeping as many Republicans out of office as possible, and denying Republicans the White House.

Remind me again, exactly WHAT was the Republicans' symbol of an "Olive Branch"?

American Girl,

First the Democrats have controlled 2/3rd of the government for the last 6 years, at some point they have to be responsible for something.

If you recal.l when the President came in he wrote a stimulus plan that had bi-partisan support, and when he took it to Congress Sen. Reid and Rep. Pelosi said "no we won" and they rewrote it. I do not think "We won" is reaching out. Do you remember "We are driving the car and the Republicans can get in the back when we come out of the ditch", or one that is perfect for the times now "If they want to bring a knife to the fight we will bring a gun".

The President did not meet with Sen McConnell for his first 18 months in office, so again I hear all of this reaching out but the history says it was not there.

On the matter that the Republicans wanted him to be a one term President, they took George Bush to Supreme Court so he wouldn't be President and at the beginning said he was not the legitimate President and many Democrats refused to work with him. The Clinton staff removed all of the W's from the keyboards when they left. I also recall they did run a candidate in 2004 because their goal was to make Bush a one term President.

First off, it should be no secret Obama did, in fact, promise to cut the deficit in half during his first term. We’ve confirmed that before, rating that very claim by Republican Party of Florida chairman Lenny Curry quite True.

Noncoms, From Politifact.

www.politifact.com/.../obama-national-debt-held-accountable-one-ter...

I see a country that is so mixed up we can't find our way under this President. I still see an economy that is slow. The only reasons for lower unemployment are atrision ( people dying, retiring or giving up looking) not job creation. I see gas prices rising and because of that food and other needs are increasing because of transportation costs. I spend fully 15% of my net pay for fuel to get to and from work. I see more of my friends struggling every day. I know next yeal the NOT SO Affordable healthcare act Obama got passed crookedly will take us down another economic crisis but because our economy is still so weak we most likely will go into Deep Depression. I see a President that has caused us all to argue aomounst ourselves and can't form a realistic path for us to follow. He speaks of a plan but as of today I still have not read this plan. He speaks of balance but to him that means tax the wealthiest and then spend more so no gain is achieved. I see a man who seems to think we can spend our way out of debt. Who speaks very smoothly but says nothing. I have lived through many Presidents policies . Eisenhoer was the first i recall. I have seen the good and bad of them. None were perfect. Clinton benefited from the tech boom but threw that away with free trade agreements that took those jobs and more during the Bush II years. Regan thought since he lived so long and felt so good at 80 that everyone should work that long. Of course he had alztimers and didn't even know he was losing his mind. nixon had his good and bad as well as every other President ever to hold office. President obama in my opinion will be remembered for two things. He will be compared to Jimmy Carter on terms of accomplishments and be noted as the President that inposed the largest tax increas in American history that caused this country to fail economically.

ABSOLUTELY NOT. This country is NOT better off than it was 4 years ago.

More people are out of work = more people dependent upon the government. Maybe that means success to some but not to me.

If you are not part of the middle class you very well may be better off. Obama speaks too the middle class for votes but has helped through his actions to bring the middle class down and he benefits from it. How does a senator from Chicogo suddenly become ( in his own words) one of the 2%ers if he is not helping them to prosper ? My income had dropped and my purchasing power is lower in the course of the last 4 years.Those who control my wage and expenses have gained. So yes perhaps the upper 2% like you Famousamos are better off at the expense of the middle class. This is obamas legacy. Class division. He experesses his concern for the poor and middle income families but only the wealthy have benefited.

anyone else notice,less democrats in office,less democratic govs. if we're really better off,that is a CLUE people. less dems=more progress.that is why spending is down,i know MY republican gov. has shaved alot of spending,i guess THAT'S what those dems mean when they say that "spending is down",NOW look at the reason. wish the dems in the senate would DO SOMETHING!

One you can't use the figures, they compaire first quarter with 3 quarter. (they should have waited to get fisrt quarter figures for Gross domestic income. Second with all the inflations (prices have more then doubled on most products, food, gas, etc.) so the Stock market should have at least doubled, just to maintain that 8,000 level. If we had any real growth it would be over 17,000 now. The unemployment (7.8) doesn't include all the millions that just quit looking. A more accurate reading would have been to use the total number of unemployeed. If you have a hundred people and you have 7 out of work then you say 7% unemployeed,you don't count the 20 that quit looking, but if you have 100 people and 7 are out of work but 20 just quit looking then you really have 27% unemployeed. The last budget inclueded the bush bank bailouts, (which were paid back) but credited to Obama's deficet numbers. Obama's bailouts like to GM have not. You have to look at the results they show and dig deeper to get the answers. Just look at all the people digging into thier 401K's if they have one. We are using credit card money to spend, and sooner then later that bill will come due, then we will not beable to hide behind this problem.

It's too damn late to be asking this question! You can not say what Federal budget spending is, they don't have one. You cant say what the spending is either, they have no budget. Where was the DOW Jones before the "great Depression"? With Obama we are SCREWED!

Are we better off despite reublicons pledging to their King Norquist never to raise taxes on the Rich?....YES.

Are we better off after republicons pledged to vote against America, vote against every bill that would help America recover from the rich who destroyed the economy to get richer at any cost?...YES......

Are we better off after the republicons pledged to vote against any bill that would make president Obama appear to be doing good, just so they could try and make him a one term president?....YES!

Are we better off after republicons have been caught gerrymandering and rigging the elections with voter suppression laws, and being caught committing voter fraud just to win the elections?....YES.

Are we better off after the 2% rich republicons tried buying the elections with their money and super pacs and corporations are people law......?....YES!

Are we better off after President Obama got us out of the fake reason to war with Iraq republicons created for war profits.....?....YES!

Despite the repubicons trying to destroy America for the profits to go to the greedy rich...WE THE PEOPLE have spoken. We are better off and will continue as long as we elect Democrats who will protect AMERICA!

Republicons drove the economy off the road and crashed it, then when democrats pull the dammned economy out of the ditch, the republicons try to keep it in the ditch, close all the body shops to prevent the economy from being fixed back to new, then piss and moan about the dents they caused aren't fixed or fixed fast enough........DOHHHH!

REPUBLICONS...the kings and queens of creating the most filibusters ever ...just to keep AMERICA in fail mode to blame president Obama, hoping to make him a one term president. All that money and effort just to make America fail.......the joke is on you republicons...you failed to take America down for the greedy rich.....What do republicons offer to help the economy...?....raise eligibility to 70 for people going on Social Security......while they want to lower or do away with any taxes for the 2% greedy rich..........DOH!

starsailing,you'll have to thank our friend BILL CLINTON,for setting up this financial disaster. i won't go into specifics,if you have the will,look it up.

what everyone is forgetting, and political parties try to avoid mentioning) is the unemployment rates are soley based on the numbers of people who are CURRENTLY drawing unemployment. it does not factor in those who's unemployment has run dry (and yes, i fortunately have a job in a job-dead market)

obama has been to my city on 3 occasions because we were hit hardest in the nation by the job-loss rates from companies folding from the recession(elkhart, indiana). he came here once before he was elected and twice since, all 3 times promising 'working to get jobs to the city'. on his first visit, unemployment was at 14.9%, his second visit came when we reached 24.2% on his third visit, which came after that first 14.9%'s unemployment ran dry, we were still over 21% unemployment(of those still drawing on it).

a recent poll of our city shown that while the 'official' rate for those currently drawing unemployment are around 9%, those still without jobs after all this time has a rate of nearly 33% of working age citizens unable to find work, all of which are recieving some form of government assistance or another (food stamps, TANF or both).

so you must forgive me if i take any 'official' unemployment rate posted on behalf of any government body with a grain of salt... they only present you with part of the facts and leave out the gory details just so they can look good.

with fear of retalation from all these fools here, I refuse to answer the question.

In addition to the failure of his policies to create the conditions needed for an economic recovery, I think President Obama's biggest failure has been the divisive nature of his Presidency.

It isn't Obama talking about the 47% or making people believe the unemployed or elderly getting benefits as handouts as the problem. Maybe if those on the right would look at the meaning of divisiveness in the dictionary they'd be aware of which party practices it.

WOW! This Johntho and starsailing must be a Kool-aid Distributors....Maybe they are related to Obama or something....JohnthOBAMA.....Be careful, You might make a mess in your shorts thinking about the President.

Maybe Johntho and starsailing work for MSNBC.

And Further reports by MSNBC..." Any failures in the Obama administration can be attributed to Assault Rifles in America"

Rushing-rushing-rushing this morning! Forget statistics. WE'RE BETTER OFF! (and were 4 years ago, too) just by being out of a CERTAIN REPUBLICAN 8 YEAR EON! We're out! Now we just have to STAY OUT!!! LET FREEDOM (and CILIL RIGHTS!) RING!!! and RING TRUE!!!

HAPPY MLK DAY!!! GO RAVENS!!!!!!!!!

President Obama has done an almost perfect job of continuing President Bush's policies.

What exactly has Obama done?

Kinda funny how the libbies keep blaming Bush!! oblamo is the worst pres this country has ever had and he keeps getting worse. He will spend the next 4 yrs trying to take our guns rather than trying to accomplish anything.

I see the Liberal MSN is looking at the glass "half-full" to say the least. Forget about Bush, for get about race, forget about partisanship... This country IS more divided, far more in debt, fewer people working, more people on welfare, etc., etc. One has the blinders on if he thinks we are better off.

Letusreason,

You got that right and it's calculated.

itiswhat!t!s- nothing good that I can think of,but course and I will state the obvious, that most of the people here will disagree with me.

starsailing

Republicons drove the economy off the road

Then Obama got in the drivers seat backup 100 yards and floored it. Now we are airborn headed for the bottom of the canyon, but the windows are blacked-out so we haven't figured out that we're hurdling towards the bottom. I think we have about 2-3 years before we hit the bottom. Hopefully the airbags work and we survive.

noncons - Direct quote from PBO at the Fiscal Responsibility Summit

“Today I’m pledging to cut the deficit we inherited by half by the end of my first term in office.

…I refuse to leave our children with a debt that they cannot repay, and that means taking responsibility right now, in this administration, for getting our spending under control.”

Here is the you tube link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaQUU2ZL6D8

So all the measures above except for maybe troops in Iraq and number of uninsured is by far worse and the democrats are insisting we are "on the path to recovery"> What a joke! You zealots lose any credibility what so ever! You remind me of "chemical Ali" who kept claiming victory over allied forces even as the Americans were at his door about to arrest him. Every measure except the stock market is worse. That was the fed pouring money into the market and not Obama. If you want to regain those seats back stop lying to yourselves and start owning up. Start being objective and rational. Johntho, American girl. Everybody knows you are paid trolls. You are making the democratic party look bad. I wouldn't be surprised if you were Republicans trying to make democrats look bad. That stats above are horrible. We would be railing on any Republican candidate with those stats and everybody knows it. Stop making the democrats look like a "the party of denial". Get realistic people.

Mystery Rhee, so ignore truth and propagate a lie? Living a lie makes us better off? Civil rights were destroyed when Obama assassinated a 16 year old boy. He was a US citizen and never charged with a crime. He continued the illegal wire tapping, the Patriot Act, NDAA... What the hell are you talking about??? Are you kidding me?

Plus you have to add the money that spent that year from TARP and was paid back in later years thereby reducing his deficit. AIG has paid back $220 Billion, plus Chrysler, GM and all of the banks yet the deficit has not been reduced by much each year.

Wrong: The bailouts were a smokescreen for the real bailout. Allowing banks and financial institutions unlimited free money from the fed they could then loan out to make massive profits. They paid these loans back with our money and then resumed big CEO paydays. Apparently this slight of hand fooled the simple minded but many of us know better.

JK - of all the comments I have read yours has been the most accurate! and obviously noncons has been been the biggest lie.

Here is how I define if we are better off today than yesterday as a country. Are there more people relying on government to make ends meet. And the fact is that number continues to go up, which means we are not better off.

Americans receiving food stamps

Then: 33.5 million (average for 2009)

Now: 46.6 million (average for 2012)

LOLOLOL Leftovers measure for doing better is how many people are receiving food stamps? LOLOL

Americans living below the poverty level

Then: 43.6 million (Census data for 2009)

Now: 46.2 million (Census data for 2011)

Ahhh... now here's the quandary, if fewer people are below the poverty level, then why are we providing more food stamps today? I thought food stamps were intended for those in need like those living in poverty? Is this a sign of more government waste? I think so.

Alright Liberals, you keep referring to the mess Obama was left with in 2009. Have you done research on the cause of this MESS? The cause was the housing bubble collapse. What caused the housing market collapse? It was caused by flawed lending practices. You cant really blame the republicans for that, can you? You should also consider when Bush took office in 2000. Clintons success was rooted in the .com bubble. That brought trillions into the treasury and made Clinton look successful. That bubble busted in Clintons last year in office, bringing with it job losses. Bush instituted tax cuts, which increased revenues five fold. The problem with you liberals is that you are always right.

But if you understand that the fiscal year is not Jan-Dec but actually Oct-Sept you will realize that BOTH the TARP and Stimulus actually was credited to the Bush Administration. But the NEXT year (Obama's first year) the spending should have reduced BACK to the original budget. But Obama didn't (and STILL hasn't) had a budget

Probusiness. So despite previous posts you realise Obama wasn't the author of the 2009 budget with a 1.2 trillion deficit that was Bushs. So you aren't ignorant simply deceitful to push your agenda. Just FYI the economy lost 11 trillion in net worth and therefore 500 billion a year in revenue in the 2008 meltdown. To fund the government at the same level Bush did in 2008 Obama would have had to cut spending 500 billion a year. Only a fool would support those kinds of cuts in an economy in meltdown.

Americans receiving food stamps

Dude: Sorry but hard to blame Obama for Bushs dumping millions on the unemployment roles his last six months which end up on food stamps. Bush added almost 15 million to the food stamp roles with his 2002 farm bill which doubled the people eligible including making illegal aliens eligible. Didn't know that? Google food stamps 2002 farm bill. Find out who is truly responsible for the massive numbers using them.

Starsailing...you make no sense. Bill Clinton signed away the provisions of the Glass Steagal act that let the banks gamble with their clients money. He had a Republican congress. He also strengthened the CRA that literally forced banks to make bad loans or else they lose their FDIC insurance. Own up democrats! It's the only way to get the party back! People know this so when you start pointing fingers you make the party look bad. You look foolish. Obama continued everything that Bush junior did. So Republicans, what are YOU talking about? Democrats, you attack Bush's policies and yet Obama simply continued them. Wake up people! You are being played!

The nation seems to be far more polarized now than under any previous President

Here's the deal: Words like "polarizing" and "divisive" when used by right-wingers to describe PRESIDENT Obama, are their way of saying that he has infuriated them by winning without their votes, and despite their best efforts to malign him.

*Note: Numerous new "voter laws" were inacted in the few months leading up to the 2012 election, the overwhelming majority aimed at decreasing turnout among traditionally democratic voting blocks.

Here's the deal: PRESIDENT Obama won the 2012 election by handing Mittens his ass in a handbasket among younger voters (ages 18-44/ 46% of the electorate), unmarried voters (61%), women (55%), African Americans (93%), Hispanics (71%), LGBTs (77%), and people with common sense (). Sounds more like a COALITION candidate than a polarizer to me.

*Note: The GOP traditionally had sought to win elections by appealing mainly to white male conservatives, figuring that low voter turnout amongst the seemingly disenfranchised would work in their favor, they never bothered to launch any real strategic plans to make inroads into the African American, Hispanic, and LGBT communities. The ever-changing landscape of the American electorate has now caused them to re-think this approach. In summary, look for local GOPee candidates to start showing up at women's rights rallies, Cinco de Mayo festivities, and Gay Pride parades as they attempt to become more "American".

The most humorous fact that I found was this: among married women, PRESIDENT Obama was favored by 46%, among married men, he was favored by only 38%. This means that 8% of married men couldn't even convince their poor wives (who are forced to listen to the idiotic reasonings of their GOPee husbands' misguided rants on a regular basis) to go along with Mittens. Maybe that's the real "divisive" and "polarizing" effect of PRESIDENT Obama; the fact that he has given women a voice, the fact that some women who are married to conservatives are beginning to see the hypocrisy of their husbands' stance on issues such as abortion. Not clear? Well GOPee supporters are notorious for their stance against "big government". "We don't want the government telling us..." this, "we don't want the governmment telling us..." that about our guns, pollution, stem cells, health care, love of NASCAR etc HOWEVER "we don't mind the government telling women..." this and "we don't mind the government telling women..." that about their own darn bodies.

I'd love to stay here and debate the statistics all day long, but to be honest, I'd rather watch the inauguration ceremony.

There's an old expression to the effect that "It's a Recession,if your neighbor is out of work....It's a Depression if you are out of work"

The Nation, and much of the Western World were heading into a deep depression in the last years of the Bush Regime....Obama,has actually ONLY been President for 4 years, as of today !

It took Franklin D. Roosevelt 8 years to get the USA out of the Depression of 1929...The Republicans then, in 1929 just sat on the destroyed economy,for 5 years until Roosevelt took over and rolled up his sleeves.

Roosevelt didn't have two active Wars to deal with, as Obama did...Roosevelt had the support of the Senate and the House as the American people were fed up with the Republicans back then....clearly, Americans are still fed up with Republicans, whose party is fractured.

Thanks to gerrymandering, the Republicans were only able to eke out a majority in the house....by popular vote, Democratic congressman won one million more votes than did all Republican congressman in this election past. I think the GOP is falling apart,and will fracture into two smaller parties within the next 15 months. There will be a moderate GOP Party, and then there will be a fascist breakaway group led by Kantor and Ryan.

It's sad that you libs have no understanding about economics. I know it's not a required course for you types, so I'll let you in on something. NOTHING The Obama did had ANY positive effect on the economy. Any positive change in the economy was NATURAL and would have occurred if he didn't exist. If you knew how an economy worked you would not look so ignorant, what he did do was stagnate the natural recovery. With an average IQ of 100 or less it's no wonder you morons fall for the propaganda, you can't help it. Trying to bring you people to understanding how reality works is like talking louder to someone who doesn't speak English (like a majority of Obama voters, Ebonics is not English it's the language of 3 year-old's) You don't get it and you never will, you would rather run like a herd of prey animals continually voting stupid and expecting some different beyond failure. And just to let you in on something, it's recorded history that Barney Frank (D) and Chris Dodd (D) are directly responsible for what happened to our economy and if you can't see that you are either stupid, just plain ignorant or outright lying to yourselves. Just what the Dems want in voters, good for you living down to their expectations. Enjoy your morning propaganda from the Ministry of Truth, you have 4 more years to go.

Better scores than Bush, but could be better if we had more cooperation to get done what the country wants done. And anyone who thinks the country is the most divided now than it has ever been did not live through the Vietnam years which was much worse. We all want growth, prosperity, and that our citizens are taken care of. Stop fighting this president so hard and we will get there.

We're definitely not better off than we were four (4) years ago, and statistics don't always tell the whole story.

In addition to the economic woes that still beset our country, we've had two (2) terrorist attacks on American citizens overseas by forces associated with the Al Qaeda terrorist network in the last four (4) months. One of which Obama lied, denied, and DID NOTHING about, the other of which just occurred n Algiers.

The latter of the two received little, if any, media coverage, of course. Because, the main stream media doesn't want anything to overshadow King Hussein's second coronation.

Aside from that, and going by NBC's (alleged) statistics; we're a hell of a lot worse off than we were before this oBOZO took office. We have 13.1 million more Americans receiving food stamps since he took over; 400,000 FEWER Americans have health insurance than BEFORE his healthcare reform package became law; 2.6 MORE Americans are living below the poverty line than BEFORE he took office, and median family incomes have gone DOWN $2,141.00 a year from where they were BEFORE he took over the White House.

It's hard to make people see how bad things are, and how worse off we are with this quick-talking-used-car-salesman in office, when the main stream media refuses to tell the American people the truth.

So, as the old axiom goes; "You get the leadership you deserve" in this country. Things will have to go completely into the toilet before anyone realizes (or admits) that "the emperor's new clothes" are threadbare, and that he is naked in the light of his own failures.

Have a wonderful day today all you Obozo worshipers. Have fun watching the country destroyed, and dismantled one little bit at a time. And if by chance, you become affected by the economic woes that have befallen so many, take heart.

For, it is YOU who voted for the contuance of this crap.

True reason of stock market failing in 2008

Jun 03, 2008 · Sen. Barack Obama
achieved the 2,118 needed to clinch the Democratic nomination
for president

June 5 2008 dow closed
12652.81 The dow started
falling the next day

June 6 2008 dow closed
12602.41 - 50 points

June 7 2008 dow closed
12406.74 - 196 points

Which then fell at a steady pace till mid october with a
plunge and then a final plunge just days after the election of obama

Nov 21 2008 dow closed
8071.75

Happenstance or maybe investors knew what was coming
with the candidate with no experience but community stirrer upper

Come preach that BS in California or 1 of the several other broken states that democratic policies have sucked us all down a trench we will never exit from. The poverty and work situation where i am at is completely disgusting. All the unemployment #'s are so fixed and reflect nothing. When a person is done collecting their unemployment benefits it just drops them out of the poll. Oh yeah jobs are great now thats why my McDonalds gets 350 applicants a month

Shar - "Better scores than Bush, but could be better if we had more cooperation to get done what the country wants done."

You mean like Obamacare that most people didn't want done?

I know I'm not better off...but I don't blame the President...things started to go South under Bush, that's when I felt it...top it off with obstruction from GOP in congress and, at least in my state, a Republican governor from Koch, um I mean hell...

I don't think it's Obama at all, but today, I wonder if we can ever fully recover from the mess "W" left us in.

(Oh but the stock market is up...so some people are obvioulsy doing VERY WELL)

OBAMA CREATES A POLICE STATE, EVERYBODY NEEDS TO WATCH THIS VIDEO. THIS IS A MUST WATCH!

Rampant INjustice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFALonjLay0

Larry-367607

Dude: Sorry but hard to blame Obama for Bushs dumping millions on the unemployment roles his last six months which end up on food stamps.

I didn't blame Obama. In fact, Obama wasn't even mentioned in my post. Funny you blame Bush when the Democrats had both the House and the Senate sewed up from 2006 until 2010.

Bush added almost 15 million to the food stamp roles with his 2002 farm bill which doubled the people eligible including making illegal aliens eligible. Didn't know that? Google food stamps 2002 farm bill. Find out who is truly responsible for the massive numbers using them.

You do realize that our government has been operating on the 2008 food stamp bill that was passed by an ALL Democrat Congress, VETO'd by Bush, then over-ridden by the Democratically controlled Congress making it law right? The "massive" numbers happened AFTER the 2008 farm bill had been passed into law. So your unfounded claims that the "massive" increase was caused by the 2002 farm bill is just that, unfounded. In fact, it is clear Bush was against the democratically written and passed 2008 farm bill.

The 2008 farm bill originally caused controversy because the "pay-as-you-go" (Clause 10 of Rule XXI of the Rules of the United States House of Representatives) rule was waived. That rule prohibits the consideration of bills that increase the deficit in either a six-year period or an eleven-year period.

Gee, I guess we know which party wants to over spend!

Obama is/was not divisive??? Time to wake up all you liberal Rip Van Winkle's. He's the guy who campaigned for over a year pitting the rich (>$250K) against the poor, those with health insurance against those without, those with jobs against those that don't have one, union workers against independent workers, those who believe in the 2nd amendment against those who donn't, paid bloggers (aka Fiesty, Beverly, et. al.) against people with rational individual thoughts, etc., etc., etc. I could go on and on. This President divided the country against itself and now wants all of us to come together? Ever hear of the term "you made your bed, now sleep in it?". Well, time for Obama to live with the consequences of the most divided electorate, which he created, in history (includingthe Civil War era).

Oblamer is the UNION side of the failure. Just like the Unions OBLAMER thinks he can FORCE people to do what he wants. He has NOT actual power, he is just the UNIONS pawn. Why else would he give part of GM to the UNION. UNION THUGS ARE JUST THAT UNION THUGS, Nowwe have one in the White House. Time has come to rid this country of these types and vote them out.

Time to get this country back to beign a GREAT nation. Time to use the FORCE to FORCE people out of there houses and back to work instead of living off the GOVERNMENT.

Are we better off? Let's see: more people out of work, a "reformed" healthcare system that the people don't want, a higher deficit, more people receiving "entitlements", Obummer still doesn't support the Constitution and would like to do away with it, families losing their homes. If you're receiving "entitlements", yes, you're better off. As far as the stats that say we are on more sound footing, there is a saying "figures don't lie; but, liars can figure." One positive thing about the upcoming second term: He can say he inherited this mess from the president we've had for the last four years.

Why is it these DEMORAT PIGS seem to think they should NOT endure the same problems as the rest of America. I had to take a cut in pay because OBAMA had to SUE citibank to give out loans for those that could NOT afford one. Look up Obama VS Citibank. That is HOW the Financial and Housing CRISIS started.

When are you GOVERNMENT workers going to take the 20% cut in pay like a lot of the rest of us Americans had to. You just keep SPENDING LIKE IT FREE. Someday it will have to be paid for.

Time to get these PIGS to cut the SPENDING!

HELL no we are NOT better off, we are digging the hole deeper is all these PIGS are doing.

You do realize that our government has been operating on the 2008 food stamp bill that was passed by an ALL Democrat Congress, VETO'd by Bush, then over-ridden by the Democratically controlled Congress making it law right? The "massive" numbers happened AFTER the 2008 farm bill had been passed into law

Dude: I'll type slowly so you understand. The 2008 farm bill is irrelevant. The farm bill that expanded eligibility to millions including illegal aliens was sponsored by Bush. A new farm bill doesn't start from scratch it simply adds or subtracts from what's in it. Bush in his benevolence expanded food stamps to illegal aliens and increased benefits to others. Obama has nothing to increase food stamps usage he's simply feeding those Bush made eligible. And no they didn't happen after the 2008 farm bill. Food stamp usage exploded after the 2002 farm bill and increased massively every year.

Nope, I nor my small business is better off. And the consumer, as well as the government entities we provide services for are going to have to pay more for them.

Jonotho, look at the up ticks on those that speak with reason and the ones YOU got. Pretty indicative of the situation at hand. Your response is the typical Progressive bull that is spewed forth when faced with cold, hard facts that you don't agree with: childish name calling. YOU are the only one that resorted to that kindergarten behavior since you were faced with facts that you could not, WOULD NOT refute. You did not put forth ONE fact, just a bunch of party line drivel.

I don't think we have had a President that has had our nations best interests in mind for DECADES. At least not since Reagan. They have all used divisive policies against us. Easier to control us physically and emotionally if we are divided.

Am I better off? NO! I don't care if the president is black, white, a Lib or a Dem....am I better off? NO!

I pay more in taxes...the cost of food is up, way up! Gas prices are still over $3/Gallon..... my employer offers me a 1% payriseevery year despite them saying they're making record profits...so why not share it with the employees!!!? and it's not just my employer....all my friends say the same about there's.

Fact is.... cost of living is up and payroll is not. You do the math!

If you've recently watch the movie Prometheus.... and I quote -

"We, are the Gods now!" We must take control of OUR own destiny. The government has failed us too many times and yet we sit back and let it happen. What have we become....

Yes, President Obama is the most divisive President ever - because he had the nerve to get elected AND be black! THAT is the ONLY thing this President is responsible for - as far as being divisive goes. The hatred and racism that greeted him from day one is disgusting.

People on this board are quick to say they don't dislike him because he is black but the undertone of every remark they make shows them to be liars.

disgustedtampamom - you come on here and immediately show your true colors. You don't have a concrete reason to dislike the President so you spew the usual FOX rhetoric and lies. It's truly sad you're a mom. I pity your poor children.

And, Roy Wilson, all of us know exactly what you are and your hatred for our excellent President is mired in your stupidity and your refusal to join the 21st Century.

Guys - it's a great day. Our President is being sworn in for the 2nd time and it shows that the majority of this country is a group of adults that saw the best man and voted for him. We have to tolerate the ignorance of the far right but they will NOT win. We are so much more than their ignorance and hatred and we can't let it consume this country. They're not worth it!

How I love the internet. The mother of many cowards. I wonder if people would be so quick to insult if the person was standing right in front of them. I know I have never heard anyone insult me in person like I get on here. As long as they know they are just cowards and as long as we all know it as well.

Barrack Hussein is a thoroughgoing statist, but more menacingly, he is a pathologic narcissist.

Neither of these traits are good for America.

Statists don’t want what is best for the country, all they want is what is best for the government. Our government did NOT create the greatest economy in history. As a matter of fact, ever since Progressivism has reared its ugly head a century ago our strength and influence has been slowly eroding. This is what happens when government becomes so intrusive so as to diminish the Peoples ambitions.

America was built on the shoulders of the Freedom and Liberty that allowed the entrepreneurial dreams of Americans to create the greatest commerce ever seen. Yes, Americans did build that. With that growth came the greatest expansion of wealth, prosperity and standard of living in history. For generations America grew, and the world is a much better place because of it.

Unfortunately, as our great Republic expanded the government expanded also. As a nation grows some increase in government is necessary, the tendency historically is that it expands too much. Our government is no different.

Barrack Hussein is the most divisive president in the past century. What’s more amazing is his incessant indoctrination into the American people that the best they can achieve is to be middle class. This is not unusual for a statist and it certainly isn’t unusual for a narcissist. Both of these traits are pathologic and will lead to further damage to our great republic.

No president has ever created as many bogeymen to divide the nation. The rich are incessantly vilified. Mythical wars on women are created as the Left panders to them and they submit. I thought the new woman, the liberated woman was supposed to be independent. Constitutional usurpation is common from an alleged “constitutional” scholar. Abuse of power via executive fiat is the strength of this criminal administration.

Success is replaced with mediocrity. Independence is replaced with the “Life of Julia”. The American Dream is replaced with an EBT card. Massive debt, which Barrack Hussein himself criticized 4 years ago, is now rampant under his “leadership”. Taxing the mean, evil, nasty, rich, fat-cats is the popular meme of the Libbies as they struggle to survive. It’s always easier to tell everyone they can only be middle class than to elevate everyone’s ambitions to succeed. Statists only see themselves as the ones who should be successful, even though they have never created anything of significance.

This presidency is not built on achievements, it’s built on Barrack Husseins legacy. Or more accurately his desire to create his legacy. Obamacare has nothing to do with helping Americans, as we see dramatic failures in its content continue, it’s all about Barrack Husseins “historical” presidency. His total disregard for the economy is obvious as we just burned through the $2.1 trillion that was last Augusts debt ceiling increase. This is another trillion dollar plus deficit added to this “historic” presidency. Dodd-Frank is proving to be another bureaucratic nightmare with only 1/3 of its regulations written, but “Too Big To Fail” banks still exist and will exist. And of course the rape of the 2^nd Amendment will continue to fulfill Barrack Husseins private wish of disarming the unwashed masses.

Jobs are praised as a significant accomplishment until you investigate and find out the jobs being created are the low-wage/no-low benefit variety which will never power a significant recovery. 22 million Americans are still under/unemployed, consumer confidence has deteriorated to the lowest level in a year. Purchasing power has decreased as the Federal Reserve keeps inflating the dollar via QE1-3 and the latest “twist” in a desperate attempt to salvage the economy. Businesses are sitting on dramatic cash reserves that won’t be unleashed until some certainty and leadership is proven.

Barrack Husseins goal is to create the nonsense of social and economic justice for the collective. His obvious anti-colonialism and deep hatred of America is being displayed now and will be fully exposed now that there are no restraints on his last term.

Progressivism has and continues to ruin our great Republic. We real Americans will do whatever it takes to stop this destructive course Barrack Hussein and his Liberal/Progressive comrades embrace. It’s a shame so many Americans have become so submissive to an ideology that has never worked.

The weak unwashed useful idiots on the Left will bow and accept. The strong and proud will resist as dissent is the highest form of patriotism.

We real Americans will survive 4 more years of this incompetent Divider-in-Chief. The question is, will the dream that is America survive?

If you have to ask the question, I think you already know the answer. If we were truly better off, it would be obvious. And it isn't.

JimSpence - the narcissist here is YOU and only you. You post lies and stupidity everyday - in mass quantity I might add - just because you love the sight of your own idiotic - non-factual words. You lie every day and you look more pitiful with each and every post.

Yes, Jim, look in the mirror for the true, overwhelming, narcissist! Pity but I suppose it makes you happy!

What a truly FILTHY post you've made. You want people to bow down to gutter trash like you? You really are a sick, perverted excuse for a human being. And, you are NO American!

Oh, and the REAL Americans voted for President Obama - not people like you who need to tout your ignorance every chance you get!

OMG the 47% is out in force this morning drooling at Obama's feet like a bunch of love struck teenagers. Maybe the media should have been asking this question during the campagin. But no they waited till after the election was over before they dares to look at their hand picked guy to ask the questions. Obama has failed at almost everything he tried that it is just the norm. But if you think the GOP was the party of NO in his first term then better get used to NO in his second term.

@Johntho: it is people like you and some others here that live in a world of lies and deceit. When the American people here on this post tell you how they feel about the current state of our country, all you can do is try to put up a defense for Obama for everything he does. It cannot be possible for him to be right on everything someone else say's he does wrong unless he's God in disguisse, and we all know he isn't. When you wake up from your dream world and see how bad of a shape the country is in, only then will you understand where Obama's failures are. The stats above were polled by NBC news which is a pal to Obama, so of course there going to take his side on whatever they can to make him look good. But there are numbers that just don't lie and cannot be fluffed up such as the national debt or unemployment. How anyone can say that were doing better when those numbers don't change or only go up is only lying to themselves. So should we believe that, the more people are unemployed and the more debt we accumulate the better off the country is? as for the stock market, Obama has nothing to do with it. He doesn't move it or controll it, because if he did, it would be off the charts in his favor and he would be all over the media claiming credit for it, but he can't. The problems in this country are all owned by his administration now, no more blaming Bush. While i do agree that Bush was at fault for alot of Obama's problems when he came into office, Bush has nothing to do with the current situation of America now, so unless Obama can crush the numbers now he faces, he owns all the finger pointing until the end of his term.

If you tack on the devaluation of the US dollar on the world market you will see that even the positive numbers like the stock market are not that good.. Trillions of dollars pumped into the economy to prop up the crooked banking system, corporations and stock brokers.. Our government is doing things it should not be doing and soon the house of cards is going to fall wiping out our economy.. I feel bad for anyone that is heavily vested into the 401k scam and counting on it to be there for them when they retire.. Look at what the big boys are doing and you will see they are moving from soft corporations to hard investments like trains and minerals.. The Federal Government has created millions more poverty level poor dependent people.. What is their end game?? Seems Obama is pushing Socialist programs and has been working towards a Communist agenda backed by his openly pro Communist friends.. He speaks of the Constitution as a negative rights document that restricts his plans, well no $h!t it was put in place for the citizens and not the politicians.. He is such a Constitutional law scholar that he wants to destroy and rewrite it to suit his dreams and goals.. Lets hope that never happens or we may get what the Egyptian people got and that is $crewed..

Just wait till he releases the trillion dollars he has printed our money will be devaluated further..

Larry-367607

Dude: I'll type slowly so you understand. The 2008 farm bill is irrelevant. The farm bill that expanded eligibility to millions including illegal aliens was sponsored by Bush. A new farm bill doesn't start from scratch it simply adds or subtracts from what's in it. Bush in his benevolence expanded food stamps to illegal aliens and increased benefits to others. Obama has nothing to increase food stamps usage he's simply feeding those Bush made eligible. And no they didn't happen after the 2008 farm bill. Food stamp usage exploded after the 2002 farm bill and increased massively every year.

The 2002 farm bill was not passed until May 2002, after the 1996 farm bill had already expired. So much for your belief new farm bills don't start from scratch. Liberals like to make false claims to support their beliefs. The word "sheeple" comes to mind. Try typing slower. You might start to see the truth.

Johntho, #1.14- Excellent! point. "Stark reality"

republic: 1. "Any" political order that IS NOT a monarchy. 2. A CONSTITUTIONAL form of government, ESPECIALLY "a democratic one." 3. Any group of people "WORKING FREELY AND EQUALLY FOR THE SAME CAUSE". (American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, large red hardcover, page 1105)

TNSEVOL, #1.16- EXCELLENT! point. "The strategy for Republican candidates from John McCain to Mitt Romney is to pit private sector vs public sector workers, middle class vs poor, religious vs LGBT, etc."

moshuluu, #1.21- EXCELLENT!!!

Repojam, #1.27- EXCELLENT! point. They are "our" failures through our "supposed" REPRESENTATIVES. You just properly used the "blame Game" to pinpoint a very needed central solution!..a.k.a....."ACCOUNTABILITY". (And how much have these same Republicans done to "We the People", in just the very same manner, just what they've done to this President? To keep "We the People" from also reaching any meaningful solutions in the past 4 years?)

AlexM-3929653, #1.49- Nice post! Seems ver balanced. And, in that balancing I think you've brought about and highlighted a very-very important point; that being the "inordinate" amount of "narrowly targeting" the President, (as one single, solitary Individual) for accountability and responsibility for much that was never even in and under his control to be responsible and accountable for, i.e. his race, race relations and that Trayvon was Black!?!?!?, etc...

Rick-3416939, #1.52- Nice post! Psychology is a Science....Science is observation. Psychology does teach that you can talk people into almost anything, (as in you post); BUT, its foundation, as a Science of the Mind, is that you're NOT SUPPOSE TO TALK ANYBODY INTO ANYTHING! (but rather, deal with what is there and what it is, for what it is).

noncoms, #1.54- EXCELLENT!!!

OhTenn, #1.58- What day (date) is the "Today" in your post from? Just curious, but, please don't answer with "a link". It's obviously a "quote", but from the context of where and what date?

American Girl-724855, #1.67- EXCELLENT!!!!!!! and #1.68- DITTO!!!!

FamousAmos-3755959, #1.72- EXCELLENT!!!

starsailing, #1.78- EXCELLENT!!! , #1.79- DITTO!!!!! , #1.80- DITTO!!!!!!!!

MysticDwagon, #1.82- EXCELLENT!!!!!!!

Larry-367607, #1.84- EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!

Larry-367607

And no they didn't happen after the 2008 farm bill. Food stamp usage exploded after the 2002 farm bill and increased massively every year.

Now, now Larry, you know the real reason, well at least one of the most important reasons.

First of all food stamp usage has been rising since 1969 when the “war on poverty” was beginning. In 1969 the monthly amount paid to recipients was $6.36 today it is $132.96.

So, why did the need of so much aid develop? You, in a typical vain Liberal attempt try to blame it on Bush. In part you’re right, but it’s only because of what Bush was forced to do, not some act of benevolence.

You, and the Liberal/Progressive cabal always forget to investigate the cause of certain reactions. Bush “inherited” some significant disasters from your boy-toy Clinton. I know you Libbies like to dwell on your favorite delusion, that Billy “Blue Dress” left some mythical “surplus”. We all know this was, and is, a ruse as it was just typical Washington fuzzy math by manipulating the Public Debt and Intragovernmental Holdings.

But hey, it sounds impressive.

The main reason was Billy Bobs granting China “permanent normal trade relations”. This opened the door to china infiltrating our markets with imports causing millions of jobs to be lost. Food stamps cost us $71.8 billion in 2011. But more importantly the incredible mistakes during the Clinton era as far as opening trade with China, the creation of NAFTA and the massively expanded WTO laid another foundation for our economic collapse and need for food stamps.

We won’t even embarrass the disaster with the repeal of Glass -Steagall.

Try to keep up Spanky.

truther1234, #1.197- Thank you for replying. I had to dash out and get the car to the mechanic early this morning and just got back a little bit ago. In answer to your question, I'm talking about "relativity"(spelling?), in a broad generalized argument in answer to the question of the Article.

I'm going to go read some more posts that have come about since I got back so I'll be around this Thread for a bit if you think my answer is not sufficient to your question and would like for me to further answer. I also did another post, #1.133, before I saw yours to reply to, if that would help.

Thanks, again, for the reply.

SeekingSanity, #1.128- Did you know that Narcissisism is actually posited to be "self-hate-loathing-and-longing" in absolute polar opposition to "self-admiration-acceptance-and-connection"? Interesting, isn't it?

Look at all these rt wingers...no inaugeral ball to go to.......Maybe you can meet up with Romney at COSTCO today...remember what he says about his new found shirt knowledge...., " They come three in a pack!"

Romney found out during the campaign, that you can get .....food out of a machine....! So in touch....!

I thought he would have bought all Costcos and sent them overseas by now.....

Notice all these rt wing government workers off work due to MLK day....how about if you don't take holiday pay to further show your rascist attitude convictions?......ENJOY ! MLK day and PRESIDENT OBAMA DAY.....WOOHOO!!!!!

An estimated 500,000 to 700,000 bundled-up spectators began to descend on the National Mall Monday morning.

It's estimated that 4 people would actually miss work.

Bush was a bad President. But this article isn't about him. Obama is even worse.

ahh, moshuluu

Playing the race card so soon? Sad really sad...

There own MSNBC puts the fact up and they go nutty, goes to prove how scared they are of fact and logic.

I'm sorry - reversing the greatest economic collapse since the great Depression, changing from 700,000 jobs lost per month to 150,000 made; GDP of -5.7% to +3%, these things are "proof" of "failure" that "scares liberals"?

I guess this explains how you conservatives believe global warming is a myth, the world is 6000 years old, God made us out of clay one day when He was bored, cutting taxes lowers the deficit, and all the other loopy crazy conservative ideas that make no sense.

Gee, I thought the republicans took control of the House in 2010. So it was their fault before they controlled the House.

Learn something new every day.

There are less people working today than when Obama started, blaming bush is starting to get a little old. Go ahead and take another bucket out of the deep end and poor it into the shallow end, and repeat.

The effect Bush had on employment and the economy did not magically disappear on 1/20/2009.

TO: ctviking who wrote:

"Bush was a bad President. But this article isn't about him. Obama is even worse."

Why is President Obama "worse", because we DIDN'T get hit by terrorists, because we WEREN'T lied into war, and because instead of crashing the entire United States Economy like Bush did, President Obama did everything within his power to save our economy.

Right, and let me guess, according to Republicans they were much safer on 9/11 they they are today.

American Girl-724855,

1. Ask Warren Buffett why he bought controlling interest in railroads Aug 2009. Something he had never invested in prior. Then Dec 2009, Obama's EPA announced the restrictions on the US Coal powered Electrical facilities. The USA has sense INCREASED their coal shipments to China by 800%, transported across the US by RAIL. BTY - The USA has only 112+years of accessible coal reserves & Buffett was a large Obama contributor...

2. Bush & the UK turned the Afghanistan 'Nation Building' over to the UN & 52+countries - DEC 2001. Obama Dec 2009 announced his US Troop INCREASES, his 'Hand Picked' General and his intentions on his 'Just War'. Results - 2x the numberof POTUS Bush Troop DEATHS & TWICE the USD spent, in HALF of the time. Killed OBL and CHANGED - NOTHING...

3. Obama - Feb 2009 using a EO - restricted the CIA from capturing terrorist, instead authorized their ASSASSINATION with Armed drones. Without any ACCOUNTABILITY, even if it is a US Citizen...

4. Obama - Nov 2010 Authorized INTERPOL to conduct investigations, arrest, etc in the USA, WITHOUT any OVERSIGHT by the US Government or its Agencies...

5. Obama - Nov 2011 & 2012 has authorized the US Military to detain US Citizens; without charges & no time limits...

6. The 'Pantie Bomber' was read his Miranda Rights on Christmas 2009. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, implied that he was not guilty under sharia. Killing kafirs is NOT a crime...

7. You forget about the Muslim US Army Officer that killed-12 and wounded-20 of his fellow Soldiers in Fort Hood, Nov 2009??? Or the Little Rock, AR Recruiting Office where a Muslim Killed a US Soldier and wounded another, Jun 2009???

This Hitler BS is REALLLLY getting old. Pa thet ic. Anyone who can even pretend to compare our President with that scumbag is an absolute TRAITOR of the worst kind.

ah my democratic americans,look at the figures again,less dems in office,less dem gov. and the truth will set you free. less dems=MORE PROGRESS. but hey,you can OVERLOOK that stat,it doesn't agree with your"my party is the savior of the world" argument,does it?

Gee, I thought the republicans took control of the House in 2010. So it was their fault before they controlled the House.

So they weren't the Bush tax cuts they were the democratic majorities? It wasn't Reagan that brought down the Berlin wall it was the democratic majority? Getting enough democrats to support a Republican presidents policies doesn't make democrats responsible for them. Funny how so many on the right are willing to blame Obama on day one but are willing to ignore Bush's impact after eight years. Whether it's wars, Obamacare, drug plans, star wars or tax cuts the blame or credit belongs with the one who initiated them, the President of whichever party. The buck stops there.

Four years later and the drooling idiot Obama syncophants on this vine are still making excuses for failure of their affirmative action hire. At least they are consistently stupid.

This Hitler BS is REALLLLY getting old. Pa thet ic. Anyone who can even pretend to compare our President with that scumbag is an absolute TRAITOR of the worst kind.

Anyone with any knowledge of history can't help but see the similarities between Hitler and Obama. His political ideals, his agendas, his speeches, his policies, and his actions are direct parallels to what Hitler did in the 1930's.

American Girl -

"Why is President Obama "worse", because we DIDN'T get hit by terrorists, because we WEREN'T lied into war,"

We haven't been hit by terrorists? benghazi ring a bell?

lied into war? Since we increased Afghan doesn't that make PBO an idiot for continuing the war that was lied about?

Hi,

What do I think of President Obama, since the man came right out and lied to me by email I would say not much. My wife is a Philippine immigrant, she went through all the rigamaroe to become an United States Citizen. My question to Osama Obama was what was he planning to do about all the illegal immigrants in the country. His answer to me was that he was very supportive of immigration control, we all saw his answer when he took all those illegal immigrants under a certain age and made them citizens. Now there are 10.5 million to 20 million or more illegal immigrants in the country.

We speak of gun control, it will affect only Americans in this country, how about the unknown amount of illegal immigrants in this country.

We speak of taxes, are the illegal immigrants taxed, yet they still get medical care, housing etc.

We speak of now Spanish now becoming the national language, at one time English was the accepted language and you had to speak English in order to take the American citizenship test.

Teachers salaries have gone up, because they now have to speak two languages.

People remember the D-day invasion, 52000 solders, the invasion of illegal immigrants 10.5 million to 20 million or greater estimate unknown.

States now want to leave the union, because nothing is being done about illegal immigrants.

It is estimated that Osama Obama picked up 10 million votes by endorsing illegal immigration and giving out free citizenship.

Illegal immigrants sell drugs, take up jobs, carry weapons, bring disease into the country, have sub par health standards yet work in our fields for jobs, belong in gangs, and our bringing our country down to a country of their standards which means third world.

Since Osama Obama arrived in office, he totally destroyed the Seals honor, by telling about their operation to get Osama Bin Laden, yet while telling the world that the United States Seals took him out, his whold story "I gave the order, I approved the plan, I , I, I, what he did was broke a very sacred Seal rule of no tell on missions. In other words this President blabbed it to the world, a thing never done by any other President.

He allowed Congress to give themselves a $900 pay raise while talking about cutting entitlements, pensions and social security.

Since he has arrived in office, taxes are going up, home values are going down, prices for food are going up, and my pay is staying the same. My medical insurance has gone up, and the price of gas waivers, but slowly goes up.

Yes Osama Obama you are doing a great job, and since your new gun law endorsements have you noticed that more Americans are buying guns. Do you really think that those laws are going to protect our children, really take a look at it, these are all white middle class kids, maybe just maybe they are so depressed over their future, that this is the only way they can fight back. Maybe now they are the ones scared to go to school, because of the racial mix that now is established in our schools, you have to remember these third world races aren't afraid to kill, since that is a daily occurance in their country.

Think not then go to their countries, tell me it isn't true in Kenya.

Actually the Bush scores are MUCH worse - did you read that scorecard?

Once again, instead of touting your ignorance for all to see, blame those responsible (if you understand economics, sorry libs) Barney Frank (D) and Chris Dodd (D). Easier to blame Bush, the Ministry of Truth and The Obama have done a great job of duping you about it for the last 4 years. But to those with an IQ above 100 you look like ignorant sheep, just what the Dems want in their voters, great job at excelling in failure and being that extra special kind of stupid that would re-elect it.

Shar, because Bush sucked and spent WAY TOO MUCH money. So comparing your guy to to one of the worst, is kind of like saying your child is doing good in school because he has D's and others have F's.

(Ignoring all of those with better grades)

Anyone with any knowledge of history can't help but see the similarities between Hitler and Obama. His political ideals, his agendas, his speeches, his policies, and his actions are direct parallels to what Hitler did in the 1930's.

So Hitler like Obama supported health care for all? The monster. You think the Obama solution to our enemies of taking out the leaders with drones is closer to Hitlers than Bushs invading with tanks, planes and 1/2 million troops invading. You're clearly a deep thinker. Rolls eyes.

So Hitler like Obama supported health care for all? The monster. You think the Obama solution to our enemies of taking out the leaders with drones is closer to Hitlers than Bushs invading with tanks, planes and 1/2 million troops invading. You're clearly a deep thinker. Rolls eyes.

Oh geez, another failed 'student of history' opens his pie hole and shows his obviously 'superior intelligence and wisdom' as well as his 'mastery' of logic and debate skills. His public school teachers must be so proud. ROTFLMAO!!

@Larry-367607

Why don't you prove to us how your a 'deep thinker' instead of one of Obama's apologists. I could provide a long list of similarities between Obama and Hitler but I will keep it easy on you only limit it to two.

Please compare and contrast the following:

1. Obama's call for a Civilian Security Force "just as powerful, just as strong, and just as well funded as our military" and Hitler's Brown Shirts

2. Obama's scapegoats of the evil rich bankers/corporations and Hitler's scapegoats of the evil rich Jews

Zathrose You must be speaking of Homeland security since they swear allegiance to the President and not the Constitution.. Why did they need millions of rounds of ammo and machine guns?? Aren't they to just protect us from terrorists and natural disasters?? Oh wait I forgot, anyone tho has more than a week of food and owns a gun is a possible terrorist and the Patriot act gives the government the right to use surveillance and search without a warrant.. He has switched from Jew bankers to gun owners and mentally ill citizens [they also have a very loose description of mentally ill] and using doctors to black list people.. The no fly list has nothing compared to this new list and once you are on there is no getting off.. Since by executive order he has granted himself the right to turn off the Internet and broadcast TV [much easier since everything is digital now] and control food, fuel and god knows what else in the event of an emergency/martial law.. Which by the way he can declare by executive order as well and forcibly confiscate firearms, fuel and your food along with put you in a FEMA camp for your protection HA HA..

But we can't just blame him.. It is all the politicians for 30+ years and a gullible population that let them do it while cheering more more more.... Lets hope the military is not sucked into this as they do swear to protect us from this stuff and infringements on the Constitution..

No I don't use foodstamps. I think Obama should. I have enough money to buy some eggs and bread for dinner. What about you?

I wouldn't worry alan_static. We'll all be on foodstamps under obama. But you can still live the middle class life. You can buy red bull and chips with your foodstamp. You can use your cash assistance card to buy booze, rent redbox, buy smokes and steaks.

Poor conservatives. They are in the awful state of wishing really hard that the USA would collapse, and yet seeing month after month more good economic news.

Here's a suggestion to conservatives - figure it out. Conservative policies don't work. America is healthy. Obama is a great president. Deal with it.

I'm 66, made a bunch of money under Bill Clinton and I planed to retire in 2008. But then the Bush depression crashed my investments and that was the end of that. Under President Obama the economy is slowly recovering, the DOW is approaching record highs, my investments are back and I retired last summer. And for all you teatards who think Social Security is some kind of welfare program, I'm NOT drawing that yet. I'm going to hold off on that for a few more years.

Think about it: Excellent....best I've heard yet.

Obama tried to implement Repubs ideas on healthcare and immigration. Where did that get him?

How do you lead people who have signed on to a petition of an unelected official who holds the purse strings of their re-election campaign? How do you lead people where the mere mention of the word filibuster results in no progress and no governance until they get their way? How do you lead people who are forced to apologize to a radio personality when they utter anything less than flattering about that personality, and that personality is h3llbent on making our president fail?

Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things. What's your definition of leadership, and how to you obtain the respect of those your supposed to lead when they have sworn to make you fail 2 months before you're scheduled to take office?

Median incomes down? I don't believe it, I made an extra 30k last year selling firearms to the paranoid on the right! Thank you Obama!!!!!

No I don't use foodstamps. I think Obama should. I have enough money to buy some eggs and bread for dinner. What about you?

Funny how those on the right blame Obama for increased food stamp usage but ignore that Bush made 5 million more people eligible his last six months or that his 2002 farm bill doubled the number of people eligible including illegal aliens. Obama did nothing to increase food stamp usage while Bush made them easy to get. Google "2002 farm bill food stamps" to find out who created this massive program. Or maybe they'd like to blame Obama for actions taken before he even had any national political influence.

Larry

Funny how those on the right blame Obama for increased food stamp usage but ignore that Bush made 5 million more people eligible his last six months or that his 2002 farm bill doubled the number of people eligible including illegal aliens

Please stop my sides are hurting. Congress was controlled by the democrats over the last two years of the Bush administration. Just a coinsidence that the economy tanked at that time? If my memory is serves me correctly it is congress that appropriated all spending.

Please stop my sides are hurting. Congress was controlled by the democrats over the last two years of the Bush administration. Just a coinsidence that the economy tanked at that time? If my memory is serves me correctly it is congress that appropriated all spending.

All major spending programs are initiated by the president. You may have noticed that a president runs on a platform to implement programs like Obamacare, increased military, tax cuts etc. while congress doesn't. Congresses job is to fund the government and act as a counter to a president whose policies they disagree with and to fund those expenditures. Blaming congress for funding Bush's programs is like blaming your wife for writing the check to pay for something you put on the card.

Yep middle class income is down and the buying power of a dollar is also down.. That hidden tax called inflation.. Obama likes the under the radar stuff.. Gave a billion dollars to the Muslim Brotherhood and last time I checked they were buddy buddy with Iran and the Jihadists..

They lie about Obama and then expect the democrats to compromise, when his whole first term was met by the party of Grover Norquist with a resounding no, sometimes reaching the level of hell no. I personally hope the republicans take the country down by not raising the debt ceiling, a debt that by the way they are largely responsible for. The American voters are tired of their B.S. and they will pay in 2014

JASON- Some of us understand the debt vs deficit completely,I have a degree in Economics and I have drilled down on this issue for a long while. It is not being a loud mouth to point out the obvious. Perhaps you think we should just create a Trillion dollar coin to solve this?

I laugh at these idiots complaining about food stamps. Hell some of them may be on stamps. hahaha

I know quite a few actually. I am continuously amazed by their disconnect, they vote against their best interest just because the president is black, and they have been "told" he's coming for their guns...

Looks like no joe's back in the form of Celtic 1. She also claimed to have a degree in economics, till she was proven to be a liar over and over.

blearyeyed,

I disagree that they vote against him because he is black - at least not all of them.

You may be right, in fact I'm sure you are, but I was talking personal experience in Florida. In my business I talked to many, many "good ole boys (and gals)" that are proud rednecks, and they will flat out say they don't like him cause he's a "n-gger"...sad but true...

Everyone who posted above (post #8), with the exception of Celtic, is nothing short of naive hypocritical bigots. Calling anyone who disagrees with your opinion or who does not like the President a racist, liar and such is nothing short of racism and bigotry itself. Are we in the 4th grade here?

During the 2008 republican debates Romney bashed McCain for supporting massive cuts in spending to control our massive debt but Romney supported ignoring deficits until the economy recovered and supported stimulus. You'll notice republicans were aware our debt and deficit spending was unsustainable even before Obama was the democratic candidate. Interesting that so many on the right think the problem began with the election of Obama or blame him for not being able to reduce deficit spending even though it increased every single year under Bush with the 2009 budget being the worst with a 1.2 trillion deficit.

In 2008, Romney was running for president, and during a debate in January of that year, John McCain was asked what short term government fix he’d support, given that the economy looked like it was headed for a downturn. McCain said: “the first thing we need to do is stop the out-of- control spending.”

Romney, seeking to distinguish himself from McCain, rolled out his own $250 billion stimulus plan in an interview with John Harwood later that month, a plan that mostly consisted of tax cuts, some of which were targeted at low and moderate incomes. He explicitly criticized McCain’s claim that cutting spending would help the economy, claiming: “That’s not stimulative.”