shouldn't talk about First Read journalist like that, plumper!

Priceless, coming from the resident fluffer. Keep those deposits coming, the trailer payment is due in a week.

Asked if Democrats on the Hill would be willing to entertain cuts to Social Security and Medicare, Rep. Maxine Water said on MSNBC Wednesday, “Absolutely not.”

============

I was pretty certain the President talked about modification to to pay for service to a pay for performance structure. I didn't hear him say anything about cutting benefits...so I'm still not seeing how what the President said at the SOTU was met with a 'thud' from Democrats.

Hey chucky, I was trying to be a little neutral on the deal. I said that 18K still wasn't a lot. But they do get tax breaks and I guess it would seem as they had a little relief (and to some they would be "rich") with a 4K a year increase and still holding on to the tax breaks. Now if you were commenting on the i-phone thing, well guess what? Reality is a bitch. You wouldn't believe the section 8 housing people in Charlotte that are on the news "interviewing" after a crime has been committed that have their i-phones in their hands at all times. Shouldn't they have the freebie so called "Obama phone" (Hate that term) instead?

Talk, I really don't know what to tell you about the cell phones. I'm just grateful I can get up and work every day, knowing that many others can't. And yes, I know there are some who can but won't. But it does really get me when folks are working one or two jobs and can't make ends meet. At least they are trying.

And Jim, I'm not losing sleep about the profits at McDonald's, Exxon, you name it. These job creators will be just fine with a minimum wage increase.

Keystone Pipeline or coal, which he called “proven and reliable.”

God McConnell, the steam engine was proven and reliable IN IT'S TIME too!

Is being stuck in the past a pre-requisite to being a member of the GOP?????

Said McConnell, while quaking at the Knees about Ashley Judd.

The President's proposals are real and doable. IF OVERDUE, it is because the layabout GOP-ers pour cold water on everything. Because they don't care about You.

GOP is not real about putting America's economy on a firm footing. They only care about their poor, poor, billionaires and benefactors.

I said that 18K still wasn't a lot. But they do get tax breaks

What tax breaks over and above any tax breaks of someone earning, say, $150k a year? Mortgage Interest deduction - not, you can't even qualify to own a home making 18k. Oh, is it that tax break you get when you stop paying Social Security tax on income over 100+k? Only in conservie lala land do the underpaid enjoy a tax free status.

[yes, America lost and the Commies won. You Pinko's are persistent. but who is going to pay for your 'success and leadership'... didnt think that far ahead did ya...stupid libtards]

Poor GraniteBoy. I'm sorry you're mad because you finally realized the world doesn't revolve around you...here, let me pour you a nice, tall glass of "get over it".

Now, less HAHAHA! and more "infrastructure"...quit ripping off your boss, tool. ;)

Lil Michelle, Jim, Disgustus, and Talk really need to learn the Pinocchio fable is not about penis enlargement. No amount of lying is going to coax another inch out of that piece of dead wood.

Republicans are the only ones being divisive. The public spoke when it elected Obama by a landslide, and its the GOP turn to make the changes and work with democrats the president. Every-time they come out and speak afterwards it is them alone who is promoting divisiveness with their inability or desire to compromise.

GOP's version of compromise is will hold the entire country hostage until we get what we want. I HAVE not seen that from Obama. I have seen him draw a line in the sand and not sell the country out, but the GOP will sell the working classes out in a heartbeat.

So Boris, wife getting a job. Is that your idea of family values?

Whhaaaa? The GOPee disagrees with everything Obama said? Who would have thunk-it.

The stupid rhetoric, just to disagree with Democrats, is proving to be their downfall. The masses have caught on to The Party of Fear's BS. Without knowing it, the T(errible) Party has pulled the lever, and the Republican party is spinning down the toilet. It used to be my party, but it has been hijacked by the rich and the gullible.

These SOBs who do not pay into social security, should not be allowed to cut it. Cut, cut, cut, unless it's the military. Who cares what drastic spending cuts does to the economy or to the poor souls who paid into SS all of their working lives.

WHAT? Are you saying the GOP didn't like the President's State of the Union address? I'm shocked, shocked I tell you.

Surely their reaction has been taken out of context. This is the new, kinder, gentler, compassionate, part of 'Good ol People'.

I'm absolutely speechless of this baseless allegation. Somebody get FOX NEWS on the phone and let's find out what's REALLY happening. Same old liberal bias, no doubt.

Ummmm, Boris..........You made your comment based on research??? Would you mind citing the references that support your assertions so I may turn to them and understand how in the world you drew such odd conclusions. Meanwhile, since you're paying for all this stuff could you please send me a check too? I'm a little short of cash this week.

Thanks so much for your help.

It isn't surprising Republicans were not receptive to the President's call to action, consider these lines from the Republican Party Song:

Your proposition may be good,
But let's have one thing understood,
Whatever it is, I'm against it.
And even when you've changed it or condensed it, ...I'm against it

(Groucho Marx, Horsefeathers)

jim-1455434

Oh, by the way BIIGGG UUUUNNNNN ... what you extremist lefties gained in Congress in 2012 is nowhere close to the "we got shellacked" that happened in November, 2010 .

Keep living in the past Jimbo. Rubio's "ya I got mine from the guvmint but I'm closing the door behind me" is not going to win the GOTP a whole lot of Hispanic votes...and he was your best shot. You're toast and you don't even realize it.

"He spoke of workers' minimum wages, instead of their maximum potential,” ... McConnell

In other words a 75 hour work week with Sunday morning off for family values training?

what, you didn't see that coming from the king of divide?

the rightwing meme that Obama has been "divisive" is completely laughable and ludicrous on it's face. Just because he doesn't get up there and spout Republican talking points doesn't make him divisive.

D'you know what's TRULY divisive?

"You're either with us or against us"

"The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president."

"I hope he fails."

"This president I think has exposed himself over and over again as a guy who has a deep-seated hatred for white people or the white culture."

"The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama's "death panel" so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their 'level of productivity in society'"

....

Along with asking for his birth certificate repeatedly after he's already produced one and the nonstop usage of buzzwords like "Socialist," and "Marxist" to describe someone who's blatantly neither.

Yeah, THAT crap is "divisive."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Edited to add: Even from this thread:

yes, America lost and the Commies won. You Pinko's are persistent. but who is going to pay for your 'success and leadership'... didnt think that far ahead did ya...stupid libtards

Yeah, THAT crap is "divisive."

During 1968, the minimum wage was equal to $10.51. Yet, the economy was thriving. There was no disaster. No massive company shutdowns. No excessive layoffs. None of the apocalyptic events which the Republicans are now spouting took place. If Corporate America can survive $10.51, it can survive $9.00.

Govt Slave

I have a MILLION DOLLARS that says you will not be happy about the next Republican President using his Executive Powers to ERASE everything the Anointed Idiot in Chief has done.

Since you are well within the 1% to be able to put up $1M on a meaningless bet, your opinion probably means less to the rest of us than you might imagine.

You should be very careful that you are glad our IPOTUS is using his executive powers and bypassing congress.

Turn-about is fare play....you remember that...OK?

Oh yes...we remember the unitary executive quite well thank you very much. We're still trying to dig our way out of his two wars.

Boris, Excellent. Mr. and Mrs. Cleaver should both get jobs. That way they can pay the milk man. I've got it now. Thanks.

Time-2-Get-Real: For the spoon fed that can't use google, check out earned income credit and child tax credit. Learn something.

Johntho: You guys blow my mind. You imply she shouldn't work? So self sufficiency is not in your vocabulary? In a perfect world, she shouldn't have to and I prefer she not. But if you need more income, why steal it from me? The pretense the author makes that, IN EVERY CASE, only one spouse works in such a situation is absurd. Most families that are making earning minimum wage have two working spouses. To make a point, rhetoric always falls to the argument to the absurd.

Hello folks, as you have read there are many staunch supporters of the President's speech. I too wish that all was well with our economy and national mores and ethics.

I voted for Obama in 2008 because I thought he would focus on the middle class and poor and stop our Imperialistic tendencies. He talks a good game but delivers nothing. Obama has Out-Bushed Bush which illustrates to me that we have a one headed two party system who serve their same masters the banksters/Federal Reserve and Wall Street. As a result, I have become a political atheist as I realized that you can’t penalize our corrupt political system at the ballot box. We are given a vote to give us the illusion that we have political clout at the table of the elite, we don’t!

We need to stop the divisiveness and focus on the realities that are presented and work together as “We The People” to resolve these inequities. It begins with recognition of the problem and communicating with friends, family and neighbors.

For Example:

The true state of our economy can be seen by taking 30 seconds out of your day to review:

www.usdebtclock.org

Obama through his recent actions has proven to be the Judge, Jury, Executioner and Executive Order Dictator in Chief despite the will of the people or elected congressman.

Rendition and torture continues through proxy NATO allies, Assassination of US citizens has been advertised and authorized through the recent DOJ “Memo”, The use of illegal Drone strikes around the world has been sanctioned, Banks are allowed to gamble illegally privatizing profits and socializing losses, we arm and support Al Qaeda in Libya and Syria and fight against them in Afghanistan and Mali, Obama signed the Executive Order on cyber security on 2/12 despite it being voted down by elected government officials, the list goes on and on.

The sad part is that while they turn up the heat on the boiling frogs the Republican Democrat blame gamers try and drown each other.

“At a time when American people are asking, ‘Where are the jobs?’ why would we want to make it harder for small employers to hire people.”

The American people have been asking where are the jobs? John, during the mid-terms in 2010 you said a vote for the conservatives was a vote for jobs. Mr. Boehner, you said if elected the conservatives would create jobs, jobs, jobs! You said: "Republicans are job creators!" Did you lie Mr. Speaker, or did you fail to keep a campaign promise? Or perhaps you're a gutless wonder incapable of speaking the truth and/or creating jobs.

geo-1957883

Obama really has no idea how to govern. He does not have the skill to compromise. he does not have the gift Reagan and Clinton had.

And yet your party spent over 40 million dollars impeaching Clinton (unsuccessfully)...and now he is your hero? Why are you praising Reagan...the man who raised taxes 6 times and granted amnesty to illegal aliens?

The Presidents speech last night was as useless as tits on a Boar. The speech was not based in reality at all. Find compromise for the whole country, not just his croonies. History will not be kind to his divisive politics and pie in the sky rhetoric. And don't forget his piss poor record that he can't blame on Bush!

You mean like getting us in two wars synonymously? Or providing big pharma with a multi Billion dollar give away (Medicare Part D)? Or giving tax breaks to the wealthy while borrowing for the tax cuts and two wars...and Medicare Part D? Or pissing away a budget surplus while his henchman quotes Reagan about how "deficits don't matter"?

Only 1437 days till Obama is out of here!

And we say hello to President Hillary Clinton... thanks for the reminder! lol

And yet your party spent over 40 million dollars impeaching Clinton (unsuccessfully)...

Ol_Doc,

Don't forget they have spend $30 million dollars trying to repeal ObamaCare 33 times...

Bonehead sez...

“Our goal is to get people on that ladder and help them climb that ladder so they can live the American dream."

So where's the help John? I fail to see how cutting taxes for the rich and corporations helps anybody but them. The GOP problem is the majority of the public has already seen that act (I know you don't like him mentioned, but does the name 'Dubya' ring a bell?) and is fully aware that it doesn't work, yet you still swear fealty to it. What little 'help' there is you're trying to cut, all while letting your corporate buddies fleece ever-larger profit margins out of the poor and middle class.

In the GOP vision (more like a mirage), that ladder exists but what goes unsaid is it is single-file only, and most people will wait their whole lives for a turn at it. Even then, it's a bare-knuckle fight to get your turn, all while the ones above you are trying to knock you off lest you get 'their' part of the pie.

The GOP isn't in favor of the 'American Dream', they're just apologists for unbridled greed..

The ReThuglicans complain & complain about the # of people on food stamps . . . . Bohner rants & raves about the President being out of ideas for fixing the economy . . .

So, he comes up with some great policy proposals that will help the economy and help get families off of food stamps, and then they howl about that!

My Progressive friends: I have 3 suggestions:

(1) for the sake of our mental health, and the sake of this country we love so much, stop listening to ReThuglicans - they are not FOR anything; they are only AGAINST all & anything our President proposes, even if they were in FAVOR of it before he proposed it! even if they proposed it at first, and then Pres. Obama says, hey, I like your idea -let's do that! (Like cap & trade - did you see Old Grup McCain squirming in his seat last night over that one?) WE HAVE SEEN THIS GAME TOO OFTEN ALREADY.

(2) Don't feed The Trolls - the RWNJ's who come over here (since Faux won't let them grip over there anymore) - they are not interested in sharing ideas - they just want to provoke you - I suggest you ignore them, and stop feeding them what they want, which is just to get you hot & bothered.

(3) what Pres Obama needs to get this passed is for us to support his agenda - call & email your representatives - early & often! LOL Boehner cannot ignore the will of the people - if it is expressed often enough.

.

FORWARD! :-) . . . . and, HILLARY 2016!

R-738279

Only 1437 days till Obama is out of here!

Yes but like a pathetic Teabagger, you failed to remove him. And odds are, you won't be replacing him either!

...always amusing to see the usual suspects here on FR defending Big Government and Statism. Liberals react to personal responsibility the same way vampires react to sunlight.

it's equally amusing to watch the usual suspects on your side spout discredited, nonsensical talking points about "Big Government" and "Statism."

Newsflash. Your side tried the "big government" boogeyman line in the November elections and it fell flat on it's face. The public ain't buyin' the crap you're peddlin'. Get some new material already, won't ya...

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

Ol_Doc,

Don't forget they have spend $30 million dollars trying to repeal ObamaCare 33 times...

Yes Feisty...they are impressive! Let's see, what is that which is defined by repeating the same actions expecting different results? ...oh yes, "Republican" ...and good luck to Marco Rubio. I wonder when they will be throwing him under the bus...another future Democrat.

Oh well, we have a big tent don't we! ; )

"He spoke of workers' minimum wages, instead of their maximum potential,” ... McConnell

In other words a 75 hour work week with Sunday morning off for family values training?

This coming from Congress, where they work 40 hours per year.

ComradeChaos

...always amusing to see the usual suspects here on FR defending Big Government

You should stay away from "Party Propaganda" Comrade! The Democrats have had a Federal pay freeze and hiring freeze going on for over 3 years now...try to keep up.

Hmm, "Obama is playing to his base", aka, constituents. They won the election, now just who are you GOP playing to? Not your losing side base, not your constituents, maybe just the wealthy?? I love the "my way or the highway" statement from Boehner, look dude, we all know who can't negotiate, quit pointing fingers, after all when you point that finger take a look and see where the other fingers are pointing, yeah right, right back at your lying face.

But then again, I guess if you repeat a lie enough times some one will say it to you and then it must be gospel.

DrowningGrover - it's equally amusing to watch the usual suspects on your side spout discredited, nonsensical talking points about "Big Government" and "Statism."
Newsflash. Your side tried the "big government" boogeyman line in the November elections and it fell flat on it's face. The public ain't buyin' the crap you're peddlin'. Get some new material already, won't ya...

I have no 'side' since I find both political parties in DC to be equally inept. I do however pity your 'label and attack' methodology - Prez-0 brainwashes his little minions well.

No surprise. I wouldn't expect anything more positive from the party of stupid. John the weeper, and Mitch the giggler don't have a completely functional brain between them, but they like to pretend. It's a shame there still are so many gullible non-thinkers who fall for it. They form the base for the party of stupid.

President Obama claimed his policies won't increase our deficit "by a single dime." But we've heard those promises before, and since President Obama took office, our national debt has increased by 58.6 trillion dimes

Just Add www. to youtube.com/watch?v=vowHQwFUHAY

Or goto youtube and search "58 Trillion Dimes"

I cannot post links I guess because I'm a newer subscriber.

Keep living in the past Jimbo. Rubio's "ya I got mine from the guvmint but I'm closing the door behind me" is not going to win the GOTP a whole lot of Hispanic votes...and he was your best shot. You're toast and you don't even realize it.

It is really amazing all the similarities Republicans have with the Whig party.

In order to learn from History, one must be aware of it. It is a shame to see the Republicans go, but it has become obvious that marginalization is the new norm for them. Their philosophical leader, Rush Limbaugh, never had a formal education outside of grade school. His low knowledge level is quite obvious and only someone less informed than he would not be able to recognize that.

I'm trying to remember the last time the conservanuts agreed with or worked with the President on anything. Hmmm...

I got nuthin'. Anyone?

geo-1957883

Ol doc - Clinton WAS impeached in the house (technically, but was cleared of charges in the Senate). Reagan turned the country around after an Obama like President, Carter, tried like hell to destroy it. (Beyond party affiliation, there are few similarities between Obama and Carter. To the best of my knowledge, no president in American history has tried to destroy the country. Perhaps you have knowledge the rest of us lack...or maybe you hear voices.) Do you really think Obama will have a better legecy than Reagan? (History will decide) Reagan worked with a Democrat Speaker Tip O-neil (as if he had a choice. The difference is the Democrats weren't willing to sacrifice the good of the Nation to defeat Reagan's reelection) He also raised taxes 6 times and granted Amnesty to Illegals). Reagan bluffed the Russians with Star Wars. (Who told you that? The Soviets knew full well Star Wars was decades away). Do you really think Obama could have pulled that off? (What? Trying to bluff another country with a mythical program? Probably.) Reagan brought down Communism. (Wow, I served during the Cold War and I had no idea Reagan was superman. Reagan was president during the fall of the Soviet Union...he did not "bring down communism.) The only thing Obama's bringing down is the Middle-class. (I think you're confusing the Parties). Quite successfully I might add. Please list Obama's legacy of accomplishments. (Let's wait for the end of his Administration before we discuss his legacy).

I cannot post links I guess because I'm a newer subscriber.

AKA a re-regger... ;o)

Ol_Doc! Yes but like a pathetic Teabagger, you failed to remove him. And odds are, you won't be replacing him either!

Obviously like most dem's you do not know the Constitution, on 20 January 2017 Obama is out of a job! He and his half baked ideals will be gone and someone else will take his place. I will do all that I can to ensure that the mid-terms bring fiscal reason back to the federal government and get China off our payroll.

fyte,

Gullible non-thinkers? OH...you mean the liberal Democratic voters that blindly vote for someone because of their skin color and because we never had an African-American in office. You mean like THAT kind of voter?? Instead of listening past the feel-good speeches and wanting someone with any known experience, Democrats voted for someone they knew nothing about into the White House and then if that wasn't bad enough, voted for him yet again. Now who is the gullible one?

bubba-1946427

Feisty, here is the Math, I can afford two workers at $15.00 an hour but not $18.00 an hour. Which one do I fire, if I have to pay both $9.00 an hour. they both have children one is a women protected under the new laws one is a man. I can't raise prices and loose customers. They have health care and benefits. Do I fire both and hire a new employee? Feisty THIS IS YOUR DECISION!

Declare bankruptcy...have a nice day. Obviously your business is on the margin and a change in barometric pressure will break you.

The most disturbing quote in this entire article is the true belief of the GOP coming out concerning the American worker. Re-read the last part. If you pay them more, they will apparently work less. Give a man a raise, and they become lazy. Perhaps we should cut Boehner's paycheck in half. See if he then has more "potential."

What a jackass.

R-738279

Ol_Doc! Yes but like a pathetic Teabagger, you failed to remove him. And odds are, you won't be replacing him either!

Obviously like most dem's you do not know the Constitution, on 20 January 2017 Obama is out of a job! He and his half baked ideals will be gone and someone else will take his place. I will do all that I can to ensure that the mid-terms bring fiscal reason back to the federal government and get China off our payroll.

Unbelievable! The President is in his second (and final term) in office, and because he cant serve a third term you feel you have defeated him...OK...you win!
We will all do all that we can, but odds are his replacement will not be a Republican.

Republican brick wall of opposition, is this something new ???

Ol_Dco

#1.45 - "And yet your party spent over 40 million dollars impeaching Clinton (unsuccessfully)"

Article 1 section 2 - "The House of Representatives ... shall have the sole Power of Impeachment"

Article 1 section 3 - "The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments"

They were successful in "Impeaching" (in the house), but not in convicting (in the senate)

States with a higher minimum wage don't have worse employment numbers than states that don't. There is no relationship between a higher minimum wage and reducing jobs. There is a relationship, though, that when people earn more, they spend more.

Using Boehner's logic, if we cut the minimum wage to a dollar an hour, then we'd see full employment, which I hesitate but have to agree with him on since everyone would need to work two or three jobs just to try and reach the poverty level. That's a great idea for the very wealthy, but not for the rest of us as workers or even small business owners when people don't make enough to buy anything other than bare essentials.

What do you expect? Obama laid out a pretty leftist vision of what he wants to do. The Republicans aren't any more likely to embrace that doctrine as the Democrats were to the policy preferences of George W. Bush.

Was there much hand-wringing about the general disapproval of Pelosi & Co. during Bush SOTU address? This isn't news - in fact - if the Republicans had wildly and enthusiastically embraced the Obama doctrine - why then, THAT would be news!

Do you really think that a small business owner is NOT going to pass on those higher expenses to the customer? If you don't think so Feisty.... you are in the same delusional world the pres is.

SO they are getting more money but there will be fewer of them, fewer hours, whatever it takes for the business to be profitable. A case in point is Subway in SanFrancisco. They can't afford to make the $5 Footlong because wages are so high there. SO... little Johny is making $9/hr, but the food costs more, so what did he gain? Except SF gets more tax revenue... and Cali gets more tax revenue...

In other words dear, EVERYTHING will go up.... so no gain by anyone.

Obama has two years before he is offically labeled "lame duck" president. Have fun jamming this crap through. Notice how virtually nothing has been done since libs lost control of the Congress. Clinton and Reagan didn't have that problem. Obama strategy is to use the liberal media to throw out deliberately misleading stats (ie 6 million new jobs created when actually 5 million were lost in his term when he decided to start counting ... true number is 1 million net in 4 + years) in an effort get public support and pull his agenda through Congress. Guy has no intention of working with anyone which is why nothing is getting done.

R- and geo - you prove what blitering idiots the far right is. Reagan did NOTHING for this country. Clinton put us in the black and helped to undo the damage Reagan and his "trickle down" economics did (since we all know it doens't work).

And, idiots, President Obama's term ends in January 2017 when Hillary will take office. Get used to it!

SS, Ron did do something, Because of him we got the debt clock in the Reagan library !!!

States with a higher minimum wage don't have worse employment numbers than states that don't.

Actually the three states with the worst unemployment (California, Nevada and Rhode Island) have higher minimum wages than the National rate. If you want to dig deeper 5 of the worst 7 have minimum wages higher than the Fed.

Seeking,

Because you are just so misinformed, here is a brief list of President Reagan's accomplishments..

The tax cuts of 1981. Signed in August, these
enactments were a major reduction in domestic expenditures and the Economic
Recovery Tax Act of 1981, were designed to lower federal revenues over a five
year period in the amount of $737 billion.

The reduction of nuclear arms with the signing
of the INF treaty together with Mikhail Gorbachev on December 8, 1987. This
treaty eliminated all cruise missiles with a range of 500 to 5,000
kilometers.

During his second term as President,
significant progress had been made toward accomplishing a genuine détente
between the United States and the U.S.S.R. and ending the Cold War. At the end
of his term in 1989, Reagan was credited with making a strong contribution to
the level of world peace at that time.

Reagan achieved an agreement in April of 1988
with the Soviet Union over their withdrawal from their occupation in
Afghanistan. Not only was the war was ended, but also this was the first time in
33 years that the Red Army withdrew from any conflict
voluntarily.

The nomination and eventual appointment of
Sandra Day O’Connor to the Supreme Court, who became the first female Supreme
Court Justice.

The rescue mission of Grenada on October 25, 1983 that deposed of the communist
leaders who gained control through a violent coup and rescued the 800 American
medical students held captive there.

The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 which
budgeted $1.7 billion to fund the war on drugs in America and increase the
severity of punishments for drug related offenses.

Given that you walk around with such little knowledge, I thought I would educate you for today.

And unless you are some sort of fortune teller, you have zero chance of knowing who will be president after Obama.

Ol_Doc:

You've not worked a P&L (I'm guessing). All business operates on a least cost principal (to get the desired quality level of product, service, or output). I happen to work at a very successful company that pays for many benefits that others in the same field don't.

But they haven't given substantial raises to either hourly or non-exempt employees since 2007. It's not that their mean, or money grubbing, or uncaring. It's that other areas of the business have started to stress the P&L inordinately. Health care, for example, increased greatly again this year. My company covers 66% of the cost for me and my family. Many competitors will cover most or all of an employee's costs, but little or none of the family's costs (which are larger, of course).

This year, due to the increased costs associated with unfunded coverage under the Affordable Health Act, the expenses of the company for health care have increased by 12% (over $20,000.00 monthly). When they saw this increase coming, they shopped around to see if they could get the same coverage at a better price. When they couldn't, they did what they thought they needed to do to contain costs, they eliminated our best and most inclusive, but least used plan. Doing so allowed them to offer two non-ACA plans while including the minimum required coverage as the new 3rd option.

The company has had several of these regulatory hits over the past decade. Bush's prescription drug coverage was the first, so this isn't s "Party" thing, it's an realism thing. We'd rather reward people who have hung in there through tougher economic times, or higher people to reduce their loads, but $240,000.00 in cash flow annually is real dollars that can't be used elsewhere.

So before slamming a business that thrives BECAUSE it is good at business, perhaps you should consider that businesses aren't (predominantly) the soulless, corporate pirates you always rail against. Most are benefits to their customers, their employees, and their local government. They can't afford to just pass along costs that are rising exponentially and still be good places to work.

Just put down the "Party" glasses and give the consideration you complain the other side doesn't. Be the catalyst for change rather than the guy that just belts out the same rhetoric over and over (just like you say about the other guy).

A question for the Teapublicans and "moderate" GOP folks:

It is obvious that ANYTHING Obama does is considered BS and malarkey by you folks so my question is what are the Republican suggestions for tackling the following CRITICAL issues OUR country faces:

Unemployment?
Solvency of Social Security?
Spending on Medicare/Medicaid?
Climate Change?
A tax code that inherently favors special interest groups (top 2%, Fossil Fuel industry and corporations)?
Deficit reduction?

Looking for some serious responses here.

PS: this is how dialogue begins... without insults and name calling.

McConnell accused Obama of catering to his base, and dismissed the speech as "pedestrian" and "liberal boilerplate."

LOL....these hypocrites just don't give up. Catering to his base? Like McConnell and his regular, desperate group of klansmen don't do that....

McConnell and his group of obstructionists are worst than President Obama could ever be.

@ Feisty

Well it sure does look like NBC, CBS, ABC, and others saw it as a thud too. Funny that all of the fact checkers seemed to think that PIG had more lipstick on it than you can put on a pig. Arf, she said

Raising the minimum wage simply prices more starter jobs out of the reach of young people. These jobs are not meant to provide a wage that'll support a family. New entrants to the work force have got to start somewhere. No wonder youth unemployment is much higher than the average, and not getting any better!

Hey conservatives...it's President Obama, not Mr. Obama. None of you pukes have an ounce off patriotism. Get of your butts, get jobs, get lives and stop sucking off the system and spreading your misery.

Thank goodness we still have something left of the checks and balances system. Otherwise King Hussein would Spend, Tax, Regulate us to death! May the GOP continue to keep Hussein in check and protect whats left of our Liberties and the Constitution!

Nothing but the same crap from the Weeper of the House and the Party of No! Nothing new to see here, move along everyone

JK, her real name is "Speaking Insanity". She continually posts idiotic statements with no basis of reality. She has an aluminum foil hat that only receives signals from ultra liberals and the Fisting Redhead. Better to ignore her as everyone else does.

An increase in minimum wages hurts the smallest companies (those with less then 50 employees) the most. Large companies actually can often times over come the expense of an increase in minimum wage and would actually benifit in the long term from the change since it will drive the small competitors out of business. A change like this actually would help companies like McDonalds and Wal-Mart by forcing the local competition to close. The expense would be defered to the consumer by increase in prices, especially after the local competition has exited the market.

During 1968, the minimum wage was equal to $10.51. Yet, the economy was thriving. There was no disaster. No massive company shutdowns. No excessive layoffs. None of the apocalyptic events which the Republicans are now spouting took place. If Corporate America can survive $10.51, it can survive $9.00.

Incorrect. The minimum wage in 1968 was $1.60. It had the purchasing power of $7.21 in 1996 dollars according to the CPI-U (Consumer Price Index of All Urban Consumers) as published by the US Department of Labor. It should be noted that the current minimum wage of $7.25 has the power of $4.97 in 1996 dollars. But still, the minimum wage in 1968 was NOT $10.51. At least from what I could research in a matter of 30 seconds.

Ol_Doc-You should stay away from "Party Propaganda" Comrade! The Democrats have had a Federal pay freeze and hiring freeze going on for over 3 years now...try to keep up.

Prez-0 gave everyone, including himself, a pay raise, on Dec. 28th, 2012.

So which one of us does not 'keep up', scooter?

According to factcheck.org, Obama's "statistics" were short on facts, and long on BS. Come to think of it, I did see him reach behind himself several times during his speech, and I couldn't figure out what he was doing. Now I know....he was busy pulling "facts" out of his ass!

If a business states that it is going to fold as a result of a higher minimum wage - then I hope it does. No business owner has a right to under pay his employees to stay afloat. It is not a viable business if it is that marginal that workers can't subside in America. Get rid of that particular business, bulldoze it to sand, and finally let someone with a better business skill start.

Raise the wage... Its ridiculous to do anything else.

I'll tell you where the money will come from to raise the minimum wage - possibly the top executives do not need over a million dollar wage and bonuses on top of that. They all need to restructure their pay scales for all.

And I would include politicians everywhere on this. How many days does Congress really work a week - 3. They vote for their own pay raises. Get rid of lobbyists that line their pockets too so they will not be beholden to them. Cut down on how many aides they really need to do the work.

Feisty.... When will they acknowledge we had an election last November and they LOST!.... This just in! The rate of real GDP during Obama's first term was 0.8%. This Rate of Economic Growth under President Obama's stewardship has effectively amounted to the worst growth during any presidential term in the past 60 years. Feisty, every day for the last four years we have acknowledged who won the election because we have had to live with a big fat 0.8%.

Hey earl lipshcitz..

I'm working, I have a life and i do not respect Mr Obama. I do intensely respect the office of the President of the United States. Just not the man currently holding office. And, I'd wager I'm just as much a patriot as you are, or even moreso. Granddaughter of a veteran, daughter of a veteran, wife of a veteran, mother of a future soldier.. yeah.. I think so..

Good call, I wonder sometimes about these nuts on here! The red whatever, makes a fool of herself everytime she posts anything. Which I've come to learn to pass by. Nothing of importance or substance comes from her rantings. I guessing she has a sad miserable life.

The GOP since 1981

1. Cut taxes for the rich
2. Spend
3. Borrow
4. More REGULATION on personal behavior.
5. Fewer REGULATION on big business
6. Start a war
7. Borrow
8. Borrow more to fight another war
9. Whine
10. Spend
11. Borrow more
12. Whine about the media
13. Talk about cutting spending but spend more
14. More tax cuts for the rich
15. Even fewer REGULATION on big business
16. Borrow more
17. Whine about the media
18. Spend
19. Elections are getting near so talk about abortion.
20. Elections are over so stop talking about abortion.
21. Whine
22. Borrow more and talk about cutting spending.
23. Whine about the media
24. Spend
25. Borrow more.

If you don't cooperate with my scoundrel you are evil and if you cooperate with the other scoundrels you are evil, if you cooperate with my scoundrel you are enlightened. The leaders, and devoted followers of the party's do not want compromise, they are like 6 year olds who want what they want when they want it. I check in between patients to read this mindless drivel and the regulars here from both sides never fail to convince me that the country is screwed if they represent anything more than the fringes of society.

"The president spoke about energy infrastructure but didn't mention the Keystone pipeline,” McConnell said. “He chose the nation's biggest stage to promote something that's inefficient and costly, like solar panels, instead of something that's proven and reliable - and domestically produced - like coal.”

Mitch is a dumb A**. Solar panels don't cause smog, cancer, asthma, ash, acid rain, etc. He has obviously never seen a mountain top that's been removed before either. This my friends is the difference between Dems and Repubs, one group thinks about the future, and one is stuck in the past.

@ 8BALL #1.96 "No business owner has the right to under pay his employees to stay afloat" ? LOL !!

So, your concept is that he must lose his business and go bankrupt and shut down ??? How much do the workers get paid if they are fired or laid off genius ? Do you care to explain that one bunky ??

Are you counting on the welfare dole, unemployment and "gubmint" food stamps ?????

Someone once described a lever as a simple tool .... the liberal mind is even simpler .... and that of a fool !

If Obama were to walk on water someday, the GOP would still be unimpressed.

They have not been able to get over his skin color from day 1 back in 2009.

Friggin' GOP idiots, we know you've heard it before, but you still refuse to LISTEN to the majority of We the People. Step off douchebags, and clear a path for the Dems to actually govern!

Awesome speech, which addressed many issues of personal interest.

Economics: equal pay for equal work, indexing the minimum wage to inflation, ending tax credits for off-shoring (Bring Jobs Home Act) and subsidies, closing tax loopholes for the rich (carried interest), and of course getting the rest of the Jobs Act passed.

Election reform - Yes!

Regarding immigration reform, I'm with Chris Matthews on this. Improve eVerify and mandate it! This would end the need for $$$ spent on border control that isn't effective anyway.

But deficit reduction is NOT an economic plan. We can't cut our way to prosperity. Certainly not by attacking trust funds such as Social Security/Medicare instead of requiring the rich, corporations, and Wall Street that have prospered at the expense of everyone else to finally start paying their fair share in revenue.

What's wrong with rightwingers? What was said in the SOTU speech that they don't agree with? Why are rightwingers continuing to enable Teapublican obstruction? Throw the GOP/TP out before they throw the American people under the bus--again!

GOP........The party of give everything to the rich..... even if they DESTROY AMERICA to do it!

Repubs pledge to King Norquist to never raise taxes on the rich.

Repubs pledged against America the very first day President Obama took office for the first 4 years.

They pledged to vote against and obstruct any bill that would help America and make President Obama look good.

So the GOP plan is the same for the next 4 years. Obstruct and destroy America for profit. Get those profits in offshore accounts to avoid paying taxes.

GOP plan, keep offshoring jobs overseas.

Block the bills that would end their destruction plan in place on the Post Office. By forcing the Post office to pay out 75 YEARS AHEAD ON PENSION PLAN, THE GOP FORCES MOST OF THE MONEY TO RUN POST OFFICE TO GO INTO THE PENSION. NO other business does this. GOP PLAN IS TO PRIVATIZE POST OFFICE FOR PROFIT.

WHEN DOES THE GREED OF THE GOP END??????

Vote Democratic Party and protect America and American workers!!!!!

Boris, you fascist SOB, "But if you need more income, why steal it from me" Is this your idea of being patriotic, paying taxes is "stealing from you"?

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL: "More sour grapes from the team of losers... lol"

It's not sour grapes and it's no lol moment. The few ideas the President puts forward are economic disasters. He wants to cut spending by a pittance and increase taxes so he can spend more on his losing ideas. For example, Obama-phones. Yes he won, but the Republicans still control the House. Every bill that deals with spending pasted by the house is automatically DOA in the Senate because Mr. Reid has never seen a Republican bill he liked. Mr. Reid apparently doesn't like budgets either. As for you, you have your head so far up Mr. Obama's posterior that you can't and won't see anything. You are the perfect example of complete partisan politics.

I like how the president called out the GOP for their voter suppression, sure it went thud to them....everyone knows they were the reason there were long lines, etc because republicons are passing laws to prevent non republicons from voting!!!!!

GOP....the party of voter suppression, gerrymandering elections, voter fraud, rigging the election by changing voting places to less hrs and fewer places for Democrats to vote.

GOP...the party of.................THUD!........(that's the sound of the economy crashing under their watch and future intentions).

Hay Redhead min wage is for business owners to be able hire and train workers at a lower wage.

I would invite all the Liberal Obamadrones to click on the fact check article concerning the SOTU speech. But then, maybe you already did, since you are repeating the same lies the President was spouting. The speech didn't stand up to reality. All the personal attacks against those in the article who tell it like it really is in line with a 6 year old.

“Following four years of this president's unwillingness to challenge liberal dogma, we got more of the same,” McConnell said.

Absolutely, unfortunately Liberal dogma is no more than pretty words. When you get out there in the real world, it always fails since there is never enough money to take away from those who work hard to pay for the Liberal pipe dream. So instead of accepting the reality, Liberals lay blame anywhere they can (and usually outright lie) to keep the Public from the truth. Liberals, open your minds. Start accepting reality and become part of the solution, instead of a major roadblock to personal responsibility and economic growth. We don't need a nanny state, we need a flourishing private industry.

Lets see, 15 year old wants their first job at the local grocery store bagging groceries on Saturdays.

Sorry, due to the minimum wage being $9.00 per hour we have had to cut the number of students wanting to earn some extra money for sodas at the mall by 20%.

Minimum wage entry level jobs are not and never were designed to raise a family on !!!!

Now, if the liberal education you received does not live up to real life needs and your only qualified for bagging groceries ........

And in Obama America it's ok to have the American Dream just as it's not to big.

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

No wonder the US is like it is, it's because of people like you and Obama, libs and a like that have ruined our country with the GROWING GOV. and entitlement programs. And I do not mean SS or medicare....

Yes you are what is wrong with our country because you, I SAID YOU because you are PAID like a few others to SPEW this garbage to insight people into a rage!!!!

You should be ashamed of yourself for the wrong you have done against your fellow people..

KARMA, yes karma is coming you way for sure for you will have to pay!!!!

Paws93 . . .

In answer to your idiotic post above and question posed to me . . .

You blast coal and oil as living in the past, name one thing modern that you can afford that's green energy

Let's see, my electricity at my home is generated via water and my home is heated with natural gas. Both clean and affordable.

Now get back and start shoveling coal into your burner. It's chilly outside . . .

Lots of liberals did not like George Bush. But we went along with his proposals. We did not oppose him at every turn. We supported moving the country forward.

If today's conservatives, Republicans, and the TeaParty would compromise, work for the good of the country and move the country forward, we could accomplish great things.

Sadly, conservatives, Republicans and the Tea Party cannot even define compromise. They do not understand divisiveness. They are mired in 1950s definitions of socialism and communism. They appear by their thoughts and statements and deeds to be willing to sacrifice the country for their own selfish interests.

How sad...

Fiesty

STFU

Take a look in your own back yard called Chicago.

Blame GOP

Story this morning on MSNBC Obama unwilling to compromise.

Lib Double Standerd and Blame Game

Ol Doc

"I did not have sex" ring a bell?

ComradeChaos

I have no 'side' since I find both political parties in DC to be equally inept. I do however pity your 'label and attack' methodology - Prez-0 brainwashes his little minions well.

Ohhhhh, so you're one of those super elite intellectuals who stands for nothing and disagrees with everything. While I agree the interaction betwen the two main parties is inept, they both certainly have some intelligent and caring members that are trying hard to accomplish good for America. Maybe "Prez-0" learned about "label and attack" methodology from you, since you seem to be an expert and labeling and attacking the entire political spectrum. In your mind you are far superior to everyone else because you won't agree with any politician from any party even if it's a solid and reasonable idea. You are never wrong because you never take a stance. Thanks for your contribution, but even a tree-hugging libtard or wacked-out Tea Party prepper contributes more to this country and its ideology than you do.

P.S. From your profile I see you like to ride Harleys, next time you hop on your Harley and start riding down the roads that the government built for you, remember to also thank them for the $2.3 billion bailout Harley received to save their company. By the way, before you rant about government spending for saving Harley Davidson, they have already paid it back with interest so the government actually made a profit.

Just more smoke and mirrors from the divider-in-chief. Make all sorts of flowery speeches, great visionary statements and then....no details, no funding, no reality.

Glad I didn't waste my time watching it - checked the after-speech comments on MSNBC (they were taken-in by the cheerleader-in-chief) and then Fox. So sad that so many people have fallen for this hollow shell.

Hitler had the same effect on Germany - lets pray enough people see the direction he is trying to take us and wake up before it's to late.

@R7382...And then what?... Your choice is a Mormon who has TRIED to get into politics for the past 30 years?...And has done absolutly NOTHING...And can't get ANYWHERE!!!...Pretty much says it all...He needs to go back on a mission within his so called church, as he did not learn anything on his first one...

8-ball,

Say, that business has 6 employees and they can't afford say 37K more in salaries so they should shut down....that's good logic now instead of 6 people making some money we have 6 unemployeed. I guess your with the it's better to be unemplyed and let someone else support you than the get out their and take care of yourself crowd.

Feisty, I have two employees, that want to know your answer? Like your President can't make the hard decision? No ones getting fired yet! So this right now is just a game! I already have told my employee if I have to raise all wadges like this I will be laying off.

I worker for a company that had 72 people when this hit it went down to 27 guess who had to do the work of the people who were not there. Not this Presidents fault, but this will be.

ride a china made scooter...get in a motor cycle gang...the wong angels...cause ole wong don't go for that...

"If they are the team of losers, then why do they have a majority in the House"

Its called gerrymandering, a result of the 2010 elections. As more and more people get wise to the GOP, there will be less and less of them in congress to obstruct. But the real shocker may come in 2020 when more people learn how Obamacares is for the people not the miserable failures in the party of no.

Truly incredible that those 6 million jobs I have created, suddenly within less than 12 hours was factually posted as aprox. 1.4 million. My my, your accountants must of mis-counted, ya think?

Although there is no way that I could or can support the GOP's agenda, I believe that President Obama is out of touch with what the people want in this country. He dreams of having our children compete educationally with those in China yet neglects that they are Communist Country which primary treats 90% of their people like peasants.

He wants the US to be like China whereby Filth reigns among disgrace and discrimination. HE is OUT OF TOUCH With what we want---being that of clean food, non-enflaming tap water and no more technically altered foods.

HE honestly believes that technology is the answer for everything, but technology is as bad as it is good!

Do you wish to be diagnosed by a list on the computer or by a seasoned and experienced Dr.?? And the way he wishes for kids to excel in Science and Math implies that he is out of touch with individualism and individual skills and talents. EX: I have 2 plus advanced degrees but 2 & 2 will always add up tp 22 in my brain. And look at what technology has done to our kids, the increase of bullying through cyberbullying have gotten out of control, sexting at the age of 11 is common these days and above and beyond toomany children are graduating from HS with lots of smarts yet no wisdom or analytical skills--as machine does it all for them.

Technology is a grand invention; yet should it dictate and run our lives? This is one of his main focuses, and proves that he is out of touch with what We the People want. Life is not on a computer! Even cars have had massive problems since they added more tech under that hood; while Old cars and P-ups still run fine without these tech advances!

Colorado-Man

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL Comment collapsed by the community

More sour grapes from the team of losers... lol

If they are the team of losers, then why do they have a majority in the House? It seems like remedial math is in order. Didn't you just give all the teachers a big new contract? Maybe they can squeeze you in, assuming the doors are wide enough.

But, but, but... they ARE a team of losers, and if you check the latest approval rating for your precious Reich-wing infested congress (sieg heil), you'll see that the only one in need of remedial math is you... because you cant even count to 15%! Enjoy!

Hey riverboy .... how much profit did our government make on that Solyndra loan ? You better examine the whole "portfolio" if you start blathering about ROI !!

Johntho

You are blind are you not?? 2020 will come to ChinaAmerica sooner than you think, maybe by 2018 if Obama keeps spending along with Obamacare. We are doomed as a nation as we knew it with all the spending and Obama wanting a MUCH BIGGER GOV..

@ riverboy

So Solyndra is going to pay back that 1/2 billion?

wtf?? who gives a sh*t if the reps. are impressed? they've spent the last 12 yrs. unimpressing the country, and with their attitudes it will be along time more before they matter.

""I did not have sex" ring a bell?"

and roc, 30 million dollar investigation to find out Clinton got a hummer from a 23 year old and what was the response from the American people. "who G.A.F. He ran this country well, he shrunk government and created a boom which George W. Bush brought to an end. Republican supply side economics has never worked and you size 2 hats like you want to return to the failure that is the republican party. How sad.

Bob, your 15 yr old hasn't a snowball's chance in hell of getting any job at any minimum wage because ILLEGALS that a 40 yrs old have all those jobs...Welcome to McJOSE's

Oh was I talking about Solyndra or are you just to the point of falling back on your blogger talking points? So they had one failed venture, that cost less than the court fees Boehner ran up fighting the Violence Against Women Act. Even Romney and Ryan agreed that ALL the bailouts were necessary and responsible for saving our economy during their election run, even though they opposed them at the time. I suggest you examine the whole portfolio Jim, you'll find one bad loan and how many thriving industries and avoided crashes? Banks would kill to have a portfolio with such a high success rate. Keep crying about Solyndra, half a billion is a drop in the ocean compared to what previous administrations have lost in the past, Democrat and Republican alike. How about the $357 Billion paid to Lockheed Martin to design the X-33 that became a huge failure and the entire project was scrapped?

I got to call bovine excrement on you Richard, the CBO says Obama cares will cut the cost of our health care and I think they are are a lot more college graduates there then all of Rush's radio show.

"riverboy21"

riding down the roads that the government built for you

Thx pal, you just gave me my laugh for the day. ..... Hilarious!

I've got one for the liberals out there that can't seem to think beyond their anus.

My son-in-law has a job as well as my daughter. Thanks to future Obamacare requirements, his employer has cut his working hours back to 30 hours a week so that the business does not need to meet the requirements. The sad part is that he has a child support payment that is garnished from his paycheck automatically. As a result he is working just to make the child support. Oh and I need to mention that as part of his child support agreement, he has to provide insurance for the child. Insurance which he no longer has because the cutback in hours was to keep the employer from providing insurance. As a result of this Obama, Pelosi, clusterf***ed legislation, my son-in-law and his family now qualify for food stamps, have less income to spend on necessities, and generally have suffered a setback in their standard of living. Don't be suprised if more of this type of action does occur as we approach 2014.

River boy, don't expect much from the fascist republicans that post here because you won't get much. Here I'll give it to you.

Obama bad, democrats bad, socialism bad, fascism good, supply side economics good. One finger in mouth other in azz, and rotate good.

Yes, they have heard all that stuff before but have failed to get the message. Republicans should understand today's Republican party is not their daddy's Republican party. It is a mess with deep Fascist overtones.

There are few Conservatives to be found anywhere, except perhaps in the Democratic party.

What is lacking are the history lessons. The gravest, most costly, recessions and depressions have been solved by spending on things that give us a return. President Roosevelt did infrastructure spending (the WPA) which got us something. The spending on WW2 actually helped the economy but left us with nothing substantial afterwards other than a lot of broken tanks, airplanes and sunken ships and debt. Eisenhower with a 90% tax on the very rich got us a jobs deal buliding the interstate highway system leaving us with it to help us create riches again. The thing about past spending to dig us out of a hole helped the rich the most and more than made up for their past high taxes.

Bush/Cheney on the other hand spent us into oblivion leaving us with a continuous running debt and more broken war machines to show for it and a few Billionaires. Those that say Obama created more debt do not understand that the debt was begun way back with Carter, augmented by Reagan and sent over the top with Bush and is still pilling up. Obama has little to do with it ..... yet.

The treasonous sending of jobs overseas and the avoidance of taxation by the International Corporations has to be reigned in or nothing will save us from becoming the NEO THIRD WORLD, OWING EVERYTHING AND OWNING NOTHING.

The lack of knowing and understanding our history is the self inflicted suicide weapon against us. There are still many smart people but collectively, we have dumbed down to the moron level. The biggest purveyer of dumbness may be Rush Limbaugh.

Thats what they want Joe, for folks to be dependent on the Fed.

Got to call bovine excrement on you too, avg. If your son and law and daughter are that low of income they are eligible for government assistance to pay for Obamacares. Sorry, that dog isn't washed until he gets deflead.

Pathetic speech . . . the approval rating was -78% last I checked.

His problem was he didn't say anything . . . he talked but did not say anything . . . he just preached but made no impression.

Very sorry day for the USA is all I have to say . . .

As for the Obama die hards like Michelle Obama cheering her man on like an over the hill cheer leader a Madonna . . . together with Nancy P . . . who I thought was going to jump out of her dress . . . and the rest of the gang . . . acting like this was a high school event . . . how sad!

Well said Pippo, but these so called conservatives are nothing more then people that don't think enough of their country nor their countrymen to pay their fair share. They simply are free riders who want something for nothing and have been sold that by republican talking heads. Truthfully there is nothing more irresponsible then today's republican party.

@riverboy21 - the govt didn't pay for the roads, taxpayers like you & I did (and didn't you enjoy seeing the DOT govt workers; one with the shovel and four watching him?).
The govt did not bail out Harley-Davidson; the taxpayers did.

GE (whose CEO is a big Obama supporter) got $16 billion in 'bailout money' and promptly moved somme of its manufacturing to China.

...young'uns...their lack of critical thinking skills is the fault of the social engineering taught in today's public education institutes.

Um, lessee...

T.E.A. Party plan? How 'bout BALANCED BUDGET in ten years or so, to allow the mainline-heroin-government spending addicts to work through their withdrawal pains.

Feisty, how many BUDGETS have the GOP led HOUSE passed as compared to the DEMMUNIST led Senate? Like Four to ZIP, at last count. No budget debate, Prez O doesn't have to account for his spending. Some things are best kept from the public...

National Debt? Blew through 16.4 Trillion this fiscal year, headed for 20T by the end of THIS YEAR. Your family's share? Well over $100,000.

The Federal Government BORROWS $4.1 BILLION EVERY SINGLE DAY, just to cover the minimum payments on the INTEREST on the national debt. Spends $10 MILLION A MINUTE 24/7/365...

A quote attributed to Albert Einstein: "The most powerful force in the universe is COMPOUND INTEREST. Those who understand this EARN it, those who do not PAY it..."

Sad but true, whether or not he said it. And the Communist Chinese government is laughing all the way to the bank...

gfrank73

Ol_Dco

#1.45 - "And yet your party spent over 40 million dollars impeaching Clinton (unsuccessfully)"

Article 1 section 2 - "The House of Representatives ... shall have the sole Power of Impeachment"

Article 1 section 3 - "The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments"

They were successful in "Impeaching" (in the house), but not in convicting (in the senate)

Un...Freaking...believable! You failed to remove him from office!

FAIL !!

LMAO! Even the nbc political unit had this to say about Obamas "facts"...

http://news.msn.com/politics/fact-checking-obamas-state-of-the-union

Obama must have really pulled a boner for msnnbc to even report the discrepancies.

Kudos to both Obama and Rubio for their deliveries. Not so much for obama's message though, most of what he thinks comes with a price tag that the middle class can't afford and that is beyond what he wants to tax the 2% for.

As for a $9/hr minimum wage, why? So everyone can beat an arbitrary government assigned threshhold of poverty? I bet my mom (who has a fixed income called SS)can't wait to spend more money at the store to pay for someone whp may or may not be worth that $9/hr. Talk about Obama throwing the elderly and disabled under the bus!! He still can't see down the road, can he?

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Fiesty...

What's wrong with paying someone an honest wage for an honest days work?

Absolutely nothing, however, many jobs don't require the skill sets that are worth $9/hr let alone a states minimum wage or are dependent on delivering above average customer service, read TIPS.

ComradeChaos

Ol_Doc-You should stay away from "Party Propaganda" Comrade! The Democrats have had a Federal pay freeze and hiring freeze going on for over 3 years now...try to keep up.

Prez-0 gave everyone, including himself, a pay raise, on Dec. 28th, 2012.

So which one of us does not 'keep up', scooter?

You're going to have to show me the article. I work for the Federal Government and I did not get a raise...as in Federal Wage Freeze!

ComradeChaos... in regards to your #1.94 comment. Do you understand how the Federal government works? What the role of the branches of government are? If you did then you would have NEVER made such a comment.

POP QUIZ:
1) Who in the federal government controls how money is spent (including pay raises)?
2) How does the Federal government obtain revenue to spend on infrastructure?
3) Under what program did GE obtain a "bailout"? Who initiated said program?

ANSWERS (you obviously can't see past your partisan political views so you need these FACTS)
1) The Congress
2) Taxes (from corporations and individuals) , royalties and payments on leases
3) TARP. GWB and Hank Paulson

Typical of you and your trolling ilk. Myopic and incomplete understanding of the world around and current events.

Ah yes, the right fringe is here to call out these leftist commies. First off, you idiots wouldn't know a communist if they were setting right beside you, until they killed you. This freedom that enjoy called freedom of speech wouldn't be allowed if there were true communists running the country. And the one group that was truly afraid and despised the communists, were the fascists. Your weak, childish attempts to scare people with this commie talk is really very lame. Most of you here are probably not old enough to have lived through the Cold War, you just read about it. Pitiful. And you run scared when someone mentions terrorists. Again pitiful.

ComradeChaos

@riverboy21 - the govt didn't pay for the roads, taxpayers like you & I did (and didn't you enjoy seeing the DOT govt workers; one with the shovel and four watching him?).
The govt did not bail out Harley-Davidson; the taxpayers did.

GE (whose CEO is a big Obama supporter) got $16 billion in 'bailout money' and promptly moved somme of its manufacturing to China.

...young'uns...their lack of critical thinking skills is the fault of the social engineering taught in today's public education institutes.

Oh so taxpayers analyzed the situation, created a plan to save these industries, collected taxes, and distributed all those taxes all by themselves without the help of government. Amazing! That is the worst case of denial I've ever seen. If you're going to respond to facts with satirical, play-on-words comment, then we are done here. If you really believe that the government has had nothing to do with building roads or bailing out industries, then you are just ignoring facts and a waste of time to debate with. I appreciate being called a "young'un" but judging by your picture you may actually be younger than me, the "boy" in riverboy21 is just because that was my first username on AOL about 30 years ago. Nice try again though.

Charlie-1915998

The GOP since 1981

1) Cut taxes for the rich 2) Spend 3)Borrow 4)More REGULATION on personal behavior. 5) Fewer REGULATION on big business 6)Start a war 7)Borrow 8) Borrow more to fight another war 8)Whine 9)Spend

Charlie, Priceless!

Starsailing:

THE GOP FORCES MOST OF THE MONEY TO RUN POST OFFICE TO GO INTO THE PENSION. NO other business does this. GOP PLAN IS TO PRIVATIZE POST OFFICE

Starsailing, Spot on...

**Sigh**

Again with the "your an idiot," "no your an idiot" (misspelled "your" on purpose to reflect the literacy displayed on this forum) "my president can beat up your president" and "four years later it's still all Bush's fault but you live in the past!" And then you get the "you're a racist because you don't like Obama" from the people who can't get past the color of his skin and, in fact, only voted in the last two elections BECAUSE of the color of his skin.

Sometimes I wish they'd just shut these forums down, because all it's turned into is a useless shouting match from people who don't really know what they're talking about. No real intelligent discussion, just shouts, insults, and racist diatribe from people on both sides who can't see president Obama for anything but his skin color.

But I love the comic relief I get from some of the regulars, so most times I hope they keep the forum alive. Feisty Redhead sounds like someone I'd like to party with, provided it really is a SHE. She's opinionated, FEISTY, and if she got to talking too much I've got a special instrument to stick in her mouth to shut her up for a while. And she can be plump, as long as she's not too fat.

What you "liberal" guys are ignoring, though, are all the factchecks that are proving that president Obama exaggerated and apparently lied in many aspects of last night's speech. Go read the factcheck article from one of your "liberal" sites, MSNBC. Your insane partisan bickering is JUST AS BAD as what you accuse the Republicans.

As much as I wanted to believe our president, I was so disheartened buy what I read on MSNBC's factcheck this morning. It reminded me that, above everything else, HE'S A POLITICIAN. He'll spin, he'll maneuver, he'll issue executive orders when he doesn't get what he wants. ("If congress won't do it, I'LL do it through Executive Orders." His words, not mine.) He's just a man, a smart man, he has some good ideas and some not-so-good ideas, just like everyone else. But when it's all said and done, he's a politician by choice.

There is no doubt president delivers his speeches beautifully, really gifted in that way. But why in the world have we embarked on a crusade of “pegging back” our worldwide status of being the most prosperous nation, a beacon of hope for the millions of people wishing to provide a better life for their families. Why?

Where we are just another player, with little more than 315 million people (third on the list of countries by population), no better or worse than the most, is nothing to be proud of.

Our enormous debt alone will ensure our next few generations will be slaving to repay it, their living standards on the canvas, out for a count.

Feisty Readhead, your comment ‘What's wrong with paying someone an honest wage for an honest day’s work?”. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it. In fact even the $9/hr called for by the President is inadequate and barely enough to feed and clothe a family in this economic climate. And the debt hasn’t even started to bite our buttocks!

I only hope that while on this bumpy ride, we don’t miss our stop!!

@ Colorado Man:

Don't be too pleased that Republicans have a majority in the House of Representatives. It's only because of gerrymandered districts. More people voted for Democratic than for Republican candidates for house seats.

The Republican party as currently constituted can't win at the national level without cheating, and from some of the right-wing rhetoric here on this board, you can see why.

Despite President Obama’s subtle reference to wanting to reform Medicare during the State of the Union address

Asked if Democrats on the Hill would be willing to entertain cuts to Social Security and Medicare, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) said on MSNBC Wednesday, “Absolutely not.”

WHAT??? She DARES to say NO to the king? Off with her head!

When you raise the price of employment, guess what happens?

Those costs are passed on to consumers!

High school kids don’t NEED to earn a living!! They still live at home with their parents! This is gas money and money they just blow on non-essentials!

Obama State of the Union lands with a thud in Congress

YO! YO! HEY BARRACK HUSSEIN!!!!!!!!!!

Where are the JOBS?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Where is our BUDGET?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Where is the deficit CUT IN HALF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Just more Liberal/Progressive social and economic justice that no one on the planet believes.

Of course Barrack Hussein wants a “smarter government”. The only way that will happen is if he and his Statist cabal just quit.

Earlier today the Barrack Hussein “Fact Check” was posted on PMSNBC with all the typical lies that we real Americans are used to. Of course there was no “comment” section to expose the Liar-in-Chief.

The SOTU was just more blathering to the unwashed masses about how much more government Barrack will give them and all their freebies.

BUT NOT A WORD ABOUT THE DEBT OR DEFICIT!!!!

The typical Liberal/Progressive solution is to spend, tax and, as he stated last night, increasing the minimum wage!

He lied about the $2.5 trillion he claims he has already cut. For deficit reduction from budgets through fiscal year 2022. Exactly how much will be cut will be up to future Congresses.

He lied about all the manufacturing jobs he claims have been “created” by his wonderful economic policy. He claims he created 500,000 manufacturing jobs when we have actually lost more than 600,000 jobs. Jobs in this sector peaked in July 2012,since then the we have lost 7,000 jobs.

He lied about Romney agreeing to increasing the minimum wage to $9/hr. Romney agreed it should be linked to CPI or other index, but not now during a recession.

He lied about doubling distance cars can go on a gallon of gas.

He lied about Obamacare helping to slow the growth of health care costs. The slower growth of health care spending started before the great redistribution of wealth was enacted.

He lied about solar and wind energy doubling.

Of course all these laws have been spewed for over a year and the useful idiots believed them. None of the media called him out as they all sniff his chair like the rest of the Liberal/Progressives.

Barrack Hussein just regurgitated his usual statist nonsense and of course the only thing the media focuses on is Marco Rubio taking a drink of water during the Republican rebuttal.

This buffoon is an embarrassment. Unfortunately our great Republic and all real Americans will suffer because of it.

Feisty, I personally think you're an idiot. Before you start pointing a finger, and calling me a GOP supporter; I vote for who I think is the best candidate Republican or Democrat. I'm gonna guess you didn't pass US History if you didn't know; the President is not suppose to have all the power. We have a system set in place called the Checks and Balances.

Currently working a minimal wage job; raising the minimal wage is not the solution, and will possibly cause more bad than good. Instead of empowering a cook to spend the rest of his life as a cook, if he really wants to earn more money let him work his way up to manager or get an actual career. You're creating a society of lazy good-for-nothings if you have people that don't want to work their way up, and are content with staying at the bottom.

Feisty RedHead - you like Obama like to run your lip but don't say anything important . . . just one liners . . . and you run and hide.

My guess is your still overcoming a STD infection and maybe just can't keep up with the big girls so you peck and hide . . .

Our President's speech was pathetic . . . he talked but said nothing. He bragged but misquoted the real facts . . his homey cheer section did their best impression of an over the hill Madonna . . . with Michelle leading the pack followed by Nancy Polanski - who looked like she was going to jump out of her tight ass dress followed by your other lover . . . Diane Finestein . . . who looked like she spent too much time breathing up Ted Kennedy's shorts . . . Did you read the MSNBC analysis??? Read it !!

I see feisty and the rest of the brainwashed leftist loyalists are out in force yet again. With their blind allegiance and half truths, out right lies and fabrications.

So he created 500,000 manufacturing jobs, did he? When was this? In the time period he uses the net was 600,000 manufacturing jobs lost, so in truth that's a net loss of -100,000 jobs.

He says his policies have slowed rising medical costs, really? According to statistics for the same period, health care cost rose 6.2%, mainly because of job lose and people going to the E.R.

He claimed unemployment is down, yet, it remains at 7.9% and has for the last 13 months. Counting all those who have exhausted their benefits, and others no longer counted in the unemployed figures, the real number hovers at 11.3%

He wants an "assault weapons" ban. Never mind they only ones with assault weapons are the military and police, since ownership of machine guns aka assault weapons, has been illegal for the general population since 1934. During King William of Clinton's assault weapons ban violent crime actually rose. The number of weapons in the population increased three fold and it accomplished nothing. The government on the other hand. Killed the Branch Davidians in Waco, the Weavers of Ruby ridge, Idaho and sent a little boy back to Castro from Miami, Fl. Who's mother drowned to get him here taking him forcibly from her relatives. Who are the real mass killers here? These were supposed to be sane, competent people in charge, Clinton, Reno, Pelosi, etc, not some random lunatic, but it's getting hard to tell them apart.

Yeah, these lefties really do have our best interests at heart,,,,,, Thank you no. And Feisty, outside Chicago and between the Sierra's and Appalachian's, you know away from the Nanny coasts and Nanny centers like Chicago, there are vast expanses of this country that do not agree with you or your socialist leaning friends. He was an empty suit then, he is now. You can't spend your way out of debt. Sooner of later, the hard choices will have to be made. You had only a few on the left capable of doing so FDR for one, and Maybe Kennedy, but he got killed before we could find out.

His successor LBJ was about the worst president we ever had, right behind "peanut" Carter. No one outside Chicago had ever heard of Obama, his election is historic in that some many were hood winked by a snake oil salesman and ignored so much wrong about him. I can't see ANYONE else who associated with a known domestic terrorist and unrepentant mass murderer like Bill Ayers, getting elected. Or Radish Kadelli, known PLO operative and spy. You call it sour grapes, I call if facts. I know you can't be troubled with facts, you all have an agenda, Sooo much better for you than facts. I know, Scream the lie long enough and loud enough and it will become the truth. Seems to working real well for you Marxists.

Assuming you have a job,,, with benefits, tell me. Filed your taxes yet? You will notice two income figures on the W-2 this year, One what you actually made, the other with your insurance premiums added on. guess what, under the Obama plan this higher figure is what your tax liability will be figured on. Also since they let all the tax cuts expire, add another $2000 to your tax liability. Oh and guess what, the child tax credit was lower from $1500 per child to $1100, Interest and investment dividends tax rate will be 8% higher this year than last, thanks to the Obama plan. But he would never cost middle Americans a tax hike, right? Oh, Oh and the best one, If you own a home and sell it, guess what? Uncle "O" gets 18% at closing. These are all parts of the Obama plan now in place. But I know, it's all Bushes fault, right? Four and a half years after he left office and it's still all his fault, Uncle "O" can't be blamed for poor policy making after all, He's perfect, he's for the common man, He's an empty suit just like I have always said. I know you can't deal with the truth about your flavor of the month, Poser in Chief. Do this, If you want to see where their loyalties truly lie, Check their portfolios. It will make for all your nightmares, considering they are all heavily invested in the bailed out companies and Whom do you think those "Bonus" checks went to?

Oh and as for Hilary in 16. I think not. You all turned on her like a pack of hyenas in 08 for the flavor of the month empty suit. In truth I would have preferred Hilary to this poser. You will get "Jumpin" Joe Biden as your candidate. Credit Card Company darling, tax and spend elitist and all round scum bag. Enjoy. Hopefully by that time, Once Mr. Hope and Change's policies have totally screwed the country up, people will wake up.

We should have let your pilgrims starve that first and killed all comers afterward. After a few missions where no one survived, they would have given up and we would have kept our country much longer. As it is, we will be here long after you destroy yourselves. Feisty and cohorts, the sooner the better. The great Half White father in Washington is no better than all the white ones before him. Kinda like the buffalo soldiers, Once free from slavery, they put on the blue coat of the white man and killed our women, children and elders. Hero's all, right feisty?

Republicans won the last election.

He who has the gold makes the rules... the golden rule.

The House holds the purse strings, Republicans won the House, we make the rules, we won the election.

Not only did the Repubs not like the speech ... neither did the Fact Checkers

Just some highlights from Fact Checkers

http://news.msn.com/politics/fact-checking-obamas-state-of-the-union

• The president claimed that "both parties have worked together to reduce the deficit by more than $2.5 trillion." But that's only an estimate of deficit reduction through fiscal year 2022, and it would be lower if the White House used a different starting point.
• Obama touted the growth of 500,000 manufacturing jobs over the past three years, but there has been a net loss of 600,000 manufacturing jobs since he took office. The recent growth also has stalled since July 2012.
• He claimed that "we have doubled the distance our cars will go on a gallon of gas." Actual mileage is improving, but Obama's "doubled" claim refers to a desired miles-per-gallon average for model year 2025.
• Obama said the Affordable Care Act "is helping to slow the growth of health care costs." It may be helping, but the slower growth for health care spending began in 2009, before the law was enacted, and is due at least partly to the down economy and before the law has taken effect.

The rich 1%....... supported by republicons who give them every tax loophole, and tax breaks to take American jobs overseas in order to pay less to employees, and then take all the profits and put them into offshore bank accounts just to avoid paying taxes to America.......Then....after sucking the life out of America and all of Middle class Americans, turning many into poor people who survive on foodstamps etc.....They cry about what they don't pay for.....American taxes....yes crying that American tax money pays to keep Americans afloat over the damage they caused to Americans.......WELFARE RICH AND THE WELFARE REPUBLICONS FEEDING THE 1% RICH OFF OF THE BACKS OF THE MIDDLECLASS AMERICANS......

GOP.......PARTY OF WELFARE FOR THE RICH!!!!!

The Republican "response" to President Obama's speech is sadly amusing, but ultimately predictable.

When considered in light of Senator McConnell's comments, "An opportunity to bring the country together instead became another retread of lip service and liberalism,” coupled with the picture of Mr. Boehner standing in front of the "Countdown to Obamaquester" clock board (which certainly didn't just materialize moments before, but was crafted days in advance), it is painfully obvious to any observer that the Republican "response" is nothing more than -- to paraphrase Mr. McConnell, "neocon tea party conservative boilerplate.”

One can only conclude that any Republican overtures to "work together" are pitifully transparent as nothing more than crap that was scripted well in advance of President Obama's speech.

Their heels remain dug in, their posture rigid, their minds closed. In other words, status quo.

RiverBoy21, you are about the stupidest person on this site, I thought finding someone dumber then feisty on this site would be impossible but you proved me wrong. How can you really think that Odumbo has done anything to help this country? The only way that is possible is if you have drank as much Kool Aid as possible. He is the worst president in my lifetime by far, not even a close second.

I really didn't say much about Obama in my posts Barry. Let me remind you that the republicans went along with all the bailouts I mentioned and that your two frontrunners agreed with them also. I like how your post is void of even one example or fact :)

I couldn’t have been more proud of President Obama as I was last night. Unfortunately as I watched the state of the union address I couldn’t help but notice how the Tea Party Republicans were not applauding or making any moves at all. They sat there looking like American hating representatives of the Taliban. These people are not Americans they’re just corporate shills that don’t give a damn about the country or the American people......... Don't expect this congress to do anything to help the economy that's not what the Koch brothers are paying them to do.

As I read the twisted right wing posts on this news vine today, I see how selfish and greedy so many Republican supporters are. They may not realize it but they sound like the kind of people that instead of helping an old lady cross the street they would hit her over the head an then rifle though her purse for spare change............... When it comes to right wingers their attitude is always; I have mind so screw everybody else. You people make me sick, thank God your in the minority.......

One more thing. I failed to mention (1.163) that the content of his State of the Union speech was pathetic, particularly the bit about Climate Change.

Some moron on here said thank heavens for the current congress and checks and balances. You need to understand that checks and balances does NOT equal full on out obstructionism. Checks and balances involves a working with attitude where some is given and some not so much. The repugs have offered NOTHING. They act like four year olds and no better and should be treated as such. Because of their "mine!" behavior, Obama will be writing more executive orders. Suck it repugs, you brought this on yourself.

Secondly.. someone else mentioned communism: puhlease. Like you know what the word communism actually means. Communism came out of the McCarthy era and was used to label people who went again McCarthy's etc idiotology. And the same thing is being used today. Maybe it's time for you to decline your daily spoon feeding.

Third: the use of the word libtard: thank you for demonstrating that you behave like four year olds and should be treated as such. You guys are truly pathetic.

Fourth: I did not vote for either Romney or Obama. I voted for Jill Stein. Yet I will speak out against the lies. And so far... repugs win the ultimate liar awards.

Starsailing;

Clearly you do not live in reality. You are aware there are as many 1%'ers on the left as the right, are you not? Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, leaping liberals all. Do you work a job or are you self employed or unemployed? I ask because if you work for a company, they, not the government provide you with this job. If you are self employed, according to your leftist hero, you must have gotten their with his help. If you are unemployed, retrain fro another job. I'm sure uncle "O" will fund your education. In other words, this has been and until the liberals convert it, a market economy. Government controlled economies only work under dictatorial rule, you know?, Like China, Russian, North Korea, Cuba?

I will agree they should close some of the loopholes used by corporations and the wealthy, but hey, your leftist hero's helped put them in place. See again Gates and buffet. But, if you crack down too harshly on those who create the jobs we need, they won't be created. Why don't you go live in an OWS tent or get a job. Trying to live in the real world, with real facts, would help too. So far, your hero's plan has added $15,000 to my tax liability this year. And I am middle class, such much for not increasing my taxes. Starsailing, put down the crack pipe and join the real world, government does not create jobs, only more taxes to support itself. The larger government, the larger their tax base will be. Simple economic 101, oh that's right, you can't be bother with facts.

Want to be rich, work at it. Why can so many foreigners come here and make it big and you citizens can't? They work at it, they don't sit on their a$$es and demand it for free, they don't think they are "entitled" to it, they don't blame those who have made it, they use them as inspiration, they actually do something to make their money. The American middle class has bought into the "We will provide everything" fallacy that is the hall mark of modern socialism, err liberalism,,, either way. "A government large enough to provide all you need, Is large enough to take all that you have" Benjamin Franklin.

IronG

Currently working a minimal wage job; raising the minimal wage is not the solution, and will possibly cause more bad than good. Instead of empowering a cook to spend the rest of his life as a cook, if he really wants to earn more money let him work his way up to manager or get an actual career. You're creating a society of lazy good-for-nothings if you have people that don't want to work their way up, and are content with staying at the bottom.

IronG, our statist-in-chief, Barrack Hussein, doesn’t want Americans to work their way up.

His constant advocacy for Americans to just be middle-class has been his focus. He is a statist, and as such he believes only the elitists should succeed and have wealth. Everyone else should simply subsist to provide for them. The Ivy League faculty-lounge intelligentsia is the army that Barrack surrounds himself with. None of his Cabinet have any private sector experience of substance.

Minimum wage is not how you stimulate an economy.

Government getting out of the way and unleashing the genius of the entrepreneur in the private sector is what creates wealth, prosperity and an improving the standard of living.

Our great Republic was NOT built on government intervention, it was built on the back of titans such as Edison, Ford, Rockefeller, McCormick and Sam’s Party Shoppe.

Barrack Hussein can never accept this, he’s too narrow minded.

WTF about the wage gap, or earnings ratio between rich and poor? Do any of you morons think that might have something to do with it? How many stupid posts and people can there be?

The economy is not that f***ing hard to understand. Instead of goods let us just start with food for example to try to make it easy to understand. If we have 1000 people each person will require so much food to live/exist, and since our planet is limited in size we can only have so many humans alive at any one point in time so unlimited growth is not an option. Even if we go to other planets there are still limits. Since we "own" land and not not roam we will have to work to plant, harvest, defend, etc. any plants or animals that we wish to eat. We still need police, doctors, teachers, etc. that only provide services, but not food.

Each person that produces food has a limit to what they can produce. They can produce two times the food for example needed to sustain one life. That means our system would require 500 food producers just to survive. Worker productivity is already at its highest in history (yet you still want/expect more from your already overworked employees). If you layoff or fire the food producers THERE WILL NOT BE ENOUGH FOOD (MONEY) TO GO AROUND. People will starve to death.

Let us say we have 900 food producers out of the 1000 people in our system meaning we have 1800 food credits (aka money). Since there is 1000 people we will need 1000 food credits and will have 800 shares of food left over or extra. Who controls that extra food? Is it the food producers or someone in the group that DOES NOT PRODUCE ANYTHING? Someone that produces nothing at all. What "value" would that extra food have btw if everyone one in the system had "enough" to eat? NOTHING AT ALL besides maybe the type of food.

If only there was a magic money fountain that ran for a very long time like a sun/star that we use to grow "extra" food with. With MAN MADE money however there is a limit, a finite amount to how much we have created/printed and have in circulation at any one point in time. If we print "more" of it then it devalues the money already in circulation. If only we did not have to pay f***ing interest to the Federal Reserve...if only.

If rich people make "more" money it forces the government to print more, simple math and "supply and demand". Our system of 1000 people has 100k in printed money for example if everything were "equal" then each person would have $100, but people INSIST on being able to make and keep 1000 times more then others do. If 1000 of them make $100 every year and the cost of living is also $100 each year then our economy is fine and it will run FOREVER.

However if someone insists on making more then others what happens to our system? Let us say 999 people work for one person since you insist on being the leader and being in charge. Those 999 still work the same and produce the same amount of chit for the system, but instead of getting 100% of what they produce THEY ARE FORCED BY YOU TO MAKE LESS. For that one person to make 1000 times more then each of the others they would have to take 50% of what each and every person produced. If each person still is making 2 units and they got to keep one for themselves and gave the other one to that one greedy a$$hole that demands it (or else they might threaten to leave lol) how much would each have? 999 people would have 1 unit each while that one person has 999. HOW THE F*** ELSE DO YOU GET SOMETHING FROM NOTHING YOU STUPID MOTHERF***ERS? YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT FROM OTHERS THAT PRODUCED IT FOR YOU.

How about the cost of living? If 999 people each need one unit to live on and so does the person with 999 how much will each have the next year? The 999 will have nothing and that one person will have 998. Now if those units happen to be something finite LIKE PRINTED MONEY do we not eventually run out of money? YES WE DO. If our system had 100k like we said it would take that person 101 years to break the economy AND FORCE THE GOVERNMENT TO PRINT OUT MORE OF IT OR ELSE THE SYSTEM FAILS CEASING TO FUNCTION. If it was food it would spoil and rot. Instead of losing value like it should according to math you expect the laws of the universe to be broken since you removed it from circulation you EXPECT to be REWARDED AGAIN for it. It is mathematically impossible to fuel those kinds of exponential gains forever. Where does the extra money magically come from if not the printing press and when it does what effect does it have?

You really are chasing after your own tails over and over again forcing us all to play the same stupid game as you are. If only so many rich people were not addicted to money/the game and could see the bigger picture...if only. Either minimum wage need to be higher or the top tax rates need to go back up to around 90% to force people to pay their workers more. If you let them keep it for themselves they will, human nature.

Layoff a bunch of underpaid workers and you will hurt the economy even more AND LOSE MONEY ANYWAY. Just accept that due to you greed and forcing the government to print out more money since "I WORKED FOR IT AND IT IS MINE MINE MINE" addiction/stupidity this is what has to happen or else. You already won the money game it is over and we need to play a new one. If the minimum wage goes up then more people have more money to spend. They can afford the new higher priced goods that you are forced to charge to pay their wages. What has to change is how much the people at the top make compared to the ones at the bottom.

Liberal Democrats

So - being the good loyal "sheep" that they are - confused - they continue to attack the old enemy target as they must attack - someone or something

It is a sad and pathetic situation - but a role - they've chosen to play

You can find them in front of their TV's watching Rachel Maddow and Chris Matthews for guidance -eating popcorn, cookies, chips and milk

reality has such a liberal bias. The GOP is not impressed? when was the last time they were impressed? maybe when bush flew in a fighter jet and said 'mission Accomplished".

America is finally aware the the GOP just drags all of America down, including their own party.

Marcus D-4300696

Kindly review the written and pictorial rhetoric displayed by the Republican "response" in the article.

Then get back to us with a reasoned assessment of which party feels "they must attack - someone or something" originates.

You need look no further for an excellent example than to read post 1.184 immediately above.

Marcus D-4300696

You can find them in front of their TV's watching Rachel Maddow and Chris Matthews for guidance -eating popcorn, cookies, chips and milk.

What you WON'T find them doing is work.

JimSpence:

Come on!!! We know that's a trick question!

A: Because if they didn't hate all those things, they wouldn't BE Liberal/Progressives!

(^_^)

{BTW - "Why do Liberal/Progressives hate guns?" was missing from the list... But we got the picture...}

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I can sum up Barry's SOTU address with one acronym covering six words:

BOHICA: Bend over, here it comes again!

Did I hear you correctley there was an election and the Reps Lost. The way I see it the whole country lost. We are not getting better as fast as we could be if the DEMS would STOP with all the regulations on us BUSINESS owners. Sinces he has became POTUS there have been over 2500 new regulations on business's.

Seems like the reason Oblamer does not want to compromise is he would have to take responibility if it failed. As long as he does not do any GOVERNING then he does NOT have to take any responsibility for his failed agenda.

Bobbygordon, Finally a shred of truth from a Republican. The House controls the purse strings, they are in charge of what's spent and how it's spent. Stop blaming Obama for the budget. Point that finger at the ones that deserve it.

To JimSpence,

I consider myself a Conservative Republican, in fact I have lived my life as a stereotypical one. Small business owner, veteran, hunter, fisher, gunowner, etc. etc. But in reading your posts I have failed to see you mention any Republican ideals and the claims you are making about liberals are just ridiculous. You acuse them of several types of hate, but you seem to be the one filled with hate. I please ask you to stop affiliating yourself with the right or the Republican party, because it is people like you that cost us elections and take the focus off what Republicans have to offer America. The message you are delivering is why you hate Americans. Your posts have been pathetic and I hope that the Democrats and liberals out there ignore them. We can disagree without hating eachother, that is how a functioning Congress arrives at the best possible solution to a problem. I am a firm believer in the multi-party system and I consider all opposing party members as brothers even when we don't agree. If you hate a party or write them off as ridiculous/uneducated/always wrong you're as good as a demonstrator burning the American flag.

• Jim Spence ---- why are you so totally uninformed??

Heil the Socialist Dictator O'Bama!!! Charlie, it is O'Bama that has destroyed the U.S. Economy. It is O'Bama that has expanded BIG GOVERNMENT, expecting our children and our children's children to pay the bills. O'Bama has openly stated his hatred of our Laws and Constitution by indicating he will ATTEMPT to use his office if he doesn't get what he wants. O'Bama has no willingness to compromise. It is the GOP Congress that is trying to save our country. O'Bama won the election because the deadbeats that have become dependent on the Government to support their lazy a--es and their families. The money WILL run-out and then people like Charlie will be complaining that the Government "OWES THEM" a living and full support. O'Bama will need removed from office before he completes the destruction of the U.S. O'Bama has started a Revolution in this country and he has made himself the target. O'Bama should read his history to find out what happens to Socialist Dictators.

Both sides are MORONS people here flap their lips like they have a brain to back it up but really unless you've managed a real business you don't know SH_T, the RIGHT cries and whine when they are forced to part with some money, HELL anyone would be pissed but they are all about greed and not having to get their hands dirty doing REAL WORK, the LEFT says yea lets increase the minimum wage so what people lose their jobs because that's what is going to happen, now which one of you MORONS can figure exactly how and why We are in the mess, show me you have something between those pair of EARS and not using your head for ear holders. Bet you have NO FU_KING clue.

What do I pay my workers 15 to 60 an hour depending on the job.

what dose Obama pay his bloggers?

and why is his site still taking money?

maybe it's to pay all these bloggers.

Raise th Min to $9.00. Then, make emploters pay insurance for eeryone working more then 29 hours. Whatta ya get? abunch of 29 hour people making $9.00. Then Obama will drop the hours to 20 or more,and you'll have people working 19 hours per week at $9.00. WHen will the government ever learn- They have no damn business regulating wages. THEY drive costs up, employment down, and businesses to China.

JK1963

Seeking,

Because you are just so misinformed, here is a brief list of President Reagan's accomplishments..

The tax cuts of 1981. Signed in August, these
enactments were a major reduction in domestic expenditures and the Economic
Recovery Tax Act of 1981, were designed to lower federal revenues over a five
year period in the amount of $737 billion.

First of all, a tax cut that actually reduces revenues is nothing to be proud of. That tax cut (and the ones that followed) was a major cause of the Reagan deficits. In addition, you SHOULD NOT REDUCE SPENDING IN A RECESSION; the federal government is nothing like a family budget and should not be treated as such.

The reduction of nuclear arms with the signing
of the INF treaty together with Mikhail Gorbachev on December 8, 1987. This
treaty eliminated all cruise missiles with a range of 500 to 5,000
kilometers.

During his second term as President,
significant progress had been made toward accomplishing a genuine détente
between the United States and the U.S.S.R. and ending the Cold War. At the end
of his term in 1989, Reagan was credited with making a strong contribution to
the level of world peace at that time.

The reduction in missiles is credible, but Reagan wasn't the only contributor to world peace; the decline of the USSR because of their obsolete "bureaucratic collectivism" and their Vietnam-esque invasion of Afghanistan.

JimSpence

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate God?

We Liberals do not hate God; we just don't believe that God must be dragged from his altar and installed into the Oval Office.

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate family?

We Liberals do not hate family; shockingly, many of us have families. We merely disagree about the definition of the word "family."

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate America?

We Liberals do not hate America; after all, we helped build her. We LOVE America, and it for that reason that we (in the words of James Baldwin) "insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate the Constitution?

We Liberals do not hate the Constitution; we just don't think it ought to be worshiped.

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate Capitalism/Free Markets

We do not technically hate capitalism/free markets; we just don't believe that they are perfect and that they are capable of regulating themselves.

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate the military?

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate our brave troops?

We Liberals do not hate our military nor do we despise our troops; we despise the fact that we send our brave troops to fight wars that have no purpose (Iraq) and then do not ask the same sacrifice for our civilians at home during wartime.

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate American Exceptionalism?

We do not hate American Exceptionalism; we just hate how we swagger with it around the world and stick it in other countries' faces.

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate morality?

We Liberals do not hate morality; we merely call it "ethics" and wish that BOTH parties had it.

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate justice?

We Liberals do not hate justice; in fact, we demand justice, both political and economic, as seen by the Occupy Wall Street protests of 2011.

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate human progress and advancement?

We Liberals do not hate human progress and advancement; we promote it and celebrate it (and wish others did as well).

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate a good education?

We Liberals do not hate a good education; in fact, we wish that every child receives one.

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate personal achievement?

We Liberals do not hate personal achievement; we simply don't see why the needs of the many ought to be cast aside for the needs of the few.

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate success?

We Liberals do not hate success; we just hate it when others (namely conservatives) claim that only the wealthy are successful and that the rest of us are parasites and moochers.

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate themselves?

We Liberals do not hate ourselves; we love one another very much, and we also love our conservative brothers and sisters (even you, dear Jim).

I end this post with a salute to Partofthe47PercentVets. We may have our differences, you as a conservative, me as a liberal, but I appreciate the fact that you embrace your liberal brothers. I embrace you as well, and I call upon all liberals (Feisty, Pigotry, David Walker, RedDevPS, and myself) to embrace our conservative brothers (and sisters) as well.

Obama State of the Union lands with a thud in Congress

yeah, landed with a "thud" because it's so full of excrement! LMFAO ROFL!!!!!!!

"Reagan turned the country around after an Obama like President, Carter, tried like hell to destroy it"

You Republicans have a very selective memory. President Carter inherited a rotten economy from President Ford. Remember the WIN buttons. President Ford inherited a rotten economy from President Nixon. Remember the wage and price controls?

Everything the so-called president said last night were lies. Did you read between the lines.....more taxes, more government, more spending, less freedom, less independence, less free markets.

God bless the USA because we need it now more than ever.

"Heil the Socialist Dictator O'Bama!!! Charlie, it is O'Bama that has destroyed the U.S. Economy"

Total, absolute and complete BS. These are FACTS Republicans hate

Job losses per month in January 2008: 800,000

Job gains last month: 160,000

33 straight months of private sector job growth

GDP growth in 2008: negative 6%

GDP growth last year 2.9%

Dow Jones Average in January 2008: Under 8000

Dow Jones Average today: 14,000+

Record domestic oil production

GM – all time record profits

Near record corporate profits across the board

The reality is no president since Kennedy had the keys to the White House turned over to him from the former president with the nation in BETTER shape than did George W. Bush and no president since FDR had the keys to the White House turned over to him from the former president with the nation in WORSE than did President Obama. It will take this nation a generation or longer to dig ourselves out of the economic disaster caused by George W. Bush and his Republican controlled Congress.

"The money WILL run-out and then people like Charlie will be complaining that the Government "OWES THEM"

Joe B -- I probably pay more in taxes in a year than an uninformed ditto-head like you makes.

Is there ANYTHING the President could do that would get support from the GOP? NO... NEVER.

They hate EVERYTHING he does, regardless of what it is. They just HATE him for being him.

What if he extended a tax cut for the wealthy? Oh wait... he did that, and they still HATED him for it.

What if he rejected the "liberal" single-payer health care solution and instead embraced a solution that was created by the CONSERVATIVE heritage foundation, pushed by REPUBLICAN representatives, offered as the REPUBLICAN solution to Hillary-care, and implemented by the REPUBLICAN nominee? If he implemented this Republican health care plan, would they like him? Oh wait... he did that, and they HATE him for it. Not only that, but they tried to elect a guy who did the EXACT SAME THING in his own state.

What if he executed the order to kill the number one, most wanted terrorist? Oh wait... he did that, and they still HATE him for it.

What if he deported more illegals than his Republican predecessor? Oh wait... he did that.

What if he gave States the right to create THEIR OWN welfare program, as long as it moved more people from welfare to the work force? Would they like it if he gave the States this ability? Oh wait... he did that.

What if he signed legislation that let you carry guns in MORE places? Oh wait... he did that.

You see, it does not matter what he does or says, Republicans HATE him... no matter what. That is all they do, HATE. That is all they know, HATE. Republicans are the living embodiment of HATRED... pure, unrivaled HATE. It consumes them, it fills their soul and guides them in everything they do. Republicans are HATE... they embrace it, they nurture it, and they demonstrate it in everything they do.

Whether they are talking about homosexuals, or Muslims, or even women who take birth control... they exemplify pure HATE. They even HATE fellow Christians... have you seen how they treat each other? They argue and fight over who the "real Christian" is. Every single thing they do is based in HATRED.

So to expect Republicans to ever express anything other than pure HATRED is a fools dream. That is all they know... it is who they are. They will never change, because it is part of what makes them a Republican.

Republicans HATE Obama, and there is nothing he can say or do that will ever change that.

PartOfThe47PercentVets

I consider myself a Conservative Republican, in fact I have lived my life as a stereotypical one. Small business owner, veteran, etc., etc.

First of all I thank you for your service and patriotism. I respect our military and consider it indispensible and its maintenance under Constitutional mandate must continue.

Now, there is no such thing as a Conservative Republican. You are either one or the other. You can kid yourself and believe there is some association but there isn’t. The Republican Party no longer exists, just as the Democratic Party no longer exists. Republicans have become RINO’s and have been absorbed into the GOP, or the Establishment.

I am a Reagan Conservative—Constitutional Originalist—Fiscal Libertarian. I despise both Democrats—and the Liberals/Progressives that have raped a once proud party that JFK once led—and the GOP which has raped the Republican Party that abolished slavery, believed in free-markets and embraced the Constitution. Blue Dog Democrats, which kept their party focused, have been driven out and replaced by Liberals/Progressives.

But in reading your posts I have failed to see you mention any Republican ideals

This is because the Republicans have no ideals. If you know of any, let me know what they are. My Conservative ideals are very simple—limited government, fiscal responsibility, Constitutionally limited government and Americans are taxed enough already. As you can see neither Democrats, Liberals or Progressives believe in this. The same is true for the Republicans, RINO’s and GOP. Just look at the record of both parties over the past 12 years. I do provide some leniency to GW Bush as he walked into an unimaginable horror with 9/11. But much of his reckless spending and expansion of government can only be described as reckless and Progressive in nature. Barrack Hussein is a thoroughgoing Statist. He brings no experience or ability, just an unproven social and economic justice ideology for the collective fairy-tale. This has never succeeded without deteriorating into anarchy, totalitarianism or dictatorships.

because it is people like you that cost us elections

No, what cost Republicans elections is having no platform, no vision and no leadership. Your GOP is monopolized by the Establishment that has no direction other than to maintain their place of power, just like the Democrats. The only reason the Republicans “shellacked” Barrack Hussein and the Democrats in 2010 was because of a truly grass roots movement that shook the foundation of the Beltway and opened the eyes of Americans. The ball was fumbled by the Democrats as they were exalting their power grab and didn’t listen to the masses. The ball was given to the Republicans and what have YOU done with it?

NOTHING!

Granted controlling one-half of one-third of the government is not enough to implement policy, the problem is you don’t even know what your Republican policy is. The only truly beneficial outcome so far has been preventing the out of control Progressive corruption of our nation for 100 years from continuing.

You can posture all you want behind your “Republican” façade, until your boy-toy Tammy Faye Boehner grows a pair and stops waving his white flag of surrender at every opportunity, nothing will happen and you know it.

America is a Federal Constitutional Republic with a Representative Democracy.

We are NOT a Democracy.

Until your sacrosanct Republican Party realizes what the Framer’s meant by a Republic and Republicanism, you can holster your grandiose rhetoric. Real Americans don’t believe it any more than we believe the social and economic justice nonsense that comes from the Liberal/Progressive cabal.

If you hate a party or write them off as ridiculous/uneducated/always wrong you're as good as a demonstrator burning the American flag.

So, with a $16.6 trillion National Debt with no end in sight, $125 trillion in Unfunded Liabilities, 23 million Americans under/unemployed, monetary malfeasance rampant, fiscal malinvestment unrestrained, tell me where I should be reassured? I can continue with much more but I think you understand.

Remember my good “Republican” friend, dissent is the highest form of patriotism, not collusion.

“When you raise the price of employment, guess what happens? You get less of it,” Boehner told reporters Wednesday. “At a time when American people are asking, ‘Where are the jobs?’ why would we want to make it harder for small employers to hire people.”......He added, “Our goal is to get people on that ladder and help them climb that ladder so they can live the American dream. And a lot of people who are being paid the minimum wage, are being paid that because they come to the workforce with no skills, and this makes it harder for them to acquire the skills they need in order to climb that ladder successfully.”

Very good summary of the situation - Higher labor costs will result in fewer jobs (more things made overseas), and forcing companies to charge higher prices for their products and services to compensate for higher labor costs will result in consumers having LESS to spend, not more.

Obama just doesn't understand how an economy works, which is not surprising since he was just a 'community organizer' trying to get people to register to vote before running for political office - he never even had experience running so much as a candy store.

Republicans don't seem to realize that they do NOT control the House of Represenatatives. The Republican Party ceased to exist 4 years ago, when those off balance Tea Party nuts under Eric Kanter and the Paul Ryan Cabal hijached the Republican Party,and divided it up into 2 factions, the moderate Republicans ( Beohners clan), and the Fascists....the Tea Party nuts and those spineless folks who signed Grover Norquists ( That Harvard guy) pledge to not raise taxes,even if it caused the government to cease functioning.

Consequently, Boehner is only the leader of "Republican moderates",who have,regardless of the wishes of Americans, self-neutered them selves via the Norquist pledge.The other party,which has effectively left the Republican Party are the extreme Tea Party nuts...they operate separately from "leader"Boehner,and will not give their pre-chewed gum to him...

In the Presidential election of this past November, the ONLY Demographic which the Republicans won in a majority vote, were White males ( which are ow a minority voting bloc)...the Democrats won : The Black Male vote,and the Black Female vote, the Hispanic Male vote and the Hispanic female vote, and the Gay vote, and they won a majority of all white women,and of all Gay people, and of all Asian people,men and women.

The Sun is setting on the Republican Party,clearly so, they have become an anachronism.

.

Charlie-1915998 "GDP growth in 2008: negative 6%"

Making up numbers?

The GDP in 2008 was 3.62% HIGHER than in 2007 - despite a year of 'recession'.

In fact, the economy (GDP) for 2008 was 46.6% higher in 2008 (Bush's last year) than in 2000 (Clinton's last year) - That's an average increase of 5.83% per year under Bush.

In contrast, the GDP has grown by only 8.4% over the last 4 years under Obama - That's an average increase of only 2.1% per year under Obama.

We have had four years of Obama and what have we got? More promises and fewer accomplishments. I could find almost any bumb off the streets and he/she would have done a better job. Talking about jobs, when is Obama going to actually do something to improve the economy? He was able to drag us down, can he help raise us up without us paying for it first?

Johntho

"Boris, you fascist SOB, "But if you need more income, why steal it from me" Is this your idea of being patriotic, paying taxes is "stealing from you"?"

Actually you are the fascist = equalization of classes. Another example of somebody speaking before thinking? And what is patriotic about taxing me to give hand outs? You need to learn what it means to be a patriot. Did you go to the elementary school of King Obama?

Really this is not news once Rubio Spoke last night. We all should have sighed and said dammit. We still have a congress that sucks. Really doing nothing is the same as shooting ourselves in the foot. In this day and age we cant stand by and wait.

WTF is congress waiting for? While I disagree with some of what the DEMS think. Moving forward at least gives us the citizens a chance to ADAPT and work within changing guidelines. No action is equal to inaction. While the WORLD progress's we just sit here waiting for an inept CONGRESS to do anything. And the WORLD is watching. And very much so taking advantage of it.

This whole divide the American public and conquer idea is plain ignorant. Thanks BOHNER and friends you suck. And to anyone who thinks it is the PRESIDENTS responsibility. Go back to high school and relearn. It should not ever take a Executive order to move our economy along.

Did all of you on the left fail economics? Sure, let's raise minimum wage to $9. Heck, I'm feeling generous tonight after Obama's stirring speech so let's raise minimum wage to $25. I will try to explain this very slowly so that you get it. Anytime the cost of doing business goes up, those costs get passed on to the consumer, you know, those people who go out and buy things. I'm all for people making as much money as they can, but there is a price to be paid for everything. When the price of gasoline started rising, did FedEx say that they would just eat that cost as a benevolent gesture toward their customers? No, their prices went up. And what about the airlines? What did they do when jet fuel prices started rising? Raising minimum wage will have the same effect. We will all pay more for the things we buy.

I have to add to this. It is not what you spend IT IS WHAT YOU SPEND THE MONEY ON. If you buy solid investments your money grows. Buying investments is SPENDING. If you buy Chinese do dads that went out of style three years ago. And they don't sell for a profit. YOU SPENT AND LOST MONEY. If you spend on investments like Bridges Dams Energy at home. We make money it is very simple.

Congress needs to take more than speech classes. They need to understand a GLOBAL economy.

The world must be coming to an end! MSN actually posted a fact check article on everything Obama claimed he has done in his SOTU Address and they said it is almost all untrue and not possible.......shocking!

Derek-3698296 No the Republicons have just denied the rate of inflation for the last 10 years or so. I did not say forgot. I said DENIED. The Value of the dollar is not what it was ten years ago. So 7.25 an hour will not buy what 9.00 an hour today. Look at any product. Lets take a box of cereal the size is smaller now and the price has gone up. Its called inflation the left seems to understand that inflation happens. when you cant raise interest rates due to a STALLED economy.

Maybe the RIGHT ought to relearn economics on a USA scale and stop trying to cheat it.

Jim - Are you delusional? Let me try to educate you.

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate the Constitution?

The Constitution is framework of liberalism as defined by John Locke. Try reading Locke's "Two Treatises of Government" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_Treatises_of_Government.

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate human progress and advancement?

Human progress and advancement are some of the original tenets of liberalism. Liberals look to move forward as an individual, as a society, as an economic model, as a political model.

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate a good education?

Allowing the regular people to get an education has always been a liberal idea.

I'll let you in on a little secret. The United States is not your country and it is not built on your ideals, it is our country and our ideals which is established by the vote of the populace.

Yes, I am a Democrat, more specifically a center-left and I totally agree with partof 47percentvet response to you. Oh my God, a Democrat and a Republican agrees. Will the miracles cease?

Judy The Ornery As a recently retired, hospice nurse,

Let me first praise you for your service as a hospice nurse. Very few people are able to do this and I commend anyone who can. Thank you.

I know first hand, how well Medicare worked; ....Patients on hospice, who 65 years old, are eligible for Medicare and need not pay for any other insurance. Medicare pays for everything.

As a Nurse you wouldn't know how Medicare worked as you are not responsible for the billing. That said, Medicare is an 80/20 Medical insurance therefore it covers 80% of your care. It has Part A, which is hospital, similar to co-insurance and Part B which is medical insurance. You cannot have Part A without having Part B. If you choose to buy Part A, you must also have Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) and pay monthly premiums for both which runs a minum of 104.00+ a month and is deducted from your Social Security. If you want your other 20% covered you have to have supplemental insurance which cost around $80 month. Like any insurance, Part A covers "Hospital", but does not necessarily cover the Doctor's fee which would fall under Part B, 80/20. Lab falls under Part B, 80/20. Blood work falls under Part B, 80/20. So no, it is not free by any means. Nothing is free.

Quite frankly, Medicare is one of the most efficient government run services, our country offers.

No, not really. It grossly under pays Doctor's and Hospitals which transfers the costs lost to others. Many Doctors are no longer taking Medicare Patients. Tri-Care which is military insurance is far more efficient and it doesn't cut the Doctors fees & hospital fees to almost nothing. And, it is not run by the government it is ran by private insurance companies who have bidded for the Government contract and they are reimbursed by the government.

As for raising the minimum wage, I say bravo!

Minimum wage jobs were never intended to be career jobs. Minimum wage is paid to unskilled/untrained individuals who are starting out in the workforce. If someone is married and has children and is still on minumum wage then something is seriously wrong with them!

What will happen if they raise minimum wage is what has always happen, our cost will go up. So they still will not be making a living wage. But again, minimum wage was not ment to be a "living" wage. It was ment really for teens taking their first job. Today with the last raise in minimum wage the unemployment amoung teens is 25% in DC it is 51.7%. Now who do you think employers are going to hire if minimum wage goes to 9.00/hr? A teen who's never worked or an adult who has some experience? Answer the adult.

More over, our country needs to invest in education, shelter and the safety of our children. In a few decades the oldest Americans will be depending on trained people, to provide care, for them. That also includes transportation, home care, and home maintenance.

And how do you plan on paying for all this? Seriously, how do you plan on paying for all this.

Health care will be a great field, to enter, if the pay scale is a living wage.

I don't know where you are living but Nurses and other medical professionals make a very good wage and it certainly isn't minimum wage. Now if you are talking about LPN's or Nurses Aids then sure they make a lower wage, but they don't have the education RN's do. But they also do not make minumum wage!

I think a nurse deserves as much pay, as a CEO or a athlete?

You are comparing apples to oranges. Again, Nurses (RN's) make a very good wage as well as having excellent benefits. If they are in a specialty such as ICU CCU they make even more. But should they earn what a CEO does, no. Why? One most don't have a Master's degree, a CEO for a major company has to have at least that or more. Nurses do not work 24/7. They are not responsible for that Corporation succeeding or failing anymore than they are responsible for Hospital succeeding or failing. By law Nurses do not have to carry Malpractice Insurance. You would be hard pressed to find a suit against a Nurse for Malpractice if they make a mistake. It is the Hospital or Dr that are sued and malpractice insurance runs in my state close to 32,000+ a year for Doctors. The hospital malpractice insurance covers fault of nurses. So in summary, a Nurse goes to work 8 or 12 hour shifts and goes home and depending on the State the average pay for RN's is 42,000-80,000. That is not minumum wage and most Police & Fireman who are just a critical don't make that much.

Athlete's, well yes they make far too much, but the market dictates it. Fans still buy tickets, watch the games and buy all the gear. So if you don't want them to get paid that much, stop going to the games, stop watching them and stop buying their gear. And for the record, most athletes give tons of their money to charity, millions. So take that away, charities lose.

I frankly don't know what has happened to people that they think they deserve everything in the world. I personally think the people in the country are self-centered, selfish individuals. I personally think Pres Obama will be the final downfall of this country. Doesn't worry me, I can survive on almost nothing, but most in this country are going have a huge problem. Maybe a great depression like the 30's is exactly what the Dr should order for this country. Maybe only then we will get back to thinking about our neighbors well being instead of thinking about how much we can get for free from our neighbors. Think about it....

To all the Ignorant people out there OBAMA is a Socialist , a Fascist and a Marxist all in one!......... He will DESTROY our Country if not kept in check!!??......... He wants to Become Dictator! ..........His actions prove this. ..........He is a LIAR and a Tyrant . ........ He is against The Constitution which he took a OATH to uphold. ...........His POLICIES are TREASONOUS!!.........Yet all you DemocRATS, are all too happy to suck on Obama's DICtatorship and let him give away our Country to the SOCIALIST Seducers who want total CONTROL over us!!!.......When they get it they will Control you too, you Idiots!! Wake up!!! Study the Constitution.......WE are a REPUBLIC.........Not a Democracy.........Article IV section 4a...........Do your Research.........Pledge of allegiance........Quit being Sheeple or you will be Sheered!!..........Hypocritical Government!!!

bdjbforfun

Thank goodness we still have something left of the checks and balances system. Otherwise King Hussein would Spend, Tax, Regulate us to death! May the GOP continue to keep Hussein in check and protect whats left of our Liberties and the Constitution!

OMFG! Really? The GOP is working hard to protect your rights and liberties? There is only one thing both parties are good at and that is protecting thier political power.

You are aware that the Patriot Act and the AUMF, the most massive curtailing of constitutional rights in the history of the country were joint efforts between the Dems and the Repubs right?

Freshiee,

I'm sure you have some links to back up your alleged claim that tax cuts also reduce revenue, right? And if that is so true, then why was Obama pleading with Congress not to let the temporary tax cuts expire? You can't have your cake and eat it too... As for the collapse of the Soviet Union, nothing was said that Reagan was responsible for that, however, because we invested so heavily in our military and because of the failed policies of a corrupt government were the leading causes of the fall of the Soviet Union. Reagan was a great president unlike the ones you admire like Carter and Obama....

JimSpence

PartOfThe47PercentVets

I am a Reagan Conservative—Constitutional Originalist—Fiscal Libertarian. I despise both Democrats—and the Liberals/Progressives that have raped a once proud party that JFK once led—and the GOP which has raped the Republican Party that abolished slavery, believed in free-markets and embraced the Constitution. Blue Dog Democrats, which kept their party focused, have been driven out and replaced by Liberals/Progressives.

Are you @!$%#ing kidding me??? Really??? We liberals bastardized the Party of JFK??? JFK WAS A LIBERAL!!! He was a PROGRESSIVE liberal, at that. He created a massive spending program bent on getting a man on the moon (large government spending), created the first peacetime budget deficit via economic stimulus (progressive tax cuts and spending increases), and (eventually) paved the way for the Civil Rights Bill. The Party of JFK WAS the Party of Big Government and the Party of the New Deal!!! The Blue Dog Democrats were not pushed out by liberals; they were attracted by Republicans; there was once a time (1940-1990) when both parties had liberal and conservative sectors; Democrats had their southern cousins (conservatives) and their northern brothers (liberals), and the GOP had their New England Rockefeller Republicans (liberals) and their Barry Goldwater Republicans (conservatives). But the Civil Rights Movement drove the Democrats to the left (because apparently equality is "socialism") and the Republicans to the right (aka Nixon's "Southern Strategy), culminating in the creation of the Republican South and the Democratic North. Democratic conservatives (aka Blue Dog Democrats) dwindled because most of them came from the South, which turned Red. And FYI, the GOP raped the Party of Lincoln by becoming the Party of Reagan, turning into a party that won't even raise taxes to pay for a war (let alone help pay down our debt) or acknowledge that free markets AREN'T perfect (FYI Lincoln SUBSIDIZED railroad construction).

But in reading your posts I have failed to see you mention any Republican ideals

This is because the Republicans have no ideals. If you know of any, let me know what they are. My Conservative ideals are very simple—limited government, fiscal responsibility, Constitutionally limited government and Americans are taxed enough already. As you can see neither Democrats, Liberals or Progressives believe in this. The same is true for the Republicans, RINO’s and GOP. Just look at the record of both parties over the past 12 years. I do provide some leniency to GW Bush as he walked into an unimaginable horror with 9/11. But much of his reckless spending and expansion of government can only be described as reckless and Progressive in nature. Barrack Hussein is a thoroughgoing Statist. He brings no experience or ability, just an unproven social and economic justice ideology for the collective fairy-tale. This has never succeeded without deteriorating into anarchy, totalitarianism or dictatorships.

Really?? Really??? The Republican Party once had ideals that were reasonable and even good. They believed in the importance of overall unity against maligned individual interests; they once acknowledged that free markets were volatile (post-Great Depression) and that government was needed to restore stability. They once believed in the equality of all Americans and the virtues of government investments in education and infrastructure (Eisenhower built modern-day highways). They even believed in raising taxes in order to reduce deficits and curb inflation. But no; worshipers of the Reagan cult had to bastardize the party and send her to the fringes of the political spectrum (besides the rightward shift of the party under Nixon) and turn her into a fascist organization.

because it is people like you that cost us elections

No, what cost Republicans elections is having no platform, no vision and no leadership. Your GOP is monopolized by the Establishment that has no direction other than to maintain their place of power, just like the Democrats. The only reason the Republicans “shellacked” Barrack Hussein and the Democrats in 2010 was because of a truly grass roots movement that shook the foundation of the Beltway and opened the eyes of Americans. The ball was fumbled by the Democrats as they were exalting their power grab and didn’t listen to the masses. The ball was given to the Republicans and what have YOU done with it?

No; the reason why Republicans lost this election (and 2008, and 2006) was because they became too extreme for the American people. The American people know that the "free market" almost destroyed the economy in the previous recession and that the markets (particularly financial markets) cannot be trusted to regulate themselves. The American people know that raising taxes isn't always the best thing, but when you're squeezed with deficits that every option is on the table. The American people know that minorities may be different, but that they deserve the same rights that everyone else has. And finally, the American people know that government is not perfect (let me repeat: GOVERNMENT IS NOT PERFECT), but that sometimes government can do great things for people that they could not do for themselves. 2010 was a result of pro-business groups and conservative institutions harnessing the anti-Obamacare energy brewing in the GOP and transforming it into the anti-grassroots movement that you call the Tea Party. And don't blame PartOfThe47PercentVets for the GOP's loss in 2012; that was caused by YOU and your fascist colleagues who bastardized the party that freed the slaves and saved the Union. At least he is admitting that the right-wing fringe of the party is screwing up elections (we may disagree on how large the fringe is, but that is for another time).

NOTHING!

Granted controlling one-half of one-third of the government is not enough to implement policy, the problem is you don’t even know what your Republican policy is. The only truly beneficial outcome so far has been preventing the out of control Progressive corruption of our nation for 100 years from continuing.

You bastards did nothing but SCREW UP our economy, thanks to you deregulating the financial institutions and then blocking any and all attempts to actually fix the economy.

America is a Federal Constitutional Republic with a Representative Democracy.

We are NOT a Democracy.

Technically, since we are a Representative Democracy, we are a Democracy. A Representative Democracy is a democracy, with a mix of republicanism ( with an -r) to boot. It's like saying that thumbs are fingers. America has democratic roots, my dear boy; wise up and accept the truth.

Until your sacrosanct Republican Party realizes what the Framer’s meant by a Republic and Republicanism, you can holster your grandiose rhetoric. Real Americans don’t believe it any more than we believe the social and economic justice nonsense that comes from the Liberal/Progressive cabal.

And yet more Americans want a more equitable distribution of prosperity, a more progressive tax system, and the preservation (and expansion) of major welfare programs (Medicare, Social Security, etc). Face it kid; the Era of Reagan is over. Big Government is back and better than ever!

If you hate a party or write them off as ridiculous/uneducated/always wrong you're as good as a demonstrator burning the American flag.

So, with a $16.6 trillion National Debt with no end in sight, $125 trillion in Unfunded Liabilities, 23 million Americans under/unemployed, monetary malfeasance rampant, fiscal malinvestment unrestrained, tell me where I should be reassured? I can continue with much more but I think you understand.

And yet the only solution you have to these crises are "cut waste, lower taxes, cut entitlement programs, and let the free market take over," even though the FREE MARKET CAUSED THE DAMN MESS in the first place. If you want people to take you seriously, offer serious solutions. That includes tax hikes. The real America is far more "Liberal/Progressive" than the America in your fantasy land.

Remember my good “Republican” friend, dissent is the highest form of patriotism, not collusion.

And dissent may be patriotic, my fascist friend, but deliberate obstruction is darkest form of treason.

It's becoming more and more obvious that Fiesty Red Head comments have no value and only reveals her hate for the GOP and her lack of effort to engage in meaningful comments rather than the slanderous comments that appear on a daily basis. The majority of her followers never read her comments, they only acknowledge (like) their approval.

Her participation on the forum is really disgusting with comments that are worthless and demeaning to anyone that doesn't support the Obama regime.

The GOP is a plague caused by the bacterium of psychopathy. Tell the GOP we don't want the Reagan/Bush dark ages to infect us for another 30 years and stagnate life. VOte all GOp out in 2014!

I am the 222nd post here. Quite an honor

Boehner told reporters Wednesday - “At a time when American people are asking, ‘Where are the jobs?’

WOW, I can't believe what I read here. I think Bohner is really clueless. He should have asked himself this question. I remember Bohner promised jobs to all Americans when he became the Weeper of the House after 2010 Midterm Elections. So he failed and then turned around to blame it on the President?

kkwilson

It's becoming more and more obvious that Fiesty Red Head comments have no value and only reveals her hate for the GOP and her lack of effort to engage in meaningful comments rather than the slanderous comments that appear on a daily basis.

Fisty, Bev and all the other bobblehead Liberal miscreants don't just hate the GOP, they hate everyone, including themselves.

Liberals hate everyone because they have been told for so long by their parents, peers, educators and other irrational people that they are destined for mediocrity. As Barrack Hussein keeps telling them that middle class is the best they can achieve they submissively accept it. I imagine being marginalized their whole life can be frustrating, especially as they never develop any coping skills other than blaming everyone around them for their failures.

Liberals/Progressives worship at the altar of government as the embarrassing cartoon "Life of Julia" proves. It is a shame that so many Americans refuse to be responsible for their actions and require one handout after another.

Remember they DO live in Chicago, that's enough to turn the Pope into a violent criminal.

Fresh,

You are one sick puppy that wants bigger government. What?? You want to have the government do everything for you? You want them to take care of you from cradle to grave yet at the same time tax more and more. Why don't you wake up! And just so you know...it was the Democrats that was the root cause of the housing fiasco! Why don't you admit that your party was the beginning of the end for the housing market crash! Your party is the one that wanted unregulated, unchecked (which Bush tried to get passed through the Democratic controlled Congress, btw...) ability to allow banks to sell houses to people that should have never been able to buy a house.

Big government? No thanks!!

I end this post with a salute to Partofthe47PercentVets. We may have our differences, you as a conservative, me as a liberal, but I appreciate the fact that you embrace your liberal brothers. I embrace you as well, and I call upon all liberals (Feisty, Pigotry, David Walker, RedDevPS, and myself) to embrace our conservative brothers (and sisters) as well.

I love your post, but your summary is mushy, stereotypical Liberal sounding and somewhat disconcerting. Define embrace please. I'm aware of the definition but not your context. It seems you believe all that Republicans and Democrats need to come together are big group hugs. Hopefully, by embrace, you do not mean that I'm expected to accept Republican's failed, antiquated trickle-down, supply side economic policies that they have continually pushed for, year after year, since Ronald Reagan, presenting it as serious governance.

No, this current lot of Republican obstructionists and anti-Science know-nothings will not be "embraced" by me. Tolerated perhaps, but only to the point when their policies and lack of knowledge begin to erode our economy and environment. Then I'd rather see them go in favor of a more moderate party, capable of compromise.

Wow, Layton.....I guess you got me with your 1 home with electricty generated by water. Maybe I was wrong....but, then again, NOPE!!!!

Is there enough electricity generated by water and enough natural gas to power every city and home in America? NO....Can you run a car on water or natural gas. NO!!!!

You fail. Before you call someone idiotic, you should think.

bobbygordon6909

Republicans won the last election. He who has the gold makes the rules... the golden rule.The House holds the purse strings, Republicans won the House, we make the rules, we won the election.

bobbygordon6909,

Woefully, your above statement is one of being totally uninformed. The only reason that the GOP grabbed held onto the house is that these cheats gerrymandered congressional districts. Deliberately, they drew congressional districts so that almost any voting pattern would allow them to sit in the congress - and continue to obstruct progress for this country. Shortsightedly, you left out a substantial chamber - the Senate - which is Democratically controlled - without gerrymandering.

Who won the 2012 presidential election? Obama.

Paws it is you that has failed, failed to do your homework. 5 auto companies are working on a hydro generator that yes cars can run on water it is a matter of making the technology safe and affordable. Two hats like you shouldn't try to think, you might get hurt.

Cars have ran on natural gas since at least the 80's. I drove a school bus that was powered by Natural gas and I think the gas company still runs their vehicles on it. Sad for you to be so low information, but even sadder that you type B.S. for others to believe.

CC GWRider

**Sigh**What you "liberal" guys are ignoring

CC GWRider,

What you conservatives are ignoring is that the right-wing policies of the GOP threw America in dire economic turmoil - economic turmoil that this country has not seen since the Great Depression of the 1930's.

On this forum, there are so many right-wingers, I thought I had somehow drifted to Fox.

...the right wing is upset over its deserved 2012 presidential election loss and this ilk is sitting on a bed of "sour grapes."

Feisty and Pigotry, you great Democrats, you forget one thing Mr. Boehner is the leader of the Republican party as Ms Polisy is the leader of the Democratic party. The President is the leader of the People and leads NO party he governs the Country he has no party he leads the people, he need to understand that and quit putting forth just a democratic agenda. No illegal immigrant voted for him, republiican, independents, and democrats voted for him, Americans voted him into office, nobody else.

JustanotherVeteran
Simply Laughable... the entire lot of you!

Raise the minimum wage... yes I do think an honest days work deserves a decent wage. Here in is the problem with that..... WE ARE F'ING BROKE, WHERE DOES THE EXTRA MONEY COME FROM!

I guess the "WE" replys to the government? If so, there's not many government employees who make below, or minimum wage, except maybe the Privates in the Military that fight for you, but seems you wouldn't give them a raise either. So, if the "WE" are private employers that are "F'ING BROKE," I say they are lying. Quit crying, help your fellow Americans.

JimSpence, damn dude, you're getting desperate. I used to read your comments, you used to make sense, but now you're turning out to be just another of those that Bobby Jindal speaks of in your republican party.

JimSpence

kkwilson

It's becoming more and more obvious that Fiesty Red Head comments have no value and only reveals her hate for the GOP and her lack of effort to engage in meaningful comments rather than the slanderous comments that appear on a daily basis.

First you post the above about Fiesty Red Head....than you post the below ignorance as your own comments....and you criticize Fiesty?

JimSpence

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate God?

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate family?

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate America?

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate the Constitution?

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate Capitalism/Free Markets

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate the military?

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate our brave troops?

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate American Exceptionalism?

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate morality?

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate justice?

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate human progress and advancement?

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate a good education?

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate personal achievement?

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate success?

Why do Liberals/Progressives hate themselves?

#1.184 - Wed Feb 13, 2013 5:39 PM CST

Yep, you belong to the "Stupid Party," Jindal speaks of!!

Johntho - your post about Obamacare is 3 years out of date. They initially said Obamacare would lower costs, then reality set in, and now the costs will increase much, much more than if they had left it alone and never created the bill.

Good stuff JimSpence. You are not alone. It may seem so with all the far right and far left white noise in here but there are many of us out there who think in the same "critical" fashion.

Folks like fiesty redhead are just angry old hags with nothing better to do with their day than spew their hate on blogs like this. What sad, sad people are they.

bobbygordon6909

The House holds the purse strings, Republicans won the House, we make the rules, we won the election.

Enjoy it while you have it. The Republican Party is running out of old white guys (such as myself). The demographics are not with you. Marco Rubio was you best shot at drawing Hispanics into the party. Considering his performance presenting the Republican answer to the State of the Union...it's only a matter of time till the Party throws him under the bus. This may well be the last time you hold the House...think Whig Party.

Feisty Obamaho. Once again it amazes me that you haven't been run out of Roselle. Try Elgin. It would fit you better.

She can't get off her knees long enough to run, too busy stirring at Presidents Obama's one eyed little monster!

@moshuluu 1.232

I only state the facts and nothing but the facts...See I kinda like some of the stuff that the Libs come up with.....its entertaining and sounds like a nice place to live and would be a really nice reality to have I guess. But then I wake up from the dream world that we all wish was a reality and look out and face the day without the rose colored standard issue Lib glasses on my eyes....and I suddenly see that it was just a dream world and is not at all representative of the actual reality. But I suppose for folks like you and your Liberal pals.... Ignorance is bliss.... Now don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with being ignorant, for ignorance in itself is the absence of knowledge, But in the same breath.... your STUPID if you stay that way! Now really.. as i stated before wake the hell up and take a long hard look at the real state of this country's affairs.

Gov-Hater - Not only do you libs need education in math (or everything technical, for that matter), but it looks like you don't know anything about government, either. Perhaps a Civics class is in order. The Senate is part of Congress. And the approval rating of Congress has decreased since both chambers increased their Democratic party representation in the last election.

RedDevPS

I said that 18K still wasn't a lot. But they do get tax breaks

What tax breaks over and above any tax breaks of someone earning, say, $150k a year? Mortgage Interest deduction - not, you can't even qualify to own a home making 18k. Oh, is it that tax break you get when you stop paying Social Security tax on income over 100+k? Only in conservie lala land do the underpaid enjoy a tax free status.

I make $40,000 a year. Last year my effective tax rate was -12.6% yes minus. This year it was 1.7% what am I going to do??? All these rich people only paying 13-20% and I have to pay 1.7%!!! So unfair...