Obama hits Georgia to sell new childhood initiatives

DECATUR, Ga. -- Continuing his post-State of the Union tour, President Barack Obama today made an economic case for the early childhood initiatives he unveiled in his primetime speech, telling a crowd in this Atlanta suburb that investments in such programs are “a good bang for your educational buck.”

The president’s education proposals include national universal pre-school enrollment and a new collaboration between the federal Early Head Start program, which is focused on the development of very young low-income children, and childcare facilities.

And in his speech at a recreation center here, Obama singled out the nearby College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center, which he visited during his stop to the state, as an example of the types of state-federal partnerships that can boost the quality of life for low-income children well after preschool.

“The kids we saw today, that I had a chance to spend time with -- they're some of the lucky ones, because fewer than three in 10 four-year-olds are enrolled in a high-quality preschool program.”

Evan Vucci / AP

President Barack Obama runs up the stairs as he arrives for a speech on education, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013, at the Decatur Community Recreation Center in Decatur, Ga.

The president said that such early investment in the future of children -- of all economic levels -- leads to a more vibrant economy overall. “That's not just going to make sure that they do well. That will strengthen our economy and our country for all of us,” he said.

He praised Georgia, one of only five states to have an official goal of full preschool enrollment, in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday night, saying the state “make[s] it a priority to educate our youngest children.”

But Georgia, which made a commitment to universal pre-K in 1995, still only has about 60 percent enrollment, and has had to cut back funding and school days because of budget shortfalls -- the program is funded by lottery revenues which have slowed recently.

Twenty days of the pre-kindergarten year were removed this year due to budget cuts, which resulted in an exodus of qualified teachers. Now, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal (R) is proposing adding back 10 of those days according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Obama gave a nod to the state’s difficulty in funding the program, saying that “even in times of tight budgets,” Georgia and states like it have “worked to make a preschool slot available for nearly every parent who's looking for one for their child.”

In terms of how the federal program would be funded, the Obama administration has not yet given specifics of how much its proposals would cost. The New Republic magazine speculated that the program might resemble one proposed by the liberal think tank Center for American Progress, whose preschool program costs $10 billion per year and Early Head Start-child care initiative would cost $10.5 billion per year.

But the program will be revenue-neutral, deputy National Economic Council director Jason Furman maintained yesterday, because it will not cost as much as the administration’s spending cuts implemented last year.

In addition to laying out his vision for America’s education future, President Obama also had a few words of advice for the parents of young children -- raising a few eyebrows as he seemed to suggest one of his daughters might have begun going on dates.

“I do have to warn the parents who are here who still have young kids, they grow up to be, like, 5 [feet] 10 [inches]. And even if they're still nice to you, they -- they basically don't have a lot of time for you during the weekends. They have sleepovers and dates. So all that early investment just leaves them to go away,” he joked as the crowd laughed.

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Hey it's V-Day, no hitting Georgia. She's a fine lass struggling to be free of ....

  • 11 votes
#1 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:02 PM EST

Here are some adorable photos.

If you read the comments over at the ODiary,

one child said to the president: "I saw you on tv".

Another said: "Are you our teacher?"

http://theobamadiary.com/

  • 17 votes
#1.1 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:33 PM EST

The fifth word of this article says it ALL .... Obama is out "selling" once again !

Too bad our country actually needs a Chief Executive who will ensure the laws of our country are obeyed and that we have a budget to guide our finances ! Obama is AWOL as he preps for a new job as the Sham-Wow salesman ! But, then again, Obama IS a sham ... so maybe that is appropriate for him !

It is amazing, however, how many liberals are snapping them up ... even when it has been proven that what Obama is selling does not deliver !!

  • 20 votes
#1.2 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:49 PM EST

This is basically Head Start but t 10 times the cost.

  • 10 votes
#1.3 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:56 PM EST

This will not add one dime to the deficit!

-President Obama

I wish I had a dime every time I heard him say that. Pres. Obama math at it's finest

  • 20 votes
#1.4 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:59 PM EST

Pat Boston, MA - thank you! I sometimes forget to check out the obamadiary but you always remind me. What priceless photos!

It's good to see a President who can actually touch the lives of children in a way they will always remember. And, he is so great at communicating at each stop.

We're lucky to have him - just think what it would have been with Mitt! Yuck! Actually, don't think about it - it's frightening!

  • 13 votes
#1.5 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:00 PM EST

SOTU address couldn't sell the idea, but if he beats each person in the US over the head.... maybe...

Leaders, LEAD............ organizers..... um, organize?

  • 8 votes
#1.6 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:03 PM EST

I agree. We should stop paying for an overpriced college education and divert the funds to pre-k. Definitely more bang-for-the-buck.

  • 2 votes
#1.7 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:05 PM EST

Seeking, you are very welcome! Glad you liked them.

And as you said, we are so so so lucky to have him as our president.

  • 7 votes
#1.8 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:06 PM EST

And as you said, we are so so so lucky to have him as our president.

Seeking/Pat,

I just threw up in my mouth.

  • 17 votes
#1.9 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:10 PM EST

ozzieyo1- and I should care, why?

  • 10 votes
#1.10 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:12 PM EST

Hey ozziey, if your mouth goes dry, just jump across the stage and grab some H20 to cleanse !!!

************** "RUBIO STYLE" ****************

  • 10 votes
#1.11 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:33 PM EST

With all the hate and nonsense being peddaled by his detractors, the President finds it necessary to use the "bully pulpit" to get his message out above the shouts of the Tea Party and the haters.

  • 10 votes
#1.12 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 6:46 PM EST

We aren't actually paying for $1.4 Trillion worth of what we want, we're borrowing to pay.

The sequestration represents a chance to both begin cutting borrowing and to begin cutting spending money borrowed from China and others to pay bills. Adding a program like pre-K is a good investment, but it is unwise to continue borrowing from China in order to invest.

If every single taxpayer from the very poor to the very rich gets a tax bill DOUBLE what they paid last year, it still is not enough money to stop all the borrowing from China needed to pay bills on the books now, let alone new bills for adding another big line item like the President's proposed pre-K program.

Suppose we TRIPLE taxes for everybody from the very poor to the ultra rich? Now, that would be enough to not borrow more from China this year to pay bills, to have a nestegg for the next natural disaster like Storm Sandy, to perhaps add a new program for pre-K education, and even have a little to begin paying down the $16.45 Trillion debt.

So come on. If all people pay TRIPLE we can do this thing! Social Security and Disability need not go up, just Revenue Tax needs to go up. People like me who pay $12 Thousand a year in revenue tax simply pay $36 Thousand. And so on, and so forth.

We can support our President with our wallets, if we want.

  • 3 votes
#1.13 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 6:51 PM EST

Ozzie...

You have to excuse the Obama fan club. It's a wonder they can sleep at night...reminds of the old concert footage from the '60's when the Beatles came to America. Girls screaming and crying...

  • 11 votes
#1.14 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 7:27 PM EST

So, how much is this "Universal" program going to cost the American taxpayers ?

Might want to ask the teacher's unions since no one can get a straight answer from this administration.

  • 6 votes
#1.15 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:55 PM EST

Yeah, it's not nice to hit Georgia. Despite being a red state, her two Republican Senators actually both voted in favor of the Violence Against Women Act.

  • 3 votes
#1.16 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 10:24 PM EST

jim-1455434

The fifth word of this article says it ALL .... Obama is out "selling" once again !

Too bad our country actually needs a Chief Executive who will ensure the laws of our country are obeyed and that we have a budget to guide our finances ! Obama is AWOL as he preps for a new job as the Sham-Wow salesman ! But, then again, Obama IS a sham ... so maybe that is appropriate for him !

It is amazing, however, how many liberals are snapping them up ... even when it has been proven that what Obama is selling does not deliver !!

#1.2

Funny you should mention that, 'Obama is out "selling" once again', because in his book he is quoted as saying "To avoid being mistaken for a sellout, ..."

  • 1 vote
#1.17 - Fri Feb 15, 2013 4:27 AM EST

SeekingSanity

Pat Boston, MA - thank you! I sometimes forget to check out the obamadiary but you always remind me. What priceless photos!

It's good to see a President who can actually touch the lives of children in a way they will always remember. And, he is so great at communicating at each stop.

We're lucky to have him - just think what it would have been with Mitt! Yuck! Actually, don't think about it - it's frightening!

#1.5

I would make a comment about how Hitler did very much the same thing, but I doubt you would understand it. And all I'll get is hate in return. So I will leave it to you to do a little reading about Hitlers rise to power. Or maybe you can get the DVD from the Military or History Channel.

If you want to know what is frightening, learn a little history. But hey, I guess it is history, and history never repeats, right?

  • 3 votes
#1.18 - Fri Feb 15, 2013 4:57 AM EST

Wow, DumbFarmBoy (accurate moniker, by the by). You take a perfectly innocuous post by Seeking and Pat, and turn it into some rant about Hitler and you think THEY have a problem?

Grow up.

  • 2 votes
#1.19 - Fri Feb 15, 2013 8:01 AM EST

Yet another wedge issue invented by our Dear P.O.S. POTUS. Study after study has shown no long term advantage to 4 year-old preschool. This is a total waste of money, that only benefits teacher unions, will add more to our national debt, will add more pressure to state budgets, and in the end not do one damn thing to improve the quality of outcome in our students. The saddest part is, in secret, Obama would agree with 100% of what I've posted, and he knows there is NO chance this becomes law, which brings us to the whole point of this charade, which is to paint the republicans as anti-education. Wise up Obama supporters and recognize this a$$ wipe for what he is, the worst G.D. president of all time, at the worst possible moment in US history.

  • 4 votes
#1.20 - Fri Feb 15, 2013 10:35 AM EST

"Study after study has shown no long term advantage to 4 year old preschool."

Really? They studied preschools that were four years old?

Jaysus, want to name them?

But let me quote from a recent study about preschoolers in Head Start.

From the Health and Human Service Division:

"at the end of 3rd grade, the most striking subgroup finding was related to children from high risk households. For this subgroup, children in the 3 year old cohort demonstrated sustained cognitive impact across all years from Pre-k to 3rd grade."

And from Garces, Thomas and Carrie, 2000: Also in the HHS report.

Long term improvement for Head Start participants on outcomes such as school attainment, earnings and crime reduction...

Seriously. Learn the difference between the "teabagger" opining and real fact.

Moron.

  • 1 vote
#1.21 - Fri Feb 15, 2013 11:27 AM EST

@newday

Rather than name calling...

From page 34 of the "Head Start Impact Study" from the Department of Health and Human Services, January 2010 that you're referring to:

"In sum, this report finds that providing access to Head Start has benefits for both 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds in the cognitive, health, and parenting domains, and for 3-year-olds in the social-emotional domain. However, the benefits of access to Head Start at age four are largely absent by 1st grade for the program population as a whole. For 3-year-olds, there are few sustained benefits, although access to the program may lead to improved parent-child relationships through 1st grade…"

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/opre/executive_summary_final.pdf

So, by the Government's own reckoning, we're already wasting our money with the current Head Start program and Mr. Obama just wants to expand it???

All this "feel-good" crap from you so-called liberals has to stop.

  • 2 votes
#1.22 - Fri Feb 15, 2013 11:38 AM EST

Short lived effects and another bill for the tax payers. No thanks to government fixing all our problems.

Limited Government Please!!

How do you get to work? Roads.

Who protects you from crime and fire? Police and Fire Department.

That fits into limited Government.

    #1.23 - Fri Feb 15, 2013 12:02 PM EST

    Ohhh thats going to leave a mark there ay newday. Facts suck don't they. Ask yourself, why did Obama make this an issue for 2013? Because he's already working on the 2014 midterm elections, with the goal of defeating as many republicans as possible, that is his sole motive for announcing this program. SAdly this has been his MO from day 1 in office. I think both of us would agree the education system in this country sucks. BUT, its not a money issue. Take a look at spending per pupil VS academic achievement in South Dakota. Historically they have consistently produced students that rank very high in academic achievement, yet they rank very low in the cost per pupil to educate them.

    By the way, thanks Diogenes22.

    • 4 votes
    #1.24 - Fri Feb 15, 2013 1:48 PM EST

    Ahhh, yes here is the right wing choir.

    Sorry, Diogenes: I have read that report and studied the charts. The conclusion is YOURS regarding waste of money is YOURS, not HHS. Since the goal of Head Start is to provide quality day care, and preschool, preparing for school readiness, it is clear, even by what you quote, they have met their goals. It is equally clear that there is long lasting impact, or do you ignore the other studies listed in the report?

    And by the way, if you want to do this the right wing nutjob way, where is the effectiveness measures for say...first grade? Should we eliminate it?

    You want to know what this is about? The "teabaggers" solution to EVERYTHING. Privatize it, kill it off, so that the nutjobs can find a way to make a profit out of it while providing NO education at all.

    There are plenty of studies reflecting the success of Head Start, and early education. To make it as simple as I can for the brainless on the right let's use this metric:

    The more challenged the families, the greater the gain.

    Get it?

    I say again. Morons.

    • 1 vote
    #1.25 - Fri Feb 15, 2013 5:09 PM EST

    newdayDAWNING...RETURNED

    Wow, DumbFarmBoy (accurate moniker, by the by). You take a perfectly innocuous post by Seeking and Pat, and turn it into some rant about Hitler and you think THEY have a problem?

    Grow up.

    #1.19

    I called it didn't I. But what should I expect from the emotionally compromised. "But to compare is not to equate", but you don't understand that either, because you have no knowledge of history.

    For those of us that do. The similarities are indeed frightening, for I see us heading down a similar path. Will we have the same outcome, I certainly hope not. But I do know (from history) that history repeats.

    And NewDay, you have absolutely no knowledge of me to make any type of comment about my moniker. I can guarantee you one thing. I have already forgotten more knowledge than you will ever attain.

    Can I presume that you would be offended, and make more disparaging remarks about my moniker, (and me) if I was to say unequivocally that Hitler was a great Leader? Or would you agree with that statement?

    • 2 votes
    #1.26 - Fri Feb 15, 2013 7:05 PM EST

    newdayDAWNING...RETURNED

    The "teabaggers" solution

    #1.25

    If I am TEAbagger, does that make you a Teabaggee?

      #1.27 - Fri Feb 15, 2013 7:09 PM EST

      "you have no knowledge of history"....

      Oh my God you do not know to whom you speak.

      That is HYSTERICAL.

      And no, my criticism stands. There is nothing going on currently that matches what happened with Hitler.

      You saying that shows how ignorant you really are.

      And no. Great leaders do not murder their people.

      Shame on you.

      • 1 vote
      #1.28 - Fri Feb 15, 2013 7:33 PM EST

      I love it when he takes these common sense ideas straight to the heart of GOTea country. They call this "compaigning" - I call it communicating with your constituents.

        #1.29 - Fri Feb 15, 2013 7:42 PM EST

        Say, I have an idea - since you are an awful leader (except when you want to "lead from behind") why don't you go back to Chicago and let somebody that knows how an economy works to fix this economy.

        Let's not worry about guns, illegal immigrants, some wacky childhood stupid idea, or gays who want to join the Boy Scouts and let's work on something important like fixing this economy.

        Get the heck out of the way and quite being a hindrance.

        • 2 votes
        #1.30 - Sat Feb 16, 2013 12:07 AM EST

        newdayDAWNING...RETURNED

        "you have no knowledge of history"....

        Oh my God you do not know to whom you speak.

        That is HYSTERICAL.

        And no, my criticism stands. There is nothing going on currently that matches what happened with Hitler.

        You saying that shows how ignorant you really are.

        And no. Great leaders do not murder their people.

        Shame on you.

        #1.28

        No you are truly the one who has no understanding. You assume I approve of what Hitler did as a Dictator. You are truly stupid. If you had been paying attention, or were at least half way intelligent, you would known, or seen this was a loaded question.

        No, Hitler was a great (you will notice I use the lower case g, where as you yourself used an upper case G to describe a Great Leader, and I concur. A Great Leader does not murder his own People) Leader (again emphasis on Leader) in that he took an impoverish, bankrupt nation, with a dysfunctional government, put it back on it feet, (again not agreeing with his methods) and nearly took over that part of the world. He mobilized a nation to achieve great goals (misguided as they were). Could a mediocre, or a bad Leader do such a thing? Did he use his leadership skills in an evil manner? Yes.

        "There is nothing going on currently that matches what happened with Hitler."

        Then you have no idea or understanding of history. You have obviously never watched any of Hilter's speeches, nor the audience responses. And I will clarify, I was only comparing Obama's and Hitler's oratory skills. (again, you assumed more than I meant, and you failed to ask for clarification of what I meant) And the reactions of those who actually listen to such garbage. I could easily compare you to one of Hitler's followers at the time, and there were those in Germany at the time who told them not to pay attention to that "Loon", but they did not listen. They were enthralled with Hitler. Just as so many here are enthralled with Obama. And let me point out, One should respect a leader, one should not revere or "Love" a leader. This is what unnerves me about the Obama following, the way they revere Obama, instead merely respecting him.

        My Great Grandparents came from Bavaria. I have first hand family accounts of some of the things that happened there. What have you got?

        "Oh my God you do not know to whom you speak."

        I can only go by what I read in your posting, and from that I can only surmise you are an idiot. So, tell me then what are YOUR Bona Fides.

        I no longer live on a farm, hence the "Dumb" part. The worst thing I ever did was get a Degree in Mechanical Engineering, move to the City and have to live in and amongst bigoted, myopic, inane morons like you.

        It is a self deprecating moniker, based on the view so many "sophisticated", "educated" elitists urban dwelling snobs have of us country bumpkins. All of whom would starve to death in short order, if it were not for us supplying food to those cities. (trust me, we can survive without them, it is they who can not survive without us)

        Can I presume that you would be offended, and make more disparaging remarks about my moniker, (and me) if I was to say unequivocally that Hitler was a great Leader?

        And I called it again didn't I?

        My guess is you are too ignorant or of a sufficiently diminished mental capacity to formulate a cognitive and cohesive argument to refute my position. And you must revert to ad personem or dismissive argument to satisfy your exaggerated sense of importance, since you seem to fail to fully comprehend what was said. But hey, you're cool, right? You sure told me off.

        Oh, and do you want another teabagging?

        Can you tell me what my Constitutional Rights are?

        • 2 votes
        #1.31 - Sat Feb 16, 2013 1:48 AM EST

        My goodness, "Dumb" that is such a rewriting of history, that you belie your "expertise".

        How do I make this simple enough for the likes of you? Little words.

        Hitler's rise to power was a direct result of the devastation and divisions that Germany endured after WW1. Germany was destitute. Had Germany recovered, Hitler would not have happened.

        The rest of your diatribe is a personal attack about someone you don't know, nor will you. I have no time for the deluded.

        You don't even pick up hints. Notice the collie in my avatar? Guess what, genius, he is a herd dog. On my farm.

        Quit making assumptions, and enjoy your inflated ego. You are not impressive. Nor do you have any real knowledge.

          #1.32 - Sat Feb 16, 2013 9:53 AM EST

          @ newday #1.32

          Well this is truly a first. Of course I guess I should expect as much from a sheep herder, (and I am supposed to "get" that you are some how a rancher type from a picture of a dog, Listen Sparky, lots of people have Collies, that live in cities. Just How f'n clairvoyant must I be?) You are in fact the first rural ignoramus I have ever encountered. Usually once a person gets beyond the city limits the stupid begins to wear off. At least somewhat( that is what happened to my cousin's husband and he was from NYC{we've almost made him into a gun totin' redneck}). I can not believe you were raised on a farm. You must be one of those people, reared in the city, who think that simply living in a rural home, with a few acres of ground, qualifies as a farm.

          Hitler's rise to power was a direct result of the devastation and divisions that Germany endured after WW1. Germany was destitute. Had Germany recovered, Hitler would not have happened.

          Well no sh*t, Sherlock!

          I do concur however, that Hitler never would have gained power if it were not for the perfect storm that hit Germany. He was the wrong man in the right place at the right time.

          But it still does not change the fact that Hitler was able to motivate masses of people through little more than rhetoric and oratory skill. And just who do you think motivated the Brown Shirts to do what they did, and who motivated the SS to do what they did? And did he force them to do it? (at least initially)

          And if I am rewriting history, then it is only because you learned it from someone who had written it incorrectly from their perspective. Like I said, I had family there at the time it was happening, (Granted it was extended family, 2nd and 3rd cousins, couple times removed, but they wrote letters to my grandmother, and her parents.) And how do you "rewrite" the films of his speeches? the speeches? and what really started this whole thing, my vague reference to the Hitler Youth, an how the young were simply enamored with Hitler?

          And I will repeat:

          you are too ignorant or of a sufficiently diminished mental capacity to formulate a cognitive and cohesive argument to refute my position. And you must revert to ad personem or dismissive argument to satisfy your exaggerated sense of importance, since you seem to fail to fully comprehend what was said. But hey, you're cool, right? You sure told me off.

          What three lies does a rancher tell?
          1. I own my own ranch
          2. Why I do have a pick up truck
          3.Honnestly! I was only trying to help that sheep over the fence!

          • 1 vote
          #1.33 - Sun Feb 17, 2013 2:32 AM EST

          Hmmmm, now where oh where did I say that my dog herded sheep?

          You really just aren't all that bright, are you?

            #1.34 - Sun Feb 17, 2013 8:54 AM EST

            newdayDAWNING...RETURNED

            Hmmmm, now where oh where did I say that my dog herded sheep?

            You really just aren't all that bright, are you?

            #1.34

            Well I guess, once again, my crystal ball was just a little too cloudy. It is just that typically the collie is used to herd sheep. And I went with the most common use for that breed of dog.

            And how about you get back on topic. And disprove some of my comments, instead throwing out dismissive arguments, or changing the subject?

            Can you tell me what my Constitutional Rights are?

            • 1 vote
            #1.35 - Sun Feb 17, 2013 10:24 PM EST
            Reply

            Obama is right and even Newt Gingrich agrees. He endorsed early childhood on Tavis Smiley and few weeks ago, Newt and Arne Duncan have campaigned for it for years. This is bipartisanship and it's best.

            • 21 votes
            Reply#2 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:13 PM EST

            President says "I have Georgia on my mind" - Pre-School is very wise, it gives us Rocket Scientist for future space travel. Very Smart - I see this as an investment in America !!!

            The Republicans see this as taking money away from starting more Wars and cutting loopholes from their 2% buddies to help fund Pre-Schools !!!

            • 9 votes
            #2.1 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 6:07 PM EST

            Nothing like Bipartison spending to warm the heart.

            When are they gonna get around to bi-partison spending cuts to pay for this new spending?

            You remember the $1 trillion dollar deficits were running every year and $16 Trillion dollar national debt that our children and grand children wil be paying for...

            • 4 votes
            #2.2 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 6:23 PM EST

            Com-on folks.

            Remember, Mr. Obama says everything he does will REDUCE the NATIONAL DEBT and all his "INVESTMENTS" will not cost the taxpayers a DIME and that was just YESTERDAY.

            Sounds like ObamaCare.....your health care costs will go down and you can keep your doctor.

            • 3 votes
            #2.3 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:57 PM EST

            I want the debt to be paid down......THAT would be the best gift this president could give these children.

            • 6 votes
            #2.4 - Fri Feb 15, 2013 6:59 AM EST
            Reply

            But the program will be revenue- neutral, deputy NEC director said, because it won’t cost as much as the administration’s spending cuts implemented last year.

            And there it is.

            The government mindset that because spending is cut somewhere, we can spend those “saved dollars” on something else. Which results in more spending and no cuts.

            Does anyone wonder why we are trillions of dollars in debt?

            • 17 votes
            Reply#3 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:16 PM EST

            And this is news why?

            • 5 votes
            Reply#4 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:18 PM EST

            Arlin- I agree. It is much better to INVEST in our children when they are very young. When both sides come together for the COMMON good EVERYBODY wins. And quite frankly, I never (in a million years) thought I would agree with Newt about anything.....

            • 11 votes
            Reply#5 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:23 PM EST

            $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

            • 7 votes
            Reply#6 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:33 PM EST

            $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ "For Wars" ****************OR**************** $$$$$$$$$$$$$ "Education" !!!

            • 7 votes
            #6.1 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 6:20 PM EST

            @Candice-#3: I couldn't give less of a damn about our debt. It simply means our economic output is lower than our costs. I have some very expensive equipment just setting around not being used. Costing me substantially too. Taxes, maintenance, depreciation, etc. Republicans reason I'm spending on nothing. I reason, as the economy continues to struggle upward there will be a demand for the use of that present idle equipment. Once that occurs I'll pay myself the debt I owe myself, or, if I only earn enough to pay the cost of operation, maintenance, taxes, depreciation, etc. I'll still own it, and be ready for another day. This country and most of the people have been dealt a severe economic blow by the mismanagement and thievery of a criminally crooked governmental over-structure and It's wall street bosses, who have, through misplaced wars, staged events, and wealth transfers, decimated the once middle class, and accomplished only the tremendous growth of abject poverty. So, aye gwad, we'll either grow ourselves back to our former thriving society, or we'll all perish, crooks, wealthy and all, in the corruption brought by the evils of that malevolent government of greed. President Obama is about the business of affecting correction of this most gwaddamned undeserved predicament brought upon the American people since the great depression. To hell with the ignorant debt talk!

            • 6 votes
            #6.2 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:25 PM EST

            Mac,

            Thanks for the response to my post.

            You're sitting with idle equipment and paying taxes, maintenance, etc for the equipment to be idle, hoping the economy improves so you can recoup your losses and get back on track. Hopefully things pick up soon enough for you to do so -- before the debt becomes unmanageable and you find yourself buried. Very forward looking and optimistic. I truly hope things work out for you.

            As a businessman, have you calculated exactly how long you'll be able to absorb those costs, and have you calculated the time and revenue it will take, once business picks up, for you to recover and work in the black again? Because the longer you run up the credit card, the longer it will take to get your head above water. Instead of spending years digging yourself out of a hole, wouldn't you prefer to be doing some good? Producing, providing a livelihood, making a difference?

            Debt sounds like something distant that doesn't really effect us. But it does. We could do so much good for so many if we weren't so buried in current debt.

            • 3 votes
            #6.3 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 11:45 PM EST

            @Candice-6.3: I, like our government, have to absorb these costs back into a much reduced profit, derived from equipment in operation. The driving force of our economy is demand for the production of things, and services. That demand occurs when consumers of those products and services produced, have money to buy and consume them. Consumers must have jobs at wages sufficient to paying for the costs of those goods and services, or there is no demand. We have created, at best, a vicious circle of chronic unemployment for ourselves in this country. Shenanigans of wall street, a Government that didn't give a damn, spending on wrong headed wars, and general ignorance and apathy relative to our economic system, have turned us from a vibrant and rich consumer economy into a land of growing abject poverty. The solution is not to say; we'll just cut domestic costs until we even out. We'll only increase our poverty level doing that. I could sell, or junk my idle equipment, but then I would not be nearly as competitive and productive when, and if, I need to be. If we are to ever overcome this very costly imbalance we must first address it in Its reality. It must be both parties, yet, thus far, republicans only wish to talk about reducing debt by cutting spending, which appears, from my perspective at least, to be a form of punishment upon the very people who have been hurt the worst. This won't ever do, nor will it help our debt situation. Will create tremendous black markets, which will further hurt our economic prospects, and continually increase our deficits and debt, among other negatives. Regards

              #6.4 - Fri Feb 15, 2013 10:07 AM EST
              Reply

              I thought Obama said in his SOTU speech that none of his proposals would add a dime to the Deficit.

              Tell us what your going to cut spending on to move that spending over to this program. 15 days till the Sequestrations kick in and you guys can't even figure that out.

              • 10 votes
              Reply#7 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:35 PM EST

              David,

              America own's the Treasury & the Mint. All they have to do is make more money. As long as we have the raw materials, we are good to go.

              • 5 votes
              #7.1 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:39 PM EST

              Yup, keep printing money. What could possibly go wrong?

              • 11 votes
              #7.2 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:41 PM EST

              Like a "deerhunter" in the headlights ..... yeah, what could possibly go wrong ? Is he REALLY that naive ??

              • 6 votes
              #7.3 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:52 PM EST

              Keep printing money as long as we have the raw material, did you mean like paper and ink, welcome to Greece

              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6zM1WYhwPw

              • 2 votes
              #7.4 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 7:16 PM EST

              Keep printing??? Are you insane, deerhunter?

                #7.5 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:11 PM EST
                Reply

                Where's Feisty Carrotop?

                • 7 votes
                Reply#8 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:45 PM EST

                Who really cares ? When she opens her yap, it merely contributes to "global warming" ... all that HOT AIR !

                • 12 votes
                #8.1 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:53 PM EST

                You clowns don't know the truth

                • 4 votes
                #8.2 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:42 PM EST

                She's cookin' s'more popcorn, sitting on the john, and blowin' out more snarky comments to insult anyone to the right of communism...

                • 4 votes
                #8.3 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:14 PM EST
                Reply

                Don't they have T.V. down in Georgia or do we just have a few more million bucks to blow so we thought we should get on Air Force One again?

                • 8 votes
                Reply#9 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:46 PM EST

                Noli, it's kind of cool for little kids to meet the President of the United States. Priceless.

                • 6 votes
                #9.1 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:48 PM EST

                Pat - don't try. Ignorants like Noli are so seeped in their hatred that rationality doesn't enter into their sick worlds!

                Those children will look back on this someday and be soooo glad they got to meet a great man like President Obama.

                • 6 votes
                #9.2 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:02 PM EST

                Exactly Seeking Sanity.

                • 4 votes
                #9.3 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:04 PM EST

                Fascinating.

                Noli Me Tangere, for Ceasar's I am. Thomas Wyatt. You just don't expect that here.

                • 6 votes
                #9.4 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:15 PM EST

                my sentiments exactly!

                • 2 votes
                #9.5 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 7:09 PM EST

                Ah yes.... SeekingSanity once again bragging about his/her superior mental capabilities.... talk about rationality... what a tired old rant "it" provides this audience .... soooo amusing....

                • 3 votes
                #9.6 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:19 PM EST
                Reply

                Isn't it strange that GOP loves to talk about spending, but has done nothing about the billions we pay Oil and energy Co's every year, this corporate "welfare" has been going on for decades!

                Investing in our children the future, is a worthwhile investment, and really a "no brainer"! Oh I now see the problem, the GOP/ brains they don't seem to have a single functioning one between them all!

                • 8 votes
                Reply#10 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:51 PM EST

                Isn't it funny that the 4 years from 2006 - 2010 the Democrats controlled both houses of Congress they never passed the bill to change the taxes

                • 8 votes
                #10.1 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:58 PM EST

                Please explain how we are paying them billions each year?

                Giving a tax break to a company just means you are taking less money from them in taxes it doesnt mean your paying them.

                Should we talk about all the Tax breaks for Clean Energy?

                • 4 votes
                #10.2 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 6:11 PM EST

                David, big oil gets subsidies not tax breaks. The US Gov gives them around 35 billion each year to cover costs that they are wholly capable of dealing with themselves. Collectively big oil made more than 100 billion last year. If they cannot afford to foot the bill for exploratory wells they have a very crappy accounting department.

                • 3 votes
                #10.3 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 11:04 PM EST
                Reply

                How will the wannabe Emperor pay for this??????

                Can you say, "Tax the Rich"????

                • 6 votes
                Reply#11 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:58 PM EST

                Yep, it's time they pay their fair share and admit they could help boost this economy

                • 6 votes
                #11.1 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:35 PM EST

                Maybe its time for people to "Receive their fair share". Why don't you tell us how the Rich are receiving a dispraportinates share of Welfare, Food Stamps, Subsidized Housing, Free school lunches for their kids, Medicaid, etc.

                If there not paying their fair Share then enlighten us on how they are recieving more from the goverenment in benifits than the poor people that pay little or nothing into the system...

                • 6 votes
                #11.2 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 6:09 PM EST

                they pay little or nothing because they have little or nothing- is that to complex a concept for you? lets see 35% of a hobos $200 he raised this year pan handling is $70 - by golly stop the presses we are sure to pay the national debt taxing larry the hobo an extra $5 instead of Warren Buffet's multi millions he only pays 15% on

                  #11.3 - Fri Feb 15, 2013 8:48 AM EST
                  Reply

                  Maybe someone should sit down with Obama and the liberals and explain to them that if you want to "invest" money in something you have to have that money to begin with.

                  When were running $1+ trillion dollars a year deficits, the Federal Goverenment is borrowing 1 Trillion dollars a year just to pay for the current programs, 40 cents of every dollar the Fed spends is borrowed, wheres that money going to come from?

                  Oh thats right, your going to borrow that money, to help the children, that will have to pay it back in the future.

                  • 6 votes
                  Reply#12 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:05 PM EST

                  Troll

                  • 5 votes
                  #12.1 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:47 PM EST

                  tryreality: "troll" is a weak and useless argument...come up with something that actually has some substance.

                  • 2 votes
                  #12.2 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 7:24 PM EST
                  Reply

                  The best way to improve education is to start early. Our country has a terrible education gap problem. So Obama's plan makes plenty of sense. Sure, it will cost money, but so did the space program...the Interstate highway system...and plenty of other big projects that were of critical importance to our country's well being.

                  I am perfectly OK with shifting some money from many unnecessary so-called "defense" programs to provide for critical necessities like better education.

                  • 9 votes
                  Reply#13 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:11 PM EST

                  This is a great idea- invest in our young children- too bad the meatballs in the NC legislature- don't agree- we have a wonderful quality Pre-K program here . The legislature keeps trying to kill it. This year- I think they will

                  • 7 votes
                  Reply#14 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:17 PM EST

                  Lets remind everyone of Senator Barrack Obama.

                  http://www.redstate.com/alanjoelny/2013/01/15/full-text-of-obamas-speech-against-raising-the-debt-ceiling-in-2006/

                  March 16, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE S2237-2238:

                  “Mr. OBAMA. Mr. President, I rise today to talk about America’s debt problem.

                  The fact that we are here today to debate raising America’s debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can’t pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government’s reckless fiscal policies. Over the past 5 years, our federal debt has increased by $3.5 trillion to
                  $8.6 trillion. That is ‘‘trillion’’ with a ‘‘T.’’ That is money that we have borrowed from the Social Security trust fund, borrowed from China and Japan, borrowed from American taxpayers. And over the next 5 years, between now and 2011, the President’s budget will increase the debt by almost another $3.5 trillion.

                  Numbers that large are sometimes hard to understand. Some people may wonder why they matter. Here is why: This year, the Federal Government will spend $220 billion on interest. That is more money to pay interest on our national debt than we’ll spend on Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. That is more money to pay interest on our debt this year than we will spend on education, homeland security, transportation, and veterans benefits combined. It is more money in one year than we are likely to spend to rebuild the devastated gulf coast in a way that honors the best of America.

                  And the cost of our debt is one of the fastest growing expenses in the Federal budget. This rising debt is a hidden domestic enemy, robbing our cities and States of critical investments in infrastructure like bridges, ports, and levees; robbing our families and our children of critical investments in education and health care reform; robbing our seniors of the retirement and
                  health security they have counted on.

                  Every dollar we pay in interest is a dollar that is not going to investment in America’s priorities. Instead, interest payments are a significant tax on all Americans—a debt tax that Washington doesn’t want to talk about. If Washington were serious about honest tax relief in this country, we would see an effort to reduce our national debt by returning to responsible fiscal policies.

                  But we are not doing that. Despite repeated efforts by Senators CONRAD and FEINGOLD, the Senate continues to reject a return to the commonsense Pay-go rules that used to apply. Previously, Pay-go rules applied both to increases in mandatory spending and
                  to tax cuts. The Senate had to abide by the commonsense budgeting principle of balancing expenses and revenues. Unfortunately, the principle was abandoned, and now the demands of budget discipline apply only to spending.

                  As a result, tax breaks have not been paid for by reductions in Federal spending, and thus the only way to pay for them has been to increase our deficit to historically high levels and borrow more and more money. Now we have to pay for those tax breaks plus
                  the cost of borrowing for them. Instead of reducing the deficit, as some people claimed, the fiscal policies of this administration and its allies in Congress will add more than $600 million in debt for each of the next 5 years.

                  That is why I will once again cosponsor the Pay-go amendment and continue to hope that my colleagues will return to a smart rule that has worked in the past and can work again.

                  Our debt also matters internationally. My friend, the ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, likes to remind us that it took 42 Presidents 224 years to run up only $1 trillion of foreign-held debt. This administration did more than that in just 5 years. Now, there is nothing wrong with borrowing from foreign countries. But we must remember that the more we depend on foreign nations to lend us money, the more our economic security is tied to the whims of foreign leaders whose interests might not be aligned with ours.

                  Increasing America’s debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that ‘‘the buck stops here.’’ Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.

                  I therefore intend to oppose the effort to increase America’s debt limit”

                  • 8 votes
                  Reply#15 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:20 PM EST

                  Troll BS

                  • 4 votes
                  #15.1 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:48 PM EST

                  That was the full text of Senator Obama's Speach on the Senate floor in 2006.

                  I'm glad you recognize it for what it is.

                  • 6 votes
                  #15.2 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 6:14 PM EST
                  Reply

                  The best way to improve education is to get unions out of it...

                  • 7 votes
                  Reply#16 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:23 PM EST

                  Not

                  • 5 votes
                  #16.1 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:32 PM EST

                  Try reality and watch Stupid in America and actually learn something

                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icHcYNGXvjU

                  • 2 votes
                  #16.2 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 7:05 PM EST

                  “If you want to get laid, go to college. If you want an education, go to the library.”

                    #16.3 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 7:16 PM EST

                    Unions have nothing to do with it. Kids have to want to learn to succeed in school. Parents have to be participants in their kid's educational lives for them to succeed. We need to stop emphasis on testing and focus more on critical thinking skills and deeper understanding of subjects.

                    Teaching to a test gets you kids that know test answers. Teaching about a subject in depth and promoting conversations within that lecture gets you kids that know that subject.

                    • 2 votes
                    #16.4 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 11:08 PM EST
                    Reply

                    Most of you people chose to,be victims of your,govt.I chose to separate,from it long ago.

                    • 5 votes
                    Reply#17 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:36 PM EST

                    Oh Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. LOL

                    • 5 votes
                    #17.1 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:38 PM EST

                    Try Reality saw you in this video

                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9cWCRn64Ak

                    • 1 vote
                    #17.2 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 7:07 PM EST
                    Reply

                    Jerry, Dems held the Majority from Jan 2007 till Teddy Kennedy died in 2008, nice try

                    • 5 votes
                    Reply#18 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:37 PM EST

                    Sorry but wrong,

                    2007 Senate 51 Democrats House 233 Democrats

                    2009 Senate 55 Democrats House 256 Democrats

                    Kennedy died August 25, 2009 not 2008

                    • 2 votes
                    #18.1 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 7:06 PM EST
                    Reply

                    Paid GOP Trolls = Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah

                    • 6 votes
                    Reply#19 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:41 PM EST

                    no Trolls...just really pissed off people that are sick and tired of all of the out-of-control spending coming out of Washington...our President acts like he has no accountability...and he's probably right...he pretty gets a pass on any well-deserved criticism from the press and people such as yourself.

                    • 7 votes
                    #19.1 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 7:20 PM EST

                    What out of control spending are you speaking of juanita?

                    • 4 votes
                    #19.2 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 7:36 PM EST

                    Tough noogies tryreality.... it's about time the lefties on this site have some freakin' competition...

                    • 2 votes
                    #19.3 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:21 PM EST

                    My dear Pat in Boston MA: you've got to be kidding me!

                    • 3 votes
                    #19.4 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 10:00 PM EST

                    juanita, no, I'm not kidding.

                    Not that I want to run out on you, I don't - but I have to get going, it's getting late (for me).

                    Perhaps we can continue this conversation tomorrow? It's an important one.

                    Have a good night.

                    • 1 vote
                    #19.5 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 10:05 PM EST

                    You too Pat...by the way, I love Boston.

                    • 1 vote
                    #19.6 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 10:16 PM EST

                    "What out of control spending are you speaking of juanita?"

                    LOL, WOW, news flash, that Trillion dollar spending a year means we spend one trillion dollars more than we take in=we have a spending problem.

                    • 4 votes
                    #19.7 - Fri Feb 15, 2013 12:32 AM EST
                    Reply

                    Out doing what he does best --- spending money and talking about spending money

                    • 5 votes
                    Reply#20 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:42 PM EST

                    Pay your taxes

                    • 4 votes
                    #20.1 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:43 PM EST

                    I do with 40 cents of ever dollar paid going to interest and why I feel giving Obama more money is like buying stock in Solyndra.

                    • 6 votes
                    #20.2 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:56 PM EST

                    tryreality.... we do pay our taxes, dufus... that's why you're able to collect your welfare check...

                    • 3 votes
                    #20.3 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:25 PM EST

                    Spot on Tony!! Money is running out tryreality...................

                    • 2 votes
                    #20.4 - Fri Feb 15, 2013 12:35 AM EST
                    Reply

                    Anything Obama thinks is a good idea you can do just the opposite and be right 99.9% of the time...

                    • 7 votes
                    Reply#21 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 6:02 PM EST

                    Dee Ten, we have been on a to hell and back journey literally in the last several years, and what has been accomplished by the current Administration leaves most of us with little or no desire to put another Republican in the White House until they miraculously come up with someone competent.

                    And we're willing to wait until hell freezes over if need be before we elect another republican to lead our country. There isn't any reason to in the near future that we can see from the current crop of leading republicans.

                    • 2 votes
                    #21.1 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:41 PM EST
                    Reply

                    President Barack Obama, best campaigner in history, worst President in history. Move over Jimmy Carter there is a new sheriff in town!

                    • 11 votes
                    Reply#22 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 6:14 PM EST

                    dogs80, and the new sheriff in town is bringing our nation back from the brink.

                    Actually, he already did.

                    It's quite amusing to watch the president's opponents try to put the blame on him for every incompetent irresponsible move the republicans and corporate America made throughout the years.

                    New sheriff in town. Yup.

                    • 2 votes
                    #22.1 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:25 PM EST

                    Ha, and this is from a person that thinks that Government doesn't have a spending problem. Classic

                    • 1 vote
                    #22.2 - Fri Feb 15, 2013 12:39 AM EST

                    Never thought there could be a President any worse than Carter, but you are right

                    • 2 votes
                    #22.3 - Fri Feb 15, 2013 8:16 AM EST
                    Reply

                    get the feds out of education...it is a local responsibility...........and obama is a fool...

                    • 5 votes
                    Reply#23 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 6:23 PM EST

                    Hey why stop here? ...we already provide 3 meals a day for kids; free pre-school...gee, when does the parent's responsibility begin?...more big Obama gov't.

                    • 6 votes
                    Reply#24 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 6:41 PM EST

                    not enough - you little child hater.

                    • 3 votes
                    #24.1 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 7:34 PM EST

                    jolly joker: You are indeed a "joker"...I do not "hate little childern"; on the contrary I love children...I have 4 myself...as a divorced mother of 4, I found a way to send them all to college...never relied on the government to pay for food, no free lunches or breakfasts, welfare etc...the student loans that my kids borrowed are all paid back. They all have careers and make a good living. They pay their taxes as I always have. I taught them commitment and responsibility as well as being accountable. I taught them to never blame other people for their mistakes. I also taught them to respect other people's points of view without having to lower their standards and character by calling them names.

                    • 5 votes
                    #24.2 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 10:12 PM EST

                    BRAVO Juanita!!!!! Mother of the Year!!!!

                    • 3 votes
                    #24.3 - Fri Feb 15, 2013 12:43 AM EST

                    Juanita... Good for you.

                    • 2 votes
                    #24.4 - Fri Feb 15, 2013 8:14 AM EST
                    Reply

                    They landed a C17 full of cars limos and a helicopter at Dobbins for Obozo to visit a school that was out on winter break. He was selling his next spending spree. He did it by spending millions and millions of our dollars coming to Georgia.

                    What a Moron!

                    • 9 votes
                    Reply#25 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 6:41 PM EST

                    obummer had purchased 20 limos awhile back for his little charade. He don't deserve comment anymore he is so lousy. Lets just ride it out and let this guy do his little chirping.

                    • 5 votes
                    #25.1 - Thu Feb 14, 2013 7:35 PM EST
                    Reply
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