Looks like another MSDNC prime time lefty liberal moron
Stooge has bit the dust.

Can Da Rev. Al be next???

BTW, replacing the dork (Mr. Ed) with a dweeb (Chris Hayes)
is not likely to boost ratings for MSDNC.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sources: Olbermann's inability to get a job cited in Current TV settlement

Keith Olbermann has settled his
$50 million lawsuit with Current TV, bringing an end to the almost year-long
legal dispute over the outspoken host's dismissal from the liberal news
network.

The terms of the settlement,
which was reported
earlier this week, were not released. But two sources familiar with the
negotiations now tell POLITICO that during the mediation stage, Olbermann's legal
representatives cited his inability to get a job at another network -- a move
one source close to the negotiations interpreted as an effort to gain sympathy
for Olbermann.

"One of the cards his people
played was hardship," the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity,
told POLITICO. "He spent last fall
talking to all the major networks, and he couldn't get a job. The idea was,
this could be the last money he ever earned."

About our nations DEBT

Right now, we're spending more money to pay interest on debt than we'll spend on education, homeland security, transportation and veterans' benefits combined this year. Surely, there's something better to spend that money on. And those interest payments are a significant tax on Americans -- a debt tax that Washington doesn't want to talk about. And just wait until interest rates rise, because at some point they will.

Read more: #ixzz2Nc7KZ8Tq
Follow us: @RCP_Articles on Twitter

Then Senator Barack Obama - 2006

That was then and this is now Lil Michele. It is rumored that republicans live in the past, and you prove it.

nice deflection Johntho, however wrong, since I'm libertarian.

next?

I have a feeling that DEBT will be a "critical" concern 5 minutes after a NON - DEMOCRAT takes office of POTUS

There is so much money

THE RYAN BUDGET, PART 3

Paul Ryan unveiled his latest budget this week, which led to an extraordinary moment of bipartisan agreement – analysts from both sides of the political spectrum criticized it and questioned it seriousness and believability.

Fox New’s Chris Wallace interviewed Ryan and was incredulous that the foundation of the budget was an unrealistic repeal of Obamacare.

Conservative columnist Ross Douthet calls Ryan’s latest budget “a step backwards” and questions its “seriousness”, claiming:

“The actual budget …sacrificed seriousness for “seriousness,” by promising to reach budgetary balance not over the long term (as budgets 1.0 and 2.0 did) but in a ten-year window. This is not going to happen, and more importantly there’s no reason why it needs to happen: Modest deficits are perfectly compatible with fiscal responsibility, and restructuring the biggest drivers of our long-term debt is a much more important conservative goal than holding revenues and outlays equal in the year 2023. What’s more, the quest for perfect balance leaves the House G.O.P. officially committed to a weird, all-pain version of Obamanomics — in which, for instance, we keep the president’s tax increases and Medicare cuts while eliminating his health care law’s assistance to the uninsured.

The result is a document that’s arguably more unrealistic than the previous versions of the Ryan budget, and that does little or nothing to bridge the gap between the Congressional G.O.P. and the electorate that just re-elected Barack Obama.”

http://douthat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/12/the-ryan-budgets-step-backward/

Progressive columnist Paul Krugman calls Ryan a “flim-flam man” and his latest budget “a cruel joke”. Krugman goes on to say:

“…his proposals were obviously fraudulent: huge cuts in aid to the poor, but even bigger tax cuts for the rich, with all the assertions of fiscal responsibility resting on claims that he would raise trillions of dollars by closing tax loopholes (which he refused to specify) and cutting discretionary spending (in ways he refused to specify).

…at this point, Mr. Ryan is claiming that he can slash the top tax rate from 39.6 percent to 25 percent, yet somehow raise 19.1 percent of G.D.P. in revenues — a number we haven’t come close to seeing since the dot-com bubble burst a dozen years ago. “

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/15/opinion/krugman-after-the-flimflam.html?ref=opinion

It is understandable that Progressives would hate Ryan’s budget – it attempts to balance the budget on the backs of those who can afford it the least, and asks little or nothing of those who have the most.

It seems that even some Conservatives are coming to the realization that Ryan’s math does not add up, and his proposals are politically impossible.

The reduction in revenue that would result from the significantly lower tax rates in the Ryan budget cannot be recovered by closing unspecified loopholes without severely impacting the middle class.

Cuts in discretionary spending that would be deep enough to offset the increased defense spending proposed by the Ryan budget would be politically impossible to implement.

Medicare spending cannot be reduced by introducing a new layer of cost and complexity, and free market forces would not lower Medicare costs further than existing price controls.

The repeal of Obamacare is politically unachievable and the unspecified cost savings incorporated into the budget are unrealistic.

It appears the consensus from both political parties is that the Ryan Budget is not a serious budget proposal, an attempt at compromise, or even the start of a negotiation. The latest Ryan budget is nothing more than an attempt to legislatively undo all the signature accomplishments of the Obama administration and invalidate the results of the last election.

What do you call 1000 Conservative activists at the bottom of the ocean? A Great start.

cont. from #1.5

There is so much money in Cayman Islands and offshore locations. Republicans Aided and Abetted their rich donors to get bailouts, but after these corporations make obscene profits, they move to the Cayman and Bermuda Islands.

These GOP cry about budgetary shortages, but they will get a lot of the Cayman Island money in campaign donations.

Offshore tax schemes have become so absurd that one five-story office building in the Cayman Islands is now the "home" to more than 18,000 corporations.

This tax avoidance does not just reduce the revenue that we need to pay for education, healthcare, roads, and environmental protection, it is also costing us millions of American jobs. Today, companies are using these same tax schemes to lower their tax bills by shipping American jobs and factories abroad. These tax breaks have contributed to the loss of more than 5 million U.S. manufacturing jobs and the closure of more than 56,000 factories since 2000. That also has got to change.

The Rebel Alliance

From the article above:

Conservative activists and organizations have begun warning Republican legislators that if they agree to raise taxes in any broad budget deal with the president, they should expect to face challengers from the party's right wing in their next primary elections.”

* * *

“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away"…

The Evil Galactic RW Empire has commenced its final assault to strip us Liberals of our rights, our freedoms, our very existence, and bring a century of oppression to the galaxy.

The corporate Trade Federation has overtaken the airways with their austerity driven propaganda Death Star in the form of Faux sNewzzzzz, Clear Channel, The Heritage Foundation, and the Lord of all the Siths, Koch Industries.

They have infiltrated and controlled the RW Galactic Tea Party Republic to lie, obstruct, and commit treasonous acts throughout our world in order to crush the Rebel Alliance Poor and Middle class into oblivion.

They launch their flying monkey-droids out over the internet to perpetuate the insane word-spinning talking point-wrath of Jabba the Rush, Boba Ailes, Sith Hannity, and every paid, Stormtrooper they can hire.

Fear not my Progressive Rebels, for we have an army of First Read warriors like Princess Redhead, Mon Mothma Momma, Hans Redneck, David Skywalker, Obi-Wan TNSEVOL, PS-D2, Bev-3PO, Layton Calrissian, Amy Antilles, ChewPigcca, and the ever so wise Joda.

The Good-side of the Power of the Force is strong within us all. The Rebel Alliance Freedom Fighters shall prevail and Peace will once again be restored upon the American galaxy.

We now interrupt this program to bring you the following message:

"The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers."

Princess Leia, (Carrie Fisher) Star Wars (1977)

Have a Great Weekend.

Salud

Taking on debt is a calculated risk - it always increases vulnerability - the more the debt, the greater the vulnerability to unforeseen events. One must be judicious in the amount of debt one carries. The gov has lost that judgment and has put America at great risk.

Debt enslaves both the debtor and debt-holder.

Stay scared, my friend

Salud

Last week you were a democrat and a genius, now you resort to taking a statement made by Senator Obama to try and demonize President Obama. Its about expectations Michelle. You are doing as expected. Very predictable that a person with your high IQ would post a statement that has no relevance today and then call it a deflection. That was then, and this is now. Big difference, including the worst recession since the great depression brought to you by genius republicans like yourself.

It's re-run time at CPAC. All the "Old Losers" and "Never Weres" are out in force at the Freak Show again this year. And where's the new blood for the Party? And I'm not talking about wackos like Cruz. Same old group of "has beens" spouting the same old losing ideas that got them beaten into the ground last November. Will they never learn? Probably not. If they ever hope to win another prominate election (like President) they're going to have to change their ways. Their far to old fashion and Conservative for the American people. Being a little more cooperative with our President will certainly help and go a long way favorably in the eyes of the people.

TomasGrande

“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away"…

.... we have an army of First Read warriors like Princess Redhead, Mon Mothma Momma, Hans Redneck, David Skywalker, Obi-Wan TNSEVOL, PS-D2, Bev-3PO, Layton Calrissian, Amy Antilles, ChewPigcca, and the ever so wise Joda.

Thanks for that...IT WAS GREAT

At a time when we have a $16.5 trillion national debt; at a time when roughly one-quarter of the largest corporations in America are paying no federal income taxes; and at a time when corporate profits are at an all-time high; it is past time for Wall Street and corporate America to pay their fair share.

We now interrupt this program to bring you the following message:

"The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers."

Princess Leia, (Carrie Fisher) Star Wars (1977)

Have a Great Weekend.

Salud

FORWARD MY FRIENDS

Here’s news that is guaranteed to piss off lefty liberals.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

US (and Booming Market) Adds 300,000 New Millionaires

WEALTH, MILLIONAIRES, BILLIONAIRES, BUSINESS NEWS

CNBC.com
| Thursday, 14 Mar 2013 | 10:52 AM ET

The rising stock market has pushed America's millionaire population close to its
all-time highs before the recession.

According to data from Spectrem Group, the Chicago-based wealth research firm, there are
now 8.99 million U.S. households whose net worth totals $1 million or more (not
including primary residence). That's up from 8.6 million in 2011 and just short
of the all-time record set in 2006, when the United States had 9.2 million
millionaire households.

The stock market's rise has been the biggest driver of millionaire creation. With
this year's gains, Spectrem said, the United States may have already exceeded
its all-time record.

Most of the benefits from rising stocks have gone to the wealthy, since the top 10
percent of Americans own more than 80 percent of all stocks, according to
research from Edward Wolff of New York University. But the recent stock surge
has also created a new gap within the wealthy, or at least between millionaires
and the so-called affluent.

According to Spectrem, the number of households worth $1 million or more, and $5 million
or more is near the record. But the number of households worth $500,000 or more
(the affluent) is much lower than the record in 2007. There are 14.3 million
households worth $500,000 or more — down from 15.7 million in 2007.

Why the growing wealth gap within the wealthy?

Catherine McBreen, president of Spectrem Group's Millionaire Corner, said that
millionaire households held more stocks -- and therefore have benefited more
from the market's run-up. It's not just a matter of money. Wealthier households
also tended to make better investments, or at least more bullish ones, staying
in the market during the recession while less wealthy investors bailed out.

Affluent households had more than half their investable assets in some kind of equities
in 2005, but in 2012 it dropped to a third. Millionaire households have 71
percent of their investable assets in some form of equities -- up from 61
percent in 2005.

"The reason the affluents haven't recovered as quickly is their stock
holdings," McBreen said. "Many of them simply pulled out of the
market. They have more cash. But more of the high-net-worth households stayed
in."

She said the millionaire households were more likely to be older and retired, so
they could afford to keep more money in the market.

"The
affluent group may be high earners, but they also might have high expenses like
college tuition."

Tomas Grande-

.... we have an army of First Read warriors like Princess Redhead, Mon Mothma Momma, Hans Redneck, David Skywalker, Obi-Wan TNSEVOL, PS-D2, Bev-3PO, Layton Calrissian, Amy Antilles, ChewPigcca, and the ever so wise Joda.

Thanks for the inclusion, I am honored!

Like Obi-Wan, the recent "disturbances in the force" relating to gun control and the budget battles call me to battle.

On a side note, I don't think anything will ever replace that feeling of awe and wonder I had when I saw 'Star Wars' for the first time. Thanks for bring up those memories.

I will lift a glass of single-barrel bourbon in your honor tonight! (well, maybe more than one...)

.... we have an army of First Read warriors like Princess Redhead, Mon Mothma Momma, Hans Redneck, David Skywalker, Obi-Wan TNSEVOL, PS-D2, Bev-3PO, Layton Calrissian, Amy Antilles, ChewPigcca, and the ever so wise Joda.

Tomas,

Princess Redhead? I like the sound of that!

Salud my friend! ☺

Date when the Democrat Senate last passed it's 'annual budget':

April 29, 2009

.

.

(CNSNews.com) - July 12, 2012 The national debt has now increased by more than $64,000 per federal taxpayer since Barack Obama was inaugurated president.

At the close of business on Jan. 20, 2009, according to the U.S. Treasury, the total debt of the federal government was $10,626,877,048,913.08. By the close of business on July 10, 2012, that debt had climbed to $15,885,854,755,351.47—an increase of $5,258,977,706,438.39.

In “Statistics of Income—2009 Individual Income Tax Returns,” which was published this year and is the Internal Revenue Service’s most recent statistical report on individual income tax data, the IRS reported that there were 81,890,189 tax returns filed in 2009 that reported taxable income.

If each of these 81,890,189 federal taxpayers were given responsibility for paying off an equal share of the new federal debt added since Obama was inaugurated, they would each need to pay about $64,219.88.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! Great way to end the week, liberal friends.

Once upon a time, CPAC's annual meeting was several days of speeches by reasonable, smart, conservative thinkers such as William Buckley. The John Birchers were banned but most other GOP groups and people were welcome. Now it has become the Freak Show at the Circus filled with carnival barkers, each trying to outdo the other to see who can say the most outrageous, disrespectful, hateful and often biggoted comments.

If the Republican party is to regain its once Grand Old Party status, then the first thing it must do is rid itself of the fringe that has permeated it, and distance itself from modern CPAC. Step one, stop accepting invitations to speak at CPAC. Step two, hold an alternative annual meeting with a different name. Step three, speak up, stop playing kiss up to the fringe, call out and chastise the outrageous instead of catering to it. There's many more things the GOP can do but until it accepts that its ideas are old, failed and past the expiration date, until it realizes that "compromise" is governing, until it shouts down the Carnival Barkers--it will remain a dying party.

Joe-

Here’s news that is guaranteed to piss off lefty liberals. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

US (and Booming Market) Adds 300,000 New Millionaires

Why do you think that would piss off Liberals? Although I think the Capital Gains tax rate is too low, I am pleased that those who remained invested in the US stock market made money.

Better the stock market than the Cayman Islands.....

The belief that all Liberals envy success exists only in your mind......

Date when the Democrat Senate last passed it's 'annual budget':

Screw the budget! We don't need no stinking budget!!! Let's take your money and SPEND IT on free stuff.

NBC grow up! Stop the propaganda and report the news. Differences of opinion are not "contradictions".

If Obama's poll numbers weren't sinking as fast as the Titanic, you wouldn't see him anywhere near Capital Hill. Obama isn't on a charm offensive for the good of the nation, he is doing this for himself. So although liberals are giddy over anything Obama says or does, only time will tell if this is a sincere effort or just another ruse.

Wow - there's a new one for you folks. Mr. Cruz equates the constitutionality of reading a book to freely fire bullets. Apparently, his view is we all have the "right" to read Bambi and to kill Bambi's mommy. Now take the deer out of it, what Mr. Cruz is saying is we have the right to fire upon and murder mommies and the children of mommies by the dozens (they are cheaper that way). It's our constitutional right. Well Cruz, how nice for you that you think you have the right to get pissy and shoot your 600 bullets into a crowd of folks as they read their books. And silly me for thinking I had the right to read all 600 pages of my book without being murdered by your bullet before I got to the last page. Thank you Mr. Cruz for explaining to us folks how deadly reading books can be - and in you and your ilk's view, how benign shooting bullets into crowds of book readers is. Really Cruz, bookworms and bullets just don't equate.

What's the difference between an Irish wedding and an Irish funeral? One Drunk

I will agree that we need to overhaul the tax system Pigotry, because EVERYONE should pay taxes, corporation, individuals. Until that happens each and every year, we are doomed.

Tomas..... Hans Redneck. If they ever ban me and I have to go the re-reg route I'll remember that. Have a good weekend and for this Irish Weekend only.... Saliente My Friend

Now, now Forrest - I fully intend to be drunk at my funeral. I fully believe in equality vs. today's GOP, that believes in inequality.

Rick,

[If Obama's poll numbers weren't sinking as fast as the Titanic]

And yet he is still right-side-up and his approval is where it was before the Conventions and still much higher than they were in 2010. All in all he is on par with other Presidents early in their 5^th year.

Tomas Grande, enjoyed the humorous "Star Wars" analogy; terrific job! Jabba the Rush!!! Thanks for the memories, too. "Star Wars" was cops and robbers in outer space; the good guys versus the bad guys. Great movie. Thanks for the Joda shoutout and that of the other libs, too!

"Conservative activists and organizations have begun warning Republican legislators that if they agree to raise taxes in any broad budget deal with the president, they should expect to face challengers from the party's right wing in their next primary elections.” But this raises another question: When do Republicans and conservatives stop worrying about Obama? After all, he’s not running for office ever again. Why is this so much fear and suspicion about the man who sits in the Oval Office (especially after spending the campaign portraying him as weak and incompetent)? Our guess: Opposing Obama is the only thing that Republicans and conservatives still agree upon."

This statement tells me that the republican party is only for the party and their wealthy donors..it is either do what I say or you are out...to me..this says that no one in the republican party should be in office at all. They are elected by all the voters..not the wealthy few and power bosses.If they can not or will not work for those that elected them they should not be allowed to stay in any office that represents this nation or ourselves. And that goes really for either party.

Here’s news that is guaranteed to piss off lefty liberals.

Ah, Joe. That non-newsworthy event doesn't piss us liberals off. We couldn't be happier. Didn't you hear, us socialist lefty liberals are supposedly worried about running out of other peoples money. Well, the more those other people make, the more we get. I say, keep on earning your freebie money .. we have more free stuff to fund, like Social Security, Medicare, and the Nuclear arsenal.

The belief that all Liberals envy success exists only in your mind......

__________________________________________________

Yeah, right. I guess that explains why lefty liberals think those "rich" people, who ALREADY pay the majority of federal income taxes are NOT "paying their fair share".

Moron.

now you resort to taking a statement made by Senator Obama to try and demonize President Obama

ROFLMAO

Or is Mr Obama just another politician who will say ANYTHING to get elected. It really sucks when someone uses your own statements against you.

The reason Paul Ryan's budget doesn't work is that he's misstating his actual goal. This has nothing to do with "balancing the budget", it's all about making sure the government of We the People does less for the CITIZENS and more for the OLIGARCHS. He wouldn't care if we had a giant surplus...deficits are simply an excuse to do what he'd do anyway. Republican Conservatives and our Koch-supported Tea Party Governor are on a similar mission here where thanks to many years of good Democratic management we have a structural surplus. They're insisting that the state continue to cut budgets even with over $.75M in the bank. What would they do with that money? Big tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations that even they admit will create the need for further budget cuts down the road when the next downturn comes.

So don't be decieved by that shiny object that is the deficit. It developed over the long term and can be solved over the long term. The real issue here is that Conservatives are attacking the government of We the People.

Back to Paul Ryan, whose true hypocrisy is shown in his repeated attempts to dismantle the very programs that made him who he is. Paul Ryan OWES HIS VERY EXISTENCE as an educated person of influence to the public schools, Social Security survivor's benefits that allowed him to attend a public university, and an entire career in the public sector...now he attacks the very government that has fed him for most of his life.

The critics who call him "unserious" aren't even scratching the surface. "Lower than pond scum" is closer to the truth.

Yes, Alan, then Senator Obama, now POTUS Obama, one of them was lying... but please keep that a secret, don't want to stir up the monkeys

Here’s news that is guaranteed to piss off lefty liberals.

I'm delighted you came here to debunk the Conservative lie that the economy is declining, when in reality we continue to be in a recovery. I'm sure henceforth you won't claim that the economy is bad, will you?

RedDev, last night Rachel Maddow discussed the latest investigative report of the Newtown massacre. From the start of shooting out the window to enter Sandy Hook Elementary to killing himself, Adam Lanza fired 151 rounds from his Bushmaster killing 20 first graders and 6 teachers/administrators plus one bullet from his pistol which he used on himself--it only took him five minutes. Yet Senator Ted Cruz and too many others from both parties think Adam Lanza's 2nd amendment rights are more important than the rights of those killed every day by senseless acts of gun violence. Perhaps they do not really believe that but their outsized FEAR of the NRA, and its financial backers, the gun and ammunition manufacturers, prevents them from doing what is morally right.

Obama outreach? Give me a break. There's no outreach going on. Just the same ol' con game. Funny thing about "balance," with dems it's always one way. Reagan fell for it. The Bushes fell for it. The repubs keep falling for it. The story is always the same: Raise taxes and we'll figure out a way to cut spending. Funny thing is the cuts never materialize. Heck, you don't even need to look back that far. Just go back to 3 months to December. The repubs agreed to tax increases and the idea was to now agree on cuts. Yeah, right. Now, no cuts without tax increases.

Funny thing about taxes and spending. Once you raise taxes, they stay raised. Spending has to be approved annually, or daily.... That's why we are in this mess, the repubs fall for the promises every time. But, then again, a lot of repubs are really dems and just chose to run as repubs to get elected. Otherwise, you wouldn't keep seeing Obama getting everything he wants and speeding up the destruction of the country.

Alan, N J. I see you are another high IQ republican, whose sole purpose in life is to demonize the black man in the white house. What really sucks is republicans like yourself that cannot accept you lost, and try to change why you lost instead of blaming the president for every thing. He really isn't to blame for the high mosquito population in N.J.. He didn't invent the deficit, he really has slowed down its progress. You people are just irresponsible little kids that don't want to pay your fair share to live in a free country. You are the free riders, not those that have fallen on hard times because of you.

Joe in Albany - do you mean to tell me that we have a Dem controlled Senate and a Dem controlled White House with all these new rules and the rich are still getting richer???

I thought the Dems were for the "little guy" - if so, why are their policies making the rich richer??? We need to confiscate this money from those evil rich people, this is ridiculous...

This can't be our President, he wouldn't let that happen. He's the President of the people, not the rich... This must be the fault of the minority party!!!

Then Senator Barack Obama - 2006

Wow, Lil Michelle - still clinging to 2006, that wonderful period BEFORE a global financial meltdown, crashing housing market, losses of 700k jobs a month, and all those other disgusting priorities of the GOP. Libertarian my ass .. you are a wealth whore like your little buddy, the Albanian idiot. Obama was right in 2006 - we should have been paying down the debt and reducing deficits in that time of prosperity. Guess what you dumb @!$%#, the playing field changed. Leave it up to you to ignore 2007-08. In your and your like minded CONSERVATIVE world, those two years never happened. Get back to us when you poor freaks understand what a global economic meltdown means to you.

"don't want to stir up the monkeys" It would seem to me the monkeys are already stirred up. You are the one swinging from tree to tree, trying to find something to demonize the president.

ReddevPS. I think it is because her tin foil mortorboard has slipped over her ears. A size two is too big.

Jody as Joda, I love it! Thanks for including me in your cast of characters. Brings to mind the speech from Shakespeare's Henry V

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

What I find amusing is Albany Joe's assumption that leftie liberals have no money in the stock market; therefore, he mistakenly assumes it will tick us off that Wall Street investors are doing well! One more bit of proof that Albany lives in that conservative alternate universe where reality is buried under a pile of elephant dung.

John B, excellent explanation of Ryan's Magic Budget.

Amy, Portland, perfect!

Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY) chairman of the House Appropriations Committee thinks Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) budget goes too far but will vote for it anyhow.

“It’s not exactly to my liking. There are a lot of things that I’m not happy with, including the overall big number,” he said. “It cuts too much spending, frankly, from the discretionary side of the budget. Most people don’t realize that we only appropriate 1/3 of federal spending … and we’ve cut that by $100 billion over the last two years.”

http://mycn2.com/politics/congressman-hal-rogers-says-paul-ryan-s-budget-cuts-too-much-but-would-vote-for-it

Johntho, #1.41, well done response to Alan NJ, who, like his republican party continue to REFUSE to accept any responsibility for the defict and debt they built. Reading conservative posters, one would think the Bush 43 years never happened. Reminds me of Jeb Bush who believes "history will be kind" to his brother except most conservatives refuse to mention George Bush's name and whine when liberals do.

Dennis, Rep Hal Rogers expresses exactly what is wrong with the GOP. He doesn't believe in the Ryan budget, thinks it cuts too much but will vote for it anyway. Too bad Rogers lacks the courage to back his words with his vote of NO.

Tomas:

Thanks. It's been quite some time since I smiled on this thread.

Folks, if you can't see the Albanian idiot is utterly bereft of critical reasoning skills, you have to be - well - the Albanian idiot.

Here we are, these lefty libtards, touting President Obama, who has presided over an economy that has produced quite a few new millionaires. We lefty types think that's good thing because it makes President Obama look good. The Albanian idiot, icon of capitalism, think it's bad, because - well - because........HAHAHAHAHAHA.

Lefty liberals also think more millionaires is good, because now we have more people to give us free handouts. The Albanian idiot would prefer there were no people to have money to be taxed in a government redistribution program. Ergo, fewer millionaires is a good thing because success is a bad thing, because - well - because...........HAHAHAHAHAHA.

Alan, N J. I see you are another high IQ republican, whose sole purpose in life is to demonize the black man in the white house. What really sucks is republicans like yourself that cannot accept you lost, and try to change why you lost instead of blaming the president for every thing. He really isn't to blame for the high mosquito population in N.J.. He didn't invent the deficit, he really has slowed down its progress. You people are just irresponsible little kids that don't want to pay your fair share to live in a free country. You are the free riders, not those that have fallen on hard times because of you.

Wow! That was a quick jump to the default position of the intellectually retarded. If you can't make a reasonable response call/imply my opponent is a racist.

President Obama, be he black, white, green, yellow or red IS responsible for the statements he has made in the past and the color of his skin does not make him any different in this respect.

BTW When you imply someone is a racist, following up with the words "You people" is kind of hypocritical.

I still find it hilarious that you think quoting someones own statements is demonizing them. Strange that you find it racist.

Obama is merely taking a different approach in achieving his SAME agenda. The GOP and the conservatives would be wise to keep this in mind while he pretends to be the one willing to negotiate while the liberal media, once again, shows their partisan support and criticizes the Republicans.

Jody, Iowa

Johntho, #1.41, well done response to Alan NJ, who, like his republican party continue to REFUSE to accept any responsibility for the defict and debt they built. Reading conservative posters, one would think the Bush 43 years never happened. Reminds me of Jeb Bush who believes "history will be kind" to his brother except most conservatives refuse to mention George Bush's name and whine when liberals do.

Jody, go back and look at my statements regarding the fiscal recklessness of the Bush Administration. The difference between you and me is that I find the current Administration no different. You on the other hand will forgive this Administration for anything.

Hey John and Dennis. Good to see you back. What do you think of the unconstitutional Senate budget?

That would be the agenda of We the People, kkwilson...isn't that how our government IS SUPPOSED TO WORK? We the People overwhelmingly favor the Democratic position over that of Republicans.

I'm delighted you came here to debunk the Conservative lie that the economy is declining, when in reality we continue to be in a recovery. I'm sure henceforth you won't claim that the economy is bad, will you?

____________________________________________________

I guess if I lived in an Iowa cornfield, I might also be stupid enough to mistake the stock market for the economy. The US economy still sucks as we approach FIVE YEARS after the official end of the recession in June 2009. The slow-bama "recovery" has unemployment a historically HIGH levels, which would be even higher if millions of people had not given up all hope of ever finding a new job and are no longer counted as "unemployed". GDP growth is at an anemic +/- 2% level. And Barry is adding to our national debt at a sustained clip of a trillion dollars a year.

The stock market is rising IN SPITE of Barry's best attempts to stomp businesses out of existence.

Ain't capitalism great????

prevents them from doing what is morally right.

Joda - <tsk, tsk>, obviously from a gunners point of view, the moral right is about the ability to fire 151 rounds and kill 26 people in school learning how to read a book. By all means, let us protect the 2nd amendment right of a killer while we protect the 1st amendment right to read a book. Leave it to the Cruz's of the country, a Harvard educated morally bankrupt non-American (the Canadians deported him), to try and 'learn' us on our figgin' amendments. It is time to deport Cruz to Somalia. I'm tired of supporting rejects from other countries that turn around and try to tell us what our Constitutional rights are all about.

Alan, I stand by my position that budgeting has never been practiced that way, and that whining about it has been nothing over but a talking point by House Republicans.

If the House wants to abdicate their constitutional duty to produce a responsible budget and are willing to vote for the Senate plan I guess that's their business. Frankly I'm used to Conservative Republicans trampling all over the Constitution and the grand traditions it represents...at this point nothing they do can be considered a surprise.

It is still to be proven, however, that House Republicans will pass the Senate bill intact, THE ONLY WAY the Senate budget can become law without risk of a filibuster. That's exactly what I've been telling you all along. You know that, of course, but your respect for facts at least rivals the respect Conservatives have for legitimate facts.

Tomas . . .

for we have an army of First Read warriors like Princess Redhead, Mon Mothma Momma, Hans Redneck, David Skywalker, Obi-Wan TNSEVOL, PS-D2, Bev-3PO, Layton Calrissian, Amy Antilles, ChewPigcca, and the ever so wise Joda.

Thank you for including me with this wonderful group of posters! (I'd do the little heart thing but still haven't figured it out!)

Speaking of Star Wars and TOTALLY off topic, not too sure I want to see what they're cooking up now ... I just don't see Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia - I like the memory of them dashing and young!

Have a wonderful St. Pat's weekend all!

Folks, if you can't see the Albanian idiot is utterly bereft of critical reasoning skills, you have to be - well - the Albanian idiot.

_____________________________________________

David Wanker: Your continuing OCD obsession with my posts is Hillaryous!!!!!

As I've told you before, jealousy is an ugly emotion. It will eat you up from the inside out.

Life is good.

Enjoy.

(or, if you are a lefty liberal, at least try to be less
miserable)

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ain't capitalism great????

As someone who's risen through the ranks of capitalist enterprises, yes it is. The amazing thing is that in spite of all facts to the contrary you continue to pretend all Liberals are either unemployed or Communist sympathizers. That's why you look so silly to all those around you.

The definition of loopholes is "a means of escape; especially : an ambiguity or omission in the text through which the intent of a statute, contract, or obligation may be evaded" For example, "She took advantage of a loophole in the tax law."

To me, this simply means the tax code is too loose. So why is it so important to close the legal deductions as defined in the tax code? My guess is to make those who use these legal deductions pay more taxes. Well, maybe if we cut spending, like our President promised when the House agreed to allow a tax increase on the wealthy (ask someone making 400K if they are "wealthy" and I'm sure you'll hear a big NO) something could be done with the tax code. But that didn't happen so it's why we have the sequester. Because spending cuts in ALL programs, were on the table. Defense is being cut, so Ms. Piggy Entitlements need to be looked at for their fair share of cuts.

Alan, I stand by my position that budgeting has never been practiced that way, and that whining about it has been nothing over but a talking point by House Republicans.

..and I stand by my position that both chambers produce a budget and then go to a conference committee to resolve their differences.

The United States House Committee on the Budget and the United States Senate Committee on the Budget then draft a budget resolution. Following the traditional calendar, both committees finalize their draft resolution by early April and submit it to their respective floors for consideration and adoption.

A budget resolution is a concurrent resolution that binds Congress, but is not a law, and so does not require the President's signature. The budget resolution serves as a blueprint for the actual appropriation process, and provides Congress with some control over the appropriations process. No new spending authority, however, is provided until appropriation bills are enacted.

Once both houses pass the resolution, selected Representatives and Senators negotiate a conference report to reconcile differences between the House and the Senate versions. The conference report, in order to become binding, must be approved by both the House and Senate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_budget_process

@ Job 1

So now you condone murder? And you wounder why people want to keep all their guns. What a great point you made there Job !

..and I stand by my position that both chambers produce a budget and then go to a conference committee to resolve their differences.

The result of which can be filibustered.

But there are no special procedures for the simple Senate Resolution required by this second, “deeming” process, so it is subject to the unlimited debate allowed on almost everything in the Senate. If you do not have the support of 60 Senators to invoke cloture and end a filibuster, or prevent a filibuster from even starting (because everyone knows 60 Senators support cloture), you cannot pass such a deeming resolution in the Senate.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2012/02/parliamentary-procedure

I keep telling you that as long as you're telling this lie I'll be back to prove you wrong.

Joe in Albany, you have just proven the liberal point, the point you claim is false.

The economy is doing all right. People are making money. The number of people who are making money is increasing. We don't need tax cuts for the wealthy, we need to raise taxes from the absurdly low threshold they are at currently.

Just like economists have been saying all along. That's REAL economissts, not Paul Ryan.

I'm a Latino (Mexican-American born in Ca.) and a Veteran for Obama. Rubio is proclaiming America still works. As though, Obama and his constituents are not part of America. What planet is this Idiot on? He comes from a family of Immigrants who attained a free pass for entrance in America. They did't seek citizenship status by meeting immigrant prerequisites from an Immigration dept like Immigrants today. In addition, the majority of America voted for Obama ( an AMERICAN) and his policies. Rubio needs to shut up and sit down. He's a delusional hypocrite.

Joe in Albany, you have just proven the liberal point, the point you claim is false.

The economy is doing all right

___________________________________________________

Tell that to the millions of unemployed people still looking for a job AND the millions of people who have given up all hope of ever finding a new job in the slow-bama "recovery".

Somehow, I think they will disagree with your position "The economy is doing all right".

Moron.

The result of which can be filibustered.

Now we're getting somewhere. The point is is that the Senate has never produced a budget in 4 years not the congress. I agree with you that the result of the conference committee can be filibustered or even voted down by the House. But we have NEVER gotten to this point yet because for political gain the Senate Democrats did not want to defend their proposals for more tax increases.

Ah, the President's "whine, dine and charm" tour is nearing an end. He has met the enemy, and it is him.

"But as NBC’s Mike O’Brien notes, Romney’s speech today -- his first since losing the presidential contest -- is a “curious” re-emergence."

Let's be realistic. When was the last time that a 'loser' of the Presidency had any significant effect on a Party's future? Losers for the Presidency typically 'just fade away'.

Romney would have been able to turn things around, but the American voters chose a 'tax & spend' liberal, and we will reap the consequences in 4 more years when the National Debt exceeds $20 Trillion, and the resulting interest expense devastates the future for our children and we have massive inflation.

People tend to get what they deserve, and this will be no exception.

Funny thing about "balance," with dems it's always one way. Reagan fell for it. The Bushes fell for it. The repubs keep falling for it. The story is always the same:

Yea, those stupid libs keep falling for the same lies over and over again. BTW, don't forget to support those 'fiscally responsible' Republicans in the midterms.

LMAO

"Can GOP reciprocate..." What a stupid headline !! Yes !! They can send him an "Egg McMuffin".

First Thoughts: Can Republicans reciprocate?

Given four years of observation, I think I can answer that question definitively and accurately.

The answer, is obviously NO

Yeah, right. I guess that explains why lefty liberals think those "rich" people, who ALREADY pay the majority of federal income taxes are NOT "paying their fair share".

Moron.

Two things:

First, the rich do not pay "the majority" of income taxes, the pay roughly 37% of them.

Second, income taxes only account for 46% of the total taxes taken in by the government (10% are corporate taxes). The rest are in the form of FICA, which are paid at a disproportionately high rate by the middle and lower classes (not to mention sales tax, gas taxes, and vice taxes which are ALSO regressive taxes).

Learn 2 tax math...

Q: Can Republicans reciprocate?

A: Yes, recent hidden camera studies have proven beyond any doubt that when left alone, say in an airport men's room for example, they reciprocate nearly every time.

A day of contradictions at CPAC?... These are merely the perceptions of those on the left, so the correct terminology would be "A day of contraceptions at CPAC"

Rubio vs. Portman on gay marriage? This ones a shocker... I hadn't even realized they'd tied the knot and they're already in trouble?

Grover: You are a moron:

What percentage of federal income tax is paid by the
wealthy?

Answer

Well, I'm not sure where you define
wealthy...but the upper 50% of the wage
earners pay @97% of all tax collections, and the lower ones only @3%. The
upper of the upper pay a disproportionate share of that too, the Top 1% of
earners = 37% of taxes paid, the next bracket 2-5% accounts for another 20%. So about 57% paid by the top 5%. Especially as this is for Personal Income Tax only, and many of the more wealthy have much of the income taxed (some
would say double taxed) by in the Corporate returns of those corporations they
control/own.

Also, this is of those filing returns. The percentage of people whose income
is, because of deductions/exemptions below where they have to file returns, and
with things like Earned Income tax credits, actually get more back than they
might pay, is huge...something like 40% of the populace. And of course, the lower
earners pay at much reduced rate anyway.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_percentage_of_federal_income_tax_is_paid_by_the_wealthy

The
upper of the upper pay a disproportionate share of that too, the Top 1% of
earners = 37% of taxes paid,

First of all, thanks for calling me a "moron" for repeating exactly what I said. Second, the top 1% pay 37% of the INCOME taxes paid, which aren't even half of the TOTAL taxes paid in this country.

Oh, and that's not a "disproportionate share" considering they make roughly the same percent of ALL income in the country...

But we have NEVER gotten to this point yet because for political gain the Senate Democrats did not want to defend their proposals for more tax increases

No, we've never gotten to this point yet because IN THE HISTORY OF THE NATION BUDGETS HAVE ALWAYS ORIGINATED IN THE HOUSE AND BEEN ADJUSTED IN THE SENATE. But the Ryan budgets aren't budgets, they're odes to Ayn Rand, and so far removed from reality that they aren't capable of being "adjusted." You can't ADJUST turning Medicare into an insurance voucher. You can't ADJUST zeroing out entire programs. You can't ADJUST banning abortion. You can't ADJUST killing the Dept of Education.

We've been down this road countless times and you continue to lie about it. If you want to continue squandering what little credibility you have on a thoroughly discredited talking point go ahead. It's taking the entire Conservative Movement down the toilet, you might as well go with them.

with things like Earned Income tax credits, actually get more back than they
might pay, is huge...something like 40% of the populace

The number of people who received EIC is between 27 and 32 million.

Why do people end up paying no income tax?

But the growth of the non-income-taxpaying population is largely a result of Republican tax policies. The earned-income tax credit is the main reason those with low incomes are largely exempted from federal income taxes. Originated by Gerald Ford, it was expanded by both Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush as a better way to help the working poor than raising the minimum wage, which they believed would increase unemployment.

According to the Tax Foundation, in 1974, before the earned-income tax credit was instituted, 19.2 percent of tax filers had no federal income tax liability. This rose to 25.2 percent in 1975 when the credit took effect.

During the 1990s, about 24 percent of filers had no income tax liability, but this number took a big jump during the George W. Bush administration as Republicans added a large child credit to the tax code. The percentage of filers with no income tax liability rose to 36.3 percent in 2008, from 25.2 percent in 2000.

Surprisingly, a not insignificant number of those who are clearly well off are also among the “lucky duckies.” There are 78,000 tax filers with incomes of $211,000 to $533,000 who will pay no federal income taxes this year. Even more amazingly, there are 24,000 households with incomes of $533,000 to $2.2 million with zero income tax liability, and 3,000 tax filers with incomes above $2.2 million with the same federal income tax liability as most of those with incomes barely above the poverty level.

It is not because of the earned-income tax credit or the child credit that the ultra-wealthy are paying no federal income taxes.

One reason, undoubtedly, is that capital gains are a huge percentage of their income and they may have losses from previous years to offset any realized gains this year. Perhaps some chose to invest all their wealth in tax-freemunicipal bonds.

http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/28/who-doesnt-pay-federal-income-taxes-legally/

Pigotry

The budget battle is ON...Folks, time to mobilize.

Congressional Democrats – led by Patty Murray - proposed a budget combining tax increases and refused to consider cutting entitlements. It's the right approach.

Democrats should be committed to protecting the most vulnerable in society, especially those who have to depend on these programs after having paid into these programs the entire working life. If saving money is the goal, I guess they should consider RAISING the income cap on Social Security contributions AND slightly lowering SS payments to wealthy recipients.

OK, let’s go over this again.

Social Security IS A PONZI SCHEME!

It's just dressed up as a "secure" benefit because it has the full faith and support of our government. Well, SS is already running a cash-flow deficit and faces a $21 Trillion shortfall in the future that is impossible to repay and thus pay any promised benefits past 2037. Ever since Bush's failed attempt to reform SS in 2004 the problem has gotten significantly worse. In 8 years the unfunded liabilities have increased by $6 Trillion. Legally the SS "Trust Fund" is supposed to pay benefits through 2036. After that, by law, benefits will have to be cut by 24%. Any of you, or your kids, planning to retire in 24 years?

There is no "Trust Fund". Those surpluses are long gone, spent by our "fiscally inefficient" government. By the way, does anyone ever wonder WHAT all that money was spent on? But I digress. There's an old shoe box over at Treasury with a bunch of IOU's in it to pay for your hard earned benefit. Actually they're government bonds that will require to be repaid by taxpayers. Hey, does that mean we'll end up paying twice for the same benefit?

Anyway, other than kicking the can down the road, the options are simple. Congress, at some point will have to raise taxes and/or cut benefits. To return SS to solvency will require raising the current cap at 12.4% to 17.6%, a 42% increase, or increase some other tax. Removing the cap would create the largest tax increase in U.S. history, $ 1.3 trillion over the first 10 years. Even increasing the cap to cover the first $150,000 of wages would amount to $384 billion in new taxes. I don't think that will fly. Even with these increases it would only add 7 years to SS solvency. Typical easy solution that just gives us all pain and no gain.

These numbers are even more skewed today because we were all “benefitting” so much from our "payroll tax holiday" of the past 2 years, right? How many times have we heard that meme? The other option is to reduce benefits by 24%, raising the retirement age, trimming COLA, means-testing or changing the wage-price indexing formula. Either way the future beneficiaries will pay more, get less or both.

Why is it that Liberals/Progressives are so frightened of investing their own money? Is it because we have been programmed to accept a measly 2.2% return on our investment despite the massive amount of unfunded liabilities this creates? Or is it a result of the ignorance our public education has festered on the unwashed masses for 33 years. I’ll wager it’s both. This is the shame we have allowed by a massive bureaucracy built on promises, hope and change that never happens.

Personally I would love to have the 12.4% of my wages through my lifetime that have been forced out of my hands for some poverty level existence in retirement. Since 1928 which includes the Depression, WWII, stagflation, the collapse of the dot-com bubble, and the recent recession the average annual real return on stocks has been 6.9%. SS gives you a 2.2% return. Over the past 40 years government bonds have yielded an average real return of 2.44%, corporate bonds 3.46% and a combination yields 2.93%. It should be remembered that stock and bond returns tend to move in opposite directions, a mixed portfolio can decrease risk.

There is so much money in Cayman Islands and offshore locations. Republicans Aided and Abetted their rich donors to get bailouts, but after these corporations make obscene profits, they move to the Cayman and Bermuda Islands.

Yet you Liberals/Progressives continue to believe in our criminal “progressive” tax system. This is because you look at is as a system of rewards and punishments in some convoluted manner of redistribution. We have endured this disaster for a century, we have changed every tax bracket in virtually every possible manner, we have created a 76,000+ page monstrosity, with 1,120 different forms, called the “tax code” and we have, on average, collected the same 18.2% revenue as a percentage of GDP!

It is estimated that taxpayers pay $431.1 Billion annually, or 30% of total income taxes collected, just to comply and administer the tax code. Over 6.1 billion hours are spent by individuals and businesses complying and completing their taxes. A reduction in tax code complexity would help reduce the National Debt by $1.4 trillion over a decade.

Between 1986 and 2005 Congress passed over 14,400 amendments to the tax code, this equates to almost 3 changes every day for 19 straight years. There have been about 4,400 tax code changes in the last 10 years. There were approximately 580 changes in 2010 alone. How many of these changes over the decades have benefitted you?

And you all think changing a few loopholes will somehow make a difference? Good luck with that wet-dream. Remember, any government big enough to give you everything you want (or think you're getting), is big enough to take everything you have (or thought you got). Just how long do you think it will take for the lobbyists, special interest groups, corporations or unions to resume their happy little loopholes or bring in the next batch of Ivy League math and economic geeks to find the next loophole? Oh, by the way, in each of the last 2 years the IRS received 110 million calls from taxpayers and they were unable to answer 25% of the questions.

Are you getting more confident about our current tax code you all cherish so much?

No matter how hard you strain to believe that the powers that control the purse strings will somehow become fiscally prudent, your delusion overwhelms you. If you honestly believe that the only reason anyone doesn’t change the current tax code is to benefit you, or some portion of the victimized or disenfranchised among us, you are a true Jim Jones Kool-Aid toaster. Not when over $6 BILLION DOLLARS was spent on the last general election! Not when you believe a $16 TRILLION GDP can be managed without a budget or it will somehow be improved with a $16.7 TRILLION National Debt.

More importantly, when you believe someone who says "We don't have an immediate crisis in terms of debt," President Obama said in an exclusive interview with George Stephanopoulos for "Good Morning America." "In fact, for the next 10 years, it's gonna be in a sustainable place." When a little more than 4 1/2 years ago he called a $4 TRILLION increase in the Debt “unpatriotic”, you are truly indoctrinated.

God Bless and help America, you may be our only real hope for real change.

Obama: "the Fraudster".

Got it !!!

Will they reciprocate? They won't. Compromise and negotiation are perceived by the Radical Right as signs of weakness. Any one of them openly displays it, and they'll be removed from the almighty guest list at the CPAC.

You see, when it comes to the GOP Tea Party, they don't know how to to govern, they only know how to obstruct.

So Pig, you know better than the actuaries of SS and Medicare that say they are unsustainable and need to be changed?

Of the 2 budgets put forth only one balances in 10 years, the rep one. The dem one never comes close to balancing and in 10 years CBO scores it to spend 5.7 trillion. Yes a WHOPPING 62% increase in spending. At this rate it want even balance in the 20 years that Pelosi wants. That path should give us 25 to 30 trillion in debt by then. That really what you guys want for our children and grandchildren.

@ Jim Spence,

Social Security funds itself from FICA deductions by employee payroll earnings if managed properly. You can throw around all of the numbers you want. However, the only numbers that ever matter become Federal deficits and misappropriations of funds. Social Security enacted during the 1930's had never faced any misappropriations of funding or projected shortfalls. All of the sudden, we began passing out huge unfunded coporate tax cuts, unfunded wars, and creation of ill managed Medicare Advantage laden with fraud/waste ($716 billion just in 2010 saved rom fraud/elimination) from the Reagan era onward. It isn't about whether Social Security was designed to be a ponzu scheme. It wasn't. It just had various corrupt entities dipping their hands within the purse intent on bankrupting for invalid excuse of terminating it. If we saved $716 billion from elimination of fraud from one year by a President honest enough to do so. How much do you think was wasted by fraud during 20 years by Presidents not willing to correct the fraud????

Obama has done great work strengthening the program. And this makes Conservatives like yourself angry because you're intent on no expenditures for this country for greater offset of unfunded coporate tax cuts.

Tonytellsthetruth

Tony, you’re not telling the truth.

Social Security is a Ponzi. In 1950 there were 16 workers paying SS taxes for every one person receiving benefits, according to statistical tables published annually as part of the Social Security trustees report. Today that ratio is 3.1 workers paying in for every one person getting benefits. And it is forecast to continue declining to 2.0 workers in 2040, when workers who are now in their 30's reach retirement age.

This is unsustainable, and we are already seeing deficits as I pointed out above. The SS trust fund was raped beginning with LBJ changing the accounting methods to allow him to use the Trusts funds in the general Fund to pay for his escalation of the Vietnam War and his social programs in the Great Society. Ever since, the Fund has been abused by government malfeasance. Even Clintons alleged “budget surplus” was a result of manipulation of the Public Debt and Intragovernmental Holdings which make up our National Debt. There was no real "surplus", just more smoke and mirrors.

A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment operation that pays returns to separate investors, not from any actual profit earned by the organization, but from their own money or money paid by subsequent investors.

What part of this don't most people understand? The money we have been putting in by law cannot be taken out above balance, the surplus must go into Treasuries. The problem is the Treasuries have been borrowed against for decades so that debt has to be repaid before the securities can be used to cover the obligatory payouts to beneficiaries.

Social Security is at best a "Pay as you Go" system if you don't like the Ponzi rhetoric. Call it what you want, the S.S. actuary has admitted the fund is operating in the red and will be unable to cover benefits after 2017. Where did all that money go? Into political "fuzzy accounting".

Social Security is unsustainable. Baby boomers beginning to enter by the millions, more people applying for S.S. disability and diminishing Treasury revenues are creating an irreversible cash-flow scenario. Massive debt and unfunded liabilities, unemployment expected to stay above 7% for years, decreasing growth, trade deficits and more are not creating a very confident picture for the economy let alone the massive entitlement obligations.

Now, Barrack Hussein did NOT save $716 billion in one year, that is the projected savings over 10 YEARS!!!!!!!

You asked, “How much do you think was wasted by fraud during 20 years by Presidents not willing to correct the fraud????

I haven’t calculated that amount (I’ll try to get some figures), but I can tell you that last year the Institute of Medicine reported that our health care system loses over $750 BILLION EVERY YEAR!!!!

http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=13444

This correlates with outgoing Director of CMS, Donald Berwicks, estimate that we lose 21% of our health care dollar every year. Altogether, systemwide waste reduction could generate $3 trillion in savings for CMS and $11 trillion in savings for all payers from 2011 to 2019. In comparison, the CMS Office of the Actuary estimates that the federal health reform law—which includes some waste-reduction efforts—will save an estimated $675 billion over the same 10 year period. This leaves $2.3 TRILLION to $10.3 TRILLION lost to WFAC!

http://www.advisory.com/Daily-Briefing/2012/04/11/Berwick-cut-these-six-forms-of-waste

Barrack Husein has done NOTHING to improve this, it’s all projections over the next 10 years.

You Libbies can live in your alternate universe of government worship all you want. Our government, especially this one, is criminal.

Now, show me your link that shows where Barrack Hussein saved $716 BILLION in 2010.

Good luck Spanky. It doesn’t exist. Stop regurgitating the propaganda that you are fed by our dysfunctional government and research the facts yourself.

Then you can tell everyone that Tonytellsthetruth.

AZ's finger-wagging Gov Jan Brewer and Birther Sheriff Joe threw hissy fits because the sequester cuts resulted in reductions in border security. GOPers demand government spending cuts then whine when they get them. Wag that finger, Ms Brewer, Sheriff Joe will protect ya!

Self-inflicted wounds, aren't they?? GOP's own sequester has hurt GOP's radical agenda at the borders.

.

Ha

.

Great Post, Jody!!

Thanks Jody, I needed that! ☺

Good morning Jody, Another Great wrap up for the week!

I left to wonder how can any Conservative Republican activist can have an ounce of self respect? These people have proven over and over again that they are off their rocker!!!

Jody, Iowa

59% of Paul Ryan's magical budget is cuts to health care and programs for the middle class and poor while cutting taxes again for millionaires and billionaires.

Nicely done, Jody.

Have a great weekend!

Salud

Thats the problem Job1, they have no self respect, nor do they respect anyone they deem as below them in either economic or demographic stature. The republican party is broken, but it seems they need to break it some more before any intelligent humans rise to the top and take the party back from the tea party traitors, and other kooks that have stolen this once great party. I mean if you have to cheat to win, perhaps something is wrong with the message.

Jody,

Great post as always!

Sometimes it is hard to believe that Republicans can pack so much ignorance into one week.

Paul Ryan ignores the last election and "doubles-down" on his fantasy budget, while other Republicans are writing legislation against things that don't exist like ObamaPhones and the Welfare Work Waiver.

Incredible......

Jody: I love your Friday post. I would like to add that Scott Prouty referred to his fear as cowardliness. It was not; he faced his fear and did the brave act. He is a hero.

Wonderful Jody..as always. My Friday mornings would not be the same without it.

Have a great weekend

My favorite part of the week, Jody! Do you think the rwnj's will be able to take in the idea that the "free phones" they are so fond of slinging around as an insult was actually St. Ronnie's idea?

Thanks again for a great wrap up Jody - I hate to see what didn't make it in...

GNOP still fighting those windmills of fact.....fact is there isn't a fact that the GNOP ever found to their liking except the fact that they are stuck on stupid or the "facts" they make up!

People are starting to see that the agenda of the GNOP is not my country....but rather the selfish interests of the 2%...

Thanks for the outstanding wrap-up, Jody. And thank you, Scott Prouty, for your service to our country.

It's called 'opposition research.'

James Carter III - President Carter's grandson - played an important role, too. I have recently watched a clip of the interview with Jammy Carter III. This 47% remark might be the fatal blow to Mitt's candidacy. In the interview, the grandson was asked how it felt after years of abuses of his famous grandpa by the Republicans, including Mitt on campaign trail in 2012.

Karma.

Outstanding wrap as always, Jody. I like the way you tucked this little freudian slip in toward the bottom;

A gem worth repeating--regarding GOP efforts to repeal ObamaCare, Paul Ryan said "this, to us, is something that we're not going to give up on, because we're not going to give up on destroying the health care system for the American people."

More evidence that the hypocrite Paul Ryan doesn't even believe what he says.

Interesting that you started with Jan "the finger" Brewer. Our own Tea Party, Koch-backed Governor Terry Branstad is in Arizona right now. He's one of the few remaining Governors still refusing to expand Medicaid, giving as his excuse that he doesn't trust the Federal government to actually fund their commitment. His solution? Direct more people toward the Federally subsidized insurance exchange instead. He trusts the government of We the People to fund the exchanges, but not Medicaid.........Right.

Perhaps Governor Brewer can convince her fellow Republican Branstad to pursue the route taken by Arizona--if the US government doesn't meet their commitment to fund Medicaid expansion then the expansion is rolled back. The ultimate irony? That's the same approach being offered to Braindead by Statehouse Democrats.

Hypocrisy, thy name is Conservative.

Another great wrap-up, Jody. Thanks for all your hard work.

Scott Prouty is a brave man and a patriot.

The sad thing about repealing the "Obama cell phones" is that at-risk women will be without the resources to call 911. I guess the GOP doesn't care about them because they vote for Democrats.

Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks. Every week, I think there won't be enough material and every week proves me wrong. There is at least two more pages left on the cutting room floor.

Jody:

With the increasing amounts of venom and viciousness that come from the right-wingers here, First Thoughes is rapidly becoming a wasteland. The scorched earth tactics of the Beavis and Butthead crowd in the REpublican Party, that isn't welcome even at Fox, is quite a deterrent to visiting.

However, ya just gotta come here for your Friday Wrap. Good stuff.

Cruz! Freakin' Cruz! How does the Ivy League possibly hope to hold on to its reputation as an intellectual bastion when it gives us the likes of George W. Bush, Mitt Romney, and Ted Cruz?

Perfect Jody, thanks, appreciate your efforts!

John B, good points. I saw where Gov Branstad has a counter medicaid expansion plan which covers a lot fewer people and costs a lot more. What a fraud and tool of the right he is showing himself to be. Hope we get a top tier democratic candidate to kick him out of office in 2014.

Steeler Fan, the GOP cares nothing about the poor or women; the good news is those two House bills won't make it to the Senate floor.

Jody, you have made my Friday mornings so wonderful. I look forward to your wrap ups and seriously appreciate all of the time and effort you put into them.

Have a wonderful weekend and know that you have quite the fan base!

One quibble, Jody. How could you wrap up the week without using the words "Obama's charm offensive."

Charm offensive, charm offensive, charm offensive, it's on every broadcast anchor's lips!

Stellar Job Jody - As Paul, NY says, these are just the highlights. The cutting room would surely fill the Atlantic by now.

Whats wrong with Means Testing SS benifits, or no tax cap on SS, and last, but not least, changing the age for full retirement benefits?

Just curious.

No haters please.

@ Jodi

Good wrap

I saw that in Idaho too. I would question why a woman close to being 5 months pregnant would want an abortion? I mean, its a child at that point. Not a bunch of cells. I do understand medical issues that would warrant, but. Anyway, it doesn't affect me or my wife in any way. Just a question

Way to go Jody.

Nice one sided wrap up. Amazing that absolutely everything that the left does and says is absolutely perfect. And that everything that the right does is wrong, immoral and to the detriment of this great country. The GOP should learn from that. Just be perfect and there is no problem at all!

@ David

Well the first few posts on this thread show pretty equal amounts of venom on both sides. Let us not be fair to all, eh? lol

@thetotas

Why means test? Haven't those people paid into the system also? Weren't they promised the same benefits as the rest of the people?

And if you lift the cap on SS, then are you also willing to see benefits increase for those who have to pay more? The amount you contribute is part of the equation for figuring your benefits.

Raising the retirement age would be a good thing, but it will be fought tooth-and-nail by the Democrats.

Why must people who make more money, or who handle their money wisely through investments, be expected to pick up the tab for others?

u

Jodi - Glanced over your post, and see it contains the usual liberal BS. But I would like you to respond to one part of what you said: "Osama bin Laden's son-in-law was captured, arrested, and brought to NYC for trial. Cornyn, Ayotte, McConnell, Graham, McCain expressed outrage--he should be sent to Gitmo! In GOP world, criminals plotting and committing mass murders are not criminals if they are terrorists--plus then they could complain that President Obama hasn't closed Gitmo."

Isn't this another violation of the law by the Obama Administration? Didn't Congress pass a law that stated more or less that the federal government can not bring or try terrorists in Federal Court, but only in GITMO? So is the son-in-law of Osama Bin Laden a terrorist or not, and if not why not?

Jody,

Looks like you hit the popularity jackpot with this crowd. I have a couple comments:

1. In the GOP world, domestic criminals and enemy combatants are two different things. The complaint that Obama hasn't closed Gitmo is not so much that Gitmo hasn't been closed, but that Obama promised he would and then didn't. Obama lied.

2. Paul filibustering that drones shouldn't kill without due process applies to killing of American citizens. The terrorist that was captured does not deserve due process under American laws. All he deserves is whatever protection he gets under the Geneva Convention, and that is probably limited since he wasn't a uniformed combatant.

3. The cutting of White House tours was a complete political stunt, no two ways about it. Nobody wants kids to go hungry. Many people have offered to cover the cost of the tours.

4. The wealthy do pay their fair share of taxes. "The top 10 percent of taxpayers paid more than 70 percent of the total income tax revenue collected in 2010, according to research from the D.C.-based Tax Foundation. “That’s up from 55% in 1986,” CNN notes.

The remaining 90 percent paid just 30 percent, with 47 percent having no income tax liability." That pesky 47% number seems to have been accurate after all.

5. I won't comment on the anti-Bush / anti-Ryan diatribe. (or the pro-death stance they took in Idaho).

6. Right on target with aid to DPRK. We should eliminate that as well as aid to Egypt, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and many other countries that use our aid against us.

7. Scott Prouty's not brave. Romney was stating a fact, maybe clumsily, but a fact nonetheless. Prouty is the same thing as James O'Keefe except with a different agenda and the fact that O'Keefe uncovered actual criminal offenses taking place.

8. The gun violence stat is totally bogus and trumped up number. Put some sources and breakdowns up so we can see what you are talking about.

9. The welfare-to-work waiver story was exaggerated by Romney, but again, it's not completely false. What Sebelius was proposing at the time could have resulted in the elimination of work requirements in some cases. ABC reported this.

10. The Lifeline program is a legit program. I donate my old phones to a similar program. It probably became the "Obama Phone" program because of recent abuse. It has been reported that nearly half of the 6 million people who received free cellphones and communications services through the government-funded Lifeline program last year apparently were ineligible or did not respond to certification requests.

11. All the adjectives that you listed were used to describe Senator Cruz were used only in the anti-gun left media. A very slanted assessment at best. As a matter of fact, some media outlets (on the right side) are using adjectives like "hypocritical", "evasive", "bullying", and "inaccurate", among others. I guess it just depends on where you stand.

12. Obamacare is a runaway train, doesn't matter if Ryan stumbles on his delivery. It's going to cost several times more than what we were told it would, the added regulations are impossible to follow, and, personally speaking, because of all this, the cost of my health care has risen dramatically already. I can't imagine what will happen when it fully kicks in.

I'm out of time, vote me down accordingly. I fully understand the crowd here.

Obamacare cost curve:

From 2000 through 2009, Medicare's outlays climbed by an average of 9.7% each year. By contrast, since the beginning of 2010, Medicare spending has been rising by less than 4% a year. On this, both Standard Poor's Index Committee and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) agree.

http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2011/08/aca-bending-medicare-cost-curve.html

Health Insurance rates are increasing at less than half the rate they were during the 1^st decade of the 22nd century.

7. Scott Prouty's not brave. Romney was stating a fact, maybe clumsily, but a fact nonetheless. Prouty is the same thing as James O'Keefe except with a different agenda and the fact that O'Keefe uncovered actual criminal offenses taking place.

I could provide a long post knocking many of your points, but I decided to focus on this one because it has several fallacies wrapped up all in one talking point.

First, Romney was NOT stating a fact. He said that "47% are takers, and they will not vote for me." While it's true that 47% pay no income tax, it is NOT TRUE that they wouldn't vote for Romney. In fact, there is a good likelihood that statistically speaking, roughly HALF of those 47% who pay no income taxes are lifelong Republican voters and likely DID IN FACT vote for Romney in the election.

Second, what criminal offenses are you crediting O'Keefe with uncovering? Because if you're referring to his ACORN stunt, you should know that NOTHING Acorn did was criminal, NOBODY was charged with anything, and in fact all members of Acorn were absolved of any wrongdoing. O'Keefe's Acorn stunt was a smear-campaign based on provable lies, not a fact-finding documentary.

KCBones . . .

. Scott Prouty's not brave. Romney was stating a fact, maybe clumsily, but a fact nonetheless. Prouty is the same thing as James O'Keefe except with a different agenda and the fact that O'Keefe uncovered actual criminal offenses taking place.

It is very apparent from your post that you did NOT watch Scott Prouty's interview on the Ed Show. He was more appalled at Romney's descriptions and subsequent delight about the conditions of a Bain plant in China. That statement alone moved him to distribute the video. The delay on his interviewing was to make sure that the point of the release was about Romney and NOT about him. It was a very brave move and one that definitely changed the election.

So, basically not much to comment on.

DrowningGrover:

A report issued by the Republicans on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, according to the Washington Times, "presented evidence that ACORN had engaged in criminal misconduct."

Among the findings, the report said, ACORN:

• Engaged in tax evasion, obstruction of justice and aiding and abetting a cover-up of nearly $1 million embezzled by Dale Rathke, brother of group founder Wade Rathke;

• Committed investment fraud, depriving the public of the right to "honest services," and engaging in a racketeering enterprise affecting interstate commerce;

• Conspired to defraud the United States by using taxpayer dollars for partisan political activities;

• Submitted false filings to the Internal Revenue Service, and the U.S. Department of Labor; and,

• Violated the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act.

Layton:

I tried to watch the Ed Show, but I can only take so much of that guy. He is a poster child for what multiple concussions can do to a person. Somehow, he married up though. His wife is a very nice person.

Beautiful Jody... Just beautiful!!...

I certainly hope that their legislation introduced to deal once and for all with what they made up is successful!! That would put quite the feather in their hats and give them something to build on for the futu... Oh! Who am I kidding!

In other news: Recent polling indicates that the GOP approval rating has dipped below that of flatulence during prayer...

A report issued by the Republicans on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, according to the Washington Times, "presented evidence that ACORN had engaged in criminal misconduct."

yeah, a report ISSUED BY THE REPUBLICANS.

Nevermind that any and all ACTUAL INVESTIGATIONS by the Brooklyn District Attorney and the Attorney General of California vindicated Acorn and cleared them of any wrongdoing...

Do you think the Democrats on the committee would have done anything? Democrats are just as partisan as Republicans. The Brooklyn DA is a member of the ACORN/Working Families party, and we all know who Jerry Brown is and when he filed his report, the report also indicated that the organization probably violated several civil laws, including dumping 500 pages of confidential information into the trash, failing to file a state tax return and possibly engaging in voter registration fraud in San Diego. That's Jerry talking, not me.

Just because they didn't file charges doesn't mean they didn't break the law.

There's no point in arguing with anyone who still worry about ACORN, which NO LONGER EXISTS.

Nonetheless in the interest of thoroughly discrediting the bearded one I'll address this one;

1. In the GOP world, domestic criminals and enemy combatants are two different things. The complaint that Obama hasn't closed Gitmo is not so much that Gitmo hasn't been closed, but that Obama promised he would and then didn't. Obama lied

The GOP stopped the President from closing Gitmo. That isn't a lie, it's an act of Congress.

The lie is accusing the President of doing what he didn't, but Republicans did.

KCBones . . .

Layton:

I tried to watch the Ed Show, but I can only take so much of that guy. He is a poster child for what multiple concussions can do to a person. Somehow, he married up though. His wife is a very nice person.

I think you should have made an exception prior to commenting on his story with Scott. Regarding the rest of your statement, I feel the EXACT same way about Paul Ryan. That statement fits him to a T.

IR, I don't refer to them as "the FYIGM crowd" for no reason at all.

A rising tide lifts all boats...a rising yacht not so much.

"Han Redneck", so true. Paul Ryan is a perfect example of selfishness and greed, having expressed how grateful he was for government assistance when his father died but everything he does, kills assistance for anyone else. He claims to be a Christian, a "Catholic deer hunter" but his actions show him to be a phony one.

@ IR

George and Frank are 2 of the truly smartest people of the 20th century, or any century for that matter.

The Owners are without question on both sides of the aisle, and surely love their workers, as we all know

It's Great that Willard ended up with 47% of the vote. I love the fact that a regular guy was behind that 47% video that helped take that POS down!!!

I don't know why Romney's there, either. You don't suppose he'll go all Buddhist monk or anything like that, do you?

Two things on the Scott Prouty video.

1. The $50,000 a plate crowd will always have their "secret" dinners to court politicians.

2. There are millions of Scott Prouty's out there who will record their every word.

Salud

Willard the class bully, got punched with a knock out blow by one of his victims.

Nathan, I to am glad that Portman stood up for his son and realized the importance of allowing gay people to have the same right to marry. I have so wished that more of the GOP would do the same. I'm pretty sure all of them have some one in their family or close to their family that is gay. They need to start looking beyond the labels they've assigned to people and looking at the people themselves.

Come on folks, it your last chance to attend the 2013 C SACK Convention.

Oh Goodie Fun Times are here again. The annual C SACK Comedy Show Event will feature the WT Queen herself, Sarah Palin (AKA) The Wasilla Hillbilly. Then we have the NRA Merchant of Death Wayne LaPierre, followed by Kook Crazies Allen West, Michelle Bachmann, Rick Santorum, tea bagging Ted Cruz, Newt Gingrich, Rand Paul,Bitch Mitch McConnell, Rick Perry, Scott Walker, Little Eddie Paul Ryan, Marco Rubio, and many more. Then we have the Main Event, the Wiz himself, the one and only Special Guest Willard Romney, with the 47% singers. And not to mention Queen Ann herself, with a special message to, "You People."

Of course we can’t forget about Donald Birther Trump, who will reveal the secret birth certificate that belongs to that no good illegal Kenyan Mau Mau, who has been living in the White House. Do you think the fun ends there? NO! We have Mr. 999 Pee-Wee Herman Cain himself, to lead us in pray. Then we have our Leader, the RNC Chair himself, Mr. Rinse Priebus to give us that good old pep talk on why conservatism is strong in American and how we going to take our God Fearing County back from these no good Liberals.

So,come one come all to the C SACK Comedy Show Event. For a Smack Down, Gun Shoot in, Bible Thumping, Liberal Smashing, Women Spanking, Gay Bashing, Voter Suppression, Obama Hating, Old White Male, Family Values Good Time!!!

Woo WEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, it's going to be Fun!!!

Job1

Come on folks, it your last chance to attend the 2013 C SACK Convention.

Thanks for that.

Between Tomas Star Wars analogy, Jodys Wrap Up and this its a great First Read day

Job 1 . . .

So,come one come all to the C SACK Comedy Show Event. For a Smack Down, Gun Shoot in, Bible Thumping, Liberal Smashing, Women Spanking, Gay Bashing, Voter Suppression, Obama Hating, Old White Male, Family Values Good Time!!!

Too funny! And screeeminglib . . .

Between Tomas Star Wars analogy, Jodys Wrap Up and this its a great First Read day

AGREED! :)

Job 1, terrific. As sreeeeminglib said, it's been a good FR Day!

AGREED! :)

And in addition to the treats of Feisty Fridays, we have the Albanian Idiot quadruple down on Super Sized Stupid. It just doesn't get any better. Speaking of idiotic, humorless posts, where is the vagina probing comeback kid and his trusty sidekick without a vagina NoJoBlowBob.

OUTSTANDING comment SteveR! Our government of We the People needs to healthy, alternative voices to function correctly. At this point the government of the John Birch Society and oligarchs ins't healthy...more like in need of antipsychotics.

Unfortunately this has been the inevitable destination for a long time, ever since the GOP adopted a stragegy of appealing to an ever-shrinking and constantly more radical "base" while seeking to dissuade everyone else from voting.

Steve R, great points, well said. Can't add anything to your post or John B's added thoughts except we hear the rumblings of a primal scream.

You nailed it Steve... No choice but to blame a group for what it coddles until it clearly ceases to coddle it.

Might "objective" mean "parroting my beliefs?"

Surely you can pretend to be objective and say something..anything, remotely positive?

I'll be positive!

I'm POSITIVE that the CPAC is nothing more than just a bunch of guys standing at a podium saying, "We lost but it's not my fault!"

I'm POSITIVE that the GOP is completely off the rails with no true sense of self.

I'm POSITIVE that when Mitt Romney speaks today we'll see a number of convention-goers either boo or stand up and leave because they don't have to pretend to like the guy any more.

...and I'm POSITIVE that when this little group therapy session is over they still won't have a clue why they lost in November.

Bob in VA/GOP Comeback -

You should really work on your reading comprehension skills.

The article mentions all the things President Obama has done to reach out, then asks (correctly) what the other side will do.

Better tighten up your tinfoil hat, your conspiracy theories are showing.

Noid

I'm POSITIVE that the GOP is completely off the rails with no true sense of self.

Amazing how fast things change in politics. Remember the how the Dems got taken to the woodshed in the 2010 mid terms? Who knows what we will see in a couple of years.

You know DaNoid, the republican party never did like Mitt. I don't think he got more then 50% of the republican vote even in the primaries, until he rung up enough delegates to win the nomination.

I'm positive that the past won't lead the Republicans party into the future.

"Can Republicans reciprocate?" No, they hate the Black Guy!!!

Poor VP Bob. You just don't get it.

Remember how Republicans lost 3 of the last 4 electoral cycles and only a minority of votes in 4 of the last 5 Presidential contests? That's called a trend. 2012 is called an "outlier."

Never mind, the entire Conservative universe is still convinced the polls were wrong in October of last year...it's like trying to teach the dog Algebra.

Perhaps look in the G"NO"P Dictionary....under reciprocate are the words "NO" ,"Obstruct", "our way or the highway".

You are right on. Reciprocation by the Republicans would mean they would just have to spend tax money wining and dining Reid and Pelosi and not ceding any point. Obama hasn't shown a bipartisan idea since he took office in 2009.

it's like trying to teach the dog Algebra.

I have to admit - my dog is smarter than a conservative RWNJ and has learned the principles of algebra. He knows that A(sit)+B(stay)=C(treat). Now try and teach that to a nut-job conservative, whose comprehension doesn't extend beyond A(free stuff)=C(lost elections).

Hey comeback king...

Has anyone noted yet that the clown car appeared to show up on time and the rigid scheduling of non-events seems to be delightfully on "Track"?... Or that "Track" is the new "Tagg" this year among favorite republican baby names?

These are all CPAC positive things...

The number one cause of personal bankruptcy is unpaid medical bills.

Healthcare costs were exploding, millions of people were going without insurance, and the Democratic Congress did something. The entire bill hasn't even gone into effect yet and Republicans are already complaining about it, but in none of the states they control have they ever come up with something better. Massachusetts seems happy with their universal healthcare law, but Mitt Romney wouldn't even endorse it for the rest of the country. Republicans have no solutions for lowering healthcare costs only ideological prattle.

I am from Massachusetts and our legislature is trying to find ways to fund Romney care why do you think our Govenor is requesting 2.9 Billion in new tax revenues. Ask som of the people who buy healthcare insurance only to have the State say that they dont think they have enough coverage so they get fined upwards of 2 thousand dollars until they do get what the state deems is enough coverage for them.If you want to lose the freedom and liberty of getting your own plan with your own hard earned money then just give every right away to the govevrment along with all your money

Smartman, they STILL don't realize the differences between a state-run program and a federal-government-run program!

I just BET that Massachusetts doesn't have 20,000+ pages of regulations dealing with their healthcare system!!!!

And it is kind of funny that I don't remember Massachusetts having to declare that it was, indeed, a TAX, in front of the Supreme Court!

If you want to lose the freedom and liberty of getting your own plan with your own hard earned money then just give every right away to the government along with all your money

I live in Maine and I don't like paying $1.50 for a bus ride to the mall, but that's the price, so what's your point?

Like I said, unpaid medical bills is the leading cause of personal bankruptcy, even for people with insurance. If your insurance isn't good enough you will have bills you cannot pay, and other people will have to pick up that cost.

The main point, Amy, is that no one is going to FORCE you to buy that bus ride to the mall. You can choose to walk, bike or simply not go, and no one is going to come and say you HAVE to pay the $1.50 ANYWAYS, whether you want to go to the mall or not!

But, I don't expect the bus driver to let me on whether or not I can pay, either.

To go under-insured means risking the fact other people will have to take care of your medical bills.

And who would decide what is enough insurance?

I believe that the government ought to get out of the health insurance game and start their own healthcare system.

Why continue to spend money for insurance when the government could simply choose to provide the actual CARE without the middleman of insurance companies.

Healthcare costs were exploding, millions of people were going without insurance, and the Democratic Congress did something.

Amy, that is the POINT - the Democratic Congress did something. Apparently, doing something equates to Republicans spending billions to bitch about something vs. their usual millions spent bitching about nothing. Notice, all they ever do is bitch, whine, and moan. When do they ever find time to practice their economic, spiritual, moral, capitalistic, gunner 'freedoms'?

no one is going to FORCE you to buy that bus ride to the mall.

And no one is forcing you to buy insurance. Feel free to skip the insurance and pay the fee .. your choice!!

RedDev---that is my point--if Amy chooses NOT to ride the bus, she will not have to pay a dime. Under Obamacare, you get taxed if you don't purchase the insurance.

As I have said before, I would rather have the govt. OUT of the insurance field and deal directly with actual healthCARE.

And no one is forcing you to buy insurance. Feel free to skip the insurance and pay the fee .. your choice!!

In a democracy I thought I had a choice but obviously I am in the wrong country then according to you choices should not exist or just be one of the middle class that the democrats dont care about

Gee Mike, Amy's point is why should someone get a free ride on the bus at the expense of everyone else. For some silly reason, I don't believe your noble claim that if you get sick or injured and have no money, you will simply roll over and die. What you will do is be the first in line for that freebie medical care handout.

In a democracy I thought I had a choice but obviously I am in the wrong country

For a supposed smartman, you sure are stupid when it comes to understanding the word 'democracy'. Democracy and Free Agency are not one in the same.

You obviously have not understood what I wrote.

I am advocating for govt. to become involved in HEALTHCARE, not more involved in insurance.

People would still be taken care of.

I can understand Amy's point; my point is why should EVERYONE be forced to participate in something the government forces them to do?

As far as "my noble claim"....., please, please, PLEASE show me where I have EVER written ANYthing of the sort!

Still waiting for you, RedDev, to back up your claims on what I wrote.

Or are you just a hit-and-run type?

Can someone please explain when the insurance costs will quit exploding? To say "they were" is completely out of the ball park.they

Mikechataway, I think this is the first thing you've written on which I can agree. However, that's too "socialist" and "European" for conservatives, so ACA will have to do. If you've got a sick kid at night in Japan, THE DOCTOR ACTUALLY MAKES A HOUSE CALL!! There are complaints about British national health care, but I believe they live longer than us, which, to me, is the acid test for health care. And that's in spite of Scotland, where they drink, smoke and eat haggis out the wazoo!!

Mikehataway, I think eventually we will end up with increased government involvement in health care. The reason is that the private health insurance market has been in a downward spiral for the last 20 years at least. Companies jack up the rates to make more money. That causes people to drop their insurance. Now policyholders are paying for increased profits PLUS their own health care PLUS people who don't thinkg they need insurance (like smartman) PLUS people who can no longer afford it. The whole thing just continues to accelerate.

I believe eventually we'll end up with a situation like Germany. Notice no one EVER uses Germany as an example of "socialized medicine" because it works very well. Basically the government covers routine care and catastrophic care, with people buying private policies for everything in between plus any "enhanced coverage" they may wish. Their private/public melding works very well and provides outstanding coverage at much lower cost than we have here.

Yes, take it to the people, just like in 2010 and 2012, where the GOP won their two largest majorities in the House in over 60 years!

So lets get this right now since 1932 to the present day Congress has been controlled by the Democrats for 73 years and the Republicans for 8 years but all that is wrong with the country has been induced by the 8 years of rule by the Republicans but for 4 of those years the Republicans wrote the budgets that balanced the budget and left us with a surplus during President Clinton's years so in just for years the undid every good law that the Democrats and the Bill Clinton Republicans did, so the TAX CODE must have been overhauled just recently because if you are to lay all the blame at the feet of the republicans giving all these tax breaks to the rich they must have been changed recently or did democrats write a lot of those laws themselves just so they could get campaign contributions to keep their paycheck coming. The goverment needs more revenue then corret and will you show me one other nation where Kinseyian Ecomics worked as I have never heard of one this is just a creation of Academia working inside a controlled vaccuum to get the results they want

Very good points, smartman1.

Apparently the Dems have been in a vacuum when the GOP did all those dastardly deeds!

Kind of like how they berate, bitch and moan about just about every single one of GWB's policies, but in reality they went along with them. They will tell you that they were in the minority, so therefore powerless, right before they tell you that the minority GOP party was somehow able to obstruct THEM!

Seems like the Dems have trouble whether in the majority OR the minority!

Why would they keep voting for ineffective leadership?

For someone who thinks himself a smartman facts aren't your thing, are they? On a quick Google I couldn't find the records all the way back to 1932, but Republicans controlled both houses of Congress for 12 years just going back to 1945. In addition they controlled one house of Congress for 8 other years, and the White House for 36 years. Most importantly to our current condition, 10 of those 12 years when the GOP controlled both houses happened in the last 18 years, and Republicans held the WH for 8 years...culminating in the 07-08 Great Recession. http://uspolitics.about.com/od/usgovernment/l/bl_party_division_2.htm

Spin it any way you like...The Conservative Republican record is one of economic failure.

Really? You want the government to stop doing background checks on people who want to buy guns?

When did "conservative" come to mean 'irresponsible?"

His point, Amy, is that the air traffic controllers are essential services that the govt. provides. Maybe instead of spending $50 million on uniforms just days before the sequester was to take effect, the money could have been spent to keep more air traffic controllers on the job.

I dare say that with hundreds of thousands people flying everyday, air traffic control MIGHT be a bigger priority than background checks on gun purchasers. While I support those background checks, if indeed we can truly afford them, I believe that ATC might be a better use of our money at this particular time.

Few criminals are caught or denied through background checks for purchasing guns. The vast majority of people buying guns through a dealer will easily pass the check, while criminals, as always, will buy somewhere where no checks are made (off the street) or simply steal a gun.

Ah, but the sequester was DELIBERATELY written to exclude the ability to steer cuts in one direction or another. That was supposed to be part of what made it so unpalatable it could never happen.

Turns out never is a long time.

As far as buying a gun where no checks are made it isn't like you have to walk into a dangerous bar and make a deal with someone who has a city for his first name. All you have to do is go to a gun show. That's why closing the gun show loophole is a big deal.

Just think who the president would be now, if you had to be a tax payer in order to vote.

Fact, Obama has reached out to the Republicans since day 1 in office, and those rats slapped his hand. They just can't get over having a Black Man in change who is smarter and better than they are.

You Obama haters from the older but goodies club have been spinning all of this nonsense for so long, that the majority of people see you for the true fools you are. You present the same old lying spin as before the last election and afterwards the same.

I and millions of others didn't pay any attention to you then, because we knew your side was full of it. Today, we still don't pay any attention to you, because your side is still full of it.

Period!!!

R-i-g-h-t, Job1.

Because quotes like "You can come along for the ride, but you have to sit in the back of the bus" and "elections have consequences" and "The GOP is trying to throw Granny off the cliff" are so heart-warming and should ONLY be interpretted as "reaching out".

Too freaking funny there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Because quotes like "You can come along for the ride, but you have to sit in the back of the bus"

Prove where President Obama ever said they had to sit in the back of the bus!

Oh wait, you can't, because he didn't... STOP SPEADING the Newsfordumbfuxmanufactured BULL@!$%# Mikey!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=xHo5h2cpKH0

Lemming...

I will stand corrected, Feisty--he didn't say "of the bus".

But the meaning remains clear--the GOP can come along for the ride, but have to sit in back.

And it is Mike, not Mikey.

There is no need to be insulting and childish, Feisty.

The GOP is trying to throw Granny off the cliff

That is a true statement. Kind of like the "Death Panels" that that WT hillbilly Sarah Palin is always talking about.

R-i-i-g-h-t.

Where do you get these crazy ideas?

Well, maybe his positions have "evolved" on that! LOL!

Just like they did on drone use, the use of the Patriot Act, deficit spending, and the national debt!

Garbage in (Fox news, Rush, Beck), garbage out (your mouth).

Was Obama having a party again?

In your mouth, everybody's coming.

I would love to see an opt-out option, but without a constant stream of new "payers", the whole system collapses like the Ponzi-scheme it really is.

facts indicate contrary- ss is 100% solvent till I believe 2026 then at 90% till 2046. Last raid on the ss trust fund causd the 2026 tip- no names mentioned on who engineered the last raid but a hint it was used to help fund the Iraq war so it could be kept off budget till Obama in 09 placed in on budget helping to increase the "DEFICIT".

Little tweaks and SS is fine for years to come

@Commondumbass, just get rid of the disability part, right? I became disabled while serving in the military, but I should be punished for that, as far as you are concerned, right?

Stupid in=Stupid out your mouth!!!

Actually the "solyndra is our future" (bankruptcy) is probably accurate.....