There are now a whole series of commercials about people who claim they voted for Obama in 2008 but that they are now disappointed with his administration and do not believe they will vote for him in 2012.
I am among those who have been disappointed by Obama’s administration. I had great hopes that he would be able to carry his vision of an administration that was focused on solving the problems that confront our country. That he wanted very much to work together with the leaders of both parties to find solutions to our major problems and have bipartisan cooperation. He had had experience as a community organizer of bring people together to work for a common solution to problems. We have got to find solutions to our common problems.
For the last twenty years or more since the fall of the Berlin Wall, we have had five major issues that must be addressed in a bipartisan way. There is a new reality of globalization. That is why you have to press one for English so often. We live in global reality now. Corporations, Religions, Educational institutions and on and on all have international components. Businesses are working in all countries. Universities have all kinds of “study aboard” classes.
A major part of the globalization is the migration of people all around the world. Refugees from all kinds of wars, famines, persecution, and poverty have been moving all around the world. Immigration and illegal immigration are not just unique to the United States. But it must be addressed.
Another part of that globalization is the information technology which has changed the ways all of life works. Americans are no longer just competing with cheap labor in foreign countries, but we are now competing with cheap talented labor in foreign countries. Now the smart students in India can compete with the smart students in France on an equal footing. The United State Student has to compete with both.
The United States has a major debt and annual deficits problem that must be confronted by a consensus action. Simpson-Bowles have said that cutting spending alone will not solve the problem, and raising taxes alone will not solve the problem, but there has to be some of each.
And the fifth issue is rising energy consumption and rising climate change. There has to be found cheap renewable energy. These five will have to be solved by our national leaders working together to come to some common bipartisan solutions. I had hoped that Obama could begin to bring together that kind of dialogue.
Obviously, what he encountered were some major problems that had to be dealt with immediately. Automobile bail out, which seems to have been a very good deal, had to be done. The support of Wall Street had to be put in place. The Stock market is now at a four year high, which suggests that that action was good for the country. There were two wars that were not on the budget that still had to be managed, and one of them is being brought to a close. He has added to the debt but the amount he has added is the smallest amounted added to the debt since Eisenhower.
But the major problem was that from the very beginning the Republicans decided that they would not participate in any bipartisan cooperation. They vowed after the election of 2008 that they would make Obama a one term President.
It does not seem very honest to attack a man for not achieving much when you have prevented him from enacting the programs that he believed were necessary to solve the problems.
Obama has not fulfilled all our hopes. From his Executive powers he has done much that moved our country forward towards the ideals and principles by which this country was inspired. Obama sees and knows that we must adjusted, educated, change, and evolve to be great again. Romney and Ryan seem to believe that we must go back, restore, return to previous ways to be great. I still share the vision that the future greatness of this country lies in the enactment of change. The enactment of the change the Republican prevented the first four years.
I knew where Mr. Brand was headed in his post. As expected–he accepts Obama’s blame game. Obama has an inflated ego which caused him to make promises he couldn’t deliver. Now, the Republicans are blamed for his failures.
Enough, enough. We have had to hear Obama’s apologies for the United States of America, endure Eric Holder’s mishandling of so many cases.
Romney-Ryan in 2012–so be it. We’re running out of time.
Yes it is the vision thing. You are blind and ignorant.
Indeed, we are running out of time to solve those major issues and we must find bipartisan solutions to those problems.
This is the first post that I have seen Mr. Brand claim that he is disappointed in the performance of President Obama.
There is no evidence that President Obama or the Democrat controlled Congress ever wanted to “work with” Republicans. Remember, Obama had complete control of Congress for 2 years and he passed everything on his agenda, including the massive Obamacare. The problem that Mr. Brand and President Obama face is that the American public is not celebrating those initiatives. The economy is dismal, the unemployment rate is dismal, the poverty rate is dismal, the price of gas is dismal, the deficit is dismal – nothing is better as was promised when he was running for President – and he can’t say Republicans stood in his way as he had control of the entire American government for 2 YEARS!
Globalization is a Democrat reality, it is not the average American’s reality. We understand that it is America’s unique system of government, supported by our Constitution, that has been responsable for more individual liberty and prosperity than at any other time in history. Mr. Brand and the new radical Democrat party would like us to embrace socialist systems that have produced govt. dependance, misery, and a loss of freedom every time it has been tried in the history of the world. Where does everyone in the world want to migrate to – America – for a very good reason. They want what we have, individual liberty and freedom. They know all about govt systems that strip them of their individual rights, here our Constitution guarantees them individual freedom.
We have discussed the Obama administration’s complete disreguard for the bypartisan Simpson-Bowles findings that would have addressed the soring deficit, it simply does not matter to President Obama and the Democrat Senate. If you taxed every “rich guy” in the country 99.9% it would never touch the deficit. Lower taxes on businesses and individuals generates more tax revenue. To ignore any cut in spending ignores basic realities of math, if your house budget is upside down, you stop spending and pay down your debt, something President Obama is unwilling to do. We borrow billions (from who – the Chinese for one) EVERY WEEK to fund the debt – insanity!
“It does not seem very honest to attack a man for not achieving much when you have prevented him from enacting the programs that he believed were necessary to solve the problems”
“Obama has not fulfilled all our hopes. From his Executive powers he has done much that moved our country forward towards the ideals and principles by which this country was inspired.”
Two whoppers from Mr. Brand. President Obama has had his chance for 4 years, he had control of the House and Senate for 2 YEARS and what he could not ram thru Congress – who are the elected power of the American people – he instead dictated the infamous “executive orders” to achieve what HE wanted. Our country was absolutely not inspired by EXECUTIVE ORDERS!
Amen, Romney and Ryan want to go back and restore and return America to greatness! What is Mr. Brand’s magical change? Change to what or away from what? Socialism and communism that breeds death, misery and the stripping away of basic freedoms and liberties? No thank you. Mr. Brand, you need a civics and a world history lesson. You have stated your clear disdain for the free market system which allowed you to prosper in our town. Could you possibly clearly state what system you would like to change to? Executive orders? Globalization?
Dagny – excellently said.
Well said Dagny!
England, France, and Italy are all nice countries. They too had the leadership of the world at one time, but let it get away. The United States will be a nice participant in the world community, but China or India will be the major power in the world, if the United States does not find common, united, agreed upon responses to the five issues above. Globalization is not a Democratic idea. It is a reality we must adapt to. The rest of the world is now in play. Notre Dame and Navy are playing a football game in Ireland. The items for sale in Egypt to us United State citizens were made in China. Youth watch on line Madonna’s concert in Moscow is globalization. Immigration is part of the globalization. We used to welcome foreign students for Ph.D. programs with job offers. Now we refuse them green cards.
Simpson-Bowles was a bipartisan report. The fact that it has not been pushed does not make its recommendations any less valid. They do say that neither cutting entitlement programs or raising taxes along will solve the problem of debt. But it has to be solved by a consensus, united, agreed upon approach.
Climate change as a result of human activity is not a democratic myth. Even the studies paid for by the most conservative people have concluded that the climate is changing dramatically. We may still argue over the causes, but we do know some of them and we need to address them as a nation.
There is one absolute symbol of where we are. The Nation’s Capital Rotunda is leaking and in badly need of repairs. The House has refused to fix it because they claim there is no money and they will not raise taxes. The reality is are going to have to want fewer services from government and we are going to have to be willing to pay more taxes to fix the problems we are facing and to deal creatively and immediately with the five challenges above.
Trying to go back to the ways we did things before is just going to invite us to join England, France and Italy on the side lines.
One of the LOCAL symbols of where we are is the Social Service Building on Ruin Creek Rd–where the parking lot is always FULL! Many of these recipients will continue to vote for socialist government.
Dagny is almost correct, but the economy is not dismal. Corporations on Wall Street have been reporting earnings that meet or exceed the street’s prediction and many of them have been announcing record profits. The Stock market is at or about at a four year high which means that it has recovered from the Housing and Banking problems. Auto are selling well. Housing market is finally recovering now that banks have stopped using the money given to them to help housing which they used to take care of internal problems.
Many corporations have used the recession to automate and add new equipment that means many of the jobs will not come back. There will have to be more retraining and education for everybody to equip them for the new jobs.
Anybody that drinks the Obama Koolaid has to be ignorant. This man has almost destroyed this country and if you think you are an economist then you need to reevaluate yourself.
Henry to attack me personally, and call me names is the surest evidence that you have no better argument.
Rarely do I agree with Rick Brand. However, all of the comments ignore the fact that for only a brief period of time did Democrats have enough votes to invoke cloture in the US Senate. For those who are constitutionally challenged, cloture requires 60 votes. Mitch McConnell has used his ability to prevent bills from being voted on unless he wished it to happen. Therefore, the President has not even proposed legislation based on Simpson-Bowles since the GOP refused to allow any increases in revenue from any sources. One might remember that Speaker Boehner and the President had several agreements torpedoed by Eric Cantor and the Tea Party crowd. Never mind that Boehner and Cantor had voted for revenue increases before during the Bush Administration. All the while the country has operated with the Bush era tax cuts that give tax incentives for companies to ship jobs overseas and “park” profits in other countries to avoid paying taxes. This is the reason Romney will not release more than two years of tax returns. Previous year’s tax returns would reveal how much money he has hidden overseas to avoid paying taxes. I paid a higher effective tax rate last year than Romney and I make less than $60,000 per year. But, I pay social security and Medicare taxes on all my income because I work for a living. Romney’s income from investments is taxed at a lower rate than earned income, another quirk in the tax code that is a boon for the wealthy. The President’s principal mistake is believing that the GOP cares about the future of the United States. Their concern is for their friends with deep pockets that can ensure their reelection until they leave government to lobby their friends.
it seems you have an ignorant buddy. Obama’s only mission was to pass Obamacare which he rammed down our throats. He had control of the House and Senate his first two years. He spent $831 billion on a stimulus that didn’t work. Sure, he is a great speaker but he is not results oriented. He has been campaining since he has been president and not leading this country toward fiscal responsibility and his economic policy is to tax the rich. What kind of policy is that? The rich create the jobs and they are waiting to see what happens in the election. If he is reelected they will not create any jobs because he is against capitalism. He wants the government to create jobs when it is the private sector that does this. You go ahead and believe his bu****it and watch the country fall apart. Romney has plenty of money but he doesn’t haave to run for President. He wants to get the country back on its feet and stop the people from obtaining total dependence from the government. Why work when you can get everything for free? Who do you think pays for this? Suppose I decide to get on the government freeload list and evryone else does? Where will the money come from? If you want to live for freebies and not work for it maybe you should move to another country. Here in America we work for a living and we do not want Obama to change us to a welfare state. Anybody who believes otherwise is ignorant. If you cannot see that then I have pity on you because he has done absolutely nothing for the US and is absolutely the worst president in the history of the US. And if you don’t see that I pity you.
Henry likes to call people who disagree with him names. On Sixty Minutes last Sunday the report on the pledge never to raise taxes was examined. There were former congress people who said that that pledge was going to have to be broken because we have been spending money we did not have. There is going to have to be more income. Obama has simple recognized that and been trying to balance the tax burden. Warren Buffet has supported the President on this. I do not agree that the stimulus did not work. Wall Street is at a four year high. Corporations are reporting record profits. Something is working now that was not working when that stimulus was passed. I suspect that Henry is already on the freeload as I suspect that like me he is on Social Security and has Medicare.
There you go again RICHARD! On the dole you say? For all your adult life you did NOT receive WAGES?! You did Not pay FICA or income tax? WOW: Perhaps we ALL should have become Preachers! As for me and others WE PAID AND PAID AND PAID! Now we have reached the time in life when we can supposedly “rest” a while, we are faced with needing to find another job just to get the “ends” to see each other. Your pathetic twaddle is silly at best and Seriously ignorant at least. I realize you are one of those people who profess to be “looking out” for the down trodden etc. etc. Ad- nauseam. In your former employment you were a minister of the Church.For this reason alone you ought to be ashamed of some of the “stuff” you write. Remember what we are taught: We are supposed to help those who are UNABLE to help themselves! If my ability to read and understand English is correct, this means that If ONE has the ability to work, then he MUST. Under your and your HERO, Obama-nation, WE are supposed to share with those who are too SORRY to even try! I received an email from a friend of mine who enclosed an obituary regarding the untimely death of a 25 year old male. THIS PERSON HAD FATHERED 9 CHILDREN 9, as in NINE!!!, and had 15 other siblings from 2 fathers. He and his “family” were on the public nipple to the tune of $102,000 per year! That takes into account ALL the benefits that were GIVEN to them by the State and Federal Government. That calculates into 1.2 MILLION over 10 years. Now if the remaining family does the same thing as the deceased father, they ALONE will be taking 11.2 MILLION. Oh. they will not do that you say! Well, NEWS FLASH!!! That is the RULE and SADLY, NOT the exception! In the obit the deceased was listed as an ENTREPRENEUR!… Yea Right HE LEARNED very early to USE the system! Now you WONDER what is WRONG with this Country!!!??? AND you want us “sheep” to Vote for the sitting Talking Head? Yea RIGHT…I’m going to do just that… I’m going to VOTE but it will NOT be for the LACKEY from CHI TOWN, whose claim to fame is being a Community Organizer. Do you REALLY think I and MANY, MANY others have LOST OUR Ability to THINK!?
Not sure if you have lost your ability to think, but you certainly have not lost the ability to rant.
I paid taxes and social security taxes and medicare taxes for all my life, but I am wise enough to know that what I paid in and what I have already received back are no where near the same. What I paid in, my fair share, what I was expected to pay, would not add up to what I have received back and what I have had to use in Medicare. So I recognize that the whole system is working for me. I hope that it will work for my sons and their family.
I just speak the truth. If you believe obama is great then you are ignorant.
Sorry Mr. Brand but I have to go back and challenge an earlier statement from above and tie it to what we heard at the GOP convention this week.
You said -“England, France, and Italy are all nice countries. They too had the leadership of the world at one time, but let it get away. The United States will be a nice participant in the world community, but China or India will be the major power in the world, if the United States does not find common, united, agreed upon responses to the five issues above”.
This is a typical Democrat view of America as just another run of the mill country, nothing great, a nice participant, better just go ahead and start brushing up on your Chinese.
At the convention this week, all we heard were speakers talking of America as the best country in the world, a place that allowed them to become successful. Not great because of the government dole outs they received but great because it is a country that gave them the opportunity to succeed as individuals, to start and build businesses or seek employment in their chosen field and raise their families in freedom.
We do not accept the demise of America as Democrats wish with their society destroying duplicate socialist programs and deficits. We know America’s greatness lies within each of us, not with the handful of government politicians running the country.
As Clint said, “We own this country” and there will be a tremendous outpouring of folks showing up to vote accordingly.
No time to post about the nutty comment about social security and medicare being upside down as far as what is paid in and paid out, proving it is an insolvent ponzi scheme but still “working for me”……..or the 5 things so important in the Democrat mind……
Obama is not focused on his job–he needs to go.
Rick, I appreciate and respect that as Chairman of the Party, you are “preaching” the party line, but politics aside, I must take issue with you on social security. For example, I worked and paid into social security for over 40 years…the maximum each year..which my employer matched. Before I retired, the Social Security Administration furnished me a copy of my earnings and total amounts paid into the fund by year. At this point, in 12 years, I have drawn less than 60% of what was paid into the fund and have used medicare very little.
More significant than the above, a friend really opened my eyes with a computer program he has. He put my contributions and my employers’ contributions into his computer on a year-by-year basis and applied a return equal to the Dow Jones Average. He even deducted an amount each year for disability insurance similar to what social security provides. Guess what? In the year which I retired, my account would have slightly exceeded $650,000. He showed me several options which would have paid me over $37,000 per year without touching my capital. I currently draw less than half that amount from social security. Now I know liberals will rant about gambling on the stock market, but if I and others could have had that option, why not? Young workers today deserve that opportunity, but Democrats do not want to offer that option because they want to take the money from higher wage earners and redistribute it to their base.
Vice President Biden recently told a group of people in a restaurant in Virginia that the Democrat Party will never let anyone change social security. Reverend Brand, maybe as a loyal party chairman, you should tell Mr. Biden that social security is heading for insolvency mainly because the fund is not financially sound and hasn’t been since President Lyndon Johnson started raiding it to buy votes from The Great Society.
Mingo, I realize you and others are accusing me of “ranting” due to the use of Capitals. Well, in proper writing procedure, the use of CAPITALS is for emphasis. I have no idea what you have your panties in a wad about. I wanted to ensure Richard understood that the points he attempted to make are the same old tired mantra he always “preaches”. Nothing new from him EVER! ( now you can excuse yourself to go remove your panties AGAIN). Further, the obit. I quoted is a fact! AND that IS what’s wrong with this country. Royal Rooter is correct about that Liar from Texas! He will be moved down to second place of all time WORST leaders after The Obama-nation is out.
All those great things that have been said about the United States have been true, and the problem is that if we go back to what the Republicans promise we will be left behind by the countries that are educating, innovating, changing, and pushing for clean energy. Doing what we have done in the last twenty years, has gotten us into a horrible mess. Both parties, but if we vote for the program of Romney and try to maintain our greatness by that approach, we will become like England, France and Italy. I am not eager to see that, but it frightens me that we may end up there. Weather Weirding is a fact. Climate change is a fact. If we do not push all kinds of clean energy investments, we will be behind China and Germany. This is just one issue. More than half the Republicans polled believe climate change is a hoax. We cannot solve that problem if one half of the government does not believe there is a problem.
From Global Warming to Climate Change to Weather Weirding, and it is all A FACT! Too Funny!
Buddy, America will never behind China, Germany, France or any other country in the world – and that is A FACT!
Chairman of the democratic party. No wonder I have been talking to this idiot. He believes climate change is real. Are you a climatologist? Never mind. I don’t like speaking with idiots. They just keep on ranting the same dead ideas and believe they are true. We are certainly better off than we were four years ago aren’t we. Blame it on Bush and don’t take responsibility.
Mr. Brand–We cannot solve the illegal immigrant mess or the socialist bent of the president unless we vote him out.
Dagney The US is quite behind in just about every category I can think of.
U.S. ranks 28th in life expectancy while it pays the MOST for health care. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2065548/U-S-ranks-28th-life-expectancy-pay-MOST-health-care.html
Why does the U.S. rank as the 11th happiest country in the world? http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/30/why-does-the-u-s-rank-as-the-11th-happiest-country-in-the-world/
U.S. Child Poverty Second Highest Among Developed Nations http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/30/us-child-poverty-report-unicef_n_1555533.html
US Ranks 12th in Home Ownership http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_home_ownership_rate
The U.S. is ranked 23rd in terms of the top marginal tax rate among 96 countries surveyed by KPMG in 2011. http://www.cnbc.com/id/47290212/Countries_With_the_Highest_Income_Tax_Rates
US Ranked 28th in firearm murder rate http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2012/jul/22/gun-homicides-ownership-world-list
U.S. ranked seventh in high school graduation rates http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/08/education-olympics-how-does-the-us-rank-1.html
All of these things didn’t just happen in 4 years.
Royal Rooter, investing in the stock market is a complete gamble. Ask those whose retirements have been eliminated after paying into them for years due to greedy execs. What a great giveaway you’re providing to the public companies to prop them up as well by a mandatory giving to their stock? Is that not a socialist concept? Has our government ever defaulted on bonds and treasuries? And wonder what lucky firm would get the bid to manage the trades?
Henry, How will you explain to the millions of people that now have health coverage due to ‘obamacare’ when you go about taking that coverage away? The government certainly is creating jobs, I read it right here every few days about some company adding 200 300 400 jobs here and there, and if you read the article, funded by government grants. The private sector isn’t just going to create jobs for the heck of it. If they were, why aren’t they spending the massive money they’re stockpiling to hand out jobs to everyone? Record profits all around, and where are they doing equally record hiring?
This country hasn’t been destroyed in just 4 years, you can blame it on Obama all you want to, the fact is there were 8 years before that with Republican leadership who started this whirlpool. Then Obama gets in there and you from day one deny he’s doing any good, deny all his attempts to do good and then say ohh look at how bad of shape we’re in.
It’s very clear the republican party is all about themselves. They cheated the convention rules to ‘nominate’ Romney, and he gets up there and talks about how great America can be.
You watch in the democrat speeches, they talk about how great the PEOPLE can be. And the PEOPLE of America know what party helps the people and not the corporations.
Gracious! Anon3 writes like a fact informed person.
Anon you are full of sh##. Obama is the worst president of all time and he has done nothing to help anybody. I will be glad to see Obamacare leave because it was forced down my throat. If you want to pay for it go ahead but my rates have doubled and I shouldn’t have to get a reduction in benefits to pay for people who want to live off the government. You Democrats keep playing the blame game. Unemployment was under 5% under Bush before the Housing fell apart due to Barney Frank forcing banks to give loans to people who cannot afford it. If you believe that Obama is a great president then you must be ignorant. That is the only explanation. Common sense tells you what would work and what wouldn’t work. Obama can go to hell.
I saw a lady the other day buy Thanksgiving decor but bought her food with food stamps. If you can’t afford food then you shouldn’t afford Thanksgiving decor. Obama wants total government dependence and that is where we are headed. I am not going to pay for lazy people to live off the government. If you think that is the way the economy should work then maybe you should live in Greece. I hate ignorant people talking as if they know what they are talking about. The numbers are out there. He is truly the worst president of all time. He is not a leader but a campaigner. He has been campainging every since he has been in office. He has a plan to tax the rich to restore the economy. What a plan. Took a lot of thought to come up with that one. But that is what ignorant people do.
A Gallup poll about presidential greatness, taken February 2–5, 2011, asked 1015 adults in the US, “Who do you regard as the greatest United States president?” Obama ranked #7
A Harris poll, taken January 16-23, 2012, asked 2,016 adults what they think of previous U.S. presidents. “Looking at the list of presidents since World War II, which one do you think is the best president?” Obama ranked #7
A Harris poll, taken January 16-23, 2012, asked 2,016 adults what they think of previous U.S. presidents “Which one of the following presidents do you think was the best overall president in our history?” Obama ranked #5
A Gallup Poll, taken February 2-5, 2012, asked 1029 adults in the US, “How do you think each of the following presidents will go down in history—as an outstanding president, above average, average, below average, or poor?” Obama ranked 10% outstanding, 28% above average, 26% average, 17% below average, 18% poor, 1% no opinion.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_rankings_of_Presidents_of_the_United_States
Instead of writing from your empty head, lets hear how you determined he is the worst president of all time?
What rates doubled due to ‘Obamacare’ and what reduction in benefits have you experienced? My health insurances rates doubled as well… while under Bush’s term. This year mine are cheaper. And I pay less copay each visit.
Frank didn’t force banks to do a thing, that was pure greed of the banks that gave loans out to those that couldn’t afford it.
“Mr. Frank noted, as he has repeatedly over the past two years, that Democrats had little ability to do much about questionable mortgage lending practices or the structure of Fannie and Freddie. That’s because Republicans controlled the House of Representatives from 1995 until 2006. Democrats took over the House in 2007.” The crash was in 2008. In an op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal, Lawrence B. Lindsey, a former economic adviser to President George W. Bush, wrote that Frank “is the only politician I know who has argued that we needed tighter rules that intentionally produce fewer homeowners and more renters.” Frank further stated that “during twelve years of Republican rule no reform was adopted regarding Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In 2007, a few months after I became the Chairman, the House passed a strong reform bill; we sought to get the [Bush] administration’s approval to include it in the economic stimulus legislation in January 2008; and finally got it passed and onto President Bush’s desk in July 2008. Moreover, “we were able to adopt it in nineteen months, and we could have done it much quicker if the [Bush] administration had cooperated.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barney_Frank
Your lack of class is apparent in your lack of saying anything meaningful.
Obama is the worst president of all time. You can pull up your biased reports and try to back your spewl but the fact is that he is the only president to have created no jobs (800,000) less now than when he was in office. he spent $900,000,000,000 on a stimulus that totally failed 75% went to foreign aid gas prices have doubled and still going higher because he will not allow drilling on federal lands. The deficit which he promised would be cut in half has risen more than any president in history and he has not presented a budget to congress in the 4 years he has been president. He campaigns and plays golf all the time but he is not a leader. He makes inspiring speeches but that is all they are speeches. He doesn;t back gays but come election time he does. He gives amnesty to some aliens right here at election time. I am an economist so your rhetoric is nothing but rhetoric to me. Unemployment was not to go over 8% with the stimulus but has not been under 8% and will not be as long as he is president. Your spew is not meaning ful because you use the Democratic sources that spew lies. It is funny how you took God out of your platform but seeing it might affect the election put it back in. I will not post here anymore because I don’t like arguing with people who can’t see the light. Obama wants this to be a socialist country and that is where we are heading. All you all can come up with is tax the rich and the economy will all of a sudden heel. Whoever said he was number 5 must be an alcoholic or *****. And I don’t like arguing with ignorant people. Your statistics from unreputable sources absolutely mean nothing. We better get Romney for killing a woman by giving her cancer. This is what your campaign has to offer and calling Ryan a **** rather than giving a plan that will work. Has it worked the first 4 years? he had total control his first two years and the major problem with this country was jobs but he spent his time trying to ram Obamacare down our throat which he did. pelosi said we won’t know what is in it until we read the 2000 pages. No one read it because it was forced down our throat. You want statistics 60% of the people are against Obamacare. 60^ say Obama is doing a terrible job. Explain those statistics. Never mind. i am gone. You can’t argue with Democrats because they are born and die Democrats.
You’re an economist? Balancing your own checkbook doesn’t make you an economist. How easily you forget the tax credits given to you just a few years ago. The 2009 Stimulus resulted in:
Tax incentives for individuals
Total: $237 billion
$116 billion: New payroll tax credit of $400 per worker and $800 per couple in 2009 and 2010. Phaseout begins at $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for joint filers.[26]
$70 billion: Alternative minimum tax: a one-year increase in AMT floor to $70,950 for joint filers for 2009.[26]
$15 billion: Expansion of child tax credit: A $1,000 credit to more families (even those that do not make enough money to pay income taxes).
$14 billion: Expanded college credit to provide a $2,500 expanded tax credit for college tuition and related expenses for 2009 and 2010. The credit is phased out for couples making more than $160,000.
$6.6 billion: Homebuyer credit: $8,000 refundable credit for all homes bought between 1/1/2009 and 12/1/2009 and repayment provision repealed for homes purchased in 2009 and held more than three years. This only applies to first-time homebuyers.[40]
$4.7 billion: Excluding from taxation the first $2,400 a person receives in unemployment compensation benefits in 2009.
$4.7 billion: Expanded earned income tax credit to increase the earned income tax credit — which provides money to low income workers – for families with at least three children.
$4.3 billion: Home energy credit to provide an expanded credit to homeowners who make their homes more energy-efficient in 2009 and 2010. Homeowners could recoup 30 percent of the cost up to $1,500 of numerous projects, such as installing energy-efficient windows, doors, furnaces and air conditioners.
$1.7 billion: for deduction of sales tax from car purchases, not interest payments phased out for incomes above $250,000.
Tax incentives for companies
Total: $51 billion
$15 billion: Allowing companies to use current losses to offset profits made in the previous five years, instead of two, making them eligible for tax refunds.
$13 billion: to extend tax credits for renewable energy production (until 2014).
$11 billion: Government contractors: Repeal a law that takes effect in 2012, requiring government agencies to withhold three percent of payments to contractors to help ensure they pay their tax bills. Repealing the law would cost $11 billion over 10 years, in part because the government could not earn interest by holding the money throughout the year.
$7 billion: Repeal bank credit: Repeal a Treasury provision that allowed firms that buy money-losing banks to use more of the losses as tax credits to offset the profits of the merged banks for tax purposes. The change would increase taxes on the merged banks by $7 billion over 10 years.
$5 billion: Bonus depreciation which extends a provision allowing businesses buying equipment such as computers to speed up its depreciation through 2009.
Healthcare
Total health care spending: $155.1 billion[42]
$86.8 billion for Medicaid
$25.8 billion for health information technology investments and incentive payments
$25.1 billion to provide a 65 percent subsidy of health care insurance premiums for the unemployed under the COBRA program
$10 billion for health research and construction of National Institutes of Health facilities
$2 billion for Community Health Centers
$1.3 billion for construction of military hospitals (military)
$1.1 billion to study the comparative effectiveness of healthcare treatments
$1 billion for prevention and wellness
$1 billion for the Veterans Health Administration
$500 million for healthcare services on Indian reservations
$300 million to train healthcare workers in the National Health Service Corps
$202 million for a temporary moratorium for certain medicare regulations
Education
Total: $100 billion
$53.6 billion in aid to local school districts to prevent layoffs and cutbacks, with flexibility to use the funds for school modernization and repair (State Fiscal Stabilization Fund)[43]
$15.6 billion to increase Pell Grants from $4,731 to $5,350
$13 billion for low-income public schoolchildren
$12.2 billion for IDEA special education
$2.1 billion for Head Start
$2 billion for childcare services
$650 million for educational technology
$300 million for increased teacher salaries
$250 million for states to analyze student performance
$200 million to support working college students
$70 million for the education of homeless children
Total: $82.2 billion
$40 billion to provide extended unemployment benefits through Dec 31, and increase them by $25 a week
$19.9 billion for the Food Stamp Program
$14.2 billion to give one-time $250 payments to Social Security recipients, people on Supplemental Security Income, and veterans receiving disability and pensions.
$3.45 billion for job training
$3.2 billion in temporary welfare payments (TANF and WIC)
$500 million for vocational training for the disabled
$400 million for employment services
$120 million for subsidized community service jobs for older Americans
$150 million to help refill food banks
$100 million for meals programs for seniors, such as Meals on Wheels
$100 million for free school lunch programs
Infrastructure Investment
Total: $105.3 billion
Transportation
Total: $48.1 billion,[44] some in the form of Transportation Income Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Grants
$27.5 billion for highway and bridge construction projects
$8 billion for intercity passenger rail projects and rail congestion grants, with priority for high-speed rail
$6.9 billion for new equipment for public transportation projects (Federal Transit Administration)
$1.5 billion for national surface transportation discretionary grants
$1.3 billion for Amtrak
$1.1 billion in grants for airport improvements
$750 million for the construction of new public rail transportation systems and other fixed guideway systems.
$750 million for the maintenance of existing public transportation systems
$200 million for FAA upgrades to air traffic control centers and towers, facilities, and equipment
$100 million in grants for improvements to domestic shipyards
Total: $18 billion[45]
$4.6 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers for environmental restoration, flood protection, hydropower, and navigation infrastructure projects
$4 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund wastewater treatment infrastructure improvements (EPA)
$2 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund drinking water infrastructure improvements (EPA)
$1.38 billion for rural drinking water and waste disposal projects
$1 billion to the Bureau of Reclamation for drinking water projects for rural or drought-likely areas
$750 million to the National Park Service
$650 million to the Forest Service
$600 million for hazardous waste cleanup at Superfund sites (EPA)
$515 million for wildfire prevention projects
$500 million for Bureau of Indian Affairs infrastructure projects
$340 million to the Natural Resources Conservation Service for watershed infrastructure projects
$320 million to the Bureau of Land Management
$300 million for reductions in emissions from diesel engines (EPA)
$300 million to improve Land Ports of Entry (GSA)
$280 million for National Wildlife Refuges and the National Fish Hatchery System
$220 million to the International Boundary and Water Commission to repair flood control systems along the Rio Grande
$200 million for cleanup of leaking Underground Storage Tanks (EPA)
$100 million for cleaning former industrial and commercial sites (Brownfields) (EPA)
Government buildings and facilities
Total: $7.2 billion
$4.2 billion to repair and modernize Defense Department facilities.
$890 million to improve housing for service members
$750 million for federal buildings and U.S. Courthouses (GSA)
$250 million to improve Job Corps training facilities
$240 million for new child development centers
$240 million for the maintenance of United States Coast Guard facilities
$200 million for Department of Homeland Security headquarters
$176 million for Agriculture Research Service repairs and improvements
$150 million for the construction of state extended-care facilities
$100 million to improve facilities of the National Guard
Communications, information, and security technologies
Total: $10.5 billion
$7.2 billion for complete broadband and wireless Internet access
$1 billion for explosive detection systems for airports
$500 million to update the computer center at the Social Security Administration
$420 million for construction and repairs at ports of entry
$290 million to upgrade IT platforms at the State Department
$280 million to upgrade border security technologies
$210 million to build and upgrade fire stations
$200 million for IT and claims processing improvements for Veterans Benefits Administration
$150 million to upgrade port security
$150 million for the security of transit systems
$50 million for IT improvements at the Farm Service Agency
$26 million to improve security systems at the Department of Agriculture headquarters
Energy Infrastructure
Total: $21.5 billion[46][47]
$6 billion for the cleanup of radioactive waste (mostly nuclear weapons production sites)[48]
$4.5 billion for the Office of Electricity and Energy Reliability to modernize the nation’s electrical grid and smart grid.
$4.5 billion to increase energy efficiency in federal buildings (GSA)
$3.25 billion for the Western Area Power Administration for power transmission system upgrades.
$3.25 billion for the Bonneville Power Administration for power transmission system upgrades.
Total: $27.2 billion
$6 billion for renewable energy and electric transmission technologies loan guarantees
$5 billion for weatherizing modest-income homes
$3.4 billion for carbon capture and low emission coal research
$3.2 billion toward Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants.[49]
$3.1 billion for the State Energy Program to help states invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy
$2 billion for manufacturing of advanced car battery (traction) systems and components.
$800 million for biofuel research, development, and demonstration projects
$602 million to support the use of energy efficient technologies in building and in industry
$500 million for training of green-collar workers (by the Department of Labor)
$400 million for the Geothermal Technologies Program
$400 million for electric vehicle technologies
$300 million for energy efficient appliance rebates
$300 million for state and local governments to purchase energy efficient vehicles
$300 million to acquire electric vehicles for the federal vehicle fleet (GSA)
$250 million to increase energy efficiency in low-income housing
$204 million in funding for research and testing facilities at national laboratories
$190 million in funding for wind, hydro, and other renewable energy projects
$115 million to develop and deploy solar power technologies
$110 million for the development of high efficiency vehicles
$42 million in support of new deployments of fuel cell technologies
Housing
Total: $14.7 billion[50]
$4 billion to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for repairing and modernizing public housing, including increasing the energy efficiency of units.
$2.25 billion in tax credits for financing low-income housing construction
$2 billion for Section 8 housing rental assistance
$2 billion for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program to purchase and repair foreclosed vacant housing
$1.5 billion for rental assistance to prevent homelessness
$1 billion in community development block grants for state and local governments
$555 million in mortgage assistance for wounded service members (Army Corps of Engineers)
$510 million for the rehabilitation of Native American housing
$250 million for energy efficient modernization of low-income housing
$200 million for helping rural Americans buy homes (Department of Agriculture)
$140 million in grants for independent living centers for elderly blind persons (Dept. of Education)
$130 million for rural community facilities (Department of Agriculture)
$100 million to help remove lead paint from public housing
$100 million emergency food and shelter for homeless (Department of Homeland Security)
Scientific research
Total: $7.6 billion
$3 billion to the National Science Foundation
$2 billion to the United States Department of Energy
$1 billion to NASA, including “$400 million for space exploration related activities. Of this amount, $50 million [was] to be used for the development of commercial crew space transportation concepts and enabling capabilities.”[51]
$600 million to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
$580 million to the National Institute of Standards and Technology
$230 million for NOAA operations, research and facilities
$140 million to the United States Geological Survey
Other
Total: $10.6 billion
$4 billion for state and local law enforcement agencies[52]
$1.1 billion in waivers on interest payments for state unemployment trust funds
$1 billion in preparation for the 2010 census
$1 billion in added funding for child support enforcement
$750 million for DTV conversion coupons and DTV transition education
$749 million in crop insurance reinstatement, and emergency loans for farmers
$730 million in SBA loans for small businesses
$500 million for the Social Security Administration to process disability and retirement backlogs
$201 million in additional funding for AmeriCorps and other community service organizations
$150 million for Urban and Rural economic recovery programs
$150 million for an increase of claims processing military staff
$150 million in loans for rural businesses
$50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts to support artists
$50 million for the National Cemetery Administration
The CBO estimated that an increase in the GDP of between 1.4 percent and 3.8 percent by the end of 2009, between 1.1 percent and 3.3 percent by the end of 2010, between 0.4 percent and 1.3 percent by the end of 2011, and a decrease of between zero and 0.2 percent beyond 2014.[70] The impact to employment would be an increase of 0.8 million to 2.3 million by the end of 2009, an increase of 1.2 million to 3.6 million by the end of 2010, an increase of 0.6 million to 1.9 million by the end of 2011, and declining increases in subsequent years as the U.S. labor market reaches nearly full employment, but never negative.[70] Decreases in GDP in 2014 and beyond are accounted for by crowding out, where government debt absorbs finances that would otherwise go toward investment. In November 2011 the Congressional Budget Office updated its earlier reports concerning the Act. The CBO stated that “the employment effects began to wane at the end of 2010 and have continued to do so throughout 2011.” Nevertheless, in the third quarter of 2011, the CBO estimated that the Act had increased the number of full-time equivalent jobs by 0.5 million to 3.3 million.
The deficit was not cut in half, but it was cut by about 300 billion dollars since he took office. The plan was failed due to republican opposition to tax increases.
President Obama has taken 61 vacation days after 31 months in office. At this point in their presidencies, George W. Bush had spent 180 days at his ranch where his staff often joined him for meetings. And Ronald Reagan had taken 112 vacation days at his ranch.
The economy is projected to add 14 million jobs over the next 4 years. In fact, the economy is on pace to achieve that already, no matter who is president.
Anyway, good chatting with you.
and now their intellectual response will be about getting you panties in a wad..hilarious!!! never let facts get in the way of a good name calling.
This election at least has clear choices for Americans, with evidance from both conventions for comparison. One side believes in the core principles on which our country was founded, liberty and freedom for the individual and the belief that government is best when governed least. The other side believes that Americans are all victims that must rely on the all powerful government for their every need. One side believes in Democracy and the other in Socialism. One side believes in the beauty of the free market system and the other side believes in the power of the welfare state. Despite the promise that President Obama would be the most uniting and transparent president ever, our country has never been more divided or an adminstration more secretive. We all will be glad to have this matter decided in November.
“And I don’t like arguing with ignorant people” stated Henry the Eight.
“Touché!”, say I.
Anon3; where did you get your stats from? How do I know that there is truth in those numbers?
One Voice, the numbers above are from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Recovery_and_Reinvestment_Act_of_2009 which also lists their sources as well in the footnotes.
For transparency, Dagney, all of the information about the recipients of any funds can be found at http://www.recovery.gov.
If you want to verify exactly how much money Henderson, NC:
http://www.recovery.gov/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=GISRecipientAwardsListRecipientsView&ZIPCODE=27536&PROJSTATUS=NPC&AWARDTYPE=CGL&AMOUNTMIN=17957&AMOUNTMAX=3937000&PAGENUMBER=1&SORT=&ORDER=Asc&ROWSPERPAGE=15
For North Carolina you can see http://www.recovery.gov/Transparency/RecoveryData/Pages/RecipientReportedDataMap.aspx?stateCode=NC#
If you feel the numbers are wrong, it also provides a method that you can report fraud, waste, abuse etc at http://www.recovery.gov/Contact/ReportFraud/Pages/Report_Fraud.aspx
Rick sure stired up a hornets nest
“Don’t believe everything you read on the internet”
A hornet’s nest, indeed. It is sometimes necessary to get things moving. I still say that every politician should be required to live one year as a “working poor” citizen. Never happen, I know.
Historical character, it has been a long time since any one topic drew this much attention and commentary some of which is of value.
One Voice if you question anon3’s source try this link:
gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-111hr1enr/pdf/BILLS-111hr1enr.pdf
This link carries you to a certified PDF of the HR1 of the One Hundred Eleventh Congress of the United States of American at the first session.
stock market reached levels today that were higher than four years ago. Home Builders stock rose more than 2% today. Some things appear to be making some progress. The other side that nobody can state is what would have happened to the United States if there had not been an auto bail out, a bail out of Wall street, a stimulus package?
Also for those who do not think that we are headed towards being just like England and France, also players in the world, and no longer the “top dog” The News and Observer on Thursday Sept. 6, 2012 in the 4B section had the following article. “U.S. dips in global competitiveness” ” A lack of economic stability highlighted by soaring national debt– combined with a lack of trust in government by the business community– helped to drop the U.S. two notches to seventh in ranking of national global competitiveness.
Switzerland, Singapore, Finland, Sweden, The Netherlands and Germany are ahead of us.
We have infrastructure to repair, we have tax reform that needs to help business and increase income, taxes must be raise, to reduce the deficit, and education has to get better. We need bipartisan leadership
I’ll tell you what would have happened if we hadn’t had TARP and an auto bail out and all the other mindless stimulus junk that passed – we wouldn’t be 16 trillion in debt! When your credit cards are maxed out, increasing your credit line and not cutting back on spending makes you more in debt. You are just kicking the can down the road. Bailing out corporations is immoral, if you run a lousy business, you need to fail and let someone who does it better succeed. It is not the role of government to take my money away and pay some dude in another business my money! To reward failure is foolish. The auto bailout was a bailout for the unions, who were pushed ahead of the bond holders. They could have gone bankrupt and reoorganized, but that would have meant all the cushy union contracts would have been voided. So you can post all the silly links to English newspapers to prove your point but you can’t have a rational discussion of facts out of your own brain.
Democrats have no solutions and will not face reality. Mr. Brand delights in the thoughts of America doing exactly what the fools in Europe are doing and becoming a third world country. We aren’t worthy of our success – what bull! We earned it because of the system of govt we created. If more people on food stamps and welfare and in poverty is the Democrat definition of a successful last 4 years, they are lieing to themselves and trying to deceive a bunch of folks that their painful reality is false. Used to be folks supported their churches and those in the community
that really new who the truly needy were. Now the goal is to destroy the churches and let the govt pick who is deserving of help, buying votes in the process.
If some woman gets up at the convention and tries to tell the world that life for women in America is awful, I resent that. She has cotton for a brain but she is what is considered eloquent in the minds of twisted convention organizers. She says Republicans want to control her but she wants me to pay for her birth control. Hello? Can you say hypocracy?
Democrats want govt to be the answer to everything, doling out favors with my money. They cry for bipartisan politics but Obamacare was voted in down party lines, zero Republican votes and signed by a Democrat President. Is that bipartisan? The Democrats on the fence about voting for it got promised bridges and grants, with my money! Their whining for bipartisanship is balogney!
Sorry, but that convention with it’s boos for God and Israel was awful. The GOP convention with all of its pride in America and traditional values and the power of the individual was inspiring. If you want to side with the extremists in the party preaching the destruction of the family, churches and individual liberty and if you buy into the racist lie that some folks aren’t as capable as others and have to have special, lower standards, have at it. If you want to think this economy is hunky dorey and all the problems will be solved by doubling the rich guy’s taxes, have at it. If you think a successful business man should be scorned and a man that never met a payroll should be gloried, have at it. But there are a whole lot of folks that will be out voting to restore America on Nov 6th and we are proud of those traditional values and change to communism in America will not be allowed, because we read a darn history book and know how all that turns out.
Sorry for the rant, but you folks need to wake up.
Yeah, people are always voting against their own self interest. It is a strange game this democracy game. Dylan sang about “the times they are a changing” and the song is as valid now as it was then, and those who don’t change will be left behind.
As to aging hippies–to paraphrase a song popular then–“They haven’t ever learned”. Their numbers are dwindling–as well as their smoke fogged minds–just sayin’. However, they sure think they have it all figured out.
I heard via the infamous grapevine that Obama was going to boot Biden off and pick up ira gerswin as his running mate for the 2012 election. Has anyone else heard that? Knowing what I know about Henderson and STUPID POLITICIANS it wouldn’t surprise me. I mean if a man who proclaimed that he “would never run for office again” after losing a commissioners seat to the son of an atty. returns and what do you know…..wins.
Also, if you have a past Chairman of the County Commissioners who was catching up on his ZZZZ’s during one of the meetings so much so that you could hear the snoring…..I guess anything is possible? I can tell you exactly the meeting b/c it was one of the longer meetings but come on “rev/pastor/deacon/preacher”or whatever you claim to be……that’s not a good image for any political official to portray.
Rick, in your comment #43, you paint a rosey picture, but today the U.S. Labor Department released some very negative employment figures. The August jobs report revealed that only 96,000 non-farm jobs were added. While the unemployment rate fell from 8.3% to 8.1%, that was because 368,000 people dropped out of the workforce; therefore more people remain unemployed than a month ago.
Econmists calculated that just to break even, we would have had to add 225,000 new jobs. They further speculate that many employers are holding back on hiring because they are fearful of tax increases under the Democrats proposed tax plan. Rising gas prices and added costs to businesses associated with President Obama’s health care plan are also expected to further curtail consumer spending.
I could editorialize, but I will let all of you draw your own conclusions and will eagerly await Reverend Brand’s “spin”. I will say, Rick, that it is much too early for you guys to start singing “Happy Days Are Here Again”. Some of you are too young to recall what that song signified. Tell them please, Rick.
Well, get ready for it. Spending is going to have to be cut. Changes to Medicare, Social Security, Defense, Health Care are going to have to be made. Higher taxes are going to have to be raised on everybody and gas will have to go much higher to make alternative energy more attractive. We have put off repairs, we have been living off loans from China, and we have become complacent society. The deficit will have to be reduced and there is no way for that to happen without bipartisan cooperation. There is no way Reagan “trickle down” theory will work. Reagan Bush put more on the deficit than anybody since Eisenhower and Obama has added the least to the deficit of any president since Eisenhower. Romney is just offering more of “trickle down”
As the late Senator Jesse Helms would say, “Mercy sakes alive, Rick. You are getting there.” The GOP has proposed changes to Medicare, Social Security and Health Care. Just look at Mr. Ryan’s proposed financial roadmap for the country. On the other hand you are wrong on higher gas prices and higher taxes. Elect Romney and build the pipeline. Enough said on that.
Noted economist Larry Kudlow commented Friday in regard to the August jobs report as follows:
“Free market capitalism is the best path to prosperity. If we had that, we could be adding 500,000 to 600,000 jobs per month instead of fewer than 100,000. Take note, President Obama.”
Mr. Kudlow is correct and 7 to 8 million more jobs in a year would do much more for our country than higher taxes. Speaking of taxes, Rick. Is it true that ordained ministers get a tax break on their federal income taxes that us ordinary citizens don’t get? I have always been curious about that. Please tell us.
Kudlow does preach the Reagan free market, but it has never worked. There is no such thing as free market. Why do you think we have all these lobbyists? There is no free market and capital welfare is as dangerous as you think social welfare is. Fracking and pipelines for more oil and coal are just postponing the problem. They will run out. China has already invested extensively in alternative energy.
So if Ryan plan on Social Security steals the same 700 million as Obama, what is the difference? And if I can see the need to reduce spending why can’t you see the need to raise revenue? The deficit cannot be solved by only one step. Simpson Bowles Commission is right regardless of whether or not it has been pushed by either party. Ryan was on that committee and refused to work with them.
Ministers do not have to include their house or the housing allowance as part of their income but do have to include it as part of what they pay self-employed social security taxes on.
I talked to a friend who is a CPA, Rick and he gave me this example. An ordained minister who makes $80,000 per year could declared $18 to $20,000 exempt as housing expenses and thus not taxable income. He stated that ordained ministers may opt out of social security and medicare and thus not pay those taxes. In his example, the minister would pay between $7,000 and $8,000 per year less in taxes than an ordinary citizen. I guess this explains why so many of the “downtown Henderson” ministers have been so liberal. You know liberals enjoy spending other peoples money. I wish I could have opted out of social security and medicare, as I stated previously. Democrats don’t want to give people that option, but don’t object when ministers get the choice. Kind of strange isn’t it Mr. Vance County Party Chairman. Before you deny that ministers make $80,000, save your breath. I know some who do.
Rick, you say “there is no such thing as a free market” and fracking and pipelines postpone the problem. All I will say about those statements is that you are close to falling off the left side of the political spectrum.
Just to show you that I am fair, I will agree to increase revenue thusly…all ministers pay federal taxes on the same basis as other citizens.
1. Keystone XL Would Not Reduce Foreign Oil Dependency
The oil to be sent through Keystone XL pipeline was never destined for US markets. In its own presentation to investors about the proposed pipeline extension, TransCanada (the company behind Keystone XL) boasted that most if not all of the extracted and refined oil would be exported — sold in oversees markets where oil fetches a higher price (and thus turns a higher profit for the company).
2. Keystone XL Would Have Increased Domestic Oil Prices
Currently, Canadian oil reserves stored in the Midwest help suppress gas prices in the United States, particularly for farmers in our nation’s heartland.
In its permit application for the pipeline, TransCanada noted that the Keystone XL pipeline would allow the company to drain these reserves and export that fuel as well. According to TransCanada’s own statements, this would raise gas prices in the United States, especially in the Midwest.
3. Keystone XL Overstated Number of Jobs to be Created
In 2008, TransCanada’s original permit application to the State Department said the Keystone XL pipeline would create “a peak workforce of approximately 3,500 to 4,200 construction personnel” in temporary jobs building the pipeline.
By 2011, now facing growing opposition to the pipeline, TransCanada had inflated these numbers (using undisclosed formulas) to 20,000. Supporters of the proposal, backed by big oil, have since trumpeted these trumped up numbers.
Want my liberal biased source for these? Try fox news on for a change. http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/01/18/six-reasons-keystone-xl-was-bad-deal-all-along/
Rick, you hit the nail on the head here. And if I can see the need to reduce spending why can’t you see the need to raise revenue?
Dangy, the facts I posted are facts, no matter the source. Seems I’m about the only one in this whole discussion who is trying to cite facts. Otherwise, I see a bunch of opinions here.
You want my opinion? Believe it or not, I also don’t agree with TARP and associated ‘bailouts’. The banks and insurance companies made their bets, and lost to their own greed. I do agree that the people that would then lose their jobs, not just at the auto factory, but also all the way down to the local sales store who would be out of a job, along with need help especially there are millions of unemployed and not millions of open jobs. That’s my main problem with the gop agenda, the people who are unfortunate enough they don’t have a job, don’t have insurance, have a job and dont have insurance, can’t provide for their families to live on their own without hassle from creditors and with want to live with dignity, the gop says tough luck. You should have worked harder. The democrats see these hardships and want to help sustain all people. The gop want to help a single businessman open up a business, with the hope he will hire a few employees.
I get that is a great long term solution, but the people who are now bankrupt due to medical bills, who have no home of their own, etc etc they need help right now. And the heartlessness of the gop to the public is a grave concern.
Royal Rooter, I was not aware that this discussion was about my personal finances. I never opted out of social security and I paid taxes on the amount of my housing allowance. I did not inflate my housing allowance. I understand that there are some who play those cards, but I do not suspect that they are not any different than Mr. Romney and his playing his loop holes and tax advantages, which he will not show to us.
The debate is still about the fact that there are major issues, tax reform, spending cuts, military reduction, increase revenue from tax increase, reduction of gas and oil imports from terrorist sponsoring middle east countries, environmental issues, and wars to pay for that all require an entirely different approach to the future than Romney and Ryan promise.
If you think 11,000 lobbyists in D.C. are there because they want a level playing field and companies spend all that money for elections because they want a level playing field, then you see a lot different Washington than I do.
Isn’t it beyond time to drop the subject–and move on?
Looked to me like the DNC convention was all about social issues, of course because the American economy is on the verge of bankrupcy, they couldn’t talk about that. It was the Republicans talking about the financial problems that impact every American every day and reducing the scope of government so that business owners can be free to grow their businesses and create jobs. You will see a surge of optimism when Romney/Ryan win the election and someone that understands everything about running businesses and creating jobs is in charge. Compare the statistics of states with Republican governors and those with Democrat governors, proof of which policies are financially sound and benefit their citizens the most.
This subject won’t be dropped until after Nov 6, nor should it be. Thank goodness for a forum where we can all discuss our opinions civilly.
What Flopney beleves this week
Mitt Romney Meet the Press, Morning 9/9/12:
“Well. I’m not getting rid of all health care reform. Of course there are a number of things that I like in health care reform that I’m going to put in place. One is to make sure that those with pre=existing conditions can get coverage. Two is to that the marketplace allows for individuals to have policies that cover their family up to whatever age they may like. I also want individuals to be able to buy insurance health insurance, on their own as opposed to only being able to get it on a tax advantage basis through their company.”
Sunday evening:
A Romney aide told the “National Review” that he [Romney] does not support the Affordable Care Act’s ban on discriminating against people with pre-existing conditions.
Instead, the aide added, there has been no change in the Republican nominee’s position. “In a competitive environment, the marketplace will make available plans that include coverage for what there is demand for,” the aide said. “He was not proposing a federal mandate to require insurance plans to offer those particular features.”