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An Elite That Still Reject Him
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Why Rice?
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The Obama Watch
Still a ‘Fine’ Mess
Forget Obamacare — this election is still about the state of the private sector economy.
Although Chief Justice Roberts changed constitutional law’s course, he didn’t alter this election’s. November still runs through the economy — regardless what the Court decides. If you don’t believe it, recall Obama’s own recent words.
Occasionally, we say something we only wish were true — even Presidents do.
When Obama recently said “the private sector is doing fine,” it was a sort of political Freudian slip. Everyone, including the White House knows it is far from “fine.” However they so want and need that to be true, that the desire lying just below the surface can easily become inadvertently irrepressible.
Even once the jaw-dropping gaffe’s enormity was realized, it was hard for Obama to walk away.
This time, fully prepared for the question, he stated: “Listen, it is absolutely clear that the economy is not doing fine.… [W]e’ve actually seen some good momentum in the private sector.… And so that has not been the biggest drag on the economy.… The folks who are hurting, where we have problems is small businesses that are having a tough time getting financing; we’ve seen teachers and police officers and firefighters who have been laid off…”
Of course, Obama is in an impossible situation here. On one hand, he risks attacking his own record if he accurately says the economy is doing badly. On the other, he risks looking clueless if he says it is not. So, he tried to differentiate — saying the private sector was “fine,” and that largely it was the public sector that was doing poorly.
Closely looking at what Obama actually said, it would be easy to reach the conclusion that he meant that if only governments — the public sector employing all those “teachers and police officers and firefighters” — were spending more, then the economy would be alright.
There is no shortage of reasons to question the past efficacy of more government spending — let alone, the need for more of it. Far more interesting instead is to look at just how much the Administration needs Obama’s “fine” assertion to at least take the economy off November’s political map for just enough voters to win reelection.
While most remember 2008 as a landslide, Obama only won by a 6.3% margin. In 2010, he suffered a serious political defeat. Now just over four months from the election, the White House’s margin for error is extraordinarily thin.
The economy certainly has helped put Obama in this precarious political predicament — with some assistance from public resistance to his own policies — and it could easily put him in a worse one. At this stage, it is clear that it will not put him in a better one.
The result is that the Administration must somehow try to make this election not be about the economy. Simply: if the election is about the economy, Obama loses.
Obama’s comment that the “private sector is doing fine” is a direct manifestation of his need to make the economy not be the issue in November.
Nothing to see here, folks — move along.
Instead Obama is attempting to run on a myriad of other issues — such as immigration to appeal to Hispanic voters, student loans to appeal to the young, and against the Administration’s self-declared Republican “war on women” — in order to bring together parts of his 2008 coalition around noneconomic issues.
Obama won these groups decisively in 2008 (receiving 68% of the Hispanic vote, 63% of 18-29 year olds, and 56% of women), and then saw Democrats’ support fall sharply in all three in 2010 (to 60%, 55%, and 48%, respectively). He needs to win them back.
Thus far the White House has had some success in its nothing-to-see-here strategy. Obama is still running in a dead heat with Romney, despite four years’ worth of negative economic news. If the economy were the only issue, this race already would be over — just like it was for Hoover in 1932.
But although the economy is not the only issue this November, it is still the most important. Neither the Supreme Court’s decision, nor the Obama Administration’s attempts are going to change that. How all-too-well Obama understands this was revealed in his subliminal message from his electoral strategy. He cannot really hope for Americans to believe the economy is “fine,” he needs just enough of them to believe that the election is about something other than the economy to win.
About the Author
J.T. Young served in the Department of Treasury and the Office of Management and Budget from 2001 to 2004 and as a Congressional staff member from 1987 to 2000.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (69) | Leave a comment
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TLP| 7.3.12 @ 7:22AM
"The Election still runs through the Economy."
Really? Cause, I ain't seeing it. At least not yet.
Every Economic Indicator resembles a piece of Dog Sh*t, that's been soaked in Puke, and then shoved down Brooksified's throat until it came out his ass. And, yet, he's at 40+%, and LEADING in a lot of States that he shouldn't be.
Manufacturing is a joke and the News Coverage of its Implosion, is borderline Criminal. What are the REAL Numbers of Unemployed? What are the latest numbers on Foreclosures and Bankruptcies? And, when was the last time ANYONE heard ANYTHING about the HOMELESS? The unemployment rate for young Blacks is OVER 50%. Just, don't tell anyone. (It's a Secret)
Everybody knows that Companies have been sitting on their Wallets, waiting to see if one of the Supremes would do something Fcked Up, and ram the last nail in to our Coffin, with yet ANOTHER Government Edict, regulating our lives like the Machines, in THE MATRIX. Enter - Chief Justice Quissling.
I've got News.
They're not gonna hire, now. They're never gonna hire anymore, because THEY'RE LEAVING!
The highest Corporate Tax in the world.
The Most Regulations in the world.
The most Expensive Health Care Mandates in the world.
The Costliest Labour in the world.
Cap and Trade, the EPA, and the NLRB.
Normally, I would agree with Mr. Young.
I just think that 50% of the people paying NO TAXES, combined with a Political Party that Demonizes Hard Work, and Achievement, has finally taken its toll.
vtwin| 7.3.12 @ 8:07AM
Private vs. public sector jobs: Since the nation reached the bottom of the 2008 Bush recession the economy has seen 27 straight months of private sector job growth, adding over 4.3 million jobs. In contrast the public sector has lost 550,000 jobs over the same period. Bush crashed the GDP, lower tax revenues, fewer public sector jobs.
DTOM| 7.3.12 @ 8:25AM
vtwin,
Are you still dropping things to see if gravity really works? You imaginary statistics are just that, imaginary. Sort of like "...the private sector is doing fine."
If I were less considerate, I would think you were stupid. Instead I ask you this one question:
Are you an unrepentant communist or just a useful idiot?
Well, which is it?
Don't Tread On Me!
TLP| 7.3.12 @ 8:46AM
He's a Punk.
Nothing more.
He hasn't responded to you yet, because he's down at the Police Station Garage taking a Sh*t.
Stephanie| 7.3.12 @ 12:36PM
vtwin has obama statistics, which are imaginary or an out and out lie. How hard it must be to have to constantly beat the drum for a looser like barry who will be beaten by huge margins in November. Unless of course he postpones the elections.
merlin| 7.4.12 @ 8:51AM
Stephanie, "Unless of course he postpones the elections."
Also, anyone running against any liberal will have to win by more than the margin of recount.
Purp| 7.4.12 @ 11:00AM
DTOM - VT is right-on. YOU can look up those statistics all by yourself - if you're not the typical lazy dittohead that just parrots what you hear.
But you won't look will you? You're too lazy and stupid to do so.
JP| 7.3.12 @ 2:43PM
Mmmm... the Recession ended in June of 2009 (Obama presided over the final 4 months of the Bush Recession). Since then, the average GDP growth rate is a whopping 2% - the weakest recovery since 1932. As of March 2012, only 64% of able bodied adults below retirement age are employed. Again, the lowest number since 1932. That put's your 4 million jobs created in some prespective.
Obama has owned this economy since June 2009. And despite squandering $5 trillion of borrwed taxpayer money, he has nothing to show for it.
Purp| 7.4.12 @ 11:08AM
Actually, the public doesn't agree with your final "Obama owned the economy since 2009" ... perception is reality, and the perception is that GW Bush caused all the damage and Obama is fixing it - slowly but surely. And, the deficit spending is also considered the hangover from Bush's Depression. Much as you don't like that, and you prefer they believe what you want them to, it just isn't so.
How else do you explain the near 50% approval rating of the President? If everyone thought like you do, he should be at 20%, right? And, he's still beating Romney in most of the battleground states.
He is quite a good moral man, a great father, a strong leader, and a successful President. All of his accomplishments are in tact, he killed Bin Laden, kept us safe, he's a military and diplomatic genius. Obama 2012.
George True| 7.4.12 @ 2:47PM
".....he is quite a good moral man".
An objective inquiry into his past, and everything he has said in public life shows incontrovertibly that he is a stone cold liar. He has lied about everything.
".....a strong leader". He sided with the president-for-life wannabee Zelaya over the constitutionally elected government of Honduras. He equivocated during the democracy uprising in Iran, when a small bit of help on our part would have toppled that corrupt and evil theocracy. Now Iran, newly emboldened, is about to go nuclear, and continues to foster violence all over the Middle East.
Obama waged an undeclared war against middle east regimes friendly to us. Now those countries are firmly controlled by the Muslim Brotherhood, which has sworn to destroy Western Civilization.
"All his accomplishments are intact....." I would agree with you there. His main accomplishment is putting us into the worst economy in US history, even worse than the Great Depression, through his sad devotion to the false doctrine of Keynesianism. His other accomplishment is illegally jamming a bogus healthcare bill down our throats that 62% of the people clearly said they did not want. Even after the treachery by the supreme court, The People are still telling Gallup by a clear two-to-one margin they want this abomination repealed.
Obama did not kill Bin Laden, the US military did. And he is a military and diplomatic genius in the same way that Saddam Hussein was. That is to say, not at all.
Purp| 7.4.12 @ 3:37PM
Actually, you are factually wrong in many of your opinions. Nothing new there, of course.
Bush put us in the worst economy since the Great Depression - the Bush Depression. In fact, over 50% of Americans still blame Bush and the hangover of debt he caused even after leaving office. He was the worst president ever.
Obomneycare is a significant accomplishment, and if it's really so unpopular, it will be easily changed - but not repealed. R's have no alternative worth salt.
Obama gave the order to kill Bin Laden at great risk of failure, but Bush stopped caring 'cause it was "too hard". Bush had no balls.
Diplomacy feel apart under Bush and has been restored under Obama. It's clear that he convinced German Chancellor Merkel to see how they needed to help Europe with the Euro crisis (caused in large part by our unregulated financial markets, btw).
So all in all, he's a good President, gets high marks from all but the far right and is well liked. The Rombot, not so much.
TLP| 7.4.12 @ 4:48PM
No.
He is Factually right on the Money.
Stop it.
You're just making an ass of yourself.
Maxwell| 7.3.12 @ 8:22AM
TLP, I can not add much to what you already said, however there is one question I have. How much longer can this 'everything is fine' stupidity last until everything comes totally crashing down?
On the way to and from work I watch the traffic on Rt. 1. I see very few trucks from JB Hunt, Conway, England, Roadway and forget about new car carriers. I watch the strip malls, plenty of vacancies there and some for over two years! Lori (wife) loves Ann Taylor. There is always a sign in the window, x% off sale. Many signs in front of homes that are for sale but few that state 'under contract'. Those home signs, they stay up a long time. And lastly shopping malls, cars are about as thick as the demand for pork in Mecca.
Now, I know my economic indicators are not scientific but my question remains when does this all just crash?
Finally, does Mittens have the brains or the staff with the brains to bring to the table the right stuff to get us going again?
TLP| 7.3.12 @ 9:02AM
As far as "Mittens" is concerned? He sure has made a lotta Money, over the years. His Company - Bain Capital, has quite the Resume, when it comes to Turning Companies around.
"But they laid off people!"
How many GM and Chrysler Dealerships were FORCED TO CLOSE, throwing Thousands of people out in to the Street?
How many Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines is he planning on Pink Slipping, to pay for this year's model of Marx' Workers Paradise?
How many Astronauts, Mission Control Experts, Rocket Makers, Engineers, and Technicians are out of work, because NASA has become a Muslim Outreach Program?
How many people in the Gulf have lost everything because of The Muslim's illegal Drilling Moratorium? Nobody knows, because, like the TAPE of Hussein at Khalid Rashidi's "Going away Party"? The Media is running a COVER UP, to protect their Boy.
Am I helping you?
Or, are you gonna need a Bus Load of ACORN monkey looking Scumbags, all over your front lawn, before you realize that ANY REPUBLICAN is better than the CCKSCKR we've got now?
This isn't that difficult.
In fact, it isn't difficult in the least.
Wake up.
Maxwell| 7.3.12 @ 9:19AM
Well, I am a little awake, if I remember right Sports Authority was one of his 'projects' with Bain and from that money I earned part time there I put Lori & my step daughter thru collage.
TLP| 7.3.12 @ 9:56AM
Didn't mean "wake up" as a dig.
People just have to acknowledge that it doesn't matter who we put up.
He or She will be better that IT is.
Maxwell| 7.3.12 @ 10:31AM
TLP, no problem.....I'm thin skinned but not as thin skinned and 'THE ONE'. I have two hopes, Mitt gets the economy turned around and some good picks for judges.
TLP| 7.3.12 @ 4:41PM
Evidently, as we've just seen, Judge Appointments are about as sure of a thing, as a Blind Date.
Or a Condom with a hole in it.
Ya get my drift?
Purp| 7.4.12 @ 11:12AM
Yes, Justice Roberts may eventually be the next Earl Warren. What a switcheroo on you guys, just like that 13 yr old conservative boy wonder became a liberal when he turned 17. Conservatism is to rigid, makes you feel too boxed in.
TLP| 7.4.12 @ 4:54PM
Yeah.
It's kinda like The Bible, or the Ten Commandments, which I'm pretty sure, you know nothing about, either.
Purp| 7.3.12 @ 9:39AM
A dog with diarrhea would be better than Romney. He's the worst Republican to run against this President.
Doctor Right| 7.3.12 @ 9:46AM
Gee...what's that say about Obama, then? 'Cuz he's going to lose, and BIG!
Riff Raff| 7.3.12 @ 12:29PM
What "purp" is sayin' is that he himself (purp) would be better than Romney.
Purp| 7.4.12 @ 11:15AM
No, what I said was "A dog with diarrhea", ya know, someone you look up to, Riffy Raffy.
Doctor Right| 7.3.12 @ 10:03AM
Hey, Purp!
Are you takin your Prozac?
http://news.yahoo.com/poll-rom.....UA.Q3QtDMD
Romney leads Obama in 15 SWING STATES.
15.
Swing.
States.
As reported by the FAR-rightwing news agency...CNN!!!
Drunken Sailor| 7.3.12 @ 11:53AM
Notice how they also say Obama has only a thin margin over Romney. And that is after any bump he should have gotten from Obamacare. Seems it is fading already.
Quick Purp, call the spin doctors. This is a emergency!
Purp| 7.4.12 @ 11:28AM
http://dailycaller.com/2012/07.....ng-states/ ... Daily Caller labels this poll as "Implausible", so much for your poll.
Romney is not liked and Mr. Likable always wins the election. Good Luck with the RomBot guys - he's far worse than John McCain, with no military service, no foreign policy experience, Swiss bank accounts, Cayman Islands tax evasion schemes, and people hate his business practices and experience. Yep, quite a winner you go there!
Oldefarte| 7.4.12 @ 10:21AM
"diarrea"? Don't talk about your current POTUS that way.....show some respect !!!!!!!!!!
Purp| 7.4.12 @ 11:30AM
I might be offended, IF you could spell it. haha.
Doctor Right| 7.3.12 @ 9:45AM
"Today's boorish rant has been brought to you by 'Obvio,' the energy drink that makes the obvious seem profound.
OBVIO - when you absolutely, positively want to sound important AND come across as a blowhard!
OBVIO - For people who love the sound of their own opinions!"""
TLP| 7.3.12 @ 4:44PM
Thank you, Obvio.
But, we already knew that.
Purp| 7.4.12 @ 10:58AM
Romney is the reason - he's the worst Republican candidate since, well, John McCain. You have no one that people like, and they won't vote for him. Yes, yes, you'll spend 2 billion dollars, wasting your money on something you can't make people like or want.
It's that simple. You may as well get used to it.
c. j. acworth| 7.3.12 @ 8:36AM
In my department at work we are currently running every Saturday and every other Sunday. The paychecks are nice but the overtime is getting to everyone. One of the machines runs only on 1st shift. If the company ran it all three shifts the OT would be reduced quite a bit. Why not run it 3 shifts? Because they would have to hire at least 8 people to do it and they are simply not going to hire until they are reasonably sure the economy isn't going to slide right back into the tank. Looks like I'll be working a lot of OT between now and November.
TLP| 7.3.12 @ 4:46PM
They will NEVER HIRE.
In fact, by next year?
They won't even be here, anymore.
Louis Jenkins| 7.3.12 @ 8:56AM
Good for you Mr. acworth. However, in my part of the world Mr. Maxwell's account is more the truth. Our unemployment rate is 9%, and a factory is non-existant. Houses stay for sale a long time, and there's no "contract pending" signs either. Talked to a builder last week. He's hard up for jobs, and is taking anything that he can including re-modeling. This Nov. will be about the economy, and after the Spreme Court's move last week, I don't see the economy making a jump back. Blame whoever, including Bush, but the current President has had 3 1/2 years to bring it back. He hasn't, and will not with another four.
Purp| 7.3.12 @ 9:20AM
Good luck with Mr. "Outsourcer-in-Chief". He only knows how to create jobs in India or China. He bilked US companies for millions while throwing the workers to the wind. He's so out of touch with middle-Americans, I can hear him say "Let them eat cake" ... and she lost her head.
Doctor Right| 7.3.12 @ 9:53AM
Do you even know WHY companies move operations overseas???
Ok, dummy...listen-up, 'cuz I'm only going to tell you this once, and I'm going to make it real simple so even a moron like yourself can follow it...K?
There's two words that describes why companies "off-shore" their operations. Ready??
1. Taxes
2. Unions
To the first point, we know have the highest corporate tax-rate in the world, thanks to your man-crush, Idiot-Boy Obama. Gee...do ya' think that's going to send investments overseas, or bring them here???
To the second point, companies are sick and damned tired of paying basically semi-skilled workers up to $75/hr to turn screws on an assembly line. Combined with the ridiculously over-generous pension programs, unions have priced their employees OUT of the global marketplace.
In other words, genius...semi-skilled workers in China, India, etc aren't underpaid - workers in the USA are OVERPAID.
You're a big-business tycoon; do you give your product away for free???
Hmmmmmmm????
No, you don't. You charge as much as you can, you friggin' hypocrite.
TLP| 7.3.12 @ 4:47PM
You tell'em, Obvio.
Doctor Right| 7.3.12 @ 10:04PM
...snicker..
Purp| 7.4.12 @ 11:57AM
That's exactly why Americans won't vote for the Outsourcer-in-Chief ... they care about THEIR jobs, THEIR money, not corporate tax rates - and I might add that corporate profits are booming ... BAD MANAGERs outsource - it's easy to chase low wages and layoff high paid earners. It's more difficult to continually innovate and stay ahead of the competition. The race to the bottom of the wage scale is NOT what we, as Americans should be happy about.
One bright glimmer is that as India and China build their own middle class, they demand higher wages, safer work places and more benefits.
Why should we decimate our own middle class in order to build the middle class in other countries? What happened to "America First"?
You can blame American workers all you want. But - have you gotten a raise lately? Are you doing better than your parents? How's your pension? Your benefits from work? And, your okay with this? Seriously?
Louis Jenkins| 7.3.12 @ 2:13PM
See TLP's reply above.
JP| 7.3.12 @ 2:39PM
Wow. It's dejavu. I read the exact same post on the DailyKoz, Media Matters, and Little Green Footballs.
Purp| 7.4.12 @ 11:58AM
Hmmm - I don't visit them, so how's that again?
Bob Grant| 7.3.12 @ 7:26PM
Perp,
You blog posts are weak tea. Who was your instructor at the seminar blogger class you attended?
For your sake I hope they graded on a curve.
Purp| 7.4.12 @ 11:59AM
Based on what evidence? You're firmly held right wing dogma? Puhlease...
Oldefarte| 7.4.12 @ 10:26AM
At least he CREATES JOBS SOMEWHERE. This domestic terrorist/community organizing POTUS could run profitably a chicken fast food restaurant in downtown Detroit profitably if he wanted to do so. By "middle Americans" you must mean governmental welfare recipients on food stamps, needing health insurance, that take their marching orders from Shaprton and Jackson as to where to protest the next Travon situation, right???????
Oldefarte| 7.4.12 @ 10:27AM
Correction: COULDN'T, not Could!!!!!
Oldefarte| 7.4.12 @ 10:29AM
Tell yo "middle" cassers to go get a job....oh wait I forgot there are NO JOBS, thanks to Jeremiah Wright Jr's ineptness as POTUS!!!!!
William L. Gensert| 7.3.12 @ 10:38AM
With every passing day, and each Obama blunder, rhetorical or policy related, this election becomes more and more about Barack Obama, who he is and what he stands for.
The Supreme Court decision hands the president's political opponents the perfect case for the November election. Barack Obama is a liar, whose only policy seems to be to tax and spend. Oh...and he managed to destroy health care in the process.
Read more of my article: http://www.americanthinker.com.....z1zZQgCFcq
Purp| 7.4.12 @ 12:05PM
Really? So how does the RomBot attack his own healthcare program he is proud of? Until he need your votes, he was praising it, singing to the heavens how great the mandate is, and how it's a penalty, not a tax, blah, blah, blah.
Have you heard the mess coming from Republicans messaging in the last few days? Is it a tax, is it a penalty? Is Roberts a traitor or a saint? Do we repeal or repeal/replace? What with? How?
Another fine move by GW Bush - a moderate Chief Justice. Thank you Georgie Boy.
Who Knows?| 7.3.12 @ 11:40AM
“Fine”?
It’s a FINE, not a tax.
“Nothin’ could be finer than to be in Carolina in the mornin’.”
That’s what I sang, to a foxy young lady, of that name.
The economy is doing fine, Obamacare is doing fine, and the Obama maniacs are a coarse bunch of destroyers.
On a long, hot, summer bike ride, the other day, away from, and free of, the oh-so-human realm of concerns, as I kept my focus on the surroundings, desiring to stay alive, I was mindless. Thus, a gross thought came from nowhere.
So many pounds of humanly shaped chemical elements!
As I enjoyed the wild plants, and even those under the thumb of humans, all the houses, cars, streets, telephone poles, fences, etc appeared as---remnants from past work done by mostly dead and gone other humans.
That’s why the saying, “There’s a lot of ruin in a nation”, has been so uppermost in my mind, lately. Except, it’s the flipside of this that matters---actually IS matter.
To boot---the connectivity!
I hate barking dogs. And, how physically marvelous, that a yap from a 100 yards pushes air molecules enough to shake the walls of my pad, and then the air inside, and disturb my ear’s peace!
Drunken Sailor| 7.3.12 @ 11:55AM
Have you considered professional help?
Who Knows?| 7.3.12 @ 12:27PM
Are you NOW drunk?
Drunken Sailor| 7.3.12 @ 1:16PM
Nope, but see the thing about being drunk is you sober up. In your case it would appear meds/therapy may be highly suggested.
TLP| 7.3.12 @ 4:50PM
Who Knows?
Not him.
But, you already knew that, didn't you?
Who Knows?| 7.4.12 @ 10:19AM
Mr. Rudeness continues to drop trou, and expose his brains.
Who Knows?| 7.4.12 @ 10:19AM
You are so rude.
TLP| 7.4.12 @ 4:59PM
Why don't you STFU, and take off your Mom's Clothes.
God, you're pathetic.
JP| 7.3.12 @ 2:37PM
Got any blow left? Man, your rant was a work of art. Stream of Consciousness mixed with crack! Keep up the good work!
Bob Grant| 7.3.12 @ 7:56PM
Who Knows...What.You.Are.Talking.About???
Take your poetry slam/gobbledygook somewhere else. Maybe your local YMCA has some amateur poetry slam night you can sell that to.
Maybe a few midnight basketballers/crack dealers will find your "art" interesting.
JP| 7.3.12 @ 2:34PM
I beg to differ from the author. Today, only 64% of able body adults (younger than retirement age) are employed. That means that 36% are not or cannot work. But, according to the BLS stats, unemployment is only 8.2%. We all know that the unemployment numbers are criminally low balled. But still, what about the remainder? It's not that 36% of thos who are not working are actually looking for work. And unemplotment insurance runs out at 2 years.
Look no further than Disability. If you're a lawyer who specializes in disability claims, life couldn't be better. Business is thriving. The number of adults who are on disability has soared during the last 3 years. And we are not talking about your grandfather's disability, either. The average monthly disability check in this nation is now $1100. Factor in EBT payments (formerly known as Food Stamps), and a single adult could cash in about $2000/month.
The President isn't stupid. For the "unemployed" who are disability, life is sweet. And guess who will vote to keep the Gravy Train going?
PCPSmokerII| 7.3.12 @ 8:13PM
JT Young, a fucking moron. Forget Obamacare?
Oldefarte| 7.4.12 @ 10:42AM
No he did not misspeak when stating that the private economy is doing just fine, because according to his socialistic and domestic terrorist philosophy, the destruction of the private sector is one of his private goals. His and Democrats' $800 billion non-stimulus was a complete L-I-E in that it was promoted as being for this nations's infrastructure improvements using 'shovel-ready jobs'. Instead, the bullexcremented purpose of same was a political payoff to his labor union supporters in order to maintain state/local governmental jobs. At that time, the economy was in the beginning of its recession, with private sector companies laying off thousands of its employees in order to survive in same. Naturally state/local governments would have had to do likewise and terminate its employees, but Obama/Democrats provided the $800 bil to same which allowed these governments to maintain their employment status and not have to terminate anyone. And why did this happen? Simple.....all state/local governmental employees are LABOR UNIONIZED, that's why. So while the private sector was suffering from the recession, these state/local governments were living high off the hog of taxpayers' money!!!!
Ron Ackenberry| 7.4.12 @ 12:20PM
Forget Obamacare?
Yes:
1. Most people have insurance, the law pertains to a relative small minority of slackers and have nots. Meanwhile, a closer look will reveal the law has some good elements...for everyone.
2. ObamaCare and RomneyCare are the same thing. Do you really want to go there?
3. Only 6% of the population think health care is our most important issue according to a recent ABC poll. Bangingon the ObamaCare drum may likely fall of deaf ears.
I don't know if the economy is the most important issue. I think probably not, anymore.
Ideological extremism seems to be in. Name your rant, that's what's important.
Anyway, in many respects the economy is fine compared to other time blocks. The stock market is semi-gang busters, gas and oil prices are down, unemployment rate is getting lower however glacierly slow and so on.
So I guess everything is fine then.
Right?
George True| 7.4.12 @ 3:28PM
The troll who calls himself Purp is a Perfect Useful Idiot. It does not matter what the objective truth may be, he is not interested in it. Like all socialists/progressives, all that matters to him is that his side wins, and the actual truth of any matter be damned.
Purp is like the infamous Baghdad Bob, who proclaimed to the TV cameras that the Americans had been defeated, even as our tanks rolled by right behind him.
Truth scares the hell out of people like Purp. Because if the actual, objective truth became known to them, their entire house of cards of beliefs that they base their self-image on would collapse. So it is far less discomfiting to them to simply deny objective reality.
So-called conservatives are the actual liberals, in the classic sense of the word. We have a thirst for the truth. Not the truth as we would prefer it to be, but the actual truth of ultimate objective reality. We thirst for the truth so badly, that we are willing to follow it wherever it may lead us, even if it leads us into places that force us into an agonizing reappraisal of everything we thought we believed in. It is from THAT PLACE, that we formulate our values and code of conduct.
That is why those such as Purp heap such vitriol upon people like us. We scare the hell out of them, because they have not made the journey into pursuing truth wherever it may lead, because it would force them to let go of large parts of their carefully constructed image of who they think they are.
Purp| 7.4.12 @ 4:09PM
OMG, no, you don't scare me. You may be worrisome in your hardened beliefs, for that's what they are, but make me scared, no.
You're just sadly misguided.
If the places you seek truth are only conservative rags, publications and broadcasts, what else do you think you'll hear as "Truth"?
Have you ever read anything about Keynesian Economics? I've read the Road to Serfdom, and am therefore more well rounded in my education as just 2 examples come to mind.
Recently, a young man, Justin Krohn, discussed his conversion from Conservative to more Liberal mindedness. He was a focal point at 2 CPAC conventions as a 13 and 14 yr old. He's now 17. He found conservatism to be too constricting, too rigid and unbending. Too dogmatic and he's turned against conservatism.
I understand your plight - you're stuck in a box and you can't get out. Not until you drop all the falsehoods and hypocrisy that make up the conservative philosophy.
Like your Republican representatives that tell you one thing to get elected and do another when elected. Jobs? Where are the jobs programs, Mr. Boner.
George True| 7.4.12 @ 10:11PM
You are the one who is ossified in your thinking. The talking points you regurgitate ad nauseum are the very definition of hardened beliefs.
Who said anything about "conservative rags, publications, and broadcasts"? That's your pitiful attempt at obfuscation. I'm talking about re-examining and questioning ALL of one's beliefs, which is clearly and obviously something you have never even contemplated, let alone attempted.
Yes, I have read the original works of John Maynard Keynes, as well as literally thousands of other books. And by the way, shortly before his death Keynes said that he had been wrong about everything regarding economic theory. An inconvenient fact, that you will no doubt try to deny.
Regarding the 'conversion' of the young master Krohn, what does any teenager know?!? Nothing! Absolutely nothing! He knew nothing when he became a conservative cause celebre at age 14, and he still knows nothing at age 17.
It is you who are in a prison of your own making. Like all leftists, you know so much that just isn't so. In the Yoga Sutras, in chapter one, paragraph one, verse one, Patanjali says that the first thing you must understand is that ALL dogma is inherently false. There is only truth. And the truth simply is.
As one who continues to chant rah rah for my side, it is abundantly obvious that you have never examined your beliefs. If you had, you would not be spouting dogma.
Cobalt| 7.4.12 @ 3:34PM
July 4, 2005 --Obama and Bill Ayers
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-G.....ly-4-2005/
Purp| 7.4.12 @ 4:57PM
Breitbart - now there's a reliable source .... ha