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Elmendorf's advice like Krugman's is based on sound economic reality with historic precedence. Spend your way out! The working class are the real job creators, when we spend, a cycle of demand, new jobs, and economic expansion follows. Of course the Republicans prefer continuation of Reaganomics hitting the fan, which appears to me to be unmedicated insanity meshed in with a Godly pursuit of stopping that socialist Muslim in the White House.
Let's see, throw in some black death and these science deniers have taken us full circle back to a time before the age of enlightenment.
OK Rand, let's try one more time, after all it's been a few hundred years..repeat after me..HUMANITARIANISM -the desire to better the lot of all mankind.
I agree with the posts above, we need massive protests with healthy civil disobedience asap.
Good work. He also sided with the Reublicans who tried to throw more than 1 million veterans out of the VA health care system during the budget debate. That is not a step forward.
Good thoughts. I'll add that this nation's leadership is hell bent on spending everything on phony defense schemes and overseas wars that make the country weaker, not safer or stronger. America is already a disaster. Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and their allies have grown incredibly wealthy off their war profits. We ought to be outraged, and as a united nation, turn away from the politics of war and destruction. The real "magic" here is that Americans are still willing to sell this country and the future of our children down the drain for a few poisoned trinkets and beads from China. Ignorance is not bliss when the very existence of the nation is being threatened.
I agree 100% and am trying to find ways to fight back against our government which is little more than a criminal enterprise at this time. I'm considering options, but would like to see enough citizens unite so that we could surround the Capitol, White House and Supreme Court, even if it were for just one day. For those who can't get to Washington, try your local representative's office. Call or write to them relentlessly. Nothing will change until the people stand up and fight this government that is waging a war of destruction on the American people. Thank you.
ANY one who agrees with allowing a human die because they develope a serious illness is throwing their own under the bus with this belief of YEAH let them die --just plainly not Christian thinking!!! Remember, this could happen to you or your family in a micro minute when the insurance companies refuse to pay off on what you thought was great coverage.
Terrific job of putting your thoughts down. A lot can change between now and the primaries and the general election, but as of this time I do not support nor believe in Barack Obama. He fooled me and millions of others once, but that's once too often when the nation is in such turmoil and peril. I'm sorry to see that the only positive ratings for the President are because of Libya and terrorism. My country has been at war every day of my 63 years of life. Isn't it time that the American people reject warfare as the only approved course of action? No matter how hard Americans work at home, it is all undone by the relentless pursuit of war and economic domination abroad. Bringing our troops home will stop the bleeding here. You can't have both guns and butter as the old saying goes.
Barbazza I'm with you, I remain postive and believe if they're smart enough with all that is going on they should have no other choice than to do what is right for the people. The people have to stand up, get out there - keep sending msgs. to each and every one of the twelve.
I like the way you said that. The truth can often be said with just a few words. You'd better get a trademark or copyright on that. It's a good way to remember what is happening to our nation.
As we entered the Great Depression, the personal and business debt was out of control. The 20's was an age driven by the automobile, speculation, and consumer electronics (wash machines, vacumms, radio, etc.), and credit was readily availabel and cheap due to the movement of gold to the US. At one point, over 40% of the worlds gold was here. I think we have a similar situation now, where people and business are paying down their debt.
Bullseye!
That is NOT how Blitzer formatted the question. It was a healthy, 30 year old that CHOSE not to buy health care insurance. There was no mention of poverty. Big difference. Responsible people make good choices. The rest expect the government to take care of them. God help us, as this entitlement mentality is quickly ruining our country.
ALSO, RE JOBS: SMALL BUSINESSES DON'T NEED MORE EMPLOYEES MORON, THEY NEED MORE CUSTOMERS - - THEN THEY WILL NEED MORE EMPLOYEES. GIVE BAIL-OUTS TO PEOPLE WHO WILL SPEND IT AS SOON AS THEY GET IT. WHIRLWIND OF NEW BUSINESS ACTIVITY.
the only way for to preserve the new deal is for President Obama to anounce that he is not running in 2012. The republicans have so toxified the governing process that it has tainted the President and he has lost the confidence of to many of the American people to govern. This has greatly hurt his chances for re-election. A republican win would put into peril all that progresive minded people have worked so hard for. If its Democratic values against republican values, democrates win. If its republican blowhards against an inefective incumbant president then they loose.
Found these on whitehouse.gov. What do you think? There are others. No one brings
these up and I wonder why? Seems like something that people should know about who are concerned about the revolving door and lobbyists.
Posted on March 14, 2011 at 04:05 PM EDTType: Good Government - Open, Transparent & Accountable
President Obama has taken historic steps to close the "revolving door" that carries special interest influence in and out of the government by prohibiting former lobbyists from working on issues on which they lobbied ... branch appointees from accepting gifts from lobbyists. Second, he closes the revolving door that allows government officials to move to and from private sector jobs in ways that give that sector undue influence over government. Third, he requires ... that is directly and substantially related to my former employer or former clients, including regulations and contracts. "3. Revolving Door Ban -- Lobbyists Entering Government . If I was a registered lobbyist within the 2 years before the ...
Presidential Memorandum--Lobbyists on Agency Boards and CommissionsPosted on June 18, 2010 at 01:16 PM EDTType: Press Article, Presidential Memoranda
inauguration, I signed Executive Order 13490, which places strict limits on the ability of lobbyists to serve in Government positions related to their prior lobbying activities. Last September, we took another step to close therevolving door through which ... MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES SUBJECT: Lobbyists on Agency Boards and Commissions My Administration is committed to reducing the undue influence of special interests that for too long has shaped the national agenda and drowned out the voices of ordinary Americans. Special interests exert this disproportionate influence, in part, by relying onlobbyists who have special access that is not available to all citizens. Although lobbyists can sometimes ...
Ending Lobbyist Appointments to Agency Boards and CommissionsPosted on June 18, 2010 at 01:34 PM EDTType: Open Government Initiative, Blog Post
or re-appoint currently-registered federal lobbyists to advisory boards or commissions. This directive formalizes an aspiration we first announced last September and that agencies have implemented successfully on a trial basis ever since. Read the Presidential Memorandum. For too long, lobbyists have wielded disproportionate influence in Washington. It’s one thing for lobbyists to represent their clients’ interests in petitions to the government, but it’s quite another, and not appropriate, for lobbyists to hold privileged positions could enable them to advocate for their clients from within the government. It was for this reason that the President took steps on his first day in office to close the revolving door through which ...
http://www.gallup.com/poll/149447/Americans-Favor-Obama-Jobs-Plan.aspx?u...
It just goes to show that inteligent voters actually do favor the jobs bill as well as most independents.
September 14, 2011Americans Favor Obama Jobs Plan by 45% to 32%Majority of those closely following news about it favor its passageby Frank Newport
PRINCETON, NJ -- By 45% to 32%, more Americans want their member of Congress to vote for rather than against a jobs bill similar to the one President Obama proposed last week, with the rest having no opinion.
Obama proposed the "American Jobs Act of 2011" in his speech to Congress on Sept. 8, and sent the bill to Congress on Sept. 12, saying the purpose of the bill is to "put more people back to work and put more money in the pockets of working Americans."
Sen. Harry Reid has introduced the bill in the Senate, but so far it has not been introduced in the House. There is no indication yet as to when either body will take up the bill, or what the chances are that Congress will pass some or all of it. A number of Republican leaders have already gone on record as opposing the bill.
Attentive Americans Solidly Back Jobs Bill
While fewer than half of all Americans favor passage of a jobs bill similar to Obama's, a solid majority of Americans who are following news of the bill very closely, 57%, want to see it passed.
Those who are not following it too closely also tend to favor the bill's passage, 43% vs. 26%, with a fairly large percentage having no opinion. The majority of those who say they are not following news about the Obama jobs bill at all have no opinion on the issue, with the rest closely divided but tilting against the bill.
Fifty-six percent of Americans are following news about Obama's jobs bill either very or somewhat closely, while 22% are not following it closely and another 21% say they are not following it at all. There is little difference in the percentages of Democrats, independents, and Republicans who are following news of the bill closely.
Independents Tilt in Favor of Bill
The Gallup survey describes the bill as "similar to the one President Obama has proposed," making it not surprising that Democrats strongly support it, while Republicans oppose it. Still, Democrats' support is more widespread than Republicans' opposition. This -- combined with independents' greater likelihood to favor than to oppose the bill -- results in the overall 45% to 32% tilt in support among all Americans.
Implications
The jobs bill President Obama proposed has many parts to it, and most Americans at this point no doubt do not understand fully what would be involved if it were to be passed either in part or as a whole. Still, over half say they are paying very or somewhat close attention to news about the bill, and the initial reaction from this group is much more positive than negative, suggesting that the president has public opinion on his side on this issue at this initial juncture.
Republican leaders have already objected to many parts of the bill, and 6 in 10 rank-and-file Republicans across the country say they would want their member of Congress to vote against the bill. But 4 in 10 Republicans either don't have an opinion on the bill or say they favor it, and this, combined with the plurality support from independents and the strong support among Democrats, gives the bill its overall positive footing.
Discussion and debate of Obama's proposals will likely expand in the weeks to come and, as is usual with these types of policy issues, this discussion and spin will change the public's views. At this point, however, while the president cannot count on majority support for his bill, he can note that more Americans support his ideas than oppose them.
I would like to think that common sense would prevail, but watching the Republicans in action on TV and during their debates I don't think they will. Defeating Obama in 2012 remains their principal concern. Unfortunately, a lot of people out here do not seem to be getting the message that they want nothing more then to push them into poverty so that the rich can become even richer.
FIRST, THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF ACTUAL STUFF -- PLENTY OF FOOD, CARS, HOUSES, CLOTHING ---STORES ARE AWASH IN STUFF; ENOUGH FOR A GOOD LIFE FOR ALL.
SECOND, BIG TIME SHORTAGE OF MONEY IN CIRCULATION.---ALL BEING HOARDED BY A GREEDY FEW---PASS LAWS TO MAKE THEM SPEND IT
THIRD, SO-CALLED "NATIONAL DEBT" IS A FRAUD--- FORGET ABOUT IT ---IT IS JUST THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY IN THE PUBLIC ECONOMY -- CIRCULATING AND HOARDED.---EVERY DOLLAR OF INCREASE IN THE "NATIONAL DEBT" IS A DOLLAR IN YOUR POCKET; EVERY DOLLAR OF DEBT REDUCTION IS A DOLLAR OUT OF YOU POCKET. GOVERNMENT SPENDING PUTS MONEY INTO THE ECONOMY; TAXES TAKE MONEWY OUT OF THE ECONOMY. WANNA BE BROKE? - CUT GOVT SPENDING AND RAISE TAXES.
REMEMBER, LOSS IN THE VALUE OF THE DOLLAR HURTS THOSE WHO HAVE LOTS OF DOLLARS AND HELPS THOSE WHO OWE LOTS OF DOLLARS.
That does not include all the non-cash benefits available. This includes food stamps, WIC's, section 8 housing or low income housing, subsidies for utilities, and of course medicaid. Thus a small increase in these programs could be a large increase to the family. I know one, with a husband, wife, and three kids in a three bedroom house for $220/month.
Interesting that some of the most heavily Democratic states have the highest percentage of bad bridges:
http://www.statemaster.com/graph/trn_bri_per_fun_obs_or_str_def-percent-...
In fact, Kentucky is in the middle of the pack. Remember that a lot of bridge maintenance is local and state in nature -- one can't blame everything on the feds. So where were the state and local governments of Hawaii, DC, Massachusetts, Rhose Island, Connecticut, Vermont, etc., all pretty liberal states, when it came to maintaining their bridges?
Also, one cannot blame this on Reagan particularly. We had 8 years of Clinton, 3 of Obama, so the Dems had a fair shot at rebuilding the country. What all the presidents had in common was bloated defense budgets, or, I should say, bloated offense budgets.
The poverty benchmark in the US for a family of four is laughable: $22,000.
Tell me what family of four can live on $30,000 a year let alone $22,000. Calcularte the percentage of Americans who live under the more realistic benchmark and then you'll get a better picture of the hurt in our country.
...and another thing! I DO NOT WANT A PAYROLL REDUCTION TO MY SOCIAL SECURITY! I WANT A REDUCTION IN MY FEDERAL WITHHOLDING! JUST LIKE THE CORPORATIONS WHO WHINE AND SNIVEL ABOUT TO MUCH TAX!!!!! i WANT A CAP ON MORTGAGE INTEREST DEDUCTIONS. A CAP ON CONTRIBUTIONS. I WANT CAP GAINS TAX AT THE SAM ELEVEL US SHLUBS HAVE TO PAY. BUT BEST OF ALL? HOLD ON TO YOUR YOU KNOW WHATS! i WANT THE WAGE BASE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY TO BE THE SAME AS MEDICARE!!!
and if they can't get it together? i want my cash now! you know the approx. social security i would get from say 65-88. buy what my little note told me the other day that would be about 500k. I'll bury it some where until i'm 65. at least i'll fell a little bit more secure then i do today. And then when 88 hits? I'll just go live in the street...
Right on!----- in reply to dianhow
my 2cents worth yet again...the poor are poorer 'cuz the rich are richer! wgaes are flat, have been for ages. but meanwhile back at the ranch the wealthy business owner is taking 3-4 europian vacations a year, able to put max contributions into thier retirement plans, oh..look at that...buy another rental property and , huh...wha...pull up in a new Benz?Not to effin' mention not pay a dime on the corporate tax return!
The poor employee? when going to ask for a miniscule 15% increase in his $17 an hour stipend so he himself can start trying to catch up retirement after having his own 25 year old account hiested buy bankster, is looked as a laughable. "What?" exclaims his wealthy employer. "Do you think I 'm made of effin' money? Hell belz man, I can't even make payroll. Do you know exactly how much more it would cost me to pay you more? " "uh...well as a matter of fact sir, I do....uh...see ..uh'cuz thats what you pay me for, (you stupid ass)!"
The poor shlub has to grin and bare as he listens to the sheer level of bullshit his employer now wants to try to spoon feed him, the whole be thankful you got a job line of shit as 14 million would give anything to have such a great job and up in his head all he can think about is how when hes old and gray how he'll be eating spam, mac and cheese. washing it down with Pabst blue ribbon and pray his own kids are doing better then he is. All because his tight ass boss whom obviously could really give a shit about anybody is truly the new opitome of the new American business culture!
Hey kids! make sure you start learning to be an unethical douche bag that seems to be the new norm.
The Gang of 12 is bound to fail. I am a magician, I can tell when I am about to be fooled. This Gang of 12 is a sharade that was intended to fail so that the automatic cuts would go into place. The problem with the automatic cuts is that they are arbitrary and will lead to further destruction of the economy. It does not matter where the cuts come from all of them will harm the economy. The Gang of 12 is a disaster waiting to occur. The only way out of this recession is to pay our way out of it. The Democrats and the Repubilcans know that is true. Only the Republicans lie and say that we cannot afford to spend. They fear that spending our way out of the recession will make Obama look good and help his re-election. They are willing to sacrifice the economy to hurt president Obama. The Republicans are not interested in good government, they are only interested in pleased the corporate leaders who fund their election campaigns.
Philip Henderson, Ethical Magician
GOD NO we tried that from 1980 Reaganomics Bush GOP deregulation, total amnesty , guns sold to Iran - huge unfunded debt - Bush Cheney 2008 global crash 700 billion TARP scam on taxpayers - 2 long failed wars based on lies- profits- greed- corp tax cuts- loopholes.