Today's edition of quick hits:
* Recovery from Isaac along the Gulf Coast is slow going. Mitt Romney was in New Orleans today for a photo-op, and President Obama will tour affected areas on Monday.
* The president traveled to Fort Bliss today, marking the anniversary of the end of the war in Iraq. (Also note his comments on the fight with Congress over the sequester.)
* On a related note, I still find this stunning and can only imagine how big a scandal it would be if Romney were a Democrat: "With America embroiled in its longest armed conflict, Mitt Romney became the first Republican since 1952 to accept his party's nomination without mentioning war."
* Have I mentioned lately that austerity doesn't work? "The contraction in the euro-zone economy steepened in August, an advance gauge of activity showed Friday, and the number of unemployed rose to hit a new record high of more than 18 million, adding to recent evidence the euro zone's slide into recession is accelerating."
* Fortunately, the damage was minor: "An earthquake of 7.6 magnitude struck off the Philippines on Friday killing one person, damaging roads and bridges and sending people fleeing to higher ground in fear of a tsunami, a politician and authorities said."
* Good move: "President Barack Obama will sign an executive order Friday directing the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand mental health services and suicide prevention efforts."
* Mitt Romney's convention speech drew about 25.3 million viewers last night. That's not bad, but John McCain's generated nearly 39 million viewers four years ago.
* After days of watching Republicans chant "we built it," Andy Sabl asks the question I've been pondering all week: "If we all built it, who are we and what is it?"
* Oh my: "Tom Smith, the Republican Senate nominee in Pennsylvania, told two women at a recent Paul Ryan event that he assumed they were talking amongst themselves about shoes. A few days later at a Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon, Smith compared President Obama and Sen. Bob Casey's inability to handle the economy to a wife who 'wrecks the car' and takes it 'to the beauty salon to get it fixed.'"
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
Leave a Comment:
Yes, Tom, women talk about shoes. But they also talk about the economy, about asto-physics, about nuclear engineering, about foreign affairs, and a WHOLE LOT of everything else.
Tom, maybe you should "listen" when women speak!!
re: austerity. It isn't meant to stimulate the economy it's meant to pay off debts. It seems that Democrats are just run of the mill deadbeats. As one person put it, if loading up lots of debt were really the way to prosperity, Greece would be Germany.
@shooter
Explain to me how a country can pay off debt if the economy is failing into a recession.
Very slowly.
OK it wasn't that funny. We are in a public and private debt recession. There is so much debt that it is taking a large portion of the public and private cash flow to support. In actuality, most of that debt can't be paid back. So the first step is to reduce the rate of debt generation. The second step is getting business back in gear. The last step is figuring out who is going to get stiffed.
Number two is crucial. Here's what I wrote to you earlier, I don't know if you saw it.... maphi, I had an epiphany about the disconnect around the economy. The left wants to do this and that to stimulate the economy, while carrying an anti-business attitude and disdain for the idea of profit.
The problem there is that the economy is business. Profit is what fuels the economy and Govt. In short, damaging business is damaging the economy. In our current situation we could jump start business by exploiting our new found energy reserves.
I understand that some people find that distasteful, but as the man says, in a crisis you can't always sell what you want, you sell what you can. And as I usually do, I point out N. Dakota as prime example of resulting prosperity.
That is how we get out of recession and pay down debt, public and private.
Tax cuts and wars account for 1/2 of Public Debt by 2019. Those are both Bush Policies, there is a chart
http://www.cbpp.org/research/index.cfm?fa=topic&id=29
Shooter,
As usual, you and the neoclassical economists have it dead wrong. Read this if you can - if not, just look at the pretty pictures:
http://seekingalpha.com/article/828511-what-s-debt-got-to-do-with-it-a-lot
and may I quote?
Seekingalpha is hardly a leftwing rag!
Now shoo, worm!!
Personally I'm in favor of cutting defense and keeping the tax rates where they've been for the last decade.
Bring the troops home.
@shooter Re: #2.5
We agree - cut defense in a responsible way and bring the troops home.
Regarding tax rates:
The CBO has 2 budget projections, extended baseline scenario and an extended alternative fiscal scenario.
I call the last one the extended alternative fiscal DISASTER.
From the CBO report, March 23, 2012 to Paul Ryan:
The main difference between the two projections is that the second is calculated assuming that the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts DO NOT expire as scheduled.
It is clear from this that " keeping the tax rates where they've been for the last decade." as you suggest is simply not an option.
I don't necessarily think the tax cuts should expire - I think we need to reform the entire tax code.
For instance, why does WalMart pay something like 35% in taxes, but large corporations like GE pay next to nothing. Something is not right there.
Go read about Herbert Hover.
maphi, the fatal flaw in the left's efforts around taxes is trying to apply them to only one group. Either apply the Clinton rates across the board or forget it. The right will never allow taxes on just the wealthy. Not only is obnoxious to ding the people already paying the most, it totally negates the whole Clinton rates brought prosperity meme. Otherwise it's an exercise of spite and retribution, and that isn't going to fly.
Meanwhile, GE these days is mainly a bank. That's why they aren't paying taxes.
maphi, the fatal flaw in the
left'sright's efforts around taxes is trying to apply them to only one group.There. I corrected your sentence, blanks.
The rest of your post is bull@!$%#.
shooter, You believe it is obnoxious to ding the people paying the most. From that statement it seems to me that you believe that a rich person should pay no more than a poor person.
I believe that, at the very least, the rich should pay the same percentage as the poor in income taxes. I also beleive the tax code needs rewritten because the way it is now, it has been written by the rich and powerful for their advantage.
Your defense of the rich and powerful to the detriment of poor is just plain sad.
I see a train wreck in Tom Smith's future.
I hope Rachel has time to mention that boxer Micky Ward (The Fighter), who had previously come out supporting Scott Brown in the race in Massachusetts has reversed his decision today stating “I found out Scott (Brown) is anti-union and I’m a Teamster guy,” said Ward. “I found out he’s also against gay marriage and I say if you love someone you should have the same rights no matter who you are.” http://blogs.lowellsun.com/thecolumn/2012/08/31/the-fighter-bails-brown/
You would vote for a fraud because the other guy is anti union, and doesn't support Gay Marriage. Never mind
I wanted to touch on Clint Eastwood last night. Look at it from a different view. He touched on the things Obama tried to get done that was blocked by the Rep. He gave Pres. Obama the question everyone wants an answer to on the promises he made. He ended with if the people we send to Washington do not do their job vote them out. The Rep are the ones not doing their job.
Mr. Eastwood is a very inteligent man and knows how to talk between the lines. He put Obama at the convention speaking out against the Reps.
He hurt the Reps. but helped the Dems a lot. Please go over his segment of the again and see if you can see what I saw.
Hilde.
I am commenting about Mr. Eastwood at the convention. He brought Pres. Obama to that convention in a very sly way. If you look at it from that point of view you can see what he was doing. He made it plan to me that the Reps. are the ones not doing their job and obstructing the Pres. He even told the Prs. the main question he needs to answer for relection. If you look at it from that side you will see what a sly fox Mr. Eastwood really is and the Republicans have missed it. He made it plain with the comment about Getmo, spelling not good, but why it wasn't closed when the Pres. tried to do it.
Just perhaps Eastwood's performance was payback for being roundly dissed by Repubs over the Chrysler Super Bowl ad. They seem to have forgotten that, but maybe he didn't forget - or forgive.
Only last year, Raw Story reported:
He was quoted from GQ magazine:
Revenge ("a dish best served cold") is even better when the target (Repubs) don't realize they are being insulted until later. I picture him rocking on his back porch, overlooking the pond, a little sneer at the corner of his mouth. "Ever notice how you come across somebody once in a while you shouldn't have @!$%#ed with? That's me." - 'Gran Torino'
ADR may have realized the insult. Her face during Eastwood's schtick was even more of a 'sour prune' expression than normal - she was definitely not laughing.
She said today she wishes the "Mitt is a swell guy" (my words, not a quote) video had been shown in prime time. She doesn't understand - we don't care who he is, we want to know what he's going to do. Actually, we are afraid we know what he's going to do.
Yet, here we are, 24 hours later, and we're talking about Eastwood over Romney 99 to 1.
Thanks, Clint.
I find it interesting how much our democratic process is in danger these days. Millionnaires and billionnaires can contribute millions to the campaign of their choice while people like me can afford to contribute a hundred dollars--but somehow that enables 'free speech' and allows us all to have an 'equal voice' in the democratic process. We have Republicans passing voter restriction laws that disproportionately disenfranchise more democratic and republican voters--and they do it in plain sight even stating that they are purposely fixing the election to favor Romney. And, there is no longer any sanctions against outright lying to public in campaign speeches and adds. We send representatives around the world to help ensure fair voting in developing countries, but we no longer have a fair democratic process in our country. How far we have fallen.
Do you realize most countries make you identify yourself befoer you can vote ? The voter ID law does not descriminate. It says everyone must have ID. 12 OF 10 voters in Chicago will vote Obama.
I'm Catholic and pretty serious about my religion. It's the playing fast and loose with the facts that makes me the most unhappy with the Republicans. We all know who the Father of Lies is. I want to ask people who they think they are supporting when they are supporting someone who lies so easily and so frequently. I've watched politicians for years use the abortion issue as a fig leaf to hide a multitude of horrible anti life positions, as if all of our votes can be purchased by that one pro life stance. Catholic social teaching is a lot more complicated than just the abortion issue, and I, at least, cannot bring myself to vote Republican until they stop lying, stop promoting hate and racism, stop trying to scare people and change most of their anti life positions.
Surely I'm not the only one that reads Krugman...
re: North Dakota, scale matters.
http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/11/when-scale-matters/
Austerity doesn't work in our current economic situation (zero bound liquidity trap or something-or-other.) You can believe Rachel, me, some guy named Shooter or the guy with the Nobel Prize who has been right every step of the way in this Lesser Depression. The choice is yours.
Don Brown
I'm wondering why that shooting in Old Bridge NJ didn't get much coverage today. Was it because "only" three people died? Are we getting enured to that kind of violence?
What makes a shooting headline newsworthy?
The number, the circumstances, the religion of the people involved?
Are we enured to that kind of violence? Yes.
Does anyone know what Trump did at the convention? Remember when he was claiming he had a "big role" to play? I didn't watch all of it, but funny, I don't recall hearing his name at all!!!
I guess they decided Clint was the better bet. Heh...
once
Trump was suppose to do something (probably with an Obama impersonator) on Monday that was so conveniently cancelled due to hurricane Issac. There was a GOP sigh of relief.
Something in the water in PA?
Think Progress reports that PA republican delegate Mark Harris and his wife Irene were "highly outraged" when they visited Epcot's American pavilion and found a "Mexican" working there.
http://thinkprogress.org/election/2012/08/31/781511/rnc-delegate-offended-by-presence-of-mexican-at-disneys-epcot-center/
I heard the Dems were enraged to find a white straight guy was also working there
The Bloomberg article that you linked states that Romney's speech "attracted about 30.3 million viewers" and touts it as a 40% increase over the previous night. Whoop, whoop! However, by my math it appears to be 25.29 million viewers which answered the question of where you came up with your approximation of 25.3 million. Numbers matter... and especially when compared to McCain's 39 million four years ago. Not so much whoop but more of a whoopsie.
Steve: You usually catch the subtleties, but you missed one of Mr. Smith's whoppers. He specifically said the wife was driving HIS car. I guess just like the wife, all things residing in the household are HIS, even the car she is given permission to drive. Ah, the good old days with that madcap, Lucy!!!
Appreciated the video for the President's speech at Fort Bliss. It's good to see people recognized. It's good to see something constructive and concrete happen amid all the campaign ads and attacks and congressional gridlock. Granted this kind of event is going to be more of a positive, feel-good event, but it's satisfying to see our military acknowledged and to see efforts towards increasing employment and reducing the high suicide rates.
Years ago, I remember reading about those high interest check cashing centers, which in part preyed on military families. This year, they finally made progress with the consumer protection agency (the one where Obama had wanted to appoint Elizabeth Warren)--they finally made progress in providing greater regulation on those centers. Years ago, I wondered if they should have some sort of credit union for military families where they could have pay day loans at much lower interest rates and which could then help them transition into savings. Anyway, it's good to know that progress is being made.
Our buddy @!$%#ter is oft to offer his malignant position on this and that, but one thing he proffers is quite telling, and begs a question. If the top 2% pay 60% of the taxes, now shooter shake off that last swig of rotgut whiskey, yet make 98% of the money; why should 98% of the country, with only 2% of the money be paying 40% of the taxes? It's really simple....NO!... until the top 2% pay 98% of the taxes to go along with their 98% of the wealth...the system is wrong. Its quite simple..100% of the population pays taxes, but if you are only allowed( I'll repeat ALLOWED) to earn 60,000 for a year, why should a man who made 2 million not be expected to pay the same rate as you? Income is income is income...just like murder is murder is murder, and rape is rape is rape...of course, if you are republican..well....
Jim Morin, the Pulitzer winning editorial cartoonist featured in The Miami Herald, has a clear idea of the Republican's stand - take a look:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/08/29/2974583/83012.html
"he assumed they were talking amongst themselves about shoes."
35 years ago, when I worked for a record company, my female colleagues and I would get together to discuss work and office politics, secure in the knowledge that if any of the men passed by (and these were all really good guys) they would assume we were talking about hair styles. We had privacy with the door open.
For some men, time does NOT march on.
Jim Morin, Pulitzer winning editorial cartoonist featured in The Miami Herald, has really got the GOP's number. Look at his reaction to Paul Ryan's speech:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/08/29/2974583/83012.html
Here is a therory./////Carl Rove, Rush, Cheney, the Koch bros and all of their followers (The good ole boys club) have a monstrous plan that could happen if this country doesn't do something about this now. And both Romney and Ryan could push their agenda to the point of no return in this country. Both of these candidates will be puppets and will do anything they say. What if the issue about wanting to take away all reproductive rights for women? taking away federal funds that help our poor would be so destructive. Our poor would be so desolate that they would rebel against the Government and create another Civil War. Cuz obviously the middle class has something against the misfortunate according to the message i got when Rit Nomney (ha!) said in his speech about the poor. The states would become divided. That's pretty scary!! They already have lobbyist in their back pocket and don't forget all the far righters in our Government that are causing this recession for not passing any bills for the past 2 yrs. It really is a disgrace to our country. I believe we should start from scratch with our Constitution and our Bill of Rights and define each word for clarification and no one can misinterpret the documents. We should all have compassion and respect for every human being. For me, this is hard for me to do cuz of so much corruption and dishonesty in this world. But I believe in this country, we are the most caring people in this world and I am proud to be an American. I just hope that's the case after this election.
The Executive Summary of day #1 Republican National Convention speeches in Tampa, FLA for those who missed while following Hurricane Isaac Updates. (this is what they meant, not what they were reading on the teleprompter)
Rick Santorum /Loser GOP Candidate and Ex Penn Senator:
Thank god we are the party of pro-life. Life starts at a thought. once you think about conceiving you can't abort that thought, or you are a killer. life is precious except for that homeless person on the street, I don't care if he dies, you had your one chance loser. Let me tell you a story about Bella.. oh yeah,did you know that because of same sex marriage there is an assault on my man-women marriage? I mean I really like my wife, but I am so tempted by some of these guys I may run off and have a gay marriage and ruin my straight one. It's a personal assault on my marriage. oh yeah, I have to mention Romney. I know I said he was a GIANT liar, and I hated him, but I think he has good family values. anyway, you should vote for life in any case, and he's alive. oh yeah also your liberties are being taken away by obama so you should hate him.
Ron Paul/ Other Loser GOP candidate:
They didn't give me a full speaking slot as they thought I might drive this convention off the rails, like the other day when I said I don't really support Romney and I think he is a GIANT liar. But anyway, they let me show this quick warm and fuzzy video. I'll hit the play button now, they asked me to leave before I make trouble.
Ann Romney / Wife and Homemaker:
I came from women, you came from women, women are our sisters and mothers. I love you women!!! Mitt really is a cool guy, I know he scares you women, and some of you think he's a robot, but he's really super funny, thats why I liked him when we met at that dance, and I moved into a basement apartment with him right away, well, it was a basement under our parents mansion, so you can imagine it was no ordinary basement, but we loved struggling in those days. thank god his dad was a zillionaire so he could afford an elite prep school, Stanford University, and those expensive 2 mission years in Paris, France; geezzz! it was 5 francs to the dollar then!! Mitts Dad even bought our first house… but anyway, tonight I want to talk about Love. Love will conquer all. So be nice and vote for Mitt. He's so funny!
Chris Christie - Governor of New Jersey:
Look what I have done! This is me, this is where I came from, look at me, all of me, we need to hate Obama. I think this Mormon guy is probably going to lose, but I have to back him, we have a deal. Can I tell you more about me?, this is where I came from, this is me. look at me, all of me, we need to hate obama, he is not a leader, ou see, real leaders do not follow polls… ok, so he got Osama Bin Laden and pulled us out of the financial ditch, whatever. But you see, I believe we have become paralyzed, paralyzed by our desire to be loved. Forget about what Ann said about getting stuff done with Love, you and I need to be respected first and they need to do it my way first or I will crush then. Oh yeah, vote for the Romney guy. But if he loses don't say I didn't tell you so, and vote for me in 2016.
To all those watching Bravo or the Weather Channel, or those on Mykonos or Barcelona beaches, here is the fact checked Executive Summary of day #2: Republican Convention speeches that you are sad to have missed. This is the what they really meant to say if they were not reading the teleprompter.
Mike Huckabee -Ex Governor Arkansas/Fox News Commentator;
I know I said before that I think Mitt Romney "has no soul" , "that he was a fraud perpetuated solely by the fact that his “net worth bought him instant status as a serious candidate". But I've changed my mind. Even though Obama IS the only real Christian candidate, and Romney is part of what we used to call a "CULT", we need to beat president Obama. He is a threat to traditional marriage, is a baby killer, and his healthcare plan modeled after our candidates plan, Romney-care, is Anti-Christian. Romney is not perfect but he's not too bad, plus, he's white and we need to get Obama out at all costs.
Condoleezza Rice / Ex Secretary of State under Bush, Wrote "Giant Mushroom Cloud theory" ;
I know you think I'd really make a better Democrat, but the immediate job opportunity came to me under Bush who was Republican (he needed someone with Middle East policy experience, and Russian Studies was close enough for him). Its kind of what happened to Colin Powell you know. Anyway, I came from the south, I remember discrimination and segregation. I am proud to have become the Secretary of State, but I am not done. All you Republican party racists need to get over yourselves and prepare for me to be your first African American Women president. That's going to really kill you I know. But to our viewers, sorry we had to push the whole Obama birther, African Muslim, food stamp guy thing. I had to go with the program to stay on track to maybe become a future president.
John McCain / Senator Arizona, failed 2008 Presidential Candidate:
We have a failed foreign defense policy under Obama. He inherited most of it from Bush, but it's on his watch now. Yes, he got Osama Bin Laden killed, but he didn't do it personally, the Navy Seals did it. I'm still pissed at him for beating me in 2008, and I think he started the Arab Spring. Also, Obama is not bombing anyone and I am very upset about that. We need to bomb people and show them who's in charge.
He's using too much diplomacy and I want to bomb people first. I am way too old to wait for sanctions to work, we need to start a war with Iran and Syria now before I keel over. Trust me, it will bring the economy back and unemployment rates down. I know what you're thinking, I picked Sarah Palin over Mitt Romney as my Vice President, so that should give you a GIANT pause. But last time was me and Sarah "first pick" Palin's turn, and this time it is Mitts. So vote for him. Mostly so I can talk him into bombing people and starting wars again. He's never been in the military, so he will listen to us Neocons like Bush did, who was also not in the military.
Paul Ryan / Vice Presidential Candidate:
I hate government welfare and handouts and we need to cut social services spending. But how amazing was it that my poor mom, against all odds moved ahead in life; educated in a free public school, used a public bus to get to school, and got federal education grants to attend a public university. All of this big government spending worked out really well for us. But that was then and this is now! We need to stop this reckless spending under Obama. He caused the downgrade of the United States’ credit rating, even though it was we Republicans who threatened to not raise the debt ceiling. Obama shut down a big GM car plant in Janesville, Wisconsin, even before he became president! Hows that for balls? The plant closed under President George W. Bush's term in 2008, but we're blaming Obama for it. I asked for a federal bailout to save the same plant from closing even though we republicans are the anti-bailout party. But what do you think I was going to do? This plant was in MY state! It was an election year and I needed to win.
And that $716 billion Obama saved by cost cutting for Medicare, the $716 billion that I also embraced in my republican budget plan? He stole that money from you and you should be mad. He copied our idea and now we are pissed that he is getting the credit.
Finally, we need to ban abortions with no exception for rape or incest. There are a lot of women faking rapes to justify abortions; we have to stop that. These women's "internal "systems" should be preventing this from happening anyway. I know 75% of American voters don't agree, and that we kicked Republican Todd Akin out of our house for saying this to a TV reporter. But I'm on the Romney team now in order to be part of the "solution", so I need to change my beliefs and values to match his. Otherwise, my Dad would say I was part of the "problem".
60 Second Summary of Final Day #3 Republican Convention. To all those STILL watching Bravo and HGTV and the rest who have now moved northward to Ibiza or Tel Aviv beaches, here is the fact checked 60 Second Summary of Final Day #3 Republican Convention, "at-a-glance". This is the what the candidates really said in their heads before glancing at the teleprompter. Remember, you saved 3 hours by not watching the live broadcast like I did.
Newt and Calista Gingrich, Duet: (failed 2008 Presidential candidate and first Lady Candidate: We hated Romney too, and we said some really nasty things about him in the primary, such as "we're not going to beat Barack Obama with some guy who has Swiss bank accounts, profits off the poor, is a liar, is not a conservative, and has an immigration reform plan that is an "Obama level fantasy". But that was in the primary! And besides, we hate Obama way more. Recently we can't stop talking about President Reagan and how good he was for the country. We love to associate ourselves with Reagan as it makes us seem better. Let's talk about Reagan's accomplishments now and hope that you associate them with Romney. Romney's plan for energy independence's is drill baby drill, and Reagan would support that. And remember, Obama is the total opposite of Reagan, so don't vote for Obama. But a vote for Romney is a vote for Reagan. So just think "Reagan" when you are punching that ballot and you'll feel way better.
Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Fla./Candidate 2016 Presidential Race:
Hello, and first let me mention my brother George Bush Jr. since he is nowhere to be seen or heard from at this convention, maybe you forgot about him. But I love him and he kept us safe for 8 years, even if he did spend us into a ditch to do it. The is my first real interview for the 2016 Presidential race and I want to be known as an honorary Latino and Education president in the future. Yo hablo Espanol. Homes, communities, and education needs to be protected. Our public education system is in the toilet while our private system is thriving. I know we Republicans cut funding to public schools in favor of voucher programs for private schools, and my brother George wasted all that money on the "no child left behind" program, but live and learn. All your states educational systems might suck right now, but my state and Romney's state have been doing pretty well. So we know what we are doing, since we did it ourselves and nobody helped. Oh yeah, vote for Romney, and if he doesn't win, vote for me in 2016.
Clint Eastwood / Hollywood Actor Director: Did you know Hollywood is not all Democrats? I brought the other Republican with me, Jon Voight. He won an Oscar in 1960. We used to have Charlton Heston on our team too. Excuse my rambling, I don't do TelePrompTers, I'm talking to this chair. Mr President, you have not done enough for unemployment. The Republicans have a cure for this. Where am I? Didn't I used to be a Democrat? I lost my train of thought. If I say "Make My Day", you will go wild right? I was hired to pick up the energy in this room. Lets try this: Repeat after me " Make My Day" and we'll go back and forth with that.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.:
Wow. I just drank Clint's water on the podium! But lets pray for Cuba's freedom now.
Everyone else who spoke this week claimed they came from near poverty, I did too. Until I got off the island. But even though me and my Republican friends are in the top one percent now, you should be able to relate to us because we came from down where you are now. We don't hate Obama, we just don't like him as president. He promised to pull us out of the ditch that Bush drove us into during his 8 years, but 3 years have gone by, and we're only 70% out of that ditch. Also, he hates rich people, and he likes to divide people. Americans are special and blessed because we are closer to God. Did I mention Romney yet? I'll get to him later. This is my breakout speech for 2016, Jeb Bush was texting me about being on the ticket with him. Let me remind you how poor me and my family used to be again, we need to increase the vote from the 99% . I need to introduce Mitt Romney now, thank you.
Mitt Romney /Presidential Candidate: Hi I'm Mitt. Lets take the attention off of me and put in on Paul Ryan for a minute. He's younger and has a more current iPod playlist. I think Journey is cool, but he likes Zeppelin. Now back to me. Lets talk about the immigrants who built this country, even though we hate them. I should mention how we hate Castro's tyranny to get the Miami Cuban votes and have Mark Rubio rub off on me. Obama's not doing enough! We stepped on the Moon! We are the best country in the world! Please associate me with the greatness of Neil Armstrong. Here's a little story about my privileged upbringing in Michigan. We need to hug our mothers, and fathers and God too! I need to say something now about women to get their vote. I love women, and cars. Let me talk about my wife Ann, since you probably still think I am a robot. I don't have any specifics about how to turn around the economy, so let me bash Obama more, and I'll read you my resume again. Bain, Staples, the Salt Lake Olympics. I'll tell you about the companies we created and not the ones we shut down. Obama's not fixing the country fast enough. We need jobs, I'll get you 12 million of them, its in my plan, but you can't see it yet. Latino's will PROSPER under my jobs plan; as the 1% get wealthier, they buy more houses, and need more gardeners and housekeepers. But wait there's more. I'll give you religious freedom and stop gay marriage! Got an appetite to bomb Russia? I do. And those tax loopholes I said I will close? I can't disclose them until I pull all my money out of my Swiss and Cayman bank accounts. Nevermind. AMERICA!! AMERICA!! God Bless the USA.
Oh, Peter! You summed it up brilliantly!!!!
Well done Peter!!
Desmond TuTu: Bush and Blair should face trial at the Hague. Maybe Romney will be glad to see this statement by TuTu as a distraction away from his taxes.
REPUPLICAN OBSTRUCTIONISM: more of the same leading to destruction.
CURRENT REPUBLICAN PLATFORM: divide, conquer, and suppress by any means and anyones expense.
It has been as much up to the DIVISION displayed in Congress, to quit obstructing any good decisions the current administration has had.
And for CHANGE...Instead of the FEAR the GOP has of moving FORWARD under someone elses watch, and that it might just work to "SAVE AMERICA", as they say...
We should HOPE, they might put their Left foot forward and actually get something done "FOR AMERICA" the PEOPLE, Not just for the Good Ole Politicians for power and for their congulmerates.
Put your political gains and games aside, and get done what should be done! And Let everybody VOTE together for our "BETTER FUTURE"!!