Truth is, the American people don’t know what they want

There’s a lot of fodder for thought and debate in the latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll. But I’ll pick three questions in particular to start the evening conversation. The first involves the attitudes of President Obama and the Republican Party regarding business.

q24

The second addresses the federal deficit and how it might be reduced. It’s easy to criticize our political leaders for refusing to tackle the issue seriously, but these poll results suggest that they’re merely reflecting the lack of seriousness among their constituents they represent. Mathematically, the only way to make serious progress on the spending side of the ledger is to start hacking at entitlements and defense, but 70 percent say they’re uncomfortable with that approach.

The other half of the equation is of course revenue. Fifty-nine percent say they’re uncomfortable with trying to close the deficit by increasing taxes. If you’re a politician, the message from the folks back home is that you can’t cut spending and you can’t raise taxes but you better cut the deficit.

Which is why, I suppose, we get treated to political grandstanding on an earmark ban, which will save a total of $16 billion a year. The public demands that something be done, and that nothing be done, which leaves theater the only option.

As U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., points out, ”Our problems are worsening at a rate of $8 billion a day — so earmarks represent basically two days of our problem. It’s almost impossible for people to comprehend. When I talk even to sophisticated audiences and try to clue them in, they react like kids being told a bedtime story. They want to know, ‘Where’s the happy ending?’ ”

q32

In the third question, Americans are asked about their feelings toward various political figures and institutions. The results suggest that the intense animosity directed at the president from the right is largely contained there, bouncing around in the conservative echo chamber. Overall, Obama’s approval rating in the poll matches his disapproval rating, at 47 percent.

summary

321 comments Add your comment

josef nix

November 18th, 2010
5:04 pm

OOOOHHHH Charts! That’s what I want! :-)

Bye Bye Empire

November 18th, 2010
5:13 pm

“The public demands that something be done, and that nothing be done, which leaves theater the only option.”

And Zarathustra nodded and blinked.

BlahBlahBlah

November 18th, 2010
5:14 pm

Earmarks are a gateway drug. That is why they must be eliminated.

Kamchak

November 18th, 2010
5:14 pm

They want to know, ‘Where’s the happy ending?’ ”

“The massage parlor” immediately leaps to mind.

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
5:17 pm

“Earmarks are a gateway drug. That is why they must be eliminated”

Eliminating most earmarks would not reduce the deficit one penny. Most of them are to direct the distribution of money that has ALREADY been approved to be spent. All the earmarks do is say for WHAT that money will be spent.

Adam

November 18th, 2010
5:18 pm

I don’t really think congress has recently cared too much about what the public actually wants.

On another note, it looks like the numbers favor tax increases more than cutting spending, i.e. less people are uncomfortable about it. Also the questions should probably be pieced out a little. People will likely focus on the one thing in the question that makes them uncomfortable and stick with that.

md

November 18th, 2010
5:18 pm

Looks like the dems didn’t see your charts before voting nancy back in…..they may want a do over.

Funny, a while back I was pooh-poohed for mentioning the large debt over and over and now it is so bad we can’t even comprehend it………………..

saywhat?

November 18th, 2010
5:18 pm

“The public demands that something be done, and that nothing be done, which leaves theater the only option”

Your premise is correct, but your conclusion – “theater the only option” – is erroneous. The only option is to elect a super majority Republican House and Senate and a Republican President. They will be able to fix everything by doing more of what caused the problem in the first place, while simultaneously stopping everything that didn’t cause the problem. Its economics 101, really. Then when the failure reaches even more epic proportions, they can blame the next elected Democratic President for not preventing it.

Adam

November 18th, 2010
5:20 pm

I correct myself. I meant congress hasn’t cared about what the public wants in the Bush years, and then didn’t care about what the public SAID they wanted in the Obama years. Health care reform they wanted, and the evil demonized ACA is what they didn’t want (because it was completely misunderstood due to misinformation). This is still too much of a generality but the point I am making is congress in general doesn’t seem to pay much attention to polls.

Jefferson

November 18th, 2010
5:20 pm

The GOP is who cause the mess, you kids learn nothing just memorize your lines.

Joe the Plutocrat (the artist formerly known as paleo-neo-Carlinist)

November 18th, 2010
5:21 pm

embrace the plutocracy!

Adam

November 18th, 2010
5:21 pm

saywhat?, I enjoyed that comment :D

josef nix

November 18th, 2010
5:21 pm

K’chak

There’s your Econ 101 card! :-)

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
5:22 pm

“Then when the failure reaches even more epic proportions, they can blame the next elected Democratic President for not preventing it.”

Why is that NOT “theater”? Sound like it is to ME!

md

November 18th, 2010
5:23 pm

“Mathematically, the only way to make serious progress on the spending side of the ledger is to start hacking at entitlements and defense, but 70 percent say they’re uncomfortable with that approach.”

Of course, we had to get one more big entitlement program on the books before we can get serious about cutting them all………makes sense………to someone…………

josef nix

November 18th, 2010
5:26 pm

What does the public really want? Bread and circuses. The politicians give us plenty of the latter and so far we’re not having to stand in lines for the former, so I’d posit all is well in Canaan…

Jay

November 18th, 2010
5:26 pm

you’re right, MD, that unpaid-for prescription drug benefit really put it over the top.

Jefferson

November 18th, 2010
5:28 pm

You know what this country needs is a “get even day”

One day a year, anyone who has been wronged during the year will be allowed to “get even”.

Do you think people would wrong someone if they knew “get even” day was comeing?

Scout

November 18th, 2010
5:31 pm

“Truth is, the American people don’t know what they want.”

But ……………… they know what they ‘DON’T WANT’ and that’s OBAMA !

md

November 18th, 2010
5:31 pm

“you’re right, MD, that unpaid-for prescription drug benefit really put it over the top.”

Yep, that one didn’t help either.

Let’s look over at Greece and France and soon to be others………….how many programs are left when there is no money for any of them??

Or, what good is buying car # 6,and 7 when one couldn’t afford 1-5?? In the end, how many cars do we get to keep??

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
5:32 pm

BTW Jay…I disagree with your headline. I think the American public knows WHAT they want, they just don’t know how they want the medicine to get it delivered.

Joe the Plutocrat (the artist formerly known as paleo-neo-Carlinist)

November 18th, 2010
5:32 pm

you know what’s funny about defense spending? from whom do we need to be “defended”? who is going to “invade” the USA? seems to me the biggest threat to the United States is Washington, DC.

saywhat?

November 18th, 2010
5:33 pm

Doggone/GA @ 5:22- Perhaps your sarcasm detector is malfunctioning?

Adam @ 5:21- Thank you.

Logical Dude

November 18th, 2010
5:33 pm

And this is where a strong statesman needs to come in with some common sense and say what is actually needed without regard to political ramifications:

We need to cut spending, and we need to cut it in the largest areas which are Social Security, Medicare, and Defense. It won’t be easy, and some people may struggle in the short term, but it will be better for our country.

We also need to redo our tax system. Whether that means letting ALL Bush tax cuts expire or getting rid of the IRS completely, either way, there will be pain here also for a great number of people.

And while we are doing this, reducing government results in many people not having jobs. Less money is moving through the government to pay things like wages for researchers, scientists, and farmers. This results in less payments to those who build lab equipment, those who build tractors, and those who build rockets. So at the same time we are reducing the government we need to increase the job market in the Public arena.

I’m looking at you big businesses who are hoarding so much money right now. Spend it to hire all these unemployed, and the future unemployed workers who will be coming OUT of the government’s paycheck.

Alas, I haven’t seen any politician say this yet.
There are no more statesmen

Scout

November 18th, 2010
5:33 pm

“Truth is, the American people don’t know what they want”

But ……………. they know what they DON’T WANT and that’s OBAMA !

md

November 18th, 2010
5:34 pm

“Do you think people would wrong someone if they knew “get even” day was comeing?”"

There will always be those that feel they are special and the law does not apply……….

RW-(the original)

November 18th, 2010
5:37 pm

Has a pollster ever asked if we the people think Social Security, Medicare, and Defense spending could be cut by eliminating waste and fraud without having to cut actual preparedness or services?

I bet there would be a pretty high affirmative to that one and then the next question would be, would you be willing to eliminate the waste and fraud.

Logical Dude

November 18th, 2010
5:38 pm

Scout,
And amazingly, they don’t seem to know “why”! Just very generic ramblings about “don’t like change” and stuff.

That’s what amazes me from those who ramble on about Obama, but don’t clearly state why. He’s not perfect by any means, but he certainly isn’t the downfall to the country people try to make him out to be.

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
5:38 pm

“Do you think people would wrong someone if they knew “get even” day was comeing?””

If you wrong them by killing them…they can’t retaliate.

saywhat?

November 18th, 2010
5:38 pm

Scout @ 5:31- How considerate of you to decide for the other 299,999,999 Americans what they don’t want. All along, I thought what they didn’t want was more of the likes of you. Go figure.

Logical Dude

November 18th, 2010
5:39 pm

RW – but then you’d have to hire contractors to detect the fraud. And that means . . . wait for it. . . spending more money!
But I agree, paying out a million in salaries to watchdogs to save a hundred million in fraud would be a great investment.

Southern Comfort

November 18th, 2010
5:43 pm

Truth is, the American people don’t know what they want

About damn time somebody spoke the truth. If it were not more obvious, 47% thinks Obama’s policies are about right and 41% think that for Republican policies. Unless Obama is a closet Republican, there’s some serious partisan disconnect going on in this country. We are no longer the economic king we once were. We’re either going to have to swallow the red pill or the blue pill. It’s decision time…

Southern Comfort

November 18th, 2010
5:44 pm

They want to know, ‘Where’s the happy ending?’ ”

“The massage parlor” immediately leaps to mind.

:shock:

Andy

November 18th, 2010
5:44 pm

America is very good at regurgitating misinformation. Critical thinking has gone AWOL.

WillieRae

November 18th, 2010
5:46 pm

Great article Jay. Does not square up with the election that we just held. Not that I blame you for trying to find something…anything… else to think about.
If you think that people voted out an historically large number of democrats becasue they like Obama then you have many surprises ahead.

Matti

November 18th, 2010
5:46 pm

Logical Dude,

I was just looking at my Congressman’s facebook page. People are posting their demand that he do whatever he can to impeach the President. Now. Because they know the Constitution… (hahahaha!) Obama should be marched out in handcuffs, yet, no charge or violation is offered as a reason. Apparently, thinking he’s a jerk who’s ruining our country should be enough to overturn the electorate’s decision. I mean, they SAID so. ‘Nuff said. Heh.

Logical Dude

November 18th, 2010
5:48 pm

SoCo says “We’re either going to have to swallow the red pill or the blue pill”

And this either or is what most of the country is mistaken about. You DON’T HAVE to choose the red pill or the blue pill. Neither has delivered what is needed up to this point.

We need an orange pill or a pink pill or something else. There are answers right there, but neither the blue side nor the red side want to say it out loud and take responsibility for it. It’s just not “politically popular”.

marky mark

November 18th, 2010
5:50 pm

I think everyone agrees earmarks are not much of a reduction. But they are a symbol of what the voting population seems to want. Deficit reduction, but not too fast. I think this is one of those “toes in the water” action. If this works, try another step…..I also think this is what Obama misunderstood….hope right now is good, but change slowly…..

Logical Dude

November 18th, 2010
5:51 pm

Matti,
I would blame that on the “extremely small but loud” minority. It is where good movement start, but also where some bad ideas take root.

It’s the silent majority, who are too busy working paycheck to paycheck to post things like that on facebook. It’s why I can barely post until the end of the day! Gotta work!

Wish I had more time to post common sense ramblings, but I wish more to keep my job!

AmVet

November 18th, 2010
5:54 pm

Q24c And in your view are the policies of the Republican Party too anti-working American family, too pro-working American family or about right?

Too anti-working American family………………………..89%
Too pro-working American family…………………………. 3%
About right………………………………………………………8%

Let them eat cake…

marky mark

November 18th, 2010
5:54 pm

@kamchak – “love you long time”

Southern Comfort

November 18th, 2010
5:55 pm

Logical Dude

That was a reference to The Matrix. We can either continue to live in the dream world, or we can open our eyes and deal with the real world.

Logical Dude

November 18th, 2010
5:55 pm

dang it, all this hunching over the keyboard is exhausting. I think I need a massage.

Southern Comfort

November 18th, 2010
5:56 pm

Logical Dude

November 18th, 2010
5:56 pm

SoCo,
I recognized the reference, but interpreted it incorrectly. Thanks for the clarification!

Bye Bye Empire

November 18th, 2010
5:56 pm

“Unless Obama is a closet Republican, there’s some serious partisan disconnect going on in this country”

And here ended the first discourse of Zarathustra.

AmVet

November 18th, 2010
5:58 pm

John Boehner has a rating of plus 2 in the positive/negative category?

What the ____?!

I want to see the paper trail and the hanging chads!

Dusty

November 18th, 2010
5:59 pm

Oh whoopee…I missed the Sarah Palin smudgeout but I get the meaningless charts. on what America doesn’t know what it wants. Sure, America got all spoiled and voted in their precious guy and now they see what they got. No wonder they are afraid to move. IT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN!!!

So let’s just sing “happy days are here again” and assume that debt never killed anybody. Just starved ‘em to death.
.

Southern Comfort

November 18th, 2010
5:59 pm

No problem…

retired early

November 18th, 2010
6:02 pm

So, I guess we get to see who are the true LEADERS. This is when our leaders need to “jump in the water” together and quit blaming each other. The Voting public is going to object to anything that is done because they are pretty uninformed on the issues thank to Faux news etc. so just do what needs to be done .

RW-(the original)

November 18th, 2010
6:02 pm

The phony 24c notwithstanding I wonder why a and b were asked like this. We have a question asked about President Obama and the same question about the Republican Party. Why not the same question about the Democrat(ic) Party?

md

November 18th, 2010
6:02 pm

“I bet there would be a pretty high affirmative to that one and then the next question would be, would you be willing to eliminate the waste and fraud.”

Well, if Obama actually turned down IBM as it’s ceo says he did, I say not willing.

http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/your-world-cavuto/transcript/ibm-ceo-administration-turned-down-free-offer-hunt-out-health-care-abuse

And yes, it is Fox, but the interview is with a big dem, Zuckerman.

I’d certainly like to hear the other side of the story………..

Dusty

November 18th, 2010
6:03 pm

AmVet,

John Boehner is a nice guy. Why don’t you try it sometime?

Kamchak

November 18th, 2010
6:04 pm

@kamchak – “love you long time”

I certainly am flattered, but I’m saving myself for Summer Glau.

Logical Dude

November 18th, 2010
6:04 pm

AmVet,
That may be because almost nobody’s heard of John Boehner until recently. I really have no opinion of him since I’ve only heard conflicting information about him. One day I hear he wants absolutely no compromise, then later I read that he said that some compromise will be necessary. So, being too busy to keep track of all the politicians, I have no real opinion other than “If he thinks that we as a nation can proceed without any compromises, he’s pretty clueless; but I’m willing to find out more”

BADA BING

November 18th, 2010
6:04 pm

Guys, don’t swallow the blue pill if you are alone.

ty webb

November 18th, 2010
6:05 pm

Perhaps Algore could locate that missing happy ending?

Keep Up the Good Fight!

November 18th, 2010
6:05 pm

Retired E…. I agree. Do the right thing. Not always easy but there are a lot of hypocrites who know that they are merely pandering.

Matti

November 18th, 2010
6:09 pm

We can either continue to live in the dream world, or we can open our eyes and deal with the real world.

Warning: Opening your eyes may cause redness, itching, headaches, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, and a complete loss of faith in your fellow human beings and the God they claim to worship.

Logical Dude

November 18th, 2010
6:09 pm

Sorry Kamchak,
Summer Glau is mine! I’m sure she . . .

Okay, no more “Happy Ending” jokes for me!

What I meant to say was “Summer Glau for President!” Yeah! That’s the ticket!

BADA BING

November 18th, 2010
6:10 pm

Want to cut entitlements? Start a program that prevents someone from getting SS if they have spent a certain number of years on welfare or other Gov’t programs. Make the freeloaders think twice about staying on the Gov’t dole for a lifetime.

Logical Dude

November 18th, 2010
6:11 pm

Matti, & Bada Bing,
(from the blue pill bottle)
And if there is stiffness for more than four hours, call your doctor!

Southern Comfort

November 18th, 2010
6:11 pm

Warning: Opening your eyes may cause redness, itching, headaches, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, and a complete loss of faith in your fellow human beings and the God they claim to worship.

LMAO!!! Damned side effects will get’cha every time.

Dusty

November 18th, 2010
6:12 pm

RW, 6:02

Doncha know? This is a liberal opinion blog and only “loaded” charts are presented. Now get your ducks in a row . We don’t want you tossed overboard to the sharks.

Southern Comfort

November 18th, 2010
6:13 pm

And if there is stiffness for more than four hours, call your doctor!

Nah, more like the guys in the car commercial. “Forget calling my doctor, hold all my calls…”

md

November 18th, 2010
6:13 pm

For those too afraid to open a link because it came from Fox:

“SAMUEL J. PALMISANO, CHAIRMAN & CEO, IBM: We could have improved the quality and reduced the cost of the health care system by $900 billion. I said we would do it for free to prove that it works. They turned us down.”

AmVet

November 18th, 2010
6:16 pm

Speaking of Al Gore, where is that slippery little williebekind?

I’ve asked him a couple of times for that “Internet quote” he referenced/misquoted earlier today?

I guess the oft-parroted lie bout it is more interesting to him and his factually challenged cousins…

Logical Dude

November 18th, 2010
6:16 pm

md,
Was there a reason? Any comment from anyone else regarding this? There could be many reasons, but very few legitimate ones that I can think of.

retired early

November 18th, 2010
6:16 pm

Scout
Your a one man pep rally.
You don’t deserve Obama. He’s way too smart for you. Maybe that’s your problem, you are jealous that this Black president is sooo much smarter than you and Your precious lightweight Bush.
Get a life or change the subject.

Matti

November 18th, 2010
6:17 pm

“Summer Glau for President”

She’s got my vote!

Dusty

November 18th, 2010
6:17 pm

Well, I’m off to fix dinner while I’m wondering who in the world is Summer Glau????? Summer glau and sommer not??

md

November 18th, 2010
6:19 pm

“And if there is stiffness for more than four hours, call your doctor!”

I end up with that “problem”, I won’t be calling any doctors……..maybe play doctor.

Logical Dude

November 18th, 2010
6:20 pm

google “Summer Glau” at xkcd.com; much fun ensues.

enjoy your evening folks, and think about what you want as an American!

Kamchak

November 18th, 2010
6:21 pm

Sorry Kamchak,
Summer Glau is mine! I’m sure she . . .

That’s not what she said last night….

Logical Dude

November 18th, 2010
6:21 pm

Dusty,
She played various odd characters in mostly short-lived series. She is a former ballerina who usually plays kick-ass characters. So, she’s pretty, she’s flexible, and she can beat up a whole town without breaking a sweat.

Matti

November 18th, 2010
6:22 pm

Uh…. my bad. It’s *River Tam* (the character played by Summer Glau in the eff-the-fascist-establishment sci-fi series) who’d get my vote.

Paul

November 18th, 2010
6:22 pm

I wish politicians would follow the Pelosi model: exhort your fellow lawmakers to take one for the team. Cast the right vote. Even if it means you won’t get reelected (and many didn’t) you will, she said, know you did the right thing.

She did it on health care. She can do it on this.

Can’t she?

josef/Doggone/GA

Note downstairs. Not ignoring you – doorbelll ringing and getting ribs on.

md

November 18th, 2010
6:22 pm

“Was there a reason? Any comment from anyone else regarding this? There could be many reasons, but very few legitimate ones that I can think of.”

Have yet to see one. Would love to see anything if anyone has anything on the subject. I find it just as interesting that we don’t hear anything.

And Zuckerman says he was privy to the info, so that peeked my interest.

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
6:24 pm

Paul – no problem, happens to us all

Scout

November 18th, 2010
6:25 pm

Logical Dude

Agree to disagree. Thanks for the post.

Scout

November 18th, 2010
6:27 pm

say what and retired early :

You guys hurt my feelings.

Boo Hoo Hoo …………………………

Paul

November 18th, 2010
6:27 pm

md

That was a heckuva thought-provoking interview.

Summer Glau? Be nice or she’ll terminate you -

Scout

November 18th, 2010
6:29 pm

And another person they don’t want is “Janet Incompatino”. (radio)

BADA BING

November 18th, 2010
6:29 pm

If it lasts longer than 4 hours call a doctor. Only if she is pretty !

BADA BING

November 18th, 2010
6:32 pm

If it lasts longer than 4 hours, I am not calling a Dr. I am calling all my old girl friends and rub it in.(Pun intended).

josef nix

November 18th, 2010
6:38 pm

PAUL

Got ya downstairs…no problem, I’m bouncing back and forth between here and Africa..! International Dinner coming up and I’m trying to pull together some poster-work…thank G-d for the gifts of old National Geographics for cut and paste!

md

November 18th, 2010
6:44 pm

Paul – And that was a month ago…………..and we hear nothing??

Something sounds fishy.

F. Sinkwich

November 18th, 2010
6:48 pm

So what’s the point of this, Jay?

How to get Jay excited:

Ask questions of 1000 randomly selected Americans designed to invoke responses favorable to liberal positions. Get liberal results. Celebrate a 49% approval rating for the Messiah as justification for his democratic-socialist polices.

Please get real, Jay.

Thanks.

Adam

November 18th, 2010
6:48 pm

It wouldn’t surprise me that the administration does not say yes to a big corporation doing any sort of leg work for the government. Of course the fact that Fox reported this in that way indicates they are just trying to imply that this means the government isn’t serious about waste.

editorializer

November 18th, 2010
6:49 pm

Doggone/GA@5:32 pm
BTW Jay…I disagree with your headline. I think the American public knows WHAT they want, they just don’t know how they want the medicine to get it delivered.
———————————–

break out the KY jelly, its a suppository lol

Adam

November 18th, 2010
6:50 pm

F. Sinkwich: Liberal results? Where? An approval rating that’s higher than you expected? Is that your only evidence? I can remember a couple of weeks ago when people were going on and on about how 40-something approval ratings were the WORST OF ANY PRESIDENT EVER. What a short memory you all have if you believe that.

Hillbilly Deluxe

November 18th, 2010
6:53 pm

I would disagree with the headline. The American people know exactly what they want; it’s just that they have 300 million different ideas about what that should be. That’s where the rub comes in.

F. Sinkwich

November 18th, 2010
6:56 pm

Adam,

Please see the election results from two weeks ago. That’s a real “poll.” I know it hurts, but that’s life.

You’re welcome.

md

November 18th, 2010
6:57 pm

“Of course the fact that Fox reported this in that way indicates they are just trying to imply that this means the government isn’t serious about waste.”

And I would agree with that assessment IF Mr Zuckerman hadn’t concurred. He certainly doesn’t fit the Fox mold. So….how would you explain that aspect of the equation??

AmVet

November 18th, 2010
6:58 pm

To put things in perspective, even after the past election, the Republicans are not even back to being where they were in 2006!!

That’s how bad those back to back slaughters were.

The legacy of unbridled Republican socialism and income redistribution…

Hillbilly Deluxe

November 18th, 2010
7:00 pm

md

I listened to your link and found it interesting.

F. Sinkwich

November 18th, 2010
7:00 pm

Oh, by the way, Adam, Obama hasn’t earned the “worst president ever” mantle yet. But he’s in the bottom five.

Two years to go — he still has hope to get there!

md

November 18th, 2010
7:02 pm

“To put things in perspective, even after the past election, the Republicans are not even back to being where they were in 2006!!

That’s how bad those back to back slaughters were.”

OK Am, your math is confusing……….back to back slaughters covered a 4 year period, while this gain only covered a two year period………comparing apples to oranges are we??

F. Sinkwich

November 18th, 2010
7:03 pm

“the Republicans are not even back to being where they were in 2006!!”

AmVet nailed the liberal rallying cry for 2012!

Adam

November 18th, 2010
7:04 pm

F. Sinkwich: So in other words the answer is yes, an approval rating that’s higher than you expected 2 weeks after the election is your only evidence that the poll must be liberal.

Thank you. No further questions. You may step down now.

josef nix

November 18th, 2010
7:05 pm

Just my opinion, but we’ve gotten ourselves polarized by “spokespersons” of a liberal or a conservative bent each with a list of what it is that we all should believe. They are so hide-bound by their party program that the idea that the overwhelming majority of the population may be way left on issue A and way right on issue B. America is composed largely of people who make up their own minds and resent anybody from either “side” telling them what they must think.

Adam

November 18th, 2010
7:05 pm

md: referring more to the headline and portrayal of the “news.”

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
7:07 pm

Hey Jay, you do know that Obama expanded that “unpaid for prescription drug benefit”, right?

Adam

November 18th, 2010
7:09 pm

josef nix: America is composed largely of people who make up their own minds and resent anybody from either “side” telling them what they must think.

America is composed largely of people who THINK they make up their own minds, but who in fact just follow whatever news story they are told FIRST. Any news after that, even if it refutes the original story, is not believed. And people think because they have supposedly heard both sides that they have made up their mind. Some still think that they have made up their own mind hearing it from ONE source.

md

November 18th, 2010
7:11 pm

“md: referring more to the headline and portrayal of the “news.””

Well yeh, it is Fox………one has to take all “news” into perspective of where it comes from and then adjust accordingly. One would be wise to do that with ALL sources, as very few are pure.

With that being said, I find it troubling that we don’t know the full story on this issue in a time when we have our backs to the wall.

Matti

November 18th, 2010
7:13 pm

America is composed largely of people who make up their own minds and resent anybody from either “side” telling them what they must think.

Agreed! The problem is that there are enough idi– I mean, er, fellow citizens who allow themselves to be shaped, molded, and led by bullpoop inflammatory rhetoric that the rest of us are (a) thoroughly disgusted, and (b) exhausted from trying to reason with block heads who think reason and logic are elitist ploys to be rejected at any cost.

F. Sinkwich

November 18th, 2010
7:14 pm

Wow, Adam, you have convinced me. Only two weeks after an historic drubbing, Obama’s as popular as ever.

But it may be because he skipped town for the last two weeks. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

AmVet

November 18th, 2010
7:23 pm

md, the cons went ZERO for 36 in 2006. This is widely known though never acknowledged by certain members of a certain political party. A record that will never be touched. And 2008 was almost as bad.

In those combined elections they lost a jaw-dropping 93% of the contested races for the US Congress, state houses and of course, the White House.

But enough of that great unpleasantness.

Lets celebrate some local and recent victories!

The GOP just elected a walking cesspool of ethical misdeeds, and birther, as our new governor!

As for Lt. Gov., the best woman won.

After enduring 13 years of the spinally lacking Thurbert Baker, we needed a guy who was willing to prosecute public corruption and vast corporate malfeasance, instead we got Sam “Ship ‘em back to Mexico and repeal Obamacare!” Olens.

School Superintendent – Hey 48th nationally in the SAT ain’t that bad! Instead of electing one of the most qualified educational policy experts in the state, with a fabulous resume in Jim Martin, the loathers of liberal academia elected John Barge.

And so it goes.

Republicans could care less about results. That is why the ones in DC act like such valorous paragons for begrudgingly cutting bakc on earmakrs that represent ne half of ione percent of expenses.

As for the other 99.5%, nah, not so much there…

stands for decibels

November 18th, 2010
7:25 pm

The public has demonstrated that they can’t grasp the simplest of macroeconomic concepts, so if I’m a congrefscritter I’m inclined to tell ‘em to GFY.

but that’s just me. And I’d never get elected, being that I’d never express proper fealty to Jeebus and our sacred Constitution.

md

November 18th, 2010
7:27 pm

I know the stats Am, just not sure why you are comparing apples to oranges. I wouldn’t toot any horns in either direction until after 2012, when an actual comparison in length of time can be made.

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
7:28 pm

“Truth is, the American people don’t know what they want”
—————————

Too bad that ignorance doesn’t do anything to reduce our 10% unemployment, trillion-dollar-plus deficits, or debasement of our currency.

F. Sinkwich

November 18th, 2010
7:28 pm

Hey, AmVet, we here in Georgia are obviously neanderthals, as you constantly point out.

Please move to California, Michigan, or New York where you can enjoy liberal utopia.

No need to thank me.

Just leave.

md

November 18th, 2010
7:29 pm

“Hey 48th nationally in the SAT ain’t that bad! ”

You are aware that this is a false flag stat – right??

Do your research as to how each State reports SAT scores……

stands for decibels

November 18th, 2010
7:32 pm

I can remember a couple of weeks ago when people were going on and on about how 40-something approval ratings were the WORST OF ANY PRESIDENT EVER.

see also:

http://www.gallup.com/poll/124922/Presidential-Approval-Center.aspx

For those unwilling to click the linkee–Reagan’s numbers were a bit worse than Obama’s at this point in his first term. And they sunk down to 37% before they got better.

Mary Elizabeth

November 18th, 2010
7:34 pm

Just a few comments this evening – then I must sign off. I saw the Valerie Plame/Joe Wilson saga this afternoon in the movie “Fair Game” from Plame’s and Wilson’s separate books. Sean Penn plays Wilson. Naomi Watts plays Plame. Pretty good film about her being outed as a CIA operative after her husband, Wilson, exposed falsehoods coming from the White House about Iraq seeking nuclear weapon material from Niger. You may remember “Scooter” Libby was convicted for his involvement in this, did not serve jail time, but was not granted a pardon by Pres. Bush.

In reliving this recent history, I thought how much our deficit has been run up as a result of that war of choice.

This a.m. I saw Sen. John Kerry speak on “Morning Joe,” MSNBC, via DC satellite in which he made a compelling argument that America is falling behind other nations throughout the world in our transportation and energy policies. He said we are losing influence around the world, as a result (my insert: not because of Obama) of falling behind.

Kerry said we are not making investments in these two areas of our intrastructure and we are losing here and abroad as a result. Of course, when the mindset of the nation is to cut, cut, cut taxes
to the point that we almost have no government; we are, also, as a result creating no investments for our future.

Here is the irony. Our big corporations are doing just fine, because they are going worldwide in energy and transportation investments, but that, of course, leaves our nation with fewer jobs and limited investments here for the future.

The political parties must work together to cut the deficit in meaningful ways, but we must also start to look to our future as a progressive world leader, again, and make the investments for the future of this nation that will ensure that happening. In other words, we need to stop saying “No” as a tactic for political power and start looking for a creative vision – together – as a nation, once again for our own survival on the world stage.

josef nix

November 18th, 2010
7:36 pm

Adam, Matti

I suppose I’m just a naif, but I have a higher opinion of my fellow human beings. If y’all will forgive my impertinence, there is within your response a certain air of supercilliousness that, I submit, plays directly into what is alienating the mass middle ground…

Adam

November 18th, 2010
7:37 pm

(b) exhausted from trying to reason with block heads who think reason and logic are elitist ploys to be rejected at any cost.

Hear hear

Mick

November 18th, 2010
7:39 pm

I know what I want: legislator…leave that social security alone..

Adam

November 18th, 2010
7:39 pm

josef nix: I am actually basing my opinion on a study done that shows people are FAR more likely to believe whatever they hear first in the news, regardless of the source and regardless of its truth. The study also shows being presented with counter evidence, regardless of truth or falsehood, causes them to believe what they saw first EVEN MORE. It’s an American mentality thing. Not sure if I can classify it as “human” though as I do think this type of mental approach is a learned behavior.

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
7:39 pm

Mary Elizabeth: [Kerry] said we are losing influence around the world, as a result (my insert: not because of Obama) of falling behind.
—————

Of course not. He’s only the president. Wasn’t the Idiot Messiah supposed to do something about all that?

Idiot Messiah: Liar. Failure.

RW-(the original)

November 18th, 2010
7:41 pm

Adam,

I’d love to read that study if you can scare up a link. Thank you in advance.

Matti

November 18th, 2010
7:41 pm

jo nix,

GOD KNOWS I’ve tried, Hon! As I explained to a persistent ex-BF just the other day, I’m just sick of believing in things that aren’t there. I would welcome proof that I’m wrong. (He offered none on his behalf, btw. SSDD.)

Mick

November 18th, 2010
7:42 pm

lbb

Your hate is a projection of some troubles in your life….every ting gonna be OK man.

sickofemall

November 18th, 2010
7:42 pm

I can’t speak for everyone, but the people I speak to regularly want jobs. Not illegal immigrant wage jobs or unemployment benefits.

They are tired of working for next to nothing for only 6 months a year.

They are tired of being called lazy or leeches.

They want to be able to purchase health insurance that they can AFFORD.

They want to take care of their families.

They want to be able to purchase a home.

IS THIS TOO MUCH TO ASK.

The American Dream is dying rapidly thanks to the politicians (dems and repubs) that have enacted laws and trade policies that are against the people that made this country great.

The politicians voted down extension of UI benefits to hold people through the holidays until the new congress is sworn in to create ALL THOSE JOBS THAT THEY PROMISED FROM THE TAX CUTS.

Never mind the 99ers that will be starving and homeless this holiday season HAPPY F@$&ing Holidays

Adam

November 18th, 2010
7:46 pm

RW – I’ve been trying to find the link since I mentioned it and Google is not helping me! Maybe I’m using the wrong terms but I know I read this. It may have been a print article, but I sure hope there’s a digital equivalent. Iw ill keep looking.

AmVet

November 18th, 2010
7:46 pm

…we here in Georgia are obviously neanderthals…

FStink, I’ve told you repeatedly that you are qualified to speak for no one other than yourself.

If you deem yourself one, than at least use the proper pronoun, neanderthal…

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
7:46 pm

How many years should unemployment benefits last, parasite?

stands for decibels

November 18th, 2010
7:48 pm

F. Sinkwich

November 18th, 2010
7:48 pm

sickofemall is a loser.

Move along, nothing to see here.

AmVet

November 18th, 2010
7:48 pm

Sorry md, I’m multi-tasking here. And I had to swat that gnat. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can…

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
7:49 pm

“The politicians voted down extension of UI benefits to hold people through the holidays”

What disgusts me is that those same politicians will go home to happy, warm, food-filled holidays and then have the all out GALL to give thanks to the God who abjured us to CARE for each other. It sickens me.

F. Sinkwich

November 18th, 2010
7:49 pm

Get your plane ticket yet, AmVet?

stands for decibels

November 18th, 2010
7:50 pm

How many years should unemployment benefits last

they should be extended to 99 weeks, as they have been previously under Democratic and Republican presidents during similarly troubling economic times.

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
7:51 pm

Unemployment benefits have already been extended o 99 weeks.

So my question stands…How many years should unemployment benefits last, parasite?

Adam

November 18th, 2010
7:52 pm

RW – The study is called “When Corrections Fail: The Persistence of Political Misperceptions.”

There are a lot of news stories available on the study. However, when I first read it I found an article that said NOTHING of politics, just “news.” Interesting because most of what I see is all about how conservatives and liberals react differently. Now I kind of want to read the whole study and see what kind of conclusion I can draw from it.

Mary Elizabeth

November 18th, 2010
7:54 pm

Lil’ Barry Bailout @ 7:39

Out of everything I said – you focused only on my aside to give support to a president that I think is an outstanding president.

That being said – and I wanted to go on record with that statement – that was not the crucial thing to think about.

Rail advancement in Europe, and now in China, is moving past us. Energy techniques for the 21st century are surpasssing ours throughtout the world. Our values in this nation are becoming more and more anti-intellectual to our own detriment, i.e. Sarah Palin.

We had better wake up fast or we are going down quickly in world influence. This is not a game about winning and losing between political parties. This is where will America be in the future on the world stage we need to be focusing on.

To end with Kerry’s last remark: “Is America going to step back into the past, or are we going to embrace the future.” That is the point of my write up was – not for people to just take some easy, and in this part of the nation, popular shots at Obama. So easy to do. The problem is the lack of a progressive vision for this nation. Not Obama. He has the vision. We need to start seeing it, too.

TnGelding

November 18th, 2010
7:54 pm

You can say that again, but as Edwards pointed out, there are two Americas. Actually there are several. What jumps out at me is so many didn’t have a positive or negative opinion on Boehner and McConnell, and similarly a low number on Reid, but then they haven’t been demonized like Reid and Pelosi for two years in the media. There is no happy ending, but the filthy rich are going to have to step up to the plate and do the heavy lifting. The remaining 98% will have to match their total effort, no small task. Why wasn’t GM an October surprise? Might hae saved a few seats for the Dems.

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
7:54 pm

Doggone/GA: It sickens me.
———————

How much have you donated to charity to help these folks out?

You were expecting somebody else to pay, weren’t you?

Adam

November 18th, 2010
7:54 pm

RW – The study itself is here:

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~bnyhan/nyhan-reifler.pdf

It does indicate they used fake news articles. Whew. After reading some articles I thought they were talking about presenting ACTUAL news articles.

AmVet

November 18th, 2010
7:54 pm

As soon as you come and pick me up, you’ll find out, neanderthal!

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
7:58 pm

Mary Elizabeth: The problem is the lack of a progressive vision for this nation. Not Obama. He has the vision. We need to start seeing it, too.
———————

10% unemployment for going on two years now.

Trillion-dollar plus deficits for the next decade.

Escalation in Afghanistan, and still flailing.

Some vision.

Mick

November 18th, 2010
7:58 pm

lbb

It’s time to grow up and debate like a man or rule the roost with willow on facebook….

TnGelding

November 18th, 2010
8:00 pm

What’s wrong with extending unemployment benefits until the person is employed? That money spends just like what the slacker at Lockheed gets. Remember when the trust funds for each state were so flush under Clinton that the tax the BUSINESSES pay was suspended? No politician in America is anti-business. The debate is over how much of the tax burden they should carry. Some people don’t realize they just collect taxes for the government, not pay them.

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
8:00 pm

“It’s time to grow up and debate like a man ”

You’re not holding your breath I hope.

Southern Comfort

November 18th, 2010
8:01 pm

Unemployment benefits have already been extended o 99 weeks.

So my question stands…How many years should unemployment benefits last, parasite?

Take 92 weeks and divide that number by 52, which is the number of weeks in a year, and you should arrive at the answer you seek. Thank you in advance..

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
8:01 pm

“What’s wrong with extending unemployment benefits until the person is employed?”

I put it as “as long as it’s needed” – but we’re both saying the same thing.

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
8:03 pm

Doggone hasn’t donated a dime to charity to address the very problem it’s bitching about. It’s expecting someone else to pay.

Hypocrite.

josef nix

November 18th, 2010
8:03 pm

Adam
I, too, would be interested in seeing said study in order to better judge if by who was conducting it, under whose auspices, and what was the target sampling…

Matti
Come in tomorrow night and I’ll see if I can’t find something to cheer you up! Seriously, though, there is so much beautiful in life and so many wonderful people if you just go looking for them and try not to judge them too harshly. You are only as happy or as miserable as you allow yourself to be… and, as you well know, there are those days when I go looking for a fight myself! :-)

TnGelding

November 18th, 2010
8:04 pm

Southern Comfort

November 18th, 2010
8:01 pm

Shame on you. You’re too astute. I missed it.

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
8:04 pm

SoCo, you have nothing to complain about then, because unemployment handouts were already extended to 99 weeks, long ago.

md

November 18th, 2010
8:05 pm

“How many years should unemployment benefits last”

Also a false flag issue when the majority of folks without jobs aren’t receiving anything. Nobody ever mentions the other 3/4 of folks that already get nothing………………

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
8:05 pm

“It’s expecting”

Are you related to “White Man” – or did you just study under the same sorry teacher on how to hold a “discussion” on a blog?

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
8:06 pm

Like the 50% of young African Americans who are unemployed thanks to their Idiot Messiah’s great and wonderful progressive vision?

Nice Guy

November 18th, 2010
8:06 pm

“What disgusts me is that those same politicians will go home to happy, warm, food-filled holidays and then have the all out GALL to give thanks to the God who abjured us to CARE for each other. It sickens me.”

Ok, Doggone. Fine. But tell me, what is the appropriate amount of time to give a person unemployment benefits?

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
8:07 pm

Didn’t want to assume a gender, assuming you have adopted one yet.

TnGelding

November 18th, 2010
8:08 pm

josef nix

November 18th, 2010
8:03 pm

Greetings my friend! At least I hope you would consider me one.

Have you or your fellow combatants ever ended up at the ER or hospital? For someone as sophisticated as you to have that violent a streak puzzles me.

Adam

November 18th, 2010
8:08 pm

josef nix: I posted the PDF earlier of the whole study. It’s a pretty interesting read.

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
8:10 pm

Doggone hasn’t done a thing to help the folks whose two-year stay on the welfare rolls has come to an end. Why is she so greedy and hypocritical?

Adam

November 18th, 2010
8:10 pm

Nice Guy: The appropriate time is as long as it is needed, in my view. But that’s obviously not fiscally responsible, so I’ll settle for just doing what we’ve always done in recessions and extend it as much as we always did.

Mary Elizabeth

November 18th, 2010
8:10 pm

Lil’ Barry Bailout @7:58

Remember Jay’s chart of a few weeks back. Job loss month after month in the Bush adminstration culminating in a terrible near Depression Recession. Even Bush said this week TARP was the only reason we did not have a Depression. All this under Republican rule. Back to Jay’s chart again. The first couple of month out job loss starting stablizing and gradually getting less and less. Under the line = Bush’s year Over the line = Obama’s years.

Also, more private jobs were created in the first 10 months of this year than ALL of the Bush years put together. That speaks for itself. You cannot change the fact that the Great Depression 1929 happened after a decade of Republican rule and policy just as the Great Recession 2008 happened after almost a decade of Republican rule. That stands.

Tax cuts for the top 2% will make deficits so much worse – Obama is not for that. Republicans are.

Obamacare will help the deficit over the next decade. Republicans are not for that.

You failed to address probably the most important thing I mentioned. America’s corporations are moving their financial interests overseas and money is going out of our nation like lightening month after month as a result. Your dislike of Obama is clouding your thinking.

Matti

November 18th, 2010
8:11 pm

jo nix,

You’re sweet, thank you. Just because I’ve lost faith in the things I used to believe in does not mean I’m miserable. It just means I don’t *bleeping* trust in people. Sure, that makes for bad days, but I’ve always been pretty self sufficient. The fruits I brought forth are indeed a source of great joy and hope. But I feel guilty for the muck they have to wade through, and I’m not going to sugar-coat the truth knowing reality will just come crashing down later.

Nice Guy

November 18th, 2010
8:11 pm

“that the rest of us are (a) thoroughly disgusted, and (b) exhausted from trying to reason with block heads who think reason and logic are elitist ploys to be rejected at any cost.”

Gosh, Matti, I think you and I agree on something. Whodathunkit!

Adam

November 18th, 2010
8:12 pm

Lil’ Barry Bailout: seriously? Who among the commenters here is made of money? I would place bets that none of us are well off enough to help out welfare recipients on a personal basis.

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
8:12 pm

“But tell me, what is the appropriate amount of time to give a person unemployment benefits?”

I’ve already answered that question.

md

November 18th, 2010
8:13 pm

“You are only as happy or as miserable as you allow yourself to be…”

Yeppers……..we choose everything we do…………..

Nice Guy

November 18th, 2010
8:13 pm

Adam – “that’s obviously not fiscally responsible”

Good job Adam. You have a kind heart but understand that what is ideal is not always the best option for the country. Many on here are unable to make that distintction.

TnGelding

November 18th, 2010
8:13 pm

But what will tax cuts to the rest of us do to the deficit? Make it about 4 times worse than the ones for the top 2%.

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
8:14 pm

Mary Elizabeth: Remember Jay’s chart of a few weeks back. Job loss month after month in the Bush adminstration
—————————

Why has unemployment during the Idiot Messiah administration been higher in every month than it ever was during our President Bush’s eight years?

Some vision. And it only cost us $800 billion.

Mary Elizabeth

November 18th, 2010
8:14 pm

That’s “first couple of months out (in the Obama administration, I should have inserted) job loss started stablizing.

Nice Guy

November 18th, 2010
8:15 pm

“I’ve already answered that question.”

Ah, yes. 8:12pm and the attitude is as strong as it is at 8:12am. Nice.

I’m late the party tonight. Forgive me if I don’t read though hundreds of post to find you answer to that question.

Is it too much to ask for you to repeat yourself?

TnGelding

November 18th, 2010
8:15 pm

I’m not wealthy enough to, but I’m doing it. Much to the chagrin of my wife and ridicule of my sister.

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
8:15 pm

Adam: I would place bets that none of us are well off enough to help out welfare recipients on a personal basis.
——————

If you’re not willing to help, who do you expect to do the job?

Hypocrite.

Mick

November 18th, 2010
8:16 pm

matti

I’ll be thinking of you when I make my traditional key lime pie extra tart and extra sweet for thanksgiving. A good dose of reality keeps one on their toes….nothing wrong with that.

Jay

November 18th, 2010
8:16 pm

Just to make sure this is clear, the vote to extend unemployment benefits is to keep them at 99 weeks, not to extend them longer.

Adam

November 18th, 2010
8:17 pm

Nice Guy – Well as with quite a few things, there needs to be a balance. Extending it seems to be a good idea, fiscally in the long term. But only if it’s not extended for too long. So it’s a delicate balance. Making it a hot button “we must stop all spending NOW” issue is also irresponsible.

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
8:17 pm

“Is it too much to ask for you to repeat yourself?”

Yes. Since they added the “show all” function it’s just not the big a deal do search for answers

Nice Guy

November 18th, 2010
8:18 pm

We’re clear Jay, or, I am at leat. Thanks though.

99 weeks is already too much and a very nice gesture by the Feds. If it was to be extended, well, that just wouldn’t be “fair”, as Obama likes to say.

Comfused

November 18th, 2010
8:18 pm

We scream we want less government, a hands off government, a get out of the way governemnt while screaming we have a do-nothing Congress. Sounds like cognitive dissonance to me. I remember a young tea party member boastfully saying to the camera, “I want the government to spend my money on what I want them to spend it on.” She didn’t have the brain capacity to understand that another 99.99999…% want the same thing, but fifty percent of those disagree with what she wants. Therein lies the problem people think people who agree with them are either being ignored or they are the majority.

Adam

November 18th, 2010
8:18 pm

Lil’ Barry Bailout: Wlefare is the government’s program. They use tax dollars to do it. And I’m ok with that. I wish that they would put people in the offices who would actually be willing to HELP people who need it rather than having prejudiced views on who should or shouldn’t get the help.

Mary Elizabeth

November 18th, 2010
8:18 pm

Barry: Because we had almost a depression under Bush. The Recession happened in 2008. Under Bush’s watch! That is why. Anything that dramatic will have repercussions that will last years. The Great Depression of 1929 lasted until WWII. Think with a sense of history and time, please. Everything is not instant. Bush’s Recession is still lingering. That is why.

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
8:19 pm

Come on, Mary Elizabeth, help me out here….why is unemployment higher now, after all the great jobs the Idiot Messiah has created, and all the hundreds of billions spent? Why is President Bush’s record on unemployment better than the Idiot Messiah? Why isn’t unemployment going down?

Nice Guy

November 18th, 2010
8:19 pm

“Yes. Since they added the “show all” function it’s just not the big a deal do search for answers”

Great. Thanks for the cooperation Doggone.

The arrogance on this blog blows my mind sometimes.

TnGelding

November 18th, 2010
8:20 pm

Lil’ Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
8:14 pm

It hasn’t cost us a damn thing. Our tax payments are so low we’re barely paying for 2/3 of the government our politicians have given us, if that. The Fed and the Treasury are doing it with the credit rating of the U.S. Government. It helps to be able to “print” money or make an entry into a ledger, tho. We will have to service the debt, however, but much of it is just on paper, too.

md

November 18th, 2010
8:21 pm

“America’s corporations are moving their financial interests overseas and money is going out of our nation like lightening month after month as a result.”

And do you think that would slow down by raising taxes?? They are leaving for a reason……costs here are going up, costs elsewhere are lower……..the genie isn’t going back into the bottle……….we are the ones that must adjust………

Mary Elizabeth

November 18th, 2010
8:21 pm

Barry: And please stop referring to the President of the U. S. as the “Idiot Messiah.” I find that offensive.

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
8:21 pm

But Mary Elizabeth, you’re forgetting Jay’s chart where he showed that the Idiot Messiah’s job creation was “above the line”…and yet here we are two years in and unemployment is still near 9.6%.

What gives?

josef nix

November 18th, 2010
8:21 pm

TnGelding

Hello, friend! The “fight” mentioned at 8:03 was metaphoric! However, I have been known to go to brawl and while I’ve not wound up at the ER therefrom, some of my opponents have! I’m a bit too long in the tooth to engage there in these days, so I come here instead! :-)

Adam
I pulled it up and scanned it briefly. It DOES look interesting and I will be going back to give it its just due…

Matti
My favorite sister-in-law inscribed my junior high school autograph book with something that has stuck with me and been a good rule to live by all these years…

“Love many, trust few; and always paddle your own canoe.”

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
8:22 pm

Tough cookies, Mary Elizabeth. I’ll call the Idiot Messiah whatever I damn well please. Two words and they say so much. I also just LOVE the little bit of ambiguity regarding the object of the modifier “Idiot”.

Comfused

November 18th, 2010
8:22 pm

All this week ABC Evening News has been broadcasting from China. A Chinese businessman who was educated in the US said, “Americans will debate an issue for two years while in China we say let’s get it done.”

TnGelding

November 18th, 2010
8:24 pm

The Bush recession is over for everyone but the unemployed. Obama and the Dems saw to that with the stimulus and some of it still hasn’t been spent.

Adam

November 18th, 2010
8:25 pm

Lil’ Barry Bailout – ha I tried to comment something regarding free speech and I used quite a few words that apparently triggered “Your comment is awaiting moderation.”

Perhaps we should put the word “messiah” in the filter. I think it’s downright stupid to call him that in the first place.

md

November 18th, 2010
8:26 pm

Mary – you do yourself no favors when you try to tie every aspect of the economy to one President or party. Too many moving parts to be that tidy………………

Paulo977

November 18th, 2010
8:27 pm

Mary
Elizabeth
8:10 pm

Thinking? Now , now you know that this is probably the result of long years of emphasizing mainly memorizing in the schools!!!

Mary Elizabeth

November 18th, 2010
8:27 pm

Barry: Unemployment needs to go down. We all want that. But the percentage is still better than it was during the Great Depression when a third of the people of this nation were unemployed – thanks to the stimulus funds.

Again, when you come that close to the brink of financial disaster, the problem is not solved simply and quickly. Some say the lack of regulation on Freddie and Fannie had a lot to do with the Recession. Both parties were guilty of that. But all of that disaster happened on Bush’s watch. That is a fact that cannot be denied.

Mick

November 18th, 2010
8:28 pm

**I also just LOVE the little bit of ambiguity regarding the object of the modifier “Idiot**

Could that be a projection of your reflection?

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
8:29 pm

Strange, I never see that message about awaiting moderation.

Mary Elizabeth

November 18th, 2010
8:29 pm

Go ahead and call him what you want, Barry. It says more about you than him.

Southern Comfort

November 18th, 2010
8:30 pm

SoCo, you have nothing to complain about then, because unemployment handouts were already extended to 99 weeks, long ago.

I did not nor was I complaining. I was simply trying to point you to the answer you were seeking.

TnGelding

November 18th, 2010
8:30 pm

Lil’ Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
8:22 pm

But you’re only making yourself sound like an idiot. You have many reasons to be upset with Obama, but most of the stuff you cite was preordained by the previous decades. Do you think he wanted to invest in GM and Chrysler, and add a trillion dollars to the debt?

What about Wee Johnny Dixiecrat for your new monicker? And I’ll change mine to TnStud!

md

November 18th, 2010
8:31 pm

“Americans will debate an issue for two years while in China we say let’s get it done.”

Well yeh…….over there they have one group of folks doing the dictating and any dissenters go to the re-education camps.

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
8:31 pm

Both parties were guilty of what? Parasite borrowers not paying their bills?

Matti

November 18th, 2010
8:31 pm

Re: “The Messiah,” it’s funny how wingnuts are always accusing Democrats of assigning Messiah status to our current President, when the ONLY people I’ve ever heard refer to Obama in that way are the wingnuts themselves. Perhaps they are the ones who secretly hoped he’d ride in on a white horse (or black Escalade) and save the day. Perhaps “Lil’ Barry Bailout” is the one … Waiting for Superman.

Hillbilly Deluxe

November 18th, 2010
8:32 pm

I been hulling peanuts. Did I miss anything? ;-)

TnGelding

November 18th, 2010
8:32 pm

Mary Elizabeth

November 18th, 2010
8:27 pm

…and under the Gypper, aka as Ronald Wilson Reagan.

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
8:32 pm

Mary Elizabeth: Go ahead and call him what you want, Barry. It says more about you than him.
——————-

OK. Not that I needed your permission.

Mary Elizabeth

November 18th, 2010
8:33 pm

md
There are so many theories as to why the Great Recession occurred but the fact stands that 1929 happened after a decade of small government – pull in – policies of Republicans. The Great Recession occurred in 2008 after little government regulation of Republicans. Those are facts that stand. Argue it any way you want. The facts remain as is.

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
8:35 pm

Matti, check out the next Newsweek cover. They call the Idiot Messiah “God of all things”. Too fkn funny!

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
8:35 pm

“The arrogance on this blog blows my mind sometimes”

then you’re in the wrong place

Mick

November 18th, 2010
8:35 pm

Hey you braves fans, the marlins are continuing their great tradition of getting rid of good players so they can have the lowest payroll in baseball. Dan uggla will add power to your bench.

TnGelding

November 18th, 2010
8:35 pm

Don’t confuse anyone with facts! There blind faith trumps them, anyway.

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
8:36 pm

The Great Recession of 2008 occurred because parasites stopped paying their mortgages.

Mary Elizabeth

November 18th, 2010
8:36 pm

I find it very interesting that no one is addressing corporations moving money outside of our nation especially in transportation and energy. Money is leaving this country by droves month by month. This is what the focus should be on. Keeping money here and policies here for transportation and energy will create jobs. That is the important point of my postings tonight.

josef nix

November 18th, 2010
8:37 pm

PAULO
@ 8:27

Nyanh! Reckon? :-)

For those of y’all who question whether or not we give. Yes, we do and our charity knows no artificial boundaries of philosophical and political viewpoint.

An example from my own experience. At my school there was a young couple who had four children in our school. They were strangers in a strange land. He came down with cancer and died rather quickly. The parents “made up a collection” to help the young widow out. I won’t give the figures here, but it was substantial. The two largest contributors were from our wealthier families who cut four figure checks. One was one of the more conservative GOP types, the other a liberal of the Democrat type. From a few dollars from the poorest to those contributions I mentioned, all came to her aid. It’s one of the reasons I still have faith in the better nature of my fellow human beings.

TnGelding

November 18th, 2010
8:37 pm

Make that their. That and your instead of you’re are my pet peeves. I can’t believe I did that. But I’m sure it’s small potatoes compared to other errors I’ve made today.

md

November 18th, 2010
8:38 pm

OK Mary, I see you have convinced yourself of that fact. So be it for you.

Never mind all the decisions that went into the equation from all parties involved…..we’ll just ignore them.

The only way you “theory” works is if we throw out all incoming policies every time we get a new President………….yet we didn’t do that did we??

Southern Comfort

November 18th, 2010
8:39 pm

Mick

I saw that this morning. Thanks for your contribution. We appreciate it. :)

TnGelding

November 18th, 2010
8:39 pm

And the parasites that issued those mortgages and pocketed a huge commission didn’t have anything to do with it? Think ownership society!

Matti

November 18th, 2010
8:39 pm

I want a piece of Mick’s key lime pie.

AmVet

November 18th, 2010
8:40 pm

Yippee!

All those lazy Republican parasites out in the suburbs and exurbs are gonna get their unemployment checks cut off!

Karma, baby. Sometimes, it’s a real b*tch…

josef nix

November 18th, 2010
8:41 pm

Hillbilly

You HULL peanuts, too! I said something about hulling pecans at work the other day and most of them looked at me with that “hunh?” look… :-)

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
8:41 pm

“And the parasites that issued those mortgages and pocketed a huge commission didn’t have anything to do with it?”

And then bundled and sold them so that it wasn’t THEY who lost their money when those so-called “top rated” investment packages tanked.

TnGelding

November 18th, 2010
8:41 pm

Looks like a few SUVs will be on the auction block.

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
8:42 pm

Mary Elizabeth: Money is leaving this country by droves month by month.
————————

Well yeah, because the Idiot Messiah and the Fed are debasing the currency. Investors are looking for someplace safe to keep their money.

Assuming your statement is true, why do YOU think this is happening?

josef nix

November 18th, 2010
8:42 pm

Matti
“I want a piece of Mick’s key lime pie.”

Now, THAT ought to put a smile on your face!

Southern Comfort

November 18th, 2010
8:42 pm

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
8:43 pm

“You HULL peanuts, too! I said something about hulling pecans at work the other day and most of them looked at me with that “hunh?” look”

I hull peanuts and shell pecans

md

November 18th, 2010
8:43 pm

“Money is leaving this country by droves month by month. This is what the focus should be on. Keeping money here and policies here for transportation and energy will create jobs. ”

Last I checked, Cap and Trade was one of those policies, yet many believe that will drive more companies out……………………….

TnGelding

November 18th, 2010
8:43 pm

Yeah, the credit rating agencies played a huge part.

Mary Elizabeth

November 18th, 2010
8:43 pm

md @ 8:38

Please refer to my post at 8:36.

Mick

November 18th, 2010
8:43 pm

mary elizabeth

The truth of the matter is that with both the majority of dems and repubs, we don’t have representative gov’t of the people but rather the united corporate states of america. The wealth and power they wield is all but insurmountable. Sure, there are some good politicians but they are far and few in between. They are essentially just voices shouting into the wind while the others go about their corrupting business.

TnGelding

November 18th, 2010
8:45 pm

Southern Comfort

November 18th, 2010
8:42 pm

Thanks for that.

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
8:45 pm

Yeah, I’m talking about those parasites. You don’t pay your mortgage, you’re a parasite. Particularly if you then go looking for a politician to help keep you in a house you’re not paying for.

md

November 18th, 2010
8:47 pm

“All those lazy Republican parasites out in the suburbs and exurbs are gonna get their unemployment checks cut off!”

Actually, many never got them to start with. How many self-employed went belly up?? Tons in the construction industry…………..haven’t gotten a dime…………..

@@

November 18th, 2010
8:47 pm

jay:

Last poll (Gallup) I looked at was back in August. Seems only 25% of the populace have confidence in the media (news AND print). Confidence, but not a whole lotta.

What do you think Americans want when it comes to the media?

Mary Elizabeth

November 18th, 2010
8:47 pm

md 8:43
I am just saying that we need to start getting away from “hating” one political party or the other and start – all of us together – focusing on how to keep our corporations caring about the financial solvency of our nation, instead of caring only about individual corporate profits that come from elsewhere in the world, even though this nation gave birth to them.

Mick

November 18th, 2010
8:47 pm

southern comfort

**Mick

I saw that this morning. Thanks for your contribution. We appreciate it**

Remind me – what contribution?

josef nix

November 18th, 2010
8:48 pm

L’il Barry

Look, not to get into yours and ME’s squabble, but you weaken the case by calling him the “Idiot” Messiah…I’ve been known to use the term Messiah for him myself in reference to that segment of his minions who think he can do no wrong and in reference to that Evita show which was his campaign, but whatever else I may think of Fierce Advocate, he’s no “idiot.”

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
8:50 pm

Not an idiot? You mean he’s doing this on purpose?

Hillbilly Deluxe

November 18th, 2010
8:50 pm

Josef

Well, I just can’t imagine eatin’ the hulls. ;-)

Disgusted

November 18th, 2010
8:50 pm

Now we know why Republicans are having trouble finding people to serve on the Appropriations Committee. Given public sentiment, the cure is as bad as the disease. No one wants to be identified as voting for a tax increase, but no one wants to be viewed as the person who voted for cutting Social Security, Medicare, and defense. But the alternative–doing nothing–will also get members of Congress voted out of office. A turnover every two years appears as far as the eye can see. Maybe Sonny Perdue can gather his group of preachers and pray for a miracle on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.

And this poll’s results demonstrate that Republicans aren’t viewed any more favorably by the public than Democrats. You may stop congratulating yourselves now. Two years from now, it’s see ya’.

md

November 18th, 2010
8:51 pm

Yes Mary, I saw it, and your other posts. Yet you fall victim to your own philosophy. You claim that this and that happened on Bush’s watch, and then in the next sentence say that Obama inherited from Bush. You can’t have it both ways……………..

Mick

November 18th, 2010
8:52 pm

SC

Ok – dan uggla, when he’s hot he’s hot.

md

I agree with that, there are many unemployed who have not received one dime of unemployment while others keep getting extended – tough call.

josef nix

November 18th, 2010
8:53 pm

hillbilly, doggone

Do y’all “grub potatoes?”

Hillbilly Deluxe

November 18th, 2010
8:53 pm

What do you think Americans want when it comes to the media?

What I want is, just tell me what happened. I’ll figure out what it means. It’s like when the President gives a speech. Then the talking heads sit around for 30 minutes, telling us what we just heard. I just heard the speech, spare me your bloviating.

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
8:53 pm

“Do y’all “grub potatoes?””

I do, yes – but I pull carrots

Southern Comfort

November 18th, 2010
8:54 pm

TnGel

No problem. I have that one saved in my favorites for every time I hear the argument about poor people causing the housing crisis or the CRA stuff.

Mick

I was talking about Dan Uggla. I’m a die-hard Braves fan. My lil girl was doing the Chop before she turned one.

Mary Elizabeth

November 18th, 2010
8:55 pm

Mick
And so many of the politician are “owned” by the corporations because they can donate so much more than individuals to their continuing in Congress. We really have a problem and the Right wing media under the direction of Rupert Murdoch, and Roger Ailes is simply creating a diversion from our real problem with corporations. Corporations of course can help this nation, but something must be done legislatively, I think, to control the outpouring of American wealth and jobs.

Speaking of Ailes and his speech that Jay had on video earlier. I was struck by how unrefined – dare I say – brutal his sensibilites seemed to me. Is this the kind of America and Americans we want? The kind that call our president such malicious names and are proud of themselves for doing so? That is not the kind of America I want. It is not the kind of America from “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.”

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
8:55 pm

Why are health care costs still going up? Did we not bend that cost curve…down?

md

November 18th, 2010
8:56 pm

“focusing on how to keep our corporations caring about the financial solvency of our nation, instead of caring only about individual corporate profits that come from elsewhere in the world, even though this nation gave birth to them.”

Totally agree, but then we as a country talk out both sides of our mouth by demanding that these very same corporations maximize profits for our 401k’s………………

Southern Comfort

November 18th, 2010
8:56 pm

What I want is, just tell me what happened. I’ll figure out what it means. It’s like when the President gives a speech. Then the talking heads sit around for 30 minutes, telling us what we just heard. I just heard the speech, spare me your bloviating.

That died with Walter Cronkite. It’s all about ratings now. To hell with the news.

I agree with you though. That’s all I ask for myself.

BeattheBushes

November 18th, 2010
8:56 pm

Unemployment under Bush the Lesser was not increasing rapidly, BUT UNDEREMPLOYMENT was. The shrinking wages of the lower and middle classes created a state where people started falling behind on their payments (houses, cars, etc) with no relief. And NO not everyone was living way above their means.

If your wages are cut in half as many were (permanent employment vs contract) your spending capacity went down.

The middle class lost thousands of workers to offshoring. If they were able to get a job it was for a hell of a lot less than they had been making (less income less taxes paid). These figures were hidden in the unemployment numbers and the less tax revenues were hidden because of the deficits being run.

I have yet to find a full accounting of the wages reported on 1099’s and how much taxes were paid on that number.

Even if the unemployment numbers come down to what they were under Bush the USA has lost so much tax revenue throughout his presidency we might not ever recover.

Spending MUST be cut along with higher taxes on those that do not CREATE US jobs.

How much difference in taxes are paid between 10 families with 2 children making $100,000 and 1 person making $1,000,000 with 2 children?

How much do those 10 families contribute to the economy weekly vs the 1 family. just asking?

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
8:56 pm

ROFL…now calling the president “malicious names” is a BAD thing?

Fkn hypocrite.

Hillbilly Deluxe

November 18th, 2010
8:56 pm

josef

I dig potatoes. If I had more, I would “turn ‘em up” with a plow. And with potatoes and peanuts both, “hill ‘em up” with a plow, to keep them producing. We hill up corn and stuff too, but that’s done with a hoe. We’re all separated by a common language. :lol:

AmVet

November 18th, 2010
8:56 pm

md, millions of hard-working, play by the rules, innocent people, of all stripes, colors and ideologies have been devastated by the corporate destruction of capitalism, aka that “sustained orgy of greed and reckless behavior”.

And this debacle is going to go on for a long time.

After BushCorp left office in disgrace, I said it would take a decade, minimum, to undo the trillions of dollars of thievery and damage.

But its hard to feel sorry for the “tons in the construction industry”, if they profited illegally by using “undocumented” Mexicalis instead of American citizens.

They should in fact be prosecuted and held accountable to the rule of law and justice…

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
8:58 pm

BeattheBushes: Even if the unemployment numbers come down to what they were under Bush the USA has lost so much tax revenue throughout his presidency we might not ever recover.
————————-

Cry me a river…we’ll NEVER recover from having the government take less from its citizens for a few years? Idiot.

Matti

November 18th, 2010
8:59 pm

What Mick said at 8:43!!

I pledge allegiance, to the Plutocracy, of the Corporate States of America! And to the Republicans, who for themselves stand, two nations, under suspicion, with doctors and good schools for some. Amen. Not all politicians are owned, but those who aren’t are small in number, have little money, and few allies. Shouting into the wind, indeed.

(Mick, I’m not just agreeing with you because I want pie.)

md

November 18th, 2010
8:59 pm

“I agree with that, there are many unemployed who have not received one dime of unemployment while others keep getting extended – tough call.”

If you look at the numbers, roughly 20 million unemployed and less than 5 mill getting benefits, yet nary a mention of the other 15 mill………….

AmVet

November 18th, 2010
8:59 pm

Tick, tick, tick…

Lil' Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
9:00 pm

BeattheBushes: higher taxes on those that do not CREATE US jobs.
——————

Hmm, how many US jobs are you creating this year?

Oh, once again, expecting someone else to do what you are not doing, eh?

Hillbilly Deluxe

November 18th, 2010
9:00 pm

SoCo

I never really watched Cronkite. Most everybody who grew up in the Atlanta TV market, grew up in Huntley-Brinkley households. WSB was an NBC affiliate until late 70’s, I think it was. They had the strongest signal of any of the 3 stations in Atlanta at the time, so they got most of the viewers.

josef nix

November 18th, 2010
9:00 pm

Doggone

I pull carrots and turnips and, I think, all the other root crops…I only “grub” potatoes, though–both the “Arsh” ones and the “sweet tater” ones…

And another one, does anyone else “scotch” the door (prop it open with a door stop/”scotch” ?

And do y’all “roast” or “parch” nuts?

Southern Comfort

November 18th, 2010
9:00 pm

Totally agree, but then we as a country talk out both sides of our mouth by demanding that these very same corporations maximize profits for our 401k’s

That’s because we allowed the companies to pull the wool over our eyes and yank the rug from under our feet when we moved away from company pensions. The original intent of the 401(k) was not to be a vehicle to fund retirement. I think it was originally designed as a tax shelter of sorts for those with ample funds to take advantage of it. We’re stuck in a no-win situation now. To maximize our retirement, we have to allow our jobs to be outsourced.

Mick

November 18th, 2010
9:01 pm

mary e
**but something must be done legislatively, I think, to control the outpouring of American wealth and jobs**

See what happened after the supreme court ruling regarding political donations? Did our legislators do anything to fix it? They won’t because now that money is wide open to both parties and the people get left in the dust.

Mary Elizabeth

November 18th, 2010
9:01 pm

I have not even eaten dinner. Good night all. God bless.

md

November 18th, 2010
9:01 pm

“What I want is, just tell me what happened. I’ll figure out what it means. ”

I concur……………

barking frog

November 18th, 2010
9:02 pm

Americans want it all. Now.

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
9:04 pm

“And another one, does anyone else “scotch” the door (prop it open with a door stop/”scotch” ? ”

That one I’ve never heard. In my world we “prop” them

“And do y’all “roast” or “parch” nuts?”

roast

Hillbilly Deluxe

November 18th, 2010
9:05 pm

I parch my peanuts. I also scotch the door, and I scotch the wheel on a car or truck, when I’m jacking it up.

Do y’all know what “hog-penning” means?

Southern Comfort

November 18th, 2010
9:06 pm

HD

You know I was knee high to an ant around that time :)
I remember him somewhat, but not much. The earliest news story I can honestly remember was the Iranian hostage crisis and the hijackings back in the late 70’s and early 80’s. I think the credibility of most news journalists have been on a steady decline, not because of anything of their doing. It’s more because the news agencies care more about ratings and sensationalizing the news instead of just reporting facts. I grew up in NE AL, and we alternated between WSB and some of the stations out of Birmingham.

Matti

November 18th, 2010
9:07 pm

And do y’all “roast” or “parch” nuts?

Hahaha! Stop it! I’m not answering that. Hahahaha!

Southern Comfort

November 18th, 2010
9:07 pm

Roast nuts here… although I’ve seen people sell parched nuts.

AmVet

November 18th, 2010
9:09 pm

I pledge allegiance, to the Plutocracy, of the Corporate States of America!

Humorous story, about a year ago, over at Wooten’s, I used the relatively (at the time) unheard of word, plutocracy.

And man, one of the regular rabid right wingers there went ballistic!

How could I call this country a plutocracy. I must be a commie.

I posted the definition and as usual, the only thing that resulted was more insults but nothing whatsoever to countermand my assertion.

And it was obvious that the offended was pretty much toast.

And now that the term is used widely in this country, I am once again vindicated!

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
9:09 pm

SoCo – ” It’s more because the news agencies care more about ratings and sensationalizing the news instead of just reporting facts”

I can’t remember where I read it anymore, but I’ve got a book around here somewhere and the author’s opinion is that it was the assassination of Kennedy that started the “rot” in news reporting. The idea is that up until that time news was a loss the networks had to endure in order to keep their broadcast license, but after Kennedy was shot new shows made a profit for the first time.

md

November 18th, 2010
9:09 pm

soco,

It was a no win either way……..look at CA, loaded with pensions they can’t afford, same with companies that still have them………many going into bankruptcy and dumping them on us (pbgc).

But yeh, we are at the mercy of the monster we created…………we either keep feeding the monster or we starve it………lose, lose proposition.

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
9:10 pm

“Roast nuts here… although I’ve seen people sell parched nuts.”

I live not too far from the mountains, and while I roast them…the folks around me parch them

Hillbilly Deluxe

November 18th, 2010
9:10 pm

SoCo

The trend towards the “talking head” analysis, after speeches, goes back a long way. The first time I really remember it was around the early 70’s. It may have been around before that and I just wasn’t paying attention.

md

November 18th, 2010
9:10 pm

Shell? Hull? peanuts.

I boil them and then “open” them……………….

Mick

November 18th, 2010
9:11 pm

hd

I once was flying out of DC and david brinkley was on the flight. I watched his show every sunday morning and was a fan. I went up to him to say hi but he really didn’t want to converse…no problem so I let him be. He died shortly after and I read that his net worth was around 15 million yet, he flew coach….many people from the depression era remained frugal.

Del

November 18th, 2010
9:12 pm

The only poll that counts is the one taken when people go and actually vote. This parody of opinion polling can best be hung in a public toilet stall for all its importance. I think its time to suck it up and just accept what the voters said two weeks ago because it can’t be changed until the next time.

josef nix

November 18th, 2010
9:13 pm

Hillbilly

I’ve heard “hog penning” but I can’t recall in what context or how it was used. As for nuts, I parch them, too. And I’m glad to hear somebody else says “scotch.” It must be a Southern Appalachian dialect one…I won’t ever forget one night at the Seder when I said something about “scotching the door for Elijah!” The reaction from some of the outlander MOTs was interesting. I painted a canvas right after that of Elijah comes to Tennessee–the prophet standing looking toward a cabin with a scotched door and the seder table inside!

Southern Comfort

November 18th, 2010
9:17 pm

Doggone

Didn’t know the “rot” began that far back. I would have thought it was Watergate or something that started the decline. I can remember growing up that the news wasn’t so sensational at all. The Dow numbers were something they flashed at the end of the newscast with almost no commentary to go along with them. My, how times have changed, and that’s in a period of 30 yrs or so. Back at home, boiled nuts are the norm. :)

md

Can’t disagree with you on that. I’ve wondered if a type of co-op program would work where you earn shares of the company you work for as long as you’re employed, kinda like the stock options given to CEO’s. Instead of some monstrous hourly wage, augment the hourly pay with stock. When you perform well and the company prospers, you make more. If you don’t produce and the company does likewise, you don’t earn your pay. Haven’t really thought of a way to handle retirement, though.

Hillbilly Deluxe

November 18th, 2010
9:19 pm

I’ll try to explain hog-penning, it’d be easy with a visual. Let’s say you’ve jacked something up, and you have no stands, so you have to sit it on 4 x 4’s or something. Hog-penning is the most stable way to do it. you lay 2 -4x’s parallel on the ground, then you lay two more on top of those crossways, (or perpendicular, if you prefer), then just keep repeating the process. That’s hog-penning.

Daddy taught me that principle when I was about 3 years old or so. I had some toy farm animals and one day he brought me a sack of corn cobs. I asked him what they were for and he said, “To build a pen for your hogs”. He showed me how to stack ‘em and the rest is history.

Southern Comfort

November 18th, 2010
9:19 pm

Del

In the South, there are only two “polls” that are important. One involves fishing, and the other requires a nekkid dancer, a stage, mirrors, and neon lights.

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
9:20 pm

“Didn’t know the “rot” began that far back”

well, beginnnings aren’t always spectacular. My own opinion is that it started then, but it was the advent of the 24 hours news channels that propelled it to what we have now.

TnGelding

November 18th, 2010
9:22 pm

Medical care costs continue to go up. Health care is free; rest, diet, exercise. But you do have to spend a little time.

Congress knew the deficit would explode. That’s why the changes are scheduled to expire. Now it doesn’t have the guts to let it happen

Southern Comfort

November 18th, 2010
9:23 pm

it was the advent of the 24 hours news channels that propelled it to what we have now.

Couldn’t agree more. (even though I love me some Soledad O’Brien) ;)

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
9:23 pm

“I’ll try to explain hog-penning”

Ahhh…I know that one by the same term house movers use: cribbing

Mick

November 18th, 2010
9:24 pm

Anybody out there got a score on the dolphins/bears game tonite?

AmVet

November 18th, 2010
9:26 pm

Mick,

6 – 0 Bears, with about 6 left in the first half…

Mick

November 18th, 2010
9:28 pm

amvet

Thanks – I’m proctoring an ASE test, no live stream, blocked. Fins will find a way to pull it out.

md

November 18th, 2010
9:29 pm

soco,

Don’t like the stock options idea……….been there, done that. In the end, the company is now gone, but I still have a drawer full of stock options.

Be happy to sell you some…………..

josef nix

November 18th, 2010
9:29 pm

Hillbilly

Thanks….

Well, gotta go get ready for tomorrow…g’night….

Southern Comfort

November 18th, 2010
9:31 pm

Be happy to sell you some

For pennies on the dollar, right?

Gonna call it a night. Bama’s cruising, and I’ll be cranky if I don’t get some sleep. I’d hate to show up at work tomorrow ABM style. See y’all…

TnGelding

November 18th, 2010
9:31 pm

Either the Dolphins swam circles around the Bears or the Bears consuumed the Dolphins. What about ‘Bama and GSU?

TnGelding

November 18th, 2010
9:34 pm

You can always use those stock options as wallpaper.

Mick

November 18th, 2010
9:38 pm

Wallpaper hanging – now there’s a lost art.

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
9:41 pm

“Wallpaper hanging – now there’s a lost art”

can’t be that lost – I’ve got a cousing who makes her living doing just that.

Mick

November 18th, 2010
9:42 pm

We don’t have the money yet this goes on and on and……….

“In fact, the war is costing on the order of $7 billion a month, a sum that is still being borrowed and adding nearly $100 billion a year to the already-burgeoning national debt. Yet in all the talk in all the campaigns in the hustings about the dangers of the federal budget deficit, hardly any candidates fingered the war as economically unsustainable.
The American public cannot have a debate on the war if it is not even mentioned in public. The extreme invisibility of the Afghanistan war is apparent from a Lexis Nexis search I did for “Kandahar” (again, the site of a major military campaign) for the period from Oct. 15 to Nov. 15. I got only a few dozen hits, from all American news sources (National Public Radio was among the few media outlets that devoted substantial airtime to the campaign).
The campaign in the outskirts of Kandahar had been modeled on last winter’s attack on the farming area of Marjah in Helmand Province. Marjah was a demonstration project, intended to show that the U.S., NATO and Afghanistan security forces could “take, clear, hold and build.”

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
9:43 pm

“cousing” – darn! My second most common typing mistake…adding a “g”
My first most common is “user” for “use”!

Mick

November 18th, 2010
9:44 pm

Doggone/GA

You mean “cousin”? There are many pretenders but very few craftsmen, that’s what I meant.

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
9:45 pm

“There are many pretenders but very few craftsmen, that’s what I meant.”

Yes, well in that line of thought – that’s true of a LOT of the skilled trades.

RW-(the original)

November 18th, 2010
9:46 pm

Adam,

If you’re still around thanks for the link. I got called away and I’ll have to read it later, but we can discuss it next time we end up on here at the same time after that.

mikefrga

November 18th, 2010
9:46 pm

josef nix@9:13 pm

All the talk about scotch is making me thirsty :-D

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
9:48 pm

mikefrga – sorry, but Josef signed off a few minutes ago

Doggone/GA

November 18th, 2010
9:50 pm

And i”m off too…’nite everryone

BeattheBushes

November 18th, 2010
10:03 pm

Lil’ Barry Bailout

November 18th, 2010
9:00 pm
BeattheBushes: higher taxes on those that do not CREATE US jobs.
——————

Hmm, how many US jobs are you creating this year?

Oh, once again, expecting someone else to do what you are not doing, eh?
———————————————————————————–

I am not creating any jobs this year so therefore I would pay more in taxes than someone who was or is creating US jobs or is that too hard for your mind to absorb.

Also since the tax cuts have been in place for so many years how many jobs have YOU created in the USA with those savings? And by that I mean directly (as in how many more people did YOU employ from 2001 through 2008)

md

November 18th, 2010
10:03 pm

“Wallpaper hanging – now there’s a lost art.”

Folks found out it was easier to change paint colors vs getting that wallpaper OFF the wall…………..

Hillbilly Deluxe

November 18th, 2010
10:52 pm

Well, the Braves have fired the manager of their AA affiliate, Phillip Wellman. He’ll always be remembered for this. Hope he lands on his feet somewhere.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ggy6WGUFaYs

mikefrga

November 18th, 2010
11:29 pm

“Wallpaper hanging – now there’s a lost art.”

Folks found out it was easier to change paint colors vs getting that wallpaper OFF the wall…………..
———————————————–

I always found it easier to hang wallpaper after beer (don’t like stripes though) LOL

OTOH

November 19th, 2010
1:36 am

Earmarks themselves are not the big problem, however, we cannot afford them and every dollar we can save is a dollar we are not borrowing and more importantly they are examples of the real problem. We have continuously increased the things the Federal gov’t does for 10 decades pretending that the latest ineffective program costs nothing – it’s only a million or two. They add up. They also weaken the economy. each and every one.

Mary Elizabeth

November 19th, 2010
1:41 am

To Lil’ Barry Bailout 8:42 p.m.

“Why do you think this is happening?” (Barry, is referring to why money via the corporations is leaving our nation.)

I said the answer in my original statement that our nation is not investing in the infrastructure of transportation (speed rail like Europe and China), nor are we investing in new energy techniques and areas appropriate for the 21st Century. Investors, and corporations, are moving where these areas of human development for the 21st Century ARE happening. And they is not happening here in America because we are becoming regressive in our worldview and thinking instead of progressive. We are so focused on smaller and smaller government, and – Heaven forbid – that anyone take any of “my” personal money for taxes, that we are losing our ability to have a vision for the future. We have a leader in Barack Obama who has the vision we need to keep developing energy and transportation here. We are fortunate to have him, but until we stop being so small minded and egocentric as a nation, and start looking toward the future and being a little more creative with our vision for America for the future, corporate interests will continue to flee to those nations where they value 21st century industries and where they have already entered the 21st century. We are falling behind because we are becoming smaller and smaller minded as a people. We must think in a progressive way again, and for the best interests for the nation as a whole – not just think closed in thoughts that relate only to “my” own little world.

Just Saying...

November 19th, 2010
3:53 am

You know, it’s amazing that Cooper can communicate so much in one pithy remark, and Obama….

TnGelding

November 19th, 2010
5:26 am

Progressive! I’ll go for that. At least we finally got the drawbridge to the 21st century Bush erected down.

Read it and weep:

New studies concur that cardiovascular disease is primarily the result of lifestyle

On November 15, 2010, the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2010 featured presentations of the results of two studies which indicate that lifestyle has a greater impact on whether one will develop cardiovascular disease than being genetically predisposed to acquire the disease.

In the first study, researchers at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine evaluated data from 2,336 men and women aged 18 to 30 upon enrollment in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults longitudinal study sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Diet, physical activity, alcohol intake, smoking status, weight, and blood pressure and glucose levels were assessed at the beginning of the study and at the seventh and twentieth years of follow-up.

Read it and smile:

http://www.ajc.com/business/kia-adding-another-1-746076.html

USinUK

November 19th, 2010
6:34 am

Thanks Jay –

you reminded me of one of my favorite scenes from the West Wing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4pB5_0AUVk

Jay

November 19th, 2010
6:46 am

Just sayin’, here’s the problem:

Imagine Cooper’s words being uttered by Obama: “When I talk even to sophisticated audiences and try to clue them in, they react like kids being told a bedtime story. They want to know, ‘Where’s the happy ending?”

Now imagine the hullaballoo that would ensue. American presidents are not allowed to speak to the American people like adults.

Mary Elizabeth

November 19th, 2010
6:48 am

And one more thing.

Our nation is fast becoming one which inhabited by rude, bullies – people “brutal” in their sensibilities. Why is this happening? Rush LImbaugh was, to my recollection, the first to call President Obama “The Messiah.” Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly, and their boss at FOXNews, Roger Ailes all have bully styles. President Bush had a bully style when he took us to war in Iraq and
declared, “Bring it on!” I would even say that Sarah Palin, who has the nickname Sarah “Barracuda” – long there since her adolescent days – has a bully style.

These are the people most Rightwing Americans are valuing and emulating. We should start speaking out against what is happening to our nation’s sensibilties. The world will never really respect this style. Moreover, “the bully style,” which so values brute power, is an obsolete way of communicating with others.

The United States is going to be left behind not only because corporate money is going overseas for 21 Century energy, transportation interests; we are going to be left behind because of our misguided “respect” for power through force, and our newly revisited anti-intellectualism in our country.

Valuing intellectual growth fosters mental refinement which is manifest in manners, courtesy, and respect toward others, i.e. Thomas Jefferson.

USinUK

November 19th, 2010
6:53 am

“American presidents are not allowed to speak to the American people like adults”

because the American People don’t act like adults.

they want easy fixes (we want unemployment down noooowwwwww)

they want everyone else to pay for their problems (cut government spending – just not MY programs)

TaxPayer

November 19th, 2010
7:25 am

Jay,

The American people do so know what they want — it goes something like having your cake and eating it too.

jm

November 19th, 2010
11:27 am

Our country is kaput. Short of some drastic measures. Ireland, Greece. Do we need this to happen to the US before we wake up and smell the coffee?

jm

November 19th, 2010
11:28 am

Fred

November 23rd, 2010
8:29 pm

If you like it, tell me on another one of Jay’s. I won’t be back to this one.