Perdue didn’t do much; Deal likely to do even less

Today is November 30.

BONER, WHERE ARE THE JOBS CREATED FROM THE BUSH TAX CUTS FOR THE WEALTHY?

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It’s hard to imagine someone actually worse than Perdue. What a Deal!

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WoW! Why so much optimism, Jay. These are Georgia’s good old boys you speak of so there really is no need to even entertain expectations that extend beyond the over-sized pockets that they have had specially made for their coveralls. We can only hope that things do not get significantly worse under the “new” leadership that the majority of Georgia’s voters have chosen and that’s a stretch. But, if it gets too bad, they have not sealed the borders yet. So, we can escape to one of the other states and cut our losses in a pinch. I wonder which one would be the better choice, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Alabama… maybe North Carolina. There’s the ticket.

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Deal could, like any other state/governor, likely do a better job if our state’s fate was not so closely tied to the Federal purse strings. The Fed Gov continues to inflict upon the states unfunded mandates while operating under the Robin Hood principle. Any logical thinker only needs to look at the Federal Award for the trolley, and the City government’s buy-in with a smile while surrounding infrastruture falls apart, to see the challenge facing the governor – the state versus Atlanta. Deal will have done a good job if he maintains status-quo while positioning for growth when the recovery kicks in.

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Well, all the worthless Sonny ever give me was a name for my grandkid. Which I’m changing as soon as I get a few bucks set aside to pay a lawyer. Little _________ Zell George will have a new 1st name. He ain’t going thru life named after a shiftless guvner that didn’t do nothing except build some nice boat ramps, get a special tax break, pray for rain, get his trucking co. a exit to the port, and keep the Heathens from buying booze on my Sabbath.

I don’t know what to expect from Nathan. But one thing’s for sure. He’ll be very rich within two years. All the debts will be paid off. Just like we don’t want to see sausage being made, we won’t see how he comes across all that money. At least I never named my grandkid after him.

Have a good day everybody.

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There are millions of really good people in Georgia…..and we were offered Barnes and Deal.

What the hell is that all about?

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All I can say to defend Deal is that he’s far better than Barnes; not exactly a ringing endorsement, but we’re all victims of the two-party system. As far as a new tax–forget it! Government needs the same impetus as private individuals and business which forces them to make difficult decisions. While I don’t know if the premise of Jay’s statement is accurate regarding the billions cut from education when times were good, if this is the case, then it made things far less painful when tax revenues evaporated w/ the economic decline–less shock to the system.

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I don’t think it matters who is gov if you are an Atlanta Public Schools Student. You will get a new super, picked from a field that exludes the majority of population. Then you will hear the praise from the left about how great the new super is and how great the schools now are. Then you will get great grades and be told you are somebody. Then you score a 4 on the SAT and realize you have not learned a damn thing. Then the left will bash repubs for not sending enough money to ATL schools, even though you can send two kids to Pius for the same money. I could be wrong, the left may blame it on the tea party, but they will place blame.

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Nofreecheese @ 8:05 a.m.
“While, I don’t know if the premise of Jay’s statement is accurate regarding the billions cut from
education when times were good. . . ”

I repeat, “Perdue’s tenure could be viewed as activist toward the end of smaller government.”
The cuts were not totally by necessity, but by design, in my opinion.

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see the challenge facing the governor – the state versus Atlanta.

Yep. The taxpayers in the metro area have been carrying the rest of the state for far too long. It’s time for them to carry their own weight. Maybe Deal will be the one to start that trend.

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Sounds like Bob is trying to place blame on someone other than Georgia’s good old boys for what they have “done” here in Georgia. Last time I checked, Georgia was still being run by the Republicans so it’s kinda hard to go and blame others for their own doin’. And quit tryin’ to blame Obama for what Georgia’s elected ones are doin’. To hear some of you compassionate conservatives talk, one might get the impression that Obama comes down here to Georgia and twists each one of your arms until you agree to do as he tells you to do and surely there would be no truth to such a notion outside the confines of a FOX news broadcast.

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Georgia, fast becoming Mississippi East.
So much potential squandered.

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Jay it is all in your perspective. I wager if you ask Sonny he will tell you that his accomplishments are legendary. For example:

He saved over $100,000 in real estate taxes.

He borrowed $21 million on really great terms to finance his business.

He has leveraged state resources and appointments well position himself to profit from doing business with the state in Savannah.

Folks that is just what we know…I bet there is much much more.

Didn’t do much? I think Sonny would tell you this was the most profitable 8 years of his life. Nathan on the other hand…just can’t wait to scoop up his “fair” share.

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Very depressing comments about your new governor, but wait florida elected a crook also, so maybe your “deal” won’t be so bad…

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Wow! There are so many good political topics right now and you’re blogging about what might sorta, could be in GA? Deal ain’t great, Barnes was worse and Purdue is below dog poo poo.
Now there is impending war in the Korean penisula, a massive security breach by a pro-Iranian rapist from Sweden, and obama wants to have a slurpee with Republican leaders….Who gives a crap what you think Deal may do?

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“There are so many good political topics right now and you’re blogging about what might sorta, could be in GA”

Standard reply: this is Jay’s blog, not yours. If you don’t like his choice of subjects, then start your OWN blog and you can comment on any news YOU choose.

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Sonny (R) was in charge for 8 years and what did Georgia get? Now you dummies put in Nathan (R) “Let’s make a Deal” and you think things are going to get better? Well the will. He’ll pay off his debt with your money and his high paid lobbyist cronies will get rich too.

No wonder you guy’s rank 49/50 in education. But look at the bright side you’re smarter than Mississippi.

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Jay , what happened to Heidi Green?

Add to Perdue’s achievements is the purchasing of land at twice the original price. Good use of taxpayers money….in a recession!

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Actually, the FIRST thing Perdue did was raise taxes on tobacco.

Once a democrat, you can never go back.

Statist pig.

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JT, right on.

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“Standard reply: this is Jay’s blog, not yours. If you don’t like his choice of subjects, then start your OWN blog and you can comment on any news YOU choose.”

Then maybe Jay should be the one responding………………..

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The same could be said for Obama, who, as it turns out, is Bush-lite

You mean to tell me that Bush was a Socialist, Fascist, Marxist, Muslim-in-disguise, Manchurian Candidate wanna-be President too?!!? (did I get all of Obama’s adjectives in there)… forgot Uppity too!!!

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Georgia should apply to the Corps of Engineers to extract
water from the Tennessee River and decrease use from Lake
Lanier on environmental grounds. A pipeline from Alabama
or Tennessee could fill the needs. Recycling water could also
relieve some usage. Rail will never be feasible unless gas
lands around 5.00 per gallon. Sometimes politicians doing
nothing are more benefit than politicians doing something.

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Sonny’s record as Governor has been pretty much front and center for the last eight years. In spite of this, Nathan Deal gets elected as our new Governor. The abysmal intelligence level of the majority of Georgia voters clearly shows why we are usually ranked near or at the bottom in America.

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What? The Governor did a great job…of using his job to increase his personal net worth. Did anyone ever really expect him to give a hoot about anything else.

Now we have Nathan “lets-make-a” Deal. The Tea-Partiers and GOP wingnuts have put thise state back 20 years. Want progress on transportation, infrastructure, jobs, water? Then move out of Georgia.

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SoCo, turning the tide (no pun intended!) is going to require enormous work. Taking back our blood-soaked and sacred sovereignty from the multi-nationals and “monied powers” (hat tip Thomas Jefferson) will require enormous sacrifice and relentless determination. Electing men of true principle and moral courage will be exceedingly difficult, as the “good’ ones will not tolerate the “gotchas”, character assassinations and endless prevarications that are considered the norm of today.

Simply stated, removing the corporate-led stranglehold on our collective American throats is going to take the hard work of millions of people.

And for many, this looks as good as any place to start.

In some ways, I’ve always felt I was 50 years ahead of my time. I won’t be around to see it, but I pray to ALL of the deities, that rank and file American citizens will finally get fully informed and fully involved. By that time the plutocracy will be completely implemented, 95% of all wealth and associated power in this republic will be concentrated into 10% or less of the population and the oligarchs may likely suffer the same fate as those in France circa 1789.

The only question is who will be the new age Robespierre?

In the meantime, let the rest of us eat cake…

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Mary Elizabeth
@8:13am
“By design”
You betcha!!
The response to you proved your point
in no uncertain way!!!!!!

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GOOD!!!

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SoCo:

You mean to tell me that Bush was a Socialist, Fascist, Marxist, Muslim-in-disguise, Manchurian Candidate wanna-be President too?!!? (did I get all of Obama’s adjectives in there)… forgot Uppity too!!!

Other than “Uppity”…your adjective, not mine (I prefer arrogant/detached) have you ever seen me use any of the above to describe Obama? The answer is NO!!!

A statist? Yes!!!!

The term statism is sometimes used to refer to state capitalism or highly-regulated market economies with large amounts of government intervention. It is also used to refer to state socialism or co-operative economic systems that use the state, through nationalization, as a means of running industry.

For someone who promotes “no labels”, you certainly work hard to apply them to others, who may, or may not, agree with you on all things.

The solutions that nolabels.com advocates are the same as those being advocated by Congressman Paul Ryan (R). I’m a fan.

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My dog could have done a better job than Sonny, but these days, the hardest work any Repub has to do is to win their primary. Then they’re home free until the next primary…just keep railing against Obama and Pelosi (just because she’s not in charge any more won’t make any difference) and do nothing. I wish my job were so easy.

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“Fly or rail, one still has to have a car when they get where they are going.”

I have LONG thought that rail services were missing a good trick. For instance, I used to do a lot of long-distance driving to get to events with my dogs. Rail would have taken me there too, but it was to inconvenient – because, as you said, I still needed my van when I got there. Plus, traveling with up to 10 dogs on rail was just too much hassle.

But if I could have, for a reasonable sum, been able to load my van and dogs onto a train – say in a closed box car – AND been able to travel with them, it would have been a viable option.

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Southern Comfort@8:49 am

You mean to tell me that Bush was a Socialist, Fascist, Marxist, Muslim-in-disguise, Manchurian Candidate wanna-be President too?!!? (did I get all of Obama’s adjectives in there)… forgot Uppity too!!!
—————————
Kenyan also
Non-American

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“Want progress on transportation, infrastructure, jobs, water? Then move out of Georgia”

I’ll drink to that! “Don’t let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya.”

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The Roadmap would give the most affluent households a new round of very large, costly tax cuts by reducing income tax rates on high-income households; eliminating income taxes on capital gains, dividends, and interest; and abolishing the corporate income tax, the estate tax, and the alternative minimum tax. At the same time, the Ryan plan would raise taxes for most middle-income families, privatize a substantial portion of Social Security, eliminate the tax exclusion for employer-sponsored health insurance, end traditional Medicare and most of Medicaid, and terminate the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

How could any true compassionate conservative resist. Just look at some of the great things that Roadmap would accomplish.

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Taxpayer, you really think 10 years of repub state control has given us 30 years of failed Atlanta schools ? That’s funny, but how much you want to bet the good old boys you are blaming are smart enough to keep their kids out of APS. Did the tea party elect Beverly Hall ? The state has many quality public schools, Atlanta has a few good schools, Morris Brandon & Sarah Smith to name a couple, the majority though are expensive day care centers. Like I said, somebody will blame repubs, taxpayer, I guess you blame repubs for Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and NAFTA.

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But if I could have, for a reasonable sum, been able to load my van and dogs onto a train – say in a closed box car – AND been able to travel with them, it would have been a viable option.

Amen to that! I’m simply amazed that no entrepreneur has come up with a scheme whereby we can take our cars with us during train travel. In the present version of train travel, we’re still left without transportation once we reach our destination—unless we opt for extremely expensive car rentals.

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Mr. Bookman,

I disagree. I think Deal is going to be quite impressive!! He’s not only going to erase $4mil/debt on a $135K/yr salary in just four years, but he’s going to take it to the plus column in a BIG way! Furthermore, he’s going to do it with the *blessings* and *praise* of the people of Georgia, while not lifting so much as one corrupt pinky finger to solve any of the state’s problems.

These amazing feats are rivaled only by Wizards in great works of fiction!!! The people of Georgia DO love their fiction! Especially all the fiction in the steaming piles of poo shoveled their way by the Republicans and the dominant right-wing media. Yes, close your eyes while we drift backwards in time to a time of grace and plenty (for a handful of rich folks while everyone else suffered.) It was beautiful back then…. the Hollywood Libs told us so! … Ahhhh, good times.

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Bob, get real. Republicans are in control here in Georgia so don’t try to blame the Dems or Obama for their failings.

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You have the FACTS right, but the interpretation is all wrong.

Georgia cannot solve the water crisis. The Corps of Engineers had no right to make water deals with Georgia, and Georgia KNEW about that for the last 20 years. Georgia grabbed that water under DEMOCRATIC Governors and DEMOCRATIC leadership knowing full well that someday Georgia would be called to task for it. Alabama and Florida have not one single incentive to give up a drop of water to Georgia. The governor of Georgia has absolutely no power to resolve the situation other than begging.

Yes, there are budget shortfalls. But put in perspective, Georgia has one of the lowest debts of all 50 states. Depending on the study, Georgia is ranked between 7th and 18th in per capita debt (1st being the lowest per capita), Georgia is one of about a dozen states that still has an AAA bond rating. Overall, Georgia is not the best but Georgia is FAR from the worst.

And finally, Georgia’s transportation was hamstrung by a lack of funding and vision. Georgia is still recovering from the Democrat dominated DOT (Wayne Shackleford ring a bell?) and the all out sprawl that took Atlanta Metro by storm during the great 90’s expansion fueled by illegal water. These , again, were DEMOCRAT-sourced problems.

In short, Perdue was a mediocre Governor. But he was not responsible for the problems that you have suggested, Jay, and it is not within the Governor’s power to solve them.

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” I’m simply amazed that no entrepreneur has come up with a scheme whereby we can take our cars with us during train travel.”

Especially since there are trucking companies that will move your car for you. But that’s not an option for me, because you can’t travel with your vehicle, and I doubt they would take a van with the dogs in it anyway.

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Taxpayer, why do you have to make things up to help your argument, I never mentioned Obama and never said I had compassion. You really think repubs running the state hired Bev Hall ?
“And quit tryin’ to blame Obama for what Georgia’s elected ones are doin’. To hear some of you compassionate conservatives talk, one might get the impression that Obama comes down here to Georgia and twists each one of your arms”. Taxpayer, I blame the APS officials, Obama had nothing to do with Hall claiming dropouts were actually tranfers so the graduation rate looked better, it was a scam. Why do need need to lie about what was in my post, read it again and show me where I mentioned Obama. You proved my post to be correct, APS is and has been democrat/liberal controlled for over 100 years, you blamed the good old boy repubs.

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Taxpayer:

You’re obviously a Krugman fan. Whether you like it or not, The Roadmap Lives!!!

Even Democrats are getting on board.

The fundamental elements of the Ryan Roadmap are sweeping tax reform; changes in health care which emphasize a marketplace and consumer choice; and modifications to retirement programs that reflect demographic reality. All of these elements can now be found in budget plans endorsed by prominent Democrats, including Democrats the president himself turned to find solutions to the nation’s budget problems. Consequently, it will be much harder in the future for Democrats to demonize these ideas as they have tried to do in the past.

Paul Ryan took the courageous step of going first with a bold plan to fundamentally restructure the tax and entitlement policies that threaten to push the federal budget past the breaking point. Now others, even some from the other side of the aisle, are joining him in sponsoring similar plans. The Roadmap does indeed live on.

Politicians who are willing to face the harsh realities.

I YIKE IT!!!

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These Tuesday morning quarterbacks ought to run for governor.

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Perdue is brining in the HOT lane conversion to I-85. I wonder how much of a kickback he is getting from that. It is a system that we do not need, and is another toll collecting boondoggle that drives the WRONG behavior instead of doing what is needed in reducing the number of cars on the road.

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Jack

Sonny was a joke and Nate won’t be any better.

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Shawny

November 30th, 2010
9:55 am

I agree wholeheartly. And look how many times the taxpayer has payed for this.

Once, to build I-85
Twice, to build the HOV lane
Third , to install the HOT lane
Fourth, to travel in the HOT lane.

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Hi USinUK,

Yummy! I’ve passed your blog onto several of me friends and my sisters (who think “cooking” is opening a box of Hamburger Helper or Kraft Mac ‘n’ Cheese — weird how siblings who grew up in the same house with the same mother doing the same things in the kitchen can be so different in their culinary skills and tastes).

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The south made the front page of the NYT online today ‘Celebrating Secession Without the Slaves’
with a picture from the Cyclorama.

I wonder if Sonny has got Dec 20th set aside as a state holiday to mark the 150th anniversary of secession, hope the Tea Party don’t get an idea in their heads to do it again.

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TaxPayer @ 10:04,

That’s never going to happen. As long as they have “liberals, gays, blacks, atheists, Obama, and welfare grandmas” to pin their failings on, they’ll continue to trash the state, enrich only themselves, and take no responsibility whatsoever. “Personal Responsibility” is only an advertising slogan, not meant to be taken literally in their own careers.

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dumbcrkr

November 30th, 2010
9:58 am

But the joke’s on us…both times…

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The fundamental elements of the Ryan Roadmap are sweeping tax reform; changes in health care which emphasize a marketplace and consumer choice; and modifications to retirement programs that reflect demographic reality. All of these elements can now be found in budget plans endorsed by prominent Democrats, including Democrats the president himself turned to find solutions to the nation’s budget problems. Consequently, it will be much harder in the future for Democrats to demonize these ideas as they have tried to do in the past.

@@,

I see that you really like to just focus on the facts when making decisions on truly life-changing choices.

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The Governor’s office has become a joke. All it exists for now is to line the pockets of whatever rich, white Republican can dupe enough voters into putting him into office. Perdue made a killing as Governor and now Deal expects to do the same.

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Story: Troops buck historical trend by saying gays OK

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40392674/ns/politics/

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pat,

“Now there is impending war in the Korean penisula, a massive security breach by a pro-Iranian rapist from Sweden, and obama wants to have a slurpee with Republican leaders….Who gives a crap what you think Deal may do?”

I’m always struck by how blinded people are by the flash of national and international events, but local event that shape their everyday lives take a backseat.

Wake up…what happens in your local and state gov’t affects you more directly than what happens in national and international events. It just doesn’t have the glitter.

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Georgians were between a rock and a hard place when voting in the governor’s race this cycle. We knew what to expect from Barnes – more government, higher taxes and the continuation of the good ol’ boy syndrome. With Deal – possible repercussions from ethics violations and shady business transactions and the continuation of the good ol’ boy syndrome. The way Deal came on to beat Handel, the far superior candidate, in the runoff showed that he had the backing of the statewide republican party establishment. I voted for the libertarian Monds as a protest for the lack of qualified “mainstream” candidates. So in this sense, I semi-agree with you, Bookman.

However, Perdue made a prudent decision by asking for budget cuts while times were good and there was a surplus. If he hadn’t, Georgia would be in worse fiscal shape than we are currently facing. Unfortunately, the next set of cuts as proposed by the Governor’s Office of Planning, House Budget Office and the Senate Budget and Evaluation Office will be painful, but necessary, to keep the state on sound financial footing. The other alternative would be to raise taxes and/or more user fees.

And, by the way, those “billions” in education budget cuts were over 10 years, plus, meant to get rid of the waste in mid-level management positions so available funds would get to the classrooms, not in bureaucrats pockets. And, while talking about education, how about strengthening HOPE scholarship requirements? A good start would be standardizing what a “B” average means across the state and putting a clamp on grade inflation. Do you realize the number of kids on HOPE who have to take remedial courses freshman year in college? What a waste.

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That needs to be branded on the butts of all conservatives who think that privatization of everything is the panacea to all woes.

Hey! I resemble that remark! Why, every month when I open my natural gas bill, I see the benefits of privatization. Let’s see, now—there’s the charge for natural gas, and then there’s a pass-through charge, and then comes a carrier fee that’s based on my credit rating. And I’m just sure the total bill is lower than it would have been if the PSC had just left the danged thing alone in the first place. Well, maybe. And I get all the TV ads and mailings from rival carriers for free! Anyway, just think of all the new jobs that all the Toms, Dicks, and Harrys who set up carrier companies to piggy-back on Atlanta Gas Light have created.

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Mary Elizabeth, Let us not forget that the South’s heritage has been one based on a hierarchy of class from antebellum days forward. The magnanimity of honoring equality has not yet been fully developed in the consciousness of citizens.

I doubt that will ever happen. The “equality” message has only moved the mentality of the working class from “Mr. Moneybags will take care of me if I’m loyal to him” (feudal mentality) to “Even though I have a limited education and a crappy job, and I don’t know how it will happen, I am going to BE Mr. Moneybags one day, and when that happens, I don’t want to pay no taxes!” They cede their own current best interests to the fantasy of someday, which of course, never comes for 98% of them.

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Common Sense,

“No need to widen the road just narrow the lanes.”

Are you serious…have you driven through downtown when it is bumper to bumper, but every one is going 40 – 60 mph? They can barely keep their Suburban’s in their lanes as it is…

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jewcowboy: Wake up…what happens in your local and state gov’t affects you more directly than what happens in national and international events. It just doesn’t have the glitter.

PREACH IT, Brother! I preach this all the time, and still get blank stares from most people I encounter. They have no idea who represents them at the state or local level, and even less about who is funding them and benefitting from the results of the legislative sessions.

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So you took my post and used it to generalize???

Therein lies the problem. It’s all too convenient

Naw, I took your post to make a joke.

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Reeah @ 10:32

Thank you for the graphs compiled by “The Nation’s Report Card.”

In Mathematics:
In 1978, there was a 17 point gap in achievement between private and public school students. In 2008, there was a 10 point gap between private and public school students. In both cases, private school achievement was higher. Public schools serve ALL of the population – from the highest to the very lowest; private schools are more selective in population.

In Reading:
In 1978, there was a 13 point gap between private and public. In 2008, there was a 19 point gap between public and private

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It seems as if 8 years isn’t enough time to fix the problems at the state level but 2 years is ample time for Obama to fix the 8 years of Bush (the lesser)

Didn’t you watch Deep Impact? In disaster movies, the Black President fixes things very quick!! Two years for Obama was 18 months too long!!

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Common Sense,

“I always love the semis inside the Perimeter 2 inches from my mirror.”

Ahh…that makes more sense. Though truthfully, I trust the semi more than the SUV with South Carolina or Florida tags with luggage tied to the roof

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I lost my statement when I looked again at the chart. Here is the completion of my thought.

Reading skills are not being taught according to the instructional level of the children. Children do not grow if they are not taught where they are functioning. That is why you can get 9th graders reading on 5th grade level and this is not known without testing them.

The answer is not to “throw the baby out with the bathwater” but to refine and improve public education.

Again:

Public schools serve ALL of the population – from the very lowest to the very highest in achievement. Private schools are more selective in their populations. Thus, the chart is somewhat misleading in that the samples tested are not equivalent in range of population and their varying achievement starting points.

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Southern Comfort,

“Two years for Obama was 18 months too long!!”

Only if it was Morgan Freeman…

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Only if it was Morgan Freeman

Maybe that’s who voters thought they were electing. You know, some people say we all look alike.

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Jay how do you know this? This man hasn’t even served one day in office yet. You liberal mouthpieces for the corrupt democrat progressive party are always spreading lies and mis-imformation about others. Also your partner in crime Cynthia Tucker is the most racist person in the entire ajc newspaper. What a LIAR she is and stupid too.

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information, sorry

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The bottom line is we get the governance the majority settles for…and the majority in this state, and the ones who are not absolute dolts, are lazy, ill-informed and easily distracted by sparkly things.

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@@

Ok. I didn’t think my post was an attack. I was just making a joke about all the labels that have been applied to Obama. It seems like your fellow conservatives have no problem using those labels in a serious manner, so I didn’t see me using those labels in a joking manner as an attack. However, I know that two people can have two different perspectives, so I will refrain from using your posts in the future.

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Southern Comfort@10:54 am

Didn’t you watch Deep Impact? In disaster movies, the Black President fixes things very quick!! Two years for Obama was 18 months too long!!
—————————

OBAMAs BLACK (memo to self, pay attention) LOL

I always thought the Kenyan line was a missspelling of Keynesian economics

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Less HARM would be an improvement! Can’t hope for that, though, based on his previous “accomplishments.”

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@ Mick 10:43: Much better post, Rick Scott’s ability to govern is debatable–as is every unproven newly elected leader. I’ll leave that debate to FL residents–although congessional redistricting will affect the future composition of the US Congress.

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corrupt democrat progressive party

And what there aren’t any corrupt members of the GOP? Excuse me … but I certainly believe that our Governor to be is one (not to mention others). Trust me … there are PLENTY of BOTH parties that are corrupt.

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Truthbe: you must not be in the 9th district or done any research, or you would know what we can expect based on almost 20 years in Congress!

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Common Sense

You didn’t write that memo to yourself on your hand, did you? The first time you wash your hands, your note’s history!!!

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It is funny how Bookman picks one topic and judges the entire tenure of a politician by that topic. Great job.

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Roy Barnes would have been a disaster.

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Oh look AmVet is here. What interesting comments do you have to share with us today.

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Paulo that is comical!

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Paulo – 11:20 – TESTIFY!

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Paulo977,

“The GOP has not done anything for Working People in GA or in the rest of the US!!”

Of course they did. They showed us the importance of sport fishing.

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USMC DAWG,

“But in reality we live in a two party system, and those were the best two we could come up with?”

We only live in a two party system, because we accept a two party system.

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“Roy Barnes would have been a disaster.”

Well considering when he WAS Governor back in the day and the State was much better off than it is now…….odd that you should write that.

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Ahhhhhh…….did someone say Susan Collins? The Deputy Senate Goddess? She’s neat.

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Caucasian man, merely that you are mathematically challenged and have documented issues with reading comprehension.

It is funny how Bookman picks one topic and judges the entire tenure of a politician by that topic. Great job.

To wit, I count four topics – budget shortfall, transportation, education and water. But then again, I was a bit of a math wiz…

Oh look AmVet is here. What interesting comments do you have to share with us today.

Us?

For the umpteenth time, quit speaking for the gerbil in your pocket.

http://www.grammarbook.com/grammar/pronoun.asp

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Bosch, how was the state better then. Please provide statistics of your point.

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Taxpayer @ 10:46

“Seeing beyond labels.”

Very astute remarks. I could write a book on what you question. However, for the purposes of the blog’s need for brevity, let me just say that even though we label to clarify in our own minds, we must hold simultaneously the thought that the label does an injustice because the label itself is so limiting and minimizing.

My father gave the the name Mary Elizabeth. And you will label me with whatever perceptions you mold in your mind from my responses on this blog, but you can never know me in the fullness of my being and perhaps I won’t even know the depths of that myself. That goes for every other human being on Earth, not just for Mary Elizabeth.

In a political realm, when we do not hold a simultaneous recognition that the “other” holds more dimensions than we can yet imagine, then we can easily demonize the “other” with our simplistic labels. Labels are dangerous because of the cardboard mentality that they foster – unless we have the knowledge to take them “with a grain of salt.”

This is why it is easy to demonize those of other cultures, i.e. “Muslims”, areas of the country or world, i.e. “Yankees”, and religious affiliations. i.e. “Southern Baptists.” We must be on guard against our own simplistic thinking, in other words, and try to see each “label” with as much depth and breathe as we can, even though me must by necessity label for clarity and cohesion.

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AmVet, I would rather have the gerbil in my pocket than where you keep yours!

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Bosch
@10:48am
What of the SES variable in all these ‘informative’ studies?

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Common Sense,

“Seems like she is missing the right equipment”

She had a Palin…you mean that is not enough?

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Bosch, though I don’t have enough facts to make a conclusive determination, it would seem that you goddess gave into the dark side on this one…

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SoCo – does that mean that the (R) stands for ruination?

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No the (R) stands for……… John Edwa(R)ds….

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usmc – 11:38 – that doesn’t make any sense.

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AmVet – oh, that’s brilliant. “hop monster” … sounds dangerous!

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When Sonny Perdue took the oath as governor in January 2003, Georgia’s transportation system was hamstrung by a lack of funding and vision, and its education system was underperforming national standards. The state also faced a $620 million budget shortfall, and was tied up in a lengthy ongoing water war with its neighbors in Alabama and Florida.

And who was this inherited from? Roy Barnes. I think Bookman’s accessment is pretty fair. However, it is only half of the story. Barnes was an ineffective Governor surrounded by political cronies – just like Purdue. Deal will be no different. It did not matter which guy got in – it was going to be a bad choice. I personally did not vote for either of these guys.

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When I first moved to Ga back in the 80’s, it was viewed as a progressive state with lots of opportunity. Now, I can’t hardly wait for 5 more years until I collect my pension, cash my 401k and get the heck out of this back water swamp.

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Bosch

“Well considering when he WAS Governor back in the day and the State was much better off than it is now…….odd that you should write that.”

I guess that you won’t be writing anything negative about George W. Bush in the future since “He was President back in the day and the COUNTRY was much better off than it is now.”

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Taxpayer, YOU are the one talking about leaving the state, not me.

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White Man,

It is a national problem, yes, but many states were more stable to handle the recession, GA, not so much, as was many of the Southern, GOP led states.

chuck,

I won’t write anything else negative about GWB because he isn’t POTUS anymore — but:

“He was President back in the day and the COUNTRY was much better off than it is now.”

is definitely arguable. And on the national level if you look at the reasons we are in straits now, it is very easily traced back to the causes.

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The state is in a tailspin because of the illogical usage of state funds over the last 8 years.

Where is the education level of the state vs other states?

Where are the jobs created by all the state tax cuts?

The good old boy network (both dem and repub) have screwed up the state which at one time showed promise and progress. Remember it was going to be the Silicon Valley of the south.

The housing boom which attracted untold number of illegal immigrants has resulted in water wars with neighboring states and young people being unable to find entry level employment in the building trades.

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Let’s look at other States for comparison….

Mass. has better education and better transportation than GA. What are they doing that allows this? We need to look at other States and follow their lead.

I am sick to the stomach that Georgia voters elected mass republicans. The republicans have done nothing but drive our State into a ditch. Now that they run ALL State agencies and offices, there is no one else to blame but themselves….. and they have absolutely no clue how to get us out of this ditch.

Thanks, Georgia voters!

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This discussion about the 2-party system is pretty pointless. We don’t have a 2 party system. We don’t have a 1 party system. In fact, we don’t have a system. We don’t have clear choices coming out of our parties, because they are made up of people who are more interested in power than they are principle.

Why does that happen? Very simply, it is because we have open primaries. If we had closed primaries you would see a very different slate of candidates. How many of you are actually dues paying MEMBERS of either the Republican or Democrat parties? Last time I checked, it was less than 2% of the residents of Georgia. I USED TO BE a mamber of the Republican Party, but I haven’t paid dues or gone to a party meeting in 15-20 years. It is no wonder that we get what we get. Then you have those who jump from one party to the next just to cause mischief. If you had to be an active member of the party to vote in the primary, it would sharpen the focus and move candidates to more definite positions on the issues.

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But I bet Deal can write a better newspaper column than Jay can.

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Chuck

The idea of closed primaries is an interesting idea. My only concern with that is most people’s political consciousness only awakens every 2 years at election time. People aren’t taking time to be involved in their communities, school boards, etc. so I fear that closing primaries will have the negative effect of allowing a small handful of voters, even smaller than under the open primary system, select the candidates.

And who will be those motivated voters that are registered and participate? They will be the lobbyists and those with special interests. They have strong motivation because if they get their candidate elected they will benefit. Ordinary voters really never benefit from getting their man or woman into office.

But I’m open to trying a closed primary system to see what happens.

I am more concerned about how we in this country have come to equate “money” with political speech. That was certainly not the way the Founding Fathers ever imagined it to be. And those that love to roll in the money at election time are often the same ones that want a strict original intent construction of the Constitution.

When moneyed interests be they individuals or business and other organizational interests can buy elections by flooding the airwaves with negative attack ads and drowning out their opponents, the electorate loses.

Political speech in my book is just that, speech. It is the form of communicating a concept, an idea, a proposal. Money should not be confused with “speech”.

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@chuck and others…..

Why does this blog which deals with the State of GA have to degrade into a discussion about federal issues? Are you admitting that the State of GA cannot do anything with holding hands with the feds? Why can other States do things without feds?

If GA wants to be the self-supporting State that so many of you claim, we need to find solutions for our own problems and stop worrying about things outside of our border – especially things we cannot control!

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Swede, I don’t think that money has anything to do with it. I had this discussion with USinUK a few weeks ago. Do you make your decision on who to vote for based on political ads? I don’t either. Why do assume that other voters are so much dumber than we are?

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Latest federal news…. the republicans in the Senate have joined in voting to keep ear marks. LOL! What hypocrits!

When will you people that actually vote republican finally get it through your head that they are WORSE than democrats because they outright LIE about what they believe in and what they plan to do once in office?????? You continue to swallow everything they say, hook, line, and sinker!

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as I read the comments in the blogosphere, this morning, I am amazed that over and over people are complaining that the R’s keep being voting in. Folks, this state is and always has been conservative. I will not matter if the candidate has a D or R after his name, the voters of GA (except intown neighborhoods in Atlanta) always have and always will vote C (conservative) unless there is an unbelievable sea change. The only way an L will win this state is by running as a “moderate conservative”. But we all know that NO one, not Obama, Hillary, Bill, NO ONE will be elected nationally or in the south as a liberal…..so why does everyone act surprised?

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Reality, how did I miss your point. You claimed that MASSACHUSETTS had better transportation than Georgia. I refuted that claim.

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Swede, you kind of proved my point about closed primaries. Those Leno knuckleheads would not put in the effort to joina a party and actually participate in the political process. In my estimation this would result in a more educated and informed electorate which would help in having a better slate of candidates in the general election.

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As someone said above, I had high hopes for George “Sonny” Perdue after all those decades of control by the Demopublicans. But, “‘Sonny’ lied.” After telling all the flaggers in South Georgia that he’d bring the state flag up for a vote, and then pulling the old switcheroo on them and not allowing their pet banner on the ballot, he then proceeded to appoint arrogant amateurs who passed the Southern Baptist litmus test to high State offices, and used those appointees to get special favors for himself. I guess Baptists are against John Barleycorn but lying and stealing are OK if done by the anointed.

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Religious persecution, no matter how it is couched, is repulsive and unattractive.

Blaming Baptists (or any other religious denomination) for your pet cause reflects your juvenile thinking and lack of understanding of both politics and priorities.

In the future, avoid it.

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Jay

I’m afraid your sunny optimism about TARP is whistling past the graveyard. For years now, our corporate and political institutions have been sitting on a solid foundation of lies, lies and more lies. History teaches that any country rotting from within will not last. We’ve had a good run, I guess. So sad.

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