Atlanta’s great collapse — and no, it’s not the Braves
I hate to bring this up on the morning after the Braves completed their monumental collapse, but ….
“The Atlanta region lost more jobs the last year than any other metro area, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday, further evidence that the post-recessionary slump here shows little sign of abating.
Metro Atlanta shed 30,800 jobs since August 2010. Kansas City — 12,800 positions erased — was the closest competitor in job-losses. Nearly all of Atlanta’s peer metro areas added at least some jobs amid the slow economic recovery.”
… “Out of almost 400 metropolitan areas, we’re dead last and nobody is competing with us for that distinction,” said Chris Cunningham, a BLS statistician in Atlanta. “It’s pretty bad and it has been the same story for the last two, three years.”
I don’t get it.
You mean that a strategy of cutting taxes lower and lower, of refusing to spend money to modernize the transportation system that made you prosperous in the first place, of slashing state support for k-12 and higher education year after year, of kowtowing to developers and other businesses at the expense of quality of life for those who actually live here, of largely ignoring the needs of your state’s largest metro area — you mean that doesn’t work?
After all that, this is what we get?
– Jay Bookman
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
709 comments Add your comment
TaxPayer
September 29th, 2011
11:00 am
Ah …………………… a little jealousy I see this morning.
Jealous! Of your birther searcher skills? Nah. I made my money the Republican way — from working for one of those Fortune 50 companies that you claim to have fought to protect. No government mooching for a living here. Unless you count my use of government roads and public schools and all that stuff that Republicans want to cut taxes from and eliminate, which includes your government pension, Scout.
Trotsky Foxtrot
September 29th, 2011
11:01 am
The old joke that goes the only problem with Atlanta is it happens to be located in Georgia turns out to be too much apparently for the city to overcome, much as the superior Phillies were too much the hapless Braves last night as always.
AmVet - Read my lips. No new Texans!
September 29th, 2011
11:01 am
BTW, last night josef ripped a certain cad here a new one for the slimy misrepresentation of Soros and the Nazis.
it was a great read…
MountainMan
September 29th, 2011
11:02 am
Here is a look from Coke’s CEO in an interview with Financial Times on why investment is not happening in the USA.
Coca-Cola now sees the US becoming a less friendly business environment than China, its chief executive has revealed, citing political gridlock and an antiquated tax structure as reasons its home market has become less competitive.
Muhtar Kent, Coke’s chief executive, said “in many respects” it was easier doing business in China, which he likened to a well-managed company. “You have a one-stop shop in terms of the Chinese foreign investment agency and local governments are fighting for investment with each other,” he told the Financial Times.
Mr Kent also pointed to Brazil as an example of an emerging economy that is making itself attractive to investment in ways that the US once did.
“They’re learning very fast, these countries,” he said. “In the west, we’re forgetting what really worked 20 years ago. In China and other markets around the world, you see the kind of attention to detail about how business works and how business creates employment.”
Mr Kent argued that US states did not compete enough with each other to attract businesses while Chinese provinces were clamouring to draw investment from international companies. Meanwhile, he said, China’s budget discipline and rapid economic growth made it an appealing place to set up operations.
jm
September 29th, 2011
11:02 am
“Or also: “Atlanta: The City Too Busy Fighting Rearguard Battles Against a Rube Downstate.””
That kind of comment is what makes people from Savannah, Augusta, etc hate Atlanta. I’ve seen it and heard it. Their view, not without some legitimacy, is that Atlanta hogs the states resources.
It happens with water. It happens with transportation investments to some degree. It happened with economic development (historically, less so recently).
Anyway, Trotsky, way to reinforce that “2 states” mentality.
Steve - USA
September 29th, 2011
11:02 am
Since Atlanta is the worst I guess Houston and Dallas must be the 2nd and 3rd worst because of those mean old Republicans.
Read the actual article for the answer, you will also see in the article the real estate crash is a significant factor despite what Jay said.
Butch Cassidy
September 29th, 2011
11:03 am
jm – “Nope, but they can be automated or outsourced to the customer. And they will be soon enough…..”
Not quite. No guest is going to clean their own room and make their bed, No diner is going to bus their own table and get their foood and refills from the kitchen. And no shopper is going to assist in the re-stocking of the inventory on the floor.
jm
September 29th, 2011
11:03 am
Trotsky’s not a racist. But he’s just as ugly as one.
“a Rube Downstate.”
Libertarian
September 29th, 2011
11:03 am
And yet we all know Atlanta as a whole will vote for Barack Obama again. Hope and Change.
DebbieDoRight
September 29th, 2011
11:04 am
GLL: Any excuse for racism is a good excuse for the people who support the Party of George Wallace and Orval Forbus.
This isn’t 1964, Democrats. Your overt racism is no longer tolerated and you, including Jay bookman should be ashamed of yourself.
Okay so, the subject of the day is Atlanta’s collapse and how,suprisingly, we can just about put it under the “R” column with a big ole gold star and a check. However, GLL and his talking dog Pdawgie would rather knock themselves out with a 2×4 than admit this, so instead they turn the subject to nonsense to try to obscure their team’s failings.
With comments such as this:
On this blog, any excuse by liberals is total justification. You are OK here. Racism is accepted on a liberal blog. Its sort of what you do.
So this morning it’s justify racism and people who helped the NAZIs.”
And so on and so forth. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Great try at obsufication, but you guys gotta come better than that.
PS: Don’t forget to add “Wealth Envy” to the diatribe. You can put that sh##t on everything!
TaxPayer
September 29th, 2011
11:04 am
If corp xxx only has a certain amount to spend on employees, the wage will dictate the number of bodies…….it is basic math at that point.
Huh. You mean Chinese McDonalds restaurants have ten times more employees than corresponding American McDonalds.
jm
September 29th, 2011
11:04 am
Butch – 20 years, robots buddy. What do you think self-checkout, fast food ordering systems where you carry your own food and fill your own drinks is about?
Butch Cassidy
September 29th, 2011
11:05 am
Mountain Man – “Mr Kent argued that US states did not compete enough with each other to attract businesses while Chinese provinces were clamouring to draw investment from international companies. Meanwhile, he said, China’s budget discipline and rapid economic growth made it an appealing place to set up operations.”
Yes, and the citizens of the US demand a decent wage for their labor, and harsh regulations prohibit the shooting of management for making mistakes. Damn, it sure is hard to do business in America!
King of All Rants
September 29th, 2011
11:07 am
Republican voters are insane…keep doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result
Republican pols are smart…keep doing the same thing over and over again to funnel more and more money to their donors….
Butch Cassidy
September 29th, 2011
11:07 am
jm – “Butch – 20 years, robots buddy. What do you think self-checkout, fast food ordering systems where you carry your own food and fill your own drinks is about?”
Yeah, and 20 years ago I was supposed to have a jet pack and flying car by now.
EJ Moosa
September 29th, 2011
11:07 am
How can you deny that the costs of labor rose by 40% over a short period for the majority of the small businesses in the metro area?
You need to go back to prior to 1980 to prove you are right? You are reaching. There were many different factors in addition to wages.
But the same business in 2005 and 2008 had a 40% increase in it’s labor. Address it from the view of one business. One sandwich shop. One restaurant. What was the impact on the bottom line if all other factors stayed the same..
Why not address the notion that this had an impact on it’s bottom line?
Is it really that difficult a concept to grasp?
Or are you just determined to deny it at any cost.
I am certain you will deny. Because to admit that one person lost one job at one sandwich shop would be to admit that maybe the wage increases did cost jobs.
BuzztheKiller
September 29th, 2011
11:07 am
I must have missed that “Tax cut” you are referring to. All I have seen is increasing property taxes.
Steve - USA
September 29th, 2011
11:07 am
jm@11:04
I saw an article the other day that either Kroger or Ingles is getting rid of their self serve aisles because people don’t like them.
md
September 29th, 2011
11:07 am
“md, minimum wage jobs are not the ones being moved elsewhere. Minimum wage jobs are concentrated in the service, hotel, restaurant and retail industries, none of which can be easily shipped overseas.”
There are plenty of them, but the puzzle is interconnected…………..goes back to demand…….we are buying the cheap crap from overseas, which reflects in the spending habits on our own economy…..as the higher paying jobs leave our shores, there is less to spend over here, hence the reduced body count of those service industry jobs…………..
Libertarian
September 29th, 2011
11:07 am
How does “quality of life” have anything to do with keeping jobs?
No Artifical Flavors
September 29th, 2011
11:08 am
Thanks Joe Mama. As long as I continue to live here and contribute to this society with hard work and dedication (I am an evil public servant/slave) I will also try to offer reasonable political and societal perspectives to those that have lost their way.
jm
September 29th, 2011
11:08 am
Only a real dirtbag would say something like “harsh regulations prohibit the shooting of management”, even if supposed to be a joke.
Too bad harsh regulations prohibit shooting ignorant liberals. See how that works?
Peadawg
September 29th, 2011
11:08 am
DebbieDoRight – Getalife started the race issue early on. Then you, and now AmVet are chiming in supporting him. Get your facts straight.
As for Atlanta, what do you suggest the solution is? B/c I just flat out don’t know. Lowering taxes doesn’t seem to work but raising taxes in a down economy doesn’t make sense.
AmVet - Read my lips. No new Texans!
September 29th, 2011
11:08 am
Pea, I guess the only other option is to do like you and the other right-wing racist enablers.
See nothing, hear nothing, say nothing.
Unless I missed all your posts renouncing the appointment of Phil Kent, for example – a known confidant of rabid racists.
It may work for you Reagan “11th Commandment” robots, but not so much for us less ethically challenged…
No Artifical Flavors
September 29th, 2011
11:09 am
And thanks for your service Joe Mama.
Joe Mama
September 29th, 2011
11:09 am
jm — “Joe Mama – “not the job of Republican candidates to do it?” you can’t disprove a negative.”
Sophistry. I thought you better than that.
Okay, if Republicans want African-American votes, then they need to dispel the stereotypes. And a good way to start would be by not placing people like Mr. Kent in positions of state power.
“Republicans are reaching out a lot to the Hispanic community. Because their votes are up for grabs.”
My Hispanic wife says you’re full of doodoo.
“Republicans have been reaching out to the black community consciously and organically. Michael Steele on the deliberate front, and Herman Cain in his own right. If the black community doesn’t reciprocate, then things will just stay as they are…..”
Aaaaaand that’s why Mr. Kent has a position of state responsibility. GMAMFB.
“When your vote isn’t up for grabs, no one tries to get it. Got it?”
When you appoint racists to state positions, no one will figure that your party isn’t racist itself. Got it?
Trotsky Foxtrot
September 29th, 2011
11:09 am
Libertarian: “And yet we all know Atlanta as a whole will vote for Barack Obama again. Hope and Change.”
Ooh, something a little irritating about that to you?
And when the lily white suburbanites and the down-staters vote with exactly equal predictability for the Geee Oah Pueee!!, that’s not mindless subordination to racial motivation or interest politics, that’s just an honest expression of their preferences, their values, and their right to assert their way of life, is that it? Lol.
seabeau
September 29th, 2011
11:10 am
Maybe its due to the Democratic controlled city government and the Democratic controlled Board of Education. Democratic controlled crime. All these things equate to “White Flight”.
jm
September 29th, 2011
11:10 am
Jay, your crowd sure has its share of classless folks. So does the other side. But you don’t seem to care about your transgressors.
godless heathen
September 29th, 2011
11:10 am
Lemmee see if I got this straight.
The problems with employment in the Atlanta region has nothing to do with the Democrats running the most populous counties in the Atlanta Region because the Jobs report was for the entire 28 county metro area.
But on the other hand, the problems with employment in the entire 28 county Atlanta Region can be blamed on GOP leadership that doesn’t like the people of color that make up the the most populous counties in the Atlanta Region.
Butch Cassidy
September 29th, 2011
11:11 am
EJ Moosa – “I am certain you will deny. Because to admit that one person lost one job at one sandwich shop would be to admit that maybe the wage increases did cost jobs.”
Okay, I’ll admit it. If you will admit that typically 1 CEO receives 6 figure bonuses for eliminating said worker.
getalife
September 29th, 2011
11:11 am
cons are more unhinged than usual.
China is a competitor and a commie country.
We have many traitors on this blog.
Better set up another panel to investigate these commie traitors.
Peadawg
September 29th, 2011
11:11 am
“Unless I missed all your posts renouncing the appointment of Phil Kent, for example – a known confidant of rabid racists.” – Is that the guy who was appointed to the immigration board or whatnot? If so, then I’ve denounced his appointment on here before. Nice try though.
Joe Mama
September 29th, 2011
11:12 am
EJ Moosa — “I am certain you will deny. Because to admit that one person lost one job at one sandwich shop would be to admit that maybe the wage increases did cost jobs.”
Or perhaps you could substantiate your claim that increases in the minimum wage cost jobs. After all, it’s not like they’ve never happened before. There are several instances of it from which you could choose to prove your point.
Steve - USA
September 29th, 2011
11:12 am
godless,
Bingo!
Joe Mama
September 29th, 2011
11:13 am
No Artificial Flavors — “And thanks for your service Joe Mama.”
Thank you; very kind of you to say.
Seriously, do stick around. We need more moderate and thinking Republicans on here to take up the GOPs banner.
Jay
September 29th, 2011
11:14 am
Profitable, well-paying corporations want to locate in places that are good to live, libertarian. They want to locate there because that’s where their own top officials want to live, and because it’s easier to attract top talent to such places than to regions where the schools are rundown, the parks are closing, the air is dirty and there’s a shortage of clean water.
getalife
September 29th, 2011
11:15 am
Will the next mccarthy please stand up.
Americans need a wake up call.
Supporting China and not your country should be called out.
You are Americans cons.
Start acting like it.
Joe COOL
September 29th, 2011
11:15 am
Logic 88
September 29th, 2011
8:17 am
“More change we can believe in….”
Does that mean we can give him credit too for the jobs created in TX too? Oh, thats right, it doesnt go both ways.
CONS:
When numbers are bad=Obama’s fault
When numbers are good=Obama had nothing to do with it.
Butch Cassidy
September 29th, 2011
11:15 am
jm – “Only a real dirtbag would say something like “harsh regulations prohibit the shooting of management”, even if supposed to be a joke.
Too bad harsh regulations prohibit shooting ignorant liberals. See how that works?
Okay,
1. I was responding to the post in which the CEO of Coke is talking about how user friendly China is compared to the U.S. in terms of doing business, and yes, they do shoot their managers in China, so take it up with them.
2. I guess I’d be safe, since I am not even remotely a “liberal”.
DebbieDoRight
September 29th, 2011
11:16 am
The GOP doesn’t consider you a constituent because black folks haven’t voted Republican in a long long time. Chicken and egg problem
More like cause and effect. When the GOP adopted the “Southern Strategy” to get more whites to the polls, that turned off a lot of black voters.
During the implentation of the Southern Strategy blacks were serving in VietNam, flying their American flag with pride, and embracing core American values — then out of the blue the GOP intimated that the problems in America came about because of Brown people. That was a cause.
When the GOP declined to help Dr. King when he was illegally held in a jail cell; yet the Democratic Kennedy brothers did offer him help… That was a cause.
When the Machiavelli of moden politics, Lee Atwater, designed his Willie Horton campaign to help the repubs….. That was a cause.
The effect? Blacks left the republican party in droves and have yet to return.
md
September 29th, 2011
11:17 am
“Huh. You mean Chinese McDonalds restaurants have ten times more employees than corresponding American McDonalds.”
More like twice the number of employees and twice the profit………………
Basic math……….21/7=3…………..21/5=4
I guess the question becomes…..is it better to have 3 folks employed @ 7 or 4 employed @ 5……..take into account the reduced cost of that unemployed individual and the demand/purchasing power……..
Doggone/GA
September 29th, 2011
11:19 am
“And no shopper is going to assist in the re-stocking of the inventory on the floor”
Heck, places like Wal-Mart are getting customer resistence to even using self-checkout lines. I know that *I* never use them, and apparently there are a lot more people like me with the same attitude.
Libertarian
September 29th, 2011
11:20 am
Well, Bismark, ND has the lowest unemployment rate in the nation and they have a Republican Governor and predominantly Republican legislators. That pretty much blows your “theory” out of the water.
Steve - USA
September 29th, 2011
11:21 am
I think Jay brought up something that is important. I think the water situation hangs over Metro Atlanta more than people realize. I could see companies not coming here because of that, especially Manufacturing plants that use a lot of water.
EJ Moosa
September 29th, 2011
11:21 am
And if minimum wage increases had no impact on employment, then there would be no negative impact if we were to raise it another 40% from here, right Bookman?
Using the arguments that have constantly been on display here, that would actually be good for the economy, because those folks getting the increase would have more money to spend.
Who could think that was a bad idea?
md
September 29th, 2011
11:22 am
“If you will admit that typically 1 CEO receives 6 figure bonuses for eliminating said worker.”
I say false considering the majority of corps in this country are small businesses……many of which are hanging on by a shoestring………………
Sure, they are plenty of elitist management groups out there, but more as the exception than the norm………..
TaxPayer
September 29th, 2011
11:23 am
More like twice the number of employees and twice the profit
Well! If you’re gonna throw profit and demand and that sort of stuff into the picture, that just changes everything.
jm
September 29th, 2011
11:23 am
Butch 11:15 –
#2 well good to hear
I don’t think anyone’s shooting moderates yet, but I’m sure its only a matter of time.
“Profitable, well-paying corporations want to locate in places that are good to live, libertarian. They want to locate there because that’s where their own top officials want to live, and because it’s easier to attract top talent to such places than to regions where the schools are rundown, the parks are closing, the air is dirty and there’s a shortage of clean water.” Sounds like Delhi or Mumbai. And I know plenty of westerners going there….. good opportunities. US, not as much.
md
September 29th, 2011
11:23 am
“I know that *I* never use them, and apparently there are a lot more people like me with the same attitude.”
And I use them all the time……..because all the other folks are standing in the other lines…………….
jm
September 29th, 2011
11:24 am
“Better set up another panel to investigate these commie traitors.”
Start with Jay.
Hootinanny Yum Yum
September 29th, 2011
11:24 am
Clayton County School System loss of SACS accreditation.
Clayton County Sheriff’s Office goat rope surrounding Victor Hill.
DeKalb County School Systems and controversy surrounding Vernon Jones.
Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal.
Atlanta’s inept mayoral leadership.
Metro Atlanta’s robbery and violent crime rates (despite the claims or decreases in crime).
Yeah, absolutely right. It’s that damn transportation issue and funding for education.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, including you Jay.
GT
September 29th, 2011
11:24 am
Metro Atlanta and the state of Georgia are clearly out of step with the rest of the nation that is on a recovery path. It is like the ad on television where the kid discovers he is fat and wants to know why. Until the Georgia masses have a true picture of their elected leadership and its cause and effect on the depletion of our well being and get off these eccentric thought patterns fuel by fear and ignorance that is encouraged by our leader we will continue to be the slow sibling to the rest of the country. What kills me is somehow we take pride in this like a drunk yelling at the moon. We had a golden age in Atlanta, and the state, now we have loss that edge, even to other southern states that are more progressive and don’t see ghost at every turn.
DebbieDoRight
September 29th, 2011
11:25 am
Mr Kent argued that US states did not compete enough with each other to attract businesses while Chinese provinces were clamouring to draw investment from international companies. Meanwhile, he said, China’s budget discipline and rapid economic growth made it an appealing place to set up operations.
What Mr. Kent should’ve said is, “We Like China because we get to use their citizens as if they were slaves. We get to pollute their air, water and fields, making millions of Chineese people sick, and the government just let us!! God Bless China!!”
getalife
September 29th, 2011
11:25 am
Economy grew 1.3 %
Get the gop out of the way and we are back in business.
Jay
September 29th, 2011
11:25 am
As soon as somebody proposes that idea, EJ, you can attack it. For the moment, though, the discussion is about a minimum wage level that is lower today than it has been for most of the post WWII period.
jm
September 29th, 2011
11:25 am
DDR 11:16 – so you’re saying the black community is living in the 60’s, 70’s, and early 80’s still?
Fair point to an extent.
Butch Cassidy
September 29th, 2011
11:25 am
EJ Moosa – “And if minimum wage increases had no impact on employment, then there would be no negative impact if we were to raise it another 40% from here, right Bookman?”
Maybe a compromise? CEO will take a 40% reduction in pay from $20,000,000 to $12,000,000 annually and the minimum wage worker will increase 40% from $7.25 per hour to $10.15 per hour or $15,080.00 to $21,112.00 annually. Wait, which employee is costing the organization more?
jm
September 29th, 2011
11:27 am
Jay 11:25 – some recent research suggests that raising the minimum wage would do very little harm to the economy overall…. but don’t know where it is now (saw it a few weeks ago)
MountainMan
September 29th, 2011
11:27 am
Jay @ 11:14
While companies do want a liveable city they also want lower costs. That is why most wall street firms set up their back room shops across the river in New Jersey (which attracted them with electronic infrastructure). While New Jersey is high, it is cheaper than Manhattan. When the high paid employees retire or no longer tied to headquarters they leave Manhattan for Florida or other low tax states. Why aren’t they coming to Georgia? Probably because our tax rates are still to high relative to other states.
Joe COOL
September 29th, 2011
11:28 am
“Well, Bismark, ND has the lowest unemployment rate in the nation”
Using Logic 88 line, “Thats more change we can believe in”
Steve - USA
September 29th, 2011
11:29 am
I don’t understand why everyone seems to group the small business owner that owns a pizza shop or a plumbing business into the same category as a Multi-National. Why is everything all or nothing. Why not keep the Bush/Obama tax cuts for under say $2 million and raise the taxes on the larger earners.
jm
September 29th, 2011
11:29 am
“Atlanta’s inept mayoral leadership.”
I’d take issue with that on the current guy. Campbell was a nightmare and Franklin pretty incompetent…. but Reed is doing a pretty darn good job especially given the circumstances.
md
September 29th, 2011
11:29 am
Where is Sooth?
“Al Qaeda slams Iran for peddling 9/11 conspiracy theories”
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/envoy/al-qaeda-slams-iran-peddling-9-11-conspiracy-183407514.html
getalife
September 29th, 2011
11:30 am
The gop are the over regulation standing in the way of our recovery.
Our President needs a new house.
Lets give him one.
Jay
September 29th, 2011
11:30 am
Sounds like Delhi or Mumbai. And I know plenty of westerners going there….. good opportunities. US, not as much.
Right, jm. So, how many people in Delhi and Mumbai would die to come HERE, vs. these “plenty of westerners” going THERE. What’s the ratio, do you think?
100 to one?
1,000 to one?
10,000 to one?
Peadawg
September 29th, 2011
11:31 am
“Our President needs a new house.
Lets give him one.”
We finally agree on something, getalife. Obama doesn’t need to be in the White House anymore. Let’s get him a new house…how about one in Chicago?
Good little liberal
September 29th, 2011
11:32 am
I love watching libs protecting Soros, the man who made much of his billions selling arms to third world dictators.
So the rich isn’t really evil if they just pour their money into the Democratic causes.
godless heathen
September 29th, 2011
11:32 am
Hootinanny Yum Yum
September 29th, 2011
11:24 am
Yes Hoot, and every one of those instances you cited can be laid squarely at the feet of the GOP that doesn’t like people of color. [sarcasm]
cranky old man
September 29th, 2011
11:32 am
Well, I don’t use self-serve check-out lines in supermarkets. But when I’m buying gas, I take note of which stations have pay-at-the pump that actually works and prints out a receipt. If pay-at-the pump doesn’t work, I drive to another station. I can’t stand having to walk inside and stand in line behind people trying to cash in their scratch-offs so they can buy a pack of smokes and a 40.
Butch Cassidy
September 29th, 2011
11:33 am
Steve – USA – “I don’t understand why everyone seems to group the small business owner that owns a pizza shop or a plumbing business into the same category as a Multi-National. Why is everything all or nothing. Why not keep the Bush/Obama tax cuts for under say $2 million and raise the taxes on the larger earners.”
Probably because of guys like John Fleming who cry poverty because he needs $200,000 just to feed his family.
Joe Mama
September 29th, 2011
11:33 am
Libertarian — “Well, Bismark, ND has the lowest unemployment rate in the nation and they have a Republican Governor and predominantly Republican legislators. That pretty much blows your “theory” out of the water.”
They also have the only state-run bank in the entire Union, which means a libertarian like yourself shouldn’t be citing them as a paragon of How To Do Things Right.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank_of_North_Dakota
jm
September 29th, 2011
11:34 am
But when President Barack Obama told a gala dinner of the Congressional Black Caucus over the weekend that it was time to “stop complaining, stop grumbling, stop crying” and get to work, he instead gave new ammunition to some prominent African American critics who say the nation’s first black president gets tough only when he’s talking to other black people.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0911/64680.html#ixzz1ZM8cPTEO
Three of the most prominent of them – Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Princeton professor Cornel West and talk show host Tavis Smiley – all criticized the speech, with Smiley setting the tone with his question: “How does he get away with saying this to black folk?”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0911/64680.html#ixzz1ZM8hSPNO
Jay
September 29th, 2011
11:34 am
So Steve, your cutoff for a pizza-shop owner or plumbing business owner is an annual, after-deductions income of $2 million?
Those “monkeys with a wrench” are doing better than I thought.
Good little liberal
September 29th, 2011
11:35 am
DebbieDoRight
You have no clue as to the real Southern Strategy
Ever heard of the Three A’s?
Abortion Acid and Amnesty (for prisoners, not illegal aliens.)
THAT was what Nixon used to win the election. The southern, conservative population ate it up and it had nothing to do with race.
You really should start fact checking those liberal sites. they are lying to you.
EJ Moosa
September 29th, 2011
11:36 am
Refusing to answer the question Jay says a lot.
But I can understand why you chose not to answer it.
You don’t like the truth.
No Artifical Flavors
September 29th, 2011
11:37 am
The arguments on this blog are far too simplistic in comparing Ga republicans with Tx republicans and linking the blame to job decline to having republican next to a name. Ga republicans are far more homogenous than Texas republicans. I’ve met many moderate Texas republicans from both suburban and rural areas that carry a healthy appreciation of state government investment in their areas. Some of these republicans are ‘gasp’ Hispanics. Ga republicans are pretty much anti everything to pander to their lowest common denominator constituents but are all secretly businessmen that love state investment in roads and such in their districts.
As far as throwing the race card around, about the only good place that halfway stands up is in the debate about bringing MARTA to Gwinnett and Cobb. As jay has mentioned here before, check out DC metro before forming an opinion based on the transit bringing thugs into suburbia. I lived in DC and saw no such thing. The eastern green line riders from the mlk/malcom x blvd areas never rode all the way out to Reston or chevy chase.
TaxPayer
September 29th, 2011
11:37 am
How’s the jobless claims doing. Are people finally starting to take those minimum wage jobs and just working twice as many hours to help offset the difference. Whatever it takes to keep the job creators happy.
AmVet - Read my lips. No new Texans!
September 29th, 2011
11:37 am
I love watching certain cons lie about Soros’ past just to feel better about their putrid ideology.
(And pretend they are NOW outraged over the gazillion dollar of sales and giveaways of US armaments around the globe.)
jm
September 29th, 2011
11:37 am
Jay 11:30 dunno
But I do know plenty of people that could work in NY, ATL, SF, going overseas instead. Can’t blame them…..
But in a way, what you’re saying is: this country is great for people who are really poor, and if it stinks for people that are wealthier, or have more intellectual capital, then so what. Let them take their intellectual capital elsewhere, we don’t need it.
I’m assuming you’re going to say I’m misreading your statement. But that is at its core.
Joe Mama
September 29th, 2011
11:38 am
GLL — “I love watching libs protecting Soros, the man who made much of his billions selling arms to third world dictators.”
Bob, dodge and weave.
Soros = Nazi
Mr. Ratzinger, who was a member of the Hitler Youth and the Luftwaffe youth auxiliary = not.
Got it.
Pathetic, GLL. Really pathetic.
The Thin Guy
September 29th, 2011
11:38 am
If you want to see Jay Bookman’s economic theories in action take a look at Illinois
http://illinoispolicy.org/blog/blog.asp?ArticleSource=4429
Their legislature has raised taxes on everything that can be taxed and their economy is in the tank. Many businesses who’ve been there for decades are considering moving to Indiana to escape the horrendous taxes. Same for California. And New York.
Actually, I’d like to see some of my taxes go up. Due to the insightful, brilliant economic leadership of The Messiah my house is now worth 2/3 of what I paid for it. Another 4 years of him and my mailbox will be worth more than my house. At least when the Post Office goes belly up Dekalb County won’t be able to mail me by tax statements and water bills.
Well time to go to work to earn enough spondulicks to pay my taxes to support Jay Bookman’s vision of a perfect world.
Jay
September 29th, 2011
11:39 am
GLL, if you actually knew what you were talking about instead of just copying and pasting things you don’t understand, you’d know that amnesty referred to Vietnam draft dodgers, not to prisoners.
Doggone/GA
September 29th, 2011
11:40 am
“Why not keep the Bush/Obama tax cuts for under say $2 million and raise the taxes on the larger earners.”
Wealth envy!
DebbieDoRight
September 29th, 2011
11:40 am
As for Atlanta, what do you suggest the solution is? B/c I just flat out don’t know. Lowering taxes doesn’t seem to work but raising taxes in a down economy doesn’t make sense.
The Feds are not talking about raising taxes on Joe Blow; they’re talking about leveling taxes on Corporations (who claim they are “people”), the affluent, etc. If everyone, i repeat, EVERYONE pays their fair share, there’s a chance we can decrease the deficit and bring America back to prosperity.
And the “EVERYONE” is not just Middle America. We’ve already seen time and time again that corporations are not feeling the effects of this downed economy, so, IMO, I feel that if they wish to continue to enjoy the benefits of being an American based corporation, then they should ante up like the rest of us.
And maybe a few will move to China, or some 3rd world country. But in those countries they have the fear of that country taking over their assets and company and claiming it for themselves. That won’t happen here. And before you bring up “government motors”, please remember that the US gave them a LOAN that they asked for and repaid; there wasn’t any takeover.
Steve - USA
September 29th, 2011
11:41 am
Jay – I was just throwing a number out there to illustrate that everything doesn’t need to be yes or no. There should be some reasonable common ground.
Frankly I don’t know where that dividing line will be to raise taxes.without hurting small business hiring.
BTW – I am thinking of upgrading our master bathroom and the labor alone on replacing the faucets was $85 each so I think Plumbers (I wouldn’t call them Monkeys) are doing quite well.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
September 29th, 2011
11:41 am
When GLL can’t defend his nonsense, he deflects to the next claim. Shameless but all part of his tactics as he tells others how they should have shame.
Jay
September 29th, 2011
11:41 am
Illinois unemployment: 9.9%
Georgia unemployment: 10.2%
Chicago job change: +11,700
Atlanta job change: -30,800
TaxPayer
September 29th, 2011
11:42 am
I love watching libs protecting Soros, the man who made much of his billions selling arms to third world dictators.
Were those male arms. Female arms. Human arms. Ape arms. Come on now, GLL. You can spin better than that, can’t you.
DebbieDoRight
September 29th, 2011
11:43 am
jm: DDR 11:16 – so you’re saying the black community is living in the 60’s, 70’s, and early 80’s still?
I’m saying we aren’t fools. We know the difference between rain and someone pizzing on us and calling it rain. Grow up.
Aquagirl
September 29th, 2011
11:43 am
Clayton County Sheriff’s Office goat rope surrounding Victor Hill.
I know you find guys like Victor Hill and Vernon Jones extra-skeery because of some unknown variable. (/sarcasm) But both were tossed out of office 2-3 years ago.
I’m sure people currently holding office…like say, our fine elected Republican Jack Murphy have nothing to do with the collapse. Why, he’s only defaulted on numerous loans and being sued by the FDIC. The fact that Georgia leads the nation in bank failures has NOTHING to do with our financial crisis. It’s all due to some skeery dark folk who still haunt the corners of your little mind.
Streetracer
September 29th, 2011
11:46 am
Since infrastructure and education are two of the three most fundemental responsibilities of local and state government, what have goovernments been doing with all the taxes they collect? Seems to me that one should fund responsibilities before anything else.
Butch Cassidy
September 29th, 2011
11:46 am
For those who say that the minimum wage is killing jobs, I’ll use my CEO scenario to do the math.
Minimum Wage Worker = 7.25 per hour or $290.00 per week.
CEO = $9,615.38 per hour or $384,615.38 per week.
You’re right, I’m sold. What can I do to help lower the minimum wage in this country so we can finally get people back to work?
Jm
September 29th, 2011
11:46 am
Politico
Alan Simpson slams Obama
“abrogation of leadership, a vacancy of leadership”
Amen
Jay
September 29th, 2011
11:46 am
jm, you just compound BS with BS, don’t you?
All those well-educated computer programmers in Delhi and Mumbai, all those folks with medical degrees trying desperately to come here because we so mistreat smart and intelligent people.
I don’t even know why I bother with you anymore, it’s just ridiculous.
Good little liberal
September 29th, 2011
11:47 am
Jay
Ahhh so you know that the real Southern Strategy was about the three A’s just like I said, but said nothing to Debbie.
That fairness thing is just a shinin’ up in here today, Jay.
I unlike you, lived in the South during Segregation. I was a Republican when my friends went to Chicago in 1968 and got the hell beat out of them for protesting the Democratic National Convention. I marched with my Black friends against the racist Democrats that ran my town.
You can ignore misleading statements and overt racism all you want. You can nit pick single lines out of my posts to attack all you want. It’s your blog.
So have at it, Jay. I just can’t wait for your next sanctimonious speech about how you try to be fair to everyone.
Joe COOL
September 29th, 2011
11:48 am
DebbieDoRight
September 29th, 2011
11:43 am
Puzzled
September 29th, 2011
11:48 am
Hootinanny Yum Yum
September 29th, 2011
11:24 am
Got any news on Gwinnett Counties land deals or lack of minorities on their school board, local government or Walton EMC board? Would love to hear it.
Adam
September 29th, 2011
11:49 am
Recon: I’m sorry but you don’t have any real solutions just lemming aid induced delusions
So you don’t offer a solution, and yet criticize me for not having one that is, in your narrow view, “real”?
DebbieDoRight
September 29th, 2011
11:49 am
GLL: THAT was what Nixon used to win the election. The southern, conservative population ate it up and it had nothing to do with race. You really should start fact checking those liberal sites. they are lying to you.
GLL I use something to check my facts that you’ve probably never heard of. It’s called a History Book. Thans for playing though.