Romney 2012: Same sales pitch, same product, different salesman
The man above may seem vaguely familiar to many of you. He appeared in New York this week to kick off a symposium sponsored by the George W. Bush Institute and launch the institute’s “4% Project.”
As our former president explains:
“This July the institute is publishing a book — gotta be a staggering thing for some of the cynics out there, I publish a book and the Bush Institute publishes a book, they didn’t think I could read, much less write a book — we’re publishing a book called “4 Percent Solution.”
The goal of the book and of the larger initiative, he tells us, is to advocate entitlement reform and tax and immigration policies that if implemented would create real annual growth in GDP of at least 4 percent. It’s an ambitious goal, he concedes, “but most of the experts believe it’s doable.”
Certainly, it’s been achieved in the not-too-distant past. As the chart below documents, we did manage to achieve real annual GDP growth of at least 4 percent for four consecutive years, from 1997-2000.
However, that goal was never achieved during the eight years in which President Bush held office, even though during most of that time the Republican Party controlled Congress. Indeed, by the time Bush left office after implementing many of the same policies that he now advocates through the Bush Institute, the economy was in a free fall the likes of which we had not seen in some 80 years.
Do the words “This sucker could go down” ring a bell?
It is true, of course, that President Bush is no longer in office. It is also true that he is not on the 2012 presidential ballot. In fact, members of his party seem to have tried to wipe their one-time champion from their collective memory, as if it were all just one bad dream.
But here’s the thing. As the video above demonstrates, the former president appears to have learned nothing from the traumatic collapse of the economy under his leadership. He continues to advocate the identical policies that he advocated before he took office and before the economic events documented in the chart above. It’s as if it never happened.
“If you raise taxes on the so-called rich, you’re really raising taxes on the job creators,” he says. “And if the goal is private sector growth, you gotta recognize that the best way to create that growth is to leave capital in the treasuries of the job creators….”
Far more importantly, while his party may try to forget Bush himself, it too continues to champion his economic approach. It too has learned absolutely nothing from the events of the past dozen years, and it has changed absolutely nothing.
The economic policies advocated by Mitt Romney in the campaign of 2012 are identical to those that were advocated — and later implemented — by George W. Bush in the 2000 campaign. (The foreign policy approach is identical as well, but that’s a topic for another day). Are the American people expected to simply forget that they have seen those policies implemented and put into action, and that they have seen the consequences?
– Jay Bookman
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655 comments Add your comment
Adam
April 11th, 2012
2:08 pm
That Black Guy: This would be one of those cases where you have mostly proved me wrong. I say mostly because I wasn’t talking about illegal drugs, which are illegal regardless of pregnancy.
It appears the drinking case mentioned involves excessive drinking. It also appears that an increasing effort to crack down back in 2003 didn’t really take hold much. As far as I know, there is nothing but precedent, not actual laws on the books, that involve prosecution for drinking or smoking while pregnant. But you are welcome to prove me wrong on that.
Still, I take your point. I was wrong when I said they never do.
Don't Forget
April 11th, 2012
2:09 pm
As for John McLean:
http://n3xus6.blogspot.com/2007/12/show-me-credentials.html
Joe Hussein Mama
April 11th, 2012
2:09 pm
Adam — “Thank you JHM. That was an excellent articulation of what I have been trying to get across myself.”
Then my time spent teaching Con Law to college undergrads was not in vain.
Thanks!
Adam
April 11th, 2012
2:10 pm
Are you better off now than when Obama took over ???????????????????????
Yes.
Joe Hussein Mama
April 11th, 2012
2:10 pm
Adam — “The prevailing attitude that people grow into conservatives when they get older is actually wrong.”
Indeed, my path was exactly the opposite.
They BOTH suck
April 11th, 2012
2:11 pm
JHM
You do have a great way of presenting your arguments.
Even though we do not agree much on political issues, I also think that Bruno frames a decent argument.
Adam
April 11th, 2012
2:12 pm
Even though we do not agree much on political issues, I also think that Bruno frames a decent argument.
Agreed
Joe Hussein Mama
April 11th, 2012
2:15 pm
tbs — very kind of you to say; thank you !
My Party has ALL the answers. Your party is full of poopyheads! (formerly That Black Guy)
April 11th, 2012
2:17 pm
Adam
April 11th, 2012
1:56 pm
That Black Guy: arrogant – Having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance or abilities.
Does not apply here. Importance and abilities have nothing to do with why I would ignore certain bloggers. Nor am I an “enforcer” of any “rules,” as conservatives and some others pretend to be somehow threatened, or that their freedom of speech is being taken away, or something, based solely on when I mention stuff like this. Seems to me people are ascribing abilities and importance to me that doesn’t actually exist.
___________________________________________________________________________
My, how important do we view ourselves?
Are you the ONLY poster on this blog that has stated that they ignore other posters?
Rules? – I re-read what I posted and only if you printed out what I wrote at 1:46, cut out all the letters, tossed them in the air, after about 1000 tries, you MAY be able to say I said something about “rules” at 1:46.
They BOTH suck
April 11th, 2012
2:20 pm
TBG
Hey man. Happy Hump Day
Hope you are having a good week
GT
April 11th, 2012
2:23 pm
Republicans never admit they are wrong, by changing the formula they are admitting the first formula was poison and they are liable. This is the stuff that the world of no compromise comes from. If you are never wrong you never need to compromise. The elephant is not in the room.
My Party has ALL the answers. Your party is full of poopyheads! (formerly That Black Guy)
April 11th, 2012
2:26 pm
Adam
April 11th, 2012
2:08 pm
Still, I take your point. I was wrong when I said they never do.
_____________________________________________________________________
No, problem. That is why you have to be careful with those ABSOLUTE declarations.
There are very few absolutes in this world. Especially in politics.
williebkind
April 11th, 2012
2:27 pm
Adam
April 11th, 2012
2:04 pm
Are you feeling persucuted! Liberals do feel a lot!
My Party has ALL the answers. Your party is full of poopyheads! (formerly That Black Guy)
April 11th, 2012
2:27 pm
Are you better off now than when Obama took over ???????????????????????
Yes.
_______________________________________________________
As am I.
Although Obama has very very little to do with it.
They BOTH suck
April 11th, 2012
2:29 pm
“There are very few absolutes in this world. Especially in politics.”
Amen and can I get a witness round here
My Party has ALL the answers. Your party is full of poopyheads! (formerly That Black Guy)
April 11th, 2012
2:30 pm
They BOTH suck
April 11th, 2012
2:20 pm
TBG
Hey man. Happy Hump Day
Hope you are having a good week
____________________________________________________________________
Wuzzup, TBS?
Week is going well. Tired, but work is fulfilling.
U?
Woodstock Mike
April 11th, 2012
2:30 pm
Here’s a great quote from the Black Panther chief of staff…
“Michelle said during the interview, “Let me tell you, the things that’s about to happen, to these honkeys, these crackers, these pigs, these pink people, these —- people. It has been long overdue. My prize right now this evening … is gonna be the bounty, the arrest, dead or alive, for George Zimmerman. You feel me?”
Funny how you don’t see Obama mention the Black Panthers??
Racist people make me sick!!
Bruno
April 11th, 2012
2:32 pm
The issue comes when individuals, groups or governments seek to apply the standard of personhood to feti *against* the wishes of some of those who carry those feti. I have yet to hear a coherent, logical and Constitutional exposition on the compelling governmental interest that is served thereby.
Joe–As has been mentioned, legal status can be somewhat arbitrary. Any point of development which is chosen to signify “personhood”, from conception to delivery, has to be voted on. I’m simply attempting to make a case based on the biological fact that a fetus is a living human being at virtually every step of the way. As such, I favor conferring legal status to a fetus. Because it ultimately is a matter of opinion, I understand that opinions vary. I’m simply asking those who have a different opinion to back it up with some solid biological reasoning.
They BOTH suck
April 11th, 2012
2:34 pm
Week is going well..
Finished up recommendation for one client earlier this week. Will see if they require additional services within the next month.
Starting a new project, hopefully next week and have a larger project that is steady that keeps me in the mix
So work is going well. My jogging is really kicking in and paying dividends. And of course “sweet brown sugar” is still sweet and still loves me
Butch Cassidy
April 11th, 2012
2:34 pm
ken – “Are you better off now than when Obama took over ???????????????????????”
Yes, but my financial success rarely hinges on who the POTUS happens to be at any given time.
Adam
April 11th, 2012
2:46 pm
That Black Guy: Rules? – I re-read what I posted and only if you printed out what I wrote at 1:46, cut out all the letters, tossed them in the air, after about 1000 tries, you MAY be able to say I said something about “rules” at 1:46.
No, you didn’t in your 1:46. You may, in fact, never have said this. However I have heard it from others on more than one occasion, and it seems to fit in with whatever mentality exists that I have some kind of massive ego that must be acknowledged, or something.
I don’t view myself as having some special importance, is the point. But some people keep pretending like I do.
And you’re right about the absolutes. I do forget that sometimes, and sometimes I throw out absolutes as bait to see if someone will at least try prove me wrong.
Adam
April 11th, 2012
2:48 pm
That Black Guy: As am I.
Although Obama has very very little to do with it.
True there. This is why I don’t understand this, or the gas prices, or other similar arguments as having an effect on voting decisions for President.
Oscar
April 11th, 2012
2:49 pm
The economy is improving now,but will not be if the GOP gets back in. Not too mention what would happ in foreign policy. Mitt and the GOP would be another disaster.
Joe Hussein Mama
April 11th, 2012
2:52 pm
Bruno — “Joe–As has been mentioned, legal status can be somewhat arbitrary.”
I know. And oddly, you seem to be *advancing* an arbitrary position at the same time you’re objecting to them.
“Any point of development which is chosen to signify “personhood”, from conception to delivery, has to be voted on. I’m simply attempting to make a case based on the biological fact that a fetus is a living human being at virtually every step of the way.”
Yet your stated position is that a fetus only deserves *some* protections and that you don’t agree with those who advocate protections for the fetus beginning at the point of conception. Then you state your postion that “a fetus is a living human being at virtually every step of the way.”
If you’re going to rely on biological “fact” to inform your legal opinion, then why aren’t you calling a fetus human from the point of conception? What’s your biological reasoning for that?
“As such, I favor conferring legal status to a fetus. Because it ultimately is a matter of opinion, I understand that opinions vary. I’m simply asking those who have a different opinion to back it up with some solid biological reasoning.”
Not to be combative, but perhaps you could do the same.
Oscar
April 11th, 2012
2:55 pm
The is no biological reasoning for the legal status of a fetus. Unless biology could tell us at what point do thoughts and selk awareness start. At conception there are only two cells For thought, there has to be a brain. When does that occur.. Can biologists tell.
Tom Middleton
April 11th, 2012
2:56 pm
Jay: “The economic policies advocated by Mitt Romney in the campaign of 2012 are identical to those that were advocated — and later implemented — by George W. Bush in the 2000 campaign. (The foreign policy approach is identical as well, but that’s a topic for another day). Are the American people expected to simply forget that they have seen those policies implemented and put into action, and that they have seen the consequences?”
Sorry, Jay: Your quote deserves a billboard, but I just wanted to see it posted again. Think all caps would help?
Brosephus™
April 11th, 2012
2:56 pm
Brosephus is a Con. He just can’t bring himself to admit it yet.
Oscar
April 11th, 2012
2:59 pm
There is life before conception. The egg is alive and so is thr sperm. Life is an ongoing process from parent to child and is always there.
Adam
April 11th, 2012
2:59 pm
Bruno: I’m simply asking those who have a different opinion to back it up with some solid biological reasoning.
But you’re defining the context here that can only be used for one conclusion. And that context is that one must accept your idea that the biological definition of life that you have accepted is to be applied to the metaphysical concept of when life begins for a human. In the end, you’re basically just creating a context that puts together two incompatible (logically) discussions, with the sole purpose of supporting your position, and then insisting that everyone else attempt to argue the opposite point using your construct.
My only actual real point here is that defining life to begin at any point at all is a metaphysical concept. The point you decide on is completely subjective, and can only be based on something factual when you take physical, factual information and attempt to apply it to the metaphysical discussion.
Why is it so hard to admit that you’re really just using science this way, instead of starting from and ending with a scientific argument, without ever venturing into metaphysical discussion?
That is why where life begins is just an opinion, not fact. I can define it differently than you, and neither of us are right just because one of us can pretend that biology has something to do with it.
The only thing I will say about the biological argument is that if you are to define life at all in a biological context the way you have, then every human being constitutes life, and that life began whenever human DNA first came into existence. Since then, all human DNA has been alive, from before the moment of conception, for everyone, until it no longer grows all the new cells needed for organs and sustaining those organs. In such a case, there appears to be no reason to apply a moral argument at all. All of us are exactly as old as the earliest strand of human DNA.
Oscar
April 11th, 2012
3:04 pm
Who can really say that a sperm does not have self awaweness or if not then when does it star.
The Truth
April 11th, 2012
3:11 pm
Bernie
The Truth @ 1:19 pm – such inflammatory rethoric only shows the level of one’s intelligence and the lack of thought to prove one’s argument.
Sometimes the truth hurts. If you look at most of the inflammatory rhetoric that you right-wingers use to describe your dissatisfaction with Obama, you can accurately surmise that these same people are the type of terrorists that lynched people of color during the Jim Crow days. How you got 9/11 out of my comment baffles me though. I guess you Neo-cons have an obsession about 9/11 since it happened on your guy’s (Bush) watch. Funny how you did not address the facts that I provided on my post about Reagan, but rather attacked the verbiage that I used. I guess that highlights your lack of argument and faulty logic. Typical Neo-Con drivel.
Tommy Maddoix
April 11th, 2012
3:13 pm
“Obama – 2012: Same sales pitch, same product, but now he’s got a Record”.
Nowhere to run to baaaabaaaay; nowhere to hide…
Adam
April 11th, 2012
3:21 pm
Nowhere to run to baaaabaaaay; nowhere to hide…
I disagree. Apparently some people can run and hide behind old topics thinking they have a better chance of not being challenged.
Tom Middleton
April 11th, 2012
3:23 pm
Is swallowing cannibalism? Do we need to raise taxes so we can build more prisons for the millions of cannibals in America? Is the right-wing crazy? YES!
The Truth
April 11th, 2012
3:25 pm
Woodstock Mike
April 11th, 2012
2:02 pm
These comments by far left liberals are so rediculous and really shows their stupidity.
‘ridiculous’ is the correct spelling. Now who did you say was stupid?
baleen
April 11th, 2012
3:27 pm
godless heathen©
April 11th, 2012
9:43 am
From Wiki: On September 14, 2001 bill House Joint Resolution 64 passed in the House. The totals in the House of Representatives were: 420 Ayes, 1 Nay and 10 Not Voting. The Nay was Barbara Lee, D-CA. [2] Lee is notable as the only member of either house of Congress to vote against this bill.[3]
Funny how these resolutions says nothing of Iraq or Afghanistan. The House Resolution passed “To authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against those responsible for the recent attacks launched against the United States.” We of course know (always knew) Iraq had nothing to do with the attacks.
Looks like you were caught lying…
Bernie
April 11th, 2012
3:31 pm
The Truth @ 3:11 pm – I would strongly suggest a reading and comprehension course for you at your local community college to imporve your skills in order for you to post intelligent comments here. Seriously, you are in need of assistance or you are somehow impaired today!
Bernie
April 11th, 2012
3:41 pm
The really sad part about the candidate MITT ROMNEY is that he still just does not get it. His mindset and campaign speeches are turly out of touch with reality and somehow he and his staff expects for the American people to buy the BS he is putting out daily. It must be a MORMON thing! only a person that is involved with a CULT mentality will still pursue a course that is clearly ineffective as his.
However, the Women of America and other voting blocks will show Mitt, The Republican and Tea Party
the error of their ways. I can assure you after November there will be some serious soul searching done to decide if they want to continue with the hateful and hurtful politics they have embraced and engaged in for so long. That occurrence. you can be assured of will happen!
DawgDad
April 11th, 2012
3:44 pm
“In fact, members of his party seem to have tried to wipe their one-time champion from their collective memory, as if it were all just one bad dream.”
This precise statement is also a “fact” relative to President Obama. It only takes two to be literally true.
This election is ideological. Any conservative, even an ideologically weak one, is preferred to a certainly destructive socialist.
DawgDad
April 11th, 2012
3:56 pm
“I can assure you after November there will be some serious soul searching done to decide if they want to continue with the hateful and hurtful politics they have embraced and engaged in for so long.”
Please explain how Republican politics are “hateful” and “hurtful”. I would suggest it is YOUR COMMENTARY that crosses that line. Also, I know quite a few “women of America” who do not agree with you. Many.
The Truth
April 11th, 2012
4:05 pm
Bernie
April 11th, 2012
3:31 pm
The Truth @ 3:11 pm – I would strongly suggest a reading and comprehension course for you at your local community college to imporve your skills in order for you to post intelligent comments here.
It seems you are having the reading, grammar and spelling issues today. Have you been drinking Bernie? By the way, the correct spelling is ‘improve’, not ‘imporve’. Maybe you should try elementary school before you go for ‘community college’. By the way, I attended a 4 year university. From reading your posts, I think you wouldn’t know an intelligent comment if it jumped up and slapped you in the face.
Selah.
284 more days
April 11th, 2012
4:06 pm
Seems like the DemocRAT pretty boy John Edwards has to pay 2.1 million back to the taxpayers he stole it from, the party of cheats got caught..
Fuuny how you guys jump all over Newt for his actions, but give that ao a free ride…………typical of all DemocRATS
Dawg '88
April 11th, 2012
4:17 pm
Bookman…same pitch, same product, SAME salesman:
Still boring, predictable, and demonizing rhethoric.
Sad…Your blog title could be used for every Democrat as well.
Especially The Abortion President….B. Hussein Obama!
Lets see…take religion out schools, perform attacks on religious freedoms, promote immoral actions, secularism is the religion of the day, and promoting the right to kill babies in the womb.
Same pitch, same product, same salesman…All the signs of the Culture of Death…congratulations on an inferior and detrimental product that is destroying the country.
Obama is a divider not someone who unites. Anyone with a different opinion is radical…but he and the Dems are not. What group promotes the following:
Abortion
Distributing wealth
High Deficits
Gay marriage
Eliminating Religion in every way possible
All radical ideas against what used to be considered wrong and immoral.
Now they are the norm and anyone not in agreement is demonized. Dems play the victim and blame others. Its not a party that I would support or join.
You see….I am not Republican or Democrat…parties do have agendas that are only designed to get votes, reelection and money. Its not about the best interest of the people or doing what’s right and just.
Both parties are salesmen and women….both offer the same tired products…with different but salesmen and women. But I will stand with anyone that seeks to protect God’s creation….and the most innocent and vulnerable in our society: The Unborn!
Obama believes in the right to kill them (”the mistake” children) as do most Dems. Only a few have the moral fiber to stand against their party’s immoral platform. Sad.
God is Pro Life….now more Dems need to follow God’s lead and teaching.
Otherwise, it will be a hot and miserable eternal life following this temporary one.
Anyone who promotes the killing of innocents…is NOT fit to lead…period!!!
1744 More Days
April 11th, 2012
4:19 pm
284 more days
April 11th, 2012
4:06 pm
Seems like the DemocRAT pretty boy John Edwards has to pay 2.1 million back to the taxpayers he stole it from, the party of cheats got caught..
Will John Ensign (Republican’t) be paying back the salary of his mistress that stole he stole from the campaign contributors? The party of hypocrites got caught.. Typical hypocricy from Cons.
Boris Badnoff
April 11th, 2012
4:22 pm
Kudos to our intrepid Blog Master Jay Bookman, the impartial chronicler of the passing parade, for revealing that those rascally Republicans are up to their usual chicanery by implying that Mittens will restore economic sanity and lead the country out of the fiduciary quicksand in which we are mired. How could this be when Our Beloved Messiah has given us a Perfect World? The economy is flourishing, we have full employment with high paying jobs for all, the housing market booming, gas is down to a dollar a swimming pool, electricity is a penny a megawatt hour, there is peace in the Middle East, and absolute harmony amongst all peoples as we gather each day to sing hosannas to The God who Descended from Heaven and Consented to Rule Us with His Divine Wisdom. How did we get this lucky?
Tom(Independent-Viet Vet)
April 11th, 2012
4:34 pm
Changing the topic for just a moment. Do you know why the Fla special prosecutor chose not to take the shooting case to a grand jury but instead decided to prosecute on her own? A grand jury would not have indicted Zimmerman if the evidence we have heard is true. The community where this occurred should have been allowed to hear the evidence before a prosecutor decided to press charges. I will say it again, if the 17 yr old started the fight and broke his nose and bashed his head into the pavement, no way he will get convicted! If that is true information. It does not matter who started the verbal conversation with words, words can not hurt you. I hope Zimmerman does not get rail-roaded by a special prosecutor who just happens to be a black Democrat! I’ve seen on TV about a dozen black on black violent crimes in the Atl area this past week, but I guess that does not matter to black folks? Why not?
Joe Hussein Mama
April 11th, 2012
4:38 pm
Timestamp — “Fuuny how you guys jump all over Newt for his actions, but give that ao a free ride…………typical of all DemocRATS”
GFY.
How about you actually ASK some Democrats on here what they think about that before you decide to speak for us?
Jackass.
Joe Hussein Mama
April 11th, 2012
4:39 pm
Tom, go forward two threads. We’re talking about the Trayvon Martin case up there and you’ll probably get lots of respones.
Martin Williams
April 11th, 2012
4:43 pm
I believe George W Bush should go in history as one of the worst president to occupy the White House. After 09/11, G W Bush had the biggest chance to be a great president if him and his stupid administration would have said let us tax every working American an extra dollar to fight terrorism. Knowing the patrotism of Americans they will give and questions asked. Instead his administration lied to go to war in Iraq and another war in Afganistan. Worst of all they decided to give BIG tax break to the wealthy. How can you be in two wars and give tax break at the same time. We as voters again are so very stupid, we re-elected him for a second term. The truth is Obama has created more jobs in three years than G W Bush did in eight years. Wake up America. You all remember now, what goes up must come down….Rome.
Vast Right Wing Conspiracy
April 11th, 2012
5:00 pm
President Romney. Sounds good. Much better than President Food Stamps, President $4 Gas, or President 11% Unemployment.
Don Abernethy
April 11th, 2012
5:35 pm
Obama and Romney…..what a choice. It is a sad day in America when these two are our only choice.
Bernie
April 11th, 2012
5:49 pm
The Truth @ 4:05 pm – Maybe you should request a “REFUND” for that degree. You obviously cheated your way throught to get it. Your comments do not reflect any level of higher education, just the opposite.
Billybob
April 11th, 2012
6:06 pm
same leftist drivel, different day jay…….brilliant
Billybob
April 11th, 2012
6:07 pm
martin continues to help conservatism with his words……
Adam
April 12th, 2012
10:12 am
This precise statement is also a “fact” relative to President Obama. It only takes two to be literally true.
Not true at all. I support Obama and I am not, in the slightest, alone in that. He’s also well within the public eye, as well as his record. Well, to anyone who isn’t in “the bubble,” anyway.