The other side of Romney’s success at Bain
Mitt Romney has made his success in the business world a central theme of his presidential campaign, suggesting that it demonstrates a level of economic understanding that President Obama cannot match.
But as the Washington Post documents, Romney and his company, Bain Capital, achieved that success in part by taking jobs once held by American workers and moving them overseas to places such as China and India, where those jobs could be performed more cheaply:
During the nearly 15 years that Romney was actively involved in running Bain, a private equity firm that he founded, it owned companies that were pioneers in the practice of shipping work from the United States to overseas call centers and factories making computer components, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
While economists debate whether the massive outsourcing of American jobs over the last generation was inevitable, Romney in recent months has lamented the toll it’s taken on the U.S. economy. He has repeatedly pledged he would protect American employment by getting tough on China.
“They’ve been able to put American businesses out of business and kill American jobs,” he told workers at a Toledo fence factory in February. “If I’m president of the United States, that’s going to end.”….
The Post documents a series of cases in which Bain-related companies relocated customer-support, call-center and manufacturing operations overseas to cut costs and raise profits. In addition, Bain was deeply involved in the creation and expansion of Modus Media, which specialized in helping other companies relocate manufacturing facilities overseas:
“Modus Media grew rapidly. In December 1997, it announced it had contracted with Microsoft to produce software and training products at a center in Australia. Modus Media said it was already serving Microsoft from Asian locations in Singapore, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan and in Europe and the United States.
Two years later, Modus Media told the SEC it was performing outsource packaging and hardware assembly for IBM, Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard Co. and Dell Computer Corp. The filing disclosed that Modus had operations on four continents, including Asian facilities in Singapore, Taiwan, China and South Korea, and European facilities in Ireland and France, and a center in Australia.
“Technology companies, in particular, have increasingly sought to outsource the business processes involved in their supply chains,” the filing said. “. . . We offer a range of services that provide our clients with a one-stop shop for their outsource requirements.”
According to a news release issued by Modus Media in 1997, its expansion of outsourcing services took place in close consultation with Bain. Terry Leahy, Modus’s chairman and chief executive, was quoted in the release as saying he would be “working closely with Bain on strategic expansion.” At the time, three Bain directors sat on the corporate board of Modus.”
For Mitt Romney the business person, such a record would be unremarkable. A lot of people have made a lot of money in the last 25 years by moving jobs offshore, and if Romney and Bain Capital were pioneers in the field, as the Post suggests, there was nothing unusual, illegal or even unethical in what they did. Speaking strictly in business terms, their job was to wring out inefficiencies and maximize shareholder profit in a global economy, not to protect the jobs of American workers, and as the Romney campaign likes to stress, they did their job very well and were well-rewarded for it.
For Romney the presidential candidate, however, the situation becomes more complicated. It’s one thing for Lee Raymond, then head of Exxon Mobil, to say that “I’m not a U.S. company and I don’t make decisions based on what’s good for the U.S.” In a business sense that may be understandable; in another sense it comes across as a grating reminder that the search for profit makes no allowance for national loyalty.
In Romney’s case, will an attitude that’s acceptable and perhaps even necessary in a modern business executive be equally acceptable in a person seeking to lead the country? For some Americans — especially those who have watched as their jobs were moved overseas — the details of how Romney achieved his remarkable financial success may turn out to matter a great deal.
– Jay Bookman
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598 comments Add your comment
Granny Godzilla - Union Thugette
June 22nd, 2012
9:05 am
Rexie baby…
The info from Forbes casts serious doubt on your original claim.
So since that proves questionable – so does your follow up.
Can you prove what you claim?
If not….we shall ignore it as just your fee fees.
Ol' Timer
June 22nd, 2012
9:05 am
The simple truth of the matter is that those with a business backgroud, by and large, have made horrible POTUS.
Of the twenty presidents in the modern era (since 1900) five had significant business careers before enterig politics. They were Warren G. Harding, Herbert Hoover, Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush, considered by historians to be the worst.
George H. W. Bush is considered the most successful businessman turned president if you exclude Harry S. Truman who was a failed businessman.
So, based on historoy, businessmen don’t do very well in the White House, so touting that background is not necessarily a big plus for Mitt Romney.
Donovan
June 22nd, 2012
9:06 am
Thanks Jay, for that rousing soapbox auditory of patriotism and Romney bashing. However, let’s point out a few things here.
Once again you make reference to the Washington Post as a reliable source of information. That is like asking the wheel man in a bank hold-up to vouch for the characters of his robbing crew.
Once again you can’t defend your party’s candidate, based on his record, so you revert to the Bain Capital thing again. This time it’s the off-shoring Democrat propaganda crap mixed in with the profit angle. You failed to mention that it was your thug union buddies who made it impossible for companies in this country to make a profit. Here’s a news bulletin: Americans don’t care for unions anymore and Americans like Bain Capital. You are dispensing kool aid and preaching to the choir son.
The electorate has woken up and it supports capitalism, entrepreneur business, and sound management. Romney personifies these qualities. Obama personifies community activism and anti-capitalism. You’ve hitched your horse to a loser with nothing more than a monicker of Hope & Change. America wants more than a stupid slogan to remove itself from its malaise.
Nice try with this dumb hit piece this morning, but liberals are the only ones buying into your character assassin editorial. Save it for lunchtime with Luckovich.
Butch Cassidy
June 22nd, 2012
9:06 am
Cosby -”At least it was legal and ethical..not to say 1/2 billion of taxpayers money to the anoited ones supporters ”
Please try to be original. Annointed one is Hannitys, are you not capable of coming up with your own child like description for the POTUS?
kayaker 71
June 22nd, 2012
9:06 am
We have an Attorney General who is on the verge of a contempt citation and a President who is spitting on the Constitution and we get a Bain Capital rant. This is going to get worse, Bookman, much worse. How many more threads do you run on those evil Republicans in the GA General Assembly and Romney’s underhanded actions with Bain Capital until you get to the real stories of the day?
Joseph
June 22nd, 2012
9:06 am
Its really sad that the Obama regime could care less about the Terry family….
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/06/21/parents-murdered-border-agent-brian-terry-accuse-obama-officials-hiding/#
Peadawg
June 22nd, 2012
9:07 am
Good grief those who are bitching about Jay not calling out Obama for all the crap he’s doing, Kyle’s blog is —->> that way. Jay’s a liberal blogger. Jay’s not going to call Obama out. Kyle’s a republican blogger. Kyle’s not going to call Romney out.
Can Joseph, USMC, et al not get that?
Talking Head
June 22nd, 2012
9:07 am
“Talking Head @ 8.43, what about Mitt Romney’s crowning gubernatorial achievement–providing $50 abortions on demand to all Massachusetts residents?
Don’t you think you ought to tout that one as well?”
But but but…abortion! That’s your response to an example of real executive leadership? Besides, you make a false claim. Mass Supreme Court mandated that insurance plans cover abortions before Romney was even Gov. The $50 abortion you speak of was not in his original bill and was placed in by the over whelming majority of Dems in the Mass State House and Senate.
“And the law Romney signed said nothing about abortion. Instead, the state exchange later determined that subsidized insurance plans would cover abortion. That follows two Massachusetts Supreme Court rulings, in 1981 and 1997, that said the state must cover medically necessary abortions. Some have said that Romney should have put limits on abortion coverage in the Massachusetts health care law, but the legislation actually says nothing on this topic.”
http://www.factcheck.org/2012/02/pac-strains-abortion-facts/
Butch Cassidy
June 22nd, 2012
9:09 am
Kayaker 71 – “This is going to get worse, Bookman, much worse”
When are your parents coming for you?
USMC
June 22nd, 2012
9:11 am
“Jay you haven’t even mentioned the G20. Is there a reason why? Perhaps it’s because our dear leader looked so juvenile and incoherent compared to other world leaders…”–Joseph
Great point, Josef.I guess whatever happened at Bain Capital DECADES ago is more important. Obama got B!otch-Slapped like a lackey at the G20; he was simply shell-shocked when the Russians got through with him. Comrade Putin is running circles around our inexperienced, weak President and it shows. The Russians smell blood and are attacking this weak Community Organizing Buffoon.
“RESET BUTTON” LOL! Are you kidding me?
This just in… The Obama Regime is now PIVOTING to JOBS, JOBS, JOBS…
larry
June 22nd, 2012
9:13 am
Can Joseph, USMC, et al not get that?
Why no !! The want us to spew. Spew foam.
So they can sell us new keyboards. Its a marketing scheme i guess.
Of course i dont spew. Foam or anything else.
Doggone/GA
June 22nd, 2012
9:13 am
“A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business.”
Henry Ford
“An idealist is a person who helps other people to be prosperous.”
Henry Ford
“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”
Henry Ford
massachusetts refugee 10.167.4.48
June 22nd, 2012
9:14 am
peadawg – the answer is to simply ignore them, otherwise their massive self importance just gets inflated further…
Company Saviors or Robber Barons?
June 22nd, 2012
9:14 am
Donovan’s refusal to read newspapers like the Washington Post goes a long way in explaining how a recent study found that almost 2 in 3 Republicans still believe there were WMDs in Iraq and that President Obama was born in Kenya.
GET OUT OF YOUR BUBBLES!!!!!!
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~nyhan/nyhan-reifler.pdf
OBIWAN
June 22nd, 2012
9:15 am
For once I believe what a democrat says, and this liberal blog is proof….
Retiring DEMOCRATIC Congressman Ackerman, “The People Have Gotten Dumber”
Talking Head
June 22nd, 2012
9:15 am
Romney : Executive leadership to run on
Obama : Executive leadership to run away from
Oscar
June 22nd, 2012
9:15 am
Markie, Man, talk about comparing apples and…..and…..elephants, I guess
_______
It was you that started comparing Fed Ex and the US Post Office, not me.
Get me Rex Kramer
June 22nd, 2012
9:15 am
Aguagirl, I respect you wanting to work to help others. The world needs more good people like you. But the pursuit of profit should not be penalized. It should be encouraged. It is how companies produce iPad’s, new state of the art medical equipment, drugs etc. Steve Jobs did not start Apple so he could make mission statements. It was for wealth, and it has benefited everyone. I have no illusions that capitalism is perfect. There are plenty of disadvatages. However, it is far better than any other system in a world that is not fair.
USMC
June 22nd, 2012
9:16 am
“Can Joseph, USMC, et al not get that?”–Peadawg
Let’s all thank Peadawg for filling in as the Hallway Monitor.
(You won’t get very far in life by Sucking Up, PeaDawg)
Oblama
June 22nd, 2012
9:17 am
The Dems outsourced their souls ………… time for a change.
Peadawg
June 22nd, 2012
9:20 am
“(You won’t get very far in life by Sucking Up, PeaDawg)” – Not sucking up. Just getting tired of it. Go over to Kyle’s blog to talk about Obama. Don’t expect Jay to call him out on anything (as we saw yesterday, Jay makes excuses for and defends Obama on most everything).
USMC
June 22nd, 2012
9:23 am
President Obama plays 100th round of golf, draws fire from critics
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57454890-503544/president-obama-plays-100th-round-of-golf-draws-fire-from-critics/
The Community Organizer President seems to like the Bourgeoisie Life style. Hypocrite?
kayaker 71
June 22nd, 2012
9:24 am
“The most honest administration in memory” …… I just can’t get over it. And someone with Bookman’s supposed intelligence has the audacity to post a statement like this. This administration is full of lies, deceit, bribery, closed door arm twisting and Constitution bashing, not to mention the narcissistic arrogance that goes along with just being Bozo. Have you read David Limbaugh’s book, “The Great Destroyer”?. It carefully documents all of the above plus a whole hell of a lot more. Get your head out of your arse and smell the roses, liberals. November can’t be far away.
barking frog
June 22nd, 2012
9:26 am
Kudos to Tom Hamburger
Reporter for WaPo and Alice Crites Researcher who
provided this column for
cut and paste. Tom did
not provide linkees..guess
Tom will defend his
originality, when he begins
to allow comments..
MiltonMan
June 22nd, 2012
9:26 am
Bill Clinton >>>> Jay Bookman.
Clinton on Romney = “Sterling business career”
http://www.politico.com/politico44/2012/05/clinton-romneys-business-record-sterling-124980.html
Doggone/GA
June 22nd, 2012
9:27 am
“But the pursuit of profit should not be penalized”
Nor should it be deified
Aquagirl
June 22nd, 2012
9:27 am
But the pursuit of profit should not be penalized. It should be encouraged.
I have no issues with pursuit of profit or capitalism myself. If people want to make money and get rich, good for them. But my original point was that excelling in corporate efficiency does not equal good at running a government. If we wanted a low-cost efficient military we’d return to the draft and let Veterans with brain injuries fend for themselves. This would neither provide for the common defense or promote the general welfare of the U.S.
Government =/= a big corporation. That doesn’t mean either are inherently evil or a scourge on humanity.
kimmer
June 22nd, 2012
9:27 am
Having spent the last 26 years working for global, publicly owned businesses and I can tell you unequivocally that business people very easily wear two hats. The first is a business hat. In the working world there is a little thing called competition. That competition REQUIRES one to maximize shareholder value or else you are quickly run out of business. If the business rules that everybody must play by make it more profitable to move operations overseas then that is what you do. Unfortunately our government has made that decision all to easy by creating a burdensome business environment in this country but they rarely get a share of the blame.
The second is a private citizen hat. These same business professionals are as a general rule VERY patriotic citizens and would love to see the US create a business climate that keeps jobs here. As president Mr. Romney’s job would be quite different and I will guarantee you he will do his best to KEEP jobs in the US but not by force of government because that does not work. But by leveling the playing field so that the US is competitive in the global economy.
larry
June 22nd, 2012
9:28 am
Ut oh!!! They are trying this mess up here now……………….
Ok Georgians, it’s your turn to be on your toes.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that after a state-level investigation, Fulton County, Georgia identified at least 2,400 voters it believed to be registered to vote at vacant lots. Like with the Florida purge, county elections officials began sending letters to those voters to determine whether they lived at those address. Unfortunately, as with Florida, they ran into a major problem:
State Sen. Vincent Fort, D-Atlanta, has cried foul, citing the county’s embarrassment when it sent letters to residents of a senior high-rise earlier this month telling them that their building doesn’t exist and that, to prove otherwise, they needed to show up for a hearing. Elections Director Sam Westmoreland apologized, but Fort said the error proves his process is flawed
USMC
June 22nd, 2012
9:28 am
“Just getting tired of it”–Peadawg
Peadawg, I understand what you are saying. But what is really at heart here is the LACK of HONESTY by Jay and the other Extreme Leftwing Party Operatives.
I would get tired of TRYING to defend Obama and the Leftwing Socialist ideology too, so I feel for you there.
SpareME
June 22nd, 2012
9:28 am
@massachusetts refugee
“i think there’s a pill for that now…”
Yes, there is!! Too bad the woman that birthed you missed hers that day.
massachusetts refugee 10.167.4.48
June 22nd, 2012
9:28 am
71 – This administration is full of lies, deceit, bribery, closed door arm twisting and Constitution bashing, not to mention the narcissistic arrogance,
like every other administration in history.
Company Saviors or Robber Barons?
June 22nd, 2012
9:29 am
Did Kayaker just cite Rush’s little brother as a source for real political insight?
East Cobb RINO
June 22nd, 2012
9:30 am
The idea that just because someone ran a profitable business makes him qualified to run a country falls along the same lines as war hero generals will make a great President. Both types are accustomed to a more dictatator style leadership where they give orders and those around him follow without question. That may work within the walls of 1600 Pennsylvania avenue but good luck with that in Congress.
Ronnie Raygun
June 22nd, 2012
9:31 am
So now Republicans are against the FBI investigating Mexican drug lords and gun smugglers. That explains why they want to keep the names of their super PAC donors a secret.
USMC
June 22nd, 2012
9:31 am
“State Sen. Vincent Fort, D-Atlanta, has cried foul…”
Vincent Fort is a RACIST/BIGOT, so you can simply discount everything he says.
Erwin's cat
June 22nd, 2012
9:31 am
Yeah right, they shoulda kept those jobs here, then gone under because they couldn’t compete globally and then lost all the jobs and and companies in total…that would have been a better option?
MiltonMan
June 22nd, 2012
9:31 am
Larry, are you surprised that Fulton County government screwed up again???
The democrats running this county are morons that are about as smart as your average grub worm.
larry
June 22nd, 2012
9:31 am
Like with Florida, the elections department said it was acting on a request from the office of Georgia Secretary of State Brian P. Kemp (R).
Westmoreland conceded that about half of the people on the list have already responded and shown that they indeed live at the addresses they claim.
http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/senator-assails-effort-to-1462130.html
Recon 0311 2533
June 22nd, 2012
9:32 am
“The other side of Romney’s success at Bain”
Jay, wake up call…the Obama campaign’s attempts to use Bain against Romney have failed. Almost like it has become the bane of the campaigns existence. I know it gets the faithful a good dose of morning Kool-Aid that gets them through the day.
Paul
June 22nd, 2012
9:32 am
“. Speaking strictly in business terms, their job was to wring out inefficiencies and maximize shareholder profit in a global economy, not to protect the jobs of American workers, and as the Romney campaign likes to stress, they did their job very well and were well-rewarded for it.
“In Romney’s case, will an attitude that’s acceptable and perhaps even necessary in a modern business executive be equally acceptable in a person seeking to lead the country? For some Americans — especially those who have watched as their jobs were moved overseas — the details of how Romney achieved his remarkable financial success may turn out to matter a great deal.”
“So Thomas, I take it that you believe Romney is wrong to campaign on his successes at Bain and wrong to cite his business experience as a credential, given that “he is applying for a vastly different job”?”
I’ll offer it seems to me people think once a person has filled a role they are bound to to continue with the same mindset they demonstrated in that role.
Good leadership is situational – one adapts to the situation, one does not expect the situation to adapt to them. I’d mentioned before – heard one assessment of Romney from a talking head – said Obama approaches a situation from the view of what his basic principles are and works it out. Romney’s more the problem solver. To illustrate, said in his interviews with members of Mass gov’t that when Romney came in he didn’t say “I believe this and I believe that and let’s overlay that onto….” He said ‘okay, what do you see are the state’s top five problems? Which are most important? What’s the time to fix for each?” That kind of view.
So a person fills the role – CEO, nonprofit head, gov’t position – knows the demands of the job and sets out to meet those demands. He’s adaptable. He uses his skills to further the aims of the organization.
So those are what I can see as strengths for Romney. What I still don’t see is who – what segment – will he give the greatest attention? Who will he roll over for the greater good? I’d said a couple years ago I saw Obama as the type who would do something because he thought it was the right thing to do and how it affected his reelections chances was a distant second consideration. I think that’s been modified, but it’s still there. With Romney, I just don’t know.
I suppose that sums it up for me for Romney – on those basic, fundamental questions, I just don’t know what he’ll do.
markie mark
June 22nd, 2012
9:32 am
Oscar, I think you need to reread the thread, sir…..that was my FIRST post, commenting on YOUR post.
MiltonMan
June 22nd, 2012
9:33 am
“71 – This administration is full of lies, deceit, bribery, closed door arm twisting and Constitution bashing, not to mention the narcissistic arrogance,
like every other administration in history.”
True but does every administration beat their chest proclaiming that they would be the most honest & transparent as this one?
FrankLeeDarling
June 22nd, 2012
9:33 am
If elected maybe Romney can outsource congress to some kids in Asia
larry
June 22nd, 2012
9:33 am
The republicans running this state are morons that are about as smart as your average grub worm.
Fixed your typo.
SpareME
June 22nd, 2012
9:33 am
USMC calls the kettle “Black”. Oh, the irony…
JamVet
June 22nd, 2012
9:35 am
Someone mentioned upward mobility.
Upward mobility???
In this country???
For nearly 80% of American working families???
For four straight decades???
With the fake conservatives having a say???
They like selling keyboards and working for peanuts. They think that basking in the reflected glow of their 1% heroes in the US Chamber of Commerce and at Bain Capital is actually going to get them somewhere!
The laugh of the morning…
kayaker 71
June 22nd, 2012
9:36 am
Company Saviors, 9:29,
Read the book first, then tell me that everything this clown does is first rate. I would venture, by the many pages of references that he provides, that it would be difficult to deny most any of Limbaugh’s claims. But that’s too easy, is it not? It is easier to kill the messenger than wake up to what is going on with the “most honest administration in memory”. God, what a joke.
Common Sense
June 22nd, 2012
9:36 am
http://www.npr.org/2011/09/16/140515737/california-turns-to-china-for-new-bay-bridge
Even government sees the benefits of doing business in China.
USMC
June 22nd, 2012
9:37 am
“Did Kayaker just cite Rush’s little brother as a source for real political insight?”–Company Saviors or Robber Barrons
Here we go, folks. Attack and buffoon the messenger to smother the message:
Rush Limaugh, Rush Limbaugh, Rush Limbaugh… Oh my g-d, Rush Limbaugh!
You must listen to Rush Limbaugh!
Typical Leftwing/ Bolshevik strategery!
JamVet
June 22nd, 2012
9:37 am
The republicans running this state are morons that are about as smart as your average grub worm.
And never mind that they are arguably the most unethical lot since the Nixon administration and the most immoral lot since Biblical days! LOL.
Just ask the serial screwers of women other than their wives – Nutty Newt and Herman the Groper…
Butch Cassidy
June 22nd, 2012
9:38 am
Common Sense – “Even government sees the benefits of doing business in China.”
Now, if we could just figure out a way to get the average worker to accept $12.00 a day in wages, we’d be right back on top again.
joe
June 22nd, 2012
9:39 am
Bookman, let me ask you a question…how do you live with yourself? I mean I realize its your “job” at the AJC to post these stupid blogs, but I know you and other supporters of the Dem party realize how much harm BHO is doing to our country. But for whatever reason you and most of the other liberal supporters choose to ignore that fact at all costs…thats what is so puzzling. How about taking a page our of Pres Kennedy and consider “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” For the sake of our capitalistic economy where everyone has a shot at life liberty and the pursuit of happiness, our constitution, which BHO ignores as best he can, and our freedom, you’d think educated and intelligent people would realize this and choose to stop drinking the kool aid. Enough already people. Those of you who vote for Obama again are choosing to ruin this country and leave the perils to you children and grand children…nice going.
DagnerMouse
June 22nd, 2012
9:40 am
Hey, db, you wrote:
“Read your words. You attributed 5T in debt to “Obama’s spending.”
That’s a beyond-idiotic characterization of the situation, and you know it.”
But the poster actually wrote:
“I wonder just how many businesses have been lost because the private sector lost $5 trillion in investment capital because it had to be used to purchase US treasuries to fund the spending by Obama?”
You should probably read their words. You seem to have read “investment capital” and accused them of having said “debt.”
That’s a beyond-idiotic characterization of the situation, and you know it.
Oscar
June 22nd, 2012
9:41 am
markie mark
June 22nd, 2012
9:32 am
Oscar, I think you need to reread the thread, sir…..that was my FIRST post, commenting on YOUR post
_____________
Sorry, Markie, I was responding to someone else’s post. Should not have assumed it was yours.
Joe Hussein Mama
June 22nd, 2012
9:41 am
R. Kramer — “Aquagirl, you just don’t get it. Because government and unions can’t fire people, you get poor performance and no accountability.”
Your conclusion is unsupported.
“Ever compared a post office to a FedEx store?”
Yes. I’d much rather do business with the USPS; they’re much more responsive to customer complaints that FedEx, UPS or any of the rest. The private shippers want at least one or two weeks to investigate what happened to any lost shipments before they’ll even talk to you, whereas the USPS will pay the claim *on the spot.*
“Not being able to fire lousy teachers is another great example.
I’m sure it escaped you that there’s no teacher’s union in GA.
“Being President means having the real world experience to make tough choices.”
I don’t believe Mr. Romney has that experience. Interestingly, neither did the GOP or GOP voters back in 2008 — they picked John McCain instead. If y’all didn’t like him four years ago, then why do you like him now?
“Life isn’t fair, and most government programs only encourage people to do less.”
Non sequitur.
“Liberals say Conservatives are out of touch and don’t care. Not true. Conservatives do care, but we think instead of feel.”
I disagree. Based on the posts I see here every day, it appears that most conservatives do an awful lot of feeling and emoting, but very little actual thinking.
Erwin's cat
June 22nd, 2012
9:41 am
“Just ask the serial screwers of women other than their wives – Nutty Newt and Herman the Groper”
…or Clinton and Edwards
Butch Cassidy
June 22nd, 2012
9:41 am
I noticed that the gas prices are dropping. I was curious, a couple months ago it was all the talk that Obama was causing the rise in fuel prices, does anyone know what plan he put in place to make them go down, and why no one is giving him credit for doing so?
SpareME
June 22nd, 2012
9:41 am
That’s what they beleve JamVet. Everybody thinks THEY are a part of the good ol’ boys club. They are only being used by said club. As long as the club vows to take a whiz on PEEon’s neighbor or perceived enemy, the PEEon is perfectly okay with it, even though the PEEon is going to have p–s splattered all over themselves in the process. The hilarity of it all!!!
massachusetts refugee 10.167.4.48
June 22nd, 2012
9:42 am
milty – in a word, yes.
East Cobb RINO
June 22nd, 2012
9:42 am
“If elected maybe Romney can outsource congress to some kids in Asia”
***********************************************
Now that is funnny right there…no matter who you are. Bless the pygmies in Africa.
Butch Cassidy
June 22nd, 2012
9:42 am
Joe -”Those of you who vote for Obama again are choosing to ruin this country and leave the perils to you children and grand children”
I have neither, but I would honestly vote for him just to see your head explode.
mike thompson
June 22nd, 2012
9:43 am
Under Bain capital Mitt would buy up a business totally drained its retirement System (no more pension plan) transfer all machinery and technology to China or India. lay off all American workers transfer the jobs to China or India. As a final insult to the American workers take a wrecking ball to the plants and use the bricks to build mansions on the top of the hill so the rich man can look down at the rest of us. (U.S.) That is the 99%.
Recon 0311 2533
June 22nd, 2012
9:43 am
It’s not so much about what Romney will do as it is what Obama has not done. A man who lacked credentials for the job was swept into office on a wave of emotion and we’ve been seeing the result. Romney has the credentials to lead the country as president. Obama’s difficult OJT still has not been sufficient enough for the country to suffer through a second term.
massachusetts refugee 10.167.4.48
June 22nd, 2012
9:44 am
erwin – you know the answer. gas prices go up, it’s the president’s fault. gas prices go down, it’s market forces at work.
lovelyliz
June 22nd, 2012
9:45 am
As I read somewhere recently: Getting mad at “Mexicans” for coming here and taking our jobs while remaining silent when corporate America takes our jobs overseas
Finn McCool (The System Isn't Broken; It's Fixed ~ from an Occupy sign)
June 22nd, 2012
9:46 am
Gas is $2.96 at Kroger with your Kroger card!
Erwin's cat
June 22nd, 2012
9:46 am
mass refugee – I think you mean Butch
but actually on this blog you have it backwards…gas goes up, it’s market conditions…gas goes down, it’s the presidents policies
Butch Cassidy
June 22nd, 2012
9:47 am
Finn – “Gas is $2.96 at Kroger with your Kroger card!”
Impossible, Newt didn’t get elected. How could fuel prices actaully be dropping while Obama is still in office?
Finn McCool (The System Isn't Broken; It's Fixed ~ from an Occupy sign)
June 22nd, 2012
9:48 am
I like Mike’s focus on the pension/retirement plans at those companies Bain bought. How did those turn out?
South Park Redneck
June 22nd, 2012
9:48 am
THEY TOOK OUR JOBS!
JamVet
June 22nd, 2012
9:48 am
Cat, so you approve of Dumb & Dumber’s immorality?
Because you cons are very loathe to *ever* denounce it. All you do is just compare it to someone else and hope that the current stench emanating from the state house and governor’s mansion isn’t too noticeable.
LOL.
Maybe collective rhinoplasty could help you fake conservatives!
With an electorate completely OK with moral depravity, is it any wonder we have these bought-off losers running the show in the most corrupt state in the union?
Recon 0311 2533
June 22nd, 2012
9:48 am
Gas prices have come down significantly, unfortunately due to a rapidly declining economy.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
June 22nd, 2012
9:49 am
Obama has done more to take jobs away from Americans with his illegal immigrant policy than Romney could ever think about in trying to save a company by outsourcing some of its jobs.
P.S. to Jay:
I would like to file a formal complaint against Kamchuck for calling me such ugly, ugly names last night (although I see you may have already pulled his post).
I hardly slept at all (he hurt my feelings) and I will have to undergo counseling. He is soooooo mean !
That was so “Unatheistic” of him.
But …………. I will try to get on with my life.
Now …………. where was I ? Oh yes ………..
“House committee suspects ‘Fast and Furious’ cover-up”
By Jerry Seper – The Washington Times
“The House committee investigating Fast and Furious has received more than 7,600 documents from the Justice Department, but Republican lawmakers say none addresses who approved the gunrunning probe, who failed to stop it before a U.S. Border Patrol agent was killed and why department officials initially lied to Congress about it.”
Butch Cassidy
June 22nd, 2012
9:49 am
Erwins Cat – “but actually on this blog you have it backwards…gas goes up, it’s market conditions…gas goes down, it’s the presidents policies”
Actually the correct answer is always Market Forces. Unfortunately, the drooling masses that make up the right wing faithful just couldn’t seem to grasp that concept no matter how hard I tried to tell them.
Joe Hussein Mama
June 22nd, 2012
9:50 am
F. McCool — “Gas is $2.96 at Kroger with your Kroger card!”
Why, that’s unpossible!
Doom told us not a month ago that gas was heading to five bucks a gallon. And he’s one of those thinking-and-not-feeling Republicans, right? He’d never say something that was motivated simply by raw emotions!
/snark
Joe Hussein Mama
June 22nd, 2012
9:51 am
0311 — “Obama has done more to take jobs away from Americans with his illegal immigrant policy”
Really? How, exactly?
stands for decibels
June 22nd, 2012
9:52 am
Can Joseph, USMC, et al not get that?
not if you wrote it in crayon in all-caps. Not if you sang it to the tune of “Jesus Loves me.”
JamVet
June 22nd, 2012
9:53 am
There is a very simple answer to outsourcing.
Outsource the top ten salaries in every major corporation overseas.
This would allow about 2,500 working families per corporation to keep their jobs.
And the foreign executives would no doubt do a much better job than these bungling idiots that run these companies.
Many of whom should be in an 8 X12…
Aquagirl
June 22nd, 2012
9:54 am
actually on this blog you have it backwards…gas goes up, it’s market conditions…gas goes down, it’s the presidents policies
Who has ever said that? I’m sure some random commenter may have, but our regulars don’t generally support that assumption, and Jay certainly hasn’t.
Thanks for dropping us a note from the Dept. Of Making $#!^ Up, though. You might want to confine future missives to tea potty meetings or other less discerning crowds.
Butch Cassidy
June 22nd, 2012
9:56 am
Recon – “Gas prices have come down significantly, unfortunately due to a rapidly declining economy.”
I seem to remember when prices were high, Jay, myself and many others were trying to tell you folks that no matter what Newt promised, the only way to get back to the prices when Bush left office was for the economy to tank. I seem to recall being called a “lib” and that it was all Obamas fault. So glad that you’ve finally seen the light.
Granny Godzilla - Union Thugette
June 22nd, 2012
9:56 am
“who approved the gunrunning probe?”
Alot of folks actually…..one name might be familiar
2008: Darrell Issa Voted “YES” to Fund Project Gunrunner & Merida Initiative
worth a google
Joe Hussein Mama
June 22nd, 2012
9:57 am
JamVet — “Outsource the top ten salaries in every major corporation overseas.”
Index tax breaks to a corporation’s relative domestic manpower, including contractors and suppliers. If 100% of your personnel are US-based, you get 100% of your tax breaks. If 50% of your personnel are overseas, then you lose 50% of the value of the tax breaks your business would otherwise have gotten.
If you’re not investing in the American economy by making and keeping jobs right here where Americans can have them, then why should America be giving your business any tax breaks at all?
kayaker 71
June 22nd, 2012
9:57 am
Just think how much gas prices would go down if the Keystone pipeline would be built and we could buy significant amounts of oil from a non OPEC member, Canada. Then if we would drill on that 5% postage stamp of land in ANWAR, increase drilling permits on the nearly 650M acres of government owned lands and put people back to work, stop exporting our oil reserves…….. Perhaps we could even get down to $1.80/gal gas. Think what that would do for the economy.
Peter
June 22nd, 2012
9:57 am
Those of you who vote for Obama again are choosing to ruin this country and leave the perils to you children and grand children…nice going.
Funny stuff because the Grand kids will be paying for the Bush Iraq War….. 3 Trillion dollars and interest later.
Gee how do the Republican’s live with that ?
Ol' Timer
June 22nd, 2012
9:58 am
Romney and Trump will soon be presenting their plan for economic recovery — a plan they have executed to perfection over the past several years.
1. Spin off the profit centers; 2.export the labor; 3. and bankrupt the rest.
Erwin's cat
June 22nd, 2012
9:59 am
what’s a “con”
disagree with a few here and automatically get labeled as a right winger….nice
Aquagirl…pretend that it doesn’t happen all you want, it won’t make it true
East Cobb RINO
June 22nd, 2012
9:59 am
@0311/8541/5811/1811/1801, Did you fill out a Hurt Feelings report?
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv37/punkrockHR/hurt-feelings-report.jpg
Joe Hussein Mama
June 22nd, 2012
9:59 am
K71 — “Just think how much gas prices would go down if the Keystone pipeline would be built and we could buy significant amounts of oil from a non OPEC member, Canada. Then if we would drill on that 5% postage stamp of land in ANWAR, increase drilling permits on the nearly 650M acres of government owned lands and put people back to work, stop exporting our oil reserves…….. Perhaps we could even get down to $1.80/gal gas. Think what that would do for the economy.”
You pretty clearly don’t understand that oil produced in the US does not necessarily STAY in the US for processing and consumption. It goes onto the world market with all other oil.
If you expect domestically-produced oil to stay here and be used here, then you’re advocating nationalizing the US petroleum industry.
ZOMG SOSHULIZUM
Lord Help Us
June 22nd, 2012
9:59 am
‘Just think how much gas prices would go down if the Keystone pipeline would be built and we could buy significant amounts of oil from a non OPEC member, Canada’
You have no idea how the global market works, do you?
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
June 22nd, 2012
9:59 am
Well, haul haul haul. Lug lug lug. It’s another Friday.
I look at the beer I put on the shelfs and in the coolers and sometimes I almost feel sorry for them. Before I leave Billy Bob’s tonight those longnecks will be in somebody’s belly or down a sewer or in a cooler in a bar, a gas station, maybe even a Gay Bathhouse. During one of my breaks this a.m. I even started writing a Ode to Beer. It started out
O beer, O golden beer
Wish I could pour you in josef’s ear
Then I got bored with it and went back to work.
Anyhow, I ain’t worried about my job getting shipped overseas if Romney gets to be President. They’ll always need beer truck drivers unless they can figure a way to ship the stuff thru pipes or maybe tele-transport it. I’m alot more worried about this Superhighway stuff they’re trying to do from Mexico into the U S of A. Now that could get dangerous for my line of work.
Anyhow, I can’t hardly wait till the Romney Administration takes office and they arrest the Kenyan Usurper as he leaves the White House and charge him with being a King that don’t have any respect for the Law. Or the Law the way we see it.
Have a good Friday everybody.
Butch Cassidy
June 22nd, 2012
10:00 am
Kayaker 71 – “Just think how much gas prices would go down if the Keystone pipeline would be built and we could buy significant amounts of oil from a non OPEC member, Canada. Then if we would drill on that 5% postage stamp of land in ANWAR, increase drilling permits on the nearly 650M acres of government owned lands and put people back to work, stop exporting our oil reserves…….. Perhaps we could even get down to $1.80/gal gas. Think what that would do for the economy.”
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0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
June 22nd, 2012
10:00 am
Joe Hussein Mama:
Uh ………….. because …………… they take jobs that many UNEMPLOYED Americans could take.
This is basic stuff.
stands for decibels
June 22nd, 2012
10:01 am
But but but…abortion! That’s your response to an example of real executive leadership? Besides, you make a false claim. Mass Supreme Court mandated that insurance plans cover abortions before Romney was even Gov. The $50 abortion you speak of was not in his original bill and was placed in by the over whelming majority of Dems in the Mass State House and Senate.
Gee, if he’s this devout pro-lifer, don’t you think he could’ve shown some of that executive leadership you’re citing and carved out an exception for his signature legislation, with a mere veto threat?
Couldn’t he have at least negotiated a higher co-pay? think of them unborned BAYBEEZ, man! He mighta saved a few.
SpareME
June 22nd, 2012
10:01 am
“Gas prices have come down significantly, unfortunately due to a rapidly declining economy.”
So, so , so…..when the gas prices go UP, that’s because we are in a period of sustained economic growth!! I get it. THAT’S what all the blame on Obama a couple months ago was all about. You cannot make this stuff up.
Doggone/GA
June 22nd, 2012
10:02 am
“increase drilling permits on the nearly 650M acres of government owned lands”
If that would increase oil supplies, why are oil companies sitting on hundreds of drilling permits they ALREADY HAVE?
Granny Godzilla - Union Thugette
June 22nd, 2012
10:02 am
K 71
Not so fact bucko…
“according to researchers at the Cornell University Global Labor Institute, TransCanada, the proposed manufacturers of the pipeline, admitted that “KXL will increase the price of heavy crude oil in the Midwest by almost $2 to $4 billion annually.” The Cornell study explains that this will happen as a result of “diverting major volumes of Tar Sands oil now supplying the Midwest refineries, so it can be sold at higher prices to the Gulf Coast and export markets.”
Fox expects us to take Petrowski at his word when he claims that building KXL could result in gas prices dropping “20 to 30 cents a gallon”; indeed, Asman responds to his claim by saying that the Gulf executive is “on the retail side of the gas business, so you know” how gas prices come about.
But the Cornell University study estimates nearly the exact opposite of Petrowski’s claim, estimating that building the KXL pipeline could increase domestic gas and diesel fuel prices in some states by between “10 to 20 cents more per gallon” and, to rub salt on the wound, possibly “cancel out some or all of the jobs created by KXL” after only one year of increased fuel prices.”
From MMA
East Cobb RINO
June 22nd, 2012
10:02 am
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
June 22nd, 2012
9:49 am
Did you fill out a Hurt Feelings Report?
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv37/punkrockHR/hurt-feelings-report.jpg
Mike
June 22nd, 2012
10:04 am
Do you think Nebraska is worse off because it “imports” its oranges from Florida? Is Florida worse off because it imports its wheat from Nebraska? Shifting production to where it is cheapest can only strengthen the global economy.
San Francisco has made it so expensive to run a business that local companies lost bids to a Chinese company to repair the Golden Gate Bridge. If you want to continue the trend, vote for more government.
jconservative
June 22nd, 2012
10:04 am
“Jay is trying to get Obama reelected. He is not providing us with the best information we need as voters to determine who to vote for.”
Correct. And Fox is trying to get Romney elected and MSNBC is trying to get Obana elected.
Most people have an agenda.
That is why it is plain dumb to get one’s news from a single source.
I am a conservative but I still say Cynthia Tucker is the best columnist the AJC ever had. Sure she had an agenda. So do I.