One pro-Obama ad reveals a lot about 2012 campaign

Romney should reply. I guess we should of propped this guy up for life and spoon fed him. He was a Democrat you know. Geez. Reminds me of some sitting on the porch in New Orleans watching the water rise

or “let them eat cake”

Reinforces the GOP mindset.

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Adam, guess you were at a protect march somewhere and missed the 300 buses sitting under water.

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They BOTH suck:

Did I include your name in my post? I didn’t think so… But wait. Could you perhaps be Aint that a shame, Joe Hussein Mama, or stands for decibels (SfBA)? Don’t worry I won’t tell. I realize that there couldn’t possibly be that many fruits who follow Bookman so I’m sure a couple you foaming at the mouth libs have to double or even triple up on names and posts… LOL…

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cum laude from Harvard

And no, Mighty Rightie, that’s not what your “uncles” used to pay Mamma to do.

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Yeah because people who didn’t have transportation out of the city were just SOOOOO stupid…..

Didn’t you get the memo?

Choices and bootstraps.

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” 1 million more private sector jobs since February 2009 (job loss over the same time period for Bush’s first term)”

So are there more or less people working than from the day O came into office? Last I saw is we’re still down 300k.

-” More New Housing being purchased”

L

I

E

I see libs never let the facts get in the way of their argument.

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — Sales of new houses fell 8.4% in June after reaching a two-year high in May, suggesting that the slowdown in the U.S. economy might be making buyers more cautious.

Sales declined to an annual rate of 350,000 in June and median prices of new homes also fell to the lowest level since January, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday.

http://articles.marketwatch.com/2012-07-25/economy/32838638_1_patrick-newport-home-sales-sales-of-new-houses

“- An economy that is recovering enough for oil demand to be back”

1.5% economic growth is a recovery? Oh my gawd that is funny!

“- Tax Cuts for everyone (stimulus, Bush Tax Cut extension, payroll tax cut)”

From the poster who just stated that he hopes the W tax cuts get rescinded. You can’t make this stuff up.

“- Positive ads from the Obama campaign which highlight his record”

Bwaahahahahhahahahh. Positive ads like the bogus LIE about the steelworker’s wife? Obama has a record to highlight? He sure does- 8.3% unemployment, 5 trillion in new debt, and horribly weak, anemic economic growth. That would be his record and it do need highlighting.

“- A candidate not being able to “buy” the election by outspending the other guy”

That’s pretty hilarious considering it was thought that the Obama campaign would be the first campaign ever to hit 1 billion in money raised. So easy to obliterate this LIE. So easy.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/02/05/obama-campaign-aims-to-collect-a-billion-while-gop-relies-on-superpacs.html

“Good times…”

Sure buddy. Good times always constitutes 1 trillion dollar deficits, pi$$ poor economic growth of 1.5%, and a record shattering 42 straight months of unemployment over 8% with no end in sight.

But just keep on drinking that koolaid. Ya hear?

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If people don’t like the Super Pacs, write to the Supreme Court and complain. The SC justices decision in the Citizens United opened Pandora’s Box to fabricated and fraudulent claims on both sides. For any politician to whine about a Super Pac ad being untruthful or unfair is a joke.

On another note it is extremely amusing to see the likes of Rush Limbaugh get upset. Makes my day.

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DawgDad — “What was “atrocious” about that?”

Historical record and *eyewitness* accounts disagree with most of the Swiftboaters’ claims regarding Kerry’s service and decorations. In fact, one Swiftboater who has previously defended Kerry’s Silver Star and who had previously officially rated Kerry’s performance highly, changed his mind after being approached by the Swiftboaters and began criticizing Kerry’s performance and award.

One of the physicians who treated Kerry for a wound for which he received a Purple Heart criticized Kerry’s receipt of that reward, despite multiple claims from Navy administrators that PHs received under the same circumstances as Kerry’s award were “routine.”

One of the Swiftboaters even put Kerry *in* for one of the awards the organization later criticized him for receiving.

I don’t begrudge political mudslinging, but IMO veterans shouldn’t diss other veterans’ service, and I take a very dim view of veterans who do that. They should have found something else to criticize Kerry on.

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Adam, can’t be true. That was a well run Democratic controlled city. Can’t be right.

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“Failure of the local government, not of the people who were stranded.”

Gasp! Government failed?

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Goldie…..only went back 6 years…..I’d keep looking for more. And I guessed you missed the FACT she had insurance AFTER the time in question with HER job.

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Adam, can’t be true. That was a well run Democratic controlled city. Can’t be right.

I don’t restrict my criticism solely by political party. They f***ed up, pure and simple.

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Hey Thulsa Pigeon, I’m not arguing with you, since when I give you facts you just sh*t on the board and strut around like you’re victorious.

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“This – to me – is near the top of the worst aspects of the Citizens United decision. The inability of too many people to understand that a Super PAC ad has nothing to do with a candidate’s campaign”

Except when the head of the “super pac” is the one and the same former Barack Obama white house aide and campaign manager. And when Barack Obama refuses to condemn the ad and the lie that was told by the worker who was recorded talking to another Obama white house staffer.

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I have shown otherwise in the ads Obama has run on TV highlighting his record and accomplishments.

Yes, Adam, PLEASE keep highlighting (with BROAD BRIGHT colors please) the Obama record. I’m all for it.

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“The inability of too many people to understand that a Super PAC ad has nothing to do with a candidate’s campaign.”

I hear ya on that inability of people to understand that. I hard a hard time convincing libs of that when the swiftboat vets were doing some truth telling about that phony Kerry that W couldn’t do anything about it.

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You didn’t embarrass me. You mentioned at the end your post “liberals”, so I jumped in.

So were you able to back up your assertion from any blogger or were you lying as usual.

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Like I posted, negligence and apathy are not what we want in the White House EVER. Oh, and we don’t want corporatists in the White House EVER, either — thanks for posting!

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Adam, thanks…I putting that post in my journal….and you have totally ruined my right to say Dems never admit failure…Damn you,

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Doggone

It is all the same. The answer for both is NEITHER.

Mighty Righty will not answer because he knows the answer.

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ann running on hannity to get her fired was hilarious but this is just ridiculous:

“Marsha Blackburn, GOP Congresswoman, Refuses To Acknowledge Romneycare (VIDEO) ” aol.

romneycare, say it cons.

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Post of 12:55…………………..so

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No telling what Romney might say when he’s angry. That’s the point.

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The cons decided to leave reality because it is a sure loser for them.

Say romneycare cons.

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If people don’t like the Super Pacs, write to the Supreme Court and complain.

alternatively, treat Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas to the kind of artery-clogging fare they surely love, in copious quantities. (hey, is there a superPAC for that? hmm…)

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oh yeah, but y’all remember that if only this guy’s wife had lived in Massachusetts for the past decade, she would’ve had excellent healthcare options and maybe she would not have waited so long to seek treatment, etc. etc. That’s what Mitt’s spokesperson explained so clearly to a reporter when asked about this political ad — and please know that I am really sorry that once again you Cons are stuck with another train wreck for a candidate… you know, someone who gets creamed by The Party for speaking with some truthfulness!

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getalife — “ann running on hannity to get her fired was hilarious but this is just ridiculous:”

It’s kinda like when we issued the Potsdam Declaration in the summer of 1945 and the Japanese ignored our demand for their surrender. They decided to “mokusatsu” the demand (e.g. ‘kill by silence’).

And guess what happened 67 years ago today?

Nagasaki.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagasaki#World_War_II_and_atomic_bombing

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Joe Hussein Mama

August 9th, 2012
12:01 pm
And then getting Federal money to throw at the problem despite their professed preference for ‘private-sector solutions.’
_____________________________________________________________________
And then there’s that.

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“He (Obama) Improved the Economy”

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Yes, please Adam, you libs get together and spend millions on ad(s) touting this “achievement.”

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Of the nineteen men who served the “four months” in Viet Nam with John Kerry sixteen of them agreed Kerry did not deserve the medals he was awarded. Kerry himself applied for the medals. His war injuries never required medical treatment other than simple first aid.

http://www.swiftvets.com/index.php

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stands for decibels (SfBA)

August 9th, 2012
12:09 pm
Take a message.

I did. He says “don’t make me come out of my grave and stomp your old white ass for implying that a cheezy pro-corporate-advertising decision compares to the one that basically wound up getting 600,000 Americans killed.”

but I might’ve got a few words wrong. He was hollerin’ something fierce before he hung up.
______________________________________________

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Thulsa

You are splitting hair and you know it. SVBs and the liberal Pac with this ad is all crap.

The SVBs went on Fox and stated they had nothing to do with the Bush campaign were not connected in any shape or form with anyone, etc, etc

The very next day after claiming that, it was discovered their main back just so happen to be a a lawyer from Houston who was a friend of Rove’s and one of the largest financial contributors to Bush’s campaign’s for governor, one of the largest contributors to the Repub Party in TX and to Bush’s Presidential campaigns

So if you want to play that “got ya” game we can.

So which way do you want to have it. It is all bs or split hairs to meet your own version and ideology

I say these PACs are all crap, but it is legal and it is going to get nasty

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Mighty Righty

Again, how many of the SBVs served on Kerry’s boat?

Simple question.

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They BOTH suck

August 9th, 2012
12:20 pm
TBG

By far the worst to date by either side. Romney and the right leaning Super Pacs have told some whoppers for sure, but this one was despicable.

Hopefully that is as low as we go, but I am not betting on it for either side.

Going to get nasty
____________________________________________
Wuzzup TBS.

Sadly, what you say is true.

This BS didn’t start with Romney or Obama, and it won’t end with them unless WE do something.

What, I have no idea.

Stocking up on asprin and Maalox.

And RUM.

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I wonder if Obama and/or the leftist PACs will circulate any ads about the $1.4 trillion deficits and the sustained 9+% unemplyment. Probably not.

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TGT: Yes, please Adam, you libs get together and spend millions on ad(s) touting this “achievement.”

Just curious, but today, August 9, 2012, are you worse off than you were on January 20, 2009? Serious question. If so, without divulging any uncomfortable personal details, in what ways specifically are you worse off?

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Thulsa, you have an extremely short memory, too:

THE OBAMA RECORD
Robert P. Watson, Ph.D.
Lynn University

I am always being asked to grade Obama’s presidency. In place of offering him a grade, I put together a list of his accomplishments thus far. I think you would agree that it is very impressive. His first six months have been even more active than FDRs or LBJs the two standards for such assessments. Yet, there is little media attention given to much of what he has done. Of late, the media is focusing almost exclusively on Obama’s critics, without holding them responsible for the uncivil, unconstructive tone of their disagreements or without holding the previous administration responsible for getting us in such a deep hole. The misinformation and venom that now passes for political reporting and civic debate is beyond description.

As such, there is a need to set the record straight. What most impresses me is the fact that Obama has accomplished so much not from a heavy-handed or top-down approach but from a style that has institutionalized efforts to reach across the aisle, encourage vigorous debate, and utilize town halls and panels of experts in the policy-making process. Beyond the accomplishments, the process is good for democracy and our democratic processes have been battered and bruised in recent years.

There is a lot of misinformation circulating on talk radio, at town hall meetings, in the blogosphere, and around office water coolers about President Barack Obama. For instance, Obama is criticized for allegedly doing nothing and for doing too much. While Obama, like all presidents, has made mistakes, his presidency has thus far been marked not just by bitter opposition but by an ambitious array of initiatives and numerous accomplishments. His is turning out to be one of the most active presidencies in history. Following is a list of initiatives that are either being pursued or have been achieved by the Obama Administration (through April 2010).

Let me know if I missed anything in the list (surely I did).

Ethics:

• Ordered the White House and all federal agencies to respect the Freedom of Information Act; Bush era limits on accessibility of federal documents have been overturned (2009)
• Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible (2009)
• Placed limits on lobbyists’ access to the White House (2009)
• Placed limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration (2009)
• Signed a measure strengthening registration and reporting requirements for lobbyists (2009)
• Ordered that lobbyists must be removed from and are no longer permitted to serve on federal and White House advisory panels (2009)
• Companies and individuals who are delinquent on their taxes or owe back taxes are no longer allowed to bid for federal contracts (2009)
• Initiated the “e-Rulemaking Initiative” (cooperating with Cornell University) to allow for online public “notice and comment” of federal laws and initiatives (2010) • Issued the “Open Gov Directive” ordering all Cabinet departments to promote transparency and citizen participation in their policies (2010)

Governance

• The White House website now provides information on all economic stimulus projects and spending, along with an unprecedented amount of information on our government (2009)
• Ended the Bush era practice of circumventing established FDA rules for political reasons (2009)
• Ended the Bush era practice of having White House staff rewrite the findings of scientific and environmental regulations and reports when they disagreed with the results (2009)
• Limited the salaries of senior White House aides (salaries cut to $100,000) (2009)
• Has urged Congress to adopt “Pay-Go” (whereby each dollar of spending is offset by a dollar in cuts or revenues, which was used in the `90s but abandoned in the `00s) (2010)
• Has been holding open meetings with Republican leaders who complained of a lack of access and information (2010)

National Security
• Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane (which wasn’t even used in Iraq/Afghanistan) and other outdated weapons systems (2009)
• Announced his intention to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay – though the closure has been delayed due to opposition it is still on the agenda (2009)
• Attempting to house terrorists at a new federal “super max” facility in the US (2009)
• Cut the expensive Reagan era missile defense program, saving $1.4 billion in 2010 (2009)
• Cancelled plans to station anti-ballistic missile systems in Poland and the Czech Republic (2009)
• Replacing long-range, expensive missile systems with more efficient smaller systems (2009)
• Increased US Navy patrols off the Somali coast in response to pirating (2009)
• Established a new cyber security office and appointed a cyber security czar (2009)
• Ordered the first nation-wide comprehensive cyber threat assessment (2009)
• One-year extension on some provisions of the PATRIOT Act (2009)
• Instituted a new Nuclear Posture Review, revising US nuclear deterrence policy to encourage more nations to join the 1996 Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (2010)

Components of the policy:

– US pledges to stop nuclear testing
– US pledges to not build a new generation of nucs
– Nuclear terrorism – not a launch from another nuclear state – is a major threat
– US will pledge to not use nucs on a non-nuclear state

Iraq & Afghanistan

• Began the phased withdrawal of US troops from Iraq (2009); continuing the withdrawal (2010)
• Authorized the use of more unmanned warplanes/drones (Predator, Reaper, etc.) in Iraq/Afghanistan (2009)
• Authorized the deployment of 17,000 additional troops to Afghanistan, which had been pending for months during the previous administration (2009)
• Changed the US military command in the Afghan conflict (2009)
• Tasked the Pentagon to reorganize US policy in Afghanistan; the new policy includes 30,000 additional troops deployed, priority training of Afghan forces, developing agriculture and infrastructure, limiting aerial bombing, etc. (2009)
• Ordered the Pentagon to send additional helicopters to assist US marine and special forces units in Afghanistan (2009)
• Increased unmanned drone strikes on Taliban and al-Qaeda targets in Afghanistan (2009)
• Ended the Bush era “stop-loss” policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date (2009)
• Visited US soldiers in Afghanistan (2010)

Military & Veterans

• Ordered the Pentagon to cover expenses of families of fallen soldiers if they wish to be on site when the body arrives back in the US (2009)
• Ended the Bush era “blackout” imposed on media coverage of the return of fallen US soldiers; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and with the approval of the fallen soldier’s family (2009)
• Ended the Bush era “black out” policy on media coverage of war casualties – full information is now released (2009)
• Ordered better body armor to be procured for US troops (2009)
• Funding new Mine Resistant Ambush Vehicles (which are needed because of susceptibility of the old hummers to roadside explosives) (2009)
• Working to increase pay and benefits for military personnel (2009)
• Improving housing for military personnel (2009)
• Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses (2009)
• Ordered that conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other neglected military hospitals be improved (2009)
• Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military (initiated by Bush but abandoned after the war in Iraq began) to a post-Cold War, modern fighting force… this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military and special ops units, establishing new technology and cyber units, etc. (2009)
• Ended the Bush era practice of awarding “no-bid” defense contracts (2009)
• Improving benefits for veterans as well as VA staffing, information systems, etc. (2009)
• Authorized construction of additional health centers to care for veterans (2009)
• Suspended the Bush era decision to purchase a fleet of Marine One helicopters from foreign suppliers in favor of American made helicopters (2009)
• Ordered a review of the existing “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gays in the military (2010)
• New GI Bill for returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan (2009)

Foreign Policy & International Relations
• Closed the Bush era “secret detention” facilities in Eastern Europe (2009)
• Ended the Bush era policy allowing “enhanced interrogation” (torture); the US is again in compliance with Geneva Convention standards (2009)
• Restarted international nuclear non-proliferation talks (Bush withdrew from them) and reestablished international nuclear inspection protocols (2009)
• Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic (2009)
• Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions suspended under Bush (2009)
• Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office (2009)
• Banned the export of cluster bombs (2009)
• Overturned Bush era plans to increase the US nuclear arsenal (2009)
• Authorized the Navy SEALS operation that freed by force the US shipping captain held by Somali pirates (2009)
• Restored the US commitment to the UN population fund for family planning that was suspended under Bush (2009)
• Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return “home” to visit families (2009)
• Extended an offer of engagement (free from sanctions and penalties) to Iran through December 31, 2009 (Iran did not accept the offer) (2009)
• Sent envoys to the Middle East and other parts of the world, reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy (2009)
• Authorized discussions with North Korea and the private mission by former president, Bill Clinton, to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons (2009)
• Authorized discussions with Myanmar and the mission by Senator Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive (2009)
• Renewed loan guarantees for Israel (2009)
• Signed the USIFTA trade agreement with/for Israel (2009)
• Authorized a $550m advance for Israel (six months prior to the scheduled date) in order to accommodate Israeli’s economic and financial needs (2009)
• Continued agreements with Israel for cultural exchanges, immigration, etc. (2009)
• Spoke on Arab television, spoke at an Egyptian university, and met with Arab leaders in an effort to change the tone of US-Arab relations (2009)
• Ordered the US to finally pay its dues to the United Nations (2009)
• Attended the Summit of America’s meeting in Trinidad and Tobago (2010)
• Invited the Israeli Prime Minister to Washington; met with him (2010)
• Dispatched several envoys and initiated talks with numerous nations (2010)
• Signed a nuclear limitation treaty with Russia; both countries reduce nucs by one-third (1,500) and launch systems by half (800) (2010)
• Hosted nuclear non-proliferation summit for several nations (2010)

Economy
• Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants…) after years of neglect during the Bush era (2009)
• Authorized the US auto industry rescue plan and two GMAC rescue packages (2009)
• Authorized the housing rescue plan and new FHA residential housing guarantees (2009)
• Authorized a $789 billion economic stimulus plan (1/3 in tax cuts for working-class families, 1/3 to states for infrastructure projects, 1/3 to states to prevent the layoff of police officers, teachers, etc. at risk of losing their jobs because of state budget shortfalls) (2009)
• Instituted a new rule allowing the public to meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (in as quickly as one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying (2009)
• Authorized a continuation of the US financial and banking rescue plans initiated at the end of the Bush administration and authorized TARP funds to buy “toxic assets” from failing financial institutions (2009)
• Authorized the “Cash for Clunkers” program that stimulated auto sales and removed old, inefficient, polluting cars from the road (2009)
• Convened a “jobs summit” to bring experts together to develop ideas for creating jobs (2009)
• Ordered the FDIC to beef up deposit insurance (2009)
• Ended the Bush era policy of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from the credit card industry’s predatory practices (2009)
• Authorized the federal government to make more loans available to small businesses and ordered lower rates for federal loans to small businesses (2009)
• After former presidents of both parties refused such action (George W. Bush refused four times), Obama placed a 35% tariff on Chinese tires and a few other products such as pipes after China was found to be illegally “dumping” exports below cost (2009)
• In November 2009, Obama extended unemployment benefits for one million workers
and expanded coverage for some existing homeowners who are buying again (2009)
• Called on Congress to deliver a “Jobs bill” (2010)
• Credit card companies are prohibited from raising rates without advance notification or arbitrarily if customers are paying bills on time (2010)

Taxes
• Negotiated a deal with Swiss banks to permit the US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals (2009)
• Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy promotes in-sourcing investments to bring jobs back to the US (2009)
• Signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which provides small tax cuts for 95% of “working families” (2009)
• Convened an advisory board that is looking into simplifying the tax code (2009)
• Ordered the closing of offshore tax safe havens (for individual and business tax evaders) (2009)
• Reduced taxes for some small businesses to stimulate the economic recovery (2009)
• Extended the Home Buyers Credit for first-time home buyers (2009)
• Proposed doubling the child tax credit (2010)
• Called for the repeal of the capital gains tax for small businesses (2010)
• Proposed rolling back the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans (families earning over $250,000/year) (2010)

Budgeting
• Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut federal spending (2009)
• Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify wasteful spending and practices (2009)
• Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient (2009)
• Overturned the Bush era practice of not listing certain federal programs in the federal budget (in an effort to hide programs and make the budget look smaller); such “off budget” items are now included in the annual budget (2009) (2010)
• Full appropriations for war are now included in the budget (2009) (2010)
• Funds for emergency appropriations are now included in the budget (2009) (2010)
• Proposed a three-year freeze on federal discretionary spending beginning in 2011 (2010)
• Is in the process of cutting 120 federal programs identified as either wasteful or unnecessary (2010)
• Established a bipartisan commission on fiscal responsibility, staffed by House and Senate members and private citizens, tasked with submitted proposals to balance the budget (2010)

Healthcare
• Removed Bush era restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research (2009)
• Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research (2009)
• Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children (2009)
• Established an independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare (2009)

• Reversed some (but not all) of the Bush era restrictions that prevented Medicare from negotiating with pharmaceutical firms for cheaper drugs, allowing government to again competitively bid; negotiated with drug companies for them to lower their costs (2009)

• Expanding vaccination programs (2009)

• Issued new disease prevention guidelines and priorities for the CDC (2009)
• Authorized the FDA to finally begin regulating tobacco (2009)
• Tasked federal labs to prioritize research on and deployment of H1N1 vaccines (2009)
• Asked multiple congressional committees to bring forward a healthcare reform bill; held numerous public hearings and town halls on the issue (2009) (2010)
• Healthcare reform (32 million additional Americans will receive healthcare coverage and costs will be lowered for most Americans; the total cost to the government is $940 billion over 10 years; many of the goals phased in over four years) (2010)

Components of the bill:

– Prevents insurance companies from denying coverage to individuals/family members with pre-existing health conditions; a temporary plan is being developed to cover high-risk individuals with pre-existing conditions until the full reforms go into effect in 2014
– Prevents insurance companies from placing lifetime limits on benefits
– Bans “rescission” so insurance companies can’t cancel coverage if individuals keep their policies current or if they become ill
– An individual’s out-of-pocket healthcare expenses are capped
– Closes the “donut hole” (Part D) for Medicare prescription drug coverage (under Bush, Medicare helped pay for drugs up to $2,600 and above $4,550, but individuals had to pay 100% of the costs in between these amounts); now Medicare helps cover costs irrespective of the amount – seniors will now pay only 25% of drug costs up to $4,550 and only 5% of drug costs above that amount
– In 2010, an emergency provision will offer seniors a $250 rebate on the costs incurred within the “donut hole”
– Individuals living at or below the poverty line were eligible for healthcare under Medicaid, but by 2014 individuals/families living slightly above (making up to $14,404/$29,327) the poverty line will also be eligible for benefits
– Individuals/families making less than $43,320/$88,200 per year will qualify for government subsidies to help purchase health insurance
– All individuals must have health insurance or face a government fine; all large (over 50 employees) employers must offer health insurance to employees or pay a fine
– Small businesses can get a tax credit if they offer health care
– There are hardship exemptions if individuals can’t afford health insurance
– Families can keep their children in college on their plans through age 26
– Promotes health insurance “exchanges” so consumers can buy “wholesale”
– Creates consumer assistance offices to help consumers file complaints or appeal decisions from insurance companies; beginning in 2011, insurance companies can no longer make excessive rate hikes without justification and approval, and those doing so may be barred from participating in new health insurance exchanges

Funding sources:

– Large employers (over 50 workers) that don’t offer health benefits will be charged a $2,000/worker fee; if the employer offers coverage but employees instead purchase federally subsidized insurance the fee is $3,000/worker receiving federal subsidies or $750/worker (whichever is lower)
– Annual fees on pharmaceutical companies ($27 billion), health insurance companies ($60 billion), and medical device-makers ($20 billion)
– Annual penalties on individuals who do not have health insurance (up to a maximum of $695/person)
– Increase in the Medicare payroll tax from 1.45% to 2.35% for individuals making $200,000+ and families making $250,000+
– 3.8% tax on unearned income for millionaires
– Insurance companies will be subject to a tax on each high-end insurance plan (so-called “Cadillac” plans) they offer

Miscellaneous:

– Illegal immigrants are not eligible for insurance or subsidies
– By Executive Order, such federal funding can’t be used for abortion
– The federal government will assist states by covering all of the increased expenses of expanding Medicaid coverage (90% of costs after 2020)

Energy & Environment

• Removed a ruling that now allows individual states to enact automotive fuel efficiency standards above federal standards (2009)
• Offered attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles (2009)
• Overturned Bush era rule to weaken the Endangered Species Act (2009)
• Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government (2009)
• Ended the Bush era policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions (2009)
• Signed a measure requiring energy producing plants to begin producing 15% of their energy from renewable sources (2009)
• Announced that the federal government would reengage in the long-delayed effort to clean up “Superfund” toxic waste sites (2009)
• Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production (2009)
• Proposed a new refuge for wild mustangs (2009)
• Cancelled several Bush era mountain-top removal and mining permits (2009)
• Reengaged in international treaties and agreements to protect the Antarctic (2009)
• Asked Congress for an energy reform and “cap and trade” bill (2009)
• Developing plan to lease US coastal waters for wind and water-current energy production (2009)
• Overturned Bush-era policies that allowed uranium mining near national parks such as the Grand Canyon (2009)
• Expanded the Petrified Forest National Park (2009)
• Signed the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act that protects millions of acres of scenic, historic, and recreational lands and trails (2009)
• Requiring that government buildings and facilities be retrofitted to save energy costs (2009)
• Authorized studies in several western states to determine how to support large-scale solar installations (2009)
• Attended the Copenhagen talks and, after the talks were stalled, negotiated an international (voluntary) agreement on reducing carbon emissions and raising funds to assist developing nations in offsetting carbon emissions (2009)
• Banned importation of pythons (in response to a growing population of pythons damaging the Florida Everglades) (2009)
• Committing the federal government to increasing research and use of renewable, clean energy sources such as wind, biomass, etc. (2009)
• Called for exploring the possibility of additional off-shore oil drilling in the Gulf, Atlantic, and off Alaska (but not in ANWR) (2010)
• Agreed to consider increases in nuclear energy production and requested a study on the feasibility of nuclear power plant construction (2010)

Rights

• Instituted enforcements for equal pay for women (Lilly Ledbetter Bill) (2009)
• Appointed the first Latina to the Supreme Court (2009)
• Held the first Seder in White House (2009)
• Appointed a diverse Cabinet and diverse White House staff (2009)
• Spoke at the annual dinner of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights organization (2009)
• Signed the first major piece of federal gay rights legislation that includes acts of violence against gays under the list of federal hate crimes (2009)
• Reversed the Bush era practice of politicizing Justice Department investigations and prosecutions against political opponents (2009)
• Pushing for some of the 9/11 perpetrators to be tried in federal court (2009)
• Signed an extension of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Bill to provide federal research and support for treating the disease (2009)
• Allowed the State Department of offer same-sex benefits for employees (2009)
• Proposed that the Pentagon repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy; placed a “freeze” on current efforts to remove alleged homosexuals from the military (2009)
• After eight years of neglect, the Justice Department and EEOC are again enforcing employment discrimination laws (2009)
• Convened the White House Tribal Nations Conference, inviting representatives from 564 federally-recognized Indian tribes (2009)
• Provided increased school projects for Indian lands and increased funds for the Indian Health Service (2009)
• Signed an Executive Order mandating that his Cabinet develop plans to work with and consult Indian tribes on issues impacting Indian lands (2009)
• Commissioned a study to develop alternatives to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (2010)
• Called for federal agencies to look into recognizing gay partnerships in terms of benefits (2010)
• Signed an Executive Order for the President’s Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (2010)
• Increased funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (2010)

Education Policy

• Authorized construction funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access in K-12 public schools (2009)
• Increased funding for school construction (2009)
• Increased funding available for student loans (2009)
• Expanded the national youth service program (2009)
• Streamlined the federal student loan process to save $87 billion over the next 10 years (2009)
• Changed the rule to allow students struggling to make college loan payments to refinance their loans (2009)
• Beginning discussions with Congress for education reform (2009)
• Initiated a “Race to the Top” competitive federal grant program for states who develop innovative policies (2009)
• Instituted a “judgment review” allowing families with student loans to petition to have their current financial status determine the loan rather than the previous year’s finances (2009)
• Launched “Educate to Innovate,” a public/private partnership making $236 million available for science, mathematics, and technology education programs (2009)
• Proposed capping the maximum amount students must pay on student loans (as percentage of their income) (2010)
• Proposed reducing student loan obligations for individuals going to work in community and public service jobs (2010)
• The federal government will offer direct student loans, cutting out the cost of private banks (“middle man”) who increase the costs in order to make a profit (2010)

Other Policies & Initiatives

• New federal funding for science and research labs (2009)
• Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program (2009)
• Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program (2009)
• Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness (2009)
• Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud (2009)
• Demonstrated an immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters (2009)
• Ordered that funds be released and red tape be streamlined for the ongoing Hurricane Katrina recovery effort in the Gulf Coast (2009)
• Ordered the DEA to stop raids on medical marijuana usage (2009)
• Ordered a review of existing “mandatory minimum” prison sentencing (2009)
• Signed an order to limit airport tarmac delays and the time passengers had to sit in the plane/on the tarmac during delays (2009)
• Restored the EPA to “Cabinet level” status (this was the case under Clinton but not Bush) (2009)
• FEMA once again reports directly to the president (this was the case under Clinton but not Bush) (2009)
• Beginning discussions with Congress for comprehensive immigration reform (2010)
• Commissioned expert panels and reports from NASA; announced a new direction for human space flight that involves funding a new heavy lift-launcher and jettisoning the Ares 1 program; boosting NASA’s budget by $1 billion in 2011 (2010)
• Ordered a ban on text-messaging for all commercial truck and bus drivers (2010)

Haiti Disaster Response
• Timely and massive relief effort in response to the January 2010 earthquake and ensuing humanitarian crisis (2010)

Components of the response:

– The FBI’s National Center for Disaster Fraud was tasked to look into possible fraud with organizations soliciting funds for relief
– Announced the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund
– Established an emergency Haiti Task Force in the State Department
– Established a website with information, resources, and a posting of a “person finder” online to help families and friends to locate loved ones
– Joint aid and relief planning with the U.K.
– Sponsored a resolution in the UN Security Council for additional security and police forces in Haiti
– Dispatched the US Navy floating hospital (USNS Comfort) and, within 5 days, 9 naval and relief ships, 5 Coast Guard cutters, 8 Coast Guard aircraft, and 12,000 US military personnel
– Initial dispatch of several ships and cargo planes full of humanitarian aid and supplies, 6 search/rescue teams (500 personnel), and 265 Department of Health & Human Services personnel for emergency medical and aid support
– Established a mobile US air traffic control center at the destroyed airport in Port-au-Prince

P.S.

• The Obamas did not use the $100,000 authorized (to all First Families) for the refurbishment and redecoration of the White House’s private living quarters; they paid for it out of their own pockets (2009)
• The Obamas reused Christmas ornaments from previous White House trees rather than buy new ones (2009)
• The Obamas used LED energy-saving lights on White House Christmas tree (2009)
• Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize; donated the award money for the prize to several charities (2009)
• Planted a garden for the White House’s vegetables and flowers (2009)
• Installed a swing set/playground for the Obama daughters and children of White House employees (2009)
• Held over 150 public town halls, press conferences, interviews, etc. in first year in office (official numbers are not available on such things, but this seems to be a new record high)
• Less than 30 days of vacation in first year in office (official numbers are not available on such things, but this seems to be a new record low)

Remember, this is only through April of 2010. Much more has been accomplished since then.

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Mighty Righty

How many of the SVBs campaigned for Kerry when he was a Senator?

You do know that several did, right?

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Mighty Righty

I see you are at a lost for words and as usual facts.

Catch you later

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they both suck,

Not sure what you’re asking for. Are all the superpacs bs. Well of course. But on the SBV I don’t have a problem with that because these are all men who came out of the woodwork that served alongside Kerry. I’ve no problem with their voices being heard. Are they all lying? 100 men or so? That is simply not plausible. Most rational people know that an entire group of men aren’t lying. Hard to coordinate that if not impossible.

And frankly I don’t have a problem with the the Obama superpacs but when they tell an outright provable LIE like on the steelworker’s wife you can be sure Doomy gonna lay his mighty hammer to that LIE. They can put up their wall of LIES as is their right. But Doomy gonna launch a conservative missile of truth and shatter that wall.

The only other issue I have is that it looks like there is coordination between that Stephanie Cutter and the superpacs. Still has to be proven of course but its mighty funny that she got caught lying about knowing that steelworker when she was in fact on a conference call with him months earlier.

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DDR wrote, in part:

if we run the country like a business, as some republicans want, then the US’s main goal would be to make a profit.

(snipped her long list of Great ideas, adding my 2 farthings)

As CEO of USA, Inc,. Romney should “spin off” the unprofitable Southern Red states (all except Jawja are net importers of Federal $$)

Then get rid of non-paying customers (disabled and old flatulaters, welfare parasites) Put them on ices floes or rafts.

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“And Ben, I WOULD LOVE if this was about Obama’s ACTUAL record, instead of the FAKE one you guys keep making up.”

OK Adam, what part of $1.4 trillion deficits and sustained 9+% unemployment do you consider fake and made up?

Thanks in advance.

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Bumper Sticker: “I HOPE WE CHANGE”

‘If voting changed anything, they’d make it illegal.’ ~Emma Goldman

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Doom — “these are all men who came out of the woodwork that served alongside Kerry”

Nope.

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“………. shouldn’t bother you………”

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Anyway, Kerry was taken down by a bunch of political low life’s who couldn’t win if they played fair. And look what it got us. Eight years of governmental cronyism, two wars, and a sunk economy that we are still trying to overcome…and still without the help of the men and women responsible. GOP: Greed Over Progress.

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“Mitt Romney represents a greater danger to the America I fought for, bled for and believe in than any Middle eastern group or nation could ever hope to be. I do not want to lose my rights to the Bottom Line of corporations. I certainly do not want to lose our ability to help those who needs it. Corporations are NOT people and Mitt Romney is NOT the answer for America.”

How is Mittie going to take away your “rights”??? As Americans, we throw around the word “right” around like a frisbee – the right to vote, the right to drive, the right for free healthcare, etc., etc.

You can help the less fortunate all you want to pal – and you can do it without the government being involved. Work at a soup kitchen for the homeless, give cash to a worthy charity, etc.

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Doggone/GA

August 9th, 2012
12:45 pm
“So Obama is in the sewers throwing slime with his ads”

This – to me – is near the top of the worst aspects of the Citizens United decision. The inability of too many people to understand that a Super PAC ad has nothing to do with a candidate’s campaign.
______________________________________________________________
Doggone, although I think the CU decision was horrible, I can’t blame the CU decision for the FACT that some people are that dumb.

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“the implication that Romney is to blame is barely plausible”

The ad is aimed towards those who are easily persuaded (read: easily fooled) by slick marketing gimmicks. Facts are irrelevant.

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“To be honest, it’s not Obama’s ad, it’s the Super PAC’s ad (anthough Obama has not rebuked it).”

Yeah. I know. You and they both suck got me there. I should have stated that it was Obama’s superpac and not his actual campaign although it looks to me like there might be some coordination there given the Stephanie Cutter situation. And that is against federal election law. We’ll see what happens there- maybe something. Maybe nothing.

“OTOH, Romney’s false “welfare” ad was put out by his camp.”

Not so fast as Lee Corso would say. The Washington post’s factcheck i think it was gave it 4 pinnochios. But I watched an interview with Dick Morris who worked for Clinton and Morris said the Romney ad is 100% true. He then pointed out that the Washington Post has a long history of being against Welfare reform and if its their “fact check” service I don’t think we can view them as credible. Interesting thing about these factcheck sources is that of the 3 main ones I think all 3 of them are run by 3 very liberal newspapers. How fair can they really be?

But I digress. Anyway Morris stated that he helped craft the legislation specifically so that the language regarding work cannot be changed. They went to great lengths to do that. And what Obama is doing is changing the language to include school, training, and other activities as “work”. So there is no question it has been changed.

The last point on that matter is that the politifact article just glosses over the fact that whether or not Obama can just scrap this law on his own will be decided in court. From what he understand from other readings is that he cannot simply change the law on his own and that his action was blatantly illegal. That its not even in question that its illegal and that its pretty clear cut on that issue. That remains to be seen but it does strike me as odd that a president can just arbitrarily strike down different pieces of law all by himself.

Last on that issue its pretty clear that there is disagreement on whether or not Obama abandoned the work requirement. It does seem though that there is no question he changed it or at least the language of it and of course there is the question of whether what he did was even legal. So there is room for disagreement as to whether or not its true.

On the lie regarding the steelworker and his wife’s cancer there is no room for discussion on whether or not its a lie. Its a cut and dried lie.

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