The GOP has staked its future on political quicksand
Why are congressional Republicans at such a disadvantage in negotiations about the fiscal cliff and debt ceiling? Is it just a failure of messaging? Is it a simple lack of backbone, as Rush Limbaugh, Jim DeMint and others argue?
Well, it doesn’t help the GOP cause that President Obama’s job-approval rating has jumped to 57 percent in the latest AP poll, the highest since the death of Osama bin Laden. (And isn’t it refreshing that the entire “Obama ain’t a real American/president” meme has simply evaporated since the election?) In that same poll, just 32 percent of Americans say they support extending the Bush tax cuts for all Americans, a policy that represents one of the cornerstones of current Republican policy.
I realize that poll interpretation has been a bit of a problem for Republicans recently, but even they must know that a policy backed by just 32 percent of the country is a poor piece of ground on which to stake your party’s future.
However, things get really dicey when you realize that preserving tax cuts for the rich is actually the more popular part of the GOP’s current political platform. The other part of their crusade — cutting spending in entitlements, most notably Medicare and Social Security — draws even less support from the American people, as a National Journal poll released this week demonstrates:
Just 22 percent of Americans say they support cutting Social Security. Only 3 percent say they support cutting it by a lot. Just 20 percent support cutting Medicare either some or a lot. And defense spending? While Republicans insist that we devote even more of our resources to the Pentagon, 64 percent of the American people say it should be reduced by some or by a lot.
Now, I’m just an interested observer, not a political professional. But to meeeeeee, it seems risky for a party to push the nation over the fiscal cliff, or in the case of the debt ceiling to push the nation into default, in an effort to force adoption of policies that are opposed by four out of five Americans. That just doesn’t seem like a formula for long-term success.
Ken Baer and Jeff Liebman, writing in a New York Times op-ed today, make an interesting and related point regarding Medicare and Social Security. They note that over the past 40 years, federal spending has averaged about 21 percent of GDP. They also note CBO projections that “if current policies continue, total federal spending will rise to 24 percent of gross domestic product in 2022.”
Why that projected growth in spending?
While “Republicans and Washington deficit hawks argue that this means spending is out of control,” Baer and Liebman write, in reality “the main reason expenditures are rising this decade is that spending on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid is increasing by a whopping 3.7 percent of G.D.P. as the baby boomers age and retire.”
Every month, they point out, more than 200,000 baby boomers will be leaving the work force due to retirement (that’s also one reason the population-to-workforce ratio continues to drop). In the face of that very predictable retirement boom, insisting on dramatic cuts in Medicare and other programs simply is not realistic. Yes, we absolutely ought to seek every efficiency possible in those and other programs. But if slashing those programs just when they are most needed is your party’s main answer to our fiscal challenges, then you really have no answer at all.
Which is what the American people have been trying to tell the Republicans all along.
– Jay Bookman
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427 comments Add your comment
Erwin's cat
December 7th, 2012
3:32 pm
http://money.msn.com/now/post.aspx?post=b84b065d-9ae9-452d-92a7-4a369489044a
the fiscal cliff and you
…i’m looking at substantial increase in my taxes according MSN Money
Fred ™
December 7th, 2012
3:32 pm
Tom: God doesn’t care about politics. Neither does Jesus.
DannyX
December 7th, 2012
3:33 pm
My home made pizza’s cost about $5 each, and they are better than any chain or restaurant.
Joe Hussein Mama
December 7th, 2012
3:34 pm
RB — “I wonder when the Christians in the D party are going to figure out the other half the party is working against them?”
Probably never, since you pulled that assertion out of your rear end.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 7th, 2012
3:35 pm
DannyX, watch out for brave sir RB’s $9 hamburgers then.
getalife
December 7th, 2012
3:35 pm
cat,
Tell your party to pass the Senate’s middle class tax cut.
Regnad Kcin
December 7th, 2012
3:37 pm
“DannyX, watch out for brave sir RB’s $9 hamburgers then”
I know it’s true – RB read it on a billboard.
JamVet
December 7th, 2012
3:38 pm
The rich already pay more than their fair share.
Riiiight.
And you wonder why you keep getting trounced in these elections?
Soothsayer
December 7th, 2012
3:40 pm
“My home made pizza’s cost about $5 each, and they are better than any chain or restaurant.”
Danny, do you use a stone?
Mr Right
December 7th, 2012
3:42 pm
flagboy?
December 7th, 2012
3:12 pm
$16,000,000,000,000 in debt.
If we tax them EVIL rich that Obama and the libs like Jay want to, that will take care of that! Oh, wait that will take care of less than nine days of our spending!
Tom Middleton
December 7th, 2012
3:43 pm
Fred@3:32
And are you speaking for God when you say this, Fred? No? Nice try but you’ve been overuled. Those who are on the path to God know everything is a means.
DebbieDoRight -- The Only Thing Wrong With Capitalism Is Capitalists...
December 7th, 2012
3:43 pm
The Rich pay their fair share?
Then why would they take their money and hide it in the Caymans and Switzerland? And why would the “rich” need people like Tax Attorneys to get them out of trouble for NOT paying their fair share?
What did Mrs. Helmsley say?
“Only the little people pay taxes”.
Do you think she made that up OR it was part of a culture that’s been going on for a long time?
Erwin's cat
December 7th, 2012
3:43 pm
Danny, do you use a stone?
I know you didn’t ask me, but I use a shallow cast iron pan the same way you would use a stone
Soothsayer
December 7th, 2012
3:44 pm
I make hamburgers 6 lbs at the time (12 burgers). I have found the best-tasting hamburgers with one onion and about 2 tsp of garlic powder (NOT garlic salt) mixed in prior to making paddies. Try it! You won’t believe how good they taste (and how juicy).
DannyX
December 7th, 2012
3:44 pm
“I know it’s true – RB read it on a billboard.”
That’s the wonderful thing about Gwinnett County, so many billboards, so much to learn. I was able to find out through one that “Jesus Saves!” Obviously Jesus is not a debt ridden American.
Btw RB, what are the billboards saying about the real estate market these days?
Steve
December 7th, 2012
3:45 pm
We’re going to have to eventually increase taxes on everyone, but we start with the wealthy as they are the only group that can afford them. We all did fine under Clinton’s tax rates, so people need to suck it up and do their patriotic duty and plan for this. We also need to cut spending, and we can do it across the board, and this INCLUDES the military, people.
Steve
December 7th, 2012
3:46 pm
Soothsayer – use 80/20 ground chuck, right? Gotta have some fat in that meat for it taste good
Soothsayer
December 7th, 2012
3:47 pm
Erwin: kinda like making cornbread?
DannyX
December 7th, 2012
3:47 pm
“Danny, do you use a stone?”
Yes indeed.
I rarely make deep dish but when I do it’s cast iron all the way.
stands for decibels
December 7th, 2012
3:48 pm
I gotta pair of stones.
(no, really. literally. we make homemade pizza pretty regularly at chez sfd’s.)
FinanceBuzz
December 7th, 2012
3:49 pm
Fred (TM) I love how you didn’t bother to refute any point just threw out a talking point about Fox News just expected us to believe. That might work with liberals, but I think unlike the left so that little hand-waving dismissal doesn’t fly with me. But nice try.
JamVet
December 7th, 2012
3:50 pm
I hate you people who are always writing about food on this blog. (grin)
Soothsayer
December 7th, 2012
3:50 pm
Steve, I use the stuff with more fat than that. Most of the fat drips off in the fire. I am also a firm believer in a HOT fire to cook hamburgers. I let the fire sear them (it looks like they’re burning up) before I close the lid.
“We also need to cut spending, and we can do it across the board, and this INCLUDES the military, people.
Especially when you consider that we spend over half of non-payroll taxes collected on the military/security complex.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 7th, 2012
3:51 pm
Oy to the vey!
Just got back from a 1.63 mile walk (yes, there’s an app for that).
In the words of the great Pete Townshend: Can’t pretend that growing older never hurts.
Fred ™
December 7th, 2012
3:52 pm
Tom Middleton
December 7th, 2012
3:43 pm
Fred@3:32
And are you speaking for God when you say this, Fred? No? Nice try but you’ve been overuled. Those who are on the path to God know everything is a means.
++++++++++++++++
No Tom YOU have been over ruled. I don’t have to talk for God, he speaks for himself.
Matthew 22:21:Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
John 18:36: Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
John 17:14-18:
14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
I get tired of jackasses perverting my bible, my religion and Jesus to fit their own selfish goals, ESPECIALLY political goals.
Doggone/GA
December 7th, 2012
3:53 pm
“JamVet, you may want to look up the difference between “secession” and “emigration”.”
Well, we could always let them “secede” by moving them to Bikini Atoll and telling them to go for it.
josef
December 7th, 2012
3:53 pm
G-d, pizza, or cornbread while waiting for FNM…hmmm…
On the menu here this p.m. is fresh Bambi…
Speed Racer
December 7th, 2012
3:53 pm
“…in an effort to force adoption of policies that are opposed by four out of five Americans.” 100% of my children want to eat candy and ice cream for dinner every night…doesn’t mean that it’s right.
FinanceBuzz
December 7th, 2012
3:53 pm
Regnad Kcin
December 7th, 2012
3:29 pm
Seems like this election has killed the last shred of conservativism in the country.
—
Seriously? You realize Obama won by about three points and the American people still decided to have the Republicans retain control of the House? We heard the same (erroneous) thing in 08 right before the American people awoke and send a wave of conservatives to Congress to counter the hard left agenda of the Dems, an agenda that is only going to worsen in a second term. You really need to read more than MSNBC and HuffPo.
Soothsayer
December 7th, 2012
3:53 pm
Jam: DannyX started it talking about his home made pizza!
Fred ™
December 7th, 2012
3:54 pm
I know you didn’t ask me, but I use a shallow cast iron pan the same way you would use a stone
You should get one from the Egg store. A full one, a half stone AND a deep dish:
http://www.biggreenegg.com/eggcessories/plate-setters-baking-stones/
stands for decibels
December 7th, 2012
3:55 pm
I get tired of jackasses perverting my bible, my religion and Jesus to fit their own selfish goals, ESPECIALLY political goals.
Forgive them, they know not what they do.
It’s to be expected when “empires prefer a baby and a cross to the adult Jesus.”
FinanceBuzz
December 7th, 2012
3:55 pm
JamVet
December 7th, 2012
3:38 pm
The rich already pay more than their fair share.
Riiiight.
And you wonder why you keep getting trounced in these elections?
—
What do you call it when you pay a greater proportion of the income taxes than you earn as a proportion of total income? I call that out of balance and, obviously, MORE than their fair share. What do you consider a “fair share?”
Steve
December 7th, 2012
3:56 pm
FinanceBuzz – yet Bush 2 and cons declared a mandate within a closer race with Kerry? Why the hypocrisy here?
stands for decibels
December 7th, 2012
3:56 pm
100% of my children want to eat candy and ice cream for dinner every night…doesn’t mean that it’s right.
But you see, these are adult American citizens who take the time and trouble to register and to vote.
so, you see, comparing them to your children is kind of… well, a recipe for losing elections, among other things.
Joe Hussein Mama
December 7th, 2012
3:57 pm
K’Chak — “In the words of the great Pete Townshend: Can’t pretend that growing older never hurts.”
Once she woke with untamed lover’s face between her legs
Now he’s cooled and stifled
And it’s she who has to beg
stands for decibels
December 7th, 2012
3:58 pm
What do you call it when you pay a greater proportion of the income taxes than you earn as a proportion of total income?
Given that wealth concentration still, somehow, continues apace? I guess one could call it “not enough.”
FinanceBuzz
December 7th, 2012
3:58 pm
Fred (TM): I get tired of jackasses perverting my bible, my religion and Jesus to fit their own selfish goals, ESPECIALLY political goals.
—
SEROIUSLY??? You are quoting verses. Are you claiming this backs up uneven tax increases? Where do those verses say that? Perhaps you are making another point but I sure don’t see how your quoted verses automatically support blanket tax increases.
stands for decibels
December 7th, 2012
3:58 pm
take five SHEETZ.
Joe Hussein Mama
December 7th, 2012
3:59 pm
F. Buzz — “Seriously? You realize Obama won by about three points and the American people still decided to have the Republicans retain control of the House?”
No, they didn’t. The American people voted overwhelmingly to push the GOP out of the House.
No sitting Democratic congressperson lost their job. The Democrats picked up seats; the Republicans lost. And nationwide, over 1 million more votes were cast for Democratic congressional candidates than for Republican ones.
You need to check your math, Grasshopper.
jewcowboy
December 7th, 2012
4:00 pm
“You realize Obama won by about three points”
I didn’t realize our electoral system was based on points.
FinanceBuzz
December 7th, 2012
4:00 pm
Steve
December 7th, 2012
3:56 pm
FinanceBuzz – yet Bush 2 and cons declared a mandate within a closer race with Kerry? Why the hypocrisy here?
–
As Dubya. I don’t speak for him. I speak for me. A three point win is not the death of either side.
Ben
December 7th, 2012
4:01 pm
There will always be reasons to spend more money, to increase the size of government, to put more and more power in the hands of people who claim they will help us.
It takes strength, intelligence, and a willingness to lead and do what’s right to resist the urge to take and take and take from one group and give give give to another group. Instead of bashing the GOP for trying to save our children from living in far more debt than the baby boomers had to, maybe you should bash the Democrats for always taking the easy way out, and always finding a reason to say, “Well it’s the right thing to do, but not the right time.” There will never be a right time in their minds, because it would mean a loss of power for them.
George P. Burdell
December 7th, 2012
4:01 pm
Finally something most of us can agree on with the homemade pizza. We started making them a couple of years and we average eating pizza about once a week. With a good homemade whole wheat dough recipe, your choice of toppings, a stone, and an oven you can get as hot as possible, you’ve got a winner that even Cory Booker could manage to live on.
oops
December 7th, 2012
4:02 pm
brubeck coming up
oops
December 7th, 2012
4:02 pm
boom
JamVet
December 7th, 2012
4:03 pm
FinanceBuzz, you still don’t get it, do you?
The vast inequities and economic injustice in this county are exactly because we tax human labor and necessities heavily while we tax WEALTH relatively lightly.
Why do you think hundreds of thousands of relatively wealthy people never pay income tax in any given year? Including tens of thousands who make $500K or more per year?
Do you think Warren Buffet is delusional when he says that his effective tax rate is lower than his secretary’s? Or that Mitt Romney’s effective tax rate is lower than yours?
Reverse that contrived giveaway to the super rich and the middle class once again prospers.
Or don’t and continue down this road of perverted capitalism.
But as long as the fake conservatives in the GOP continue to lose three out of every four elections – and I see little reason that they won’t now – things at least have a chance of improving in America…
Fred ™
December 7th, 2012
4:04 pm
josef: You lucky dog. Who shot Bambi? Got any extra? I love to eat it, but I’m way to lazy to go out in the woods and harvest one.
Finance Buzz: Yeah right, what was your name yesterday. You start out with arrogant phrase that anyone who doesn’t believe the lies you spit is stupid. Then you double down with the lie that the ONLY thing Obama wants to do is tax the “rich.” (talk radio/FOXBOT lie). The left has stated many times DESPITE THE TALK RADIO/FOXBOT LIES like you are repeating here, that we need to raise taxes and CUT SPENDING.
only FOXBOTS, talk radio liars and their brain dead sheeple quote the part about raising taxes “on the rich’ and leave everything else out. You spent the rest of your mindless rant repeating the same talk radio/FOXBOT lies ad nauseam. You aren’t the first to repeat these ridiculous lies and you won’t be the last. There are still a few idiots who think the talk radio gods and FOX are so “smart.” Unfortunately for you, the rest of THINKING America disagrees.
Pound sand.
Erwin's cat
December 7th, 2012
4:05 pm
get some Caputo 00 flour, makes for a nice thin crust
I got 10 kilo’s for @ $22
getalife
December 7th, 2012
4:06 pm
The wealthy will be fine cons.
SC takes up same sex marriage.
Weed is legal in two States.
Change.
JamVet
December 7th, 2012
4:07 pm
A three point win is not the death of either side.
Would someone please explain to these creative counters in the GOP that getting hammered 332 to 206 is NOT a three point win.
It is the equivalent of a 62 to 38 shellacking…
Regnad Kcin
December 7th, 2012
4:07 pm
“send a wave of conservatives to Congress ”
I doubt that more than 20% of Congresspeople are Conservatives…
Fred ™
December 7th, 2012
4:07 pm
FinanceBuzz
December 7th, 2012
3:58 pm
Fred (TM): I get tired of jackasses perverting my bible, my religion and Jesus to fit their own selfish goals, ESPECIALLY political goals.
—
SEROIUSLY??? You are quoting verses. Are you claiming this backs up uneven tax increases? Where do those verses say that? Perhaps you are making another point but I sure don’t see how your quoted verses automatically support blanket tax increases.
++++++++++++++++
Really? You are THAT stupid? Please explain to me how you EVER got tax increases out of that post. I cant’ imagine in any way shape or form how somehow who has even a meager ablity to read and comprehend English could get that meaning out of my post. Did you get the same thing out of my post that was a recommendation for the Big Green Egg pizza stone? Are you really that delusional?
Wow, talk about taking stupid to knew lows……..
josef
December 7th, 2012
4:10 pm
Fred
It was the bonus end of the trip down home for the Unmentionable…he got to take part in that savage ritual…he just brought back a few cuts, froze the rest in Mama’s freezer…am going upstairs, now…
Regnad Kcin
December 7th, 2012
4:11 pm
Soothsayer – Your burger sound almost exactly like mine.
Yes, I use a stone for pizza, but I suspect my toppings might not be the same as yours…
Fred ™
December 7th, 2012
4:11 pm
George P. Burdell
December 7th, 2012
4:01 pm
Finally something most of us can agree on with the homemade pizza. We started making them a couple of years and we average eating pizza about once a week. With a good homemade whole wheat dough recipe, your choice of toppings, a stone, and an oven you can get as hot as possible, you’ve got a winner that even Cory Booker could manage to live on.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
One of our regular posters, USinUK has a cooking blog and she also has a good looking recipe for both crust AND sauce. Actually 2 crusts and 3 sauces lol. Two are in one entry and the other is harder for me to find.
http://redskitchendiaries.wordpress.com/2010/11/13/date-night-pizza/
http://redskitchendiaries.wordpress.com/2012/06/08/roasted-eggplant-and-asparagus-pizza/
indigo
December 7th, 2012
4:14 pm
Fred
I am so pleased you’ve found God and Jesus. Knowing you are saved must be a blessing beyond compare.
Please furnish those of us unsaved here your irrefutable, scientific proof their is a God and Jesus is his son so that we may all be saved believers.
Thank you.
Don Abernethy
December 7th, 2012
4:17 pm
Why are Republicans on quicksand ? Its because we would stop most of the entitlement checks if given the chance. When the Democrats who are in charge now run out of money who will be in quicksand???
Erwin's cat
December 7th, 2012
4:20 pm
Please furnish those of us unsaved here your irrefutable, scientific proof their is a God and Jesus is his son so that we may all be saved believers.
Show your irrefutable scientific proof he’s wrong
luangtom
December 7th, 2012
4:22 pm
I, for one, am just happy to get up in the morning. What a bunch of b.s’ers and whiners in the world. BOTH parties lied, BOTH parties cannot be trusted and BOTH parties do not care what we here think. It is a political game and it is won by smart or devious moves. Period. NO ONE in DC gives a hoot of what we ramble on about here or on other blogs. Write an e-mail to one of our representatives or senators and get the generic, canned response all of the others get that tell us of their great moves to help us all and represent us and have our best interests at heart. Yet, all is status-quo and the games goes on……..just be happy to get up in the morning.
Georgia
December 7th, 2012
4:24 pm
In other words, Jay is saying that the GOP should have a nice soft landing in that quicksand at the bottom of the fiscal cliff. Stated another way, he means that the elephant may survive the fall, but then it’ll sink and drown like a rat when they take us over the cliff. If Jay could state something in another way and still include redundant time wasting drivel, I sure would love to read it.
And what’s with all this spelling corrections here and those chick-blogs about writing elements of style? Downey and Giarusso are afraid that young children aren’t learning how to be redundant and boring when they write. Let me assuage your fears and counsel them both: If you’re a spell checker, then good for you, here’s a cookie. I’ve purposely left a mispell in most of my comments over the years after I saw how easily I could unhinge a reader with spelling errors. Especially glaring ones. Totally hilarious. Also, spelling is impossible with smart phones. Typos. Not spelling errors. Typos. You have to invent abbreviations. Texting is the best way to talk now. Few of us are sitting at a laptop anymore. We’re movers and shakers. We’re out there, using our thumbs and index fingers. Some of the baby boomers’ fingers shake and it’s tuff to touch the right letter. The written languange is undergoing transformation. Twitter forces concise language. It’s a good thing. In ancient egypt, nobody criticized the hieroglyphic artists if they dropped a dangling snake or two, no, it was the all-emoticon alphabet. When they discovered the Rosetta Stone, there weren’t any proof readers saying, “Ramses mispelled Locusts and Plague. We can’t trust the pyramids now, they must have been constructed by aliens.”
In china, they don’t care about spelling, because texting has forced them to realize that LOL is actually ROR. Then a half hour later they mispell another word. So what.
The AJC goes Mobile and the commenters go berserk.
Regnad Kcin
December 7th, 2012
4:25 pm
Indigo/cat – please wiki “non-overlapping magisteria.”
Erwin's cat
December 7th, 2012
4:27 pm
Regnad
Unlike most, I don’t see science and faith to be mutually exclusive
Tom Middleton
December 7th, 2012
4:28 pm
Fred,
God is right here, right now without end, and is in, under, around, and through all there is, including politics, in spite of your vain attempts to limit his presence and will for us all. You have no clue who God is if all you do is read and memorize Bible verses, especially those that can have more than one interpretation.
Instead of memorizing and listing verses for you own limited argument of God’s involvement in our lives, maybe you should try living what he taught instead, for this is how you can tell the true believers (with their holy and their pearls) from the dogs and the swine who don’t have a clue!
Are we to be “in the world but not of it” like Jesus said? Absolutely, Fred! But are we to also “DO unto others what we would have others DO unto us”? Of course, and if this doesn’t include politics, then we’re leaving them just for the devil and those too stupid to know!
Joe Hussein Mama
December 7th, 2012
4:30 pm
E. Cat — “Show your irrefutable scientific proof he’s wrong”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell%27s_Teapot
Come now, Cat, you had to know that was coming.
indigo
December 7th, 2012
4:31 pm
Erwin
That is not what I asked.
indigo
December 7th, 2012
4:32 pm
Fred
Don’t you cuss me, you worm.
Regnad Kcin
December 7th, 2012
4:35 pm
Erwin,
Maybe I’m lazy, but it seems an easy way avoid the “then prove absolutely” issues. I, personally, tend toward the view that if you can’t measure it, it’s not real, but the NOM hypothesis allows me to “hedge my bet” a bit.
Fred ™
December 7th, 2012
4:36 pm
Tom Middleton
December 7th, 2012
4:28 pm
Fred,
God is right here, right now without end, and is in, under, around, and through all there is, including politics, in spite of your vain attempts to limit his presence and will for us all. You have no clue who God is if all you do is read and memorize Bible verses, especially those that can have more than one interpretation.
Instead of memorizing and listing verses for you own limited argument of God’s involvement in our lives, maybe you should try living what he taught instead, for this is how you can tell the true believers (with their holy and their pearls) from the dogs and the swine who don’t have a clue!
Are we to be “in the world but not of it” like Jesus said? Absolutely, Fred! But are we to also “DO unto others what we would have others DO unto us”? Of course, and if this doesn’t include politics, then we’re leaving them just for the devil and those too stupid to know!
++++++++++++++
Holy mother of god, with THAT much arrogance, you MUST be a Southern Baptist. Well pal, I don’t pray to you nor do I give a fat rats ass about YOUR twisted version of Jesus either. Speaking of “living what you believe?’ You should take the the plank out of your own eye before worrying about the mote in mine.
And with THAT i bid you adieu as well When I need YOUR approval and blessings for my salvation I’ll let you know, but as far as I can see you ain’t god either so you can take a big chewy bite out of my ass as well as Indigo and you can chew together in your collective arrogance. Oh, and have a great day as well.
kerryb
December 7th, 2012
4:37 pm
The whole “tax cuts for the rich” is a false narrative to start with that plays to the simple minded voters that vote for Democrats. The old stick it to the rich guy because I envy him and want what he has because I’m too lazy to earn it myself thing. You could take every dime of every millionaire in this country and it would only run our over bloated government for 8 months. What we need is spending cuts not increasing revenue by taxes. We will NEVER tax our way out of a 16 trillion dollar deficit. People in this country need to wise up and educated themselves. That’s what the Democrats count on you not doing.
Erwin's cat
December 7th, 2012
4:39 pm
Joe…yes…we’ve had this discussion of Russells teapot before and you are right…it’s a garbage retort to a null hypothesis type of position…….but I have no other argument except to say…that’s why they call it “faith”
like trying to prove the lochness monster doesn’t exist
Fred ™
December 7th, 2012
4:40 pm
Indigo, If you are looking for Jesus you will find him, it’s not my job. Nor do I give a damn about your smart assed ridiculing of me for my beliefs. I wasn’t talking to you much less preaching AT you or trying to convert you are convince you. Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn whether or not you are saved, you are an adult and can make up your own mind, which by your sorry assed belittling post you have. Good for you. Unlike you, i won’t deride you for YOUR decision, I’m a bigger man than that and obviously more secure in my beliefs since I don’t need to belittle the beliefs of others to feel good about my decision. josef is a jew (as are many) good for them. you are an atheist I would assume, good for you. Wiccan is probably a ……………. wait for it………. wiccan. Good for him.
I was using the verses in the bible to chastise ANOTHER Christian, someone who supposedly share some modicum of the same beliefs I have for using Jesus in politics. It had nothing to do with you or YPOUR beliefs, but thank you for the broadside attack that seems very rooted in your own insecurity of your beliefs. If it makes you feel better, then better yet and I’m glad you could vent some of your irrational rage, insecurity and hostility on me.
But “proving” anything about God? Not my job pal and frankly as far as I’m concerned you can go screw yourself while having a GREAT day.
Regnad Kcin
December 7th, 2012
4:41 pm
“You could take every dime of every millionaire in this country and it would only run our over bloated government for 8 months”
*sigh*
kerryb – no offense, but posting FOX/Rushbo talking points is no substitute for actual thought.
Fred ™
December 7th, 2012
4:41 pm
Keep reporting them sweet cheeks and they’ll keep coming out because I haven’t called you a name.
Smooches.
getalife
December 7th, 2012
4:42 pm
Georgia,
What are you on?
Regnad Kcin
December 7th, 2012
4:43 pm
“like trying to prove the lochness monster doesn’t exist”
Ecat – technology will someday resolve this question. Do you feel that it will resolve our other question, as well?
Fred ™
December 7th, 2012
4:43 pm
Gotta go make a buck or two dang it. Gee golly, indigo derided me and is now all upset I bit back. Don’t you hate when that happens? You should stick to picking on little girls Indigo. I hit back. And hard.
getalife
December 7th, 2012
4:45 pm
Get your religion out of politics.
Thanks.
Doggone/GA
December 7th, 2012
4:45 pm
“The old stick it to the rich guy because I envy him and want what he has because I’m too lazy to earn it myself thing”
And this is a textbook example of “if I take care of Massa, then Massa will take care of me”
Erwin's cat
December 7th, 2012
4:45 pm
Regnad – in a word …No
not sure it will answer the first either…unless of course they find one
indigo
December 7th, 2012
4:45 pm
Fred
You’re no Christian.
Jay
December 7th, 2012
4:48 pm
Fred, two points:
1.) Nobody has reported you or your comments.
2.) Stop.
Doggone/GA
December 7th, 2012
4:49 pm
“You’re no Christian”
Judge not…lest ye be judged
Nunna Yobinnes
December 7th, 2012
4:49 pm
Erwin – I just know they’re going to find a sasquatch soon. ;^)
Nunna Yobinnes
December 7th, 2012
4:50 pm
I think a sasquatch lives in the woods behind my house.
Erwin's cat
December 7th, 2012
4:52 pm
I just know they’re going to find a sasquatch soon. ;^)
hey they did recently discover a unicorn lair in N Korea…
Nunna Yobinnes
December 7th, 2012
4:52 pm
Cool.
Really?
December 7th, 2012
4:53 pm
I vote for who I think can do the best job. and no that does not mean I vote republican all the time I have voted for both sides depending on the person. that being said Obama will go down in history as the worst President in our history he has done nothing positive for our country. yes he won the election I am sorry to tell you it was not a great victory he won by just over two million votes out of over 116 million cast so that should tell you not everyone is happy he is there. and it was not all republicans that voted against him. so to say the GOP needs to change its way of thinking might not be right they need to put better in place to run for office with better ideas.
Joe Hussein Mama
December 7th, 2012
4:54 pm
E. Cat — “hey they did recently discover a unicorn lair in N Korea”
LULZ
Erwin's cat
December 7th, 2012
4:54 pm
I think it was the skittles/droppings that gave it away
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/slices/north-korea-discovers-unicorn-lair-says-north-korea
Nunna Yobinnes
December 7th, 2012
4:58 pm
Gosh, it’s terrible getting older. I wanted to provide some comment about those stuffed animal unicorns from the 80s, but I cannot remember what they were called. Some goofy name.
Doggone/GA
December 7th, 2012
5:00 pm
“I vote for who I think can do the best job. and no that does not mean I vote republican all the time I have voted for both sides depending on the person. “that being said Obama will go down in history as the worst President in our history”
That being said, you will still come here and parrot what hundreds have said here before. Sorry, we’ve heard that disclaimer AND that parroted “analysis” WAY too many times to be fooled by yet another iteration.
Erwin's cat
December 7th, 2012
5:01 pm
my little pony?
Nunna Yobinnes
December 7th, 2012
5:04 pm
That could be it. I think it had a rainbow coming out of its rear end.
Nunna Yobinnes
December 7th, 2012
5:04 pm
Maybe it was skittles not a rainbow.
Nunna Yobinnes
December 7th, 2012
5:07 pm
I did a quick search for it, and my little pony was one such critter. There was also “rainbow brite”. Actually I guess they were just horses, not unicorns. Dang it.
Erwin's cat
December 7th, 2012
5:07 pm
http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=fjm&sa=X&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1920&bih=907&tbm=isch&tbnid=v4rpFtNC61lvhM:&imgrefurl=http://www.ioffer.com/i/vintage-my-little-pony-g1-windy-unicorn-plush-hasbro-196525186&docid=cln_EZoZiJKewM&imgurl=http://cdn103.iofferphoto.com/img/item/196/525/186/vintage-my-little-pony-g1-windy-unicorn-plush-hasbro-ba657.JPG&w=582&h=446&ei=j2jCUIqGGZHg8ATTn4CYBA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=100&vpy=129&dur=747&hovh=196&hovw=257&tx=112&ty=86&sig=110410303239760186290&page=1&tbnh=146&tbnw=182&start=0&ndsp=56&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0,i:89
lol …that was it’s tail
AmericaShrugged
December 7th, 2012
5:09 pm
1. Japan has a debt of about 200% GDP and despite a “lost decade’ plus they still have a pretty good per capita income and unemplyment of about 4%. We’re not Japan, but we’re not Greece either. No one has a very good idea of where our tipping point for debt is, or the consequences.
2. The rich and powerful love the polarization of American politics because while you watch that dog and pony show the rich keep getting richer. Ask yourself why Obama didn’t just let the Bush tax cuts expire in 2010? The same reason he sent 50,000 more troops into Afghanistan. He’s just another bought and paid for tool of the massas continuing the tax breaks and feeding the military-indutrial complex.
Nunna Yobinnes
December 7th, 2012
5:11 pm
I’ll date myself with this one, but when I was a little kid I remember in front of Lester Maddox’s Pickrick restaurant, their was a sign up in front that had a donkey passing gas. It was entitled “LBJ has spoken.” Funny stuff to a little kid.
Nunna Yobinnes
December 7th, 2012
5:12 pm
there not their.