The world as Marco Rubio prefers to see it
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio may have had an awkward, amateurish moment in his rebuttal to the State of the Union last night — grace under pressure it was not — but it’s nothing that will do permanent damage to his career. The national spotlight is a difficult place, and you learn how to handle it by living in it. Sarah Palin, for example, never got the benefit of the learning curve that Rubio is now experiencing, and the lack of preparation ended her career.
With that in mind, let’s set aside talk of Rubio’s delivery and take a serious look at the message itself. (Transcript available here.) And let’s start with the fact that in most respects, his speech was a standard, rote recitation of Republican ideology, including a familiar condemnation of President Obama as an enemy of capitalism:
“Presidents in both parties – from John F. Kennedy to Ronald Reagan – have known that our free enterprise economy is the source of our middle class prosperity. But President Obama? He believes it’s the cause of our problems.”
“… the idea that more taxes and more government spending is the best way to help hardworking middle class taxpayers – that’s an old idea that’s failed every time it’s been tried. More government isn’t going to help you get ahead. It’s going to hold you back.”
That is an easily disprovable assertion. Medicare is not a failure; Social Security is not a failure; the GI Bill was not a failure; Head Start is not a failure; unemployment insurance is not a failure. The student loan and Pell Grant programs are not failures. Neither is Medicaid, which among other things insures two-thirds of Americans receiving long-term nursing home care in this country.
These and other programs — almost all of them opposed by Republicans since their inception — have been of immense service to “hardworking middle-class taxpayers” and other Americans. In fact, Rubio and his family have themselves benefited greatly from those programs. As he acknowledged later in his speech, his mother and late father have relied heavily on Medicare to deal with their declining health. Rubio attended a state-financed university, including a community college and the University of Florida, and financed that college education through federal loans and the Pell Grant program.
It is not an exaggeration to say that those taxpayer-funded programs — dismissed by Rubio as failures in helping the middle class — have made his entire life and career possible. College, for example, would have been much more difficult. And without Medicare and Social Security footing the bill, the cost of caring for his aging parents would have had to be paid from his own pocket, significantly shrinking his own economic and career options.
However, when Rubio recounts his personal history, such inconvenient facts seem to melt away. As he said in his speech last night:
“My parents immigrated here in pursuit of the opportunity to improve their life and give their children the chance at an even better one. They made it to the middle class, my dad working as a bartender and my mother as a cashier and a maid. I didn’t inherit any money from them. But I inherited something far better – the real opportunity to accomplish my dreams. This opportunity – to make it to the middle class or beyond no matter where you start out in life – it isn’t bestowed on us from Washington.”
It is a theme that he returned to in his closing, in which he talked of the dreams that parents of today have for their newborn children, just as his parents had for him:
“For many of these parents, life has not gone the way they had planned. Maybe they were born into circumstances they’ve found difficult to escape. Maybe they’ve made some mistakes along the way. Maybe they’re young mothers, all alone, the father of their child long gone.
But tonight, when they look into the eyes of their child for the first time, their lives will change forever. Because in those eyes, they will see what my parents saw in me, and what your parents saw in you. They will see all the hopes and dreams they once had for themselves. This dream – of a better life for their children – it’s the hope of parents everywhere. Politicians here and throughout the world have long promised that more government can make those dreams come true.
But we Americans have always known better. From our earliest days, we embraced economic liberty instead. And because we did, America remains one of the few places on earth where dreams like these even have a chance.”
It is moving stuff, but again, it is romanticized to the point of caricature. These parents “born into circumstances they’ve found difficult to escape” would no doubt welcome high-quality pre-K programs of the sort advocated Tuesday night by Obama, because without it their children would have a much tougher time excelling in school. The earned-income tax credit for working families having a hard time making ends meet would be invaluable to them. Parents working as bartenders and cashiers are highly unlikely to have employer-provided health insurance, so Medicaid would be essential if their children should become ill.
There’s one more very important factor to consider. Rubio’s parents came to this country in 1956, and over the next quarter century, as they tried to establish an economic foothold here, they did so in an era when economic prosperity was more broadly shared than it is today.
Here’s what income inequality looked like in America from 1956 to 1981:
Here’s what it has done since:
Here’s what employees’ share of the gross domestic product did from 1956 to 1981:
Here’s what it has done since:
Those and other profound, structural changes in the American economy have made it much more difficult for modern versions of Mario and Oria Rubio to look into their children’s eyes and dream of a better life for them. Yet, as their son explained to the American people Tuesday night, the Republican Party believes that government should take no account of those changed conditions. “More government isn’t going to help you get ahead,” as he told us. “It’s going to hold you back.”
In fact, we are told, the answer must be to shrink those government programs that — Rubio’s denials aside — have helped himself and countless millions more Americans achieve the dreams of their fathers and mothers. The American people are going to have a hard time swallowing that.
– Jay Bookman
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856 comments Add your comment
getalife
February 13th, 2013
2:08 pm
The gop can’t say they are for free enterprise when they have been a giant regulation with self inflicted wounds to our economy.
rubio is a liar and hypocrite.
mm
February 13th, 2013
2:08 pm
“Blame blame blame… Is that all you loons can do? A mind is a terrible thing to waste…”
The truth hurts, doesn’t it? Just the facts ma’am.
stands for decibels
February 13th, 2013
2:09 pm
Why is our debt still getting bigger everyday?
god, the stupid…
You do know that the debt, the overall DEBT, hasn’t shrunk in ages, that it is not going to be “paid down” by even a dime under even the rosiest fiscal scenarios like, ever, yes? (Ok, maybe a decade or three, we might actually have some kind of surplus if all the planets align and we say “allahu ackbar” together, or somesuch.)
sheesh. Shouldn’t a basic grasp of these facts be required before you can ride this friggin’ thing?
fair and balanced
February 13th, 2013
2:09 pm
“”"”Mr. President, I still live in the same working class neighborhood I grew up in. My neighbors aren’t millionaires. They’re retirees who depend on Social Security and Medicare. They’re workers who have to get up early tomorrow morning and go to work to pay the bills. They’re immigrants, who came here because they were stuck in poverty in countries where the government dominated the economy. The tax increases and the deficit spending you propose will hurt middle class families. It will cost them their raises. It will cost them their benefits. It may even cost some of them their jobs.”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”
Did Mitt Romney write this pile of crap? First of all the Repubs couldn’t give a rat’s behind about the problems of the lower class. Second what tax increases did Obama propose last night? And that deficit spending sure was not a problem for the cons when Reagan and Bush were in office. Why is it a problem now? Oh I forgot due to the ruined economy the last president gave Obama more people went on unemployment, Medicaid and needed food stamps than ever before. Isn’t that why all those pesky Spanish speaking illegals come here?
JohnnyReb
February 13th, 2013
2:10 pm
Joe Mama – you, like your Moonbat friends here have a tell when reasonable debate elludes. The tell vaires slightly. Those with a common background and lesser education usually default to name calling or juvienile insults while those raised on the upper side of town with a higher education usually hold themselves above the opponent. Based on your responses of educational superiority AND juvenile replies such as the pot/kettle, my guess is you achieved an education level well above the family norm. Regardless, the only impression is, you are an example of the problem with the Left.
getalife
February 13th, 2013
2:13 pm
reb,
Stop crying.
Geez.
Jefferson
February 13th, 2013
2:14 pm
Reb you mad at something, you sure seem unhappy about your lot in life.
JohnnyReb
February 13th, 2013
2:15 pm
getalife – I’m not crying, my eyes and mind are clear. I just don’t like arrogance, especially that vomited by Joe Mama.
stands for decibels
February 13th, 2013
2:15 pm
You guys still going on about that Bing thing?
I had a look; it would seem from scanning the charts that the Reps/Indies (yeah, like there’s totally a difference!) stuck with the poll a lot longer than did the Dems. Otherwise, the split between the two is about what you’d think.
In any case, I wouldn’t be crowing much about that poll if I were a GOPer, given how individual issues actually went for the President.
bookman parrot
February 13th, 2013
2:15 pm
to stands for decibels
February 13th, 2013
2:09 pm
if I understand what you are saying …. that since it has been terrible for ages,… we shouldn’t worry about it and just let go on continuously
i’m betting that you have declared bankruptcy atleast once… based on your head in the sand post
Joe Hussein Mama
February 13th, 2013
2:16 pm
I. Finger — “Wow Jay you pounced on this like a cougar on a jack rabbit. We gotta stop anyone from talking about Rubio being Hispanic and how he can relate to them and their needs….”
Just FYI, Rubio is the wrong Republican Hispanic to be rolling out for that purpose. There are a number of different reasons for it, but probably the easiest to understand is that Cuban-Americans (like Rubio) get special treatment when immigrating to the US. Under the government’s wet foot/dry foot policy, if a Cuban can get his foot on dry American soil, he or she can stay here legally. No other Hispanic population in the Spanish-speaking world gets that advantage, and frankly, some Hispanics are going to start out with some degree of mistrust for Rubio (even though his family came here through a different program). I’m not criticizing Rubio for this, you understand — simply pointing out that many Hispanics are going to be at least a little suspicious of him from the outset.
How do I know this? My Hispanic wife. If you have Hispanic friends or associates (maybe some members at your church?) ask them about it.
FWIW, I think the GOP would do better with someone like NM Governor Susana Martinez, who’s not only female and Hispanic (Mexican heritage, IIRC), but also has a lot of traditional Republican positions.
комиссар (Occupation)
February 13th, 2013
2:17 pm
Rubes gonna yawp.
Jefferson
February 13th, 2013
2:18 pm
I just saw a sign waver at the Liberty Tax outlet, dude is stoked about $9/hr…
JohnnyReb
February 13th, 2013
2:18 pm
Jefferson – yep, mad as hell. I grew up on cotton mill village. My wife is bluecollar also. We have worked our butt off to get ahead. We are in the 1% as far as income, but not wealthy with assests. No one gave us anything. Most here want the government to strip hardworking people like us of our money to give to worthless, won’t work, morally and without character people who can’t find their ass with a flashlight. Does that get the message across?
Seriously Folks
February 13th, 2013
2:19 pm
Jay. I stand corrected. Thank you. The point of my post was sarcastic (wish there was a “sarcastic font” on the keyboard) showing how ridiculous people take the immigration debate to paranoid levels.
Personally, I have no qualms with Sen. Rubio’s success, and applaud it. I find it irksome for him, and his colleagues/supporters, to be against the very opportunities that propelled them forward.
Sadly, in today’s political environment, I fear Sen. Rubio’s parents, having been here for 20 years without being citizens, would be summarily sent back to Cuba to “re-apply”….
stands for decibels
February 13th, 2013
2:20 pm
that since it has been terrible for ages,… we shouldn’t worry about it and just let go on continuously
dude. We zeroed it out exactly once in our history. In 1835. We are not going to do that again.
And it would be incredibly irresponsible/foolish/stupid-stupid-stupid to suddenly cut back our spending and try to dramatically reduce our budget deficit this year or next or the one after that.
As it is, with a recovering economy, more people getting to work and contributing (it’s slow, it’s too damn slow, but that’s a separate issue) the deficit is shrinking. It will continue to shrink. We do not need to worry about it. We are not experiencing inflation worth a lick. We are not having difficulty attracting people to lend us goo gobs of money. It would be irresponsible not to build stuff we need and put people to work who want to, desperately.
I don’t know how much more simply or directly I can put this. But I’ll keep trying.
DownInAlbany
February 13th, 2013
2:20 pm
The world as Marco Rubio prefers to see it
OR…
The world according to our current President…
(CNSNews.com) – Since taking office in 2009, food stamp rolls under President Barack Obama have risen to more than 47 million people in America, exceeding the population of Spain. When Obama entered office in January 2009 there were 31,939,110 Americans receiving food stamps. As of November 2012—the most recent data available—there were 47,692,896 Americans enrolled, an increase of 49.3 percent.
•Government funded “manufacturing hubs” – an experiment in pure corporatism;
•Investment in green energy, which worked so wonderfully for Solyndra;
•Regulations on carbon emissions, a guaranteed way to destroy manufacturing capacity in the country;
•Fixing roads and bridges (although Americans though we were supposed to do that with the $800 billion stimulus program in 2009);
•New mortgage regulations that will allow “families with solid credit” to buy homes – even though the last time we heard this rhetoric, it led to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac going bankrupt;
•More preschool programs, like failing Head Start;
•More spending on education, but no consequences for corrupt teachers unions;
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
February 13th, 2013
2:20 pm
The current Republican party is very dog eat dog. It almost seems as if they put people up to do the rebuttals so they can have a reason not to like them anymore.
Joe Hussein Mama
February 13th, 2013
2:20 pm
J. Reb — “Joe Mama – you, like your Moonbat friends here have a tell when reasonable debate elludes.”
Yeah, “reasonable debate.” Uh huh. So *that’s* why you came in here a few minutes ago, screaming your damfool head off about “Feminazis.” If that’s your conception of “reasonable debate,” then you need to get a tuition refund from whatever school you attended, son.
If you had the capability for rational debate, you’d demonstrate it by picking up a discussion, talking the point over politely and making your arguments without name-calling. However, as I’ve never seen you actually *accomplish* that feat, I can only conjecture that you’re simply not capable of it.
That said, you’re certainly welcome to prove me wrong. But given your temper, I don’t think you ever will.
Jefferson
February 13th, 2013
2:21 pm
Reb, pat yourself on the back, nobody gave me anything either but I’m not mad about it. Congrads on you self reliance.
stands for decibels
February 13th, 2013
2:21 pm
I think the GOP would do better with someone like NM Governor Susana Martinez, who’s not only female and Hispanic (Mexican heritage, IIRC), but also has a lot of traditional Republican positions.
don’t claim to know much about american hispanic identity politics, but I’ve often echoed that sentiment. On paper, she seems like an ideal candidate, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see her in the mix in 2016.
Itchy Finger
February 13th, 2013
2:21 pm
Joe Hussein Mama
I. Finger — “Wow Jay you pounced on this like a cougar on a jack rabbit. We gotta stop anyone from talking about Rubio being Hispanic and how he can relate to them and their needs….”
Just FYI, Rubio is the wrong Republican Hispanic to be rolling out for that purpose. There are a number of different reasons for it, but probably the easiest to understand is that Cuban-Americans (like Rubio) get special treatment when immigrating to the US. Under the government’s wet foot/dry foot policy, if a Cuban can get his foot on dry American soil, he or she can stay here legally. No other Hispanic population in the Spanish-speaking world gets that advantage, and frankly, some Hispanics are going to start out with some degree of mistrust for Rubio (even though his family came here through a different program). I’m not criticizing Rubio for this, you understand — simply pointing out that many Hispanics are going to be at least a little suspicious of him from the outset.
How do I know this? My Hispanic wife. If you have Hispanic friends or associates (maybe some members at your church?) ask them about it.
FWIW, I think the GOP would do better with someone like NM Governor Susana Martinez, who’s not only female and Hispanic (Mexican heritage, IIRC), but also has a lot of traditional Republican positions.
That’s your prerogative… Dems are certainly afraid of him or he wouldn’t be getting attacked so much today….
Joe Hussein Mama
February 13th, 2013
2:22 pm
J. Reb — “I just don’t like arrogance, especially that vomited by Joe Mama.”
You seem to like it *just fine* when it comes from you.
Sauce for the goose is sauce for the rebel gander, son. Reap what you sow.
Jm
February 13th, 2013
2:23 pm
Government can help support prosperity
When it makes up around 15% of GDP
Not when it makes up 50% of GDP
Then it becomes a hindrance
That is why our economy still blows
JohnnyReb
February 13th, 2013
2:24 pm
Jefferson – I’m not mad about having. I’m mad because Obama and his supporters want to take what I make.
UNCLE SAMANTHA
February 13th, 2013
2:25 pm
THE WORLD AS LIBERALS SEE IT
1) THERE IS A PROBLEM
2) THE SOLUTION IS GOVERNMENT
3) THE PROBLEM GETS WORSE
4) THE SOLUTION IS MORE GOVERNMENT
5) THE SOLUTION GETS EVEN MORE WORSE
6) COMPLETE GOVERNMENT CONTROL
7) SOLUTION NOT SOLVED BUT NOW VOTERS ARE BEHOLDEN TO GOVERNMENT…… ENSURING A STAY OF POWER
Erwin's cat
February 13th, 2013
2:26 pm
JohnnyReb – getalife – I’m not crying, my eyes and mind are clear. I just don’t like arrogance, especially that vomited by Joe Mama.
It’s been my experience that with Joe…you get back what you give…I appreciate him for that among a few other things
JohnnyReb
February 13th, 2013
2:26 pm
Joe Mama – I’m not your son. Another display of your arrogance.
Joe Hussein Mama
February 13th, 2013
2:28 pm
I. Finger — “That’s your prerogative… Dems are certainly afraid of him or he wouldn’t be getting attacked so much today….”
Just FYI, the Republican I was most ‘afraid’ of didn’t even get close to winning in the GOP primaries last year — but that doesn’t mean that I gave up the right to criticize the other candidates.
There’s nothing *wrong* with Rubio, but there *is* something about him that won’t sit right with the very population the GOP is trying to attract (Hispanics). If the GOP keeps trotting him out like that, eventually Rubio is going to have to address that issue or else be seen as damaged goods by Hispanics IMO. So why not start out with someone who *doesn’t* have that problem — like Martinez? You can always add Rubio into the mix later.
It just seems to me that the GOP is hamstringing itself by making Rubio their go-to Hispanic member this early on.
Scooter
February 13th, 2013
2:28 pm
Jay, Marco credited many of those programs for aiding his success and I think it was to highlight the fact they need to be reformed if we are to preserve them for the future. To that end, wouldn’t it be great if Republicrats had legislative partners to offer reform ideas?
UNCLE SAMANTHA
February 13th, 2013
2:29 pm
THE DELUSIONAL LIBERAL DOESNT BELIEVE WE ARE ON A PATH OF FISCAL DANGER………. SO MUCH SO THEY BELIEVE THE LIES THEY TELL
Over the past few years, Democrats have clung to the idea that Social Security is a self-financing program that needs only tweaks to be fixed and, moreover, has not contributed at all to America’s current debt and deficit problem. During Congressional Budget Office Director Doug Elmendorf’s testimony to the Senate Budget Committee today, Democrat Jeff Merkley of Oregon prodded on this point.
“Is it fair to say,” Sen. Merkley said, “that Social Security does not contribute to the national debt?”
“I don’t think that’s right, Senator,” Elmendorf responded, before explaining the fiction of the accounting of the Social Security trust fund.
“The program is actually a drain on the budget today,” Elmendorf said. Social Security does collect money from interest payments made to the Social Security trust fund, but “even taking the interest on board, in 2017, the combined trust funds will be running a deficit even including the interest
http://townhall.com/tipsheet/kevinglass/2013/02/12/real-talk-cbo-director-tells-democrats-social-security-is-a-deficit-problem-n1510893
mm
February 13th, 2013
2:32 pm
You righties seem to have gone over the cliff today. You seem to have hit every major RW BS talking point.
“Most here want the government to strip hardworking people like us of our money to give to worthless, won’t work, morally and without character people who can’t find their ass with a flashlight. Does that get the message across?”
Keep it up. That message worked so well for you in 2012.
Erwin's cat
February 13th, 2013
2:33 pm
It just seems to me that the GOP is hamstringing itself by making Rubio their go-to Hispanic member this early on
I’m surprised they don’t promote Luis Fortuno..
Joe Hussein Mama
February 13th, 2013
2:34 pm
J. Reb — “Joe Mama – I’m not your son. Another display of your arrogance.”
And my wife’s a feminist, but not a n@zi. Just another display of *yours.*
Here we go again
February 13th, 2013
2:36 pm
Uncle Samantha you are just sooooooo cute making your little arguments and even citing your sources!!
A+
Joe Hussein Mama
February 13th, 2013
2:39 pm
E. Cat — “I’m surprised they don’t promote Luis Fortuno..”
You know, I hadn’t thought of that. I bet that Fortuno could peel off support from conservative Puertoriqueno voters in places like NY and NJ. That could make a big change in the 2016 or 2020 race, if he were to get involved.
Now I have to read up on Fortuno. Thanks for the homework assignment.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 13th, 2013
2:41 pm
“Welfare vs. Fare Well”
Erwin's cat
February 13th, 2013
2:42 pm
JHM – Now I have to read up on Fortuno. Thanks for the homework assignment.
I wanted him to be Mitt’s pick for VP…..but then again Mitt would’ve been accused of out-sourcing the position
Jay
February 13th, 2013
2:42 pm
Itchy Finger, your name is well chosen.
I try to defend Rubio and set the record straight on his behalf, and you jump on it and twist it into something conspiratorial on my part. You clearly practice the “Ready, fire, aim” approach to blogging.
moonbat betty
February 13th, 2013
2:42 pm
“Rubes gonna yawp.”
Says the sweaty toothed madman.
~Dead Poets Society
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
February 13th, 2013
2:43 pm
Joe RE: Other hispanics not liking Cubans ……………..totally correct.
RE: The lady from N.M. – WRONG choice! She doesn’t support the Lillie Ledbetter Act — doesn’t think women need to make as much as men for the same exact job. I wonder what HER pay is?
alittlecommonsense
February 13th, 2013
2:44 pm
Jay posted a chart about spending this morning. His point was that spending was just as bad with Republicans in charge as when Democtats were in charge.
He posts these charts this afternoon and totally misses the irony. None of these charted issues that Democrats complain about are any better when Dem’s are in charge.
Thanks – I will be here pointing out the obvious all week.
JohnnyReb
February 13th, 2013
2:46 pm
I see everyone, including Jay just blew past my question on why the AJC did not polifact check Obama’s statements on the benefit of pre-K.
This may seem like nothing, just the ramblings of an old, racist, homophobe, bigot white guy. But no, it’s the point, a very big one.
Joe Hussein Mama
February 13th, 2013
2:46 pm
D. DoRight — “RE: The lady from N.M. – WRONG choice! She doesn’t support the Lillie Ledbetter Act — doesn’t think women need to make as much as men for the same exact job. I wonder what HER pay is?”
FWIW, I wasn’t thinking of her in terms of her support for Democratic policies, but rather in terms of her support for Republican policies and how likely she might be in attracting Hispanic voters to the GOP.
She’s pro-life and against SSM, so I couldn’t see myself supporting her. But she could make a dent in the Democratic share of the Hispanic vote, don’t you think?
StopTheMadness
February 13th, 2013
2:47 pm
“Medicare is not a failure; Social Security is not a failure; the GI Bill was not a failure; Head Start is not a failure; unemployment insurance is not a failure. The student loan and Pell Grant programs are not failures. Neither is Medicaid, which among other things insures two-thirds of Americans receiving long-term nursing home care in this country.”
The USPS, Amtrak, Federally-run government education and recent Obama initiated “investments” in the automotive (can you say “Volt”?) and “green” energy sectors are indeed failures – if for no other reason than that they are running in the red, something we simply cannot afford at this point. And both Social Security and Medicare will also become failures unless something radical is done to obviate their pending insolvency.
Sadly, all we here from liberals in power on the Hill is talk. But, as CBO head Elmendorf indicated yesterday in Congressional testimony, we cannot evaluate or “score” the fiscal wisdom or folly or Democratic “proposals” because NOTHING has been set to paper (unlike the Bills the House has passed the last two years). Put up or shut up, liberals!
Steve
February 13th, 2013
2:48 pm
Makes me very happy to see conservatives unraveling, as they realize that this Rubio is just as bad a choice as Romney was. At least they are figuring that out now, and not after he wins the republican primary and goes against Hillary.
tm
February 13th, 2013
2:49 pm
this from the guy who supports a that black skinny president who wants to raise the wages of part time hamburger fippers to $10 an hour. I sure that will help the unemployment rate for the younger workers.
TBS
February 13th, 2013
2:50 pm
moonbat
How about the Black Label Society?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZsD-foNDe0
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
February 13th, 2013
2:51 pm
SOLUTION NOT SOLVED BUT NOW VOTERS ARE BEHOLDEN TO GOVERNMENT…… ENSURING A STAY OF POWER
Quick question — if you repubs hate government so much, then why do you stay here under this system of government? Why not find a system of government that you like more and move there? This is the SAME government, (with a few more wrinkles); that’s been around for 200+ years — its not changing any time soon. Why not just leave?
Its not like this is East Germany and the government has guards and barbed wire towers forcing you to stay — the door is always open for you to go any time you wish.
Especially you Reb. You’re mad about taxes that help fund the military et al.; AND you say you have the money (a 1%er) to go, then why stay? Why not move to a place where you won’t have to pay taxes? You could go somewhere like Somalia — no taxes, and no viable government.
You can call it Rebels Paradise. It sounds perfect for you!
JohnnyReb
February 13th, 2013
2:51 pm
Steve – just where are the Conservatives running away from Rubio you reference? All I have read/heard today about him from Conservative sources has been very positive.
I suggest you learn to like Rubio. Short of pictures of him with little boys, he most likely will be the next POTUS.
Dreams of Hillary being back at 1600 are just that, dreams.
moonbat betty
February 13th, 2013
2:51 pm
“I see everyone, including Jay just blew past my question on why the AJC did not polifact check Obama’s statements on the benefit of pre-K”.
JohnnyReb,
They don’t care what is in the words, as long as the words are said eloquently.
You see, it’s all about fluff, not about substance.
That is what makes a good lib pied piper.
Corbin Sharpe. I think, therefore I am...I think.
February 13th, 2013
2:51 pm
Itchy finger = ready, fire, aim?
Shoot, and I thought he was telling us he had a rash on his finger from scratching himself…silly me…
Cosby
February 13th, 2013
2:52 pm
Listen to the King –
1 – $2.5 Trillion Deficit Reduction – only an ESTIMATE through fiscal year 2022 – it would be lower if he chose a different starting poi9nt
2 – Manufacturing jobs – $500,000 increase over 3 years – but there have been a net loss of $600,000 manufacturing jobs since he took office
3 – Obama Care slowing Health Care cost – Slow groth in Health care began before he took office and is due, at least in part, by the down economy – people loosing jobs & health insurancev and choosing not to go to the doctor
4 – Doubled the gas milage – only if one uses the wish of miles per gallon for model year 2025 – if the auto industry can deliver – so a myth at present
5 – Romnye and minimum wag – romney did say but then retracted . so no go there
Yep, I listened to the King and found, well lies!!!
moonbat betty
February 13th, 2013
2:54 pm
“Quick question — if you repubs hate government so much, then why do you stay here under this system of government? Why not find a system of government that you like more and move there? This is the SAME government, (with a few more wrinkles); that’s been around for 200+ years — its not changing any time soon. Why not just leave? ”
Why do libs want to emulate Europe?
We don’t want to become Europe.
You can go anytime you want.
Erwin's cat
February 13th, 2013
2:56 pm
You could go somewhere like Somalia — no taxes,
or the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, or the Bahamas…..several middle eastern countries too..UAE and Saudi come to mind
Jackie
February 13th, 2013
2:56 pm
@JohnnyReb
Here is just one of a multitude of articles exalting the benefits of pre-k.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/02/13/hey-congress-pre-k-is-a-better-investment-than-the-stock-market/
JohnnyReb
February 13th, 2013
2:56 pm
moonbat betty – either I dreamed or read it, I think I read it, in the AJC article earlier this week on Obama’s visit tomorrow to a pre-K in Dekalb where it stated no marked improvement in educational results of those attending pre-K.
Obama even got luke warm applause when making the statements last evening.
If the AJC had any credibility, they would have chosen to fact check the statement today, but no, they can’t challenge Obama.
If there was another paper choice, I would take it. My boss won’t let me drop the AJC due to the Sunday coupons.
StopTheMadness
February 13th, 2013
2:57 pm
“You do know that the debt, the overall DEBT, hasn’t shrunk in ages, that it is not going to be “paid down” by even a dime under even the rosiest fiscal scenarios like, ever, yes?”
You do know there are many ways to educate yourself and avoid uttering astoundingly idiotic statements like this, don’t you? But, before you go get a GED, why don’t you take a look at this source of information?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_public_debt
Steve
February 13th, 2013
2:59 pm
“Steve – just where are the Conservatives running away from Rubio (Romney) you reference? All I have read/heard today about him from Conservative sources has been very positive.
I suggest you learn to like Rubio (Romney). Short of pictures of him with little boys, he most likely will be the next POTUS….”
Oh how gullible you cons are. And not very bright.
Steve
February 13th, 2013
2:59 pm
“Steve – just where are the Conservatives running away from Rubio (Romney) you reference? All I have read/heard today about him from Conservative sources has been very positive.
I suggest you learn to like Rubio (Romney). Short of pictures of him with little boys, he most likely will be the next POTUS….”
Oh how gullible you cons are. And not very bright.
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
February 13th, 2013
2:59 pm
She’s pro-life and against SSM, so I couldn’t see myself supporting her. But she could make a dent in the Democratic share of the Hispanic vote, don’t you think?
Maybe. I can’t say for sure though. I’d have to get a better look at her; if she’s just another fluffy, giggly, ignoramus like Palin then I’d say NO! However, if she has a bit of brains, then maybe.
It depends on not so much what she’s saying NOW; but (if she runs), what she’s said and done in the past few years.
People running for office say all kinds of things to get elected — but her record will be scrutinized outside of NM if she ever decided to run for POTUS; harder to hide from your deeds then.
Ask Mitt!
JohnnyReb
February 13th, 2013
3:00 pm
Jackie – you’re the same person who the other day defended out of wedlock mothers on the grounds the government did not give them birth control. And we are suppose to take you seriously on pre-K?
Jackie
February 13th, 2013
3:00 pm
Why don’t the so-called conservatives renounce their citizenship and refuse to pay any taxes?
If the answer to that question is yes, then you can be on a pay-as-you-go system for everything that the government does, namely, roads, schools, water, sewer, food, electricity.
Steve
February 13th, 2013
3:03 pm
Ask someone in Finland or Canada how their horrible balance of socialism and capitalism is making their lives so awful. I dare you.
JohnnyReb
February 13th, 2013
3:03 pm
Jackie – those roads, schools, water, sewer, etc you reference are paid for by taxpayers, which is no where near the entire populous who uses them. Plus, everyone has access to their use. It’s part of the level playing field and benefits no one more than another.
So take that Elizabeth Warren/Barrack Obama talking point and put it back in the looney bin where it belongs.
Jackie
February 13th, 2013
3:03 pm
@JohnnyReb
I never said anything like that, even though I think everyone that wants birth control should have it.
Now, stop your bloviating and read the article that disproves your contentions.
Jackie
February 13th, 2013
3:05 pm
@JohnnyReb
Those infrastructure items were put in place by the taxpayers, regardless of the usage capacity.
Are you still planning to renounce your citizenship because you think your taxes are too high?
moonbat betty
February 13th, 2013
3:06 pm
TBS @2:50 – I like it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy6iwP9Ux3A
JohnnyReb
February 13th, 2013
3:06 pm
Jackie – read the AJC article on pre-K. It’s my point, not some liberal blog post you reference.
Universal pre-K would be another giant entitlement program. It has no chance and Obama knows it. He is really good at spooling up his followers with pie in the sky, never happen, BS.
stands for decibels
February 13th, 2013
3:06 pm
before you go get a GED, why don’t you take a look at this source of information?
I did. (I’m well aware of the history.) Here’s the money chart:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:USDebt.png
Where does it show the overall debt being paid down in any significant fashion? You had some explosive post-war growth that resulted in a little bit of a dent, but it’s been flat at best most of the time.
Why do you think it is sensible to imagine that we’re going to be paying that down any time soon?
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
February 13th, 2013
3:07 pm
Hiya Moonie!! Say, what “lib” wants to emulate Europe? I’m sure you have something laying around somewhere to back up that claim right?
Or were just blowing smoke up your ummm…………..skirt. Yeah, that’s right…..your skirt………!!!
===========
or the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, or the Bahamas…..several middle eastern countries too..UAE and Saudi come to mind
Reb probably wouldn’t like those places too much. Cayman islands and Bermuda/Bahamas have viable governments that are run by “those people”. He’d be a minority. Same as here. Somalia he’d be a minority, but without a viable government. Better for him. He can get his John Galt fantasy on.
Saudi & a few more Arab countries don’t allow you to drink or have weapons. How can he be a “reb” without hard liquor, manly guns and a beer belly?
On the up side though, he can totally become the “HNIC”. Arab countries don’t allow women much latitude.
StopTheMadness
February 13th, 2013
3:08 pm
“Ben, before you lecture others about deficient logic, I would suggest that you google “correlation is not causation.”
Yeah…too bad liberals like yourself want to hypocritically pretend that aphorism does not apply to global warming:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/larrybell/2011/09/20/sorry-but-with-global-warming-its-the-sun-stupid/
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/02/01/report-show-un-admitting-solar-activity-may-play-significant-role-in-global/
Erwin's cat
February 13th, 2013
3:10 pm
Steve – I don’t think Canada and Finland are not comparable to even each other..I spend a good bit of time in Denmark…and it’s highly socialistic and hardly balanced…some like it, some don’t…tax rates are @ 50% when it’s all added up…heck kids are paid to go to school…and nobody has a sense of urgency on anything
Steve
February 13th, 2013
3:11 pm
Wow – so much for a level playing field for our children, eh compassionate conservatives via Obama’s proposal? Why are you people so ridiculously backwards and wrong on so many issues?
alittlecommonsense
February 13th, 2013
3:11 pm
Re Cubans vs other hispanics, it is also worth noting that Cubans are the most educated and economically successful subgroup of hispanics. Oh, and they tend to vote Republican. Maybe there is some connection there…..
http://www.cdc.gov/healthycommunitiesprogram/tools/pdf/hispanic_latinos_insight.pdf
See page 12 & 14.
Jackie
February 13th, 2013
3:12 pm
@JohnnyReb
It seems to me that if someone wants to explore the facts and come to a conclusion that is more true than not, they should research using more than one source, don’t you think?
Here are other sources for you to ignore.
http://www.pewstates.org/projects/pre-k-now-328067
http://www.tn.gov/education/prek/invest.shtml
Steve
February 13th, 2013
3:12 pm
Erwin that makes no sense. Why do we want to live in a society of stress and “urgency”? Because that’s all we know?
Folks in Canada don’t have to worry about going bankrupt if they get cancer, hence they pay higher taxes. In some of these countries, day care and all of their schooling is paid for. Hence, the higher taxes. Here? Only people born into the right kind of money have real chances of success.
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
February 13th, 2013
3:15 pm
either I dreamed or read it,
It was all a dream – Biggie “Thomas J” Smalls
=================
stands: Why do you think it is sensible to imagine that we’re going to be paying that down any time soon?
Cause LimpBalls told them so. Duh!
stands for decibels
February 13th, 2013
3:15 pm
what “lib” wants to emulate Europe?
Well, Bernie, I think it’d be fair to say.
JohnnyReb
February 13th, 2013
3:16 pm
Jackie – even if pre-K did/does show success, I don’t want to pay for baby sitting. Let parents pay for pre-K just like they would pay for a baby sitter.
There has to be some point of personal responsibility. Pre-K is welfare, face it.
TaxPayer
February 13th, 2013
3:16 pm
Republicans don’t do math or science and there is no stopping that madness.
Erwin's cat
February 13th, 2013
3:16 pm
Steve – Only people born into the right kind of money have real chances of success.
BS…a self-defeatist attitude doesn’t help
Joe Hussein Mama
February 13th, 2013
3:17 pm
alittlebitofcommonsense — “Re Cubans vs other hispanics, it is also worth noting that Cubans are the most educated and economically successful subgroup of hispanics. Oh, and they tend to vote Republican. Maybe there is some connection there…..”
I’d venture that the connection’s got more to do with the wet foot – dry foot immigration policy Cubans enjoy.
If that policy was extended to other Hispanic populations as well, you might see more of those folks voting for Republicans instead of Democrats.
Might be something to think about; crap on Hispanics and they don’t vote for you — treat them with a modicum of dignity and more of them see things your way . . .
Tom Middleton
February 13th, 2013
3:18 pm
Jay, I think the American people are much smarter than we were pre-election 2012. I mean, the Republican win-by-lying approach stopped working somewhere along the trail, and it may not ever work again, no matter who does their talking.
Add to this that between the extremes of the liberals’ “government is always the solution” and the conservatives’ “government is always the problem” is the “government has a viable role to play” and President Obama is nailing it perfectly, well, you get the picture.
We now know that we ARE the government and alone decide what we want it to do, and it should be obvious to both extremes that old tricks won’t work anymore.
In other words, we’re tired of all the crap, and I think the liberals understand. But when it comes to the other side, can they even learn? And if they can, when will they stand someone up who makes sense?
Ivan
February 13th, 2013
3:18 pm
So about those fact checks from the speech…….
*crickets*
Jackie
February 13th, 2013
3:19 pm
Someone asked why didn’t Sen. Rubio(R-FL) run for President last year.
Here are some public issues that kept him out of the race.
http://www.tn.gov/education/prek/invest.shtml
http://www.tn.gov/education/prek/invest.shtml
Joe Hussein Mama
February 13th, 2013
3:19 pm
E. Cat — “BS…a self-defeatist attitude doesn’t help”
Indeed. I come from pure Appalachian hillbilly stock, and that didn’t stop my dad from pursuing and getting a doctorate.
First man in his family to get a job that didn’t involve farming or mining, and he’s a college professor.
StopTheMadness
February 13th, 2013
3:20 pm
“Where does it show the overall debt being paid down in any significant fashion? You had some explosive post-war growth that resulted in a little bit of a dent, but it’s been flat at best most of the time…Why do you think it is sensible to imagine that we’re going to be paying that down any time soon?”
In 1910 the national debt was only 8% of the GDP. So, in the 20th century, debt greatly increased as a result of our involvement in 2 World Wars, the Vietnam War and the social programs introduced by FDR and LBJ. It certainly is not feasible to pay down much of our huge debt with a recessionary economy. But we will never be able to even attempt paying down this debt unless we, among other things, seriously reevaluate our spending.
getalife
February 13th, 2013
3:20 pm
reb is a crybaby but that is all the cons are doing these days.
Good blogging times.
JohnnyReb
February 13th, 2013
3:20 pm
Yep, the AJC does not have the gonads to fact check an Obama lie just before his visit. I guess they have abandoned trying to be more balanced, at least when Obama is coming to town.
Erwin's cat
February 13th, 2013
3:20 pm
TP – Republicans don’t do math or science and there is no stopping that madness.
Seriously, don’t you ever get tired of repeating the same myopic rhetoric day after day after day….
Jackie
February 13th, 2013
3:20 pm
@JohnnyReb
You have more fun than you know what to do with!
JohnnyReb
February 13th, 2013
3:21 pm
I see getalife has reached a point of no legitimate rebuttal.
moonbat betty
February 13th, 2013
3:22 pm
what “lib” wants to emulate Europe?
Steve say, WHAT!?
h/t Kam
Fred ™
February 13th, 2013
3:24 pm
Erwin’s cat
February 13th, 2013
3:16 pm
Steve – Only people born into the right kind of money have real chances of success.
BS…a self-defeatist attitude doesn’t help
+++++++++++++++++++++
Wow really? A 5 year old with a self defeatist attitude? You are probably right. The little bastich ought to go get a job at 5 and pay for his own Pre-K. Damn kids these days expect everything…………
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 13th, 2013
3:24 pm
“You clearly practice the “Ready, fire, aim” approach to blogging.”
Jay:
With all of the gun (actually people) violence lately, that was an insensitive statement on your part.
Why would you use such graphic language ?
UNCLE SAMANTHA
February 13th, 2013
3:24 pm
LIBERALS ARE SCARED
THE EMERGENCE OF WOMEN/MINORITIES IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAVE THE HUGGIES STRAINING ON THE LEFT
DR. BEN CARSON
SEN. MARCO RUBIO
GOV BOBBY JINDAL
GOV SUSANA MARTINEZ
GOV NIKKI HALEY
getalife
February 13th, 2013
3:24 pm
reb,
I can’t fix stupid or ignoring facts.
You will have to work on that.
Good luck.
ODD OWL
February 13th, 2013
3:24 pm
Marco Rubio is delusional and intellectually dishonest… Rubio live in a romanticized world, where up is down, down is up, rich is poor and poor is rich… Republicans like Marco Rubio and Rand Paul prop up a thin veil and pretend like the American people can’t see through it… We the People can see everything… We see that Rubio and Paul are Congressmen but they’re not financially well off… Neither one of them have pull themselves up by their bootstraps… If both of them losted their seats in Congress, they would find themselves in the same financial predicament as former Republican Rep. Joe Walsh of Illinois, who is flat broke and can’t afford to make his Child support payments… Joe Walsh’s Children must depend on America’s social safety net programs like welfare, medicaid, food stamps and other Government provided social pragrams for their survival… Republican rookies like Marco Rubio, Rand Paul and other inexperienced, Congressional back benchers live in a world of hypothetical, hypocritical Romanticism… The Republican ideology spell doom for America…
TBS
February 13th, 2013
3:25 pm
alittlecommonsense
Which way are the younger Cubans trending in their voting patterns?