The world as Marco Rubio prefers to see it

rubio

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:

gini1

Here’s what it has done since:

gini2

Here’s what employees’ share of the gross domestic product did from 1956 to 1981:

gdp1

Here’s what it has done since:

GDP2

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

856 comments Add your comment

josef

February 13th, 2013
6:58 pm

SINKWICH

Not sure what that has to do with the question about the poor not breeding…

комиссар (Occupation)

February 13th, 2013
7:00 pm

Mama says: “Take the money from the rich.

The hard part for a liberal to swallow however is the fact that there is nothing in the constitution or our form of government that even hints at this being a legal solution to the problem.”

The rich spend their time expropriating wealth from the bulk of the population, so why the hell not take it from them?

So do tell us how a progressive tax system, just to take one example, such as the one we’ve had, in principle at least, for a long time now in this country, is unconstitutional? Where in the constipation I mean constitution does it lay out that progressive taxation, for example, or doing some of the things Roosevelt did and putting every willing and able-bodied person directly to work on government-run projects is unconstitutional.

Can’t wait for your answers, oh scholar.

StopTheMadness

February 13th, 2013
7:00 pm

“Continuing to display the same sign.”

Continuing to display even more stupidity.

Thulsa Doom-“Nothing I’m proposing tonight should increase our deficit by a single dime,”

February 13th, 2013
7:00 pm

Someone say deficits?

“Right now, deficits don’t matter” – Paul Krugman

Mama Says

February 13th, 2013
7:02 pm

Well Ole timer your partially right. At least you would stop spending

Yahoo and NBC are hardly smoking clouds

stands for decibels

February 13th, 2013
7:03 pm

the freshly minted bleeding heart liberal!

Hey, I learned today that I a) never graduated from high school and b) probably declared bankruptcy at some point in my life.

(I vastly preferred being Spokesman for Black America, but you take what you can get.)

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

February 13th, 2013
7:03 pm

USA Patriot

February 13th, 2013
7:04 pm

Okay, so you have about a dozen JB suckup’s on this site that have no interest beingi “engaged” in discussion about issues. Challenge ‘em, name calling; facts; name calling. God forbid, don’t make any hit on the, how was it JB put it?, Oh yeah, the skinny black man, AKA POTUS.

TaxPayer

February 13th, 2013
7:04 pm

I see the resident Republicans are still trying to cope with losing for FOUR MORE YEARS.

комиссар (Occupation)

February 13th, 2013
7:04 pm

Latrina: “If the current President will try to govern from somewhere near the middle”

No problem there. He’s governed from the center to the center-right for the duration of his time in office, with no evidence of any major change of course in the future in sight, some negligible rhetorical gestures of recent weeks notwithstanding.

“and if he can avoid the temptation to lurch too far to the left, he’ll harvest more converts than he can imagine”

Avoid the temptation? What temptation? Again, he’s resisted any such temptation from the start of his time in office and has never wavered from it. So no worries there. If you want an Obama that’s solidly to the center and more likely to trend right than get any ideas about a turn ‘left’, well, then THIS is the president for you!

josef

February 13th, 2013
7:05 pm

SFD

I’m a home-schooled, Christian Academy-educated Mormon! :-)

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

February 13th, 2013
7:05 pm

Challenge ‘em, name calling; facts; name calling.

Ann Coulter says, “What?”

JamVet

February 13th, 2013
7:06 pm

stands, your curriculum vitae grows more impressive every week!

josef

February 13th, 2013
7:06 pm

SFD

Oh, and I almost forgot…I live under a bridge on Georgia 400…

F. Sinkwich

February 13th, 2013
7:07 pm

“Not sure what that has to do with the question about the poor not breeding…”

It doesn’t, but it has a lot to do with lib ilk debate.

It’s over your head.

Sorry.

Soothsayer

February 13th, 2013
7:08 pm

“You take a good old boy that never had anything and give him a badge and a gun. Then he’s offered more money than he’s ever seen at one time in his life to kinda look the other way. What happened is about what you would expect.”

Not to mention threatening to kill their wives and children.

stands for decibels

February 13th, 2013
7:08 pm

Yep, for the lib’s one has to show pictures (skewed nonetheless) so they can, somehow, comprehend. But, I digress!

That’s got to be my favoritist anti-Bookman riff. the notion that he uses too gosh-darn many graphs and charts. Because it’s (apparently) cray-cray to present statistical information in graphic form, particularly when discussing economic issues.

Thulsa Doom-“Nothing I’m proposing tonight should increase our deficit by a single dime,”

February 13th, 2013
7:09 pm

“Re those players, they get what they deserve. Playing football on the collegiate level isn’t a right, it’s a privilege. When you f**k up, you have nobody but yourself to blame.”

I hear ha Bro. It just sucks to see a poor choice like that pretty much ruin their lives. At least 2 and maybe 3 of those 4 would have maybe ended up playing on Sundays. Now they’ll be heading to jail instead.

stands for decibels

February 13th, 2013
7:09 pm

And while I’m ranting about pet peeves…

for the lib’s

where ARE these people taught to pluralize using a flippin’ apostrophe?

josef

February 13th, 2013
7:10 pm

SINKWICH

All I did was ask a question. So far, no answer…

Jerome Horwitz

February 13th, 2013
7:10 pm

Kam – Good match between the Red Devils and Real Madrid this afternoon. Dejea was lights out.

Mama Says

February 13th, 2013
7:10 pm

Occupation,

You are an idiot !

Sorry but that’s what you are. First of all you degraded the constitution in your response, which is exactly the point cons are making about you extreme left wing socialist then you actually believe that the constitution allows for total impoundment of our property.

Tell me, where does it stop ? If you can take 70% why not 100%

The entire tax argument is BS because its the government who is ruling on the governments legal right to take our stuff. Only a weak minded fool would argue that it’s constitutional without seeing that you are saying the government can take everything.

Tell me how mush can the government take from us and keep in line with the founding principles ?

StopTheMadness

February 13th, 2013
7:10 pm

“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.”

If this is an allusion to Rubio’s reaching for a bottle of water, then it is a truly dumb way to start off a column hoping it will be taken seriously. But at least Mr. Bookman is not expressly not as stupid as Wolf Blitzer:

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/matt-hadro/2013/02/13/cnn-absurdly-asks-if-rubios-sip-water-was-career-ender

I must say that Mr. Bookman is not quite as stupid as Wolf Blitzer, but he nonetheless should be

stands for decibels

February 13th, 2013
7:11 pm

home-schooled, Christian Academy-educated Mormon

Isn’t that an Olympic gymnastic event?

stands for decibels

February 13th, 2013
7:12 pm

So Bros, still waiting on ABS #1 to make an entrance, are we?

StopTheMadness

February 13th, 2013
7:12 pm

Boy, do I ever feel comforted:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/feb/13/faa-official-no-armed-drones-us/

For we all know how well the gubmint keeps its word.

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

February 13th, 2013
7:13 pm

(skewed nonetheless)

Birthers and skewers and ringers, OH MY!

stands for decibels

February 13th, 2013
7:13 pm

Speaking of gymnastics, watching our right-leaning brain trust trying to spin something positive for their side after last night’s festivities… most entertaining.

josef

February 13th, 2013
7:14 pm

STOP THE MADNESS..

“Mr. Bookman is not expressly not as stupid as Wolf Blitzer:”

Sic?

SFD

Hmmm…hadn’t thought of that! :-)

Thulsa Doom-“Nothing I’m proposing tonight should increase our deficit by a single dime,”

February 13th, 2013
7:14 pm

“Because it’s (apparently) cray-cray to present statistical information in graphic form, particularly when discussing economic issues.”

And if you noticed from past discussions regarding graphs and economic issues its usually just the cons doing the discussing. The libs are usually strangely silent.

Soothsayer

February 13th, 2013
7:14 pm

The State has two core mandates: enable and enforce quasi-monopolies and cartels for private capital, and satisfy enough of the citizenry’s unlimited demands for more services and economic security to provide political stability and thus maintain State/cadre/Aristocratic power.

If the State fails to maintain monopolistic cartels, profit margins plummet and capital is unable to maintain its spending on investment and labor. Simply put, the economy tanks as profits, investment and growth all stagnate.

If the State fails to satisfy enough of the citizenry’s unlimited demands for more of everything, it risks social instability.

That is the nation-state’s quandary everywhere. With growth slowing and parasitic monopolies increasingly difficult to maintain and justify, the State has less tax income to fund its ever-expanding social spending.

In response, the State raises taxes and borrows the difference between its spending and its revenues. This further squeezes spending as the cost of servicing debt rises along with the debt.

In the conventional view, global capital lowers its costs and therefore increases its profits by shifting production to locales with lower labor costs, few environmental restrictions and low taxes (or an affordable bribe structure).

When global capital runs out of low-cost labor opportunities, profit margins decline and the jig is up.

For those with a minute or two, this is a great illuminating article by one of the greatest authors of our time.

TaxPayer

February 13th, 2013
7:15 pm

Poor cons. If only they were able to do math and science, then they could contribute to a discussion involving graphs and such.

Thulsa Doom-“Nothing I’m proposing tonight should increase our deficit by a single dime,”

February 13th, 2013
7:15 pm

“Speaking of gymnastics, watching our right-leaning brain trust trying to spin something positive for their side after last night’s festivities… most entertaining.”

There’s nothing for us to spin. Factcheck already called BS on Obama.

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

February 13th, 2013
7:16 pm

Jerome

I see y’all got that all important away goal.

Congrats.

We’re in the consolation Europa League, away against Prague tomorrow.

Mama Says

February 13th, 2013
7:16 pm

Go ahead folks completely ignore the lies your guy told. Focus on the water bottle, it’s easier for you brain washed leftist

barking frog

February 13th, 2013
7:16 pm

Erwin's cat

February 13th, 2013
7:16 pm

Poor cons. If only they were able to do math and science, then they could contribute to a discussion involving graphs and such.

so we can pick the colors?

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

February 13th, 2013
7:17 pm

The Moonie Times.

There’s your sign.

DownInAlbany

February 13th, 2013
7:18 pm

Thulsa Doom

February 13th, 2013
6:29 pm
Oh noes! Say it aint so. The Dem leaders were lying about Iraq having WMDs! Soooo many more quotes. So little time.

I guess Bush lied to them all and fooled them! Who’s the stupid party now?

Thulsa Doom-“Nothing I’m proposing tonight should increase our deficit by a single dime,”

February 13th, 2013
7:19 pm

“Poor cons. If only they were able to do math and science, then they could contribute to a discussion involving graphs and such.”

Because the libs on here are all scientists, mathematicians, statisticians, economists, and super duper geniuses. Sorta like Rain Man I guess-cept without the math skills.

stands for decibels

February 13th, 2013
7:19 pm

Barking, I was so hoping that link would re-direct to the Hemlock Society.

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

February 13th, 2013
7:20 pm

FEDS PROMISE NO ARMED DRONES IN USA…

drudgey spam.

stands for decibels

February 13th, 2013
7:21 pm

Tell me how mush can the government take from us

Is someone transcribing your drunken rants phonetically?

Brosephus™

February 13th, 2013
7:21 pm

Doom

I don’t feel anything for them. Life is a series of choices, and we have to live with the decisions we make. Hopefully, they will learn from this, and others who see this will learn from their mistakes.

—————–

dB

Still waiting patiently. Seems like #2 will be named “does not play well with others” based on actions, or inactions, during doctor visits. You will always be SfBA to me.

:)

stands for decibels

February 13th, 2013
7:22 pm

About that Gallup poll showing only 35% approval of how Obama’s “handling the deficit”–I too, strongly disapprove.

I think he should handle it by Sing TFU about it in his SOTU addresses, since it’s not something we should especially care about at the moment.

Erwin's cat

February 13th, 2013
7:23 pm

FEDS PROMISE NO ARMED DRONES IN USA…

they’ve obviously never been to one of my family reunions

barking frog

February 13th, 2013
7:23 pm

sfd
no need for such drastic measures..

JamVet

February 13th, 2013
7:23 pm

What water bottle?

That guy looked like a punch drunk drunk reaching for the vodka!

Stay losers, my friends.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtA2u3uhi2U

guy

February 13th, 2013
7:24 pm

obama,you lie! cons and crats,you lie! All of us are up do do creek without a paddle! Just wait and see.

stands for decibels

February 13th, 2013
7:25 pm

The Dem leaders were lying about Iraq having WMDs!

Pretty much. Fortunately, Democratic primary voters punished one of them by denying her the Presidential nomination, in 2008. We’re slow, but we eventually figure it out.

Thulsa Doom-“Nothing I’m proposing tonight should increase our deficit by a single dime,”

February 13th, 2013
7:25 pm

“I guess Bush lied to them all and fooled them! Who’s the stupid party now?”

The idiot beat them in 2 elections too. I guess if the Rs are the stupid party then the Ds are the stupider party.

DownInAlbany

February 13th, 2013
7:25 pm

Doggone/GA

February 13th, 2013
6:50 pm
“Won’t add one dime to the deficit”

Yeah, well when *I* hear someone say something like that I take it maybe too literally. It won’t add ONE dime..but it might add millions.

Actually, I think he said “should” not add one dime…
Big difference!

TaxPayer

February 13th, 2013
7:26 pm

Because the libs on here are all scientists, mathematicians, statisticians, economists, and super duper geniuses.

Well, yes, there is that.

guy

February 13th, 2013
7:28 pm

JamVet,he may have looked like a punch drunk but you support someone who is like a catfish.He’s all mouth and full of do do! Choose your poison!

F. Sinkwich

February 13th, 2013
7:28 pm

“Because the libs on here are all scientists, mathematicians, statisticians, economists, and super duper geniuses.”

Not so much.

If they went to college, it was English Lit.

But mostly they majored in victimhood since day one…

That Black Guy

February 13th, 2013
7:30 pm

Thulsa Doom

February 13th, 2013
5:40 pm
“I get what you are saying, but I was on that day, and Doom in no way, shape, or form was applauding the shooting of the children in Newtown, which is what the dog (the cat) accused him of.”

that black guy,

As you’ve said before you definitely don’t like my politics. But that’s cool with me since you’re at least fair and honest about what is and isn’t said. I can’t say the same for the kreep or the dog(the cat).
____________________________________
Doomy, I never said I didn’t *like* your politics. I just don’t always *agree* with them.

That said, you’re a funny guy. Anyone who can come up with “you peanut headed ensemble of nature’s carelessness” can’t be all bad. :lol:

Kris

February 13th, 2013
7:31 pm

A simple Plea to the people in Washington.

I am just a simple man with a simple dream. My plea is for someone, one of you, anybody to help me realize my dreams of this great country.

I dream of individual rights that allow me to own my own home without being annexed into a city by ordinance rather than referendum.

The ability to buy a hundred watt light bulb that reads “made in America”.

I long for the time I can stroll down the aisles at Wal-Mart and see more items made in America than made in China.

I want to choose to wear a motorcycle helmet or not, choose to wear a seat belt or not.

I would also like my school to teach reading, writing and arithmetic after a pledge to the flag and morning devotional.

It’s also important that my daughter has some Social Security benefit when she retires.

The ability to fill my truck with gas without a credit union loan.

To open my phone bill and see two lines, one for service rendered and one for tax.

Each and every day seems more and more restrictive than free to old timers like me. Good intention is always appreciated but not always good. America seemed at her best when each of us was responsible for ourselves. I am willing to once again assume responsibility for my own self. There may be others who would as well.
I have already started by balancing my own budget.

Biden/Clinton 2016 (pick a Clinton) 2016

Clinton (pick a clinton)/ Biden 2016

Deal out 2014

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

February 13th, 2013
7:31 pm

CNN: DID SIP SLIP END RUBIO CAREER?

More drudgey spam.

TaxPayer

February 13th, 2013
7:31 pm

I heard the cons are not participating in the economic recovery. That’s really sad. For someone. Probably a con.

Thulsa Doom-“Nothing I’m proposing tonight should increase our deficit by a single dime,”

February 13th, 2013
7:32 pm

Bro,

You’re a little more hard core than me man. I feel for them because they had their whole lives in front of them, they had a great opportunity to have so much, and they just plain blew it. Its got to hurt for their families and when they have time to think about the repercussions of their decision they’re gonna feel just plain horrible. I just hate to see youngsters ruin such a great opportunity. Anyway enough about that. Life goes on and hopefully they will get a second chance and make the most of it.

Erwin's cat

February 13th, 2013
7:32 pm

Well, yes, there is that.

if there was a like button

stands for decibels

February 13th, 2013
7:32 pm

But mostly they majored in victimhood since day one

Victimhood?

Let us, once again, quote Marco Rubio:

But any time anyone opposes the President’s agenda, he and his allies usually respond by falsely attacking their motives.

When we point out that no matter how many job-killing laws we pass, our government can’t control the weather – he accuses us of wanting dirty water and dirty air.

When we suggest we strengthen our safety net programs by giving states more flexibility to manage them – he accuses us of wanting to leave the elderly and disabled to fend for themselves.

And tonight, he even criticized us for refusing to raise taxes to delay military cuts – cuts that were his idea in the first place. But his favorite attack of all is that those who don’t agree with him – they only care about rich people.

heh, heh, heh.

Doggone/GA

February 13th, 2013
7:33 pm

“Actually, I think he said “should” not add one dime…
Big difference!”

No difference as far as MY reaction is concerned.

josef

February 13th, 2013
7:33 pm

SINWICH

It might have helped had you taken a few English Lit classes, a couple of history classes or such…then you might not be so, well, repetitious and dull witted…

Go over to Kyle’s and take a few hints from Sister Dusty…she can cut to shreds an argument or a jackass with a few well chosen quotes from the master’s…

stands for decibels

February 13th, 2013
7:36 pm

she can cut to shreds an argument or a jackass with a few well chosen quotes

She’s all right sometimes. Kinda miss her here.

Erwin's cat

February 13th, 2013
7:37 pm

“Actually, I think he said “should” not add one dime…
Big difference!”

do you read standards?…..should or shall and may and must

Mama Says

February 13th, 2013
7:37 pm

Hey Decibels you Vet leave me alone.

I finally found someone on your side who admits what your side thinks. The constitution allows for the Feds to take all of our stuff.

Plus I ain’t drunk, just a bad typist

Thulsa Doom-“Nothing I’m proposing tonight should increase our deficit by a single dime,”

February 13th, 2013
7:38 pm

“I heard the cons are not participating in the economic recovery. That’s really sad. For someone. Probably a con.”

No doubt. I’m certain most of the unemployed and the folks losing their houses are cons. kd. Uh huh. Sure buddy. And I’m sure most of those folks on food stamps are cons also. And I’m sure the neighborhoods with the most people out of work are all con neighborhoods also. kd. Hilarious!

F. Sinkwich

February 13th, 2013
7:38 pm

sfd, see my 6:15.

Truth hurts you lib ilks, but too bad, so sad.

Mama Says

February 13th, 2013
7:39 pm

How bout this qoute, ok maybe a paraphrase.

The economy has added 6.2 million new jobs.

Now was that a lie ? We all know that’s not true. What is it if its not true ?

TaxPayer

February 13th, 2013
7:40 pm

Well, if the cons are actually participating in the economic recovery, I would never be able to discern it from the comments they post here. Just sayin’… hilarious, that is.

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

February 13th, 2013
7:40 pm

We all know that’s not true.

Who exactly, appointed you spokesperson for “all”?

stands for decibels

February 13th, 2013
7:42 pm

apropos of nothing, but whose brother-in-law does the Ingles tv ads?

fuggggly.

josef

February 13th, 2013
7:42 pm

SFD

Yeah, I miss her, too. I go over to Kyle’s ever so often to have a pleasant chat with her and some of the others. She and I tangled on politics here a lot with no holds barred and going for the jugular, but when it comes to culchuh, I really do enjoy an exchange with her…

Mama Says

February 13th, 2013
7:42 pm

Ok here we are.

Obama cannot run again, the peace loving libs are happy, libs are calling for civil discourse. Oh what happy times !

Wait is that a legitimate republican candidate ? He is a racist drunk !

Damn cons all they do is attack us

Keep Up the Good Fight!

February 13th, 2013
7:42 pm

In its quantification of the key elements of the speech, the paper’s editors apparently couldn’t see or hear or speak of the nearly 10% of the State of the Union address devoted to climate and energy. But, hey, Obama devoted 3% of the speech to immigration — that’s news!

Mama Says

February 13th, 2013
7:43 pm

Awesome response Kam. Get me with the “who elected you” stuff.

How about the question has Obama added 6.2 million new jobs ?

Erwin's cat

February 13th, 2013
7:43 pm

Well, if the cons are actually participating in the economic recovery

and who do you think is making big bucks off of the “recovery”?

Brosephus™

February 13th, 2013
7:44 pm

You’re a little more hard core than me man.

Remember that the next time you think about labeling me a liberal. :)

In all seriousness though, I was brought up with the mentality that you don’t get many opportunities like that. When you get one, you have to take full advantage of it because people are not just gonna keep handing them to you. I may seem a bit harsh, but I grew up with the “you have to be twice as good as the next person” mentality.

stands for decibels

February 13th, 2013
7:44 pm

the peace loving libs are happy

Peaceful libs, pls refudiate!

saywhat?

February 13th, 2013
7:45 pm

If President Obama had awkwardly reached for a bottle of water in the middle of the SOTU, the Republicans in the Senate would have held up any further Presidential nomination hearings until they go to the bottom of “Water(bottle)gate”.

Mama Says

February 13th, 2013
7:46 pm

Aren’t libs the peaceful folks ? I mean they only consider character assassination a mean thing when cons are doing it, I figure they are the loving, peaceful folks.

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

February 13th, 2013
7:46 pm

How about the question has Obama added 6.2 million new jobs ?

How about the question who appointed you spokesperson for all?

You assumed the authority, you back it up.

barking frog

February 13th, 2013
7:46 pm

The President lies in front of millions. Anonymous bloggers
tell the truth. What is the probability of those two statements
being true ?

JamVet

February 13th, 2013
7:47 pm

As Joni Mitchell wrote,

And maybe it’s the time of year, yes, said maybe it’s the time of man.
And I don’t know who I am but life is for learning.

How could I have known during those years of the Lost Decade that in the big picture that the elections of George Bush and Dick Cheney, along with the rise of neoconservatism would turn out to be the greatest thing that ever happened to the modern United States of America.

Ask John McCain and Willard Romney.

And as much as the neocons and trickle downers desperately want it to just go away, that toxic legacy and the deadly results will be around with us for a long, long time.

So now we have this new rube-e-oh on the scene who actually said “And so I think that George W. Bush, in my opinion, did a fantastic job as president over eight years…”.

Wow, talk about committing public political hari kari!

This one sentence alone assures that this poor soul will never be elected to any national office. Ever.

And until somebody in that party can speak the truth about the consummate failures of Bush/Cheney, their chances of retaking the White House in the next 12 years are slim to none…

Erwin's cat

February 13th, 2013
7:48 pm

frog – 50/50

josef

February 13th, 2013
7:48 pm

BROSEPHUS

“you have to be twice as good as the next person” mentality.”

Me. too. Granddaddy used to say that “we” had to take three steps to get as far as “they” get with one. Plenty of times, though, we get two steps ahead…

Mama Says

February 13th, 2013
7:49 pm

Come on guys you have to be kidding. If Obama had held up a bottle do water the media would report that sales doubled for the water bottler.

The actual bottle would have been rushed to the museum and we would have had to hear about how smooth he sips

barking frog

February 13th, 2013
7:49 pm

Erwin’s cat 7:48
works for me….

Thulsa Doom-“Nothing I’m proposing tonight should increase our deficit by a single dime,”

February 13th, 2013
7:49 pm

“That said, you’re a funny guy. Anyone who can come up with “you peanut headed ensemble of nature’s carelessness” can’t be all bad.”

that black guy,

Don’t get me started. I got a vast repertoire of saved up insults. So just remember that you snaggly toothed smelly fish funk fart knocker giraffe’s ass! JK

Mama Says

February 13th, 2013
7:49 pm

Kam,

Talking to you is pointless

TaxPayer

February 13th, 2013
7:50 pm

and who do you think is making big bucks off of the “recovery”?

I don’t know. I seem to be getting mixed signals now from you cons. Are you cons participating in the economic recovery or still waiting for a job to come along or what. You have not heard me complain about my non-government income. In fact, I think I might have to pay more taxes even though my tax rates are unchanged and my tax deductions are unchanged. A con would likely look at that and gasp, “Oh my, you have to pay more taxes,” while I grin and say, “Oh my, I made that much more.” Whatever floats your boat though.

USA Patriot

February 13th, 2013
7:50 pm

Okay, so the skinny “black” guy (aka POTUS per JB) spouted all these lies last night, and the lemmings are saying “Rock on King”, though he has no clothes (save MEEEEshaalls bought by the taxpayers). Empty suite from the community organizer from Chicago…..oh, you realize Chicago is now the murder capital of the US.

What a bunch of crap this guy, and his followers are!

Doggone/GA

February 13th, 2013
7:50 pm

“The President lies in front of millions. Anonymous bloggers
tell the truth. What is the probability of those two statements
being true ?”

They aren’t mutually exclusive

stands for decibels

February 13th, 2013
7:51 pm

this new rube-e-oh on the scene who actually said

meh, rookie mistake, he’s got time to live that one down.

Fred ™

February 13th, 2013
7:51 pm

USA Patriot isn’t one. Far from it.

barking frog

February 13th, 2013
7:52 pm

Mama Says
Talking to you is pointless
…………………………………….
then you should make some points….

Thulsa Doom-“Nothing I’m proposing tonight should increase our deficit by a single dime,”

February 13th, 2013
7:52 pm

Mama says,

Factcheck pretty much laid waste to the 6.2 million jobs claim. More like 1 million and something.

Mama Says

February 13th, 2013
7:52 pm

Again,

Libs dedicate an entire blog to Rubio just after Obama speaks.

That should tell you something folks.

Either you are tired of your guys pointless babble or you are scared of Rubio, either way its not good news for your party

Fred ™

February 13th, 2013
7:53 pm

USA Patriot embarrasses me. People from other countries may read his treasonous Americans hating words and get the wrong impression about us…….