Poll Position: Should politicians who resign early help cover the cost of special elections?
Chip Rogers made news this week by announcing he was resigning his recently re-won Senate seat to take a job at Georgia Public Broadcasting. A special election for the seat will be held Jan. 8, just two months after Rogers’ replacement could have been elected in the general election had he stepped down earlier. Channel 2 Action News reports the special election will cost Cherokee and Fulton counties $500,000.
Should politicians who resign early help cover the cost of special elections?
- Yes (203 Votes)
- It depends on the circumstances of the resignation (166 Votes)
- No, they should give their campaign funds back to their donors (39 Votes)
- No, that's part of government and they should be able to use their campaign funds as they wish (27 Votes)
Total Voters: 435
Loading ...But that’s not all. Rep. Sean Jerguson, who like Rogers hails from Cherokee County, is resigning his House seat to run for the Senate post. So there will be a special election the same day to refill that seat. The two seats do not exactly overlap, so there will be some additional cost to Cherokee to hold a special election in the non-overlapping precincts.
And, for good measure, Sen. John Bulloch of Ochlocknee also announced this week he was stepping down before the 2013 legislative session starts, prompting a third special election that day in the eight southwest Georgia counties Bulloch served. (Well, it’s the third so far; it’s not out of the question that a House member could resign to run for that Senate seat and cause a fourth special election.)
Which raises a question: Should taxpayers get some help in covering the cost of special elections when politicians resign their offices early — from the politicians themselves? With the special election for Rogers’ seat alone costing $500,000, we surely are talking about millions of dollars in extra expenses for counties over the past two years.
By my count, these three special elections will bring the total since Jan. 1, 2011, to 17 (that figure is for state-level offices only; there may have been more if local races were included). One of those, the race for Senate District 30, was held on the same day as this year’s general election and thus didn’t represent an additional cost to the affected counties. But it, like eight of the other special elections, wasn’t settled without a runoff — representing even more costs to counties.
Two of the past 17 special elections were required because the elected official died in office; not much one can do about that. But eight of them were because the elected official took a job in state government; four elected officials resigned to run for another office; two moved out of their districts; and one (Bulloch) retired.
In some cases, the politicians resigned their offices left without no campaign funds left in their accounts or a negligible account. But a few of them had at least $10,000 in their accounts. Rogers ($231,033) and Bulloch ($105,967) had much more than that as of the latest report filed. To be fair, both of those reports were filed before the Nov. 6 election and may not reflect their final expenses; on the other hand, neither of them had general-election opponents, so it’s unlikely that they spent huge chunks of their war chests.
Should elected officials who resign their offices and prompt special elections be required to give their remaining campaign funds to counties to help cover the cost of those elections? That’s this week’s Poll Position question. Answer in the nearby poll and the comments thread below.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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243 comments Add your comment
catlady
December 7th, 2012
11:06 am
Absolutely. And the party that the person represneted (because they tend to vote the way their party tells them in Georgia, not represent the voters) should have to pay any leftover amount, OR the voters need to be able to take it out of the hide of the person who defrauded them.
Other than death or severe, new bad health, the money should be recouped!
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 7th, 2012
11:07 am
Yes! Charge them 75% of the remaining balance in their campaign accounts.
catlady
December 7th, 2012
11:08 am
BTW, new cheer for Chip: Paraphrasing the old University of Alabama cheer for Auburn coach Shug Jordan, “Chip, Chip, you are it! C H for Chip! I T for It!
catlady
December 7th, 2012
11:11 am
It’s called Taking Responsibility for What You Do!
RW-(the original)
December 7th, 2012
11:23 am
It would make more sense to look at the idiocy of holding special elections every time somebody steps down. There’s no reason an appointment couldn’t be made until the next scheduled election.
If you charge a % of the campaign fund balance it will only ensure there is no campaign fund balance.
Will
December 7th, 2012
11:27 am
It is disgusting when a politician runs for office and then switches parties after they are elected. Even more disgusting is when a politician runs for one office, gets elected, and then quits to run for another polticial office. But the most odious act of all is when a poltician is elected and then quits to go make more money, like that lady that was govenor of Alaska for a few months before quitting to make some money.
Maybe politicians, in addtion to paying a qualifying fee, should have to post some sort of a bond to be forfeited if the polticians quits for reasons like this.
Then again, I would never want to do anything that might stand in the way of getting rid of an odious poltician like Chip Rogers!!
catlady
December 7th, 2012
11:29 am
RW, or, make the “politician” personally liable for the debt, and his party for any remainder. Of course, old Chip would say “you KNEW I would not continue in office because I am being exposed as a crackpot, so you shouldn’t have elected me.” Parties might be more careful about the nuts they sponsor.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
December 7th, 2012
11:30 am
No, you are elected to do a job and if you can’t do it anymore it is up to the citizens to fill in the position, not the leaving politician. If you want them to pay for it then let them choose the replacement.
JamVet
December 7th, 2012
11:32 am
Hell no.
The last thing I want to do is to discourage losers like Rogers from leaving public office…
RW-(the original)
December 7th, 2012
11:33 am
catlady,
If we didn’t have nuts in elected office we’d have to live with the notion that sane people can make that many crazy decisions.
On balance I think it’s worth it anytime a politician resigns. I just call that a good start.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
December 7th, 2012
11:33 am
Want more on the Harry Reid BEAT DOWN of Mitch McConnell yesterday?
http://www.alternet.org/election-2012/dems-look-wonder-mitch-mcconnell-filibusters-his-own-proposal
some embarrassing stuff for the Kentuckian. Eat turtle, turtle face.
CC
December 7th, 2012
11:34 am
It depends on the reason for resigning. Certainly illness of the office holder or in the immediate family would be one of several justifiable reasons for resigning.
On the other hand, should a dimocrat choose to resign, no matter what the reason, and a conservative had a decent shot at the office, I would contribute money to help pay the election costs!
@@
December 7th, 2012
11:38 am
If you charge a % of the campaign fund balance it will only ensure there is no campaign fund balance.
RW has a grasp on human behavior. Obama and the dems? Not so much.
I have no respect for candidates who make a committment, then voluntarily bail on those who put them in office.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
December 7th, 2012
11:39 am
What Kyle is worried about is these Republican quitters leaving their jobs in the middle of a term and leaving the citizens in the lurch – see Palin, Sarah and, more recently, DeMint, Spear (or is that Jim?)
These quitters leave a bad taste in some voter’s mouths.
Moquiqui
December 7th, 2012
11:39 am
Or just avoid a special election altogether and let the governor appoint a temporary replacement, similar to the process where a U.S. senator or representative is replaced mid-term.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 7th, 2012
11:39 am
John Q, this thread isn’t even half a page old. Please try to follow Kyle’s rules and stick to the subject, OK?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 7th, 2012
11:41 am
RW, you forget that at some point, these politicians might just want to get back into office someday.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
December 7th, 2012
11:42 am
McConnell should step down after his act yesterday. You know the old joke about what follows after a redneck says “Ya’ll watch this…”?
McConnell yesterday: “Ya’ll watch this…”
RW-(the original)
December 7th, 2012
11:45 am
RW, you forget that at some point, these politicians might just want to get back into office someday.
Tibs,
What’s that got to do with anything I said?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 7th, 2012
11:51 am
Finn, in case you missed it (and of course you did), Harry Reid called for “unanimous consent” on the President’s plan, NOT a regular vote.
Nice try, but at some point, you’re really going to have to use some sources that actually know what is going on in the world, and not salon.com or alternet.
Tom(Independent Viet Vet-USAF)
December 7th, 2012
11:52 am
Finn – Nice comment, I guess you forgot about the famous or infamous Calif liberal who said ” we have to pass this bill before we find out what is in it”?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 7th, 2012
11:53 am
RW, this: “If you charge a % of the campaign fund balance it will only ensure there is no campaign fund balance.”
@@
December 7th, 2012
11:55 am
Barack Obama’s Senate career didn’t last long — about 46 months.
Just long enough to mount a 21-month campaign to move on to bigger digs.
All that after winning through manipulative tactics….having his opponents removed from the ballot.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
December 7th, 2012
11:58 am
we have to pass this bill before we find out what is in it”?
That’s a mis-quote.
Actual quote, referring to us citizens: “But we have to pass the bill so you can find out what is in it, away from the fog of the controversy.”
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/n/nancy_pelosi.html#U0rpJ7vqBtKMIrzq.99
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
December 7th, 2012
12:00 pm
after winning through manipulative tactics
Election’s been over for a month. Put those hankies away.
Dusty
December 7th, 2012
12:01 pm
RW,
So good to have you here. I hope it is permanent
.Your suggestion was good. Skip the special elections and use appointees until the next regular election time. That’s practical and thrifty.
MANGLER
December 7th, 2012
12:02 pm
Yes, they and their party should pay the full cost for a special election. They are elected on platforms that people vote for and send donations to support. To change your mind at any point before your replacement can be voted in is dereliction of duty and a violation of public trust, period.
I also feel that changing party affiliations should be banned until election time. A change of heart can happen, and if it does happen the politician can be vocal about it but needs to maintain the promises made to the constituency for that election. Considering the games politicians play, it’s all to easy to assume it was a designed event when one changes affiliation or steps down for something else.
RW-(the original)
December 7th, 2012
12:02 pm
Tibs,
I guess you’re trying to make the claim that they have no path back to office without a previously banked campaign fund and I strongly disagree. Most campaigns for initial office begin without a fund and a return by a previous office holder would be more successful if the claim could be made that “the people” were clamoring for that return and pledging money. If the politician just said the thing they left for didn’t work out so they were coming back using all this cash they stored from the first time they ran out I don’t think they’d have much luck.
Anyway, it looks like you have some ongoing battle here to deal with so I’ll step out of the way and let you get back to that.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 7th, 2012
12:03 pm
“Actual quote, referring to us citizens: “But we have to pass the bill so you can find out what is in it, away from the fog of the controversy.”
So according to Pelosi and Finn, us citizens are incapable of finding out and understanding what is in a bill before passage . . . .
Riiiiight.
The sanctimony is a bit thick today.
jd
December 7th, 2012
12:03 pm
Kyle — the election for SD 30 was a “primary” election — necessitating a runoff to determine the Republican nominee before the “general” election to be held after the new year. So, the SD 30 election does cost the taxpayer $$$ as the primary ballot is separate from the general.
Now, this brings us to the real question. Why should taxpayers foot the bill for private organizations, which the political parties are, to determine their nominees. We, the taxpayers, should fund one election. Period. If parties want to pick a nominee — let them pay for the process. And, eliminate runoffs by allowing voters to signal their first and second choices.
Time to bring efficiency to the process… we can’t afford this nonsense
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
December 7th, 2012
12:05 pm
Tiberius, you might have to sit down after reading this, from the ultra left wing, sheep, white-house talking points web site known as Salon.com:
Yes, unemployment is down slightly and 146,000 new jobs were created in November. That’s some progress. But don’t be blinded by the hype coming out of Wall Street and the White House, both of which want the public to believe everything is going wonderfully well.
The fact is some 350,000 more people stopped looking for jobs in November, and the percent of the working-age population in jobs continues to drop — now at 63.6%, almost the lowest in 30 years. Meanwhile, the average workweek is stuck at 34.4 hours.
Man, that sure is some party line towing if I’ve ever seen it!
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 7th, 2012
12:06 pm
“I guess you’re trying to make the claim that they have no path back to office without a previously banked campaign fund and I strongly disagree. ”
No, I’m merely making the case that politicians will not make a move without leaving the door open to a return to power, and that it would be easier for them to have a ready-made primed pump of campaign cash waiting for that possibility.
I’m not saying it is right or wrong, but merely that it is what it is.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 7th, 2012
12:06 pm
I’m with RDubya on this one, can the special election and let Deal seat the next officeholder. It would be a Repug anyway, they’re not weird enough to elect a democrat in Cherokee.
Anyway, what about a politician that gets elected and then leaves it to his lunatic Congress to govern while he golfs, plays b ball, vacations in exotic places and runs a perpetual campaign on the tax payers dime?
Who should reimburse us for this travesty?
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
December 7th, 2012
12:07 pm
Tiberius and John Q, you two need to get a room. This love-fest has been going on for several days now.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 7th, 2012
12:09 pm
It’s a good thing we are relatively anonymous on this blog, otherwise John Q would be at my front door stalking me and I’d ave to get a restraining order on him.
Once again, I don’t swing that way, fella.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
December 7th, 2012
12:11 pm
Who should reimburse us for this travesty?
You get to bask in the Obama glow just like the rest of us. Quit being greedy…
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
December 7th, 2012
12:13 pm
FTD has asked that you two bundle your flower orders so they don’t have to keep delivering to the same two addresses several times a day.
ohohoh
RW-(the original)
December 7th, 2012
12:17 pm
I’m not saying it is right or wrong, but merely that it is what it is.
And what I said from the jump was that it wouldn’t be that way anymore if you had a large % penalty hanging over that slush fund. I think you’ve spent so much time arguing with libs you’ve started arguing like one.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hiya Dusty and @@,
Good to “see” you both and hopefully we can catch up over the weekend.
Later all
@@
December 7th, 2012
12:22 pm
Election’s been over for a month. Put those hankies away.
Finn:
My comment had nothing to do with the November 2012 elections. Those manipulative tactics occurred during his initial foray into politics. Prior to that his community organizing left something to be desired, wouldn’t you agree?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-kjEMcBol4
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 7th, 2012
12:23 pm
“Literally, he’s been the most invisible former president in, like, ever. That couldn’t have anything to do with the bang-up job he did as POTUS, could it?”
No, it’s likely that he is one of but a handful of former Presidents who actually respects the office (as opposed to the current holder) and does what both beloved and reviled former Presidents do – retire from the public limelight and let their successor(s) have their time.
In fact, there are only two former Presidents who can’t seem to keep their traps shut following their term of office; Carter and Clinton – both Democrats. I have no doubt that when President Incompetent is gone in 2017, he’ll be unable to follow the courtesy every President but the other two have afforded their successors, either.
MANGLER
December 7th, 2012
12:30 pm
Apparently y’all should be over on the blogs at creative loafing, fenuxe, or Out. There are political blogs you’d feel pretty comfy with over there.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 7th, 2012
12:34 pm
Michigan becomes a right-to-work state:
http://news.yahoo.com/mich-legislators-defy-unions-ok-080330124–finance.html
Elections have consequences. While the lunatics run the asylum in Washington, sanity breaks out in state after state.
JamVet
December 7th, 2012
1:07 pm
Riiiiight.
W’s “respect for the office” (LOL) is why nobody in the GOP will even mention his name and why he has gone further underground that Saddam did.
The fact that his legacy is toxic has nothing at all to do with it…
Streetracer
December 7th, 2012
1:22 pm
I voted “YES” because anyone who runs for office makes a commitment to fulfill that term in office. On the other hand, I wouldn’t be opposed to leaving the office vacent until the next general election, because we have way to many politicians trying to run our lives now.
Beyond The Middle of the Road
December 7th, 2012
1:23 pm
Gee, good question, never really gave this much thought. Depending on the circumstances it would certainly seem reasonable that they should cover a share of the cost — especially if they still have funds in their campaign coffers.
Logical Dude
December 7th, 2012
1:23 pm
No, I don’t think politicians should cover the re-election costs. They shame from the electorate should be enough (well, except for here in Georgia where a similar
idiotcandidate will be elected.)Although, from a candidate perspective, they can say they left on their own terms (for those who did). I also feel it’s bad form for any of these candidates to make a run for office, important for the state/country/community, and then suddenly say “wait, no, I’m outta here.”
Anyone leaving office for personal reasons should also not need to repay. This opens a loophole for anyone to leave office by saying they need to spend more time with family. So, although the “make ‘em pay!!!” mentality is satisfying, I just don’t see it working in reality.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 7th, 2012
1:24 pm
No. The spot should be filled by appointment until the next scheduled election.
TBone
December 7th, 2012
1:43 pm
Heck I’d just like to politicians remove their damn signs from every vacant corner and lot,before the new year, and I bet they ran on that protect the environment line?!?!
@@
December 7th, 2012
1:52 pm
When did Chuck Norris, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Roger Ailes and Glenn Beck run for office?
After answering that, please bring forth evidence where any of the remaining set out to have opponents removed from the ballot prior to the election.
I’m all @@s (eyes).
========================
Oops!
Hello RW. I’m never here during the weekend. Hopefully I’ll catch you on your next drive-by, although I’m not around much these days. Outside interests prevail.
@@
December 7th, 2012
1:56 pm
John Q – lovin’ livin’ in the Obama boom (which is picking up steam every day)!!!
Alot of things pick up steam.Everytime I read ^^^ that, I can’t help but visualize a “steaming pile”.
Nothing personal, mind you.
JDW
December 7th, 2012
2:13 pm
@Tiberius…”No, it’s likely that he is one of but a handful of former Presidents who actually respects the office (as opposed to the current holder) and does what both beloved and reviled former Presidents do – retire from the public limelight and let their successor(s) have their time.”
SNORT…ROAR…spit my drink across the room…
I am pretty sure it has something to do with being judged one of the worst 5 Presidents in history, having lost all credibility whatsoever and being the kiss of death for any candidate.
Scooter
December 7th, 2012
2:15 pm
YES. They signed an employment contract (of sorts) with the public. There should be consequences for the privilege of voiding that contract. The people should be made whole at the voider’s expense.
suibne
December 7th, 2012
2:16 pm
shouldn’t failing news papers close down? shouldn’t the atlantic JC close down? Shouldn’t all socialists be in jail for fraud and theft of personal property? Yes. Yes and Yes.
suibne
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
December 7th, 2012
2:23 pm
atlantic JC
That a new paper?
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 7th, 2012
2:25 pm
Team Obama said in ’09 stimulus would have unemployment below 6% by 2012
B b b b b but, it’s Bushie’s fault.
@@
December 7th, 2012
2:37 pm
That’s an outright lie
Howz’bout rarely if ever anymore.
John Q:
Your mission, if you choose to accept it? Review weekend posts over the last 2…3…4 or more months. Come back with my overall total. If you choose not to accept the mission, we can assume you’re tossing out a steaming pile?
J/K! Wouldn’t want you to take your eye off your targets. Practice makes perfect, don’cha know.
But then there are those who, no matter how hard they try, fail in the end….that would be you.
I’m off to meet a man in the woods.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 7th, 2012
2:44 pm
“Were it not for the most (unpatriotically) obstructionist minority party in history, we’d be there already.”
Another lie.
President Incompetent had a huge majority is first 2 years in office.
The GOP could obstruct almost nothing, and with Snowe from Maine helping out, got most of what he asked for.
Just because your stupidity is repeated ad nauseum, John Q, doesn’t make it the truth.
Georgia, The " New Mississippi "
December 7th, 2012
2:50 pm
Classic GOP Johnny Reb……….You have money for a football stadium for the Falcons but complain about paying for special elections to fill legislative vacancies .
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 7th, 2012
2:58 pm
Let’s see . . . .
Stimulus I, Little Stimulus II, Cash for Clunkers, Obamacare, QE(fill n the appropriate numbers), Unemployment benefits extended twice, Bush tax rates extended once.
And yet, according to John Q, nothing improving the economy could get passed during President Incompetent’s term due to GOP obstructionism.
And what happens when he’s caught in the lie?
Another AmVet-like repetitive post.
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
December 7th, 2012
3:01 pm
No word ( or spin ) from Kyle on Today’s job numbers
Shocking. Simply shocking.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 7th, 2012
3:02 pm
So according to John Q’s cut and paste at 2:54, Britain’s FAILURE to enact austerity programs has caused their debt to remain high and their economy to tank.
And the point would be . . . . ?
(The point would be that John Q has an amazing inability to read and understand the English language)
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 7th, 2012
3:03 pm
Your spin is enough, Cheesy.
Kyle Wingfield
December 7th, 2012
3:27 pm
New Mississippi @ 2:50: I don’t know if you were addressing me, but if you were, you look mighty silly given that I’ve written many times that we shouldn’t build a new stadium.
Kyle Wingfield
December 7th, 2012
3:31 pm
Cheesy @ 3:01: You mean the job numbers which showed there were twice as many people who left the work force as there were who got jobs — almost 3.5 years after the recession ended? Those job numbers?
No spin required. But if I haven’t commented on them before now, it’s because, sadly, there’s nothing new in them. The job market’s still stuck in neutral.
1961_Xer
December 7th, 2012
3:43 pm
I like how all the libs have neatly framed this in terms of Republican politicians.
Remember, Obama left HIS senate seat to run for office. So let’s see: catlady, Tiberius, Will, CC, JohnQ, Mangler all believe that Obama should reimburse the state of Illinois for quitting his seat early. Interesting.
JDW
December 7th, 2012
3:54 pm
“The job market’s still stuck in neutral.”
Which is a damn nice upgrade from reverse.
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
December 7th, 2012
4:16 pm
– 42 percent of Georgia Republicans said they would be willing to secede from the United States because of President Barack Obama’s re-election. A like number say they wouldn’t. From PPP spokesman Tom Jensen: “I doubt that many Republicans would really secede if they had the choice- not that many people are signing the secession petitions- but their willingness to say they would is a measure of how unhappy they are over the president’s reelection.”
Racism is alive and well in the great state of Georgia.
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
December 7th, 2012
4:19 pm
This just in: SCOTUS to hear 2 cases on gay marriage. Equal marriage rights soon to be extended to all across our land, including Regressives.
Yup. Its all over for the bigots.
Their day is over.
Forward.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 7th, 2012
4:20 pm
“How do you feel about a guy with a disabled kid voting against something that would seek to achieve equal treatment on a global basis for other disabled people?”
More importantly, why are we even discussing a treaty ratification for something WE already do by law?
In case you missed it (and you always do, John Q), we’re the United States of AMERICA – not the world. We’ve already done our part, and it’s not up to us to ratify something we’ve already done – that would be a waste of the Senate’s time – it’s up to the countries that HAVEN’T implemented these laws to do something about it.
Not US.
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
December 7th, 2012
4:21 pm
“The job market’s still stuck in neutral.”
Which is a damn nice upgrade from reverse.
They conveniently forget the 700,000 or so jobs the economy was losing when Obama took over from the Disaster Dubya.
Don Abernethy
December 7th, 2012
4:21 pm
Don’t have a special election just let the office be vacant. If enough to the do nothings will take early retirement and we don’t fill their seats eventually we will get rid of all of them and the country might just pull out of the economic nose dive we are in.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 7th, 2012
4:23 pm
DOMA should be struck down as an unconstitutional abuse of Federal powers and the states should be allowed to decide for themselves.
Just as it should have been for Rowe v. Wade.
1961_Xer
December 7th, 2012
4:32 pm
John Q writes: Xer – you mean like Boy Wonder Ryan trying to leave his House seat to run for VPOTUS? You wouldn’t be carping as you are had Robme and the Boy Wonder won the Presidency.
I’m not carping on anything. I think things are fine (with special elections) just the way they are. I might prefer that Senators who leave early be appointed by their State’s governor (after all, the Senate IS supposed to represent the individual states), but I do NOT think public officials should be financially liable if an office holder leaves. How, again, is that “carping”?
JamVet
December 7th, 2012
4:38 pm
Which is a damn nice upgrade from reverse.
Nice burn, JDW…
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 7th, 2012
4:44 pm
A monkey could throw trillions of dollars we don’t have and stop the bleeding.
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
December 7th, 2012
4:47 pm
A monkey could throw trillions of dollars we don’t have and stop the bleeding.
Somebody had to.
It would be a lot worse if he hadn’t.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 7th, 2012
4:51 pm
“It would be a lot worse if he hadn’t.”
Speculation, Cheesy, but not factual.
Kyle Wingfield
December 7th, 2012
4:51 pm
We could be stuck in neutral for the rest of Obama’s presidency, and JDW and Cheesy will still talk about what it was like in late 2008.
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
December 7th, 2012
5:02 pm
We could be stuck in neutral for the rest of Obama’s presidency, and JDW and Cheesy will still talk about what it was like in late 2008.
Yes. Because the last time a Republican was in the White House it was a total disaster.
Your damn right we wont forget.
Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten
December 7th, 2012
5:03 pm
Thankfully the majority of the country agreed with us in November.
Forward.
Dusty
December 7th, 2012
5:08 pm
Kyle,
How much longer do the few women that post here have to put up with JohnQ calling them liars, “what you get paid for…..in the woods”and other insulting remarks?
He is using this blog to spread the worst stuff a filthy mind can produce.
I like your blog but lately I wonder if it is worth my time to read so much trash. (Yes, I know I can skip it but I keep hoping for a little more “class” and much less from the “clueless”..).
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 7th, 2012
5:15 pm
Too bad ridiculous slogans like “Hope and Change” and “Forward” only win elections but don’t accomplish anything else.
The most vapid, incompetent Presidency in the history of this nation continues unabated.
NoMoreRawDeal
December 7th, 2012
5:18 pm
I’m not in the least bit interested in giving Nathan Deal the power to ‘appoint’ state legislators, for any reason. No sir.
Streetracer
December 7th, 2012
5:21 pm
Dusty @ 5:08
I’d be willing to take some of them into the woods or an alley and teach them manners and respect for others, but I’d probably end up in jail for it.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 7th, 2012
5:21 pm
Too bad the guy who posted “Toodles” at 5:04 doesn’t even know the meaning of that expression.
Just as he doesn’t know anything else.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 7th, 2012
5:24 pm
I wonder how much John Q gets paid for repeating the same expressions over and over again.
‘Cause doing so and not getting paid for it is just plain stupid.
Or the standard operating procedure for a liberal. Both apply in this case.
They BOTH suck
December 7th, 2012
5:27 pm
Enter your comments here
Kyle Wingfield
December 7th, 2012
5:35 pm
John Q: I missed much of this afternoon’s commenting working on other things, but your 2:40 went way over the line. We’ll see you in 2013.
Maybe.
Johnny Boy says
December 7th, 2012
5:38 pm
How many unemployed proud democrats do we have blogging today anyway ? I just got home from work and am checking the blogwire…..
Georgia Voter
December 7th, 2012
5:45 pm
I think they should reimburse us, or at least be fined. Chip Rogers knew on November 2, which was 4 days before the election, that he had a job at GPB. He should have bowed out and let his opponent, Brandon Beach, take the election. That was just pure, slimy, disgusting Chip Rogers acting like the cad he is. For more info on Rogers, see:
https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Will-the-Winner-aka-Senator-Chip-Rogers-Please-Step-Down/198651746858030?fref=ts
Streetracer
December 7th, 2012
5:50 pm
Kyle @ 5:35
I went back to look for what John Q said at 2:40; couldn’t find anything. What did he say that was so bad?
Black Label
December 7th, 2012
5:52 pm
Take care John Q……..
Your not the first, several others have been given the same fate. They will be out in blog purgatory to meet and greet you….
getalife
December 7th, 2012
6:05 pm
Nothing but whining and crying on this blog.
Hilarious
Hillbilly D
December 7th, 2012
6:08 pm
This sucks but probably not any worse than what used to be a common practice back in the day, especially with judgeships.
Run for re-election unopposed, knowing full well you are going to resign. After you get re-elected, you announce your resignation. The governor appoints somebody to take your place. Your first bid for re-election is 4 years down the road and usually they ran unopposed (this was before the non-partisan judicial elections, which are a good thing in my eyes). So basically what you had was that elected judges were most always appointed by the governor. On the rare occasion that a judge ever did lose an election, he would wait a few months and they’d sneak him back in as a judge emeritus, meaning he had all the duties and powers of a judge, without ever facing election. (See: Mitchell, Judge Oscar, DeKalb County, circa the 1970’s.
So yes, this sucks but no worse than the old way. Moral of the story, they’ll always find a way to screw the electorate.
Kyle Wingfield
December 7th, 2012
6:15 pm
Streetracer @ 5:50: I’m not going to repeat it, but it was not fit for a family-friendly blog and certainly had nothing to do with politics.
Kyle Wingfield
December 7th, 2012
6:16 pm
OK, then, John Q. Let’s make it permanent.
Kyle Wingfield
December 7th, 2012
6:17 pm
And no, the comment that got John Q booted permanently won’t appear here, either.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 7th, 2012
7:03 pm
Hillbilly D, I’ve always been torn between the appointing of judges and the electing of judges.
Given my disdain for the intelligence of the electorate in general, I don’t think that electing people who can put you away for life (or worse) is such a great idea.
That being said, given the governors we elect (again, the problem with the electorate), their appointments have the possibility of being just as bad.
I suppose the best thing, as always, is to just avoid breaking the law.
Hillbilly D
December 7th, 2012
7:06 pm
I suppose the best thing, as always, is to just avoid breaking the law.
My background is a tad different than most folks who post here but I was always taught the object was to not get caught.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 7th, 2012
7:18 pm
Although my suggestion has a little more surety of outcome, yours also works pretty well.
Michael H. Smith
December 7th, 2012
7:25 pm
Should elected officials who resign their offices and prompt special elections be required to give their remaining campaign funds to counties to help cover the cost of those elections?
Yep.
Should more socialist-liberals get permanently booted off Kyle’s blog?
Double Yep.
Streetracer
December 7th, 2012
7:36 pm
Kyle @ 6:15
All I need to know. I’m considered to be a “rude, crude, socieally unacepticable red-headed step child” by a lot of folks. But there are standadrds that should be maintained.
bluecoat
December 7th, 2012
7:47 pm
If these people are not willing to serve out their terms,they should not run.Some exceptions like (Gabby) Arizona.Fine them and ban them from running again.If they switch parties hang them.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 7th, 2012
9:51 pm
“one of the worst 5 Presidents in history”
———————-
No trillion dollar deficits though.
Kept unemployment around 5% for eight years.
Fixed the Islamofascist terrorist problem he inherited.
Turned the economy around after the dot-bomb bust.
Didn’t put record numbers on the dole.
Kept our credit rating at AAA.
Our President Bush: Rate him as you wish, but he’s vastly superior to Obozo.
getalife
December 7th, 2012
9:51 pm
Echo chamber
getalife
December 7th, 2012
9:55 pm
“Our President Bush: Rate him as you wish, but he’s vastly superior to Obozo”
Whopper of a lie.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 7th, 2012
9:55 pm
Oh, Our President Bush never borrowed 46 cents of every dollar the government spent, as Obozo has to do thanks to his profligate, un-patriotic spending.
getalife
December 7th, 2012
9:59 pm
Your party exploded the deficit con.
The gop built that debt.
Taxes on the wealthy is coming.
Here's Johnny
December 7th, 2012
10:04 pm
Barry would whine 24/7 if he didn’t have to sleep.
You remind me of a character from “One flew over a cuckoos nest”
And you will respond because you can’t help yourself..
getalife
December 7th, 2012
10:04 pm
”
The Republicans’ “Job Creators” Don’t Create Jobs
Raising Upper-Income Tax Rates Won’t Hurt the Economy
Low Capital Gains Tax Rates Drive Income Inequality, Not Investment
Income Inequality is at an 80-Year High …
… While the Total Federal Tax Burden is at a 60-Year Low
Tax Cuts Don’t Pay for Themselves
Closing Tax Loopholes Can’t Pay for Lower Rates and Just Hit the Rich
The Estate Tax Has Virtually No Impact on Family Farms and Businesses
The National Debt? Republicans Built That
There Really Isn’t a Fiscal Cliff”
The gop are always dead wrong.
They say we are going over their cliff they invented so they will cut a deal.
bluecoat
December 7th, 2012
10:39 pm
xpresident bush was never Bush-Whacked.He inherited a well run presidency.Hon.President Obama inherited a broken ,bent,warped Bush-Whacked presidency.Not being a magician,it’s taking him some time to correct the inherited debt ridden presidency.
Lil' Barry Bailout -Vote American
December 7th, 2012
10:43 pm
The gop are always dead wrong.
———-
And yet, no GOP President has ever presided over a trillion-dollar defici or run up six trillion in debt in a single term.
Obozo: Epic fail.
Ronin
December 7th, 2012
10:45 pm
Yes. All funds they collected for political favor should be paid to the State to cover the cost of the special election. Actually, there should not be a special election, rather an appointment for the remainder of the term.
bluecoat
December 7th, 2012
10:47 pm
bush lost money by the sackfull.Lied when his lips were moving.Was well trained by ghw bush.
td
December 7th, 2012
11:24 pm
I have taken some time off the blog’s since the election (mainly to make sure my investments are in order before the Obama tax increases hit), been back on for a few days reading and have noticed something very puzzling.
The libs won the election and instead of being happy and rejoiceful have come back with more hate and disdain then ever. Why is this?
Get a grip Dems
December 7th, 2012
11:43 pm
Finn McCool,
YOU need to take your Meds and go away – back to your single wide!
Get a grip Dems
December 7th, 2012
11:49 pm
Bluecoat,
Pass the Doritos! Are u really this dillusional cause this cant be your “normal” thinking approach. Enough of the bs of what muss Obama came into, he now has 4 more years to fix ( while I move to Costa Rica), who is he going to blame then?
Get a grip Dems
December 7th, 2012
11:52 pm
Getalife,
Thought you were retired or something!
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 8th, 2012
7:06 am
Progs like to pretend their Little Lord Barry is some kind of super-president, but he’s done even worse than Our President Bush, so…….
Attack Dog
December 8th, 2012
7:11 am
Now we know why DeMint is so against taxing income over $250K. His $174K congressional salary wasn’t effected, but his $1 million CEO would. With his new Heritage Foundation salary, how many good paying jobs would he create if he kept an extra $9,000?
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 8th, 2012
7:15 am
Real Americans are against raising taxes on anyone at this point because
1) Obozo will just spend it
2) It’s immoral, greedy, and un-patriotic to take more than 10% of anyone’s earnings.
Michael H. Smith
December 8th, 2012
7:34 am
The libs won the election and instead of being happy and rejoiceful have come back with more hate and disdain then ever. Why is this?
Ever heard of the term, “Sore Winners”? If not, then you by now at least know them empirically, while the applied terminology remains pending.
Michael H. Smith
December 8th, 2012
7:41 am
Now we know why DeMint is so against taxing income over $250K
Yeah, I’ll bet he’s in the hip pocket of those MARTA bus drivers who make $250K plus a year too!
CC
December 8th, 2012
8:01 am
“Getalife, Thought you were retired or something!”
God should be so merciful!
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 8th, 2012
8:03 am
Progs never retire because it would be wrong to stop paying income taxes. Right?
AU Liberal in ATL
December 8th, 2012
8:07 am
There should be some kind of penalty for failing to fulfill your commitment. I’d say that if one resigns prior to the end of his or her term, they give up their pension benefits and any and all other government paid benefits. Additionally, I don’t care for elected officials who switch parties mid term. If they want to switch, they should have to wait for the next election and run in the party of their choice.
AU Liberal in ATL
December 8th, 2012
8:08 am
Note to Lilly….stfu. You’re such a dumbass.
CC
December 8th, 2012
8:11 am
LBB:
Progs never retire becausse they’re like termites, working relentlessly until all is destroyed.
CC
December 8th, 2012
8:15 am
AU Liberal in ATL:
“Note to Lilly….stfu. You’re such a dumbass.”
Seems that would serve better as a “reminder note” to yourself . . .
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 8th, 2012
8:16 am
That’s true, CC, and just like with termites, the damage is usually hidden until the thing they’re trying to destroy falls down.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 8th, 2012
8:29 am
AU Liberal in ATL: Note to Lilly….stfu. You’re such a dumbass.
———————
Thanks for the attention!
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 8th, 2012
8:41 am
…and nice job hitting the trifecta, AU: Changed the spelling of my screen name, snuck in a four-letter word, and engaged in personal attack with namecalling!
carlosgvv
December 8th, 2012
8:49 am
The question is not should they pay?
The question is will they pay anything or will they just slide into another cushy job at taxpayers expense?
You get three guesses.
The first two don’t count.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 8th, 2012
8:53 am
BTW, I don’t recall any progs complaining about Jesse Jackson Jr. doing the same thing.
CC
December 8th, 2012
8:58 am
“BTW, I don’t recall any progs complaining about Jesse Jackson Jr. doing the same thing.”
. . . and you won’t, because he’s ‘one of their own’.
Rightwing Troll
December 8th, 2012
9:40 am
“And yet, no GOP President has ever presided over a trillion-dollar defici or run up six trillion in debt in a single term.”
Except the last one whom you elected not once… but twice…
I know you all are smart enough to know how Credit Cards work, so I don’t understand how you give W a pass on the current state of our affairs… but you do… I wonder if we were discussing President McCain’s first term… would you all be so outraged??? The deficits would be NO different, and his options would be the same… tell the truth now… if you can.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 8th, 2012
10:00 am
I don’t understand how you give W a pass on the current state of our affairs
———————
See that word you used…”current”?
Our President Bush never proposed or ran a trillion-dollar deficit. It took him eight years to run up as much debt as Obozo did in a mere four. Our credit rating stayed at AAA while Our President Bush was in office. We didn’t have nearly as many folks on the dole under Our President Bush as we do under Obozo. Checked the labor participation rate lately? And Our President Bush kept unemployment around 5% for eight years, through the 9/11 and dot-bomb messes He inherited. It wasn’t Our President Bush who increased spending by $700 billion per year for four years…yep, that was Obozo. Obozo inherited a recovery–how did he screw it up this badly?
Obozo: Fiscal and economic disaster.
bluecoat
December 8th, 2012
10:01 am
Obama won.The people spoke.Now you in the minority(votes) accept or reorganize your T pot see if you can get it whistling again.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 8th, 2012
10:05 am
House Republicans won.The people spoke.Now you in the minority(votes) accept or reorganize your adult diapers to see if they can contain your rhetorical bowel movements.
Rightwing Troll
December 8th, 2012
10:12 am
” And Our President Bush kept unemployment around 5% for eight years, through the 9/11 and dot-bomb messes He inherited.”
That right there splains it all sparky… and obviously I was wrong about you… you truly don’t understand how Credit cards work…
So if W “inherited” something that affected the economy… how did Obama not? (this should be good…)
especially when the “dot-com bomb” was years after W took office and W’s recession was going on 2 years in 2008?
Rightwing Troll
December 8th, 2012
10:16 am
House Republicans won.(fewer seats than they had)
The people spoke.(that they wanted fewer nuts in the house)
The nuts control one of the 3 branches… yep the people spoke loud and clear… they don’t trust you ilks with 2/3’s control of the government… maybe all the lies had something to do with it… or the willful and ongoing destruction of the economy for political ends… I dunno.
Glenn Beck
December 8th, 2012
10:20 am
Barry is on his step stoop and huffing and puffing this morning…..
Hahahahahaha
Just don’t take the bib off, you wouldn’t want your drool to get on you new garanimal shirt
Poor little fella
yuzeyurbrane
December 8th, 2012
10:25 am
Legitimate health reasons, like Bulloch’s case, should always be an exception.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 8th, 2012
10:41 am
Rightwing Troll: So if W “inherited” something that affected the economy… how did Obama not?
————————
Bush did something about the messes He inherited. The economy recovered. Unemployment went down. Tax revenues went up. Economic growth went up.
Obozo made all the wrong moves and we’re still suffering because of it (see my litany of Obozofailures above). Had Obozo not intentionally stunted the recovery with Obozocare, hassling of business, hyper-regulation, and uncertainty over tax rates and overspending, we’d be back to normal and people would be working for a living instead of voting for one.
BehindEnemyLines
December 8th, 2012
10:42 am
What a silly notion … unless of course you’re going to also give those who are occasionally unopposed in a special election a check for the amount opening the polls would have cost.
Dusty
December 8th, 2012
11:10 am
Well, all kind of “swappings” down in the warm state of Florida. Former Republican Gov. Crist of that state has now decided he is a DEMOCRAT. Woohoo! Now, neither Democrats nor Republicans trust him. Wishy washy and self defeating in the great race to get ahead in politifcs.
Good riddance! No use to elect a man only interested in getting ahead any way he can. Informed opinions in Florida see Crist hanging on to Prez Obama’s coat tails in order to move forward to Washington
.Maybe he will get “appointed” there. How about Honorary Officer of Obamacare’s Extensions for Yokels known as HOOEY?
willie lynch
December 8th, 2012
11:11 am
I think politicians who win an election running for one party then switches to another party after they win should have to face another election under his new banner.
Cliff
December 8th, 2012
11:18 am
Does anyone think that when you quit your job that you should have to pay for your employer’s expenses in replacing you and expenses associated with the intervening vacancy? No. So why would we think politicians would have such an obligation, if we don’t think we should have that obligation?
@@
December 8th, 2012
1:28 pm
John Q: I missed much of this afternoon’s commenting working on other things, but your 2:40 went way over the line. We’ll see you in 2013.
Maybe.
OK, then, John Q. Let’s make it permanent.
One of those rare drive-bys on a Saturday afternoon.
Why? So I could say “Oh my!”
And to think, this intended target (@@) didn’t even feel “the pain”.
Oh well….
schnirt
CC
December 8th, 2012
2:28 pm
@@:
It would appear that losers never quit losing! To hurl words that the recipient never read and then be banished for the act is somehow so very fitting. At any rate, the banishment is welcomed by many and mourned by very, very few.
bluecoat
December 8th, 2012
4:37 pm
Sad when your T Pot won’t whistle anymore.Almost as bad as being Bush-Whacked.
Ben B
December 8th, 2012
5:03 pm
No, they should not pay but the special election should be by absentee ballot only which would reduce costs.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 8th, 2012
5:06 pm
I’m betting that this Christmas won’t be near as merry for the families of the heroes that died in Benghazi as it will be for the gluttonous obama family.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 8th, 2012
5:13 pm
As obama lavishes upon himself the finest Kobe Beef, the most expensive seafood and top shelf liquor, all on the tax payer’s dime, whilst hiding behind a phalanx of security in his walled in Hawaiian Kompound, his minions plot and scheme against “the rich.”
Sacrifice ain’t for everyone, I guess…
MarkV
December 8th, 2012
5:33 pm
It is difficult to outdo some of the stupidities one reads on this blog, but the crassness of criticizing ANY president of this country because he “lavishes upon himself the finest Kobe Beef, the most expensive seafood and top shelf liquor, all on the tax payer’s dime, whilst hiding behind a phalanx of security” surely competes for a prize.
Dusty
December 8th, 2012
5:51 pm
MarkV 5:33
Well, hmmm, kobe beef and expensive seafood.mmm
May be a bit crass but it surely does make me hungry…
MarkV
December 8th, 2012
5:54 pm
Dusty @ 5:51 pm
I would not mind a little of the same in a little while.
Linda
December 8th, 2012
6:20 pm
This is a new website for conservatives, aka sane people.
http://freebeacon.com/
CC
December 8th, 2012
6:54 pm
“It is difficult to outdo some of the stupidities one reads on this blog, but the crassness of criticizing ANY president of this country because he “lavishes upon himself the finest Kobe Beef, the most expensive seafood and top shelf liquor, all on the tax payer’s dime, whilst hiding behind a phalanx of security” surely competes for a prize.”
I guess that MarkV refers to facts now as “stupidities”.
Aesop posted earlier about the Christmas to be experienced by the families of those murdered in Benghazi (you know, MarkV, the people who were DENIED ASSISTANCE). Would you care to classify that as a “stupidity” as well?
CC
December 8th, 2012
6:57 pm
Libda:
Thanks! Looks to be another great conservative site.
bluecoat
December 8th, 2012
7:26 pm
Yeah Libda-when you can’t spell your own-Aka sane people.My T Pot won’t whistle any more.
Linda
December 8th, 2012
8:11 pm
bluecoat(spelled with a little b) @7:26, When you can’t even properly spell your own name, let alone mine (Libda?), maybe you should buy a new teapot, spelled teapot. A comma would have been appropriate after the word “Yeah” as well as after the word “Libda” rather than a hyphen. A double dash would have been more appropriate after the the word “own.” I could go on & on but you need to call your 3rd grade teacher to complain for your lack of education.
You, Sir, are a perfect example of why the fed. govt. needs to close the Dept. of Education & why the states, counties & cities need to privitize the entire school systems.
It’s best to keep your mouth shut than to show how the progressive public education system has had such a profound effect on your life.
Don’t mess with me again. Pick on someone who has less education than I do & less than yourself, which will be difficult.
I contribute to Kyle’s blog. You, Sir, have absolutely nothing to offer, other than insults.
CC
December 8th, 2012
8:24 pm
Linda:
I guess bluecoat was taking a shot at me because of my typo. That is about the best IT has to offer.
Anyway, thanks for the info on the website!
Linda
December 8th, 2012
8:59 pm
CC, Keep up the good work. Why would anyone in their right mind not be for fiscal conservatism in Dec., 2012 unless they are for the absolute destruction of the USA? That’s the goal of progressives, always has been, always will be. I didn’t know what a progressive was 3 yrs. ago. Now I do!
NO Artificial Flavors
December 8th, 2012
9:14 pm
Sometimes it’s less costly to the tax payers to let the jerks resign on their own before inflicting more fiscal damage on the taxpayers in office.
CC
December 8th, 2012
9:33 pm
Linda:
To me, the term “progressive” is only the politically correct way to say “communist”, and all of today’s democrats are communists.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 8th, 2012
9:37 pm
For decades I have called myself a Con and a Repug, never having to change my description or hide behind silly words such as “progressive.”
So, what are libs now, insurance salesmen?
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 8th, 2012
9:41 pm
When the con artist comes up to you on the street and wants to play the shell game, two things always happen.
If you are a lib, your eyes light up and you’re like wow, I’m gonna get rich.
If you are a Repug, you’re like “get lost, punk, get a job.”
Guess who is in charge of our nation’s financials.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 8th, 2012
9:47 pm
Guess who is in charge of our nation’s financials
———————-
They putz who wet his pants when an Ohio plumber asked him a question.
Linda
December 8th, 2012
10:22 pm
CC@9:33, What I’ve said before is that capitalism is the opposite of everything else. It doesn’t matter what you call the opposite: socialism, nationalism, federalism, Communism, etc.
Out form of govt. was an experiment & it worked until the progressives got involved & became a majority, nudging with each & every program.
Obama is our 4th progressive president & might be our last, if the US survives thru his 2nd term.
Congressman Alan West said it best & his remarks have always been scary but truthful. What a patriot!
I don’t think all Democrats are progressives. I don’t think the moderate Democrats or many conservatives understand the progressive agenda, but I do think that there are more moderate Democrats who have shifted to the left to become progressive, as liberals claim that Republicans have shifted to the right to become Tea Party members. Both parties have become more polarized.
I still do not understand why average Joes support the progressive agenda, what they think is in it for them, when it looks to me that the US will become bankrupt & that entitlement programs will cease to exist. I think that’s what you call utter stupidity.
getalife
December 8th, 2012
10:24 pm
What up cons?
Still looking for commies.
The 1950’s called and said there are no commie pinkos.
ld
December 8th, 2012
11:21 pm
Yes, unless the resignation is necessary for health reasons; ALSO elected polititions that resign before their term is over should NOT receive any benefits from any government entity such as insurance or retirement pay from having served in the office from which they are resigning, including members of the US Congress, including benefits supposedly due from prior terms in Congress — either house.
splavistic
December 9th, 2012
1:23 am
Gee, maybe we should ask ex-partial-governor Palin if citizens should pay for politicians who quit before their contract with the people is up. Yeah, Kyle, why didn’t you write this article years ago?
CC
December 9th, 2012
5:49 am
Linda:
“the US will become bankrupt & that entitlement programs will cease to exist. I think that’s what you call utter stupidity.”
I can’t fathom the thinking of these people. They are, in effect, killing “the goose that laid the golden egg.”
Can they not see that the time is approaching where no entity will lend the U. S. money ,when there will be further downgrading of the U. S.’s bond rating, when the dollar will cease to be the world’s currency and the coming hyperinflation that is sure to follow? Are the U. S. citizens so stupid as to believe that this totally out-of-control spending can continue much longer? All indications are that the destruction of our country and the America we knew is purposeful, and is aided and abetted by the ignorant and stupid.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 9th, 2012
5:59 am
“maybe we should ask ex-partial-governor Palin if citizens should pay for politicians who quit before their contract with the people is up.”
Maybe you should understand the way Lt. Governors assume office for the remainder of the term without the need for a special election before posting such a stupid comment.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 9th, 2012
8:01 am
CC: Are the U. S. citizens so stupid as to believe that this totally out-of-control spending can continue much longer?
—————————
Yes. A majority of U.S. citizens believe the government can print as much money as it needs in order to keep their handout checks coming and their EBT cards reloaded. And they’re right–the government can just keep printing money.
The problem comes for the responsible folks who work, save, and invest. The dollars they hold continue to decrease in value.
Proglodytes don’t care about currency debasement though, because the moochers they need to keep voting Democrat don’t have any currency.
MarkV
December 9th, 2012
8:37 am
CC @ 6:54 pm
A fine example of a mindless post.
CC
December 9th, 2012
9:16 am
MarkV@8:37:
“A fine example of a mindless post.”
Yes, your post was truly mindless as most of your posts are. I have learned that you have nothing of value to contribute. I don’t read your posts unless they are directed at me.
Now, run along and find someone else with whom to play. Perhaps you can find someone near your mental age? I understand that Miss Daisy’s pre-school is in session next week and I’m sure that you can find a toddler there you can best in an argument. Or, better still, return to Bookie-man’s blog. Most of you there are equally intelligence-challenged.
You are dismissed.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 9th, 2012
9:39 am
“This is just a simple way of returning the favor to our Syrian brothers that fought with us on the lands of Iraq,” said a veteran of Al Qaeda in Iraq, who said he helped lead the Nusra Front’s efforts in Syria.
It looks like the libs forgot one of their biggest propaganda lies about Iraq, either that, or they just don’t care if they get caught in a lie anymore.
Wow, how did Syria get Sarin nerve gas?!?!? Wow, Syrians fought with al qaida in Iraq?!?!? All these things we never knew but told y’all. What other nuggets of information will come tumbling down from the tower of babble?
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 9th, 2012
9:42 am
And isn’t Syria the perfect opportunity for a pro American administration to advance some national security gains without having to lift a finger? One islamic lunatic wants to use nerve gas on another islamic lunatic, I’d be like alright, sounds good, need any help? obozo’s like, yo, those are my lunatics, leave them alone.
Such a waste.
MarkV
December 9th, 2012
9:45 am
CC @ 9:16 am
”I don’t read your posts unless they are directed at me.”
CC = Liar: Evidence: CC @ 6:54 pm
MarkV
December 9th, 2012
9:47 am
CC @ 9:16 am
”I don’t read your posts unless they are directed at me.”
CC = Liar. Evidence: “…return to Bookie-man’s blog.”
MarkV
December 9th, 2012
9:50 am
CC @ 9:16 am
”I don’t read your posts unless they are directed at me.”
CC = Liar. Evidence: CC @ 9:16 am
Rightwing Troll
December 9th, 2012
9:52 am
“Guess who is in charge of our nation’s financials
———————-
They putz who wet his pants when an Ohio plumber asked him a question.”
And then proceeded to wipe the floor with you and your ilks, not once… but twice…
Spin the narrative all you want, it still don’t make your fantasies reality. W’s economy is getting better, OBL is dead, GM alive, housing prices are coming back, gas prices down, American manufacturing is returning to our shores, new construction is everywhere you look… these are the things you see when you shut off Faux News, close Brietbart and Drudgey on your puter, and step outside your front door (provided you unsqueeze shut your eyelids, and take your fingers out of your ears, and quit screaming “LALALALALALALALALA” when anyone tries to talk to you…)
Could things be better?… always… are things getting better? Heck to the yeah!!!… are you interested in being part of the solution??? Apparently not, you ilks wish to be THE solution, even though you’ve been wrong on pretty much everything for the entirety of the 2000’s…
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 9th, 2012
9:55 am
Yeah, things could be better, like when jimmy karter was president.
I didn’t think it could get worse but, damn, was I wrong.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 9th, 2012
9:59 am
Rightwing Troll: And then proceeded to wipe the floor with you and your ilks, not once… but twice…
—————————————-
I never claimed that the productive aren’t outnumbered by moochers and morons.
“Could things be better?” Yup. Obozo could return spending, deficits, unemployment, and our credit rating to where Our President Bush had them.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 9th, 2012
9:59 am
I guess al qaida forgot to be impressed about obozo sending a bunch of Navy Seals to kill a washed up old man in his pajamas playing video games hanging out in a safe house with his whole entire extended family.
In fact, it’s almost as though obozo has created some new terrorists.
Imagine that.
yeah baby
December 9th, 2012
10:03 am
“but, damn, I was wrong”
Why would you be surprised this time. You are wrong a good percentage of the time. That goes well beyond politics and your political predictions.
yeah baby
December 9th, 2012
10:06 am
Troll
They like to cry and moan. Somehow they derive self esteem from doing it on this blog.
makes them feel better about themselves
Let them have their fun. It is actually pretty funny…. To say the least.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 9th, 2012
10:16 am
Whoa, didn’t 10:03 spank me? How could I ever compete against such stunning intelligence and reasoning? Who let this vicious beast out of it’s cage?
(just trying to help our little libby out, giving it some more intentional sarcasm to base another snorting and mindless comment on. being charitable and all.)
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 9th, 2012
10:21 am
MarkV calling out others for mindless posts is like a midget calling out short people.
JamVet
December 9th, 2012
10:27 am
Aesop, why are you and most of the Republicans in this country so angry about OBL’s death?
When America wins, the GOP loses. And vice versa.
LOL at you Uncle Sam/America haters.
Stay losers, my friends…
CC
December 9th, 2012
10:30 am
Anyone else ever notice that MarkV and JamVet seem to show up at about the same time?
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 9th, 2012
10:34 am
I believe that you are the one who has taken up angry and run with it in this situation, jamvet.
Me, I’m amused. obozo told us al qaida was a goner because he double tapped their most prominent AARP member. No social security for you, grandpa. But, for some reason, al qaida seems to be coming back stronger than they were when Bush/ Cheney was around.
Go figure.
MarkV
December 9th, 2012
10:39 am
CC @ 10:30 am
“Anyone else ever notice that MarkV and JamVet seem to show up at about the same time?”
A remarkable post from someone who claims he does not read my posts, unless they are directed to him, which they are only as a response to his posts. How would he know the above?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 9th, 2012
10:51 am
CC, MarkV and AmVet are two very different posters.
MarkV posts a singular level of nonsense, specializing in wordsmithing, parsing, and denying he ever meant what he wrote.
AmVet posts the same things over and over again in a stunning level of hateful screed.
Neither have a place in intelligent conversation, however, which is the only real thing they have in common.
Lil' Barry Bailout -Vote American
December 9th, 2012
10:56 am
OBL is dead, but sadly al Qaeda is alive.
Lil' Barry Bailout -OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 9th, 2012
11:06 am
Oops! Found another device that needed updating to the current screen name.
Americans lost this last election…another opportunity to make progress toward fixing Obozo’s various messes comes in two years.
CC
December 9th, 2012
11:19 am
Tiberius:
I wasn’t suggesting that they were one and the same, but more that they seem to post in some mindless tandem fashion. Neither is remarkable as pertains to content or thought.
CC
December 9th, 2012
11:28 am
Aesop:
“Yeah, things could be better, like when jimmy karter was president. I didn’t think it could get worse but, damn, was I wrong.”
Exactly! I was definitely wrong about that, and every day adds even more proof of it.
JamVet
December 9th, 2012
11:49 am
Aeslop, OBL is dead and you Republicans hate it.
al qaida seems to be coming back stronger than they were when Bush/ Cheney was around.
Bush/Cheney?
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Now we are getting down to what is important to you losers.
I love it.
And better luck in 2024…
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 9th, 2012
11:58 am
To better understand the battle in Afghanistan, look to Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Sinai, Syria or Iraq—all places where al Qaeda and associated groups are a growing presence. (Al Qaeda in Iraq has doubled in size in the year since U.S. troops left the country.) – Retired General Jack Keane, a former vice chief of staff of the U.S. Army, is chairman of the Institute for the Study of War.
blah, blah, blah, jamvet, we heard it all before, blah, blah.
The same old.
OneFreeMan
December 9th, 2012
12:15 pm
No, they should be offered a bonus (free ticket home or lunch). If they don’t want to be there then they should be relieved of their duties immediately.
Thulsa Doom
December 9th, 2012
12:19 pm
Not only is Al-Qaeda alive but it seems they and the hard line Islamofascists are having quite an influence as a result of the Arab spring. Islamofascists now rule Egypt and Morsi is about to turn it into a dictatorship.
They also have influence in the new Libya and if Al Assad gets overthrown in Syria there’s no doubt that the Islamofascists will take over there.
Getting UBL was nice. But that is peanuts compared to the rise in radical Muslim power taking place right now before our very eyes throughout the Middle East.
No question about it. Under this president Al Qaeda and hard line Islamics are gaining unprecedented power in the Middle East. That alone makes foreign policy under this president an historical disaster.
yeah baby
December 9th, 2012
12:43 pm
Thulsa
That spanking Bookman gave you the other day was classic..
You were calling bloggers dolts and looked like the biggest on of them all.
It was great
Rob Moore
December 9th, 2012
1:57 pm
In cases such as these, yes, they should have to pay for the special elections, but there are circumstances for which we should forgive the cost. If the politician or close family member is diagnosed with serious physical or mental illness, they should not have their burden increased out of simple human compassion. If the politician resigns at the request of the governor or president to serve in another role, then rather than the politician contribute to the cost, let the governor’s office or president’s office bear the elected official’s cost. I think rules should be developed, but there should not be a one size fits all requirements.
Elected officials who switch parties during a term should be required to resign and run, again, as well as helping pay the cost of the special election. To me, party is important because individuals cannot do much, but the combined strength of a party can do a lot. It amounts to bait and switch.
zeke
December 9th, 2012
2:00 pm
If for health or for serious personal/family causes, no, otherwise, ABSOLUTELY!!!
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 9th, 2012
4:06 pm
Time for the Falcon’s choke.
Halftrack
December 9th, 2012
4:47 pm
Politicians should not resign immediately after the election. New laws should be made that if they are elected in November that they must complete the 1st session of the Legislature unless physical disability prevents them from doing so and it happened or discovered after the election date. Political games should be outlawed concerning vacancies. Ethics and integrity is a must of our leaders.
The AntiBoortz
December 9th, 2012
8:04 pm
Everyone KNOWS the world is flat!
Linda
December 9th, 2012
8:31 pm
Rightwing@9:52, Do you really believe any of the talking points you are spewing? Have you even tried to verify them? Do you know that you are on a conservative blog where we verify everything, regardless of whether the “news” originates from conservative media or the left-wing media?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 9th, 2012
8:54 pm
And just a little reality for Rightwing Troll:
“W’s economy is getting better,”
With the most anemic recovery in the history of this nation, even though other recessions were far worse.
“OBL is dead,”
Which didn’t keep AQ from murdering 4 Americans, including our ambassador in Libya.
“GM alive,”
And would have been if they had gone through a private reorganization, and we wouldn’t have spent a dime to see it done.
‘housing prices are coming back,”
In certain areas. Others? Not so much.
“gas prices down,”
After rising to some of their highest levels ever during President Incompetent’s term.
“American manufacturing is returning to our shores,”
One company does not make a trend.
“new construction is everywhere you look”
Some places, yes. Others? Not so much.
But I guess when you’re in the sunshine and skittles world of the Obama sycophant, everything looks rosier than reality does. Must be the free phones, the extended unemployment coverage or increased food stamps that colors the view . . .
Linda
December 9th, 2012
9:14 pm
Seems like the Democrats have almost everything they wanted.
They have been complaining about ALL of the Bush tax cuts since the first of them were passed in ‘01. Those are all gone.
The Democrats have been complaining about the Bush tax cuts for the “wealthy,” those “millionaires & billionaires,” when everyone in the world knows that taxes are based on income, not wealth, & there is no requirement whatsoever that couples making $250,000 a year have a dime to their names, especially those who live in expensive areas of the country & who are paying for college & taking care of elderly parents. It was nothing more than class warfare. Those tax cuts are all gone.
While the Democrats have been complaining about ALL the Bush tax cuts since ‘01, they campaigned about only the Bush tax cuts for the middle & upper income earners. That was deceit.
The Democrats campaigned on the Bush tax cuts for the “wealthy.” They could have extended the Bush tax cuts for the middle & lower income earners if they had WANTED back in ‘09 or ‘10, but their goal has been to raise taxes on ALL income brackets, from day one. They are doing exactly that.
The Democrats have always wanted to cut Defense. The sequester does exactly that, designed by the Obama adm., that the Republicans voted for, by a percentage more than the Democrats would have ever been able to negotiate otherwise. That’s a done deal.
There are no meaningful spending cuts, a Democratic utopia.
The fiscal cliff was engineered by the Obama adm., passed by congress, which will take our country into another recession, escalating the approach to bankruptcy, & is the dream-come-through of progressives.
The only little detail holding the progressive agenda back is the demand to take away the power of the legislature & cede it to Obama to raise the debt ceiling.
Last, but not least, the Democrats’ plan was to blame the Republicans for taking the country over the fiscal cliff, when it has been the Democrats’ plan from day one. It is a brilliant plan on behalf of the Democrats. The divide in the Republican party has been a bonus for the Democrats.
I, for one, have seen the deception & hope that even liberals will not been too keen on the dire predictions for our country, short-term or long-term.
Linda
December 9th, 2012
9:25 pm
There is not a doubt in my mind that the goal of Obama, the progressives & the Democrats is to destroy the USA. There is no way to “transform” it without taking it down. We will know in just a few months.
Linda
December 9th, 2012
9:26 pm
You will not hear what I am saying on FOX News or talk radio. It is taboo.
getalife
December 9th, 2012
9:38 pm
The gop are one huge regulation stopping our economy and recovery.
Get out of our economy gop and fix your failed party.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 9th, 2012
10:08 pm
Teh stoopid.
It burns.
getalife
December 9th, 2012
10:11 pm
“Fiscal cliff” and the debt debacle are regulations stopping our economy and free enterprise.
The only thing your failed party should be doing is fix their failed party or disband.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 9th, 2012
10:26 pm
““Fiscal cliff” and the debt debacle are regulations stopping our economy and free enterprise.”
First, you know nothing about what drives an economy, getalife.
Second, if this was so important, why hasn’t President Incompetent done anything about it except kick the can down the road and treat it as an afterthought?
getalife
December 9th, 2012
10:30 pm
He met with your speaker today to try to remove these gop regulations.
Fix your party.
The adults will fix our economy that your failed party exploded our deficit.
bluecoat
December 9th, 2012
10:33 pm
Yes and the T Pot is gone,Cheesy grits gone,bush-whacker gone.Chances for a republican president gone for at least 4 years.Now if the poor loser would just be gone.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 9th, 2012
10:33 pm
Once again, getalife, I’m not a Republican.
I’m a Constitutionalist. You’re not ready to debate that just yet.
Linda
December 9th, 2012
10:34 pm
Tiberius@10:26, If you ignore “it,” “it’ will go away.
Sign in state park: Don’t feed the animals.
Arguing with liberals is beneath your dignity & intelligence. Don’t waste either. When will you learn that?
Love, Mom.
getalife
December 9th, 2012
10:37 pm
Constitutionalist?
You are just con.
Is the debt limit in the Constitution?
How about a “fiscal cliff”?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 9th, 2012
10:44 pm
There are lots of things that aren’t specified in the Constitution, getalife. You’d know that if you took the time to actually read it.
The Constitution defines the LIMITS of our government, not everything it does.
And the “fiscal cliff” is a news organization coined phrase.
See, you’ve learned something new today.
getalife
December 9th, 2012
10:53 pm
No, they are gop needless regulations created to get our President and stop our recovery.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 9th, 2012
10:59 pm
“No, they are gop needless regulations created to get our President and stop our recovery.”
Really?
List the specific regulations, getalife.
This should be fun . . .
getalife
December 9th, 2012
11:05 pm
No, the gop should have waited until we return to full employment so our economy can handle the regulations of cuts.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 9th, 2012
11:15 pm
If we wait until full employment, that would have required putting a GOP President and Congress in place, not President Incompetent.
getalife
December 9th, 2012
11:20 pm
BS and the gop never had a problem raising our debt when they blew out our deficit.
The gop are one big economic needless regulation.
Cut that regulation cons. cons.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 9th, 2012
11:21 pm
And yet, you fail to list a single regulation.
Because you don’t know what a regulation is.
captguitarman
December 10th, 2012
2:18 am
Define “early.” Early because of unanticipated health, or family, or other hardships . . . or early because you were out on the fringe, out playing in political la-la land, or a participant in private unethical, of not illegal, business practices, and making the Senate so dysfunctional that every one in your party and the Gov couldn’t wait to get rid of you? And they want to get rid of you so badly that the Gov steps in and creates this stupid non-essential, make work job at a salary yet to be announced, which will be breathtakingly far more costly than any real productive service imagineable (salary yet to be announced), and with resentful, fellow, productive employees by the dozens wondering what in the world you are doing there, and why are you being paid so much more than they are? And all your self righteous pontificaton about bringing state finances under control, but hey, what’s $500,000 to the taxpayers if it bails me out of a bady, and hey, why not bust a move to get out of a legitimate loan obligation to yet another failed Georgia bank that failed because it did bidness with people like you? Hypocrite and hypocrites to the very core.
When King Roy and the arrogant Dems ruled Georgia, it was infuriating, and I could not wait for the day when the righteous and fair Pub/Cons would one day have their chance to make things right in Georgia state government. The moral of the tale — be careful what you wish for. All that has changed is the name of the party in control.
John
December 10th, 2012
6:59 am
The adults will fix our economy that your failed party exploded our deficit.
Funny how the O-sink-O-pants refer to their leaders as “the adults.” I can only imagine them sitting at the children’s table waiting for the piddling allowance they’ve been promised.
Darwin
December 10th, 2012
7:30 am
Should people who take a boat out in stormy weather pay for the cost of their rescue?
Thomas Heyward Jr
December 10th, 2012
8:04 am
In a more sane world, only the voter and the votee would be charged for such R versus D nonsense.
Rightwing troll
December 10th, 2012
8:13 am
Linda, like I said, open your eyes… All that I said is happening and more. Even if you and your ilks refuse to acknowledge it…
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 10th, 2012
8:50 am
The President has survived his first four years by blaming everything on George Bush. Now he is planning to blame the next four years on Congressional Republicans.
Notice how no one thinks the economy is going to get better, no matter what?
Rockerbabe
December 10th, 2012
9:10 am
YES, especially when the resignation is for something other than criminal, ethnical, family or health issues of a long term nature. But, I am happy that deMint will be leaving. Now maybe, the Senate will be less fracterious and can get something done.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 10th, 2012
9:58 am
“Now maybe, the Senate will be less fracterious and can get something done.”
I didn’t know Harry Reid was resigning, Rockerbabe, ’cause that’s the only way the Senate begins to get anything done.
Rightwing Troll
December 10th, 2012
10:31 am
Yes cryberious, The only way for the senate to function again is for the MAJORITY leader to resign…
Makes sense in the bizarro world where things aren’t improving and the party who gets their hateful, lying, butts whipped should be able to call all the legislative shots…
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 10th, 2012
10:39 am
Here’s reality, Rightwing Troll.
In the real world, even a minority view would be heard, considered and even incorporated into bills coming out of the Senate. We call that “compromise”. When the majority leader allows for NONE OF THOSE THINGS TO OCCUR, it turns the minority into as one-sided a body as the majority is, and they then have every right to become obstructionist.
When you take on the title of “leader”, the hope is that you have the ability to LEAD.
Harry Reid is no leader. A leader listens to all sides. A leader tries to bring people on board. A leader tries to get things done.
If you want things to get done in the Senate, you need a majority leader who understands the word.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 10th, 2012
10:47 am
If the Democrats have a plan for dealing with the cliff, let them pass it through the House. They won everything in the recent election, so it should be a slam dunk.
Rightwing troll
December 10th, 2012
7:58 pm
Keep on with the lies and openly cheering for failure and the house will be theirs as well…