Hold the phone people, we may just have a race on our hands for the Republican nomination. What was suppose to end as a 3-0 sweep for Mitt Romney, has turned into a 1-2 Free for all. Starting off, Romney finds out he has in fact, lost Iowa to Rick Santorum. Next, he is still struggling hard to connect with conservative Republican voters. This was evidenced by his 12 point shellacking in South Carolina. A victory that came just 2 days after polls put him up by 10 points. So how did he do it? By whipping up hard right conservative rubes, attacking the media elite, and in general tapping into a deep seated hatred for President Obama. The vision he paints for America is not conciliatory, or hopeful, or based on pragmatic substance of any kind. In the case of South Carolina, he won because he played to the baser dog whistle issues that gather great enthusiasm, particularly in the south. I found this incredibly evident while trying to make his victory speech in Columbia last night, while being constantly assailed by a handful of drunk rednecks in the audience. I almost felt bad for the man.
So what does this do for the race? Well, it makes it a lot longer, which is good for the Democrats. Three contests, and three winners, does not bode well for Romney in particular. He is the establishment pick, but the people STILL are not buying. The next contest in Florida now plants a crossroads. Does the establishment regain control with a Romney win? or does Gingrich pull off another win, which will begin, I believe, Romney's collapse. However, Florida is NOT South Carolina, make no mistake about it, and I think it will take more than a few good debate performances, and angry rhetoric to win there. He likes to demonize the President, but his vision for America gets lost in his hubris. There is a reason 60% of the American people don't like him personally, and those numbers come from FOX!
The other consideration to note now is Rick Santorum? Despite his 75% support from a meeting of evangelical leaders in Texas last week, Gingrich beat him by more than 2 to 1. He says he's staying in, but so did Rick Perry. If Santorum folds before the Super Tuesday primaries in March, all bets are off, because those voters will go overwhelmingly to Gingrich. I also don't see Santorum keeping pace in the cash race, not to mention his primary message is only resonating with a fraction of the conservatives he needs to continue. Faith, Family, and Freedom, would have played a lot better in 2004, than in 2012. Yes conservatives think family is important, but jobs and the economy are more important. If Newt Gingrich can take the issue of entertaining an open marriage, and go from Judas to Jesus in 6.5 seconds, while vilifying the liberal media at the same time, I think it's fair to say people just don't care about those issues as much in this election cycle.
Will conservatives be able to buck the establishment candidate they want, which is Romney? The question is more in doubt than ever, but if they do, you can bet Democrats will be saying "Yes Virginia there is a Santa Clause!" Why? Because Newt Gingrich will hand the Republicans the candidate they may want, but he will also hand them the biggest Democratic presidential victory since Johnson beat Goldwater. The man is loved by the far right, but he cannot win a general election. In South Carolina for the first time, polls suggested Republican voters thought Gingrich was the better man to beat President Obama. It's game on people! Now if you'll excuse me I have to put my new "Gingrich for President" sign in the yard.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Mitt Romney The Republican Everyman
I think it's time we took a look at Governor Romney the presumptive Republican favorite, in a light which is he doesn't care for, but portends some truths. Romney likes to go around the country and play the everyman. He pretends he's unemployed, tells his audiences how he has feared the pink slip many times in his life, that he understands the middle class of America. In this self made reality, he tries desperately to connect to regular people. However, his actions speak louder than his words, and no one else can see the reality HE is talking about.
Again, I not out to impugn anyones success, but lets face facts, if you come from money the chance that you will lose that status is incredibly weak. Mitt Romney comes from money, his father was very successful in the auto industry, and a former Governor of Michigan. Romney is the product of private boarding schools, and an Ivy League education. Upon college graduation he "got a job" (was handed a job) at Bain Capital, and his first home was purchased by his father. I think it is fair to say that this man has never worked a hard day in his life. He's never worked in construction, farming or agriculture, manufacturing, as an educator, first responder, or served in the military.
Today he has a net worth of roughly $250 Million dollars. Most of his money does not come from work, but things like tax shelters, dividends, and capital gains. The majority of these based in the Cayman Islands. he freely admits paying only 15% in taxes on these profits which make him anywhere from $9 to $30 Million dollars a year. Most middle class working Americans who make a minute fraction of that, pay around 32% in taxes. Romney will be the first to tell you "this is the way our tax system is set up." He will also tell you with regard to his income that "I get money for speaking fees, but not very much." He made $375,000 in speaking fees last year, not very much indeed. None of what I have mentioned is illegal, or suspect in its acquisition. It is a very clear view into what is known today as the 1%. In defense of his "living" he likes to throw around the term "The politics of envy", that the system is what it is, do not blame him. "I will not apologize for my success!" I suppose being born with a silver spoon in your mouth could be viewed as success, but I'm not sure mainstream Americans are buying that.
If you make $10 Thousand dollar bets like it's pocket change, and profess wanting to help the middle class housing situation, while proclaiming the housing crisis should collapse, so more people can rent their homes. If you advocate letting the American auto industry fail, and that it should not be bailed out by the government. Then look back to 1991 when Bain & Co. took a $10 Million dollar government bail-out which eventually made him millions. If you accuse the President of crony capitalism, while your biggest Super-Pac contributors are tied to companies like AIG, as well as, some of the biggest Wall Street offenders who only survive today because of a massive taxpayer funded government bailout. While none of which have been prosecuted, and who today are reaping record profits and bonuses. Then your credibility suffers as a result. I'm not sure, but I don't think most Americans enjoy a shoe shine on the tarmac, before they hop on their private planes? If this is how you live, and you balk at releasing your tax returns, I have a problem? If you have made millions over the years as a corporate raider who's destroyed peoples lives, so you and your company could turn a profit, I have a problem? If your tax policy for people who make $20 Thousand dollars a year or less, increases their taxes 60%, I have a problem? If your tax policy for those who make $1 Million dollars or more a year, cuts their taxes by 15%, I have a problem? If you think this kind of policy should be discussed in "quiet rooms" away from the public eye, right again, I have a problem?
Mitt Romney wants us all to embrace him as the everyman, yet nothing could be further from the truth. At a time when income inequality, and the divide between the Mitt Romney's of the world, and the rest of us, is growing exponentially, take a moment to see the real Mitt Romney. A very rich man in the 1%, supported by big money interests in the 1%, to promote public policies that favor the 1%, and be the nominee of a Republican party that vows to protects those interests. So don't be fooled, the next time you hear Romney invoke the poor, the working people, the middle class, recognize he hasn't got a clue what he's talking about. The only everyman people see in Romney is the one who shows every position on every issue, and only God knows how many that is.
Again, I not out to impugn anyones success, but lets face facts, if you come from money the chance that you will lose that status is incredibly weak. Mitt Romney comes from money, his father was very successful in the auto industry, and a former Governor of Michigan. Romney is the product of private boarding schools, and an Ivy League education. Upon college graduation he "got a job" (was handed a job) at Bain Capital, and his first home was purchased by his father. I think it is fair to say that this man has never worked a hard day in his life. He's never worked in construction, farming or agriculture, manufacturing, as an educator, first responder, or served in the military.
Today he has a net worth of roughly $250 Million dollars. Most of his money does not come from work, but things like tax shelters, dividends, and capital gains. The majority of these based in the Cayman Islands. he freely admits paying only 15% in taxes on these profits which make him anywhere from $9 to $30 Million dollars a year. Most middle class working Americans who make a minute fraction of that, pay around 32% in taxes. Romney will be the first to tell you "this is the way our tax system is set up." He will also tell you with regard to his income that "I get money for speaking fees, but not very much." He made $375,000 in speaking fees last year, not very much indeed. None of what I have mentioned is illegal, or suspect in its acquisition. It is a very clear view into what is known today as the 1%. In defense of his "living" he likes to throw around the term "The politics of envy", that the system is what it is, do not blame him. "I will not apologize for my success!" I suppose being born with a silver spoon in your mouth could be viewed as success, but I'm not sure mainstream Americans are buying that.
If you make $10 Thousand dollar bets like it's pocket change, and profess wanting to help the middle class housing situation, while proclaiming the housing crisis should collapse, so more people can rent their homes. If you advocate letting the American auto industry fail, and that it should not be bailed out by the government. Then look back to 1991 when Bain & Co. took a $10 Million dollar government bail-out which eventually made him millions. If you accuse the President of crony capitalism, while your biggest Super-Pac contributors are tied to companies like AIG, as well as, some of the biggest Wall Street offenders who only survive today because of a massive taxpayer funded government bailout. While none of which have been prosecuted, and who today are reaping record profits and bonuses. Then your credibility suffers as a result. I'm not sure, but I don't think most Americans enjoy a shoe shine on the tarmac, before they hop on their private planes? If this is how you live, and you balk at releasing your tax returns, I have a problem? If you have made millions over the years as a corporate raider who's destroyed peoples lives, so you and your company could turn a profit, I have a problem? If your tax policy for people who make $20 Thousand dollars a year or less, increases their taxes 60%, I have a problem? If your tax policy for those who make $1 Million dollars or more a year, cuts their taxes by 15%, I have a problem? If you think this kind of policy should be discussed in "quiet rooms" away from the public eye, right again, I have a problem?
Mitt Romney wants us all to embrace him as the everyman, yet nothing could be further from the truth. At a time when income inequality, and the divide between the Mitt Romney's of the world, and the rest of us, is growing exponentially, take a moment to see the real Mitt Romney. A very rich man in the 1%, supported by big money interests in the 1%, to promote public policies that favor the 1%, and be the nominee of a Republican party that vows to protects those interests. So don't be fooled, the next time you hear Romney invoke the poor, the working people, the middle class, recognize he hasn't got a clue what he's talking about. The only everyman people see in Romney is the one who shows every position on every issue, and only God knows how many that is.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Money, Money, Everwhere, Takes Away OUR Voice
As South Carolina approaches, and with it the probability that Mitt Romney will be the Republican nominee, I think the money at play in this election cycle deserves a look. Everyone by now is familiar with the "Citizens United" case, that has opened the flood gates to a sea of money in our political campaigns. You can contribute as much as you want, as often as you want, and do it all without disclosing who, or where the money came from. America will now be at the mercy of the highest bidder. Now some of you may be asking yourself "So what's changed?" Well let me tell you. While it is true we have been at whim of lobbyists for big business, corporations, unions, banks, insurance giants, big oil, and the rich in general, and Congress has operated like puppets to these entities for decades; something new has been added to this mix. In the simplest form, in the most convenient definition, and on top of and including the laundry list I have noted above, lets introduce unlimited money. The big money interests of this country were declared "people" by the Supreme Court in 2010. So, no matter what you represent foreign or domestic, corporate or individual, if you have big money, American style politics has become your new best friend. There are no limits, no disclosures, and no stopping the wealthy enterprises of America to buy our elections outright.
At a time when 1 out of 2 people in this country are living at, or below the poverty level. At a time when the middle class is shrinking, and incomes are flat. At a time when the disparity between rich and poor has never been greater. Isn't this just another indictment that our country is in fact a plutocracy? Do public employees, the elderly, the middle class, the working poor, all those who the Occupy folks would call the 99%, can we the people, run million dollar ads to promote the candidates of our choice? I certainly can't, can you? For the huddled masses all we have is our vote. A vote that record breaking billions will attempt to buy this year by trying to influence your choice. The ads will be nasty, bleak, nonfactual in most cases, and be poured out on the airwaves ad nausea until November, and somewhere under all this money, is our democracy drowning under the weight of a Tsunami of big money interests.
I will not pretend that both parties will not profit from this new spoils system, but make no mistake, the Republicans are the ones who pander to the majority of these interests. They are the ones who protect all those entities I mentioned before, and they are the ones who will profit most from this new money take all election cycle. Make no mistake, the Republicans are about to nominate a multi-millionaire, who was a corporate raider, and made his living on the backs of the very people he now claims he understands, and sympathizes with. Just because you use middle class in your speeches doesn't make you an advocate. Just because you claim concern for the poor, even though you haven't got the slightest idea what that is, certainly brings no comfort to the poor.
If you are wealthy, if you have means, good for you, I'm not out to impugn any ones success. Richard Nixon addressing his staff for the final time said something to this affect "...only when you have been in the deepest valley can you appreciate how glorious it is to reach the highest mountain." We have alot of people running our government right now that have always lived on that highest mountain, and as a result have lost touch with what it means to be in the deepest valley. Here in lies our great dilemma. We have become a country of haves and have nots, and the division is growing. Many people suffer under the delusion that because our leaders and big money interests live on the mountain, that one day they can live on that mountain too. The shinning city on the hill is reserved for a select few, they hold the power, and they choose who gets into the neighborhood. They hold out their hands at election time promising to pull us up to allow us to see what they see, but they never quite reach, and those poor people will vote against their own personal interests just to to get a glimpse at the mountain top. In the meantime, those of us in the valley strive for the day when everyone can climb that mountain, through hard work, a decent wage, take care of our children, give them an education, and retire in comfort after a lifetime of labors, that is the American Dream, and we are losing it. Losing it to a select few with the most influence, the most power, the most money. So when Mitt Romney wins South Carolina this Saturday ask yourself, is a corporate millionaire the person who can restore our American Dream? ...or is he part of the problem?
At a time when 1 out of 2 people in this country are living at, or below the poverty level. At a time when the middle class is shrinking, and incomes are flat. At a time when the disparity between rich and poor has never been greater. Isn't this just another indictment that our country is in fact a plutocracy? Do public employees, the elderly, the middle class, the working poor, all those who the Occupy folks would call the 99%, can we the people, run million dollar ads to promote the candidates of our choice? I certainly can't, can you? For the huddled masses all we have is our vote. A vote that record breaking billions will attempt to buy this year by trying to influence your choice. The ads will be nasty, bleak, nonfactual in most cases, and be poured out on the airwaves ad nausea until November, and somewhere under all this money, is our democracy drowning under the weight of a Tsunami of big money interests.
I will not pretend that both parties will not profit from this new spoils system, but make no mistake, the Republicans are the ones who pander to the majority of these interests. They are the ones who protect all those entities I mentioned before, and they are the ones who will profit most from this new money take all election cycle. Make no mistake, the Republicans are about to nominate a multi-millionaire, who was a corporate raider, and made his living on the backs of the very people he now claims he understands, and sympathizes with. Just because you use middle class in your speeches doesn't make you an advocate. Just because you claim concern for the poor, even though you haven't got the slightest idea what that is, certainly brings no comfort to the poor.
If you are wealthy, if you have means, good for you, I'm not out to impugn any ones success. Richard Nixon addressing his staff for the final time said something to this affect "...only when you have been in the deepest valley can you appreciate how glorious it is to reach the highest mountain." We have alot of people running our government right now that have always lived on that highest mountain, and as a result have lost touch with what it means to be in the deepest valley. Here in lies our great dilemma. We have become a country of haves and have nots, and the division is growing. Many people suffer under the delusion that because our leaders and big money interests live on the mountain, that one day they can live on that mountain too. The shinning city on the hill is reserved for a select few, they hold the power, and they choose who gets into the neighborhood. They hold out their hands at election time promising to pull us up to allow us to see what they see, but they never quite reach, and those poor people will vote against their own personal interests just to to get a glimpse at the mountain top. In the meantime, those of us in the valley strive for the day when everyone can climb that mountain, through hard work, a decent wage, take care of our children, give them an education, and retire in comfort after a lifetime of labors, that is the American Dream, and we are losing it. Losing it to a select few with the most influence, the most power, the most money. So when Mitt Romney wins South Carolina this Saturday ask yourself, is a corporate millionaire the person who can restore our American Dream? ...or is he part of the problem?
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Romney Takes New Hampshire While Conservatives Founder
Mitt Romney has won his second contest, and first primary of the season. He is also the first non-incumbent Republican to win both Iowa and New Hampshire. So where are we now? First, Romney has finally broken the 25% ceiling capturing about 37% of the vote. Second, Ron Paul's number two finish couldn't make the Romney camp happier. Paul's libertarian 25% are a real spoiler for conservatives, not to mention Jon Huntsman who put all his eggs into New Hampshire, and came away with a third place finish. All in all, Romney should feel pretty good about heading into the next contest in South Carolina. How did this happen? Well when you have a Republican electorate that believes you can have an amorphous position on any issue, can't tell the difference between fact and fiction, and lives on a steady diet of pablum from FOX News, and Rush Limbaugh, you get Mitt Romney. He's done his time, it's his turn at bat. As the saying goes, Republicans don't fall in love, they fall in line.
As for the conservatives, they are in chaos. Why Rick Perry is still in this race is anybodies guess? However, after a poor showing in Iowa, and a somber speech to re-evaluate his candidacy, less than 12 hours later "We're on to South Carolina!" I have no proof of this, but my hunch is Romney made a phone call promising Perry a place in his new administration if he stayed in. In any event the turn around was rapid, and highly suspicious. Gingrich who got carpet bombed by Romney ads in Iowa, is going to return the favor in South Carolina, and once again this is probably just going to help Obama in the long run. Gingrich continues to drop in the polls, and is going to launch as many torpedo's as he can at Romney, before he goes down on his own ship. The question is will the Gingrich attacks work? possibly, but he certainly won't reap any of the benefits personally. Santorum's faith, family, and freedom message will probably resonate in South Carolina. This from the man who said in last Saturday's debate, "their are no classes in America." OMG! really Rick? He is also still battling the money and organization problem. Huntsman is planning to continue his challenge to Romney in South Carolina, but to what effect? You have 3 conservatives, a libertarian, and a moderate all still thinking they can steal S.C. from Romney, and nothing could be further from the truth. All they are doing is continuing to fracture the electorate, insuring that Romney wins.
There is something else worth mentioning here. Romney's fervor to portray himself as the everyman. A multi-millionaire, with million dollar homes dotting the landscape, who says he's unemployed, and has feared the pink slip, is offensive in the extreme. To paint himself as a standard bearer for the working middle class of this country is nothing short of hysterical. The man is the living embodiment of Gordon Gecko. A man who has slashed and burned companies at the expense of the workers, in order to bolster his investors bottom line. It is Republican hypocrisy in its purest form. An independent evaluation of his economic plan said taxes on those making $40,000 a year will increase, while Millionaires will get a %5 tax cut, that's your REAL everyman. Of course this doesn't bother all the hard line, right-wing, free market, capitalists, they live to make money off the misfortune of others. You know, survival of the fittest, Wall Street personified. New Hampshire's motto works great here: Live Free or DIE! At any rate, if he can sustain the next barrage of attacks leading up to South Carolina and pulls off another win, its probably game over. However, if by some miracle one of the conservatives pulls off a win, we'll have a whole new ball game. Personally, Romney seems to have a Teflon coating that his opponents just can't get past. He puts plenty of shit out, but nothing his fellow candidates throw his way seems to stick. My money is on Romney, but I'd love to be wrong.
As for the conservatives, they are in chaos. Why Rick Perry is still in this race is anybodies guess? However, after a poor showing in Iowa, and a somber speech to re-evaluate his candidacy, less than 12 hours later "We're on to South Carolina!" I have no proof of this, but my hunch is Romney made a phone call promising Perry a place in his new administration if he stayed in. In any event the turn around was rapid, and highly suspicious. Gingrich who got carpet bombed by Romney ads in Iowa, is going to return the favor in South Carolina, and once again this is probably just going to help Obama in the long run. Gingrich continues to drop in the polls, and is going to launch as many torpedo's as he can at Romney, before he goes down on his own ship. The question is will the Gingrich attacks work? possibly, but he certainly won't reap any of the benefits personally. Santorum's faith, family, and freedom message will probably resonate in South Carolina. This from the man who said in last Saturday's debate, "their are no classes in America." OMG! really Rick? He is also still battling the money and organization problem. Huntsman is planning to continue his challenge to Romney in South Carolina, but to what effect? You have 3 conservatives, a libertarian, and a moderate all still thinking they can steal S.C. from Romney, and nothing could be further from the truth. All they are doing is continuing to fracture the electorate, insuring that Romney wins.
There is something else worth mentioning here. Romney's fervor to portray himself as the everyman. A multi-millionaire, with million dollar homes dotting the landscape, who says he's unemployed, and has feared the pink slip, is offensive in the extreme. To paint himself as a standard bearer for the working middle class of this country is nothing short of hysterical. The man is the living embodiment of Gordon Gecko. A man who has slashed and burned companies at the expense of the workers, in order to bolster his investors bottom line. It is Republican hypocrisy in its purest form. An independent evaluation of his economic plan said taxes on those making $40,000 a year will increase, while Millionaires will get a %5 tax cut, that's your REAL everyman. Of course this doesn't bother all the hard line, right-wing, free market, capitalists, they live to make money off the misfortune of others. You know, survival of the fittest, Wall Street personified. New Hampshire's motto works great here: Live Free or DIE! At any rate, if he can sustain the next barrage of attacks leading up to South Carolina and pulls off another win, its probably game over. However, if by some miracle one of the conservatives pulls off a win, we'll have a whole new ball game. Personally, Romney seems to have a Teflon coating that his opponents just can't get past. He puts plenty of shit out, but nothing his fellow candidates throw his way seems to stick. My money is on Romney, but I'd love to be wrong.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
As Iowa Goes, So Goes Iowa
Finally, the dog and pony show that is the Iowa Caucus is over, and once again we're left with more questions than answers. Even with a razor thin victory for Mitt Romney of only 8 votes, I think it's safe to say evangelical social conservatives, are clearly still not on board. I also think it's clear that if the evangelical social conservative vote wasn't fractured by Perry, Bachmann, and maybe even Gingrich, Rick Santorum would have run away with Iowa. So the first Republican contest was decided by those fine folks who brought you the climate change hoax, evolution, creationism, and anti-abortion domestic terrorists. These people beleive you put your hand on the Constitution to uphold the Bible. Be that as it may, despite their best efforts to pick a President instead of an ideology, Iowans just couldn't help themselves. Those 8 votes that carried the state for Romney may well have saved Iowa's relevance, as the first in the nation contest, and then again maybe it won't.
So what happens next? Well Romney still has the 25% glass ceiling problem. Ron Paul's libertarians also seems stuck at around 20% So that leaves 55% of conservative voters still clamoring for a candidate other than Romney. Has Rick Santorum become that man? (God I hope so), If Perry and Bachmann bail out this week, does Santorum get those votes? Does he have the money and organization to go the distance?
Well lets see, If Perry and Bachmann bail, or better yet endorse Santorum, we may have a contest on our hands. Does Santorum have the organization and money to go the distance? No, plain and simple. He may get a money boost in the coming weeks, but the next 3 contests are coming on to fast for any new found gains to make an impact. Lets not forget Newt Gingrich waiting in the wings for a come back of his own. He has vowed to take the gloves off against Romney, whose negative adds in Iowa cut his support in half. So for the next few weeks, or at least until South Carolina, Gingrich is out to damage Romney any way he can. This won't help Newt, his negatives are just to great, but it might help Santorum. So it's gonna be a nasty couple of weeks I'd say, and the real winner here is President Obama. They are creating his re-election commercials for him.
I'm still standing by my prediction that Mitt Romney will get the nomination, and despite a weak 8 point victory in Iowa, it still goes in the "W" column. He has a comfortable lead heading into New Hampshire next week. So, the issue now is can he hold onto it under the whithering fire he no doubt is going to feel in the next 6 days. New Hampshire will be his first opportunity to shatter the 25% barrier, unless the coming wave of attacks impacts that lead. Six days is an eternity in politics, and if conservatives can begin to consolidate around Santorum, and he makes a top 3 showing in the granite state, South Carolina will be lining up to be a real battle royale.
In a nutshell, Perry, Bachmann, Huntsman, and Gingrich are finished. Some will drop sooner than others, but trust me their all done. Ron Paul will go the distance with his 20% and hopefully run as an Independent (but I doubt it), and Rick Santorum will be the Mike Huckabee of 2012, but will be unable to compete long term. His money and organization will be unable to keep up with the pace of the contests, and eventually he too will fold. So once again the mainstream moderate conservative will win the nomination, and over half of the Republican electorate will be pissed off about it. Keep your T.V.'s on, its going to be a bumpy ride the next 2 weeks, and should also prove very entertaining.
So what happens next? Well Romney still has the 25% glass ceiling problem. Ron Paul's libertarians also seems stuck at around 20% So that leaves 55% of conservative voters still clamoring for a candidate other than Romney. Has Rick Santorum become that man? (God I hope so), If Perry and Bachmann bail out this week, does Santorum get those votes? Does he have the money and organization to go the distance?
Well lets see, If Perry and Bachmann bail, or better yet endorse Santorum, we may have a contest on our hands. Does Santorum have the organization and money to go the distance? No, plain and simple. He may get a money boost in the coming weeks, but the next 3 contests are coming on to fast for any new found gains to make an impact. Lets not forget Newt Gingrich waiting in the wings for a come back of his own. He has vowed to take the gloves off against Romney, whose negative adds in Iowa cut his support in half. So for the next few weeks, or at least until South Carolina, Gingrich is out to damage Romney any way he can. This won't help Newt, his negatives are just to great, but it might help Santorum. So it's gonna be a nasty couple of weeks I'd say, and the real winner here is President Obama. They are creating his re-election commercials for him.
I'm still standing by my prediction that Mitt Romney will get the nomination, and despite a weak 8 point victory in Iowa, it still goes in the "W" column. He has a comfortable lead heading into New Hampshire next week. So, the issue now is can he hold onto it under the whithering fire he no doubt is going to feel in the next 6 days. New Hampshire will be his first opportunity to shatter the 25% barrier, unless the coming wave of attacks impacts that lead. Six days is an eternity in politics, and if conservatives can begin to consolidate around Santorum, and he makes a top 3 showing in the granite state, South Carolina will be lining up to be a real battle royale.
In a nutshell, Perry, Bachmann, Huntsman, and Gingrich are finished. Some will drop sooner than others, but trust me their all done. Ron Paul will go the distance with his 20% and hopefully run as an Independent (but I doubt it), and Rick Santorum will be the Mike Huckabee of 2012, but will be unable to compete long term. His money and organization will be unable to keep up with the pace of the contests, and eventually he too will fold. So once again the mainstream moderate conservative will win the nomination, and over half of the Republican electorate will be pissed off about it. Keep your T.V.'s on, its going to be a bumpy ride the next 2 weeks, and should also prove very entertaining.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Iowa Still Fluid Four Days From Caucus
Well the real voting is about to begin for Republicans, just 4 days away from the Iowa Caucus's. Yet the field remains wide open, and it will most likely not solidify until to voting begins on Tuesday. As predicted, Newt Gingrich has dropped like a rock, withering from the weight of his personal, and political past. As the only social conservative not to have taken the lead yet, Rick Santorum is now surging, but like his social conservative rivals Michelle Bachmann, and Rick Perry, they are fracturing that vote. Which leaves us with Ron Paul's die hards, and Mitt Romney's establishment voters.
However, there is something brewing late in the game that my prove interesting. Many of the pundits left, and right, have been quick to ring the death nell for Iowa as the first contest in the nation. Its mostly white, evangelical, agrarian communities are not representative of the nation as a whole, and many are calling for Iowa to relinquish it top spot. This has not fallen on deaf ears in Iowa, and its people are anxious to remain relevant. So late in the game, many people are concentrating on picking a President, not a candidate. The thought being I like him/her, but can they win?
This has produced a bit of a bump for Romney, as people begin to realize, despite all his shortcomings, he is going to be the nominee. Exhausted social conservatives who still can't embrace Romney, will probably go for Santorum, and the wack-a-doodle libertarians will vote for Paul. The question is will Iowa voters come around to Romney fast enough to snatch victory away from Ron Paul? It's hard to say, check with the Des Monies Register's Poll due out Saturday night, it has been a pretty reliable tell tale of how the caucuses pan out.
If Mitt Romney pulls out a win in Iowa, a state that until recently he gave little credence, he will be well on his way to the nomination. He has New Hampshire locked up, and even a challenge from Gingrich in South Carolina won't slow his momentum. As Gingrich continues to implode with each passing day, he my be out of the picture by the time South Carolina rolls around. Gingrich himself has called South Carolina his Waterloo, question is will he be able to take the field when the battle comes? So will Iowans vote their principals or the inevitable? Tune in Tuesday, it should prove interesting.
However, there is something brewing late in the game that my prove interesting. Many of the pundits left, and right, have been quick to ring the death nell for Iowa as the first contest in the nation. Its mostly white, evangelical, agrarian communities are not representative of the nation as a whole, and many are calling for Iowa to relinquish it top spot. This has not fallen on deaf ears in Iowa, and its people are anxious to remain relevant. So late in the game, many people are concentrating on picking a President, not a candidate. The thought being I like him/her, but can they win?
This has produced a bit of a bump for Romney, as people begin to realize, despite all his shortcomings, he is going to be the nominee. Exhausted social conservatives who still can't embrace Romney, will probably go for Santorum, and the wack-a-doodle libertarians will vote for Paul. The question is will Iowa voters come around to Romney fast enough to snatch victory away from Ron Paul? It's hard to say, check with the Des Monies Register's Poll due out Saturday night, it has been a pretty reliable tell tale of how the caucuses pan out.
If Mitt Romney pulls out a win in Iowa, a state that until recently he gave little credence, he will be well on his way to the nomination. He has New Hampshire locked up, and even a challenge from Gingrich in South Carolina won't slow his momentum. As Gingrich continues to implode with each passing day, he my be out of the picture by the time South Carolina rolls around. Gingrich himself has called South Carolina his Waterloo, question is will he be able to take the field when the battle comes? So will Iowans vote their principals or the inevitable? Tune in Tuesday, it should prove interesting.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Republicans Prove You Can't Fool All Of The People, All Of The Time
So here we are 3 days from the Christmas holiday, and once again Republicans have walked out on the American people, and the middle class. We've seen this movie before time and time again. This summer during the debt crisis, Republicans walked out. The Presidents jobs bill, Republicans walked out. Now 9 days before years end, and a tax increase looming for 160 Million Americans, the Republicans have walked out again. Once again House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) looks like a horses ass because he seems united with Senate leaders on a deal, and then the Tea Party people pull the rug out from under him. He has no control over his own Republican Caucus, which has once again put the Speaker in a tough spot. The latest softball Republicans have turned into a pumpkin, is the payroll tax extension, and unemployment benefits extension, but to be fair lets start at the beginning.
Just 2 weeks ago House Republicans didn't want a payroll tax extension. In fact, they passed a bill that was riddled with items they knew Democrats wouldn't accept. Finally, the Senate works out a bill that passes 89-10 to extend the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance into the new year, but House Republicans balked. Why? Because the payroll tax cut is working. Unemployment is under 9% and economic growth is weak, but steady, and they know passing this bill will help Obama, and the economy. They have put all their chips into the theory that if you sink the ship, the captain (Obama) will go down with it. They could care less about the middle class, all they want is to get Obama out of the White House, the people and the country be damned. They are so wrapped up in their principles, they have lost the ability to govern, and forgotten what they do should be for the people.
So John Boehner sits at a big table and says lets have a conference committee to iron out the details. When 90% of the Senate and %80 of Senate Republicans already approved this bill, it shouldn't need a conference committee. You can't get this Congress to agree the sky is blue with %90, let alone a tax cut. Republicans are always screaming for tax cuts, whats the problems here? These cuts don't help their constituency, corporations, big business, and the rich. These tax cuts are for working people in the middle class, so they could care less how this effects the country. Well the House Republicans aren't fooling anybody this time, the people are tired of the political games and brinkmanship, they want action. Is it any wonder Congressional approval is at 11%, the lowest ever! Oh by the way, the 8 people Boehner picked to compromise this bill in committee ALL VOTED AGAINST IT ORIGINALLY.
So if your a family making $50,000 a year, $40 a week EXTRA is coming out of your paycheck every 2 weeks starting January 1st. We get the shaft, and the Republicans have their principals. So during this holiday season, remember who gave you the gift of hardship, during already hard times, your friends the Republicans. A gift that will give the whole year through, just remember you can return the favor next November when you can send all these principled Republicans packing.
Just 2 weeks ago House Republicans didn't want a payroll tax extension. In fact, they passed a bill that was riddled with items they knew Democrats wouldn't accept. Finally, the Senate works out a bill that passes 89-10 to extend the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance into the new year, but House Republicans balked. Why? Because the payroll tax cut is working. Unemployment is under 9% and economic growth is weak, but steady, and they know passing this bill will help Obama, and the economy. They have put all their chips into the theory that if you sink the ship, the captain (Obama) will go down with it. They could care less about the middle class, all they want is to get Obama out of the White House, the people and the country be damned. They are so wrapped up in their principles, they have lost the ability to govern, and forgotten what they do should be for the people.
So John Boehner sits at a big table and says lets have a conference committee to iron out the details. When 90% of the Senate and %80 of Senate Republicans already approved this bill, it shouldn't need a conference committee. You can't get this Congress to agree the sky is blue with %90, let alone a tax cut. Republicans are always screaming for tax cuts, whats the problems here? These cuts don't help their constituency, corporations, big business, and the rich. These tax cuts are for working people in the middle class, so they could care less how this effects the country. Well the House Republicans aren't fooling anybody this time, the people are tired of the political games and brinkmanship, they want action. Is it any wonder Congressional approval is at 11%, the lowest ever! Oh by the way, the 8 people Boehner picked to compromise this bill in committee ALL VOTED AGAINST IT ORIGINALLY.
So if your a family making $50,000 a year, $40 a week EXTRA is coming out of your paycheck every 2 weeks starting January 1st. We get the shaft, and the Republicans have their principals. So during this holiday season, remember who gave you the gift of hardship, during already hard times, your friends the Republicans. A gift that will give the whole year through, just remember you can return the favor next November when you can send all these principled Republicans packing.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Is Presidential Hopeful Newt Gingrich For Real
After careful consideration the answer is "No". So why does he have commanding leads in Iowa, South Carolina, and Florida? It's because he is just another flavor of the month for the Republican faithful. He is getting a closer look, because he is peaking just as the real voting is about to begin. Why is he on fire right now? Simple, for the same reason Trump, Bachmann, Perry, and Cain were on fire before him, he excites the extreme right. As I have said many times before, the hard core, right wing, social conservative Tea Party types are so angry, they are desperate for a fighter that can take Obama to the political woodshed. Bill Clinton felt our pain, Newt Gingrich feels their anger, and they love it.
The problem is, while he is ruby red meat for the right, he is toxic to the center, and therefore unelectable. Conservatives are still screaming for anyone but Romney, and simply can't bring themselves to embrace the fact that he is their best chance to win next November. In a recent NBC/WSJ Poll, 50% of those polled would not vote for Gingrich under any circumstance, %50! Independent voters have a big problem with Newt Gingrich too, and without Independents you cannot win the White House.
He is well versed, but unpredictable, outspoken, yet abrasive, a fresh breeze for the right, and a cold wind for the rest of us. He has made a very disciplined effort to keep his cool, and not fight fire with fire. He has resisted any and all efforts to show his true self to voters, a real task, considering his not so distant past has plenty of examples. However, he cannot escape that past, one that since 1994 has rubbed a lot of people in Washington the wrong way. Those that knew him and served with him in Congress, and those that have long carried the banner for the conservative media (with the exception of FOX), all remember the arrogant former speaker who was ousted by his own party. In fact, they are in a panic at the prospect of a Gingrich nomination, and are saying so with alarming urgency. The Republican establishment is scared to death of Newt Gingrich, because the last candidate to cry "...extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice." lost by a landslide. My apology's to Barry Goldwater, who would be spinning like a lathe at the current Republican Party.
I submit to you that by the end of January, and probably sooner, Gingrich's star will have gone the way of those that came before him. He is morally bankrupt, ethically challenged, touts ideas way outside the mainstream of America, and is so pretentious as to make you cringe when he speaks. He has no political organization to speak of, and is not equipped to carry his somewhat twisted vision to the masses. He is leading in the Iowa polls, but it's a caucus. He does not have the boots on the ground to turn that into a victory. My money is on Ron Paul to win Iowa, but let's face it while Iowa is the first in the nation contest, it's last in predicting who will be President. So for all the media hype and attention Iowa draws, politically it's a non-starter for whoever wins there. The Republican right is running out of alternatives to Mitt Romney, and unless they draft someone at the convention, which won't happen, Romney is going to be the man. The question now is, can the hard right take him for real?
The problem is, while he is ruby red meat for the right, he is toxic to the center, and therefore unelectable. Conservatives are still screaming for anyone but Romney, and simply can't bring themselves to embrace the fact that he is their best chance to win next November. In a recent NBC/WSJ Poll, 50% of those polled would not vote for Gingrich under any circumstance, %50! Independent voters have a big problem with Newt Gingrich too, and without Independents you cannot win the White House.
He is well versed, but unpredictable, outspoken, yet abrasive, a fresh breeze for the right, and a cold wind for the rest of us. He has made a very disciplined effort to keep his cool, and not fight fire with fire. He has resisted any and all efforts to show his true self to voters, a real task, considering his not so distant past has plenty of examples. However, he cannot escape that past, one that since 1994 has rubbed a lot of people in Washington the wrong way. Those that knew him and served with him in Congress, and those that have long carried the banner for the conservative media (with the exception of FOX), all remember the arrogant former speaker who was ousted by his own party. In fact, they are in a panic at the prospect of a Gingrich nomination, and are saying so with alarming urgency. The Republican establishment is scared to death of Newt Gingrich, because the last candidate to cry "...extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice." lost by a landslide. My apology's to Barry Goldwater, who would be spinning like a lathe at the current Republican Party.
I submit to you that by the end of January, and probably sooner, Gingrich's star will have gone the way of those that came before him. He is morally bankrupt, ethically challenged, touts ideas way outside the mainstream of America, and is so pretentious as to make you cringe when he speaks. He has no political organization to speak of, and is not equipped to carry his somewhat twisted vision to the masses. He is leading in the Iowa polls, but it's a caucus. He does not have the boots on the ground to turn that into a victory. My money is on Ron Paul to win Iowa, but let's face it while Iowa is the first in the nation contest, it's last in predicting who will be President. So for all the media hype and attention Iowa draws, politically it's a non-starter for whoever wins there. The Republican right is running out of alternatives to Mitt Romney, and unless they draft someone at the convention, which won't happen, Romney is going to be the man. The question now is, can the hard right take him for real?
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Why Mitt Romney Is Going To Win The Republican Nomination
As we come down to the beginning of the Republican primary season, only two men seem to be standing upright when the real voting begins roughly 30 days from now. Let see what Republicans are working with, and what we can look forward to as the first contest approaches. First, lets look at 2008 to see who carried what then.
The maps are described as follows Dark Red Won, Light Red 2nd, Cream 3rd or Lower, Black No Data Available.
Lets first look at the overall winner John McCain who I think it is fair to say represented the Republican establishment, before the rise of the Tea Party's influence. He won most of the states, with a few exceptions, that would be considered home to the mainstream Republican Party.
Now lets look at 2008 candidate Mitt Romney who basically carried the west, with the exception of Michigan and Massachusetts where he has close personal ties.
Then finally Mike Huckabee, who won primarily in the deep south or where ever evangelical social conservatives hold sway like the bible belt.
Now, the two front runners fighting for the nomination are Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich. Why will Romney prevail here? Look at the maps again. In 2008, McCain and Romney were for all intents fighting for the same people. Mike Huckabee was fighting for the far right christian conservative voters. They tend to be more volatile, angry, ignorant, birthers, harsh on immigration, against gay rights, against abortion. These are the people who bring guns to political rallies, call Obama a Muslim, a socialist, a communist, (all code for nigger), they want to take America back, (from the nigger), these are the people Newt Gingrich appeals to. He is belligerent, he takes on issues that appeal solely to these people, he has no respect for the mainstream media and points it out at every opportunity. He is intellectual, articulate, and just the kind of pit bull this constituency is looking for to take it to Obama. However, like all candidates he has some glaring flaws as well. He is pompous, arrogant, egotistical, He has been married 3 times. His first wife he left in the midst of cerebral palsy, his second in the midst of cancer, his moral character is extremely damaged. He was the only Speaker of the House to be fined $300,000 for ethics violations. He was forced not only from the speakership, but Congress, by his own beloved Republican Party, and like his opponent has flip-flopped on several issues.
On the reverse we have Mitt Romney, the Republican Republicans love to hate. He has yet to break the 30% mark in any poll, he has captured the die hard silent keepers of mainstream Republican thought, but the Tea Party and evangelical social conservatives can't stand him. They won't say it, but being a Mormon makes them crazy. His political views depend upon the audience to which he is speaking, and or the political expediency that will best serve him at the moment. As a result you have a candidate that has been on every side of every issue, and the media has the videotape to prove it. He is not the darling of Rupert Murdoch's FOX News, who have turned on him in recent days, because they want Gingrich the pit bull. However, what he does have going for him is this: He has a national organization, He has money, and lots of it. He is unoffensive, and much less prone to the gaffs and obnoxious brain farts Gingrich puts out, with much to much frequency. Gingrich has no national organization, he is practically broke and he lives day to day, and the main reason he won't win the nomination, He is an abrasive prima-donna who may fire up the far right, but will quickly turn off the rest of the country, including Independents.
Take a look at the maps again. Romney gets his old states along with McCain's plus or minus. Gingrich gets Huckabee's states plus or minus, it's no contest. The best part is that the Republicans will have a nominee that they don't like, or better can't stand. The last time they had a candidate like that was... well 2008, and we all know how that story ended.
The maps are described as follows Dark Red Won, Light Red 2nd, Cream 3rd or Lower, Black No Data Available.
Lets first look at the overall winner John McCain who I think it is fair to say represented the Republican establishment, before the rise of the Tea Party's influence. He won most of the states, with a few exceptions, that would be considered home to the mainstream Republican Party.
Now lets look at 2008 candidate Mitt Romney who basically carried the west, with the exception of Michigan and Massachusetts where he has close personal ties.
Then finally Mike Huckabee, who won primarily in the deep south or where ever evangelical social conservatives hold sway like the bible belt.
Now, the two front runners fighting for the nomination are Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich. Why will Romney prevail here? Look at the maps again. In 2008, McCain and Romney were for all intents fighting for the same people. Mike Huckabee was fighting for the far right christian conservative voters. They tend to be more volatile, angry, ignorant, birthers, harsh on immigration, against gay rights, against abortion. These are the people who bring guns to political rallies, call Obama a Muslim, a socialist, a communist, (all code for nigger), they want to take America back, (from the nigger), these are the people Newt Gingrich appeals to. He is belligerent, he takes on issues that appeal solely to these people, he has no respect for the mainstream media and points it out at every opportunity. He is intellectual, articulate, and just the kind of pit bull this constituency is looking for to take it to Obama. However, like all candidates he has some glaring flaws as well. He is pompous, arrogant, egotistical, He has been married 3 times. His first wife he left in the midst of cerebral palsy, his second in the midst of cancer, his moral character is extremely damaged. He was the only Speaker of the House to be fined $300,000 for ethics violations. He was forced not only from the speakership, but Congress, by his own beloved Republican Party, and like his opponent has flip-flopped on several issues.
On the reverse we have Mitt Romney, the Republican Republicans love to hate. He has yet to break the 30% mark in any poll, he has captured the die hard silent keepers of mainstream Republican thought, but the Tea Party and evangelical social conservatives can't stand him. They won't say it, but being a Mormon makes them crazy. His political views depend upon the audience to which he is speaking, and or the political expediency that will best serve him at the moment. As a result you have a candidate that has been on every side of every issue, and the media has the videotape to prove it. He is not the darling of Rupert Murdoch's FOX News, who have turned on him in recent days, because they want Gingrich the pit bull. However, what he does have going for him is this: He has a national organization, He has money, and lots of it. He is unoffensive, and much less prone to the gaffs and obnoxious brain farts Gingrich puts out, with much to much frequency. Gingrich has no national organization, he is practically broke and he lives day to day, and the main reason he won't win the nomination, He is an abrasive prima-donna who may fire up the far right, but will quickly turn off the rest of the country, including Independents.
Take a look at the maps again. Romney gets his old states along with McCain's plus or minus. Gingrich gets Huckabee's states plus or minus, it's no contest. The best part is that the Republicans will have a nominee that they don't like, or better can't stand. The last time they had a candidate like that was... well 2008, and we all know how that story ended.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Some Post Thanksgiving Political Observations
So the plot thickens, a few more debates, a few more gaffs, a new man at the top, lets have a look shall we? First, how many women does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of Herman Cain? One, tahoo, three, four, five, *(CRUNCH)* five. After dismissing 4 women who accused him of sexual harassment enter Ginger White. She claims having a 13 year affair with the former Godfathers CEO. While the harassment charges already had him dying on the vine as his poll numbers plummet, now this latest alligation has him re-evaluating if continuing his campaign is viable. Hey Herman let me save you some time "your finished pack it in, the Cain Train has derailed, forget 9-9-9 call 9-1-1." So much for everybody else being the liar, and that damn liberal media digging these people up. Herman, you've just about tied the moral turpitude of Newt Gingrich congratulations, by the way nice hat.
Rick Perry, How this man has served 10 years as Governor of Texas is totally beyond me. You know why you don't mess with Texas? Because they're all morons. How else do explain this man? A few days ago he not only got the date of the November election wrong, he thought the voting age was 21. How this guy doesn't get laughed off every stage he steps on is the 64 dollar question? Hang it up Tex making arguements that make sense isn't your bag. The man has been reduced to comic releif, he is pityful.
Mitt Romney, the man for all seasons. The man for all issues. The man who will say or do anything to get elected. He has the political conviction of an ameba. His bigger problem is, he can't seem to break the 25% mark anywhere. While he still stands as the best man to face off with the President, Newt Gingrich has caught wind in his sails at just the right moment to give Romney a run for his money; whether he can or not is still to be seen.
Newt Gingrich the new man on top, still has his own baggage to deal with. His 3 wives, his hypocracy of leading a crusade to impeach President Clinton, while he was cheating on his own wife. Divorcing wife #2 while she had cancer, his questionable ethics, his less than stellar moral center, and being run out of the House of Represenatives, and Congress, by his own party. However, he does have a few things going for him. He is a very angry man, he appeals to those on the right who are pissed off all the time. He is articulate and a good debater. he is not easily rattled by the media, and would be the kind of pitbull conservatives want to take on Obama next year. Yet, when cornered on an issue or arguement he has no answer for, he crumbles quickly. When matched against the President he does much worse than Romney.
So just some thoughts, the next debate is December 10, they are painful to watch, but remember Iowa is only a month away. So send in the clowns and lets get this party started. ...enjoy!
Rick Perry, How this man has served 10 years as Governor of Texas is totally beyond me. You know why you don't mess with Texas? Because they're all morons. How else do explain this man? A few days ago he not only got the date of the November election wrong, he thought the voting age was 21. How this guy doesn't get laughed off every stage he steps on is the 64 dollar question? Hang it up Tex making arguements that make sense isn't your bag. The man has been reduced to comic releif, he is pityful.
Mitt Romney, the man for all seasons. The man for all issues. The man who will say or do anything to get elected. He has the political conviction of an ameba. His bigger problem is, he can't seem to break the 25% mark anywhere. While he still stands as the best man to face off with the President, Newt Gingrich has caught wind in his sails at just the right moment to give Romney a run for his money; whether he can or not is still to be seen.
Newt Gingrich the new man on top, still has his own baggage to deal with. His 3 wives, his hypocracy of leading a crusade to impeach President Clinton, while he was cheating on his own wife. Divorcing wife #2 while she had cancer, his questionable ethics, his less than stellar moral center, and being run out of the House of Represenatives, and Congress, by his own party. However, he does have a few things going for him. He is a very angry man, he appeals to those on the right who are pissed off all the time. He is articulate and a good debater. he is not easily rattled by the media, and would be the kind of pitbull conservatives want to take on Obama next year. Yet, when cornered on an issue or arguement he has no answer for, he crumbles quickly. When matched against the President he does much worse than Romney.
So just some thoughts, the next debate is December 10, they are painful to watch, but remember Iowa is only a month away. So send in the clowns and lets get this party started. ...enjoy!
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Republican Over-Reach May Energize The Left For 2012
This last Tuesday was an off year election that produced some challenges for conservatives. In a number of states, attempts by Republicans to solidify their agenda against the middle class met some serious push back. In Arizona, State Senate President Russell Pearce author of the states hard line immigration law was ousted in a recall election. In Maine, voters repealed a law requiring voters to enroll at least two days before an election, restoring a four-decade policy of allowing registrations as late as Election Day. In big red Mississippi, a measure to declare life at the point of conception was defeated, in the pro-life lobby's most recent attempt to undermine Roe v. Wade. The measure not only would have made abortion illegal in all circumstances, it would have seriously hindered couples seeking a family through invetro-fertilisation, as well as other similar technologies. Finally, in Ohio the vote Tuesday night to repealed a Republican-backed law that restricted collective bargaining for public workers, was a victory for Democrats and labor organizers both nationally and in the state. Issue 2 as it was known, was repealed by a whopping 62 to 38 percent. New challenges for the right lie ahead. In Wisconsin, Republican Governor Scott Walker will be facing a recall election shortly after the first of the year, after his attack on public employees and labor there. Earlier this year 2 Republican State Senators were recalled, one short of Democrats retaking control of the legislature.
If any of this portends a message, I'd say people are tired of being dumped on by the big money interests that are the driving force behind Republican efforts. The increased tensions in cities large and small nationwide, perpetuated by the "Occupy" movement has led to increased clashes with police, and lets say some weak attempts to poison the movement by some local government officials. I think it fair to say the "Occupy" movement is here to stay, and the longer it stays, the more focus it will bring to the rights attempts to keep stepping on the neck of the middle class.
The Republican field for President doesn't help matters. You have Herman Cain who is fighting sexual harassment allegations. Mitt Romney who has covered every side of every issue, which undermines his political integrity on every issue. Rick Perry who can't remember his own talking points in a debate, goes hunting on his "niggerhead ranch" and with each passing breath reveals himself as the clueless rube he really is. Newt Gingrich who thinks he's the intellectual leader of the conservative world, with the moral integrity of a man who walks away from his dying wife with cancer. Michelle Bachmann whose whole campaign is repeal Obamacare. Their base cheers executions, cheers letting uninsured people die, boos gay soldiers on active duty, and boos women who bring sexual harassment claims against their candidates. The whole group is completely out of touch with reality. They lie away the facts, back up there policy ideas with bogus information, and as a party since 2010, have effectively shut down the legislative branch of government. Will somebody tell me what the appeal is here? At any rate the mood of the country is shifting, and it's not in their direction, the people are fed up... and it's about time.
If any of this portends a message, I'd say people are tired of being dumped on by the big money interests that are the driving force behind Republican efforts. The increased tensions in cities large and small nationwide, perpetuated by the "Occupy" movement has led to increased clashes with police, and lets say some weak attempts to poison the movement by some local government officials. I think it fair to say the "Occupy" movement is here to stay, and the longer it stays, the more focus it will bring to the rights attempts to keep stepping on the neck of the middle class.
The Republican field for President doesn't help matters. You have Herman Cain who is fighting sexual harassment allegations. Mitt Romney who has covered every side of every issue, which undermines his political integrity on every issue. Rick Perry who can't remember his own talking points in a debate, goes hunting on his "niggerhead ranch" and with each passing breath reveals himself as the clueless rube he really is. Newt Gingrich who thinks he's the intellectual leader of the conservative world, with the moral integrity of a man who walks away from his dying wife with cancer. Michelle Bachmann whose whole campaign is repeal Obamacare. Their base cheers executions, cheers letting uninsured people die, boos gay soldiers on active duty, and boos women who bring sexual harassment claims against their candidates. The whole group is completely out of touch with reality. They lie away the facts, back up there policy ideas with bogus information, and as a party since 2010, have effectively shut down the legislative branch of government. Will somebody tell me what the appeal is here? At any rate the mood of the country is shifting, and it's not in their direction, the people are fed up... and it's about time.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
The American Political Reform Act
Never heard of it? Well your about to, it is my three part solution to give power back to the people. We are supposed to be a democracy, sadly that definition hasn't applied for some time. So here are three common sense ideas to give the government back to the people.
First, Total reform of the way money currently influences our political system. Legislation is needed to destroy the impact of the "Citizens United" case. Any business, manufacturing, corporate, or labor organization should not be recognized as "people" and thus be banned from contributing to political campaigns, candidates, or media produced on their behalf. Therefore, lobbying efforts by all those entities listed would also be considered illegal. Any private attempt to promote a campaign, candidate, or party organization by political action committees, would be severely limited to a pre set maximum amount not to exceed 1 million dollars, and be subject to full disclosure of who contributed what, when, where, and how. This would also include but not be limited to trips, air travel, hotel accommodations, or any perks of monetary value given to members of Congress for political favor which would be considered a major breach of ethics and an impeachable offense under the law. Individual citizens political donations would be capped at $1000. Both campaigns would function under equal public funds to be determined and administered by the Federal Elections Committee.
Second, The drawing of Congressional districts every 10 years according to the U.S. Census, and as dictated in the Constitution, would be removed from the state legislatures and given to a politically independent organization. This body would be bound to create as many politically competitive districts as possible within each given state. This body would be totally free of any arbitrary action by the individual state legislatures, or the Governor, and when completed would give their maps to the Federal Election Committee, who would notify the state of its new districts. This undermines the spoils system, and eliminates gerrymandering which has allowed the same people to be elected over and over again.
Third, A cloture vote in the Senate should be changed from 3/5ths or 60 votes, to a simple majority of 51 votes. This rule has been abused by both parties (but most recently Republicans), and is a systemic indictment of the gridlock we currently have in Washington. The intransigence of the Tea Party Republicans has effectively shut down the nations ability to legislate. It has become a political tool that has become initiated in situations that would have been unheard of a just 20 years ago.
Simple enough don't you think? If it was ever introduced you would probably hear the screams at your house from Washington. The point I guess I'm trying to make is this, there is to much dirty money, lack of competition, and hand shackling rules in our political system. While this may fly in the face of some of you political purists who think the founders got it right, I would tend to agree. However, it only works when you have a level of civility in your political discourse, it worked for about 220 years, but the civility is gone now, and I don't see it coming back anytime soon. At any rate I hope this made you think a little bit about what we as citizens are up against, discouraging as it may be. The "Occupy" groups are on to something, lets hope they thrive long enough to effect some positive changes that we as a nation desperately need.
First, Total reform of the way money currently influences our political system. Legislation is needed to destroy the impact of the "Citizens United" case. Any business, manufacturing, corporate, or labor organization should not be recognized as "people" and thus be banned from contributing to political campaigns, candidates, or media produced on their behalf. Therefore, lobbying efforts by all those entities listed would also be considered illegal. Any private attempt to promote a campaign, candidate, or party organization by political action committees, would be severely limited to a pre set maximum amount not to exceed 1 million dollars, and be subject to full disclosure of who contributed what, when, where, and how. This would also include but not be limited to trips, air travel, hotel accommodations, or any perks of monetary value given to members of Congress for political favor which would be considered a major breach of ethics and an impeachable offense under the law. Individual citizens political donations would be capped at $1000. Both campaigns would function under equal public funds to be determined and administered by the Federal Elections Committee.
Second, The drawing of Congressional districts every 10 years according to the U.S. Census, and as dictated in the Constitution, would be removed from the state legislatures and given to a politically independent organization. This body would be bound to create as many politically competitive districts as possible within each given state. This body would be totally free of any arbitrary action by the individual state legislatures, or the Governor, and when completed would give their maps to the Federal Election Committee, who would notify the state of its new districts. This undermines the spoils system, and eliminates gerrymandering which has allowed the same people to be elected over and over again.
Third, A cloture vote in the Senate should be changed from 3/5ths or 60 votes, to a simple majority of 51 votes. This rule has been abused by both parties (but most recently Republicans), and is a systemic indictment of the gridlock we currently have in Washington. The intransigence of the Tea Party Republicans has effectively shut down the nations ability to legislate. It has become a political tool that has become initiated in situations that would have been unheard of a just 20 years ago.
Simple enough don't you think? If it was ever introduced you would probably hear the screams at your house from Washington. The point I guess I'm trying to make is this, there is to much dirty money, lack of competition, and hand shackling rules in our political system. While this may fly in the face of some of you political purists who think the founders got it right, I would tend to agree. However, it only works when you have a level of civility in your political discourse, it worked for about 220 years, but the civility is gone now, and I don't see it coming back anytime soon. At any rate I hope this made you think a little bit about what we as citizens are up against, discouraging as it may be. The "Occupy" groups are on to something, lets hope they thrive long enough to effect some positive changes that we as a nation desperately need.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
We Need To Re-Invent The American Community
In the midst of this high stakes political season there is something missing from mix that desperately needs to be added. We as individual Americans need to take more stock in the political personalities, and policies that help define our individual lives, and communities. So many people have disengaged from the political process because of its inherent dysfunctional nature. The fact of the matter is we as a people, as a national community, need to be engaged now more than ever. Some of this comes from an unwillingness born of frustration, but more often than not, is the result of a general inability to comprehend the issues in a way that they can see the effects in there daily lives. As increasing cuts to education across the board contributes to an already wanting educational system nation wide, it begs the question of what this portends for our future as a nation? In the era of political polarization, where black and white has considerably shrunk the gray areas of our political discourse, now more than ever we need to abandon our labels of left or right, conservative or liberal, and simply be Americans again. There was a time when the primary label people associated with themselves was "American" not Republican or Democrat, those labels were secondary. It was in this era that compromise was possible, and the work of the people was the foremost imperative. It wasn't that long ago, but the increasing influence of rich and big money interests has undermined this. We need to be an American community again, and we need to do it now.
Is it to late? Honestly, I'm not sure. Like global warming the actions being taken now, may be to late to avert a major disaster in our future. If we use history as our guide, the prospect does not look promising, I'll give you some examples. Several of the current or former Republican candidates who are running now, or had run in the past offer this. Sarah Palin thought Paul Revere rode to warn the British. Michelle Bachmann thought Lexington and Concord was fought in New Hampshire, and that the founding fathers abolished slavery. Rick Perry thought the United States was founded in the 1500's. Ron Paul thinks the Constitutions sole purpose was to restrain the Federal Government. How do they get away with comments like this, even after media attention? Because the bulk of the American electorate doesn't know any better. These people are/were running to become President of the United States, don't you think they should know the basic fundamentals of our history, and the proper interpretation of our Constitution?
This week on the news I watched as some iphone service provider held a contest for pre-teens on who could be the fastest texter. There were several contestants, but only one winner, a young lady from someplace in the midwest. Her prize, $50,000. What a fitting commentary to prove my point. We give young people who travel through the world with their heads down, tapping out how they just arrived at the mall, $50,000. In the meantime, Republicans block time and again, the Presidents Job Bill which would hire more teachers and other public employees. We are raising a generation of social media savvy intellectual illiterates. Is this the best we can do? There are thousands of jobs in this country right now, that can't be filled, because they can't find the people with the skills needed to fill them. The American community we need, needs education. Without it the American Dream will continue to slip away from the increasing ranks of people who don't know, or worse, don't want to know. John F. Kennedy said "The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all." Stop, take a look around, become aware of what others would do to obstruct your life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness, your country depends on it.
Is it to late? Honestly, I'm not sure. Like global warming the actions being taken now, may be to late to avert a major disaster in our future. If we use history as our guide, the prospect does not look promising, I'll give you some examples. Several of the current or former Republican candidates who are running now, or had run in the past offer this. Sarah Palin thought Paul Revere rode to warn the British. Michelle Bachmann thought Lexington and Concord was fought in New Hampshire, and that the founding fathers abolished slavery. Rick Perry thought the United States was founded in the 1500's. Ron Paul thinks the Constitutions sole purpose was to restrain the Federal Government. How do they get away with comments like this, even after media attention? Because the bulk of the American electorate doesn't know any better. These people are/were running to become President of the United States, don't you think they should know the basic fundamentals of our history, and the proper interpretation of our Constitution?
This week on the news I watched as some iphone service provider held a contest for pre-teens on who could be the fastest texter. There were several contestants, but only one winner, a young lady from someplace in the midwest. Her prize, $50,000. What a fitting commentary to prove my point. We give young people who travel through the world with their heads down, tapping out how they just arrived at the mall, $50,000. In the meantime, Republicans block time and again, the Presidents Job Bill which would hire more teachers and other public employees. We are raising a generation of social media savvy intellectual illiterates. Is this the best we can do? There are thousands of jobs in this country right now, that can't be filled, because they can't find the people with the skills needed to fill them. The American community we need, needs education. Without it the American Dream will continue to slip away from the increasing ranks of people who don't know, or worse, don't want to know. John F. Kennedy said "The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all." Stop, take a look around, become aware of what others would do to obstruct your life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness, your country depends on it.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Obama's Problems
The first and most lethal threat the President faces at the moment is that he is increasingly being seen as well meaning, but inconsequential. What do I mean by that? In recent weeks the President has taken a much stronger demeanor in attacking Republicans for failing to pass his jobs bill. He is looking at polls showing 16% approval ratings for Congress, that most people blame Republicans for our legislative intransigence, that 63% Support his jobs bill, that 75% agree with taxing the rich. Being backed by those kind of numbers, you would think positive movement toward his arguments would be a given, but they're not. His message, albeit a good one, is not resonating because people realize this is not going to change the current atmosphere in Washington. The "Occupy" movements across this country are a direct result of this. They realize that despite whatever plan, or good intentions the President may offer for jobs, there will be no action. Wall Street got back on their feet and are growing fat, while Main Street continues to suffer. They have come to realize the system is deadlocked, and believe President Obama is either a victim of the Republican House, or not a powerful enough leader to break the impasse. In either case the result is the same, a dramatic loss in confidence that the President can achieve anything with regard to jobs and the economy.
Democrats in general are beginning to look impotent, in spite of the fact they continue to put forward the Presidents jobs bill as a whole, or in parts. Are they winning points with the American people because they try and fail? ...or do they look weak for continuously offering legislation that's going nowhere? Another thing that plays into this is the fact that Republicans are consistently united in their efforts to block everything, while getting Democrats unified is like herding cats. Which again makes the President look weak. The people are not listening to the arguments any more. They don't care who is right or wrong they want ACTION, which is why the President's message is falling short. You can point at a million bridges, roads, schools, teachers, or first responders, but if all you can do is point, the question is moot.
The other increasingly alarming statistics coming out are the fact that Independents in state after state have abandon Obama. In the early primary states Independents have left the President by a consistent margin of 2 to 1. As I've said before without this group, the Presidents hopes for re-election are dim. The amazing thing about all this is that Republicans shoot fast and loose with the facts, stand proud as the party of "NO", and continue to sit back while Rome burns, and the people don't care. Why? Again because they're tired of the arguments, the rhetoric, the politics, the positions, the policies, they want jobs. They want to keep their homes, to feed and educate their children, somehow hold on to that increasingly elusive American Dream that they have been promised, but is slowly eroding away. Unless President Obama can find a way to re-connect with American people, and hand them something tangible, his current message will continue to fall on deaf ears.
Democrats in general are beginning to look impotent, in spite of the fact they continue to put forward the Presidents jobs bill as a whole, or in parts. Are they winning points with the American people because they try and fail? ...or do they look weak for continuously offering legislation that's going nowhere? Another thing that plays into this is the fact that Republicans are consistently united in their efforts to block everything, while getting Democrats unified is like herding cats. Which again makes the President look weak. The people are not listening to the arguments any more. They don't care who is right or wrong they want ACTION, which is why the President's message is falling short. You can point at a million bridges, roads, schools, teachers, or first responders, but if all you can do is point, the question is moot.
The other increasingly alarming statistics coming out are the fact that Independents in state after state have abandon Obama. In the early primary states Independents have left the President by a consistent margin of 2 to 1. As I've said before without this group, the Presidents hopes for re-election are dim. The amazing thing about all this is that Republicans shoot fast and loose with the facts, stand proud as the party of "NO", and continue to sit back while Rome burns, and the people don't care. Why? Again because they're tired of the arguments, the rhetoric, the politics, the positions, the policies, they want jobs. They want to keep their homes, to feed and educate their children, somehow hold on to that increasingly elusive American Dream that they have been promised, but is slowly eroding away. Unless President Obama can find a way to re-connect with American people, and hand them something tangible, his current message will continue to fall on deaf ears.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Perry And Cain And Romney, Oh My
Upon entering the Republican field Texas Governor Rick Perry rocketed to leader status, and then, he opened his mouth. After quickly taking the top spot he made several controversial comments that he refused to back off on, and then capped them off with four dismal debate performances which dropped him in the polls 20 points. He has subsequently admitted he is a poor debater, (no kidding), and this week introduced his economic policy. You ready for this? Drill for more oil, that's it. I wonder how long it took him to come up with that one, about ten minutes? I can see him now sitting in a big room with a deer head on the wall, in his Nigger Head ranch, stack of "highlights" magazines on the coffee table, polishing his gun, drinking beer with some big oil executives, asking what do think? In return getting a quorum of nodding heads and thumbs up. I've been hearing for a few months now how formidable Rick Perry is a candidate. Well I don't know who these people are, but frankly I don't see it. As a self appointed "poor debater" if he was to go up against President Obama as the Republican nominee next Fall, Obama would eat his lunch. The one thing he has going for him is money. He raised 17 Million dollars last quarter to current leader Herman Cain's 2.3 Million. Which tells me even though he's a rube, he's white, evangelical, and a Tea Party favorite, message be damned.
Herman Cain the new Republican flavor of the month has caught fire with his 9-9-9 Plan, which is a 9% personal income tax, a 9% corporate tax, and a 9% national sales tax. Most economists agree the major flaw is the 9% national sales tax which would hurt poor and middle income people worse than others. There's a shocker, a Republican tax plan that hurts the poor and working class. What happens to that sales tax when you add State and Municipal taxes to it? How about a potential 18% sales tax on a loaf of bread, or better a gallon of gas? It's easy, clear, and transparent, and it sucks! Mr. Cain's current appeal is the fact that he is a Washington outsider, with a simple message. He is personable, articulate, and well prepared against media scrutiny, but now under the spotlight, like Perry, once they decipher what he's really saying will probably go back to the end of the line like Trump, Bachmann, and Perry before him. He has no national organization to speak of, and to be blunt, if you think the Republican party is going to rally around a black man for President of the United States, guess again. So let him have his 15 minutes and lets move on.
Mitt Romney the tortoise who slowly moves toward the nomination, has been static at his high water mark of about 23%. A recent poll of Republicans said they would rather have a candidate that "shares their values" as a opposed to "can beat Obama". More evidence that the Tea Party and social conservatives are reluctantly slogging toward Tampa waiting for Romney to be nominated. Once the Primaries kick in and the field thins the choices will become clearer, but make no mistake Romney polls better against Obama than anyone. This includes new front runner Herman Cain who Obama beats by double digits. The hard right hates Romney, because they are being dragged kicking and screaming to the center because of him. The question is once he is the nominee will that same hard right support him at the polls, or sit home? No matter, its going to take a while for Tea Party and social conservatives to come around, and they will continue to search in vain for a viable alternative to Romney just as long as they can. The problem: the pickings are slim and so are any efforts to undermine Romney in the long run. In the meantime, sit back and enjoy the show. The longer they fight each other, the better for the President.
Herman Cain the new Republican flavor of the month has caught fire with his 9-9-9 Plan, which is a 9% personal income tax, a 9% corporate tax, and a 9% national sales tax. Most economists agree the major flaw is the 9% national sales tax which would hurt poor and middle income people worse than others. There's a shocker, a Republican tax plan that hurts the poor and working class. What happens to that sales tax when you add State and Municipal taxes to it? How about a potential 18% sales tax on a loaf of bread, or better a gallon of gas? It's easy, clear, and transparent, and it sucks! Mr. Cain's current appeal is the fact that he is a Washington outsider, with a simple message. He is personable, articulate, and well prepared against media scrutiny, but now under the spotlight, like Perry, once they decipher what he's really saying will probably go back to the end of the line like Trump, Bachmann, and Perry before him. He has no national organization to speak of, and to be blunt, if you think the Republican party is going to rally around a black man for President of the United States, guess again. So let him have his 15 minutes and lets move on.
Mitt Romney the tortoise who slowly moves toward the nomination, has been static at his high water mark of about 23%. A recent poll of Republicans said they would rather have a candidate that "shares their values" as a opposed to "can beat Obama". More evidence that the Tea Party and social conservatives are reluctantly slogging toward Tampa waiting for Romney to be nominated. Once the Primaries kick in and the field thins the choices will become clearer, but make no mistake Romney polls better against Obama than anyone. This includes new front runner Herman Cain who Obama beats by double digits. The hard right hates Romney, because they are being dragged kicking and screaming to the center because of him. The question is once he is the nominee will that same hard right support him at the polls, or sit home? No matter, its going to take a while for Tea Party and social conservatives to come around, and they will continue to search in vain for a viable alternative to Romney just as long as they can. The problem: the pickings are slim and so are any efforts to undermine Romney in the long run. In the meantime, sit back and enjoy the show. The longer they fight each other, the better for the President.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Romney Steams Ahead, While Obama Has New Worries
Last night I suffered through my fourth Republican debate in as many weeks, and found no new evidence to convince me that Mitt Romney will not be the Republican nominee. He took the most hits from the other candidates, and continued to present his plan for America, confidently and unshaken. He clearly was the winner last night. Boosted earlier in the day by the endorsement of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Romney is beginning to solidify his mainstream Republican backers. However, he continues to struggle to attract Tea Party, and evangelical social conservatives. I suspect their difficulty will slowly vanish, as the remainder of the Republican field continues to prove their un-electability. Herman Cain seems to be the new Right Wing flavor of the month, and for all the talk about his 9-9-9 plan, he lacks depth, and did not perform well in the spotlight last night. Perry admitted he was a poor debater, and backed that up with another poor showing. The rest of the field continued to do what they do, but lit no sparks that would change any one's opinion of them other than what current polls predict.
There was one glaring change that took place last night that had not happened in the three previous debates, and it came from Mitt Romney. He not once, but several times, mentioned the middle class. The rest of the field was silent on the middle class, as usual, but Romney made a concerted effort to make them a focus of his economic proposals. He is clearly attempting to appeal to Independents, and with good reason.
In a recent CNN poll for the first time, 53% of Independents disapprove of the President, while 43% said they approve. Let's make this crystal clear, if Obama loses Independents he's finished. However, I'm not ready to run around the school yard crying the sky is falling just yet, there is plenty of time to turn this around. Other signs don't bode well for the President either, polls in Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Iowa put him in a statistical dead heat with Romney, and losing to him by 9% in New Hampshire.
So how does Obama get a second term in our current toxic political environment? The Occupy Wall Street, and other similar groups protesting across the country hold contempt for both political parties, and with good reason. In the Senate yesterday two Democratic Senators voted against President Obama's Jobs Act. In the House Leader John Boehner (R-OH) can't control the Tea Party caucus, as much as he would like us to believe he does. When party leaders on both sides can't control their own people, you get the kind of political gridlock people are simply fed up with, and as much as I would like Democrats to profit from this uprising on the Left, they profit only by sentiment and not action.
There is a debate out there as to whether Obama should run Left in a Truman-esk fashion against a do nothing congress, or like FDR who called a spade a spade and told Republicans to basically go for it, I stand with the middle class. Or run to middle like President Clinton did in 1996. The problem with both of these strategies is that the American people don't trust either party to fix things. Since Romney is a mainstream guy right of center, I think Obama has to do the same. Independents are the key to the castle. While my heart says go hard left, the pragmatic choice is to move to the center. Oh there is just one other small problem... the economy remains in the tank, unemployment remains above 9%, despite Obama's good intentions, the Republicans are going to make sure it stays that way for another year, a major strike against the incumbent President. It's an uphill battle, and current strategy doesn't seem to be resonating, quite frankly the President has his hands full, and unless he catches a break somewhere, things have the potential to go very ugly, very quickly.
There was one glaring change that took place last night that had not happened in the three previous debates, and it came from Mitt Romney. He not once, but several times, mentioned the middle class. The rest of the field was silent on the middle class, as usual, but Romney made a concerted effort to make them a focus of his economic proposals. He is clearly attempting to appeal to Independents, and with good reason.
In a recent CNN poll for the first time, 53% of Independents disapprove of the President, while 43% said they approve. Let's make this crystal clear, if Obama loses Independents he's finished. However, I'm not ready to run around the school yard crying the sky is falling just yet, there is plenty of time to turn this around. Other signs don't bode well for the President either, polls in Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Iowa put him in a statistical dead heat with Romney, and losing to him by 9% in New Hampshire.
So how does Obama get a second term in our current toxic political environment? The Occupy Wall Street, and other similar groups protesting across the country hold contempt for both political parties, and with good reason. In the Senate yesterday two Democratic Senators voted against President Obama's Jobs Act. In the House Leader John Boehner (R-OH) can't control the Tea Party caucus, as much as he would like us to believe he does. When party leaders on both sides can't control their own people, you get the kind of political gridlock people are simply fed up with, and as much as I would like Democrats to profit from this uprising on the Left, they profit only by sentiment and not action.
There is a debate out there as to whether Obama should run Left in a Truman-esk fashion against a do nothing congress, or like FDR who called a spade a spade and told Republicans to basically go for it, I stand with the middle class. Or run to middle like President Clinton did in 1996. The problem with both of these strategies is that the American people don't trust either party to fix things. Since Romney is a mainstream guy right of center, I think Obama has to do the same. Independents are the key to the castle. While my heart says go hard left, the pragmatic choice is to move to the center. Oh there is just one other small problem... the economy remains in the tank, unemployment remains above 9%, despite Obama's good intentions, the Republicans are going to make sure it stays that way for another year, a major strike against the incumbent President. It's an uphill battle, and current strategy doesn't seem to be resonating, quite frankly the President has his hands full, and unless he catches a break somewhere, things have the potential to go very ugly, very quickly.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Occupy Wall Street Movement Draws Predictable Response From Republicans
Over the last few weeks you may have heard about the Occupy Wall Street movement in New York's lower Manhattan. It has been active almost a month now, but only recently garnered coverage from the mainstream media. If you were to take a message from these people, it would probably concentrate on the financial system in our country that we bailed out, while they refused to return the favor. While Wall Street and the big banks sit on 2.5 Trillion dollars in assets, and continue to pay record bonuses to their employees, those of us on Main Street struggle to make ends meet. It is a wholesale indictment of the 1% of American corporations and individuals who now hold all the money, all the tax breaks, and all the power. The movement has spread to other cities across the country, and it's unsure when, or if it will end anytime soon.
It is the first major uprising from the left I've seen in a while. It is driven by young people who have completed college, but been unable to find a job. It's the unemployed, some of whom have been job hunting for 2 years or more. It is those who are tired of working longer hours for less pay, and want something better to show for all their hard work. It is the remnants of an ever shrinking middle class in this country, who are tired of all the breaks going to those who need them the least.
So it comes as no surprise to anyone when the Republicans denounce these people, in favor of their rich, and corporate masters. Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.) said “They don’t know why they’re there. They’re just mad,” Broun said on ABC’s "TopLine.” “I see people angry in my district too. But this attack upon business, attack upon industry, attack upon freedom and I think that’s what this is all about.”
Broun said labor unions are trying to exploit the anger felt by the protesters to help the president in his reelection campaign. He went on to say the President is just ignorant and incompetent on how to create jobs and freedom in this economy. He is taking away our freedom and our jobs.
So the President is taking away our freedom? Really? See now this is the kind of "wrap yourself in the flag" crap, that makes me absolutely mental! Translation: Democrats want to destroy this country by trying to control corporations and the rich, ie: the protesters want to destroy this country. It is classic Republican fear factor politics. May I add, only a Georgia Representative like Broun would have the balls to make these kind of absurd insinuations. Just when I think they can't go any lower, some right wing bumpkin like Broun proves me wrong. Do you seriously think this argument between the rich, and corporations, and the middle class, unemployed is about robbing FREEDOM?! If you have half a brain in your head you say of course not! But that never stops Republicans from playing the patriot card when they don't have an answer for the real issue at hand. So lock your doors and windows, while corporations and the rich lay waste to the middle class, you'll be safe in your homes from the protesters who want to take your freedom. GIVE ME A BREAK!
It is the first major uprising from the left I've seen in a while. It is driven by young people who have completed college, but been unable to find a job. It's the unemployed, some of whom have been job hunting for 2 years or more. It is those who are tired of working longer hours for less pay, and want something better to show for all their hard work. It is the remnants of an ever shrinking middle class in this country, who are tired of all the breaks going to those who need them the least.
So it comes as no surprise to anyone when the Republicans denounce these people, in favor of their rich, and corporate masters. Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.) said “They don’t know why they’re there. They’re just mad,” Broun said on ABC’s "TopLine.” “I see people angry in my district too. But this attack upon business, attack upon industry, attack upon freedom and I think that’s what this is all about.”
Broun said labor unions are trying to exploit the anger felt by the protesters to help the president in his reelection campaign. He went on to say the President is just ignorant and incompetent on how to create jobs and freedom in this economy. He is taking away our freedom and our jobs.
So the President is taking away our freedom? Really? See now this is the kind of "wrap yourself in the flag" crap, that makes me absolutely mental! Translation: Democrats want to destroy this country by trying to control corporations and the rich, ie: the protesters want to destroy this country. It is classic Republican fear factor politics. May I add, only a Georgia Representative like Broun would have the balls to make these kind of absurd insinuations. Just when I think they can't go any lower, some right wing bumpkin like Broun proves me wrong. Do you seriously think this argument between the rich, and corporations, and the middle class, unemployed is about robbing FREEDOM?! If you have half a brain in your head you say of course not! But that never stops Republicans from playing the patriot card when they don't have an answer for the real issue at hand. So lock your doors and windows, while corporations and the rich lay waste to the middle class, you'll be safe in your homes from the protesters who want to take your freedom. GIVE ME A BREAK!
Friday, September 30, 2011
Since President Obama Took Office, Republicans Have Made No Bones About How They View Him
The day after he was elected, the Right had to take back America from that black man in the White House. In 2008 our civil discourse had reached new lows, but when Obama won the election, conservatives dove to new lows. The birther issue thrived for over 2 years, until the President finally stopped it. He's not legitimate, he doesn't fit the criteria, How did this happen, we have to stop this somehow? Well to be blunt, you can't label yourself a racists by saying "That nigger doesn't belong in the White House!" So they walk all around it, he's a Socialist, a Nazi, a Communist, a Marxist, when all he really is to these people is "The nigger in the White House." So the primary motivation becomes "Get that nigger out of the White House", or as they like to say "Take back America!"(from the nigger in the White House). Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has stated plainly the primary goal of Republicans is to defeat Barack Obama in 2012. This is their PRIMARY GOAL, not jobs, not healthcare, not taxes. Now is my emphasis on race exaggerated? Maybe, but the Tea Party folks who run the Republican Party right now are all over this, while moderates are cringing every time the dog whistles blow.
So as a result we got the party of "NO". If Obama wants it, we hate it. If Obama likes it, and we used to like it, we hate it. For 3 years Republicans have stalled, filibustered, and rejected compromise at all costs. It has made an already dire economic situation worse, and deadlocked the halls of Congress for 36 months at a time when action is not only needed, but demanded. However, their not done yet. 13 months out from the Presidential election, and Republicans continue to drag their heals while regular hard working Americans loose their jobs, their homes, and their dreams. All so Republicans can "Retake" the White House.
Lets not just stop at the politics, many Republicans have a personal stake in removing this President. I am only 46, but I have never seen a President treated with more disrespect and outright contempt, than President Obama. Until he took office, when before did you hear about Congressmen like Joe Wilson (R-SC) yelling "YOU LIE!" at the President, in the House Chamber, during A State of the Union?
When before did you hear of Congressman like Jef Landry (R-LA) holding up signs in the House Chamber while the President addresses a joint sesssion of Congress? This is the United States Congress, not some high school pep rally?!
Then we have the latest insult, the President wants to address Congress, House Speaker Boehner (R-OH) says "Wednesday is no good for me, how about Thursday?" When have you ever heard about something like this with another President? Then when he does address Congress some Republicans say "I'm busy, I have a football party to attend." like Senator David Vetter (R-LA). Who has ever refused to attend a session of Congress called by the President himself? Can you imagine the hell that would get raised if Democrats had done that to G.W. Bush? The world would end!, but see he's just the nigger in the White House, he's doesn't deserve the same courtesy that every President before him deserved. He is yesterday's news, and the sooner the better. They may think this is working, but with an 82% disapproval rating for Congress, and with most of those blaming Republicans, we'll see who gets the respect they deserve. Regardless of what you may think of Barack Obama, he is OUR President, and is entitled to the same respect as all those commander-in chiefs that came before him. So as the Right continues to erode what, if anything remains of civility in our government, we will see soon enough who's strategy worked, and more importantly how it worked.
So as a result we got the party of "NO". If Obama wants it, we hate it. If Obama likes it, and we used to like it, we hate it. For 3 years Republicans have stalled, filibustered, and rejected compromise at all costs. It has made an already dire economic situation worse, and deadlocked the halls of Congress for 36 months at a time when action is not only needed, but demanded. However, their not done yet. 13 months out from the Presidential election, and Republicans continue to drag their heals while regular hard working Americans loose their jobs, their homes, and their dreams. All so Republicans can "Retake" the White House.
Lets not just stop at the politics, many Republicans have a personal stake in removing this President. I am only 46, but I have never seen a President treated with more disrespect and outright contempt, than President Obama. Until he took office, when before did you hear about Congressmen like Joe Wilson (R-SC) yelling "YOU LIE!" at the President, in the House Chamber, during A State of the Union?
When before did you hear of Congressman like Jef Landry (R-LA) holding up signs in the House Chamber while the President addresses a joint sesssion of Congress? This is the United States Congress, not some high school pep rally?!
Then we have the latest insult, the President wants to address Congress, House Speaker Boehner (R-OH) says "Wednesday is no good for me, how about Thursday?" When have you ever heard about something like this with another President? Then when he does address Congress some Republicans say "I'm busy, I have a football party to attend." like Senator David Vetter (R-LA). Who has ever refused to attend a session of Congress called by the President himself? Can you imagine the hell that would get raised if Democrats had done that to G.W. Bush? The world would end!, but see he's just the nigger in the White House, he's doesn't deserve the same courtesy that every President before him deserved. He is yesterday's news, and the sooner the better. They may think this is working, but with an 82% disapproval rating for Congress, and with most of those blaming Republicans, we'll see who gets the respect they deserve. Regardless of what you may think of Barack Obama, he is OUR President, and is entitled to the same respect as all those commander-in chiefs that came before him. So as the Right continues to erode what, if anything remains of civility in our government, we will see soon enough who's strategy worked, and more importantly how it worked.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Perry Slows, While Republicans Remain Angry And Confused
Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry in the Battle of Lake Erie, during the War of 1812, is famous for saying "Don't Give Up The Ship." Governor Rick Perry has further exposed himself as nothing more than a another southern political rube, whose ship is slowly running aground. He has 3 Republican debates under his belt, and has not shined in any of them. He has faltered under attacks from his fellow Republicans that were hardly withering in force, or content, and shows himself less and less worthy of his position as the Republicans top pick. He continues to stand by and expound on his controversial statements about social security, immigration, health care, and general economic growth. His recent foray into foreign policy, showing up in New York in a vain attempt to undermine the President, not only did a disservice to President Obama, but showed himself as a foreign policy novice who hasn't got a clue. Making incendiary comments with regard to Israel made him look like a major clod. This man hasn't got a clue about Israel, and probably couldn't find it on a map if it was tattooed to his ass.
Republican party faithful are standing behind him as the current leader in the polls, but at the same time are slowly sliding their feet toward the exits. Several political journals this week were already ringing his death nell, as just one more Republican flash in the pan. To add insult to injury, factor in Herman Cain's big win in the Florida Straw Poll, which left Perry brushing off the dust of a dismal second place showing. In the meantime, once again Mitt Romney is beginning to look like the sane, albeit uninspired, man for the job. While he does not excite the Republican base, he has been a constant and steady force moving toward the primaries. All this despite his own short comings, which no one seems to want to exploit.
All this points to an increasingly disgruntled Republican electorate whose true colors have shined with each passing debate. Cheers for Perry's execution of 235 inmates, overshadowed recently by the Troy Davis affair. Ron Paul being asked if a young man with no insurance should just be allowed to die? Garnishing cries of "Yeah!" A gay active duty U.S. Marine in Iraq asking if Republicans will undermine the the recent repeal of DADT ( Don't Ask, Don't Tell) to a chorus of Boos! and in none of these instances did any of the Republican candidates stand up and say "hold on that's just not right." NOT ONE. The far rights anger is palatable. You can almost taste it as drips from the mouths of these hard core, right wing, nut jobs yelling from the crowd. Now, to every one's surprise, here comes Herman Cain in Florida? If you still think Rick Perry is going to be the Republican standard bearer, just keep listening to what he says, and like all the rest, your feet will be sliding toward the exits. The Republicans are furious that in an election year where President Obama is so vulnerable, this is the best they have to offer, and it's killing them!
Republican party faithful are standing behind him as the current leader in the polls, but at the same time are slowly sliding their feet toward the exits. Several political journals this week were already ringing his death nell, as just one more Republican flash in the pan. To add insult to injury, factor in Herman Cain's big win in the Florida Straw Poll, which left Perry brushing off the dust of a dismal second place showing. In the meantime, once again Mitt Romney is beginning to look like the sane, albeit uninspired, man for the job. While he does not excite the Republican base, he has been a constant and steady force moving toward the primaries. All this despite his own short comings, which no one seems to want to exploit.
All this points to an increasingly disgruntled Republican electorate whose true colors have shined with each passing debate. Cheers for Perry's execution of 235 inmates, overshadowed recently by the Troy Davis affair. Ron Paul being asked if a young man with no insurance should just be allowed to die? Garnishing cries of "Yeah!" A gay active duty U.S. Marine in Iraq asking if Republicans will undermine the the recent repeal of DADT ( Don't Ask, Don't Tell) to a chorus of Boos! and in none of these instances did any of the Republican candidates stand up and say "hold on that's just not right." NOT ONE. The far rights anger is palatable. You can almost taste it as drips from the mouths of these hard core, right wing, nut jobs yelling from the crowd. Now, to every one's surprise, here comes Herman Cain in Florida? If you still think Rick Perry is going to be the Republican standard bearer, just keep listening to what he says, and like all the rest, your feet will be sliding toward the exits. The Republicans are furious that in an election year where President Obama is so vulnerable, this is the best they have to offer, and it's killing them!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The Republican Agenda Is Way To Obvious To Miss
You see and hear it everyday in the news, in commercials, in speeches, and debates, the right wing agenda. Of course everyone knows about the left wing agenda to bring down this country, but the right has one too, and they're not trying to hide it. We are all well aware of Republican forked tongues rampant in their politics. Here are 2 examples: 1) When President Obama rolled out the American Jobs Act, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) said he was open to some of the Presidents proposals, but didn't like his "all or nothing" attitude with regards to the bill, are you kidding me? From one of the kings of all or nothing politics? Really? 2) Yesterday, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) told reporters he was hopeful debt reduction goals could be reached by the Congressional Super-committee, then in the same breath said tax increases were off the table. He mused, "tax the rich, tax the rich, that's not what America is about..." and that it was "class warfare." In an economy with 14 million people unemployed, where Republicans haven't passed 1 jobs bill, and are content t sit on their hands until November 2012, DEMOCRATS ARE WAGING CLASS WARFARE ON THE RICH!!!!! Are you out of your mind? Eighty plus percent of people want the Bush tax cuts to expire, and taxes increased on the rich, yet they stand there unmoved regurgitating the same non-sensible rhetoric to their demented base of followers, who happily gobble it up. Time after time they stand firm to defend the indefensible, and they don't care who doesn't like it.
Three big pushes are on across the country, above and beyond their credo of "Defeat Barack Obama at all costs." First, big business is taking a big leap into the public relations game to tell us how wonderfully they benefit all of us. There are several examples, but the most blatant industry I've noticed are energy companies. Big Oil, Natural Gas, and Coal, are bombarding the airways with how many jobs they create, how safe they are, how serious they are about "alternative fuels", how they drive the economy. The latest and most offensive one I've seen of late, comes from the "Clean Coal" people (which is an oxymoron, there is no such thing as clean coal), they are running commercials for people to contact congress to stop regulations wanted by the EPA. If their damn coal is so clean why should a few regulations get in their way? Because its all a lot of crap! Big Oil gets government subsidies to create safety plans on how to save walruses in the Gulf of Mexico, then when one of their rigs explodes, it takes them 3 months just to cap the damn thing. Exxon-Mobil alone made 25 Billion dollars in just the first quarter of this year, 3 months!? with that kind of money it takes you 3 months to cap a well. I'm not even mentioning the environmental damage caused to the Gulf beaches, local economies, and jobs. But what do Republicans say "Drill Baby Drill." You see those adds for clean natural gas? How abundant it is and how they take great care in getting it out of the ground? I have a documentary for you all to watch its called Gasland if you've seen it you know what I'm talking about. They pump a cocktail of over 500 chemicals into the ground to get the gas (most of them carcinogens)in an operation called fracking. It contaminates water supplies, and lets you light a fire when water comes out of your tap, yummy. sound safe to you? I think not. In all these instances Republicans want less regulation, even to the point of destroying the EPA itself. That's what you get with a party driven by concern for corporate profits and not people.
Second, In Republican controlled states with Republican Governors and State Assembly's, there has been an all out war declared on organized labor, both public and private. You've watched it play out in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey, to name a few. Why? not to balance budgets as they would have you believe, but to cripple or destroy the one major funding source for Democratic candidates in the country. Budget axes are dropping on teachers, police, fireman, government employees, organized labor in general, and it's not just at the state level it's at the federal level. One and all who are these people? The Middle Class, the ever shrinking middle class, whose median household income has dropped consistently since 1999, while poverty in America is on the rise, and while the rich just keep getting richer.
Third, In these same Republican controlled states there have been an increased effort to pass state legislation that promotes voter suppression. Aimed at the elderly, the poor, and minorities, its just another part of the rights grand scheme. Keep the economy in limbo to defeat Obama, crush progressive donors, make it as difficult as possible for those who generally vote Democratic to do so. It is cold and calculated, and to see it all you have to do is look. I point these things out so that when you do see them, you'll know it's true, and it's obvious, and most importantly it needs to stop.
Three big pushes are on across the country, above and beyond their credo of "Defeat Barack Obama at all costs." First, big business is taking a big leap into the public relations game to tell us how wonderfully they benefit all of us. There are several examples, but the most blatant industry I've noticed are energy companies. Big Oil, Natural Gas, and Coal, are bombarding the airways with how many jobs they create, how safe they are, how serious they are about "alternative fuels", how they drive the economy. The latest and most offensive one I've seen of late, comes from the "Clean Coal" people (which is an oxymoron, there is no such thing as clean coal), they are running commercials for people to contact congress to stop regulations wanted by the EPA. If their damn coal is so clean why should a few regulations get in their way? Because its all a lot of crap! Big Oil gets government subsidies to create safety plans on how to save walruses in the Gulf of Mexico, then when one of their rigs explodes, it takes them 3 months just to cap the damn thing. Exxon-Mobil alone made 25 Billion dollars in just the first quarter of this year, 3 months!? with that kind of money it takes you 3 months to cap a well. I'm not even mentioning the environmental damage caused to the Gulf beaches, local economies, and jobs. But what do Republicans say "Drill Baby Drill." You see those adds for clean natural gas? How abundant it is and how they take great care in getting it out of the ground? I have a documentary for you all to watch its called Gasland if you've seen it you know what I'm talking about. They pump a cocktail of over 500 chemicals into the ground to get the gas (most of them carcinogens)in an operation called fracking. It contaminates water supplies, and lets you light a fire when water comes out of your tap, yummy. sound safe to you? I think not. In all these instances Republicans want less regulation, even to the point of destroying the EPA itself. That's what you get with a party driven by concern for corporate profits and not people.
Second, In Republican controlled states with Republican Governors and State Assembly's, there has been an all out war declared on organized labor, both public and private. You've watched it play out in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey, to name a few. Why? not to balance budgets as they would have you believe, but to cripple or destroy the one major funding source for Democratic candidates in the country. Budget axes are dropping on teachers, police, fireman, government employees, organized labor in general, and it's not just at the state level it's at the federal level. One and all who are these people? The Middle Class, the ever shrinking middle class, whose median household income has dropped consistently since 1999, while poverty in America is on the rise, and while the rich just keep getting richer.
Third, In these same Republican controlled states there have been an increased effort to pass state legislation that promotes voter suppression. Aimed at the elderly, the poor, and minorities, its just another part of the rights grand scheme. Keep the economy in limbo to defeat Obama, crush progressive donors, make it as difficult as possible for those who generally vote Democratic to do so. It is cold and calculated, and to see it all you have to do is look. I point these things out so that when you do see them, you'll know it's true, and it's obvious, and most importantly it needs to stop.
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