Liberal Sympathizer Huffington Admits Obama's Mistakes

[carlton]

From the video and article at Yahoo, even Arianna Huffington says ...

“He keeps talking about the priority being jobs, but he’s not acting as if the priority were jobs,” Huffington says. “He has to take responsibility for doing a lot of things wrong. He prioritized health care when he shouldn’t have.”

The reality is sinking in to the point where rose-colored glasses are now coming off. Her comment about the ill-timed healthcare initiative is golden.

[Gerry]

From the video and article at Yahoo, even Arianna Huffington says ...



The reality is sinking in to the point where rose-colored glasses are now coming off. Her comment about the ill-timed healthcare initiative is golden.

my question is:

if the majority of Americans are most concerned about jobs and find that to be one of the biggest *****ing points by the GOP, why did the GOP ignore this and not address this in their new pledge? What is their answer to unemployment? What is their answer to jobs gone? Oddly enough, they did not address this even though it is one of their biggest talking points and rallying points.

Reality is, they have no answer. Their solution to the ills of society is to repeal health care that has now been granted to kids up until age 26 and can not be denied based on pre-existing conditions and to extend tax cuts for all, which includes the top 1% of the population which collectively control over 20% of the entire worth of this nation. Did you know the Forbes 400 List of Richest in the US, 217 increased their net worth by more than $1.37 trillion in 2009, which was up 8% over 2008. And, boo hoo, only 84 on the list had a decrease. You have to make a minimum of $1 Billion to make the list.

Yes, even with record unemployment and housing foreclosures. Now if the cream of the crop can continue to improve their net worth by more than 245% like Zuckerberg of Facebook...yeah, let's extend the tax break to them.

From 2003 until 2010, the top tax bracket is 35%. Dropping the tax break for the top tier would increase the tax 39.6% - an increase of a whopping 4.6% on the kazillions pocketed and kept from the great raping of America enjoyed by the wealthiest from 2000-2008.

So, how was it that the GOP proposed to reduce unemployment and get jobs back? Oh, that's right - they didn't.

Let's cut taxes and lets repeal health care.

Does anyone recall the Contract With America or the 1,000 Points of Light?

[carlton]

Doc - Jobs will come from American business which is supported through lower taxes, limited govt spending. Confidence in the equity market has already begun to return because companies have controlled expenditures and are reporting profits, at least those that planned ahead and were fiscally responsible. The President's initiatives introduced more uncertainty and heavy weight on the industries that drive the American economy, particularly small businesses.

I agree that healthcare is important especially for children. Obama's first and most detrimental mistake however was pre-empting the country's gravest concerns & needs with his own agenda the first 9 months of his presidency. That was not a small mistake, but a catastrophic lapse in judgement that revealed how poorly equipped he was to prioritize and to lead.

It's not so much about hating the rich (that's the spin & manipulation of the Dems right now), it's about erasing the Democratic idealogical mistakes that suppress America's business growth and ability to compete in the world, i.e. sucking up to unions, prohibiting domestic oil drilling, lack of support for national transition to natural gas, wealth redistribution from a basic socialist philosophy. Now more than ever the engine of American ingenuity and manufacturing needs to be rekindled. That comes from private enterprise ... not government.

The course that Obama has plotted is one which will continue to undermine America's economic recovery. This is becoming so obvious that any "man on the street" is beginning to see this, ex. Huffington's comments which I referenced. Now I should say that I am for government regulation. This is very important, but only to the extent that it prohibits Wall Street greed. Capitalism is a two edged sword bringing out the best and worst in everyone. Carefully crafted (and enforced!) govt regulation protects us all from the worst of capitalism's darker side.

At this point, Obama's hand is revealed and he's already on his way out.

[Infoproliferati]

Companies may have a quarterly book that looks good as a result of controlled expenditure. That doesn't mean there is job creation though. A corporation may be sitting on a pile of cash and won't spend a nickel during tough times as it anticipates the government's response. Any company is in the business of looking out for its own interest. When the company decides to cutback drastically on hiring since it is uncertain about the future, can we really blame them?

This is the point when the government comes in to encourage spending. Only by giving more contract work to the private sector and hiring within the public sector will the government succeed in sparking up spending in the private sector (limited spending by the government should only be exercised when trying to cool down an economy that is growing uncontrollably). The government can't afford to rely on the private sector to spur growth and boost the economy during hard times. The private sector will only look out for itself and won't spend as much as it used to. It's just the truth.

When a country has an international debt the size of America's, it doesn't make sense to give tax cuts to ANYONE without the taxpayer having to sacrifice something in return. If you hire XXX number of people then we will give you the tax cuts you want. Incentive based. That's the only way things will work now. I think.

Wall St sure could use regulations.

[Gerry]

Doc - Jobs will come from American business which is supported through lower taxes, limited govt spending.

Wait a minute ... they've had that for the past seven years (2003 -2010 of Bush Era Tax Cuts).

And how many jobs were eliminated during that time period? Sent overseas? Outsourced?

Those are jobs that are NEVER coming back because it is too cheap and too profitable NOT to come back to the US.

It's not so much about hating the rich (that's the spin & manipulation of the Dems right now),

I don't hat the rich. Exactly how much more money do they need?

Now more than ever the engine of American ingenuity and manufacturing needs to be rekindled. That comes from private enterprise ... not government.

I could not agree more. As well as in full agreement on the natural gas transition.

At this point, Obama's hand is revealed and he's already on his way out.

He is on his way out ONLY if there is a better solution.

Another feel good, fuzzy and warm all over slogan is not going to do it for me. If the GOP want to Pledge anything, how about pledging to act like they are part of the problems, part of the ongoing problems, and work across the isle?

I despise partisan politics more than ever now. The party of no has demonstrated total lack of unwillingness to even think for themselves.

If the GOP wants to win my support back, then they need to show me something better. They need to show me someone better. And they need to show me that they can and are willing to do what it takes to comprimise to get this country back on the right track.

And they need to quit coming up with these slogans that are nothing more than for the moment photo-ops and get to work.

[katherine]

It's never too late to learn Chinese...

[carlton]

Sort of outside pure Republican & Democratic partisan politics, part of the problem is Americans and the American lifestyle. Over the last 10+ years, people have become over-extended on credit which is a terrible trap to be caught in. Credit is good, but I've seen so many people want this & that (immediate gratification) so they purchased things on credit they did not need and could not afford. In the "old days", people worked and saved, and made purchases from actual savings.

Mortgage defaults were largely the fault of individuals not saving, not budgeting, and living beyond their means. But everyone wants to blame government, Wall Street, the banks & lenders. They all played a part, but no more than the individual.

Our government can & should only do so much to save us from ourselves. Many Americans need to lower their expectations of others, and raise expectations of themselves. There's no replacement for discipline & hard work.

That's one thing I've noticed about many immigrant workers. Not afraid of hard work, and don't seem to walk around with their hand out looking to be supported by the government tit.

[Infoproliferati]

Valid points Carlton. 100%

China is an economic growth monster. We may really have to learn Chinese soon enough

[carlton]

Valid points Carlton. 100%

China is an economic growth monster. We may really have to learn Chinese soon enough

You can say that again. There is something energizing about third world countries and the economically depressed (by historical standards) which breeds in them a genuine hunger and determination. Their will becomes focused, and when opportunity comes along they recognize and appreciate it. Not so with many modern day Americans ... which is truly a shame. Too many simply want government handouts.

Passive, uninvolved parents are the single greatest contributor to the softening of American society. The immediate gratification citizen was acculturated and shaped by weak parents over the last 30 years. Political progressives and an ultra liberal society also chipped away at the backbone of America by eradicating all the virtues and traditions on which the country was founded. The ACLU and other "progressive" organizations have taken the "me, me, me generation" and elevated their pathology to an art by making them the center of the universe. Not healthy.

It's human nature for people to become complacent when they get pampered. I hate to say so but America reached such a comparatively high standard of living over the last century that a sizable segment of the U.S. population became soft and self-entitled. Couple that with this "government owes me" mentality, and an ultra liberal society, and it brings us to where we are.

[Big P]

It's not so much about hating the rich (that's the spin & manipulation of the Dems right now), I don't hat the rich. Exactly how much more money do they need?

Even though the current administration want's to make us into a socialist country, this is America, why do you feel the need to limit what people can make....you want a cutoff point for when people make too much money? Let me guess, you want to redistribute that extra money that they don't need & give it to the "less fortunate" right? That's the problem, there are too many "less fortunate people"(that are fully capable of working, but have got use to the handouts the govt. gives them for everything & decided that they don't need to work) living off our tax dollars that do nothing but suck up our resources.

People are tired of this administration's FAILED policies...and the whole Blame Bush thing is so old, even his own party is getting sick of hearing it...at some point he needs to get a grip on reality & realize that it is now HIS responsibility. And to the democratic voter who called bho out on national tv, props to you for saying what needs to be said, but I'm sorry, it is your reality & reality for thousands of people around the country because you voted for him.

As far as the Pledge that the Republicans are talking about, it's a start, you have to start somewhere...you cannot expect all of these f***ups caused by this administration to be fixed overnight.

[Gerry]

As far as the Pledge that the Republicans are talking about, it's a start, you have to start somewhere...you cannot expect all of these f***ups caused by this administration to be fixed overnight.

Its not a start.

It is a slogan.

And as I pointed out (several times now and in the past), show me something or someone better.

I have lived through A Contract With America and A Thousand Points of Light.

Those failed pledges and promises of the past are no different than what we are seeing at the present. It is nothing more than a rallying cry to take back both houses of the Senate. The only difference between the previous two banners and this Pledge is the year.

In the meantime, those same disgruntled voters are sending people like Paladino and McDonnell to "represent us" (in one capacity or another) are far more scary to me than anything Obama has or has not done.

I am not at all for redistribution of wealth. As for those looking and wanting a handout, well that's been going on for decades. And if it bothers people, then why was this not addressed previously when the GOP had both houses and the Presidency? These are not new problems or a pimple on the ass of the nation. It is simply more of the same thing and more of a rallying point for those that have long term memory problems.

As for all the "f***ups caused by this administration to be fixed overnight" there must be some exceptions, correct? As in, it is correct to say that now but was not correct to say that in January 2010? You see, this is more of the memory loss that the GOP hopes befalls upon the minds of the voters.

Show me and give me options to choose.

I am one voter that needs no more slogans, contracts, pledges, or cattle prods to tell me what to think or speak.

[carlton]

Doc - I do think the Republican leadership has a long way to go in developing a comprehensive recovery plan. I understand voters' suspicions of both parties, though I believe it is a mistake to automatically link Republicans with the past administration's policies. What they have begun with is a needed reversal of direction since Obama and Pelosi have the country headed toward a cliff. Incidentally, Pelosi is the strangest high level party figure I can ever remember. A bitter, petty, and divisive partisan hack. She alone casts a certain strangeness over the entire Democratic party since she is one of their most prominent faces. Quite unfortunate.

One glaring omission of the Republicans is the lack of thorough discussion of the proposed rules and regulations that will govern Wall Street and the larger investment sector. The Wall Street crowd worship money and will sacrifice anyone and anything for wealth. Consequently, intense govt regulation is needed to reign Wall Street in and their loophole, abusive practices (such as exploitation of the derivatives markets). This is the only thing Obama has spoken of that made me cheer for him, and I am glad that he is willing to call Wall Street out. Unfortunately, he has sacrificed his voice, leverage and influence by misguiding American voters in other key areas. I want to see Republicans pick up this cause and am concerned that they have not.

I'll repeat what I have said before. The next President (and his/her administration) MUST focus, as a chief priority above all else, making America competitive in the global economy. Every other issue, every one of them except security & defense must take a distant back seat to the American economy. No other issues come close to being this important. Everything ... hinges on repairing the economy. Everything. Nothing happens, nothing whatsoever can be allowed to supercede revitalizing the American economy. It provides for everything else. So like it or not, all citizens must philosophically support corporate business interests from the smallest companies to the largest corporations. Unfortunately, this concept is outside of Obama's view. He spoke of it in his campaign speeches and has done the opposite since taking office.

Everything that the American people enjoy & take for granted was created and perpetuated by American business and the free market. That is the foundation that everything in America is built upon.

[Gerry]

Doc - I do think the Republican leadership has a long way to go in developing a comprehensive recovery plan. I understand voters' suspicions of both parties, though I believe it is a mistake to automatically link Republicans with the past administration's policies.

Then lets take that route. Let's NOT link them to past admins. Lets link them to the here and now - the Party of No. Let's discuss how they have voted, for the most part strictly along party lines. They are FOREVER linked to previous administrations as they want to continue those policies.

What they have begun with is a needed reversal of direction since Obama and Pelosi have the country headed toward a cliff.

Are you serious? "headed toward a cliff" as if we were not there in January 2009? Am I to understand that we were better off leaving things alone and as they were?

Incidentally, Pelosi is the strangest high level party figure I can ever remember. A bitter, petty, and divisive partisan hack. She alone casts a certain strangeness over the entire Democratic party since she is one of their most prominent faces. Quite unfortunate.

To you and any others that want to chime in, never have I expressed my support for Pelosi. I am far from a Pelosi fan.

One glaring omission of the Republicans is the lack of thorough discussion of the proposed rules and regulations that will govern Wall Street and the larger investment sector. The Wall Street crowd worship money and will sacrifice anyone and anything for wealth. Consequently, intense govt regulation is needed to reign Wall Street in and their loophole, abusive practices (such as exploitation of the derivatives markets). This is the only thing Obama has spoken of that made me cheer for him, and I am glad that he is willing to call Wall Street out.

ONE glaring omission??? The entire pledge is an omission. Don't tell me you will repeal the healthcare plan and replace it with something else. How vague is that? The entire pledge is Vague and intended to be vague. It reads as if it is a draft of sound bites from Tea Party meetings. It is structured to be vague so no one can be held accountable. Ergo, that is the TOTAL sum of our political system - NO accountability and NO responsibility. Best to go back and look at that pledge and find the GLARING OMISSIONS in all points. The whole thing reminds me of the Bishop scandal in Atlanta...I watch this horse-and-pony show this morning where he announces he will fight the accusations and allegations - and throws in an "I am not perfect" phrase. Why? Because he does not want to admit guilt (he neither admitted to nor denied the charges - from now 4 young men) but want's to leave a way out - I am not perfect - if found out to be true.

So the "quit blaming Bush" thing runs equally shallow with me. Suddenly, the GOP (as a whole) wants to take no accountability nor responsibility for we we are now and how we got here.

Notice here one HUGE factor...NOT ONCE in this or several numerous posts over the previous month or year or so have I mentioned my support and adoration of Obama. What this is all about (as in this thread) are those that act like they read from the daily gospel or book of the GOP, Beck, et all. I read threads on this forum from people who want to convince me not to think the way I do and to deny what has happened, how it happened, and who is responsible.

I can not and will not shut my mind. What you see is more of tearing apart points made on the other side. And several want to take that as an endorsement of the left and the liberals. Is that what has become of the GOP? Just shut up and take our word for it? That is certainly what I am reading in thread after thread on this forum. Shut up. Take our word. Irregardless of points made that I rip apart, I am wrong, shut up, take our word.

So instead of the I am wrong, shut up and take our word...show me someone and something better because I do not forget. I do not forget how we got into this mess we are in, I do not forget who led us down this road, and I do not forget who abandoned American principles and values for the sake of personal gain, and who bankrupted this country. No, I will not forget which party put us in this situation and which party wants to stymie anything going forward - and that party is one in the same.

Show me who is a better leader? Show me the better alternative to repealing the healthcare, extending the tax cuts for all, and how to get that car off the cliff edge.

Show me something more than a Pledge to Tell You What You Want to Hear so We Can Get Your Vote and Vote NO on Everything so We Can Blame Obama and the Dems in 2012 and We Can Win Back The White House even Though We have No Viable Candidate at this time Nor Do we have a Viable And Workable Plan to Provide Healthcare to All, No Plan to Stop The Wall Street Monster, No Plans to generate revenue for the Country's coffers, No Plan on how to get spending back to Fall 2008 levels, and No Plans or Viable Solution to bring jobs back to our shores.

You can slogan and pledge my ass to death and never have a plan or solution or goals.

As mentioned, I have witnessed and lived through the bullshit Thousand Points of Light and Contract with America and see no difference in this pledge other than the date of September 2010 inserted.

[tetrapak]

It's never too late to learn Chinese...

good one!

[carlton]

It's never too late to learn Chinese...

Don't forget India! At least they speak English as a second language.

Actually, we may be able to skip learning Chinese if these things happen ...

- Reduce domestic manufacturing costs (big hurdle because it requires American sacrifice) to incentivize American Business to stay in the USA
- Eliminate unions (whose demands & leverage suffocate business growth as well as survival)
- Keep taxes to a minimum, flat tax preferably
- Mandate balanced budgets Federal and State level
- Prohibit high-risk equity trading practices that introduce volatility into the stock market
- Pass legislation that provides for development of real energy alternatives instead of lip-serving this goal

[think]

Ariana was just on The Daily show. Looks like she has committed to coordinating logistics for Jon Stewart's Rally to Restore Sanity:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/0..._n_742739.html

The Huffington Post has an awesome Ipad application by the way. Makes the big boys look silly:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/huffi...306621789?mt=8

rock an Ariana

[Area52]

Ariana was just on The Daily show. Looks like she has committed to coordinating logistics for Jon Stewart's Rally to Restore Sanity:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/0..._n_742739.html

The Huffington Post has an awesome Ipad application by the way. Makes the big boys look silly:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/huffi...306621789?mt=8

rock an Ariana

More like Rally to Restore Ratings.

[think]

More like Rally to Restore Ratings.

Ya, that's it. It has nothing to do with right wing racist nut cases acting like total ****ing idiots.......

[ilovedomains]

Politics in Canada is so boring. Elections last about 6 weeks and the winners serve for four years. We have public campaign financing, so candidates dont need to be filthy rich to win. Corporations and unions are banned from making signifigant political donations, so politicians cant be bought (legally). When the elections over everybody smiles, shakes hands and forgets about it for the another four years.

You Americans are so lucky to have such a wonderful political system where the screaming never stops. We would love to have a big march on the capitol in Canada, but no one can find anything to complain about. Just Dull Dull Dull.

[carlton]

Politics in Canada is so boring. Elections last about 6 weeks and the winners serve for four years. We have public campaign financing, so candidates dont need to be filthy rich to win. Corporations and unions are banned from making signifigant political donations, so politicians cant be bought (legally). When the elections over everybody smiles, shakes hands and forgets about it for the another four years.

You Americans are so lucky to have such a wonderful political system where the screaming never stops. We would love to have a big march on the capitol in Canada, but no one can find anything to complain about. Just Dull Dull Dull.

That sounds better than the mess we have.