Politics as Usual

Easygoing 1 year, 9 months ago

Doris you will find that facts do not play well in this publication. Watch the comments below.

dustyrhoades 1 year, 9 months ago

Well said, Ms. Smith. The terrorist wing of the Republican Party has shown that they'll blow up the economy before they'll let a single corporate jet owner lose his loopholes and credits. And they'll gladly throw thousands of public sector workers out of jobs, claiming it's to reduce unemployment. Neither truth nor sanity are part of their make-up. Welcome to the second dip, aka the Tea Party recession.

teufelhunden 1 year, 9 months ago

Yeah, don't forget all of the left wing terrorists...

teufelhunden 1 year, 9 months ago

that have a hatred for America...

JeremyG 1 year, 9 months ago

Ahh yes I forgot the only way to love America is to be a conservative.

dustyrhoades 1 year, 9 months ago

A conservative is someone who claims to love America while loathing and fearing over half the people who live in it.

teufelhunden 1 year, 9 months ago

I find it curious that you are so ready to brand the tea party as "teahadists" implying that they are terrorists, yet you flip out when people say that the followers of Islam who follow the teaching of the Koran are peace loving when in fact they would blow your infidel non believing butt off the map given the chance.

dustyrhoades 1 year, 9 months ago

Y'know, after Norway, you could say the same thing about Christians. After all, every Christian didn't immediately run to the nearest microphone and try to distance him or herself form the murderous actions of one of their own. Following your logic, that means all Christians are terrorists who want to kill anyone different from them.

Of course they aren't, but that would be the conclusion if their was any consistency or logic to your beliefs.

Courseaire 1 year, 9 months ago

So now we are comparing the Tea Party to the Norway wacko - good analogy.

dustyrhoades 1 year, 9 months ago

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

Toda 1 year, 9 months ago

DRjr...have you seen the stock market figures the last two days? All gains by the present administration dropped in just two days. Economists are pulling their hair out because of the idiotic political posturing by the Repubs. The TEA Patriots or Party Nuts may have taken the first step in the total destruction of our and the world's economy: ie Spain and Greece. Talking about throwing the baby out with the bath water....

AbdominalDohMan 1 year, 9 months ago

Yeah, because the Tea Party holds the super majority in both the House and Senate.

dustyrhoades 1 year, 9 months ago

No but they have a large enough minority to obstruct things that need to get done, and no principle against destroying our credit and bond ratings to get their way.

AbdominalDohMan 1 year, 9 months ago

Yeah, because reducing your spending and actually balancing your budget is what destroys your credit, not spending way beyond your means and borrowing more to pay the bill. "Rolls eyes in disbelief"

dustyrhoades 1 year, 9 months ago

Not paying your bills destroys your credit. Not paying obligations you'd already voted to incur destroys a country's credit. That's what the GOP terrorists threatened to do to protect tax cuts for the rich. If they really cared about "balancing the budget" they'd admit, as every sane economist has done, that that can't be done without both spending cuts AND revenue increases. But they don't care about that. It's "protect the tax breaks for corporate jets and stick it to everyone else." And that's what's got the markets rattled. The second round will be the Tea Party recession. You'll own it, because you proved to the world that you're willing to destroy the economy in the name of saving it.

AbdominalDohMan 1 year, 9 months ago

If you would review my posts across various articles, you will see that I advocate for the Fair Tax plan, or atleast a flat tax for everyone with no loopholes or deductions. When you go on a tirade toward me about protecting tax breaks, you are barking up the wrong tree, Americandream.

Courseaire 1 year, 9 months ago

Why in less than 2 days and just 2 small monthly payments, I can guaranty to fix your credit, help you consolidate your bills and still have enough to feed your family of 4. Pick up your phone and call 1-800-Fix-Dude right now! The 1st 50 callers will get absolutely free a No-T-4-Me button.

JimHeim 1 year, 9 months ago

The teabaggers in Congress have shown that the nation's financial obligations are no longer sacred but are instead bargaining chips for political purposes. The "full faith and credit of the United States" is now a target for extortionists. Who would be foolish enough to trust us now?

AbdominalDohMan 1 year, 9 months ago

The full faith and credit of the US is a laughable statement and was long before the Tea Party existed. I see the trick now since you really can't get away with blaming Bush anymore, blame the super minority in the house, the Tea Party.

dustyrhoades 1 year, 9 months ago

We blame the people who are to blame. Sorry that makes you so mad, Homer.

AbdominalDohMan 1 year, 9 months ago

I am in no way mad, just intellectually honest and not blindly allegiant to any party, Americandream.

dustyrhoades 1 year, 9 months ago

Sure you are, Homer.

Courseaire 1 year, 9 months ago

You state that the TeaPats held America as hostage & are terrorist, however here is how I would characterize the Parties (Democrats, Republicans, Tea Party & Obama) in terms of a family of 4 trying to balance their budget:

Democrats – Since our income is fixed and we still want buy what we want, we’ll have to borrow on our 4 new pre-approved credit cards, use those to buy more things and pay the minimum on our current credit cards, however, we’ll have to pretend we are Robin Hood and rob from the rich to pay them off.
Republicans – Since our income is fixed, we’ll have to survive on only what we need, tear up the 4 new pre-approved credit cards, pay the minimum on our credit cards and stay the course.
Tea Party - Since our income is fixed and we want to reduce our debt, we’ll have to get by on essentials only, pay off our existing credit cards and pay with cash only.
Obama – Ok, we’ll use the 4 new Pre-approved credit cards and I’ll let you decide what to buy & what to pay.

teufelhunden 1 year, 9 months ago

Well done Courseaire.

AbdominalDohMan 1 year, 9 months ago

I can say that I will firmly agree with anyone who wants to go to a flat tax or the fair tax and get rid of all loopholes and deductions for EVERYONE; wealthy, middle class, poor, or businesses.

Toda 1 year, 9 months ago

So Homer whats wrong with paying taxes on what one spends as opposed to what one earns? Oh ~ I see, billionaires will have to pay taxes without loopholes. Geez, a 2.5 million dollar yacht and fuel expense would provide a great revenue resource just like the guy buying food for his family. I won't vote for any bought and paid for Representative who doesn't support http://www.fairtax.org

AbdominalDohMan 1 year, 9 months ago

I'm confused on you post here???? I 100% support the Fair Tax plan. I'm really at a loss of why more liberals do not support it. All you hear is that the rich need to pay their fair share. A national sales tax is about as fair as you can get.

AbdominalDohMan 1 year, 9 months ago

It was allowed to get to the 11th hour on purpose. The politicians on both sides wanted to be able to posture for the next election and be hailed as heroes for getting the job done to "avoid" the NEXT BIG CRISIS. Never let a good crisis go to waste!!!!! "The world was going to come to an end but we saved you!" Please.

teufelhunden 1 year, 9 months ago

You're totally right about that. Both "sides" are to blame. Politicians! When Americans need to work together, it just becomes a game of posturing and finger pointing. There are some groups pushing for America to fall to its knees. "Fundamentally transforming the USA" means just that.

Toda 1 year, 9 months ago

Kick all of them out of office or have term limits. Problems solved.

dustyrhoades 1 year, 9 months ago

This whole simplistic "a nation of millions competing in a complex global economy needs to live like a family of four" is one of the most dimwitted and dangerous tropes of the right. Anyone trotting out that old wheezer immediately identifies himself as either a charlatan or one of the rubes they're fleecing.

Courseaire 1 year, 9 months ago

How did you know I was originally from Charlotte?

TreadLightly 1 year, 9 months ago

This letter pointd out that Bush was losint control, too.

A Boeing 747 flies that same way as a 765 pound Piper J-3 Cub. Too slow, they stall. Too fast, they break something. Hit the ground too hard, they can hurt you. Misjudge the fuel, they leave you where you don't want to go. Overload them, they don't get off the ground. FOLLOW THE RULES AND THEY TAKE YOU PLACES.

I know that the United States is many times larger than a family of four. But pray tell how a country can spend money it doesn't have, print dollars like Monoply money, burden itself with debilitating debt, forge their kid's names on the loan papers and ignore the laws of gravity JUST BECAUSE THEY NUMBER 3 MILLION instead of just FOUR.

Boeing 747 pilots started in a 1,110 pound Cessna 150 to learn THE BASICS. In the larger planes, the numbers on the dials got bigger, but the principles still applied.

dustyrhoades 1 year, 9 months ago

Ask the FAA if someone with a rating to fly a J-3 is qualified to fly a 747.

Assuming the terrorist faction of the GOP hasn't shut it down again.

Toda 1 year, 9 months ago

Hey DRjr...last evenings news: The Republican congress saved taxpayers 16 million dollars by shutting down the FAA projects and hauls ass out of town. While they were heading home news came in that they had just lost 319 Million in income taxes. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/faa-shutdown-capitol-hill-spat-unions-rural-airports/story?id=14221619 Geez ~ now the Obama haters will blame that on him as well.

TreadLightly 1 year, 9 months ago

So an ATR lets you fly below stall speed or seriously overload without consequences? I only piloted the C-310 and Piper Aztec, but from the jump seat of 727's and DC-8's, it looked like PRINCIPLES didn't change.

While you are at it, ask someone who has suffered a bankruptcy if it affected any part of their life besides the budget? We are playing with fire on the debt issue.

native 1 year, 9 months ago

TERM LIMITS, Please

native 1 year, 9 months ago

No income tax, Spend tax

AbdominalDohMan 1 year, 9 months ago

It's called the Fair Tax plan that has been presented to senators and congressmen, but since it destroys their power to do favors for their buddies in the corporate world, it is derailed and undermined with false statements of how it could not work. But if you notice, the system we currently have in place is...(ahem.. sarcasm) working wonderfully. Don't change a thing!!

teufelhunden 1 year, 9 months ago

Homer for Prez! HAHA

Arestorer 1 year, 9 months ago

I'd love to see a flat or fair tax plan, but I've been told that would put tens of thousands of people that work in the system out of work.

skylinefirepest 1 year, 9 months ago

I'm continually amazed at the number of people writing to the Pilot's blogs that think that we need to spend more and tax more. If we give more money to the government they will not use it to lower the debt...they will simply spend it. Our credit rating will drop if we don't lower the debt!! No country, big or small, has EVER spent itself into prosperity!! I marvel that a person who has passed the bar exam can't figure that out by himself. The Teapartiers are not terrorists...they simply want the country to regain it's greatness and we cannot do this on our present course with the current group of incompetent crooks ( Chicago kind included ) and tax evaders that this President has included in his administration. We have to change and I'm hoping that we'll make a great start on this in the '12 elections.

moonchild7 1 year, 9 months ago

We SPENT ourselves to prosperity after and thru the DEPRESSION and WWII. HOW? We took care of the POOR, HOMELESS and ELDERLY. We built roads, bridges, parks and schools. During the war we made tanks and planes, guns and ammo. Today we need: BRIDGES, ROADS, PARKS, and SCHOOLS. HIGH SPEAD RAIL and STREET CARS. More FUEL EFFICIENT vehicles, SOLAR and WIND. We still need to help the Poor, young, elderly and disabled. The wealthy are STEALING the wealth and HOARDING it. Then after WWII we started to TAX the many who were becoming RICH. Guess what happened? WE became the GREATEST country the world has ever seen. That old argument skylinefirepest DOES NOT WORK.

moonchild7 1 year, 9 months ago

Oh, I almost forgot. REAGAN ended all of that and made sure it all started to TRICKLE UP and no longer DOWN. THE END

dustyrhoades 1 year, 9 months ago

Looks like the shine's off the TeaPot: http://tinyurl.com/3dgzdou

Aberdeeniac 1 year, 9 months ago

That's your source?

The 18 percent who self-identify as Tea Party supporters is at its lowest point, tying the 18 percent who supported it way back in April of 2010,

This equals an epic failure..........

dustyrhoades 1 year, 9 months ago

Only a fanatic would look at an 18% identification rating and deem it no big deal.

Toda 1 year, 9 months ago

ABC News reports that those job saving corporations have a total of 1.5 TRILLION in back accounts. They continue to downsize. Repubs have accomplished their goals of stuffing the coffers of the Leer Jet Billionaires and Big Banks - ie BoA. They host a fleet of 4 new Leer Jets; while foreclosing on hundreds of home mortgages a day. What until Social Security and Medicare is cut from the TEA Patriots budget. Wow ~ a 180 degree turn around no less. And all those retirees and their 401Ks take a hit as well. Stock Market dropped again today....blame that on POTUS'O. The Repubs we pounding their chests and Boner got 98% of what He wanted....just wait, the dust hasn't settled.

fugitiveguy 1 year, 9 months ago

Who would have thought spending 650 million dollars to get a man put in the White House who never spent a day running a business was going to turn out this bad. Heck, I'd be looking for scapegoats like the tea party or corporate jet owners too. Its laughable, Obama is spending like a drunken sailor. Was it Obama who vowed to cut the deficit in half, nah couldn't be.

JER 1 year, 9 months ago

You forgot to ask for forgiveness from sailors...that's what Greta did when she made the "drunken sailor" comment earlier this evening. Just remember, it is the businessmen with experience that are currently not creating jobs. It is the businessmen with experience that don't want to pay their employees a decent wage, don't want to provide their employees any benefits and could give a damn if their products are made and sold in this country. They are looking out for their bottom line and keeping their investors happy. We don't have to look for scapegoats, they are us. And now, in keeping with the logic used by the right wing, conservatives and Teahadists, I offer the following: It has taken the group voted in during the highly touted 2010 election about 8 months to take the credit rating of the country from AAA to AA+. Sorry, if we can't blame what Obama inherited from Bush, then you can't blame Obama for what Boner and company just accomplished.

dustyrhoades 1 year, 9 months ago

Looks like the terrorist wing of the Republican Party won...The USA's credit rating, for the first time in its history, has been downgraded. Not because of the amount of its debt, but because for the first time, there were people saying, with a straight face, "we're not going to pay for the debts we've already incurred."

Good job, Teahadists. You've taken us one more step towards becoming a second rate power.

Edit: before one of the terrorist sympathizers starts blathering about how it's the debt and not the GOP's unwillingness to pay that's the reason for the downgrade, this is from S & P's own statement:

Compared with previous projections, our revised base case scenario now assumes that the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, due to expire by the end of 2012, remain in place. We have changed our assumption on this because the majority of Republicans in Congress continue to resist any measure that would raise revenues, a position we believe Congress reinforced by passing the act.

Kudos!

jomir 1 year, 9 months ago

Don't forget that the chairman of the S &P also stated "that It could take up to 18 years to fix the damage Obama has done to the U.S. economy". Just to be fair and balanced.

skylinefirepest 1 year, 9 months ago

Ok, y'all...on the news tonight...S and P has lowered our rating...this administration had no plan and could not give any indication of where they could cut spending and cut our debt. MC, I'm not even going to answer your post since you keep shouting and can't give a rational argument for anything except more spending. Besides, I think you have posted many times against the Iraq and Afgan wars included in our war on terror by saying that we were spending way too much money on those tanks, planes, bombs, and bullets!! Remember that?? We actually cannot say that this administration spent money like a bunch of drunken sailors because when the drunken sailors run out of money they stop spending and this administration of incompetents just borrows on our great grandchildren and whoops it up some more.

skylinefirepest 1 year, 9 months ago

Dusty...go back and look at the reasons the news gave for the downgrade. It was because the administration had no idea how they were going to cut our debt and deficit. You can't possibly blame this fiasco on the Republicans. They wanted cut, cap, and balance and Obama said for them not to waste time on it because he would veto it anyway!!!! I'll remind you that the Republicans put forth several plans and were whacked on all of them. Obama had no plan, has no plan, and stands in the way of our trying to correct this debt. The Democrats were not honorable enough to do anything but try to blame the Republicans. Get real, Dusty, this mess lies wholly at the feet of the Left!

MikeNC 1 year, 9 months ago

Ditto Skyline & the president has not even passed a budget yet. Using continuing resolutions to run the USA for God's sake. And he lectured us on his kids doing their homework early and not procrastinating. This is where liberals think they shine; by using everything they did to wreck something and then twist it all back and blame it on someone else. Most Americans and the entire world are sick and tired of hearing the blame game from this administration. If it wasn't so serious; it would be laughable on who, what and how often they blame anyone or anything for their own ineptness and the consequences that follow. They found it to work in the past. Not this time as there are 2 1/2 years worth of facts and ignored indicators present and looming over the heads of this adminstration. Some cabinet members have fled already and more will soon follow to avoid as much personal embarrassment as possible when the deck of cards crumble. When the news media quits giving their free passes to this administration; the crumble will begin. All it will take are a few honest journalists who actually want to be part of what journalism is supposed to be in reporting actual and factual news for their readers and not spin. Then honest reporting will get contagious for their own self preservation. Come 2012 when more conservatives take control of both chambers and the White House by landslide; actual hope and change will actually begin anew. And ALL Americans will be much better off because of it....Mike

dustyrhoades 1 year, 9 months ago

You can't possibly blame this fiasco on the Republicans

I do because the people who announced the downgrade do. In black and white.

This is the Tea Party downgrade, and it'll be the Tea Party double dip. You earned it, so own it.

Toda 1 year, 9 months ago

According to Standard and Poors in an ABC broadcast, the main reason was a exposed "dysfunctional and paralyzing" political process. The present administration was held hostage to the TEA Party and Republican posturing to save the Leer Jet set more billions with tax loopholes and tax breaks. Since I'm not in the 250$K bunch, those who have the ability to pay taxes based on income, got a bye from the Repubs. Here's a link to ABC News...not Dusty: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/standard-poors-downgrades-us-credit-rating-aaa-aa/story?id=14220820

"In announcing the move late Friday, the ratings agency said a deal this week to reduce the nation's debt did not go far enough and exposed paralyzing political dysfunction".

fugitiveguy 1 year, 9 months ago

Teaheadists, terrorists, fanatics. So thats how liberals view those who can look at a 14t national debt, see it for what it really is and seriously try to attack the problem. As I have said before, this is one of those situations that should transcend politics. I believe both parties over several decades are to blame which is really moot now as we cannot go back and undo what has been done. Federal spending across the board needs to be cut (not bs decreases in the rates of increases). Do the wealthy pay their fair share? I don't know, I have never been able to get any one who espouses this fair share dogma to give me a number, I do know that a large percentage of Americans pay no income taxes at all. Do they pay their fair share when they pay nothing and in fact get such gifts as EIC?

dustyrhoades 1 year, 9 months ago

Teaheadists, terrorists, fanatics. So thats how liberals view those who can look at a 14t national debt, see it for what it really is and seriously try to attack the problem.

Except they haven't "seriously" tried to attack the problem. They've only tried to attack half of it and said explicitly they'd be fine with major economic disruption if anyone tried to touch the other half, which is revenue. The shoe fits. Wear it.

I do know that a large percentage of Americans pay no income taxes at all.

Yeah. they're called "the poor." And this is one of the most despicable Teahadist arguments...it assumes that it's the POOR who should be paying more.

TreadLightly 1 year, 9 months ago

I would settle for them to just quit getting TAX REFUNDS of thousands of dollars (Earned Income Credit).

The Fair Tax exempts low income.

MikeNC 1 year, 9 months ago

Excellent Posts, Skylinefirepest !!!!! If CONGRESS WOULD OF LISTENED to the Fiscally sincere members of Congress, we would of passed a balanced budget which is what S & P wants ! Whether from the Right or Left, many have fears of this super panel of 12. And for a change, I agree with Pelosi. This panel needs to be on CSpan, for all of us to watch ! As for Heims, Moonchild, and Dusty, "we got it the first 100 times you banged your drums with the same mantra" A change of scenery, might do you all some good. Now let's roll up our sleeves and get this damn deficit cut. I believe in eliminating all loopholes, BUT a tax increase on people making more than $250,000 and more, so Obama can start throwing it out the plane again, no. There's plenty of waste in the Military budget as well as in Medicare and Education. Cut EPA's budget in half and maybe they will have to lessen their strangle hold on businesses expanding their businesses. And Repeal Obamacare to take the fear of things still unknown to businesses Obamacare, just on it's own is the biggest tax hike on all Americans next year.Diane

dustyrhoades 1 year, 9 months ago

*"we got it the first 100 times you banged your drums with the same mantra" *

A lot of people would say the same thing about you, Diane.

skylinefirepest 1 year, 9 months ago

The upper ten percent of the people pay 69.9 percent of the taxes while the lower 47 percent pay nothing. The rich are doing their "fair" share and more. And while Dusty hollers about raising taxes I have read that if we took ALL of the "riches" money it wouldn't really help. We have got to stop the unfettered spending and lower the debt. I notice that about a month ago I took Jim Heim to task about his comment that the country was in no kind of fiscal difficulty and as of a recent post he now admits that we are in dire financial distress. What, Jim??? Did an honest thought escape before the Democrat talking points kicked in???? Are you screaming Dems really happy with leaving your great grandchildren with thousands in debt the day tiey are born??? If you are then what the "H" happend to the "compassionate party", the "party of the poor", the "people's party" that the left has tried to make itself out to be?? The left has been the tax and spend party for as long as I can remember and look where it has gotten us. If the left has any honesty left at all they should help the right kick out this incompetent administration with glee! Vote the country for a change instead of the party!!

skylinefirepest 1 year, 9 months ago

Sorry about the spelling errors. I'm so agravated with the Dems right now that my thoughts outran my fingers. That and a sticky keyboard...probably caused by Dusty's syruppy praise for the big spenders that got us into this mess for the first time in history.

Toda 1 year, 9 months ago

Congress wants insurance companies to offer free birth control to reduce pregnancy's and reduce the strain on entitlement programs. Sounds good and a positive approach to fending off unwanted births. One problem...those receiving entitlements can't afford the high cost of premiums and 10$K deductibles for a start as most Americans struggle to pay executives in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurance markets. Secondly, when Congress returns each member should have a prescription for Prozac and provided by their political contributors.Local Heath Departments already provide free clinics for birth control.

Leaders of the House and Senate should take twice the required dosage amounts. I'm sure North Carolina pharmaceutical companies who give huge donations to Coble and the rest of Congress would gladly kick in a few thousand pills for the ills of psychologically dysfunctional Representatives who have totally lost their minds. source: htttp://www.opensecrets.org

Toda 1 year, 9 months ago

skylinefirepest 12 minutes ago ~ that's comforting to know that 8 years of Dubba didn't have any impact on our economy...didn't sweet Willie give him a surplus as opposed to trillions of mounting debt Dubba left for POSTUS'O? Just wondering where all that deficit came from if the two wars and tax breaks to billionaires had nothing to do with it.

TreadLightly 1 year, 9 months ago

You are correct that GWB was NEGLIGENT for not vetoing a lot of porkulus bills. And on his way out the door, he tried his hand at FDR economics.

But tax rates were not the problem. SPENDING was always the issue. New prescription drug program, automatic escalation or entitlements and the AUTOMATC INCREASES built into baseline budgeting are endemic problems.

honesty2 1 year, 9 months ago

http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/121xx/doc12187/ChangesBaselineProjections.pdf CBO's addendum in May 2011

Toda 1 year, 9 months ago

Oh forgive me...GWB wasn't intellectually capable of using a veto pen on spending bill from Congress. Or did he?

fugitiveguy 1 year, 9 months ago

Yeah. they're called "the poor." And this is one of the most despicable Teahadist arguments...it assumes that it's the POOR who should be paying more.

If the left really cared about the poor they would offer some serious ideas about cutting the deficit instead of trying to rack up cheap political points by attacking those who do. When the poo hits the fan over the national debt the poor will likely grow in numbers. .

Toda 1 year, 9 months ago

Sorry I disagree with your comment: "the poor will likely grow in numbers". Check on the number of bank foreclosures due to the high unemployment rates. Take a few minutes out of your day to visit the unemployment office and ask some questions. Gene Norton will take the time to speak with you. They have more claimants who have undergraduate and graduate level degrees filing claims that ever before in his 30 years. That job creation crap by Republicans giving tax breaks to off-shore corporations, and the Bill Gates and Warren Buffets of American, will create a destitute country, on the brink of becoming a third world country with all of the homeless. While the Repubs protect the wealthy and their investments, the rest of this country is going down the dookie chute.

dustyrhoades 1 year, 9 months ago

Sorry I disagree with your comment: "the poor will likely grow in numbers"

Oh, they will. Which is why another part of Teahadist strategy is to keep the poor from voting.

Toda 1 year, 9 months ago

True DRjr. keep the poor - poor and government and the wealthy can revert back to Jim Crow laws. Next agenda is a short test to see who can vote and who can't. If one owns property or not. What's your income...yada - yada - yada. The pubs will figure out a way to keep Indiana style voting in vogue so mindless people will adhere to party lines. Sound familiar?

Toda 1 year, 9 months ago

Oh by the way, Lichtenstein has a better credit rating than the US...think about that! Also think about the spending spree going on in Carthage...we really needed to spend millions in this economy. At the end of the loan, we will have a 55.3 million dollar ticket in the county government lottery. With four commissioners pulling the tickets for the lucky wieners. What a democracy, when we no longer can think for ourselves. What if the taxpayers had all the facts as opposed to our way or the no-vote way. Communication is a serious problem with our county government that mirrors Washington. Our way or no way. DEMOCRACY at its finest!

dustyrhoades 1 year, 9 months ago

The Democrats actually did offer idea about cutting the deficit...which as every legitimate economist notes, would have to include revenue increases. Nobody seriously believes you can do this with spending cuts alone. The Tea-terrorists don't really believe it either, they're just so hell-bent on winning political points that they're willing to let the economy suffer. Well, here it is...I hope you enjoy the Tea Party downgrade and double dip.

Toda 1 year, 9 months ago

"I hope you enjoy the Tea Party downgrade and double dip" and does that include shutting down schools and laying off educators ~ teachers not Administration they are in the big bucks category. Oh well, TEA NUTS need to think about more prisons to house those who can't find a job or have an opportunity for a formal education. Gov student loans and Pell Grants have been whacked by the TEA Nut Hammer. Skip school and engage in the school of hard knocks called the Robin Hood Effect!

dustyrhoades 1 year, 9 months ago

The Democrats were clearly willing to cooperate. You can't compromise with people who think it would be a good thing to push America into default on the debt. This is a Republican creation. This is a direct result of Republican leadership, not a Democratic Party failing. People always want to feign equity and blame both sides. BS! This is caused by Republicans not Democrats.

MikeNC 1 year, 9 months ago

Just because you say this over and over and over to nauseum does not make it truthful or factual. The sad part is that some people will read what you say and unwisely take it as just that. Thankfully these days most folks discard your biased and misleading drivel (Thanks JER).

Luckily, Americans are getting tired of being scammed and many now look up the facts for themselves...to your dismay I'm sure. Nobody wanted America to default. Most Americans want our country to thrive, show fiscal responsibility and rid ourselves from this terrible debt. S & F or any credit rating agency would want and demand this same fiscal responsibility. They told the administration the minimum they were looking for; and that was not provided by the administration. Go get some actual facts on just what the credit agency said, what is needed to keep a "AAA" rating and quit spreading your lies and misinformation. Common sense will tell anyone what would constitute a problem or red flag with a credit agency. Our political system has been throwing these red flags up in the air for decades and they are now coming home to roost.

The Republican party offered and passed just such a measure in which credit agencies would want to see in cut, cap and balance. What did Harry Reid do....shelved it and would not even allow discussion or consideration. All these negative consequences could have been avoided if Congress actually listened to America's will and used some common sense and not be concerned of building yet another pot of money for their personal use. .....Mike

dustyrhoades 1 year, 9 months ago

Just because you say this over and over and over to nauseum does not make it truthful or factual.

Pity you never take your own advice.

moonchild7 1 year, 9 months ago

From an article by Michael Tomasky at NEWSWEEK: "George W. Bush ran up $6.4 trillion, that's nearly half(44.7%)of the $14.5 trillion in debt. Now, we all know what did it-two massive tax cuts geared toward the rich(along with other similar measures, like slashing capital gains and inheritance taxes), the off the books wars, the unfunded Medicare expansion, and so on....But the number is staggering and worth dwelling on. In a history covering 30 years, nearly half of the debt was run up in eight. Even the allegedly socialist Obama at his most allegedly wanton doesn't compare to Dubya, and Obama's debt numbers, if he's reelected will surely not double or even come close as we gambol down Austerity Lane." He also notes that America's debt after WWII was over 100% of GDP. And MikeNC You said: that, "Luckily Americans are getting tired of getting scammed...Nobody wanted America to default." First, they are not tired of getting scammed because they are going right back to buying overpriced junkie new cars and trucks. I see them all over this town! They have also started to buy these overpriced particle board homes again too. You don't want me to tell you about the Ultra Scammer and it's victims at Walmart do you? Sorry also MikeNC but the Tea Party was drooling for a default. Oh but so sorry we only got a Downgrade.....Now the Interest rates will all go up. YIPPY!

MikeNC 1 year, 9 months ago

S& P and Moody's WARNED congress, they wanted to see approx. $4 Trillion dollars in reduction in spending. Congress did not heed the warning. Moonchild, Bush RAN up a deficit, and Obama RAN UP A BIGGER ONE ! At least we ( Republicans) can admit it. Democrats ran the Congress for two years, and had the chance to do something about the deficit. They chose to do the opposite and run up the biggest deficit we've ever known. Obama promised to reduce cut the deficit in half. He chose to ignore his own campaign pledge and allow HIS congress to run up the biggest deficit we've ever seen. You know, McConnell was right. Every Republican should of just walked away and let Obama, Pelosi and Reid bear the brunt of what has happened. Where was ONE proposal from the Democrats during last week's debate? What did they bring to the floor when they debated? Nothing but the same old weary rhetoric and scare tactics they've been using for years. A lot of Americans are fed up with it. Diane

Toda 1 year, 9 months ago

" Obama RAN UP A BIGGER ONE" just for discussion, what would have happened if POTUS'O would have stopped those two billion dollar a month wars of Bushes own making. Once the money stream begins to flow it's difficult to stop the amount of water running down hill. From what I heard the Dem's saying was that corporations should pay just like everyone else (BoA 4 corporate jets), Big Oil and Gas, really doesn't need federal subsidies, and Billionaires like Gates, Buffet, etc. should pay their share as opposed to tax loopholes. Apparently Diane, you and Mike, must be in the 250$K group of wealthy Americans or jet set around the globe in your private jet....every statistic I've read, indicates the former middle class pays more than their share. Ever wonder why the Repubs aren't in favor of a FairTax?

MikeNC 1 year, 9 months ago

Wrong on all accounts Toda and both of us favor the Fair Tax big time....Mike

Toda 1 year, 9 months ago

Then why Mike do you support tax-loopholes for the 3% - ters? This country's tax burden has always fallen on the backs of the former middle class. My personal opinion, Big Oil really doesn't need government subsidies. When was the last exploration in the US? I can tell you when the last shortcuts were taken in the Gulf (ie BP, Halliburton). Why does Bank of America deserve stimulus money to purchase more toxic paper in the form of default swaps? Most of if not all the stimulus money BoA received went to foreign investments. That's one reason why Loan Modification Programs are stalled in the US. They are foreclosing at an alarming rate because taxpayers money was tied up overseas. I don't think a family of four with two working two jobs should have to bail out anyone making more than 250$K. There are other reasons that would involve more writing for clarification impacting national economics. That's another blog I guess....

MikeNC 1 year, 9 months ago

I support taking the so-called loopholes away from everyone by revamping the entire system into something easily definable. The name loopholes is a misnomer as they are part of the current complicated tax laws. They apply to everyone, not just big oil, etc, etc. I do not believe in taking them away just because a certain company is successful and you or I, congress or the president thinks we should have their money. They did not create the tax system, the government did; and they are just following the rules to their benefit. Get rid of the whole shebang and replace it with something simple to understand and follow without any of them legal loopholes existent. It can be done Toda, but I'm betting our government will not do it; not enough personal slush funds can be created for their pompous butts....Mike

moonchild7 1 year, 9 months ago

I know that President Obama ran up a deficit but with one difference. His deficit was run up to try to counter the damage that had been done by his predecesor's and Congress's reckless spending. We Democrats know that there needs to be drastic cuts, but there also needs to be new revenue such as raising taxes. Thats' the part the Republicans don't want to be a part of since it's "against their religion". The biggest problem though is that even with all of that knowledge Americans don't seem to want to vote for anyone who starts to "DEAL WITH" the fact that Entitlements need "Fixing." They won't vote for them but at some point our Government is going to have to start GOVERNING and stop worrying about reelection. There are term limits and they are called "the voting booth". Every elected offical can be voted out by the time the next election comes around. Every TIME! Perhaps that is what should be done. Just vote for someone different everytime.Why should the Demeocrats come up with anything at this point since the Teapots want it all their way and will stand still and turn blue in the face until it is done their way? The so called Blue Dog Democrats are the ones that don't always see eye to eye with their President so tend to NOT always vote for what he wants. We are definately NOT the lemmings that the righties are. The actual answer to fixing most of this is with totally fixing our HEALTHCARE system. A total governemt takeover that takes out the PROFIT motive. Plus salaried medical professionals. And if that doesn't fix it then we need to take the Banks and Oil Companies too.

honesty2 1 year, 9 months ago

So totalitarianism is your answer?

skylinefirepest 1 year, 9 months ago

Toda-apparently you were not around on 9-11. As a fireman and American I remember most of what happened that day and it certainly did not start with Bush!! I guess you would have had us make peace offerings to the radical Muslims and promise them that if they wouldn't fly any more aircraft into American buildings that we would try to contain the "great Satan" in us??? And to the best of my memory when Iraq was voted on there were few, if any, nay votes, even from those who later voted for it before they voted against it or some such drivel.

Toda 1 year, 9 months ago

Yes ~ I was around on 911; being a fireman has little to do with that terrorist attack, only those NYFD members who lost their lives and their families. Every American was impacted in some way if not psychologically. The landscape of our country has changed ~ a visit to an airport will confirm that we have recoiled here in America, and the wars have impacted the loss of lives of our brave warriors. What about the "radical Muslims" in Iran, Somalia, Yemen, and just about every Muslim country in the European block. Pakistan ~ should we invade them as well? They have WMD's!

"voted on there were few, if any, nay votes"; and Secretary of State Colin Powell used photo images of suspected mobile units used for WMD's. Let me remind you, Pakistan has nuclear weapons. When do you want to invade their country?

fugitiveguy 1 year, 9 months ago

I would be for setting the tax rates at 2006 levels if we could also set the spending at 2006 levels. What does the local left think of that idea? Or what about setting the tax rates at 2006 levels and freezing spending at current levels (a true freeze, no gimmicks) with true 1% cuts for each of the next 5 years.

fugitiveguy 1 year, 9 months ago

"The Democrats were clearly willing to cooperate."

I think I am starting to "get" your comedic wit.

JER 1 year, 9 months ago

OK, lets start from the beginning again. I evidently missed a key economics lesson somewhere along the way. Would anyone explain how not spending money creates jobs. To Mike and Diane, if this request is biased and misleading drivel, please accept my sincere apology for offending your sense of all that is true and correct.

MikeNC 1 year, 9 months ago

Money sure does need to be spent JER. It's just a matter of who spends the money and who actually owns that money. The private sector spends their own hard earned money to create and grow a business with personal risks involved. The more the government does not interfere with that businessman in the way of taxes and governnmental red tape; the more that person will invest and hire. As profit rises, they will create additional jobs and products, etc, etc If the government is really doing a good job of not interfering....Many new businesses will start up, then thrive and many new jobs and products will be created, providing our country with goods, services and economic growth; and lots of additional tax revenue for our government.

The government will confiscate other people's money to use in job 'creation' with no personal risk to themselves...normally creating jobs that already exist, are not needed, possibly do not even produce anything and insure there is some payback for the government; normally in votes and not necessarily in economic growth. Lesson over.......Mike

JER 1 year, 9 months ago

I like it when a career government employee lectures someone on how private enterprise should operate. Did you study that while drinking beer in Germany? Using your theory, I should be able to come over to your house, pitch a tent in your front yard and start selling plutonium enriched widgets I made in my basement. Any objections from you and Diane on that? I'm just a businessman trying to make a buck. If I sell enough, I could hire moonchild7 to open a second location in skylinefirepest's yard. Before you know it, I'll have locations throughout the greater Pinehurst metro area. Just remember, if you put a restriction on me setting up in your front yard, you are keeping me from creating jobs, providing products and contributing to the economy.

MikeNC 1 year, 9 months ago

That's unbelievable logic. It would probably be best and easier for you and Moonchild to just open up your own country...best of luck! Mike

MikeNC 1 year, 9 months ago

Moonchild, Take over healthcare, Take over the Banks, Take over the Oil companies, and you call the Tea Party terrorists?? Diane

Toda 1 year, 9 months ago

Checks and balances in a democracy ~ Diane. Take a look at the pharmaceutical companies and healthcare companies like BC&BS contribute to members of Congress. The deck is stacked in their favor. Few Americans can afford health care costs. Some insurance companies like Aetna has a High Deductible Premium starting at 10$K. with a 20-80 participation IF there are no pre-existing conditions. I had a heart cath and BC&BS denied the claim because they considered it a pre-existing condition. Never had a heart condition. It took almost two years and letters to credit bureaus to straighten the mess out. Banks are out of control...as some friends have shared with me, the Loan Modification Program is a joke. Those who have lost their jobs and faith in America, the future looks grim in more ways than one can imagine. I won't comment on Big Oil polluting our environment through faulty equipment and avoiding federal laws....

moonchild7 1 year, 9 months ago

O, how I LOVE the FREE ENTERPRISE system we have here in America. The one that the Republican Teapots keep saying the GOV'MENT should leave alone, so they can "FLOURISH." Therefore there's been a lot of GLEE and DISDAIN that has bubbled up in my system when I heard about W Spann LLC. O, CAPITALISM WHERE IS THY TRUTH? O, SEC WHERE IS THY SPINE? What is a W Spann LLC? It's the "Company" that Edward Conard (former Executive with Romney's Bain Capital) founded just THREE months before "IT" donated $1 million to Romney's friend's PAC and then QUICKLY disolved itself. Our government has been the SAVIOR to the poor, minorities, young, old and disabled since almost the day it was founded. It hasn't been perfect but it has continued to do the things that will help and protect those without voices, power or money. Until lately that is because there is a very sinister movement out there to eradicate "them" once and forall. Capitalism seems to no no longer be our friend and that is why I made the comment for the GOV'MENT to take over those entities. PROFITS are EVIL when PROFITS are more important than the people who've helped to make those PROFITS possible.

honesty2 1 year, 9 months ago

A view from the other side of the pond- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/janetdaley/8685945/If-we-are-to-survive-the-looming-catastrophe-we-need-to-face-the-truth.html#dsq-content

dustyrhoades 1 year, 9 months ago

Even Mitch McConell admits to TP terrorist tactics:

“I think some of our members may have thought the default issue was a hostage you might take a chance at shooting,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said. “Most of us didn’t think that. What we did learn is this — it’s a hostage that’s worth ransoming.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/origins-of-the-debt-showdown/2011/08/03/gIQA9uqIzI_story.html

moonchild7 1 year, 9 months ago

The "Other side of the Pond" has a Right-Wing bunch also and they probably write for The Telegraph. Here's a comment from John Nichols who writes for THE NATION (LEFTIES OH MY!): "No matter what the election results may be in 2011, 2012 and beyond, they should reflect the American sentiment, American Ideals, and American priorities-not the narrow political agenda and economic absolutism of a credit rating agency....that frustration, that anger is a good thing, it will hopefully, inspire a political revolt against the real manipulators of the economic and political process-the hedge fund managers, and extremist billionaires who faked up the Tea Party Movement and who fund myriad anti-tax, anti-public education, anti-public services, and anti-regulation "think tanks", lobbies, and "independent political groups"....the founders worried about those who would attempt to use supposed neutral fiscal and economic policies to achieve political results, with Thomas Jefferson wisely warning of the "selfish spirit of commerce that knows no country, and feels no passion or principle but that of gain."

MikeNC 1 year, 9 months ago

JER, I suggest you look up the patent office. My brother in law had come up with an idea. And so I looked into getting a Patent for the idea. Do yourself a favor, and check out the US Patent Office and what it takes to get a patent. I'm surprised we made it out of the stone age after reading it. Diane PS You and Moonchild can come set up a shop in our front yard, but got to warn you, we live on a road that only has four houses. Not much traffic flow.

JER 1 year, 9 months ago

Mike, I suggest you check on what a patent is. It DOES NOT prevent someone from inventing and producing a product. It DOES give the inventor an exclusive right to that invention for a limited, specific time. So how does the patent office keep us in the stone age?

MikeNC 1 year, 9 months ago

Speaking of the S&P downgrade. The first time in our history. Many of you have made it out to be a possible catastrophic situation for us and the world. Where is our POTUS? Should he not brief America from the oval office TONIGHT to reassure both us and the stock market before the opening bell tomorrow? I'll let each of you answer that for yourselves.

BTW...David Beers (Standard & Poors) was just interviewd by Mike Wallace. He was asked a question of who's fault mostly it was...bickering by either the Republicans or Democtats. The answer was neither and the bickering was not the issue.The issue that caused the downgrade was the failure of our administration as a whole to come up with a fiscal plan that would reduce deficit. Is that not exactly what the Tea Party and republicans want with Cut, Cap and Balance...exactly....Mike

honesty2 1 year, 9 months ago

Italy and France are now proposing a balanced budget amendment.

dustyrhoades 1 year, 9 months ago

How the U.S., on the road to surplus, detoured to massive debt: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/running-in-the-red-how-the-us-on-the-road-to-surplus-detoured-to-massive-debt/2011/04/28/AFFU7rNF_print.html

*In January 2001, with the budget balanced and clear sailing ahead, the Congressional Budget Office forecast ever-larger annual surpluses indefinitely. The outlook was so rosy, the CBO said, that Washington would have enough money by the end of the decade to pay off everything it owed.

Voices of caution were swept aside in the rush to take advantage of the apparent bounty. Political leaders chose to cut taxes, jack up spending and, for the first time in U.S. history, wage two wars solely with borrowed funds. “In the end, the floodgates opened,” said former senator Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), who chaired the Senate Budget Committee when the first tax-cut bill hit Capitol Hill in early 2001.

Now, instead of tending a nest egg of more than $2 trillion, the federal government expects to owe more than $10 trillion to outside investors by the end of this year. The national debt is larger, as a percentage of the economy, than at any time in U.S. history except for the period shortly after World War II.

Polls show that a large majority of Americans blame wasteful or unnecessary federal programs for the nation’s budget problems. But routine increases in defense and domestic spending account for only about 15 percent of the financial deterioration, according to a new analysis of CBO data.

The biggest culprit, by far, has been an erosion of tax revenue triggered largely by two recessions and multiple rounds of tax cuts. Together, the economy and the tax bills enacted under former president George W. Bush, and to a lesser extent by President Obama, wiped out $6.3 trillion in anticipated revenue. That’s nearly half of the $12.7 trillion swing from projected surpluses to real debt. Federal tax collections now stand at their lowest level as a percentage of the economy in 60 years*.

fugitiveguy 1 year, 9 months ago

What I got out of what Mr Beers said was that getting control of entitlements to reduce the debt was key in turning our situation around. In other words pretty much what Paul Ryan and other conservatives have been proposing. Dems/Libs just continue to play political football.

fugitiveguy 1 year, 9 months ago

We get it, Bill Clinton ran surpluses, thats great. It has zero relevance to the mess we are now in. The only way out is significant budget cuts and possibly some tax increases. I would favor scrapping the current tax system for a flat tax or even the Fair Tax. Liberals get something they want, the rich loose all loopholes. Conservatives get something they want, that being that many who now pay no taxes or get a free helping of tax dollars will have to do their part. Its simply no longer sustainable for half the country to get a free ride.

moonchild7 1 year, 9 months ago

"We get it. Bill Clinton ran surpluses, that's great". Problem is, you and the "others" are BLIND to the truth. "It has zero relevance to the mess we are in now." REALLY? Here's a quote from your Georgie Boy after the 2004 election: "I earned capital in the campaign, political capital, and now I intend to spend it. It is my style." First, the man has NO STYLE! He's more than embarrasing. And Secondly, knowing that he made a statement like that and that he did SPEND and SPEND and SPEND as far as I'm concerned GEORGE W. BUSH OWNS ALL OF THIS!

moonchild7 1 year, 9 months ago

AND MORE!

fugitiveguy 1 year, 9 months ago

Bush was a big spender to say the least, shameful as that is it is in the past. What matters is what we do NOW! Obama and the Dems are either clueless in what to do or just so used to playing for political advantage that they don't know how to do anything else.

skylinefirepest 1 year, 9 months ago

MC7...Bush was a big spender??? Have you bothered to compare how the debt fared under eight years of Bush and then compared it to two years of Obama??? Bush was downright frugal compared to Obama. And in response to several comments here...suppose the government just regulates everybody out of business which seems to be what y'all would like. Then who takes care of the "poor" that y'all keep hollering about?? The government?? And where does the government get it's money?? From the people?? And if the people have no jobs because there is no more business community because the government regulated them out of work who takes care of everybody then?? Wow, I guess the government would then tax the "rich" to take care of everybody...what a great solution for you government loving, anti-business, anti-rich, anti-successful people Liberals.

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