Why Are the Problems in Congress and Current State Legislatures Being Ignored?
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President Obama was elected on two key words; Hope and Change.
What happened to the great promise outlined during his campaign and election? The lack of fulfillment of his promise rests directly with the Congress and their partisanship.
The president was elected into a situation that required a special kind of leadership. He was given many opportunities to exercise that leadership, but continued to come up short. The three greatest challenges for his first term were to prevent further economic collapse, correct the system that was responsible for the collapse and finally to set in place policy that would begin the economic recovery.
Of the three challenges, the president can only claim full success on one; the stopping of a further collapse. He can also claim a partial success on setting policy that supported the recovery, but he must claim failure at correcting the conditions that led to the collapse. However, it is possible that all three areas could have been successful, except for the dysfunction of the U.S. Congress.
Before going further; President Obama failed to spearhead a structural change of the financial industry and essentially left the perpetrators of the collapse completely off the hook. He ended up following the recommendations of his Treasurer Secretary Timothy Geithner and lost support and direction on correcting the financial industry problems; where in no time the firms that were “too big to fail” were right back doing business as usual. Instead of putting the financial house in order, the president decided to pursue his campaign promise of addressing healthcare accessibility. This is the point that his administration seriously went off the rails.
I have focused this article on Congress and state legislatures who effectively have held the keys to the kingdom. Even when we have been faced with similar crisis in the past, the congress has wisely set aside their partisan differences and cooperated to address the critical problems. This is what has made this crisis different from all others. Congress has not only failed to set aside partisanship, but has become even more entrenched in their partisan ideologies. This is exemplified by Senator Mitch McConnell’s (R, Kentucky) statement that the Republicans were going to assure that Obama was only a one-term president. Therefore, the president started his term with a commitment from the opposition to obstruct the administration at every opportunity and guarantee failure.
I can’t place the blamed solely on the Republicans; the Democrats have shared equally in the failures of the congress. If the Democrats would have used their majority position judiciously, they could have forced the administration into addressing the three critical issues and would probably have gained enough Republican support to get the job done.
It is my opinion that the lack of effort to correct once and for all the financial industry, the general electorate made their message loud and clear. The TEA Party and 99% Movement emerged as forces to signal the displeasure with both congress and the administration. Fortunately for the Republicans, they were able to co-opt the TEA Party movement and incorporate it into the party. The attempts by the Democrats to co-opt the 99% Movement has been met with general failure and has become largely a non factor in American politics. However, the TEA Party has become a horse of a different color.
The Republican’s strategy to be obstructionist until they gained their objectives was something that the members of the TEA Party could easily accept and adopted the same strategy. After the whipping the Republicans took in 2008 and was officially declared dead; they rebounded, with the help of the TEA Party Movement, to take control of the House, a majority of state governorships, and control of many state legislatures.
The success of TEA Party candidates made a bad situation in congress even worse. Since the 2010 elections, the congress can’t get anything done and has been putting things off until 2013, when the new congress is seated. In the state legislatures, TEA Party candidates have had a “field day." Passage of social conservative legislation has never seen such a period. Issues such as Personhood, Voter I.D., liberalization of firearms control, abstinence only sex education, defunding women’s health centers, etc; has dominated state legislative business rather than fiscal solutions to the states’ financial struggles. With the gridlock in congress; any movement, one way or another, has occurred at the state level. Therefore, there have been 50 separate approaches to problem solving, solving none of the big issues.
What I don’t understand is why Congress is not being held accountable for the stalemate. Rationally speaking, it shouldn’t matter who is in the Whitehouse if congress was doing their jobs. Although I am following the presidential election, to me it’s less important than the congressional elections. We need to elect members of congress who are willing to stop being obstructionist and will exercise the political art of compromise.
The nation is waiting!
J. B. Schmidt
4:44 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
What about the first two years when Obama had complete control? In those years he only passed one budget and has not passed one since because Democrats won't even support him. Nor has he shown great desire to sit down a grind one out between the parties.
The only thing he got passed was the highly partisan/controversial, passed in the middle of the night while no one was looking with no transparency as promised health care bill.
I believe it was that act that locked congress at the wishes of the American people as was determined by the mid-term elections. Had the president been more of unifier as promised and less of a cowboy, he might have been allowed great opportunity.
I again go back to the fact that he is unwilling to present a budget or budget compromise to the nation as the single biggest proof that his own lack of leadership has created this gridlock.
Randy1949
5:08 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Wrong on both counts. The Dems only had a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate for a few months at most. The budget that the Dems would not support was a GOP amended version of President Obama's budget proposal. You're about as truthful as Paul Ryan was at the Convention.
J. B. Schmidt
5:13 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
@Randy
Where was his push to pass his own budget or compromise on the GOP one? Just silence and then blame Bush or the GOP or Tea Party. If they needed to pass Health Care fast and dirty; why was it impossible for them to work out a normal budget?
You realize that you are defending failure, right. He is not the first president to fight against the opposition party and yet I believe he is the only one not able to get a budget passed for 3 years.
Lyle Ruble
6:48 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
@J.B. Schmidt....Please check your facts. Randy is right that the Democrats did not hold a filibuster proof majority beyond just a couple of months.
Instead of defending Republicans and Democrats, we should be cracking the whip on them for not doing their jobs and blaming one side or the other. Both parties have contributed to the dysfunction. I will make one prediction; the more TEA Party members that get elected, the more dysfunctional that it will become.
J. B. Schmidt
8:03 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
@Lyle
It actually only proves my point that he is incapable of leading. He was unable to compromise slightly to steal a couple moderate republicans and get things past. At the same time the Dems are saying no to Obama's budget, they are saying no to the GOP budget.
In truth the gridlock is cause by the Dems over the last 4 years. Every other Administration where the President's party did not control both house and Senate a budget has been produced. However, for some reason you wish to give Obama a pass because of what, the Tea Party?????
Randy1949
11:07 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
@J.B. -- "He was unable to compromise slightly to steal a couple moderate republicans and get things past"
You call four months of chipping away at the provisions of the healthcare bill an inability to compromise? Single payer went away early. Then the public option. Then we lost allowing 55 year olds to buy into Medicare, since private sector insurance for that age group is really expensive. In the end all we were really left with was the individual mandate and a few assurance about pre-existing conditions as we're all forced to buy private sector insurance.
And you have the gall to say there was no compromise?
Randy1949
11:15 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
@J.B. -- "Where was his push to pass his own budget or compromise on the GOP one? Just silence and then blame Bush or the GOP or Tea Party. If they needed to pass Health Care fast and dirty; why was it impossible for them to work out a normal budget?"
I recall some meetings at the White House in the late summer of 2011 when the debt crisis loomed. And the Simpson-Bowles Commission. That was sitting down and grinding. Our memories will probably differ on who refused to budge.
Four months of chipping away at the healthcare bill is 'quick and dirty'?
The only reason George W. Bush was able to 'control' Congress with less than a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate is that he was not faced with ideologues who were bent on making him fail during his first term, even at the cost to our country.
In retrospect, I'm sorry I didn't vote for John McCain in 2008. We'd be in the depths of a depression right now, but at least we wouldn't be facing a return to the unbridled policies that got us here.
J. B. Schmidt
11:27 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
@Randy
Was there a violin playing a sympathetic song in the background as you wrote that? What whiny load of BS are you trying to sell?
Didn't ACA pass the Senate while they still had the filibuster proof majority (since it passed in December and Brown was elected in January)? Isn't it true that they needed their own party to compromise with itself in order to pass it? Even after your 'compromise' every Republican in the House voted against it and all but one in the Senate voted against it. Are trying to tell me that more Republicans were for it originally before the compromise? Since they were all against it on the final vote, who was the compromise for?
Randy1949
11:35 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
Nice little feint from the 'filibuster-proof Senate' to the House, J. B. What the obstructionist House GOP did is of little importance, because it was a foregone conclusion and a taste of what was to come once we let those ideologue traitors into power.
J. B. Schmidt
11:45 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
@Randy
Nice response, you completely ignored the facts. The Dems had to compromise with themselves. They didn't need a single Republican vote. Which explains why more the half the country is still against ACA. As it turns out the Republicans were standing up for the people against the tyrannical leader.
Are you saying that the runaway spending during the Bush administration was not Bush compromising with the Democrats that held congressional power? I hold Bush responsible for the spending during those years, are you will to do the same for the Dems in control.
As for ideologues, where do you place Pelosi and Reid? They couldn't be ideologues, they are just passionate right? I am glad you have a fair approach.
Steve ®
5:06 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Duck and blame
Obama campaign slogan 2012
You don't have a leader Lyle, what did you expect?
Lyle Ruble
6:51 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
@Steve...Unless your living somewhere else, the appropriate response is WE don't have a leader. Of course he would also have to have the opportunity to lead.
Steve ®
12:20 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
Here is his leadership
http://www.usdebtclock.org/
Keep blaming everyone but your leader
oak creek resident
11:39 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
Lyle, Obama and his party have had plenty of chance to lead. Truth is, America found out his true colors and won't buy what he's pushing.
You just cannot fathom or accept that, can you?
tom munson
5:14 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Hope for more Dopes in 2012. Obamas new slogan.
GearHead
5:25 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
How was the willingness by Republicans in Congress to obstruct Obama's reform agenda that was bad for the country any different than the Democrats in the WI Assembly and Senate willingness to run away and obstruct Walkers reform agenda every step of the way? It's called defense, if you are at all consistent in principle. But your bias prevents that, doesn't it?
Obama lost his way 45 days into his presidency when he passed stimulus. We wasted almost 1Trillion, no jobs were created, no economic growth happened, and the additional debt load crushed us. Then he saddled us with ObamaCare. He had no further plan, and has been flumoxed ever since. None of which is the Republicans fault.
Bren
5:42 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
It's a trifecta: opportunistic legislators #1. Globalization provides opportunities for business to deflect U.S. wage, workplace safety, etc. laws and business-friendly legislation exponentially exacerbates the hemorrhage on our economy. #2. Ignorant legislators. The Koch-fueled Tea Party has filled seats of government at all levels with individuals who fundamentally do not understand the expectations of their job, rules of order in Congress, how their own government works, etc. Folks like Paul Ryan who says that he was elected to lead and the poll numbers will follow. No Paul, Mary Lazich, etc. You were elected to represent your district, not run off to serve a special interest agenda. #3 Ignorant Americans. Why do we continue to elect officials who spend more time advancing special interest agenda and lining up post-government career speaking gigs?
James R Hoffa
6:45 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
@Bren -
You make a lot of errors in your assessment:
"#1. Globalization ...."
And it's clear that Obama doesn't know how to deal with this. A recent article shows that more businesses have or are preparing to off-shoring under 4 years of Obama than did under 8 years of Bush.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/u-firms-move-abroad-024200566.html
"#2. Ignorant legislators"
If what you say is true about Ryan and Lazich, then how come these legislators manage to get re-elected time and again by their respective constituencies? Apparently, the mass of the constituents agree with what they are doing and not with what you assert they should be doing, thus they are in fact representing their districts effectively, are they not?
As to Ryan, surely he must have done an exceptional job in his district considering that it's a strong and traditionally Democratic district.
"#3 Ignorant Americans."
So, I guess you won't be voting for Obama then, as his future is clearly headed to lining up a post-government career speaking gig!
So Bren, who will be voting for in the November Presidential race? Please provide us with your endorsement supporting analysis!
James R Hoffa
11:21 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
Why won't Bren ever answer Hoffa about who she's endorsing in the November Presidential election?
Bren
11:25 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
So you're suggesting that Mitt Romney, with his offshoring experience, will smooth the path for these companies? Concerning your comments about point #2, see point #3.
And I don't recall how many times I have written that I believe Barack Obama deserves a second term to allow strategies to percolate. Perhaps I haven't written it directly to you? Voila.
James R Hoffa
12:13 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
@Bren -
You're the one who keeps on saying that Romney is going to use Bush era advisers. Read the article - more companies off-shored under four years of Obama than did during 8 years of Bush. That's a FACT Bren. And Obama has done NOTHING to stop it. Care to try again?
So, you're calling people that don't see things your way stupid, eh? Well, I now see what you think about the majority of your fellow Wisconsinites after the recall election!
Questions - how can you stand constantly being surrounded by such inferiority? It must really get on your nerves at times. How do you deal with it?
You honestly don't see how Obama is a guy who "spend[s] more time advancing special interest agenda and lining up post-government career speaking gigs?"
Come on Bren, Obama clearly violates the #3 or your trifecta, if not the other two as well!
But he deserves another term. The hypocrisy of Bren continues!
Jay Sykes
6:40 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Until recently I'd never heard anyone argue that a when the President,Senate, and House leadership were all of the same political party, that the President did not have effective political 'control' of the government.
If we define 'control' as a single Party holding a filibuster proof Senate, simple majority in the House and of the Presidency, in the modern era (post WWI), only the Democrats have ever had control. George Bush thanks you, profusely, for this new and 'enlightened' review standard of his presidency.
oak creek resident
11:41 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
Jay just watch how quiet Lyle et al will be on your post. Again they cannot seem to process logic and facts, I guess their liberal bias filter just don't know what to do with it.
Randy1949
11:56 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
George Bush should thank the Dems of his first term for not being obstructionist jackasses. We might not have two un-funded wars and a huge deficit, for starters.
J. B. Schmidt
12:03 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
@Randy
So then the country can hold the Dems responsible for the Bush administration's war and spending because they lacked the testicular fortitude of the current crop of GOP representatives?
Michael McClusky
8:10 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
What you all have been missing about Congress is the all-powerful lobbyists. Look into it. They are like locusts in Washington. You must understand that elections no longer matter- when legislation is being introduced, we are not there but the lobbyists are. It is hopeless.
Bren
11:28 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
My father tells me that Senator Bill Proxmire was the scourge of DC with something called the "Golden Fleece" awards. Proxmire was a master pork roaster in Washington, calling out waste, etc.
He made sure that everyone knew about the earmarks, etc. It's not hopeless, we need elected officials who will do their jobs, not sell us down the river.
Michael McClusky
2:50 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
I suggest reading "Confidence Men: Wall Street, Washington and the Education of a President" by Ron Suskind. Its depiction of Washington during the financial reform efforts and Obamacare will blow your mind. The lobbyists rule the roost beyond your imagining.
Steve ®
12:25 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
Let's flip this around.
Scott Walker
Successful governor of Wisconsin
twice elected in a single term
Full control of the state senate and assembly for the first part of his first term, predicted control of his second.
Liberals crying that we need more balance a split control
Walker, getting positive things done.
In contrast Obama full control for 2 years, but not his fault nothing positive got done.
Obama 2/3 control for last 2 years, but not his fault for nothing positive getting done.
But we need split control, oh right republican's are the party of no. HA!
A real leader admits fault and owns the blame.
Lyle Ruble
5:58 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
@Steve...You're not making sense. This is all about legislatures, their dysfunction and extreme partisanship. The Wisconsin state assembly and senate should not be proud of being just a rubber stamp for the governor. Legislatures only work when they are willing to compromise and that is not happening. We can only hope that the congress remains with the house controlled by the Republicans and Democrats the Senate. Also, the state legislature remains split.
GearHead
8:29 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
@Lyle: Compromise is when the right caves to what the left wants. Why should anyone compromise their principles? That is what debate and elections are for. Except, of course when Walker wins twice in the same term. Still licking your wounds, eh?
Compromise is what got us to the first 10 Trillion in debt. The remaining 7 Trillion is on the no-compromise President and Senate leader Harry Reid. Neither is good.
Steve ®
2:52 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
The "TEA" party candidates elected in 2010 were sent there to stop the advance of progressive socialism.
Here is the consequence of progressive socialism
http://www.usdebtclock.org/
It's not going in the correct direction, let me stand on my head and vote for Obama
Bob McBride
8:16 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
Seems to me if you're a Democrat (social or otherwise) you've been "holding Congress accountable" ever since your President took office. Along with the previous holder of the office. Pretty much the same pattern for as long as I can remember. A president who doesn't achieve all that he promised in his initial campaign is "held accountable" by his opponent's party and the president's party, in turn, blames an obstructionist Congress.
As for the state legislature, is there anything that's been done on a state government level in THIS state that's not been scrutinized publicly over the past 1-1/2-2 years? I honestly don't think much has been missed.
Lyle Ruble
9:00 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
@Bob McBride....This congress has got to set standards for dysfunction. I am not playing partisan politics here. I want to see congress get off their asses and start doing their job. Whether it is a Republican or Democrat holding the Oval Office, congress holds power that they should be exercising.
Our own state legislature has fed the oligarchy and has not exercised the legislative power that the constitution has vested them with. ACT-10 is a prime example of going around the legislative process. Rather than reach a compromise that could have given a win/win, the legislature choose to steamroll and set an agenda of no compromise. What concerns me is that when we should be focused on the fiscal issues, social issues are the legislature's obsession.
Bob McBride
9:10 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
Lyle, actually, you are being partisan in that you see actions at the state level (I guess inaction isn't a concern there, really, is it?) as a negative that others see as a positive.
Similarly, on the national level, blocking legislation deemed as harmful, while viewed as inaction on one side is often times viewed as preventing a catastrophe on the other.
It all depends on which side you're on. There's nothing new in that.
James R Hoffa
11:20 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
@Lyle -
The financial world would appear to disagree with you. Because of Act 10, the state's economic outlook from all major financial institutions was elevated from questionable to great. Meanwhile, our neighbors to the south just experienced yet another downgrade of their state credit rating.
Compromise has lead to taxpayers facing billions in new interest charges because of credit downgrades and local municipalities declaring bankruptcy and/or not being able to pay their workers for their labors.
Hmmm... a government that collapsed under its burden of debt to others while failing to meet the needs of its own citizens. Where have I seen this before? Oh, that's right, back in 1991 in Moscow!
But hey, if that what you prefer, who am I to keep you from what you apparently like!
Craig
8:26 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
Although politically naive, the author makes interesting comments.
Bren
11:30 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
You are calling Mr. Ruble "naive?" That's genuinely funny. : )
oak creek resident
11:43 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
How could you NOT call Lyle naive? He writes on end about this and that, yet ignores facts that are right in front of his face... example - Obama never had a chance to lead? They had all 3 branches of govt and did NOTHING with it, because polls showed americans didn't want their crap.
Nobody has a filibuster proof majority in both houses, so quit make limp-wrist excuses.
Lyle Ruble
11:52 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
@oak creek resident....You better check your information, there is no such thing as filibuster in the House.
oak creek resident
11:57 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
@Lyle Why not refute my overall message, that being, that you are making excuse after excuse for Obama's pathetic leadership, and are going to extremes to do so?
Pathetic, just pathetic and weak wristed.
Randy1949
12:15 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
Says a person speaking for the side that blames George W. Bush's overspending on the Democrats in Congress and his first recession on the previous administration. Oh, and that blames the housing bubble/mortgage crisis on jimmy Carter.
James R Hoffa
11:07 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
Lyle is right about one thing - Congress could do more, like enacting legislation overturning most of Obama's executive orders and repealing Obamacare.
Wait, hasn't the House already done all that on multiple occasions?
Lyle, I believe the problem you have lies in the Democratic controlled Senate, which refuses to even take and debate most of the legislation passed by the House.
You claim that the problem is Tea Party obstructionism, while arguing that the job of the Congress is to pass legislation addressing the issues. Well, the House, by leaps and bounds, has passed more legislation than the Senate, and yet you ignore this fact because of your partisan bias.
And where's the federal budget? The House has passed how many, while the Dems over in the Senate can't even get a majority of their own caucus on board with a proposed budget.
Sure looks to me like the obstruction is coming from the Democratic controlled Senate.
But don't worry, conservatives will be sure to right the failing Senate come November! Then, we'll finally be able to move forward!
Bren
11:34 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
I hope ACA continues as it's helping a lot of people including me and my relatives. Didn't I just get a refund check from United Healthcare? Small 'taters since they paid none of my medical bills in 2011, but still. Imagine 1m customers (I believe they have more) each getting a refund of $10. That's $10m overcharged and refunded. Thank you President Obama!
James R Hoffa
12:01 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
@Bren -
So a policy that covered none of your medical expenses but still charged you a regular premium only 'overcharged,' according to Obamacare, by $10.
And you cite this as an example of how Obamacare took on the evil profiteering insurance companies and won?
Looks to me more like a solution to problem that really didn't exist in the first place. How many people are United Healthcare laying off because the refund checks? When I google 'United Healthcare layoffs since 2009' I see that over 10,000 people have lost their jobs with United Healthcare.
I thought you supported paying a little extra so long as it meant that thousands would continue working and bringing home a paycheck? Wasn't that your argument in favor of raising taxes as opposed to implementing the budget cuts of Act 10 here in Wisconsin? So why are you all of a sudden inconsistent on this point Bren?
Oh, I see - the people on the state payroll were far more worthy of a paycheck than those who were working for United Healthcare and lost their jobs thanks to Obamacare! I should have realized - in Bren's world, anyone who works for a private entity is a traitor to the people and doesn't deserve to take home paycheck!
Now it all makes sense!
Lyle Ruble
12:09 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
@JRH...What legislation has the house passed that could be taken to the senate that could be negotiated? If I pass such partisan legislation that my opposition has no room to negotiate, then that is meaningless legislation and a waste of time. Partisanship has neutered the whole legislative process or do you want a situation like in Wisconsin where one party has complete control and there isn't any checks and balances on power and agenda.
James R Hoffa
12:52 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
@Lyle -
Let's start with the budget. How many different versions of budgets had the House passed? Numerous! How many did the Senate pass? Zero! All of the House budgets are merely a starting point for negotiation, as Paul Ryan has said on countless occasions. Why else would he have returned to the table multiple times with different versions of the budget bill? If he was truly a my way or the highway kind of guy, as you paint him to be, then why wouldn't he have just stuck to his guns after his initial draft?
The Dems have refused to even pick a single budget bill, look at them, and start debates that eventual lead into negotiation!
But yeah, let's blame it all on the Tea Party obstructionism, cause that's way easier than facing reality and MSNBC and the broadcast networks are all on board in perpetuating that LIE!
What happened in Wisconsin? Because of the policies enacted, our credit outlook went from being questionable to great!
Where did compromise get Illinois? Yet another credit downgrade which will cost their taxpayers billions in additional interest payments!
You claim that the IL model of compromise is working - for who exactly and to what end? Eventual financial collapse and bankruptcy?
Lyle Ruble
1:00 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
@JRH...What has the financial sector done for you lately. I don't care if they say the economic outlook is rated at great, we still are sucking hind tit when it comes to business creation and job growth.
Partisanship is the enemy and not the solution.
James R Hoffa
2:00 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
@Lyle -
"What has the financial sector done for you lately."
Rarely has Hoffa ever used fiance in his life, but he does currently have a mortgage. So, there's that.
Are you saying that you're anti-finance, and that all purchases should always be cash and carry?
"I don't care if they say the economic outlook is rated at great, we still are sucking hind tit when it comes to business creation and job growth."
It's not just the state Lyle, it's the country and world as a whole. And actually our unemployment rates and productivity rates are positively out performing the national averages, so I really don't see how you can complain too much.
At least the children of WI won't have to pay off any of our currently acquired debts, as Walker isn't acquiring any new debts! The children of IL and other states will have an extremely heavy debt burden to deal with the near future! More money spent paying down debts means less money to invest in labor, programs, etc in the future. You're a smart guy, you should know all this already!
Steve ®
11:38 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
Budget
A fundamental need of our economic society.
Where is it, where has it been, where is the leadership on this?
Failure is the only conclusion
Blame only an excuse for the previous
oak creek resident
11:45 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
I am against ACA for the sole reason that it helps Bren and her relatives. Apparently they are all leaches, suckling on the public teat, and have nothing productive to offer. So they sit home all day and vote and whine for more of the same, which is NO responsibility and GIMME GIMME GIMME!
SkinnyDude
6:23 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
The parties have gone farther left and farther right ......but there is no solutions in the far left. They simply ignore the economics and fiscal picture, like an ostrich with its head in the sand. That is a true lack of leadership.That isnt even in dispute. Obama wont brag on his failure.
Interesting story as The Republican convention ended and Mitt Romney went to check out the tropical storm damage and victims of mother nature. Than Obama the true leader from behind scheduled a trip ( lied about it being planned) because he simply lacks the character and skill set of the job. Its another example in a long list of how clueless this guy is . I dont know if Obama is a nice guy . But I know what everyone else knows.....Hes an awful President! He is the current problem Americans face! Those who support him like sheep simply can not explain why he would be the right choice for another term. ( Tom Barrett supporters flashback ) The worm is starting to turn.....He's a one term President! :)
Nick Poulos
2:06 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
@Skinny and @Oak Creek: stop wishing for Romney n Ryan: talk about a disaster waiting to happen to the world. The ethics and morals of the current Republican / Tea Party leadership is despicable.
@Lyle is correct to call out both sides. Yet,in substantive issues, the Republicans are always a "no!": for most of them, they are a voting block, impotent as individuals, impotent as supporting their local constituents: they've signed a very public and well-publicized Pledge, which in turn causes them to be targets of a political hit-squad should they vary from the party line.We're allowing our nation to be torn apart,slowly declining in vigor,economic power, and political relevance.Can any of us define the Collective desires,our cooperative goal for this election? Both sides seem drawn 2 one point:the Republicans only want 2 remove the President;the Democrats want 2 prove how many of us the Republicans want to exclude or damage, should they take over.
We need a way forward.An actionable "workplan."
No great consultant would ever begin a project without Defining two "states":the "Current State" (or, Point of Departure-in Bain terms) and the (Point of Arrival) or "Desired End-State."
The President has a plan: sadly, the highly publicized, mis-leading, highly financed, fight against "The American Health Plan" has vitiated many of his efforts, making the fullness of his plan difficult to understand. The world as it is and The never-ending filibuster seem 2 have sidelined the rest.
SkinnyDude
3:44 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
Nick thanks for confirming your a idiot.
2010 midterms after Obama 1st 2 year control of both houses. The people rejected it . Now they are rejecting Obama . The reason are obvious unless you have drank the liberal kool aid which its plan to see you have.
Obama budget plan was rejected by everyone in his own party so give me a break! Hes not a serious man and his record proves it . Thats why hes a one termer. You typing non sense will not change that.