It's Our Turn

The moment has passed. Mitt Romney gave a speech letting us know he loves his family. Very sweet. We also saw a conversation with a chair. This is appropriate in crazyland I guess. We heard Mitt Romney repeat the CBO estimate that normal economic growth will produce 12 million jobs in four years irrespective of who is President, so his number isn't anything to boast about. We also heard him say he wants to take care of your family while mocking global warming and ignoring his party's willingness to cut those programs your family needs most, like Health care? We heard him tell you he is willing to take us to War and lie about Obama's performance with Israel. I'm a Jew, Mitt, not you. So is Ehud Barak, Defense Minister of Israel who spoke of historic support from our President. We also heard him say he wants to care for the poor, but supports cutting their benefits and we heard not one word of thanks or appreciation for our troops in Afghanistan or any reference to the war there. We heard him mention college students, but he supports cutting Pell grants and represents a party that mocks intellectualism. We also heard another vague racist reference to needing an American to run our country. Red meat for his audience in the room. We also heard from Lyin Ryan, and that has already been pretty much vetted but the people in that room didn't care much about the truth anyway. We heard from his wife, but she ignored the realities of her husband's affiliation with the most extreme platform in recent history. We saw a parade of women in an effort to reduce the gender gap and Hispanic gap and we heard from young Rubio whose biography was manufactured to make him look like an escapee from Castro's regime. Most disturbing, we heard from Condaleeza Rice, a member of the cabal that couldnt find Bin Laden, brought us into war under false pretenses, declared victory when there was none and actually tried to take credit for Bin Laden's death as a Bush victory. Lastly, she spoke of civil rights, lunch counters in Alabama, poor schools for black kids and her own personal story while she accepts a party that is engaging in the most historic voter suppression since 1965, wishes to cut education funding, accepts Texas rewrites of text books denying the truth during the Civil War and accepting the unspoken draconian cuts to all non defense programs that would help the plight of the unfortunate in our land. Condi Rice's speech for all its eloquence was the most hypocritical and disturbing of all from my viewpoint. The balloons have dropped. It' over. Now it is our turn. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

From Fox News

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/08/30/paul-ryans-speech-in-three-words/

What She Didn't Say

Last night Ann Romney came to the defense of her husband. As a good wife, she attempted to humanize the man who many view as an unemotional automoton. To the extent that someone watching will change their mind or now support this man on the strength of his wife's speech, this blog is not for you. If you make decisons like that, then I cannot reason with you. What angered me the most about this speech is when she tried to convince us that their lives were filled with tough times and that it hasn't always been easy due to the illness that Mrs. Romney has, MS, thanfully in remission. I open my heart to anyone who struggles with illness and suffering. What Mrs. Romney didn't remind us, is that even though she struggles with this terrible disease, she doesn't have to worry about medical care or insurance or paying the bills for expensive care. Why? Because she is financially privileged. Her husband, who she asks us to support, will however on his first day in office ask Congress to repeal the Affordable Health Care Act, and anyone on Main Street with a pre existing condition of MS will not get insured, probably not be able to afford the care and will likely experience pain and suffering that Mrs. Romney is financially able to avoid. He also wants more tax breaks for himself at the expense of Middle Class America. This is what her husband will do as President. This is what you did not hear. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Bully Pulpit

This evening, Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey, my governor, will take the stage at the Republican convention and deliver the keynote address. The narrative about him is one of the biggest canards in recent political history. He was literally begged by Ann Coulter to run for President. The neo cons love him for his directness and small government pro business pretend bona fides and he has become a contender for future Presidential opportunities. The truth, as is often the case with this party, is different however. The governor is brash, is direct and is loud and obnoxious, good qualities if you are a prison warden, but his approach to his job has been hurtful to our state which is not performing according to the story Mr. Christie likes to tell. He demonizes teachers and their pensions as the root cause of the state's fiscal difficulties. He has promised property tax relief which has not materialized and instead has played funny math with pension contributions and projected revenues which have not materialized. He rails against the wealthiest New Jerseyans from paying a little more in tax, and has reduced funds to schools, only to restore them due to the State Supreme Court's judgement that he violated the Constitution with his draconian methods. He destroyed an infrastructure project, a needed tunnel, with job opportunities galore by lying about the level of cost to tour state. Under his leadership, New Jersey has the fourth highest unemployment rate in the nation, and this is NOT a result of Obama policies. The real story about Chris Christie is different than what his handlers tell, and despite his popularity in some quarters, he remains a bully, an arrogant and overly rambunctious and obnoxious, self serving man. This is who the Republicans are using to represent them and to deliver the red meat consumed by the party faithful. I for one will not be able to watch. I have a much more important task this evening.....to take out the trash. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Republicans

There was a time when moderate Republicans roamed the Earth. They believed in small government and low taxes, but they also believed that diversity is our greatest strength. They believed that those who are unfortunate need a protected safety net. They believed that compromise and accepting opposition points of view were essential qualities for doing the peoples' work and they governed. Republicans opened up barriers to trade, ended unpopular wars and believed that building bridges and roads and airports were good things to do. These Republicans deserved consideration during elections and were welcomed and most definitely the bulk of the party. Today, these moderates cannot co-exist with the extremist direction that the Republican party has taken. This intense move to the right, will cost them the election at a time when the incumbent is vulnerable. Today, I am embarrassed that this party has become so extreme and so unwavering in its obsession with the wrong things that I cannot in good conscience give them a second look as a voter. I have pledged to no longer try and convince some of my friends who are otherwise capable and reasonable people, that their denial of the extremist views of their party, makes them culpable for its heinous beliefs. The litany of those items that are frankly so extreme as to be borderline un American are too numerous to list, but as Mitt Romney tries to re cast himself as the beacon of future prosperity for all, as he tries to become a man of Main street and as he embraces the callous disregard for the unfortunate in our land, or the hard working young immigrants looking for a better life but deserving of no help or to solidify behind extremist views on abortion, health care, fairness, climate change and wealth, I only hope that those watching realize there is much more that we need to demand from our President. Republicans have become scary, uncompromising and hurtful to our nation. I am sad to say. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Vacation

Taking a needed rest from the lies and the bull. See you soon.

Recovery

Albeit a slow recovery for reasons explained in my past post, there is a statistic worth noting, one which was included in today's Bloomberg employment report. Bloomberg is not the most friendly media organization to our President but here is the statistic nevertheless: We have recovered 50% of the 8.8 million jobs lost during the recession during Obama's term in office. Is the glass half full or half empty? Guess it depends how much you love or hate our President. I thank him for his efforts. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Trend

Whereas a recent report cited the historic sluggishness of the economic recovery, within this report was also a citation regarding historic declines in home values prior to recovery. Over a trillion dollars in equity was lost, equity that would have been used by people to drive consumption and demand. As such, the middle class was hurt by far the most, since this group has most of their wealth in their home value. This fact has much more to do with the recovery than tax policy, business incentives, the national debt and Mitt Romney's taxes. Having said this, the recent spate of economic news is trending better. Unemployment claims remain below 400,000, jobs are still being created, inflation remains low, retail sales as just reported were up, permits for home building reached a four year high and all this despite no policies from Washington DC. If you notice, the economic message that Republicans are using to replace the President, is not as much of an advantage as initially thought. This is why you are seeing racial matters, Medicare, statements about Presidential power grabbing and mean spirited personal attacks entering the political arena very aggressively. If the message shifts by Republicans and they cede ther advantage to Democrats because of improving numbers, it will be a lost cause for them. They may actually have to deal with a Congress significantly in play in the election. All they have left is the hope of economic failure, a huge gaffe by the President, or a cataclismic unanticipated event. I am sure this is what they are praying for, certainly not a good news trend. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Reset

Mitt Romney's campaign is claiming that with Ryan on the ticket, he is resetting his campaign to focus on the economy. This is another Romney canard. It has always been about the economy. Romney does not like when we focus on his taxes or on his Bain experience, but these two elements of the campaign are undeniably about the economy. They represent the kind of economy that Mitt Romney favors....one that ignores the Middle class and focuses on the wealthy who he still believes will drive economic vitality contrary to all evidence. If the economy is to focus on jobs, Mitt Romney's various interpretations of his job creating ability at Bain have been confusing at best with no real number. The real number I know to be true is that 4.5 million jobs have been created under President Obama and a conservative estimate of 2 million more saved, in spite of the filibuster process led by Mitch McConnell and an intransigent House Republican majority. As far as tax revenues, most Americans believe that we should all pay our fair share. Mitt Romney believes that the wealthy are entitled to even more of an advantage as his tax plan shows, but he has not given us any indication as to how these additional deficit producing policies would be paid for? His VP pick would pay for them by cutting programs that support the middle class so at least we have a clearer picture from the number two....but wait, Romney is already distancing himself from his running mate's policy...so what does he really think? This is no reset at all. It has been about the economy all along and what kind of economy Mitt Romney believes in. The matter is clear. We have a choice and it is an easy one. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

A Bold Pick? I Think Not

Mitt Romney selected 42 year old House member Paul Ryan to be his running mate. Other than having some part time jobs as a youngster, Mr. Ryan's paid experience is totally on the taxpayer's dime so his claims about private sector job creation and growth may seem hollow, but nevertheless, this bright, young, energetic author of the budget plan that bears his name is not as bold a pick by Romney as some would have you believe. Desperate? Not quite. Good politics? Only if the economy re-enters an out of control spiral. Smart? I do not think so. Transparent? Certainly to me. Romney has seen slippage in the polls. The tax and Bain stories will not go away, and the base seems a little luke warm. So what does he do? He picks the guy that the Koch Bros. and the Tea Party folks and the right wing fanatics want him to pick. He stirs the base, but loses the rest of us. Condaleesa Rice? That would have been a bold pick. She is black, a woman and pro choice. Romney would have picked up some black support, some more women and may have even given a message that he cares about womens'issues. He may have been able to show that there is a large tent under which Republicans debate and tolerate alternative positions. That pick would have been bold. His pick is simply another knee jerk reaction to the extremists that continue to have him over a barrel. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Pot Calls the Kettle Black...or Half Black

Willie Horton and Swift Boaters against Kerry were two of the most damaging ads in recent political history. In both cases, the Democratic candidate was deeply affected and lost a lot of momentum and focus and ultimately the elections. Both these ads were filled with innuendo and an absence of truth. Negative advertising is always complained about and ridiculed by the recipient, but they are regrettably effective, thus they continue. Now, Mitt Romney is calling foul on the President for negative advertising, but isn't this from the Republican playbook? Sure it is. That's the pot calling the kettle black. Now Mitt Romney is complaining about his business experience at Bain being fodder for the ad buys. But, isn't his business experience the key issue for his supposed qualification for the Presidency? This inconsistency is troubling and is an obvious attempt by Romney to keep the truth from getting out. Well, I'd like to know the real story. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Dust off the Old Strategy

One thing is sure in politics....republicans love to race bait. They love to pit working class whites up against minorities and rail against the welfare state. Mitt Romney's new ad does just that. It is attempting to do two things....change the subject away from his taxes and role at Bain and stir up the passions of those blue collar whites who tend to be lower information voters. It doesn't matter that the ad is filled with lies...it doesn't matter that Romney himself supported such a states' rights prerogative when he was governor along with most other republican governors and it doesn't matter that it stirs up the ignorance and hate that still exists in parts of this country. I believe it is an act of desperation and America won't buy it this time, but nevertheless, dust off the old strategy and see if it works. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Word Terrible

Today I have made the decision to stop trying to convince Obama haters that they are wrong. The intransigence and denial that these folks harbor, including a couple of my own close friends, has made them incapable of listening to the truth and condemning the acts of those they support politically. The economy throughout the world is in a precarious state and yet, facing all these obstacles in addition to our own self inflicted wounds, we as a nation are growing. Slowly, unsatisfactorally but growing. This in spite of regular filibusters of credible jobs programs and an extremist right wing obsession with defeating our President. The standard bearer for the Republicans has a big problem with speaking the truth and continues to prove to be one of the least able candidates to show any conviction, vision or set of beliefs. If one wishes to ignore the economic facts of the years prior to Obama's Presidency, or ignore the extremist legislation being passed in republican states in violation of womens' needs or ignore the ending of an unjust and needless war, or ignore the false claims of voter fraud in an effort to suppress voting rights then so be it. BUT, if for no other reason than the killing of Bin Laden, this President deserves re-election. Yesterday Newark airport had a terminal closure delaying thousands because of a passenger breach of security. My shoes come off when I travel. I cannot bring more than twenty ounces of liquid to a Met game and I am searched when I enter a tourist sight. All of us are impacted daily as a result of 9-11 which remains etched in our souls. On that day, Osama Bin Laden directed a terrorist attack killing 3000 of our citizens. Bush and Cheney brought us to war, failed to accomplish the revenge we all desperately needed. Due to their failure, all of a sudden it no longer seemed to be important to them. It remained important to us. Obama acted decisively, with great risk to our Seals, but he killed the man we all so desperately wanted dead. Bush and Cheney, reckless incompetents failed, Obama succeeded. Today, Cheney said Mr. Obama is a terrible President. Such gaul, such arrogance and such bluster coming from a heartless, vindictive and monstrous man is just plain sickening. Thank you Mr. President. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Reminder

Before the Republicans and Mitt Romney try to spin a negative on today's jobs report, here is an economic reminder to all with the willingness to accept facts. Whenever there is increased confidence on the part of job seekers who are once again joining the job search community, unemployment rises. It is an indication of worker confidence. Additionally, today's increase was a rounding to the nearest tenth. The increase was in hundredths. Instead of Romney expressing confidence and goodwill toward a surprisingly good jobs numbers, he won't. Nor will his party who hopes that their do nothing strategy to kill economic growth, was enough to kill the President's prospects for a second term. Such bad, bad people. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Romney Tax Plan

This post is not tinged with political spin. It is fact based. If you still believe that trickle down economics works....that the wealthy will use their additional wealth to drive job creation and economic expansion contrary to all recent historic evidence, then support this tax plan. Mitt Romney, candidate for President, while taxation remains a key issue for Americans, has presented a plan that actually raises the taxes on the Middle Class and reduces them for the richest in the land. If you don't believe me, check it out for yourselves. Do your homework. The election is coming. Don't listen to me. Do it. Don't let your usual and customary political orientation cloud you toward the truth. Don't vote against your own interests. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

August 1, 2012

This post is for all you Romney supporters out there. Today marks the beginning of the next phase of the Affordable Health Care Act that polls continue to suggest people hate....but in decreasing numbers for sure. As of today the following services are required to be covered by Health Insurance companies with no co pay: Mammograms Contraception (reduces unwanted pregnancies and abortions) Annual Well Care visits for women Gestational diabetes screening for pregnant women. Family Planning and Conseling sessions AIDS screening Cervical Cancer screening Breast Feeding Counseling Counseling Services for Domestic Violence Your candidate for President vows to repeal the above on his first day in office (which Presidents' do not have the authority to do by the way) and Senate Republicans will again symbolically try and eliminate in a sham vote today. I only hope you never need the above services, or a loved one. Get your heads out of your collective asses. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Mitt Romney Cannot Learn

It is no surprise to my followers that I hate Mitt Romney as a candidate for President. I think he would be awful at the job and although I have looked for it, he has not been able to make any case for replacing President Obama. In fact, he is making the case against it, more and more each day. He simply cannot learn. He cannot read an audience. He cannot make a decision that isnt manufactured for him and again, he cannot learn. His gaffe at the Olympics may be fodder for the British press and of no consequence on our shores, but his transparent attempt at getting some Jewish votes by his ludicruous bluster and lack of information about our history with Israel is just plain frightening. I am an aggressive supporter of Israel, but I also know that Israel is a democracy, with free speech and an aggressive press. I have seen Israeli officials publicly argue for settlement building in opposition to American foreign policy. I have seen Bibi Netanyahu embarrass our President by meeting with a Congress that has not been helpful to Mr. Obama. The danger in Mitt Romnney is that yesterday he announced that he would never support speaking out against Israeli policy. He exhibited a dangerous and naive understanding of foreign policy and that kind of amateurishness would threaten our national interests. The moderates in Israel as well as the Palestinians, other nations and our own electorate are watching Mitt Romney. He is simply looking for every way possible to suck up to the neo cons, the tea partiers and the moderates all at the same time while dangerously proposing and spewing inaccuracy and frightening ignorance. This won't work. Americans need to wake up to this transparent man, with no conviction, no real vision and no idea what the hell he is doing. Yes, he is banking on economic failure but he is also risking his own chances by his obvious inability to learn. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

A Failing Grade

The European Financial crisis was not of America's doing. Even Mitt Romney would agree to that. With so much of our manufacturing capacity going for European consumption, obviously our growth would be affected and it is. But, in this country, in every state and almost every community, there are bridges, tunnels, airport runways, schools, hospitals and vacant properties just waiting for construction and improvement. These many well worth it projects would ensure a brighter future for our country. This infrastructure initiative as proposed regularly by the President has stalled in the Republican dominated House and filibuster prone Senate. There is just no way these buffoons can allow the President any success. The nation be damned. As I see it, while the economies of many other places confront serious recession, the U.S. continues slow growth which is evidence of our strength and power as an economic engine. The politics of this great land however are getting in the way of all that is good and hopeful and needed. A failing grade....depressing, deliberate and unnecessary. I call for a Constitutional amendment for a one term six year Presidency. Only then will these bastards in Congress do the people's work. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Mitt's Real Problem

It isn't a coincidence that Mr. Romney will not release at this moment, further tax returns. Even thought past campaigns have also had such a distraction as a momentary focus of the media, the difference is that we have not had such a rich man's man leading his party to the nomination. Mitt Romney is rich beyond belief. Where Obama watches basketball, Romney cruises Lake Winnepasaukee on his boat. Nothing wrong with this other than a man who claims to be for the middle class and Main Street, cannot seem to get out of his own way. I have often railed against those Americans who are too ill informed to vote for their own interests and would rather support a party that has abandoned equity and opportunity for all but successfully hides beyond the large government rhetoric. There is one thing that is sure, most of us regardless of party do support the wealthy giving more and do support the elimination of special advantages for the rich. Mitt Romney has taken advantage of these advantages as his tax records would show and with Obama ready to pounce on this hypocrisy, Mitt has figured this to be a fatal wound. He is right, but he is wrong that we will get off his back about it. Tough being scrutinized huh Mitt? Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Corn

Yesterday I called an orchard in New Jersey to hear the picking schedule for some local fruits and vegetables. A friend of mine gave me a heads up that it was time to pick some peaches. On the recorded announcement the message given alerted me that there would be no corn to pick. I didn't think much about it until I got into my car to drive somewhere and lo and behold, Bloomberg news was doing a report about corn. I was so taken by it that I decided to blog about it today. I had no idea the extent that the corn crop in this country can impact so many different issues and I will save the best ones for last because of the politics involved. The corn producing states east of the Mississippi have been experiencing an epic drought and temperatures in the hundreds over the last two weeks. As such, corn plants are not being properly or adequately pollinated. This is reducing the corn yield by billions of bushels. Less corn means that a major food source will be limited thus raising prices of it and related items. Beyond that however, corn syrup, high fructose sugar, cattle feed, ethanol proudction, tortillas in Mexico, soy beans as a substitute for corn thus limiting our supply globally, gas prices due to the ethanol component and the economic reality of the farmer facing such a crisis are only some of the issues being affected along with my inability to buy it locally. Incredible just how much corn impacts us all and the world. Farmers, generally are one of the more conservative and republican party oriented constituents. Many are beginning to admit that global warming may indeed be impacting the current situtation thus flying in the face of many in their party, elected officials in many cases, who deny the reality of climate change. Additionally, 70 percent of crop insurance policies are from the Federal government and the payouts will be extraordinary thus adding further burden to the taxpayers and the debt. How many of these farmers, from red states, wish to forfeit their policies in order to reign in government spending? How many red state senators from states affected, are willing to stand against the farmers and continue to deny global warming? What would Mitt Romney say? Where are you Americans for reason and truth? Sorry about the corn.