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.

June Jobs

The summer is always a down period for politics. People are interested in other things. Pundits take vacation, investors invest less, and Americans worry about some rest, time off and outside activities. Only the cable operators and political spin machines are busy. Today's jobs report will be dissected and argued over by both candidates for President but all this noise is meaningless. The difference today, on an economy with 165 million jobs, between gloom and hope is 25,000 jobs. This amount is almost a statistical irrelevancy but those watching will be treated to extreme analysis on both sides of the philosophical aisle. Here is my analysis. The job creators have record wealth, but are tepid in their hiring. Not because of an overregulatory government but because of a world economy that is still struggling. In our country, 4 million jobs have been created in 3 years versus 8 million lost during the recession. 84,000 people found jobs last month and this fills a football stadium. The prior month was revised upward by 7000. For those working, they were given more hours, thus more disposable income and gas prices continued to decline. Our economy is growing, not receding, and a slow and steady pace still beats a recession any day. So if you want gloom, you can find it. If you want hope, it is clearly there. The Dow is almost 13000 and it was 6000 a few years ago. I will happily take the progress. If a ship is sinking and about to capsize but then brought upright, I will take that Captain any day. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Inappropriate Conclusion

Mitt Romney has stated after days of his advisors explaining things to him that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court was wrong. Romney said Roberts did not come to an "appropriate conclusion". What training or legal background or Constitutional experience does he have that gives him credibility with his analysis? NONE. Typical Romney. A man with no vision, no ideas and no understanding of the nations' needs. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Big Tax

Licking their wounds, the Republicans are seizing upon Mitt Romney and the Cato Institutes' idea of an individual mandate being acceptable by the Court as a TAX. So, if you want to avoid paying the tax, follow the law. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Neither Purse Nor Sword

In approximately one hour from now, our Supreme Court will rule on Health Care. Alexander Hamilton wrote in Federalist 78 that due to [having neither purse nor sword]the high court will in essence be the weakest and least feared branch of our government. As I teach the Federalist Papers to my AP students, I always challenge them to explore this notion. I for one, believe it to be the strongest and most powerful branch having stolen its powers through an assumed role of judicial review which we have come to respect and accept. The Founding Fathers recognized the need for a small group of able minded men to make decisions for the rest of us in a three branch organization that checks and balances each other. They correctly believed that our inability as a total electorate to make the important decisions for the land was limted by our lack of exposure to information, education and time. Our Founders, however, were not the government of today. Today if you have an obnoxious personality, a loud voice and a stupid audience, you can easily get elected to Congress. We listen to lies because it is easier. We oppose things without understanding them and we answer poll questions without the foggiest notion of what we are saying. For instance, most Americans are opposed to the mandate, but most Americans have insurance so this view is meaningless. If the mandate prevails, their costs will actually go down. This is just one example of our incapability. Whereas when our nation was founded our government in general was made up of educated, experienced and well heeled men, today our elected officials are made up of those who are intellectually challenged, prone to slick and managed statements and personally attracted to money, power and fame. It isn't, regrettably, populated by the best amongst us. For the rest of us, with limited time, great apathy about the great issues of the day and lazy minds, we vote for people who are not capable of running our land. Due to this reality, the Court has lead the way. For example, were it not for the judgement that "Separate but Equal" is inherently unequal, there would be no Civil Rights Act. The court paves the way, and the rest of the government follows suit with legislation that follows their lead. Courts will tilt one way philosophically and then shift back, but it is made up of people with the sharpest and most intellectually curious minds we have produced. So, when they make their judgement in an hour, pundits from both sides will claim victory and defeat, politicians will continue to lie and distort, and campaigning will continue. The worst of our system will prevail in the short term, but the long term will be protected. Until we think for ourselves, judge in our best interests and smarten up, this process will co-exist with our ignorance. I must say, that President Obama has been a shining example of intellect and since many of us condemn the smart as elite and un American, he is in a tight race....evermore making my point. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

For the Record

Tomorrow the Supreme Court will rule on the Affordable Health Care Act. For the record, this is a law passed by Congress and signed by the President who did not initially support an individual mandate, but rather a single payer system. In essence, this law was not the first choice of President Obama so Obamacare has been a misnomer from the outset. For the record, the individual mandate was a Republican idea raised by President Nixon and most leaders of the Republican party as they obsessively railed against a single payer system. For the record, Mitt Romney signed into law signature legislation as Mass. Governor that required the purchase of health care, a mandate that he now denies as important while he hides behind states rights. For the record, the Supreme Court has beoome overly politicized to our great misfortune as a nation. When Earl Warren lead the court, he realized that the nation would never accept a split vote on the matter of Brown vs. Board of Education so he worked to insure unanimity through some arm twisting and much compromise but in the end the decision was accepted, grudgingly by some, but its impact was given credibility due to a unanimous court. Chief Justice Roberts for the record, is ruling a deeply split and divided court and these differences are manifestly apparent with each major vote. Bush v. Gore, 5 to 4. Citizens United, split and the public just as it has grown tired of Congress, is now giving the court its least popular rating in decades. These facts, for the record, will put tomorrow's decision in perspective if the mandate is struck down. I hope the justices took the nations' collective disgrace in protecting the health of its citizens more seriously than they took their personal politics. It is just too important. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

He Simply Cannot Sell It.

With a recent spate of economic news that is less than stellar, the President still retains a lead over Mitt Romney.....close, but the real fight hasn't yet begun and the incumbent has some serious bullets yet to be fired. Why you might ask is the President ahead? Because Mitt Romney cannot sell what he is selling because we don't even know what that is. He has nothing to offer except negativity and blame while six out of ten Americans still hold Bush responsible for the economic downturn. The most recent sales pitch is that the word outsourcing is not offshoring and Mitt only destroyed jobs that he replaced within the country with computers and mergers not with jobs in India. What a great argument to make while running for President. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Issa's Folly

Ask Americans who Daryl Issa is and they wouldnt know. Yet this Chairman of the House Oversight committee is in the news. His politically motivated attempt to embarrass a decent man and further attempt to hurt our President is disgusting. But watch out Mr. Chairman....your folly is about to blow up in your face. We just dont care. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Morally Bankrupt

With focus on the economy, often times the word bankrupt is used, but I would like to change its context for today's post and use it to describe Mitt Romney. He is morally bankrupt because he offers no view on anything, that is his own. His only consistency is in evoking the opposite of whatever the President says and does and then calls it politically motivated, like there's a shocker. Seriously, however, this man is a danger because on any given day and in any given moment, he will change his alleged convictions, spin them as if there was never any record, say the opposite and then take credit for something he never said. On today's Sunday roundup of news, Mr. Romney was simply unable to give a declarative answer on Obama's Immigration announcement. Why, because he was too busy weighing what the tea party and other influences would think, he was spinning, he was waffling and putting politics aside, he simply doesn't have a moral compass to guide him. He is rich, smart, but soulless and Americans, when they tune in, will run from him like a chicken running from the fox. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Dedication

Today I dedicate my post to the eleven remarkable students that have just completed their Advanced Placement, Government and Politics course. It has been my utmost pleasure to teach them, encourage them and guide them throughout the myriad challenges that are faced in understanding our Government and our Politics as a nation. My goal for them, during the course has only been to help them find accurate information on the most important issues of our time so that they can make intelligent and reasoned decisions as voters and citizens. I am confident that they will do just that. Great job kids. Thanks and always remember that We are the People. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Hold your Horses

Let's not make such a big deal over Scott Walker's win last night. It was expected. Union membership across the country is declining. The public has always during economic downturns resented unions and has responded to political demonization of them. Wisconsin is a highly divided state on cultural and rural/urban grounds. Tom Barrett was the same candidate who lost the last time and isn't accepted statewide. Lastly, those who voted yesterday would have given President Obama the edge over Mitt Romney by six points. Republicans will chirp that this is a national signal, entrench further in their opposition to growing the economy and run ads nationally about this win, but it is meaningless on the national stage, no matter which experts say it ain't so. Just hold your horses and wait till November. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas...Hopefully

On the evening that Mitt Romney officially garners the delegatges required, he continues not to disavow the birther comments from the bloviate Trump. I am sorry, but this diminishes whatever other potential characteristics his canididacy may have for some. Mitt Romney through his silence, by his parading at a fund raiser with the low life, multi bankruptcy filing reality TV idiot Donald Trump, he distances himself from the mainstream normalcy that happily makes up the American electorate. For Romney to think his affiliation with the Donald works for him, is another indication of how totally underqualified and how awful a man, Mitt Romney really is. He should have stayed in Vegas. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Class Size

Mitt Romney says class size matters little in the ability for students to achieve. When was the last time he taught a class of 35 students at once? This man, born to wealth, educated in prep schools, thinking it cool to bully others, is speaking as if he has credibility on the issue? With each passing day, Mitt Romney shows his inadequacy and unpreparedness for higher office. As a teacher, I am insulted that he speaks to me, a voter, with such an obvious lack of understanding or conviction on every major issue. Back to School for you Mr. Romney, or else you'll find yourself the richest Presidential election loser in history.....and I hope so. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Mr. Education

Mitt Romney is attempting to develop bonafides for every issue that he has zero experience with. First, foreign policy and his statements have been reckless at best. Next, he touts his job creation performance and we know what the real numbers say. Now he is trying to distinguish himself as an education expert...there is a role to play for the Fed. and lets keep local control. Standard BS. Oh, and by the way, he blames the teacher unions for blocking progress. More demonization from the phoniest fake of a candidate in my lifetime. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Mr. Tweet

If you follow Twitter as a political geek, you would notice that Mayor Cory Booker from Newark is a gold medal twitterer. Whether it be at a fire, or a restaurant, or shoveling snow, he uses this form of instant media activity with much vigor. Mr. Booker is considered a rising star in Democratic circles and a supporter of the President. The kerfuffle over his criticisms of negative advertising as nauseating are being used by the conventional media to drive a wedge between him and the President. It is the topic of the next few days for sure. Romney will use this in his ads to suggest the negative influences in media by Obama while ignoring the constant vitriol and bull coming from their ads and there it goes. What is most striking however, is the way Booker's comments are being portrayed. He condemned the negativity on both sides , not just the Dems. and it is being suggested that he is critical of Obama and therefore this could be a great media wedge issue as they battle for network superiority. No big deal. Political advertising is nauseating and so are the five justices that let this all happen. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Republican Anti Regulation Attitudes

A two billion dollar loss at JP Morgan Chase may not be much for the behemoth bank, but its leader has been considered one of the geniuses of the industry. In front of his nose, the loss happened. What about other banks? Just as we turn a corner from severe financial distress and a deregulatory atmosphere toward at least rhetoric for change, another scam, yes scam occurs, jolting our confidence in the financial sector. The President has been calling for tighter reigns on the industry and the public seems to endorse this, but no matter what happens, short of a repeat of 1929, Republicans will fight tooth and nail, anything that regulates or controls banks. Even Dodd/Frank, ridiculed by Republicans, is giving us a watered down approach to regulatory needs. Many Democrats in fact avoided support for the tougher controls that we need. The problem is that we as citizens think of banks as safe havens for our money, for our mortgages, for small business loans and for our basic money needs. What has happened, is that they have become purveyors of financial scams that we simply do not understand. Ask the average citizen about synthetic derivatives as hedges against loss and they would think you are speaking Klingon. As such, we have become slaves to an industry that develops portfolios and risky financial ventures that go unchecked and unexplained. Why the Republicans continue to shy away from needed reform and why Mitt Romney endorses such recklessness is reason enough to condemn this approach and stay the course with the President. Good Luck to my AP Government students who are about to take their test. They worked hard and my thoughts are with them. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The President's Role

As my Advanced Placement Government students finish their preparation for next week's test, I cannot depart from the fact that President Obama's declaration in favor of same sex marriage is an issue appropriate for our final discussions. It is being complicated due to the diverse moral and religious opinions and interpretations that exist but it is really simple. Let us suppose, today, a woman and a man who cannot bear children decide to marry and a State Government decides to disallow the infertile from marrying. Would those who view marriage as a union for the purpose of propagation be offended? Maybe so. and if not,they are hypocrites. Suppose a black man were to go to the polls to vote and immediately as in days past was excluded based on race, would segregationist bigots have a problem with this? Probably not. These two extreme views that exist within a minority of our people today, would have been mainstream opinions during periods of our history. Yet, today, laws to protect the rights and liberties of individuals have been passed to insure the American mosaic is protected as part of our diversity. To treat one individual or group differently because of a characteristic, is anathema to most of us and our nation continues to march slowly toward acceptance, tolerance and a higher sense of right and wrong. A President is in the job to execute the laws and the laws of this great nation are designed to protect our rights and liberties, not to make decisions based on religious fundamentals. I do not quarrel with or object to anyone whose faith and conscience does not have room for same sex partnerships but I do quarrel with those who use these ideas to deny others the freedom to be who they are and to have the rights they are equally entitled to. The President is just doing his job. Thankfully so. Mitt Romney has no understanding of the role he feels entitled to have. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Civil Rights

The President supports civil rights for all Americans, Mitt Romney for selective Americans. No matter how you try and spin it, no matter what forces religious conscience may compel, no matter what your fears of gay people are, one thing is clear, you cannot in America, deny basic rights to any one group, one orientation or one ideology. Our civil rights and liberties are guaranteed and protected by our Constitution and our Bill of Rights. Politics aside, homophobes aside and religion aside, people are people, not animals not property and not able to be denied the freedoms and liberties due to us all. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Seniors

President Obama is losing amongst senior citizens. None that I am affiliated with, but across the nation he is. Now this makes no sense and I hope it isn't because the most capable and most experienced amongst us have lost their way, but rather due to a temporary case of amnesia. Mitt Romney supports the Ryan plan which would gut Social Security as we know it. Mitt Romney condemns Obamacare and Government run programs but Medicare is single payer and follows the pattern that Romney callously dismisses. Seniors tend to be fixed income focused and yet Romney supports the old tired and failed trickle down economic theories that gut the programs seniors most dearly rely on while trickling wealth into the pockets of the few. Mitt Romney would have allowed the auto industry to fail and there are many seniors today whose working lives relied on the manufacturing jobs that used to be in America. Instead, Romney's experience as a venture capitalist supported jobs overseas and shrunk companies or destroyed them, favoring productivity increases at all costs. President Obama has protected this nation from terrorism and seniors have a disproportionate belief in American security moreso than other age groups. So, once this case of amnesia clears, seniors will do the right thing, and that is not to support Mitt Romney. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Let's Play Gotcha

While Presidents attempt to do their jobs in an election year, the opposition loves to play gotcha, often because they just don't have anything original to offer. This is obviously more intense when it is a first termer running for reelection. So the advisors to the opposition listen all day to news reports, and look for verbal gaffes or made up issues so that they can enter the news cycle to embarrass their foe. Republicans are much better at this than Democrats. Yesterday, the Flunkies in the Romney campaign took the monthly jobs numbers and went on their talk shows and spun the numbers to make it appear as if it is all Obama's fault. Gotcha Mr. President. Well, let me play Gotcha too. This President more than any other, knows that there are jobs waiting to be filled, but we simply do not have the trained experts to fill them. He talks about funding community colleges and training programs and offers stimulus to do it. Romney's party says No, college is elitist. Gotcha. The March jobs report which caused consternation for many, was yesterday revised upward to the original consensus estimate, therefore not making it so bad after all. Republicans ignored that. Anyhow, we have had eight consecutive months of over 100,000 new jobs, the longest streak in a long while. Gotcha. Republicans like to blame the shrinking unemployment number on people leaving the work force as both sides always do. If you look at who is leaving, it is mostly the expected baby boomer retirees who perhaps see a better time to do so now rather than compete with soon to graduate college kids willing to work for less. So, in essence, it is real reduction in unemployment, the lowest in three years. Gotcha. Gas prices are starting to come down and whereas Obama deserves the same non credit for this as he did for the rise, it still helps Americans at the pump. Gotcha. Game over today. Mitt, go campaign in Kansas where their legislature passed the most extreme and nonsensical non scientific abuse of womens' rights in recent history. This seems to be your kind of legislature since you have denied, forgotten and condemned your own moderate credentials. Leave the rest to the President. Gotcha. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Opposite

Yesterday in Virginia at a campaign rally, Mitt Romney was asked what he would do about the economy. His answer was that whatever the President did, he would do the opposite. So here is the Romney Plan....Study it well: -Tax Increases for every American. -The Dow at 6000. -Auto Industry left destroyed. -4 million less private sector jobs. -Unemployment trending up instead of down. -TARP program dismantled instead of continued. -Unemployment insurance extensions voided for long term unemployed. -Kick off all college grads. under 26 from their parents' Health plan. -Record corporate profits reversed. -Reliance on foreign oil to again go above 50% GREAT PLAN MITT. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Getting Worse and Worse

On September 11, 2001, over 3000 Americans were killed by Osama Bin Laden. After failed attempts to kill him, President Bush backed off from the priority of finding and killing him trying to change the narrative to hide his failures. As a candidate for President, Obama vied to get Bin Laden and to act alone if there was actionable intelligence to do so. Rudolph Giuliani supported this policy. Mitt Romney did not. Today marks the one year anniversary of President Obama's order to carry out the ultimately successful mission to kill Bin Laden and offer some sense of closure and revenge for that awful day. Presidents always take credit for their successess and try to mask their failures both during, after and separate from a campaign. The mean spirited swipes at this President by his enemies to deny the success and minimize it not only does an injustice to the bravery of those involved, but shows how singular in focus these people are. They care less for our country and more for their own self preservation. Particularly Mitt Romney who gets worse and worse and worse each day. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Chutzpah

The same aide to Mitt Romney who declared his candidate an etch a sketch in terms of his views...shake them, they disappear, and start anew, has the utter gaul, the utter chutzpah to say that the auto bailout was Mitt Romney's idea. Folks, when you stop laughing, get serious. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

A Calculator

When I need to do complicated arithmetic and my head is a little slow, I use a calculator. It is an object, without a soul, without remorse, without a conscience. I do not need or want a calculator for President, and we have in Mitt Romney, a candidate who acts like a calculator, without a conscience and without a soul. Mr. Romney looks at each issue as a calculation, a number in his vote tabulating head. He doesn't answer a question with any specificity or offer any opinion other than what today's numbers say. He looks at his stance with young people and says to himself, "Am I better off supporting the President on lower college loans or supporting the extremists who I need for the nomination." He doesn't say to himself..."Is an affordable education an important American value that is right"? When he goes around with potential VP candidate Marco Rubio, in an attempt to be seen as a supporter of Latin voter issues, he says to himself "since I do not have support from Latinos and have bowed to the right on immigration issues, I can reject immigration compromises and look like I support Latinos by going around with one". He doesn't say to himself "Isn't it morally right to allow people who for no fault of their own reside in this country due to their parents' decisions, with basic education and a positive pathway to citizenship because it is right to do". Mitt Romney is nothing more than a privileged American, wanting to be President and offering no vision of his own. He offers us a calculator. I can buy one in Staples. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

It's Our Time?

When Diane Sawyer interviewed the Romney's, the most extraordinary comment was made by Mrs. Romney. "It's our time" as if the Presidency was some mantle piece moving from one royal family to another. I was stricken by the pompousness and ridiculousness of such a comment. Mitt Romney has been running for the Presidency for almost a decade, spending millions of other people's money to buy the victory. He will get as close as ever this time, with a fifty fifty shot at succeeding but this interview was quite disturbing to me. The Presidency isn't a joke, it isn't something that is given to someone because of their age, or wealth or their name. The Romney's are due nothing from the American people. They represent the privileged few and this may entitle them to build elevators for their cars in their vacation home, but it doesn't entitle them to the White House. That must be earned and by my account, they have a long way to go. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Making of a Man

It is no doubt that women have gotten the shaft in the history of American culture. Even today, board rooms, legislatures and think tanks remain in male hands. Improvements, without a doubt. Near equality? Getting closer, but even though rules and laws are in place to approach real equality, it eludes us. When you look at the issues that women are more motivated by...health care, education, peace, you see a gender that gets it. My gender, tough as nails, willing to fight, willing to nurture Don Draper has a different agenda. One may ask, why is Anne Romney seemingly running for President while her husband pretends to be the nominee? Why have women become the focus of this election thus far? It isn't because the issues are different, it is because Mitt Romney is different. Historically, this decent man, moderate to the core has become a rabid conservative to win the election. People are making judgements about him based on what he is saying now and comparing it to the past. They do not like what they see. No matter how he will try and spin it, the new Mitt Romney has been made by his party's extremists. It will take more than an etch a sketch and a wife to change this. Sorry Mitt, you have let yourself be made by the right and neither your spouse or your super pac commercials can change this. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Youth Vote

One of the great successes of the 2008 Obama election, was his ability to mobilize the young voters in this country. Not to acceptable levels, but to improved levels. In the upcoming election, most unbelievable to me, the race will probably be close and the pundits are predicting that the President won't be able to rely on the energy of youth at the same level. There is concern that they are disappointed and disengaged and may skip the election altogether. I do not think the President is unaware of this and he will do what he can, but it is unthinkable to me, that with everything at stake, younger voters will allow their frustration to result in a no vote. This helps, obviously, Mitt Romney. So, young voters, hear me roar.

There is nothing wrong with going to college. It is not an elitist thing to do, not something to be condemned, but nurtured. If you chose not to go to college, then frankly you are hurting yourself. It is your choice, but education is a blessing and something that is good. Only one candidate, President Obama encourages and supports it. If you want loan money available, vote Obama. If you care about the environment, green jobs, an overreliance on polluting fossil fuels that we love so much, then vote Obama. His energy policy contrary to the lies of his enemies, is balanced and supports future initiatives in solar, wind and other clean technologies. It is your future, your air, your environment. The choice is clear, vote Obama. If you care about jobs and careers, only one candidate is willing to invest in infrastrucure repair, improved technologies and funds for science, innovation and exploration. These are not witchcraft as the Republicans would have you believe. Vote Obama. I can go on, and will in future posts, but the youth of this country cannot sit idly by, cannot get discouraged because of the politics of destruction, they cannot fall prey to ignorance and stupidity. They must vote. I will vote for the President. I simply ask the youth of this great nation to listen to Mitt Romney, compare what he says today with their ideas for the future, and the choice will be clear. Mitt Romney will say anything that Conservatives want to hear, in a phony and completely disingenuous way. Listen young people, hear and make the right choice not for me, but for you, your generation and your country. There is still time. Get psyched, get excited and get involved. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

A Bad Guy

In his job at Bain Capital, Mitt Romney was a business barracuda. He cared about one thing only, to make money for himself, his company and his clients. In that focused world, he was successful. As a politician and a man who wishes to lead the free world, he is just a bad guy. He has no conviction. He says the most preposterous things about the President, the country and himself wihout any connection to the common man. He is not trusted by his own base, denies his previous moderate convictions out of an "I'll do anything to win the nomination" philosophy and is content to buy the election through his super pac support. (In fairness, so too will the President have super pac money). Mitt Romney denies being a flip flopper but on every single major issue he has shifted his positions and just is not a trustworthy type. The narrative about his great business skills may be correct with the Olympics (where he went borrowing Federal dollars by the way) and Bain, but as for running the nation, a whole different story. The more we see of Mitt Romney, the less we like of him. I have no faith in his ability because I just do not trust him. He is too slick, too polished, too robotic and too disingenuous for me. He is just a bad guy for the job. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Priorities

Rick Santorum was not my kind of candidate but he certainly has his priorities straight. May his family find strength during their challenging time.

The Romney Dilemma

In an effort to win the nomination, Mitt Romney has embraced, to use Chuck Grassley's sentiments, stupidity. Not of the President but of the electorate. He has jumped on the Republican bandwagon of Obama bashing with fervent and relentless fiercity. These rants, however, will be a problem for the eventual nominee. Forget the fact that he has lost women and hispanics with his non criticism of Limbaugh Beck rants and support of gender politics and immigration politics at their worst. Forget the fact that he is already an unlikable and reluctant choice of his own base. He is facing a big dilemma. How does he convert to his original moderate core after having embraced such extremism? Contrary to the narrative, Mitt Romney when working for Bain capital was more of a destroyer of jobs and opportunities than a creator. He did the dismantling of companies quite well and made a lot of money for himself and his clients. No crime, but now as he pivots toward the real election he will find himself having to explain why he criticizes the President's committment to the future excellence of our nation. Obama supports community college, supports high tech industries such as alternate energy, he supports tax credits for businesses that move us toward modern roads, rails and runways. He supports funds for updating our antiquated air travel GPS system, an improved electric grid and other engineering type projects. He supports huge commitments to education and teachers. Romney is only about deregulation, trickle down and nurturing ignorance as a candidate. There are approximately 5 million unfilled jobs in this country. With 15 million un or underemployed Americans, it seems as if it is a no brainer. BUT, companies cannot find people who fit the mold for these jobs of the future. We are uneducated, untrained and unprepared. Mitt Romney supports nothing to remedy this situation. President Obama does. Who is stupid Senator Grassley? Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Romney Rule

The Romney rule...Just tell people who hate Obama what they want to hear, true or not and then lie. Also, ignore any good news, including today's announcement that we had the lowest unemployment claim level in four years, and the Fed. decided growth is strong enough, not to engage in QE 3. You go Mitt. Keep hating, keep lying and keep being you. I love it. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Bombs Away

The Romney Obama War has begun. Romney has started with his lies saying that there has been more job loss under Obama than during any President since the depression. This lightweight, liar of a candidate, with no moral conviction or belief system better watch out. We may start telling the truth about him...that is better than lying. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Ryan Budget

Today, President Obama will call the Ryan budget a "trojan horse" and an example of "social Darwinism". From Today Co Host Sarah Palin on down, most Americans will not understand the literary reference nor the scientific reference and this is more due to our State controlled, unequal education process, but that is for another day. What this budget does, is cut all programs that help the needy. What this does, to use the Republican strategy, is to cause real class warfare...the perpetual pattern of the rich vs. the poor. Not just this, it also reduces our commitment to research, to protection of the environment, to alternate energy sources, to a host of other subjects that will point to an educated and bright future for our country. Mr. Ryan may be smart, he may seem like the youthful energy needed for a party run by right wing extremists, but his vision for America is no vision at all. It is a vision for his own electability as he continues to seize upon the ignorance of so many of us who just don't get it. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

More on the Mandate

When I am ready to retire, hopefully I will not need to rely on my social security. For the most wealthy in this nation, social security is pocket change. If I am lucky, and certainly for those that are rich, I could care less about social security. Yet, I am required to pay a payroll tax for the trust account intented to pay benefits to those eligible. I would like to stop paying FICA...but I cannot. I am obligated to pay into the trust fund for benefits for others as a collective responsibility. Payroll taxes are the law. Is the Supreme Court about to declare this mandate as unconstitutional if challenged? I think not. For those who are volunteering not to buy health insurance, you are negatively impacting those of us that do. You will be taken care of at hospitals and Medical offices if you are sick and I will still pay for it. To me, the mandates are exact...they require a payment for the collective good of our nation. Supreme Court justices are well advised to see the obvious parallel. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Lets Have A Moratorium on Information

I am calling for a moratorium on information. Just for a little while. It is tiresome listening to supposed experts claim, suggest, predict and postulate on everything from economics, medical information and world events with such differences of opinion and such confusing data and contradictory evidence that it is making my head spin. I just don't want fourteen different analysts to look and twenty different economic reports and go from doom to happiness with every waking moment and every ridiculous interpretation. They simply do not know more than everyone else and are tiresome advocates for their own books, programs, egos and self aggrandisement. Shut up for a while. Your silence will be welcome...at least for a little while. I will keep dreaming. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Unreliable Conservatives

The Supreme Court has markedly shifted to the right over the last three decades. As history shows, the pendulum swings and history also disappoints Presidents whose choices for the court do not always meet their hopes and expectations. The litmus test for Conservative justices has always been judicial restraint and original intent of our founding fathers when they wrote the Constitution. Politicians love to rail against activist judges...love to criticize courts for over involvement in the affairs of state and have relied on four reliable conservative justices who always seem to tow the conservative interpretive evaluation. Not so fast...not so reliable. It is impossible to be sure which way the court will rule on the Health Reform Bill just from the questions they have asked these last few days but if the pundits are correct, the conservative justices seem to be leaning toward its destruction. If this happens, it won't be the judicial philosophy of these justices that will prevail, but their political philosophy. This is a shame, will be a dark mark on their tenure and more important, will throw out their claim of judicial restraint. Too Bad. Let us see. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Let us Remember

If, and it is certainly unclear, the Supreme Court strikes down the provision of the insurance mandate, let us remember that this was an idea born out of the Conservative Heritage Foundation, embraced by the leading candidate for President on the Republican ticket and supported by Republican Presidents and Republican members of Congress. This was also reluctantly supported by President Obama as a compromise away from single payer care in an effort to get some Republican support. It never came, but their idea survived. Now they condemn it as unconstitutional and try and shift the blame to Obama. These realities are indisputable and must be remembered as the process unfolds. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Health Care Debate

As the high court continues this fascinating and interesting look at the limits of Congressional power, there is something else that must or should be on their minds.....Politics. As the branch of government least political in theory, it has thrust itself, as it has in the past, in the middle of a political firestorm and a Presidential election. With this in mind, I believe they will consider other important issues....the legitimacy of the Obama Presidency, challenged by the crazies, the incendiary and hurtful rhetoric that would be leveled against a President who will be condemned for impeachable offenses against the Constitution and lastly, giving voice to those in the nation that are simply uninformed, ridiculously stupid and ignorant of the issues that affect the future of our nation. You may be able to argue the legal merits of both sides of the mandate for purchasing insurance, but the realities of a decision of unconstitutionality would reverberate throughout the land in ways that are assuredly destructive. I am confident they will keep all of this in mind. Past practice indicates that the court is hesitant about undoing signature legislation. The appropriate way to deal is through legislation,not as Republicans always fear...activist judges. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

All of a Sudden We are All Justices of the Supreme Court

It is amazing to me that people are lining up in DC to provide pressure on the Supreme Court. Elected officials who have never even read the Constitution are going on TV so sure of their legal interpretations. Cable pundits are invoking Madison's ideas as if they are historians and an onslaught of inaccuracy, political bombast and nonsense is coming out of the mouths of the candidates. It is as if overnight, our nation of the uneducated and ill informed has suddenly graduated from Law School and we all have become Constitutional scholars. As Dr. Jonathan Gruber, noted economist from M.I.T. and aide on health care legislation for Romney's Massachusetts plan and Obama's efforts has said, and I paraphrase, [a one sentence lie is easier to sell than two sentences of truth]. This has become the reality of the Affordable Health Care Act, passed by Congress two years ago. People do not understand it, are listening to the easy misinterpretation and do not even realize that the bulk of this bill is still almost two years away from being implemented. Yet half of us seem to be so sure it is unconstitutional. We don't understand it, but we want to kill it. The President is at fault for this as are the Democrats that passed it. They have not been able to articulate the message in terms that people can understand and appreciate. Hopefully this changes before the election, but if you take the pieces of the bill, it is overwhelmingly popular. When you get the one sentence lie, we get concerned that socialism, government takeover and killing grandma with death panels is what the bill is about. In an upcoming and somewhat historic three days, the Supreme Court will judge three aspects of this Law and determine through its evolved responsibility of Judicial Review (no, not the founders original intent)whether it meets the standard of Constitutionality, mostly through the Commerce clause. In a nation that is polticizing everything away from the court, I have confidence that the justices will leave their personal politics at home and come to the conlusion that health care affects us all, that we all pay for it one way or another, and that the collective good of the nation, trumps the amateurs that are hoping for the law's death. If Congress and the people really do hate the bill, then let them try and repeal it. This will not happen and I prefer the side that has established health care as a right, over those who would deliberately harm our national wellness. We are not all Justices of the Supreme Court. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

"Etch a Sketch"

It is easy to understand why the Romney campaign is trying to downplay the "Etch a Sketch" remark made by a lead advisor of the campaign. It is also appropriate not to jump on every word and every clip of every speech ever made by a person out of context. In this case however, these words are so typical of the man who wishes to represent the Republican party as President that they need not be trivialized. Mitt Romney's history is clear; he does not have roots that are consistent with what he is claiming to be and therefore is being untruthful and disingenuous as he looks for votes. When I was a boy, I loved playing with "Etch a Sketch". I used to imagine scenes and ideas and try to duplicate them on the screen. "Etch a Sketch" is a toy, it is a game. Running for President is no game Mr. Romney. It is serious business, it requires conviction, honesty and sincerity....qualities that you have conveniently erased from yourself. I hope you have lots of time after November playing with your toy....don't play with the American people. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

One More Reason

One more reason for why a young person should vote Democratic....

THE PAUL RYAN REPUBLICAN BUDGET. THEY OUGHT TO READ IT.

One More Reason

One more reason for why a young person should vote Democratic....

THE PAUL RYAN REPUBLICAN BUDGET. THEY OUGHT TO READ IT.




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Why a young person should vote Democratic?

Here is an answer to Mitt Romney's question:

-so women have the freedom to make choices
-so college students can get low interest loans to pay for tuition
-so middle class workers and small businesses are incentivized
-so the defense budget does not drown us in fear and debt
-so fossil fuels become one of our sources of energy, not all
-so health care is available for all
-so banks and brokers are restrained from unchecked abuse
-so the foundations of protecting the disenfranchised are not destroyed
-so voting is not suppressed based on race or income
-so troops can come home from Afghanistan
-so the uneducated can become educated
-so bigotry, hatred, ignorance and prejudice can continue to diminish
-and that is just a few

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Why I Do Not Like Mitt Romney

I do not like Mitt Romney. I have never met him but as a citizen I have to be able to decide on who to support in any election. I am an unapologetic supporter of the President and hope he is re-elected and I do not believe the nation will be destroyed or fall apart under a Romney presidency, but I just do not like him. Here is a man who does not have a conviction or a moral compass. It shifts with the daily vicissitudes of the primary camapaign. His history as a candidate and governor is fraught with inconsistencies in position and his description of his own accomplishments are just not accurate. He tries to be southern in the south but this obvious pandering is so dishonest that it makes me so angry. He is one of the wealthiest and most elite candidates we have ever seen and yet he tries to pin the President as just another Ivy School elitist liberal. With each new day, Romney changes his priorities and speaks in non substantive platitudes. He says nothing. He offers nothing. His supposed tax plan released when all the other candidates released one, actually raises taxes on the middle class while expanding breaks for the wealthy. Today he continues to bash Obama on gasoline, on foreign policy, on education, and yet he offers nothing....nothing. He cannot answer straight on anything. Will there or won't there be a role for the Dept. of Edcuation? He makes up stories about meeting people who have refused to look for work because gas is too expensive. Who are these people? Do they have names or faces? He panders non stop and looks silly doing it. He offers no opinion on Afghanistan and in the same interview says withdraw early and stay there. He runs from his past if it doesn't meet the conservative smell test and then he rewrites the history of his accomplishments as if he has no memory. I just don't like him. Mostly because he is a liar, he is not real and he is a big phony who wants to be President just because. I hope we are smart enough not to buy it. I don't like Mitt Romney. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Cagey?

In today's Times, David Brooks writes about the President's caginess. He takes great pains to insure us he doesn't mean dishonesty, but I read it as a criticism surrounded by a lot of good. He recognizes the necessity for compromise and altered courses based on circumstances but my feeling is that he challenges Obama's conviction and authenticiy and I kept thinking that he should have written about Mitt Romney a man with less conviction than any other recent pol I have seen. To be a Republican these days you must love oil, tax breaks for the wealthy and deregulation. In each of these areas, the President has shown incredible passion. He believes in alternate energy sources while embracing the realities of oil need and consumption. He has proposed fewer regulations than his predecessor, but they have some teeth to control financial recklessness. He has embraced tax incentives for small business and the middle class, while campaigning on a more balanced approach. There is no doubt that this President has looked at circumstances and counterbalanced the realities with his own personal views and convictions. It takes time to make change, Obama realizes this and to characterize him as a man without real passion is unfair and inaccurate. I honestly do believe Brooks admires and appreciates Obama, but he just can't let too much of this show through. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

A Legend In His Own Mind

One of the most reviled and unpopular politicians of modern times is former Speaker, Newt Gingrich. Here is a man who cannot find support from any of his past colleagues. Here is a man who staked his claim to the south and lost badly the other night. Here is a man who has lost 26 of 27 delegate contests. Here is a man who spews lies, hate and vitriol against his enemies and in particular the President with his GAS act. 77 percent of America is smart enough to recognize that President's do not control gas prices and in fact if Obama had not committed resources to alternate fuel and set some better standards for energy consumption, it may in fact be worse. Gingrich, after losses in Mississippi and Alabama made a speech that was so ridiculous in its nonsense that it left me amazed at his audacity, arrogance and ego. He is a legend only in his own mind and whereas I as a loyal Obama supporter want this circus act to continue, Newt is nothing more than a bombastic loser and perpetual boil on the ass of our political process. One day, he will go away but for now we are stuck with his BS a little longer. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

I Like grits

Forget the fact that Mr. Romney has switched positions for political right wing expediency on absolutely every single major campaign issue from abortion, to auto industry bailouts, to health care mandates and the environmnent. What is most disturbing, dishonest and disgusting is how he is talking in the south about eatin grits, y'all and how he loves to hug southern women from 12 years and up....like they say in the south, "that dog won't hunt". Trying to be honest and genuine is what Mitt Romney has most difficulty doing. Whereas I am diametrically opposed to southern state opinions and ideas, what I do know, is that they are honest and hospitable folks. They can also see through dog dung and Romney's attempts at southern style dynamics is as false as false can be. Such fakery continues unabated and will cost him dearly...I hope. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Gas Strategy

With the economy on a potential mend. With women angry over the recent Republican strategy toward contraception and with the Republican candidates grasping at straws to find a winner and to seize an issue, that issue is GAS. Most polls suggest that people do not hold a President responsible for gasoline price increases, but the Republicans are seizng on this as a wedge issue come November. Blame Obama for the price at the stations. Any student of economics knows that we do not have a supply issue and demand for gas has actually declined by 7% over last year, therefore, normal supply and demand should have forced prices lower. They are not, and this is because on the world market, the commodity of oil due to global risks and increasing demand elsewhere, is experiencing a 60 cent speculation price increase, not of America's making. I could explain this further, but you would need to be more patient and a better listener....boring stuff. Anyhow, if we want to blame the President for gas prices, can we give him credit for lowering natural gas prices? Can we give him credit for reducing our reliance on foreign oil and increasing drilling? (not stopping it). Can we give him credit for low inflation rates on the total market basket of consumables? If politicians wish to seize upon gas as an issue, fair play suggests credit for all the other price related issues that are going in an opposite direction. Dream on. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Commander in Chief

Article two of the Constitution gives the President the power as Commander in Chief. In the past few days, former Presidential candidate McCain advocated for American led airstrikes against Syria. Current minority leader of the Senate McConnell, called for a declaration of war against Iran. Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich who all know nothing about the emotional attachment to Israel and rattle sabres irresponsibly have been critical of our Commander in Chief. Gone are the days when the unknowing give support and wish for the success of our President in conducting foreign affairs. President Obama has had his share of successes and now PM Netanayu has gone home willing to allow sanctions against Iran to work. North Korean leadership expressed willingness to reduce their committment to nuclear weapons testing and these two additional accomplishments are met with the deafness of Obama's enemies. He is the Commander in Chief not Fools in Chief like these buffoons on the other side. We are a nation tired of war and ready to meet world challenges in a more intelligent way. Thank you Mr. President. Oh, good job numbers AGAIN. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Keep it Going

With the liklihood of a Romney ascendancy, as a Democrat I hope that his annointment is delayed, that these four men continue to batter each other mercilessly and allow the rest of us to see what they claim to stand for. Each of them touts deficit reduction through economic independence and better tax and energy policies, but all of them, through websites and advisors, have suggested plans that do nothing of the sort. Only Congress, working with a President can implement change economically. So what we have left, is a bunch of men, claiming that they know what is right for women, that G-d must play a larger role in our government, that global warming is a myth and Obama is a Muslim extremist Nazi sympathizer with no right to the Presidency. Yes....I hope they keep it going...for a long time....then, when the last man standing looks for moderate votes, he'll be standing on the sidelines looking for work instead. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Russia

There is so much reckless talk these days from pundits, candidates and world leaders that it makes me wonder just how serious most of these situations really are. Do not get me wrong, I worry about nukes, and terrorists, and world economic issues along with some concerns here, but this is why I support the President so much. He is cool. He doesn't overreact, and he analzyes without too much incendiary bluster. I hope, however, he is looking closely at Russia. Many think that since the decline of the Soviet Union, we have a reliable democratic friend in Russia. Well, we don't. Former KGB agents really never change and Vladmir Putin is certainly taking an election and an undemocratic seizure of power, instincts never lost by him. He still views the iron hand of Politburo days of old as the rule of today. Most concerning to us, should be how Russia won't even condemn Syrian genocide and actually along with China blocked a necessary step toward resolution of the Assad terror. Russia continues to support some of our enemies with economic support and trade. Russia still controls tons of nukes and is surrounded by old Soviet satellite states that are oil rich and prone to terror and recklessness. So, not to drum up any cold war fanaticism, while we listen to the crazies threaten and scare, the real scare should probably be from our old friends the Rooskies. I'd keep an eye out. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Slut Comment

When Don Imus called the Rutgers girls "nappy headed hoes" he was fired almost immediately. When Rush Limbaugh calls college coeds sluts for using birth control he probably remains employed. Not a single Republican Senator or Congressman has yet to loudly condemn him due to the fear he instills in them. He is a fat, blohard, piece of scum degenerate, big mouth, asswipe, intolerant, despicable, low life. How's that for free speech. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

You need to know America

America's diversity is more than a cliche. It is the truck driver who listens to the radio on the highways early morning while delivering our food to the supermarkets. It is the homemaker, working part time to assist in the family income and taking care of the kids. It is the blue collar worker, coming home from the factory after a hard days work, grabbing a beer and sitting down with the family to discuss the day's events. It is the family that decides whether to fix the old car for another year, or to buy a new one. America is made of people from all walks of life and income levels that simply do not understand the language of Mitt Romney. Romney just cannot connect. He is the wine and cheese man trying to talk to the beer and chips people of this nation and just not comfortable doing so. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

That's not Why

Today the Mitt Romney campaign launched the strategy about his wealth. They are using his incredible financial success as something to be proud of and telling people to vote against Mitt if you don't like his wealth. They miss the point. It isn't his wealth that people don't like, that's not it. Wealth is good. Most people are envious of wealth and that's OK too. It's just that Mitt Romney cannot tell the truth, comes across as incredibly phony and people see through this. So, enjoy the wealth. We aren't upset about it. It is everything else. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Best...yeah right

Today, Mitt Romney declared himself the only one capable of defeating President Obama. Yeah right. Here is a guy with moderate bona fides, running so far to the right of them that the slingshot he will have to use to moderate his positions again, to reach the center, hasn't even been invented yet. He may believe what he is saying, but America doesn't and won't. I am anticipating the debates he will have, if selected, with the President. What jobs has Mitt Romney created? Which mandate does he approve of, oh wait he doesn't. Which religious faith is important to him, the one he now is or the one he did mission work for? Which tax reductions does he support, oh wait, he raised taxes when Governor. Which Federal bureau or agency will he cut, because you know his tax plan raises the deficit according to economists. I suppose he will pass the smell test ultimately of the weary and wounded Republicans but if current progress continues, he may have to look for another job...after all, he knows what it's like to be out of work. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Words Matter

When Newt Gingrich says the President kills babies, it matters. Particularly since abortions have gone down during Obama's Presidency. When Rick Santorum says that Satan is going after the US because of our corrupt President and his policies, it matters. Particularly since such references come from an extremist view of religiosity that potentially parallels the philosophies of theologic states. When Mitt Romney says that he is a conservative, it matters. Particularly since he has been a moderate, a spender as governor and a developer of a mandate for health insurance, all things I support, by the way. When Ron Paul says we should eliminate the Federal Reserve Board, it matters. Particularly since the absence of such an agency in today's times, would put our financial institutions at risk since pure free enterprise has its pitfalls. If a lead contender for Veep, Governor McDonnell says he wants women to submit to the indignities of a vaginal exam before making a legal choice, it matters. Particularly since he claims to be a man of freedom and liberty. (Thankfully he has backed off.) These words, hostile, fact challenged and dangerous are spoken to get votes, but if we do not listen closely, we may find ourselves in waters that indeed violate our Constitutional values in ways that we cannot yet comprehend. I respect any person's right to hold views that are tied to faith, but when they couch them in false definitions of liberty, it becomes a dangerous affront to our rights. Words matter, listen, be sensible and hold the lunatics responsible for what they say. After all, we don't want the inmates running the asylum. Where are you Americans or reason and truth?

The Voices of Hate

Politics is always dirty and nasty. This goes without saying. If you were to read some of the language used during previous candidate sparring in the 1800's, you would not be so amazed by today's rhetoric. There is a big difference though. In the old days, it could take weeks for the text of a speech to reach an audience and with very low literacy rates, only a select few would understand and know about the vitriol. Today, invoking Hitler or Satan or religious extremism or other voices of hate, has an immediate reaction. The bigots and ignorant may be scared into further ignorance by such language but these folks are not to be concerned about because they are who they are and will not deviate from their pattern of hatred and intolerance. It is the rest of us that I worry about. When the issues of pre-abortive vaginal testing as a requirement and contraception and religious zealots challenging the President's authenticity become the issues of debate, then I get scared. When the Palins and Santorums of this world suggest a value system that should supercede our secular society, wise people get turned off. When Mitt Romney, a secularist himself feels he needs to lie about the importance of faith for a few more nutcase votes, the quality of the candidate diminishes even further and the real serious issues of our times are ignored. When Newt Gingrich calls out our President as a danger to our security and weak in defense of the nation, he lowers the quality of the debate and raises the bar of hatred to new levels. As more moderate, smarter, and independent voices get turned off by such lunacy, the spectre of an extremist candidate winning a nomination becomes closer to reality than need be. When the unwise and unfair amongst us, who care more about their personal egos and selling of their talentless books continue to open their mouths, we as a nation become a laughing stock, unable to confront the future while squandering the available talent who walk away from this craziness. Oh my G-d. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Religion and the First Amendment

If you cannot win on the issues or even express your legitimate points with clarity, go after people as heathens and G-d hating liberals destined to hell. In typical fashion the enemies of the incumbent are engaging in religious warfare, helpful to arouse the extremists but disastrous in the national. Anyhow, what is troubling is the lack of understanding about what the first amendment even says about religion. It has two separate parts...the establishment clause and the free exercise clause but Republican Presidential candidates don't seem to understand this. Government may not establish any religion as a formalized or superior aspect of our governing institutions. Therefore, the secular and accepted equality about providing contraceptive benefits to all WHO CHOOSE it, honors the intent of the establishment clause. To deny the free user his or her legal right based solely on religious principle comes dangerously close to establishing one thought process over all others. This is why the President's compromise is being so well received by all but the Bishops and the Church itself and of course Rick, Mitt and Newt perhaps not sincerely except for Rick, who hawk for primary voters. As far as the free exercise clause, this states that we are free to practice faith, not practice faith, love G-d not love G-d and there is nothing that can be imposed upon us to eliminate this freedom. It seems as if those in support of religious extremism as the be all to governance are forgetting this aspect of the first amendments' guarantees regarding choice. I suppose these men running for office just don't seem to want to understand the true meaning of our Bill of Rights. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Romney Position(s) on the Auto Bailout

If I were inside Mitt Romney's head this is what I would hear:

My father was in the auto business and Michigan and auto workers were a big part my life but these arrogant stupid people are asking for astronomical wages and benefits and need to be put in their place. Their companies should have been allowed to go bankrupt. No tax dollars should have bailed them out it is just arrogant Obama crony capitalism, but now I am in Michigan and the governor supports the bailout and is endorsing my candidacy and people are back at work and the auto businesses are beginning to thrive and people are getting angry at me so I guess the real truth is that the President actually listened to me and followed through with an idea that was mine all along and too bad he didnt listen to me earlier because I am the smartest money man around and people in Michigan will remember my father and thank me for supporting the automobile industry. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Senator McCain, You Lost.

Senator Mccain continues to rail against the President as someone who is compromising national safety and security. In fact, the President has supported Patriot Act provisions, has kept Guantanemo open, has successfully prosecuted a war against Al Qeda and has shown the utmost respect and admiration, along with the first and second ladies for our Veterans. The President is consistently asking for benefits and jobs for our veterans and it is the Senator's party that is stalling. Mr. McCain has worked as part of a majority during George Bush's presidency that gave us Abu Grab prison, an embarrassing episode at our most prestigious Walter Read DC hospital for Veteran's and a living and breathing Osama Bin Laden. Senator McCain would have you believe that the next wars will be conventional, requiring the models of battle from his own past, but this is not today's world. We are fighting cyber wars, economic enemies and terrorists with no sovereign territory or rules of engagement. The kinds of cuts in Defense that the President is talking about are not tied to any weakness in defense, but to today's enemy. Our safety is not in jeopardy as a result of this budget or the legislatively required cuts. This morning's announcement about reducing our nuclear arsenal by 80% will be demagogued by the Republicans and Mr. McCain, but we just can't let them scare us anymore. You lost the election senator and the world is a different place. Thanks for your service but it is time to meet the security demands of the future, not the past. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

For the Record

President Obama's budgets during his Presidency have had a consistent theme to them. Cut the deficit, increase taxes on the most wealthy, support with incentives breaks for small business, commitments to education, a more streamlined and precision defense and job commitments for infrastructure repair. Guess what, his 2013 budget does exactly the same and yet that hater Mitch McConnell calls it a campaign document not a budget in his usual despicable manner. What were the other years when he stood in the way and the President was not in a reelection year? For the record. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

I am Not a Crook

Those famous words, uttered by President Nixon, "I am not a Crook" were the beginning of the end of his Presidency. When one says something like that, you begin to question it, or at least check it out. Ultimately, Nixon was a crook, did resign his office and those words live on in infamy. When someone has to continually say something over and over again, it means there is an absence of reality in those words, a need to convince those you are trying to convince as well as convincing yourself. At the CPAC meetings over the last few days, Mitt Romney uttered the word conservative more times than there were minutes in his speech. He knows the public doesn't believe him and frankly, neither does he believe himself. If Romney would be Romney, he might even be an acceptable if not regrettable Republican President, but the more he tries to be something he is not, the more dangerous he becomes and the less likely to be annointed, he is. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Words are Cheap, Write that Check.

While Republicans continue to balk at any attempt to raise revenues from the wealthiest, we hear Bill Gates, Warren Buffet et al suggest that they pay more in taxes. While the intransigence in Congress continues, while Republicans continue to fixate on the destruction of a President in the face of some positive news about the economy, while they distract us with noise from extremist voices, not in sync with the public at large, I say this to the wealthy....Write a Check. For all those who agree that they should pay more, do so. Not only will it put their money where their mouths are, it will expose the indecency of those who won't and make greed a very nasty word indeed. I am confident that the Treasury will take your money. Write that check. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Transportation

On one of the last episodes of "West Wing", Chief of Staff CJ Craig, tells the newly elected President, played by Jimmy Smits, that her years of service to the government are over. She is considering alternate opportunities and is asked about what issue she believes would do the most good for the country if she were to control massive amounts of money? Her reply..."Highways". Transportation is so pivotal to our nation. After all, we have to get from place to place. We are a mobile nation. We travel in planes, cars, buses, subways, railroads, ferries and bicycles, and yes, sometimes we even use our feet. Automobiles and connected businesses account for a huge part of our economy and whenever states run into revenue crises of their own making, who gets hit? The commuter. Tolls and fares continue to rise, with services reduced and traffic jams startling on highways in need of repair. I do not ever remember since Eisnehower, a candidate talk much about transportation although the President has been touting the need for infrastructure repair. I guess this issue isn't sexy enough. Instead, we will hear decent men demogogued as Anti-Christian, scare women into frenzies about covered health care needs and always go back to the morally devisive and easy attempts at religious polarization. In Today's NY Times, there is a welcome editorial about Transportation which expresses just another example of the differences between Red and Blue. The Bill supported by the Speaker and the House Republicans reduces financial commitmments to mass transit (predominantly used by bluer states and middle class workers) and props up the benefits to oil companies and oil drillers while de-emphasizing the environment. The details will be publicly debated, I hope, but this is just another important reason for us to wake up and see the REAL differences between our political parties. After all, why should we move away from oil and toward mass transit? This might actually help America, but we know our Congress doesn't care about that. And neither do the Republican clown candidates running for President. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Religion

Religion is about compassion. Religion is about values. Religion is about kindess and forgiveness. Yet, listening to the vitriol being spewed within our political process, counting the millions killed violently in the name of religion, and hearing extremists of every faith preach intolerance, I wonder how to find comfort surrounded by such painful rhetoric. This certainly is not what my view of religion is. Before those whose conscience is disrupted when health insurance gets in the way of faith react with further hate talk, I hope we remember the essence of spirituality and G-d and the rights of all men and women. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Republican Governors

Republican strategy has always included de-emphasizing or ignoring completely any successes that President Obama has had. Yesterday Newt called him the gretest assaulter of religious liberty in history. This plays into the hands of the conservatives in this country who are the only group to overwhelmingly express personal dislike for President Obama. And so it goes. How, however, do you have your cake and eat it too? Well Republican Governors have figured that out. They are admitting to success and improvement in the economy, a contradiction for sure. They, however, are taking credit for it saying the President had nothing to do with it. It was only through the job killing, union busting and fiscal restraint approaches taken by only the Republican governors in this country. Is this the new strategy? Deny the existence of success and then take credit for what you denied in the first place? Governor Mitch Daniels may have hosted a great Super Bowl, but his words are so ridiculous it is painful. It gets better each day. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

A Loaf of Bread

Mitt Romney takes every opportunity, without fact, to criticize President Obama. He says Obama hates America, cares more about himself than he does you, has made the economy worse, is weakening America, yaddy yaddy yah. He promises to repeal laws and honor the Constitution (but he ought to read it first to see which branch is the legislative branch). Anyhow, I suppose this is understandable during an election. I suppose the equally uninformed who will also be voting against Obama at all costs loves these groundless statements. Mitt, the least you could do, is understand average America for real, not to say you do with your Cayman bank accounts, to cite your small 375,000 dollars of speaking fees, your request for a splash of coffee and certainly man, know the price of a loaf of bread. You are an elitist, have no connection to either your currently stated conservative values nor the average American you promise to support. I wish it were November already. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Unrelenting Extremism

Planned Parenthood is not an abortion clinic. It is an agency that helps hundreds of thousands of women avoid breast cancer. It is an agency that provides needed health services to many women who have neither the financial resources or knowledge about important health issues themselves. It is an educational organization that informs women about adoption, pregnancy, parenting and other critically important issues related to health. Only a small portion of its efforts have anything to do with the legal choice that some women make regarding the end to their pregnancies. The explanation given by the Susan B. Komen organization yesterday for their severing of a long term commitment to PP is ludicrous at its best and a big fat political lie at its worst. It is now run by a woman whose political beliefs are certainly not friendly to any organization such as PP that does the type of work it does. The attempt to cajole those in anger by claiming grant procedure changes while not applying the same standard to other organizations it supports is downright evil. We can have debates about life, and choice, but to allow extremist behavior and beliefs that hurt the health of women, is inexcusable. It is gratifying to see the likes of Mayor Bloomberg and the social media forums come to the support of PP. Hopefully the decision will be reversed, but even if it is not, it is important to realize that the worst side of our politics has been further exposed. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

What is the Case for Mitt?

With the bruising Republican battle continuing for a while longer, the rhetoric, the spending and the Obama bashing will be of interest to my Republican friends. At some point, however, a case will have to made for an alternative. Frankly, one has not been made other than to say anyone else but the Presdient. Look at the facts...there is steady but slow growth, there is job creation, there is a low tax and interest rate environment, there is a better control over the terrorist threat, there is a thriving auto business and there is a significant recovery in the net worth tied to the market. Where there remain problems and challenges, the direction is positive and if the only thing that the Republican candidate has to say is that Obama made things worse, even the least informed amongst us won't buy that. If Romney is the candidate, will he be the moderate he once was or the conservative he now pretends to be? Frankly, I think he would make a good Teasury Secretary and perhaps in keeping with President Obama's thoughts about the Lincoln Presidency, he ought to be considered. Other than making a lot of money for himself and his clients and saving the Olympics, there is nothing else impressive about him...except his origninal health care ideas. Oh well. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?