President Barack Obama - Term 1 and 2 Thread

[conversationpc]

And, more importantly - are Brooke Burke's boobs real? Only a thorough hands-on examination will tell you what you need to know.

Now here is the question that all men should ponder.

[Rockindeano]

I did phrase that rather oddly, though. What I really meant to say is that GDP grew at unprecedented rates while the marginal rate was at its highest - and has slowed down as that upper rate has been systematically reduced over the past 40 years.

Unfortunately, we have no way of knowing if GDP wouldn't have grown at an even faster rate if businessmen would have been able to spend that extra money on their business rather than forking it over to the government.

And unfortunately, YOU cannot prove that the businessman invested his trickle down spare millions into his business either. There is just as much theory that the extra million went into the mattress.....trickle Down does NOT work. Better call back Rush and get clarification. You sound like Anatoly Dobrynin sitting at the circular table when Adlai Stevenson smacked him around with truths and proof that the USSR did indeed put missiles in Miami's backyard. Dobrynin clearly didn't get the right instructions from moscow.

[Rockindeano]

I did phrase that rather oddly, though. What I really meant to say is that GDP grew at unprecedented rates while the marginal rate was at its highest - and has slowed down as that upper rate has been systematically reduced over the past 40 years.

Unfortunately, we have no way of knowing if GDP wouldn't have grown at an even faster rate if businessmen would have been able to spend that extra money on their business rather than forking it over to the government.

And unfortunately, YOU cannot prove that the businessman invested his trickle down spare millions into his business either. There is just as much theory that the extra million went into the mattress.....trickle Down does NOT work. Better call back Rush and get clarification. You sound like Anatoly Dobrynin sitting at the circular table when Adlai Stevenson smacked him around with truths and proof that the USSR did indeed put missiles in Miami's backyard. Dobrynin clearly didn't get the right instructions from moscow.

[conversationpc]

Better call back Rush and get clarification.

Stop with the Hannity and Rush bullcrap. I don't listen to Limbaugh at all...Never have and I don't care for Hannity all that much, either. For that matter, I haven't even been listening to Beck that much recently. Contrary to popular belief, real conservatives are able to think independently.

[Rockindeano]

Better call back Rush and get clarification.

Stop with the Hannity and Rush bullcrap. I don't listen to Limbaugh at all...Never have and I don't care for Hannity all that much, either. For that matter, I haven't even been listening to Beck that much recently. Contrary to popular belief, real conservatives are able to think independently.

Fair enough Dave, and I DO like you and respect your opinions...you are always respectful, but your thinking on Trickle Down is empty with proof.

[slucero]

Keith Olbermann is leaving MSNBC

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/21/ke ... ing-msnbc/


How much ya wanna bet his ass got canned...

[conversationpc]

Keith Olbermann is leaving MSNBC

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/21/ke ... ing-msnbc/


How much ya wanna bet his ass got canned...

For all the times he's been on Beck's ass for supposedly being a ticking time bomb, that dude has a lot more issues, in my opinion, from what I've heard.

[Seven Wishes2]

No offense, Dave, but there isn't even a comparison.

Olbermann may be slanted and angry, but he lives in the real world and tells the truth (even though he ONLY tells ONE side of the story all the time). His opinionated rants are sometimes entertaining and sometimes unwatchable drudge, but he at least has both feet planted on the ground. For someone who sees red at every corner, Beck's curiously communistic stance on federal employee salaries is emblematic of his struggle against reality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFBOQzSk14c

[slucero]

Olbermann has lied as well as any of the other media talking heads... Con or Lib... they all lie... its their JOB...

[conversationpc]

No offense, Dave, but there isn't even a comparison.

Olbermann may be slanted and angry, but he lives in the real world and tells the truth (even though he ONLY tells ONE side of the story all the time). His opinionated rants are sometimes entertaining and sometimes unwatchable drudge, but he at least has both feet planted on the ground. For someone who sees red at every corner, Beck's curiously communistic stance on federal employee salaries is emblematic of his struggle against reality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFBOQzSk14c

The last time I bothered to watch Olbermann's show, it was obvious enough that he was lying about Beck that even I picked up on it.

http://davesdominion.wordpress.com/2010 ... eck-again/

[Seven Wishes2]

Taking something out of context is lying? Since when?

That's all Faux news ever does, if they're even bothering to meander somewhere close to a half truth.

[conversationpc]

Taking something out of context is lying? Since when?

That's all Faux news ever does, if they're even bothering to meander somewhere close to a half truth.

How could it not be lying when he took a quote from a part of the discussion that was up to two minutes or so prior to the place where Olbermann actually attributed it to him. Doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure that out.

[RedWingFan]

Keith Olbermann is leaving MSNBC

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/21/ke ... ing-msnbc/


How much ya wanna bet his ass got canned...

Hahahahaha! Maybe he can get a job on the oblivion that is HDNet with Dan Rather!

[Monker]

Right.

Funny how the staggered tax system brought America from near third-world status and turned us into what now endures as the world's only superpower.

Get over it, already. This system WORKS and it has been in place (not coincidentally) since the boon of the late 50's and 60's. There .

Im not sure I follow your reasoning. In the period up to 1928 when when tax rates on marginal tax rates where low, we were overtaking Britain as the World's economic superpower and establishing our economic hegemony. In the late 1950's we were the only country not ravished by war II and held massive comparative economic advantage - because of this the higer marginal tax rates we put in place did not effect the US negatively, growth was DESPITE the rates not because of them- However, we dont hold economic hegemony anymore. The US has strong competitors, all of the who benefit from shifting comparative economic advatage , and they are encouraging inward investment and risk taking through low marginal tax rates. We might be the worlds greatest superpower but we are suffering relative economic deline.

And, they have cheap, productive, labor...And, we seem to enjoy allowing our industries being off-shored. Or, allowing companies to sponsor Visa's to enable foreigners to be hired for a US job. In spite of all of our economic problems, we STILL leave the window open for these things to happen.

You Republicans worry about Mexicans slipping over the border to go about on farms picking crops. But, where is the same outrage against companies off shoring IT jobs, or actively SEEKING foreigners to relocate to the US to do the same job an American can do? I would never advise any young person to enter IT because of this very fact. Find a trade you enjoy, and do that...stay away from any industry where the work can be done remotely, or requires a staff of IT people that can have company sponsored Visa's.

[RedWingFan]

Retired Gen. Colin Powell is not prepared to back President Barack Obama in the 2012 presidential campaign.

The former secretary of state under former President George W. Bush endorsed then-candidate Obama in the 2008 election, but said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union" that he will wait to make a decision on whom to support in the next presidential election.

"I'm not committed to Barack Obama. I'm not committed to a Republican candidate," Powell told CNN Chief Political Correspondent Candy Crowley. "I am not committed to any candidate until I see all the candidates and finally see who the two candidates are who are going for this position."

Powell is a useful idiot and a fool.

[Seven Wishes2]

Powell is a useful idiot and a fool.

He's one of the most brilliant military commanders of the latter half of the 20th century, and brilliant to boot.

Only a fool like you would say something like that about him.

The same kind of fool who KNOWS the individual mandate was a GOP idea for 40 years, and that he's ONLY opposed to it because a Democratic President embraced it because he was forced to bury the far-preferential single payor option. There's NO denying that the mandate, in its exact present form, has been a favorite of Republicans since the Nixon Administration.

[RedWingFan]

Powell is a useful idiot and a fool.

He's one of the most brilliant military commanders of the latter half of the 20th century, and brilliant to boot.

Granted. He WAS a military commander. My statement is regarding what he is now.

Same goes for McCain regarding his military past and his dreadfully lousy political career. Two different animals.

[Seven Wishes2]

I would agree that McCain - like many Democrats and Republicans - is a poll whore. It's just that Old Man John doesn't have nearly the upstanding morality of Powell.

[slucero]

yup... Powell is brilliant enough to know better than to run for POTUS too...

he's like SP... preserving his legacy..

[Seven Wishes2]

You're right. Anyone who would run for POTUS has to be a) egomaniacal, and b) crazy.

[Gin and Tonic Sky]

Right.

Funny how the staggered tax system brought America from near third-world status and turned us into what now endures as the world's only superpower.

Get over it, already. This system WORKS and it has been in place (not coincidentally) since the boon of the late 50's and 60's. There .

Im not sure I follow your reasoning. In the period up to 1928 when when tax rates on marginal tax rates where low, we were overtaking Britain as the World's economic superpower and establishing our economic hegemony. In the late 1950's we were the only country not ravished by war II and held massive comparative economic advantage - because of this the higer marginal tax rates we put in place did not effect the US negatively, growth was DESPITE the rates not because of them- However, we dont hold economic hegemony anymore. The US has strong competitors, all of the who benefit from shifting comparative economic advatage , and they are encouraging inward investment and risk taking through low marginal tax rates. We might be the worlds greatest superpower but we are suffering relative economic deline.

And, they have cheap, productive, labor...And, we seem to enjoy allowing our industries being off-shored. Or, allowing companies to sponsor Visa's to enable foreigners to be hired for a US job. In spite of all of our economic problems, we STILL leave the window open for these things to happen.

You Republicans worry about Mexicans slipping over the border to go about on farms picking crops. But, where is the same outrage against companies off shoring IT jobs, or actively SEEKING foreigners to relocate to the US to do the same job an American can do? I would never advise any young person to enter IT because of this very fact. Find a trade you enjoy, and do that...stay away from any industry where the work can be done remotely, or requires a staff of IT people that can have company sponsored Visa's.

Yes - the cheap labor that is in the Far East is one part of that shifting comparative advantage that I spoke about that those Far East economies have. Part of the underlying economic geography
Which is all the more reason to for the US to ensure it has the lowest marginal rates possible and as little regulation as possible (including making employer contributions to payroll taxes at a minimum- they not in the US, they are high just like corporate tax rates) - why add even more disincentive than already exists ?

As for Mexicans, others coming across the border into the US to do jobs no one else wants to do or will do. As long as they can be brought in legally, and don't and dont live on state subsidy, the more the merrier.

Incedentally, on the subject of IT there is a trend of insourcing happening- as alot of remote services aren't providing the services they promised. Also in the US there are numerous IT areas- in areas such as virtualization, it service management, and networking, where there is some real shortage of expertise in the US. I know because I have numerous clients - there are some good careers to be had, (as long as its what you enjoy doing)

[Seven Wishes2]

Gin and Tonic sky = the right-leaning version of TNC.

Very interesting post, as usual.

[Rockindeano]

I like riding the rails Dean but I don't need it, that's the rub with 99% of this beast we call Government.

Well I assume you NEED the Interstate highway system, and yet we as taxpayers don't pay a user fee for that. Perhaps we should? The airlines get a free ride with free airports, and traffic controllers. Is this fair?

[Gin and Tonic Sky]

Gin and Tonic sky = the right-leaning version of TNC.

Very interesting post, as usual.

LOL I reckon I can convert TNC over the dark side if work on him long enough

[Saint John]

We coddle the rich Dan.

Yeah, whatever. Let's see how "coddled" you feel when your check is taxed at 40%.

These tax cuts for the top 1% is ridiculous.

It's not a "tax cut." It's a measure to bring them down closer to the percentage that the rest of the country pays. Why can't you treat them the same? What is your fear? Are you lazy and/or retarded and can't compete? Don't have the will power to educate, save and prosper? You seem fine to me! Why the need to discriminate and punish success? The fact that someone making a million dollars per year has about $400,000 taken out in taxes is what's "ridiculous."

I simply do not understand why you side with the filthy rich time and time again...it's perplexing to me.

You like to see the system leeched off of by deadbeats and losers, and I enjoy seeing the vastly successful enjoy the fruits of their labor. Simply a difference in philosophy. But, no matter what, I think everyone should be taxed at the same rate.

[slucero]

We coddle the rich Dan.

Yeah, whatever. Let's see how "coddled" you feel when your check is taxed at 40%.

These tax cuts for the top 1% is ridiculous.

It's not a "tax cut." It's a measure to bring them down closer to the percentage that the rest of the country pays. Why can't you treat them the same? What is your fear? Are you lazy and/or retarded and can't compete? Don't have the will power to educate, save and prosper? You seem fine to me! Why the need to discriminate and punish success? The fact that someone making a million dollars per year has about $400,000 taken out in taxes is what's "ridiculous."

I simply do not understand why you side with the filthy rich time and time again...it's perplexing to me.

You like to see the system leeched off of by deadbeats and losers, and I enjoy seeing the vastly successful enjoy the fruits of their labor. Simply a difference in philosophy. But, no matter what, I think everyone should be taxed at the same rate.

...seems fair to me...

[Rockindeano]

Any Hollywood MR's who know this guy Mike Evans...

Mike Evans, of Hollywood Reporter, has been a friend of Hawaii Gov. Abercrombie's for "decades". Evans spoke to him yesterday. "Neil and I spent a lot of time together during Obama's Inauguration. He promised me that he when he became Governor, he was going to cut thru all the BS and find absolute proof that "Barry" was born in Hawaii. Well, I spoke to him YESTERDAY and Abercrombie told me - ...... "He searched everywhere using his powers as governor at the Kapiolani Woman’s and Children’s hospital and Queens hospital. There is no Barack Obama birth certificate in Hawaii, absolutely no proof at all that he was born in Hawaii"....




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb--1Axm ... r_embedded

Boy, you never give up do you? Even Fake Tan has admitted that the President of the United States was born in Hawaii. You on the right must not like your chances in 2012, so you are readying the birther rockets yet again. I guess if Kenneth Starr "won" with his bullshit, you all will try his formula huh? Can't beat Obama at the ballot box, so Rush rallies the troops and gets you drones all excited, that maybe Mr. Obama isn't really an American citizen...you do realize what a fool you look like right?

[Lula]

eek!! a birther!! come on, really?

looking forward to the state of the union, the health care voucher dude's, and the tea party's responses.

looks like there have been more jobs created over the past year than the previous president's time in office. we've got a long road back, but it is promising. look at our auto manufaturing just shy of 30,00 to toyota for the best! great to think of "made in america" making a much needed comeback

[Seven Wishes2]

FF, when you're on this subject, you're "LieFinder".

Otherwise, I've found you to be increasingly insightful and relatively impartial recently - a refreshing change. But, for the love of Pete, leave this one alone. If the "birther" idea were a sentinent being, it would have taken form, died, and its corpse decimated and descirated until there was naught left but a few bones and dust.

Off-topic here, but has anyone heard Geoff Tate's contribution to the Metal Sintara album "Summer Wind"? What an amazing pile of shit THAT is. It sounds like Tennessee Williams meets Spandau Ballet, Krokus, and Accept. It has my nomination for the worst cover, ever. EVER.

[conversationpc]

Dean, if you knew anything about Limbaugh, you'd know that he hasn't really touched this topic, neither has Beck or Hannity. They've mentioned it sure, but none of them are going near that story for fear of looking a fool. I believe they do wonder as I do, why not show it? The Won said he found it and used it as a bookmark, just trot that crumpled piece of paper out and be done with this shit.

I'm not sure about Limbaugh or Hannity but Beck has said several times on-air that he doesn't believe the birther nonsense.