Barry's Head Still in the Sand

[native]

I think you could argue that we'd be better off than McCain. I'm not saying we'd be in the Pax Americana by any means but we'd be more well on our way to recovery...

1) The stimulus money would have been given to the people, and not for frivolous projects like studying the mating habits of mosquitos and drunk coeds.

2) Businesses and Corporations wouldn't be terrified of hiring new workers and taking other risks in expanding because there wouldn't be looming taxes from every angle.

Obama will pay a price if he stays on his present course. That much is clear from the November '09 elections and the special '10 Massachusetts. Americans will remember where falling for smooth talk got them and they will turn to the republicans even if the party chooses another trite, blase candidate like McLame.

Do you really think McCain would have been able to do anything different with a Dem controlled Congress?

Yes! Even doing NOTHING would have been better than what Obama has done. McCain could have restrained spending and for sure would be a better commander in chief.

Our many examples of successful stalemated government, with one party holding the white house and the other controlling Congress, are illustrative of this point.

[AZGrizFan]

I think you could argue that we'd be better off than McCain. I'm not saying we'd be in the Pax Americana by any means but we'd be more well on our way to recovery...

1) The stimulus money would have been given to the people, and not for frivolous projects like studying the mating habits of mosquitos and drunk coeds.

2) Businesses and Corporations wouldn't be terrified of hiring new workers and taking other risks in expanding because there wouldn't be looming taxes from every angle.

Obama will pay a price if he stays on his present course. That much is clear from the November '09 elections and the special '10 Massachusetts. Americans will remember where falling for smooth talk got them and they will turn to the republicans even if the party chooses another trite, blase candidate like McLame.

Do you really think McCain would have been able to do anything different with a Dem controlled Congress?

Actually I don't think McCain would have been about to do ANYTHING with a Dem congress, which would be light years better than the crap that's been steamrolled through in the past 12 months.

[Rob Iola]

First off, health care reform is dead. Thank you Massachusettes - unbelievably ironic that it took the death of Senator Healthcare himself, Ted Kennedy, to bring about the death of Obama's health care initiative.

Second, "It's the Economy, Stupid". So true, and yet so hard to grasp. So the banks are evil and dole out billions in bonuses while the unemployment lines grow - you absolutely, positively do not pull the rug out from under them - they are step one in ANY form of economic recovery. Strong stock market/strong dollar yields a strong foundation for growing the economy, and growing the tax base that Obama needs to finance his agenda. It's really that simple.

Third, which Democrat has as much charisma as Obama, even with the losing streak he's had? The one conk who actually leads him in the polls, Huckabee, just admitted that no Republican will beat Obama in 2012 (http://www.tooconservative.com/?p=6247). Obama's no dummy (even if his Veep is), he'll adjust and come back strong. Reid on the other hand is toast, and Pelosi, while still solid as Speaker, has virtually no ability to deliver a credible block of votes for anything on Obama's plate...

[AZGrizFan]

First off, health care reform is dead. Thank you Massachusettes - unbelievably ironic that it took the death of Senator Healthcare himself, Ted Kennedy, to bring about the death of Obama's health care initiative.

Second, "It's the Economy, Stupid". So true, and yet so hard to grasp. So the banks are evil and dole out billions in bonuses while the unemployment lines grow - you absolutely, positively do not pull the rug out from under them - they are step one in ANY form of economic recovery. Strong stock market/strong dollar yields a strong foundation for growing the economy, and growing the tax base that Obama needs to finance his agenda. It's really that simple.

Third, which Democrat has as much charisma as Obama, even with the losing streak he's had? The one conk who actually leads him in the polls, Huckabee, just admitted that no Republican will beat Obama in 2012 (http://www.tooconservative.com/?p=6247). Obama's no dummy (even if his Veep is), he'll adjust and come back strong. Reid on the other hand is toast, and Pelosi, while still solid as Speaker, has virtually no ability to deliver a credible block of votes for anything on Obama's plate...

2 out of 3 ain't bad.

[Rob Iola]

First off, health care reform is dead. Thank you Massachusettes - unbelievably ironic that it took the death of Senator Healthcare himself, Ted Kennedy, to bring about the death of Obama's health care initiative.

Second, "It's the Economy, Stupid". So true, and yet so hard to grasp. So the banks are evil and dole out billions in bonuses while the unemployment lines grow - you absolutely, positively do not pull the rug out from under them - they are step one in ANY form of economic recovery. Strong stock market/strong dollar yields a strong foundation for growing the economy, and growing the tax base that Obama needs to finance his agenda. It's really that simple.

Third, which Democrat has as much charisma as Obama, even with the losing streak he's had? The one conk who actually leads him in the polls, Huckabee, just admitted that no Republican will beat Obama in 2012 (http://www.tooconservative.com/?p=6247). Obama's no dummy (even if his Veep is), he'll adjust and come back strong. Reid on the other hand is toast, and Pelosi, while still solid as Speaker, has virtually no ability to deliver a credible block of votes for anything on Obama's plate...

2 out of 3 ain't bad.

Just callin' them like I see them.

But here's a ray of sunshiny hope in ol' Rob's life - my little girl (14 now) has become quite the little neocon, with honestly no push from ol' dad. I've been encouraging her to start working summers for our local congressman, Frank Wolf, as good a Republican as you'll find. If kids can see the light, then there's hope for a solid set of conk presidential candidates to emerge to start a winning streak - if not in 2012 then in 2016 and beyond.

[AZGrizFan]

2 out of 3 ain't bad.

Just callin' them like I see them.

But here's a ray of sunshiny hope in ol' Rob's life - my little girl (14 now) has become quite the little neocon, with honestly no push from ol' dad. I've been encouraging her to start working summers for our local congressman, Frank Wolf, as good a Republican as you'll find. If kids can see the light, then there's hope for a solid set of conk presidential candidates to emerge to start a winning streak - if not in 2012 then in 2016 and beyond.

Don't get me wrong...I agree with you that Obama is charismatic...but I think America is ALREADY starting to see through the hype and realize that the emperor has no clothes. Only time will tell....oh, and congratulations on the miniature neocon.

[CID1990]

2 out of 3 ain't bad.

Just callin' them like I see them.

But here's a ray of sunshiny hope in ol' Rob's life - my little girl (14 now) has become quite the little neocon, with honestly no push from ol' dad. I've been encouraging her to start working summers for our local congressman, Frank Wolf, as good a Republican as you'll find. If kids can see the light, then there's hope for a solid set of conk presidential candidates to emerge to start a winning streak - if not in 2012 then in 2016 and beyond.

Hey Rob, I'd just call her a 'little conservative' if I were you.

Neocon is liberal code for 'Filthy Jew'.

[AZGrizFan]

Just callin' them like I see them.

But here's a ray of sunshiny hope in ol' Rob's life - my little girl (14 now) has become quite the little neocon, with honestly no push from ol' dad. I've been encouraging her to start working summers for our local congressman, Frank Wolf, as good a Republican as you'll find. If kids can see the light, then there's hope for a solid set of conk presidential candidates to emerge to start a winning streak - if not in 2012 then in 2016 and beyond.

Hey Rob, I'd just call her a 'little conservative' if I were you.

Neocon is liberal code for 'Filthy Jew'.

[kalm]

Second, "It's the Economy, Stupid". So true, and yet so hard to grasp. So the banks are evil and dole out billions in bonuses while the unemployment lines grow - you absolutely, positively do not pull the rug out from under them - they are step one in ANY form of economic recovery. Strong stock market/strong dollar yields a strong foundation for growing the economy, and growing the tax base that Obama needs to finance his agenda. It's really that simple.

Step one in an economic recovery is jobs creation which the banks are really good at in a bubble economy and with a ton of free money floating around. Now...not so much. And it's probably important to seperate lending banks from investment banks - oops, I forgot, we threw that away with the repeal of Glass-Steagal which was put in place the last time this happened.

Stimulus should be from the bottom up. The only justification for protecting the banks was the potential severity of the crisis - a situation so bad we're shanking each other in the streets.

[AZGrizFan]

Step one in an economic recovery is jobs creation which the banks are really good at in a bubble economy and with a ton of free money floating around. Now...not so much. And it's probably important to seperate lending banks from investment banks - oops, I forgot, we threw that away with the repeal of Glass-Steagal which was put in place the last time this happened.

Stimulus should be from the bottom up. The only justification for protecting the banks was the potential severity of the crisis - a situation so bad we're shanking each other in the streets.

With the demise of Bear-Stearns, Merrill-Lynch, and Lehman Brothers, there ARE no significant investment banks any longer...

[mainejeff]

1. Do we not have gridlock now???

2. I hope so!

We need a Romney vs. Clinton 2012 Election.......unfortunately, we may end up with Palin or Huckabee vs. Obama.........

How can we possibly have gridlock with a supermajority? The reality is they can't get out of their own way...has nothing to do with partisan politics. They're so **** giddy with power they are falling all over themselves.

I ask myself that question.......but the fact is, it is still gridlock!

[CID1990]

How can we possibly have gridlock with a supermajority? The reality is they can't get out of their own way...has nothing to do with partisan politics. They're so **** giddy with power they are falling all over themselves.

I ask myself that question.......but the fact is, it is still gridlock!

There is gridlock because the Democratic Party is just as bad as the Republican Party in terms of factionalism. Both parties are full of extreme nuts with narrow agendas. They appear unified when they have the common goal of defeating the other party, but once they have hegemony the factions begin to squabble. The Democratic Party could easily be divided into about four different, distinct political parties, as could the Republicans.

Quite frankly, I could get on board with 6 or 7 equally capitalized political parties. Then the lines would not be blurred between the candidates, and you would not have to vote for someone simply because they are a lesser evil than the other choice, as many people did in the last presidential election. There are disadvantages to revamping our political system in this way, but consider the types of presidents we have ended up with when there were numerous political parties vying for power. Abraham Lincoln comes to mind.

[travelinman67]

I ask myself that question.......but the fact is, it is still gridlock!

There is gridlock because the Democratic Party is just as bad as the Republican Party in terms of factionalism. Both parties are full of extreme nuts with narrow agendas. They appear unified when they have the common goal of defeating the other party, but once they have hegemony the factions begin to squabble. The Democratic Party could easily be divided into about four different, distinct political parties, as could the Republicans.

Quite frankly, I could get on board with 6 or 7 equally capitalized political parties. Then the lines would not be blurred between the candidates, and you would not have to vote for someone simply because they are a lesser evil than the other choice, as many people did in the last presidential election. There are disadvantages to revamping our political system in this way, but consider the types of presidents we have ended up with when there were numerous political parties vying for power. Abraham Lincoln comes to mind.

Interesting idea, however I think each party would wind up with two polarized extremist sub-parties, one liberal, one conservative, and the ones in the middle would just get muddled in nuanced details...i.e., what we have now.

[Ivytalk]

I ask myself that question.......but the fact is, it is still gridlock!

There is gridlock because the Democratic Party is just as bad as the Republican Party in terms of factionalism. Both parties are full of extreme nuts with narrow agendas. They appear unified when they have the common goal of defeating the other party, but once they have hegemony the factions begin to squabble. The Democratic Party could easily be divided into about four different, distinct political parties, as could the Republicans.

Quite frankly, I could get on board with 6 or 7 equally capitalized political parties. Then the lines would not be blurred between the candidates, and you would not have to vote for someone simply because they are a lesser evil than the other choice, as many people did in the last presidential election. There are disadvantages to revamping our political system in this way, but consider the types of presidents we have ended up with when there were numerous political parties vying for power. Abraham Lincoln comes to mind.

Italy comes to mind.

[AZGrizFan]

Quite frankly, I could get on board with 6 or 7 equally capitalized political parties. Then the lines would not be blurred between the candidates, and you would not have to vote for someone simply because they are a lesser evil than the other choice, as many people did in the last presidential election. There are disadvantages to revamping our political system in this way, but consider the types of presidents we have ended up with when there were numerous political parties vying for power. Abraham Lincoln comes to mind.

Quite frankly I could get on board with 6 or 7 equally split COUNTRIES.

Pacific Northwest - OR, WA, AK
Rocky Mountain States - MT, ID, WY, CO, UT
California - it would just HAVE to be it's own country - nobody else wants that headache.
Sand States - NV, AZ, NM, TX, OK
Rust Belt - IN, OH, PA, IL, MI, MN, WI
Southeast - KY, TN, NC, SC, GA, MS, AL, LA, FL, AR
Grain Belt - IA, KS, NB, ND, SD, MO
Northeast - NY, VA, WV, MD, DE, NJ, NH, VE, ME, MA, RI, CT

Most of these loosely defined areas have WAY more in common with each other than with the other areas. They have the same ideologies, the same concerns, and typically vote the same way in major elections. The actual borders might not exactly match state lines, but you get the idea (for example, Eastern Montana has more in common with the Grain Belt than the Rocky Mountain States)...

We need to quit trying to make this country something that it's not. Homogenous. I'm tired of seeing one "area" or another continually attempt to force IT'S ideology onto the rest of the country.

[Ivytalk]

Quite frankly, I could get on board with 6 or 7 equally capitalized political parties. Then the lines would not be blurred between the candidates, and you would not have to vote for someone simply because they are a lesser evil than the other choice, as many people did in the last presidential election. There are disadvantages to revamping our political system in this way, but consider the types of presidents we have ended up with when there were numerous political parties vying for power. Abraham Lincoln comes to mind.

Quite frankly I could get on board with 6 or 7 equally split COUNTRIES.

Pacific Northwest - OR, WA, AK
Rocky Mountain States - MT, ID, WY, CO, UT
California - it would just HAVE to be it's own country - nobody else wants that headache.
Sand States - NV, AZ, NM, TX, OK
Rust Belt - IN, OH, PA, IL, MI, MN, WI
Southeast - KY, TN, NC, SC, GA, MS, AL, LA, FL, AR
Grain Belt - IA, KS, NB, ND, SD, MO
Northeast - NY, VA, WV, MD, DE, NJ, NH, VE, ME, MA, RI, CT

Most of these loosely defined areas have WAY more in common with each other than with the other areas. They have the same ideologies. The actual borders might not exactly match state lines, but you get the idea (for example, Eastern Montana has more in common with the Grain Belt than the Rocky Mountain States)...

We need to quit trying to make this country something that it's not. Homogenous.

AZGrizFan for president ... of the Sand States of America!!

[Grizalltheway]

Jesus Z, why do you hate America so much?

[AZGrizFan]

Jesus Z, why do you hate America so much?

Actually, exactly the opposite. It's BECAUSE I love America so much.


The experiment is over. Failed. Time to move on.

[Ivytalk]

Pacific Northwest Presidential Candidate, out of the Corporatist Party, kalm!

[Ivytalk]

From the Rocky Mountain States, out of the Crystal Meth Party, D1B!

[Ivytalk]

For the Disunited State of California, bearing the standard of the Alimony Party, T-man 67!

[Ivytalk]

Representing the Rust Belt SA, Cap'n Cat of the TeenPoon Party!

[Ivytalk]

Mistah President of the Southeast SA, out of the Jack Daniel's Party, blueballs the magnifi cent!

[AZGrizFan]

Now THAT's a who's who of American brainpower....

[Ivytalk]

Chief Executive of the Grain Belt, and nominee of the Ethanol Party, Gilbert F.X. Dobie, Esq.!