Good evening fellow Democrats.

...Alabama is home to three Honda and Hyundai plants. And just across the state line in Georgia, a new Kia plant is set to open and will likely employ many Alabamans. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R- Ala., told reporters Wednesday, “I can not imagine a real justification for a worker in Alabama who does not have any health insurance at his company to be taxed to maintain a Cadillac health care plan for somebody in Detroit.”

...Honda and Hyundai, Sessions said, “are building steadily, and they are progressing steadily” even though they are being hurt by the economic downturn just like the Big Three U.S. automakers of Ford, Chrysler and General Motors.

“There are some states that might think there’s a competitive advantage for them if the Big Three don’t make it,” Sen. Carl Levin, D- Mich., a Big Three ally, told reporters Tuesday...

...Sen. Jim Bunning, R- Ky., who is up for re-election in 2010, said Wednesday, “It’s not a balancing act. It’s whether the federal government should intervene in the private-sector economy. And I believe it should not. I am very concerned that people as hard-headed as the three people who spoke to us yesterday would not have a plan in place and not have any concession to make, but they would just want the money so they can burn through it. That’s unacceptable.”

And if Chrysler and General Motors go into bankruptcy or liquidation?

“I think that’s probably the best thing that can happen,” Bunning replied. “Then there will be a reorganization and they’ll be able to jettison things they couldn’t ordinarily jettison, like health care benefits, like pension benefits and there will be someone to pick those up like the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. And then they will be able to restructure their salaries to get more in line with foreign producers and they may come out of bankruptcy a heck of a lot better off than they go into it.”...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27806336/

And there you have it. The GOP is on the record for supporting foreign companies over American companies. They are willing to let GM, Ford, and Chrysler go under to appease their Japanese, Korean, and Chinese benefactors. The GOP is party of sellouts. Sen. Bunning (R-KY) and Sen. Sessions (R-AL) are walking up to the line of treasonous actions, IMHO.

Democratic officials said they see new signs that President-elect Obama will ask Defense Secretary Robert Gates to stay in his post.

Keeping Gates at the helm would help give Obama political cover for a gradual reduction of U.S. forces in Iraq, and would enhance his relationship with Gen. David Petraeus, the former U.S. commander in Iraq and now the head of the U.S. Central Command, which includes Iraq and Afghanistan.

The officials said emissaries of the presidential transition have talked to Gates about very detailed issues like who should be the assistant secretaries, the Pentagon’s structure and his philosophy of how he runs the operation.

The questions were extremely detailed, suggesting Gates is under very serious consideration, according to the officials.

One complication is what would happen to all the Bush political appointees who now work under Gates.
Obama repeated last week in an interview with Steve Kroft of CBS’ “60 Minutes” that he plans to have Republicans in his Cabinet, and Gates has long been rumored to be one of the most likely...

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15807.html

I'm certainly glad to see this report. SECDEF Gates has been one of the very few Bush appointees that were actually competent. This will insure a smooth transition in a very sensitive post.

A month after calling for an investigation of fellow members of Congress to “find out if they are pro-America or anti-America,” Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) is now claiming that the whole episode was “an urban legend.”

Asked about the comment Tuesday night on Fox’s “Hannity & Colmes,” Bachmann said, “That’s not what I said at all.”

“You've said you were concerned during the campaign that Obama had anti-American views. You said the news media should do a penetrating expose and take a look at the views of the people in Congress and find out if they're pro or anti America,” host Alan Colmes said.

“It's an urban legend that was created,” she responded. “That isn't what I said at all.”...

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15797.html

The people of MN6 ought to be ashamed of themselves for re-electing this media whore. Rep. Bachmann is a prime example of what is wrong with the Republican Party. None the less, 2010 will be here before you know it and this time, we'll be ready for the likes of this third-rate hack.

http://change.gov/newsroom/entry/president_elect_obama_calls_foreign_leaders_today2/

President-elect Obama calls foreign leaders today
President-elect Barack Obama today returned phone calls to five world leaders and expressed his appreciation for their congratulations on his election. President-elect Obama spoke with:

Colombian President Uribe
Nigerian President Yar’Adua
Senegalese President Wade
South African President Motlanthe
United Nations Secretary General Ban

A 1997 bill pushed by Tom Daschle that we should be aware of. I was surprised at reading about it, and we need to know these things.

Daschle anti-abortion bill of1997

It is my opinion that Democrats should stand publicly for the rights of women to make their own choices.

A better solution would be to castrate the fags. That might shut them up or force them to get psychiatric care or get back in the closet.

4Sally-* on November 19, 2008 at 07:13 PM

duh, half of them are women.

WASHINGTON - To appreciate how much the economic crisis is scrambling the political battle lines on Capitol Hill, consider the plight of the Blue Dog Democrats.

The influential coalition of fiscally conservative House Democrats saw their ranks swell on Election Day, and they stand to gain even greater clout with a White House alliance they spent months cultivating. Just days after his victory, President-elect Barack Obama reportedly assigned economic adviser Jason Furman to consult regularly with the Blue Dogs on economic issues. Speaker Nancy Pelosi acknowledged the centrists' new power when she said, a few days after her party gained 20-plus House seats, "The country must be governed from the middle."...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27804220/

That is one of the smartest things I've heard out of Speaker Pelosi. Indeed, this nation should be governed from the political center so that policy appeases the majority. For those worried about the government taking a slant that is too far left, do not be concerned. We Blue Dogs will not let that happen. However, the days of the GOP mantra of "no one left behind as long as you're white, Christian, and rich" are ended. Good riddance; it is time to fix this mess forced upon us by the GOP.

hiya, bobrobert. ;)

I think you and I are the only democrats here that are for the center.

(repost)

116
BobVADemocratHawk on November 19, 2008 at 06:48 PM

There was an interesting take from a caller to the Ed Schults show today which got me to thinking.

Maybe those Pug Congressional idiots from the South should consider ALL the jobs that will be lost if the "Big Three" go under, all for their quest to kill the UAW.

AHEM

Gee, beer vendors, tattoo artists, ushers, traffic control people, etc. ALL out of work. Add to that the beer distributors (both ON and OFF season).

Hell, Martinsville is known as "Garage Mahal". Half of that towns economy depends on NASCAR.

I can just imagine all the ad revenue disappearing and the TV Networks dropping NASCAR because nobody will want to see a bunch of KIAs "race" a bunch of Hyundais.

But, as we all know, PUGS are STOOPID.
121
Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on November 19, 2008 at 07:34 PM

time to sign off for the night.

lets see if this one "insults" (what a blooming loon)

Romans 13:6
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

and for good measure, I'll add the rest:

Thoughts on today's verse

Ouch! I hate taxes. But I have to admit, I enjoy many of the privileges and blessings that those taxes afford. Paul keeps reminding us in Romans 13 that civil authorities are God's tools to hold back anarchy, chaos, and lawlessness. As a Christian, I'm immune to most laws because my faith in Jesus is going to regulate my behavior far more strictly than a legal code. But I do have a responsibility (I owe it, Paul says) to be a good citizen, a good financial manager, a nice respectful neighbor, and a person who willingly honors those who have merited it.
Prayer:

Almighty God, I pledge allegiance to you. You alone are Sovereign, Ruler, and King. But because you call me to honor my government, because you have so richly blessed me to be in a land such as this, because you have lavished your grace on me so richly, I will live today in a way that honors my allegiance to you, my citizenship in my country, and my respect toward those whom I meet this day. In Jesus I pray. Amen.

enjoy the evening, roberts of the blog

WASHINGTON (AP) - A Democratic Congress, unwilling or unable to approve a $25 billion bailout for Detroit's Big Three, appears ready to punt the automakers' fate to a lame-duck Republican president. Caught in the middle of a who-blinks-first standoff are legions of manufacturing firms and auto dealers—and millions of Americans' jobs—after Senate Democrats canceled a showdown vote that had been expected Thursday. President George W. Bush has "no appetite" to act on his own. U.S. auto companies employ nearly a quarter-million workers, and more than 730,000 other people have jobs producing the materials and parts that go into cars. About 1 million on top of that work in dealerships nationwide. If just one of the auto giants were to go belly up, some estimates put U.S. job losses next year as high as 2.5 million.

"If GM is telling us the truth, they go into bankruptcy and you see a cascade like you have never seen," said Sen. George V. Voinovich, R-Ohio, who was working on one rescue plan Wednesday. "If people want to go home and not do anything, I think that they're going to have that on their hands."

The automakers—hobbled by lackluster sales and choked credit—are burning through money at an alarming and accelerating rate: about $18 billion in the last quarter alone. General Motors Corp. has said it could collapse within weeks, and there are indications that Chrysler LLC might not be far behind. Ford Motor Co. has said it could get through the end of 2008, but it's unclear how much longer...

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D94IAPNG0&show_article=1&catnum=0

I don’t want to hear a peep come from the GOP about their flag-waving patriotism any more. These sorry bastards are for selling out American companies in place of Japanese and Korean car companies where globalism gives them unfair advantages. Our auto industry runs the safest and cleanest operations on the planet where they have respect for the people who actually put these cars together unlike their Japanese or Korean counterparts. Furthermore, the auto industry was instrumental in our winning of WW2. The GOP inaction on this matter borders on treason.

Good evening, all.

I can not imagine a real justification for a worker in Alabama who does not have any health insurance at his company to be taxed to maintain a Cadillac health care plan for somebody in Detroit.” ...

Sen. Bunning (R-KY) and Sen. Sessions (R-AL) are bragging about no health insurance offered by an employer. When are these dinosaurs up for re-election?

Esmeralda on November 19, 2008 at 07:39 PM

At least I'm in excellent company. ;-)

Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on November 19, 2008 at 07:44 PM

You should've heard the rednecks p*ss a b*tch over Toyota getting into NASCAR last year. You'd think there would be more support for a bailout in the south. There probably is however, the GOP doesn't give a rat's arse about "we the people".

I don’t want to hear a peep come from the GOP about their flag-waving patriotism any more. These sorry bastards are for selling out American companies in place of Japanese and Korean car companies where globalism gives them unfair advantages...

BobVADemocratHawk on November 19, 2008 at 07:48 PM

Bob,

When the Republicans started advocating globalization and pushing the Contact for America, they pretty much sold our nation to down the river.

It's really time to start questioning the patriotism of those who don't want America competing on a fair playing field.

SandyH: I agree - those dinosaurs need to be voted out. Still, I am disappointed with the UAW's stance of complete unwillingness to offer any concessions - none. This type of rigid behavior and rhetoric is not helpful.

SandyH on November 19, 2008 at 07:52 PM

Sen. Sessions (R-AL) was just re-elected by the idiots of AL. Sen. Bunning (R-KY) comes up again in 2010. He's nuttier than a fruitcake and barely won re-election in 2004, if memory serves.

Good night fellow Democrats. Keep the Faith and keep the faith. Yes we can, yes we will, and yes we did!

Esmeralda on November 19, 2008 at 07:45 PM

Amen!

SandyH on November 19, 2008 at 08:00 PM

My dear Sandy, you've just devised the campaign strategy that will flip the south for us in 2010 and 2012. Let's hope the party leaders are smart enough to capitalize on your suggestion.

Sandy and Bob: The reTHUGs provided tax breaks as well as incentives for companies to take US manufacturing jobs overseas. Over 40% of the manufacturing that was done here in the USA before the Bush Administration are gone - mostly to China and India. Many years ago, when this first started, Sen. Biden introduced a bill to expand unemployment benefits and provide some federal money to help with education for those whose jobs were lost in this manner. The Republicans stomped this into the ground - behind the leadership of none other than Dead Fred Thompson, who said that it is a 'state's matter' to handle that. What a bunch of a$$holes! They can take your tax dollars and use them to pay your company to move your job to another country but you can't get the first penny to tide you over or help educate you so that you can get another job!
Just one of the many reasons to hate the Bush Administration and basically all neo-conservative reTHUGlicans!

Evening all good Dems,

Someone was saying on the Thom Hartman show last Tuesday that Obama said that he will change the rules for 401k's. Seniors are required to start drawing on their 401k's when the reach the age of 70-1/2. By eliminating this rule, seniors will be able to let their retirement funds recover from the recent downturn.

raygun is the one that took away our medical deduction. He even took away our deduction for sales tax and credit card interest. The repukes always take and never give back. They have been crapping on everyone but the rich. bush's big tax cut in 2001 amounted to about $50 a month. Whoopdedoo.

I see the Gay Brigade is alive and well.

That is all the talk on here since the election.

This blog should be renamed the Gay Brigade.

I haven't posted in a few days for this exact reason, anyone new coming to this blog in the last 15 days would think that this is all this blog is all about.

Do you Gay People, have any kind of a idea how many De ms, are not Gay? I doubt it, from all the talk on here. My guess is there is just as many Dems, that are not gay, as there is Pugs. My guess is there is just as many gay Pugs, as they are Dems. So i don't get it why this blog is infested with gays.

Don't you gay folks have a gay blog to go to, to hash out your grievances?

This country is in the worst shape since the Great Depression, and all your talking about is gays.

What the hell is wrong with you people?

Do you all really think that that is Obama's main priority? HELL NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I heard on progressive radio today that these voting machine companies that screwed us in the past two elections are either owned or controlled by the fundies or the mormon church. No wonder there was so much corruption involved in the 2000 and 2004 elections. This should be illegal as hell. Talk about honesty and family values. These people are dirt as far as I am concerned.

We must go to paper ballots exclusively. No excuses.

If I didn't love our President-Elect before, I do now! What a nice person!

Obama brings Biden birthday cupcakes
Posted: 06:25 PM ET

From CNN Correspondent Jessica Yellin

Barack Obama gives Joe Biden cupcakes the day before the Vice President-elect’s 66th birthday.

CHICAGO (CNN) – The day before Vice President-elect Joe Biden turns 66, President-elect Barack Obama presented his running mate with 12 candlelit cupcakes after their weekly lunch on Wednesday. He also gave Biden Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bears hats as well as a bucket of Garrett's popcorn as presents.

“You’re 12 years old!” Obama told Biden according to a Democratic source.

“Maybe in dog years!” Biden responded, laughing.

Obama and the staff then sang Biden ‘Happy Birthday.’

Rarely did Biden make a stop on the campaign trail and not mention his age. “I want you to know,” he would tell supporters, “there are only four members of the Senate who are senior to me. But the very important thing to know is there are still 39 older than me.”

The FACT IS, the people of California said WE DO NOT WANT GAY MARRIAGE, they voted.

83CactusBarrack on November 19, 2008 at 05:48 PM

Danny, is right on this one folks, whether you want to accept it or not. Its no different then McNuts losing the election.

You can argue with him if you want to, but you can't win, the argument.

Until it comes up for another vote, and if you win, at that time.

Hi Chassie: Did you happen to see any of the 'hearings' this morning? I was listening and I was very confused by some of the terminology. They kept saying that they were not looking to be part of the 'bailout' instead they were looking for a 'bridge loan' from a different fund.
Now - calling U.S. Tax dollars bailout fund or some other name - it all comes from the same place - mine and your pockets. But, what fund were they talking about. They said that it was an emergency fund established for just this purpose and the execs from GM and Ford made statements that led me to believe that they had already begun retooling their plants some years ago.
What's really up?

Oh, you just want to get kicked off the blog now don't you.

30CactusBarrack on November 19, 2008 at 08:37 PM

Danny if i kicked off of the blog, for speaking of reality, then so be it.

The f**king MSM is blaming the "Democratic" Congress for failure to bail out the carmakers. These lousy bastards still support the neocons who have set up the Democrats to fail. When are they going to grow up. They are more than happy to help their rich bank friends with no strings attached but just to get back at the Democrats they are willing to aLlow the nation to sink into the Great Republican Depression of 2009 which is exactly what is going to happen.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A Democratic Congress, unwilling or unable to approve a $25 billion bailout for Detroit's Big Three, appears ready to punt the automakers' fate to a lame-duck Republican president. Caught in the middle of a who-blinks-first standoff are legions of manufacturing firms and auto dealers - and millions of Americans' jobs - after Senate Democrats canceled a showdown vote that had been expected Thursday. President George W. Bush has "no appetite" to act on his own.

Finger-pointing begins as Senate nixes auto vote

Hi John E!

I just saw this headline:
"Lieberman To Katie Couric: I Feel Closer To Dems Than Ever"

Gee - I wonder why?

I rarely agree with him but I have always liked and respected Chuck Hagel

Hagel, Unrestrained, Lashes Into Bush, Rush And The GOP

Two months before he leaves office, Sen. Chuck Hagel is increasingly unrestrained by political niceties.

Appearing at a forum at the Johns Hopkins School of Advances International Studies, the outgoing Nebraska Republican leveled harsh criticism at his own party, the lack of intellectual curiosity among some of his colleagues, the Bush administration's handling of nearly every aspect of governance and -- perhaps most bitingly -- the conservative radio voices that often dictate the GOP agenda.

"We are educated by the great entertainers like Rush Limbaugh," said Hagel, sarcastically referencing the talk radio host who once called him "Senator Betrayus." "You know, I wish Rush Limbaugh and others like that would run for office. They have so much to contribute and so much leadership and they have an answer for everything. And they would be elected overwhelmingly," he offered. "[The truth is] they try to rip everyone down and make fools of everybody but they don't have any answers."

It wasn't all an exercise in unloading pent-up frustrations. Hagel offered praise for Robert Gates -- creating the impression that he would like the current Pentagon chief to remain at the post once President-elect Barack Obama takes office. He also deflected questions about whether he would serve in the Obama administration or what he thought of the possibility of Hillary Clinton at Secretary of State. Moreover, Hagel offered what amounted to an hour-long plea for the next administration and Congress to reconfigure the way it works together and within the international framework when it comes to foreign affairs.

"Eighty-seven percent of the American people said America is going in the wrong direction," said Hagel. "You don't need to know another number about anything, and so the election was pretty predictable: the American people don't like what is going on... they want us to start doing what leaders are expected to do, address the problems, find some consensus to governing. Get along. There will be disagreements, sure... but in the end we can't hold ourselves captives to this raw, partisan, political paralysis."

But the truly memorable bits came when -- unrestrained by formalities -- he deployed a sharp tongue while riffing on the GOP. Reflecting on the Bush administration, Hagel, one of the earliest critics of the Iraq war, held back few punches.

"Yes, there have been some differences and some pretty significant ones in [the Republican Party]. But when you ask the question: 'Has [our approach] worked? I don't think many people will say it has worked," he said, adding later: "God knows I would never question the quality of our elected officials, that's why I'm so popular with many of them."

The main thrust of his critiques was aimed not at any individual specifically, but at a closed-off mindset that he believed had taken hold of Republican politics and, consequently, the GOP's approach to foreign policy. "Engagement is not appeasement," he said. "Diplomacy is not retreat. Somehow too many in this town and in this country have disconnected all of that."

What's really up?

31marymac_memphis on November 19, 2008 at 08:38 PM

Mary, i have been intensely watching this unfold since it started.

Here's the deal, Congress has already approved 25 billion for the car makers, to retool, and has been signed into law by the Chimp, which is theres for the taking. This 25 billion is for them to raize the cafe standards, big time, for the year 2010. Ford and G.M. has been doing this for 4 years. Chyrsler has not.

This now gets complicated at this point. The credit crisis, has brought all of the big three to a screeching halt, as they do not have the cash flow to make it to, 2010. Acct. of they are not selling vehiceles, the business has dropped off by about 40 percent. This time of the year is their typical good times. From now until, thur Christmas. But alot of people that are trying to buy cars, are being denied credit, acct. of the credit crisis.

So what the big three are asking for is another 25 billion, as a bridge loan, to make it until 2010.

And of course all of the pugs are againist it. This sounds complicated but it really is not.

Paulson could give them the 25 billion, out of the tarp, that the 700 billion tarp plan was allocated for. But he's saying no, that it was strictly for capital infusions in the banks, ect. which, is ideology with the chimp and the pugs, just bail out the rich, and screw the middle class, but what its really about is trying to bust the union, which is right up the pugs alley as you know.

I could go on and on.

But here's the bottom line, if you have a 401k, or a Ira, or a brokerage acct. If the big three is not given a bridge loan, we are going to GREAT DEPRESSION NUMBER 2. This will have rippling effects like a nuclear bomb on the economy, at this already depressed time.

And let me add this Mary the big three does not have the money flow to get to Obama, goes into office, and the pugs know it.

I know that Obama is not President yet but he needs to show his leadership right now, and be pro-active. For one this he needs to name who his Sect. of Treasure is going to be like a week ago, this market is down spiraling, and he needs to get in the game big time.

Chassie: Is that what is behind the statements this morning from the UAW saying that they will make no futher concessions. They sounded pretty rigid and down-right harsh but if they are simply in a 'staring contest' with the re-THUGs and this is their way of refusing to 'blink first' - then I understand.

I agree that Pres. Elect Obama should act now but I have no idea what avenues are available to him unless we (meaning the people) can somehow 'force' Bush and Co. to go away. What suggestions for Pres. Obama do you have - you obvsiouly know a lot more than I do about this situation!

test

So, what's Moosebrains going to do now that she can't appoint herself to Ted Stevens Senate seat?

Chassie: Also, Ford and Gm both have their own 'finance' companies - GMAC and Ford Motor Credit. How has this affected them and what is their future?

palinsucks on November 19, 2008 at 09:19 PM

Benji - Is that you?

What's she going to do? Hopefully go back to Wasilla where she and the 'first dude' will sink into obsecurity with her whole "bass-ackwards" family.

Mary, like i said this is complicated, to the average person, not saying that your average, cuz your obviously smarter then I, and sweeter too. But anybody that has not been paying attention, there is allot in play here. As far as The UAW goes, they have make concessions for the last 2 contract. And now have a 2 tier pay system, that all people that have been hired as of late, and all new hires from here, on forward start at half the wages, of the old timers, so to speak. And do not have the pensions benefits, or the health care benefits, that the old timers of the UAW. have.

And what Obama needs to do, is name his Secretary of Treasury, like i said like last week, and put him right along side of Paulson, until he goes into the office, this would help sooth the market, and could make recommendations, of his own.

Thanks for the info and for explaining it where I can understand. I knew that the UAW had made concessions going back more than 20 years in some form or another, I just wasn't sure why the 'hard' line from this morning. The language this morning was very strong and I simply wasn't sure why or if it was a good idea. Now that I have some background, I understand it better.
Also, for Treasury, I like P. Volcker (?spelling?) and Jos. Stiglitz but I'm not sure either would be all that interested. They would both take huge pay-cuts to accept cabinet posts. Krugman has publically said that his (Krugman's) temprament simply wasn't suited for a cabinet post. So I don't know, who do you like?

oops - here we go!
See all you great Dems tomorrow and hopefully no trolls!
A troll free world - wouldn't that be nice!

Mary, i really don't know nothing about Ford, and GMAC, and Ford Motor Credit. But i figure, they are in the same shape as the rest of the banks, which is really bad. Citi closed today at 6.50 a share, this was one of the banks the Paulson put 25 billion into. A few monts ago there market cap. was around 275 billion dollors, today it was around 35 billion. Morgan Standley is down to a 12 billion market cap., and Paulson put 25 billion into them also, now tell me that makes sense. Its only been about 5 weeks since the capital infusion, into these banks.

But Mary, let me say this, in case you or anybody else is in doubt, about what is going on.

THE BIG THREE BUILT THE MIDDLE CLASS, this was the beginning of the middle class. And i hear alot of people on T.V. that is all for letting them go under. Are they Crazy?

Are pug govt. put over 100 billion into AIG a frigging insurance company, with this bail out. And of course the pugs don't want to give the big three a 25 billion dollar bridge loan.

Can you say bust the middle class, and the unions.

There still pissed at Henry Ford for paying his workers a living wage. But don't ever forget if it was not for the big three, they probably would of never been a middle class.

test

Damn, what's with this blog. My old userid can't sign in but this one can. Whatever ...

Good evening all.

Chimpy is sneaking around right up to his last days:

More on Bush Burrowing
by mcjoan
Wed Nov 19, 2008 at 05:40:06 PM PST

Schumer and Feinstein have acted in response to the Washington Post's story on how some of the most controversial of Bush's political appointees have burrowed into civil service positions, which I wrote about here, as it pertains to the Interior Department.

While their response is limited to yet another sort-of sternly worded letter, the good news is that they're paying attention:

Sens. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) wrote to Bush, saying that the recent transfers suggest a "regrettable, but entirely foreseeable" last-minute rush to fill jobs with administration allies. The senators urged Bush to keep his pledge of a smooth transition without partisan maneuvering.

"Today's report reveals that senior members of your administration are undermining your public commitment to ease the transition by reorganizing agencies at the eleventh hour and installing political appointees in key positions for which they may not be qualified," they wrote. "We respectfully urge you to stand by your public commitment to a smooth transition by directing executive agencies immediately to halt any conversions of political appointees to career positions."

Democrats on Capitol Hill and career employees in various agencies said the personnel moves come as administration officials scramble to complete policy and regulatory initiatives on issues including drinking-water standards, air quality at national parks, workplace safety and mountaintop mining.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/11/19/151930/10/425/663686

Finally got dinner and dishes done...

Esmeralda on November 19, 2008 at 07:39 PM

Center is not center left. I've never noticed that you or Bob were anything but.

A month after calling for an investigation of fellow members of Congress to “find out if they are pro-America or anti-America,” Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) is now claiming that the whole episode was “an urban legend.” ...

She works the street, too?

Mary, i really don't know nothing about Ford, and GMAC, and Ford Motor Credit. But i figure, they are in the same shape as the rest of the banks, which is really bad.
==================================================
They are both in bad shape. The problem with GMAC is mortgages. They own a company that is mortgage related. The latest is that GMAC is thinking about changing their status to a bank. It's possible but it's hard to see how that will help much.

Mary if your still here Volkner is on the short list, although its probably going to Tim Gauthier from the New York Fed. Of course Rubin is also on that list and a couple of others. It could if be the lady in charge of the FDIC, can't think of her name, but she is very popular her last name is Bair, or Blair, i think.

Krugman on Olbermann says that the autos should be rescued because it's big. Millions of jobs are at risk.

but she is very popular her last name is Bair, or Blair, i think.
=============================================
Her name is Bair. She actually is very reasonable.

Sheila Bair is her name.

They are both in bad shape. The problem with GMAC is mortgages. They own a company that is mortgage related. The latest is that GMAC is thinking about changing their status to a bank. It's possible but it's hard to see how that will help much.

58rjsisnj on November 19, 2008 at 09:50 PM

Thanks for the info RJ. that really completes the puzzle for me.

And the reason that they would want to change, there status to a bank, is so that they could get under the tarp unbrealla, and get some money from the 700 billion tarp plan. It makes good business sense.

I mean hell even American Express, is changing its status to a bank, and is asking for 3 billion of the tarp money.

GOP circular firing squad still firings:

Conservative writer Kathleen Parker says the religious right is killing the Republican party
John Aravosis (DC) · 11/19/2008 01:24:00 PM ET · Link
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A real tour de force here. You may recall that Parker was one of the first, and only, conservatives to come out an admit that Sarah Palin was an embarrassment. Here she takes on quite possible the GOP's biggest sacred cow, the religious right. She calls it "armband religion" - which means, I think, wearing your religion on your sleeve (but I can't seem to throw off the feeling that she meant a bit of a fascism allusion here as well). This is a hugely important piece - a must read. Here's an excerpt:

As Republicans sort out the reasons for their defeat, they likely will overlook or dismiss the gorilla in the pulpit.

Three little letters, great big problem: G-O-D.

I'm bathing in holy water as I type.

To be more specific, the evangelical, right-wing, oogedy-boogedy branch of the GOP is what ails the erstwhile conservative party and will continue to afflict and marginalize its constituents if reckoning doesn't soon cometh.

Simply put: Armband religion is killing the Republican Party. And, the truth -- as long as we're setting ourselves free -- is that if one were to eavesdrop on private conversations among the party intelligentsia, one would hear precisely that....

Which is to say, the GOP has surrendered its high ground to its lowest brows. In the process, the party has alienated its non-base constituents, including other people of faith (those who prefer a more private approach to worship), as well as secularists and conservative-leaning Democrats who otherwise might be tempted to cross the aisle....

Religious conservatives become defensive at any suggestion that they've had something to do with the GOP's erosion. And, though the recent Democratic sweep can be attributed in large part to a referendum on Bush and the failing economy, three long-term trends identified by Emory University's Alan Abramowitz have been devastating to the Republican Party: increasing racial diversity, declining marriage rates and changes in religious beliefs.

Suffice it to say, the Republican Party is largely comprised of white, married Christians. Anyone watching the two conventions last summer can't have missed the stark differences: One party was brimming with energy, youth and diversity; the other felt like an annual Depends sales meeting.

With the exception of Miss Alaska, of course.

Even Sarah Palin has blamed Bush policies for the GOP loss. She's not entirely wrong, but she's also part of the problem. Her recent conjecture about whether to run for president in 2012 (does anyone really doubt she will?) speaks for itself:

"I'm like, okay, God, if there is an open door for me somewhere, this is what I always pray, I'm like, don't let me miss the open door. Show me where the open door is.... And if there is an open door in (20)12 or four years later, and if it's something that is going to be good for my family, for my state, for my nation, an opportunity for me, then I'll plow through that door."

Let's do pray that God shows Alaska's governor the door....

Given those facts, the future of the GOP looks dim and dimmer if it stays the present course. Either the Republican Party needs a new base -- or the nation may need a new party.

And the reason that they would want to change, there status to a bank, is so that they could get under the tarp unbrealla, and get some money from the 700 billion tarp plan. It makes good business sense.
=================================================
chassie, that certainly is one motivation. They would also be able to re-structure. Here's the story:

Cerberus may give up GMAC control to get bank status-Bloomberg
By AFX | 06 Nov 2008 | 10:12 PM ET
Text Size

NEW YORK, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Cerberus Capital Management may pass its control of GMAC LLC to its investors so the financing unit can convert to a bank and get access to government funds, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing three people familiar with the matter. A source familiar with private equity firm Cerberus said no determination had been made about the structure of GMAC. Bloomberg reported that Cerberus is mulling a plan to distribute its 51 percent stake in embattled GMAC among investors in its funds. By forfeiting its control of the company, Cerberus may help GMAC become a bank and get funding from the U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve without requiring Cerberus to submit to banking regulations, Bloomberg said. A Cerberus spokesman declined comment. Cerberus led a group in 2006 that paid General Motors Corp $7.4 billion in cash for 51 percent of Detroit-based GMAC. GM owns the other 49 percent. (Reporting by Elinor Comlay) Keywords: CERBERUS/GMAC (elinor.comlay@thomsonreuters.com; +1 646 223 6116) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2008. All rights reserved.

The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/27584072/site/14081545/for/cnbc/

Of course, it isn't all that easy as they must meet criteria to become a formal bank under FDIC regulation.

By the way, the interview with Krugman was on Rachel Maddow and not Olbermann.

marymac_memphis on November 19, 2008 at 08:07 PM

mary,

We need to get our Dems out there in the MSM circulating the truth.

Between the Republicans demonizing anyone who wasn't a fundie or a greedy speculator and the horror of 9/11, people were so freaked out that that they had no idea what was going on right under their very noses. It's time to start making sure they get the full story so they can connect the dots themselves.

It will make the Republican betrayal hurt that much more and the urge for revenge that much more palatable for Reagan Democrats and Moderates.

Let the voters make the decision to act against those who don't have any empathy for the suffering of their own citizens or concern for the future of their own country's economy and way of life.

The globalists must be held accountable. Let's give voters the power to make the Republicans feel the full extent of their disgust for these corrupt GOP creeps.

Daschle to be HHS secretary
John Aravosis (DC) · 11/19/2008 12:34:00 PM ET · Link
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No links yet. Roll Call doesn't provide their content for free, so no linky for Roll Call.

Johne on November 19, 2008 at 08:18 PM

Johne,

That is another excellent point. The Republicans took away all the middle class deductions even as they increased the loopholes for the rich and multinationals. Didn't Reagan say it was to pay off his massive national debt...but was really to pay off the savings and loan bailout?

Johne on November 19, 2008 at 08:26 PM

Johne,

Do you have the source and the name of the radio show that reported it? The Mormons seem to be popping up all over the place and all kinds of controversies. If this is true, we need to demand an explanation from Romney. Maybe the fundies knew something that we didn't.

Very interesting story. To think, the GOP dinosaurs want to block stem cell research yet look at the possibilities:

Surgeons replaced the damaged windpipe of Claudia Castillo, a 30-year-old mother of two, with one created from stem cells grown in a laboratory at Bristol University.

Because the new windpipe was made from cells taken from Ms Castillo's own body, using a process called "tissue engineering", she has not needed powerful drugs to prevent her body rejecting the organ.

Avoiding the use of these drugs means she will not be at an increased risk of cancer and other diseases unlike other transplant patients - another significant advance.

Five months after the operation was carried out she is now living normally and is able to look after her children again.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/19/organ-grown-from-stem-cel_n_145049.html

Evening chassie and mary,

I agree 100%. The rethugs are trying to break the union and they are going to make America pay the price with a depression worse than 1929 if they ge their way. This is unacceptable. The heads of thes companies are rethugs through and through.

I heard the other day that GMAC is going to be shut down. I don't know why they are doing this.

So, what's the deal with this?

Cheney Indictment Moves Forward In South Texas

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/19/cheney-indictment-moves-f_n_145067.html

He may have to flee the country to the Chimp farm in Paraguay after all.

CactusBarrack on November 19, 2008 at 08:28 PM

No, we're going to let Welfare for the Rich die off...along with the Republicans who created it. Closing loopholes and dropping corporate incentives to offshore our economy is patriotic. But then you aren't one of us.

Get with the middle class agenda to restore the American Dream or we'll discontinue those H-1B visas and you'll be back in Germany competing with cheap Middle Eastern and African labor.

chassie on November 19, 2008 at 08:30 PM

If they voted to stop tall people from marrying, would that make sense to you, too?

Evening Sandy,

I must have dozed off for a time. I have been in the hot sun all day. Even though I enjoy it drains me.

It had to be either the Thom Hartman, Ed Schultz or the Stephanie Miller show. I should write these things down when I hear them.

Johne on November 19, 2008 at 08:46 PM

Bush blink? He can't help but be an incompetent moron.

Besides, his limos are built in Germany. What does he care if 3 or 4 million more American peasants become barefoot and homeless. They can stomp the grapes that make the expensive wines he likes to serve at his globalists friends.

rjsisnj on November 19, 2008 at 09:47 PM

rj,

You forget that these are Bush appointees. It will be easy to dismiss them according to civil service rules....they're incompetent fools and can't perform the easiest task. Besides, we can privatize their jobs to get rid of them.

rjsisnj on November 19, 2008 at 10:22 PM

bush has never believed in science. He never has and never will.

We should be leading stem cell research in the world. Why not. limpbaugh keeps ragging on the Democrats saying we have the best health care in the world. I heard on the news yesterday that a third or more of the general practicioners want to quit because of all the paperwork.

I don't believe our health care is the best in the world because of the rethugs torpedoing same so they can eliminate Medicare.

Maybe we need to get their attention with a 2 by 4 over the head.

Sandy,

Do drunks blink?

Johne on November 19, 2008 at 10:31 PM

Johne,

I'm always coming and going as I do chores around the house and switching off to finish projects. Sorry, if I leave you hanging from time to time, too.

Dozing off sounds good to me. I'm going out of town tomorrow and need to finish up a few things before I go and then it the hay. Catch up with you all later.

Good night, all.

SandyH on November 19, 2008 at 10:29 PM

Sandy, why bother with him? If the shithead doesn't like it, HE can fucking leave. And no, I will NOT cut him a break anymore.

The chicken-hawks in the bush mis-administration must be jealous.

DoD denies posthumous Medal of Honor

Goodnight Sandy, have a safe trip.

I don't believe our health care is the best in the world because of the rethugs torpedoing same so they can eliminate Medicare.

Maybe we need to get their attention with a 2 by 4 over the head.

79Johne on November 19, 2008 at 10:41 PM

Good evening Johne, the way things is going will have to go out of the country to get any kind of health care. If the pugs get their way and put 4 million more on the streets, by letting the big three go down, and these people are standing in line at the ER. for healthcare, more then likely the hospitals will go down to. If the big three go down, its going to have rippliing effects that not even the very best of economist, could even predict. This shit is really getting scary.

Chassie,

I have been hearing of clinics in southern California closing for several years now. We just have to reverse this trend.

Did you notice Bob's post at the beginning of this thread. The idiot sessions from alabama says he doesn't see why the big three should be having problems after all the japanese car makers in alabama aren't having any problems. Then he mentioned that they don't provide health coverage for their employees. They are probably paying minimum wage too.

These rethugs are purposely destroying the middle class just like Obama said. One way or another we are going to have national health care or rethug heads are going to roll. I am sick of these bastards.

These rethugs are purposely destroying the middle class just like Obama said. One way or another we are going to have national health care or rethug heads are going to roll. I am sick of these bastards.

86Johne on November 19, 2008 at 11:37 PM

Johne destroying the middle class, is the pugs goal, and they are within a whisker of getting the job done. Just look at what the Supreme Court of the United States of America did to America 8 years ago. These SOB should of been executed 8 years ago. I think Obama will be a outstanding President, but as far as things is off base. I don't think he can turn things around. Just think of how good things could of been, if Gore was not robbed of the Presidency in 2000. Now it will take 75 years to turn around the destruction that the pugs have done, in only 8 long, long, long, years.

Johne, I'm not only sick of these bastards, i hate these bastards for destroying the USA. This is not the same country that i grew up in. It will never be the same again in my life time. I only hope that good people like Obama can turn it around for are children.

ANN COULTER

The most nauseating person on planet earth, she would make a maggot vomit.

so chassie if sally's house was on fire....

in the end it turns out the bushies were all about destroying things. destroying other human lives, destroying pensions, destroying the economy, destroying the environment, destroying the educational system, destroying hope for those afflicted with ms, parkinsons, diabetes, etc., destroying the relations between the various ethnic groups of the nation and the world, destroying progress towards non proliferation.....death and misery for the masses and better fois gras and great cigars for their rich friends....speaking of which where is that asshole rumsfeld these days? sure be good to see him in chains....

it is heartening to see that cranky nasty assed crook stevens go down in defeat and to know that sarah won't be going on shoplifting sprees with her clan in the malls of virginia...she seems to have already faded from the national stage...took about five or six days i guess....hopefully she will return in 2010 as the pelican parties spokesmoron.

back to bed.

Morning gregg,

rummy is probably hiding out on his "ranch" in northern New Mexico. I thought I smelled a stench in the air.

When is bush going to raise the Nazi flag over the White House? Then he can have his brownshirted storm troopers (blackwater) march on the Capitol.

Heil bush
Heil el duce cheney

well in that case johne see if you can talk a pack of coyotes into going up to rummy's house and eating the mother....

Morning Dems. Only here briefly, have a funeral this morning. I see the Good Christian man, the man who touts family values and the Republican party as having Morals because they do not push Abortion (although all their women participate when they have unwanted pregnancies), is posting his filth and vile comments again! What a pig of a man. If he thinks God was busy and did not see this Hate filled spew , he is very very wrong. I would love to see the day he crawls in on his belly to kiss God's feet and ask him to forgive him for all this hatred and filth! You see, I do not believe that God rewards one for being a bad person all their life. Why would anyone be good, then? No, God shall spit in Sally's face, right before kicking him to HELL !

Morning john.

The Celebration of Devotion A Strategic Initiative Envisioned by Joe Brewer

http://www.cognitivepolicyworks.com/what-we-do/strategic-initiative-on-prop-8

Imagine a world where people celebrate the commitment of loving relationships. In this world we know that we are all in it together, that there are people we can depend on when times are tough. Through common cause we build a stable economic foundation with affordable, quality health care and secure jobs that pay living wages. The value of commitment resounds in our families where we want the best for our children through quality education and opportunities in life. And it starts with a basic emotional security that emerges when we find stable, supportive relationships with people who know how to love each other, express their commitments to one another, and demonstrate the kind of devotion we can trust through the best of times and the worst of times.

These relationships can be found in committed families across the nation. They are also found in the “extended family” of people we hold most dear though they are not blood relations. In the bonds that hold friendships together across a lifetime. Or the support we trust from our co-workers. These relationships are based in the bonds of humanity.

Pam, funeral is for the former boss you mentioned the other day?

Thought you went back to bed, Gregg? :)

Well, what really went wrong is that General Motors has had this philosophy from the beginning that what's good for General Motors is good for the country. So, their attitude was we'll build it and you buy it. We'll tell you what to buy. You just buy it.

Eventually, the consumer got smart and said, 'You know what, I'd like a car that gets a little better gas mileage. I'd like a car that's safer on the road,' so they started to buy other cars. General Motors still wouldn't change. They still kept building the wrong cars, and more and more people stopped buying them. Watch how Moore feels about auto bailout »

At a certain point, you know, General Motors lost such a large part of the market share that there probably was a point of no return.

Now, here we are on the verge of this collapse. If General Motors collapses, then there goes hundreds of thousands of jobs, if not millions of jobs of the ripple effect of this.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/11/20/lkl.michael.moore/index.html

Oh, that's rich. Duh-bya appointed every ignoramus he could find to cabinet positions only on the basis that they were too stupid to question Darth Cheney on anything he did and now the Prick from AZ has issues with Obama's picks.

What a hoot!

So, let’s say you’ve gone through a rigorous hiring process and now you’re the CEO of one of the Big 3 automotive companies. What, in a rational world, do you do? You look at the finances, you match that up with market research and listen to what I assume is a bunch of supposedly smart guys and gals who are the best and brightest our big business schools have to offer.

Then there’s an economic slowdown and now you can’t make payroll in a month or so?

That’s the hallmark of a poorly run business, and no matter how big a part of our economy, one we simply cannot keep propping up. Its amazing that these guys, who pray at the altar of the free market and pump billions in to the RNC and the Chamber Of Commerce are now among the most socialist in the country. They want a handout that dwarfs almost everyone else.

http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/11/20/cutting-off-the-junkies/

LincolnParkLiberal on November 19, 2008 at 03:22 PM
The poster is nothing more than an annoying gnat on the blog, that I prefer not to engage or refer much to. Some though, like to spar with the trolls for whatever reason. That poster is about as credible as the F-word channel and that is what I was pointing out. 24 hour a day crapfest.
I don't recall typing into my post what you can or cannot do, but you can read into it the entirety of the Bible if that's your choice.
BlueinIdaho on November 19, 2008 at 03:39 PM

Blue, I don’t know these different people from each other. I generally like to form my own opinions of people based on what I read but thanks for the heads up anyways.

As to my responding to what Sally said on yesterday posts, his/her comments regarding Alaska were essentially accurate in that claims to the effect that their state’s funds were going to be diminished under Governor Palin and due to the lower price of oil were baseless conjecture.

who pray at the altar of the free market...

BlueinIdaho on November 20, 2008 at 11:20 AM

The correct term is "unregulated market". We're taking back "free" and "equal" and all derivatives thereof from the conservtives.

LincolnParkLiberal on November 20, 2008 at 11:33 AM

Funny, I looked at your comment again. Your comment to me was posted before the troll posted anything regarding Alaska. But, go ahead, judge for yourself. If you like someone who calls homosexuals and minorities filthy names and relies on Michelle Malkin and Faux News for information, I'm sure you'll just love reading the troll's posts. Personally, I don't have the time or tolerance for rude, offensive and meaningless spew and I believe it has seriously harmed the abilities of people in this country to honestly communicate. That said, knock yourself out.

It appears in this video that President Bush's approval is in a sorrier state than polls indicate. In a video taken at the G20 summit, Bush walks across a line of world leaders without shaking or being asked to shake any of their hands. Whether the President is being rejected by the world leaders or he is rejecting them, CNN's Rick Sanchez aptly says that Bush looks like "the most unpopular kid in high school that nobody liked."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/20/world-leaders-dont-shake_n_145141.html

You, on the other hand, have shown an unapologetic contempt for the party that once nominated you for the vice presidency -- the party that welcomed you back to the fold even though you slipped through the system and defeated the fairly elected Democratic nominee, Ned Lamont, in 2006. You've betrayed your fellow liberals to settle a political score, Senator -- in order to exact some kind of ignoble payback against your former party, against your caucus and against the netroots for merely calling you out on your literal and figurative smooching of the president.

This is behavior President-elect Obama doesn't appear to be capable of. Because he's clearly better than you. In fact, it's not difficult to hypothesize that had you possessed a fraction of his political instincts or any small measure of his morality, you would absolutely not be in this position, Senator.

See, by allowing you to keep your precious chairmanship -- by letting you off the hook -- President-elect Obama, through his political bigness, punished you without punishing you. He beat you yesterday, Senator. He beat you because he let you be you, and underscored it with his demonstrably better angels and strength of character.

In the final analysis, the hard reality is that by not choosing retribution, he made you look...

...small.

And that, Senator, is good enough for me.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-cesca/an-open-letter-to-joe-lie_b_145026.html

Funny, I looked at your comment again. Your comment to me was posted before the troll posted anything regarding Alaska
BlueinIdaho on November 20, 2008 at 11:42 AM

I went back and the time stamps seem in order. Your comment came right after mine about Alaska:
I don't think you need to worry about Sarah and Alaska. Alaska has $30 billion in their rainy day fund and they are still selling their oil at $60 per bbl plus taxes.
Sally-*
Alaska is one of the few states, perhaps the only one, that's not broke. That oil rich beautiful and scarcely populated region is really positioned well to weather this turmoiltuous period in the American economy. Alaska certainly has been blessed with an abudance of natural resources to be sure!
31
LincolnParkLiberal on November 19, 2008 at 03:04 PM
You're kidding right? The people who actually take the time to skim his filthy ramblings recognize bullshit when they see it.
32

But, go ahead, judge for yourself. If you like someone who calls homosexuals and minorities filthy names and relies on Michelle Malkin and Faux News for information, I'm sure you'll just love reading the troll's posts.

Blue, I haven’t been here long but it seems to me that the theme of this blog is name calling by everyone. I really don’t know quite yet who is a ‘troll” or not but if I am to go by whether or not someone is engaging in use of cruel names or unflattering remarks about others then I will really have my work cut out for me.

Let me repost that, for some reason the second time stamp disapperared. Note my comment is #31 and you're is #32:

Alaska is one of the few states, perhaps the only one, that's not broke. That oil rich beautiful and scarcely populated region is really positioned well to weather this turmoiltuous period in the American economy. Alaska certainly has been blessed with an abudance of natural resources to be sure!
31
LincolnParkLiberal on November 19, 2008 at 03:04 PM
You're kidding right? The people who actually take the time to skim his filthy ramblings recognize bullshit when they see it.
32

LincolnParkLiberal on November 20, 2008 at 12:08 PM

Look at it again. You asked the troll: "Is all of this truth??" after he spewed some stupid comments about another poster. My question to you followed that and the Alaska BS came after.

This is how the Red States govern themselves:

Idaho ranked a dismal 44th in the nation in an "integrity index" released by the Chicago-based Better Government Association.

Idaho's score was a mixed bag — its whistleblower law tied for ninth in the nation, while its open meeting law ranked 44th. But Idaho's low ranking can be attributed in large part to lawmakers who have been unwilling to police themselves.

Idaho was one of one three states to score a "perfect" zero on conflict-of-interest issues, a well-earned mark. Idaho legislators — citizen lawmakers who spend nine months of the year working their day jobs — are not required to file reports saying who they work for, who their clients are, or where they invest their money.

http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2008/11/19/krichert/when_lawmakers_wont_police_themselves

Current events are great, however, history is more telling:

Republicans/conservatives are essentially pro-business and anti-people. The Republicans have controlled the White House for 20 of the past 28 years. Job loss is at an all-time high (except for the republican white house that preceded the depression era). The US has a national debt of 10 trillion dollars (and climbing). This uncontrolled spending of course started with the republican icon, Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan lived in a Hollywood fairyland that had little to do with reality. The national debt was 914 billion dollars when Reagan took office in January of 1981. When he left office, the national debt was almost 5 trillion dollars. The Republicans are right. They do not raise taxes. The Republicans simply "borrow" trillions of dollars that our grandchildren's, grandchildren's, grandchildren will still be paying. George W. Bush has tacked on an additional 4 trillion dollars during his Presidency. Shame on the Republican Party!

President Ronald Reagan did not end the cold war (as many "good republicans" would like you to believe). Here are the facts: Our own CIA had determined that the Russian economy was so unstable that there would be a total meltdown in no more than 5-7 years. The Russians were still managing to plug along under an idiotic system like communism, until the price of a barrel of oil dropped from $60.00 per barrel to $10.00 per barrel. The Russian economy was totally dependent on revenue from oil and when the price of oil fell to this historic low, the Russian economy was doomed. The Russians used then President Ronald Reagan as a rube in order to not only save face, but to also appear as hero's. It would have made no difference at all, who was in the White House at the time....the world would have experienced the same outcome.

Why does the name Bush=War. Let''s think about this. Oil? Maybe. No, I think that it has more to do with the fact that the Bush family has been an integral part of the military industrial complex for the past four generations (since World War I) For Republicans, these are the people that make bullets, guns and tanks so that our soldiers can go bang bang. There''s a lot of money to be made! I am offended that George W. Bush stated that the Constitution is just a God-dern piece of paper (Bush used the other word). Given this logic, I guess, the Bible is just a God-dern book. The Republicans have torn a page out of history and have used this for devastating effect against this country......"If you tell a lie enough times, it becomes the truth" - Adolph Hitler - Mien Kamph

Trickle down is a joke (prior to Ronald Reagan, 2% of Americans owned 98% of this country, now, less than 1% owns 99%) and why on earth would we wish to control our banks and industry, when we could simply pay, oh say, a trillion dollars here and there to bail them out when they screw up the next time (OR, did they really screw up.....they made a lot of money "screwing up"). I am beginning to see the brilliance of the Republican mind, ME, MORE MONEY and ME. "If I can stuff my pockets full of money today...who cares about tomorrow?" I feel that every Republican should be FORCED to study history and not simply rely on the opinions of their buddies over a beer at the bar. Let us remember that Ronald Reagan was also instrumental in adopting regulations to break the unions (this made the mass layoffs that we currently have so much easier for industry...We now walk like sheep to the door). Ronald Reagan was also an FBI informant that "snitched" on his fellow actors in the 1950's to furture his career during the Mcarthy era. I could just go on and on about this Republican Icon. This country is in for a period of suffering. This will hopefully cause people to become human again and again focus on the honesty, character and all of the higher values that have given all of us something to be proud of.... Being Americans. Here's a test, strip a person of all of their money and worldly possessions and all you have left is "the person". How would you fare if YOU were to take this test? Think about it. Republicans just simply need to grow up, and oh, study history.

NEW OPEN THREAD

i have to say it again you dems are some hateful people we are all americans GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Test