Friday Open Thread
Happy Friday.
President Barack Obama says goodbye to former President George H. W. Bush and former Secretary of State James A. Baker. Photo by Pete Souza.
Comments (179) «
Morning {{{Barbi}}}},
Morning Jonah. Thanks for the superb job you do here.
Democrat Hoyer: "very close" to health bill votes
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. House Democratic leader Steny Hoyer said on Friday "we're very close" to securing the 218 votes needed for passing a broad healthcare reform bill but Democrats still needed to win over some reluctant members.
One day before a scheduled debate on the health bill, President Barack Obama's top domestic priority, Hoyer said he expected a vote on the measure by Saturday night but the debate could drag on to Sunday or later.
FACTBOX: Provisions of the US House healthcare legislation
A close vote is expected on a sweeping U.S. healthcare overhaul bill in the House of Representatives on Saturday. Here are the main provisions of the bill.
INSURANCE MARKET CHANGES
* Creates an insurance market exchange where individuals and small businesses would purchase coverage. Sets minimum benefit packages that may be offered through the exchange.
* Creates a new government health insurance plan that would be sold through the exchange.
* Provides for the creation of nonprofit healthcare cooperatives that would sell coverage through the exchange.
* Bars insurers from excluding people for pre-existing conditions and from charging more based on medical history.
* Creates a temporary national high-risk pool program to provide medical coverage to the uninsured, including those with pre-existing conditions who have been denied coverage. The program would operate until the exchange becomes available.
* Young adults up to the age of 27 would be able to remain on their parents' health insurance policy.
* Provides for rebates for consumers if premiums far exceed the cost of covering their medical expenses.
* Sets up a state/federal process under which insurers would have to justify premium increases.
* Eliminates lifetime limits on coverage.
* Provides for states to enter compacts to allow for the sale of insurance across state lines.
COVERAGE MANDATES AND PENALTIES
* Individuals are required to obtain healthcare coverage. Those who do not would face a 2.5 percent tax penalty.
* Most employers are required to provide coverage to their workers and pay for at least 72.5 percent of the premium for individual full-time workers, 65 percent for family coverage.
* Small firms with up to $500,000 in payroll are exempt.
* Firms not providing coverage would pay a sliding scale of fees of 2 percent, 4 percent and 6 percent of wages imposed on firms with payrolls between $500,000 and $750,000.
* Firms with payrolls of $750,000 and higher would pay an 8 percent tax on payrolls if they do not provide health coverage to workers.
* Tax credits available to help small firms afford coverage.
FINANCING
* Imposes a surtax of 5.4 percent on individuals earning more than $500,000 a year and couples making more than $1 million.
* Imposes a 2.5 percent excise tax on medical devices.
* Raises $6.1 billion over 10 years by repealing rules liberalizing the way multinational companies allocate interest expenses.
* Limits tax breaks for foreign multinational companies incorporated in tax havens, which may be using offshore structures to evade U.S. taxes.
* Closes a loophole that lets paper companies claim a valuable tax credit for making biofuel that is already a byproduct of paper production. This provision raises $24 billion over 10 years.
* Would write into law Internal Revenue Service rules denying tax breaks on business transactions that lack an economic purpose and are undertaken only to create a tax write-off. Fines of 20 percent to 40 percent would be imposed for violating the rules.
MEDICARE AND MEDICAID
* Expands Medicaid eligibility so that anyone with an income up to 150 percent of the poverty level would qualify for Medicaid, the government healthcare program for the poor.
* Seeks to reduce hospital readmissions and to base payments on quality of care rather than on the number of services and treatments.
* Reduces payments to insurers providing Medicare services through the Medicare Advantage program to bring them more in line with the costs of the traditional Medicare program for the elderly.
* Gradually reduces the gap in Medicare prescription drug coverage. The so-called "doughnut hole" begins to close starting in 2010, with the coverage gap eliminated by 2019.
* Would allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices under its prescription drug program.
Good morning, {{{PamB}}.
Lobby group AARP endorses House healthcare bill
AARP, the powerful lobbying group for older Americans, endorsed the U.S. House of Representatives healthcare reform bill on Thursday, bolstering support for the measure as it heads toward a close floor vote on Saturday.
The group said the bill would help older Americans pay for their prescription drug coverage and strengthen Medicare, the government-run health program for the elderly.
"We can say with confidence that it meets our priorities for protecting Medicare, providing more affordable health insurance for 50 to 64-year-olds, and reforming the healthcare system," said Nancy LeaMond, executive vice president of the group.
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U.S. spends most, but health quality lags
Americans are more likely than people in 10 other countries to have trouble getting medical treatment because of insurance restrictions or cost, an international survey of primary care doctors released on Wednesday found.
While the United States spends more than twice as much as other developed countries on healthcare, it lags well behind in key measures of quality, the annual survey found.
"Our weak primary care system puts patients at risk and results in poor health outcomes and higher costs," said Karen Davis, president of the Commonwealth Fund, a private health policy group that sponsored the survey.
"The survey provides yet another reminder of the urgent need for reform that makes acceptable, high-quality care a national priority," Davis told a news briefing.
Other countries have solved problems the United States is still struggling to conquer, she said.
The survey of more than 10,000 primary care doctors in 11 developed countries -- Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom -- found problems in all of them.
In the United States, cost and access to care stood out as a major challenge for primary care doctors.
"The majority of U.S. doctors -- some 58 percent -- say their patients often have difficulty paying for medications and other medical care, by far the highest rate in the survey," Cathy Schoen of the Commonwealth Fund, whose study appears in the journal Health Affairs, told the briefing.
Paying for healthcare was a problem in 5 to 37 percent of other countries surveyed.
Insurance restrictions, such as provisions to limit or control medication or treatment, are a major impediment for U.S. doctors, with half of 1,400 physicians surveyed saying the time they and their staff spend dealing with insurance companies is a major problem.
Death toll hits 13 in Fort Hood shooting spree
The death toll from an Army psychiatrist who opened fire at the Fort Hood Army post rose to 13 on Friday, and Army officials said the suspected shooter was hospitalized and on a ventilator.
Suspected gunman Major Nidal Malik Hasan went on a shooting rampage at the Fort Hood Army post on Thursday, in one of the worst killing sprees ever reported on a U.S. military base, army officials said.
A woman died overnight from gunshot wounds, raising the toll to 13 dead and 30 wounded, said Colonel John Rossi, a deputy commanding general at Fort Hood, speaking with reporters. Of those killed, one was a civilian and 12 were soldiers, Rossi said.
Hasan was shot 4 times during the incident and was unconscious but in stable condition and on a ventilator, Rossi said.
Republican HCR Plan: Worse than You Thought
The CBO report on the Republican's bill is in, and it isn't pretty, at least not for Republicans.
The Congressional Budget Office has concluded that under the $61 billion Republican amendment to the House health care bill, the number of uninsured Americans would increase to 52 million by 2019, but deficits would decrease by $68 billion over the 2010–2019 period. The bill could slightly reduce premiums for Americans who purchase coverage independently.
Millions of Americans would remain uninsured and continue to pay higher premiums. In fact it’s unlikely that any of the members of the Republican House Leadership would be able to find affordable insurance under their own proposal, should they chose to give up their government-sponsored plans.
In fact, only 3 million people of the nearly 48 million uninsured Americans would be covered. And in fact, by 2019, 52 million nonelderly Americans would be uninsured under the Republican plan, according to the CBO. So the Republican plan essentially reflects the status quo, barely keeping up with population growth.
Ezra has the basic comparison between the Democratic and Republican plans.
The Democratic bill, in other words, covers 12 times as many people and saves $36 billion more than the Republican plan. And amazingly, the Democratic bill has already been through three committees and a merger process. It's already been shown to interest groups and advocacy organizations and industry stakeholders. It's already made its compromises with reality. It's already been through the legislative sausage grinder. And yet it saves more money and covers more people than the blank-slate alternative proposed by John Boehner and the House Republicans. The Democrats, constrained by reality, produced a far better plan than Boehner, who was constrained solely by his political imagination and legislative skill.
Cohn has more:
By weakening or removing requirements that insurance cover certain services--everything from cancer screenings to mental health--the Republican bill would likely result in people getting insurance that covers less. That is, based on a quick canvassing of people who have read the report, the meaning of this passage:
The second source of change in average insurance premiums is changes in the average extent of coverage purchased. ... With other factors held equal, insurance policies that cover more benefits or services or have smaller copayments or deductibles have higher premiums, while policies that cover fewer benefits or services or have larger copayments or deductibles have lower premiums. Provisions in the amendment that would reduce insurance premiums by affecting the amount of coverage purchased include the State Innovations program, which would encourage states to reduce the number and extent of benefit mandates that they impose, and provisions that would allow individuals or affiliated groups to purchase insurance policies in other states that have less stringent mandates.
So, yes, the Republican health care bill will lower premiums overall. But many people in poor health will see their premiums go up. And many people will get lower premiums only because they’re getting inferior coverage. Meanwhile, more than 50 million people will have no insurance whatsoever."
Hell, even Republican House leadership has problems with the Boehner bill. This one is a total non-starter, and is in fact so bad that you have to wonder why they put it out there in the first place. This really makes them look even worse than they did when they were just obstructing, because it just proves once more that even when they try to legislate, they fail.
Barbi, the AARP now has their own Medicare Advantage plan. I have ordered a copy of it, to compare with the one I have. That donut hole gets us every year, for George's asthma inhalers and BP medicine ! And of course, you cannot go back to Canada Drugs to refill them and save half the amount.
I am sick to death of the Drug companies, the Insurance companies all trying to rape the American people. Not bad enough the Oil companies are zooming back up again. Time for Obama to kick some ass.
NY Times editorial: The Republican Health Plan
House Republican leaders have produced their own health care reform bill. Here is the first thing you need to know: It would do almost nothing to reduce the scandalously high number of Americans who have no insurance. And it makes only a token stab at slowing the relentlessly rising costs of medical care.
Despite that, the Republicans are pitching their bill as far more affordable than the Democrats’ approach. And you are sure to hear a lot in coming days about how it could reduce health insurance premiums. How it compares in that respect with the Democratic proposal is not yet clear. But a lot of the Republicans’ savings on premiums come from reduced coverage. Pay less and get less.
The good news is that this bill has no chance of passing. The bad news is that unless the White House and Congressional Democrats push back with the hard facts, the Republicans could use it to spread false hope of a “cheaper” alternative to scuttle real health care reform.
What a bunch of Freaks, led by Bachman. Did you know she and her husband own a Mental hospital? OF COURSE the broad does not want any government plan, taking business away from them !!
A Rally For No Solution
In what Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) called the "Superbowl of Freedom," several thousand right-wing activists chanting "kill the bill!" descended on the West Lawn of the Capitol yesterday to protest health care reform. The event was organized by Bachmann and Americans for Prosperity (AFP) -- the billionaire-funded astroturf machine -- and endorsed by GOP lawmakers. With promotional help from Fox News and conservative radio, organizers called the event "an emergency house call on Congress" to stop heath care reform. Bachmann urged her followers to "scare" members of Congress, saying, "Nothing scares members of Congress more than freedom-loving Americans." Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) pandered to the crowd, saying, "Pelosi care is the greatest threat to freedom I've seen in my 19 years in Washington." While conservatives touted a crowd size of up to a million protesters, Capitol Police estimated the crowd was more likely around 4,000. As has become the norm at Tea Parties rallies, some of imagery was radical and offensive, with one prominent sign showing a gruesome an image of dead Holocaust victims to warn that the Democratic health care plan will do the same for Americans. The protests came on the same day as two key groups in the health care debate -- the American Medical Association and the American Association of Retired Persons -- endorsed the House Democrats' health care bill. The White House "seemed to pay little attention to events happening only blocks away," and House Democratic leadership is confident that the bill will pass this weekend.
Time for Obama to kick some ass.
--->PamB on November 6, 2009 at 11:33 AM
That donut hole idea was a pretty stupid one.
"Let's get this done!"
"You fired up?"
What a bunch of Freaks, led by Bachman. Did you know she and her husband own a Mental hospital?
Ummm... perhaps Michelle (R-Nutcase) should check in for a visit?
Troubling Portrait Emerges of Fort Hood Suspect
- His name appears on radical Internet postings. A fellow officer says he fought his deployment to Iraq and argued with soldiers who supported U.S. wars. He required counseling as a medical student because of problems with patients.
There are many unknowns about Nidal Malik Hasan, the man authorities say is responsible for the worst mass killing on a U.S. military base. Most of all, his motive. But details of his life and mindset, emerging from official sources and personal acquaintances, are troubling.
For six years before reporting for duty at Fort Hood, Texas, in July, the 39-year-old Army major worked at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center pursuing his career in psychiatry, as an intern, a resident and, last year, a fellow in disaster and preventive psychiatry. He received his medical degree from the military's Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md., in 2001.
While an intern at Walter Reed, Hasan had some "difficulties" that required counseling and extra supervision, said Dr. Thomas Grieger, who was the training director at the time.
Grieger said privacy laws prevented him from going into details but noted that the problems had to do with Hasan's interactions with patients. He recalled Hasan as a "mostly very quiet" person who never spoke ill of the military or his country.
"He swore an oath of loyalty to the military," Grieger said. "I didn't hear anything contrary to those oaths."
But, more recently, federal agents grew suspicious.
At least six months ago, Hasan came to the attention of law enforcement officials because of Internet postings about suicide bombings and other threats, including posts that equated suicide bombers to soldiers who throw themselves on a grenade to save the lives of their comrades.
They had not determined for certain whether Hasan is the author of the posting, and a formal investigation had not been opened before the shooting, said law enforcement officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss the case.
One of the officials said late Thursday that federal search warrants were being drawn up to authorize the seizure of Hasan's computer.
Retired Army Col. Terry Lee, who said he worked with Hasan, told Fox News that Hasan had hoped President Barack Obama would pull troops out of Afghanistan and Iraq. Lee said Hasan got into frequent arguments with others in the military who supported the wars, and had tried hard to prevent his pending deployment.
Hasan attended prayers regularly when he lived outside Washington, often in his Army uniform, said Faizul Khan, a former imam at a mosque Hasan attended in Silver Spring, Md. He said Hasan was a lifelong Muslim.
"I got the impression that he was a committed soldier," Khan said. He spoke often with Hasan about Hasan's desire for a wife.
(I chalk these deaths up to bush, and Bush voters. I don't blame the guy for not wanting to go off to War that were Lies, and Failures. ) Had nothing to do with his religion.
Two new sets of data released from surveys conducted over last weekend show that the impending GOP tsunami is apparently news to the voters of America. A new poll conducted by CNN (PDF file) gives the Democrats a six-point (50-44) edge on the generic ballot among registered voters. What's more, in an even more intriguing polling query, CNN asked voters whether they would prefer a candidate for Congress who supported President Obama, or one that opposes President Obama. There, the margin doubled, with voters preferring candidates who backed the President by a 54-41 margin. Meanwhile, we also get new data from Ipsos/McClatchy. This poll gives the Democrats a seven-point edge on the generic ballot test (48-41).
Barbi, I am very fired up. Besides my Representative and Senator Dodd , and ever Liver lips Lieberman, I have called, emailed, faxed many other Representatives and Senators.
Specifically those Blue dogs ones. I ask them "WHY, when your state is one of the ones that needs the most assistance back from the Federal Government for your poor and ill, would you possibly vote NO to health care for them"
The old Red States feeding at the Blue Troughs !
I am sick of carrying those Arkansas, Nebraskans, Louisiana states for their Medicaid !
Another one for the Republican Wall of Shame !!
Former New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik "pleaded guilty to charges of lying to Bush administration officials who vetted his unsuccessful 2004 nomination to be homeland security secretary." Kerik, a close friend of Rudy Giuliani's, "admitted to eight counts as part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, who are recommending a 27- to 33-month prison term."
5 Nov 2009 // Washington, D.C. – Today, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) asked Health and Human Service (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to investigate why the Center for Disease Control (CDC) approved the distribution of the H1NI vaccine to Wall Street firms at a time when the vaccine is unavailable to most Americans.
Recent news reports indicate 13 companies, including Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase and Time Warner, have been cleared to receive the vaccine.
The CDC is distributing the much sought-after vaccine to Wall Street firms despite reports of vast shortages. In fact, just yesterday CDC Director Thomas Frieden informed Congress that only 32.3 million doses are available, far less than the 159 million needed to cover those at the highest risk. Given the scarce supply, the CDC has recommended the vaccine be directed only to those at highest risk: pregnant women, infants and children and those up to 24 years, those who care for infants, health and emergency services personnel, and adults with compromised immune systems or other chronic health problems.
Melanie Sloan, executive director of CREW said today, “Although CREW has been unable to uncover the demographic makeup of Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, and JP Morgan Chase, it seems safe to assume the vast majority of their employees are not pregnant women, infants and children, young adults up to 24 years old, and healthcare workers.”
State officials are concerned about the shortages. The head of Alabama’s Department of Public Health testified that 62% of the vaccines ordered by the state will not be available until after December 1, 2009 and the director of Minnesota’s St. Paul Ramsey County Department of Public Health said he is expecting only 7,800 doses for more than 20,000 children. Los Angeles County’s three public hospitals ordered 110,000 vaccines, but have received only about 18,000 doses, and UCLA’s two hospitals received 1,000 doses for 10,000 staff and 35,000 patients.
This situation is echoed around the country, leaving most of those seeking the vaccine unable to receive it with no remedy in sight. Frieden admitted, “It is quite likely the current wave of influenza will peak, crest and begin to decline before there are ample supplies of the vaccine.”
Sloan said, “In what world do Wall Street employees deserve to be vaccinated ahead of high-risk children, pregnant women and health care workers? Unfortunately, for the thousands being turned away in clinics across America, the CDC has decided to prioritize the millionaires over the masses. The public has a right to know how and why this has happened and when it will stop.” Sloan continued, “First, the bailout, then the bonuses, now the vaccine. When will Washington start putting the needs of Main Street above those of Wall Street?”
Bonehead:
Boehner mixes up Constitution and Declaration
November 05, 2009
House Minority Leader John Boehner was fired up and ready to go at the Tea Party rally today.
He even held up his pocket copy of the Constitution, pledging to "stand here with our Founding Fathers, who wrote in the pre-amble: 'We hold these truths to be self evident ..."
Oops.
That would be the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence that he's reading.
....
Duh.
ANTHONY, Texas (CNN) -- Texas may be best known for "Big Oil." But the oil that could some day make a dent in the country's use of fossil fuels is small. Microscopic, in fact: algae. Literally and figuratively, this is green fuel.
Plant physiologist Glen Kertz believes algae can some day be competitive as a source for biofuel.
1 of 3 "Algae is the ultimate in renewable energy," Glen Kertz, president and CEO of Valcent Products, told CNN while conducting a tour of his algae greenhouse on the outskirts of El Paso.
Kertz, a plant physiologist and entrepreneur, holds about 20 patents. And he is psyched about the potential algae holds, both as an energy source and as a way to deal with global warming.
"We are a giant solar collecting system. We get the bulk of our energy from the sunshine," said Kertz.
Algae are among the fastest growing plants in the world, and about 50 percent of their weight is oil. That lipid oil can be used to make biodiesel for cars, trucks, and airplanes. Watch how pond scum can be turned into fuel »
Most people know algae as "pond scum." And until recently, most energy research and development projects used ponds to grow it.
But instead of ponds, Valcent uses a closed, vertical system, growing the algae in long rows of moving plastic bags. The patented system is called Vertigro, a joint venture with Canadian alternative energy company Global Green Solutions. The companies have invested about $5 million in the Texas facility.
"A pond has a limited amount of surface area for solar absorption," said Kertz.
"By going vertical, you can get a lot more surface area to expose cells to the sunlight. It keeps the algae hanging in the sunlight just long enough to pick up the solar energy they need to produce, to go through photosynthesis," he said.
Kertz said he can produce about 100,000 gallons of algae oil a year per acre, compared to about 30 gallons per acre from corn; 50 gallons from soybeans.
Using algae as an alternative fuel is not a new idea. The U.S. Department of Energy studied it for about 18 years, from 1978 to 1996. But according to Al Darzins of the DOE's National Renewable Energy Lab, in 1996 the feds decided that algae oil could never compete economically with fossil fuels.
The price of a barrel of oil in 1996? About 20 bucks!
Government scientists experimented with algae in open ponds in California, Hawaii, and in Roswell, New Mexico.
But that involved a lot of land area, with inherent problems of evaporation and contamination from other plant species and various flying and swimming critters. Darzins said NREL switched from algae research to focus on cellulosic ethanol. That's ethanol made from plants like switchgrass and plant stover -- the leaves and stalks left after a harvest -- but not edible crops such as corn and soybeans.
Valcent research scientist Aga Pinowska said there are about 65,000 known algae species, with perhaps hundreds of thousands more still to be identified.
A big part of the research at the west Texas facility involves determining what type of algae produces what type of fuel. One species may be best suited for jet fuel, while the oil content of another may be more efficient for truck diesel.
In the Vertigro lab, Pinowska studies the care and feeding of algae for just such specifics. She said even small changes in the nutrients that certain algae get can help create a more efficient oil content.
And she said a knowledge of algae's virtues goes way back.
"Even the Aztecs knew it was beneficial; they used it as a high protein food," said Pinowska.
The other common commercial use of algae today is as a health food drink, usually sold as "Spirulina."
I'm too sexy for my pond
And who knew that single celled plants could be such "hotties" when it comes to sex? Kertz said it's a real "algae orgy" under the microscope.
Some algae reproduce sexually, some asexually, while many combine both modes. In some green algae the type of reproduction may be altered if there are changes in environmental conditions, such as lack of moisture or nutrients.
Intriguing details like that keep Kertz and other scientists searching for more and different algae. While dusty west Texas may not be the best hunting grounds, he said he is always on the lookout for samples in puddles, streams or ponds.
Locating algae processing plants intelligently can add to their efficiency. Locating algae facilities next to carbon producing power plants, or manufacturing plants, for instance, the plants could sequester the C02 they create and use those emissions to help grow the algae, which need the C02 for photosynthesis.
And after more than a decade hiatus, the U.S. government is back in the algae game. The 2007 Energy Security and Independence Act includes language promoting the use of algae for biofuels. From the Pentagon to Minnesota to New Zealand, both governments and private companies are exploring the use of algae to produce fuel.
But Al Darzins of the National Renewable Energy Lab said the world is still probably 5 to 10 years away from any substantial use of biofuels.
"There's not any one system that anyone has chosen yet. Whatever it is has to be dirt, dirt cheap," said Darzins
Irony...
...More ominously, a man standing just beyond the TV cameras apparently suffered a heart attack 20 minutes after event began. Medical personnel from the Capitol physician's office -- an entity that could, quite accurately, be labeled government-run health care -- rushed over, attaching electrodes to his chest and giving him oxygen and an IV drip.
This turned into an unwanted visual for the speakers, as a D.C. ambulance and firetruck, lights flashing, pulled in just behind the lawmakers. A path was made through the media section, and the patient, attended to by about 10 government medical personnel, was being wheeled away on a stretcher just as House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) stepped to the microphone. [...]
By the time it was over, medics had administered government-run health care to at least five people in the crowd who were stricken as they denounced government-run health care.
How a Public Jobs Program Could Put America Back on Track
Eighty years ago this week, the stock market crashed and ushered in the Great Depression. We need to apply the lessons from that era to our own to relieve the needless suffering of the Great Recession.
In just two days, between Oct. 28 and 29, 1929, the stock market plummeted by 25 percent. Between September and November of that year, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 40 percent of its value. By July of 1932, the Dow had lost nearly 90 percent of its value.
By then the Great Depression was raging, with unemployment rates rising to 25 percent.
To combat unemployment and alleviate poverty, the federal government engaged in a massive public works and jobs program through the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
Private markets weren’t about to create jobs, and the public sector became the employer of last resort. The job creation from the WPA provided survival and sustenance for millions of American families. Where is the contemporary WPA?
Absent public job creation, it is likely that the economy will not fully recover. The official unemployment rate stands at 9.8 percent. But the Bureau of Labor Statistics acknowledges that the adjusted unemployment rate -- including part-timers looking for full-time work, and those who don’t look for work because they don’t think work is out there -- is as high as 17 percent. This means that one in six Americans does not have a job. Among certain subgroups -- notably older Americans and blacks -- the unemployment rate exceeds Depression-era unemployment.
To commemorate this anniversary of the Great Depression, the Obama administration ought to engage in Depression-era tactics to jump-start the economy. We have spent $700 billion bailing out banks and $787 billion in economic stimulus. But we have not focused on directly creating employment, on lifting people at the bottom.
The length of the Great Recession depends largely on how quickly we are able to put our nation back to work. A 10 percent unemployment rate is too high, and its costs are too great. The same nation that created a Works Progress Administration in the 1930s should create another one in the 21st century.
So much for a Repuglican healthcare plan and the Repuglican Party! -- The GOP Health Care Plan: A Cruel Joke ...the Republican Party thinks the solution is a health care plan that gives MORE leeway to insurance companies? The one thing that all Americans agree on is that people shouldn't be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions, right? Right, everyone except the Republican Party. The Party of No wants insurance companies to be able to continue a practice that results in thousands of premature deaths each year, especially amongst children....the leading Republican spokesperson for their new plan, Congressman John Boehner has pocketed nearly a million dollars from the insurance special interests." It's business as usual for the Party of NO! Repuglicans are the schlemiels in our government! If you don't believe me, have a long look around and you'll find an America that resulted from 8 long long years of Repuglicans. No jobs, eternal wars, economic hell, yep that's the Repuglicans doing what they do best, disaster, and disaster is what they want to continue! Don't show me anything Repuglican and expect any kudos! By definition a schlemiel is -- a person who habitually fails, a screw up, a bungler, a dolt, a Repuglican!
* * *
Another Schlemiel, Eric Cantor sums it up for the Repuglicans -- "Cantor Promises Tea Partiers: 'Not One' GOP Vote For Health Care" and then there's this -- "House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) scoffed and downplayed the significance of two major health-care related interest groups endorsing Democratic authored legislation. Calling the decision of AARP -- a senior citizens lobby -- to back health care reform "puzzling," Cantor insisted that it wouldn't affect a single Republican's vote." That's how much Repuglicans care about Senior citizens and the American people! Rep. Alan Grayson was accurate when he said the Repuglicans want Americans to die! Don't forget, the Repuglicans are promising "Not One GOP Vote For Health Care"! Is this really the America you want???
Heck of a job, Sorry Failin! You really revved up the anger and hate to "boil".
Another mass shooting today. This time in Orlando. As many as 8 people shot in an office building according to CNN.
They Got Nothing … Except the Media
I seriously do not get this country. The subservience to the Republicans by the media at least made sense when they were in the majority and held the Presidency in 2001. But this is 2009, the Republicans have been routed electorally for the past few years, everything the Republican party believed in failed miserably the last eight years and they have been exposed as total frauds, they released a budget with no numbers on April Fools day, they have been whipping up teabaggers and gun nuts into a froth for months and screaming about death panels because they have no ideas or solutions, and when they finally do release their health care “plan,” it totally and completely sucks. It is nothing but fail, fail, fail, from the GOP, they just lost two more seats in the house, they are going through a horrible (yet delicious) civil war, yet according to the media, everything is bad news for Democrats.
You know what is bad news for Republicans? They used to be able to get elected and be incapable of governing, and as the House elections on Tuesday and the CBO score today show, now they are incapable of getting elected and governing.
And yet somewhere, Chuck Todd or one of the other Beltway drooling class is typing up their next thought piece explaining how all of this is bad news for Democrats, and David Gregory’s staff is probably getting touch with McCain and Boehner’s Chiefs of staff to see if they are available for Meet the Press on Sunday.
I can’t tell what is a bigger joke- the Republicans, or our failed media experiment. Three decades of screaming liberal media bias is about the only smart long-term thing republicans have done in my lifetime.
--->Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on November 6, 2009 at 01:02 PM
Oh, sweet Jesus.
at least 2 dead, Barbi, and the rest in critical condition.
But you know that NRA-----let these mental cases, and criminals all have their guns! After all , that is what the Founding Fathers wanted!
UPDATE 1-White House's Romer - jobs will lag growth
A jump in U.S. unemployment to 10.2 percent last month reflects the typical lag shown by the labor market as growth picks up, a top economic adviser to President Barack Obama said on Friday.
"Today's employment report contained both signs of hope for recovery and painful evidence of continued labor market weakness," Christina Romer, chairwoman of the White House Council of Economic Advisors, said in a statement after the release of October employment data.
The U.S. jobless rate hit a 26 1/2-year high of 10.2 percent last month as U.S. employers cut 190,000 jobs, posting a somewhat weaker performance than predicted by economists polled by Reuters before the data's release.
There is a widespread anticipation that the labor market will take a while to recover, despite a return to growth in the third quarter that ended the worst U.S. economic slump in 70 years, and Romer said that the dislocation between economic activity and the labor market was usual in an upturn.
"That this (jobless increase to 10.2 percent) occurred despite the rise in real GDP last quarter reflects both the typical lag between GDP growth and unemployment decline, and the recent exceptional increases in productivity," Romer said.
. . . . .
Productivity surges, job growth should follow
Some healing of the labor market is crucial to sustaining and strengthening the economy's recovery after its worst recession in 70 years, with employment key to underpinning consumer spending.
Analysts doubt that the rapid growth rate in productivity, which measures the hourly output per worker, can be sustained, which some analysts say means businesses may soon have to step up hiring to meet the demand for their goods and services.
"We expect the pace of efficiency gains will soon begin to fade," said Michelle Girard, a senior economist at RBS in Greenwich, Connecticut. "Having cut payrolls so dramatically during the last downturn, we believe that companies will be forced to add workers earlier in this recovery than was the case following the last two recessions." [...]
"Solid productivity growth provides the basis for a recovery in business earnings and investment in the second half of 2009, and keeps a firm lid on prices and inflation," said Brian Bethune, chief U.S. financial Economist at IHS Global Insight in Lexington, Massachusetts.
"They provide the Fed more room to keep rates exceptionally low for an extended period in order to coax the economy through the fragile recovery period over the next year and ultimately to an expansion mode."
they said right along, Barbi, this will be a jobless recovery. all the other signs have been good.
Orlando office shooting:
Two dead after shooting reported in downtown Orlando
Two people are dead and six are wounded in a mass shooting at an office building in downtown Orlando.
Bodies were found on the 12th and 8th floor of Legions Place, a 16-floor building north of Colonial Drive. Only the 12th floor has been cleared. The shooter has not been found, said Deputy Chief Mike Droege of the Orlando Fire Department.
"The building is not secure now," he said. "It's still unfolding."
Seven people were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center. One person complaining about chest pains was taken to Florida Hospital South.
"They have not found the shooter to my knowledge," Drudge added. "They're still clearing floor by floor."
Office workers are still inside. They have barricaded themselves inside and have received little information from authorities on whether it's save to leave. One woman inside the building said they have been told the shooting possibly took place on the fourth or eighth floor. . .
--->PamB on November 6, 2009 at 01:20 PM
Aa has been said before, it's going to take a long time to recover from the way Bushco wrecked things.
A long, long time.
CNN VIDEO: Shooting reported at Orlando high-rise
Heck of a job, Baggers!
After all , that is what the Founding Fathers wanted!
--->PamB on November 6, 2009 at 01:14 PM
I do believe that the Founding Fathers would be rethinking that, in these current times.
Creative Minds
The Free Speech of creative minds
Spreading the Free Press of words
Freedom and Democracy greatest Liberty.
--->Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on November 6, 2009 at 01:27 PM
From your link, Doo-Bee:
http://www.wesh.com/news/21541263/detail.html
Firefighters were called to Gateway Center at 1000 Legion Place around 11:30 a.m. The building is near Lake Ivanhoe. Many employees said they barricaded themselves inside their offices during the incident.
All patients have been taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center. At least four of the eight patients are serious trauma cases. The ORMC ER is closed to patients due to the shootings.
According to Orlando Fire Department District Chief Michael Droege, an unknown number of people are still in the building and could be injured. He said the SWAT team is still trying to pull people out of the building.
WESH 2 reporter Gail Paschall-Brown, who is at the scene on the ground, said that 15 employees came out of the building very distraught. Paschall-Brown spoke with a witness who said that a former employee came into the office who hadn't worked at the company in over a year.
Orlando Fire Department spokeswoman Vicky Robles said a shooter has not been taken into custody.
All Opinions Are Not Equally Relevant
The mainstream media has a tendency to talk about news sources as if they were just expressing opposing views of a given issue, even though it should be apparent by now that nothing of the sort is true. There are even those in the general population who acquiesce in some tortured sense of fairness to the notion that Sean Hannity on Fox is stating an opinion on the right just as Keith Olbermann on MSNBC does on the left.
The difference is, however, that on Fox opinion is propped up by opinion whereas on programs that maintain some sense of integrity opinion is informed by factual material. One may not agree with the conclusions or the political motivation but liberal substance trumps right-wing ideological interpretations every time, and anchors don’t sound as if they’re reading from prepared talking points designed to advance a particular partisan agenda. [...]
The fact is the right is turning what’s left of the Republican Party into a parochial organization that advocates against, more than for, anything. [...]
Taking a ride on the wild side with the likes of a Michelle Bachman, buying into the media hype of a Hannity or Limbaugh or following the dictates of ideologues who keep pressing their narrow agendas only hinder the possibility of finding real solutions to the nation’s problems. No equivalence exists among points of view of any and every description. Some are just nuts.
I do believe that the Founding Fathers would be rethinking that, in these current times.
35Barbi on November 6, 2009 at 01:28 PM
OH, the NRA and Repugs have long twisted the meaning of the second amendment. They somehow miss the word "Militia" in the reason why they said guns should be allowed. They never meant for a bunch of Crazy twisted individuals to own guns, to shoot up as they chose.
Over the past several months, the one thing that Republicans consistently said they agreed upon when it came to Democratic healthcare reform was the idea that insurance companies should not be able to deny coverage based on preexisting conditions.
Think Progress illustrates here that House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) is practically addicted to repeating the phrase whenever someone challenges him with a healthcare question:
While leading GOP opposition to health care reform over the past few months, Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) has simultaneously insisted that Republicans believe in helping Americans with preexisting conditions get health care. Currently, "in 44 states, it's legal for health insurers to deny coverage to people who have previously been sick, or charge them more for treatment."
"And so there are a number of things that Republicans believe are essential," Boehner told NPR in September. "We believe that making sure that people who have preexisting conditions have access to affordable health insurance." On Fox News last week, Boehner said that Republicans wanted to focus on helping "those with preexisting conditions."
...In a blog post in June, Boehner wrote, "Quality health coverage must exist for every American, regardless of preexisting health conditions."
Boehner's not the only one who seems to have Preexisting Conditions Tourette Syndrome.
[...]
See, Republicans are hoping you won't notice that their plan for dealing with preexisting conditions relies on a false premise (or at the very best, a false promise). They say anyone who can't find coverage though a private insurer because of their preexisting condition should be able to turn to a state-run, federally-funded "high risk pool" for coverage. The problem with that is that state high risk pools already exist and they're already too expensive, and often have relatively low lifetime limits, making them far from suitable as an alternative.
Then again, it's clear from the presser accompanying the release of the GOP plan that the whole point of the bill has nothing to do with helping people in need. In outlining the House Republicans' strategy for opposing the Democrats' Affordable Health Care for America Act, Boehner said their "goal is to make this as difficult as possible to vote for."
But House Republicans better hope that the Democratic plan does pass, because as far as the GOP is concerned, hypocrisy is a preexisting condition.
Remember our motto: So many Republican hypocrites, so little time.
--->PamB on November 6, 2009 at 01:56 PM
The nutbag, teabag, windbag, lunatic fringers twist everything, including the knots in their knickers...
which doesn't really get much good accomplished, and only makes them walk funny.
I can't wait for the trolls to start their stupid chant of "Ya, but if everybody in that office building had concealed weapons this wouldn't have happened".
Yesterday EVERYBODY at that mass shooting was armed and they didn't HAVE to conceal their weapons.
This is a symptom of all the revved up anger that Sorry Failin unleashed last summer that led to people bring loaded weapons to Presidential appearances, and the general nastiness and "get them before they get you" attitude that the Pugs have been spewing for the past 30 years.
They keep ramping up the rhetoric and then they will call for more privately operated (for profit) jails to be built to stop the nonsense that THEY created in the first place.
That whole useless Party needs to be crushed into dust.
LOL, Barbi
I still blame Palin for starting off this horrific streak of Hate last year, as she whetted up her crowds and let them scream "kill him", "nigger", and other Hate filled screams.
remember at the end, how panicky McCain was when people at HIS crowds started with that Hate? He understood what was happening because of Palin. It got so his body language showed he could not even bear to be on stage with her. It will be interesting to see if he suports her when she makes her big push ! We shall see if he is indeed a maverick, or a goose stepping Nazi party man.
Pants on fire:
Bachmann Claims Anti-Health Reform Rally Was ‘Organic,’ ‘Nothing That We Planned’
Last Friday on Fox News, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) announced that she was organizing an anti-health reform rally on Capitol Hill, calling on Americans “literally by the busload to come to Washington D.C.” to protest reform. The next day, Bachmann summoned everyone to “get off the couch, get in your car, get a van together, get a bus together, but get here!” “We’re going to have a big party,” she said.
Around 4,000 right-wing activists showed up on Capitol Hill yesterday to protest reform. Last night on Fox News, Bachmann inflated the attendance numbers drastically. She also tried to paint the event as entirely grassroots, despite admitting that she had organized it:
BACHMANN: Today people told me they heard that call out on your show on Friday night, and they immediately started contacting other people. And this was totally word of mouth. This was nothing that we organized, nothing that we planned. We didn’t order one bus, one carload. Nothing. Complete word of mouth. And estimates are anywhere between 20 and 45,000 people had assembled. [...]
And also this absolutely outstanding grouping of people that we had today at the Capitol. This is organic. It was a meet up. It was spontaneous.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxoQi5O4q1g
Bachmann’s claim is laughable. Aside from her leadership in organizing the protest, the corporate front group Americans For Prosperity helped coordinate. AFP mobilized about 40 buses to bring activists to DC, with AFP staffers standing at their designated bus drop off point near the Capitol, handing out signs, directions, talking points, petitions, and donuts to protesters. Moreover, notorious astroturf group FreedomWorks got involved in the action as well: [...]
Moreover, AFP hosted Bachmann on a conference call the day before the rally to discuss their “House Call.”
“So you’re organizing and asking people to come meet you on the steps of the capital,” Fox host Sean Hannity asked Bachmann last Friday after her announcement. “Thursday at noon,” she said, “You can go to MicheleBachmann.com for more information.”
--->Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on November 6, 2009 at 02:12 PM
Odd creatures, those Yabutts.
43PamB on November 6, 2009 at 02:14 PM
she beast does it all in the name of my Lord. a follower is to spread and share love, peace, joy toward their fellow man.
God have mercy on her soul.
--->PamB on November 6, 2009 at 02:14 PM
Bad enough McGramps didn't know how many homes he owned, or which side of an issue he was (flip-flopping) on, the lunatic fringers she brought out (Crazy lady: "He's a Muslim." McGramps, "No.") sent a lot of saner voters running away from the GNOP side.
Pam, the jobs will be coming soon. Most of the business who didn't lay off people outright cut their employee hours down to 4 days a week, and are now getting them back to a 40 hour work week.
Average hours per week of work has increased in most industries, and with the productivity levels going up the hours needed to maintain those levels will go up too, until the cost of overtime is greater than hiring additional help.
Last Friday the Q3 GDP numbers were released. The economy GREW by 3.5% in that Quarter, the first rise in a year.
President Obama is slowly but surely reversing Chimpy's 8 years of Stink-O-Rama.
Jinx, DooBee.
You could feel the atmosphere change last year, as Palin whipped her right wing nuts into a hating frenzy.
The woman needs to be horse whipped ! Too bad her parents did not teach her what love is.
More pants on fire:
On G. Gordon Liddy’s radio show today, producer Franklin Raff, who was on the ground at the rally, told guest host Joseph Farah that the crowd is “just as big or bigger than” the 9/12 rally, which Raff estimated “at about a million.”
Capitol Hill police told NBC’s Luke Russert that the crowd was about 4,000. At around 2 PM eastern time, Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) posted an aerial picture of the crowd on her TwitPic page, clearly showing a crowd far, far smaller than “a million”:
http://thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/JenkinsRally.jpg
---
Another example of how bad the GNOP is at math... which kind of helps explain how badly they screwed up the economy. That, and their incompetent stupidity.
Pam, you supply the Coke, I'll bring the rum. Barbi can supply the limes.
CUBA LIBRE!
Unemployment Hits 10 Percent — Are Tax Credits For Homebuyers And Seniors The Best We Can Do?
Back in June, President Obama predicted that the unemployment rate would eventually hit 10 percent before the recession truly ended. Well, here we are.
Today, the Labor Department announced that the unemployment rate has hit a 26-year high of 10.2 percent, after employers shed 190,000 jobs in September. The wider U-6 measure of underemployment also ticked up to 17.5 percent, from 17 percent last month. The Labor Department also revised September’s losses down to 219,000 from 263,000. At the same time that joblessness continues to increase, productivity — output per hour worked — has soared (as employers make do with fewer employees).
Economist Dean Baker said that he did not expect declining unemployment rates until next spring. “We may be looking at very high levels,” Baker said, “barring a policy response, for several years into the future.” So as Brad DeLong asked “if you had told everyone last election day what would happen, economically, in 2009, what policies would they have adopted then to stem this disaster? And why aren’t we implementing those policies now?”
Indeed, there are positive steps that can be taken, now, that would support the labor market. As Matt Yglesias pointed out, we should probably be deploying more aid to state and local governments, to prevent layoffs and keep infrastructure projects up and running. (Let’s not forget that state aid was significantly reduced during negotiations over the stimulus package.) Paul Krugman, for his part, is advocating a WPA-style direct jobs program — “think of it as the stimulus equivalent of getting the middlemen out of the student loan program.”
Instead, as Steven Pearlstein wrote, “what [lawmakers are] proposing to do is to spend a lot of money that they don’t have in ways that won’t work to help too many people who are neither desperate nor deserving.” These ideas take the form of the badly misguided homebuyer tax credit, and the politically brilliant but economically pointless $250 payment to seniors.
Already, the response that we’ve seen from Congress has been fearmongering about deficits or using the unemployment rate as a nonsensical reason to kill health care reform. Neither of those provide much hope for some productive policy emerging. But if nothing is done, it’s going to be a long, painful slog back to a positive employment situation.
CUBA LIBRE!
--->{{{Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo}}} on November 6, 2009 at 02:45 PM
;-)
Downtown Orlando shooting: 1 dead, 5 injured
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/os-shooting-reported-downtown-orlando-20091106,0,7958763.story
Orlando police confirmed that a man suspected in a deadly mass shooting in downtown Orlando has been taken into custody.
The suspect, Jason Rodriguez, 40, is a former employee of Reynolds, Smith & Hill, a construction engineering firm. A SWAT team spotted him through a window at his mother's residence, Orlando Police Chief Val Demings said.
Rodriguez came out of the home without incident, Demings said. He is now at police headquarters.
One person is dead and 5 are confirmed shot in the incident, which took place about 11:50 a.m. at Legions Place, an office building near Interstate 4 and Ivanhoe Boulevard. A handgun was used in the attack, police said. . .
'They left me to rot,' Orlando shooting suspect says
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-jason-rodriguez-bio-orlando-shooting,0,2152879.story
Suspected Orlando mass shooter Jason Rodriguez, 40, was arrested a little after 2 p.m.at his mother's apartment at the intersection of Curry Ford Road and State Road 436.
Rodriguez, who is suspected of killing one person and wounding five others, is believed to be a former employee of Reynolds Smith & Hills, an architectural engineering firm, located at the eight floor of the 1000 Legion's Place, where the shooting took place.
"They left me to rot,'' he told TV reporters after he was arrested. Reporters shouted out questions as he was being led away by police. They asked if he was referring to his former employer.
"No. No. I'm angry,'' he responded.
Rodriguez was laid off about a year and a half ago from his job at RS&H, where he did architectural work, said Renato Gonzalez, a manager in the firm's DeLand office. The layoff was part of firm cutbacks.
"I know that we was not very happy with the layoff," said Gonzalez, who recalled that Rodriguez made disgruntled comments when he left the firm, though nothing that indicated he would resort violence.
"He took it a little worse than most people."
Employees in other RS&H offices are being told to take precautions in case Rodriguez is headed for them, according to a firm employee. RS&H has 11 offices across Florida, including in DeLand, Merritt Island and Tampa.
Records show he filed for bankruptcy in Orlando in September.
A background check conducted by the Orlando Sentinel did not turn up any criminal record.
Records showed he was divorced in October 2006. He has two children, an 8-year-old son and a daughter who lives in Puerto Rico. Her age could not be immediately determined.
A witness said he saw cops taking World War II-era materials from his mother's apartment. It's not clear what those materials were.
I guess the Fort Hood shooter not dead, in bad shape on a ventilator. You know he was mentally ill, to shoot up his own troops. You don't make it to Major for nothing.
Republicans just have a Gene in them, that makes them compulsive liars, and haters and mentally ill!
"Well, if you were wondering what paranoiac smear artist would be the first to step out and attempt to name President Barack Obama as the man who guided Nidal Malik Hasan to his murderous rampage at Fort Hood yesterday, the answer -- naturally! -- is Jerome Corsi. Corsi has a long history of lunatic, fact-averse ravings and he fails to disappoint on that regard on the pages of World Net Daily, today, in a piece entitled "Shooter advised Obama transition." Except, of course, he didn't do any such thing.
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/06/iwndis-jerome-corsi-claim_n_348461.html&cp
OF course he is a jehadist in YOUR sick mind, there racist, bigoted Stevieboy ! Profile away. Just because his religion was muslim, automatically makes him a terrorist, not a man who had to sit and listen to men coming back from these Fake occupations, and was about to be sent himself ! AT LEAST he was in the service, unlike YOU who were too freaken scared to go when drafted !!! Best shut up and sit back.
Well, Well,
Another Copey/Paste day for the Morons on the left.
Nothing of interest until Frosty came on.
Pammy wants me to change names, hows this one, old Maytag ??
Obama told the Army to keep the misfit,
"you can't fire a muslim, he's not heavy he's my brother."
AZCactusDanTheMan on November 6, 2009 at 04:08 PM
lots of jealousy there, Dufus.
What was the last nice thing you brought home to the woman who puts up with you? NADA, because you had to get another job to keep up with your current bills. Big mouth phony jerk
Congratulations to the new Governors-Elect of Virginia and New Jersey! I’d also like to offer a special word of support to the new Lieutenant Governor-Elect of New Jersey, Kim Guadagno, the first woman to hold that office.
Of course, the real victors in this election are the ordinary men and women who voted for positive change and a return to fiscal sanity. Your voices have been heard.
The race for New York’s 23rd District is not over, just postponed until 2010. The issues of this election have always centered on the economy – on the need for fiscal restraint, smaller government, and policies that encourage jobs. In 2010, these issues will be even more crucial to the electorate. I commend Doug Hoffman and all the other under-dog candidates who have the courage to put themselves out there and run against the odds.
To the tireless grassroots patriots who worked so hard in that race and to future citizen-candidates like Doug, please remember Reagan’s words of encouragement after his defeat in 1976:
“The cause goes on. Don't get cynical because look at yourselves and what you were willing to do, and recognize that there are millions and millions of Americans out there that want what you want, that want it to be that way, that want it to be a shining city on a hill.”
The cause goes on.
- Sarah Palin
Clinton and democrats in no way implemented the housing bubble. Their idea was to create more opportunities for home owners. They had no idea that Bush/Cheney/Paulson
would create this fraudulent scheme......although they should have considering history.
Then Bush-Cheney-Paulson came along with their criminal minds. They decided to not give a damn what mortgage lenders did so long as Wall Street banks were doing well even if FRAUD was part of the deal.
Which brings us to this point:
"Bubbles involve actual investments in real or financial assets—housing in the years since 2000, high-tech stocks in the 1990s, and Dutch tulips in the 17th century. People invest believing that the price of the assets will continue to rise; as long as people keep investing, the price does rise. While some early speculators can make out very well, this speculation will not last indefinitely. Once prices start to fall, panic sets in and the later investors lose.
A bubble is similar to a Ponzi scheme: early participants can do well while later ones incur losses; it is based on false expectations; and it ultimately falls apart. But there need be no fraudulent operator at the center of a bubble. Also, while a Ponzi scheme depends on people giving their money to someone else to invest (e.g., Madoff), people made their own housing investments—though mortgage companies and banks made large fees for handling these investments.
Often, government plays a role in bubbles. The housing bubble was in part generated by the Federal Reserve maintaining low interest rates. Easy money meant readily obtainable loans and, at least in the short run, low monthly payments. Also, Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan denied the housing bubble’s existence—not fraud exactly, but deception that kept the bubble going. (Greenspan, whose view was ideologically driven, got support in his bubble denial from the academic work of the man who was to be his successor, Ben Bernanke.)
In addition, government regulatory agencies turned a blind eye to the highly risky practices of financial firms, practices that both encouraged the development of the bubble and made the impact all the worse when it burst. Moreover, the private rating agencies (e.g., Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s) were complicit. Dependent on the financial institutions for their fees, they gave excessively good ratings to these risky investments. Perhaps not fraud in the legal sense, but certainly misleading.
During the 1990s, the government made tax law changes that contributed to the emergence of the housing bubble. With the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, a couple could gain up to $500,000 selling their home without any capital gains tax liability (half that for a single person). Previously, capital gains taxes could be avoided only if the proceeds were used to buy another home or if the seller was over 55 (and a couple could then avoid taxes only on the first $250,000). So buying and then selling houses became a more profitable operation.
And, yes, substantial fraud was involved. For example, mortgage companies and banks used deceit to get people to take on mortgages when there was no possibility that the borrowers would be able to meet the payments. Not only was this fraud, but this fraud depended on government authorities ignoring their regulatory responsibilities.
So, no, a bubble and a Ponzi scheme are not the same. But they have elements in common. Usually, however, the losers in a Ponzi scheme are simply the direct investors, the schemer’s marks. A bubble like the housing bubble can wreak havoc on all of us."
Good afternoon, all.
I see the unloyal opposition are finally asking qustions they should have about 15 years ago.....
Rep. Boehner: Where Are The Jobs?
Ah, don't you Republicans remember that you outsourced most of them? They aren't going to come back when you give them away to other countries.
Not only have the Republicans forgotten they caused the recession that began in 2007 (and 2001) and escalated it to a Depression late last year with the resulting Wall Street crash that brought down the entire world's banking system, Boehner can't remember their outsourcing policy either.
They'd like to think this situation started in January. However, American workers know otherwise. That's the reason why that laid off worker today returned to his former employer who laid him off two years ago...not his most recent employer. People understand only too well who started this death cycle of American jobs.
We are now living with the results of a failed employment policy that started with Reagan and was perfected by Newt and Bush. It's a miracle there are any middle class jobs left at all.
We are now holding our own and making steady progress back from the brink thanks to the stimulus bill...which no one Republican voted for.
After 35 years of incompetence, the Republicans expect immediate results.
If that's what they really want, they should agree to solving the problem that robs this nation of one third of its GNP: health care costs.
And agree that it's time to ask the filthy rich to sacrifice their welfare for the wealthy tax breaks for the common good of the nation. It's the only patriotic thing to do.
So, of course, they are against both. Still crazy after all these years?
oh, poor pammy,
My wife gets what ever she wants, but she is not so immuture as to claim, its my money or its your money.
I guess you don't trust George or he rightfully does NOT trust YOU.
GET REAL, Lying Stevie
January 2009-----Bush's failures had Unemployment up to 7.6% !!
During 2008, it went up 2.7% per month!!!!
If you have to lie about FACTS, then just don't post the bullcrap!!! You are not dealing with people with IQ's of Dufus' level!!!
Students who question murder convictions under investigation
The students have raised questions about the murder conviction of Anthony McKinney. In response, the state attorney's office issued a subpoena for the students' grades, grading criteria, expense reports, syllabi and e-mail messages -- mine included.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/11/06/lapin.wrongful.conviction/index.html
After finding the legal system failed to do its job and convicted innocent people, the students that help those innocent people are issued subpoenas by the State of Illinois.
dufus, has she caught you going thru her jewelry and things, looking for something you can hock?
You see, Dufus, We have a Household account Jointly. I then have my own money, to spend on whatever I want, including politics. My husband has his to do with what he wants.
So you see, we are a Modern couple and there is Never any squabbles about money. We are very happy with our arrangement.
Market-Driven Hysteria and the Politics of Death
If we take seriously the ideology, arguments and values now emanating from the right-wing of the Republican Party, there is no room in the United States for a democracy in which the obligations of citizenship, compassion and collective security outweigh the demands of what might be called totalizing market-driven society; that is, a society that is utterly deregulated, privatized, commodified and largely controlled by the ultra-rich and a handful of mega corporations. In such a society, there is a shift in power from government to markets and the emergence of a more intensified political economy organized around three principal concerns: deregulated markets, commodification and disposability. In spite of the current failure of this system, right-wing Republicans and their allies are more than willing to embrace a system that erases all vestiges of the public good, turning citizens into consumers, while privatizing and commodifying every aspect of the social order - all the while threatening the lives, health, and livelihoods of millions of working class and middle class people. [...]
As moral and ethical considerations are decoupled from the calculating logic and consequences of all economic activity, the horrendous human toll in suffering and hardship being visited upon all segments of the American population is lost in the endless outburst of anger, if not hysteria, promoted by right-wing extremists - shouting for a return to the good old days when financial institutions and money markets set policy, eventually ushering in one of the most serious economic crisis this country has ever faced. As the values of human togetherness, community, friendship and love are once again subordinated to the notion that only markets can give people what they want, the culture of fear and cruelty grows in proportion to the angry protests, the threat of violence and the unapologetic racism aimed at the Obama administration. In part, this is exemplified in not only the endless public pronouncements that make a market society and democracy synonymous, but also in the ongoing celebration, in spite of the near collapse of the mortgage sector, of the excesses of the new Gilded Age. Like those dead bodies that endlessly return in George Romero's film classic "Night of the Living Dead," right-wing Republicans and Democrats are back shouting from every conceivable platform to demolish any vestige of reform that relies on "big government." The right-wing infatuation with the word "death," as in the fictitious claim about Obama's death panels, is telling - more a projection of their own politics than a serious critique of health care reform. Despite a change in US political leadership, these forces - if left unchecked - will continue to promote and fight for a transformation of democratic governance and citizenship until they are both completely destroyed.
As democracy is increasingly reduced to an empty shell and the rise of a corporate and punishing state looms heavily on the 21st-century horizon, the market-driven principles of deregulation, radical individualism and privatization penetrate all aspects of daily life. Such market-driven values and their accompanying power-shaping institutions now profoundly influence the very nature of how the American public think, act and desire. All of which are increasingly wedded to the epicenter of a grotesque consumer culture, whose underside is a heartless indifference to the suffering and hardship of the millions of people without jobs, homes, health care and, increasingly, hope. The current fight against health care reform is not really just about fixing a terribly iniquitous and broken system; it is a struggle against the prospect of a better future for young people, the poor, the excluded and those struggling to stay alive in America. What are we to make of an ideology that moves from dismantling the welfare state to embracing the punishing state, an ideology that increasingly turns its back on those individuals for whom the prisons are now deputized as the only welfare institutions left in America, or, if they are lucky, find themselves in one of the emerging tent cities found under bridges and located in other invisible landscapes - used in the past to get rid of waste products, but now used to dump poor working class and middle class families?
[...]
DanCactusBlueDem on November 6, 2009 at 04:18 PM
Shining city on the hill? She can't even come up with her own political slogan?
I'm sorry, but she's no Reagan. I used to watch him on TV. He wasn't too impressive as an announcer on that Borax 20 mule team cowboy series even to a young kid like myself. Palin doesn't come close.
Reagan had a grandfatherly appeal to him. Her media work resembles that of the mule team and the BS they left in their wake.
She's obviously out of her own league...which is that of only the Birthers and teabaggers. When Bachmann is out front taking the lead and all you can do is Tweet from some undisclosed bunker, it's a good thing you quit while you were ahead.
"The cause" was lost before the media created it.
But you trolls keep up the good work. We are depending on you spreading the manure around till the Midterms when the voters will push it to the side of the road...along with your candidates.
DanCactusBlueDem on November 6, 2009 at 04:24 PM
Yeah, she got exactly what she deserves. I wouldn't eat the figs if I were you.
Bringing out the worst in small, sad minds
On "Fox & Friends" this morning, the hosts speculated about the need for "special screenings" of Muslim officers in the U.S. military. It follows a certain child-like reasoning -- Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan went on a deadly rampage yesterday, shooting 43 people. Hasan is Muslim. Therefore, Muslims in uniform may be untrustworthy.
Soon after, Allen West, a top recruit of the National Republican Congressional Committee in Florida, announced his belief that, in light of the Fort Hood tragedy, the "enemy is infiltrating our military." West, one of 32 new members of the NRCC "Young Guns" program a congressional candidate in the Miami area next year, added, "Our soldiers are being brainwashed."
Now, at this point, we have no idea what led a 14-veteran of the U.S. Army to commit such a heinous crime, but there's a frightening ease with which too many conservatives embrace bigotry like this.
Spencer Ackerman gets this exactly right.
To make a point no one should have to make: earlier this year, a deranged Army sergeant named John Russell opened fire near a combat stress clinic -- sound familiar? -- at Baghdad's Camp Liberty and killed five of his fellow soldiers. No one speculated about any religious motivations. No one suggested he was part of an enemy "infiltration," or suggested that U.S. troops have been "brainwashed." Everyone understood that Russell was a deranged lunatic, not an advance scout for a conspiracy to subvert the military internally. It's funny how double standards work.
Actually, no. It's disgusting.
A tragic part of American life is that, from time to time, we learn of horrific shootings like the one at Fort Hood yesterday. There was, apparently, another shooting this morning, this time in Orlando, in which one was killed and seven were critically wounded. The gunman wasn't a Muslim.
Likewise, last year, 32 people were shot down in Virginia Tech. In March, 10 were killed in a shooting rampage in Alabama. In April, 13 were killed in upstate New York. In each instance, the gunmen weren't Muslim.
It's been 24 hours since the violence began at Fort Hood. Can we wait just a little while before jumping to conclusions and making baseless allegations about Americans who haven't done anything wrong?
Obama Signs Proclamation Honoring Ft. Hood Victims
Just released from the White House press office:
Our Nation’s thoughts and prayers are with the service members, civilians, and families affected by the tragic events at Fort Hood, Texas. The brave victims, who risked their lives to protect their fellow countrymen, serve as a constant source of strength and inspiration to all Americans. We ask God to watch over the fallen, the wounded, and all those who are suffering at this difficult hour.
As a mark of respect honoring the victims of the tragedy at Fort Hood, Texas, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, Tuesday, November 10, 2009. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
BARACK OBAMA.
Statement on Ft. Hood From Arab-American Military Association
Here is a statement issued by the Association of Patriotic Arab Americans in Military on Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan’s murder of 13 people at Ft. Hood yesterday:
At a time of deep sorrow in the midst of this horrific tragedy, our thoughts are first and foremost with the Fort Hood shooting victims and their families. One can only imagine the unspeakable pain and loss they are and will be dealing with in the weeks, months and years to come.
It is unfortunate that whatever demons possessed Nidal Hasan, that he chose to deal with his problems in this way.
In the aftermath of this terrible tragedy, it is more important than ever that we not make the same scapegoating and broad stroke mistakes that were evident in the aftermath of previous tragedies. The Association of Patriotic Arab Americans in Military urges the media, government officials and all of our fellow Americans to recognize that the actions of Hasan are those of a deranged gunman, and are in no way representative of the wider Arab American or American Muslim community.
In fact, thousands of Arab Americans and American Muslims serve honorably everyday in all four branches of the U.S. military and in the National Guard. Additionally, many of us have willingly stepped forward to fulfill our duty with our fellow soldiers in both Afghanistan, Iraq and other locations around the globe, including most of the member of APAAM. Indeed, many of us are today currently deployed in both countries, honorably serving each and every day.
The Association of Patriotic Arab Americans in Military (APAAM) was created shortly after September 11th, 2001, in an effort to organize current and former Arab- Americans in the military. There are approximately 3,500 Arab- Americans serving in our Armed Forces. Based on the fact that there are no other formal organizations representing Arab- Americans in the military, APAAM has the distinction of being the first official organization for Arab- Americans in the Military.
As John Nichols pointed out at The Nation, the fact that Hasan comes from an Arab-American background filled the airwaves with predictable innuendo that his Arab heritage and Muslim faith inspired the shooting. To be very clear: it makes no sense to speculate about Hasan’s motivations, and we’ve heard, for the past 16 hours, no shortage of wild speculation that stigmatizes a lot of people. Hasan has never been to war, yet that didn’t stop the cable networks from making the predictable and ignorant point that somehow combat stress motivated him to pick up those guns. Similarly, the media, and especially the right-wing media, are throwing out innuendo that Hasan was an Islamic radical, and, lacking the courage of their noxious convictions, retreat to the line that the mainstream media “does not mention the shooter’s religion at all,” as if this was some data point that unlocked the mystery of his murderous intentions.
Hasan is alive. He will be interrogated and tried. We will presumably learn soon why he committed the cowardly actions he committed. Until then, those who speculate only reveal their own prejudices.
Barbi on November 6, 2009 at 04:42
Hi, Barbi.
Those lost ancient cities in South America that were abandoned and taken back by the jungle?
That's where most of our cities will go if we continue to let speculators and gamblers drive our economy instead of those who want to invest in long-term growth across all socio-economic segments.
It doesn't take long for civilization to break down when all the power and wealth is concentrated into the hands of far too few irresponsible entities. We may have allowed the incompetence trait to be imbred among these conservative doorknobs so well that they can't help but destroy everything they touch.
Intelligent people try to save themselves. All I see on Republican side is a desire to give up on capitalism and maintain the current dysfunctional status quo. They only feel secure with monopolies.
This new AZ asswipe is just another sock puppet, Pam.
Afternoon all good Dems,
I just heard a good one on our local neotard Nazi radio station. There is a new ad where some twit announces that failin's new book isn't out yet and it is already on at the top of the best seller list. yatayatayata.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!
Then the announcer said "if you call now you can get this phenomenal book for just $4.98, what bargain".
What a laugh. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HONK! HONK! HONK!
Then randi was playing the hateful things emanating the teabag rally yesterday. bachman called for a revolution. boner was waving the Constitution and said he was reading a passage from it and he was reading the declaration of independence. Then there was that treasonous pig cantor who shoulc be charged with treason for dissing President Obama in front of the Iraeli goverment telling them to ignore Obama. He was a hateful prick stirring up the crowd with his lies and inuendos. Every word he uttered was filled with hate. No wonder we had a shooting today and that shooting yesterday by a Muslim. That Muslim has been trying to get out of the Army but they wouldn't release him so he was shipped to fort hood where he was treated like shit by our heroes who have been egged on to be as hateful as possible to "liberals". The "heroes" called the guy a sand nigger, a camel jockey, and all kinds of other pet neotard names. No wonder he snapped. It is just too bad he didn't take out the neotards who set him up instead of innocent soldiers.
Really, we need to prosecute this hate speech especially when it comes out of the mouths of the likes of the Nazi enablers hannity, boner, bachman, cantor, boner, limpballs, cunningham, savage, ad infintum.
These people should be charged with a felony. They announced to the crowd that this was a press conference, then they shout "fire" in a crowded theater.
The funniest thing of all was what randi reported. She reported the size of the "crowd" at this "rally". The Capitol Police and the Capitol Fire Department actually counted the people. There were less than 4,000. Then we have hannity saying yesterday that there were more than 20,000. What a f'ing liar.
The funniest thing of all is that the 4,000 were bussed in. Who the hell paid for this buses? I demand to know. Were they paid to attend by whoever paid for the buses? I'll be hannity paid for the buses or that slime bag limpballs.
All in all, I had a good laugh.
69
DanCactusBlueDem on November 6, 2009 at 04:18 PM
88
AZCactusDanTheMan on November 6, 2009 at 05:05 PM
OOPS! 2 "cacti" sock puppets at the same time again, you Pug fools.
Pugs, can't count, can't coordinate, can't think.
PATHETIC!
So that means "here comes Harpo" pretty soon!
Still haven't found a job, Tommy? Lucky for you the DEMS just extended your "socialist" Unemployment Benefits" to help you out during Chimpy's Recession.
--->SandyH on November 6, 2009 at 05:08 PM
If we don't act responsibly and take care of this planet, we could ruin it for our future generations.
"But make no mistake: the weeds will win; nature bats last." ~Robert M. Pyle
Barbi on November 6, 2009 at 04:50 PM
I bet Faux News isn't for doing the same with the Religious Right.
The officers in that movement have pretty much overrun the Air Force Academy and publicly said in churches that they will take The Word and cram it down the throats of all new recruits...and the occupied peoples in the Middle East.
Those people are to be trusted? Why has religion become an issue in any public institution? The Constitution clearly states it should not. It's because some conservatives have been working hard in the last eight years to make it so...starting with a Commander-in-Chief who said a Christian God spoke into his ear?
There was a reason the Founders wanted a separation of state and religion. When any religion is allowed to work its way into the policies and institutions of a nation, it always poisons the mix and you end up conflicts that weakens the whole.
I think this shooter was clinging to his religion when he couldn't handle the thought of dealing with the horrors of an unnecessary war...and he snapped. It was our continuing dysfunctional neocon war policy that caused this tragedy. He should never have been told he had to go to war if he couldn't handle it.
Are we going to continue sending soldiers back into that quagmire time and time again when they are clearly not equipped to handle the strain? It's endangering all the troops beyond what they face from our adversaries.
If we really support the troops, let's face facts. We have stayed too long in an field operation with no clear military objective. Why are we expecting the same people to continually bear all the burden for this mistake? When are we going to end it?
Obamas going to talk with congress Saturday,
His talk with the voters of NJ and VA, really helped,....our side.
86AZCactusDanTheMan on November 6, 2009 at 04:59 PM
SPOKEN LIKE A REAL DEMOCRAT, THERE OLE LYING DANNYGIRL!
and STEVIE, little man.. what you have to remember with the stimulus not creating jobs is-----F-ING REPUBLICANS WOULD NOT LET HIM USE AS MUCH MONEY AS HE WAS TOLD WAS NEEDED !!! Funny, When Bush pushed unemployment up to 7.6, where the hell were YOU? Never said a word as he lost 7 Million jobs. WHY was that Stevie , you old douche bag?
Obama HOPED he could curb unemployment, but after 8 years of Bush's failures, it was harder than he thought.!!!!
Haen't heard a word from you since I posted that MN State aid to your Property Tax either !!! I am waiting for your apology!
Let's hear it !
82
Barbi on November 6, 2009 at 04:50 PM
And then again at NIU on St. Valentine's Day, 2008.
Just another white, heavily tattooed "Christian" doing the Lord's work.
Just like Timothy McVeigh, the troll's hero.
Your talking to a recording.
AZCactusDanTheMan on November 6, 2009 at 05:10 PM
Thank you for letting us know you are outsourcing your chores here to a bunch of robots. I'd hate to think you're really wasting all your own time here.
Now if wussy pussy Stevie had worked harder the last 6 years instead of sitting on his computer, he would not have needed to be on State welfare Aid ! And Dufus, you've been here 3 years now, since the Dems beat your Repugs ass. Maybe you would not need to go back out to work , had you been more prudent ! Hope you are enjoying your Free Medicare Part a, $95 per month Part B, Vets Benefits, and Social Security given to you by Liberals. You ungrateful pig
84
**Felon** on November 6, 2009 at 04:55 PM
He didn't say anything remotely similar to that Bullshit from NewsBusters, you lying asshole.
Here is what his post actually says:
Health Care Reform is Critically Important, But Getting Americans Back to Work is More So
You lying fuckwad.
--->SandyH on November 6, 2009 at 05:33 PM
IOKIYAR syndrome.
johhne on November 6, 2009 at 05:13 PM
Hi, Johne.
So even Faux News admits that their numbers have dwindled? They have gone from their estimate of one million which came to Washington in August to less than 20,000...or 4,000 that the Park Services estimated.
Where have all the teabaggers gone? Into the bunker or under their rocks.
Just another white, heavily tattooed "Christian" doing the Lord's work.
Just like Timothy McVeigh, the troll's hero.
--->Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on November 6, 2009 at 05:36 PM
Which dark Lord's work is that? I forget.
Hi, Pam.
What's the buzz in Connecticut about Loserman? Is he going to face a recall if he filibuster with the Republicans to stop a vote on healthcare?
hey arsehole, where did you see Obama raising any TAXES????? show it or shove it. And every single economist said spending is the only way to get out of Bush mess-----You have to stop listening to Fox and Limbaugh!!!!
OH, you must have missed this this morning too. IN ADDITION TO YOUR HOMESTEAD HELP, YOU GOT STATE WELFARE AID :
Dumbshit, every homestead property owner in the state gets that.
STEVIE----- OH Really------In 2007, in addition to some Homestead credit of $274, You RECEIVED 'AID PAID BY STATE" OF $1222, IN 2008, YOU GOT A HOMESTEAD CREDIT OF $259, plus "aID PAID BY STATE OF $1299!!!!!!!
Don't you feel foolish now? LYING like that?
Perhaps you want me to publish the sites for your tax forms------SHOWING exactly how it is classified as STATE AID, and then in addition---Homestead credit ! You seem to have forgotten you were on the dole!!!!
You are such a loser, Stevie boy. Always was, always will be. Go get a real job and get off MN State aid.........
Time to get the BBQ grill going. It's feels like springtime tonight with temps holding in the 70s. I've invited the neighbors over to help clean out the freezer of all the pork steaks and bratwurst. I think I'll light the Xmas luminaries as patio decorations.
Catch you all later.
Good night, everyone.
Consevative DOESN'T mean Republican
AZCactusDanTheMan on November 6, 2009 at 05:55 PM
It does in your case RED DOG.
Yeah, Dufus, It has been 3 years. NOBODY could ever cover up an IQ like your's! And remember how 'shy' (or was it scared little shit) you were when you first slithered in and lurked and would not say a word until one of the other trolls came in. AND THEN they ignored you forever ! YEAH, we know when you had all those sour grape, sore loser sickness in your fat gut!
Dream on, Dream on Stevie that we are angry over Tuesday elections. Like I said, the Repugs like you girls are 'Polishing the Turd"!! Go at it, fools ! Polish that Turd !!!!
bbl, Dems...
Go get a real job and get off MN State aid.........
119PamB on November 6, 2009 at 06:02 PM
Well according to him PAM, he's got so much Gold, and its so heavy he can't pack it all. I think he was insinuating that his daughter might have to get a FORK LIFT. And that don't even count the Silver. (I'll bet you could carry it all in the palm of your hand).
Economists Warm to Government Spending but Debate Its Form
Published: January 6, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO — Frightened by the recession and the credit crisis that produced it, the nation’s mainstream economists are embracing public spending to repair the damage — even those who have long resisted a significant government role in a market system.
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Mike Derer/Associated Press
Infrastructure projects should be part of any stimulus, many experts agreed.
Paul Sakuma/Associated Press
Janet Yellen, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, said economic thought was undergoing a major shift.
But there is not much agreement yet on what type of spending would produce the best results, or what mix of spending and tax cuts.
“We have spent so many years thinking that discretionary fiscal policy was a bad idea, that we have not figured out the right things to do to cure a recession that is scaring all of us,” said Alan J. Auerbach, an economist at the University of California, Berkeley, referring to the mix of public spending and tax cuts known as fiscal policy.
Hundreds of economists who gathered here for the annual meeting of the American Economic Association seemed to acknowledge that a profound shift had occurred.
At their last annual meeting, ideas about using public spending as a way to get out of a recession or about government taking a role to enhance a market system were relegated to progressives. The mainstream was skeptical or downright hostile to such suggestions. This time, virtually everyone voiced their support, returning to a way of thinking that had gone out of fashion in the 1970s.
“The new enthusiasm for fiscal stimulus, and particularly government spending, represents a huge evolution in mainstream thinking,” said Janet Yellen, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. She added that the shift was likely to last for as long as the profession is dominated by men and women living through this downturn.
The few sessions that dealt with fiscal policy were packed with economists, mostly from academia. Nearly all argued that public spending can be more effective than tax cuts in getting out of a bad recession. Still, they said the present crisis required, as a tonic, a mix of the two, and they debated what that mix should be, just as President-elect Obama’s transition team is now doing.
Their proposals were all over the lot. But at the formal sessions and in more than a dozen interviews, many said that once the recession ended, the nation should not go back to the system that held sway from Ronald Reagan’s election in 1980 to the present crisis. It was one in which taxes, regulation and public spending were minimized.
For Peter Gottschalk, a labor economist at Boston College, who earned his Ph.D. in 1973, the transition has not been easy. Keynesian economics, with its emphasis on a government role in the marketplace, was losing its grip when he started his career. Indeed, the present upheaval has been outside the theoretical boundaries of mainstream economics as practiced for a generation by most of the nation’s economists.
“Our models are built on the assumption that on average people behave rationally and they do the right thing,” Mr. Gottschalk said, “but this time people did very much the wrong thing. It’s like thinking you have a disease under control and then being hit with a new strain of it.”
Since the 1970s, the Federal Reserve has dealt with recessions by lowering interest rates, thus reviving demand by making it less expensive to borrow and to spend. But this time, the credit system is broken, and those who can borrow at relatively low rates are reluctant to spend. That shifts the burden of lifting the economy to fiscal policy, namely the $600 billion to $800 billion mix of tax cuts and spending that the Obama administration and Congress are likely to agree on early this year.
Nearly every economist who spoke here agreed that a dollar invested in, say, a new transit system or in bridge repair is spent and respent more efficiently than a dollar that comes to a household in a tax cut. A bigger percentage of the latter is saved, they said. There was concern, however, that the nation lacked enough “shovel ready” projects that could be ramped up quickly, generating jobs.
What is more, the economists did not agree on the best projects to pursue. As Mr. Auerbach pointed out, after a generation of ignoring public spending in their research, the nation’s mainstream economists lacked the expertise to help guide the process. “We have not figured out the right course of action,” he said.
There were plenty of proposals at the three-day convention. Some argued for a big investment in broadband. Others proposed recruiting young people for two-year stints weather-stripping and upgrading privately owned and public buildings. Still others argued that government should step up subsidies for basic research and product innovation.
And Daniel J. B. Mitchell, a professor emeritus at the University of California, Los Angeles, proposed that Washington channel money to cities with the proviso that they purchase municipal buses from General Motors, which makes them, or yellow school buses. The Ford Motor Company manufactures the school bus chassis.
“That is a better fiscal stimulus than to bail out the auto companies,” Mr. Mitchell said.
No one illustrated the conversion to fiscal stimulus more vividly than Martin Feldstein, a Harvard economist and a well-known conservative who served for a time as a top economic adviser to President Reagan. In a paper, Mr. Feldstein noted that the usual method of reviving the economy — lower interest rates — was failing to work because of “a dysfunctional credit market.”
That left fiscal stimulus to offset what he described as a decline of $400 billion a year in consumer spending. “While good tax policy can contribute to ending the recession, the heavy lifting will have to be done by increased government spending,” Mr. Feldstein said.
He pushed for big spending, carried out quickly. Among his proposals: replace depleted military supplies and equipment and step up financing for “useful research.” He also said that the shortage of “shovel ready” projects should not be a deterrent in a recession that is likely to last long enough to plan and execute new projects.
“It is of course possible that the planned surge in government spending will fail,” Mr. Feldstein said. But he expressed the “hope that the new program of fiscal spending in combination with mortgage market reforms will be sufficient to return the economy to full employment.”
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As usual Sally is full of shit again.
stewart on beck. hilarious.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-november-5-2009/the-11-3-project
Good evening fellow Democrats.
Signed,
Bobby
(Pssst, *wink* *wink* *nod* nod*, gotcha Chicago!)
well, if you don't like the cigarette increase, old fool, quit smoking !!!! Simple as that---a tax of CHOICE !
"The extra money will be used to finance a major expansion of health insurance for children. That represents a step toward achieving another promise, to make sure all kids are covered.
Obama said in the campaign that Americans could have both—a broad boost in affordable health insurance for the nation without raising taxes on anyone but the rich.
His detailed campaign plan stated that his proposed improvement in health insurance and health technology "is more than covered" by raising taxes on the wealthy alone. It was not based on raising the tobacco tax.
The White House contends Obama's campaign pledge left room for measures such as the one financing children's health insurance.
"The president's position throughout the campaign was that he would not raise income or payroll taxes on families making less than $250,000, and that's a promise he has kept," said White House spokesman Reid H. Cherlin. "In this case, he supported a public health measure that will extend health coverage to 4 million children who are currently uninsured."
In some instances during the campaign, Obama was plainly talking about income, payroll and investment taxes, even if he did not say so. "
And you cannot say cap and trade---and Health are tax increases----they are not even passed yet ! Wait, before we make a fool of your predictions again!
And oh, no, no, no, every Economist and analyst on TV and in articles, said the same thing----spending was the only way out of this.
BTW, what part of Clinton's tax increase that Fixed Reagan/Bush mess did you miss? Greatest thing that happened following those clowns, was Clinton.
And you know what----YOU are on of those that benefits the most every time a Democrat gets in office----you are just too fixated on Religious crapola like anti abortion and gays ! Like either one of them are any business of your's.
Like DOMA did YOU any good. Can't keep a wife yourself, and obviously your mental illness keeps the women away from you.
Evening Chicago Bobby, Evening VA Bobby, Evening Gregg Bobby. Good evening all good Democratic Bobbys !
signing out for the night.....
posted by
CT Bobby!
hahahahaha......
**Frosty** on November 6, 2009 at 07:05 PM
Ain't America great, Frosty? Even the fringe right tin foil hat mobs can have their icons be successful. But to assume Mr. Beck can have the gravitas of Oprah Winfrey is a proverbial bridge too far, IMHO. Time, and ratings, will tell.
Like, Hmmmm, Glennnn Bleeech?
(And what was "HEALED".)
Certainly not your stupidity, that's for sure.
Face it, Stupid Stevie, You are a LOSER welfare queen living in a backwater shack in the middle of land that isn't even suitable for truck farming.
Your boasts of "owning" 68 acres is pure B.S. and Thumbass saying that he "often visits Mr. Frosty, and he has a fine house on a fine piece of property" is more manure than produced by an Iowa pig farm in a Century.
You are just a bitter old LOSER who is a Federal Felon, stuck in a shack in a scrub forest, on welfare, bankrupt, and getting "socialist" Homestead exemptions and probably Utility credits because your worthless life is cheaper to keep going than the cost of scraping your exploded guts off the walls of your shack after the maggots lay their eggs in your useless waste of skin.
You didn't choose to live like this, you WORKED at it by being the biggest boor and asshole the County has ever seen (plus, you can't live within 100 feet of a park, school or any HUMAN).
YOU are just "Forrest Grump".
A semi-intelligent juvenile delinquent who never grew out of his self professed superiority and was never socialized into human society.
Plus you have WAY too many sock puppets, and are slipping, little Stevie, the lonliest man on Earth.
But fear not, we all still hate you, and your deranged "superior intellect" will take that as ANY emotion and claim it is a "victory" for you.
Because you are mentally deranged.
China brands US ‘protectionist’
By Geoff Dyer in Beijing
Published: November 6 2009 18:39 | Last updated: November 6 2009 18:39
China on Friday accused the US of protectionist and biased trade policies less than a week before president Barack Obama’s first visit to Beijing.
In a stinging rebuke to Washington, China’s commerce ministry promised to take measures to protect its domestic industry after the US slapped anti-dumping duties on $2.6bn of Chinese steel pipe imports. The duties are part of a growing roster of trade conflicts between the two countries, despite a high-level meeting last week in China aimed at reducing tensions.
“China resolutely opposes such protectionist practices and will take steps to protect the interests of our domestic industries,” Yao Jian, ministry spokesman, said on its website.
“The US should give objective consideration to the fact that the fundamental problem of the US industries in question is the fall of demand brought about by the financial crisis.”
The decision by the US Commerce Department, which imposed tariffs of up to 99 per cent on some Chinese steel pipes, follows a move earlier in the week by the US, European Union and Mexico to file a formal complaint at the World Trade Organisation against Beijing’s restrictions on exports of specialised raw materials. Last month the Obama administration levied 35 per cent tariffs on tyres made in China.
In response, the Chinese have opened probes into US exports of poultry on grounds of safety and into cars and car parts because of the state aid those industries have received...
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6b6956e6-cb01-11de-97e0-00144feabdc0.html
Hey China, fu*k you, buddy! When y'all decide to start paying your people a living wage and start allowing them some basic human rights perhaps some of these tariffs can be renegotiated though that is up to the POTUS, not me. Keep screwing with us and we'll go after Wal-Mart next.
is this what you guys want passed?
why don't you call out the JTC for lying... BTW, why isn't this bill coming up for a vote Saturday... or is it still being argued about for the things that the president says isn't there? LIAR!
MORE BULLSHIT FROM "NewsBusters"?
For the record, KING WORLD owns her distribution rights, and HE is marketed by a different company, so the negotiations will be "complicated" to say the least, AND her show is SYNDICATED which means that INDIVIDUAL STATIONS HAVE TO BID FOR IT.
PLUS he would have to quit FOX and his radio show.
(And considering his advertising revenue drain, FOX may fire his lunatic ass before the ink is even loaded in the pen.)
Na Ga Hap'n.
Asswipe.
Good night fellow Americans. Keep the Faith and keep the faith. Yes we can, yes we will, and yes we did!
...For all those whose cares have been our concern; the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.
The GOP bill doesn't fix all the problems, it is a good start. The Dem bill creates all kinds of new problems. It does a lot of things that America does not want. How's that vote working out for you tomorrow (Saturday)? Pelosi, Obama, and the Left need to stop lying... you know Obama said two things were not in the house bill 1) Govt. funded Abortions 2) coverage for illegals. If that is the case then why is the vote being delayed over these two issues? And it's not even the Republicans arguing over it, it's all Dems... I thought you guys had this crap sandwich all worked out? I'll answer, the reason is you and Obama are liars. You even lie about what the CBO said about the dem plan. LIARS. The PelosiCare bill is garbage!!!
The GOP bill doesn't fix all the problems, it is a good start. The Dem bill creates all kinds of new problems. It does a lot of things that America does not want. How's that vote working out for you tomorrow (Saturday)? Pelosi, Obama, and the Left need to stop lying... you know Obama said two things were not in the house bill 1) Govt. funded Abortions 2) coverage for illegals. If that is the case then why is the vote being delayed over these two issues? I thought you guys had this crap sandwich out? I'll answer, the reason is you and Obama are liars. You even LIE about what the CBO said about the dem plan. LIARS. The PelosiCare bill is garbage!!!
This was on the heals of the New York Times...
**** on November 6, 2009 at 07:59 PM
Must have been in the "Health" section.
By BETSY MCCAUGHEY
The health bill that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is bringing to a vote (H.R. 3962) is 1,990 pages. Here are some of the details you need to know.
What the government will require you to do:
• Sec. 202 (p. 91-92) of the bill requires you to enroll in a "qualified plan." If you get your insurance at work, your employer will have a "grace period" to switch you to a "qualified plan," meaning a plan designed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. If you buy your own insurance, there's no grace period. You'll have to enroll in a qualified plan as soon as any term in your contract changes, such as the co-pay, deductible or benefit.
• Sec. 224 (p. 118) provides that 18 months after the bill becomes law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services will decide what a "qualified plan" covers and how much you'll be legally required to pay for it. That's like a banker telling you to sign the loan agreement now, then filling in the interest rate and repayment terms 18 months later.
• Sec. 303 (pp. 167-168) makes it clear that, although the "qualified plan" is not yet designed, it will be of the "one size fits all" variety. The bill claims to offer choice—basic, enhanced and premium levels—but the benefits are the same. Only the co-pays and deductibles differ. You will have to enroll in the same plan, whether the government is paying for it or you and your employer are footing the bill.
• Sec. 59b (pp. 297-299) says that when you file your taxes, you must include proof that you are in a qualified plan. If not, you will be fined thousands of dollars. Illegal immigrants are exempt from this requirement.
• Sec. 412 (p. 272) says that employers must provide a "qualified plan" for their employees and pay 72.5% of the cost, and a smaller share of family coverage, or incur an 8% payroll tax. Small businesses, with payrolls from $500,000 to $750,000, are fined less.
Eviscerating Medicare:
In addition to reducing future Medicare funding by an estimated $500 billion, the bill fundamentally changes how Medicare pays doctors and hospitals, permitting the government to dictate treatment decisions.
• Sec. 1302 (pp. 672-692) moves Medicare from a fee-for-service payment system, in which patients choose which doctors to see and doctors are paid for each service they provide, toward what's called a "medical home."
The medical home is this decade's version of HMO-restrictions on care. A primary-care provider manages access to costly specialists and diagnostic tests for a flat monthly fee. The bill specifies that patients may have to settle for a nurse practitioner rather than a physician as the primary-care provider. Medical homes begin with demonstration projects, but the HHS secretary is authorized to "disseminate this approach rapidly on a national basis."
A December 2008 Congressional Budget Office report noted that "medical homes" were likely to resemble the unpopular gatekeepers of 20 years ago if cost control was a priority.
• Sec. 1114 (pp. 391-393) replaces physicians with physician assistants in overseeing care for hospice patients.
• Secs. 1158-1160 (pp. 499-520) initiates programs to reduce payments for patient care to what it costs in the lowest cost regions of the country. This will reduce payments for care (and by implication the standard of care) for hospital patients in higher cost areas such as New York and Florida.
• Sec. 1161 (pp. 520-545) cuts payments to Medicare Advantage plans (used by 20% of seniors). Advantage plans have warned this will result in reductions in optional benefits such as vision and dental care.
• Sec. 1402 (p. 756) says that the results of comparative effectiveness research conducted by the government will be delivered to doctors electronically to guide their use of "medical items and services."
Questionable Priorities:
While the bill will slash Medicare funding, it will also direct billions of dollars to numerous inner-city social work and diversity programs with vague standards of accountability.
• Sec. 399V (p. 1422) provides for grants to community "entities" with no required qualifications except having "documented community activity and experience with community healthcare workers" to "educate, guide, and provide experiential learning opportunities" aimed at drug abuse, poor nutrition, smoking and obesity. "Each community health worker program receiving funds under the grant will provide services in the cultural context most appropriate for the individual served by the program."
These programs will "enhance the capacity of individuals to utilize health services and health related social services under Federal, State and local programs by assisting individuals in establishing eligibility . . . and in receiving services and other benefits" including transportation and translation services.
• Sec. 222 (p. 617) provides reimbursement for culturally and linguistically appropriate services. This program will train health-care workers to inform Medicare beneficiaries of their "right" to have an interpreter at all times and with no co-pays for language services.
• Secs. 2521 and 2533 (pp. 1379 and 1437) establishes racial and ethnic preferences in awarding grants for training nurses and creating secondary-school health science programs. For example, grants for nursing schools should "give preference to programs that provide for improving the diversity of new nurse graduates to reflect changes in the demographics of the patient population." And secondary-school grants should go to schools "graduating students from disadvantaged backgrounds including racial and ethnic minorities."
• Sec. 305 (p. 189) Provides for automatic Medicaid enrollment of newborns who do not otherwise have insurance.
For the text of the bill with page numbers, see www.defendyourhealthcare.us.
Ms. McCaughey is chairman of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths and a former Lt. Governor of New York state.
SEC. 347. NO FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS.
Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.
SEC. 1786. PROHIBITIONS ON FEDERAL MEDICAID AND CHIP PAYMENT FOR UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS.
Nothing in this title shall change current prohibitions against Federal Medicaid and CHIP payments under titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.
Which sock puppet "whatamoron"?
Hey, "whataputz" PLEASE explain the Pug "plan".
Pick your documented evidence, you demented sock puppet.
MCCAUGHEY lies
DOO-PEE
Why, because some asshat at a left wing blog named "pinky" says so?
You koolair drinking idiot!!
We will see,
IF, IF, IF, the criminal liberal asshat, Nancy commie Pelosi, posts it 10 seconds before the vote, the lying worn out whore.
LOL - Kos just made Tancredo take his ball and go home on TV
This will be short, I am laughing so hard right now. Markos was just live on MSNBC talking to David Shuster on The Ed Show (Shuster is hosting for Ed). Markos just pwnd Tancredo and he demanded an apology and then removed his earpiece and walked off the set. [...]
Tancredo was talking about how military members hate the VA and how they all want vouchers to go buy private insurance. Markos LAUGHED at this, Tancredo started to get pissy, and said "talk to the veterans!" So Markos says "Tom, I am a veteran, I did not get a deferment because I was too depressed to fight in a war I supported in Vietnam."
Tom goes on to say "That's a cheap, rotten, low, stupid thing to say."
They talk over one another.
Tom says "You're not gonna do that. You're not gonna try to insult me that way and then pretend like you were just going on to talk about that. You either apologize or I'm off."
Markos says "I'm not pretending anything, I told you straight up."
Tom leaves. MAD.
Markos continues, coherently, calmly, and CORRECTLY, talking about how damaging republicans are in reference to health care. He goes on to close talking about how Republicans have worked their whole lives to make people fear government and how this will ruin that for them.
• Sec. 224 (p. 118) provides that 18 months after the bill becomes law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services will decide what a "qualified plan" covers and how much you'll be legally required to pay for it. That's like a banker telling you to sign the loan agreement now, then filling in the interest rate and repayment terms 18 months later.
=============
READ IT.
I noticed on T.V. today , that OWENS from NY-23 was sworn in today. So the Dems, gained another vote for health care. And the new congressman from California, was also sworn in today, so that gives us 2 more votes for health care.
And the Pugs didn't gain any votes, cuz Governors DO NOT get to vote. And the pugs thought they won.
WHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
SEC. 224. PROCESS FOR ADOPTION OF RECOMMENDATIONS; ADOPTION OF BENEFIT STANDARDS.
(a) Process for Adoption of Recommendations-
(1) REVIEW OF RECOMMENDED STANDARDS- Not later than 45 days after the date of receipt of benefit standards recommended under section 223 (including such standards as modified under paragraph (2)(B)), the Secretary shall review such standards and shall determine whether to propose adoption of such standards as a package.
(2) DETERMINATION TO ADOPT STANDARDS- If the Secretary determines--
(A) to propose adoption of benefit standards so recommended as a package, the Secretary shall, by regulation under section 553 of title 5, United States Code, propose adoption of such standards; or
(B) not to propose adoption of such standards as a package, the Secretary shall notify the Health Benefits Advisory Committee in writing of such determination and the reasons for not proposing the adoption of such recommendation and provide the Committee with a further opportunity to modify its previous recommendations and submit new recommendations to the Secretary on a timely basis.
(3) CONTINGENCY- If, because of the application of paragraph (2)(B), the Secretary would otherwise be unable to propose initial adoption of such recommended standards by the deadline specified in subsection (b)(1), the Secretary shall, by regulation under section 553 of title 5, United States Code, propose adoption of initial benefit standards by such deadline.
(4) PUBLICATION- The Secretary shall provide for publication in the Federal Register of all determinations made by the Secretary under this subsection.
(b) Adoption of Standards-
(1) INITIAL STANDARDS- Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, through the rulemaking process consistent with subsection (a), adopt an initial set of benefit standards.
(2) PERIODIC UPDATING STANDARDS- Under subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide for the periodic updating of the benefit standards previously adopted under this section.
(3) REQUIREMENT- The Secretary may not adopt any benefit standards for an essential benefits package or for level of cost-sharing that are inconsistent with the requirements for such a package or level under sections 222 (including subsection (d)) and 223(b)(5).
The GOPee bill is a piece of shit that does nothing but help the insurance comapanies. GOPee'ers must all be stupid bastards. Their followers are even more stupid to believe all the f'ing lies emanating from their lying f'ing mouths.
I am sick of all the bullshit lies from the right wing extremists. They are treading close to treason with all their tea bag parties and think that they have all the answers while they have nothing but bullshit and lies dictated to them by the insurance companies, pharma, coal comnpanies, oil companies and banks.
They think they have all the answers and are afraid they won't get their graft payments from these criminal corporations and will lose their cushy jobs and health insurance if they don't bow at the ankles to these mobsters.
It is time for strict term limits, zero lobbyist graft, public financing of all campaigns including dog catcher.
Wake up you neotard ass kissers. The party is over. We want our country back and we are going to get it. You will all be either stoned or beaten to a pulp by mobs if you try to screw America again, ever. If you don't lay off, you will never be allowed to serve in our government again and will be shipped off to a penal colony in Australia to kiss their greedy consevative leader's lard ass.
GOT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, and knock off all the religious bullshit pretending to be so religious. You may think you are fooling the evangelical assholes who you are ass kissing for votes but they are going to be dealt with too. So don't think you can kiss their asses and get off scott free.
Also knock off the holier than thou attitude about the Civil War. YOU LOST!!!!! Get over it. Furthermore, all your bigoted bullshit has been noticed. You are all going to hell when you die for being pedophiles, perverts, war criminals, closet homos, adulterers, divorcees, abortionists, murderers and fucking liars.
Looks like BACHMAN"S little stunt yesterday, is going to blow up in her face, in the next 1 to 4 days.
There. Someone had to say it. We should repeat this daily from rooftops all over America and straighten out these "people?"
hannity was bitching today as usual about President Obama and the fact that unemployment has reached 10%. They said on the news that unemployment hasn't been this high since 1983.
Guess who was president in 1983. It was his brain dead asshole buddy ronald reegan. that asshole hannity plays a f'ing quote from this brain dead asshole almost every day. It was this brain dead asshole with his war criminal appointees who brought us the Great Reegan Republican Depression of 1983 and don't forget it hannity.
This billionaire prick needs to be sent to the penal colony as well. He should be stripped of all his ill gotten wealth and his family should accompany him to exile in Australia. This country is not big enough for people like him to exist side by side with decent Americans.
(b) Adoption of Standards-
(1) INITIAL STANDARDS- Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, through the rulemaking process consistent with subsection (a), adopt an initial set of benefit standards.
Barbi on November 6, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Now READ It to the Wel-fare fag, DOO-PEE, ask him if its a lie.
Hey Chassie,
What is going to happen to bachman???? Is she going to prison charged with treason or is she going be recruited by Belleview Mental Hospital in New York. There is also a good mental hospital in California where they have charles manson and other mentally ill criminals who will never ever be allowed loose until they are tits up in a coffin.
• Sec. 224 (p. 118) provides that 18 months after the bill becomes law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services will decide what a "qualified plan" covers and how much you'll be legally required to pay for it. That's like a banker telling you to sign the loan agreement now, then filling in the interest rate and repayment terms 18 months later.
=============
READ IT.
121BlueDogCactus on November 6, 2009 at 09:58 PM
Good evening John, did you see that Pug, Granny, Congress Woman from North Carolina on T. V. today saying that the HEALTH CARE BILL, is worst then Terrorism?
Whats wrong with these people?
Now DOO-PEE, the bone head will sit in the corner with his DEAD cat, and Cry all night.
I'm more than a bit distressed to hear tonight that the House leadership can't find 218 Democrats to grow a spine and vote to pass the health care bill tomorrow. 218? EVERY Democrat should be voting yes PROUDLY tomorrow. If not now, when? If not this, what? I am 56, a lifelong Democrat and this is the first time in my life that we have the mandate and the majority to enact our platform. We have one chance to move this country in a progressive direction after so many years of regression and retrenchment. Say what you will about the Republicans (and I've said a lot and little of it complimentary), but at least they can stick together on issues. If we Democrats can't do this on the signal issue of our times and our party, we don't deserve to be in power. Stand and deliver.
I have a friend who has cancer and his insurance company is trying to refuse to pay for his cancer treatments because it is too expensive and so experimental. He supposedly has the same health insurance as our dear leaders because he is a retired federal employee.
I told him that I thought this was bullshit and he simply can't let these cheap bastards cause him to have to worry about paying the bills while he is fighting cancer. I told him that I thought he should fight the bastards by going to the OPM and file a complaint. The Obama administration will get them by the balls and squeeze until they knock off the bullshit and pay for his treatments. He doesn't need any more worries at this point.
Damn these people are rotten bastards. A lot of them are probably holy rollers and purport to believe in Jesus but don't give a shit about their fellow man. They will go straight to hell along with bush and cheney and all the neotard senators and congressmen and women who are phuqing the American people daily because they hate our guts and wish us harm.
What is going to happen to bachman????
130johhne on November 6, 2009 at 10:24 PM
John she is going to blow a head gasket, after this bill gets passed in the next 4 days!
And John she can check in her own MENTAL HOSPITAL.
You do know that her, and her husband own a Mental Hospital, don't you?
I'm more than a bit distressed to hear tonight that the House leadership can't find 218 Democrats to grow a spine and vote to pass the health care bill tomorrow. 218? EVERY Democrat should be voting yes PROUDLY tomorrow. If not now, when? If not this, what? I am 56, a lifelong Democrat and this is the first time in my life that we have the mandate and the majority to enact our platform. We have one chance to move this country in a progressive direction after so many years of regression and retrenchment. Say what you will about the Republicans (and I've said a lot and little of it complimentary), but at least they can stick together on issues. If we Democrats can't do this on the signal issue of our times and our party, we don't deserve to be in power. Stand and deliver.
BTW, Frosty, Owen's from NY. 23, already said today on live t.v. that he was going to vote for the bill. You was probably gettin your daytime sleep, and missed it. WHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA
137ausman on November 6, 2009 at 10:34 PM
Relax ausman, they will get them. They'll be time for worring when it goes to the Senate. Especially with that Pussy Reid.
The American Medical Association's much-touted endorsement of the House health care reform bill has triggered a revolt among some members who want the endorsement withdrawn.
Some members are outraged that the group's trustees made the endorsement without the formal approval of the organization's House of Delegates.
On Monday, delegates will vote on a resolution offered by some members that, if approved, will withdraw the AMA’s endorsement of the bill.
President Obama cited the endorsement of the influential AMA, along with AARP's, in a surprise appearance Thursday in the White House briefing room as he attempted to beat back criticism that the bill would gut Medicare.
==================
This is why Nancy can't delay past Sunday, when Obama's lie blows up in his face.
Ausman,
I hear you. The MSM is great at spreading this rumor. President Obama is going to speak to the Democrats on the hill tomorrow and they have changed their intended vote until Sunday.
I think his "gentle" persuasion will get their attention. I hope he comes on strong and gives them an offer they can't refuse.
I worry more about the insane right wing extremist senators and lieberman. They will be the hardest to convince. The MSM keeps saying that we need sixty votes. Some people - not the MSM - have stated that we can pass it with 51 votes if we get a backbone and kick republican butt.
God, I am tired of the same old bullshit lies from the neotards and their enablers. We will pass a health care bill with a strong public option despite the neotards. We will pass a strong cap and trade bill despite the neotards. We will pass a GI bill for all Americans who serve in Americore so all Americans can attend college for free. We will pass strong election reforms including strict term limits on congress, public funding and spending limits on all campaigns with no contributions allowed from anyone, curbing all lobbying activity by making lobbying and election and voter fraud a felony. We will prosecute the entire bush admininstration for war crimes, corruption and election and voter fraud. We will reduce our military to a minimum. We spend more on our military than the entire world combined, yet we are too damn cheap to provide health care for our citizens.
These are just a few of the things the President Obama will take care of during his eight year term in office.
There will never be another conservative elected to any federal office, ever.
(b) Adoption of Standards-
(1) INITIAL STANDARDS- Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, through the rulemaking process consistent with subsection (a), adopt an initial set of benefit standards.
SEC. 224. PROCESS FOR ADOPTION OF RECOMMENDATIONS; ADOPTION OF BENEFIT STANDARDS.
(a) Process for Adoption of Recommendations-
(1) REVIEW OF RECOMMENDED STANDARDS- Not later than 45 days after the date of receipt of benefit standards recommended under section 223 (including such standards as modified under paragraph (2)(B)), the Secretary shall review such standards and shall determine whether to propose adoption of such standards as a package.
(2) DETERMINATION TO ADOPT STANDARDS- If the Secretary determines--
(A) to propose adoption of benefit standards so recommended as a package, the Secretary shall, by regulation under section 553 of title 5, United States Code, propose adoption of such standards; or
(B) not to propose adoption of such standards as a package, the Secretary shall notify the Health Benefits Advisory Committee in writing of such determination and the reasons for not proposing the adoption of such recommendation and provide the Committee with a further opportunity to modify its previous recommendations and submit new recommendations to the Secretary on a timely basis.
(3) CONTINGENCY- If, because of the application of paragraph (2)(B), the Secretary would otherwise be unable to propose initial adoption of such recommended standards by the deadline specified in subsection (b)(1), the Secretary shall, by regulation under section 553 of title 5, United States Code, propose adoption of initial benefit standards by such deadline.
(4) PUBLICATION- The Secretary shall provide for publication in the Federal Register of all determinations made by the Secretary under this subsection.
Geez.
Barbi,
A little complicated isn't it. That's what happens when a bunch of lawyers get elected to congress.
Maybe it is all necessary. The Congress and the President pass the bills but it is up to the departments to interpret the law and make federal regulations consistent with that law.
SEC. 347. NO FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS.
Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.
SEC. 1786. PROHIBITIONS ON FEDERAL MEDICAID AND CHIP PAYMENT FOR UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS.
Nothing in this title shall change current prohibitions against Federal Medicaid and CHIP payments under titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.
--->Barbi on November 6, 2009 at 09:06 PM
_____________________________________
Why is it that when you post links to the Library of Congress for the actual House Health Care bill that specifically EXCLUDE coverage for illegal aliens, the stupid Republics will STILL spew their lies?
I guess it's because *some* people are too stupid or too lazy to click on a link and go read the actual bill, and would rather believe the stupid lies the lunatic wingnuts feed to them than think for themselves.
--->johhne on November 6, 2009 at 11:37 PM
Yes, JohnE, it is a little complicated... trying to cover all the particulars: I guess that's why we call Congress the lawmakers.
But it's especially more complicated for the simpleton idiots who pick out ONE part of a section and ignore the context of the whose rest of the section; because they're just plain stupid and would rather drink that kool-aid the wingnutty side ladles out.
Allen West is an asshole. The military obviously ignored all the signs that would have told them that this guy is a loose cannon.
The same thing happened before 9/11. chimp ignored all the warnings about an attack by terrorists in the US. He had numerous warnings but did nothing because cheney was praying for an attack like Pearl Harbor so he would have an excuse to get oil and kill muslims.
The Army obviously has not learned a damn thing from the experience of 9/11. There are some pretty dim bulb calling themselves military officers. They were all appointed by chimp after he fired the ones who stood up to cheney's lies.
I heard on one of the news reports last week that it is the Saudi's who are supporting the Taliban. I have often wondered who was giving them money and arms. It is apparently our buddies the saudi's, chimp's old buddies. No wonder he never chased bin loser and his merry gang of arabs.
We are in a very bad position and depend on the saudi's for a hell of a lot of their oil. furthermore, chimp overlooked all these facts and continued to kiss the king's royal ass.
This is all the more reason to get the hell out of the middle east and develop our own green energy.
good morning friends. we had a real deep frost last night so i hope covering the base of the fig tree with some insulation saved it. somehow i am having trouble getting the energy up to pick the god damn thing up and move it to the root cellar this year. maybe it's the fact that in the past three years i have gotten about nine figs from it!
anyhow while the wing nuts feel all good about the vote tuesday it looks like the two new congressmen on the democratic side ( way to go up in ny 23 sarah and glenn!! ) will help put the national health care plan over the top in the house......hahahahaha
" Nov. 7 (Bloomberg) -- News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch, who began building his media group with the Adelaide News in 1953, said he’d like one of his children to succeed him, amid regular discussions about who will take over at the U.S. company.
“I am sure one of them will emerge,” Murdoch, 78, said in an interview with Sky News broadcast in Australia today. “It would be nice. Every parent likes to see that.” "
i am sure it will be one of the offspring with cloven hooves and a pointy tail.....
i wonder how long it will take cantor to find himself sucking rush's toes for implying that obama is not the reincarnation of adolf hitler as rush insists....probably about a day.....what is amazing is that this sort of shit is even considered worthy of discussion by the repelicans....if they had any honor or self respect or for that matter any respect for the millions hitler butchered they would turn their backs on such demagogues and never entertain them again....instead we get soon to be retracted mealy mouthed gibberish....
" Nov. 7 (Bloomberg) -- The second-ranking Republican in the U.S. House, Eric Cantor, criticized some comments by talk-show host Rush Limbaugh as inappropriate and said his party needs to be inclusive.
“The Republican Party in its roots is a party of inclusion and we ought to be promoting that and making sure that voices are heard,” Cantor, of Virginia, said in an interview on Bloomberg Television’s “Political Capital with Al Hunt,” airing this weekend.
Cantor, when asked about Limbaugh’s comments that “Adolf Hitler, like Barack Obama, also ruled by dictate,” and his comparison of the administration’s health-care logo to a swastika, said the comparisons were wrong.
“Do I condone the mention of Hitler in any discussion about politics?” Cantor said. “No, I don’t, because obviously that is something that conjures up images that frankly are not, I think, very helpful.” "
Morning Dems.......
crisp, cool, fall day here in New England, with Temperatures predicted for the sixties over the next few days. Never saw 60 degrees in November here before----what happened to that Global Cooling that was headed our way? hahahaha
Good morning, DEMS!
It's supposed to be hovering around the low to mid 70s here today. Bizarre. We had 2 frosts with a smattering of snow already and now it's t-shirt weather again.
hiya, doobee. around here, we call this kind of weather, "Indian Summer".
Morning Gregg,
Another sock puppet from the the crazy right wingers posted last night:
"you know Obama said two things were not in the house bill 1) Govt. funded Abortions 2) coverage for illegals. If that is the case then why is the vote being delayed over these two issues? "
LET ME SCHOOL YOU A LITTLE, FOOLISH ONE:
Anti-abortion Rep. Brad Ellsworth, D-Indiana, came up with compromise language that he said accomplished the goal of preventing taxpayer money from being used for abortions. Democratic leaders agreed to it, but the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote a memo saying it leaves loopholes that could allow federal funds to go toward abortions.
Pelosi and fellow Democratic leaders are working behind closed doors, scrambling to forge a compromise.
Several Democrats, including Rep. Jason Altmire, D-Pennsylvania, said they are in touch with their Catholic bishops back home. Altmire said he must have the approval of his bishop in Pittsburgh before he can vote yes.
You SEE, little man, THIS is why the founding fathers said---"screw your church---keep it separate from law making !!!! That is why we up and moved 3000 miles from our homes, to get away from this bullshit. Keep your religion in your church, and your law making open to all Americans"
and as to your Illegal Aliens Koolaid, Put down the cup!!!
Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus staunchly oppose adding a provision to the bill that would bar undocumented workers from using their own money to buy health insurance policies available through the exchange.
The measure is included in the Senate Finance Committee's version of the bill, and is backed by the White House. Some conservative House Democrats have also indicated their support for the Senate language.
Pelosi's bill includes various requirements for immigrants to verify their citizenship before getting federal subsidies to buy health insurance. Conservatives, however, have called the requirements insufficient.
So you object should an illegal put up his own money and PAY for health coverage??? Or to the requirement that an immigrant must verify their citizenship????
DON'T YOU KNOW THAT THESE ILLEGALS ARE TREATED IN OUR ERS RIGHT NOW, ON YOUR DOLLAR, WHEN THEY HAVE AN EMERGENCY OR THEIR WIFE IS ABOUT TO DELIVER????
Get a freaken brain, will you? You guys have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, if Limbaugh tells you something is true----you believe him ! sheesh, did your parents fight Medicare when it was proposed and is now the lifesaver that keeps them from having to move in with you!!!! grow up!
Good morning Dems, yeah that global cooling is a bitch. Is going to get in the mid seventies here for the next 7 days. 50's at night.
Are average frost date is OCT. 22, here it is Nov.7Th, and the forecast for the next 7 days, is highs, of mid 70's, and lows in the low 50's.
Global cooling is horse manure.
A little update:
"Late Friday, House Democrats cleared an abortion-related impasse blocking a vote and officials expressed optimism they had finally lined up the support needed to pass Obama's signature issue.
Under the arrangement, Democratic Reps. Bart Stupak of Michigan, Brad Ellsworth of Indiana and other abortion opponents were promised an opportunity to insert tougher restrictions into the legislation during debate on the House floor.
The leadership's hope is that no matter how that vote turns out, Democrats on both sides of the abortion divide will then unite to give the health care bill a majority over unanimous Republican opposition.
"We wish to maintain current law, which says no public funding for abortion," Stupak said. "We are not writing a new federal abortion policy."
Ellsworth added, "From day one, my goal has been to ensure federal tax dollars are not used to pay for abortions and to provide Americans with pro-life options on the exchange. And I am proud to be part of an effort to help make this goal a reality."
Morning Chassie,
It will be up in the 60's here tomorrow, never saw it this warm this late in the Fall before.
Some of my more protected summer annuals are in full bloom---like my geraniums up near the house, etc. Never saw anything like it.
ACTION NEEDED BY ANY AMERICAN WHO IS SICK OF SEEING US JOBS GO OVERSEAS!
TAKE ACTION A planned $1.5 billion dollar Texas wind farm - seeking financing with US stimulus money - will create only 30 permanent jobs here, but 2000 jobs in China manufacturing wind turbines. And 84% of US government clean-energy grants since September have gone to foreign wind companies. With unemployment breaking 10%, we cannot let this stand. Tell Energy Secretary Steven Chu: don't spend stimulus dollars to ship green jobs overseas
http://caf.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=5RusGSsrtR6VBwtTWMuvEwoVEo37MQ0W
I still have gerber daisies and ivy growing.
175Esmeralda on November 7, 2009 at 08:47 AM
Hi Jacq, we also have gerber daisies blooming, and even Roses. And i'm still picking a few tomatoes, and bell and hot peppers.
Oh and BTW Jacq, I'm so happy to report that, my wife is up running around like a 40 year old. The doctors, think they got all of the cancer, or at least in remission, in her last operation. She is sure a tough Gal. We are all elated around here from the Doctors report yesterday.
Like you said Jacq, God is good, and we all thank you for your prayers.
YOU WONDER WHY THEY ARE CALLED THE PARTY OF NO!!
The Republicans in Congress are at it again, stonewalling everything. Last time we called it “block and blame.” Stop everything, then blame the Democrats for getting nothing done.
Republicans last year in the 110th Congress filibustered more legislation, and required more cloture votes to break those filibusters, than any Congress in history. The tactic was used to stall and halt key legislation, and give Congress the stigma of a “do-nothing Congress.” As former Republican Sen. Trent Lott remarked, “The strategy of being obstructionist can work or fail...and so far it's working for us.”
http://caf.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Ft6MiTH12mRk2xGJMql%2BRwoVEo37MQ0W
Morning Pam, i'm glad to here your have nice weather, you all had so much rain for awhile, that i know this nice weather this time of year, is welcome.
Btw Pam seen Hoyer on T.V. this morning, and he said he thought they would be a vote, on the Health Care Bill, by early evening, today.
"So you object should an illegal put up his own money and PAY for health coverage??? Or to the requirement that an immigrant must verify their citizenship????" YES I DO, the CBO says 1.1 Trillion of tax $ will be spent on this program, why should a penny of it go to illegals?
DON'T YOU KNOW THAT THESE ILLEGALS ARE TREATED IN OUR ERS RIGHT NOW, ON YOUR DOLLAR, WHEN THEY HAVE AN EMERGENCY OR THEIR WIFE IS ABOUT TO DELIVER????
YES I DO UNDERSTAND, and it should come to a stop the borders should be shut and we wouldn't have a problem. And since what you state is TRUE, then why do we need this bill, I DO NOT KNOW a mother who was FORCED to have her baby outside a hospital... sounds like we all already have healthcare... what's the point in the bill other than 1) increasing costs 2) having yet one more thing under government control?
prayers are always answered...sometimes it's yes, sometimes it's later, sometimes it's no.
Way to GO, Barbara
Boxer Passes Climate Bill Over GOP Boycott
The Vine's Brad Plumer assess Boxer's 11-1 victory in committee: [12] "Basically, the climate bill's out of the hands of Barbara Boxer and [Environment and Public Work Committee] at this point. The Republican boycott was circumvented. A few of the other committees-like Finance-could now take a whack at it, but it's mainly going to be shepherded by Harry Reid from this point forward."
(tarbaby, German Burd? MY, you wouldn't use that term in your own country, now would you, without being ostracized! Aren't you lucky you already have socialized medicine and do not need to worry your little head about the US plans. How's the dumpling these days? I worry about her, married to a dweeb like you !)
I'm very happy about your wifes remission. I will pray for her continued healing and recovery. Enjoy her being in her 40's again! haha
Hey Limbaugh sheeple whats your name, This bill is for ALL of Americans----all 50Million with no health coverage, who have gone bankrupt because of a health issue, or have died because of none! This is NOT merely a matter of abortion or immigrants !!!! What part of that did you miss????? Obviously your xenophobia and hatred for others keeps you from knowing what is really going on here.
This country is 28th in the world for Health care-----with more premature births and deaths, and a shorter life span than other countries! Makes you proud, huh? So afraid you might have to open that grimy little wallet and throw a dollar more to help others! Try moving to any other country in the world----and see what you pay for taxes. You will be happy to move back.
having yet one more thing under government control?
185whatmob on November 7, 2009 at 09:08 AM
Sure is funny your all scared to death of the so called big bad Govt. Until it comes to National Defence. Then you approve of trillions of dollars. Cuz your scared of your shadow.
I am also happy to hear your news Chassie. May she have many, many more years ahead of her.
Isn't it amusing, Chassie ----how they want less government control----UNLESS it is something they like, like more defense spending, Social Security, Medicare, Vets benefits, Highways, bridges, unemployment insurance, etc, etc........
192Doo-Bee-Doo-Bee-Doo on November 7, 2009 at 09:23 AM
Who's the sock puppet this time DOO BEE?
More than likely Thumb-ass, Chassie.
Good news about your wife, BTW.
New open thread, --> (Don't tell the trolls)
Trolls are selfish pricks. Why don't we just do away with all government and the military.
Then when your house is burning down, the other prick trolls would say you are on your own. GFY.
Or if you are being treated to a home invasion robbery the there won't be any police and your troll neighbors would say GFY.
Then when we are invaded by illegals and there is no government your troll neighbors would board themselves up in their homes and say GFY I got mine.
Would anyone with half a brain want to live in a world like this. I don't thinks so.
racism is the life blood of the right. it always has been along with sexism, anti unionism, and greed.
our dear troll writes;
" Chairman Zero in the reincarnation of the infamous tarbaby...."
but this inherent racism and hatred of so many kinds of people will continue to be the downfall of the right. why? well for one thing the proportion of people of color in our nations increases, the number of women in the work place increases and a lot of white people never were racists or appreciated such sentiments but were reluctant to see such as characteristics of the repelican party. but now with the election of a mixed race man the gloves have come off and rush and beck and newt and cantor are just a few hairs width away from putting on the white robes and trying to get the townsfolk up for a little night riding. of course it won't work anymore as they are outnumbered and like a stone they find themselves sinking as the times they are a changing....
mike pence is lying through his teeth and blowing smoke out his ass....he is claiming that vets are against government supported health care....funny that so many vets use the services of the veterans administration and that so many of them would be without medical care at all if ronald reagan and the pences of the world had the vision of "freedom" that they hold up to the rest of us.....scott of virginia is now ripping him a new asshole...
mcotter a pelican from michigan seems to be saying that you can get all the health care you need from your palm pilot.....he claims government supported health care is passe....when are these guys gonna come out and say they want to kill medicare??
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