That Mitt is weathy in itself means little in this contest. The president has a fraction of the money that Mitt does, but anyone would still say he is wealthy. In my book, it's how Mitt got rich. Bain Capital made their money by making lots of middle class and working poor even poorer. They took their companies, dissolved them, took the employees' pensions away, and fattened their wallets with the proceeds. A man like MItt doesn't deserve to be president, because he has already demonstrated how he feels about the middle class and working poor before he opened his campaign about eight years ago.

This man, Mitt Romney wants to be president because he wants to be president. It's like Paris Hilton being famous for being famous. Please Mitt, give us the details about how you want to dismantle the American middle class now just like you dismantled the companies Bain Capital bought. I know that telling us the details would be bad politics, but honestly tell us what you intend to do to make this country a rich man's paradise and Hell for everyone else.

Money can't buy you love.

But to Obama .... it sure can buy you votes by purchasing ads promising everyone everything.

Money can't buy you love.

Or happiness, judging from some comments around here...

It can however, buy you a new ♥... ;o)

Wonder if Mr. Romney ever curses his father late at night, when alone, for the releasing of the taxes?

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

Or happiness, judging from some comments around here...

It can however, buy you a new ♥... ;o)

Well, if they get a heart like Cheney got; they might as well understand they are still heartless. So many times transplant patients take on the personality of the donor. I had hoped the transplant would have been from a compassionate individual.

Obviously, it has not happened with Cheney's heart. There was no reason for Cheney to rise from being near death to make such cold, callous, remarks about President Obama.

Maybe Cheney needs a brain transplant to remind him of the tousands and thousands killed, 2 unpaid for wars, and no bid worthless contracts

Malibu Mitt has already turned his Wealth into an A$$ET, he bought the Republican Nomination for President !

You Betcha !

Occupy SoggyBottom!

“There's never been a successful presidential re-election on the basis of, 'Vote to re-elect me because my opponent's wealthy,'” Schmidt said. “The bottom line reality is that if the president had been able to do the things he had promised to do, he wouldn't be running a re-election campaign attacking Mitt Romney's wealth.”

This exactly sums it up. I don't really give a crap that Mitt is wealthy. Just about everyone on here would LOVE to be Mitt. What I do care about is passing this ugly debt to my kids and getting our fellow Americans back to work. Obama hasn't done that. He promised to cut the deficit in half. By my count, its 5 times higher than that. $5T+ in new debt and unemployment is still above 8%. All of this is unacceptable. I will vote for who can fix this. This campaign really shouldn't be about social issues, it needs to be about getting our country back on track.

Romney understands how to get the economy to make rich Americans richer. He does not understand how to make the economy provide jobs for people.

Capitalism doesn't scare me at all. A complete lack of control over corporate greed and a ridiculously imbalanced tax code, does. Especially as someone who makes my entire $100k/year salary in wages, and paid an effective rate of 20% on it last year, while Mitt cruised along at his 15%.

Capitalism scares the bejeezus out of Liberals.

Pure capitalism should scare the sh*t out of anyone.

Right you are Ruken! If everything in this world were valued for the dollars you could get for it, life would not be worth living. Captitalism has its place, but it is not everything!

Joanne, Liberals embrace capitalism. They don't hate it. But Capitalism like any other enitiy must be controlled, it must be reined in when it gets out of control. We have seen recent examples where the greed of some have used Capitalism for personal gain and offer nothing to the community that bore it or supported it with purchacing its products or services. Companies that are socially responsible don't have a problem, the grow, they and their investors prosper. But when one gets greedy or takes unfair advantage of others that is a bad thing. So liberals are caring and willing to share while their counterparts appear to be callous and greedy. I hope that clears things up for you.

Rally behind Ron Paul for real change, not the establishment government as usual!

No one cares about his wealth. Every President is rich. It's only a boon because this is msnbc.

"He's going to have to make an argument that his proposed policies are designed to give people an opportunity to attain the same level of success that he has," said Steve Schmidt, who headed Sen. John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign..."

Given that the "Ryan Plan" is a full blown attack on the elderly, the middle class, average working Americans, minorities, and the underprivileged, AND given the fact that Republicans have stalled the economy for the past 3-1/2 years KNOWING that Republicans were huring American Workers, it's perfectly clear that the American People are nothing more than cash cows to Republicans, which is why Republicans want to put the full weight of the National Debt on American Workers, while the super-rich get even richer.

Everything Republicans have done for the past 10 or more years have hurt the Working Americans and Republicans have done NOTHING to reverse their damage.

Obama / Biden 2012

who cares how much one man makes...at what point in this country did we start to frown upon success...all that should matter is that you are a person with leadership skills and a drive to put this country back on top.....success and personal wealth is out there for all it just takes hard work, a little luck and a keen sense of bushiness....and another thing for everyone complaining on how much a person pays in taxes i would venture to say those are the same people looking to find every last bit of deductions on their own taxes.

Another "Class Warfare" moment by this administration and his campaign advisers.

If you can't beat anyone based upon your "non" successes, attack mode.

Anyone but Obama 2012, and that could even be Mr. Ed Schultz as the Democratic nominee.

Anyone that makes $54,000.00 a day (Mitt Romney) and has done so for years without lifting a finger, I wish them well, but there is no way on this earth that, that same person understands the average person in America...

His wife worked hard raising five boy's??? Give me a break, like she was washing toilets and scrubbing floors... Good for them that they had the money to pay others too do that work for them, not every woman in this country can afford that luxury... (Two Cadillacs, one on each coast.)

I'm happy with a president that worked to get what he has and knows what it is like to have to do without... The Romney's were all born with silver/gold spoons in their mouths...

He said, let the forecloses happen, so an investor can come in and take them over and make money... He's talking about some ones home... Oh right, I forgot, he has five homes.... WOW!

at what point in this country did we start to frown upon success

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/28/income-gap-widens-census-_n_741386.html

Funny how even deep in the recession, the gap was still widening. The haves have more, and the have-nots have less. The lower end of the have-nots have always had disdain for the haves. It has been this way all throughout history. It's nothing new.

However, lately we are becoming more polarized; hence this class "warfare".

Bob...

Mitt looks for companies that are heavy in debt, have outdated pensions plans, and are top heavy with older workers.

How does he make his money? Does he work hard and turn the companies around? Come in on Weekends? Roll up his sleaves and dig in? Hell No.

Step 1 - Buy company and file for Bankrupcy.

Step 2 - Screw all the creditors that the company owes money to. You know, all of the other hard working business owners that are trying to pay their employees and keep their companies afloat.

Step 3 - Dump the pension plan on the taxpayers through the Pension Guarantee Fund.

Step 4 - Figure out how many workers that company needs and fire an extra 20%, concentrating on the older, loyal workers (who cost more - because you have to pay somebody more who has been there for 28 yaesr vs 2 years). He fires an extra 20% so they can hire back cheaper, younger workers.

Step 5 - Sell company for $100 million dollars

Step 6 - Pay less than fair share of taxes of profits from sale of company.

Joann...

Since you are such an expert on Capitalism, could you point out the part in Adama Smith's "The Wealth of Nations" (Where the idea of Capitalism comes from) about Bankrupcy Court? It doesn't exist in Capitalism. Mitt is NOT a "Capitalist", just a guy gaming the system.

You can't undo the 1% that Romney is. He is out of touch with the middle class, and his support of "trickle down" economics and "starving the beast" policies that started this financial crisis will be his undoing.

Class warfare, is the Republicans insisting that this crisis be resolved on the backs of the poor and elderly.

Romney's plan raises taxes on the poor, and gives tax breaks to the rich. It also doesn't reduce the deficit.

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a longtime advocate for better Republican efforts to reach the middle class and a surrogate for the former Massachusetts governor, also urged Romney to not shy away from his work at Bain.

I find it funny how TPawl is picking his neck on the line for the GOP, when they view him as too moderate for any sort of national office.

I'd have thought Pawlenty would have realized this by now.

How to turn his money into a political asset?? After the way he got that money,, by hurting other people.. Forget about it!!! Get that lie'n clown off OUR stage!!!!

Hes the last fish to fry.. Lets be done with this.. Ron Paul 2012

TO: JoAnnaSmith1 who wrote:

Capitalism scares the bejeezus out of Liberals. And it's not clear why seeing that capitalism is the very engine that pays for their entitlements, unemployment, and food stamps.

Vulture Capitalism, yes, but I think that Republicans love to forget that Vulture Capitalism exists as much as they love to forget George W. Bush ever existed.

The only thing that "scares" me is the lack of understanding some Republicans display on a daily basis, some are so badly misinformed that you can't even have a conversation with them.

Obama / Biden 2012

Wealth isn't Romney's problem, it is the fact that he is a greedy, selfish, predatory, etch-a-sketch, pandering, win at any costs conniving liar. And those are just the characteristics he's proud of!

TO: ldo who wrote:

"Another "Class Warfare" moment by this administration and his campaign advisers..."

Well, it isn't President Obama who's complaining as much as it is the rest of us 99%ers, and in typical Repubulican fashion, Republicans refuse to listen and/or misconstrue what they hear so that can continue to ignore the will of the American People.

If there's class warfare out there, it's Republicans who started that war, just the same as Republicans have started every other war.

Obama / Biden 2012

Another "Class Warfare" moment by this administration and his campaign advisers.

What do you call the unprecedented transfer of wealth across the board to the top 1% of the richest 1% in this country since the Reagen Revolution began? I call that Class Warfare. Maybe you want to live in a country where the top 400 richest people have all the ca$h but I don't... If I did I'd move to Saudi Arabia.

.... he bought companies for less tan the value of the pension funds ..... and dissolved them .... and sold them .......

And just how do you make $250 million in "capital" gains by doing that

Pretty ignorant post Wayne .... wanna get try again?

Real simple Bob; he bought the companies, leveraged their assets to float loans under the company name, then declared bankruptcy and dumped the pension funding on the Federal Government. For a man who hates big govment...he sure made a bundle off us.

According to 24/7 Wall Street these are the ten richest presidents. Their worth includes all hard assets, not just cash. Now if I were Romney I'd let the Dems go right ahead and bash his wealth while trotting out the names of those his wealth associates him with. That's some pretty heady company and more than a few are Democrats.

George Washington

Thomas Jefferson

Theodore Roosevelt

Andrew Jackson

James Madison

Lyndon Baines Johnson

Herbert Hoover

Franklin Roosevelt

Bill Clinton

John F. Kennedy

Well, well, according to the Dems we shouldn't elect a rich guy for president. What the hell do they propose we elect, an illiterate, homeless, pauper perhaps? Obama's camp is really getting desperate!

“He's going to have to make an argument that his proposed policies are designed to give people an opportunity to attain the same level of success that he has,”

Sure, I'd love to have an opportunity to get filthy rich by financially raping a dozen corporations and putting their employees on the street. Then I'd run for president and tell the country how I was going to save the economy because I knew how to put everyone back to work. Riiiiight.

You might want to talk to FDR too. He was rich. He didn't even have to work for his money. His mommy and daddy GAVE it to him. lmao.

spider-737231

Well, well, according to the Dems we shouldn't elect a rich guy for president. What the hell do they propose we elect, an illiterate, homeless, pauper perhaps? Obama's camp is really getting desperate!

No spider...according to YOU! If Dems had a problem with wealthy people we would never have elected JFK. We have a problem with greedy people. The problem is that current Republicans/Tea Baggers don't recognize the difference between wealth and greed.

Romney understands 'free market' economics - where the 'rich' are entitled to become richer. Romney does not understand the kitchen table economics of capitalism - where the 'poor' are entitled to subsidize the 'rich'.

Many commenters here do not understand the difference, either.

FDR was a rich man who was compassionate enough to care about the people who had been made poor by the richest men in the country. Romney doesn't have what it takes to be an FDR. It ought to be real tough for him to follow that camel through the eye of the needle.

How little some people seem to realize reality. How do you make money the way Romney did? You buy a company for $100 million, you then take parts of the company and sell them to other companies that are looking for expansion or for patents that the company may hold. Once this is done the company ceases to exist, you no longer have to worry about retirement benefits, health care, or anything else. If the new company doesn't retain workers as it feels that it has adequate personnel to cover their needs, the employees are job less.

How do the rich get richer by capital gains? They are the only ones that have the millions to invest into companies that will allow them to grow; as Mitt has shown in his one year of taxes that he has ever done (he's only shown 1 year) you only have to pay 15% on it. It doesn't matter if it's a company like Apple, who took all their jobs from the US and moved them to China, after China entered the WTO 10 years ago or if you move them to India and the Philippines like AT&T. You invest in companies like GM and GE who continue to build their operations in other nations to take advantage of cheap labor. You then say that you didn't make money in the US and you don' have to pay taxes, in the mean time you store all that money in tax havens. Now of course you and I as Americans have to pay taxes on all income, no matter where we make it but, Corporate America doesn't; something just doesn't seem right to me, now does it. Can you say income tax evasion? Then you buy off the politicians to agree to trade agreements that allow these goods to be brought into our nation tax free. Anyone want to know what happened to Detroit? It's now located in Mexico, where GM is currently spending $1.3 billion more to once again expand their operations in that country, instead of putting Americans back to work. All this to avoid labor laws, taxes, and everything else that costs the organization money.

Yet, these companies and their executives can continue to live and operate in the US where they are afforded peace from our $660 billion Department of Defense and all the other advantages of living in America all the while, avoiding paying their fair share of taxes. Then you take the share holders money and pay Corporate executives $100 Million salaries and bonuses instead of returning it to the share holders, who own the company.

Google, Apple, GE and a couple other big corporations are now trying to pay off their bought off politicians to allow them a tax holiday so they can bring back some of their over $1.5 TRILLION tax free, and you can bet it won't create a fraction of jobs or anything else they promise as they did the last time they played this game. In the mean time they save in the neighborhood of $350 BILLION dollars in taxes. Does anyone wonder why we have a budget deficit that we do? It's people and corporations who take and take from our country and buy off politicians so they don't have to pay for all they have been blessed with.

That's how Mitt made his money!

Mr hundred thousand dollars for a single speaking engagement (oh, and he and his wife don't think that's anything really). Tell that to the more than 80% of the nation that doesn't make that working their butts off for an entire year. Can you say, OUT OF TOUCH!!!!

“He's going to have to make an argument that his proposed policies are designed to give people an opportunity to attain the same level of success that he has,”

You mean he's going to make my father rich? Woohoo!

This is why I can't stand the republican party. I consider myself an independent, but I will never vote for a republican as long as this "self proclaimed but not practiced" conservative group dominates the party. Every little thing is Obama's fault and they give credit for nothing. Despite their hatred they could acknowledge that he has done some good for our country over the past 3 years. Try helping out the American people for a change instead of constantly bitching about every little issue as the president's doing. It seems to me the bigger problem for the GOP is how to convince the American people to vote for an outright and easily identified liar (numerous self contradictory video tapes) in Mitt Romney!

TO: spider-737231 who wrote:

"Well, well, according to the Dems we shouldn't elect a rich guy for president. What the hell do they propose we elect, an illiterate, homeless, pauper perhaps? Obama's camp is really getting desperate!"

If Republicans want to pick a "rich guy" WHY did Republicans have to pick a JOBS CREMATOR when it's JOBS that Americans need the most?

That is so backazzwards it's impossible to close your eyes to it! Just when we need jobs in America, Republicans pick a guy who made his millions SHIPPING AMERICAN JOBS OVERSEAS!

Just like Republicans refuse to believe that 2 oil rich guys from Texas didn't overthrow the government of the 2nd largest oil rich country in the world, JUST FOR THE OIL.

Republicans have GOT to get OFF this "stuck on stupid" kick!

Obama / Biden 2012

Romney says he understands the economy and knows how to put people to work. Does he? From what I understand he knows how to game the system. He made his money by buying weak companies loading them up with debt, then selling the company for big bucks and forcing the new owners to fire the workers and declare bankruptcy because they couldn't manage the debt. AND he used other people's money. I don't see a lot of job creation there. There may have been a few companies here and there that became successful, but it doesn't look like that was the norm. And how was his job creation record as governor? Pretty bad. I don't see how his claims as a job creator are credible. Certainly not better than President Obama's.

That all depends on what you do in regard to money. Romney, we realize you aren't good at taking advise because you've spent you life surrounded by "Yes Men," but listen up. Instead of supporting policies that favor only the rich like you...for example:

1) There is a big difference between venture capitalism and vulture capitalism. Promote true economic growth based on the general good. Otherwise, don't run for POTUS. The Bain Capital mentality is not what we need as a nation, and in fact has destroyed this nation. If your'e going flip-flop, it should have been about this!

2) In regard to the the tax code, recognize that just because it's legal to game the system to get a 14% tax rate, or to shelter your money off-shore, it doesn't mean it's good for our country, or even moral thing to do.

3) If you're sincere about restoring the American Dream, present plans that will restore the American Dream such as; Having a safety net for the very poor (Food Stamps, HUD, etc.), Preserving programs for the working poor to move up to the middle class (public schools/PELL grants, requiring a living wage and not just a minimum wage) for the middle class to move up to the upper middle class (create good-paying jobs for those who do invest in college, especially in female-dominated fields), etc.

The #1 Problem the US faces today, is the trend toward oligarchy. If folks haven't seen recent statistic about influence on elected officials, take a gander -- it's appalling! Only corporations and the rich who donate to campaigns have any influence. The poor has no voice at all, and the middle class only has a voice when they riot en masse. The proof is in the polling and huge support for legislation that the Teapublicans consistently block:

Support for the President's Jobs Bill, support for ending subsidies for Big Oil and other profitable companies that don't need it, the rich paying more in taxes including the Buffet Rule, etc. -- These things are supported by an overwhelming majority but our so-called representatives won't pass these things.

What we don't need is a plutocrat like Romney in the White House.

Yes, Heartlight,

I'd like to see a total balance sheet, not in dollars, but in jobs lost versus jobs "created" or at least preserved, for all the companies they plundered during Mitt's time with Bain Capitol. I doubt the record would stand in his favor.

Wayne

I suggest you do better research

They took their companies, dissolved them, took the employees' pensions away, and fattened their wallets with the proceeds. A man like MItt doesn't deserve to be president, because he has already demonstrated how he feels about the middle class and working poor before he opened his campaign about eight years ago.

What Bane Capital is invest in failing companies they see waste/mismanagement in. They hope to fix those problems to make them profitable. Less than 10% of the companies they purchase fail and are broken up. No other venture capital group has that good of a record.

Capitalism scares the bejeezus out of Liberals.

Vampire capitalism of the sort Mittens indulged in scares the bejeezus out of just about any rational, hard working American, JoAnne.

Mitt Romney is worth as much as a quarter billion dollars. And Democrats are taking every opportunity to remind voters of that fact, and to portray the presumptive Republican nominee as hopelessly out-of-touch with the struggles of everyday Americans.

A nationwide debate on fairness led by President Barack Obama in recent weeks involves a subtext meant to remind voters of Romney’s wealth

WAIT A MINUTE..................I had no idea the Obama's were poor!!!

One of our nations greatest leaders was from a very wealthy family......Ever heard of JFK? Was his wealth a burden? (Don't get me wrong. Not comparing Mitt to JFK) just the wealth question.

TruePatriot: I just read an article that the GOP are out to cut food stamps. Unfortunately, they don't seem to realize that the rise in food stamp users is because of their ridiculous cutting back of the government to the point of laying off myriads of workers. So, while the poor get poorer, the GOP will now take away their right to eat....it's amazing, isn't it? I bet Romney doesn't have to worry where his next meal is coming from....if he could only walk a mile in some of our shoes!!

Joe B...

First, I'm a small business owner with a Bachelors Degree in Business Management (although it's from a State University, Not Ha-Vard like Mitt), and a life long Republican.

Second, are you stupid? Have you actually taken any time to find out HOW Mitt makes his money? Do that first, then come back and post something that makes some sense.

The fact that Mitt has enough business to take marginal companies and make them turn a profit

Mitts companies don't turn profits, that's not how he makes money.

He uses bankrupcy court and vulture capitalism to break them apart and sell them off - Creating job losses, not jobs.

Fiesty,

Money can't buy you love.

But it seems the lack of it can sure bring a whole batch of trouble...........!!

How many of you have ever been hired and worked for a poor person?

Curious that Kerry also was worth 9 figures when he ran and paid a lower tax rate of 13%. Yet we never heard squat out of the media then. Wonder why that is?

He should try paying the fair share of his taxes without all the loopholes. He has no concept of what real life is like, or reality.

Show and prove the facts rather than using your mouth is BigATC !!

Could it be because Kerry voted in favor of raising his own tax rate? Democrats do not now, and never have had a problem with rich people. The millionaires lining up in support of the Buffett rule prove that. Democrats do have a problem with rich people refusing to pay the same tax rate as those who make so much less.

And most Republicans, who never will make anywhere close to the incomes we are talking about here, should also have a problem with that. The real question is why do so many Republican voters support lower rates for the ultra rich, who belong to a club that none of these average Republican voters will ever be able to join. Do any of you even know the minimum investment you would have to make to join one of the hedge funds we're talking about. And believe me, if those hedge funds have ever created a job, it's only a few for already wealthy managers. None of you average Republicans need apply.

Takes about 15 seconds to find independant. Google "john kerry 2003 tax return" and take your pic of places to read what the kerry's paid. Bush's paid 28% the same year.

I looked and looked and looked ....... but was unable to find anything about "pay your fair share" from the media or anyone else to Kerry. Again, wonder why that is?

Democrats don't say word about money when a Kennedy or Kerry is involved. BTW, those guys inherited and married inherited money; Mitt earned his wealth.

I would much rather have a president who has been successful in another arena than a literally empty resume like Obama's. He had no real world experience and it shows. He never hired. He never fired. He never had to make a payroll. He never had to experience the paperwork burden employers face. He literally has no idea. And to top it off, his cabinet is chock full of academics and wonks that don't have any business experience either. Is it any wonder we are in the mess we are in?

Mitt, be proud of what you earned. America loves success. You have paid 10s of millions in taxes. Be proud. You have donated 10s of millions to charity. Be grateful you had the opportunity.

Don't listen to the victims and fools on the left. We want a leader that has accomplished something. We have seen the disaster that befalls us when we trust the job to amateurs.

Newsflash. This is not about Romney. This is a smokescreen to deflect attention from the abysmal economic and fiscal record of this president.

Atheist, go suck it.

I made one-third of what you earned last year, and I paid 23% in federal taxes.

Just as you belittle and diminish anything about Romney, I can do the same to you, since I am "seemingly angry and jealous" of the fact you made more money than I. And, I have a problem with you since i don't know HOW you made your money, and if I agree with how you made it, or if your decisions on the job caused the company or your coworkers money or their jobs as a result.

floyd (post# 1.54)

To quote you:

"How many of you have ever been hired and worked for a poor person?"

Since you have no concept of reality, the poor people do buy food everyday (even though it is in limited quantity) which helps support the related businesses and helps to create a profit for those companies. Without the middle class and poor, the wealthy elite and people like you would not be quite so wealthy or have as many jobs. The little support that the poor do provide (in purchasing or working for their low wages) does help to expand the business and to create a few more jobs. And that is reality !!

Why do we as Americans hate on our fellow Americans for being successful?

The thing that made our current tax system more progressive, and why almost half pay zero federal taxes, was the Bush tax policy. It lowered the bottom rate enough and gave enough credits (like child tax credit) that a lot of people pay no fed taxes now. In 2001 the top 10% payed 50% of the taxes. Now the top 10% pay 73% of the taxes.

Is the envy and mentally of looser , of people that promote government dependency , and demand more from the rich so the government can give more to them . Liberals are changing the mind of Americans entrepreneur, full of desire to succeed and own their destiny and make their own wealth. Now everything is about government with this progressives liberals ,that are taking over the Democrat party, blue dog or moderates Democrats are in extinction, there are only radical progressive democrats or neo-socialist. Be a successfully person in business is a sin ,especially if that person is not a Democrat donor, or member of their party and for that as to be attacked. The mentality that, in order to get rich you have to make someone else poor is the class warfare preached for communist and Marxist. Have or nor have wealth doesn't make more or less American, a real American leader do not look for confrontation among Americans like Obama, a real American leader is not the one that apologise to the world for our wealth power or success among others countries, and Romney don't have to apologise for his wealth and success. This is not the way we make this country great.

5 % of the Americans provide 56 % of revenue to our government in incometaxes, 50 % do not pay incometaxes state or federal. The problem is not revenue, the problem is that the government spend too much money.

BigATC (post #1.59)

You speak just words and provide no facts! Also, in case you didn't know it, this is 2012 and not 2003. Try speaking with more current facts as you wish to have done with Romney (who paid less in taxes last year after earning a huge profit). Also, I have some more news for you: Both sides of the Congressional fence do not pay their fair share of taxes, especially among the wealthy elite, who are provided the use of many tax loopholes that is not provided to the non-wealthy people. Many of the wealthy people inherited money from daddy and are automatically given the special benefits or perks offered by the banks and other such organizations because of their special status. These same perks aren't provided to those of lesser income, who actually work hard for their money without daddy's help. Also, it was the reckless wealthy, who created the financial mess on Wall Street that trickled down to the poor folks, who were laid of from their part-time, low paying wage jobs WITHOUT THE BENEFITS & BONUSES as was done with the CEO's, who ran the business into the ground. The poor and middle class get laid off, while the elite get bonuses and many do not even get time in jail for their crimes. That is what you should be wondering why and questioning, rather than focusing on a single person.

Is the envy and mentally of looser , of people that promote government dependency , and demand more from the rich so the government can give more to them . Liberals are changing the mind of Americans entrepreneur, full of desire to succeed and own their destiny and make their own wealth. Now everything is about government with this progressives liberals ,that are taking over the Democrat party, blue dog or moderates Democrats are in extinction, there are only radical progressive democrats or neo-socialist.

Exactly. They can't believe the gravy train has derailed. Guess it's easier to begrudge your neighbor's possessions and success than it is to make positive changes in your own lot. Waaaaah waaaaah wahhhhh. Gimme gimme gimme.

This country is becoming a joke. When a government is closely intertwined with industry, it's a plutocracy. The industrialists played and paid the politicians free trade agreements and the jobs were shipped abroad.

The amount of wealth that is controlled by such a small group of elitists. Their traditional role was to make their wealth by investing in their own country and they have ALWAYS been taxed at a higher rate--(91% under Eisenhower, 70% under JFK, LBJ, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush I, and Clinton all operated at a higher nominal tax rate that the left over Bush rates. Loopholes have never been so plentiful to pull billionaires into the 15-17% range.

Romney is the most dangerous Presidential candidate in history. It's not that he's super rich--it's that he doesn't even trust keeping his money in the US. Does that sound like a person that "believes" in the USA? He has pledged to increase Defense spending and cut taxes even further. It's can't be done. We're past the tipping point. Boomers are retiring and Social Security and Medicare are impossible to toss around or press the delete on.

Maybe he can break us up and sell the states off in a fire sale as he has many corporations that he has raided.

In some Middle Eastern countries, when a woman gets physically raped, most of the males in that country blame it on the victim, and feel sympathy for the rapist.

In the United States, when the poor, the disadvantaged, the sick, minorities, the disabled, and regular hard-working rank & file people get financially and vocationally raped, most of the conservatives in the U.S. blame it on the victim, and feel sympathy for the rapist.

What a bunch of self pitying whiners. Why is it that if someone has worked hard all his life and has done something with their life that everyone has a problem with it. The envy is incredible. In the private sector you actually have to create a product that someone wants to purchase in order to stay in business. The way our government is run is NOT the way the private sector is run. Our government just raises taxes and keeps taking our money to keep up with cushy pensions and benefits that they gave themselves. They don't produce anything of value and they don't do anything well yet they keep taking our money to feed the greed. California is going under because of the unions and their guaranteed contracts. No one in the private sector has guaranteed anything, and the fact that we can't do what Romney did and go in and clean up CA like he did with companies to make it profitable, is unfortunate. We need to send Romney in to clean up the mess these greedy Democrats AND Republicans made. We need to clean government house. Our elected officials aren't taking care of the problem because they are getting rich on insider trading. They buy stock in a company then pass legislation that will make the stock rise and they get rich. They are ALL crooked and ALL the rich legislators are the ones making the laws which is why nothing ever changes. If we take the profit out of it for these crooks then I bet we would see some changes. Romney for 2012! We need to clean government house! A vote for Obama is a vote for Socialism where the ones making the laws are rich and the rest of us are not. I prefer Capitalism myself because then at lease I have a choice in what I want to do with my life. At least Romney is not a Commie.

Two thumbs, way up, Steve! Well said!

BigATC (post # 1.63):

To quote you:

"In 2001 the top 10% payed 50% of the taxes"

Perhaps the dictionary, or your computer spell-checker may help you to spell "payed" correctly. Did you get those twisted, useless words from the invisible Republican Google website? Try getting a check on reality without using twisted, manipulated, smoky facts from a political party. Whose say in Govt. counts more (the elite, or the middle class & poor)? The wealthy you referred to, own 80% of wealth. Therefore, they should be responsible for 80% of the support to the Government, and not 50%, which you claim they paid. And then comes along your friend, Bush, who lowered those taxes even more, as-well-as providing additional tax loopholes. That is not smoke! It is just a simple reality check !! You can use the smoke only so many times. Most people eventually catch on to the right wing, elite, and left wing political tricks of manipulation. Honesty might be a better approach to the economical problems. No more comments needed to waste even more time.

O'bama paid less of a tax rate than his secretary! Libs, you have got to practice what you preach if you want folks to take you seriously. O'bama should have set an example, and forgone all the loopholes he chose to use for his own personal gain.

The same goes for carbon use, practice what you preach and you will actually have a leg to stand on! Occupiers...dont buy corporate sleeping bags and tents, practice what you preach!!!!!!

Independant, not shure wat you lookin for dude. You said i had no facts when i said Kerry only paid 13% and i gave you the google link to find all the info yu needed.

The only uther thing i spoke about wuz the progressive tax system. I looked up the rate before the Bush tax polisee (top 10% paid 50% uf taxes) and present day (top10% pay 73% now). I looked that up so you woodn't start in on me again, but you did anyway. LOL

I only spoke of 2 things dude, what facts du yu want me to provide you. LOL yu ar intertayning.

Since you say i use twisted facts, explain to me and all the other posters here what those were.

And you quote people owning 80% of the wealth and tax rates. Taxes aren't paid on assets Independant, they are paid on income. One's assets have no bearing on what their current years tax liability is, that is a silly comparison.

I am not against, nor do I hate, Capitalism. I am against, and I hate, Capitalistic GREED. I am not against, nor do I hate, the accumulation of Wealth. I am against, and I hate, the accumulation of Wealth for the sake of accumulating Wealth. I am not against, nor do I hate, rich people being rich. I am against, and I absofrigginlutely hate rich people who claim to be so poor that they can't pay their bills.

My TOTAL income last year was a whopping $12,000. Gosh, it was so much I had no idea what to do with it all. (yes, that was sarcasm) I had to pay my monthly bills with less than 75% of that huge, unwieldy $12,000. (that was only half sarcastic) Sure, I got the taxes I paid in back as a refund, but that 'extra" money was already spent on medical bills last week -- and that huge refund once a year does absolutely NOTHING to help pay the bills from month to month when it gets spent on things like a "new" car (newer than the last one, anyway) and/or medical bills. I haven't had to go "on the dole" yet, and it's been more than ten years I have been surviving on less than $18,000 a year -- but next year is already looking extremely grim.

So, when a rich fat-cat @!$%# such as Mitt Romney and all his rich fat-cat @!$%# Tea-Tagger friends claim that they just cannot survive on anything less than 85% of their $300,000 a year incomes, I have only one question for them: ARE YOU @!$%#ING NUTS, OR DO YOU REALLY EXPECT ANYONE TO BELIEVE THAT LINE OF PURE BULL@!$%#!?!

Independant ..... according to the Summary of Federal Individual Income Tax dat for 2010..

the top 1% earned 20% of the income

the top 5% earned 34.73% of the income

Question .... how much do you think under that scenario that the top 1% should pay percentage wise? and how much should the top 5% pay? You can even assume those numbers are from that "invisible Republican google site" you claim i use. What is the "fair share" for the above numbers in your opinion?

So, when a rich fat-cat @!$%# such as Mitt Romney and all his rich fat-cat @!$%# Tea-Tagger friends claim that they just cannot survive on anything less than 85% of their $300,000 a year incomes, I have only one question for them: ARE YOU @!$%#ING NUTS, OR DO YOU REALLY EXPECT ANYONE TO BELIEVE THAT LINE OF PURE BULL@!$%#!?!

The Quacked One...What gain are you going to get if O'bama manages to tax the rich more? Do you think the money will trickle down to you from the Government? It wont my friend. Your problems will remain. I am glad that you dont have to pay any income tax, at 12k a year, you will need every last penny. I hope that you realize that neither Libs, nor Conservatives, care a rats ass about you, or anybody else. YOU have to help YOU get out of your current lot in life. Hopefully you have some friends and family that can also help you along the way. Good luck my friend, I wish you the best on your journey

Quacked, don't hate on the players hate the system. Most can agree our tax system is crazy with deductions and needs to be redone from scratch. Thats where our energy should be.

All these millionaires only play the game that is in front of them, including Obama and Romney. Obama only paid 5% more than Romney at 20% when he says everyone in his income bracket should pay 30%. He could have paid 30% but used all the same deductions he rails against. I don't blame him or anyone else for using the only system we have..

Quacked

I don't fill sorry for your low income. When I was a kid I make $ 12,000 a year working in a restaurant. and some more extra money working in construction until I graduate from a Community College. I work hard to succeed and I expect others do the same. I never need the government to pay for my tuition, I got an student loan and I'm paying for it with interest. I don't care about the greed of rich people as long they make their money legally , they can do whatever they want, take it to Cayman Island or China is their money not your.

In the United States, when the poor, the disadvantaged, the sick, minorities, the disabled, and regular hard-working rank & file people get financially and vocationally raped, most of the conservatives in the U.S. blame it on the victim, and feel sympathy for the rapist.

The poor, sick, disable is victim of who? The government, their parents, the society, an accident, virus who is the rapist?

Pawlenty is as bad as Romney, pandering to the far right. Pawlenty never cared about Minnesota, for years he was grooming himself to be president ignoring real problems. Borrow, borrow borrow, raising taxes on all homeowners. Legend in his own mind. Another Norquist pledge signer setting up the rich to get richer off the middle class and poor. If he was so great...why did Crazy lady Bachman leave him in the dust?

jonedp - you must really dig obama then as he also graduated from Ha-Vard.

Rather amused that you claim to be a small business owner and yet say this...

He uses bankrupcy court and vulture capitalism to break them apart and sell them off - Creating job losses, not jobs.

When you run your business into the ground, will a private equity firm even be interested in aquiring it?

Other than your misguided opinion, got any links showing that all takeovers by bain capital ended in dissolution?

Sorry, but the only ones complaining about Romney's wealth are the active Oblahblah supporters who think this will continue to be a divisive issue.... just another attack tactic, but ultimately just a load of cow pies....

I am so happy that people finally realize what Romney and his corporate buddies are selfish and greedy. So, many people in the U.S. were comatose when the framework was set to into motion to outsource our economic strength, sovereignty and standard of living to China. So you can see this is not just partisan rhetoric, I blame Clinton for putting the ball in motion. No one ever talks about how Clinton is a major factor in the mess we are currently dealing with.

Romney represents a main element of what went wrong with our economy, the destruction of our well paying production based jobs and sucking out US equity and sending it to Asia. Basically he helped create the main impediments to growth — the gaping trade deficit with China and self-destructive corporate-outsourcing hysteria. Note that the companies he proudly points out he saved and thriving are retail companies. Yes, he helped low paying retail companies to ensure they remain operational to sale Asia's goods to us via over extended credit. I think the biggest crime is that Bain and other Corps involved, unlike companies in German, took no effort to reeducate and retrain those workers whose jobs went to Asia so that would continue to have productive lives. Another thing curtailing job growth is the massive advances in technology that replaced workers, but no effort was made to prepare workers for such this massive changes either, again, but they prepared German workers.

Also, those taxbreaks given to the wealthy mostly served to build all those new factories in Asia. Did you noticed that the average annual GDP growth during the Bush administration was about same as it is now with our so called weak economy? Did you notice the great increase in the investment in foreign equities by Americans in the past 20 years or so. These so called job creators were creating jobs in Asia (LOL). The biggest employees in the U.S. are small businesses who are often middle class.

What pumped up our economy was financial based activity. That is the fake housing/credit bubble that only produced service and labor jobs and placed people in debt. That fake economy that was suppose to replace our economy lost to Asia, which created $162 trillion in fake worthless credit default swaps, worked for about a decade until it blew up in our faces.

I pray to God each day that people open their eyes and see thru Romney's crap. Everytime I see that big grin on his face while he thinks, "these idiots are buying this," I want to smack it right off him. LOL

Republican insiders at the TOP say if you vote Romney... Your WASTING your vote..

Don't believe me ? Listen here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDlhRzRumb4&feature=related

Americans, You have one choice if you want your country back in the peoples hands. Join the thousands packing the stadiums for only one candidate who has a perfect record of defending liberty. Study the message then " Join the REVOLUTION. RP2012"

Vote for Romney and get a free sandwich,
Vote for Obama and get free foodstamps,
Vote for Ron Paul and get a FREE COUNTRY!

Venture Capital plays a bigger part of our economy than you think. It is vital for a lot of start ups that banks won't fund. Bain is just like all the rest of them, they are no different. It is a high risk/ high reward business. Blaming Romney for the way Venture Capital works is like blaming Romney for the tax code.

There was a guy trying to start an office supply company that couldn't get funding. Romney believed in the guy and invested his money in his start up. Ever heard of a company called STAPLES? It is around today because Romney put up the money.

@Sandtrich: "The country is becoming a joke". Agree my friend. A joke of somber proportions, overrun with "junk" politics. Jobs left the country and equality was traded for claptrap. Romney, and in fact, all republicans, and too many democrats are peddlers of junk through the means of hawking claptrap. Romney, like many, found himself with the means and resources to render junk, sell it, and gain riches at the expense of those who had no recourse or rebuttal to the process. Let us hope the electorate is waking up and really looking around. Regards my friend

@floyd #1.54: If you ever worked you did so because of the wants and needs of the poor. The poor use and buy things. Production for the consumption of the rich amounts to a very small portion of the overall total. Next time you meet a really poor person I suggest you salute him/her, or maybe kiss their asses.

Vote Obama and you get more of the same. Vote Romney and things WILL get worse, since he's there to help the 1% get richer. Ron Paul's got the best plan right now, but he's trailing behind Romney.

The stories on Romney's wealth have gotten old already as the comments that he only cares about the 1%. Where are the stories about Obama's book when he states he feels like he's behind enemy lines when he had the only private sector job in his life. Why not stories about how can anyone help create jobs when he considers the job creators as the enemy.

SPARTAN-501: Sorry, but Ron Paul is still anchoring His whole campaign on the belief the south will yet win the "civil war". Probably ain't gonna happen.

Concerning Mitt Romney,

The following is the question that I have asked many people to answer honestly, and after many times, I still get the same look on people's and friend faces, every time I asked it.

Why someone who is reportedly worth between 200 million USD ( Romney), and paid about $ 3,000,000.00 in taxes last year, suddenly has the urge to be the next President of the United States earning about $ 145,000.00 a year, minus FICA and Social Security deductions?

The Presidential salary does not even come close to cover ( Romney's ) tax bill, even after he cheated all the way down to the 15 % bracket.

Is there anything else that we THE PEOPLE need to know about it?

Hasn't Romney made enough money through out his political career, connections and power deals yet?

I'm sorry but my 3rd Grade math just doesn't add up!

Didn't he ( Romney) already put enough people out of work thru Bain Capital " Management "?

Can anybody clearly see how important for Wall Street is the Presidency of the United States yet, or does anyone needs more clarification on the subject?

Mac, my friend, the people just don't get the fact that 100% of a working class family's money goes back into the economy. The wealthiest of all Americans ship their assets abroad and fail to provide any work other than domestic or a couple bean counters to help them cheat the tax code. The right is dead set on finding ways to cut every domestic program to the bone, (if not eliminated altogether.)

I am 100% behind President Obama and his agenda. That agenda doesn't fall far to the left--it's a centrist agenda. All those Presidents between Truman to now we able to take control of a government with the benefit of tax revenues. There's been no funding for infrastructure work. There has been a never ending attack to the poor by the right.

Also, people that could have once helped their children go to college without being harness with massive debt. I guess the industrialists want to get the US work force to take those jobs from Malaysia, China, etc and do so by accepting the same $.51/Hour.

It's a scrambled mind that fails to see that the right is their worst enemy, politically, economically, and morally. Screw Romney.

Great to read you, friend.

Why, joe? Because at this point Romney doesn't care about the $$ he would make as POTUS. You know it IS possible that he would truly like to try and turn this country's near financial collapse around. His decidion to run for the presicency isn't sudden. He's been working on it for over 8 years now. Sometimes people do the right thing for the right reason regardless of how they're judged.

Of course we could re-elect Obama and tack another 3-4 TRILLION! or more onto the national debt for our kids and grandkids to figure out how to pay off.

Wow. Everytime Romney opens his mouth saying he understands...... its like saying your CEO telling average Joe that he understands how everyone is going through the pain of living paycheck to paycheck struggling to pay the bills. Right.

If Romney want to turn his wealth into a political asset, then he should give away much of his wealth back to the people that lost their jobs when he was working in Bain Capital to break up these companies for a profit. i imagine that would impress a lot of voters.

But since he's a conservative wannabee, he knows that collecting more money for themselves is a high priority, while the welfare of the nation and the welfare of those in need as a consequence of their unchecked greed, isn't an issue that the right-wing will care to consider. After all, if they helped the poor, the disabled, the children, the unemployed or the elderly, that would risk making themselves perceived by their right-wing peers as being "too liberal."

Thus, Romney won't give away a penny to help others, and if he was President, his self-serving advisors will make sure he doesn't help anyone in the U.S. but his own, the 0.1 Percenters that always vote conservative Republican, you know, the folks that believe they have enough money to buy a golden stairway to heaven after they die.

Mitt -- your wealth is NOT your problem. The fact that you have NO IDEA what the middle class is going through is NOT your problem. The fact that you have no real solutions to fix the economy is NOT your problem. Your problem is you are one of the most PHONY POLITICIANS to ever run for president. You're for and against anything and everything at the same time. If you talk to 4 different groups in 4 hours, you have 4 different points of view in the same issue. You're trying to be all things to all people all the time. When you do that -- you end up being NOTHING to NOBODY.

President Harry Truman, 1948: “The Republicans … will try to make people believe that everything
the Government has done for the country is socialism. They will go to the people
and say: "Did you see that social security check you received the other day—you
thought that was good for you, didn't you? That's just too bad! That's nothing
in the world but socialism. Did you see that new flood control dam the
Government is building over there for the protection of your property?
Sorry—that's awful socialism! That new hospital that they are building is
socialism. Price supports, more socialism for the farmers! Minimum wage laws?
Socialism for labor! Socialism is bad for you, my friend. Everybody knows that.
And here you are, with your new car, and your home, and better opportunities for
the kids, and a television set—you are just surrounded by socialism! Now the
Republicans say, ‘That's a terrible thing, my friend, and the only way out of
this sinkhole of socialism is to vote for the Republican ticket.’" And! And!! AND!!! THAT was 64 Years Ago. The republicanCrimeCartel was up to their same filthy old tricks to exploit America and Her people as they do now. A vote for Rommel, Iran war monger, is a vote against your and your family's Well Being.

Joe reyna, boy you are fact challenged to say the least.

The Presidency pays $400,000 per year, not $150,000.

Mitt and Obama and Clinton, et, al still receive money from dividends, book deals and the like after becoming president, so no one takes a pay cut.

Romney did not "cheat his taxes down to 15%". His CPAs followed the code as it is currently written. Families in this bracket face almost a 100% chance of an audit. Romney and other GOP candidates have called for reform of the code to eliminate loopholes and make it simpler.

Please recall that the Wall Street money went overwhelmingly for Obama in 2008. Look what we got.

People don't run for President for the money. Right or Left, they want to change the world and make history. Hey somebody has to do it. It ain't gonna be me because I am too smart. It ain't gonna be you because you are not smart enough!

There seems to be a general misconception that Bain is a venture capital company. It is not. Venture capital invests it's own private resources into cutting edge technology in hopes of a high return. Bain does not have any history of investing, supporting, or even investigating emerging technologies. They are an private asset management company, which is to say, if you have enough money, maybe in the neighborhood of 20 million dollars, Bain will manage your assets and promise you a big return. They do this by looking out for struggling small to mid size corporations and either, hire a new manager when the corporation is a low wage high return company like Staples or Dominoes, or buy the company, fire everyone, and sell off the assets when the company pays it's employees a living wage, like a small manufacturing firm.

It's a simple equation, and in the greed centric Reagan 80s Bain made easy money. But it is not an equation for a nation getting better for everyone, and giving everyone opportunity. Romney should never connect with normal people about being successful. Simply because the success that Romney knows about requires a 20 million dollar buy in. You Republican fools that support this seem to miss a very simple fact. You will never have the stake to buy a seat at the table.

Bain is not about venture capital and risk, it is the same as hedge funds and having the resources to manipulate markets. Bain is both the end result and the virus that infects capitalism. As Winston Churchill knew, the vaccination that prevents capitalism from self implosion through canabalism is government regulation.

Mitt Romney has never taken a venture in his life, unless you consider strapping his dog on the roof and driving to Canada a venture.

Tim Pawlenty the former governor of Mn and failed GOP primary candidate, is now telling Romney to embrace his billions and tell us all how we too can become vulture capitalists. :0)

Pawlenty, as Romney's "Surrogate"(BTW very strange adjective), can show Romney how to balance a budget. Pawlenty did it with smoke, mirrors and accounting gimmicks.

Romney is sure surrounding himself with the cream of the crop of the GOP! LOL

Still not enough to win the election.

in the words of the late Mr. Rogers, "Can you say "inheritence"?"

He did not inherit the money. He earned it. How dare he.

Amy, Romney is one an elite few who earned combined MBA and jd degrees from Harvard. Of the over two hundred admitted into the program, just 15 graduated.

Fifteen.

He earned so much money on his own, when his father died he donated his bequest from him.

Now, I realize that he does not make you swoon, but, by comparison, Obama is not all that bright. See, the only way he made any money was by writing autobiographies. Two of them before he was 40.

What had he accomplished by then? Had he started a company? Invented anything?

Nope.

All Obama has done is elevate self-aggrandizement to an art form- and make every bad situation in the country worse.

I note from his tax forms that sales of his books are way down. That's okay- he's going to have plenty of time to work on his third autobiography next year.

Obama shelved in 2012.

Yeah, he earned his money...by his daddy paying his way through college and fronting his money to start Bain. he didn't have to inherit it, by the time his daddy died, he was already rich from strip mining vulnerable companies.

MRWSR........you said:

Quote.....He did not inherit the money.....EndQuote

There is FAR more to inheritance than mere dollars. Mitt's father (George Romney) had vast and deep political and economic connections. George knew how to play the system and passed along that knowledge to Mitt. Then, George devised and paid for an education for Mitt that most Americans could never have.

Mitt Romney had and has many benefits that most Americans never could. We all know the system is rigged. Some just won't admit it.

Finally, Mitt has not created wealth. He has simply accumulated it at the expense of others.

He made his money gaming the system.

It's a fact that people don't feel that Romney is warm and genuine, just look at the polls or any video of him.

He's changed his positions so many times no one knows what he stands for.

No Jo

Bill Gates was a college drop out and he actually did "invent something." What did Mitt invent? What did Mitt do that earns him 122 million a year in his retirement? And why won't he release his tax returns, even though he provided them to the McCain campaign when he was vetted for VP. (And is that why McCain didn't offer him the job?) What's in those tax returns?

He did not inherit the money. He earned it. How dare he.

If you call plundering life-long employees pensions "earning" then I suppose he did.

Now, I realize that he does not make you swoon, but, by comparison, Obama is not all that bright. See, the only way he made any money was by writing autobiographies

Just keep saying what you're saying. America needs to understand that to Republicans, the only measure of human worth is how much money you can accumulate. As to Obama not being "that bright" ... hello ... Editor of the Harvard Law Review. But then what is that compared to tearing the heart out of American Companies...borrowing against their assets...declaring bankruptcy and sticking the Tax Payers with funding their pensions...Now that's bright...right?

"When they show you who they are...believe them!"

Amy, he founded a company that invested in companies and helped them grow.

Ever hear of Staple?

As to tax returns- almost nobody but you and your heart throb care about ten years ago. Romney will release this year's return when it is ready- that will be on just timetable, not yours.

Oh, and checkout the Pew Poll, released this afternoon. CNN is proved to be an outlier- the candidates are essentially tied- within the margin of error- although last month, Obama had a 12 point lead.

I'm thinking that today's speech, looking for $50 million for a witch hunt- ain't gonna help.

Not when it proved Obama's ignorance. He ever hear of the SCC, or the FTC? Not to mention that most people are a lot more interested in the GSA.

That ran hog wild with the taxpayers' money under the leadership of the woman Obama put in charge.

Face it, Amy-

Obama shelved in 2012.

LOL, I swear this sounded like an Onion headline when I first read it. "There must be SOME way to make being embarrassingly out-of-touch with the common man work to my advantage!"

Jonsmith. It is the goal of most parents to pay for their kids school if they can. Why make them start out with $50,000 - $150,000? George didn't inherit the money, he earned it. George Romney may have paid the bill, but Mitt made the grades on his own. Mitt by his own merit got a job and made his own fortune.

I know what it is like to have just $60,000 in debts from college, and I only had that much because I worked and paid for everything. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, because it not only cost me Summa Cum Laude, but having the debt has NEVER gone away. George Romney and Mitt should be the example of how it's done and not cannon fodder.

Amy,

Mark Cuban, the owner or the Dallas Mavericks is a multimillionaire and he is an idiot. So you don't have to be smart to make millions just be at the right place at the right time. But, you do have to be smart to know how to keep it.

I am amazed at all those people who comment who think they know that is best for this country but side with a party. I have never met a Democrat who understood economics and I have never met a Republican who understood social issues. It boils down to this. If you look at history, the times our country has prospered is when we had one party who controlled the White House while the other party controlled Congress. This forces bi-partisanship in government which is what we need. I have no problem with Obama getting re-elected if congress is controlled by a wide margin by the Republicans. I also have no problem with Romney getting elected if the Dems control Congress by a wide margin. This margin on both sides is best when it is very close to the 2/3 majority needed to override a veto, but it is best if it is just under. Until this country starts to actually think for themselves and quit following the individual parties like sheep, we'll get more of the same no matter who is in office. For those who think Romney is Evil but Kennedy was a hero, I can tell you haven't studied history much. The Kennedy wealth was built through crushing more of the middle class than Romney could ever dream of.

He did not inherit the money. He earned it. How dare he.

By destroying lives of middle class Americans. How dare he. The man should be in prison alongside Bernie Madeoff instead of running for president.

Problem with republicans are; they all think "plundering" is the ultimate capitalistic excerise. Even today, most party members will lie, cheat, and steal, in the tradition of "Spoons Butler", "Simon Cameron", and "Benjamin Wade", just to name a few of their unholy hero's.

Mitt is cold-hearted and rich. I am happy that he is rich, but the way he made his wealth is what is troubling. Gutting companies and taking away the pension of working people to fatten his pocket is sick. The taxpayers had to foot the bill for some of those people who lost their retirement.

Obama and the far left are doing a very good job of turning Capitalism and success into dirty words. And on the other hand, he/they are making socialism and communism more acceptable in our society!

We can't take 4 more years of this pervasive indoctination by the liberal elitists, can we?

Romney/Rubio 2012

(4-17-2012) Just as the former Massachusetts governor is emerging from a bruising primary fight to become the presumptive Republican nominee, a new ABC News-Washington Post poll shows that 35 percent of Americans see Romney favorably compared to 47 percent who have an unfavorable opinion of him. 35/47 … thank goodness he has 6 months to make up that -12 points.
President Obama, on the other hand, gets a "favorable" rating from 56 percent of Americans and an "unfavorable" one from 40 percent. Our President is at +16 and Romney up-side-down by 12.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/04/mitt-romneys-favorability-gap-the-note/

head to head match in today's gallup poll has Romney beating Obama by 5 points which is outside the margin of error.

Rob, RCP uses an average of the various polls for a reason. You're hanging onto an outlier whereas the average has Obama up by 3%. But if it helps you sleep at night, go for it!

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/us/general_election_romney_vs_obama-1171.html

Dennis. I agree that Romney still has ground to make up. Now that he is the obvious choice, he is doing just that. As you pointed out in anothr post earlier in the day, Obama had the edge over Romney in the last two weeks of March. Romney now has the edge in the latest results from the same source. Romney is gaining momentum and in turn Obama is losing ground.

You pointed out that Romney has an unfavorable rating of 47%. You also pointed out that Obama has an unfavorable rating at 40%. Not much difference and neither should be happy with the numbers. But as I already stated, now that the republicans have all but decided who their candidate will be, they are uniting with him and the numbers are getting better for him with every passing day.

Rim,

Agrees with you on issues important to you: Obama 49%, Romney 37% (-12)

In touch with middle class problems: Obama 51%, Romney 33% (-18)

In touch with problems facing women: Obama 55%, Romney 27% (-28)

Can best handle the responsibilities of CIC: Obama 52%, Romney 36% (-16)

Stands up for what he believes: Obama 50%, Romney 29% (-21)

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2012/images/04/16/rel4a.pdf

left liberal liars,

That was two different polls – Yours was a national mine was just the 12 swing states.

leftliberalliars

Thank goodness that other notable Presidents weren't demonized for their wealth like Washington, the Roosevelts, Kennedy and so many others.

But with today's demonic democrat party, they have little else to do but make the most absurd attempts to sway votes. The last thing they want anyone to do would be to look at real issues and how Obama has failed to lead this country to a better place. The "Teflon" party of democrats always try to deflect everything they have done wrong and if they can't, they make desperate attempts to blame it on the republicans.

The other rich President's didn't rob the American people, fire people to send companies overseas, or flip flop as much as Willard "Myth" Rob-ney does!!!

Regarding that asinine comparison of describing President Obama Teflon take a gawk at the real reason

Bill Cosby Blasts Obama Haters Un-American Behavior.

April 15, 2012

~snip~

When David Gregory asked Mr. Cosby about President Obama he said, “I see Obama as Sisyphus in the first four years, and nobody would speak about the size of the rock, or the elevation of the hill. All you hear people talk about is what he didn’t do. To come from what he has asked to take over and do in the time, to behave as an American, to put up with those, who were, in my estimation, acting very un-American to get rid of those people, it took longer than patience should allow, but he tried to bring us together, even to argue with radio hosts and people who have nothing to do with anything. It’s important that this man has had to fight a similar battle of a black person in America. Hundreds of thousands and millions of people still behind him, but people who are very quietly acting like they have no idea what he inherited. It’s as if he had the surplus, when he moved into office, and this is — this is sad. And it’s sad about them. Because they know that they have misbehaved. They know they’ve taken America and slowed down the progress, and there are statements that are very clear in saying as much. I don’t want this man to succeed. Well, why, said the brown fly?

Bill Cosby was stating nothing more than millions and millions of Americans believe. His sentiments aren’t limited to African-Americans. Polling has shown a definite trend that the majority of Americans believe that Republicans are intentionally trying to tank the economy in order to defeat President Obama.

The feeling that Mr. Cosby echoed that the Republican hatred of Obama is worse than it has been between previous presidents and the opposition party is given credence by the examples that he used. Never have we had a president’s very legitimacy questioned

http://www.politicususa.com/bill-cosby-obama/

So whadaya think; leftliberalliars? I think is an accurate and fair assessment of the parallel between what the Greek gods gave Sisyphus.

You can repeat it

What about the respect for Bush. Hypocrite!

Well my gosh. If Bill Cosby says something everyone should take note! NOT!!!!!!!

You and other democrat supporters seem to feel that the majority of Americans will believe anything that a person from LaLa Land says. Big mistake. The country has tired of listening to a bunch of liberal overpaid actors try to tell us what is best for the nation. Their opinion has no more validity than anyone else.

Bill Cosby was stating nothing more than millions and millions of Americans believe. His sentiments aren’t limited to African-Americans. Polling has shown a definite trend that the majority of Americans believe that Republicans are intentionally trying to tank the economy in order to defeat President Obama.

That is your opinion and your attempt to use a very liberal biased website to substantiate your hogwash. Sorry; not going to accept what you say as honest, unbiased fact.

leftliberalliars

That is your opinion and your attempt to use a very liberal biased website to substantiate your hogwash. Sorry; not going to accept what you say as honest, unbiased fact.

Idiot that was a clip fom MSNBC, the website you are on!!!

To both you and the other idiot, MRWSR.

What about the respect for Bush. Hypocrite!

Know your history bigots. MRWSR, there is no way you can compare GW Bush criticisms to what President Obama. Sure, we criticized Bush but not nearly as many times as President Obama. this President can't do anything, I mean anything without RWNJs complaining in a very Un-AMERICAN fashion. You idiots have admitted you want him to fail. How do you square that? You clapped when we lost the Olympics, you wanted the country to lose it AAA rating and you question his place of birth. You're crazy. don't youu trust yor governmrnyt

You both are off your rockers just like Ted Nugget.

Idiot that was a clip fom MSNBC, the website you are on.

To both you and the other idiot MRWSR.

Pardon me if I don't accept what one of the most biased communities such as MSNBC puts out. This is the same outlet that writes biased comments favoring the democrats throughout the day everyday. This is the same outlet that edited the Zimmerman tapes in their attempt to demonize the second amendment and it's supporters while trying to polarize a nation with racism. This is the same site that all but ignored the fact that an elected official in D.C. (Marion Barry) made racist remarks against the entire Asian community who own businesses in D.C. This is the same site who this week tried to use uncorroborated remarks from one it's employees in it's article about a supposed Open-Mic moment Romney was to have said.

Pardon me while I use your comment against you: You are off your rocker for blinddly following MSNBC or any other liberal biased community that clearly has little respect for the people of the nation or the laws we live by. Liberals claim they love America. If that is the case why are you all trying so hard to undermine the very core of our nation: our constitution? The fact is, you don;t love this country. You love the fact that it offers the opportunity to change it into something you'd rather see everyone live by.

Romney perspective from on high his money heep tells the whole story.

Wealthy women "work" by raising their kids at home, while poor mom's need to "work" and raise their kids for "dignity".

Pretty much says it all, and to me it's the definition of class warfare, the rich vs the middle class.

So FOX is really fair and balanced? I don't thinks so. While the left may have our MSNBC the right has its FOX. So what! Frankly I get news from both of them and other sources too. Why? Because when knows both sides slanted as they may be the truth is somewhere in the middle. Understanding that I understand the truth,.

If Mayor Berry said something racial he should be called on it like anyone else.

As for the left criticizing Dubya, all one needed to do was pay attention to what that man did and said and will fully understand the need for criticizms. By the way, we also commented on the few things Bush did that was good. For example when he responded quickly to the bridge collapse in Minneapolis.

As for the "open mike moment" for Romney it is his own fault. In a crowd there are many ears waiting to hear what a candidate has to say on or off the record. Media types are especially nosey so they can scoop the others being the first to blab something the others don't know. Any politician in earshot of a media person needs to be careful open mike or not. Willard has been around long enough to know that.

The hypocrisy of it is that the right squeels with glee when an of the cuff remark is made by the Vice President or the President or somone else in the Democratic party but let someone merely whisper something one of their people said and it is unfair, biased, and uncalled for. What is sauce for the goose, my friend, is sauce for the gander.

@leftliberalliars...which part of the constitution do liberals wipe their asses with? The first amendment which allows no religion to have preference in regards to lawmaking? Is that the one? Because a conservative would NEVER attempt to wipe their asses with the constitution by tap dancing on that one, would they?

You guys keep talking about how the liberals do this but have yet to post any instances of this being true. Please, be our guest. Tell us how they're trampling the constitution and then we can talk about pro-lifers, the patriot act, etc.

Your an idiot!

MRWSR.

What about the respect for Bush. Hypocrite!

oh, you mean the guy that started 2 wars and didn't pay for them (or even show them on the budget); Provided a multibillion dollar giveaway to the pharmaceutical in Medicare Part D (didn't pay for it...off budget), and at the end of his watch we bled 750,000 jobs per month. Where is the respect for him? I respect the office even when he occupied it, much more that republicans can claim right now.

leftliberalliars - if you think so little of the MSNBC website, why do you come here? I never understood why someone would frequent a website just to make snarky, mean comments about the other people on the website. Don't people have better things to do?

Beverly,

Who peed in your post toasties today girl??

Quoting Bill Cosby as a source on American politics...........That's a little far out there. Sorry!

I saw him interviewed last night. He looked old and came across to me a senile.

Mitt's version might go something like...

"Give me your wealthy, your rich,

your moneyed sons, yearning to flaunt it all,

the plutocratic elite of your opportunistic land.

Send these, the spoiled, and priveleged to me:

The rest of you can get f**ked. You're on your own."

How DARE you quote that French chick?!? What the hell does she know anyway?!? This 'merca! Nobody should be allowed in this country but wealthy 'mercans and their new, white slaves (the middle class). They can ship that green bitch back to France for all we care! Whoo Hooo! 'MERCA!

Mikey-Mike...a breath of fresh air as you opened a window and let some breezy humor blow thru.

As a conservative evangelical, I remain a non-fan of both candidates...and I appreciate great humor, thanks!

By current GOTP resume screening points which require private sector executive experience, I would be more qualified to be POTUS than Ike. He was on the government payroll from West Point to the Marshall Plan. Raygun's private sector executive experience was Union Boss (something like union organizer?)

These two guys are all the GOP's got for over 6o years of political activity?

.

Mitt Romney would like to go back to these Days:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/warning/cron/

he would get along with libertarianism..greenspan, deregulations...

go back to these days..no rules or regulations for banks and wall street, with no accountability. Vote everybody, or we may go backwards in time, 30 years.

He ain't Batman, dude. More like the Penguin or Lex Luthor.

So are you accusing Wiggles Willard of dressing up like a Penguin and attacking Newter?

rukidding47

Being wealthy is not a crime in America. Neither is being poor

Usually, when the law of the land is enforced it is a crime to rip people off like people such as Willard "Myth"Rob-ney and the other Fat Cat Robber Barons on Wall Street

Strengthen America and vote Republican. Bring this country back.

Yes, America needs to be rebuilt; but voting for known Republican international thieves is not the answer. They have used our sweat and blood to be the stock exchanged on Wall Street.

problem is you republicans do the same thing you blame all our problems on the left . (im an independent)

come back and try again next time

Beverly,

You are an ultra left progressive. You are a small part of our system. You voice is loud here, but you would not last two seconds in the real world of ideas and thought.

@annoyed Both sides have been equally guilty of ripping off the average taxpayer. I am an Independent too and believe we need to stop demonizing each other.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/fired_gsa_official_planned_to_pay_Ar2VjAMi9J1oRdROgXCBtM

Yeah the problem is that the poor are the ones who end up paying for being poor. Once they are there they have little hope of moving up. Our country didn't not use to be this way. If you work hard you could make it, but it's increasingly harder to compete these days when a corporation can pay lobbyists to got to Washington and tell the politicians how to write the playbook.

@ Beverly...then why re-relect Obama who did NOTHING to those Wall Street Robbers when he said he would?!?!?!?!?!? He is no better than Romney, but at least Romney doesn't hide that he's rich and likes it. Obama panders to the poor while cozying up to the rich. And you lap him up like a starving dog!! Cmon. The Right is sure as hell not perfect, but they aren't disingenuous like the Left.

MRWSR.

Beverly,

You are an ultra left progressive. You are a small part of our system. You voice is loud here, but you would not last two seconds in the real world of ideas and thought.

MRWSR...your leadership fails to listen to the middle-class, the working poor, women and minorities. Now you will pay the price.

"2012 - You fall ... by your own hand"

No one has an issue with wealth.

Back in the day, I don't think anyone had an issue with Al Capone being wealthy; the problem was how he obtained his wealth.

Let me trickle down upon you when I am Emperor/////strike that......President, I meant

winemaker-4308406

What's the issue with wealth? Does anyone question Soros or Buffett for the risks they took to achieve theirs? Why question Mittens? Could it be that he actually has CEO experience while the Community Organizer has none?

Concern troll alert!!!

Yes, President Obama was a community organizer . But he was not just any community organizer. He did such a good job he organized Americans to vote him in the White House; and that's a "Fact" Jack!

Furthermore, not only was he a community organized he was/is also an Attorney; Senator and now President. A little fact checking will again display just how little you FOX LOVER know.

List of a few of Obama's 50 accomplishments...

Passed Health Care Reform: After five presidents over a century failed to create universal health insurance

Passed the Stimulus: Signed $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009 to spur economic growth amid greatest recession since the Great Depression.

Passed Wall Street Reform: Signed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (2010) to re-regulate the financial sector after its practices caused the Great Recession

Ended the War in Iraq: Ordered all U.S. military forces out of the country. Last troops left on December 18, 2011.

Began Drawdown of War in Afghanistan

Eliminated Osama bin laden: BTW, BUSH let him go in Tora Bora after promising to get him just so he could give his cronies lucrative war contracts in Iraq

Turned Around U.S. Auto Industry

Recapitalized Banks: In the midst of financial crisis, approved controversial Treasury Department plan to lure private capital into the country’s largest banks via “stress tests” of their balance sheets and a public-private fund to buy their “toxic” assets

Repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

Toppled Moammar Gaddafi: In March 2011, joined a coalition of European and Arab governments in military action, including air power and naval blockade, against Gaddafi regime to defend Libyan civilians and support rebel troops. Gaddafi’s forty-two-year rule ended when the dictator was overthrown and killed by rebels on October 20, 2011. No American lives were lost. Unlike Bush neither did it cost as much money.

Told Mubarak to Go: On February 1, 2011, publicly called on Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to accept reform or step down, thus weakening the dictator’s position and putting America on the right side of the Arab Spring. Mubarak ended thirty-year rule when overthrown on February 11

Tightened Sanctions on Iran:

Reversed Bush Torture Policies:

Improved America’s Image Abroad: With new policies, diplomacy, and rhetoric, reversed a sharp decline in world opinion toward the U.S. (and the corresponding loss of “soft power”) during the Bush years.

Increased Support for Veterans:

Kicked Banks Out of Federal Student Loan Program, Expanded Pell Grant Spending:

Eliminated Catch-22 in Pay Equality Laws: Signed Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act in 2009, giving women who are paid less than men for the same work the right to sue their employers after they find out about the discrimination, even if that discrimination happened years ago.

Protected Two Liberal Seats on the U.S. Supreme Court

Achieved New START Treaty: Signed with Russia (2010) and won ratification in Congress (2011) of treaty that limits each country to 1,550 strategic warheads (down from 2,200) and 700 launchers (down from more than 1,400), and reestablished and strengthened a monitoring and transparency program that had lapsed in 2009, through which each country can monitor the others.

Killed the F-22: In 2009, ended further purchases of Lockheed Martin single-seat, twin-engine, fighter aircraft, which cost $358 million apiece. Though the military had 187 built, the plane has never flown a single combat mission. Eliminating it saved $4 billion.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/march_april_2012/features/obamas_top_50_accomplishments035755.php?page=1

Does anyone question Soros or Buffett

Maybe its because Soros and Buffett aren't running for President.

It's not that Mitt has money, it's that he made his money gaming the system and at the expense of the middle class. And that whole only paying 14% in taxes thing.

jonedep,

Mitt didn't make money by gaming the system - he made it the old fashion way, he earned it.

Venture capital firms provide capital to failing companies, while gaining ownership in a part of the company for the risk extended. In most venture companies, they succeed in turning around the company, receiving compensation for the risk.

If you look at most venture firms, and do search them on the internet, look at the big and small organizations they have assisted.Troubled organizations go to venture firms because they know they are in great doo-doo. Most are turned-around, but yes, some do fail too.

This whole venture capital BS is nothing more than the DNC and media event to turn the failure of this administration to govern. And the 14% tax rate on his investment earnings? He's paid taxes up front, and the rate is on the back end.

Now for my favorite bigot, the DumbFaux sista! Did you take time from your Chicago blog to copy and paste all of that BS in 8.3, or do you have it filed in your computer hard drive? Obama does need to hire you as his personal bigot in charge.

Still have it in for those Catholics Bev? If you've forgotten your comments, I'll include it for you:

Beverly in Chicago

Didn't you know The Catholic Church invented nuns and alter boys for the express purpose of raping them?

A little known fact about the Catholic Church is that it's written down in the Vatican that the Catholic Church intends to take over the US and burn all non-Catholics at the stake before Sharia Law comes to America. :)

Maybe you can be his talking head for his war against the church.

I certainly believe that Mitt should release his tax forms for several years. Actually he should challenge the President. "I, Mitt Romney, do promise to release my tax info for all the world to view, if you Mr. President, promise to release your actual birth certificate, college transcripts, thesis papers..."

Not all of the 1% are greedy pigs. Buffett and Gates, for example, are very dedicated to helping those in need. It's just that Romney IS greedy and his goal is to help the 1% get richer by shrinking the middle class.

was bush ever accountable for anything? Obamba is suppossed to keep his eyes on the secret service arriving before he did. The gsa budger wasnt cleared by Obama! My word, what a slip up.

Bush had not one but two unfunded wars. Opps, the funding for the pharma industry giveaway was missed by ole eagle eye bush- what about his side kick shoot em up Cheney? Missed by both, but then when given the Presidential summary in August 2001 titled Osama Bin Laden determined to strike WITHIN the US he missed that one too. As did ole eagle eye Cheney.

Your side is a joke.

Paxil, I will agree the secret service is not his doing. But, there is one thing after another on accountability with this administraiton and no is taking credit. The congress passed to go to 2 wars. So share the blame.

Just yesterday I told my wife that the righties would find a way to blame the President for the Secret Service Scandal. Once you have received a security clearance it would seem to me that you should act like an adult. The president is reacting to this very properly, and that's all you can do in a case like this, react. The president should not have to take his security officers by the hand to see that they are not misbehaving. There is no political advantage to this story, just 15 or 20 boys who call themselves men who thought they were on spring break. They have given this whole nation a black eye, and the president has every right to be angry with them, as his personal safety and that of his family and this nation are in their hands.

RepubliCON controlled Congress- Obama is the one in Jan 2009 to add the war cost to the deficit- what did it get him- did anyone from the RepubliCON side of the aisle say these trillons dont count these do?

think not

congress did NOT pass war resolutions. congress ratified the UN resolutions that gave the US the right to preemptively strike iraq if the UN inspectors weren't allowed in or they found WMD. well, the inspectors were allowed in, they found nothing, bush invaded anyway. illegal wars.

paxil,

You make it sound as if the president is running against George Bush!

All presidents, no matter which party, when elected inherit the sins of the previous administration. How the incoming president corrects those sins shows the leadership necessary for respect.

True Mr. Bush kept both wars from the fiscal books, and why was that? America was attacked and everyone was for the war before the Progressives were against it. After committing troops, good intel or not, the Dems refused to vote for funding. That is until their guy became president, then funding was found, increased during the serge that Reid stated was lost, and Obama did also become involved in a third war for a period of time.

Oh, you are so critical of Bushie, but you seem to get that thrill up your leg when talking about the virtues of the current failure in the WH.

Talk about the debt now and during the Bush years. Obie has increased it and continues to.

Bush was the evil dictator increasing the gas prices, but today it is everyone but Obama's fault.

Obama doesn't have a clue to helping to create jobs, but today's unemployment rate is considered the norm.

Spend for green energy that has tanked at the expense of the taxpayer.

Has GM repaid their Billions yet? No, but they can give out bonuses to all at taxpayer expense.

Obama is a failure which will be corrected during the election. Only the narrow number of liberals will continue to spin Obama until his election loss, then attempt to blame the Republicans for not playing fair.

You guys have a history of this type of attitude.

ElectionDay,

You can only tell a liberal two things: what they want to hear or nothing at all.

It should be interesting to hear what happens during the debates, and during this election cycle. Only on this site will we hear the virtues of Obammy, and the laughable spins from the lefties who continue to have that feeling running up their legs.

W(h)inemaker,

Spare us the BS. Everyone knew that Dubya was incompetent and that it was Cheney who was the ghost behind the throne.

Bush even stated that he would find it easier if he were a dictator. His administration called the Constitution a G*d damn piece of paper.

Progressives voted against funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan after they found out that they had been lied to and were bush whacked.

Deficits didn't matter to Cheney so now they matter? The wars were deliberately off the budget under Bush/Cheney and the government payroll was much larger than it is under Obama.

Some people blamed Bush and Cheney, both of whom benefit from speculating in oil, for raising oil prices but wasn't their fault. So those who blamed Bush and Cheney were mistaken. They have learned the difference. Obviously the right hasn't but says things just to be hateful.

The job creation can't happen from the White House. Congress must pass laws and businesses are the ones that do the actual hiring. When jobs have been sent off shore that doesn't help American workers. When banks have recovered from the lows they aren't lending but sitting on the money that small businesses could use to hire more people that doesn't help. If tax breaks for the extremely wealthy individuals and companies (trickle down) is supposed to create jobs where are those jobs? By that theory we should be begging people to come here to fill empty slots as there aren't enough Americans left to fill them as everybody is working already. But that isn't the case. We've given the tax breaks to the wealthy and they don't hire Americans but Chinese in COMMUNIST China or in COMMUNIST Vietnam or in India or the Philippines because they work for a fraction of what Americans do and they don't have to obey environmental or fairness laws in those countries. Their greed for just a few cents more has been a major contributing factor. When we deregulate and allow companies to get "too big to fail" we are asking for trouble. We got what we asked for. Progressives and Conservatives alike have allowed this unacceptable behavior of poor citizens in those company that are people to my friend and it eventually came back around to bite us.

Solyndra was the oddity not the norm. China, supported by American business people, has subsidezed the production of solar cells like those produced by Solyndra. Unfortunately it ended up like Enron did previously. Other entities have taken government supplied funding and hired people and expanded their businesses. Infrastructure projects, opposed by the right of course, would put people to work and later be turned over to private industry (paying back the taxpayer with interest) like with some of the WPA projects of the New Deal era.

Actually GM has paid back a big chunk of what they were given and have done so WITH interest. They have made record profits and are on the road to paying it all back ahead of schedule and with even more interest.

You expect things to happen over night? It took Bush 8 years to mess things up after inheriting a surplus, yet you expect Obama to wave some sort of magic wand and presto problem fixed in days? That is unrealistic, you know it, but still you hate Obama for whatever reason which I don't care about and so you pick at every miniscule thing he does. Yes, he has not done some things I would have liked him to do, done things differently than I might have preferred but overall he has done well considering the mess he stepped into. Frankly I doubt McCain would have done much better.

Baldeagle,

Yawh. When Mitt assumes office, remember how you stated things can't be corrected overnight. And after the mess Obama has made, he may not see change until his second term.

ElectionDayYet?
Paxil has had George bush on the brain for the past three years......he forgets that George Bush is long gone now......and it's all Obammy since 2008 already or longer if you include the two years he ran for POTUS while Senator........

Get use to it slick...Repbulicans were ragging on Jimmy Carter when Bush was president. You can't wash away what the Republican Party has done to this country by saying "Bush is gone" ... problem is, the Republican party and their Tea Party toadies are still here.

ol doc,

And the salvation of the nation is the spending progressive party and their minion president Obama?

baldeagle11: why do we need to talk about bush, he is long gone, nobody is defending his actions. Then came Obama saying "hope and change"! what's changed ? nothing, politics as usual. He is like a freshman on the job, learning on the job. zero prior experience. He was elected just for his rhetoric and alternative of bush. Obama is big disappointment, all we hear from him is excuses after execuses and blame others.

The hypocrisy on this board is astounding. Anyone would LOVE to be in Mitt's shoes.

Let me guess, the progressives here would give away all of their money once they earn it, or they would decline attending good schools because everyone couldn't get in? HA, thats a laugher. You just don't like Mitt because he was born into wealth. Yeah, let us demonize the children that have ZERO say in where they are born.

Nope...I'd act like a butthead just like all the other republicans... Which I would become since they would cut my taxes...

sfcret- maybe you better tell Romney to not spend 35 million on negative ads on his Repunblicon buddies- remember the eleventh commandment.

Sfcret...There is much to demonize Romney for but being wealthy won't be the main topic. In a time when Americans need jobs Mr. Romney had a miserable record in creation of jobs a governor and he made his fortune gutting companys , that he couldn't turn around, laying off workers in large numbers. Maybe you haven't noticed but Mitt is way out of touch with everyday Americans. Yes, there is much to vilify Mr. Romney for but not for being wealthy.

paxil, I didn't agree with the negative ads and feel they were a waste of money and divisive. I do believe that a sitting President that has to resort to negative ads instead of running on his record should not be reelected.

Now that the Republican primary, for all intend and purposes, is over and Romney will be the nominee, the Republicans will unite. I also hope that MSNBC and the MSM will now start vetting Obama more and quit talking so much about the Republican primary.

Drewester, You said "he made his fortune gutting companies that he couldn't turn around, laying off workers in large numbers". At least you acknowledged that he tried to save them, but just as Obama said not all investments will work and some will fail (or words to that effect). The difference is Romney was using private funds and Obama was using tax payer money.

Obama requires a number of negative ads to move away from the failures of his administration.

What else can he sell - the snake oil is gone.

Excerpts:

Like all presidents, Barack Obama has made mistakes. But, as a presidential historian, I have been struck by claims being put forward by Obama’s many critics and the news media that he has accomplished little when, in fact, his presidency is easily one of the most active in history.

Moreover, the President has faced venomous incivility and relentless opposition unlike anything in recent memory. As such, with all the misinformation circulating on talk radio, at town hall meetings, and in the blogosphere about the President, here is a fact-checked list of some of President Obama’s initiatives.

Robert P. Watson, Ph.D.
Lynn University

 ETHICS
Ordered the White House and all federal agencies to respect the Freedom of Information Act and overturned Bush-era limits on accessibility of federal documents (2009)
Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible (2009)
Placed limits on lobbyists’ access to the White House (2009)
Placed limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration (2009)
Signed a measure strengthening registration and reporting requirements for lobbyists (2009)
Ordered that lobbyists must be removed from and are no longer permitted to serve on federal and White House advisory panels and boards (2009) * Note: After saying he would not hire lobbyists, a few have been hired in the Administration
Companies and individuals who are delinquent on their taxes or owe back taxes are no longer allowed to bid for federal contracts (2009)
Initiated the “e-Rulemaking Initiative” (in cooperation with Cornell University) to allow for online public “notice and comment” of federal laws and initiatives (2010)
Issued the “Open Gov Directive” ordering all Cabinet departments to promote transparency and citizen participation in their policies (2010)
Signed extensions on banning lobbyists from serving on agency boards (2010)
Developed the “Don Not Pay List” with data on contractors and recipients of federal funds who are deemed to be ineligible because of fraud and abuse (2010)

 GOVERNANCE
The White House website now provides information on all economic stimulus projects and spending, along with an unprecedented amount of information on our government (2009)
Ended the Bush-era practice of circumventing established FDA rules for political reasons (2009)
Ended the Bush-era practice of having White House staff rewrite the findings of scientific and environmental regulations and reports when they disagreed with the results (2009)
Limited the salaries of senior White House aides (salaries cut to $100,000) (2009)
Has urged Congress to adopt “Pay-Go” (whereby each dollar of spending is offset by a dollar in cuts or revenues, which was used in the `90s but abandoned in the `00s) (2010)
Has been holding open meetings with Republican leaders, although they complain of a lack of access and information (2010)
Signed the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act (2010) * Note: To curb wasteful spending
Tasked federal agencies to develop plans for disposing of unneeded real estate and then to eliminate unnecessary or non-economical lands, properties, etc. (2010)

 NATIONAL SECURITY
Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane (which wasn’t even used in Iraq/Afghanistan) and other outdated weapons systems (2009)
Announced his intention to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay (2009) * Note: The closure has been delayed due to massive opposition but it remains on the agenda.
Stated his interest in housing terrorists at a new federal “super max” facility in the US (2009) * Note: this has been delayed in the face of massive opposition but it remains on the agenda
Cut the expensive Reagan era missile defense program, saving $1.4 billion in 2010 (2009)
Cancelled plans to station anti-ballistic missile systems in Poland and the Czech Republic (2009)
Replacing long-range, expensive missile systems with more efficient smaller systems (2009)
Increased US Navy patrols off the Somali coast in response to pirating (2009)
Established a new cyber security office and appointed a cyber security czar (2009)
Ordered the first nation-wide comprehensive cyber threat assessment (2009)
Signed a one-year extension on some provisions of the controversial PATRIOT Act (2009)
Authorized the use of more unmanned warplanes/drones (Predator, Reaper, etc.) in the War on Terror (2009)
Instituted a new Nuclear Posture Review, revising US nuclear deterrence policy to encourage more nations to join the 1996 Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (2010) * Note: Components of the policy include: a pledge to stop nuclear testing; a pledge to not build a new generation of nucs; identifying nuclear terrorism, rather than a launch from another nuclear state, as the major threat; a pledge to not use nucs on a non-nuclear state in a conventional conflict; etc.
Executive orders to block payment, transfers, exports, etc… of individuals and organizations support the regimes of North Korea, Iran, Somali pirates, and other foreign threats (2010)
Presidential Memoranda to extend certain provisions of The Trading with Enemies Act which was to expire in September 2010 (2010) * Note: This includes freezing assets and banning trade that benefits the Cuban regime; however further efforts at normalizing travel to Cuba are supported
Signed bill for southwest border security and increased funds and agents on the Mexican border (2010)
Signed the Comprehensive Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act to deal with foreign regimes like Iran and North Korea (2010)

 IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN
Began the phased withdrawal of US troops from Iraq (2009); continuing the withdrawal (2010)
Authorized the deployment of 17,000 additional troops to Afghanistan, which had been pending for months during the Bush Administration (2009)
Changed the US military command in the Afghan conflict (2009)
Tasked the Pentagon to reorganize US policy in Afghanistan; the new policy includes 30,000 additional troops deployed, priority training of Afghan forces, developing agriculture and infrastructure, limiting aerial bombing, etc. (2009)
Ordered the Pentagon to send additional helicopters to assist US Marine units and Special Forces in Afghanistan (2009)
Increased unmanned drone strikes on Taliban and al-Qaeda targets in Afghanistan (2009)
Ended the Bush-era “stop-loss” policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date (2009)
Visited US soldiers in Afghanistan (2010)

 MILITARY & VETERANS
Ordered the Pentagon to cover expenses of families of fallen soldiers if they wish to be on site when the body arrives back in the US (2009)
Ended the Bush-era “blackout” imposed on media coverage of the return of fallen US soldiers (2009) * Note: The media is now permitted to cover the story pending adherence to respectful rules and with the approval of the fallen soldier’s family
Ended the Bush-era “black out” policy on media coverage of war casualties (2009) * Note: Full information is now released for the first time in the War on Terror
Ordered better body armor to be procured for US troops (2009)
Funding new Mine Resistant Ambush Vehicles (2009) * Note: The old Hummers were very vulnerable to roadside explosives and an alarming percentage of our soldiers lost in Iraq were on account of IEDs
Working to increase pay and benefits for military personnel (2009)
Improving housing for military personnel (2009)
Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses (2009)
Ordered that conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other neglected military hospitals be improved (2009)
Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military to a post-Cold War, modern fighting force (2009) * Note: Bush announced in 2001 his intention to do this but backed off the reforms after 9/11, which include: new procurement policies; increasing the size of Special Ops units; deploying new technologies; creating new cyber security units; etc.
Ended the Bush-era practice of awarding “no-bid” defense contracts (2009)
Improving benefits for veterans as well as VA staffing, information systems, etc. (2009)
Authorized construction of additional health centers to care for veterans (2009)
Suspended the Bush-era decision to purchase a fleet of Marine One helicopters from foreign suppliers in favor of American made helicopters (2009)
Ordered a review of the existing “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gays in the military (2010)
New GI Bill for returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan (2009)
Signed bill providing assistance for caregivers of veterans wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan (2010) * Note: The omnibus bill does the following: Training, funding, and counseling for caregivers; promoting pilot childcare programs for women vets under treatment at the VA; independent oversight to prevent abuse; readjustment counseling for National Guard and reservist units; etc.
Eliminated co-payments for veterans who are catastrophically disabled (2010)
Fulfilled campaign promise to have combat troops (90,000) out of Iraq by August 31, 2010 (2010)
Established a new interagency task force to assist veterans owning small businesses (2010) * Note: The efforts include promoting federal contract opportunities, improve access to loans and capital, mentor assistance programs, etc.
Signed The Families of Fallen Heroes Act, which covers the moving costs of immediate family members of those lost in service (military, intelligence, and security personnel) (2010)

 FOREIGN POLICY
Closed the Bush-era “secret detention” facilities in Eastern Europe (2009)
Ended the Bush-era policy allowing “enhanced interrogation” (torture); the US is again in compliance with Geneva Convention standards (2009) * Note: Obama has permitted some controversial interrogation techniques to continue
Restarted international nuclear non-proliferation talks and reestablished international nuclear inspection protocols (2009) * Note: Bush withdrew from non-proliferation talks and dismantled the inspection infrastructure
Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic (2009) * Note: These were suspended under Bush
Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions (2009) * Note: These were suspended under Bush
Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office (2009)
Banned the export of cluster bombs (2009)
Overturned Bush-era plans to increase the US nuclear arsenal (2009)
Authorized the Navy SEALS operation that freed by force the US shipping captain held by Somali pirates (2009)
Restored the US commitment to the UN population fund for family planning; overturned the ban on providing funds internationally for family planning (2009) * Note: The family planning efforts were suspended under Bush
Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return “home” to visit families (2009)
Extended an offer of engagement (free from sanctions and penalties) to Iran through December 31, 2009 (Iran did not accept the offer) (2009)
Sent envoys to the Middle East and other parts of the world, reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy (2009)
Authorized discussions with North Korea and the private mission by former president, Bill Clinton, to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons (2009)
Authorized discussions with Myanmar and the mission by Senator Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive (2009)
Renewed loan guarantees for Israel (2009)
Signed the USIFTA trade agreement with/for Israel (2009)
Authorized a $550m advance for Israel (six months prior to the scheduled date) in order to accommodate Israeli’s economic and financial needs (2009)
Continued agreements with Israel for cultural exchanges, immigration, etc. (2009)
Spoke on Arab television, spoke at an Egyptian university, and met with Arab leaders in an effort to change the tone of US-Arab relations (2009)
Ordered the US to finally pay its dues to the United Nations (2009)
Attended the Summit of America’s meeting in Trinidad and Tobago (2010)
Invited the Israeli Prime Minister to Washington; met with him (2010)
Dispatched several envoys and initiated talks with numerous nations (2010)
Signed a nuclear limitation treaty with Russia (2010) * Note: The agreement calls for both countries to reduce their nucs by one-third (1,500) and launch systems by half (800)
Hosted nuclear non-proliferation summit for several nations (2010)
Executive Order to establish support offices in the State Department to assist the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan (2010)
Presidential Memoranda to continue drug interdiction support with Columbia (2010)

 ECONOMY
Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants…) (2009) * Note: Bush was the first president since Herbert Hoover to not make infrastructure a priority
Authorized the US auto industry rescue plan and two GMAC rescue packages (2009)
Authorized the housing rescue plan and new FHA residential housing guarantees (2009)
Authorized a $789 billion economic stimulus plan (2009) * Note: 1/3 in tax cuts for working-class families; 1/3 to states for infrastructure projects; 1/3 to states to prevent the layoff of police officers, teachers, etc. at risk of losing their jobs because of state budget shortfalls
Instituted a new rule allowing the public to meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (in as quickly as one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying (2009)
Authorized a continuation of the US financial and banking rescue plans initiated at the end of the Bush administration and authorized TARP funds to buy “toxic assets” from failing financial institutions (2009)
Authorized the “Cash for Clunkers” program that stimulated auto sales and removed old, inefficient, polluting cars from the road (2009)
Convened a “jobs summit” to bring experts together to develop ideas for creating jobs (2009)
Ordered the FDIC to beef up deposit insurance (2009)
Ended the Bush-era policy of protecting credit card companies (2009) * Note: In place of the old policy, new consumer protections were instituted and the industry’s predatory practices were banned
Authorized the federal government to make more loans available to small businesses and ordered lower rates for federal loans to small businesses (2009)
Placed a 35% tariff on Chinese tires and a few other products such as pipes after China was found to be illegally “dumping” exports below cost (2009) * Note: Clinton, Bush I, and Reagan all refused to “get tough” on China’s predatory trade practices; Bush II refused four times during his presidency
In November 2009, Obama extended unemployment benefits for one million workers
and expanded coverage for some existing homeowners who are buying again (2009)
Called on Congress to deliver a “Jobs bill” (2010)
Credit card companies are prohibited from raising rates without advance notification or arbitrarily if customers are paying bills on time (2010)
Signed a bill to extend unemployment benefits set to expire (2010)
Signed historic Wall Street reform bill (2010) * Note: Designed to reregulate and end abusive practices and promote consumer protections
Signed the HIRE Act to stimulate the economic recovery (2010) * Note: The bill includes: tax cuts for small businesses who hire someone unemployed for at least two months; small businesses can write off their investments in equipment this year; etc.
National Export Initiative established to enhance federal support (technical assistance, training, trade missions, etc.) and coordination efforts to help US businesses export products and services (2010)
Initiatives to promote a “Wireless Broadband Revolution” (2010) * Note: Among other things, broadband is finally being considered as necessary infrastructure, with efforts to expand use, access, and spectrum…
Expanded agricultural credit to farmers during current economic crisis (2010)
Signed bill – US Manufacturing Enhancement Act (2010)
Signed bill – Single Family Housing Mortgage Insurance (2010)

 TAXES
Negotiated a deal with Swiss banks to permit the US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals (2009)
Ended the Bush-era policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs (2009) * Note: The new policy promotes in-sourcing investments to brings jobs back to the US
Signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which provides small tax cuts for 95% of “working families” (2009) * Note: The tax cuts were not as big as was suggested during the 2008 campaign
Convened an advisory board that is looking into simplifying the tax code (2009)
Ordered the closing of offshore tax safe havens (for individual and business tax evaders) (2009)
Reduced taxes for some small businesses to stimulate the economic recovery (2009)
Extended the Home Buyers Credit for first-time home buyers (2009)
Proposed doubling the child tax credit (2010)
Called for the repeal of the capital gains tax for small businesses (2010)
Proposed rolling back the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans (2010) * Note: This would be for families earning over $250,000/year and would return their tax rates to the 1990’s level

 BUDGETING
Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut federal spending (2009)
Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify wasteful spending and practices (2009)
Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient (2009)
Overturned the Bush-era practice of not listing certain federal programs in the federal budget (2009) (2010) * Note: Bush did this (so did Reagan) in an effort to hide programs and make the budget look smaller; such “off budget” items are now included in the annual budget
Full appropriations for war are now included in the budget (2009) (2010) * Note: Bush did not list many of the appropriations for Iraq, Afghanistan, and War on Terror
Funds for emergency appropriations are now included in the budget (2009) (2010)
Proposed a three-year freeze on federal discretionary spending beginning in 2011 (2010)
Is in the process of cutting 120 federal programs identified as either wasteful or unnecessary (2010)
Established a bipartisan commission on fiscal responsibility, staffed by House and Senate members and private citizens, tasked with submitting proposals to balance the budget (2010) * Note: In the face of Republican opposition, the powers of the commission were watered down
Established a bipartisan commission on the future of Social Security, tasked with submitting proposals to preserve and strengthen Social Security (2010) * Note: In the face of Republican opposition, the powers of the commission were watered down
Cut $20 billion from federal budget and has pledged to cut at least this much every year (2010)
Ultimately decided to cancel planned new presidential helicopter fleet and stick with marine One (2010)
Freezing all discretionary spending for next three years, except on national security (2010)
Presidential Memoranda to freeze discretionary awards, bonuses, etc. for federal political appointees (2010)
Beginning to use “Pay-As-You-Go” (Pay-Go) to offset budget expenditures with budget cuts or revenue enhancements (2010)

 HEALTHCARE
Removed Bush era restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research (2009)
Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research (2009)
Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children (2009)
Established an independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare (2009)
Reversed some of the Bush-era restrictions that prevented Medicare from negotiating with pharmaceutical firms for cheaper drugs, allowing government to again competitively bid (2009) * Note: Obama had promised to lift all restrictions but, while he did negotiate with drug companies for them to lower their costs the deal only lifted some restrictions
Expanding government vaccination programs (2009)
Issued new disease prevention guidelines and priorities for the CDC (2009)
Authorized the FDA to finally begin regulating tobacco (2009)
Tasked federal labs to prioritize research on and deployment of H1N1 vaccines (2009)
Asked multiple congressional committees to bring forward a healthcare reform bill; held dozens of public hearings and town halls on the issue (2009) (2010)
Established a new council on National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health to be chaired by Surgeon General and charged with promoting healthy lifestyles and integrative healthcare (2010)
When accusations to the contrary arose, an Executive Order was signed to reaffirm that federal funds are not to be used for abortion services (2010)
Historic healthcare reform bill signed – $940 billion over 10 years (2010) * Note: 32 million additional Americans will receive healthcare coverage and costs will be lowered for most Americans, but many of the goals are phased in over four years
Components of the bill:
- Prevents insurance companies from denying coverage to individuals/family members with pre-existing health conditions; a temporary plan is being developed to cover high-risk individuals with pre-existing conditions until the full reforms go into effect in 2014
- Prevents insurance companies from placing lifetime limits on benefits
- Bans “rescission” so insurance companies can’t cancel coverage if individuals keep their policies current or if they become ill
- An individual’s out-of-pocket healthcare expenses are capped
- Closes the “donut hole” (Part D) for Medicare prescription drug coverage (under Bush, Medicare helped pay for drugs up to $2,600 and above $4,550, but individuals had to pay 100% of the costs in between these amounts); now Medicare helps cover costs irrespective of the amount – seniors will now pay only 25% of drug costs up to $4,550 and only 5% of drug costs above that amount
- In 2010, an emergency provision will offer seniors a $250 rebate on the costs incurred within the “donut hole”
- Individuals living at or below the poverty line were eligible for healthcare under Medicaid, but by 2014 individuals/families living slightly above (making up to $14,404/$29,327) the poverty line will also be eligible for benefits
- Individuals/families making less than $43,320/$88,200 per year will qualify for government subsidies to help purchase health insurance
- All individuals must have health insurance or face a government fine; all large (over 50 employees) employers must offer health insurance to employees or pay a fine
- Small businesses can get a tax credit if they offer health care
- There are hardship exemptions if individuals can’t afford health insurance
- Families can keep their children in college on their plans through age 26
- Promotes health insurance “exchanges” so consumers can buy “wholesale”
- Creates consumer assistance offices to help consumers file complaints or appeal decisions from insurance companies; beginning in 2011, insurance companies can no longer make excessive rate hikes without justification and approval, and those doing so may be barred from participating in new health insurance exchanges
Funding sources:
- Large employers (over 50 workers) that don’t offer health benefits will be charged a $2,000/worker fee; if the employer offers coverage but employees instead purchase federally subsidized insurance the fee is $3,000/worker receiving federal subsidies or $750/worker (whichever is lower)
- Annual fees on pharmaceutical companies ($27 billion), health insurance companies ($60 billion), and medical device-makers ($20 billion)
- Annual penalties on individuals who do not have health insurance (up to a maximum of $695/person)
- Increase in the Medicare payroll tax from 1.45% to 2.35% for individuals making $200,000+ and families making $250,000+
- 3.8% tax on unearned income for millionaires
- Insurance companies will be subject to a tax on each high-end insurance plan (so-called “Cadillac” plans) they offer
Miscellaneous:
- Illegal immigrants are not eligible for insurance or subsidies
- By Executive Order, such federal funding can’t be used for abortion
- The federal government will assist states by covering all of the increased expenses of expanding Medicaid coverage (90% of costs after 2020)

 ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Removed a ruling that now allows individual states to enact automotive fuel efficiency standards above federal standards (2009)
Offered attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles (2009)
Overturned Bush-era rule that weakened the Endangered Species Act (2009)
Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government (2009)
Ended the Bush-era policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions (2009)
Signed a measure requiring energy producing plants to begin producing 15% of their energy from renewable sources (2009)
Announced that the federal government would reengage in the long-delayed effort to clean up “Superfund” toxic waste sites (2009)
Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production (2009) * Note: Much of Obama’s energy reform was killed by Senate Republicans
Proposed a new refuge for wild mustangs (2009)
Cancelled several Bush-era mountain-top removal and mining permits (2009)
Reengaged in international treaties and agreements to protect the Antarctic (2009)
* Note: Bush had withdrawn from such efforts
Asked Congress for an energy reform and “cap and trade” bill (2009) * Note: The Congress failed to pass such a bill
Developing plan to lease US coastal waters for wind and water-current energy production (2009)
Overturned Bush-era policies that allowed uranium mining near national parks such as the Grand Canyon (2009)
Expanded the Petrified Forest National Park (2009)
Signed the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act that protects millions of acres of scenic, historic, and recreational lands and trails (2009)
Requiring that government buildings and facilities be retrofitted to save energy costs (2009) * Note: These green retrofits are moving very slowly
Authorized studies in several western states to determine how to support large-scale solar installations (2009)
Attended the Copenhagen talks and, after the talks were stalled, negotiated an international (voluntary) agreement on reducing carbon emissions and raising funds to assist developing nations in offsetting carbon emissions (2009)
Banned importation of pythons in response to a growing population of pythons damaging the Florida Everglades (2009)
Committing the federal government to increasing research and use of renewable, clean energy sources such as wind, biomass, etc. (2009)
Executive orders establishing a federal initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in all federal operations (2009) (2010)
Called for exploring the possibility of additional off-shore oil drilling in the Gulf, Atlantic, and off Alaska (but not in ANWR) (2010)
Agreed to consider increases in nuclear energy production and requested a study on the feasibility of nuclear power plant construction (2010) * Note: Nearly all energy initiatives were defeated by Republican opposition in Congress
Increased investment in clean energy projects (2010)
Executive Order to develop a new strategy for and commitment to ocean and lake resources, and for scientific research on water quality (2010)

 RIGHTS
Instituted enforcements for equal pay for women (Lilly Ledbetter Bill) (2009)
Appointed Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina, to the Supreme Court (2009)
Held the first Seder in White House (2009)
Appointed a diverse Cabinet and diverse White House staff (2009)
Spoke at the annual dinner of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights organization (2009)
Signed the first major piece of federal gay rights legislation that includes acts of violence against gays under the list of federal hate crimes (2009)
Reversed the Bush-era practice of politicizing Justice Department investigations and prosecutions against political opponents (2009)
Pushing for some of the 9/11 perpetrators to be tried in federal court (2009) * Note: The process has moved at a snail’s pace and, in the face of opposition, Obama has remained quiet
Signed an extension of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Bill to provide federal research and support for treating the disease (2009)
Allowed the State Department of offer same-sex benefits for employees (2009)
Proposed that the Pentagon repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy; placed a “freeze” on current efforts to remove alleged homosexuals from the military (2009)
After eight years of neglect, the Justice Department and EEOC are again enforcing employment discrimination laws (2009)
Convened the White House Tribal Nations Conference, inviting representatives from 564 federally-recognized Indian tribes (2009)
Provided increased school projects for Indian lands and increased funds for the Indian Health Service (2009)
Signed an Executive Order mandating that his Cabinet develop plans to work with and consult Indian tribes on issues impacting Indian lands (2009)
Commissioned a study to develop alternatives to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (2010)
Called for federal agencies to look into recognizing gay partnerships in terms of benefits (2010)
Signed an Executive Order for the President’s Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (2010)
Increased funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (2010)
Signed Executive Order to promote the federal government as a “model employer” when it comes to hiring the disabled (2010) * Note: This includes new efforts to increase the recruitment, hiring, and training for the disabled
Programs to assist Spanish speakers with the US Census (2010)
Elena Kagen appointed to Supreme Court (2010)
Tasked all federal agencies to develop new strategies to address HIV/AIDS (2010)
After organizing studies on the topic in 2009, tasked the Pentagon to eliminate “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (2010)
Signed Fair Sentencing Act (2010) * Note: The Administration continues to deescalate marijuana interdiction and raids; increased dramatically the amount of cocaine one must possess to be sentenced to jail; eliminated mandatory sentencing for first-time drug abusers and simple possession

 EDUCATION
Authorized construction funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access in K-12 public schools (2009)
Increased funding for school construction (2009)
Increased funding available for student loans (2009)
Expanded the national youth service program (2009)
Streamlined the federal student loan process to save $87 billion over the next 10 years (2009)
Changed the rule to allow students struggling to make college loan payments to refinance their loans (2009)
Beginning discussions with Congress for education reform (2009) * Note: Much of Obama’s education reform has been sidelined by opposition in Congress
Initiated a “Race to the Top” competitive federal grant program for states who develop innovative policies (2009)
Instituted a “judgment review” allowing families with student loans to petition to have their current financial status determine the loan rather than the previous year’s finances (2009)
Launched “Educate to Innovate,” a public/private partnership making $236 million available for science, mathematics, and technology education programs (2009)
Proposed capping the maximum amount students must pay on student loans (as percentage of their income) (2010)
Proposed reducing student loan obligations for individuals going to work in community and public service jobs (2010)
The federal government will offer direct student loans, cutting out the cost of private banks (“middle man”) who increase the costs in order to make a profit (2010)
Increased investment in technologies for schools/education (2010)

 DISASTER RESPONSE
Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness (2009)
FEMA once again reports directly to the president (2009) * Note: Bush removed FEMA (prior to the Hurricane Katrina disaster) from this status
Demonstrated an immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters (2009)
Ordered that funds be released and red tape be streamlined for the ongoing Hurricane Katrina recovery effort in the Gulf Coast (2009)
Timely and massive relief effort in response to the January 2010 earthquake and ensuing humanitarian crisis (2010)
Components of the response:
- The FBI’s National Center for Disaster Fraud was tasked to look into possible fraud with organizations soliciting funds for relief
- Announced the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund
- Established an emergency Haiti Task Force in the State Department
- Established a website with information, resources, and a posting of a “person finder” online to help families and friends to locate loved ones
- Joint aid and relief planning with the U.K.
- Sponsored a resolution in the UN Security Council for additional security and police forces in Haiti
- Dispatched the US Navy floating hospital (USNS Comfort) and, within 5 days, 9 naval and relief ships, 5 Coast Guard cutters, 8 Coast Guard aircraft, and 12,000 US military personnel
- Initial dispatch of several ships and cargo planes full of humanitarian aid and supplies, 6 search/rescue teams (500 personnel), and 265 Department of Health & Human Services personnel for emergency medical and aid support
- Established a mobile US air traffic control center at the destroyed airport in Port-au-Prince
After the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a freeze was placed on new deep water projects (2010)
Executive Order to establish new security measures to minimize accidental release of bio and chemical agents; new strategies for public health and bioterrorism response (2010)
Established a national commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon spill to examine facts and report a plan of action; new efforts to prevent offshore spills (2010)
After a slow start in responding to the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the White House is promoting a long-term plan to reconstruct the damaged Gulf and negotiated with BP the establishment of a multi-billion dollar trust fund for victims of the spill (2010)
Extended national flood insurance program for those in need during current economic crisis (2010)

 OTHER INITIATIVES
New federal funding for science and research labs (2009)
Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program (2009)
Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program (2009)
Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud (2009)
Ordered the DEA to stop raids on medical marijuana usage (2009)
Ordered a review of existing “mandatory minimum” prison sentencing (2009)
Signed an order to limit airport tarmac delays and the time passengers had to sit in the plane/on the tarmac during delays (2009)
Restored the EPA to “Cabinet level” status (2009) * Note: Bush removed the EPA from this status
Beginning discussions with Congress for comprehensive immigration reform (2010)
* Note: Much of Obama’s immigration reform had been stalled by opposition in Congress
Commissioned expert panels and reports from NASA; announced a new direction for human space flight that involves funding a new heavy lift-launcher and jettisoning the Ares 1 program; boosting NASA’s budget by $1 billion in 2011 (2010)
Ordered a ban on text-messaging for all commercial truck and bus drivers (2010)
Signed bill – FAA Air Transportaiton Modernizatin and Safety Improvement Act (2010)

 P.S. IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING…
The Obamas paid for the renovations of the private living quarters in the White House with their own money rather than using the funds provided to all new first families (2009)
The Obamas reused many Christmas ornaments from previous White House trees rather than buy new ones (2009)
The Obamas used LED energy-saving lights on White House Christmas tree (2009)
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize; donated the award money for the prize to several charities (2009)
Planted a garden for the White House’s vegetables and flowers (2009)
Installed a swing set/playground for the Obama daughters and children of White House employees (2009)
Held over 150 public town halls, press conferences, interviews, etc. in first year in office (2009) * Note: Official numbers are not available on such things, but this seems to be a new record high
Less than 30 days of vacation in first year in office (2009) * Note: Official numbers are not readily available on such things, but this seems to be a new record low

Read more: http://www.hopeandchange.net/2010/09/updated-obama-achievements-list.html#ixzz1sNwZ28rZ

If one can be both a capitalist and a patriot then surely Romney can be both a sucessful businessman and a good POTUS. Since Obama has done the worst job in history of "managing" defecit spending why not elect someone who understands finance and the economy?......like Romney?

The US is not a constitutional democracy, it's a constitutional democratic republic, there is a huge difference between the two. Again, Mitt's strength in managing finacnce does not preclude upholding the constitution. The two are not exclusive. Obviously, a good president could do both.

It's not that he has money, it's HOW he made his money.

By ripping people off and using his (and his daddy's) political connections to game the system.

jonedep....You dont have a clue about how he made his money....You are just another that follows the accusations of the left and the media....I am sure they dont rip people off, use political connections and are always fair....right??? Just repeat the mindless crap, that takes a lot of effort and intelligence....sure.

We're already doing that now but it wasn't the Democrats that put us there, it was the Republican George W. Bush.

You people again with the "its George Bushs' fault." HAHAHAHAHA! The president does NOT control the purse strings, its congress. Christ, get real, would ya?

But he did when he sold us to China.... HAHAHAHAHA

Maybe he will. He took ZERO dollars as Governor of Massachusetts.

Perhaps he's waiting for the first debate with Mr. Obama to make the offer. Zero sounds better than $1.

I doubt that would appease the radical progressives.

"The problem with progressivism is that, eventually, they will run out of other peoples' money.

If I remember right JFK only accepted $1.00 per year and returned the rest to the US Treasury, of course he was the richest President in history.

Just what is it about the LDS religion that you think would prevent Mr. Romney from doing his job as President? People had fears that JFK would have a hot line to the Vatican but that didn't happen. Kennedy knew as Romney does that he was running form PRESIDENT not Pope, Bishop or other church official. I doubt Romney would have a hot line to the temple in Salt Lake City any more than Kennedy had one to Rome. While there are things about Mr. Romney I question his religious faith and his belief in separation of church and state are not among them.

Attend public school in Utah for one day and you'll have all the evidence you need that Mormons do not believe in separation of church and state! Mitt's religion directs every step its members make. At least Kennedy's Catholics are mainstream and out-in-the-open about their stances and practices. Find out about the wierd stuff that goes on in a Mormon temple and you'll know that baptism for the dead is the the least of what they don't know you to know about.

Mr. Romney may well be the least iterested candidate in job creation. He has said virtually nothing about creating jobs because he is one of those so called job creators that are not creating jobs. At least four more years of GWB style government and guaranteed lower taxes on the wealthy except those who live in the democrat leaning states.

Priceless, Bryan. Absolutely priceless!

"Priceless....Absolutely Priceless"??? That should've been more like "Damn you're a dumbass there Bryan" post. I don't see anything "Priceless" about it. Pure Ignorance.....but priceless....sheeeeez.

Bryan, the American People, as well as Businesses in America, have been trying to let Obawa know the correct ways to get our economy up and running again, which will in turn finally create jobs. He, Obawa, has been like the Blind leading the Mice to the cheese. He is not LISTENING to America as a whole....he has been listening to the people that got us in this mess in the first place, Pelosi-Reid-Dodd-Franks. And for that, America has gotten nowhere here in these last 3 years.

Now, if you Bryan, had a MILLION Dollar Idea, would you be calling ME to produce and benefit from your MILLION Dollar Idea??? That's where your Dumbassseeeness comes in above. Can Romney SAVE America from the destructive path this JackAss we have in office now has us going down? Probably...... Will He?? Who Knows.....But I'm willing to give him a Try even if it takes 8 more months of suffering as we're going through right now.

It would too hard for a loser to understand this - but the guy is self made. Didn't take anyone's money and went off and became a millionaire....and anyone who thinks there is something wrong with that is a bloody %#&*@$

If you think there is something wrong with that you are probably a Democrat. Word of advice - If you want to stay a have not - follow the party of have nots...and you will always be one. Join a party that celebrates success and doesn't try to steal it from winner and give it to the "less fortunate" you on on your way to being a have.

For every loser that has excuses for being a loser there is a winner who had plenty of excuses - but he didn't use them.

If you think there is something wrong with that you are probably a Democrat. Word of advice - If you want to stay a have not - follow the party of have nots...and you will always be one. Join a party that celebrates success and doesn't try to steal it from winner and give it to the "less fortunate" you on on your way to being a have

A lot of poor, uneducated people have voted Republican against their own best interests, and I don't see them driving a BMW up to their ramshackle trailer home! Your drivel is typical of Republicans' efforts to get ignorant people to vote against their own best interests. I am working poor from having been discriminated against all my life for having a disability. At least, I work. Romney wouldn't know work if it hit him in the face. I am not a loser just because I am a have-not. My job serves the common good, NOT those already comfortable. I could be collecting disability as I am eligible but I would rather work for more of a small income rather than sitting at home living on disability wondering how I am going to pay the rent and electric bill, as well as everything else. I have a four-year degree and a technical two-year degree, but ANY education and experience means NOTHING to an employer if you have a disability. So try to put yourself in the shoes of a person who has a lot of intelligence, good education, and work experience, but only earning an income that would embarrass a high school dropout just because employers don't want to hire an "imperfect" person. I have to live with that frustration. Most of the bigotry against my disability comes from Republicans, the party of the swastika.

...If Romney knew what it would take to get jobs for the american people, why wouldn't he just drop the pres a line and say "Hey, did you consider this?" or "Mr. President with all due respect, i think you'd better serve the american people if you tried this approach."

But that is the approach of a decent person. I have met few decent Republicans.

Jealousy is an ugly thing.

LOL. Probably the same way we'll feel when the republicans roll out the Flip Flop actions of the president.

Right David ... payback's a bi-atch, isn't it? Romney's going to have to flip yet again on certain issues if he want to even come close, and that will only reinforce his flip-flopping, pandering, say anything approach to getting elected. Could a majority of Americans possibly be stupid enough to elect this bone-head?

No ideas, no plan and your going to go after the old flip flop gag.

What a worthless party you support.

Twits and dimwits.

Grizzly Adams, as far as Romney knowing how to succeed, I don't see that has anything to do with his wealth. Romney was born to it!

"In other word, 'they - are - all - dumber - than - rocks'."

Uhh, technically, that would be 6 words.

(And that should be "Hah-vud" or "ha-vid" depending on what part of the state you are from. If you want to mock the Massachusettes accent, at least do it right!)

Grizzly, they are not so much dumb as rocks, they know what they are doing. Pretty much everyone in our government who is ANYONE is a Rothschild Zionist who wants the whole planet to resemble the Old South in social order-a few rich, and everyone else, desperately poor so they are easy to control. However, this time, the Gilded Age is to return with a twist-the Rothschild Zionists want 90% of the planet's population killed off so they don't have to worry about being outnumbered by anyone starting a civil revolt of "hot" class warfare.

So you'd vote for a community organizer over someone that is more connected to business success than Obeyme is...

and I will vote to reelect our president if he agrees to stop adding to our debt...Mitt's fortune would probably only fund the government for about 26 minutes anyway..I am not interested in the return of BHO

Oh sure, welfare for the rich and just kill off the poor-such a typical wet dream of Republicans!

Even worse--this is the guy going to run our country as our CFO? And he can't file his taxes on time? Will that mean he can't push the 'button' on time to launch missle if need be? Or can't get on the plane in time and gets blown up? Or can't get a bill signed in time and it expires? Or can't can't can't can't??

Perhaps he's just too busy lying his way to the Republican Convention and general election. Of course, all he needs to do is "sign off" on the tax return prepared by his team of accountants. Good point ...

Can't wait for the day Romney is just a distant memory.

thank you that made me lol

Just how much of your personal money is Obama wasting on his campaign? So it is okay for super PACS to spend millions or a billion or two on the non incumbant but let the incombant spend a dime and he is spending OUR money. I hope you realize that he has donors including some very wealthy people, PACs and small donors such as myself. Together we support his campaign. If you don't like him or don't like his campaign send your money to the other guy.

Let me ask you this, when Ronald Reagan made campaign trips for his second campaign, or the Bushes were going for reelection they didn't take Air Force 1? Both Mr Romney and the President get secret service protectiion so does Romney have to pay us back for the cost of his secret service protection?

Corporations, special interests and private parties are giving money to both sides. So stop your whining.