Mockingbird:

Romney is NOT a brand, he a product to be marketed. I believe the Romney-bot is only available in "severe conservative" models, because the "left-of-Kennedy" model was discontinued after 2008. They do have memory issues, and the daily software patches can cause erratic and contradictory behavior. Even so, they are very popular, here are a few endorsements:

"Best millions we ever spent" - Koch Brothers

"Does everything I want it to" - Karl Rove

"Happy with performance so far" - Grover Norquist

"Not the exact make I wanted, but it seems to do the trick" - Sheldon Adelson

The limited edition GOP Convention model will be available soon, so put down your deposit. These will be going fast and after the convention we will have a new model.

Only $2.4 billion, non refundable. Personality sold seperately.

Warranty void if seal broken.

How can we clean this Republican mess up?

Vote these antiquated minds out of office and soon they will not have to worry so much of their brand..

And the rest of us can breath a sigh of relief .

JoAnnaSmith1: I'm still waiting on you for justification of trickle-down economics. Why, if Obama's economic growth isn't fast enough, would we go to policies that have three decades of proven failure? Trickle-down has been proven to have little or no effect on the wealth of the middle class. But any time Obama proposes ending the Bush tax cuts for those making over $250k, does the talk of "job creators" come into the mix? What jobs are they creating?

According to Pat Robertson on the 700 Club, if God is not pleased with the way the GOP is going, he will send a hurricane to destroy the convention.

Goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway) the damage done to the Republican brand is being done by their own hands.

Well, the TP-ers actually, but the Republicans facilitated it by embracing them. Now, they run the whole deal.

people want someone who has the intestinal fortitude to cut spending in Washington D.C.

Polls be damned. :)

As of late it seems that the Republicans have become the party of tax cuts for the rich. We can address the war hawk, Israel first stuff another time. Tax cuts for the rich is described as Supply side economics or trickle down economics. The main principle behind this reasoning is that if the wealthy keep more of their money they will create more jobs for the less fortunate, gee thanks. They seem to forget that with no workers these wealthy individuals have no business anyway,so "Don't do me no favors." The fact no one seems to mention is that the wealthy were not hatched that way,someone started on the bottom. They're main concern now is to keep all they can. The middle class is being thrust back to the stone age by this policy and there is no sign of it letting up.

We have been under this trickle down theory since the 1980's and it hasn't worked yet. The more they pitch this line of BS the more idiotic they look. the median income of the Unite States is around %50k with small businesses supplying the majority of jobs. Your vote for another Trickle downer will just mean more of the same.

And trickle down wealth is worse than trickle up poverty?

Slightly better, but the best policy was to create ways to get cash into the hands of the middle class. The middle class drives the economy, the middle class are the real "job creators".

Under Obama, the middle class has lost 38% of its wealth, the middle class are now on food stamps or other government assistance ...

You think correlation implies causation? The jobs the middle class lost took place at the tail end of Bush and front end of Obama. One the job is lost it still takes time for assets to be lost.

their paychecks are stressed by the cost of gas and food due to the stupidity tax of Obama's energy actions ....

Cost of gas? Obama doesn't affect the cost of petroleum. Petroleum is set on a global market.

Hey Feisty!

Romney now has aches all over including an Akin azzhole.

JAS!

What is a business friendly country? One without unions? One where the work week is 7 days and the pay 50 cents an hour? Hey working folk, this is what JAS wants for you.

Bob,

And trickle down wealth is worse than trickle up poverty?

Trickle up poverty occurs when the shift of a nation's wealth moves to the top bracket.

So it appears the Obama plan (he never really defines it) is to continue to spend money, money that the country doesn't have, in an ever deepening spiral of debt.

JoAnnaSmith1, we talked about this. The Article I of the US Constitution onlines that only Congress can borrow money.

All voters have to do is look at the RNC platform being headed up by Bob "vaginal probe" McDonnell, let alone the treason since 2008. Throw the obstructionist NO NOTHING (unless it is radical rightwing social engineering) Teapublicans out!

"said Frank Donatelli, the chairman of GOPAC, a group dedicated to training Republican candidates."

Trainming republican want to be's.....that alone is botherson to me. I would prefer someone wanting to get into politic's to help this nation and the people within his ir her state. Not tought by a party rep to do as they say..and not what they were elected to do.

i can't even vote yet

feisty how can you be so blind and not realize that both are tainted you just will never understand.

You are so sour. Let me explain it to ya little fella. Republicans turn grapes into vinegar and Democrats turn grapes into wine ... speaking of which I'm off to get a fine Pinot Noire. Later all.

Slightly better? A 38% loss of wealth is "slightly better"?

You're a critic of "trickle-down", and we've seen "trickle-up poverty" with Obama, so what are you advocating that's better?

Prove to me that this "38% loss in wealth" is a direct result of Obama, with specifics to which policies. Furthermore, I would like clarification on this "38% wealth claim". Does this mean the total wealth of the middle class is lower by 38% (which could mean the class in itself shrunk, which is what I'd wager), or does it mean the "mean wealth" of the middle class shrunk by 38%? I'll wait.

Edit: There's not even evidence backing up this 38% claim, so I suggest you start there.

It can only be called voter ignorance that anyone of middle or modest means can find anything that the Romney-Paul team offer to us, but pours more wealth on the rich. When 1% already control 42$ of the wealth, up from 40% they want to give them a 40% cut in taxes to balance the budget. What kind of economics is that?

One question for the conservatives here. How is going back to the same policies (on steroids) that put us in this financial mess going to get us out of it? You do remember that this economy didn't start the day Obama got into office, right? Considering the horror that Obama stepped into upon his inauguration, I'd say he's doing a pretty damn good job. Tax cuts for the wealthy = more money in foreign tax havens, no trickle down whatsoever.

You think the public opinion poll numbers are bad. Their God is sending a hurricane to drown them all in Tampa!

Obama/Biden 2012

Jo ann,

Then my governor takes the grande prize. Come to Wisconsin where $800,000,000 in grants and give a ways to businesses and corporations has resulted in 23,00 less jobs in almost two years, but bigger profits. of course!

It is very hard to blame Obama for middle class wealth loss unless you totally ignore the 8 years before he came into office and imagine that Obama inherited what Bush did -- 4% unemployment, $300b surplus, global prosperity, etc.

We have to be realists. The economic collapse of 2007/8 was years in the making. The Bush tax cuts decimated the surplus and created a deficit. Enriching the top 1% did nothing for job creation. Unnecessary wars paid for by debt was unsustainable.

What we ought to do is learn. Someone can argue that a government cannot be too pro-rich or too pro-business. But the reality is that the most pro-rich, pro-business governments we ever had were in the 1920s (Hoover ran on the motto "more business in government, less government in business") and the 1980s (which led to the collapse that allowed Clinton's election on the statement "it's the economy, stupid") and the early 2000s. In every case, a government that is too pro-rich, pro-business led to economic crises. (Why? Complex reasons, but basically - the business class is interested in short term profits and they don't care about middle class wealth. Their incentive is to lower wages, eliminate pensions, etc. But if the wealthy are allowed too much free reign, the middle class consumer power collapses, and all wealth suffers. There are many analogies - let anything have too much power without restraint, and its abuses will destroy the equilibrium necessary for stability.)

Romney's supporters are ignoring history and facts. Their only arguments come down to "Obama didn't fix things fast enough." But their only solution is to repeat the policies that cause economic collapse. A Romney victory would have the same consequences of a Hoover victory or a Bush victory - economic disaster.

JoAnnaSmith,

Sometimes a response of such speechless stupidity leaves me speechless.

Thanks for the save.

@JoAnnaSmith1:

I just found a source showing the following wealth changes (real dollar) by percentile from 1983-2009:

Lowest 20%: -4.1%

Lower middle 20%: -2.0%

Middle 20%: -1.4%

Upper Middle 20%: +5.7%

80-90%: +9.8%

90-95%: +10.5%

95-99%: +41.5%

99-100%: +40.2%

(I can't post a link due to 'new user restrictions'). But as you can see, this is thirty years of trickle-down economics. Working as intended, right?

OregonPat, they really do believe that the economy started the day Obama took office. Then, they we're so upset he had a funny name and was not white, that they vowed not to work with him. They also were so petty and childish about it that they expected him to fix the economy with the snap of his fingers.

"Out of touch" barely begins to describe it. Mitt Romney's idea of how to succeed in life is to "...take a shot, go for it, take a risk and get the education, borrow money if you have to from your parents, start a business."

That, of course, worked well for him and for his kids, none of whom, given their parents wealth, had to lift a finger to make their own way in the world. But it strongly suggests that Romney believes that kids whose parents don't have money to lend can just pound sand!

And trickle down wealth is worse than trickle up poverty?

There is no such thing as "trickle up poverty." When taxes were higher as a percentage in the 90's, the rich made more money due to the booming economy even despite the higher percentage of paid taxes. Then they lowered taxes and killed the goose that lays the eggs, and now everyone is doing poorly.

The job-creators are the middle class and the poor. Jobs are created in response to consumer needing stuff. A dollar given to a rich person is a wasted dollar.

Why, they are creating jobs, plenty of them, overseas. With Obama and his constant attacks on businesses ("You didn't build that", "you need to pay your 'fair share' ") businesses just go elsewhere.

How can you expect to have any credibility when you mis-quote Obama on "You didn't build that?"

This president has spent tens of millions of dollars trying to tag Republicans as the party of the rich and the 1 percent," said Frank Donatelli, the chairman of GOPAC, a group dedicated to training Republican candidates.

Not as much as the Republicans have spent in tagging Republicans as the party of the rich and the 1 percent.

"Republicans need to push back even harder talking about growth and jobs," he said. "That is the issue of the election; we’ve gotten a little bit away from that."

I seem to remember them running on jobs just a couple of years ago. If they wanted that to be an election issue, they should have actually worked on it instead of just stalling everything but religious/women-controlling issues. (and don't try the BS that the repubs have jobs bills out there waiting to be voted on- deregulation and corporation tax breaks don't count)

The way the republican/tea party sees it is the economy was doing just fine right up till the President took office. The republican/tea party have painted so many pictures of the President he's this he's that. For all the things you say about him. How can he find the time to do them all.

Republican insulation means that they have no self-reflection, no questioning attitude. All their efforts are in personal attacks on Obama, misquotes of Obama, fear mongering, etc., but when it comesto policies, they are still adovcating exactly what Bush advocated almost verbatim. If you want to stump a Republican, ask them this: What specifically caused the pro-business, pro-tax cut policies of the Bush administration to fail? Ummmmmmmm...

Or another one: what specifically would you have done differently from Bush? Ummmmmmmmmm...

Or this: How would Romney govern any differently than Bush did? Ummmmmmmmm...

Or this: Why wouldn't a Romney presidency have the same economic failure of a Bush presidency? Ummmmmmmmmm...

Both parties have their own flaws, both have messed up, and the both have their good and bad ideas, but only the Republican party panders to the chauvinists, the bigots, and the racists for votes.

Todd “Torpedo” Akin, in one statement, assured the reelection of Mr. Obama. Akin did what millions of campaign ad $$$ could not do. Akin's careless comments about rape, have highlighted the Republican Party’s attempt to curtail a woman’s right to choose.

People need to know that The Republican Party hierarchy approved platform language that calls for a constitutional amendment outlawing abortion with no explicit exceptions for cases of rape or incest. As a Republican, I find this extremely offensive.

This is overt evidence that the conservative Christian Republicans have hijacked the Republican Party, instead of forming their own political party.

The disgusting thing about making this issue part of the GOP agenda, is Willard and Ryan are rubbing their hands with glee, because they approve of abolishing abortions, but didn't have to say anything about it.

Willard and Ryan fail to realize that grey haired men should not be legislating what a woman can or cannot do with her body. That decision is up to the woman and her God.

If this is the new direction of the Republican Party, then many moderate Republicans will not vote for Romney & Ryan. I believe that perhaps as much as half of the GOP voter base will revolt in favor of a woman’s right to choose.

That spells victory for O-B-A-M-A. Like it or not, that will be the outcome.

Today's news mentions that Ryan is either a liar, or maybe he has a troubled memory. That, when coupled with Romney's "tax dodger" status, (he hid most of his income in "off shore accounts"), the Republican Party is set to make another very big mistake, if the GOP nominates those two.

Although I am a Republican, I will not be supporting Romney or Ryan, because both of those guys would be wanting to tell everyone else how to live their life.

If it were up to Romney and Ryan, women would be pregnant during summer and barefoot during winter. Romney and Ryan would do everything possible to erode women's rights. Women better wake up and realize that.

The Republican Party hierarchy needs to rethink their goals. Instead of tax cuts for the rich, and religious prostelizing, the Republican Party needs to focus on creating jobs, bringing the troops home - with honor, reducing the deficit, balancing the budget, and becoming more caring toward others who are less fortunate. Unless and until that starts happening, the Democratic Party will be in power for a long time.

Hey People—

JoannaSmith1 is on again peddling her petulant, nonsensical drivel. Bitchin’ and moanin’ about Obama spending. This from a woman/person/thing who was probably celebrating with Jack Daniels and mayonnaise sandwich squares when Ryan was voting for two unfunded wars, unfunded Medicare Part D, Dubya’s unfunded Tax Cuts, TARP, the Bridge to Nowhere, No Child Left Behind and all the other GOP spending binges between 2000 and 2008. When the economy turned to s**t and a black man…yeah, I said it…tried to turn things around with the depleted bank account, these fat f**ks call in their imbecile posse, the unschooled, the racists, trailer trash and ne’er-do-wells to whine hypocritically about spending. Nice try, but while the current electorate may still be ignorant, they are nowhere near as intimidated or as unwise as previous electorates who delighted in their ignorance or who cowered in fear from the neocon, Teapublican, Bagga fearmongering lies that always dominate the Republican narrative. The economic impact has been widespread and personal. We know who maxed the credit card. Indeed, we know it was the pig dressed up with elephant ears sporting tea bag wigs who raped us—forcibly!

I for one would PREFER the GOP to "get back on message" and talk about the economy instead of abortion - AGAIN!!!

I can’t imagine why the “Republican Brand” is suffering. Oh wait now I remember; Republicans hate women, blacks, Hispanics, Muslims, Jews, anyone with a social conscience and just about everybody else that’s not white and Christian that’s why the “Republican Brand” is suffering. Don’t worry GOP the Koch brothers will just throw another hundred million or so dollars at the problem and everybody will love you again………

Mr Wonderful, you know excrement, huh?

Ok, so the polls say that a strong majority think the country is headed in the wrong direction, an even stronger majority think congress sucks, and a pretty solid majority think Obama cares about the people more than his opponent. I can't find any recent polls on the Tea Party, but the last one in April showed support for that movement upside down and declining rapidly. That tells me that the public saw what I did: Obama took an economy in free-fall, began working to fix it, and was seriously hampered in his efforts when the tea party extremists took legislative control of the House and declared that compromise with dems - and particularly the elected president of the country - was unacceptable.

I think this explains why the Akin story took on a life of its own. Akin is a radical religious idealist, but his radicalism is shared by the radicals running the loathed House - who spent a great deal of time publicly attacking contraception, women's health providers, and abortion laws. Particularly troubling is that Akin's social views are identical to Paul Ryan's, who was already seen as a leader of the radicals in the House, and who is now Romney's running mate for the White House.

In other words, the public at large is watching the views of once-fringe radicals taking real power in the republican party, and thus in the country. Now, for the first time in decades, women who would normally vote republican are worried about the practical effects of allowing misogynist white male religious radicals to climb so close the the levers of power in Washington. Now independents who lean republican are wondering if they really want uncompromising radicals, in the grip of a fringe economic theory, the chance to try their experiments out on a faltering US economy.

I think the Akin story directly relates to the Ryan pick for VP. I think that elevating a man who is already viewed as a leader of the radical right to candidate for the second-highest office in the land, may have lost the election for Romney.

Dude, that may be true, but I think in this case irrelevant. This is not about what partisans are saying, this is about what the public is seeing.

I am a democrat. If I hear about some fringe democratic congressman saying something really odious (say, just for hypothetical instance, that males over 40 should be sterilized for population control), I would probably shake my head and wonder what idiots put him in office, and then go ahead and vote for the democrats. But if that hypothetical congressman is joined by a whole bunch more, they get their idea into the democratic platform and start to actually move forward on that agenda, and particularly if one of those ideologues is tapped to run for executive office....I'm voting republican, big time!

I think this is what is happening to the republican party. I think this is what the establishment wanted to stop, and failed. Romney tried to walk that thin line - trying to get the support of the radical ideologues while simultaneously trying to assure the public that their agenda wouldn't overtake his own - and fell off. I think this is why the Akin thing has taken flight. I don't think it has anything to do with partisan sniping or biased reporting.

When will MSNBC stop having Media Matters write there articles for them. I realize that they have a very low IQ, but they will have to stand on their own two feet sometime.

Cryst--/If you were watching a boxing match where on fighter had both hands tied behind his back,would you think that he was a poor match for his opponent? I don't think that I should need to further my comment.

The Republican brand problem? See below:

Willard Edsel Mitt Romney

Obama 2012/Romney 1040

Jeff-1592116

people want someone who has the intestinal fortitude to cut spending in Washington D.C.

Polls be damned. :)

He probably means Corporation Type people.

I could care less if they cut spending in Washington, but then I have a clue about how government and economics work.

@Snakebone

You have a point. Except extremism is prevalent on both sides. We have one side believing that government is made to babysit us all, and the other who thinks that the private sector should babysit us all. We no longer have the option of personal responsibility anymore. Nobody is going to stand up and say "We caused this, we the PEOPLE have caused this crisis" because that is exactly what caused this mess in the first place.

We the people didn't pay our mortgages, so we expect the government to bail us out. Which they did, somewhat.

We the people stopped working, so we expect the government to support us. Which they are, still.

We the people said "this job is not suited for us because it pays too low/not what we want to do/not fun/doesn't lead anywhere" so companies either sent those jobs elsewhere (when money is involved) or hired illegal immigrants (when it isn't what we wanted to do).

We, the people of the United States of America, are to blame for the current mess. We keep demanding the government so much when we can fix it ourselves. Except when it doesn't fit into what we want, we blame somebody else for our mess.

We made our mistakes, let us learn from them and move on, instead of blaming others and depending on the government to bail us out time and again. It is not their job to babysit us anymore.

@Feisty: I think you misspoke when you stated:

When did the Republican "brand" stop suffering? Last time I checked it's as tainted as Chinese dog food!

I think what you meant to say was "it's as tainted as dog food comprised of Chinese drywall!"

Remember: accuracy counts when you're dealing with the GOP.

So all the Republicans who post here can say is, "Blame it on the liberal media??" Wow. Look at the numbers at the bottom right of your posts. Those are the folks who agree with you.

Your numbers don't look very good.

Excerpts:

Biology? Fallopian tubes do not release eggs to rapist sperm.

Economics? Automatic improvement when rich people pay no taxes.

Criminal science? Guns don't kill people, people kill people, tactical weapons on demand.

Planetary science? Climate change not happening, or if so, God-caused, not anthropogenic.

World geography? Flat.

Last summer's Canadian study is one of many finding that people with conservative beliefs are likely to be of low intelligence.

http://regator.com/p/257236217/nina_burleigh_mr_akin_and_the_apocalypse_of/

Lower Cognitive Ability Predicts Greater Prejudice Through Right-Wing Ideology and Low Intergroup Contact

http://pss.sagepub.com/content/23/2/187

donna426

When will MSNBC stop having Media Matters write there articles for them. I realize that they have a very low IQ, but they will have to stand on their own two feet sometime.

My dear little ignoramus: you should learn something about the media matters guy. He started his career as a right wing hack writing right wing lies for money. He became what he is now when he realized that if he didn't change he would become a completely soulless POS. You would have liked him, I suppose, if he had become a completely soulless right wing POS.

Crystal-569996

There is going to be NO ONE who will on voting day think, "gee, I didn't vote for Obama last time, but he is doing such a good job, I will vote for him now", but there are a heck of a lot of people waking up and realizing he is a liar and a huge failure and won't vote for him this time. The posts above that mention it being because of his race are absolute idiots and don't have anything intelligent to add. Blame Bush for everything in his 8 years, but blame congress for everything in the last 4- typical liberal mindless minions or paid by the word to post. Can't wait until the debates- no teleprompters- it will be hilarious! You obot morons are laughable.

Well, there will be republikkkans who completely approve of meaningless but destructive filibusters and endless obstruction, even to the level of agency appointments, who vote for Romney and his Fascist Youth. But our problem since 1980 has been the profound, bigotry and paranoia driven, stupidity of low-rent republicans. These are the folks who have voted for policies whose very inventor said, back in '81 or so, a year after he invented them, were all smoke and mirrors. He admitted to lying, then Reagan and the rest of the neo-fascist, racist republicans said, HOORAY! We love it! Those policies have failed for 30 years, and you say, HOORAY we want more. So, as you demonstrate 30 years later, the republickkkers have only gotten worse.

Republican brand??? It seems to me that it is the Romney 'brand' that is suffering ... by his own secrecy.

He claims he won't release additional tax returns because it would just "give his opponents ammunition." I strongly suspect it isn't his opponents he fears. He is really scared of his own Republican base if they were ever to learn some of the ways their misanthropic "leader" has made his fortune. Afraid that his base will see the proof of what many of them have long suspected about Mr. Romney; that he has no core convictions except the accumulation of personal wealth regardless of who and how many suffer for his greed.

One case in point (excerpted; the entire article is available at the link at bottom of the excerpt):

Romney is hiding Bain abortion profits in his tax returns, says Tampa foe

August 22, 2012
MMD Newswire

TAMPA, FL (MMD Newswire) August 16, 2012 —
Republican spokesmen for a rising "DUMP ROMNEY" rebellion today charged that Mitt Romney is "hiding Bain abortion profits in his tax returns" from
investments that "would make Herod blush."

Steve Baldwin, former Republican Whip of the California State Assembly, said recent journalism about the actual date of Romney's departure from Bain Capital "has almost certainly revealed the real reason Romney refuses to release any more than two years of personal IRS data: Bain's craven investment in Stericycle corporation — a vendor to Planned Parenthood— lined Romney's pockets with profits from the incineration of aborted human fetuses. Mitt, it's time to disclose your tax returns and everything else about Stericycle."

Read the entire article: http://www.renewamerica.com/article/120822

pjam09 Comment collapsed by the community

A new NBC poll... well gee it must be reality then?

How far skewed towards Democrats was it this time? Why no link to the actual poll?

"Democrats consistant failures, hypocricy, and treason ensure a repeat of their 2010 losses"

According to some new poll that is.

K...now what im gonna ask you to do is really hard i know...but ill use small words and hope you follow along(from your reply im assuming you are a dumbpublican)...first step...OPEN YOUR EYES....second step. SCROLL UP...third step. you see all the gibberish between the story and our comments...they are links...just click on the one that says POLL!!!!! wow some people just wanna attack....

Wow

9% unemployment next year according to the Congressional Budget Office.

THANKS OBAMA!

The Congressional Budget Office predicts a SECOND RECESSION next year!

Great recovery! Let's talk more about Akin that's so much more important, right?

Will Obama blame a second recession on Bush as well? After FOUR YEARS in office, can Obama still blame everything on other people?

Imagine what it would have been if we had kept in a republican like bush was doing at losing 750,000 jobs a month. Now we are at least adding 160,000. With all this anti-Stimulus talk from Romney and Paul do they realize they are putting down bush as well as he started it? Republicans eat their own and will pay any sum and price to win!

From all appearances, especially considering recent events such as Mr. Akin's diatribe, the "Republican brand" wouldn't even be welcome on the southern end of a northbound horse.

gcooper8

the "Republican brand" wouldn't even be welcome on the southern end of a northbound horse."

Take another look at that horse. Yep, ...done (you're welcome).

;-)

PS. Lately that brand also seems to fit perfectly around the south-end orifice of a northbound bull. I'm just sayin ...

Dude:

You had an interesting reply, sorry my computer locked up and I couldn't respond sooner.

You seemed to say that we the PEOPLE caused this mess by deciding to leave our jobs and deciding to stop paying our mortgages. You do understand that BECAUSE of this mess, the people LOST their jobs, and COULDN'T pay their mortgages, right?

As for the government role in the labor market, consider the glorious free-market economy of the 1920's, versus the hated New Deal economy of the 1950's. In the 20's, a worker worked long, hard hours for their whole life, and could look forward to bare subsistence survival, leaving his widow in debt to the company, and squatting in company-owned housing. In the 50's, a worker worked hard his whole life, and could own a home, support a family and educate his kids.

The difference is that from the '30's to the '80's, government policy stopped allowing the wealthy corporate leaders to exploit the desperation of the American people. The difference in real terms for the worker was not how hard they worked, but what they got for their labor. Folk like me think that what they got was ... freedom.

In those 50 New Deal years, the rich got richer, the middle class came into existence and flourished, and the economy grew consistently and steadily. Since Reagan attacked that system with his Milton Friedman 'free market' economic theories, the economy has gone back to boom and bust, the middle class was forced to borrow its way into home ownership (at Reagan's urging) and now barely exists, and the rich got so much more that they are having no problem at all buying our politicians in order to keep this thing going.

I think you're 100% correct; we've made our mistakes with these economic experiments, we should learn from them and reestablish the policies which rewarded hard work with freedom.

The Republican brand is thriving! If you're a straight white man, a religious fundamentalist, and a one per center, what could be bad? If you're a white fundamentalist woman married to that guy, and fiscally dependent on his making even more cash -- you're promised Heaven for your virtues! What could be bad?

Why anyone who does not fit the above descriptions would vote Republican is a mystery, but hey, praise the Lord, for He Doth Worketh in Mysterious Ways.

Complete idiocy. Blather all you want, but it's government's job to clean the sty, not fatten the meat.

Grrr! Gremlins again!

Can't wait to see what the newvine gremlins act like. I hear the trolls will have their hair groomed.

i can't even vote yet

feisty person

how much do they pay you to spam on msnbc with your hatred and prejudice

If you post as often as Feisty, I believe it comes to maybe $1.19 in a good year.

So far you have earned $0.0000001, keep plugging away.

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

Grrr! Gremlins again!

Tee Hee ☺ From beginning to end. RepubliCOns are right back were they started.

After 2008 RepubliCONs were less than 36%.

The Republican Party's image has gone from bad to worse over the past month, as only 34% of Americans in a Nov. 13-16 Gallup Poll say they have a favorable view of the party, down from 40% in mid-October. The 61% now holding an unfavorable view of the GOP is the highest Gallup has recorded for that party since the measure was established in 1992.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/112015/gop-takes-another-image-hit-postelection.aspx

==========================================

My,my, my RepubliCONs are consistent; if nothing else.

4 more years

Obama/Biden2012

If you post s often as Feisty, I believe it comes to maybe $1.19 in a good year.

Which I proudly send to the Obama campaign!

PS: Don't feed the re-reg! ;o)

"The Republican brand is not fully restored to its pre-2000 level. But this election isn't going to be won by the Republican brand, it's going to be won by what I call the 'Allied Forces' – the Tea Partiers

It could be a real balancing act, though, trying to hold them together when Romney and Ryan are being forced to reverse their positions on core issues for one faction (like the religious right or Tea Party) to play to the mainstream and moderates. It would only take a couple more reversals on key issue stances to really put them at risk of that.

I thought the real purpose of selecting Ryan was to keep the far right still on board while Romney swung left towards center in the general after the convention. Romney condemning Akin with Ryan saying nothing on it other than that he supports the ticket would have been consistent with that in my view. I was quite surprised that Ryan also condemned it going against the extreme supporters in their base who oppose abortion in all cases regardless of the circumstances. They may think that the far right and religious right don't have a choice and won't be going anywhere anyway, but they could stay home or back a third party candidate. A third party conservative candidate could still arise out of the convention if enough people feel shortchanged. There are definitely plenty of candidates available that could and would love to fill that slot. If many of the GOP supporters don't feel like they can win with this Romney/Ryan ticket, they really have nothing to lose and everything to gain by running their own as a third party.

The Republicans avoid mentioning George W. like the plague. Eight years of corporate government under his administration basically destroyed the U.S. economy (for everyone except the 1% that is, for them profits and increased revenue have never been higher)

And now, while promoting even more extreme policies than those which created the financial crisis, the Republicans act as if Bush's 8 years never existed. He is an albatross not to be spoken of

That should be an alarm to a critical thinker

you'realoser

Really kittykat....... a fine pinot noire! When you find one let me know, Ive been looking for several decades.

Try California, they are masters at producing great vintages. What's your problem with made/bottled in America, are you dissing America? You need to lose that attitude.

I can't even vote yet,

Your stupidity make me that that a voter intelligence test should be required before you get to pull the lever. Sounds like age isn't the problem and you should be denied the vote permanently like some republican governors and legislatures are trying to do.

You're a real loser,

Boy have you got that right!

The Republican Party's image has gone from bad to worse over the past month, as only 34% of Americans in a Nov. 13-16 Gallup Poll say they have a favorable view of the party, down from 40% in mid-October. The 61% now holding an unfavorable view of the GOP is the highest Gallup has recorded for that party since the measure was established in 1992.

It must be horrible if Gallup is recording it. I've taken a few Gallup polls and I've never seen such a biased conservative leaning piece of claptrap in my life.

Hey, everybody, brand, schmand. Romney has twice told the truth! He said he wants a tax cut for himself and his buds. He's sticking by that one.

And he told one of the Fox Death Hags, Van Sustern or Ingraham, that the economy was getting better. She promptly told him not to say that. He said "But it's the truth." And she told him, "Well, you shouldn't be saying it."

He took her advice and has been lying about it ever since. And has been lying about everything else, too, even his own first name.

I can't figure out how all these low rent republican bozos who consider themselves "Real Americans" can support a guy who would lie about his own first name. It makes them seem........ small.

To loser: - it's "noir." You learned something, dude! Ten billion more learning moments and you'll be 1.6% smarter.

same reason every brand suffers: people aren't buying their product

"out of step" doesn't begin to describe the GOP. I consider them to be Anti-American. Their only loyalties are to their own greed and the banks and multi-national corporations that fill their pockets. They want to destroy America's unions, and turn middle-class Americans into slave willing to work for whatever is offered. They want to kill off our senior citizens by denying them healthcare by dismantling Mwdicare. Bush tried to bankrupt our seniors when he attempted to privatize Social Security just before the markets crashed. They tried to force our nation into default last summer if they didn't get to keep their Bush tax cut for the wealthy. They want to kill off women by denying them healthcare unfer the guise of their anti-abortion legislation. Republicans are unAmerican. They should be drummed out of every public office throughout the nation.

Well, when you consider that The Tea Party is the NEW and IMPROVED GOP then it's really obvious why the old brand is losing it's luster.

For a good laugh go to The Tea Party Patriots site...

http://www.teapartypatriots.org/

Oh, it probably doesn't help much for Republican House Speaker John Boehner to call members of his own GOP the "knuckle-draggers", but he did just the same!

Wow, Bruce, a good laugh, indeed

But, was it a "legitimate" brand?

Pennsylvania Senate candidate Tom Smith (R) compared a pregnancy caused by rape to "having a baby out of wedlock."

Well the Dems did want universal health care like Mexico and the GOP did not and thats why we have ACA. lolololololol

pjam, You are either a delusional fool, or trying unsuccessfully to be funny. Don't quit your day job.

DB Akron

Rebulican Party do not represent mainstream America

And the Democrats less so.

Mostly every time America prospered it was under Democrats. Are you sure you're not suffering from Cognitive Difference?

because the environment isn't safe for companies to create them

This doesn't make sense. Companies don't just create jobs on a whim. There needs to be a demand for what they are providing. Currently there is no demand because consumers have little money to spend.

i can't even vote yet

first of all beverly the debate is simple do you want a progressive goverment where the government goes bankrupt giving foodstamps to people that don't have jobs because the environment isn't safe for companies to create them or do you want a society in which the government makes it so that companies can grow and with it the economy of our country. I choose the latter

The Capitalist Manifesto (the Romney/Ryan Plan)

The goal of every successful Capitalist is to concentrate the wealth among the most deserving and entitled: the privileged class. The two methods for accomplishing these goals are diametrically opposed: 1) increase the number of consumers in a market and maximize their buying power by creating higher paying positions for the proletariat, providing benefits and security to maximize confidence and discretionary spending, and increase the likelihood for improved upward mobility, or 2) provide all of the advantages to the most deserving: the capitalists that are create jobs and opportunities, and maximize profits by decreasing wages, decreasing tax obligations, decreasing supply of jobs, increasing demand for jobs, and eliminate the stifling governmental regulations that prevent corporations from implementing all of their plans despite concerns for health or the environment.

Although history has proven that the former is more successful for lifting all classes of workers, this does not work to the exclusive benefit of the Capitalist, so the latter must be employed. The Capitalist Class must use the system to their advantage in every way possible.

Reduce wages, Maximize profits

Union busting: The greatest threat to the concentration of wealth is the ability for the workers to gather their collective powers and leverage a lack of productivity to the benefit of the proletariat class. Instead, the Capitalist must use their vast resources to consolidate their political power against the majority, pit the workers against themselves, and prevent them from being able to overthrow the upper class

Low education: The second greatest threat to the successful concentration of wealth is an educated electorate and working class. An educated or skilled working class will demand greater benefits, amenities, and will be able to leverage their skills to obtain employment elsewhere if needed. Instead, the Capitalists must ensure that the working class does not have the option for upward mobility. Paramount to this is preventing education.

Make College unaffordable – Reduce the number of highly skilled and qualified employees by eliminating Pell Grants and Federally Subsidized loans, and ensure that only the privileged and the absolute brightest will have the ability to obtain college educations. For those diligent enough to secure the loans make the crushing debt so cumbersome that they will be forced to accept any position and conditions in order to have the ability to pay off their loans. Extract human workforce and maximize profits.

Larger class sizes, fewer opportunities - By reducing the ability for teachers to properly educate their students, you increase the likelihood that the students will fail to develop cognitive reasoning and other skills that could unseat the Capitalists. In addition, an uneducated workforce will not be accepted to college, and will result in menial jobs with unbearable conditions. By maintaining a desperate need for work, and by reducing the worker’s options, they have no choice but to accept whatever fate the Capitalists offer.

Privatize Education – There will forever be a constant demand for education, and the working class will always seek opportunities to advance their progeny’s fortunes. The Capitalist Class must exploit these sensibilities and use all means necessary, including government funding, to create “charter schools” that offer the specter of better opportunities, but do not have any standardized methods of measuring success.
Eliminate migrant workers: Illegal immigrants are an excellent source of cheap labor and are typically very easy to manipulate through Capitalist services such as: High Cost Check Cashing Services, Pay Day Loan operations, and High-Fee Wire Transfer services. However they tend to vote against the Capitalist’s best interests so these workers must be marginalized. Instead, these workers should be outlawed. The Capitalist Class must take the existing population of legal citizens and convert them into desperate workers.

Increase family sizes, decrease options: A family without the ability to regulate the number of children that they have, will become beholden to whatever vocations they can arrange, and will be less likely to make demands of their employers or complain when wages or hours are reduced. An expanding family with more mouths to feed results in a more desperate class of workers that is easier to manipulate. The natural urge for sexual activity cannot be repressed, instead family planning tools such as birth control and abortions must be outlawed. Although it is not the Government’s role to regulate such activities, Religious beliefs can be exploited to implement this social engineering.

Privatize entitlements, Maximize profits

Insurance Companies: The Government has coddled the working class. Social programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Unemployment Compensation, and Workers Compensation are too expensive and provide workers with too many options. More importantly, the money that is being deducted from the worker’s pay to help fund these programs is money that is not being concentrated among the Capitalist class. The old and infirm should be treated as what they are: liabilities to society. If they cannot produce for society, then it should not be society’s responsibility to provide for them. However, since all people will ultimately need medical treatment at some point, we must maximize profits by giving all of the power to the private corporations in charge. Allow them to determine rates for procedures, give them unfettered ability to raise premiums, all under the guise of market forces.

Privatize Social Security: Provide Hedge Fund operators with more money to gamble on Wall St, resulting in higher commissions that are taxed a lower percentage. Regular cycles in the market will result in large losses of wealth by the working class that can be concentrated to the Capitalist class. The resulting losses and impending financial struggles will result in a working class that is desperate and easier to manipulate.

Deregulation, Maximize profits

Banking Regulation: Bankers must have the ability to determine their comfort of risk, and the Government should not stand in the way of the Capitalist Class employing their expertise in managing the investment funds of their clients.

Environmental Regulation: Much of the most important natural resources cannot be accessed do to the overbearing and unnecessary laws and cumbersome regulations of the Government. The Capitalists must take full control of these resources, and use any means necessary to extract, produce, and deliver as needed.

Eliminate taxes: A government’s only service should be to protect the sovereign nation and best interests of the Capitalists; tax money is best spent for the expansion of the Military Industrial Complex, which relies heavily on Research and Development, and Production of weapons and equipment, by the Private Sector. Taxes that are collected for unnecessary luxuries such as: Social Security, Medicaid/Medicare, Unemployment Compensation, Roads/Bridges, etc…only coddle the working class and reduce the opportunities for the Capitalists to take full advantage. Most importantly, the Capitalist Class should not be held responsible for subsidizing these efforts; instead that burden should fall on the Proletariat, further creating a desperate class of workers that are easier to manipulate.

Ka-Ching!

Hats off to the best post of the day.

Vinnie,

Do you expect anyone to read that thing?

Bev,

That statement is just wrong. Do some research.

Dead on, Vinnie, but it is wrong to use the terms capitalist and proletariat. It is really more about human nature than capitalism and communism and class warfare. Human nature is to enrich yourself without worrying about others. If we allow the wealthy free reign, they will enrich themselves without concern for others, and the destruction of the consumer power of those others will lead to the same sort of economic collapse we saw in 2008 and 1929.

xabre - your conclusion regarding demand is simply not correct. There is demand, although at a lower level, and people do have cash, which they are saving at record levels. People (including business owners, who are also people) are acting conservatively with their money because of uncertainty, and some of that uncertainty is caused by a mismanaged government, a government that is encroaching on more and more areas of our lives and our businesses, and in the states / counties and cities that are struggling, and are responding to less revenue by increasing fees.

But to say there is no demand is simply not true. The next iPhone 5 will sell out, the new LeBron $300 sneakers will sell out, etc... people continue to buy what they want, but in many areas of the country they are simply contracting their spending to coincide with their lower income. The fact is that the majority of working Americans are doing fine. It is those of us on the edges, and in crappy areas like Central California (18% unemployment in Merced, CA as an example) that continue to struggle.

Xabre, this is something that has always amazed me. Republicans will always go on and on about how the government is evil and not to be trusted, but can only offer as a solution that we should put our trust in corporations instead. Obviously their perception that liberals "love" big government is laughable, but I really don't understand how they reconcile that belief with their own love of big corporations, who are accountable to no one. Sure, they'll argue that in a "free market" (as if such a thing exists or ever could exist) corporations are accountable to each other and/or their consumers and/or their employees and/or their shareholders, but this just isn't an honest view of the world we live in.

Now, I agree that private industry is the backbone of our economy, but it's becoming increasingly apparent that public trading of private industry is the enemy of competition, as well as the working class and all consumers. The reason for this is that corporations will always choose the welfare of their shareholders over that of their employees and customers. The only way for a publicly traded company to keep their shareholders happy is to perpetually grow, but it simply isn't sustainable. Sometimes, in order to keep the shareholders happy you have to cut pensions from your employees, or maybe increase your sales price by $.01, or $.05, or $1.00. Other times you have to lay off workers or send jobs overseas. It's all in service of the shareholders.

If we abolish the stock market...

The National voting majority is Democrat,but is national fiscal conservative unless they are unemployed or needy ,when they desperately seek help of our government by government agencies. The majority resents anyone receiving help,except themselves ,fearing that money will be wasted ,unless it is for them. The upper 2% of our population have always pandered to this .Unless we stop their successful brain washing we must end this fear and realise that we ,the ordinary citizens can always be victimised by the policies of the top class and their lackeys .We need to improve our protection for all of our workers.

@youraloser(how appropriate)

Ally Financial Inc., the government-owned auto lender, will pay $201 million in dividends on preferred stock, including $134 million to the U.S. Treasury Department.

The payments to the Treasury Department on its mandatorily convertible preferred stock will bring the total amount that Ally has repaid the U.S. government to $5.7 billion.

Ally, formerly the in-house finance arm for General Motors Co. GM +0.46% , took more than $17 billion in bailout funds during the financial crisis as losses from its foray into subprime mortgages mounted.

So you see, you're wrong again loser. Your screen name should be "imaloser", much more spot on.

james-3709089

Now, I agree that private industry is the backbone of our economy, but it's becoming increasingly apparent that public trading of private industry is the enemy of competition, as well as the working class and all consumer.

James, more accurately it is the consumer that is the backbone of our economy.

We need to provide more opportunities to empower consumers to make purchases which helps to keep our economy growing.

It starts with banks lending to small businesses, who in turn can hire workers, who in turn make products, that other workers want/need to purchase.

both parties are corrupt and need to be taken down.

Jim - "How could it be any worse?"

They could be Democrats.

pjam09,

It would help if you actually read the article before posting your comments.

The polls clearly stated that Republicans were disliked and distrusted much more than Democrats by the majority of voters. You obviously reject that, but that's what the polls are saying.

If any Republicans converted over to the Democratic party, it could actually help their approval ratings.

And the ONLY way to do that icevy is for every citizen to get involved in the Popular Amendment Movement and help pass the two proposed US Constitutional Amendments posted at www.faircampaignreform.us (and cut and pasted below for those too lazy to go to the site.) If all of you had gotten involved two years ago, we might have been able to bring about these changes in time to have a major effect on this election. It is not too late to do it before 2014/16.

Petition for US Constitutional Amendment For Election Reform

We, the undersigned US citizens, duly registered voters in our respective states/territories, do hereby petition for our state to approve the following amendment to the United States Constitution by the method noted below.

Election Reform:
1. Abolish the Electoral College (Repeal Amendment 12)
2. ONE NATIONAL primary date to be held on the Tuesday eight (8) weeks prior to the General Election day for Congressional offices and for the President. Candidate petitions must be filed with the local/state elections boards 60 days prior to the Primary Election date. Federal election petitions shall be uniform in every state and shall include a “contract with the voters” that spells out clearly what that candidate stands for on all issues that they may have to address in elected office. They shall be held accountable in court for breach of that contract if elected and any/all terms are not met.
3. NO campaigning allowed for any elective federal office more than 60 days prior to the National Primary Date.
4. NO campaign contribution shall be donated to any candidate of more than $200 from an individual or $500 maximum from a family (spouses/children living in the same household.) No donations shall be made to a candidate more than sixty days prior to the primary date. No candidate shall contribute from their own funds more than 60% of the total donations from other private individuals.
5. NO campaign contribution from any PAC, corporation, union, non-profit organization, special interest group, etc. shall be allowed for any elected federal office.
6. NO third party campaigning (separate PAC ads, corporate ads, etc.) for/against any candidate shall be allowed at any time during or before the election season.
7. NO party conventions shall be held to select the presidential candidates. The selection must be done at the ballot box in the primary election.
8. The One Man/One Vote Supreme Court ruling shall be enforced by this Amendment, namely that NO federal candidate selection shall be by any means other than the ballot box on Primary/General Election Dates.
9. National Party Organizations shall NOT raise money for or donate to specific candidates of their party prior to the dates outlined above.
10. PAC’s shall NOT be granted tax-exempt status by the IRS, and any non-profit organization who uses their funding for political purposes shall lose their tax-exempt status.
11. All lobbyists shall be outlawed from influencing Congress at all times.

This amendment shall be approved ONLY by State Constitutional Conventions to be called within 90 days of this petition being submmitted to a state’s Secretary of State. A minimum of 25% of the registered voters in each state shall be required to further this petition to the respective Secretary of State.

Name Signature State Address

Petition for US Constitutional Amendment For Congressional Term Limits

We, the undersigned US citizens, duly registered voters in our respective states/territories, do hereby petition for our state to approve the following amendment to the United States Constitution by the method noted below.

Term Limits for Congress:
1. Representatives to Congress shall serve no more than two two-year terms in the House.
2. Senators shall be elected to no more than two six year terms in the Senate.
3. No elected official shall serve more than six terms in office in any combined elected offices (House/Senate/Presidency.)

This amendment shall be approved ONLY by State Constitutional Conventions to be called within 90 days of this petition being submmitted to a state’s Secretary of State. A minimum of 25% of the registered voters in each state shall be required to further this petition to the respective Secretary of State.

Name Signature State Address

Anti Trust:

Are you an enemy of tv ? The networks and stations would go broke without all of those political ads.

GOP brand suffering! Why would that be?

Sarah Palin?

Michele Bachmann?

John Boehner?

Mitch McConnell?

Eric Cantor?

Bob McDonnell?

etc....

2016, the movie

antitrust proponent: We already have term limits! It's called, "Vote the bums out of office."

What your amendments propose cannot work. First, nobody would ever run for government if they could be sued for taking a different position than one they previously thought was a good idea--that seeks to punish people for gaining expertise and evolving thought!

Second, CA proves that term limits means nobody ever really knows what they're doing because they can't gain any expertise, and they don't care because when s--- hits the fan they'll be gone, anyway. Thus, no problems are ever solved.

You want to sign a petition for a constitutional amendment? Sign to overturn Citizens United. Everybody complains about corporations as persons but the real evil of the decision is MONEY AS FREE SPEECH. That means any corporation that loses profits as a result of any government regulation can sue! It's already been done.

Big Tobacco recently sued the Fed on grounds that the warning labels on cigarette packages made them lose profits--and they WON. Is this what America wants? Next time it'll be Dirty Energy claiming that environmental regulations are defeating their 41 billions in profit per quarter--notice how many of our Olympic athletes have ASTHMA? Is this what America needs?

I Can't Even Vote Yet,

Please take some advice and get some "learning" before you vote. be able to vote wilth an informed head and not one filled with right-wing prejudices. Seriously. A little leaarning goes a long way, so does right-wing ignorance. Your choice.

Wow, you believe NBC "polls" far too much.... let me guess, you also thought Democrats had a chance heading into the 2010 midterms.

Arizona-

Exactly.

Midterm elections aren't a good representation of the real majority. They favor people who are strongly for or against issues and actually go through the effort to show up and vote.

General elections are about as good as we get for what the majority of voters are for or against. I expect that the Democrats will hold their own quite well and that the GOP are the ones who'll have to fight to defend their turf.

How nice of you to leave the WSJ, a clearly conservative newspaper and co-author of the poll, out of your diatribe pjam09. Quite a little bubble you have there.

Anyone who is dim enough to think that any thinking person, let alone an entire political party would agree with Akin...

His good buddy, Paul sure does agree with Akin; they worked side by side and co-sponsored bills. In fact, the republican platform is being set up to very closely reflect Akin's lunacy thinking: being against abortion even under rape and incest.

The equivalent would be for conservatives to take any 1 of 100 Jesse Jackson hate-speech quotes, or Rev Wright, or Alinksy,

Hey foot loop, none of these people are US Congressional Representatives. Private citizens can say anything they like and it's a good thing or else some of the people in your camp would be locked up in jail for the appalling opinions they hold.

Do you notice the word "Representative" in the job title? Apparently the only person this guy is representing is old stupid white men.

Arizona-Buckeye: Yep. Republican hypocrisy at its finest. Look at Republican campaign strategy: Attack the other guy as though HE stands for what YOU ACTUALLY STAND FOR. Claim his policies as your own. Make their heads spin so fast they won't recognize up from down.

The amazing thing is, up 'til now, it's been working very well.

Clearly the lines have been drawn.

You can vote for a party that is extremely far right whose policies are tax the poor so the rich can have move trickle down fairy dust. They have the mind set of "I've got mine and to heck with those that can't do it themselves" with education, healthcare and an living wage.

Or you can vote for a party that wants to help the population of the US with jobs, infrastructure, women's wright's and education while reducing the debt in a reasonable way. This party also will be giving tax breaks to the people that need it to survive week to week.

But first, we need to vote the GOP out of the House in order to move us out of this mess.

The answer is clear...O & Joe 2012

pissed - "when was it a good brand"

Well, obviously it was far better thant the Democrat "brand" in 2010 when Dems were dealt the largest party flip since WWII.

P.S.

It's still better.

Yes and all those "Job,Jobs,Jobs" They promised are where? oh yeah it was "Abortion, tax breaks for oil, koch sucking" since then

MisterWonderful

I thought to respond to you but the definition of insanity is doing something over and over and expecting a different result.

You lack critical thinking skills and are obviously a product of the Capitalist agenda called out so brilliantly by VinnieSaltine. You likely didn't read that. Too many words.

Mister Wonderful is missing the "Wonderful".

I would say you need to work on your "run on sentence"... where did you get your degree?

The only good GOP president since Lincoln (or maybe Teddy) was the one who taxed the rich at 90%, hehe. Of course, Ike also warned us to beware of the military/industrial complex and we failed to heed that warning. The GOP has led this nation downhill since then, while at the same time gaining more and more power through that m/ic.

Dem4Freedom, there were no run-on sentences, actually, and if you'd read BBB's post all the way through in its entirety, you'd find you're probably on the same side. Please keep your mind open until you're sure of what the poster has said.

The GOP is hardly fiscally responsible. How many billions / trillions did we spent in Iraq? And for what purpose again? Then there's the Bush tax cuts, another massive contributor to the current deficit. No, the GOP loves to spend too. They just disagree as to what to spend it on.

Did you see the other headline: "Many in middle class say they are doing worse financially"

America is slowly being consumed by leeches seeking "free" handouts and the Democrat politicians who pander to them.

xabre

what about obummer promising to get out of afghanistan what about him not increasing the debt limit yea what about him increasing the debt by 6 trillion what about him making the environment for the private sector companies not safe by overregulation........

Obama cannot unilaterally increase the debt limit. He needs Congress to do that. Don't people even read the Constitution anymore?

Free handouts ??? Oh you mean when General Dynamics or some other contractor persuades Congress to authorise purchase of weapons systems the Pentagon had already stated that it DID NOT NEED and did not want.

Like those extra four thousand Abrams tanks!

The GOP abandoned any pretense to fiscal conservatism around the time W took office.

Republicans have really gotten off-message in the last week and a half," said a veteran GOP operative well-versed in the party's campaign efforts. "If you’re Mitt Romney or a Republican candidate, you need to be operating within a message framework centered on economic issues, not on issues that are historically unfriendly to Republicans.

Here's the problem with that strategy. The economy is an issue that is historically unfriendly to Republicans, at least over the last couple decades. And their economic messaging is just as out of touch as everything else.

So, yes, please GOP. Keep telling us how you want to give the top 1% another huge tax cut that you can't pay for without raising taxes on the poor and middle class. Keep telling us how you want to encourage investment by making sure Mitt Romney really can pay 0% in taxes. Keep telling us how we can't afford to pay for any social services because of the deficit, but that we can afford to not only maintain, but deepen Bush tax cuts that created much of the current deficit in the first place. Keep telling us how medicare is going bankrupt, but you'll oppose any effort by the president to make it more efficient or to try to check the growth of health costs because, darn it, those insurance companies just don't make enough profit. Keep telling us how much the oil companies need those subsidies when we're paying four dollars a gallon for gas. Keep it up and I'm sure somebody will start believing at least some of that.

John with lots of numbers: Do you still buy Republican voodoo economics?

Republicans cannot govern because they are diametrically opposed to government. It's akin to trying to peel a banana without opposable thumbs.

No you won't dogs.

What's an MSNBC?

I guess dogs can't read poll numbers...

1. MSNBC is not Fox News. MSNBC has standards. 2. MSNBC does not need to slam Republicans. They are doing a great job shooting themselves in the foot. 3. You really don't see anything wrong with the Republican rethoric? 4. The real Republican Party is dead, killed by the Tea Party, Lee Atwater, Karl Rove, the Koch brothers and the like. They should be honest and start working on a new name.

Msnbc is no longer. You f'n people don't read anything. Its NBCNEWS

dogs80: No problem. If Republicans should win big, as you so steadfastly believe, the next American Revolution will happen sooner. The people will win. They've been watching "Arab Spring." And they're armed.

That, too, was done by your party.

And you think that suing Americans for enforcing U.S. border laws is "for the people"? it is "for the votes"... at a huge cost to "the people".

Arizona was sued BECAUSE of the Racial Profiling! "TODAY'S" Republican Party LOVES the whole IDEA of "Racial Profiling"!!!! Deal with it...It IS @!$%#ed UP!!!

********VOTE "TODAY'S" Republican Party INTO EXTINCTION !!!!!!*******

Agree about governing for the people Cher, good post!

Cher-with-lotsa numbers: Just so you know, our president is to the right of middle.

Dee Turner: you think that our President is "to the right of the middle"?...I would really be interested in how you arrived at that conclusion.

Cher.... You are right on the money. I think too many people have jumped on what ever political side too early in this election. They stopped listening and looking at results. Both sides are misguided by the media. There is definitely two different choices out there. All of it being muddied up by each Party putting words in each others mouth.

And left-wing O-Zombies like you are only offering the rest of us more of the Dictator in Chief UNILATERALLY ignoring the rule of law, exempting his cronies from US laws and re-writing of US laws.

WHAT ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION YOU MINDLESS DRONES?

All right, what about the constitution? Right wing boneheads constantly complain that Obama is violating the constitution without ever indicating what part or clause he is violating. Do you even know what is in the constitution? Did you take a high school civics course? Did you even graduate from high school? Or are you simply parroting what Fox News and Limbaugh tells you like some "mindless drone"?

What a brillant comment!

Yes, very thoughtful and reflecting broad knowledge and deep thinking. Now go take your nap. Mommy's calling.

...Obozo is the one who made himself a one termer.....no accomplishments, no budget and no plan sealed his fate.....anyone who would vote for that garbage is a moron.....

WinWin--then there are people like me who were Republicans for many years and simply couldn't stay part of a party that has no tolerance for their views. I have found a warm welcome and a good home with the Democrats.

You have to feel sorry for Todd Akin. He states the policy of the RNC and Paul Ryan exactly and gets in big trouble. Like Andrea Saul. It really makes the republican party mad when a member tells the truth.

Uh-huh.....just ask Arizona.

He's been wrong on the border, wrong on his actions towards the american people by shoveling his "vision" down our throats, raised the debt WAY high and you compare him to a broken clock..........nice.

He's still poison....I'll try the red pill please.

I was going to answer Edwardo's outrageous post and started culling website articles to show him the truth as well as his biases--when I realized there's no hope for people who hate so much. Discussing politics rationally is utterly meaningless. I lost the energy & will to keep battering myself against so much prejudice.

All I have left for Eduardo is this: Hate is a caustic acid that consumes the container that holds it. Get some counseling before you lose it altogether & go postal, destroying yourself and others with you.

What do the Republicans stand for?

Another loyal view of faux news!

edwardo, your usual moronic posts, full of infantile name calling, are characteristically full of vague accusations and devoid of any hint of knowledge. I don't think for a second that you really understand what the words "communist," "socialist," and "marxist" mean.

Then don't confuse him with more tough words - like syncophant, oligarchy, and plutocrat.

edwardo, a Rush limpjaw groupie. Go dude, don't let simple facts stop your ignorant ranting.

This slow recovery is totally the responsibility of the Party of no, they don't even hide the fact that if the President is for it, they will be against it. This is treason in my book. They need to pay for their selfish, childish game they are playing with this country because they didn't win the last presidential election. Stop your f'ing pouting and do you jobs you crybaby piss ant children! I hope the people in this country make you pay severely for your actions over the last 4 years, because God knows many Americans have.