Month: September 2011

Categories
Politics

Rick Perry Gets Physical With Ron Paul During Debate – Pics

Oh the things we miss when those pesky commercials come on. And apparently, that is the exact moment Rick Perry was waiting for in last night’s debate.

As soon as the sign was given that there was a commercial break, the Texas governor made his way over to Ron Paul’s podium, grabbed the congressman by the wrist and pointed his finger in Paul’s face. And by the look on Perry’s face, this was not an invitation to brunch.

We can only assume that something Ron Paul said ruffled Perry’s feathers. Before the incident started, Perry and Paul had a heated back and forth, when the question was asked about their support for the minimum wage. Paul stated that he would like to get rid of that law, then went all in on Perry and his support for “HillaryCare.” Paul said that Rick Perry “criticized the Governor of Massachusetts [Mitt Romney] for RomneyCare, but he wrote a really fancy letter supporting HillaryCare.”

It was later, while America was getting up getting their popcorn and favorite beverage ready for the circus to resume, that Rick Perry paid Paul a visit.

And you thought you were witnessing the entire debate!

and this

Categories
Barack Obama job creation Politics

Go Wide Mr. President, Go Wide!

I have to admit, these days I’m looking for a reason to re-elect our incumbent president in 2012.  I can no longer hide my disappointment at his not taking the wheel and steering this sinking ship over to more shallow waters. Why fight so hard and valiantly to become the first African-American president of – what we’re told – is the most rich, the most powerful, the most  influential nation in the world only to constantly cave-in with a whimper once confronted with your opposition’s…opposition?

And Mr. President – with all due respect – f**k those bi-partisan pipe dreams! Groveling is not a good look for my president. The public no longer needs that to be one of your goals any longer, anyway. And if another of your actual goals is to appear stymied in making any real, substantial policy changes because those mean old republicans keep bullying you and taking your lunch money… well, again, not a good look.

You’re on the stump now across the country campaigning on those grounds and its sounds more like you’re looking for pity rather than re-appointment. The thing with trying to appear as ” the adult in the room”, is that you get loads of obstinacy when the adolescents in the room with you, have no respect for your authority in the first place. However, that mustn’t  stop you from laying down the law. It never stopped my Mom, a single mother of five big-ass kids.

If you’d just concern yourself with blowing your own horn on all you’ve accomplished thus far; Bin Laden, a great start to a future of healthcare reform, being stalwart against the GOP on their insistence to not raise the debt ceiling and their personal vendetta against Social Security and Medicare, a successful auto industry bailout, aggressive moderator to the conflicts in the Middle East, International Kumbayah Ambassador… look, you don’t need me to tell you what you’ve done.

If your true agenda is to be the beacon of  ‘Change’, as you touted yourself to be and – we went for – back in your glory days in 2007, you’d better go for it now,  with no damn regrets.  Don’t give credence to my naysayer associates on Facebook who say you’re a pawn for someone else’s political agenda (ie: Robert Redford’s Bill McKay in The Candidate  (1972), remember?).

Hopefully your initiative to present a master plan for (what I wish to be!) an actual Jobs Bill (wouldn’t that be grand!) that could realistically be implemented ASAP – despite the expected stonewalling from the party on the right – will jumpstart your mojo with a “TOUCHDOWN!” tonight.

Just remember to go wide Mr. President.

 

Categories
job creation Politics Republican Texas

Texas Residents Are Number 2 In The United States… In Hunger

Either Rick Perry is a liar, or he just doesn’t know the residents of his state that well.

The Texas governor recently announced his intention to run for the Republican nomination to take on Barack Obama in the 2012 Presidential elections, and he often quotes his “success” in Texas as his main qualification for president. But if this new report is true, the question begs to be asked – why exactly are Texas residents the second hungriest folks in the nation?

Yes, despite Perry’s claims that Texas has the best economy in the nation, and despite his claims that his state produced more jobs than any other state, why are the people wanting for something as basic as food?

From the USDA report;

An estimated 85.5 percent of American households were food secure throughout the entire year in 2010, meaning that they had access at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members. The remaining households (14.5 percent) were food insecure at least some time during the year, including 5.4 percent with very low food security—meaning that the food intake of one or more household members was reduced and their eating patterns were disrupted at times during the year because the household lacked money and other resources for food.

So where do Texans  falls? Well in 2010, under the auspicious leadership of Mr. Perry, 18.8% of residents reported not having enough food at some point during the year. That number was only second to Mississippi’s 19.4% who made the same claim.

This report shows the emptiness of Perry’s job creation claim. Although data shows that 4 out of every 10 jobs recently created in the nation came from Texas, something is drastically wrong if the citizens of your state still can’t afford to buy food. But there is no surprise here. Although Perry’s claim is partly correct, the fact remains the same – Texas leads the nation in minimum wage jobs.

Texas has more people earning the federal minimum wage or less than any other state and is tied with Mississippi for the highest percentage of minimum-wage workers. New York follows Texas and Mississippi by three percentage points.

Categories
job creation Mitt Romney Politics Republican White House

The Republican Family Feud

The Republican spectacle was on full view for all to see. In a rare turn of events, it was amusing to watch this “family” turn on each other – although for a moment – for the very same issues they criticize the Obama Administration for… in this case, job creation.

Even though this particular family feud did not end up with the usual blood-letting at most thanksgiving dinner tables, any outside observer could surely see some interesting low blows being hauled by the two favorite uncles.

Eyewitness this most rare event, as this might be your last chance to see Republican on Republican.

Categories
Barack Obama Politics Texas

Rick Perry Accepts Federal Emergency Help From President Obama

Information released today by the White House suggests that President Obama and Texas Governor Rick Perry recently had a telephone conversation, where the President offered FEMA’s help to the people of Texas affected by the wild fires. According to the news release;

Today the President called Texas Governor Rick Perry to express his concern for citizens of Texas impacted by the unprecedented fires.

During the call the President extended his condolences for the lives that have been lost as a result of these events, and made clear that the federal government, through DHS/FEMA and the U.S. Forest Service, will continue to make federal assistance available to state and local officials as they fight the fires.

The President also assured the Governor that requests for additional assistance, including as recovery begins, would be quickly assessed.

Following the call, the President directed his national security staff to continue to work closely with FEMA, the Forest Service and the State of Texas to ensure we were making all resources available.

Over the last several days, at the request of the Governor, the Administration has granted eight Fire Management Assistance Grants, making federal funds available to reimburse eligible costs associated with efforts to combat the fires.

FEMA is actively working with state and local officials to conduct damage assessments and to identify areas where additional federal assistance may be warranted.

This, after all the times Rick Perry has denounced the very existence of FEMA, and his many times promising to end the Federal Emergency Program. This dude is simply unbelievable.

Categories
Featured

Republicans Have Better Things To Do During Job Creation Speech

Apparently, getting Americans back to work is not something these Republicans are all for. In fact, during the upcoming joint session of Congress speech the President will make on Thursday, where jobs creation for middle class America is the one and only topic, various Republican congressmen have already stated that they have better things to do.

A few days ago, Joe Walsh, the people-elected Republican from Illinois made public his decision to be more productive during the speech. He intends to hold a meeting with small businesses in Illinois, a move that will result in zero job creations, as Mr. Joe cannot implement any policy decisions or job creation ideas gained from his gathering. He is after all, just a fraction of a bigger body in Congress that must vote and approve these ideas, then the President must sign them into law. So Joe acting like a one man army, is just for show.

Then we heard about Jim DeMint, the Republican Senator from South Carolina and another people-elected Republican who said he wants to proofread the President’s speech first. In an interview with ABC News, DeMint said;

“If he sent a written proposal over first, I would go hear him explain it, but frankly right now I’m so frustrated I don’t think I’m going to go.”

And now, we’re hearing about Paul Broun, once again – a people-elected Representative from Georgia. Of these three elected officials so far, Broun will be the most productive. During the President’s speech, Mr. Broun plans to stay in his office across the street from where the President will be making his address. And to keep himself occupied while the President lays out his plan to get Americans back to work, the people-elected Broun will be tweeting. Yes, he will be sitting at his desk, criticizing the President on Twitter!

People elected these fools to office for one reason: work together and come up with ways to make this nation a shining beacon on the hill. To make America the lighthouse of the world, like we believe we are. But in order for America to live up to our fullest potential, we must, must meet the needs of our people. Right now the people need jobs, and any idea on how to create these jobs, regardless of which political side of the aisle it comes from, should be listened to, discussed, and immediately put into effect if job creation is the outcome.

But instead of welcoming a new idea or ideas on how to get America back to work and improve our economy, these Republicans will be doing what essentially amounts to wasting time. And nothing against Twitter, but how many jobs should we expect from Mr. Broun’s twitter account during the President’s jobs plan?

Meanwhile, our tax dollars pay the salaries and other benefits these politicians adore, like health care.

That my friend, is our tax dollars at work!

Categories
Featured Texas

While Texas Burns, Perry Slashed Firefighter Funds By 75%

The fire raging through Texas is not a surprise, it’s something everyone expected, in fact, it happens often. Yet, with that in mind, Rick Perry, the Republican candidate for President in 2012, massively cut funding to the only agency whose job is to fight these fires.

Volunteer departments that were already facing financial strain were slated to have their funding cut from $30 million to $7 million, according to KVUE.

The majority of Texas is protected by volunteer fire departments. There are 879 volunteer fire departments in Texas and only 114 paid fire departments. Another 187 departments are a combination of volunteer and paid.

The raging inferno presently covers over 25,000 acres near Bastrop and has already destroyed nearly 500 homes. At a time like this, all hands should be on deck, but thanks to Perry’s decision making, the burning continues.

This decision by Rick Perry gives a whole new meaning to the term, ‘slash and burn.’

Categories
Barack Obama Politics

Approval Rating For President Obama Falls To New Lows

Some bleak news on an even more bleak rainy September day. Various polls now show the President’s approval ratings are on a decline. Bad news for the President and the Democrats, as Americans – frustrated with an economy that is intentionally kept in the doldrums by congressional Republicans – blame the incumbent party.

That poll showed the president’s approval ratings skidding to 44%, with even worse marks for his handling of the economy and his overall leadership. An ABC News/Washington Post poll had similar marks, putting the president’s approval rating at 43% while a Politico/George Washington University poll has him at 45%.

The new numbers caused Democratic pollster Peter Hart to conclude, “Obama is no longer the favorite to win reelection.”

With the election still over a year away, the new polls seem to  point to Republicans getting their wish to make this President a one term president. President Obama gets another chance to increase his numbers on Thursday when he presents his plan to create jobs. Although Republicans are expected to go against any plan the president provides, conventional wisdom would suggest that the bigger his plan, the more it will be supported by the people.

Republicans will do their best to make sure this support does not happen. Bet on it….

Categories
Barack Obama Politics Republican

Jimmy Hoffa Is Right, No Apologies Necessary!

The truth hurts, huh?

While introducing President Obama at a rally over the weekend, Teamster’s President Jimmy Hoffa had some choice words for the Teaparty congressmen who stormed their way into Washington in the November 2010 election with one goal in mind – denying the Democratic President any political victory, thus, bringing America to her knees.

And so far, these Teaparty congress members have gotten their wish. For the first time in this nation’s history, America lost its Triple A ratings status, simply because the Republicans, controlled by the Teaparty, failed to do what was in the nation’s best interest and raise the debt ceiling – an act they previously did over 80 times, in both Republican and Democratic administrations.

And in Wisconsin, another of the  Teaparty’s favorite governor has managed to take away the collective bargaining rights of public employees in Wisconsin, a move that many other Republican/Teaparty governors are trying now to do in their own state.

So naturally, middle class Americans are stressed. These hard working Americans are under the crosshairs, and the fingers of the congressional Teaparty members are on the trigger, aiming, waiting for another opportunity to shoot away another program that benefits the unfortunate like Social Security, Medicaid or Medicare. For some, their very existence is on the line and these Americans feel the need to fight back. So who’s best to state their anxiety, than the union president himself, Jimmy Hoffa.

In Detroit, while introducing President Obama, Hoffa said;

“We got to keep an eye on the battle that we face: The war on workers. And you see it everywhere, it is the Tea Party. And you know, there is only one way to beat and win that war. The one thing about working people is we like a good fight. And you know what? They’ve got a war, they got a war with us and there’s only going to be one winner. It’s going to be the workers of Michigan, and America. We’re going to win that war,” Hoffa told thousands of workers gathered for the annual Labor Day rally.

“President Obama, this is your army. We are ready to march… Everybody here’s got a vote…Let’s take these sons of bitches out and give America back to an America where we belong.”

Of course, Hoffa was talking about the uncompromising Teaparty members in Congress. But now, the Teaparty and their enablers are enraged. How dare someone open their mouth and state the obvious?!? Their goal was to dismantle all that America stands for without getting any grief from anyone, but now, Hoffa has taken on the mantle and is calling it as it is. They are demanding apologies from Hoffa and from President Obama himself.

Well, to quote a message my editor sent to me this morning, “If Obama apologizes for Jimmy Hoffa, I’ll kick his ass myself!”

Well, maybe not “kick his ass” but still – for once,  if feels good to have someone state the truth. Jimmy, you’re right! Let’s hope this is just the start!

Categories
Politics Republican

Michele Bachmann Loses Famed Campaign Manager – Ed Rollins

Ed Rollins, the campaign manager for Republican presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann, announced that he will be stepping down from his present position. Rollins cited health concerns as his reason for taking a “reduced role” in Michele Bachmann’s presidential campaign. His new role will be as senior adviser to her campaign.

“I am tired and am concerned about my health,” Rollins said. “Managing a campaign is tough for a young man, and I am 68 and battered by many years of campaign combat.”

Ed Rollins was also the campaign manager for President Reagan’s election in 1984, when the Republican president won 49 out of 50 states. He also served as Mike Huckabee’s campaign manager in 2007.

At the same time Ed Rollins decided to be a senior adviser to Michele’s campaign, Bachmann’s deputy campaign manager David Polyansky, also announced his decision to leave the campaign.

Since winning the Ames Straw poll a few weeks back, Bachmann has struggled to maintain her apparent momentum in her quest to be the next President of these United States, and the recent introduction of Rick Perry, has taken away much of the spotlight from the Minnesota congresswoman.

 

Categories
Health Care Healthcare Repeal

Man Dies From Toothache. Thanks G.O.P.!

We often brag that we are the most powerful nation on earth. But are we also the most selfish and uncaring when it comes to our own citizens? Why is it apparently acceptable by some if our next door neighbor dies for something as trivial as a lack of healthcare or more specifically as in this case, dental care?

According to NBC affiliate WLWT, Kyle Willis‘ wisdom tooth started hurting two weeks ago. When dentists told him it needed to be pulled, he decided to forgo the procedure, because he was unemployed and had no health insurance.

When his face started swelling and his head began to ache, Willis went to the emergency room, where he received prescriptions for antibiotics and pain medications. Willis couldn’t afford both, so he chose the pain medications.

The tooth infection spread, causing his brain to swell. He died Tuesday.

We must be better than this.

We send our troops overseas to “free” other nations, and to teach these nations how  “civilized” people should live. We want those nations to be able to live like us. We ask international governments to provide for their people by building schools, roads and hospitals among other things, and we expect the leaders of these nations to do these things, because in our minds, these are the basic and necessary needs of any citizenry.

But when it comes to our own there’s obviously a different standard, as our own citizens without healthcare  die because they can’t afford pain medication and antibiotics.

Meanwhile, Republicans are still promising to repeal what they call, “Obamacare” – President Obama’s healthcare reform plan which would offer basic healthcare coverage to over 30 million Americans who presently have none. To congressional Republicans, this is a terrible thing for the leader of our nation to do. What would these Republicans have to say to Kyle Willis’ family? Oh, never-mind that question, Republicans consider Kyle’s death as the natural order of things, you know, eliminating the weak. Only the strong survives!

We must be better than this…

Categories
Politics

Cantor Prefers Debate Instead Of Helping American Citizens

Putting politics ahead of the American people, RepubliCON Eric Cantor earlier this week called for more debates and disagreements on where to get relief for the victims of Hurricane Irene. If Cantor had his way, Washington politicians, who can’t even seem to agree on what day it is, will have months of debates before finding the necessary funds to help Americans in need.

Well the American people are speaking out, and below is a video released by moveon.org, perfectly expressing the disgust and disappointment Americans have in this new RepubliCON party.

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