David Brooks, the New York Times' conservative columnist, wrote that President Obama's convention speech lacked audacity. I agree. So here's my own audacious plan that if actually implemented would cure most of this country's economic ills. Begin by making Social Security a pay-as-you-go system. The amount of money collected by the Payroll Tax would all go (no diversions) to … [Read more...] about An Audacious Plan To Rescue The U.S. Economy
Obama Beat Mitt Romney in the Acceptance Speech TV Ratings War
At least one result is definitively in for campaign 2012: Democratic President Barack Obama beat Republican former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in the TV ratings war: President Barack Obama can beat rival Mitt Romney as a television draw, but can't eclipse his old self. The Nielsen company said 35.7 million people watched the final night of the Democratic … [Read more...] about Obama Beat Mitt Romney in the Acceptance Speech TV Ratings War
Eleven Years Since 9/11, We Continue a Legacy
Eleven years later, that’s the legacy of 9/11 – the ability to say with confidence that no adversary and no act of terrorism can change who we are. We are Americans, and we will protect and preserve this country we love. On this solemn anniversary, let’s remember those we lost, let us reaffirm the values they stood for, and let us keep moving forward as one nation and one … [Read more...] about Eleven Years Since 9/11, We Continue a Legacy
Convention Hangovers
Like all fever dreams, conventions leave irrational impressions that don’t fit an orderly pattern. Some Tampa and Charlotte hangovers: Do politicians have periodontal secrets? The smiles of Joe Biden, the Romneys and Obamas dazzle the senses of those who feel aging teeth rotting in their mouths. Did TV directors spin the crowds? Republican women were blonder. Panning in … [Read more...] about Convention Hangovers
Canada Breaks Off Relations With Iran (Guest Voice)
Canada breaks off relations with Iran (via AFP) Canada has closed its Tehran embassy and ordered Iranian diplomats expelled, in a damning severance of ties in which it accused the Islamic Republic of being the biggest threat to world peace. Canada did not cite a specific incident that caused the breakdown, but issued a strongly worded attack on… … [Read more...] about Canada Breaks Off Relations With Iran (Guest Voice)
“…Looks worrisome for Romney”
"...Looks worrisome for Romney" Why? What in particular? "Romney is targeting eight states," Jonathan Chait writes. "Nevada, Colorado, Iowa, Ohio, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, and New Hampshire. No Wisconsin, Michigan, or Pennsylvania. This is surely not because Romney is husbanding scarce cash." Campaign aides also told Fox News yesterday that they … [Read more...] about “…Looks worrisome for Romney”
NFL Sunday Service (Cartoon)
LEGAL NOTICE ON CARTOON: This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Reproduction elsewhere without licensing is strictly prohibited. See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about NFL Sunday Service (Cartoon)
High Atop the Deep Bench (Guest Voice)
High Atop the Deep Bench by Will Durst And now a few words on the Democratic National Convention, which was ALSO interrupted by bad weather, and from this we can deduce that God is not overly fond of politicians. Proving that he/she indeed has something in common with a majority of the American public. We are special. The Dems opened their quadrennial confab headlining … [Read more...] about High Atop the Deep Bench (Guest Voice)
The Right to Vote Being Imperilled in America! (La Repubblica, Italy)
Are U.S. Republicans genuinely worried about voter fraud, or are the legal battles playing out across the country really about reducing the vote among segments of the population that usually vote for Democrats? For Italy's La Repubblica, columnist Frederico Rampini explains the differences between voting in Italy and America, and examines the motives of a party that opposes … [Read more...] about The Right to Vote Being Imperilled in America! (La Repubblica, Italy)
While Romney Mocks Sea-Level Rise, City Planners across the Country Take Action (Guest Voice)
While Romney Mocks Sea-Level Rise, City Planners across the Country Take Action (via Planetsave) At the Republican national convention last week, Mitt Romney mocked efforts to address climate change, specifically deriding President Obama for seeking to address rising ocean levels. Here’s what he said: “President Obama promised to begin to slow the rise of the … [Read more...] about While Romney Mocks Sea-Level Rise, City Planners across the Country Take Action (Guest Voice)
The United States and Israel RE Iran
Robert W. Merry at The National Interest has a really striking post on the divergence of U.S. and Israeli interests in general but especially RE Iran. The essence of the argument would have to be that it isn’t in America’s interest to go to war with Iran while the president is pursuing his regimen of economic sanctions and seeking a negotiated solution through the ongoing … [Read more...] about The United States and Israel RE Iran
The Intentional Manipulation of MEMEORANDUM to suppress the DNC
In the absence of a dictator and iron-fisted control of a heavily censored press, our press has been manipulated into the functional equivalent. And that ought to scare hell out of any American. One week of media manipulation will make the point, but more importantly, the point should anger and frighten you. Don't believe me? Read on. Here's the "top story" in Amerika from … [Read more...] about The Intentional Manipulation of MEMEORANDUM to suppress the DNC
God and Man at the DNC
So, the Democrats hate God. How do I know? I read it on the internet -- at least, that portion of the internet that belongs to right wing crazies: Are you a God hater? The Democrat party is for YOU, then. Bunch of godless paganistic freaks. I hate these people, yes I HATE these people. HATE, HATE, HATE. Yes, ok -- I get it. Video doesn't lie. Democrats booed after … [Read more...] about God and Man at the DNC
More Lousy Economic News: August Jobless Report Finds Unemployment Falls to 8.1 Percent
More news on the economy that isn't good for those who are struggling, or President Barack Obama and his re-election campaign: American employers added just 96,000 jobs in August, the Labor Department reported Friday. The unemployment rate fell to 8.1 percent as the economy slogged along for the 43rd month in a row with joblessness above 8 percent. Economists had … [Read more...] about More Lousy Economic News: August Jobless Report Finds Unemployment Falls to 8.1 Percent
(UPDATED) Does Gallup Poll Now Show Signs of An Obama Democratic Party Bounce? It’s Editor Says Yes
Are we now seeing signs of a "bounce" for President Barack Obama and the Democrats? New Gallup Poll polling numbers now up show a shift from what was up just earlier today, based on daily tracking numbers averages. UPDATE: It's Editor-in Chief Frank Newport says it does look like a bounce: President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party look as if they are getting at least … [Read more...] about (UPDATED) Does Gallup Poll Now Show Signs of An Obama Democratic Party Bounce? It’s Editor Says Yes
Obama’s Message Breaks Through in Swing State Newspapers
Many new and old media pundits may feel President Barack Obama's acceptance speech last night was not his best, a disappointment, a lot of restated campaign talking points and overall not the strongest speech of the convention. But it turns out as Buzzflash notes his main messaged broke through quite well on the front pages of key swing state newspapers. … [Read more...] about Obama’s Message Breaks Through in Swing State Newspapers
Obama’s Hope and Change 2.0
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The man who ran on hope and change didn't walk away from them. He redefined them for the long haul. And a president who has been accused of being a collectivist and a socialist didn't abandon a vision of shared burdens and purposes. He replied forcefully with a call for a renewal of citizenship, "the idea that this country only works when we accept … [Read more...] about Obama’s Hope and Change 2.0
Obama’s Elephant
All that undeniable truth, all that heart, all that wisdom, all that sheer rightness, yet not a direct word in the President’s eloquent acceptance speech about the undeniable reality that, even if he wins reelection, can make it all irrelevant. In a political climate where the bottom-line truth can’t be spoken, both the President and Joe Biden barely sideswipe it. They speak … [Read more...] about Obama’s Elephant
Video of Full Speech: Vice President Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention
Vice President Joe Biden's speech was nirvana for Democratic partisans, and not-so-nirvana for some other voters and analysts. Here's the full video of his speech to the Democratic Convention: A transcript of his speech is here. … [Read more...] about Video of Full Speech: Vice President Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention
Pakistan Conflict Fuels Marijuana Boom (Guest Voice)
Pakistan conflict fuels marijuana boom (via AFP) Jam Bazaar in Pakistan is cramped with guns, pistols and marijuana, living proof of a booming market in what hawkers call the best medicine or "black gold" in the world. This may be conservative Muslim country, where women are confined to their homes and alcohol banned, but marijuana is a much loved… … [Read more...] about Pakistan Conflict Fuels Marijuana Boom (Guest Voice)