The Real Mitt Romney

[ZenGum]

That's a good article, but I at the ad for a speed dating site at the bottom!

[Trilby]

thank god Ibby found that article. I heard about that bullshit last night but I'm notorious for not being able to link shit so thank you, Ibby, for that.

Mitt hired women for positions he didn't give a shit about and really, he just wants us all to vaccuum and make more Mormons. Kinda like the Catholic Church, really.

[DanaC]

Yeah. Silly thing to say, but I think he was led into it somewhat. It was a question about how he feels when his Dad is called a liar by Obama. Instinctive emotional response to an attack on his Dad.

An unfortunate thing to say, and possibly indicative of something unpleasant in the attitudes of Romney's people, but...equally likely to be indicative of nothing more than a strong sense of family loyalty coupled with a degree of rashness.

[glatt]

I have no problem with the son saying that. The way that debate was set up, with the audience in a circle around the combatants, and the combatants able to walk around each other, it really had the vibe of a boxing match. He verbalized what I think many people were feeling. That it was a fight.

I think what's more indicative of Romney's attitude is that he was a bully in school who was the ringleader to get a gang together to pick on a different kid, pin him down, and cut his hair off against his will.

[DanaC]

Y'know, from outside America looking in, it looks a lot like the Obama administration has managed to navigate very stormy economic seas and get the ship headed back in the right direction.

Romney and his ilk are part of the financial and commercial casino culture that all but shattered the global economy. In no way is it at all wise to invite them to apply the outdated and failed economic ideology that created this mess in the first place.

[Adak]

Originally Posted by DanaC

Y'know, from outside America looking in, it looks a lot like the Obama administration has managed to navigate very stormy economic seas and get the ship headed back in the right direction.

Romney and his ilk are part of the financial and commercial casino culture that all but shattered the global economy. In no way is it at all wise to invite them to apply the outdated and failed economic ideology that created this mess in the first place.

How far outside are you? Pluto?

Because the liberals (and that includes Bush Jr., who was a liberal in spending), has spent us into the poor house, failed to secure our borders, and in order to get their large campaign contributions, failed to rein in the Wall St. types getting into very risky and highly leveraged derivatives.

And to top it off, they allowed FHA to buy mortgages from unqualified home buyers, like it was free candy!

Romney is a Conservative basically, and KNOWS business. He'll run us back into the black ink.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by Adak

When you overspend by a Trillion dollars in EVERY YEAR, and still can't restore a robust economy.

Time for you to go. You've done all the good you could do, clearly.

That ultra liberal newspaper (sarcasm), the Wall Street Journal, says you are full of shit. Why do you lie so much?

• In the 2009 fiscal year — the last of George W. Bush’s presidency — federal spending rose by 17.9% from $2.98 trillion to $3.52 trillion. Check the official numbers at the Office of Management and Budget.

• In fiscal 2010 — the first budget under Obama — spending fell 1.8% to $3.46 trillion.

• In fiscal 2011, spending rose 4.3% to $3.60 trillion.

• In fiscal 2012, spending is set to rise 0.7% to $3.63 trillion, according to the Congressional Budget Office’s estimate of the budget that was agreed to last August.

• Finally in fiscal 2013 — the final budget of Obama’s term — spending is scheduled to fall 1.3% to $3.58 trillion. Read the CBO’s latest budget outlook.

What's that you say? Oh, I see, you said "overspend" not "spend". You don't care that Obama has increased the budget less than any president since Ike in the 1950s? You still think that when the economy is weak and tax revenue is lower, the government should spend within its means? Don't you realize that when times get tough, that's when you get more people who are unemployed and you need the government to come in and pay for services that weren't needed so much during the boom years.

It like a family, saving up for a rainy day during the good times, and then spending some of that rainy day fund to get through the bad times.

[Adak]

Originally Posted by glatt

That ultra liberal newspaper (sarcasm), the Wall Street Journal, says you are full of shit. Why do you lie so much?

It tells me you don't know what I'm saying. The dollar amount that we spend, is not important. What IS important, is the balance of income vs. expense. When your family income goes down you need to sharply curtail expenses, right?

Same with our government - if they were smart - but they aren't smart. And that is a problem IF WE KEEP IT UP.

Obama intends to keep it up! Do you know what an "Oh Holy Hell!!" is? That's what a monetary crisis is, in a nutshell. And that is what all this overspending is pushing us toward. We will ALL rue the day that we have a monetary crisis, in our country!

More immediately, his idea of pushing us all to depend on the gov't, is very unsettling. I don't want more gov't - I want my freedom, and my wallet left with something in it, thank you.

What's that you say? Oh, I see, you said "overspend" not "spend". You don't care that Obama has increased the budget less than any president since Ike in the 1950s? You still think that when the economy is weak and tax revenue is lower, the government should spend within its means? Don't you realize that when times get tough, that's when you get more people who are unemployed and you need the government to come in and pay for services that weren't needed so much during the boom years.

It like a family, saving up for a rainy day during the good times, and then spending some of that rainy day fund to get through the bad times.

And if Obama's stimulus policy had worked, I'd say OK, let's re-elect him. But it has failed, and he has no new plan, no new WAY to fix it.

Obama is on Comedy Central tonight. He's been on: The Tonight Show, The David Letterman Show, "Pimp with a Limp", and just about every TV talk show you could imagine. He's bright, does some funny jokes, and can do an excellent imitation of Al Green (the singer).

But I don't CARE about any of that. I want to see our economy growing again, at by more than a crippling 1 or 2 percent!
If Obama could deliver that, and open up some federal lands to oil drilling (and lower the fuel costs), I'd vote for him in a heartbeat. But he can't, and with his ideology, he believes he SHOULDN'T.

Basically, Obama wants to piss down my backside, and tell me it's raining.

No thanks.

[DanaC]

Originally Posted by Adak

How far outside are you? Pluto?

Across the pond.

Because the liberals (and that includes Bush Jr., who was a liberal in spending), has spent us into the poor house, failed to secure our borders, and in order to get their large campaign contributions, failed to rein in the Wall St. types getting into very risky and highly leveraged derivatives.

Right. That famously liberal president GWB...talk about moving the fucking goalposts.

And as to failing to rein in Wall St types....I'm sorry are we talking about the same mitt Romney? Are you seriously suggesting that he will in any way take on the Wall St types? They are his people. Look at how he conducted himself in business. He didn't create jobs in America, the country he professes to love, he sent that work to other countries where the workforce have fewer demands (like a living wage and contracted protections).

He ran his companies for the sole benefit of the high-end shareholders and boardmembers. At the expense of the workforce.

He pays minimal tax on vast wealth compared to most ordinary Americans, and that still wasn't enough for him. No, he still had to siphon funds offshore to reduce that bill still further. For himself and for his companies.

That tax, which he is choosing to divert through international systems rightly belonged to the American people. He begrudges the American people the same levels of tax that other people are expected to pay out.

Frankly, if he's so patriotic, if he loves his country if he feels the burden of national duty is upon him, then he should have put his money where his mouth is.

Romney is a Conservative basically, and KNOWS business. He'll run us back into the black ink.

He'll definitely run you somewhere mate. And it may well be a black place.

[Adak]

Originally Posted by DanaC

Across the pond.

Bloody clear, mate. I'm just messing with ya.

Right. That famously liberal president GWB...talk about moving the fucking goalposts.

The Conservative goals never budged, but Bush was a lunkhead of a social conservative, and a liberal on fiscal policies. In my view, that's backwards from what it should be.

More famously, (to me at least), he lied about WMD in Iraq. Iraq secret service had tried to assassinate his Dad on a trip (Bahrain I believe??), so he had an axe to grind with Saddam, clearly. Lying about the reason to go to war, is not the way to do it.

I'm not sorry to see Saddam dead, however. I don't think you are either?

And as to failing to rein in Wall St types....I'm sorry are we talking about the same mitt Romney? Are you seriously suggesting that he will in any way take on the Wall St types? They are his people. Look at how he conducted himself in business. He didn't create jobs in America, the country he professes to love, he sent that work to other countries where the workforce have fewer demands (like a living wage and contracted protections).

Unfortunately, neither party will take on Wall St. I'm beating a dead horse on this matter, I know.

He ran his companies for the sole benefit of the high-end shareholders and boardmembers. At the expense of the workforce.

EVERY business is run to make profit. That benefits everyone, or the employees find better jobs.

He pays minimal tax on vast wealth compared to most ordinary Americans, and that still wasn't enough for him. No, he still had to siphon funds offshore to reduce that bill still further. For himself and for his companies.

Romney doesn't even know what he pays in taxes, until after he signs the return. That's ALL managed as a blind trust so he can avoid any hint of favoritism.

Of course, his tax preparer makes sure he pays the least taxes - that what tax preparers DO. That's their one and only job!

That tax, which he is choosing to divert through international systems rightly belonged to the American people. He begrudges the American people the same levels of tax that other people are expected to pay out.

That's because of the way our stupid tax code is written. When you make money overseas, you pay taxes in the country you made it in, AND you pay taxes on it, in the USA.

Now, if you subsequently bring that money back to the states - guess what ?? You may be forced to pay tax on it, AGAIN.

That's one reason why all international investors in the US, keep a certain amount of money, OUTSIDE the US.

Romney did not create the tax code! He absolutely is following the requirements of the law - just like everybody else who invests both here, and overseas.

Frankly, if he's so patriotic, if he loves his country if he feels the burden of national duty is upon him, then he should have put his money where his mouth is.

Actually Romney gives a great deal to charity, both inside and outside his church.

It's crazy, I drive past a Staples every day. Now, the libs near and far, are vilifying the guy, because he's successful and saved businesses AND JOBS. Net effect for Romney? More jobs saved or created in America. Yes, jobs were also created overseas, but more jobs were also created HERE.


In the UK, you have successful businesses, but I wonder when the last time was that you really felt the thrill of a major upturn in your businesses and economy as a whole? Do you remember how great that was?

Seems like you never really recovered that entrepreneurial spirit, after the two WW's. You did some great mad stuff during WWII, though! Dam busting bombs, night fighting in North Africa, the great Bletchley Park stuff, the "man who never was", in Spain, sinking the Bismark, and that lovely Spitfire.

I miss THAT UK.

[BigV]

You make a valid point about American Civics, but I am ashamed to admit I've given up hope for such a fine distinction to be noticed much less understood in the clamor of the season.

You get full credit from me at least for being right.

[Cyber Wolf]

Appreciated, V.

It's been a long while since I ever believed any candidate's campaign promises as anything they WILL do, since they aren't the be-all-end-all for law- and policy-making. There are 535 other cooks in that kitchen.

[BigV]

Let me try another tack.

What do you think should have happened starting 21 Jan 2009? What do you think the Obama administration should have done that they did not do?

Another similar question.

What do you think a McCain-Palin administration would have done starting in Jan 2009? How would things have been different?

[Trilby]

I think Adak is maybe a college frosh.

[Sheldonrs]

Originally Posted by Trilby

I think Adak is maybe a college frosh.

Is that code for trolling dumbass? Cuz, I'd have to agree.

My patience wears thin pretty fast when someone makes up stuff and posts it thinking nobody will check on it, and if they do and prove the info is wrong, thet just ignore that and roll right along as if everyone thinks they are right.

Romney is a liar. It's been proven over and over by independent sources as well as partisan ones. He has no actual plan for fixing anything. He wants us to believe he can create 12 million jobs after SAYING it is NOT the job of government to create jobs.
He told us to let Detroit go bankrupt and when that didn't happen, he had the nerve to say HE desrves the credit for SAVING Detroit, not President Obama.
He's for access to birth control except when he's against it. He's for the Lilly Ledbetter act except when he's against it. He's for gay marriage except when he's against it.

I don't care if Mitt Romney turns out to be Jesus Christ in disguise. ANYONE who works and behaves like that shouldn't even have followers on TWITTER, much less politically.