I’m really tired of the “blame Bush” cult. The housing mess that started all this was NOT during GW’s administration. You have Barney Frank and his buddies to thank for it and, yes, a couple of republicans (one of which is Phil Graham) but it wasn’t Bush. Obama has put us far more in debt than GW and Bush couldn’t have done it without the support or the democratic congress. There is plenty of blame to go around but I’m tired of the blame game. I would just like to see the economy turned around and you won’t do it by government take over or raising taxes. Obama’s plan stinks.

I am a very moderate Democrat who used to be a Republican. I’d switch to a 3rd party if I found one that truly embraces cooperation for the betterment of our nation. So far none fit the bill.

What is most scarey and disheartening is that the conservatives are taking a course of action that leads to ruin and are willing to destroy this country in order to justify some kind of twisted prophecy drummed up by their leader Rush Limbaugh and his media kabal.

Why are conservatives not doing anything to improve the state of our nation? Obama has and still is making a concerted effort to work across the aisle and all the conservatives of this country do is spat hateful invective back.

I was very keen on the notion of working together to rebuild our nation and I’d like to still. However, conservatives are working hard at doing the opposite to further divide our nation. That too me this is incredibly sad.

Also, I find it highly annoying that conservatives are always complaining about problems that have not even happened nor is Obama even considering. Like raising taxes on the lower and middle class, dismantling the second amendment, apologizing to the world for our country. Actually a bit of humility is what our country needs at this time given that our previous president basically “flipped the bird” to the rest of the world.

Republicans, party of no. Can’t do it, can’t be done, no help, no ideas, no nothing but invective and self loathing.

Too bad, really. Though I am a registered democrat, because of my republican upbringing I still do have respect for sensible moderate conservatives. Conservatives like Colin Powell, Olympia Snow, Chuck Hagel, Arlen Specter, Susan Collins, Licon Chaffee, Mike DeWine and Richard Lugar.

I also have to give kudos to Meghan McCain for speaking up for a more sensible and inclusive Republican future.

Do conservatives really want to be a non-inclusive party that has the sole purpose of destroying our nation as they are currently acting? Very strange if that is really true.

Okay, folks, I am still wait….ing…. Lots of Obama bashing. No good ideas. You all would be amusing if it was not so sad. If this was an assignment in grade school, you would have flunked.

Show me an idea that is better than what the currant Administration has undertaken.

Constance. I am all about self sufficiency. I imagine you would not live the type of life I live in the name of self reliance. However, there are some things we must do together as a people that are not possible individually. Of course, in the 1790’s, you were responsible by your own labor, to keep up the roads and bridges that passed next to your land…

Jon, my comments were not intended toward you. I am tired of the partisan politics. I would like our elected officials to work together, no matter what their affiliation.

I am glad someone posted about improving the State of the Union. I see nothing being done to protect this Union of States. All I see is actions by our Federal Govt removing the powers given to the States by our Constitution. This is done through the actions of judges who by their actions pass laws that over ride the powers promised to the States and the citizens who live with in those states.
The original concept was if you didn’t care for the actions take by the Govt. of one State you had 49 others to relocate to. This has concept has been ruined and in doing so our freedom has been limited. Example, you are pro life, you State is not, you are unable to elect those who agree with your position, so you move when to a state that more reflects you views. Being forced to live as were are now is taking our freedom and is a violation of our Constitution. If higher taxes to support a State run welfare program was ok with you, you stayed until the cost was more than you wanted to or could pay.

What I’m most disappointed by is

*it seems to be Howard Dean who is running the country (since the Dems have control and the President and Congress have yet to stand up to their party in the name of protecting and defending the Constitution, as their oath of office binds them to do),

*the corporate and wealthy donors are running both parties (80% of political donations for both parties come from the top 1% wealthiest, and the Health Care, Health Insurance, and Pharmaceutical lobbies – just to name a couple! – spent over $41M influencing Congress JUST in the Q1 of this year!). Political parties are granted no powers by the Constitution. Neither are corporations. We The People are solely entrusted with power.

*We The People are apathetic and are willing to learn what we “know” from the corporate owned media, the corporate owned political parties or ridiculous loudmouths with a microphone and an umbilical chord to their ratings.

Anybody bother reading H.R. 2454, just for instance? Well, here’s a hint: our government establishes a corporation in the Bill. We The People don’t bother reading what our own representatives claim they’re doing for “us.”

As for health care, if President Obama really cared about our health, he would direct the FDA to protect us from the roughly 15,000 chemicals and non-food additives it allows in our food, which compromise our immune systems and cause numerous health problems. (2/3 of Americans are on prescriptions, so now our government is being pressured to guarantee payment as well as patients!) Unfortunately, their lobbyists have a MUCH louder voice than any pesky voters do. Here’s an idea: perhaps we wouldn’t be in such a health care “crisis” if there was just, say, FOOD in our food.

Kudos to Ms. Slaghter (D-NY) for at least attempting to end the pharma/chemical abomination of hormones in our meats. I just hope the rest of those tools in Congress don’t screw it up. I’m not holding my breath.

@Jon
So you’re “a very moderate Democrat”, on a double post rant against conservatives and Republicans. You would think that a moderate just might have criticisms directed both right and left. Try again if you want to be taken seriously. Apparently, on a thread evaluating President Obama’s job performance, it is in bad taste to criticize him but OK to bash former President Bush and others! Perhaps a softer tone and balanced critique would be more effective for someone who “truly embraces cooperation”.

The actual fact of the matter re: Obama is seen in his first opportunity to demonstrate bipartisanship during the Stimulus Bill meeting. Barrack wound up responding, “I won”. So much for allowing Republican ideas in his bill.
There have been lots of “fine words” about bipartisanship, but no actions to back it up. I am reminded of the saying, “You behavior speaks so loud, I can’t hear what you are saying!”

Check out his current attitude re: health care as expressed through David Axlerod,as reported by Bloomburg News, “Ultimately, this is not about a process,” said David Axelrod, Obama’s senior political strategist, in an interview yesterday. “It’s about results.”

By the way, all you need to know about the health care legislation is that there is a provision in it to explicitly legally exempt Congress from from participating in it.

@Dwight
No, that’s not all I need to know about health care legislation. But thank you for the tip. (sincerely) I plan on reading the entire thing for myself, thank you. I do not intend to let any “news” organization or loudmouth pundit tell me what to think.

You are spot on about “fine words” of bipartisanship, but as far as I’m concerned, Republicans griping about lack of “bipartisanship” is the pot calling the kettle black. The very word has become meaningless like everything else touched by “politics.” Both sides. I stand by my own opinion above, whether anyone agrees or not.

Oh, and since you’re interested in labels of affiliation, I recently quit the republican party after 23 years.

Welcome back cookie your comments were missed

@AbrahamBen Judea
Thank you. Nice to see you, too. And thanks for not calling out my error above. (Ms. Slaughter seeks to eliminate unnecessary antibiotics from our meat, not hormones. I just happen to be equally opposed to both substances.) I enjoyed reading your comments, Abraham.

@Jon

“Do conservatives really want to be a non-inclusive party that has the sole purpose of destroying our nation as they are currently acting? Very strange if that is really true.”

Apparently so. IMO, anyway. I could not possibly agree with you more.

Still more bashing. No ideas.

People, remember I am a Republican, however I am seeing no ideas. I want to see good constructive ideas, but all I see is whining.

browns 44, prior to 1787, we had a confederacy of states. It didn’t work.
That was the point of the Constitutional form of government. That’s why they called the politicians who supported the Constitution the Federalists!

Most of the people I work with are liberals. But we get along, because I don’t take the attitude that they have put a gun to my head to believe as the do, or act on those beliefs. We go home at night and follow our own lifestyles. And by and large they appear to be hard working people.

You are damn right. They better fight this borderline nazi, definately socialistic government takeover tooth and nail because if u think more spending will take us out of bankruptcy, you are nukin futz. @Jon

@Jaime
Jaime, I appreciate the role you’ve taken on here, but with all due respect, what good ideas have our Republican representatives come up with? (Something that actually has a snowball’s chance of being incorporated or embraced for serious discussion by the Dem majority!) Perhaps I’m just jaded after 23 years of being a Republican myself. I’m now and Independent, which I believe is a growing minority.

Simply opposing whatever a Democrat thought of, and stirring up angry right-wing mobs (who will always be a small minority of voters), is not what I call constructive. I’m certainly NOT in favor of “spending our way out of this mess.” But I have a hard time accepting that Republicans can be so dense.

They’ve managed to squander so much of the voters’ trust that they are all but irrelevant in Congress. They allow their (nearly) only public voice and image to come from weirdos like Rush Limbaugh, and therefore are the laughing stock of the majority of the country. Then they sit in Congress and belligerently and childishly turn their noses up at their JOBS, which is to work FOR US by protecting and defending the Constitution for all Americans, not just those who buy the garbage from their corporate benefactors. I blame the Republicans for the left-wing lopsidedness because of their failure to stand up to the right wing when their agenda strays from the Constitution.

I’m sorry, but I can’t very well blame Democrats for being Democrats, now can I? They’re no better, IMO. But I can’t say that everything Dems propose is bad. It is my opinion that the Republicans will continue to lose with their current nanny-nanny-poo-poo-my-way-or-the-highway-we-hate-you-from-on-high-in-our-right-wing-pulpit trajectory. I’d like to see some meaningful balance in our government before our Constitution is completely lost.

Republicans would do well to listen to (all!) voters and learn to work together constructively with the majority, and do their jobs. We should be less interested in Pres. Obama’s job approval ratings and more concerned with the success of America with the government we have now. Since the government’s gonna do something, not nothing, the Republicans could prevent a lot of harm by working hard to incorporate reasonable limits in proposed legislation. Call me silly, but I think voters will appreciate that. And I think the FDA protecting us from side effects from our “food” would help with our health care crisis, since it’s “about results” as Axelrod says. It’s really ok with me if you don’t agree with me, but as far as I’m concerned that IS an idea.

Plain and simple, get rid of partisan agendas, fix the health care system without using a government health plan, use basic economic theory and realize that providing temporary “shovel ready” jobs will not create long term job growth. Reduce taxes on small businesses and this will create job growth which means the more money that STAYS in the private sector translates to true long term job growth. 30% of the 41 million without health insurance earn over $50k and an additional 30% are eligible for medicaid and either refuse to apply or simply are not aware they qualify so that dog doesn’t hunt. Lets work together where both sides actually read the bills they vote for and allow the opposition an opportunity for analysis and debate.

American’s support for Obama health care initiatives seems in decline. This is to be expected given the almost total negativism of Republicans and aggressive negative lobbying from the insurance companies. Granted, health care is a very complex issue that requires energetic debate in order to find solutions. That is what is going on in congress now–debate–and that is exactly what Obama intended. There are at least five different versions of a health care plan floating through congress now. Vigorous examination and debate will push the best one forward. Americans should ignore the claims of television ads that Obama is pushing socialized medicine. In the first place, that is what Medicare is, and most Americans seem to like it. The socialized medicine argument is nothing but a red herring drawn to incite fear. Another claim is cast in a rhetorical question: Do you want government making medical decisions for you? I would counter that with: “Do you want insurance companies making medical decisions for you, as they are doing now.” People should analyze and evaluate these ads, or ignore them, because they are nothing but reasoned OPINIONS. Citizens and their representatives in congress should have some faith in letting the process work its way. To deny health care reform legislation would be a tragedy on monumental proportions.

Jon,

If you think Obama s doing a good Job you are hardly a moderate. The Moderate Dems are at odds with Mr. O

If you read the proposed health care legislation, HR3200 (Google to find), you will discover that this massive piece of legislation is difficult to understand to say the least. The language is arcane, dense, and legalistic and references numerous other pieces of legislation. Nevertheless, take a look. For myself my blood boiled when I read that people over 65 will be required to discuss their health situation every five years to “be counseled”. Why?…just read on…’to assess their current health and talk about their future’ (paraphrased). Again, why? The bill also fines US citizens if they choose not to sign up for a plan, but exempts illegal aliens from a similar fine…9.6 million illegal immigrants will be covered by the plan,. In essence, illegal aliens are given more rights under this bill than legal citizens (and they are a meaningful factor in driving healthcare costs)…Congress must be kidding! Representatives are still exempting the President, the Senate and themselves from this legislation…you probably already know this, but think about this fact again…if the bill is not acceptable to our representatives, what makes it acceptable for us. Must I go on?

There is a priorty problem folks.

rill here and now we may create some JOBS.

That is just one now if we all think about adding one corrective idea and JOBS result then we will start fixing peoples $ problems.

When will any President ever put the People who vote him in in his heart and care? prolly NEVER

@Jon
Jon, are you kidding. When asked why he is not accepting ANY input from Republican legislators, Obama answered, “I Won.” He thinks that 52% is a mandate, and as his numbers circle the bowl, he has nobody to blame but himself, Pelosi and Reid.

I read your second post just now and I am in shock. I don’t particularly like Michael Savage, but one of his lines came home with great force, “Liberalism is a mental disorder.” Listen to what you said, “…conservatives are always complaining about problems that have not even happened nor is Obama even considering. Like raising taxes on the lower and middle class, dismantling the second amendment, apologizing to the world for our country.” Have you been under a rock? Not considering raising taxes? I don’t smoke, but he had already raised taxes on cigarettes. Who uses tobacco? Mostly the middle and lower class, who can least afford to be taxed. The “Rich” only pay taxes if they want to. Most truly Rich people are not employees, so they do not pay payroll or income taxes, they pay capital gains taxes. If those tax rates become too onerous, the “rich” will merely move their investments to non-taxable investments. Moreover, there are not enough “rich” people to generate the money Obama is spending, even if they were taxed at 100%. This is truly generational theft. Our children and grandchildren will be paying for the Trillions of debt being rung up by this Statist. I just hope nobody tells uh-uh-uh-bama what comes after a Trillion.
As for the second ammendment, try reading up on the views of Obama’s AG, Eric Holder. He has stated that he believes that the second ammendment is no obstacle to his confisgating guns. He misinterprets (intentionally) the second ammendment to only apply to organized militias such as the National Guard. This is patently ridiculous as there is absolutely no need to codify a “right” to an organized militia to carry guns. The second ammendment is not about duck hunting either. Our founders had a fundamental distrust of big government, and knew that the best way to keep it from becoming a dictatorship or monarchy was to arm the populace.
And don’t even get me started on the false messiah’s apology tours. Name one country that he has NOT apologized to. On second thought, don’t do that, he might hear about it and schedule another apology tour. Michelle had to be kept under wraps during the campaign when she leaked Obama’s true feelings by saying that it was the first time she was proud of the country. He has shown time and again that he is fundamentally ashamed of this country. We are the root cause of bad things in the world in his view. He never talks of American Exceptionalism. He has even gone so far as to say that it wasn’t America that ended the Cold War by causing the USSR to fail, but Eastern Europe.
You and your cronies say you are waiting for alternative ideas from the Republicans; however, your leaders do not want any such thing. They have shunned any bipartisan input. Oh, they want our votes, just not our ideas. Without our votes, they OWN this agenda, and they know it. When the whole big government spending plan (disguised as a stimulus bill), Cap and Tax, Government Motors takeover, and government takeover of healthcare are accomplished, and fail (as they must. You can’t borrow your way out of debt), they know that THEY OWN IT! They aren’t stupid, they know that this plan can’t work long term. They want to cement their own power, AND they want a few Republicans to vote with them so that they can call it “bipartisan” and avoid personal blame.

Well , somebody tell me what important thing has Obama done so far?
Get this country in deeper debt, spend more than any other president in history, Bash America all over the world.Obama’s Healthcare? Scary thought!Amnesty for illegal immigrants, worse yet
This administration immaturity and inexperience is more than evident!
And where is the transparency?
Like Obama as a person, but his policies frighten me
I do not believe I will vote for him again

One more thing, It is so ironic that while Europe’s governments are going to the right , we are going to the left

“Why are conservatives not doing anything to improve the state of our nation”?

….because your new party, the Democrats, are in total control, you idiot!

I am so weary of this man’s rhetoric. He talks and nothing has any meaning. This will be his Achilles heal, and doom his Presidency. America voted for a fraud, and carpetbagger with zero experience: 33 Czars? What American President needed 33 Czar’s? Phony, fraud, Radical, and socialist, Marxist mentality. How America did not see this, still amazes me.