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Winning the war on …

By Mike Luckovich | Wednesday, January 23, 2008, 07:41 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Permalink | Comments (198) | Post your comment | Categories: Editorial Cartoon

Comments

By Luckoduh

January 24, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this

Bushie “runs” the U.S. Economy?

I never knew that.

Dearest George W Bush:

I thank you from the very bottom of my heart, the years that you have been in the White House have been the most successful ones in my career. I have a new house, new car, a bunch of giant high definition LCD’s and my income has quadrupled. Granted, I was not stupid enough to sign up for an Adjustable Rate Mortgage nor did I sit around the last 7 years whining about how bad things were and not doing a damn thing to make my situation better, like all of the cry baby lib losers, who were apparently too ignorant to succeed in this fiscally beneficial environment, have done. I crank out the greenbacks and the libs whimper.

Thank You Very Much,

Luckoduh

P.S. Can you believe that all of these libs that have failed financially and only know how to whine about it are now wanting to run the whole country? Ah-hahahahaha, yeah, right.

$$$$$$

Guess who:

John McCain is Bob Dole minus the charm, conservatism and youth.

$$$$$$

{{{{So here we are back in the politics of the 1990s and the Clintons have not even gotten into a race with the diabolical Republicans. Imagine how overwrought that campaign might be. Can Obama, who calls himself a “transformational” candidate, preserve the Republic from yet another hysterical Clinton campaign or, even worse, another hysterical Clinton presidency? I think he can. In fact, if he and his advisers look back to the weeks before the Iowa primaries, they will see how that double-digit lead of Senator Clinton’s vanished.}}}}

Bwa.

By John in Tampa, FLA

January 24, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this

Nice toon Mikey. I was thinking more along the lines of a train wreck, but then again, you always seem to have a flair for the dramatic.

Gee Duh, sorry I usurped you’re position yesterday of being the first blogger to post. You can have it back, the pressure of coming up daily with something thought-provoking and worth reading is just too much for me. I just don’t know how you do it.

By IN THE NEWS

January 24, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this

as an afterthought

FairTax: Double Taxation, An Admission

By reebok

January 24, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this

Hilarious cartoon. Thanks for the laugh this morning.

By Luckoduh

January 24, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this

$$$$With a worried nation edging toward financial panic and dragging down the world economy, the Democrats seem strangely preoccupied with petty “snarking.” A debate is supposed to be a discussion of policy, but this last one was nothing more than a blather of insults. It diminished both Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, while former Sen. John Edwards only emphasized his irrelevance with glancing blows at both contenders.-NY Observer$$$$

$$$$$

$$$$On foreign policy in particular, Clinton’s presidency was an era of missed opportunities. In Somalia, Bosnia, Haiti, Rwanda and Kosovo, U.S. policy was marred by hesitation and lack of commitment. Despite impressive rhetoric on the emerging challenges posed by globalization, nuclear proliferation, WMD and the rise of transnational terrorism and nonstate actors, Clinton developed few innovative ways to address these challenges; his approach to conflict and crisis was piecemeal. His early defeat on gays in the military left him so scarred that he steered clear of the military for most of his presidency, passively letting uniformed personnel dictate the terms of too many foreign policy decisions and ignoring hard questions about how to reshape the military to face post-Cold War threats.-LA Times$$$$

$$$$$

$$$$By early 2006, a time of vibrant economic growth, 56 percent of Republicans said the economy was excellent or good, while only 28 percent of independents and 23 percent of Democrats agreed…..There is a divergence here between Democrats’ and independents’ assessments of their personal economic condition, which have generally been positive, and their assessments of the economy as a whole. It’s hard to resist the conclusion that when Democrats—and, in 2004-2006, independents—were responding to questions about the condition of the economy, they were actually responding, “I am a Democrat,” or, more emphatically, “I hate George W. Bush.”$$$$

By Luckoduh

January 24, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

$$$$Third, we need to ignore the alarmist hysteria, calm down and appreciate that life is better than at any time in the last 5,000 years of civilization. People are living longer; we’re healthier; and millions of Americans have the opportunities to travel, communicate and avoid physical drudgery that were once reserved only for a tiny aristocracy. There is plenty of excess in modern American life that can be shed without real hardship.$$$$

By Lookout or Outward Look

January 24, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this

A lot of reputable people think we’re headed for a recession. That may or may not be true. But headed for an epic meltdown that will make our way of life obsolete? On Wednesday, billionaire socialist George Soros penned a piece for London’s Financial Times suggesting the era of capitalist dominance is coming to a screeching halt: “The current crisis is the culmination of a superboom that has lasted for more than 60 years,” he declares.

Could he be right? Well, here’s Soros testifying to Congress in 1998, during the greatest economic boom in history: “The global capitalist system … is coming apart at the seams.”

Sorry, George. It wasn’t then, and it isn’t now. Yet Soros has made billions making financial bets against the West, mainly America, then bad-mouthing its economy for all to hear.

Those tax cuts will expire in less than three years, with no sure signs Congress and the White House will save the day when they do. The president has called making those tax cuts permanent “the most important economic priority for our country” and says Congress should do so as soon as a stimulus is enacted.

But pro-growth Republicans worry that efforts to keep the tax cuts are taking a back seat to the politically easier task of rebates. That’s why Congress’ 100-strong Republican Study Committee has stepped in with the Economic Growth Act of 2008.

The RSC seeks a permanent extension of the tax cuts. But its growth package would also provide some recuperative tonic for an economy that may be nearing the end of a great run.

Its proposals would:

• Allow immediate expensing or full deduction by businesses for the costs of assets, including buildings.

• Immediately cut the top corporate income tax rate from 35% to 25%, bringing us in line with the average of our EU competitors.

• Index capital gains taxes for inflation.

• Let corporations pay the 15% individual capital gains tax rate instead of 35%.

The Bush tax cuts remain indispensable. But the RSC plan recognizes it is producers, not consumers, that move the private sector.

By IN THE NEWS

January 24, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this

Off Topic but oh so typical

Perino Dismisses CPI Study: Truth On How We Sold The Iraq War Is Not ‘Worth Spending Time On’

Apparently neither was any serious planning for the invasion of the wrong country!

By Bosch

January 24, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this

Good morning!

Like the cartoon -

I’ve never thought it fair to blame one person (in this case, Bush, although I’d really like to) for the economy, but the policies Congress has put forth over the years, supported by this administration, well, that’s something to look at. Enron is a perfect example, at least to me, of how our economy works. Trickle down economics, on paper, seems to be okay, but the problem has always been it stops trickling long about the lower tier of the upper management.

When Bill Clinton left, there was a surplus, the budget was balanced - you can argue semantics all you want, but that’s how I see it.

The stock market doesn’t bother me so much because I’ve never had any money to invest - having three kids right off the bat when you get married - well, that’s always been my investment - then it was diapers and formula - now it’s gas money and $20 for this and $20 for that. Anyone with teenagers knows what I mean.

Another thing that has bothered me the past couple of days was a news story I read in the AJC about Sonny wanting a history museum to the tune of 25 million. We have a really lovely archives in Morrow, brand new facilty, well a few years old, but relatively new, and the Atlanta History Center, which again, a great facilty. Spend the 25 million on water problems, Sonny! Without water, Atlanta and the rest of Georgia will BECOME history!

By Kevin

January 24, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

Dont buy into this dead cat bounce people. The plane in luckovich’s cartoon will also bounce a little.

How much longer till Al Queda nukes us? The surge sent them scurrying to all parts of the compass. We probably dont have five years till kaboom.

What is Bush doing to stop al queda from nuking us? He’s policing a sectarian feud in Baghdad.

Atlanta is the likely al queda target. Detonated on a plane. The CIA knows all of this, but Bush wont let them stop it. He has killed any initiative to stop alqueda that doesn’t have the word baghdad in it.

WHo is that lame duck president who didn’t really get elected, but got annointed holy president instead by the supreme court? (idontknow). You know, he mispronounces words like nuclear. (beatsme). “Attack Iraq”. Oh, come on, he said mission accomplished. (sorry, dontknow). “Attack Iraq”. Well, he diebolded his second term with dirty tricks that the authorites are still uncovering…(youlostme). “ATTACK IRAQ”.

“ATTACK IRAQ”

By Mrs. Godzilla

January 24, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

Morning Bosch!

I hear you brother.

Out here in Gwinnett County we are getting a new ball team and sports venue! OH BOY! Just what we need!

By Bosch

January 24, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this

Let me clarify something real quick - I know the stock market affects the economy and drives nearly everything in this country, which does affect me, but considering I have no money invested in the stock market, I don’t panic as much as some would.

I personally think that if the news media would just shut up about the stock market, things would get better. The media is pretty much worthless now, in my opinion.

By Jesus

January 24, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

IMPEACH BUSH NOW!!!

By Bosch

January 24, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

Mrs. G.,

I’d be interested to see who owns the land around your new sports arena - any of Sonny’s friends? I wonder who might get the contracts to build? Any of Sonny’s friends?

Hmmmmmmm…….I wonder?

By Paul

January 24, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

ITN 9:27

The other day you dismissed the results of a report I cited from George Mason University as they receive financial support from what you deemed conservative donors.

Well, the Center for Public Integrity you cited is funded by Soros. Not exactly a moderate. Shall we dismiss their conclusions on the same basis?

The other posts - biggest difference of opinion among the experts seems to be how to get the money into the economy, quickly. Hillary’s plan takes way too long. Administration seems hung up on “return to those who paid taxes.” But this isn’t about a tax rebate - it’s to get the money into the economy. So I’ll go along with those who want to send more to mid-to-lower income households who didn’t pay taxes. They’ll spend the few hundred quickly.

Buy Danish,

Dems, in their campaign to cast off any responsibility for Iraq and portray themselves as innocents misled, were free and easy with the word “lie.” It’s like letting the genie out of the bottle - difficult to put back in or contain its effects.

Link: Liberal Radio Host Ed Schultz on MSNBC - Bill Clinton is Lying

Then again, Morris thinks Bill’s actions are part of a plan.

Link: Bill - keep the spotlight off Hillary

Slick, maybe. But fratricide’s ugly.

Bosch,

Maybe Sonny can ask Hillary for an earmark? I mean, Woodstock is kinda in the history league, right?

By Bosch

January 24, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

Kevin,

OBL is a smart man. He knows you don’t have to blow things up to destroy something. All you have to do is stir the beehive so to speak.

Yes, he flew some planes into the WTC, which sparked a frenzy of paranoia and mania in this country. But he knows, this country can not be destroyed by brute force, for one thing, it’s too big, and the world would be against him instantly (just like on 9/11).

But look what’s happened since - I think OBL is a very smart man - Hitler was too - evil, yes, but very smart.

By IN THE NEWS

January 24, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this

Paul

Always glad to read your personal opinion.

By Goldie

January 24, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

Love this ‘toon, Lucko — Dubya the Repugs have been a walking disaster since 2003…

By Bosch

January 24, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

Well, smarty pants Paul, Sonny can’t do that now, can he - because Hillary doesn’t work down here, now does she?

I thought that was stupid too (with Hillary). Earmarks have gotten evil, and in my opinion, really need some re-doing. Earmarks could be a good thing if put into the hands of honest people, who are doing good for the community - but yes, what a pipe dream that is, huh?

By Goldie

January 24, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

Bosch @ 9:46 — but you must understand that “the stock market” is what the Repugs have always based their “strong economy” rhetoric on? They have no concept of how the real economy (jobs exported, poverty rising, etc.) affects Americans — to the Repugs, it’s all about how the investors in the stock markets are doing!

By RW-(the original)

January 24, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

ITFS,

Did you read that the CBO report you’re waving in Dana Perino’s face says we aren’t going into a recession and projects growth of 1.7% next year?

I guess not since you went right from that to links telling us how horrible the recession is.

I guess reading isn’t your strong suit.

Bosch,

The Dow went up 300 points yesterday and is up about 125 right now today.

Enron was running their schemes while the previous administration was in office and was prosecuted by the current administration.

Mrs. G,

What’s wrong with bringing the jobs and revenue, that having the Braves AAA affiliate supply, to Gwinnett County?

By Paul

January 24, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

Bosch,

He can always ask. I mean, Hillary has “experience” with “historical” earmarks, right?

By RW-(the original)

January 24, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

Goldielox,

Obama is running a commercial right now that says he’s going to end tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas.

Now that’s somebody that either doesn’t understand the economy or at least knows that the dumb masses don’t.

High Corporate tax rates in the US are one of the biggest contributers to companies outsourcing jobs or outright moving from this country.

By Mrs. Godzilla

January 24, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this

RW

So much wrong with your post last night (5:45) and so little time to respond! But I’ll take a shot.

First empty out the bottom drawer of your desk. Get rid of the 4 or 5 year old RNC “Smear of the Day” calendar. The idea is to be AHEAD of the curve.

Lois Romano and Dale Russakoff , Washington Post Staff Writers had a different take on Wednesday, July 28, 2004; Page A21:

“The case of little Bailey Griffin, maimed at birth because an obstetrician waited too long to bring her into the world, was John Edwards’s last as a lawyer, and it crystallized major themes of his life and career.

When the Griffins sought out John Edwards in 1995, he was at the pinnacle of his profession and they were at the end of their rope. The 19-year-old mother and 25-year-old father — a chicken farmer in rural North Carolina — had exhausted their resources caring for the pale, fragile, brain-damaged baby they brought home from the hospital a year earlier. Bailey needed thousands of dollars of medicine a month.

Nearly blind, Bailey was unable to eat, sit up or talk. Ashea Griffin was on duty around the clock, feeding Bailey through a tube and suctioning saliva from her mouth so she could breathe. Ashea was relieved a few times a week by therapists that Medicaid paid for. Then one day, a therapist let slip that a note in Bailey’s hospital file suggested concern about malpractice.

CONTINUED

By Truthman

January 24, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

A most excellent letter to the editor from the Seattle Times about the current regime’s handling of our economic mess!! This succinctly sums up how gov’t and businesses worked together to gut oversight, enrich the rich and leave the mess for you and me!

You’ve got to love the current high-wire act of Ben Bernanke and the Fed as they navigate the free-market shamble created by the libertarian economic philosophy of former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan and the Bush administration [“Fed’s remedy is no sure cure,” Business & Technology, Jan. 23].

We now have the largest Fed rate cut in 18 years at the same time that we’re experiencing the biggest inflationary spike in recent memory. Can you say stagflation? Sure you can.

It’s ironic that the economic meltdown is brought to you by the “daddy party,” the Republicans, who think they know how free enterprise works. But, just as in Iraq, their arrogance has been exceeded only by their incompetence as the worldwide market crash illustrates.

The “free enterprise” economics they preach is really big business free to privatize profits and socialize costs while offshoring their profits, along with our jobs.

Government watchdogs were turned into lap dogs and nowhere was that more evident than in the unregulated lending practices and freewheeling greed that led to the subprime-lending fiasco.

And now, thanks to the conservative Supreme Court, class-action lawsuits against those who aid corporate fraud are severely restricted. In conservo-nomics, business is freed from both regulatory restraint and legal accountability.

As the economy and markets were wracked a few years ago by the accounting games and corporate fraud of companies like Enron and WorldCom, someone posed the question, “Who will save capitalism from the capitalists?” Looks like no one in this administration found the answer. Probably didn’t even look.

— John Ariel Murphy, Seattle

Silly neo-cons!!

By Mrs. Godzilla

January 24, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

CONTINUED

The Griffins found their way to Edwards as had hundreds of other families. “Actually, we just heard he was one of the best around,” Ashea Griffin said. Edwards, then 42, had returned to his home state about 15 years earlier to practice law, rapidly becoming its premiere malpractice and personal injury lawyer through a series of landmark verdicts. According to North Carolina Lawyers Weekly, Edwards won more than $175 million in verdicts and settlements in 15 years. But he was not an easy villain for malpractice insurers and doctors. While they found plenty to criticize in what he cost them, few faulted his professionalism. “There were never ethical questions, never any dirty tricks,” said David Sousa, general counsel of Medical Mutual Insurance Co., the state’s largest malpractice insurer. “

Please re-read that last line. The whole piece is worth the read.

The Wall Street Journal (left wing rag!) in POLITICS & PEOPLE By ALBERT R. HUNT March 6, 2003 also has a different take in an article titled “The Bogus Tort-Reform Case”:

“There are, of course, abuses in the legal system, and yes, some changes are needed. But the White House egregiously distorts the case. An impressive six-week study by USA Today, published this week, found that while some doctors have been hit hard by rising malpractice premiums, most “are minimally affected.” Premiums aren’t rising any more rapidly than other health-care costs and, on average, physicians spend more on rent than malpractice insurance.”

I suggest reading that whole article as well.

CONTINUED

By Mrs. Godzilla

January 24, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

We could take a closer look at Dr. Craig VanDerVeer (seem to be a paid GOP attack doctor) and his connection to NC GOP Senator Burr. (Pro-escalation, anti-minimum wage and a winner of Citizens For Tax Justice “Eneemy of the Taaxpayer award)

We could talk about lawyers in general. (Karl “the cager” Rove, Alberto “ I can’t recall 173 times Gonzales or John “28 to 52 million dollar no bid contract” Ashcroft)

We could talk about the GOP culture of life. (Love ‘em from fertilization to crowning, then they’re on their own)

We could talk about seating only telepathic juries. (Case from mid 1990’s – report On CP cited dated 2003) But no. We have real issues to address.

But, bottom line, John Edwards is a honorable man.

By Bosch

January 24, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this

RW,

Enron was running their scemes during many administrations, including Reagan who was president when Lay became CEO and Bush I. Who cares? Yes, they were prosecuted while Bush was in office, they weren’t prosecuted BY Bush himself though.

I could be wrong, but Ken Lay was one of, if not THE biggest donor for Bush II? Hmmmm.

I’m glad the stock market is going up. Yippy!

Personally, I think those who panic over the stock market are like women who weigh themselves three times a day and panic if they gain an ounce.

By LMAO

January 24, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

That same CBO said last summer that the deficit for 2008 would be $155 billion.

Only off by 200 billion dollars. LMAO!

By Bosch

January 24, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

Goldie,

Like I said earlier, trickle down economics sounds great on paper, but the trickling always seems to dry up before it gets to the bottom.

By Mrs. Godzilla

January 24, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

Next Topic.

RW says,”What’s wrong with bringing the jobs and revenue, that having the Braves AAA affiliate supply, to Gwinnett County? “

Maybe nothing. Maybe everything.

Who’s to know?

It just doesn’t pass the smell test for me.

It’s a boatload of money, that may be better spent elsewhere.

[Braves-Gwinnett deal troubles some residents ](http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/01/16/braveslegal_0117.html0

I just one of the residents it troubles.

Oy! The Traffic!

By RW-(the original)

January 24, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

Bosch,

Enron was in business during many administrations, but wasn’t running their accounting schemes until the 1990s. It all fell apart in late 2001 and if you choose to believe that a rogue prosecutor went after them while the evil Chimperor was plotting the world’s downfall it’s fine with me.

Mrs. G,

I guess you’re right. Edwards really is too irrelevant to spend any time looking into.

But, would an honorable man of the people shelter his millions in ambulance chasing bucks from Medicare taxes?

By RB from Gwinnett

January 24, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this

Hey Goldilox, Thanks for giving us the perfect description of an ambulance chaser. In all of that mess you posted, were you able to make the connection between the John Edwards of the world and astonomical healthcare costs? You, of all people who whines constantly about everybody having free healthcare, should be angry about what he and his cohorts have done to the system. Who do you think paid that $175MM? You did, dimwit.

You need to admit this is a nothing more than a money grab at deep pockets. Proof? How many dry cleaners did John Edwards sue for ruining shirts? Happens every day, but, there’s no money in it.

I love this one… {{{on average, physicians spend more on rent than malpractice insurance.”}}}

Take a look at your own finances for a minute and try thinking. Let’s say your mortgage is $1,000/mo. or $12K per year. Resonable average. The insurance on that same house would be about $650/yr. What would happen to your personal finances if your insurance rate were now $12,000/yr instead of $650? Surely you have an extra $11,350 laying around the house you don’t need, right? And at those rates, what percent of your after tax income is that? 25%? 20%? Your inability or unwillingness to think about what your party is really about is just aggravating as heck. Or maybe you just aren’t that bright.

By Truthman

January 24, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

Cochino,

Excellent story. It shows how out of touch Republicans really are!

Thanks for posting!

BTW, if little Ricky Republican can’t take being mocked for publicly identifying himself as a Repub, maybe he should seek a fashion consultant! What a whiner!!

Still a good article, Cochino, even though you didn’t mean it to be supportive of our great, Democratic presidential candidates!!!

By Bosch

January 24, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

RW,

And if you choose to believe that Lay started his evil accounting schemes simply because Clinton became president, then that’s okay with me too.

By RB from Gwinnett

January 24, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

Hey Goldilox, Thanks for giving us the perfect description of an ambulance chaser. In all of that mess you posted, were you able to make the connection between the John Edwards of the world and astonomical healthcare costs? You, of all people who whines constantly about everybody having free healthcare, should be angry about what he and his cohorts have done to the system. Who do you think paid that $175MM? You did, dimwit.

You need to admit this is a nothing more than a money grab at deep pockets. Proof? How many dry cleaners did John Edwards sue for ruining shirts? Happens every day, but, there’s no money in it.

I love this one… {{{on average, physicians spend more on rent than malpractice insurance.”}}}

Take a look at your own finances for a minute and try thinking. Let’s say your mortgage is $1,000/mo. or $12K per year. Resonable average. The insurance on that same house would be about $650/yr. What would happen to your personal finances if your insurance rate were now $12,000/yr instead of $650? Surely you have an extra $11,350 laying around the house you don’t need, right? And at those rates, what percent of your after tax income is that? 25%? 20%? Your inability or unwillingness to think about what your party is really about is just aggravating as heck. Or maybe you just aren’t that bright.

By Dubya

January 24, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

935 documented lies? That’s not even scratching the surface. Oliver Stone doing a movie on Bush-drunk? How delicious. God bless Murcuh. Allah Akbar!

By Paul

January 24, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

Mrs. Godzilla - RW-(the original)

Re. John Edwards - to me, seems his difficulty is his platform - two Americas, attacking high pay of CEOs, etc. etc.

Some will argue he worked for his money. Who doesn’t? But his compensation package (of which he would have received nothing if he hadn’t prevailed) is along the lines of: amount of settlement less trial costs (expert witnesses, research assistants, etc) then take half.

True, the plaintiffs had millions. In cases wherein the child, whose situation was attributed to malpractice or not, would have a lousy life, as would the parents.

So it seems to me, by Edwards criteria, he should have been championing the cause of the child and kept a minimal amount. If a CEO can lead a company employing thousands of people and getting millions in profits, yet earns only a small percentage of those profits each year, maybe Edwards should take not half, but a small, small percentage.

He’d still have hundreds of thousands. Per case. And the victim would have more. Not the same as Edwards. More.

Of course, then he availed himself of legal tax dodges to avoid nearly a million is Social Security taxes. But legal doesn’t mean it’s right. He’s on a moral platform, remember?

Lotsa difficulties when you campaign on exploitation, “fairness” and say what your’re going to do. After what you’ve done is there for all to see.

Never too late to get religion, I suppose.

By luckovichisaheadcase

January 24, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

How many of you are chronically unemployed? Did you know that under George W. Bush (NOT BILLARY) that we have had the longest period of job GROWTH in the history of this country. Yes we are having some trouble in the financial markets, mostly owing to rule which were forced upon lending institutions which encouraged that kind of marginal loans that are causing the problems. This is all well documented, but little discussed in a bias press which only seeks to undermine the economy for political reasons. You folks will also complain vociferously about deficit spending until the Demagogues (oops Democrats) are the ones doing it, but any kind of ‘stimulus’ package usually kicks in too late and is just a gimmick anyway. Tax cuts all around help because they are long term. Giveaways are just welfare because in the end the taxpayers just have to pay for them.

The Dims (not a typo) will end up losing this election because in the end the American people will again realize that welfare state socialism just does not work.

By Bosch

January 24, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

RW,

Sorry, hit the post button too soon. My point about Enron wasn’t about what happened when, it’s about simply that it happened, and it’s a perfect example, at least to me, of how our economy works - which has been lately, of the trickle down variety, and it doesn’t work out so well.

I don’t care if who was president when that was happening.

By Bosch

January 24, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

Mr. Headcase,

Can you tell me, because I’m not real sure about this, but WHAT TYPE OF JOBS have been growing? Burger flippers? Because I sure do see alot more fat a* people than I did a few years back.

By Mrs. Godzilla

January 24, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

RW

I’m done for the day fighting smears. What with the cost of groceries this morning, I haven’t the stomach for it.

Perhaps the GOP candidates could use you for support.

You do support them don’t you?

By Kevin

January 24, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

Dear George Bush,

This isn’t over.

be seeing you in 09,

analchord

PS: we played little league together on opposing teams in Waco in the fifties. You beaned my azz. I haven’t forgotten. I scored, by the way, after stealing second and third because you’re so easy to read.

By RB from Gwinnett

January 24, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this

By luckovichisaheadcase 10:49 AM |

Question for you.

Do you know if the job growth figures include the illegal immigrants here working? Specifically, do the job growth numbers include the average american who now has a job AND the millions of undocumented people who are working under the radar? Has the economy grown so much it’s taken in average Joe and Jose’?

I haven’t seen that issue discussed and I’m curious.

By RB from Gwinnett

January 24, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

By luckovichisaheadcase 10:49 AM |

Question for you.

Do you know if the job growth figures include the illegal immigrants here working? Specifically, do the job growth numbers include the average american who now has a job AND the millions of undocumented people who are working under the radar? Has the economy grown so much it’s taken in average Joe and Jose’?

I haven’t seen that issue discussed and I’m curious.

By luckovichisaheadcase

January 24, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

RW - you make a very good point.

Bosch - the fact is that high paying jobs in every sector have increased over the last six years and the evidence is not only in facts which you could easily find if you just tried, but also in the fact that RW just mentioned: We would not have so many coming illegally to this country and finding work if jobs were not going begging. That is just a fact.

The real fact is that you will never admit that times are good under a Republican, even though times are better relative to almost any other time in the history of this planet! I cannot think of another time in which I would rather be alive.

By Goldie

January 24, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

I think instead of giving tax breaks to those corporations who export jobs overseas, we should be giving tax breaks to companies that keep the jobs in America! Those are the companies that need the tax breaks, you silly Repug trolls!

By getalife

January 24, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

If Satan ran for the gop, RW and the gop would vote for him for the Supreme Court nominees.

They should put abortion and the other non issues the gop care about on the ballot, let the people vote and be done with it.

Then the gop might vote for the best candidate for our country. Hell, they might even care about our country.

Anyoo, how many times will the devil lie in the State of the Union? If it were a drinking game to drink a shot everytime he lies, I would be passed out after 5 minutes.

By Goldie

January 24, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

Paul @ 10:48 — I think that Edwards’ message is not going over well with Dem voters this time around because he’s sounding more and more like Ralph Nader… He decided to change his message from “positive-ness” in ‘04, to “take down the corporations” this campaign season, and it’s obviously not the message that the majority of Dem voters want to put out there on our November ticket!

By Luckoduh

January 24, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

Let us watch with awe and wonder as the democrat party tears itself limb from limb:

$$$$Sen. Hillary Rodham Klinton’s presidential campaign aired a new radio ad here Wednesday that repeated a discredited charge against Sen. Barack Obama, in what some Democrats said is part of an increasing pattern of hardball politics by her and former president Bill Klinton.$$$$

$$$$Responding to the negative ad, Dick Harpootlian, a former chairman of the Democratic Party in South Carolina, accused the Klintons of using the “politics of deception,” and he compared the former president to the late Lee Atwater, an operative from South Carolina who was known for his tough tactics.$$$$

$$$$In Washington, Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.), who endorsed Obama last week, castigated the former president for what he called his “glib cheap shots” at Obama, saying both sides should settle down but placing the blame predominantly on Klinton. “That’s beneath the dignity of a former president,” Leahy told reporters, adding: “He is not helping anyone, and certainly not helping the Democratic Party.”$$$$

$$$$A few prominent Democrats, including Sen. Swimmer M. Kennedy (Mass.) and Rep. Rahm Emanuel (Ill.), have spoken to the former president about the force of his Obama critiques. There is some fear within the party that if Obama becomes the nominee, he could emerge personally battered and politically compromised. And there is concern that a Klinton victory could come at a cost — particularly a loss of black voters, who could blame her for Obama’s defeat and stay home in November.$$$$

$$$$”I’m not underestimating that this could be divisive, but I think both camps know how important this is, that it doesn’t go beyond repair,” said Sen. Mary Landrieu (La.), the most vulnerable Democrat up for reelection next year, who is unaligned.$$$$

It’s a “vast left wing conspiracy.”

Bwa.

By luckovichisaheadcase

January 24, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this

Goldie - Tax breaks are not going to companies who are sending jobs overseas, that is a myth. In fact, the government should not even be in the business of favoring one business over another. That is protectionism and is completely counterproductive in the long run because it stifles competition. However, the fact is, jobs have been outsourced for a myriad of reasons including but not limited to high taxes on business at every level. Businesses are in business to make a profit. Without a profit, they will go out of business. That is just a fact. High taxes are a COST of doing business. Businesses who are taxed must pass those expenses on to the consumer. Therefore, if you tax business heavily, then the prices of goods and services go up and they must find ways of cutting costs, such as moving overseas.

Exorbatant labor costs are another factor. Labor unions demanding and receiving high wages caused an almost total collapse of the domestic shoe industry. The products were too expensive and often not up to par. The only solution was to go off shore.

Sorry to destroy your socialist delusions with facts, but those are the facts m’am, just the facts m’am.

By Spike

January 24, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

How predictably great is the continuing news from Iraq and such?Fabulous. Just as Bushie and his fellow intellectuals predicted. And the new “surge” is working beautifully too. An entire country of multi-millions which has always been eager to embrace our definition of “democracy” has now realizes its dream. Eager to throw out its thousands of years of culture and axperiences and hatreds and religion. Forever obsessed with the concept of being “Americanized.” All it took was a handful of mighty heroes with guns and planes and bombs to intermingle with the average Iraqi citizen who rejoiced at their arrival and spread forth garlands of flowers. Iraq is fast becoming the envy of the civilized world. They are every bit as we are. Now they can act like us, be like us, and spread their lives of paradise throughout neighboring countries, just as we now witness. It works its way through the rest of the Middle East. Never has America stood taller. Never have we had more cause to fill our hearts with pride. We must thank GOD for the wisdom he has thrust upon our great President and those who have had the intelligence, forsight, patriotism, courage, wisdom, raw guts and bravery, good, decent Christie family values needed to support this extraordinary Leader and Decider. He and they are what America is all about these days. These are well-balanced, loving people who are deeply steeped in everything that is good and honest and righteous in the world. God Bless America!!!

By getalife

January 24, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

I think I will spend my rebate check to stimulate the drug companies.

Prescribed opiates and weed.

“They tried to make me go to rehab, I said no, no, no”

By Paul

January 24, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

Goldie 11:43

Especially when lots of voters who have jobs with those corporations, or who work for subcontractors for those corporations, don’t want to see anything done that could jeopardize their jobs!

Whether it’s real fear with a basis in fact or not, it’s perception, perception, perception.

By Truthman

January 24, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

Great news: A liberal organization has raised $8.5 million to run ads debunking Bush regime “successes” so as to assure his legacy as the worst president of these United States in our country’s history.

Great folks!! Donate early and often!!

http://www.rawstory.com/news/mochila/AntiBushcampaignplanned01242008.html

Let’s “Swift-Boat” the Chimperor just like his junta tried to do to Kerry and Murtha!!

Scheistkopf Bush!!!

By Truthman

January 24, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

Hey getalife,

I’ll be there with ya, brother!!

I beleive weed will be legalized in 2009 or 2010, once we get rid of the RWs and @@s of the world.

By Buy Danish

January 24, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

Mrs. Godzilla,

Do you honestly think that everyone who writes for the WSJ is a right winger? Kinda like Alan Colmes at Fox?

Here’s a clue for you about Albert R. Hunt - he’s married to CNN’s Judy Woodruff.

And speaking of Edwards there’s more on him here.. I think you’ll be pleased to see that I have such nice things to say about him.

By MomCat

January 24, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

By RW-(the original) January 24, 2008 10:15 AM High Corporate tax rates in the US are one of the biggest contributers to companies outsourcing jobs or outright moving from this country

I’ve always been of the assumption companies incorporate in the state most advantageous to them, and moved the company to a country where they could utilize dirt cheap labor, and/or heaven forbid, child labor. Silly me……..

By Bosch January 24, 2008 10:53 AM |
Can you tell me, because I’m not real sure about this, but WHAT TYPE OF JOBS have been growing? Burger flippers?

Precisely. All one needs to do is check the labor department statistics. Those retail jobs continue to be in high demand. Personal and Laundry Services also shows real potential.

By getalife

January 24, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

TM,

We are in the prohibation phase like Alcohol.

Speaking of breaking the law, they are debating spying on Americans without a warrant on C Span 2.

It is hilarious watching the gop spew they will vote for immunity even though they broke the law.

Amazing, but a prime example of the gop trashing the Constitution again like it is no big deal. Hell, they might as well open up the prisons and let them out since they do not care about the rule of law.

Your Senator saxby is spewing now how he hates the Constitution and the rule of law.

How pathetic.

By Goldie

January 24, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

Bosch — I remember reading back a few years ago that Dubya’s administration changed the status of fast-food workers as “manufacturing” jobs! What a bunch of idiots, those Repugs! They give tax breaks to companies who export jobs to China, and they re-classify burger-flippers as “manufacturing” jobs!

By @@

January 24, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

ml, it would appear as though your creative slump began with your “Give it a rest” cartoon and continued through to today’s.

I find it distasteful that you would use a commercial airliner to depict what you perceive as an attack on the World Trade…..errrr Market?

You’re sleeping alot aren’t you? Must be liberal depression. Understandable when you have to watch the dems snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. I never doubted they would. It’s a constant with them.

But while you slept, you missed the feds pulling the nose up on Wall Street.

Cheer up…life doesn’t always have to suck.

By Goldie

January 24, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

The Repugnant Party will need a few decades for “rebuilding” their message to America — right now, they stand for Big Government and Fiscal Irresponsibility… all of their leading candidates are still spouting off the need for “regime change” of foreign dictators and nation building, which requires more Big Gov’t and bigger and bigger deficit spending… they’re all losers in November!

By getalife

January 24, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

Looks like Congress will approve round 2 of welfare to stimulate the failed economy.

I thought ya’ll were against welfare.

The good news is Iraqi welfare ends in a year.

By getalife

January 24, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

“Reid Challenges GOP to Filibuster Anti-Immunity Provision”

OMG, did President Clinton show em how to use a spine when he attacked corporate media?

By Bosch

January 24, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

Mr. Headcase,

Are you a statistician for the Dept. of Labor? Didn’t think so. Check those stats.

By The Peoples for a Nuked Amerika' Century~!

January 24, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

-=-

Ok - Let me get this straight….\

We are using our taxpayer dollars to train not only the Iraqi’s how to be better soldiers and fighters, but now the Pakistani’s as well.

So now tell me what happens when this nuclear armed country decides that they and we of the good ol’ USA are no longer friends? We will not only face a nuclear armed enemy, but an enemy that is well trained in ground combat by our own military (budgeted from our own taxes). is this wise?

-=-

This boost to our economy proposed by Dubya’ and blessed by congress will not work! Lets be clear — it will certainly generate some wonderful PR for the politico campaigners, and it will give most all of us some fleeting mad-money to blow, but it will do absolutly nothing to help the economy of the USA.

Why do I say this?

Well when you take into account that approximately 75% of all products sold in stores in the USA are imported goods, then you must realize that approximately 60% of this money will be sent overseas. This means that in the long run we will not be doing much for our economy, but we will most certainly stimulate economies in other countries…

-=-

tax breaks for corporations, are only one benefit. That would be hard to change and be fair to all corporations. However there are other ways. For starters, any corporation who has moved their corporate headquarters offshore/overseas should be considered a foreign based company, and it should be illegal to accept any money from lobbyist on their behalf as you are accepting money from a foreign entity.

Ok — it’s an idea…

Cheers..

By RB from Gwinnett

January 24, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this

By Truthman 12:15 PM

{{{Great news: A liberal organization has raised $8.5 million to run ads debunking Bush regime “successes” so as to assure his legacy as the worst president of these United States in our country’s history.}}}

Gee, TM, how many poor children’s healthcare would $8.5MM buy? Are you really concerned about the children, or is the legacy of W more important to you? You b*** whine and moan about money going to Iraq instead of to the poor children, but when it comes to YOU spending YOUR money, you think disgracing a presidents legacy is more important? Pathetic!!! Be honest (or TRUTHful), things like those poor kids are only important to spend other people’s money on, aren’t they?

By RB from Gwinnett

January 24, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

Goldie,

{{{They give tax breaks to companies who export jobs to China,}}}

Give examples, please.

By RB from Gwinnett

January 24, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

Goldie,

{{{They give tax breaks to companies who export jobs to China,}}}

Give examples, please.

By B.P.O.E.

January 24, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

(((((Thousands upon thousands of delirious Chinese citizens paraded in the streets of Beijing when word spread that the American government agreed to the economic stimulus plan being debated in the US. “Not only do we get to finance billions upon billions in additional American debt, we make everything they are going to buy,” screamed one happy Chinese businessman fighting to be heard through the deafening sound of celebratory fireworks going off around him.)))))

By getalife

January 24, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

“McCain is Bush on steroids.” — Pat Buchanan

Ouch.

By Apocalypse

January 24, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

From The Associated Press:

“Fact Check: Obama’s ‘Present’ Votes”

Barack Obama’s rivals in the Democratic presidential race contend he sometimes voted ”present” on tough issues rather than take a firm stand.

…THE FACTS: Obama acknowledges that over nearly eight years in the Illinois Senate, he voted ”present” 129 times. That was out of roughly 4,000 votes he cast…

Illinois legislators often vote ”present” and for a wide variety of reasons. Sometimes blocs of lawmakers do it as a protest in some dispute over rules and procedures. Obama was often joined in his ”present” votes by 10 or 20 other senators.

In other cases, lawmakers do it to signal objections to the details of a measure that they support in principle. They also use ”present” votes as strategic moves to defeat legislation… Clinton highlights several of Obama’s ”present” votes that she considers questionable.

Several involve abortion — a ban on certain late-pregnancy abortions, a requirement that a minor’s parents be notified and restrictions on a type of abortion where the fetus sometimes survives for short periods.

”A woman’s right to choose … demands a leader who will stand up and protect it,” said one Clinton campaign mailer.

But the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council says Obama’s ”present” votes were actually part of a careful strategy to prevent those restrictions from passing.

President Pam Sutherland said the group feared several senators were going to vote ”yes” on the legislation because of attacks from Republicans over their past opposition. Sutherland says she approached Obama and convinced him to vote ”present” so that the wavering senators would do the same. For their purposes, a ”present” was as good as an outright ”no” because it kept the bills from reaching the majority needed to pass.

By Truthman

January 24, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

RW in Gwinnett,

Like you care about poor, latino children…or black…or white…or children in general!!

You are disingenuous at the least. Despicable at the most!!

You care about you and your $$$$, as do all real Repugs, hence the “Unfair Tax” lie seen on grumpy, white men’s pick-ups and gas-guzzling SUVs.

By Goldie

January 24, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

Right-Wingnut Trolls — plenty of examples of the Repugs favoring the exporting of jobs by offering tax breaks… you really should educate yourselves! But then again, if you did that, you wouldn’t be the trolls who post here every day, now would ya???

In a recent interview with the The Cincinnati Enquirer, Bush Treasury Secretary John Snow praised the exporting of U.S. jobs as beneficial for the U.S. economy and gave a slap in the face to U.S. workers: “You can outsource a lot of activities and get them done just as well at a lower cost,” he said.

“A little education goes a long way to a better life.”— Goldie, 2008

By IN THE NEWS

January 24, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this

Don’t have time myself….

research this

Unrepatriated earnings

A US policy set during the establishment of the corporate tax structure in the early 1900s, in which earnings of an overseas subsidiary is claimed to be invested overseas, thereby reducing the parent company’s US tax liability on those earnings.

this is the basic tax break for outsourcing

By IN THE NEWS

January 24, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

also look at Kevin Hassett American Enterprise Institute

conservative who’s written on subject

By Paul

January 24, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

Apocalypse 1:15

So, either Hillary hears something and repeats it without fully understanding it, just to score “points” - or she fully knows the full story, but still repeats the surface information , knowing it gives a false impression, in order to score “points.”

As much as I dislike the way the word “lie” has been bandied about, if part of the definition includes intent, and if the intent is to mislead…

By N-GA

January 24, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this

Paul 1:39

…..Amen

By getalife

January 24, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

935.

By Apocalypse

January 24, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

Paul,

You’re right sir.

I believe Obama