Not good for Romney

Jason P

Did anyone see that Jon Stewart and Bill O'Reilly are doing a Pay-Per-View debate?

Cliffy6745

And the New York Times piles on

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/opini ... or.html?hp

Cliffy6745

Letters From The 47%

http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com ... he-47.html

hedonist

Jason P wrote:

Did anyone see that Jon Stewart and Bill O'Reilly are doing a Pay-Per-View debate?

Yes, but not that it was a PPV deal.

I wouldn't mind watching it, but damned if I'm going to give more money to TWC!

ComeToTX

hedonist wrote:

Jason P wrote:

Did anyone see that Jon Stewart and Bill O'Reilly are doing a Pay-Per-View debate?

Yes, but not that it was a PPV deal.

I wouldn't mind watching it, but damned if I'm going to give more money to TWC!

I think they said it would be online for $4.99

ComeToTX

Cliffy6745 wrote:

Letters From The 47%

http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com ... he-47.html

Great stories.

PJFAN13

"Relativity applies to physics, not ethics."
— Albert Einstein
Not sure how old (mature ) everybody is here, but lemme throw this out...
My grandparents came here from Italy. Had 10 kids...Not 1 graduated from HS let alone went to college. Not one of them relied on unemployment or gov't "hand outs". In fact, "back in the day" it was possible to be a drop out, get a menial job, and still make enough money to marry, raise a family, own a home, with only 1 parent working. This was 30 years ago, and I know, lived it firsthand as did most of my friends. Back then, businesses paid almost 70% of all income taxes and the top marginal rate was more than 90%. Now, everyone (even many of the "better off") have to work their backsides off, both spouses have to work, and corporations pay less than 25% of income taxes, and only the top 10% of all wage earners have seen ANY increase in their standard of living in those same aforementioned 30 years . And with a top marginal rate of 35%, the 1%ers are complaining that they pay too much of the taxes. Are there slackers? Yep. Are there "teet takers? Yep. The rich are killing the middle class (whats left of it) and killing everything that made America great.
Up until 6 mos ago I had an awesome job, made more $$$ then I ever had - as a college grad. My wife raised our 3 kids, was able to volunteer and did some side work as a way to help our income.
I lost my job, due to the economy - not work performance. I had to get rid of the house also...
I have 6 wks left of all the nest egg we had saved for 14 yrs...
The "gov't help" will be 1/6 of what I was earning monthly - not enough to support the family. I have worked every single day since I was 16 yrs old and will be 40 in Nov.
I am struggling mightily to gain re-employment...
I am no mooch and certainly not trying to be a freeloader. I am entitled to unemployment as I paid into it as did the company that "eliminated my position". yet I am fearful to try to apply as I feel as there are people walking around this planet who think I am lazy, freeloading and trying to milk the system. Hearing Romney's comments - as originally posted in the first post - made me sick to my stomach. Thanks for listening and commenting everyone, I appreciate the dialogue...

dignin

http://www.theonion.com/articles/now-th ... ne:default

Now That My Campaign Is Over, I'd Like To Talk To You All About The Church Of Latter-Day Saints

BY MITT ROMNEY
REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPTEMBER 19, 2012 | ISSUE 48•38 | MORE COMMENTARY


My fellow Americans, can I have a moment of your time?

It would appear that, following yesterday’s leaking of a video that shows me effectively writing off half the nation’s voters, we can pretty safely say my presidential campaign has come to an end. Oh, technically it may still exist, sure, but let’s be honest with each other: It’s all over. And I have fully accepted that reality.

So, with that in mind, I would like to use my few remaining weeks in the public spotlight to tell the nation all about a truly great religious organization called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

You see, folks, I speak to you now not as the Republican Party’s failed nominee for the presidency, but as an ordinary American whose life has been changed by the vision of a very special man named Joseph Smith. And I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some information about an exciting and life-changing faith that has long held a special place in my heart and in the hearts of everyone in the Romney family.

Now, I know during this campaign I’ve said many times that the key to our future happiness is reducing the size of government, cutting taxes, and balancing the budget. But I am here to say to you now that the only real way to ensure future happiness in this life is to become baptized in a Mormon church and accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Health care, unemployment, government spending—they all pale in comparison to the word of God as written by the ancient and modern prophets.

Christ lives, my countrymen. He lives, and we are his children. Please allow me to tell you more.

Campaigning across this great nation of ours, I learned that Americans everywhere are hurt, lost, and searching for answers. In their weakness, they turn to leaders like myself in hopes of being guided through the spiritual wilderness. Well, now that my presidential campaign is essentially dead in the water, I would like to offer the following advice to all those people I met who sought my guidance: Forget about everything I said, become a Latter-day Saint, and take the time to learn more about the America’s fastest-growing religion by visiting us at our official website, Mormon.org.

Or, better yet, stop by one of our thousands of church meetinghouses worldwide, or come see one of our many fun and informative church-sponsored pageants.

My fellow Americans, Republicans and Democrats alike, have you given any serious thought to the existence of eternal life? To joining our Heavenly Father once again in a world beyond our own? If you haven’t, why not? More than anything, more even than my own protracted and evidently unsuccessful attempt to take the White House, your salvation is paramount. For it is what He wants. And it is what our great prophet Joseph Smith wants as well.

As my opponent, Barack Obama, and the ongoing 24-hour news networks continue to hammer away at my now utterly destroyed bid for higher office, I think it’s important for us as a nation to put all of that aside and focus on the Mormon church’s strong commitment to humanitarian aid and community service. Why, did you know that since 2001 the Church of Latter-day Saints has made donations of more than 300,000 wheelchairs in 101 countries? It’s a fact. This is not a burden for us, you see, but a blessing, for “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17).

People are desperate, people need help, and now that I know definitively I will never be in a position to lead the American people as their president, I ask you to help by filling out an online submission form and having a Mormon missionary come to meet you and your family at your home to spread His word. It’s so easy, and it’s the first step toward changing your life and returning to live with God.

Will you give it a chance? I promise you will not regret it if you do. Christ loves you.

Thank you and may God bless you all.

peacefrompaul

Jason P wrote:

Did anyone see that Jon Stewart and Bill O'Reilly are doing a Pay-Per-View debate?

Is Bill going to let John speak or is he going to constantly interrupt like he does all the time on the factor?

hedonist

peacefrompaul wrote:

Jason P wrote:

Did anyone see that Jon Stewart and Bill O'Reilly are doing a Pay-Per-View debate?

Is Bill going to let John speak or is he going to constantly interrupt like he does all the time on the factor?

I actually caught a "pre" debate thing last night and they were both in good form.

Jason P

peacefrompaul wrote:

Jason P wrote:

Did anyone see that Jon Stewart and Bill O'Reilly are doing a Pay-Per-View debate?

Is Bill going to let John speak or is he going to constantly interrupt like he does all the time on the factor?

There is going to be a moderator.

peacefrompaul

Jason P wrote:

peacefrompaul wrote:

Jason P wrote:

Did anyone see that Jon Stewart and Bill O'Reilly are doing a Pay-Per-View debate?

Is Bill going to let John speak or is he going to constantly interrupt like he does all the time on the factor?

There is going to be a moderator.

Alright...

peacefrompaul

hedonist wrote:

peacefrompaul wrote:

Jason P wrote:

Did anyone see that Jon Stewart and Bill O'Reilly are doing a Pay-Per-View debate?

Is Bill going to let John speak or is he going to constantly interrupt like he does all the time on the factor?

I actually caught a "pre" debate thing last night and they were both in good form.

Good to hear. O'Reilly drives me bonkers... Let him speak, Bill!

dignin

PJFAN13 wrote:

"Relativity applies to physics, not ethics."
— Albert Einstein
Not sure how old (mature ) everybody is here, but lemme throw this out...
My grandparents came here from Italy. Had 10 kids...Not 1 graduated from HS let alone went to college. Not one of them relied on unemployment or gov't "hand outs". In fact, "back in the day" it was possible to be a drop out, get a menial job, and still make enough money to marry, raise a family, own a home, with only 1 parent working. This was 30 years ago, and I know, lived it firsthand as did most of my friends. Back then, businesses paid almost 70% of all income taxes and the top marginal rate was more than 90%. Now, everyone (even many of the "better off") have to work their backsides off, both spouses have to work, and corporations pay less than 25% of income taxes, and only the top 10% of all wage earners have seen ANY increase in their standard of living in those same aforementioned 30 years . And with a top marginal rate of 35%, the 1%ers are complaining that they pay too much of the taxes. Are there slackers? Yep. Are there "teet takers? Yep. The rich are killing the middle class (whats left of it) and killing everything that made America great.
Up until 6 mos ago I had an awesome job, made more $$$ then I ever had - as a college grad. My wife raised our 3 kids, was able to volunteer and did some side work as a way to help our income.
I lost my job, due to the economy - not work performance. I had to get rid of the house also...
I have 6 wks left of all the nest egg we had saved for 14 yrs...
The "gov't help" will be 1/6 of what I was earning monthly - not enough to support the family. I have worked every single day since I was 16 yrs old and will be 40 in Nov.
I am struggling mightily to gain re-employment...
I am no mooch and certainly not trying to be a freeloader. I am entitled to unemployment as I paid into it as did the company that "eliminated my position". yet I am fearful to try to apply as I feel as there are people walking around this planet who think I am lazy, freeloading and trying to milk the system. Hearing Romney's comments - as originally posted in the first post - made me sick to my stomach. Thanks for listening and commenting everyone, I appreciate the dialogue...

Thanks for the thoughtful post. Take the unemployment (that's what it's there for) there is no shame in it, and good luck with the job hunt.

EdsonNascimento

PJFAN13 wrote:

"Relativity applies to physics, not ethics."
— Albert Einstein
Not sure how old (mature ) everybody is here, but lemme throw this out...
My grandparents came here from Italy. Had 10 kids...Not 1 graduated from HS let alone went to college. Not one of them relied on unemployment or gov't "hand outs". In fact, "back in the day" it was possible to be a drop out, get a menial job, and still make enough money to marry, raise a family, own a home, with only 1 parent working. This was 30 years ago, and I know, lived it firsthand as did most of my friends. Back then, businesses paid almost 70% of all income taxes and the top marginal rate was more than 90%. Now, everyone (even many of the "better off") have to work their backsides off, both spouses have to work, and corporations pay less than 25% of income taxes, and only the top 10% of all wage earners have seen ANY increase in their standard of living in those same aforementioned 30 years . And with a top marginal rate of 35%, the 1%ers are complaining that they pay too much of the taxes. Are there slackers? Yep. Are there "teet takers? Yep. The rich are killing the middle class (whats left of it) and killing everything that made America great.
Up until 6 mos ago I had an awesome job, made more $$$ then I ever had - as a college grad. My wife raised our 3 kids, was able to volunteer and did some side work as a way to help our income.
I lost my job, due to the economy - not work performance. I had to get rid of the house also...
I have 6 wks left of all the nest egg we had saved for 14 yrs...
The "gov't help" will be 1/6 of what I was earning monthly - not enough to support the family. I have worked every single day since I was 16 yrs old and will be 40 in Nov.
I am struggling mightily to gain re-employment...
I am no mooch and certainly not trying to be a freeloader. I am entitled to unemployment as I paid into it as did the company that "eliminated my position". yet I am fearful to try to apply as I feel as there are people walking around this planet who think I am lazy, freeloading and trying to milk the system. Hearing Romney's comments - as originally posted in the first post - made me sick to my stomach. Thanks for listening and commenting everyone, I appreciate the dialogue...

So, you had a job when Bush held office, but no longer have one while Obama is in office. Hmmmm. Interesting. Join the (ever growing) crowd. 4,400 American Airlines employees are about to feel the similar pain of the current administration's policies (how long will we be in denial?).

Take the unemployment. Folks are exaggerating the meaning of the words to fit their version of reality.

Nobody is saying there doesn't need to be a safety net, especially for folks such as yourself. It's a "discussion" of degrees. Sound bites will get us nowhere.

PJ_Soul

I'm not sure what you all mean when you say "expect the government to take care of them." ... I mean, we're talking about seniors, of course. So... your pension collapsed so you can't afford medicine, but too bad so sad, the government can't help you? And people who got laid off and have spent all their savings and run out of EI ... no food stamps? No health care? And what about people on long term disability? How about single mothers who got out of abusive relationships and aren't getting child support? Out of luck as far as Romney is concerned? How about students who have $100,000 in students loans, but can't find a job that pays more than $18 an hour? These people aren't worth anything under his government? They don't deserve help because they can't help themselves? Really, I just don't get it... As far as I can tell, what's being said is that those who aren't able to earn enough money to have good health care, a decent place to live, and put food on their table, for whatever reason, are just moochers who aren't working hard enough, and therefore aren't worth the government's (and therefore American citizens') help, and so they just stay where they are, down and out, forever. Good God. :?

And then there is the idea that these people, along with a healthy dose of drug addicts and losers who are too lazy to work (because we all know that they're the first in line at the polls), are only people who vote for Obama... which I guess means that every person in American who is stable, has a good job, and has not run into any diversity is Republican. Wow. I had no idea that all Republicans were so fucking even keeled and together! It's like they are a superior race or something!!

Jason P

peacefrompaul wrote:

hedonist wrote:

I actually caught a "pre" debate thing last night and they were both in good form.

Good to hear. O'Reilly drives me bonkers... Let him speak, Bill!

I'm hoping for a WWE type setup where Bret Baier is the special guest moderator ... and that folding chairs are tucked away under the podiums. Right before Bret Baier proclaims O'Reilly the winner, Colbert can come from behind the curtains dressed up like Jimmy "The Mouth of the South" Hart and nail them both with a Megaphone :geek:

That, I would pay $4.99 for.

peacefrompaul

Jason P wrote:

peacefrompaul wrote:

hedonist wrote:

I actually caught a "pre" debate thing last night and they were both in good form.

Good to hear. O'Reilly drives me bonkers... Let him speak, Bill!

I'm hoping for a WWE type setup where Bret Baier is the special guest moderator ... and that folding chairs are tucked away under the podiums. Right before Bret Baier proclaims O'Reilly the winner, Colbert can come from behind the curtains dressed up like Jimmy "The Mouth of the South" Hart and nail them both with a Megaphone :geek:

That, I would pay $4.99 for.

I've always wanted to go to Raw....

Johnny Abruzzo

All these people saying the race is over are ridiculous. There are almost seven weeks left, and a million things could happen between now & then.

You don't spike the ball before you get into the end zone.

whygohome

PJFAN13 wrote:

"Relativity applies to physics, not ethics."
— Albert Einstein
Not sure how old (mature ) everybody is here, but lemme throw this out...
My grandparents came here from Italy. Had 10 kids...Not 1 graduated from HS let alone went to college. Not one of them relied on unemployment or gov't "hand outs". In fact, "back in the day" it was possible to be a drop out, get a menial job, and still make enough money to marry, raise a family, own a home, with only 1 parent working. This was 30 years ago, and I know, lived it firsthand as did most of my friends. Back then, businesses paid almost 70% of all income taxes and the top marginal rate was more than 90%. Now, everyone (even many of the "better off") have to work their backsides off, both spouses have to work, and corporations pay less than 25% of income taxes, and only the top 10% of all wage earners have seen ANY increase in their standard of living in those same aforementioned 30 years . And with a top marginal rate of 35%, the 1%ers are complaining that they pay too much of the taxes. Are there slackers? Yep. Are there "teet takers? Yep. The rich are killing the middle class (whats left of it) and killing everything that made America great.
Up until 6 mos ago I had an awesome job, made more $$$ then I ever had - as a college grad. My wife raised our 3 kids, was able to volunteer and did some side work as a way to help our income.
I lost my job, due to the economy - not work performance. I had to get rid of the house also...
I have 6 wks left of all the nest egg we had saved for 14 yrs...
The "gov't help" will be 1/6 of what I was earning monthly - not enough to support the family. I have worked every single day since I was 16 yrs old and will be 40 in Nov.
I am struggling mightily to gain re-employment...
I am no mooch and certainly not trying to be a freeloader. I am entitled to unemployment as I paid into it as did the company that "eliminated my position". yet I am fearful to try to apply as I feel as there are people walking around this planet who think I am lazy, freeloading and trying to milk the system. Hearing Romney's comments - as originally posted in the first post - made me sick to my stomach. Thanks for listening and commenting everyone, I appreciate the dialogue...

But I'm sure the CEO, CFO, COO, the 27 Vice Presidents, and upper management still have their jobs, their million dollar salaries (the upper level), their generous retirement benefits, their business accounts, etc.

And, that is what is most important.

Over the past few years (actually 4 or 5), while working on my PhD, I was fortunate enough to be introduced to the world of commodities trading by my best friend form high school. I actually spent this past summer trading on the NYMEX (a few blocks from where the Twin Towers stood). Anyway, part of this line of study involves following Bloomberg.com, cnbc, marketwatch, etc. There were an endless line of articles with the following title:
"Company X posts record quarterly profits, lays off 3,000."
Capitalism does not have to be humane. This is something I vehemently disagree with. And now, we are dealing with the effects of the cannibal nature of capitalism, one that rests on profits and efficiency.

Now some, like inlet13 and edsonnasciemento, will have no problem with this and will disagree with my stance--and, that is fine; those two have some good knowledge and experience, we just disagree.

Think about this: (and as a disclaimer, I am not saying this was the sole cause of the financial meltdown/economic collapse). When were a handful of mutants on Wall St. and in the banking/finance industries manipulating the derivatives markets (credit default swaps, CDOs, mortgage-backed securities)? When did they put their clients and the thousands of employees at risk? When did those who make six figures or millions a year put their own greed before the welfare of others?
Most of this was done after the U.S.A. got their asses kicked on 9/11, an event that brought the country to its knees, and an event we are still dealing with today and will be for many, many years.

Capitalism does not need to be patriotic or humane. It is like the natural world in a sense: free from all constraints of emotion, of right and wrong. The best we can hope for, is that these companies that do so well in the best economic system in the world are urn by good, decent, humane individuals who have the well-being of others--their employees, the community--at heart.