Category Archives: Politics

Survey shows upbeat outlook from US millionaires | The Raw Story

Of course, the are upbeat…

They own the Government!

This just shows, as Scott Fitzgerald said, “Let me tell you about the very rich.  The rich are different from you and me”…

Totally different perspective….

From RawStory.com:

More than four in 10 American millionaires say they now need $7.5 million to feel wealthy, according to a survey that uncovered surprising levels of optimism about economic prospects.

Conducted by Fidelity Investments, the world’s largest mutual fund firm, the poll analyzed the investing attitudes and behaviors of more than 1,000 millionaire households in the United States.

The 58 percent of millionaires who said they did feel wealthy said they began to feel so with $1.75 million in investable assets, up from $1.5 million in 2008.

Surprisingly, given the current economic climate, the poll revealed that the longer-term outlook was at its most positive since Fidelity began conducting the survey in 2006.

via Survey shows upbeat outlook from US millionaires | The Raw Story.

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Glenn Beck blasted for Japan quake comments | The Raw Story

I’m sorry, but this man is evil…

There is no excuse for this kind of insensitivity and self-promotion…

That’s what I hate about these Right Wing Commenters/Entertainers;  they think they can read God’s mind and are just a little too smug and sure of themselves…

And if he thinks God punishes people, he better be very careful as he’s probably next on her list….

From RawStory.com:

US celebrities and media Tuesday blasted right-wing radio host and television presenter Glenn Beck for calling the monster quake that rocked Japan last week a message from God.

Actress, author and talk show host Whoopi Goldberg said Beck should “check the mirror” if he thought Friday’s 9.0-magnitude quake and tsunami were signs of God’s anger with mankind.

“If this is because we’re misbehaving and God is pissed (angry), I would check the mirror, Glenn,” Goldberg said on The View talkshow, which she co-hosts with three other women.

The disaster has claimed nearly 3,400 lives and left more than 10,000 people missing in northeastern Japan.

In a rambling presentation on his radio show on Monday, Beck said God may have caused the catastrophe in Japan because he was angry with mankind, and warned people to change their ways.

“I’m not saying God is, you know, causing earthquakes. Well — I’m not not saying that either,” Beck said.

“What God does is God’s business, I have no idea. But I’ll tell you this: whether you call it Gaia or whether you call it Jesus — there’s a message being sent. And that is, ‘Hey, you know that stuff we’re doing? Not really working out real well. Maybe we should stop doing some of it,'” Beck said.

 

He suggested that God could be appeased — and presumably convinced to not cause any more earthquakes — if people followed the biblical Ten Commandments.

Goldberg’s co-host on The View, Joy Behar, pointed out that earthquakes have rattled Earth since the planet’s creation, and asked which commandment God wanted people to follow.

“How about: ‘Thou shalt not advance your career on the back of the Japanese people right now?'” she said.

via Glenn Beck blasted for Japan quake comments | The Raw Story.

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GOP Cuts: A “Guillotine Job” on the Special Olympics | Mother Jones

But they retained the Bush Tax Cuts for Millionaires!

I would say this shows where their hearts are, if they had one….

Again, Elections have consequences!

And we are paying them…

From MotherJones:

Food safety, family planning, cancer research, and low-income housing—now add the Special Olympics to the long list of organizations and federal programs targeted for major funding cuts by congressional Republicans.

The House GOP’s budget, which passed last month, takes a hatchet to programs for disabled kids and Special Olympics athletes. The proposed cuts could force the closure of at least one Special Olympics program, which is funded through the Department of Education. Dubbed Project UNIFY, the program serves more than 750,000 students in 43 states and draws from techniques used in Special Olympics training for activities in public schools.

via GOP Cuts: A “Guillotine Job” on the Special Olympics | Mother Jones.

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Boehner, Where Is, “Where Are the Jobs?”? | Mother Jones

More coverage on the changing poll numbers…

The GOP campaigned on jobs, jobs, jobs and hasn’t done a thing about creating jobs since they took over the House.  Instead, they are pursuing radical budget cuts and tax cuts for Corporations and the Rich that will kill jobs and the recovery.

And going after policies and institutions that either a) dare to question them and hold them accountable or b) don’t fit their 19th Century notions of the role of women and minorities.

But the public is getting wise to the Republicans-again.

Let’s hope the Electorate retains the information better this time….

From David Corn at MotherJones:

Before the 2010 congressional elections, Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) and his fellow GOPers developed and implemented a simple campaign strategy: say “where are the jobs?” over and over and over. Even though the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office had declared thst President Barack Obama’s stimulus package had created or saved about 3 million jobs and a recovery (albeit weak) was under way, the Republicans blamed Obama for screwing up the economy (not Wall Street or the Bush-Cheney administration). In politics, an attack doesn’t have to be fair or accurate to work—and this one did.

Since then, have you heard Boehner screaming about jobs? No. He and his comrades have focused on one thing: cutting government spending, which will undoubtedly lead to job loss in the short run (if not the long run). Wait—that’s not fair. They’ve also focused on abortion (with legislation that would make it harder for a woman who was raped to obtain federal assistance for an abortion), Planned Parenthood (with legislation that would defund the outfit), NPR (ditto), and American Muslims (with today’s hearings on radicalization among Muslim Americans). There’s not been much talk of jobs.

Consequently, this new poll from Bloomberg is hardly a surprise:

Americans say President Barack Obama lacks an effective strategy for improving the U.S. economy. They have much less confidence in the Republican vision for success.

By a margin of 51 percent to 40 percent, a Bloomberg National Poll shows Americans say Obama lacks the right formula for long-term growth, a goal he presented in his State of the Union address with the phrase “win the future.”

The Democratic president still does better than Republicans: When asked who has a better vision for the years ahead, 45 percent of poll respondents chose Obama and 33 percent picked the Republicans.

Four months ago, the GOPers shellacked the Democrats. They became the new kids on the block and claimed they were eager to refurnish their image with the American public. Yet once in power, they have reverted to their old ways—culture war and spending cuts.

via Boehner, Where Is, “Where Are the Jobs?”? | Mother Jones.

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Don’t be wedded to every tradition – Other Views – NewsObserver.com

Great Op-Ed from the Reverend Douglas Long in the Raleigh News and Observer yesterday about people using the Bible to define “traditional” marriage.

As Shakespeare said, “the devil can cite scripture for his purpose.”

So, let’s give it a rest.

It’s also a great response to the infamous Dr Laura Schlessinger comments/letter about Leviticus and homosexuality floating around the web…

Here’s an excerpt and a link to the full editorial at the bottom…

Hat tip to Pam’s House Blend where I originally saw part of this….

The truth of the matter is that the Bible is not a good source supporting monogamous and mutual marriage that our society and culture has evolved to embrace.

More systematically than considering a favorite passage here and there, Vaughn Roste, the son of two Canadian Lutheran pastors with a seminary degree of his own, has undertaken a comprehensive study of passages in the Bible, researching more than 800 Biblical references that deal with marriage. He distilled from that study what he refers to as “The 12 Biblical Principles of Marriage.” In summary, in the Bible:

  • Marriage consists of one man and one or more women.
  • Nothing prevents a man from taking on concubines in addition to the wife or wives he may already have.
  • The concept of a woman giving her consent to being married is foreign to the biblical mindset.
  • If a woman cannot be proven to be a virgin at the time of marriage, she shall be stoned
  • For those who claim these are all Old Testament laws and that the New Testament supersedes them, consider in the New Testament that:
  • Women are allowed to marry the man of their father’s choosing … because women are the property of their father until married and their husband afterwards.
  • Interfaith marriages are prohibited.
  • If a man dies childless, his brother must marry the widow
  • Divorce is forbidden, and finally …
  • It’s better, according to St. Paul, to not get married at all.

The point is this, anyone can pick and choose a verse or phrase from the Bible which, taken alone and literally, will appear to support their argument. While people of the Judaic-Christian tradition may disagree on the propriety of same-gender marriage, can we at least agree to not misuse the Bible in the process?

More: Don’t be wedded to every tradition – Other Views – NewsObserver.com.

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Daily Kos: Voters trending towards Obama, away from GOP on deficit, economy

More from DailyKos on today’s poll numbers…

Please click the link for their detailed analysis…

DemFromCT took a detailed look at the latest ABC/Washington Post numbers earlier today, but I think these numbers bear repeating:

Chart based on ABC/Washington Post polling data (Source)

Chart

So since their post-election honeymoon, the GOP has had something of a nightmare, dropping a net of 13 points on who voters trust to deal with economy and an amazing 17 points on the federal budget deficit.

Although it’s somewhat surprising to see their numbers fall so quickly, it was bound to happen: not only have Republicans failed to do a single thing to improve the jobs situation, they are way out-of-step with the public on fiscal issues.

If Republicans keep this up, Democrats might be able to seriously talk about retaking the House.

via Daily Kos: Voters trending towards Obama, away from GOP on deficit, economy.

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The 100 Most Famous MOVIE QUOTES

 

 

On the lighter side…

From one of my other interest-besides Politics- Movies!

Hmm…seems many could apply to Politics!

From the American Film Institute…

Here are the first 30 most famous movie quotes of all time…

You can click the link at the bottom to see them all….

 

# FILM YEAR STUDIO
1 Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn. GONE WITH THE WIND 1939
2 I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse. THE GODFATHER 1972
3 You don’t understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could’ve been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am. ON THE WATERFRONT 1954
4 Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore. THE WIZARD OF OZ 1939
5 Here’s looking at you, kid. CASABLANCA 1942
6 Go ahead, make my day. SUDDEN IMPACT 1983
7 All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up. SUNSET BLVD. 1950
8 May the Force be with you. STAR WARS 1977
9 Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night. ALL ABOUT EVE 1950
10 You talking to me? TAXI DRIVER 1976
11 What we’ve got here is failure to communicate. COOL HAND LUKE 1967
12 I love the smell of napalm in the morning. APOCALYPSE NOW 1979
13 Love means never having to say you’re sorry. LOVE STORY 1970
14 The stuff that dreams are made of. THE MALTESE FALCON 1941
15 E.T. phone home. E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL 1982
16 They call me Mister Tibbs! IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT 1967
17 Rosebud. CITIZEN KANE 1941
18 Made it, Ma! Top of the world! WHITE HEAT 1949
19 I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore! NETWORK 1976
20 Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. CASABLANCA 1942
21 A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS 1991
22 Bond. James Bond. DR. NO 1962
23 There’s no place like home. THE WIZARD OF OZ 1939
24 I am big! It’s the pictures that got small. SUNSET BLVD. 1950
25 Show me the money! JERRY MAGUIRE 1996
26 Why don’t you come up sometime and see me? SHE DONE HIM WRONG 1933
27 I’m walking here! I’m walking here! MIDNIGHT COWBOY 1969
28 Play it, Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By.’ CASABLANCA 1942
29 You can’t handle the truth! A FEW GOOD MEN 1992
30 I want to be alone.

 

via AFI’s 100 YEARS…100 MOVIE QUOTES.

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Lawmaker’s Wife Joins Recall Effort Against Him

More Family Values Republicans…

Wisconsin state Sen. Randy Hopper’s (R) wife has signed a recall petition against him, according to New York magazine.

She also tells the Fond du Lac Reporter Hopper doesn’t even live in the district as state law requires of lawmakers. Instead, he lives with his 25-year old mistress.

via Lawmaker’s Wife Joins Recall Effort Against Him.

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Public Policy Polling: Brutal numbers for Kasich, SB 5

More Buyer’s Remorse with the GOP Governor in Ohio….

I do hope the tied is turning and lasts through the 2012 elections…

Elections have consequences and we are seeing them now with the out of control GOP Governors and House….

There are two things particularly notable in the crosstabs on all of these questions. The first is that non-union households are supportive of the public employees. 54% support their collective bargaining rights to 36% in opposition and 44% say they would vote to repeal SB 5 to 38% who would let it stand. Obviously that level of support is not nearly as high as among union households but it still shows that the workers have even most of the non-union public behind them.

The other thing that’s worth noting is the independents. A lot of attention has been given to the way what’s been going on in Ohio and Wisconsin is galvanizing the Democratic base, but it’s also turning independents who were strongly supportive of the GOP in the Midwest last year back against the party. 62% of independents support collective bargaining for public employees to 32% opposed and 53% support repeal of SB 5 to 32% who would let it stand.

All of this is having an absolutely brutal effect on John Kasich’s numbers. We find him with just a 35% approval rating and 54% of voters disapproving of him. His approval with people who voted for him is already all the way down to 71%, while he’s won over just 5% of folks who report having voted for Ted Strickland last fall. Particularly concerning for him is a 33/54 spread with independents.

Voters in the state are having significant buyers remorse about the results of last fall’s election. In a rematch 55% say they would now vote for Ted Strickland to just 40% who would vote for Kasich. Because this is a sample of all registered voters in the state and not just those who voted in last fall’s Republican heavy electorate the self identified 2010 vote of this sample is 49% for Strickland and 46% for Kasich but that still suggests a 12 point movement toward Strickland among those surveyed over the last four months.

via Public Policy Polling: Brutal numbers for Kasich, SB 5.

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Poll: Budget Impasse Cements Public’s Disapproval of Washington – The Washington Post

Interesting Poll results out today from the Washington Post/ABC News.

In summary, everyone thinks government is broken, many more people trust President Obama to handle the economy than the GOP and people have lost faith in the Republicans on the economy.

Serious Buyers Remorse on the GOP Congress….

The early battles in Washington this year have cemented the public’s disapproval of the political system and the country’s leadership, with confidence in congressional Republicans sagging and majorities disapproving of how President Obama is handling top domestic issues, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

In a sweeping indicator of dissatisfaction with Washington, just 26 percent of Americans say they are optimistic about “our system of government and how well it works,” a low point in polls dating to 1974. This gloomy assessment is shared by Democrats and Republicans, even as they agree on little else.

AND

When it comes to dealing with issue No. 1, the economy, Obama has an advantage: 46 percent say they put more faith in the president, 34 percent say so about congressional Republicans. Obama has a similar 12-point lead on the question of who better understands the economic problems people face, and a nine-point edge on dealing with the deficit.

via Poll: Budget impasse cements public’s disapproval of Washington – The Washington Post.

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