You did not do that!

[Gaspar]

I don't think it's ever dawned on him who creates most of the jobs in this country- the wealthy.  Naw, they don't do near enough for the rest of us.

I disagree.  I think he knows exactly where jobs come from.  I think, however, that the creation of jobs is not his goal.  The perception of working on economic growth is his goal but not any real action.  As long has he can say things that make people believe he is a champion of the poor, or the economically disadvantaged, it matters little whether he actually produces anything.  For him and his political affiliates, intensions are far more important than results.

Do even the smallest degree of analysis on his actions, and you will find this to be irrefutable.

Each new crisis is followed with a speech and the commissioning of a panel, commission, or some other study or action group.  Every issue is acted upon with a speech and the promise of a "plan."  So, with all of these new commissions, panels, and studies, what have been the deliverables?

Simpson-Bowels - The goal was to avoid the inevitability of a prolonged or double dip recession.  The result was a report based on bi-partisan research that posed a complete economic plan for recovery and repair.  It was painful to both Republicans (cutting defense spending), and Democrats (emphasizing tax relief, before tax increases), but many members of both parties agreed it was indeed the proper course. 

It was dismissed and treated as if it never happened. No action.  No results.

President's Economic Framework(s)? - This was the second year in a row that the president presented a "framework" that he claimed would cut the deficit by trillions, only to find that after difficult CBO analysis (because he likes to use generalizations) it would actually expand the deficit by trillions, and his second attempt couldn't even register a single (not one) Democrat vote in Congress.  Why?  Because it was ridiculous.

Since that time, every new spending bill introduced by Democrats in congress has been called a "Jobs act" however most contain far more new spending than anything related reduction in uncertainty or economic/regulatory advantage to the small business owner. No results.

Council on Jobs and Competitiveness - Early 2012 the president responds again to pressure for some direction in changing the currently economic climate of uncertainty.  In a speech he invokes the creation of his Jobs Council headed by the former CEO of GE, Jeffrey "Too big to fail" Immelt.  An award I suppose for being the recipient of $139 billion in bailout cash.  The commission never meets, or produces a single recommendation except for the presentation of a very well constructed set of broad generalizations that were cut and pasted from several of the president's speeches to the Jobs Commission website with very little editing.  Basically their website serves as nothing more than another campaign PR dribble for the President filled with great intensions.   Beyond the electronic campaign brochure, they have issued no statements or research to congress, or even sat around a table together with the President. No results.

This was the platform he ran on in 2008.  Whether you agree with it or disagree, what has he accomplished? . . .and what part of this list is designed to stimulate or grow the US economy by building (or recovering) our small businesses?  What here is designed to reduce uncertainty and encourage investors to take the risk necessary to build economic growth?

Implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050... and in the process create 5 million jobs.

Put one million plug-in hybrid cars on the road by 2015.

Close GITMO.

Stop the rendition and torture of prisoners of war. - He actually made great strives in stopping this by just vaporizing them and anyone around them.  No prisoner, no problem!

Ensure 10% of our electricity comes from renewable energy sources by 2012.

Impose windfall profit tax on oil companies... and, from that revenue, provide an immediate $500 relief to individuals and $1000 to married couples.

Regulate energy speculation.

Provide US automakers with $4 billion in tax credits and loans to build fuel efficient cars in the US.

Mandate all new vehicles to be Flexible Fuel or Biofuel Vehicles.

Develop and deploy clean coal technology.

Develop safe and secure nuclear technology.

Cut taxes for 95% of workers and families and (quote:) "no family making less than $250,000 will see their taxes increase."

Provide a $500 tax cut for workers and $1000 for working couples.

Pay a refundable $4,000 American Opportunity Tax Credit for college.

Provide a Universal 10% mortgage interest tax credit.

Eliminate Income Taxes for seniors making less than $50,000.

Introduce health care tax credits.

Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Increase benefits for child care.

Simplify the tax system.

Eliminate capital gains taxes on entrepreneurs and investors in small businesses.

Cut corporate tax rates for companies creating jobs in US.

Offer a small business health care tax credit.

Make the R&D tax credit permanent.

Make international tax havens less accessible.

Broaden the corporate tax base and eliminate special preferences.

Generally increase income taxes from the 2008 tax brackets of 33% and 35% to 36% and 39.6%, respectively, by letting the Bush tax cuts expire.

Increase capital gains tax to 20% for families making more than $250,000.

Reinstate pay-as-you-go budgeting rules (i.e., new spending has to be offset with other spending cuts). 

Cut pork barrel spending.

Make government spending more accountable and efficient.

Health care: Lower health care costs by $2,500 for a typical family.

Troop withdrawal from Iraq: Phased withdrawal of 1-2 brigades per month leading to full withdrawal by Summer of 2010.

Again, whether you agree, disagree, believe he has delivered or failed to deliver, his platform was a social platform, not an economic one.  He was not equipped, or even interested in economic issues.  He paid them lip service, but nothing more.  If people still agree with President Obama's plans to fundamentally change this country, then perhaps the best course of action for them is not to vote for him.  He has neither demonstrated an aptitude or interest in economic matters.  Perhaps we need a leader that can fix the economy and then, when we are back on firm ground with solid economic growth, we can play around.  He could choose to postpone his second term until after someone like Romney or H. Clinton fixes the problems.  Then, after that, he could run for another four years on his social platform.

Just a thought.

[Hoss]

I disagree.  I think he knows exactly where jobs come from.  I think, however, that the creation of jobs is not his goal.  The perception of working on economic growth is his goal but not any real action.  As long has he can say things that make people believe he is a champion of the poor, or the economically disadvantaged, it matters little whether he actually produces anything.  For him and his political affiliates, intensions are far more important than results.

Do even the smallest degree of analysis on his actions, and you will find this to be irrefutable.

Each new crisis is followed with a speech and the commissioning of a panel, commission, or some other study or action group.  Every issue is acted upon with a speech and the promise of a "plan."  So, with all of these new commissions, panels, and studies, what have been the deliverables?

Simpson-Bowels - The goal was to avoid the inevitability of a prolonged or double dip recession.  The result was a report based on bi-partisan research that posed a complete economic plan for recovery and repair.  It was painful to both Republicans (cutting defense spending), and Democrats (emphasizing tax relief, before tax increases), but many members of both parties agreed it was indeed the proper course. 

It was dismissed and treated as if it never happened. No action.  No results.

President's Economic Framework(s)? - This was the second year in a row that the president presented a "framework" that he claimed would cut the deficit by trillions, only to find that after difficult CBO analysis (because he likes to use generalizations) it would actually expand the deficit by trillions, and his second attempt couldn't even register a single (not one) Democrat vote in Congress.  Why?  Because it was ridiculous.

Since that time, every new spending bill introduced by Democrats in congress has been called a "Jobs act" however most contain far more new spending than anything related reduction in uncertainty or economic/regulatory advantage to the small business owner. No results.

Council on Jobs and Competitiveness - Early 2012 the president responds again to pressure for some direction in changing the currently economic climate of uncertainty.  In a speech he invokes the creation of his Jobs Council headed by the former CEO of GE, Jeffrey "Too big to fail" Immelt.  An award I suppose for being the recipient of $139 billion in bailout cash.  The commission never meets, or produces a single recommendation except for the presentation of a very well constructed set of broad generalizations that were cut and pasted from several of the president's speeches to the Jobs Commission website with very little editing.  Basically their website serves as nothing more than another campaign PR dribble for the President filled with great intensions.   Beyond the electronic campaign brochure, they have issued no statements or research to congress, or even sat around a table together with the President. No results.

This was the platform he ran on in 2008.  Whether you agree with it or disagree, what has he accomplished? . . .and what part of this list is designed to stimulate or grow the US economy by building (or recovering) our small businesses?  What here is designed to reduce uncertainty and encourage investors to take the risk necessary to build economic growth?

Implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050... and in the process create 5 million jobs.

Put one million plug-in hybrid cars on the road by 2015.

Close GITMO.

Stop the rendition and torture of prisoners of war. - He actually made great strives in stopping this by just vaporizing them and anyone around them.  No prisoner, no problem!

Ensure 10% of our electricity comes from renewable energy sources by 2012.

Impose windfall profit tax on oil companies... and, from that revenue, provide an immediate $500 relief to individuals and $1000 to married couples.

Regulate energy speculation.

Provide US automakers with $4 billion in tax credits and loans to build fuel efficient cars in the US.

Mandate all new vehicles to be Flexible Fuel or Biofuel Vehicles.

Develop and deploy clean coal technology.

Develop safe and secure nuclear technology.

Cut taxes for 95% of workers and families and (quote:) "no family making less than $250,000 will see their taxes increase."

Provide a $500 tax cut for workers and $1000 for working couples.

Pay a refundable $4,000 American Opportunity Tax Credit for college.

Provide a Universal 10% mortgage interest tax credit.

Eliminate Income Taxes for seniors making less than $50,000.

Introduce health care tax credits.

Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Increase benefits for child care.

Simplify the tax system.

Eliminate capital gains taxes on entrepreneurs and investors in small businesses.

Cut corporate tax rates for companies creating jobs in US.

Offer a small business health care tax credit.

Make the R&D tax credit permanent.

Make international tax havens less accessible.

Broaden the corporate tax base and eliminate special preferences.

Generally increase income taxes from the 2008 tax brackets of 33% and 35% to 36% and 39.6%, respectively, by letting the Bush tax cuts expire.

Increase capital gains tax to 20% for families making more than $250,000.

Reinstate pay-as-you-go budgeting rules (i.e., new spending has to be offset with other spending cuts). 

Cut pork barrel spending.

Make government spending more accountable and efficient.

Health care: Lower health care costs by $2,500 for a typical family.

Troop withdrawal from Iraq: Phased withdrawal of 1-2 brigades per month leading to full withdrawal by Summer of 2010.

Again, whether you agree, disagree, believe he has delivered or failed to deliver, his platform was a social platform, not an economic one.  He was not equipped, or even interested in economic issues.  He paid them lip service, but nothing more.  If people still agree with President Obama's plans to fundamentally change this country, then perhaps the best course of action for them is not to vote for him.  He has neither demonstrated an aptitude or interest in economic matters.  Perhaps we need a leader that can fix the economy and then, when we are back on firm ground with solid economic growth, we can play around.  He could choose to postpone his second term until after someone like Romney or H. Clinton fixes the problems.  Then, after that, he could run for another four years on his social platform.

Just a thought.

Kinda tough to do all those things when the express objective of the opposing parties was 'to vote him out at all costs'.  Especially without a filibuster-proof senate when the filibusters reached record proportions before AND after the midterms.

But go ahead and continue with your ODS and blue font...

[Conan71]

Kinda tough to do all those things when the express objective of the opposing parties was 'to vote him out at all costs'.  Especially without a filibuster-proof senate when the filibusters reached record proportions before AND after the midterms.

But go ahead and continue with your ODS and blue font...

How can you summarily dismiss Obama's failures and complete disregard for issues which really mattered to the economy, and most every day Americans?  Filibusters didn't keep any of his agenda in check in '09 and '10, if that were true, the ACA would have never passed.  That's simply another excuse and another place to affix blame for his own failures.  They simply used reconciliation instead of an up or down vote to sidestep opposition to the ACA.

I would grant anyone who stepped into office that you wouldn't simply fix the economy over night and would have been surprised at any point less than two years of a significant turn-around.  However, we are now 3 1/2 years into his term and the only thing anyone can point to as success are the passage of the Affordable Healthcare Act, which we now find out will cover fewer people at a higher cost than originally promised (no surprise there) and OBL is dead.

What has either event done to help the economy?  I know there's been some serious reach-arounds trying to explain what could have happened to the economy if OBL had succeeded in another terrorist attack on US soil.  Let's face it, he was marginalized.  I'm glad that SOB is dead, and I thank the president for authorizing the mission.  That's a moral success for Americans, yet it doesn't do a tangible thing for the economy.  

As Gaspar pointed out, he's repeatedly ignored the advice of his blue ribbon panels and that of business leaders of what needs to be done to cut deficits and create jobs.  Instead, he coddles those who really believe their misfortune or lack of success is the result of someone else's success.  

That's not how you rebuild an economy.

Take a look at President Clinton's actions as he sought to help the economy recover after the recession of '91.  There's simply no comparison in the approach of these two presidents in economic issues.  Look whose policies appear to have helped stimulate growth and whose have not.  

No one is ignoring the fact that this is the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.  However, Obama isn't even trying to mimic a single page out of any other president's playbook who has helped guide the economy out of a funk.  

[Hoss]

How can you summarily dismiss Obama's failures and complete disregard for issues which really mattered to the economy, and most every day Americans?  Filibusters didn't keep any of his agenda in check in '09 and '10, if that were true, the ACA would have never passed.  That's simply another excuse and another place to affix blame for his own failures.  They simply used reconciliation instead of an up or down vote to sidestep opposition to the ACA.

I would grant anyone who stepped into office that you wouldn't simply fix the economy over night and would have been surprised at any point less than two years of a significant turn-around.  However, we are now 3 1/2 years into his term and the only thing anyone can point to as success are the passage of the Affordable Healthcare Act, which we now find out will cover fewer people at a higher cost than originally promised (no surprise there) and OBL is dead.

What has either event done to help the economy?  I know there's been some serious reach-arounds trying to explain what could have happened to the economy if OBL had succeeded in another terrorist attack on US soil.  Let's face it, he was marginalized.  I'm glad that SOB is dead, and I thank the president for authorizing the mission.  That's a moral success for Americans, yet it doesn't do a tangible thing for the economy.  

As Gaspar pointed out, he's repeatedly ignored the advice of his blue ribbon panels and that of business leaders of what needs to be done to cut deficits and create jobs.  Instead, he coddles those who really believe their misfortune or lack of success is the result of someone else's success.  

That's not how you rebuild an economy.

Take a look at President Clinton's actions as he sought to help the economy recover after the recession of '91.  There's simply no comparison in the approach of these two presidents in economic issues.  Look whose policies appear to have helped stimulate growth and whose have not.  

No one is ignoring the fact that this is the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.  However, Obama isn't even trying to mimic a single page out of any other president's playbook who has helped guide the economy out of a funk.  

If you remember, ACA didn't get the 60/40 vote (remember all the hullaballoo about reconciliation?).

And just because I'm defending him on this, doesn't mean I'm thrilled with his job sofar.  But the Republicans (are you sure you haven't reverted?) made it VERY clear their number ONE objective was making sure this president didn't get a second term.  Nothing about stimulating the economy, or working across party aisles to help the American people.  How can you summarily dismiss THAT?

Whenever he was for something they previously were for, they made sure to rail against it.  Both parties are to blame, but the filibustering and sniping and attacking each other needs to come to and end.

[Gaspar]

Kinda tough to do all those things when the express objective of the opposing parties was 'to vote him out at all costs'.  Especially without a filibuster-proof senate when the filibusters reached record proportions before AND after the midterms.

But go ahead and continue with your ODS and blue font...

I wasn't debating his ability to do what he promised as campaign promises above, nor was I commenting on his inability to work toward the achievement of those endeavors, nor was I commenting on any obstacles or opposition he may or may not have.  My observation and questions were related to social issues vs economic ones.

He ran on a platform of social issues.  He continues to peruse social issues.  The country was, and continues to be consumed with economic problems that outweigh, in importance, most other issues.  For instance, 10% renewable energy makes very little impact on a family of four with both parents unemployed. A million plug-in cars (that cost $42,000 each) are of little value to a 22 year old with a marketing degree who has to work at McDonalds because no one else is hiring. A broadening of the corporate tax, and elimination of the Bush Tax cuts will certainly get cheers from liberals, but will not be pivotal in encouraging an industrial motor maker to hire more employees.

I have no doubt that he ran on a very popular liberal agenda.  It's up to you to determine whether he achieved or did not achieve his initiatives.  It's also up to you to distribute the praise or blame as you see fit.  The fact remains however that his choice of policies had very little to do with economic growth, and his action/reaction to the course of events that followed, showed absolutely no interest in economic recovery, if that recovery or those actions posed a threat to any of his social agenda.  In the eyes of a liberal, he may be a fine president, but if you are to simply employ logic, his course of action did not fit the goal of economic recovery.

My car has a flat tire.  I blame my old mechanic for over-inflating it.  So I go to a new mechanic, and he attempts to fix my AC, tries to adjust the transmission, re-welds the muffler, and changes the spark timing. He continues to say he's working on my tire, but it's still flat, and my bill is 15 times the cost of a new tire already.  Finally when I threaten him about going to another mechanic, he tells me about how proud he is, and how happy I should be because of all of the other things he has tried to fix on my car.  He says that fixing my tire was a bigger job than he expected, and that if I give him more time, he will get it done.  He says my old mechanic really screwed up that tire and made it hard to fix. He says that all of the other people in his garage are preventing him from fixing the tire, and the weather was bad, and other mechanics are hiding his tools.  I would think about giving him another chance, but without skipping a breath, he begins to talk about replacing a dome light, adjusting the breaks, and changing the fuel filter.  I think it's time for a new mechanic.

[nathanm]

Gaspar, that motor manufacturer isn't going to be motivated by tax cuts, either. His or her taxes are already at or near historic lows, he or she has already received quite a few tax credits in an effort to get them moving. Unfortunately, lack of demand has proven to be the major issue.

[guido911]

Perhaps the best take IMO on "You did not do that" from Sarcastic Jefferson:

"Of course roads and bridges built businesses. Just like the English language and a pen wrote the collected works of Shakespeare."

[Red Arrow]

Perhaps the best take IMO on "You did not do that" from Sarcastic Jefferson:

"Of course roads and bridges built businesses. Just like the English language and a pen wrote the collected works of Shakespeare."

I saw a Shakespeare play (I forget which one) done in German language while in Germany in 1995.

[nathanm]

Perhaps the best take IMO on "You did not do that" from Sarcastic Jefferson:

"Of course roads and bridges built businesses. Just like the English language and a pen wrote the collected works of Shakespeare."

Wow, that's even more nonsensical than the Fox interpretation.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Enjoy the 51 deg.  It was about 105 here today.

I was going to say twice 51 but the scale is arbitrary and really 51 should be 51+459.67 = 510.67 deg R. 
105 F = 564.67 R
So, the ratio is really only 1.11:1

It's still hot.

I did.  Am back now - 111 on the thermometer.  60 degree swing in two days.  Yuck.

But I did get sneezed on by a humpback whale, so it's all good.  Nothing like a little whale snot to make the day....

[heironymouspasparagus]

I thought that was only the case for states like Oregon that have a weight-mile tax. You pay your money at the pump, do some paperwork later and find out if you owe more or get a partial refund.

That's probably it.  I was gonna let the accountant handle it and just tell me what happened.

Oh, and if anyone is out there thinking that driving a truck as an owner operator is a great way to make a living - well, that's part right.  It's a great way to TRY to make a living, but the actual "make" part can be elusive - just like any business.  Can make plenty per year, but it will be 3,500 to 4,000 hours per year rather than about 2,000 hours per year of a "regular" job.

Lucky drivers can almost get minimum wage rate.  "Lucky" because they will be driving all those hours and lucky to not get tagged too much for log violations, because they WILL be breaking the law to do it.

[Teatownclown]

Man, 13 pages based on taking a comment out of context. 

[AquaMan]

Man, 13 pages based on (purposely) taking a comment out of context. 

Their candidate allows them so little else to talk about.

What....they can't talk about his Chevy Chase European Vacation can they?

[Hoss]

Their candidate allows them so little else to talk about.

What....they can't talk about his Chevy Chase European Vacation can they?

"Look, Parliament!  Big Ben! Parliament!  Big Ben!"

[AquaMan]

You know that when he says the superior Israeli culture is the reason for the economic difference between them and the Palestinians, that in his mind he is also inferring that the American culture is superior to the rest of the world. I doubt that was lost on anyone. "...and everyone knows that."