President Obama is “Gratified” by GDP Growth, Commends House Democrats for Rolling Out Health Care Bill
EmailABC News' Karen Travers reports: President Obama said this morning that he was "gratified" with the new GDP figures announced today but cautioned that the economy still has a long way to go before a full recovery. Mr. Obama tied his administration's push for health care reform to strengthening small businesses to an audience that included members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (which has been sparring with the Obama Administration recently on issues like health care and climate change), the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), and small business owners and organizations from across the country. "We've come a long way since the first three months of 2009, when our economy shrunk by an alarming 6.4 percent," Mr. Obama said. "In fact, the 3.5 percent growth in the third quarter is the largest three-month gain we have seen in two years." The president said this data was "an affirmation that this recession is abating and the steps we've taken have made a difference." But Mr. Obama also struck a cautious tone and said there is a "long way to go" still. "While this report today represents real progress, the benchmark I use to measure the strength of our economy is not just whether our GDP is growing, but whether we are creating jobs, whether families are having an easier time paying their bills, whether our businesses are hiring and doing well," he said. President Obama connected the need for health care reform to strengthening small businesses. "Few have a bigger stake in what happens than all of you. Few have a bigger stake than the men and women who own a small business, work at a small business, or rely on someone who does. Few have a bigger stake in what happens because few are struggling more under the status quo," he said. President Obama commended House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic Caucus for releasing its health care reform bill today, calling it a "critical milestone." He said the bill is "fully paid for" and will "reduce the deficit in the long term."
Reaching out to his audience, the president said the legislation would benefit millions of small businesses and "is being written with the interests of Americans like you and your employees in mind." Mr. Obama emphasized that while some businesses ("of a certain size") will have to contribute to their employees' health care costs if they do not provide coverage, about 90 percent of small businesses would be exempt. "So, if your business is anything like the vast majority of small businesses out there, this requirement simply won't apply to you – because I don't think it's fair to impose a penalty on small businesses," he said. -Karen Travers
Sen. DeMint: GOP Race Could Go Until Convention 
Obama Avoids Questions on Contraception Rule
GDP growth up…GREAT!! Just hope there is enough employed people in the near future to sustain it…
Posted by: Parallex View | October 29, 2009, 1:08 pm 1:08 pm
The president said this data was “an affirmation that this recession is abating and the steps we’ve taken have made a difference.”
“We” meaning President Bush and I? After all, Bush passed and distributed the first half of TARP, lest anyone such as the current President forget.
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 29, 2009, 1:18 pm 1:18 pm
Small business and corporate assests continue to decrease as we speak.
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 29, 2009, 1:19 pm 1:19 pm
“Small business and corporate assests continue to decrease as we speak.”
Visualize Whirled Peas | Oct 29, 2009 1:19:56 PM
Really? You’re dredging up that old saw from January? The markets are uniformly up – strongly – from the point when Obama took office. I’m curious what definition you are using of “corporate assets continue to decrease” you are using that doesn’t make your comment a lie. “Continuing to decrease” since Tuesday with “corporate” being the market value of Garmin or something?
Posted by: jhw539 | October 29, 2009, 1:41 pm 1:41 pm
amazing that some people can’t even understand this piece of info without getting it wrong or slanting it..
all I’ve been hearing for 11 months now is that ‘it’s Obama’s economy’, heck Obama got blamed for the downturn before he was even in office last year..
and now there are signs of improvement, not everywhere, but improvement and a self admission by Obama that there is a long way to go, and on cue:…we hear the usual defeatist drivel by the purveyors of gloom from the republican cult of NO
Posted by: Oh Yeah | October 29, 2009, 1:51 pm 1:51 pm
Really? You’re dredging up that old saw from January?
Posted by: jhw539 | Oct 29, 2009 1:41:09 PM
Go to debtclock and watch the numbers yourself under small business and corporation assets.
Personal assets are rising because people have no choice but to pay their debts and are saving. No credit is available or that would also be decreasing.
At least that’s how I interpret it. I certainly welcome your thoughts.
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 29, 2009, 1:59 pm 1:59 pm
and now there are signs of improvement
Posted by: Oh Yeah | Oct 29, 2009 1:51:53 PM
Obama got out to the podium awful fast on this one. Almost like he expected it… We want valid signs of the recession ending, not puffed up numbers using govt programs using our taxes. Even the Associated Press is skeptical.
“Armed with cash from government support programs, consumers led the rebound in the third quarter, snapping up cars and homes.
“Consumer spending on big-ticket manufactured goods soared at an annualized rate of 22.3 percent in the third quarter, the most since the end of 2001. The jump largely reflected car purchases spurred by the government’s Cash for Clunkers program that offered a rebate of up to $4,500 to buy new cars and trade in old gas guzzlers.
“The housing market also turned a corner in the summer. Spending on housing projects jumped at an annualized pace of 23.4 percent, the largest jump since 1986. It was the first time since the end of 2005 that spending on housing was positive.
“The government’s $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers supported the housing rebound.”
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 29, 2009, 2:03 pm 2:03 pm
Page 26
INSUFFICIENT FUNDS.—If the Secretary
estimates for any fiscal year that the aggregate amounts available for payment of expenses of the high-risk pool will be less than the amount of the expenses, the Secretary shall make such adjustments as are necessary to eliminate such deficit, including reducing benefits, increasing premiums, or establishing waiting lists.
Posted by: Lizzie | October 29, 2009, 2:06 pm 2:06 pm
See! We were told us it would cost less than $900 billion!
What does that work out to? $470 million per page?
Posted by: Lizzie | October 29, 2009, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm
The president said this data was “an affirmation that this recession is abating and the steps we’ve taken have made a difference.”
Read: socialism works
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 29, 2009, 2:13 pm 2:13 pm
heck Obama got blamed for the downturn before he was even in office last year..
Posted by: Oh Yeah | Oct 29, 2009 1:51:53 PM
Lie.
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 29, 2009, 2:14 pm 2:14 pm
The government’s shortfall last year, AP notes, is larger than the whole economy of India and more than the combined deficits during this country’s first two hundred years. It is, in fact, almost as large as the yearly economic output of Canada. AP quoted Kenneth Rogoff, former chief economist for the International Monetary Fund, who pointed out that “The rudderless U.S. fiscal policy is the biggest long-term risk to the U.S. economy.”
Rogoff only states the obvious. The gravest threat to this country’s economic well-being is the policies of this government. A Harvard professor and a Keynesian through and through, Rogoff is no right-wing conservative. But after surveying the grim economic picture, even liberals must recognize that the reckless spending of the Obama administration is taking us toward fiscal Armageddon.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | October 29, 2009, 2:21 pm 2:21 pm
Lie.
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | Oct 29, 2009 2:14:33 PM
You haven’t read some of the comments on this very blog if you think that’s a lie. I’ve had it spelled out to me how that works– it’s quite amazing.
Posted by: Alyson | October 29, 2009, 2:27 pm 2:27 pm
Meanwhile, Think Progress points out this tidbit from this morning:
“… a reporter turned the tables on Boehner and asked whether he’d post the GOP plan for 72 hours. Boehner declined to make such a pledge:
QUESTION: Will the Republicans put their alternative online for 72 hours as well?
BOEHNER: Uh, we’ll uh, we’ll have our ideas ready. Don’t worry.
Why won’t Bohner post the GOP plan? Because he doesn’t have one. Later in the press conference, this minor detail was revealed when a reporter pressed Boehner for a GOP alternative plan:
QUESTION: Is it your plan to have one Republican alternative that you all would get behind and endorse?
BOHNER: We have a number of ideas that we would like to proffer in this process, and we’re not quite sure how the majority intends to proceed. And so until we understand how they intend to proceed, it’s pretty difficult for us to have a solid plan. ”
134 days since promises were made, and still counting…
Posted by: Alyson | October 29, 2009, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm
You haven’t read some of the comments on this very blog if you think that’s a lie. I’ve had it spelled out to me how that works– it’s quite amazing.
Posted by: Alyson | Oct 29, 2009 2:27:40 PM
Oh. “People” said it. Not officially blamed then? Hey, I’m with you. Other than the fact that he was in the Senate representing the people of Illinois, but spent most of that time campaigning for President, he is blameless.
Personally, I blame them all – govt & private. Some more than others. But you know what? When I screw up I take the blame and try to make it right. You should hold Obama to the same scrutiny as the others. After all, you are into that – what was it – oh yeah, job performance. ;-)
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 29, 2009, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm
heck Obama got blamed for the downturn before he was even in office last year..
Posted by: Oh Yeah | Oct 29, 2009 1:51:53 PM
Lie.
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | Oct 29, 2009 2:14:33 PM”
You should talk to your buddy fascist hyena.
Before obsessively posting Rasmussen polls he would post the DOW results.
Ya know until the DOW began to rise.
The lesson as always? Right wingers lie.
Posted by: Ryan C | October 29, 2009, 2:57 pm 2:57 pm
“Sure, the economy’s standing up on its own legs again, but for how long once the government stimulus starts to fade?” said Chris Rupkey, an economist with Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi in New York. “That’s the million dollar question for the nation’s unemployed — all 15.1 million of them sitting idle, through no fault of their own.”
What gives Rupkey and some other economists pause is that a large portion of the jump in consumption can be traced back to the government’s “cash for clunkers” program that provided incentives to buy new cars.
Excluding motor vehicles, third-quarter GDP advanced at a more modest 1.9 percent pace. To be sure, that was a vast improvement, following four consecutive quarters of declining GDP, but it was dangerously close to stalling.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | October 29, 2009, 2:59 pm 2:59 pm
I have no facts to back my opinions just the drug induced hallucinations from drinking the kool-aide. Republican control in 2010-2012. Please help us I wish I had my vote back this guy is a Joke
Posted by: jhw539 | October 29, 2009, 3:17 pm 3:17 pm
Growth & Recovery without Jobs? We are still losing jobs! Know if Obama can show me how to make a profit without sales!
Posted by: nobama12 | October 29, 2009, 3:21 pm 3:21 pm
I have no facts to back my opinions just the drug induced hallucinations from drinking the kool-aide. Republican control in 2010-2012. Please help us I wish I had my vote back this guy is a Joke
Posted by: jhw539 | Oct 29, 2009 3:17:39 PM
That’s funny.
Do Ryan_C now.
ROFLMAO!
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 29, 2009, 3:21 pm 3:21 pm
Nice to see JHW has converted. One down many more to go!
Posted by: nobama12 | October 29, 2009, 3:22 pm 3:22 pm
Obama can show me how to make a profit without sales!
Posted by: nobama12 | Oct 29, 2009 3:21:03 PM
Honey, fire up Air Force One! I’m off to sell snow to the Eskimos!
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 29, 2009, 3:23 pm 3:23 pm
“You know, I get REALLY tired of your sarcasm and cherry picking. It is really irritating when it has no place in the context of the discussion”
Yes I realize you would prefer your talking points go unchallenged maybe if you thought for yourself it would be quite different.
Posted by: Ryan C | October 29, 2009, 3:25 pm 3:25 pm
Sounds like a little white lie to me. These #’s will be revised after the elections next tuesday. Course all you dumb sh!t$ will believe it and vote accordingly. And how about that media blitz on his meeting and saluting the returning caskets? Yea that was real sincere… Rahm to Obama.. “maybe this will help your sagging approval ratings.”
Get ready for your taxes to go thru the roof. THERE IS NO FREE LUNCH PEOPLE.
Posted by: worriedmom | October 29, 2009, 3:25 pm 3:25 pm
You haven’t read some of the comments on this very blog if you think that’s a lie. I’ve had it spelled out to me how that works– it’s quite amazing.”
Forget theis blog, just go to the source of Whirled Peas’s info
“For example, on the March 10 edition of his show, Hannity said to former Democratic National Committee financial committee chair Michael Brown, “Obama, since he’s elected, has tanked the markets.” Brown asked, “Oh, that’s Obama’s fault?” and Hannity responded, “That’s right.” Similarly, on the March 6 edition of his show, Hannity stated: “And our headline this Friday night: Welcome to Day Number 46 of ‘Obama’s Bear Market.’ Now, that’s what some news organizations are calling it tonight as the Dow Jones industrial average actually finished up about 30 points today at the end of a disastrous week.” Furthermore, on the March 5 edition of Hannity, Republican strategist Kate Obenshain said of Obama’s policies, “Of course, the markets are in a free-fall, because they recognize what’s happening here.” Hannity agreed, saying, “[I]t is a reaction. If they had so much faith and confidence in [Obama's] plan — because, remember, markets don’t react emotionally. Markets react to numbers.” Hannity continued, “If they had faith and hope in [Obama's] plan, why wouldn’t they react more confidently?” “
Posted by: Ryan C | October 29, 2009, 3:27 pm 3:27 pm
134 days since promises were made, and still counting…
Posted by: Alyson |
If you applied one tenth the scrutiny to your beloved Dems that you do the evil Reps…
Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn | October 29, 2009, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm
Obama is a bigger fool than I thought,The GDP has risen because of the Cash for Clunkers,which sold so many cars. Only thing wrong with that is 125,000 would have been sold any way,that means the Tax Payers paid $24,000.00 for each of those cars sold. Smoke and MIrrors. Where are the jobs promised,now that the AP has told the truth and less than 30,000 have been created or saved from the stimulis.
Posted by: strikerF | October 29, 2009, 3:40 pm 3:40 pm
Why is there a double standard? Democrats give Obama a free pass for things they would have and still do bash George Bush on! Why does it matter Republican or Democrat wrong should be wrong! You cant have to sets of rules.
Posted by: batesba74 | October 29, 2009, 3:50 pm 3:50 pm
And you know what scrutiny I apply hmmmm… how?
Posted by: Alyson |
Don’t you know?
Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn | October 29, 2009, 3:52 pm 3:52 pm
From the Pew Research Center, we learn that dog bites man:
Pew asked a series of questions about current events, and found that Republicans were considerably more likely than Democrats to know the correct answers. Democrats outscored Republicans on only one question, whether health spending is higher in the U.S. or Europe, and the two parties tied when asked what policy area the term “public option” refers to. On 10 other questions, ranging from who Glenn Beck is to the name of the newest Supreme Court justice, Republicans were more likely to answer correctly.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | October 29, 2009, 3:57 pm 3:57 pm
Which will happen first? OJ will find Nicole’s killer or ryanc will find a corrupt democrat?
Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn | October 29, 2009, 3:58 pm 3:58 pm
Hey get this someone on the Healthcare debate page said it is a good thing that Congress will be taking care of health care because Insurance companies are to corrupt! And Congress is not?
Posted by: batesba74 | October 29, 2009, 4:07 pm 4:07 pm
Hey get this someone on the Healthcare debate page said it is a good thing that Congress will be taking care of health care because Insurance companies are to corrupt! And Congress is not?
Posted by: batesba74 | October 29, 2009, 4:07 pm 4:07 pm
Chris C it is the “correct” wing blogs! get it right!
Posted by: batesba74 | October 29, 2009, 4:15 pm 4:15 pm
“Unmentioned by fasisct hyenas is that independents scored 5.7 questions as well”
Which means the Dems came in third. No surprise really. An informed electorate is not in the best interests of the Democratic party.
Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn | October 29, 2009, 4:15 pm 4:15 pm
I am actually Keith Olbermann I just want a larger audience so I come here to where 100 or so people actually blog!
Posted by: Ryan C | October 29, 2009, 4:21 pm 4:21 pm
Facts never matter to Liberals anyway, they are the party of catch phrases only!
Posted by: Ryan C | October 29, 2009, 4:24 pm 4:24 pm
nice comments all around.
Posted by: batesba74 | October 29, 2009, 4:51 pm 4:51 pm
And you know what scrutiny I apply hmmmm… how?
Posted by: Alyson |
Don’t you know?
Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn | Oct 29, 2009 3:52:17 PM
Do I know how you “know” what I scrutinize and/or do in terms of contacting congress and senate and so on and in regards to which issues? “Special secret knowledge” and psychic powers again?
Posted by: Alyson | October 29, 2009, 5:14 pm 5:14 pm
For the record, I have not hijaaked anyone’s name.
Also, for the record, I am really going to enjoy our conversations in mid-2012. Someone is going to be eating crow. It will be fun to see who gets the knife and fork!
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 29, 2009, 5:15 pm 5:15 pm
134 days since promises were made, and still counting…
Posted by: Alyson |
I’m not sure I understand what you expect the GOP to do here.
They announced their plan several months ago. Granted it was only a four page outline but do you expect them to spend taxpayer money developing a plan that would be impossible to introduce and get passed?
They have tried knocking on the WH door and getting amendments to the Dems bills but with little (if any) success.
Again, I don’t know what you expect them to do. They are trying to work within the process. The ball is in the Dems court and the GOP is not invited. It is all going on behind closed doors.
[Note: These are my own thoughts and not talking points.]
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 29, 2009, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm
Some much for taking responsibility for your actions.
Posted by: Ryan C | Oct 29, 2009 5:21:48 PM
Good grief. You ARE thin skinned. You remind me of certain people who work in the WH. Whine, whine, whine. Fox is mean to us. Boo hoo!
Yes, I take full responsibility for encouraging it. Happy now?
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 29, 2009, 5:38 pm 5:38 pm
“I’m not sure I understand what you expect the GOP to do here.
They announced their plan several months ago. Granted it was only a four page outline but do you expect them to spend taxpayer money developing a plan that would be impossible to introduce and get passed?”
Yeah why ask them to do their jobs and draft legislation.
Seriously, this is your excuse?
“They have tried knocking on the WH door and getting amendments to the Dems bills but with little (if any) success.”
What utter nonsense.
WaPO: “Committee Republicans have made it clear they would not propose, as Sen. Jon Kyl (Ariz.) put it, a “massive GOP alternative” to the Democrats’ health-care bill. Rather, they offered nearly 300 amendments to the legislation that would, if adopted, represent a most curious piece of social policy. ”
One of the amendments?
“Late in the afternoon, Sen. Chuck Grassley (Iowa), the top Republican on the committee, requested consideration of the “Grassley F-1 Modified Amendment.” Its goal: eliminate $7 billion a year in fees that the government would charge private health insurance companies, and make up the shortfall by reducing benefits to poor people and legal immigrants.”
Geee where would anyone get the idea that protecting insurance company profits was more important to the GOP than anything else.
Posted by: Ryan C | October 29, 2009, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm
“Yeah why ask them to do their jobs and draft legislation.”
Why spend taxpayers money drafting legislation that would have no chance to get passed?
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 29, 2009, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm
Geee where would anyone get the idea that protecting insurance company profits was more important to the GOP than anything else.
Posted by: Ryan C | Oct 29, 2009 5:40:21 PM
You mean the 2-6% annual profits that is the reality of hc insurance?
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 29, 2009, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm
Why spend taxpayers money drafting legislation that would have no chance to get passed?
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | Oct 29, 2009 5:44:10 PM
Why promise to in order to prove you’re not an empty party of no if you don’t really intend to? Personally I think it turned out to be way too difficult for them– they’ve always kicked the can down the road.
Posted by: Alyson | October 29, 2009, 5:49 pm 5:49 pm
“Why spend taxpayers money drafting legislation that would have no chance to get passed?”
Yeah why actually use staff for drafting legislation when they could be crashing opposing party pressers.
Seriously are you really stating that the minority party should avoid drafting legislation unless they are sure of passage?
Posted by: Ryan C | October 29, 2009, 5:50 pm 5:50 pm
Thanks Alyson.
Posted by: Ryan C | October 29, 2009, 5:52 pm 5:52 pm
they’ve always kicked the can down the road.
Posted by: Alyson | Oct 29, 2009 5:49:45 PM
Or they don’t believe in what “you’re” doing.
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 29, 2009, 5:52 pm 5:52 pm
I whine about Ryan …
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | Oct 29, 2009 5:49:53 PM
Personally, I think a lot of you whine about Ryan because he’s very smart and knows a lot, and points out the stupidity and distortions in a great number of right winger posts. With humor.
Maybe some of you don’t understand it? He’s usually in context and spot on. Not always, but more often than not. For example, he nailed it in the post responding to the health care stuff. Knocked down the usual, tired, inaccurate talking points.
Posted by: Alyson | October 29, 2009, 5:55 pm 5:55 pm
“You mean the 2-6% annual profits that is the reality of hc insurance”
6% sounds almost reasonable.
I wonder why they use that instead of the dollars figure which is in the BILLIONS per year.
Oh wait I just answered my question.
Posted by: Ryan C | October 29, 2009, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm
Seriously are you really stating that the minority party should avoid drafting legislation unless they are sure of passage?
Posted by: Ryan C | Oct 29, 2009 5:50:46 PM
No I’m saying they are trying to work within the bill that will eventually be voted on. Whether their amendments meet YOUR approval is irrelevant. They are working within the process. To spend time and taxpayers money coming up with their own plan is wasteful – in this case.
I’m not a big GOP fan at this point. They spent money like drunken soldiers and are paying the price for kicking this and other cans down the road. I don’t think they believe in all that the Dems are proposing and if they thought their ideas were better they should have proposed them when they had the majority. I fault them for that. I’m not sure they’ve even learned their lesson – I think to a large degree they just want to get back in power. But that applies to both sides.
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 29, 2009, 6:00 pm 6:00 pm
Or they don’t believe in what “you’re” doing.
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | Oct 29, 2009 5:52:58 PM
Ha! how many Republicans have claimed to want health care reform — and which congressman from Wisconsin said they blew it by not doing anything prior to 2006– and which Republican governor is a health policy wonk and thinks we need health care reform and Republicans need to step up?
Good grief. Step out of the cave into the sunlight and catch a clue.
Posted by: Alyson | October 29, 2009, 6:06 pm 6:06 pm
I wonder why they use that instead of the dollars figure which is in the BILLIONS per year.
Oh wait I just answered my question.
Posted by: Ryan C |
You have no idea what the figure is.
Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn | October 29, 2009, 6:34 pm 6:34 pm
They spent money like drunken soldiers and are paying the price for kicking this and other cans down the road. I don’t think they believe in all that the Dems are proposing and if they thought their ideas were better they should have proposed them when they had the majority. I fault them for that. I’m not sure they’ve even learned their lesson – I think to a large degree they just want to get back in power.
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | Oct 29, 2009 6:00:35 PM
Ah. Never mind last post.
Posted by: Alyson | October 29, 2009, 6:40 pm 6:40 pm
(Reuters) A new poll released Wednesday by the Independent Women’s Forum shows that only 16 percent of women believe that health care should be Congress’s top priority and that a majority (51 percent) is unsatisfied with what they have read, seen, or heard about the proposals being considered today. The poll, conducted by WomanTrend, a division of the polling company(TM) inc., surveyed 800 women registered to vote and was conducted between October 19-25, 2009.
Way keep your finger on the nation’spulse, Barry.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | October 29, 2009, 6:49 pm 6:49 pm
(Reuters) The anemic third-quarter U.S. GDP report is another indication that President Barack Obama’s economic gamble may yet fail to pay off. And that could be terrible news for Democrats heading into the 2010 midterm elections. While the new report showed the economy shifting into recovery mode, it looks like a pretty anemic expansion.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | October 29, 2009, 6:51 pm 6:51 pm
RCP average Obama approval among registered/likely voters: 48.5%.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | October 29, 2009, 8:56 pm 8:56 pm
I wrote/you wrote:
Or they don’t believe in what “you’re” doing.
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | Oct 29, 2009 5:52:58 PM
Ha! how many Republicans have claimed to want health care reform — and which congressman from Wisconsin said they blew it by not doing anything prior to 2006– and which Republican governor is a health policy wonk and thinks we need health care reform and Republicans need to step up?
Good grief. Step out of the cave into the sunlight and catch a clue.
Posted by: Alyson | Oct 29, 2009 6:06:43 PM
Alyson, look at what I wrote right after that, which the same as what you said.
“I don’t think they believe in all that the Dems are proposing and if they thought their ideas were better they should have proposed them when they had the majority. I fault them for that.”
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | Oct 29, 2009 6:00:35 PM
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 29, 2009, 8:59 pm 8:59 pm
“I wonder why they use that instead of the dollars figure which is in the BILLIONS per year.”
Because the dollar figure tells us nothing whatsoever except the size of the industry, which thank goodness is very large. The determinant of whether they are making “disproportionate” or “obscene” profits (whatever that may mean) is entirely a function of the rate of return on investment. It requires economic illiteracy to fail to understand this.
Regulated public utilities generally make 6-8%.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | October 29, 2009, 9:44 pm 9:44 pm
“It requires economic illiteracy to fail to understand this.”
Or, more likely given the person involved, a determined effort to sidetrack the argument with an irrelevancy.
Posted by: PD | October 29, 2009, 10:01 pm 10:01 pm
Presidential Job Approval
Approve/Disapprove
50/41 FOX News
51/43 Gallup
47/52 Rasmussen Reports
51/42 NBC News/Wall St. Jrnl
55/43 CNN/Opinion Research
50/46 USA Today/Gallup
57/40 ABC News/Wash Post
51.6%/43.9% RCP Average*
*This is the REAL RCP average. Don’t be fooled by Fascist Hyena, who cherry-picks his favorite polls, calculates his own average, and then posts his handiwork here with the RCP label slapped on to it.
Posted by: Numeros | October 29, 2009, 10:28 pm 10:28 pm
Personally, I think a lot of you whine about Ryan because he’s very smart and knows a lot, and points out the stupidity and distortions in a great number of right winger posts. With humor.
Posted by: Alyson | Oct 29, 2009 5:55:42 PM
Matter of perspective I guess. Mine is that he sees as some sort of noble calling the act of lurking around day after day waiting for a “gotcha” moment – because there are plenty, it’s the Internet after all. ALL of his responses are sarcastic, condescending and personal.
Of course we all do this to one degree or another. But this appears to me to be his sole reason for being here. I have noticed that Ryan never actually STARTS a conversation. That would require courage. But he’s always there to strike out.
I don’t see humor in anything he writes. How is “the stupid it burns” considered humorous? Especially when it’s used over and over again. It is used purposely to antagonize and “neuter” the opposition.
[Note: These are solely my opinions and are not the result of talking points I found on the Internet. Also, no animals were injured during the production of this comment.]
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 29, 2009, 10:38 pm 10:38 pm
Posted by: Numeros | Oct 29, 2009 10:28:47 PM
So you’re proud of the fact that 44% of the people polled disapprove? Is that what you’re saying? That’s close to half you know.
Roosevelt was considered a great President and about a third of the people hated him. Guess that makes Obama less than great.
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 29, 2009, 10:42 pm 10:42 pm
A British view of Change You Can Believe In:
Washington – President Barack Obama has been accused of betraying his campaign promise to change the culture of Washington by ”selling” access to the White House to prominent donors. Leaked Democratic National Committee documents showed the party had offered up to four briefings a year from senior presidential advisers in exchange for a personal donation of $30,400 or a commitment to raise $300,000 for the 2010 midterm elections.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | October 29, 2009, 10:46 pm 10:46 pm
Rasmussen Thursday:
Overall, 47% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President’s performance. Fifty-two percent (52%) disapprove.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | October 29, 2009, 10:47 pm 10:47 pm
“So you’re proud of the fact that 44% of the people polled disapprove? Is that what you’re saying? That’s close to half you know.”
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | Oct 29, 2009 10:42:17 PM
Proud? You obviously have reading comprehension problems. I posted the numbers and the REAL RCP average from RealClearPolitics.
Posted by: Numeros | October 29, 2009, 10:52 pm 10:52 pm
51.6%/43.9% RCP Average*
*This is the REAL RCP average. Don’t be fooled by Fascist Hyena, who cherry-picks his favorite polls, calculates his own average, and then posts his handiwork here with the RCP label slapped on to it.
_____________________________________
I notice that as well – there is little concern shown for accuracy, never mind fairness.
Posted by: tierra | October 29, 2009, 11:08 pm 11:08 pm
Proud? You obviously have reading comprehension problems. I posted the numbers and the REAL RCP average from RealClearPolitics.
Posted by: Numeros | Oct 29, 2009 10:52:18 PM
What’s with the attitude? I see what you did. Why did you do it? What was your point? It’s in that vein. Did you just want to post the REAL numbers or did you want to support one way or the other? I thought you were supporting Obama’s rating as still good. Is that such an outlandish thought?
Man, you people have to chill out. Your heads are gonna explode…
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 29, 2009, 11:13 pm 11:13 pm
While we’re at it, let’s post the RCP Average for Country Headed in Right or Wrong Direction:
Right Direction: 38.8%
Wrong Direction: 55.5%
Oopsie. Time for a U-Turn?
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 29, 2009, 11:18 pm 11:18 pm
And finally, the RCP Average for Congressional Job Approval:
Approve: 24.8%
Disapprove: 66.4%
Yeah. These are the people we want writing the Health Care Bill. God help us all…
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 29, 2009, 11:22 pm 11:22 pm
Alyson, look at what I wrote…
***
I realize this is tedious, but right back at ya:
SEE Posted by: Alyson | Oct 29, 2009 6:40:23 PM
Posted by: Alyson | October 29, 2009, 11:33 pm 11:33 pm
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | Oct 29, 2009 11:13:00 PM
You comment and project emotions into the posting of REAL numbers, but you don’t say a word about the person who cherry-picks his favorite polls, calculates his own average, and then dishonestly tries to pass off his handiwork as the “RCP average.” What does that say about you?
And you forgot one.
Generic Congressional Vote
Dem/Rep
51/39 Dem +12 ABC News/Wash Post
37/42 Rep +5 Rasmussen Reports
46/33 Dem +13 CBS News
46/44 Dem +2 Gallup
45.0/39.5 Democrat +5.5 RCP Average
Posted by: Numeros | October 29, 2009, 11:37 pm 11:37 pm
You comment and project emotions into the posting of REAL numbers, but you don’t say a word about the person who cherry-picks his favorite polls, calculates his own average, and then dishonestly tries to pass off his handiwork as the “RCP average.” What does that say about you?
Posted by: Numeros | Oct 29, 2009 11:37:14 PM
It says I have no reason to chastise FH. You already did a fine job of it. So now I have to comment on everything you want me to address? Talk about projecting emotions.
What is wrong with you people? You’re taking your self-assigned roles here way too seriously.
Posted by: Visualize Whirled Peas | October 29, 2009, 11:44 pm 11:44 pm
How can we call this growth? The bump we saw from Cash for Clunkers etc… is like claiming that the purchase we make on credit are part of our net income. The President is a member of the debtor generation and should know by now that the credit bill that comes later makes us the thief of our future income.
Posted by: TX_MBell | October 30, 2009, 1:14 am 1:14 am