Interesting that after TOTAL CONTROL of the government, the Dems still want to blame the Republicans for everything..................

Demoliars have had TOTAL CONTROL for long enough, and have accomplished NOTHING except partisan hatred and race wars, and alienated the working class people by serving the Unions and themselves.

Time to FIRE all of them and give someone with a CLUE a chance.

Semihole (aka half-assed),

You would like to blame Democrats for our current condition but the fact is that the Republican policies (to which you seem eager to return) ARE what got us here in the first place. We were losing 700,000 jobs PER MONTH during Bush's last months in office and we are now gaining jobs every month.

It would be nice if it was a bigger gain but the Republicans have made it there mission since Obama was sworn in to stop anything that might improve the economy (thereby reducing the chance that anyone would ever vote for a Republican). They have filibuster 374 bills that have been passed by the house but languish in the Senate because the party of NO says NO! To anything and everything that might help me and you. Don't vote against your own interests!!

Dems had a super-majority in name only. There were three or four Democrats that helped the party of NO keep their filibusters going (Ben Nelson, Blanch Lincoln, Evan Bayh and Mary Landrieu are the ones that spring to mind). If we truly had a super-majority, things would have improved at a faster rate. But the fact IS that the economy is still expanding and jobs are being created. Go back to the GOP and watch how fast we enter the next Depression.

I agree with you entirely. Why is it we can see the Republican tactics but the independents cannot. I also agree with TruV in the above comments that the Dems should pound home the report card of Obama vs Bush on the economy and on the wars. It should appear in as many places as possible: TV ads, billboards and USPS delivered flyers.

FastMovingCloud -

So in essence you're saying the President, Speaker and Senate Majority Leader couldn't even reliably lead their own party? Doesn't give me much confidence in their leadership ability.

No, I'm saying that there are a couple of Dems that vote reliably with Republicans because the Democratic party is not the monolith that the Republican party is. Republicans march in lock-step no matter how bad their proposals are. The fact that four dems vote with the republicans to screw things up does not mean we need more Republicans.

Quite the opposite. It means we need more progressive Democrats to overcome the obstructionism.

Being right has nothing to do with anything when the opposing side and virtually all the media keeps repeating right wing free market talking points without any editorial comment. It has been going on since 1978. Since then right wingers own the majority (if not all) radio, television and most of the print media. Once "net neutrality" bites the dust, and with the help of stealth corporate democrats (like Alan Grayson) it will-only one side of any story will get out.

I hate to say this because I have young children, but given the tactics Republicans have used it is hard to see how fairness will ever return. Even in markets with "liberal" radio stations, are owned by Clear Channel. They only exist so their extremist right-wing sponsors(mostly gold and credit cleaning scams) can take advantage of a group of people who wouldn't listen to racist right wing radio.

Absolutely right Fastmoving, I think it would be good to rid the D party of these useless blue dogs. These people are just unwanted republicans anyways (you also forgot Lieberman). The republicanshave always done a better job at purging their moderates for lock step candidates.

espliff, you're right. I forgot LIEberman. I guess because he's now an "independent" (still a republican for intents and purposes).

Question: What can the democrats do to salvage their standing?

Answer: Nothing short of a miracle. We are tired as hell and are not going to take it anymore.

Karen, you are wrong. Check out the two graphs.

http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/gdp/gdp_glance.htm

and

http://www.bullandbearwise.com/InitialJoblessChart.asp

You can see from the graphs that the stimulus worked and that Obama's policies have reduced joblessness.

Eric

The unemployment rate HAS GONE UP from the time Bush left office! That's the official version that I'm talking about, let alone the unofficial version which ranks it at the Depression era level.

You can believe all the BS from suspect sources that you want. Do you need a shovel?

I NEVER click on links because some unscrupulous posters post viruses.

Karen,

You are wrong. The jobless rate was growing steadily from 12/07 through 2/09 (Obama took office in January '09). Since then the jobless claims have gone down steadily, and are just slightly higher now than they were in 9/05 (Bush was still in office). Just check the facts. Republicans want to blame Democrats taking office after in '06 just as much as Democrats still blame Bush. The fact, also, is that the American public was just as disgusted with the Republicans in '06 that they voted in Democrats. So we'd all do well to remember that.

I'm not wrong at all. I go to the source. Below is a link to the Bureau of Labor Statistics with a monthly unemployment rate.

ftp://ftp.bls.gov/pub/suppl/empsit.cpseea3.txt

The way you talk, the economy has rebounded. In August of 2009, the unemployment rate was 9.7%. In August of 2010, it was 9.6%. That is NOT statistically significant.

In the chart below tracking monthly unemployment data from 8/08 to 8/10, I am proven correct again. The unemployment rate has CONSISTENTLY RISEN AND HAS HOVERED BETWEEN 9-10% since Bush left office.

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf

Before you tell me I am wrong again, check your facts with REPUTABLE SOURCES.

YOU TOO can find these reports if you don't want to click on my links.

Find the Bureau of Labor Statistics - the OFFICIAL SOURCE of the numbers.

Then look for monthly unemployment rates. They have all kinds of reports.

Here, here.

Hatefully biased propaganda on MSNBC.....It's hatefulness is mild compared to the crap that is put forth under the guise as "fair and balanced" on one of the competitors, namely Fox "News". Has Fox ever had a kind word to say about our President? Perhaps, but I've never heard one. Want evidence of an operation feeding on hatred and prejudice? Attacks on the President's wife and children. MSNBC has never stooped that low.

deceitful - spell check people, spell check. Hard to take you seriously if you don't know how to spell.

Lies, no....Obama has completed 121 campaign promises to date.

www.politifact.com

Glenn Beck, 12 for 18 (barely true, false, and pants of fire lie) = 66.67%

Who is telling lies?

dmiller...

Fox News clearly has its moments of propaganda, also.... but, they don't have an obcession to further mislead America into believing that Barack Obama is NOT taking this country on a path of division and destruction as MSNBC clearly is doing. It's almost a daily competition between MSNBC and Obama of who secretly tries to tell the most lies.... and America rejects their denials !

But, tell us all here on the newsvine of the specific instances of when and where Fox has attacked Michelle Obama and their children.

And, reporting on her frivolously extravigant trip to Spain with forty friends while the country is in a recession is certainly NOT an attack !

American Strength...It is not Obama that is dividing the country. The Republicans have made the word "compromise" a dirty word. They were so upset at the world's positive reaction to his election, and the way Bush was sent off by people singing "na na na na...hey, hey, hey...good bye" (completely inconsiderate, I might add), that they were bound and determined to halt him in his tracks. Shame on them. Everything should be for the good of our country, and not trying to make a point. They've all lost touch.

As an Independent hoping for a tri-partisian government, you're exactly correct.

The reason we lose a lot of industry is because of import tariffs. Foreign countries sky rocket the prices of consumer goods so nobody can afford them. So manufactures send production plants to these countries so their products are affordable to purchase. The problem is, only the corporation is benefiting and the domestic market struggles because of the lack of exports.

The influx of illegals is down significantly since 2006. Obama wants to tax companies going outside the US for labor and manufacturing, but Repubs are stopping him. Bringing down the cost of healthcare will benefit you and businesses. Enough was not done to do this in the Healthcare bill, but future changes could fix that. Too many concessions were made to the insurance companies, allowing them to continue to raise rates with impunity so they can continue their record-breaking profits.

I am a long time Republican yet I find myself too meeting on the same fence as Andy. I think as a people we all want the same things. And nobody in Washington is listening to us and it doesn't matter what party you affiliate yourself with.

KC let's get serious when in the history of this country has anything the government ran ever been easy, cheap, or efficient. I agree we need to overall the Insurance Industry but not by having the government take it over.

We need politicians that want to work together to solve problems.

Eric-913730 #5.4,

NO, we don't need politicians, we need patriots !

Tell me M, where do you think they will get the money for another stimilus? Maybe for those rich people. God knows they don't deserve it, but you do, right? Get your head out of the sand stupid. When was the last time you got a job or a handout from a poor person? Don't you understand that for the government to give you a dime, they have to TAKE it from someone else? How an you be so stupid?

Tell me M, where do you think they will get the money for another stimilus?

Ending the Bush tax cuts for the top 2% and closing the corporate loopholes would pay for a stimulus much larger than the one being propose.

Don One nation under god/ Unless your poor then its get the hell out.

The rich have money Don, why aren't they hiring then?

They don't hire, they just keep it for the next vacation home or yacht.

True enough! They have yet to present any ideas, just complaints. The only problem with your plan (which I agree makes sense) is that Republican policies would bring on the next Great Depression.

Yes, if they drastically cut spending along with tax breaks that ought to stall the economy like a cheap Ford Pinto.

The tax cuts of the Reagan economy DID NOT WORK! Does anyone remember "Reagan-omics"? It was awful! TAX CUTS DON'T WORK!!

Too true. And, isn't it funny how the deficit (run up by Republicans) is sooooo important during a Democratic administration but the last two Republican administrations said "deficits don't matter."

Dick Cheney quoting Ronald Reagan http://www.ontheissues.org/2004/Dick_Cheney_Budget_+_Economy.htm

What??? You may have a good point but it’s lost in incongruity.

thank you

Amen to Jolly Roger's comment. Even if you're not 100% happy with Obama, the alternative is worlds and galaxies worse. Im happy with Obama and the 100+ things he has done for the American people. Talk about THAT' there's no bebutting it.

You know that the Shrub(W) did the same thing with the tax cuts. He rammed it through without any support from the democrats. Both sides pull this crap.

What have the republicans done for us though. The only thing we've gotten from them is free trading of our jobs to the cheapest country. I include bill Clinton in that statement

Sorry, libs. You have overreached, and lost this former Democrat as a result.

Well, boo-effin' hoo! We'll be losing sleep over that one. another "I was once a Democrat" testimonial. Nice try, troll.

momlags: good luck with those proposals. Especially the interest-rate cap. The reason why there are varying interest rates is because some people are responsible with their money, while others aren't.

I believe usury (usurious rates) is anything that exceeds whatever is the maximum rate allowable by law in your state--and that varies from state to state. Here in MN, for example, the maximum rate allowable by law is 8%--but that doesn't stop companies (including corporations like Allina, a medical provider) from charging off medical debts at rates of 18% or more.

Which explains why so many people go bankrupt because of medical debts.

When all else fails, invoke Hitler and look like a doofus.

There are acutally three quotes from Adolf Hitler on propaganda that are well worth keeping in mind these days. The techniques were probably old when Pericles ruled Athens. Hitler's quotes simply capture them succinctly. Hitler was a master of propaganda, to the great calamity of the world. Hitler was particularly effective because of the fear caused in the German populace by the Great Depression of the 1930s.

I see examples of these propaganda techniques in the media every day, from many sides. They are well worth keeping in mind and looking for.

"Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it."

"As soon as by one's own propaganda even a glimpse of right on the other side is admitted, the cause for doubting one's own right is laid."

"I use emotion for the many and reserve reason for the few."

GOP = Nazis? That's not nearly a bogus charge at all!

Nationalism, fear-pandering, stealing elections - all Nazi-like, just like GWB's grandfather would have it (look it up)!

If it walks like a RAT, smells like a RAT, then, it IS a republican congressman!

The economy can't turn around on a dime. You don't go from losing 700,000 jobs a month to gaining 67,000 jobs last month overnight. You can call him Oblablah all you want (it says much more about your maturity level than it does about our President) but the fact remains, the economy is expanding again rather than contracting as it did under Bush.

Bush and the Republicans were the problem; Obama and Democrats have been and should continue to be the solution.

Bush put your country in this mess, noone else !!

...excuse me it took bush 10 years and and an unpaid war to get us in this mess and President Obama is supposed to wave a magic wand and fix it in 2 years... are you insane?

Ok Great. You Dembots can keep blaming Bush. Now, explain to me how this whole "bad economy" thing, snuck up on Obama? Did, after 18+ months, he just wake up and say WOW! The Economy is bad! Or did he just realize (while everyone has been saying for months) that Things are NOT getting better? Either way, he is so far behind the curve that its scary. I mean, if my job were as a Presidential Advisor, and for 2 years my 'predictions' were wrong, then who is the idiot? The guy who made the wrong predictions or the guy who believed them?

The emperor has no clothes...

Both bush's should have been arrested for high-treason, and minimally imprisoned, for life!

As especially considering junior's intelligence (the obvious lack of), anyone who voted for that neocon puppet idiot should be forced to jump off a cliff like the lemmings they are mimicking.

American "conservative" voters are the laughing stock of the entire PLANET~! lololololololol

Do it again, please, do it again -- GOP-low-IQ-losers

LOLOLOLOLOL