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PRESIDENT OBAMA: “BUT I’M NOT WILLING TO LET WORKING FAMILIES ACROSS THIS COUNTRY BECOME COLLATERAL DAMAGE FOR POLITICAL WARFARE HERE IN WASHINGTON. THIS ISN’T AN ABSTRACT DEBATE. THIS IS REAL MONEY FOR REAL PEOPLE.” WASHINGTON--At his press conference today President Obama explained why he was compromising with the Republicans on a two-year extension of the Bush tax cuts for the highest incomes. "Now if there was not collateral damage, if this was just a matter of my politics, or being able to persuade the American people to my side, then I would just stick to my guns," said Obama. "This isn't an abstract debate. This is real money for real people." "Because the fact of the matter is, the American people already agree with me. There are polls showing right now that the American people for the most part think it's a bad idea to provide tax cuts to the wealthy. This is true. Despite House Republican leader John Boehner's assertion that Republicans would "stop all the tax hikes" a CBS News poll released Thursday found that a majority of Americans would rather see tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans expire while extending them for everyone else. Fifty-three percent of respondents said Congress should extend the tax cuts only for Americans earning less than $250,000 a year, while just 26% said tax cuts should be extended for everyone. The results come on the heels of two other polls that found a plurality of voters favored allowing the tax cuts on the wealthiest Americans to expire, while maintaining them for everyone else. A USA Today/Gallup poll released Wednesday found that 40% favored extending the tax cuts for everybody, while 44% favored extending only the rates up to $250,000. An AP-CNBC poll released last week showed a larger gap, with 34% supporting an extension of all the tax cuts and 50% supporting extension with the income cap. According to the President, “The issue is, how do I persuade the Republicans in the Senate who are currently blocking that position? I have not been able to budge them. And I don't think there's any suggestion that anybody in this room thinks realistically that we can budge them right now. And in the meantime, there are a whole bunch of people being hurt, and the economy is being damaged." Later on, Chuck Todd asked Obama how he would respond to Democratic criticism that he was rewarding the Republican strategy of intransigence. "I've said before that I felt that the middle-class tax cuts were being held hostage to the high-end tax cuts," Obama answered. "I think it's tempting not to negotiate with hostage takers -- unless the hostage gets harmed. Then, people will question the wisdom of that strategy. In this case, the hostage was the American people, and I was not willing to see them get harmed.' “I know there’s some people in my own party and in the other party who would rather prolong this battle even if we can’t reach a compromise,” the President said. “But I’m not willing to let working families across this country become collateral damage for political warfare here in Washington.”
Posted By: Richard Kigel
Tuesday, December 7th 2010 at 3:51PM
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Tough call.
Here we are seeing the difference between those people who have clear and thoughtful opinions about policy and the person who is actually responsible for deciding that policy and has to live with the consequences.
I was one of those who supported letting all the Bush Tax cuts expire--until I heard Obama's argument that he would not allow collateral damage.
He is right. This is not an abstraction. it is real money for real people.
if he forced the issue and the all the Tax cuts expired, and the unemployment insurance was not restored, it would have been disastrous for millions of families.
In my opinion, he acted like a President.
The ones we should direct our anger at is the Republicans. They should be made to pay a political price.
Tuesday, December 7th 2010 at 3:57PM
Richard Kigel
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I am betting that the American public--which did not like this Tax cut deal--is smart enough to figure out who to blame.
President Obama is now on record as defending and fighting for the needs of the unemployed and the middle class. The Republicans are fighting for the rich.
This dichotomy could not any plainer.
I think Obama gets props for this--if not from his angry base, than from the many independents who voted Republfcan this time around.
Tuesday, December 7th 2010 at 4:07PM
Richard Kigel
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This one of many incident is only a reminder of how power is not in the hands of one individual...But...the blame or burden can be pointed towards one individual.The Republican party (along w/the $100 mill. donated by Coche Brothers) only proved to me that if WE dont stick together as a Unit and dont become so easily suaded due to some lack of understanding...Parties like this will forever be able to carry out there personal agenda
Tuesday, December 7th 2010 at 9:53PM
Talib Thomas
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Clark--
You are right--economically. You and Krugman are beyond reproach on this one.
The problem is that after November, Obama and the Democrats have lost so much political clout--they have only themselves to blame for this.
I still do not understand why they did not make their stand on this Bush TAx Cut issue during the election campaign. That would have been the smart time to stand and fight.
And I do recall that President Obama did make efforts to bring the issue up--but he didn't have the Democratic congress behind him. They wimped out.
So now they are in a much weaker position. The reason why a disfunctional and counterproductive policy is now being consdiered is because our political system has been so distorted by the Republicans.
Tuesday, December 7th 2010 at 10:20PM
Richard Kigel
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The President is taking hits from all sides on this.
About the only folks who are deliriously happy are the unemployed millions who now have a safety net for another year--and, of course, the wealthiest 2%.
Obama stood with the neediest and most vulnerable of us. It was a bad deal--but the reason why it was such a bad deal is because of Republican stubborness.
Wednesday, December 8th 2010 at 4:33PM
Richard Kigel
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Mozell--
I know...it's ridiculous. The Senator from Louisiana had it right--the whole deal is morally corrupt.
BUT...what is the alternative? I mean the realistic alternative? Is it even possible to get any better deal?
I take the President at his word when he says he is not willing to let struggling families be collateral damage for a political fight especially when the odds are heavily stacked against him winning.
Sometimes you have to take what you can get and move on.
In my opinion, the consequences of not getting this awful deal done are worse for the country, for Democrats, and certainly for the millions of folks who lost their jobs through no fault of their own.
People should be placing blame for this deal where it belongs--the "PARTY OF NO" Republicans.
Thursday, December 9th 2010 at 11:55AM
Richard Kigel
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Irma--
Damn!!!
You know I tried your finger pointing exercise, my index finger sticking straight out--but...there they were--three big fat old fingers and they WERE pointing straight back at me.
Damn!!! You were right!
So, once again, you are the voice of wisdom!!!
Thursday, December 9th 2010 at 3:53PM
Richard Kigel
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Clark:
I discovered the point about Landrieu in today's Gail Collins column in the NY Times. With her usual dry wit (She reminds me of Molly Ivins, the tall Texas Progressive who was funny and perceptive at the same time--she was one of my all time favoirtes.) she roasts the Democrats for their hypocrisy in claiming ouitrage NOW. Where have they been for two years?
I will put her column up here.
I heard an interview on ther adio with Dem Congressman McDermott, one of the leaders of the House revolt. He made a great point--this Tax Cut was a Bush creation. Let them expire now and let the Republicans try to fix it next year. If they can.
He pointed out the fact that many new Tea Party members do not want to raise the deficit--which these tax cuts will do. So this tax issue is not a slam dunk for them either.
His main point was--why should the Dems do their work for them?
Honestly, I don't know what is the best approach.
I am just glad I don't have to make a decision about it.
Thursday, December 9th 2010 at 4:01PM
Richard Kigel
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Clark:
I totally agree--it would have been a slam dunk--if they had pressed the point when it mattered.
I also agree that the whole ten year expiration was a trap--I read an interview with several Bush strategiests who are now saying how they relished the infighting this would cause among Democrats. They knew how hard it would be to let them expire. They knew the Democrats would be at each other's throats.
It was a masterstroke. A sort of evil genius.
I have no idea how this will play out. I do know that it is painful to watch.
Thursday, December 9th 2010 at 6:09PM
Richard Kigel
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@Rich, forcing the right-wing onto the floor of Congress and to do more than using the same old talking points then just sit back in the corner and say "NO" is priceless no matter how tis all comes out! ...
and it would be even more to celebrate if we in this country will just: stop, look to listen this time around in an OBJECTIVE MANNER!!!(smile)
and, this is the last chance to learn our president has not one vote on teh floor of Congress and if he had one he could have maybe have made up for those Democrats who voted " N-O " along with teh right-wing...WAKE UP AMERICA...your time to do so is running out!!! (nup)
THANKS RICH...
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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...AND, once again I will point out how smart the Republicans were not to ask for or to get the Bushtax cuts permenant under their watch...
my mother always taught me to give credit where credit is due...and the Republicans are only doing what they do best...take care of wall street and ingoring main street down to making sure the jobs of theirs get outsourced and the products from those slave labor pay check gets sold to America (ns) like they have been made by union middle class wages and with health care benefits thrown in automatically ...
YOU/ WE VOTED FO REVEN MORE OF THE SAME ONLY NOV.2, 2010, DID WE NOT???...SO PLEASE LETS STOP TRYING TO PASS THE BUCK...BECAUSE OT OS PNLY BRINGING IT RIGHT BACK ON US IN SPADES!!!! (NO SKIN COLOR PUNDS INTENDED) (NUP)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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...OH, HOW SOON WE FORGET WE HAD AN ELECTION ON NOV.2...
AND, "I" WONDER WHY WE ARE OVER LOOKING THS AS A WAY TO SUPPORT OUR PRESIDENT AND OT GOING AGAINST HIM???/!!!! ???(SMILE)..."I" FOR ONE AM ANGRY WITH TEH DEMOCRATS FOR TRYING TO CLOSE THE BARN DOOR AFTER ALL OF TEH HORSES HAVE EXCAPED...9NUP)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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...POISONED, TOYS, FOODS, MEDS, ECT...example,
I just heard on Neil Cavudo@ FNC how JohNson and Johnson is recalling rolaides because they have wood and metal in them...a few days ago I read in my paper about in butter has been found cancer causing products...must we wait for wilileaks for us to pay attention to the dangers we are in and as back in bush's administrtion it was said WE COULD NOT A-F-F-O-R-D INSPECTORS?!?
PLEASE AMERICAN VOTERS GIVE IT A BREAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS SUPPOSE TO BE A COUNTRY OF, FOR AND BY THE PEOPLE NOT BY OUR PRESIDENT WH ODOES OT HAVE ONE VOTE IN CONGRESS ...\
AND PLEASE REMEMBER HOW WHEN HE DID IT WAS IGNORED HIS VOTING AGAINST WAR IN IRAQ...W-A-K-E UP AND TRY TO SEE HOW FAR OUR EXCUSES ARE ONLY GETTING US IN WORST AND EVEN MUCH MORE WORST CONDITIONS.( n...U...P)!!!!!
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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Now, here is where I see our president's deal as a win, win fo rhim...if there is job growth the credit must go to him...if no job growth...he gets the credit for saying I told you that the Bush tax cuts should have been gotten rid of for the past 6 years. (smile)
PLEASE LET US TRY TO SUPPORT OUR PRESIDENT IF FOR NO OTHER REASON BUT FOR HIS BEING IN TEH WHITEHOUSE 2012-2016 AND NOT PALIN OR NEWT GINGRIDGE OR ANY OTHERS OF THE FOX NEWS NETORKS EMPLOYED...(NUP)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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...NOW TO THE VERY REALISTIC POINTS IN THIS AMTTER...DID YOU VOTE IN TEH LAST ELECTION AND IF YOU DID ARE YOU IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THOSE YOU VOTER FOR : LOCAL, STATE AND NATIONAL, BECAUSE WE ALL HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTRNATIONAL INFORMATION HIGHWAY TAHT ALWAYS GOES STRAIGHT TO THOSE YOU VOTED FOR / DID NOT VOTE FOR...OUR PRESIDENT DID ASK ALL OF US TO HELP HIM BRING OUR GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE HANDS OF THE LOBBY OF WALL STREET, BACK TO MAIN STREET...(NUP)
ANYONE WATCHED OR WILL BE WATCHING THE FLOORS OF ALL OF OUR POLITICAL LAW MAKERS ON EITHER OR BOTH OF OUR C-SPANS...GOV.ORG ...WHITEHOUSE .GOV...THESE DEBATES ON THE BUSH TAX EXTENTIONS?????!!!!!!!!?????
SO PLEASE NEVER FAIL TO UNDERSTAND THIS TRUTH...'WHEN YOU POINT THE FINGER OF BLAME AT SOMEONE YOU HAVE THREE FINGERS POINTING STRAIGHT BACK AT YOU'. LOL(SMILE)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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...oh, also as is being said now in news frenzys...WHY HAS THE CALL FOR JOBS , JOBS, JOBS NOW BEING REPLACED BY EXTENTIONS OF TEH BUSH'S TAX CUTS...AFTER ALL THE FEPUBLICANS WERE SMART ENOUGH UNDER THEIR WATCH TO NE ASK FOR THIS TAX CUTS TO BE MADE PERMENATE...WHY IS NOT THE REST OF THE STIMULUS MONEYS NOT BEING USED TO PUT AMERICANS TO WORK ON PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMS?...
AGAIN THE NINORITY REPUBLICANS AND THE MAJORITY DEMOCRATS WILL NEVE VOTE FOR PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMS THAT WILL HELP MAIN STREET...EVENTOUGH THE MONEY IS ALREADY THERE...
OH AND WILL WE NOT NOW HAVE TO BORROW MONEY JUST TO BE ABLE TO PRINT OUROWN DOLLARS C-O-R-R-E-C-Y-L-Y!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WAKE UP AMERICA AND PLEASE LET US AT LEAST TRY TO HELP STOP OUR BEING DUMBED DOWN AS A SOCIAL NORM (N...U...P BIG TIME AT THE WYAS WE CONTINUE TO INVENT WAYS AND MEANS TO SELF DISTRUCT) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ...
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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@Mozell and the average American citizens, It is not our president's fault that the Democrats CHOSE to work p-a-r-t time and enough of them voting with the Republicans to prevent this bill passing to not allow only the middle-class to recieve the tax cuts extentions...unemployment checks extentions or not allowing the female to receive equal pay with the males also...
(the lastmatter mention was not a media frenzy but it did just happen also)...
AND NOW THEY ARE NOT ONLY WILLING TO WORK FULL TIME BUT ON WEEKENDS TO GO AGAINST OUR PRESIDENT...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...
LET OUR POLITICANS CONTINUE TO MANIPULATE THE TRUTH AND FACTS OF MATTERS, AS THIS IS WHAT THEY GET THE BIG BUCKS FROM TEH LOBBY FOR...
WHAT IS THE AMERICAN'S AVERAGE CITIZEN'S EXCUSE FOR NOT USING MORE THEN ONE SOURCE / PLAIN OLD EVERY DAY COMMON SENSE IN THIS MATTER?!? (NUP)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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Right at this moment on "Count Down" is the congressman (I party) who says he would filibuster the millioniar tax cut bill is saying all of the things those o the left should have beensaying a doing over the last 4 years...talking to the public about what is not beind done in congress that gives cause for the strategy of not doing anything they werervoted into office to do has worked so much for those on teh right...
The right always are before the public talking up their talking points 24/7...and to the Liberals in Congress I" say to you..."D-U-H" and a dollar short" !!!! (smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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@Clark the more I learn how our government agencies are doing their job discriptions the worst it gets for our needs / ADDICTION TO BORROW FROM ANYONE WILLING TO GIVE US A LOAN...example, it seems now we will have to 'borrow' money to be able to print our own money in America...
hear is a comment made last night by Parker spitzer on Parker Spitzer@CNN..
"Maybe our government should hire Americans to sort through those $100 bills...No this would not work, because the Republicans will vote against any Public works programs"...
"YES" the best thing we can do for this country is to continue to avoid truth as a reality/ socailly accepted norm...(NUP!!!)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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@Rich,and I chant (pray) that we the American public will realize that this all out efforts of speaker Harry Reid was to force the right-wing to go on teh floor of Congress and do exactly what they did is a win, win for this country eventough the vote lost in teh Senate...the right-wing had to show on teh floor of Congress their all out opposition to helping our most needy to a fault...our president has followed up on the by calling tis the Holy Grail of the Republicans!!!! or did we become yet able to see tis connection with what reid accompisheD as he said he would do...wake UP America(ns)...WAKE UP ...
please, please, please America look at the big picture of long term pOSITIVES FO ROUR ECONOMY an success of our president's campaign promises...he also in THe campaign said he could not accomplish his missioN with out our help now did he not??? (smile)
LOVE THIS POST BROTHER COW...THESE ARE A MUST...
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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...Rich, even a brain dead person could be able to understand that less money put into an economy means less recovery for that economy...or try this one...
the American economy depends on it's ablity to provide goods for purchases!!! (NUP)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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Rich, if "I" were not someone who never accept apology for any form of education no matter what...I would be apologizing to you as a member of the White race...yOU RICHARD kIGEL : a public school teacher in writing and critical tinking, an admire of our BIA history and an author of American history books and Black culture as sometHing to be respected and admired in your last book ON THE WINGS OF THE WIND...
I do not apologize, "I' my brother Cow, will offer my comment as a teaching moment of what this country really is and what it is trying still to become. (smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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@rICH, WE AS THE VOTERS, KNOW WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE AND WAS NOT DONE...but so does the people who we vote for, because we all have done it so much is why we just keeping doing the same old thinge over and over by voting one party in / OUT who does everything but what they promised, we go vote for them and the next time we vote for th e opposition and so on and so on generations after generations...century in and century out...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...!!!...
so why are any of us shocked or surprised at what it happening as we know this drill by heart...our political leaders vote according to what the highest bidder says they gave those big bucks to get the vote yes on and we just go right back and make sure this practaice never changes and why should it change as it is all about GREED AND CORRUPTION AND OUT RACISTING THE NEXT RACIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (NUP!!!)
LETS GO BACK TO BLAMING WILILEAKS AND IRAN AND SADDAM ECT OH LETS NOT FORGET CASTRO WHO IS NOT CAUSING THE GROWIN GWAR IN MEXICO...OOPS WE HAVE NOT DECLARED THE DRUG CARTELS TERRORIST SO WHY HOSULD WE TAKE INTEREST IN A GROWIN GWAR ON OUR BORDERS...
HINT, HINT, MY PURE ***** IS UP AGAIN...SO BYE FOR NOW...(SMILE)
AND KEEP THESE POST COMING AS THEY ARE GOOD FOR THE COUNTRY. LOV YA (SMILE)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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...I do regret we the American public are not listening, but are waiting for the mass media to do our thinking on tis matter for us...just as I am sure that many unemployed republicans voted for the party they know have and will continue to work directly against them the : most needy, working class, out of work, health care insurance, ect. as already proven by historical facts.(nup)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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...but then I am sure we have totally over looked teh voters on Nov.2 voting for more of teh same taht we got during the majority republicans for 8 years...did we not??? (nup)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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...AND, THAT MINIUM WAGE RAISE HIKE FIGHT TOOK 10 YEARS AND HOW MANY POLITICIANS IN D.C.'S WAGE HIKES LATER????? BUT HOW CARES AS IT WAS NOT A CAUSE FOR A MASS MEDIA FRENZY...(NUP)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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MOZELL, personally I believe that our counrty's top priority is keeping itself INGORANT AS IN PREJUDICE...
OR ELSE WHY WOULD THE REPUBLICANS PARTY THAT STARTED THIS DOWN TURN OF OUR COUNTRY INTO BEING JOBLESS, HOMELESS AND MINDLESS HAVE RECIEVED SO MANY MORE VOTES IN NOV. THAN TEH PARTY THAT HELPED GET HEALTH CARE, A RISE IN THE MINIUM WAGES,TRYING TO PREVENT JOBS BEING EXPORTED, CLEAN UP THE ENVIRONMENT, ECT. ?!? (NUP)!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ONLY IN AMERICA...
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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...maybe on the lobby money takes has a lot to do with this...and trying to get our ahead of maybe more wikileaks as is being said more and more by more and more Americans?(smile)
"I" will be the fist to admit it scares the hell our of me...but one can not cure and aliment unless they know the cause of it now can they? Our country is suffereing from a cancer that if not stoped we are going to realize after its death as we all knew our country that the truth of cancer is it is one parcites that will kill its host. P-E-R-I-O-D!!!!!!(nup)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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...oops almost forgot ...over on Neal Cavudo@ fox they are already using talking points against our president's willing to grant the Bush tax extentions as a split in our president and the Democrats...I WONDER WHY THEY WILL BE USING THIS AS A TALKING POINT IN THERI QUEST TO GET RID OF HIM BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY AND ALL TO A WELCOMED PUBLIC ACORDING TO NOV.2...(NUP)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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...$50 billion to China alone in INTERESTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and here we are paused to borrow even much more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(nup)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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@Clark, the one thing I can not forgive our president or his democrats in congress for is not telling how part of teh deficit are those 8 years of unpaid wars of Bush's that was (voted on without even reading by some in congress)covered up by a right-wing majority agenda and still but for wikileaks being a possiable new resource of public need to know what is happening to them and their country and yes A-L-L under the guise of taht cure all and justifing any and all abuses known to mankind by just limiting things to we are a CHRISTIAN NATION SO VOTE FOR THE PARTY OF CHRISTIAN, FAMILY VALUES AS TEH MAGIC BULLET TO KEEP US BRAINWASHED AND BEGGING AND PRAYING FO RMORE OF THESE GOD GIVEN BLESSINGS............ AS WE CONTINUE TO DO EACH AND EVERY DAY BY KEEPING THESE TRUTH, REALITY BLOCKING BLINDERS ON... (NUP)...
it makes me sick to the stomach...
BUT I STILL DON'T BELIEVE WE HAVE HIT ROCK BOTTOM YET...!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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