The Political Junkie

Romney Opposed Saving the Auto Industry -- Now Takes Credit for It!!

noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:01:00 +0000

A successful leader follows through on the hard decisions despite the naysayers, and that has been President Obama. He had no choice but to inject money into the economy to save the financial sector because that area of the economy is essential -- it's the heart beat that pumps capital (money) throughout the economy.

You can't exactly let the heart die (banks/financial sector) and expect the rest of the body (economy) to live. It was a decision that no one liked but it had to be made, and it was bipartisan. Both President Bush and President Obama knew that this financial collapse wouldn't be like regular recessions where the economy bounced back fairly quickly.

Recovery from this recession is like a really bad car accident versus a fender bender (regular recession). So, it has taken some rehabilitation to get back on our feet again, but we are now able to walk again and are headed in the right direction. When Obama took office, the stock market was down to a pitful 6,000 points. Now? It's around 12,000. Presidents aren't elected to tell the people what they want to hear, presidents are elected to make the decisions that no one else can.

When President Obama came into office, America was hemorrhaging 700,000 jobs a month!! And while there still is room for improvements, unemployment is slowly but surely going down. The overall trend is toward growth. Jobs have been created for the past 22 straight months -- 3 million in total for that time frame. No sector was hit harder than manufacturing, and America's car industry was in the bulls-eye. The big three American auto manufacturers employ one out of every ten jobs in America!! That's not including the parts deals that rely upon the industry, as well.

So, letting those car companies fail could have easily sent the Midwest into a depression. They were taking a hit with high unemployment before the stock market crash, so if the financial sector is the heart of the economy then the auto manufacturers are the lungs that breath life into middle-class workers who often lack college degrees. But, fail is exactly what Mitt Romney proposed for the "big three." Odd position to take considering his father was a big shot in the auto industry, and considering Romney likes to brag about having lived in Michigan.Well, Mitt, you might have lived there but you wrote those workers off like they were nothing to you.

But now Romney is trying to take credit for the bailout of the "big three" car companies!! Yep, typical Mitt. Kick the industry when they're down and then swoop in when it rebounds to take the credit. Here's what the Romney camps says now after first giving Detroit the middle-finger:

Mitt Romney had the idea first,” said Eric Fehrnstrom, a Romney spokesman, citing the Times opinion article. “You have to acknowledge that. He was advocating for a course of action that eventually the Obama administration adopted.”

Democratic officials in Washington and Michigan responded that Mr. Fehrnstrom’s assertion flew in the face of both the time line of events and the financial reality that was facing the companies at the time.

“Mitt Romney must think that the entire country has fallen into a state of amnesia if he believes he can get away with this revisionist history,” said Brad Woodhouse, a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee. “The record is clear. Mitt Romney would have let G.M. and Chrysler go bankrupt without extending them a dime of federal assistance.”

Democratic officials noted that Chrysler and General Motors received the federal aid only after they entered bankruptcy — not before, as Mr. Romney’s spokesman asserted.

ARTICLE CREDIT: New York Times

PHOTO CREDIT: Factory welder by Sujin Jetkasettakorn

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If Romney Can't Win Over Republicans, How Can He Beat President Obama?

noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:14:00 +0000

WASHINGTON -- Newt Gingrich's improbable late January surge appears to be rolling into Florida, as a new poll confirms that victory in the South Carolina primary produced a "big jump" in the former House speaker's support with just six days remaining before the Florida primary.

TPJ: Mitt Romney just can't seal the deal with Republicans for the party's presidential nomination. If he can't even win over the Republican party base then he's going to have a difficult time getting Independent and Democratic vote. He's the weakest front-runner I've seen since Michael Dukakis!! I wouldn't support him either -- he's too shifty to be trusted to hold the line on basic principles. He changes positions faster than a weather vane!! He changed his position on the fundamental issues of: abortion, second amendment rights, tax pledges, global warming and on continuing the Reagan example in conservative politics. They are all core conservative issues, so if he'll flip on those then what won't he shift on?

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Romney: Undocumented Workers Should "Self-Deport."

noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:43:00 +0000

During last night's debate in Florida, Mitt Romney's answer to illegal immigration is to ask illegal immigrants to "self-deport." So, you mean the honor system, Mitt? This exposes that once again Romney is out-of-touch with the issues of the day.

I support a path to citizenship because I believe that it's virtually impossible to round up every illegal worker in this country to deport them, and think of the cost in money we don't have!! I support the DREAM Act, too, which Mitt Romney opposes.

Besides, the vast majority of undocumented workers are some of the hardest working people in America -- why wouldn't we want them to become legal and thus be able to contribute to American success to an ever greater degree?

However, if you're going to oppose undocumented workers in America then at least have the courage to tell everyone the truth. No one is going to self-deport, Mitt and you know it. It's a weak answer meant as a dodge to a very important issue. Do you support deportation or don't you? He's trying to be all things to all people and ends up pleasing no one. Asking people to self-deport sounds about as effective as a voluntary tax code!!

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Newt Gingrich, Florida and the Latino Vote.

noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:58:00 +0000

It seems that conservatives have found their champion in Newt Gingrich after he shredded Mitt Romney's paper-thin conservative credentials in South Carolina. Romney has been shown now to have a glass jaw against a true fighter and genuine conservative like Newt Gingrich. Having a glass jaw is a boxing term meaning an opponent with a glass jaw looks strong but can't take a hit and is therefore easily knocked-out. Romney portrays himself as the inevitable nominee of the Republican Party, but once you land a punch, his carefully manipulated image falls down like a cheap pair of pants.

Romney doesn't have the fire in his belly that you see in Newt Gingrich. Romney looks as though he's running to be president of the country club whereas Gingrich is down in the trenches fighting the battles that conservatives want to see waged. Mitt Romney can't beat President Obama in the debates. Romney can't criticize the president for his health care program because it was modeled after Romney's plan that he instituted in Massachusetts!! Romney also can't win on being a champion of the average American, either.

Obama can simply remind Americans that Mitt made his millions off buying up distressed companies and laying off the workers to lower costs so that these companies could be sold at a profit. That's not capitalism, that's vulture capitalism. That's taking advantage of a weakened company to make an extra million on top of his already sizable fortune. It's hard to say you have business experience that can help lower unemployment when your business experience heavily involved doing the opposite -- cutting jobs!!

Newt Gingrich isn't an average American either, but he can speak the language of average conservatives and knows how to relate to their needs better than "silver spoon" Mitt. Newt comes across as one of them and Romney comes across as their aloof boss. Personally, I think both Romney and Gingrich are a step backward toward the same Bush policies that got us in this mess. None of the GOP candidates have any economic plan that's any different than that of George W. Bush. President Obama wants to move forward and build on the improvements in the economy, but conservatives just come across as bitter, angry and spreading fear. President Obama is working hard to turn this economy around while these Republicans fight over who is the best of the worst!! In the end, none of these Republicans have a positive vision for the future that doesn't involve giving more money to their wealthy buddies in the top 1%. I don't begrudge people being rich, and neither does Obama, but they need to sacrifice like the rest of us.

We need a positive vision and someone with a stable, steady hand to continue guiding us through these choppy waters. President Obama hasn't always succeeded but he hasn't had a willing partner in Congressional Republicans. Their stubborn blockage of progress is frustrating everyone. But, at least Obama seems sincere and patient enough to keep trying. He has made mistakes, but we've been slowly but steadily growing jobs. If you look at the over-all employment tread line, it's consistently gone up and up this past year or so. We aren't out of this yet, but we've stabilized whereas Europe is falling apart. Obama deserves some credit for stemming the bleeding. He doesn't run around yelling that the sky is falling like Gingrich, and that's the kind of leadership we need. In the end, I just don't see how any of these Republican candidates looks better than President Obama.

So, now we move onto the Florida primary -- good luck Mitt!! The latest poll shows him behind Gingrich, 32% to Gingrich's 41%. In addition, Gingrich has a friendlier view to Latinos, Cuban-Americans and other non-Cuban Hispanics:

At a debate in Washington, D.C. last November, Gingrich outlined the most moderate immigration stance of all the candidates, saying that the government should not expel immigrants if they have laid down roots here – for instance, if they have been here for a quarter of a century, raising a family, paying taxes, and obeying the law. While Gingrich does not think those undocumented immigrants should be granted full citizenship, he does think they should get legal status. -ABC News

No other Republican has had friendlier views toward the Latino community than Gingrich though he pails when compared to Latino support for President Obama. That all said, Republicans in general are very hostile toward Latinos/Hispanics. Whereas President Obama has been much friendlier. For example, he pushed for the DREAM Act, whereas Mitt Romney would veto the DREAM Act should be become president. Democrats in general also support a path to citizenship for undocumented workers. President Obama has a positive vision of the future, whereas conservatives seem to be selling nothing but hatred and fear. But, if you're looking for a true conservative, Newt Gingrich is your candidate. If you're a conservative, you'd be throwing away your vote to Romney who is a watered down conservative, at best!!

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Why Comparing Family Finances to Government Finances is a False Comparison.

noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:16:00 +0000

I hear a lot of people asking why the federal government can't run it's budget like a family runs their budget. It sounds like a good argument on the surface, but comparing government finances to family finances is like comparing apples to oranges. First of all, the government has the ability to tax to create additional revenue, families can't tax their neighbors when they need to fix the roof. Whereas, a government can tax its neighbors (the people) to fix things like dams and roads. Families don't to have build roads and pay for the upkeep of them.

Families don't have to pay the lion's share of cleaning up a state after a hurricane or other natural disaster, as the federal government must. Families also don't have to pay for a standing army. Luckily for families, they pay a tax to the federal government to protect them with an army. The price for such an army doesn't bankrupt a family because it's defrayed by millions of other families chipping in.

The federal government is the issuer of our currency. Its IOUs are always accepted in payment. I wish my IOUs were so desirable. I don’t know any household that is able to spend by issuing currency. OK, some counterfeiters try, but they go to jail.

The family vs. government argument says that families have to balance their budgets and can't run a deficit. Well, what about a mortgage? How many families have a mortgage despite balancing their checkbooks? That's carrying debt like the government does!! Or how about credit cards for medical emergenices? That's all the government is doing when it prints money in periods of crisis such during a Great Depression or natural disaster. I'm not saying that we don't need to pay down our debt, but government is a unique entity and not like a basic family structure and budget. It's not that simple.

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Romney Thinks Paying a Low Tax Rate of 15% Amounts to "A lot."

noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:11:00 +0000

PHOTO CREDIT: "Tax Filing" by Arvind Balaraman for Free Digital Photos.net

Only job killer Mitt "Gordon Gecko" Romney would think a 15% tax rate amounts to paying a lot in taxes!! The vast majority of us in the middle-class who are infinitely less wealthy than Romney pay more than 15%!! On top of that, he has money in the Cayman islands and it just so happens that the Cayman Islands are a hot spot location for the ultra-wealthy to shelter their wealth from taxes in America. To top it off, that tax shelter was set up by the now infamous Bain Capital where Romney reigned as CEO, cutting jobs like you'd cut the lawn. Romney just doesn't get it -- we need a leader who understands the average American.

President Obama had to take out school loans to pay for college, something many Americans can relate to. He was raised by a single mother who had to take food stamps for a time, and yet young Barack turned out to be leader of one of the most successful countries in history. That shatters the Gingrich myth that being on food stamps keeps a person from reaching their full potential.

If Mitt gets booed over his low tax rates in the deeply conservative South, then he better get ready for a double dose in the general election from independents and Democrats. Now more than ever we need a president who can relate to the financial hardships of the shrinking middle-class, and Romney just can't go there very well. He represents a small minority of the top 1% of the ultra-wealthy. I don't know how anyone can vote for Romney when people like him caused the financial mess in the first place!! Voting for him would be like rewarding the very people who slashed jobs!! It's not just that he wants to maintain that 15% tax rates for the top of the top 1% -- he wants to give the rich even more!!

His tax policy is heavily slanted toward the super rich according to the Tax Policy Center. He's the wrong person at the wrong time. It's been a tough four years for us all, but President Obama has shown himself to be a man of the people who truly seeks to serve not just the wealthy. He hasn't always succeeded but a lot of that stems from an unruly Congress unwilling to work and compromise with him. But despite the friction, the president has calmly tried to be the broker between the two unruly parties, only to have his hand of compromise slapped back again and again by Congressional Republicans, and even some Democrats. I would rather have a president who tries to compromise but sometimes fails, than a president from a Republican party that has said no to virtually any proposal that would help the middle-class, simply because President Obama signed on to support it.

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Mitt Romney Loses Final Count in Iowa Caucus Making Him a Weak Front Runner.

noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:59:00 +0000

Photo Credit: "Road Sign" by Graur Codrin for Free Digital Photos. net

By Mike Glover

Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa—In a surprise flip, Rick Santorum edged front-runner Mitt Romney by 34 votes in the final tally of the Iowa caucuses, Republican officials said Thursday.

TPJ: This exposes Mitt Romney further as a fragile candidate who can't even hold his conservative base behind him. For Romney, the stark truth of losing Iowa is that the only state he's won in a conservative primary process, so far, is the less conservative state of New Hampshire. Don't get me wrong, I love the independent streak in New Hampshire and appreciate their views, but only winning Hew Hampshire exposes his inability to solidify the conservative base behind his candidacy. The Republican party these days is very conservative, so Romney is going to find it hard to motivate the dominate conservatives.

If conservatives aren't satisfied with a liberal Republican Romney leading a conservative primary then voter enthusiasm will be dampened and thus, some might not even turn-out and vote for him on election day. Voter enthusiasm is a big deal in campaigns. If people aren't very enthusiastic about your candidacy then they are less likely to volunteer to knock on doors, make phone calls and do other outreach to convince voters to support you. I believe that one of the reasons conservatives find Romney a bitter pill to swallow is that he's inauthentic. A lot of conservatives, and Americans as a whole, pride themselves on standing up for what they believe, even if it makes them unpopular. Romney is about as authentic as a used car salesman who will tell you anything you want to hear to make you buy that run-down car at the back of the parking lot.

I'll be honest, as a Liberal, I didn't support John Kerry very strongly because he was so inauthentic and willing to change his positions to shamelessly win as many votes as possible. But, Mitt Romney's numerous positions changes make John Kerry look like "Honest Abe!!" I honestly believe that no one really knows the real Mitt Romney because he won't let anyone see beyond his plastic smile and robotic mannerisms. And I don't trust people who come across as fake -- it makes me wonder what they are hiding and thus distrust them. He strikes me as an out-of-touch rich guy trying to pass himself off as a "man of the people" but he's so terrible at it that he just comes across as a charlatan preacher passing through town promising miracles in exchange for money and adoration.

Say what you want about President Obama, but he has a way of making people feel that his service isn't about himself, but about truly wanting to help people better their lives. Obama was a community organizer, after all, and if you know anything about volunteer work, you know it's not about money, prestige or power. It's about service. The only service Mitt Romney knows about is the maid service!! O.k., so he served a Mormon mission, but what kind of service are Mormon missionaries offering by knocking on your door to tell you that the beliefs you know hold are wrong?

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Stop Internet Censorship by Opposing SOPA Bill. Free Internet is at Stake!!

noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:51:00 +0000

Many websites are blacked out today to protest proposed U.S. legislation that threatens internet freedom: the Stop Internet Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA). From personal blogs to giants like WordPress and Wikipedia, sites all over the web — including this one — are asking you tohelp stop this dangerous legislation from being passed. Please watch the video below to learn how this legislation will affect internet freedom, then email your politicians to oppose the passage of the SOPA/PIPA legislation.

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo

Romney Pays 15% in Taxes and Thinks $350,000 Isn't a lot of Money.

noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:14:00 +0000

(PHOTO CREDIT: Scott Chan at Free Digital Photos.net)

TPJ: Mitt Romney thinks $374,000 isn't very much money!! Seriously. This from The Huffington Post:

"I get speakers fees from time to time, but not very much."

Not very much? According to his personal financial disclosure, from February 2010 to February 2011, Romney earned $374,327.62 in speaking fees. A few months later, Romney joked that he was "unemployed."

On Tuesday, the Republican presidential candidate finally admitted that the effective tax rate he has been paying for the last several years is likely below that of middle-class workers, which would also include military service members.

TPJ: Wow. It may not be very much to you, Mitt but most people would see making $374,000 for a year's salary as hitting the jackpot!! The vast majority of people don't make anywhere close to that in a year.

In other Romney news, last night, he finally admitted to only paying a 15% effective tax rate!! That's way lower than what the average middle-class person pays!! As if he even needs the money that such a low rate brings in. It's just not right that the ultra-wealthy pay less in taxes than most Americans. I don't begrudge the man for being rich, but it just shows how out of sync and out of touch he is with most Americans. And on top of it, he has the balls to say he wants an even lower tax rate!!

The man would be a great president of Wall-Street but that's about it. He comes across as this used-car salesman with his slicked back hair and plastic grin who's trying to pull one over on people. It's like he's bored of buying up everything he wants, so now he wants to be president for a time and see what that's like. He doesn't come across as someone who feels the passion to help people as a leader -- he comes across as someone who's running for president because it's the last item on his "bucket list."

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Mitt Romney: The Bitter Politics of Envy

noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:27:00 +0000

During Mitt Romney's speech last night in New Hampshire, he addressed the controversy surrounding his time at Bain Capital. The job where he bought distressed companies, fired many workers to cut costs and later sold the companies as a profit. He calls it "venture capitalism" but I'd call it "vulture capitalism!!" Romney's response to the criticism that he is better creating unemployment than jobs was to say people are just envious!!

His specific words were his critics were engaged in the "bitter politics of envy!!" Again, Romney shows just how out of touch he is with the lives of average Americans. We're not bitter that he's ultra-wealthy, we're bothered that he made his millions by firing countless people at company after company!! Only a greedy, heartless, bastard like Romney would say people are criticizing his cold and cruel business strategy because we are "envious" of his money!!

That's like saying people despise drug dealers because of their money!! No, we despise drug dealers because they ruin peoples' lives, just like Romney ruined the lives of countless people laid-off at the businesses he bought. He didn't fire people because they all were bad employees. What would the chances be that they were all bad employees? Little to no chance. He fired people because it made him money!! And that makes him part the problem, not part of the solution to unemployment. Should he win the presidency, he can't be trusted to focus on the interests of the average American, instead of the the interests of his fellow greedy bastards. Given the dozens of flip-flops he's done on core beliefs, he's about as slippery and shifty as a salamander!!

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Mitt Romney: "I Like Being Able to Firing People!!"

noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:09:00 +0000

On Monday, Mitt Romney strung together seven words that should never be connected by any candidate: "I like being able to fire people." Romney was speaking about being able to fire people providing him services, but the quotation figures to haunt him long after its context has been forgotten. -USA Today

TPJ: It's true that Romney was talking about finding a different company when you disapprove of their service, but the glee with which he spoke about firing in a time of record unemployment was amazingly out-of-touch. It's not the specific context that people are angry about. It's that this statement came from a man who's supposed, "business experience" stemmed from buying failing companies, and firing most of the employees to cut costs to then sell the company at a profit. The statement fits the larger narrative that Romney is less in-touch with the 99% of Americans struggling in this economy than he is with the very circles that make profit off of such unemployment. Want to know more about his time at Bain Capital? Click on this sentence to watch a 20 minute mini-documentary titled, "When Mitt Romney Came to Town." It lays-out his predatory business practices in further depth. That website again is www.kingofbain.com

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So You Think Mitt Romney is Trustworthy?

noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 20:10:00 +0000

He doesn't just change positions a few times, he has changed his mind on numerous core issues. I don't trust someone who will change his mind so readily. How can we trust him as president to stay committed to a course of action when he can't even settle on a consistent set of values? He reminds me of a used-car salesman who will tell you anything to get you to buy a cheap car. He's like an actor who tries on values and beliefs like a fashion model tries on suit coats!! He doesn't look like the kind of guy who would offer you a job. He looks like the kind of guy who would fire you!!

And his "business experience?" He knows more about creating unemployment than jobs. He made his millions by buying distressed companies, firing most of the workers to trim the expenses. Then sell it off at a profit to a third party. He didn't seem to care how many people lost their careers, livelihoods or retirement pensions. So, long as he was bringing in the millions for himself and the greedy board of directors.

I wish I could ask him, "How many lives are worth another million dollars on top of an already sizable fortune?" How much money do you need before you say enough is enough and stop making money off of other peoples' unemployment and misfortune? He's a fraud and a liar. He's been running for president for the last 8 years -- he doesn't care about helping the little guy. He just wants the power of the presidency. Yet again crushing people underneath him to get what he wants. It would be a sad day if Americans sold out their vote for such a charlatan. Don't fall for his big, plastic, grin. He's hiding something and that something is his true personality, which is one of a cold and calculating con-man.

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Improving Jobs Trend Continues.

noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:23:00 +0000

GRAPH CREDIT: ADP graph as printed on the "Economic Populist" website.

The trend of decreasing unemployment continues into 2012 as the unemployment lowered to 8.5% which is the lowest in three years. But, perhaps more importantly those job increases are coming in fields that have been hit hardest such as: manufacturing and construction. After 6 straight months of job increases of 100,000 jobs, or more, America seems to be on the right track again. Absolutely we still have a ways to go, but we're going in the right direction and have been now for a sustained period of time. President Obama isn't celebrating too much though because he's dedicated to lowering those numbers even further.

When Obama too office, the economy was in a free-fall from the Bush era, and we were hemorrhaging jobs at an alarming pace. Now the trend is climbing back up toward an increasingly stable economy, and the jobs are importantly in the private sector. Wall-Street has been doing well again for the entire past year and unemployment rates are always a lagging indicator; meaning jobs are the last indicator to improve after a recession. I'm cautiously optimistic that 2012 will continue to improve.

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Mitt Romney Barely Wins Iowa, Which Means He Actually Lost Iowa.

noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 04:29:00 +0000

PHOTO CREDIT: taoty for Free Digital Photos

Mitt Romney lost the Iowa caucus last night. Yes, technically he won, but only by 8 people!! Eight votes!! He lost because a front-runner should have won handily. He literally garnered less votes in Iowa last night than he did when he ran for president in 2008.

After four years, he still hasn't won over conservatives and many Republicans. In fact, he's lost ground!! His fund-raisers, these anonymous donors, spent millions of dollars trying to buy votes in Iowa only to essentially tie with the guy who barely spent any money, Rick Santorum.

If Romney can't do any better than barely winning the conservative vote, how does he expect to beat President Obama in the general election? Romney has changed his core beliefs so many times that neither party wants to claim him!! If we can't trust Mitt Romney to be honest with us on his core beliefs, then how can we trust him to be honest with the American people, as president?

Meanwhile, President Obama is going about the business of passing middle-class tax cuts and saving the auto industry, which is the core of what's left of the manufacturing base that employs many hard-working, blue-collar Americans. And what is Mitt Romney's business experience that he looks to tout? Working at a "chop shop" venture capitalist firm where they bought failing companies, only to fire most of the work-force to reduce costs and restructure the company. Then they sell-off what's left for a profit. Is that what Mitt Romney thinks will help bring back jobs? Let's vote for Obama and make sure we never find out!!

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noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 19:35:00 +0000

If Obama were to face former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney in November 2012, 68 percent of Hispanics polled would cast ballots for the Democratic incumbent, according to the survey carried out by the Pew Hispanic Center. Romney would earn just 23 percent of the vote in a head-to-head contest with Obama, the poll showed. If Obama were to face Texas Governor Rick Perry, another Republican hopeful, the split would be 69-23.

TPJ: That's what happens when you demonize all Latinos as "illegal" and/or less American because they speak Spanish as well as English. In the rest of the world, being able to speak two languages is a good thing, but diversity is a bad thing to many Republicans.Of course, not all Republicans do this or feel that way toward Latinos, but apparently enough do to drive Latinos into the Democratic party in droves. Democrats are usually more toward "non-whites" because we understand that America isn't just for one ethnicity. America is stronger for the influence of varied cultures. We benefit from the best ideas, traditions and people that the world has to offer.

As a Democrat, I believe that everyone, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or language deserves the same rights and respect as any other American. I am proud of our Latino brothers and sisters. They usually come from strong families who have good values, and are extra hard workers. In my opinion, that is everything America holds dear!! Therefore, I think Latinos are in keeping with America's traditions more than those who are biased toward them, who often tend to be Republican. Bigotry, non-inclusiveness and disrespect are not American values.

In the end, It's just no secret the Republican party isn't very welcoming toward Latinos. But, an America that is hostile toward immigrants is foreign to the traditional idea of America being "The Land of Immigrants." As a Democrat, I believe in immigration and that it makes us stronger, not weaker. Welcome Latinos!!

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The Payroll Tax Cut, Republicans and "It's a Wonderful Life."

noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:04:00 +0000

We've been doing everything we can, over the last few weeks, to make sure that 160 million working Americans aren't hit with a holiday tax increase on January 1st. We've also been doing everything we can to make sure that millions of people who are out there looking for work, in a very tough environment, don't stop losing their unemployment insurance on January 1st. Now, on Saturday, we reached a bipartisan compromise [...] nearly every Democrat, in the Senate, vote for that compromise. Nearly every Republican, in the Senate, voted for that compromise. Democrats and even some Republicans in the House, voted for that compromise. I am ready to sign that compromise into the law the second it lands on my desk. So far, the only reason it hasn't landed on my desk, the only reason, is because a faction of House Republicans have refused to support this compromise. Now, if you're a family making about $50,000 a year, this is a tax cut that amounts to about a $1,000 a year. - President Barack Obama

The compromise bill to give a tax cut to the middle-class didn't just barely pass. It was voted for by the vast majority of Senators -- Republican and Democrat. The vote total was 89 for the bill and only 10 against the bill. That's a major landslide for the middle-class payroll tax cut. Usually the Senate barely passes measures. So, the House Republicans are holding up everything by opposing the tax cut, right before Christmas. They are the Grinch Party. And they're threatening to ruin everyone's Christmas. I think they need to watch the classic Christmas movie, "It's a Wonderful Life." I think in particular of the scene between Jimmy Stewart's character and that of the greedy banker, old man Potter who heartlessly doesn't care if people don't have any money for homes and other essentials:

Just remember this, Mr. Potter, that this rabble you're talking about... they do most of the working and paying and living and dying in this community. Well, is it too much to have them work and pay and live and die in a couple of decent rooms and a bath? Anyway, my father didn't think so. People were human beings to him. But to you, a warped, frustrated old man, they're cattle. Well in my book, my father died a much richer man than you'll ever be!

The Republicans are acting like that greedy banker in the movie who ruthlessly takes advantage of people who are facing hard times financially. I'm glad the president is holding their feet to the fire because he's about the only one in Washington D.C. who seems to remember who the politicians are working for, the American people!! I emailed my House of Representative, who is Republican, asking why he favors scoring political points over helping the American people because that's what it looks like to me.

Thank-you, President Obama for standing up to Mr. Potter (House Republican Leader, John Boehner).

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We Have a Strong Leader in President Obama.

noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 02:28:00 +0000

Newt Gingrich wants to put your children to work, Mitt Romney doesn't know what he believes and President Obama got Osama bin Laden. Is there any doubt who looks like the leader here? While Congress festers from Tea poisoning, President Obama is leading. If Congress won't work with him then he'll use his other powers. He has kept government working for the people by using presidential executive orders.

Newt Gingrich is the Grinch of the Republican Party while Mitt Romney thinks buying distressed companies and firing the employees to make the company profitable again is "business experience." Mitt Romney doesn't look like the kind of guy would would hire you, but he does look like the guy who will fire you!!

It's because of "business leaders" like Romney that everyone is mercilessly being cut from their pensions, forced into early retirement or having their job shipped over-seas. Now, do we really want to hand the keys of the country back to the very people (Romney and the Wall-Street vultures) who drove our country into the ditch? Or, do we keep going with the man who saved the auto industry, and thus, a major source of American, middle-class jobs?

These are rocky times to be sure, and President Obama will never say he doesn't make mistakes but he won't stop going to work every day exhausting himself on one thing -- helping the American people recover from the economic earthquake that rocked America the year he won the presidency. President Bush presided over the economy that tanked on us in 2008 and just like turning around a giant tanker ship, it takes several years for an economy to recover from a near-depression. And, in the meantime, President Obama is one of the best ambassadors we've had abroad since Bill Clinton. He (and thus America) is respected the world over. In these uncertain and fast-paced times we need someone who's cool, calm and focused under pressure, as president. I just don't see that happening with "Newt the Clown" and "Mitt the Out-of-Touch Billionaire!!"

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Elizabeth Warren VIDEO: "Nobody Got Rich on His Own."

noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 16:42:00 +0000

Elizabeth Warren is one of the brightest, most promising up-and-coming leaders in America today. She speaks the language of the middle-class. Massachusetts should elect her to the Senate because her experience with consumer protection and other financial issues would be invaluable right now. I appreciate her down-to-Earth, logical way of explaining complex issues. She doesn't sound or act like in insider but as your neighbor who is tired of the system enough to do something about it.

I sure hope she wins because we need real people in Congress today. Real people who understand the daily challenges of living in the middle-class or lower. She understands where the American spirit is today, and she has the passion and courage to lift us on her wings and carry us into a brighter future. I admire her wonderful mix of compassion and boldness. Vote for Elizabeth Warren for Senator of Massachusetts!! You'd not only be doing Massachusetts a great service, but your neighbors in the rest of America.

We need a real person with a sincere desire to look out for the average American by making government work for them more than for the rich person who already has their security and needs covered.

In Honor of a Legend Lost: A Tribute to Christopher Hitchens.

noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:12:00 +0000

In honor of the recently deceased Christopher Hitchens, I decided to post my favorite Hitch quote:

"Exceptional claims demand exceptional evidence.” -Christopher Hitchens

In a world of ignorance and irrational thought, his was a voice of reason that cut through the bullshit like a high-powered blowtorch cuts through unyielding steel. I admired his unwillingness to shrink away from challenging the well-entrenched forces of religious domination. He held his head up high in the face of ridicule and scorn to defend the rationality of science in a world all-too hypnotized by superstition and hearsay. I was proud that he kept his dignity about him to the very end. His bold and intelligent mind will be greatly missed but hopefully it will live on through those of us committed to finding the truth, where ever it may lead us.

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Mitt Romney the Progressive.

noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:47:00 +0000

Did you know that Mitt Romney saw himself as a "progressive" just a few years ago while running for governor in liberal Massachusetts? But now he claims to be a committed conservative? He's such a fraud. For those that don't know, "progressive" is another label for "liberal" which isn't going to help Romney with an increasingly conservative base. It's these kind of changes on core principles that make him untrustworthy to many Republicans.

The revelation of this video (above) couldn't have come at a worst time for Romney. A new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll shows just 29% of Republicans see Mitt Romney as a conservative. Whereas his main opponent, Newt Gingrich, is seen as a conservative by 57% of Republicans. I don't like Newt Gingrich any more than Romney but at least with Gingrich you know what you're getting--a hardcore conservative. Mitt Romney has tried to be too many things for too many people to be taken as credible by either political party.

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Newt Gingrich Wants to Bring Back Child Labor.

noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 01:55:00 +0000

Newt Gingrich reminds me of a character from a Charles Dickens novel. He's completely out of touch to be talking about "Guilded Age" era solutions. I've done a janitors job before and it's a lot of work. It tires out even the strongest adult, so the idea that a growing 10 year old should do the schools cleaning and plumbing while having to do homework is outrageous. Do we really want to have a president who would put our kids to work?!!

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Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich: A Liberal's Perspective on the Current State of Republicanism.

noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:11:00 +0000

THE RUNDOWN: As someone who likes neither Newt Gingrich or Mitt Romney, I have been watching the Republican debates with a philosophical eye, and this is my opinion on what I think is happening in their party:

It seems like the hardcore conservatives are voting for Newt Gingrich. And, It seems Romney is nearly as distrusted by the conservative base as much as President Obama. I don't blame them. Mitt Romney reminds me of an actor trying to portray a conservative politician, rather than actually being a traditional conservative. But don't get me wrong, I wouldn't vote for either Gingrich OR Romney. I support a leader that supports the middle-class over the rich. In other words, President Obama.

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Newt Gingrich Caught Supporting Obama's Individual Mandate in Health Care Plan.

noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 20:04:00 +0000

In opposing the individual mandate, these Republican candidates are all contradicting traditional conservative ideology to favor personal responsibility. It's all about a blind, seething hatred of Obama whom they consider to be an "illegitimate" American. They fear the diverse America that he represents. An America that seeks co-operation over domination.

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Mittsant Replay Video Clearly Shows Romney as a Flip-Flopping Opportunist.

noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 18:01:00 +0000

Middle-Class Decline is Directly Correlated to Decline in Unions.

noreply@blogger.com (Handsome B. Wonderful) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 18:21:00 +0000

There is direct correlation between the decline in the unions and the decline in the middle-class; as well as the subsequent rise of the top 1%. This graphic isn't rhetoric or hyperbole; numbers don't lie.

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