Do You Want To Re- Elect Bush For Presendent!

[sentrido]

An Interesting view of foreighn policy, from my favorite author.

 

[delldude]

possible gay rights platform for the "johnnies"?

 

[TWAnr]

For those who are too young to remember, Arianna Huffington was Newt Gingrich's biggest cheerleader. She has seen the light since.

The First Great Decision of the Kerry Presidency

July 07, 2004

The choice of John Edwards as No. 2 on the Democratic ticket is the first great decision of the Kerry presidency — a mature, self-confident choice that bodes well for the Kerry campaign as it kicks into high gear.

It wasn’t based on looking at a map and trying to figure out who could deliver the most Electoral College votes. It wasn’t based on whom Kerry felt most comfortable hanging out with.

It was based on who was the best choice for the country.

Instead of picking a running mate who had the strongest resume on paper, Kerry picked the one who had the strongest vision for the country — a vision that can help Kerry bring heart and soul back to American politics.

Judging by the hysterical reaction of the GOP, there are many things about John Edwards sending a cold shiver down Karl Rove’s reptilian spine. Here are five:

One. He can help Kerry make this campaign about what kind of America we want to live in — a campaign not just about policies and programs but about our fundamental values as a country.

Throughout his primary campaign, Edwards showed an uncanny ability to frame his positions in the language of morality and traditional American values.

“I believe we can build a better life for our families,†he said during a Democratic primary debate. “But it has to be based on the values of hard work and responsibility, not accounting tricks and corporate greed. I want to bring your values, the values of Main Street America, to Wall Street and then to Pennsylvania Avenue. I want to give this White House back to the American people.â€

This is a linguistic battlefield that has been dominated by the right since the 1960s. Edwards’ ability to speak to core American ideals like hard work, fairness, faith and family — the values that built America — will help Kerry reclaim key words and concepts like “morality†and “responsibility†from the recklessly irresponsible and grossly immoral GOP.

It’s not by accident that this is the first quality Kerry cited when announcing Edwards as his running mate: “John understands and defends the values of America. He has shown courage and conviction as a champion for middle-class Americans and those struggling to reach the middle class.â€

George Bush wants to define this campaign in terms of right and left. John Edwards will help make sure that it comes down to a discussion of right and wrong.

Two. Edwards’ core theme of the two Americas — “one for the powerful insiders, and another for everyone else†— helps sharpen the differences between the two tickets, and underlines that, far from being a uniter, George Bush has been the ultimate divider. As Edwards evocatively paints it, Bush has created two school systems, two health care systems, two economic systems, two tax systems and even two systems of government, all designed to benefit “those who never have to worry about a thing†— and at the expense of ordinary Americans.

This is not a debate Bush and Cheney want to go anywhere near. Because they know what will happen if the truth of Edwards’ message is digested by the American public. Edwards has shown a commitment to putting poverty-fighting front and center in his campaign, sending a message that dates back to the beginnings of this country: We are all in the same boat together.

“I want to take a moment to talk about something you’re not hearing presidential candidates talk about enough,†he said in his signature stump speech. “The tens of millions of Americans who live in poverty. We pass them on the streets in our cities. They are the families that crowd our shelters and turn to our small-town churches for food. In the America you and I build together, they will be forgotten no more.â€

This powerful and patriotic populist vision stands in direct contrast to the dark “every man for himself†rallying cry of the conservative movement, which is epitomized by Grover Norquist and the Leave-Us-Alone Coalition, founded on a toxic mix of tax cuts and gutted social programs.

As Edwards put it during his presidential run (and will no doubt repeat many times now that he has a much bigger megaphone), “2004 is a make-or-break election because we need to create one America again. And that is the one thing George Bush will never do. Dividing us into two Americas — one privileged, the other burdened — has been his agenda all along.†If it wasn’t obvious in 2000, it certainly is now.

Three. Without wearing it on his sleeve, Edwards’ comfort with matters of faith, morality, and religion will allow Kerry and the Democrats to make an unabashed appeal to the millions of Americans whose spiritual beliefs are central to their lives.

The Bush Republicans have made it clear they believe that God is on their side, blessing everything from the war in Iraq to the president’s multitrillion-dollar tax cuts to the destruction of the environment. Edwards’ central message of fairness and economic justice puts the question in play: Which is the true political morality? Opposing gay rights and abortion or heeding the Biblical admonition, “We shall be judged by what we do for the least among us�

During the Democratic debates, Edwards was asked if, like Bush, he felt God is on America’s side. He responded by quoting Lincoln, who, when asked in the middle of the Civil War to join in prayer that God is on “our side,†replied: "I won’t join you in that prayer, but I’ll join you in a prayer that we’re on God’s side.â€

Edwards’ championing of those left behind will help America reclaim the moral high ground that Bush abandoned.

Four. Edwards can help Kerry ride the wave of idealism that was unleashed after Sept. 11. Rare among populist politicians, Edwards radiates optimism and inspires hope. “This election is not about what we are against,†he said before the Iowa primary, “it is about what we are for. … We offer a new beginning for America based on hopes, dreams, and endless optimism — not fear, greed and attack politics.â€

This spirit is the perfect antidote to the pessimism the GOP is desperately trying to tag Kerry with. And it doesn’t hurt that Edwards has got charm and charisma to burn, is the most natural politician the party has to offer, has a great story of humble beginnings and triumphing over adversity and personal tragedy, and can move an audience to tears with his heartfelt oratory.

Five. Edwards has made a very successful career out of eating folks like Dick Cheney for lunch in courtrooms all across America. He’ll know exactly how to wield Halliburton like a stiletto. I give Cheney 30 minutes before he drops his first F-bomb. I can’t wait.

The Republican attacks on Edwards as “unaccomplished and inexperienced,†“out there in left field†and, above all, “Kerry’s second choice,†sound like wishful whistling past the graveyard. Edwards’ selection has not only energized the Democratic base — which was pretty energized anyway — it has, more importantly, the potential to arouse the dormant passion of the 50 percent of eligible voters who have given up on voting.

All in all, not a bad payoff for a fallback plan.

Arianna Online

 

[SkippyFlipjack]

As far as your statement regarding that we attacked a country(Iraq) without any proven connection to Al Quaida, I think you may want to do just a LITTLE more research. Recent developments, and news coming out over the last several days, appears to shoot your thinking squarely in the a##. Remember, there are more varied news outlets that report what is ACTUALLY going on. You need to turn off Dan Blather, and research to find the truth Good Day, KC

How about listening to the bipartisan 9/11 Commission, who knows more about Iraq and Al-Qaeda than everyone on this forum combined? Last month they said they found no evidence of a collaborative relationship between Iraq and Al Qaeda; Dick Cheney begged to differ, and said that he 'probably' had information that they hadn't seen. The commission responded:

"After examining available transcripts of the vice president's public remarks, the 9/11 commission believes it has access to the same information the vice president has seen regarding contacts between al-Qaida and Iraq prior to the 9/11 attacks."

(This is from today, so it's understandable that you might have missed it.)

 

[FredF]

Of course you mised the part where that was a staff report, not the full commission report which contradicts their own staff report.

Oh, and if you actually believe that this commission is not a partisian play, then you probably think that the impeachment of Slick Willie was about sex too.

why am I wasting my time?

Liberals believe what they want to in spite of the facts to the contrary.

 

[delldude]

GUESS I HIT IT ON THE HEAD??
YOUNG LOVERS??

 

[Captain Ed]

Just so you know why not to vote for me.


I attacked and took over 2 countries without anyone's permission..

I spent the U.S. surplus and bankrupted the US Treasury.

I shattered the record for the biggest annual deficit in history (not easy!).

I set an economic record for the most personal bankruptcies filed in any 12 month period.

I set all-time record for the biggest drop in the history of the stock market.

I am the first President to cause the US Dollar to drop 35% in value since I took office.

In my first year in office I set the all-time record for most days on vacation by any president in US history (tough to beat my dad’s, but I did).

After taking the entire month of August off for vacation, I presided over the worst security failure in US history.

I set the record for most campaign fund raising trips by any president in US history.

In my first two years in office over 2 million Americans lost their jobs.

I cut unemployment benefits for more out-of-work Americans than any other president in US history.

I set the all-time record for most real estate foreclosures in a 12-month period.

I appointed more convicted criminals to administration positions than any president in US history.

I set the record for the fewest press conferences of any president, since the advent of TV.

I signed more laws and executive orders amending the Constitution than any other US president in history.

I presided over the biggest energy crises in US history and refused to intervene when corruption was revealed.

I cut health care benefits for war veterans.

I set the all-time record for most people worldwide to simultaneously take to the streets to protest me (15 million people), shattering the >record for protest against any person in the history of mankind.

I dissolved more international treaties than any president in US history.

I’ve made my presidency the most secretive and unaccountable of any in US history.

Members of my cabinet are the richest of any administration in US history. (The poorest multimillionaire, Condoleeza Rice, has a Chevron oil tanker named after her.)

I am the first president in US history to have all 50 states of the Union simultaneously struggle against bankruptcy.

I presided over the biggest corporate stock market fraud in any market in any country in the history of the world.

I am the first president in US history to order a US attack AND military occupation of a sovereign nation, and I did so against the will of the United Nations and the vast majority of the international community.

I have created the largest government department bureaucracy in the history of the United States, called the “Bureau of Homeland Securityâ€￾(only one letter away from BS).

I set the all-time record for biggest annual budget spending increases, more than any other president in US history (Ronnie was tough to beat, but I did it!!).

I am the first president in US history to compel the United Nations remove the US from the Human Rights Commission.

I am the first president in US history to have the United Nations remove the US from the Elections Monitoring Board.

I removed more checks and balances, and have the least amount of congressional oversight than any presidential administration in US history.

I rendered the entire United Nations irrelevant. I withdrew from the World Court of Law.

I refused to allow inspectors access to US prisoners of war and by default no longer abide by the Geneva Conventions.

I am the first president in US history to refuse United Nations election inspectors access during the 2002 US elections.

I am the all-time US (and world) record holder for most corporate campaign donations.

.The biggest lifetime contributor to my campaign, who is also one of my best friends, presided over one of the largest corporate bankruptcy frauds in world history (Kenneth Lay, former CEO of Enron Corporation).

I spent more money on polls and focus groups than any president in US history.

I am the first president to run and hide when the US came under attack (and then lied, saying the enemy had the code to Air Force 1)

I am the first US president to establish a secret shadow government.

I took the world’s sympathy for the US after 9/11, and in less than a year made the US the most resented country in the world (possibly the biggest diplomatic failure in US and world history).

I am the first US president in history to have a majority of the people of Europe (71%) view my presidency as the biggest threat to world peace and stability.

I changed US policy to allow convicted criminals to be awarded government contracts.

I set the all-time record for the number of administration appointees who violated US law by not selling their huge investments in corporations bidding for gov’t contracts.

I have removed more freedoms and civil liberties for Americans than any other president in US history.

I entered office with the strongest economy in US history and in less than two years turned every single economic category heading straight down.

RECORDS AND REFERENCES: I have at least one conviction for drunk driving in Maine (Texas driving record has been erased and is not available).

I was AWOL from the National Guard and deserted the military during time of war.

I refuse to take a drug test or even answer any questions about drug use. (wink,wink)

All records of my tenure as governor of Texas have been spirited away to my fathers library, sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public view.

All records of any SEC investigations into my insider trading or bankrupt companies are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public view.

All minutes of meetings of any public corporation for which I served on the board are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public view. Any records or minutes from meetings I (or my VP) attended regarding public energy policy are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public review.

With Love,

GEORGE W. BUSH

The White House, Washington, DC

 

[FredF]

You forgot to say that you totally mis-represented just about everything on that list.

It is increassingly scarry to me just how many people need to go back to the 9th grade and take a civics lesson. Just how much money do you think that the president can spend?

How much of the budget do you think that the president has control over?

Oh, and by the way, he also allowed more people in the country to keep more of their money while at the same time allowing the government more total dollars in tax revenue.

Oooops, guess you left that one off.

How about getting the government to stop double taxing estates. How about removing the marriage penalty and uping the deductions for children.

 

[FredF]

I attacked and took over 2 countries without anyone's permission..

Flat out Lie. There were a number of UN resolutions authorizing the exact action that took place against IRAQ.


After taking the entire month of August off for vacation, I presided over the worst security failure in US history.

Of course this was completely setup by the prior administration allowing terrorists to use Americans as targets and failing to do anything about it.


In my first two years in office over 2 million Americans lost their jobs.

A direct holdover from the prior administration economic policies.

I cut unemployment benefits for more out-of-work Americans than any other president in US history.

Flat out lie. Contrary to popular belief, failing to allow something to get bigger is not making it smaller. No matter how many times people say that it does.


I signed more laws and executive orders amending the Constitution than any other US president in history.

Can't amend the constitution. Only congress and the US voters can do that.

I presided over the biggest energy crises in US history and refused to intervene when corruption was revealed.

I cut health care benefits for war veterans.

Flat out lie.

I dissolved more international treaties than any president in US history.

Again not possable. Failing to abide by a treaty that has not been properly ratified is not dissolving anything.


I presided over the biggest corporate stock market fraud in any market in any country in the history of the world.

When did the president preside over the stock market?

I am the first president in US history to order a US attack AND military occupation of a sovereign nation, and I did so against the will of the United Nations and the vast majority of the international community.

See above notes about this lie and the numerous un resolutions authorizing just this.


I am the first president in US history to compel the United Nations remove the US from the Human Rights Commission.

A Very GOOD thing.


I rendered the entire United Nations irrelevant. I withdrew from the World Court of Law.

Again a VERY GOOD thing these days.

I refused to allow inspectors access to US prisoners of war and by default no longer abide by the Geneva Conventions.

A flat out lie. We do abide by the Geneva Conventions. It only talks about uniformed prisoners of a legitimate country, not cloaked Terrorists.


I spent more money on polls and focus groups than any president in US history.

Did you every hear of Slick Willie?

I am the first president to run and hide when the US came under attack (and then lied, saying the enemy had the code to Air Force 1)

He did not run and hide anywhere.

I am the first US president to establish a secret shadow government.

Flat out lie?


I am the first US president in history to have a majority of the people of Europe (71%) view my presidency as the biggest threat to world peace and stability.

Personally I don't live in europe and could care less about what they think. you care? Shut up and move there.


I have removed more freedoms and civil liberties for Americans than any other president in US history.

Flat out Lie.

I entered office with the strongest economy in US history and in less than two years turned every single economic category heading straight down.

Wrong. Completely wrong. The economy was heading down before the election. It is headed up at the moment.

RECORDS AND REFERENCES: I have at least one conviction for drunk driving in Maine (Texas driving record has been erased and is not available).

A dui 20 years ago. Who cares?

I was AWOL from the National Guard and deserted the military during time of war.

Flat out Lie. The records have been made public.

 

[sentrido]

<saracsm>I love when lies are exposed and disputed with facts </sarcasm>

 

[sentrido]

The economy added only 112,000 new jobs in the month of June, less than what is needed to keep up with population changes and well below job growth over the past few months. Unemployment remains at 5.6 percent and the underemployment rate – part time and other low-wage, low benefit work – was higher in June than when the recession began. The Bush administration is still on track to have the greatest sustained job loss since the 1930s.

President Bush's tax cuts have not produced adequate job growth. Job growth since last August has been paltry compared to other economic recoveries. During eight other post-WWII recoveries, the average monthly job growth rate was 0.32 percent. At 240,000 jobs per month – the average rate in 2004 before the June drop-off – President Bush's 0.19 percent average job growth rate represents a 60 percent decline from normal recoveries.

Many of the jobs in President Bush's "recovery" are low-wage, low-benefit service and retail jobs. The overall growth in jobs masks a harsher reality for families trying to maintain or build a middle class standard of living. Jobs may be up, but the quality of these jobs is low in terms of pay, benefits and the opportunity to get ahead. Seventy-five percent of the 1.4 million jobs created over the past year have been in industries that pay below average wages.

While corporate profits are reaching record highs, real wages are falling. During the period from November 2003 to March 2004 – when job growth was increasing – average hourly real wages actually fell by 1 percent. At the same time, the corporate profit rate reached record highs after taxes. In the first quarter of 2003, the latest period, for which data are available, the after-tax profit rate was an estimated record high of 17.5 percent.

 

[FredF]

and do you think that sKerry, by raising taxes is going to get the economy going better than it is at the moment?

 

[sentrido]

I do think by lowering taxes on the middle and lower class and puting more money into the hands of people who actually need it and will actualy spend it is a very good idea.This will create a demand for good and services. And the machine will feed itself. Right now the top has a ton of money, but nothing to spend it on.The demand isnt really there.So they are sitting on it. Supply side only works if the money gets pumped back into the machine.

 

[sentrido]

enjoy! 😀

 

[mweiss]

enjoy! 😀

That's mighty funny!