will_kirchmayer, you are incorrect sir. We need a responsible government in a limited fashion. Thus the Constitution. Those on the left feel the right wants no government, which is completely false. The extreme government the left has given us appears over and over again in the form of executive orders and no budget. Their hunger for our money is despicable. Where is the Democrat's budget? They refuse to present one because they live in the cloak of darkness with their agenda.

Some of us should be so lucky to be on the Government welfare. Food, lodging, cars, and phones!
You don't even have to prove you're looking for work or are qualified for these hand-out anymore.
Don't feed the bears. They become dependent.
Of course that is what liberals want. Dependents to keep them in office for the free handouts.
It is good to be King.

Looks like we could get the federal budget deficit way under a trillion with the sequester. Unfortunately, we'll also be putting the economy back to the bottom of the toilet. Pick your poison. The revenue increases from the fiscal cliff deal have dropped the deficit to a 5 year low as it stands right now.

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-...

Conservative1,
You would allow that child then to starve, is that what you're saying? Also, have you seen how much taxpayer money has been wasted in states where they drug test the welfare recipients. In Florida and Arizona, millions of taxpayer dollars have been spent for savings of, at most, a few hundred thousand dollars in cumulative welfare benefits that were withheld from the roughly 2 dozen or so people that tested positive. That's right 2 dozen out of tens perhaps hundreds of thousands of people. It's a Conservative driven boondoggle based on ill conceived ideas of social justice. Here's the thing though, poor people on welfare don't have money for drugs. Now there's a shocker, huh?

http://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/delus...

The best way to distract from the fact that you are posting both as a Conservative and a Liberal: Have the two screen names squabble over petty things like spelling and grammar.
That's your multiple alias lesson for the day from RAF & WalterReuther. "We" will continue to pull the curtain back as time goes by. I figured it was time.

Walter you have a habit, one repeated often by those on the left. When you can't argue your own points, based on logic, you resort to alinsky tactics; lately for you that has been attempted discrediting based on grammar or spelling. Clearly it has been shown you are hardly the one to attempt to hold others to a standard you fail to achieve; just more from the left fringe party with the motto do as I say not as I do. Please keep repeating (echo) the talking points from sources like media matters, continues to show your own inability to think for yourself; sheeple.

There are many reasons people want to post opinions anonymously. Chief among them is safety. Some people may also fear that their jobs would be in jeopardy. As for wislady, at least she is honest in her postings. She doesn't use multiple names to drive her points home. Even though I almost always disagree with her, I admire her sticking to her princples.

Wislady is beyond help or hope To continue to stand up for her party no matter how many times they are exposed for their LIE after LIE, No longer amazes me, it amuses me. She is the poster child for Fox News. And the GOP whiners WAH WAH WAH. Obama hit the nail on the head and those that heard what was said, understand that what was said, is what this Country needs...

Bowlgirl you really need to get help....
criticaleye The most rational posts in here.....
Seriously:
1. min wage should go up
2. Health care changes are being accepted by even Republican governors
3. middle class workers are key to economic expansion
4. immigration changes are right on
5. get everyone out of Afghanistan will save billions
Whew! He nailed it.
Rubio's performance was head-scratching.
President Obama hit all the right notes and I am proud to have voted for him 4 times in Milwaukee and twice in Chicago.
(Note to Republicans: this is sarcasm making fun of you.)

And you 'Bowlgal'? have you a name that you have no fear to see in print?

With regards to extremism, a government is only as responsible as the people who elect those who make policy.

Spending...while unpalatable to those who worship gold, it is unavoidable as fiscal activities are crucial in a market based economy.

Your view of government is akin to a teenager who has to observe the household rules and feels the rules are aimed at only them.

I am an employee of the people of the United States of America...I served 20 years day for day in the US Navy. I now work for the citizens of WI as a power plant operator for the past 17 years. My training in the Navy likely cost the citizens about 50,000-60,000 dollars.

When I retired from the USN, I applied at many private sector power plants and stationery engineering jobs. One told me I didnt have enough 'civilian' experience and used that reason to not hire me. Kind of extreme, would'nt anyone say?

The Tea Party likes to think its the real America, but it is little more than arm-chair quarterbacks whose indignation over what America is at present seemingly gives them a reason to spread the lies and hate of mistrust as they believe they have the right to do.

Notice to an(not so alert) citizen

This is a posting of mine WAY back on 12/5 agreeing completely with the Gazette to start charging for website useage so many of YOU on the LEFT stop using multiple names.
Stop playing games, have an honest conversation. If you are able. Still waiting for that honest call.

On 10 Things to Know for Today

Posted on December 5 at 12:27 p.m.
And mouse,brotherskoch,yada. I hope you decide which name you will keep once you get charged for web use.

If you agree with will - ms Citizen - give us both of your names. Talk the talk.

Is it extreme to want a responsible Government? Is it extreme to want a Government that doesn't overspend and refuses to submit a budget? Is it extreme to want a Government to not regulate our consumer preferences such as salt and/or soft drinks?
Is it extreme to expect a Government to act like our employees? Is it extreme to expect to not be forced into buying something?

Three on the left now who must find it extreme to have a conversation. Why? is it too much of a threat to you?

Same with the left wing narrative on Rubio. Nevermind Obama drank water during a press conference. The threat of Rubio means marginalize.

One more try for you alert. If you can stop playing games.

I'm not surprised in any way shape or form that alertcitizen can not have an honest conversation. However, your typical left wing diversion game is just that.
Call me when you are ready to have an honest conversation.

@will- I think you're right.

The anonymity allowed in choosing a name rather than requiring one to use their real name is the license to post extreme views.

My real name is up above this post...I do not fear as I have nothing to hide. I take ownership of my views and opinions and what words I use when posting.

Actually thatwaseasy- you have a thrid persona named bowlgal. Gazette- kick them all off of these sites- they bring nothing but dissention to these boards.

I agree gandalf- there should only be one name allowed per ip address. Some of us are honest and only want our opinions made- others are constantly trying to prove their points by using several different names. Usually it's the right Wing types.

Well with that revelation it looks like there's only about 3 other people on this website arguing with each other. BOOORING!
By they way. I also post as RetiredAirForce aka RAF. Let that one rattle around in your heads for a while. Now I'm going to switch accounts (maybe now, maybe later) and post something really snide and condescending except it will be all Conservative and what not.

Here I am again.. "that was easy"

Sorry analertcitizen, or should I say SarahB1? I did post under LiberyBelle and took 2 minutes to open a new Internet account and new Gazette post to see just how "easy" it was to post like you liberals under multiple accounts.

Liberals, they love to accuse others of what they are doing. And so very typical to still avoid answering any questions. Just on here to see how "special" you are?

I don't know what "leads credibility" means. Feel free to point out the typos I've made, but you used it twice in the same post. I think you mean "lends" credibility. Lends. Anyway, The Tea Party Patriots depiction of Rove as a Nazi is indicative of a larger splintering within the GOP. The fact that Rove has started a PAC aimed specifically at defeating Tea Partiers in primaries also speaks to that splintering. If you don't believe this. That's fine. We're just "differing people with differing ideas and ideals", right? So believe what you want. Just be wary. A lot of Conservatives believe that Mitt Romney was going to win in a landslide and even went so far as to declare on good 'ol Fox News. Interesting Fox News has been seeing some of their lowest ratings in over a decade (no worries for them, they still beat their competition) but I would say that when the main source of information for so many Conservatives is shedding viewers in large numbers, I'd say that that is also indicative of a splintering political party. Don't agree with me? That's cool. Remember we just have differing ideas and ideals.

Walter what does one person or group depicting others of being a nazi have to do with anything? It is done by people from both sides of the isle, with very low intelligence levels, as has been shown on this site for years.

None of that leads credibility to your previous post. You seem faux concerned over people across the political spectrum from you that don't see eye to eye on issues, when this has nearly always been the case. If you really had thought your comment through before posting you would have seen this. The fact you didn't think about it leads credibility to the position you are just stuck in the leftest echo land of repeating what other leftests have stated before you.

I'd recommend that you start thinking for yourself but I suspect that would be a wasted conversation.

I see. Falsely depicting someone as a Nazi is just "differing people with differing ideas and ideals." Sure. That makes sense. I'll have to remember that. It seems like a very useful line for so many different political gripes.

I always laugh at the sheeple from the left that can't grasp most on the right don't walk in lock step and have differing people with differing ideas and ideals. To bad they didn't spend this much effort, echoing talking points, on pressuring washington to do their job(s).

Bowlgal,
I thought you said the GOP was getting along just fine and that they're even more ready for 2014 than they were for 2010. Interesting that you don't mention how many Republican pundits were predicting a Mitt Romney landslide. Anyways, if the GOP is getting along so well, why is the Tea Party Patriots group sending out emails depicting Karl Rove in full Nazi uniform?
Might have somethin' to do with that Conservative Victory Project PAC Karl Rove has set up to take out Tea Party candidates. Ah yes, the Conservatives are one big functional family, aren't they?
http://theweek.com/article/index/240286/...

Sorry all you patriots, it wasn't just a typo- it happened too many times to be a typo. In fact, it showed that bowlgal and thatwaseasy are one in the same.I can recognize typos, we all do them, but constant misspelling of words is ignorance. Why am I not surprised?

When you can get past the pettiness analertcitizen and bring some honest conversation to the table, call me. Be an individual and step out of the liberal zombie line.
Love,
A Patriot

How did Benghazi Barry get elected again?
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/02/...

Plus there are hundreds of thousands more just like her.

His low approval ratings indicates he knows he's the ruling minority. He's in by fraud, a stolen election.

alertcitizen - perfect example of the left. Typos as bad as drinking water yet won't (probabaly can't) debate the "extreme" government response.

They are the ones that except the wacko extreme left nazism called Benghazi Barry like little sheep.
The left always lose in the battle of ideas.

Yeah..focus on typos. You are a real genius. How about an Ineptcitizen? Yeah..that sounds better.

Thatwaseasy. bowlgal, et el: You make it way too easy for us to laugh at you. I'd prefer to be a " patriot" than a "patroit" as you both have posted. One of you misspelled it several times so it was not a typo. Ordinarily I ignore such things but your over-the-top insistence that you are the only people with the right answers pushes me forward.

Gandolf, I'd never call you a doodyhead. But your last post proves you really only know what the press feeds you. The TEA party is fighting for a responsible Government as any good "patroit" to America does. We are fighting for our freedom from oppressing and overreaching tyrannical leaders like King Barry same as those original founders.
We are fighting an activist press who no longer see that fairness is in order as the King's original propaganda.
The extreme left will never see this as their mindset is to rule and not work together.
Abortion is preached by the left as a choice. I agree it is a choice and a "lifestyle" We should only be paying for incent and rape. The rest is on the woman choosing to kill the baby.
That should not be my tax burden.

Gandolf, THANK YOU!! Talk about pulling teeth. It is not extreme to ask for auto insurance. No one said you have to own a car. It is not extreme to help the children and the needy. It is extreme to not expect proof of those needs.
It is extreme to say "you are against women's rights" yet tell me I have to pay for someone else's life style i.e. abortions.

How messed up is the Democrat party? Give me the choice of Planned parenthood but take away my choice of soft drink? Really?

Traitor, yes I agree. The opposite of "patroit" is traitor to our country.

I love being called a "patroit"

Is it extreme to want a responsible Government? Is it extreme to want a Government that doesn't overspend and refuses to submit a budget? Is it extreme to want a Government to not regulate our consumer preferences such as salt and/or soft drinks?
Is it extreme to expect a Government to act like our employees? Is it extreme to expect to not be forced into buying something?

Three on the left now who must find it extreme to have a conversation. Why? is it too much of a threat to you?

Same with the left wing narrative on Rubio. Nevermind Obama drank water during a press conference. The threat of Rubio means marginalize.

Tea Party grassroots. That's the best joke I've heard all week.

Sad, liberal party wrapped in a post gazette website.

I'm asking you a real honest question. You can't even come up with an honest answer. Life can treat you the same way.

Is that it? I expected as much.

@owlgal- My my we're passionate aren't we?

Well is it? post 1:05pm. No one on the left can ever give me an honest and open response.

"Patriot", we founded this country that way. And so proud of it.

What's the opposite of patriot? communist?

bowlgal- Keep it up. You and the other
"patriots" will most certainly assist Democrats in winning the next election.

Common Sense Walter. Again you responded to the Extreme post of walking zombies but ignored the common sense post of 1:05 most Americans have when given the truth, or paying attention.

Oh Walter, dream on. Everything you just listed is all left wing media narrative. The GOP is in as good a shape for 2014 as it was in 2010. Not only on the Federal level but to take even more control on the state level, which includes the re-election of Gov. Walker.
The TEA party has no "leadership", it never has. It's all state by state grass roots. Rove and Jindal have both already recanted and Christy is a liberal Republican. Again, individualism. Say it with me now, individualism.

Bowlgal,
All hell is breaking loose on the Right. When Karl Rove has announced a planned attack on Tea Partiers in primaries because of the lack of success they've had in general elections, all hell is breaking loose. When Bobby Jindal is declaring that the GOP has to stop the being the "stupid party", all hell is breaking loose. It is currently a party in disarray. There's no real leadership. They tried to force Marco Rubio into the spotlight. He stumbled. Chris Christie seems to be making a play, but he's too Liberal friendly for a lot of Conservatives plus he's a big fan of simply being famous which a lot of Conservatives have accused President Obama of being. The GOP is currently rebuilding and rebranding. With Hillary Clinton in the wings, the Dems are much more organized at the moment. Of course 4 years is a lifetime in politics, so anything could happen. At this moment, however, the GOP is still picking up the pieces.

alertcitizen, publicly abandon them? You see the problem with the left is there is no individual thought. You all stick together, no matter what the cost, no matter how extreme.
The right is and always represents individualism. Personal responsibility and ideals being exchanged in open and honest forums.
The left doesn't get that so when those on the right have differences of opinions "all hell is breaking loose" on the right.
No. Don't be a follower. Be of your own mind.

Is it extreme to want a responsible Government? Is it extreme to want a Government that doesn't overspend and refuses to submit a budget? Is it extreme to want a Government to not regulate our consumer preferences such as salt and/or soft drinks?
Is it extreme to expect a Government to act like our employees? Is it extreme to expect to not be forced into buying something?

Gandolf, I pity you and your views which do appear to lean communist.
It certainly isn't for liberty.

gandalf- Just ignore them. Their extremist comments and ideas are the exact reason Obama won the election in November. Even their own party is beginning to publicly abandon them.

An pragmatic progressive is the left rebranding themselves(again) which means marxist communist.

Most aren't ready to come out of that Obamanation closet yet.

Except Gandalf and mouse(brotherskoch, wiggle, yada, fordfan)

In order to hide from the true label, from the platform of the party you agree with, you request to be called a "pragmatic progressive"? LOL

Obama's sequestration has been on the calendar for 17 months. Wouldn't you think the dems could have come up with some ideas by this time, and a budget?

Gandalf are you really that hypocritical? Whining that being the socialist you are is name-calling while labeling others is something different; just more of the same from the party of do as I say not as I do.

btw, nearly every position you take can also be found on this site http://socialistparty-usa.net/platform.h... but keep trying to deny your label, makes for great reading fun.

Sorry Jimmy, you lose your title as worst President ever to Benghazi Barry. The press care more about Rubio's water break show you how far the Hugo/Castro style sing-a-long is. Benghazi Barry says "speak" and they go BAAAAAA

How are those gas prices and more exposed Obamacare taxes working for you?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/sallypipes/2...

It isn't about care, it's about control.

I wonder how many people would want to be president if we only paid them minimum wage, and they had to deal with the same laws that the rest of us do? Might not be so appealing to a Harvard grad, huh?..... They might actually want to work for a living ripping the rest of us off.

"But we can't ask senior citizens and working families to shoulder the entire burden of deficit reduction while asking nothing more from the wealthiest and most powerful."
-
I used to play this game as a kid. It's called "kick the can."
-
And I've never heard more BS out of a pres than that. He'll be driving new cars every year for the rest of his life. I struggle to fix mine just to make them work. Other presidents said the same. No diff. I'm just saying that we elect the wrong people.

Republicans, meanwhile, made clear they're in little mood to cooperate.
=
I see no cooperation whatsoever. They don't need to even think about cooperating with the president. He's insignifigant when it comes to making laws, or enforcing them. He's a figurehead only, like on a ship. The real power comes from the people. We hire these idiots for some reason........you know, congress. The less than 1%.

What does the Royal Air Force have to do with this? Seven.

Make it six then.

Clearly a member of RetiredAirForce's, now famous, liberal socialist hypocritical "do as I say, not as I do" party members.

Make that all five of your comments, zorg.

Get a life.

Earlier Tuesday, in a meeting with television correspondents and anchors, Boehner, R-Ohio, said immigration is about the only item on Obama's list that has a chance of passing this year. He said the president is more interested in getting a Democratic majority in both chambers next year.
=
The only problem we have with immigration is that we don't enforce our own laws, and the illegals ignore them. As far as getting a Democratic majority, I suppose that's why the POTUS is in continuous election-mode. What's wrong with that picture? Some day, I hope people wake up and realize that they are governed by a bunch of hacks that think they are priveledged, and the only ones that can actually rule. They are nothing more than the corporation that the "99%" rail against on a daily basis. We're being had.

That applies to all three of your comments on this thread, zorg.

And what does your comment have to do with the topic at hand, zorg?

What's that have to do with the price of tea in China, or this blog for that matter? I see people here have a problem staying on topic.

wislady, you're still quite focused on Benghazi and Operation Fast and Furious. Regarding Fast and Furious, could you please tell us about Bush's Operation Wide Receiver - predecessor to Fast and Furious. Regarding the four Americans killed in the attack on our embassy in Benghazi, could you please describe for us the information made available to Bush prior to the attacks on 9/11, in which 2,604 Americans were killed. Please focus on the inaction of the Bush administration prior to those attacks.

"The first known ATF "gunwalking" operation to Mexican drug cartels, named Operation Wide Receiver, began in early 2006 and ran into late 2007.

As the later DOJ OIG Report documented, under Wide Receiver coordination of ATF Tucson with the ATF Mexico City Office (MCO) and with Mexican law enforcement had been haphazard. Discussions of getting tracking devices from Raytheon were not followed up. ATF field agents and the cooperating gun dealer had been told by ATF supervisors that the guns were being interdicted before they could reach Mexico, but only 64 of the 474 guns had actually been seized.

At the time, under the Bush administration Department of Justice (DOJ), no arrests or indictments were made. After President Barack Obama took office in 2009, the DOJ reviewed Wide Receiver and found that guns had been allowed into the hands of suspected gun traffickers. Indictments began in 2010, over three years after Wide Receiver concluded. As of October 4, 2011, nine people had been charged with making false statements in acquisition of firearms and illicit transfer, shipment or delivery of firearms. As of November, charges against one defendant had been dropped; five of them had pled guilty, and one had been sentenced to one year and one day in prison. Two of them remained fugitives." [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_F... ]

Oh, ok. I see that it is.

Is it just me, or is this just one big pi**ing match between a couple of people?

Todays dose of left fringe hypocrisy, the same poster that provided this comment "your unAmerican Ann Rand" also has a history of declaring others are name-callers.

Just more of the same from the party of do as I say not as I do.

WalterReuther, I may have a mindset from the past as you call it but I live in reality, many people don't and wonder why life passes them by. I have developed my mindset from a very interesting life experience in 40 years living all over the country. Being stuck in one place at one job for decades will never give you much perspective based in reality, I am not saying this is you but it does describe the vast majority of people in this community and it is a factor in developing the views you have posted. If people do the things you stated in your previous post and wonder why they can't get ahead then they are a victim of their own ignorance, I have little sympathy for people that willingly make mistakes and don't learn from them.

Being called out for your over the top hypocrisy has left you desperate and humbled. When all else fails play the alinsky tactics...good socialist sheep.

RAF,
Like I said, there's nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone expresses their love and affection differently. I'm flattered by your advances, however I'm not interested. Good luck in your online search for a life partner.

Gandalf and Walter, two of the fine socialist examples that love to compile intentional dishonest information with their brand of hypocrisy...just more of the same from the left fringe element of the party with the great motto, do as I say not as I do.

RAF,
Aww. I know you love me so much. I've never had an online stalker before. I have to be honest with you. Your playground style flirting isn't very effective. So to answer that private message you sent me, yes, I do accept your apology but no, I won't let you take me to dinner. I'm sure you're a very nice lady, but this isn't an online dating service.

Walter..put what RAF spanked you on in a pipe and smoke it!

More hypocrisy from the party of do as I say not as I do..."I'm more panicked by atrocious grammar and made up words."

The same poster providing that gem has lately decided to misspell, errr make up, words.

-Collectors instead writing "collecters"

-Collector instead writing "collecter"

-Knowledgeable instead writing "knowledgable"

-Constitutional instead writing "Constitiutional"

http://gazettextra.com/users/WalterReuth...

I'm more panicked by atrocious grammar and made up words. What's a "markist"?

Obama has surpasses George W Bush as the most polarizing Pres for a markist reason.

I love how scared the zombie media is of Rubio.

Panic

Eagle1,
Your mindset is from a time that has long passed. Those that are the most successful (wealthy) have found a way to bypass the need to sell wares to a flourishing middle class. Now it's all about hedge funds and carried interest. Convince the middle class that the only way to live comfortably is to use the "equity" (imaginary value) in their home as an ATM and "invest" (imaginary control) their money in the casino that is Wall Street and a majority of the wealth will get drawn upward never to be seen again at the middle class level especially after what little money the middle class has left is used to bail out the very rich. That wealth can then be used to con middle and lower classes on an international scale. And here we are.

MBHammer,
Since the late 60s the economy has shifted from a manufacturing base to a service base and with that shift a glut of living wage paying jobs were replaced by jobs that pay a poverty level wage. I wonder why so many more people are on food stamps now than in the late 60s.

I ran out of words…
Stating we need more government to do things because that is compassion completely misses the point of compassion, it isn't mandated through taxation and laws, it comes form the heart, a compassionate community does it on its own not because government dictates it and then takes credit for it, that is counterproductive as mandatory volunteering. Have you ever know any very rich people? I have had the fortune to know many and they are the most generous people I know, I am talking millionaires several times over and even a billionaire, when I meet them I want to absorb how they became successful not berate them for their success, and I have been told on many occasions by them it has been noticed, that is sad. I will end with a true story of a local business owner that for a few years had 3 employees that use to grumble about their salaries to the owner, stating they were not paid enough and alluded to the owner that he didn’t care since he was the rich business owner. In reality each of those 3 were making over $80k a year and that rich business owner spent 3 years making under $40k. Labor is an employers largest expense never forget that.

WalterReuther, I agree completely with one statement you made, the country is better off with a thriving middle class, however I part company with your belief that government can and does make this happen. I also disagree completely with the notion that rich people don't care, if a rich person makes money off service and goods sold to masses how can they be successful without as many in the middle class to do so? Do they continue to get rich, sure because they invest but here is a dirty little secret that most don't talk about, when rich people get richer they tend to bring other people along, they invest in startups, products etc. the pie grows it doesn't stop and get cut up for the existing 'eaters' thinking anything other than that is just falling prey to class warfare, yes it is real and used by both parties. The rich making these investments take HUGE risks as well and many times lose their money, just as individual entrepreneurs when they start a business, many fail, when they succeed they are ridiculed for living a good and sometimes wealthy life by overcoming that risk. Most rich people didn't just inherit it, many do but for some reason those seem to be the ones that don't appreciate wealth probably because they didn't do much of anything to earn it. I can only speak to my own experiences a far as government programs go, I was raised fairly poor, mom never took welfare or food stamps, instead she worked 3 jobs and I started working at 12. I went to college, yes I took out loans and paid them back, I graduated. I took jobs to gain experience and then started my own business, I then risked (there's that word) it all and lost it all on a bad deal, lesson learned. During all of that I took not one dime of government assistance, no unemployment, no medicaid, Today I am VERY middle class and still have no government program to thank. I wasn't raised to be a victim but to be self sufficient, that is a very important principle that is sadly going away faster than WWII vets. Was I able to live through all that because I am special and extraordinary compared to most?Asbsolutely not, I would actually say I am below average in most ways, so I have to ask why do people feel they NEED government to solve their INDIVIDUAL problems, when if they do it themselves they will do it fast, better and come out ahead afterwards, my story is not unique there are millions that have. It is really sad to see people with potential allow themselves to join the victim crowd and think they cannot live a decent life without 'help'. Are there occasions when real help is needed ABSOLUTELY but there are good people and charities that help, the best thing about that type of help is it doesn't destroy the INDIVIDUAL in the end it enhances it, look at the welfare cycle especially in the inner city, see any enhancements there?

WalterReuther, Food stamps 1969, 2 million. 2013 today: 48,194,121 on food stamps today. Success, not. Growth stagnation, yes. U.S. debt today, 16.5 trillion. Government has and never will be a solution, we have many years of world history as proof.

Eagle1,
I see where you're coming from. I would counter that with the fact that most government programs are actually beneficial to the middle class. A thriving middle class is undeniably the best thing for our economy. We need people to be buying things. Right now government programs are under attack and the middle class isn't buying things like they used to. Now, the rich people have figured out ways to make tons of money anyway, so they don't really care if the economy's in the toilet. Hell, they put it there and still came out smelling like roses. I don't know where we go from here. The rich own the government, so we underlings are just going to have to get used to fighting over a smaller and smaller share. This suits the rich just fine as they're second favorite hobby, after convincing as that wealth trickles down while fixing the system so that it only moves upward, is getting us to fight amongst each other so we don't get wise to their shenanigans and organize against them. Welcome to the new normal as they say.

MBHammer,
Your (and the founding fathers') ideas have been tried. Leave the bulk of assistance to individuals and charities and the private sector to care for the downtrodden. What did that lead to? Senior citizens starving and living in poverty during the Great Depression. Social Security was enacted and has been pretty successful at combatting that problem. A few decades later it was pretty clear that without government help poor children and their parents were going hungry and living in poverty. Welfare and food stamps were enacted and have been pretty successful at combatting that problem. I'd love it if the government didn't have to step in either, but we've become a culture that worships individualism and the every man for himself attitude. We've lost the will to help out our fellow man, so the government will pick up the slack. A bunch of wing nuts will call it Socialism, nanny state, dependency, and so on and so forth. The government will respond as it should: by completely ignoring those idiots and keep going about doing what's best for the common good.

analertcitizen, I believe in help too, the bulk and I mean bulk should never be from government. I don't think this was our founding fathers intent. Founding fathers and I believe in America's citizenry should it's strength through family, community God and family. I am not an extremist, in fact I took one of those online quizzes and I was shocked myself when it revealed I was very near the center.

@MBHammer- I don't know how or why you took the conceptual leap from my questions posted earlier to my my wanting " total goverment control". I find that diversionary on your part. Extremists do that sort of thing to avoid getting caught in their hypocrisy.

analertcitizen, If you believe in total government control that is your choice. I do not.

WalterReuther, you have pinpointed exactly why I don't vote for Republicans they say one thing which I normally agree with and then do something different which is usually a lighter version of the Democrats. We really don't have a 2 party system right now it is more like a 1.25 parties. For this reason I find the GOP to be more dangerous than the Democrats in that they say things then act completely different it's a rope a dope and the sadly too many of their supporters who believe in the principles the GOP speak of, can't see past that to the actions by the party and how damaging they are. On the other hand you have the Democrats who come right out and tell you what they want to do more government, more spending, more taxes, I respect that at least, I couldn't disagree more but at least they are honest. This was highlighted by the President's mention of nearly 30 new government programs then he followed up with they won't cost anymore money, so much for that honesty thing, even he knows the increased spending is dangerous and unpopular so he has to lie about his intentions. I do however find Democrat voters much more dangerous than Republican in that they actually believe the rhetoric their party promotes, the bigger government, more taxes and more spending which in the end means less freedom and less money for the individual. Once the GOP supporters realize they are being duped by another version of the Democrats maybe we can finally get back to at least a 2 party system, I would prefer at least a 3 party system and maybe more, it would provide much more accountability and competition and perhaps then when I slam the GOP their voters won't assume I am a democrat and vice versa, that ignorance is just annoying.

Actually MB-I'm almost 70.Can you boast the same. My parents grew up in the Depression. They taught us the value of the dollar as well as the value of helping others.

analertcitizen, Can't help you bub. You must be from one of the later generations that has comprehension problems. I was raised by parents from The Greatest Generation so for me a lot of things in life are automatic, thought and common sense is one of many.

MBHammer-Are you saying that people should be able to pick and choose what government programs are right and what are wrong? I thought the right wing wanted government out of it period. Is it okay for us to have government bail out banks and large companies but not help the average man/woman? I guess I don't get what you're saying about Rubio's obviously hypocritical stance.

MBHammer: thank you for your cogent insightful comment. Ummm...what?

WalterReuther, everyone is hoping you could interpret the difference between some role of government and government intrusion without a coach. Rubio did not spell it out for you, sorry. Consider yourself now coached.

" People have joked, with some degree of truth, that if President Obama came out against drinking Drano, Tea Party Congressmen and senators would immediately go out and chug gallons of it."

So Rubio says "More government won't help you get ahead. It's going to hold you back. More government isn't going to provide more opportunities. It's going to limit them."
And then he followed that right up with "I believe in federal financial aid. I couldn't have gone to college without it. Medicare is especially important to me. It pays for the health care my mother receives right now."
If the GOP can't get decent speechwriters to weed out hypocrisy from their rising star's rhetoric, how do they expect us to believe they can run the country? Hear that? It's not Rubio slurping down water. Nope. That's the death rattle of an entire political party.

Kleej, once again spot on.

"brotherkoch"; Your point about Scotty may be valid. Look at the state of a country when the men who are supposedly leading it are "convicted". I'm talking both sides of the coin here. They're all cut from the same cloth, they just have a different way of "dressing everything up" Actually, the point is, neither party has "leaders", just politicians, posing as leaders.

You may get more than you bargained for there when you say Scotty is a man of "conviction"...

patriot bro....Sure do! I'm absolutely a fan of authoritarian figures who actually follow though with the wishes of those who voted and put these people in positions of authority.:) Intelligence is a bonus, but the conviction that Walker displayed-especially when coming under fire by the labor unions-is what really cemented my support. I'm sure you feel the same way. Good day fellow patriot!

I see, you likey your authoritarian figures ey? Yeah, it's been profitable for Scooter - doling out corporate welfare - that always has it's perks. Not just dinner with that Alice Cooper-looking lady at the roofing supply co. Not to long from now, our state's version of Sarah Palin will continue to follow her path - as rightwing media prostitute.

Lord knows, the GOP will not want him for his intelligence.

Patriot bro.......No thanks. Wisconsin needs Walker to stay right where he is. The state is much better off with him calling the shots!

Pedro for President, "I will make all of your wildest dreams come true".

Poor republicans, another rising star fizzles out. Maybe Scotty will get a crack at it. Lol.

I thought Governor Walker and President Obama both nailed their 'state of' addresses. Carry on gentlemen.

By the way, did anyone happen to catch the CNN crew talking about the cop killer? They were comparing his rampage as "exciting", "like watching Django, and similar to a Denzel Washington movie. SICK.

The playbook is in place. Divert attention by criticizing Rubio for the drink of water instead of addressing the points he made in the speech.
I see a trend by the liberals is to dance on the non existent grave of the Republican Party.

MSNBC featured video of Rubio's water drink over 155 times yesterday, 105 times on Rachael Maddog's show alone. Did they cover the Benghazi attack that many times in one day? They need to focus on the important things, not someone taking a drink of water! For heavens sake....get a life, how juvenile!

The Republicans are a complete joke as are the Democrats. Obama too liberal? Wow, that's hilarious. Ask any of the groups that align with the left and ask them what they think of Obama, from human rights, environmental, war, renewable resources, you name it. Obama would be a Republican if we could step back in time about 20-30 years.

Obamacare was written largely by the insurance industry. An industry that is a pox of the "backside" of America. Add to that the group of elitist bankers that played chicken with the world economy, and lost (oh, that's right they didn't lose, we did), with no repercussions at all?

They are all a joke.

When you have to raise and spend millions of dollars to be elected president, or any other elected seat, you aren't electing a person that has your ultimate best interest in mind. That goes for Gov. Walker, Tammy Baldwin, Paul Ryan, or whomever.

analertcitizen

Sorry I missed the Ryan interview, I must have been catching up on the SNL channel (CNN and MSNBC).

You should change your name, because obviously, you really aren't so "alert". I bet Ambassador Stevens would have loved a drink of water, as he was being dragged through the streets, while Obama jetted off to Vegas.

it would be nice if the GOP actually followed through on what the say, but they never do.... Democrat light.

It was another Santa Clause speech on the continuing campaign trail.

RAF, your lack of originality doesn't surprise me. However, I'll look at it this way: Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Thank you.

It's a shame that the media didn't spend as much time covering Benghazi as they have Rubio taking a drink of water. Just keep drinking the Obama koolaid, anyone can see how much better things are getting.

I have to laugh at you Libbies making fun of Rubio getting a drink of water after taking a look at Cheshire Cat Joe Biden watching the speech. What a stupid looking guy! He's the one who should be portrayed on SNL and Comedy Central.

Wislady - "The republicans have offered budgets and solutions"? Pretty funny on your part. When can I see you for my next palm reading? The repubs have only offered their old tried and true failed plans that got us in this trouble. Cut taxes, cut taxes, it just doesn't work and we know it. But it is a formula to get elected by fools.

If people have minimal skills, put forth minimal effort... they should make minimum pay. If minimum wage goes up... so does everything else....Because those with a brain will not pay out more to employees and lose.

Obama was a hoot! I thought I was watching a dumb episode of Comedy Central until I realized that is the direction of the Party of spend other peoples money. How about, Obama and Joe as a reality show? I would love to watch those two and their special guest stars, left fringe posters, spew their venom on msDNC.

I think Obama was hitting on a water bong before that speech.

Wislady- I heard almost your exact words while watching Fox News today ( yes I watch it too- but also read and watch other sources). It was the segment in which Ryan was being interviewed and he said Obama was " in campaign mode". Because I am willing to get other viewpoints- I am able to discern Fox News fiction from real fact. Try it.

At this point I don't know who to trust now.

Like the GOP ever stopped being in campaign mode....remember the one term pres comment? Go back to fox news lady.....

One of the main reasons the current potus is not getting America back on track, is the fact that he is still in campaign mode. Even the left wingers posting here, are more concerned with the 2016 elections, than being concerned people who have not had jobs for months. Republicans have offered budgets and solutions, democrats are only concerned with the next election.
Even 4 years of on the job training has failed, as he continues to blame successful people for the dismal economy. Can he pull it off for another 4 years? How many people have to be sacrificed before he admits to his mistakes? How many more drone strikes, and people on "hit lists"? Where is the outrage from the democratic party? Hypocrisy at the highest level is on display.

Food stamped

"Brawndo's got electrolytes."

NVgrf, Rubio was a hoot! I thought I was watching a dumb episode of Comedy Central until I realized that is the direction of the Party of No. How about, Rubio and Ryan as a reality show? I would love to watch those two and their special guest star wislady, spew their venom on FOX.

Jindalled.

lol /woosh as everything passes over wislady
Poland Springs bottled water is not from Poland? I am shocked! Shocked!
/me tries to hand wislady a clue...but she's too busy looking for a birth certificate.
This is actually amusing rofl

Keep it up Patriots. It's incredible, the more you jabber cluelessly, the more the GOP listens to you. Yeah, this excites you, but in the real world it weakens GOP even more.

Obviously, GOP has learned nothing from the last election.

criticaleye: Seriously??

1. min wage should go up: Are you talking about a cost of living increase or some $3 or more per hour increase? A persons value to a company (his wage)should be dictated by supply and demand and not a goverment mandate. A person who does base level tasks that require no education and no training simply do not warrant the types of wages that the liberal feel good types are asking for.

2. Health care changes are being accepted by even Republican governors: Just because Republican governors are buckling under the oppressive demands of the Whitehouse does NOT mean that the changes will end up costing us less or even doing a better job of providing care.

3. middle class workers are key to economic expansion. How do you propose to put more spending power into the hands of the middle class? Oh wait; just tax the wealthy more so the government can "wisely" redistribute money as it sees fit. The problem with this is the wealty are not an unlimited resource. Furthermore: just because somebody has more money than you do does NOT entitle you to a cut of it. It is theirs; not yours.

4. immigration changes are right on: Previous amnesties have proven to set a bad precident. Thats why we are now shouldering the burden of over 10 million illegals. Another amnesty simply encourages more tresspassing from our southern neighbors.

5. get everyone out of Afghanistan will save billions: I agree with you on this one.

If Rubio is the best they have, they can forget any shot at the White House in '16. It is amusing hearing and seeing desperation running rampant! And wislady falls in lockstep....All criticisms and no proposals of any kind! LOL

baegucb--Yeah, I'm sure Rubio stopped at the grocery store and specifically bought that brand of water on his way to the speech as opposed to it being provided by the service staff in the venue at which they were speaking.....duh:)

At least you provided a laugh....Poland Springs bottled water is NOT from Poland.

Badgerlvr
So you finally noticed that Obama did NOT talk about the terrible economy, the unemployment, the food stamp nation, and his failure in foreign affairs
The sequestration was Obama's idea, he signed it, he got more money to spend, and now he needs to complete his part of the deal. He has known about this for over a year, and still he has NO budget.

If 4 dead Americans in Benghazi, the Fast and Furious failure, and the highest Food Stamp participation in history are less important than someone taking a drink of water....I guess that shows where some folks have their priorities a little messed up.

By the way, nice that Obama can head off to Florida for a vacation again. No worries, I guess.

Obama's speech, I can't tell if he is delusional or just a liar.

...half the stuff Rubio complained about wasn't even a part of Obama's speech. The rebuttal was nothing but a rehash of complaints from last year. Looks like 2013 is going to be nothing but more of the same. So much for bipartisanship.

They just showed it on the news. Poland Springs bottled water? So he supports water bottlers from outside the U.S.? Why does he hate American workers and companies? Is it a commie company? ;)

Don't think so much-it might hurt your few remaining brain cells.

I thought TMZ was a website? Dunno, never been there. I did read Rubio said there were no options or somesuch for Obamacare. Someone didn't tell Walker I guess. It was a watershed moment ;)

Seriously, if the only two things you come away from Rubio's speech is the water bottle and his age you really need to stop watching TMZ.

With that speech, Rubio blew the opportunity he had to establish himself as the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.

Very reminiscent of Bobby Jindal's 2009 State of the Union rebuttal speech and the way in which that performance forever marked Jindal as a political lightweight.

You'd think Rubio would have learned something from history.

I didn't see it, but I'm suddenly thirsty.

Seriously:
1. min wage should go up
2. Health care changes are being accepted by even Republican governors
3. middle class workers are key to economic expansion
4. immigration changes are right on
5. get everyone out of Afghanistan will save billions

Whew! He nailed it.

Here we go with all the finger pointing. Both parties are the problem! Actually, NO, you and I are the problem!

Rubio's performance was head-scratching.
President Obama hit all the right notes and I am proud to have voted for him 4 times in Milwaukee and twice in Chicago.
(Note to Republicans: this is sarcasm making fun of you.)

Rubio sounded like a whiny teenager
all through his rant.
And I have never seen anyone so awkward
while getting a drink of water.
He looked like a B movie thug
holding a gun on a hostage.
Other than that, and the words he said,
his speech was great!

Just watched some Fox News and the excuses for Rubio's poor performance last night are hilarious....comedy central, saturday night live and the late night comedians skits should be funny

I guess Obama is hoping that something will stick on the wall with his 29 some plans and excuses to jack up taxes and spending in his campaign speech last night.
Still you have to worry about a president who says "if congress won't do it, I will". Damn the constitution full speed ahead.