February 13th, 2013
02:57 PM ET
Obama takes his SOTU message on the road ASHEVILLE, North Carolina (CNN)- Seeking to build momentum and rally support for his jobs agenda, President Obama began the first of three campaign-style day trips around the country Wednesday a day after his fourth State of the Union address. Traveling to Asheville, North Carolina Mr. Obama spoke at an auto parts plant to highlight his proposals he hopes will make America a "magnet" for jobs and manufacturing. "I believe in manufacturing I think it makes our country stronger," Mr. Obama told the small crowd of workers gathered around the makeshift podium in the center of the factory. Calling the middle class the "true engine of American economic growth" and "the North star that guides everything we do," the president warned there would be "no magic bullet". He went on to try to rally support for his proposals now stalled in a partisan Congress. “[W]e've got to stop with some of the politics that we see in Washington sometimes that's focused on who's up and who's down, and let's just focus on the same kind of common sense and cooperation that we're seeing at this plant," said Mr. Obama. The Linamar factory where the president spoke is a Canadian company that expanded its investments in the U.S. when it opened the Asheville plant in 2011 in a building that once housed a Volvo Construction plant that closed down. Linamar employs 140 workers at the plant in Asheville and hopes to add 60 more workers. It is one of four manufacturing facilities it owns in the U.S. But while speaking at this model of "in-sourcing" the president warned, "We're not going to bring back every job that's been lost to out-sourcing." The local Chamber of Commerce says Linamar is just one of more than a dozen new manufacturing companies it has attracted to the area in the past two years in part using incentives from the state of North Carolina to entice international firms to relocate there. But across the North Carolina as well as across the country, firms struggle in a still shaky economy. Just an hour and a half from where the president spoke Wednesday, local furniture manufacturer Bruce Cochrane is trying to attract investors so he can re-open his company. It's been a roller coaster year for Cochrane who laid-off all of his 51 employees earlier this month. A year ago almost to the day, Cochrane sat with First Lady Michelle Obama as her guest at the president's 2012 State of the Union address. A North Carolina native Cochrane told CNN he first met President Obama at a forum on "in-sourcing" where he told the story of starting his own "green technology" furniture business after his generations old family furniture business was sold and the job went overseas. His story captured the attention of the White House and he was invited to sit in the First Lady's box for the president's State of the Union speech last year. "I told him about how access to capital was extremely difficult [for small business], said Cochrane. But Cochrane got the capital and retro-fitted his family's former furniture factory to use "green technology" like water based finishes which had an almost "neutral carbon footprint" and utilized sustainable woods in his furniture. Cochrane says he encountered what he called "surprises" which delayed opening for a time but he eventually hired more than 70 workers. Less than one year after he sat in the First Lady's box as an example of a small business who could "in-source" Cochrane "ceased operations" at Lincolnton Furniture. Cochrane says the downturn was due to lower than expected orders and unexpected expenses. He is now looking for new investors and is optimistic he can re-open in the future. ### |
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No, the government can't change the weather. But the government can help us prepare for bad weather when it comes. And that's the point. Climate change deniers would rather leave us at risk than lift a finger towards caution - less it be deemed an admission that in fact a climate change is occurring.
We may never all agree on what causes climate change, but we should all agree that we need to prepare for it.
Sixty percent of the carbon monoxide pollutants in our air come from automobiles. And cars get their best gas mileage at sixty miles an hour. Any good mechanic can explain why. Hybrids alone can increase gas mileage 30 percent simply by driving the speed limit. Carbon emissions are believed a cause global warming.
If people are concerned about global warming and the pollution our children breath, they can reduce carbon emissions, increase gas mileage and possibly lower price of gas simply by driving better. I don't see it happening. How fast did you say you drive?
The fault dear Brutus lies not in our stars but in ourselves.
EVERY ONE SHOULD HAVE A RAINY DAY FUND AND MANY ONCE DID AND IT WORKED WELL FOR THOSE THAT DID
JUST THAT. THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS ONE ALSO–IT IS CALLED BORROWING AND NEVER PAYING BACK. IT DOES
NOT WORK AND NOT A REALISTIC METHOD. WE HAVE LOTS OF MONEY TO A POINT. PROBLEM IS WE SQUANDER
IT BY THROWING THE BUCKS IN THE AIR AND NO ONE SEMS TO KNOW WHAT IT WAS SPENT FOR. JUST A LOT OF
EMPTY POCKETS OUT THERE BEING FILLED BY THOSE WHO HVE NO IDEA OR INTENTION OF PAYING FOR THE EXTRA=VAGANCE. WELL YESTHEY DO–IT IS THE TAXPAYERS MONEY THAT WAS EAR MARKED FOR OTHER GOOD
THINGS–THAT NEVER HAPPENED–WE STILL OWE FOR OTHERS FOLLIES AND WE ARE IN DEEPER IN DEBT. IT JUST NEVER STOPS WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION.."WE ARE NOT THE HORN OF PLENTY FOR THE WHORE IN THIS GOV. WE
AS CITIZENS HAVE MORE CONTOLL OF OUR BUDGETS THAN OUR GOV. DOES WITH OUR HARD EARNED MONY.--"WE ARE NOT A HORN OF PLENTY FOR THESE FOLKS WHO HAVE NO FISCAL ETHICS OR WHAT A BUCK IS WORTH.
We could save billions by updating our infrastructure especially the electrical grid. Each time we have one of these massive weather events billions is lost in damage, lost jobs, lost businesses, loss of wages, and lost business income.
I get so tickled at the none too bright people who don't seem to understand whatever the cause it needs to be solved with a more secure, and less calamity prone system.
I also get tickled at people who can't seem to grasp the basic concept that fossil fuel which is derived from decayed plant materials (oil and coal) that has been compressed and heated by the pressure of the earth over eons, can be recreated with the right process from corn and rice to ethanol; and can also be speeded up through the process of using the smallest of all plant life...which was the original source on an ocean planet for that crude....namely algae. Plant fossil fuel is plant fossil fuel regardless of its age. Why use a major food crops for fuel when we have algae, and many other perennial grassland plants which require less intensive farming and fertilization.Who needs to waste fuel and fertilizer on a field of corn, if they can to raise algae for fuel cheaper? .
Jean, I believe that ethanol is classified as a biofuel not a fossil fuel. However, that is really not the point. My point was very simple. People express so much concern over pollution and climate change and expect the government to deal with the problem. Yet, we as a populace have some power over pollution and climate change. Carbon emissions particularly from automobiles can be reduced simply when people drive better. Do you agree or disagree?
I believe you also talked previously about the Germans developing a car that runs on biofuel produced from algae. Do you have any idea where this biofuel production is being developed. The car is being developed in Germany. I do not believe the biofuel is though.
Caramon a fossil was once a living plant or animal.. Only in the case of coal, crude, and natural gas it has been done over a long period of time under the earth from what was once plant/or ocean life matter that has been compressed.
Ethanol is an alcohol produced from corn, sugar cane, sorghum, potatoes and even biomass ( which is cornstalks and vegetable waste). If it is mixed with gasoline it raises octane level which reduces emissions such as carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.
Biodeisel is derived from soybeans and vegetable oils and animal fats it is mainly a renewable fatty oil used for diesel engines.
Both Ethanol and biodiesel are forms of biofuel....they are both plant based just produced using different techniques to break down the plant material.
You can read a whole article online: ethanol vs biodiesel.
Fossil fuels (coal, crude, natural gas) were formed millenniums ago during the Carboniferous age when the world was mainly a warm swamp of ferns, large trees, and large leaved plants, and pools of stagnant algae and seaweed. The earth was a water world. All those items (living fossils) died, decayed and fell to the bottom of the pools and swampy stagnant algae filled ponds and became compacted into a peat bog, which eventually became covered with sand and clay which compacted the peat bog, and over millions of years of increasing layers of presssure formed on top of the peat and squeezed the moisture from the peat turning the peat into coal, crude and natural gas....ie fossil fuels.
You do understand that in many countries they stil burn peat? And the people living on the great plains burned cow chips; which is a form of compacted biomass, a process done by the cows digestive system. Believe me the process to turn algae into biofuel exists...if nature did it over millions of years, and a cows digestive system can do it, a chemist can surely recreate the process in a lab.
Caramon The company is Joule, a Boston based company that will produce Audi's algae/biomass fuel at a Hobbs, New Mexico plant. .
Caramon -Actually Joule is going at it from a different angle they are not going to harvest algae they are going to grow it as oil secreting microbes in glass bioreactors, feed it nutrients and CO2 look for.- Audi places its biofuel bet on Joule.
Basically in a way what Joule and other companies are working on are chemical processes which not exactly but in some ways replicate the cows digestive fermatation system to break down and create fuel. Here is a mouth full of techno-speak you can look up -Synthetic biology,modified metabolism and plant biotechnology for production of advanced biofuel molecules and improved feedstock.
Remember the old saying everything on earth is either... plant, animal or chemical. Then remember when the cow eats the plant it becomes a a part of the cow...and the by-product becomes fuel. Look up: cow manure looked at as alternative fuel source.
Of course, you know I am being tongue-in-cheek with the cow fuel factory biology. The fact is: the smallest forms of algae (those that most easily float on the surface of a farm pond) are in most cases single-cell plants. They do not have a lot of interior cellular tissue structure (cellulose) which would need to be chemically broken down to create fuel. That is where the greater cost occurs for more complex plants is in breaking down the plant matter to make it a liquid usable fuel. With genetic engineering of the smallest of plants the cost and space after start-up expense would be greatly reduced.
One of my favorite publications is Scientific America they have an article – Can algae feed the world and fuel the planet?
Let me just jump in here and add a few facts.
As a nation we have squandered vast quantities of oil, be it fossil or plant. It is proven that we waste used motor oil and used vegetable oils from the fast-food industry that are dumped into landfills everyday in huge quanitites that are capable of being recycled and reused. Unneccesary plastic packaging, far beyond what is needed for consumer goods, goes right to the dumpster.
The gas burn-off from gas and oil rigs – wasted energy – making places like North Dakota show up on space satelites as far brighter than the city of New York is mind-boggling.
Not to mention the building materials the construction industry dumps as forests are depleted.
Who is making money off of the waste by it's being thrown away? The richest companies the planet has ever seen.
The company is Joule, a Boston based company that will produce Audi's algae/biomass
Thanks Jean, it is the answer I was hoping you were going to give. In other words, biofuel developed from algae is already being done here. However, I will need to ask whether or not they are receiving government subsidy. I would assume they may at least have some type of grant.
Caramon No, tomy knowledge it has not received government funding, it has however received money from cash flush Exxon Mobil. – NY Times – As Algae Bloom Fades, Photosynthesis Hopes Still Shine. but that article is about 2 years old. I feel Exxon-Mobil and Audi aren't dumb when spreading their money around....they usually like to bet on the house.
" it has however received money from cash flush Exxon Mobil"
So, are you saying that Exon is investing in green energy?
Of course, do you think we are going to have a whole new chain of service stations just for green energy, and the oil companies where we fill up our cars are all going to close their doors? Did Exxon stations or any other station close shop when corn-based ethanol came onto the market...NO? Crude is not an endless supply, nor is it profitable cost wise with drilling and the harder and harder to extract methods need to get at it, plus the damage to the environment.
If oil can be chemically extracted from engineered single-cell algae and it can be done cost effectively without environmental damage without them ever building another huricane prone drilling rig off shore, or a multibillion tanker...or them having another Valdez disaster don't you think Exxon would be one of the first to put money in the development pot? I'm sure their R&D department is not clueless when it comes to latching on to the next wave of technology.
If companies like Exxon invest in development of green energy, then why do we need the government to invest so much?
Because not all forms of new energy technology are going to have a profitable Exxon or Audi who see their own future profit to help fund them....and not everything which needs energy runs on wheels.
But didn't the government invest in companies who eventually hoped to make profit? Or, perhaps, companies like Exxon did not invest in these companies because they did not see a future of success. What did Exxon know that our government didn't?
"and not everything which needs energy runs on wheels"
This, of course is true. However, fossil fuel in the form of coal and oil still drive the turbines that make the energy for the non-wheeled everything else. Why could algae derived fuel not be also used?
Jean, I hope you realize that I am in favor of developing new forms of energy. But, is it wrong for Exxon to invest in alternative forms in order to make profit?
Caramon – True but utilities have captive purchasers. If your energy runs on vehicle wheels and the average citizen can purchase the vehicle of their choice that uses less costly fuel, or purchase a cheaper fuel...that wakes up the seller of vehicles and the develpers of energy, and makes them more readily willing to keep on top of new trends. it took years, many environmental regulations, and foreign imports, to get the U.S. auto industry to think of building vehicles that cut consumption. Which put pressure on crude oil suppliers to start looking for ways to make their product more environmentally friendly.
Utilities on the other hand can keep on jacking up their cost for their same broken system,and keep refusing to repair their failing infrastructure, because people have no where else to go. The average homeowner can't pick up and move their house to another location for a cheaper power source.
I used to say about our local landline phone company that they never put a dime into maintenance or repair.All they did was bleed the business dry for drepreciation, then sell it to another group of owners who painted the outside of the building and slapped a new company name over the front door, and kept on charging outlandish prices for long-distance calls. Not anymore .... cell phones put a stop to that silly nonsense of local phone service costing and arm and a leg to call the next village, or county seat, and their service many times being down for days on end.. But yes, it takes something drastic to make utilities pitch in on innovation.
Exxon and Standard Oil have bought up patients on green technologies for years – decades even. Waiting for a time when they could use them and still stay on top of the heap? The green algae they are investing in now is because they have milked the one source of energy far beyond what is now popular with the citizens of the planet. Even if we still need to use oil for awhile more – just think of how far along we would've been today if they had used their money for developement instead of lobbying to keep it the way it still is.
I personally find it a challenge to only buy $15.00 of gas at a time and make it last up to three weeks by wallking to the stores that are within my immediate area. Caramon pointed out the way we drive also drives up pollution and it is a valid arguement. I also say we use our cars when it isn't neccessary to use them. My contribution is using my feet when I can AND driving in a sensible way that doesn't waste the fuel I'm using in my car.
Cynthia, it is good to hear you are doing your part. We all can play a role in reducing climate change.
WE,IS THE OPERATIVE WORD,WE ,BEING YOU AND ME–NOT THE GOV. AS THEY ONLY MAKE PLANS FOR VATIONS
AND THEIR OWN PLYTIME. WE ARE IN HARMS WAY AND WE ARE THE ONES TO BEST PREPARE. AND PLAN TO TALK
TO NEXT DOOR STATES FOR ASSISTANCE AS THEY MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE. WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEM DEPENDANT ON OUR FREINDS AND NEIGHBORS. THAT IS A GIVEN. UNCLE JUST ADDS SLIPPERY ROAD TO ANYTHING AND IS WAY LATE. WE HAVE A DEPT IN GOV. THAT TREATS EMERGANCIES AS A 9-5 JOB. 24-7 IS
WHAT IS REQUIRED. THAY ALSO NEVER HAVE FUNDS TO SPEND WHEN BUCKS ARE NEEDED NOW,NOT LATER. WE
HAVE A DEPT. IN NAME ONLY. OUR BORDERING STATES CAN AND WILL STAGE AND REACT PRIOR TO CALL FOR
HELP. THE WORST DRAUGHTS IN HISTORY GOT HELP FROM OTHERS,NOT UNCLE. THAT IS JUST THE WAY IT IS. THT IS WHAT AMERICANS DO---------–YOU REALLY HAVE TO HAVE AN AMERICAN MENTALITY TO GET
MY POINT–WE HELP ONE ANOTHER ,WHILE OTHERS WATCH------
Well, Nan, I guess you haven't been watching "Doomsday Preppers" on TV. There are a few of your neighbors willing to blow yer head off if you accidentally stumble onto their property after a disaster. So much for asking for help.
IF IT CAN'T STAND ON ITS OWN, TAKE IT ON THE ROAD. SAME OLE CRAP. MORE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT WORK UNLESS YOU WORK FOR THE GOVERNMENT WHICH A MAJORITY OF US DO NOTE YET! HOW ABOUT A UNIQUE IDEA? LETS GET RID OF GOVERNMENT AND START ALL OVER AGAIN. THROW ALL THE BUMS OUT OF OFFICE SINCE THEY CAN'T SOLVE ANY ISSUE AT LL AND ONLY CREATE MORE LAWS THAT WE CANNOT UNDERSTAND. THE PRESIDENT IS A GREAT POLITICIAN, BUR CAN'T GET ANYTHING DONE.., HE IS A GREAT SPEAKER BUT CANNOT DELIVER ON ANYTHING. ALL THE WHILE WE SINK DEEPER AND DEEPER INTO DEBT AND OBLIVION. THANKS MR. PRESIDENT FOR NOTHING
Heard of the vote? You could buy an island and start your own country, Nan. Or, you could back a candidate that people can follow like the majority of us already did. His name is Obama.
You know we are not blind we have reading glass...so all caps makes no impression. It only proves the key board has a stuck caps lock, and proves you are probably clueless.
Jean, December used to use all caps.
True, but I wasn't crazy enough to say get rid of all government no matter how loud I bounced the idea around in my head. 🙂
Although December and I were on the same page.... I really wondered about his faculties when he was typing in all caps.
Weak eyes and a touch of crazy. My eye doctor took care of one problem and I'm still coping with the other. 🙂
I have a feeling sometime this year I will be going for a little more than a new pair of glasses...old cateract eyes no fun!
I really wondered about his faculties when he was typing in all caps
Jean, this is something with which we both agree. There are times when even I am embarrassed by anti-Obama comments. For Conservative voters to gain respect, they must give respect.
No worries December. Those who know me best will tell you I am crazy. Apparently I have had no problem proving them right.
He can't govern, so he might as well just keep campaigning.
I would like to see you try governing with the most pathetic Congress ever. Must be nice to be arm chair President.
WE HAVE ONLY ONE PERSON TO BLAME FOR OUR CONGRESS-THE DIVDER PRESIDENT WHO WOULD BE KING.–
YET IS STUCK IN A CAMPAINGE MODE FOR ANOTHER 4 YEARS. HE JUST LOVES TO NOT WORK FROM AN OFFICE.
NOR ANY WORK FOR THAT MATTER. PLAYBOY FROM THE OVAL OFFICE. HE WAS EVIOUS OF HUGH HEFFNER AND
IS HELL BENT TO OUT DO HIM--–JUST SAYING-----
Right. They don't like Obama so they decide not to do their jobs. HOW EMBARRASSING. We deserve a better Congress and people like you perpetuate this kind of nonsense.
The silver spike comment was made in jest...but now I've lost my sense of humor....and so I've stated my honest feeling about the current crop of lame specimens of the GOP which have been purchased by their very wealthy masters... obviously voted in by brainwashed people who lack the honestly see how they have, and are continuing to ruin this country.
Frankly....It would be simple if it could be easily solved with a silver spike. But it looks like it will take ungerrymandering a great many districts, in every state of the union.
I loved the comment that stated "Immigration drives wedge in GOP"....I hope it is a silver spike.
Jean you have challenged me when you stated...
"BTW...I still don't see where you have provided a copy/paste showing credit where credit was due. Oh before I hit post...why aren't you commenting on the FOX site? Oh right, they don't allow people to disagree with their brainwashing tactics.
Caramon feel free to copy paste also!"
Now I have CREDITED the President on several occasions including the way he responded to Sandy. Now it is your turn. At least try to say something positive about the GOP.
Well Caramon your agreeing with Obama on Sandy wasn't really serious work. After all Christie agreed with Obama on Sandy. However the bulk of the idiots in the GOP were up in arms at Christie for agreeing with the President about Sandy. That only showed just how out of touch they really are. Therefore, why should I agree with the rest of the GOP if they couldn't even agree with you, Christie, and Obama on solving a simple situation like aid to the victims of Sandy?
Jean, I wasn't asking for you to agree or disagree with my assessment of the President's response to Sandy. Nor was I asking for your opinion on the GOP response. If you recall, this entire debate started when you said that I do not give credit where credit was due with respect to the President or the Democrats. I have also given the President the benefit of the doubt when it came to the early response of the attack on Benghazi. And I also stated there was nothing wrong with the President taking a Christmas vacation with his family. The point is simple. I am capable of criticizing my own party. I am capable of complimenting and defending the actions of the President even when we disagree on basic platform. Yet, you have clearly shown time and time again that cannot do the same. Every time your are challenged on this topic, you deflect.
As my parents taught me, if you want civility then be civil. If you want respect then give respect. I would hardy think that calling people idiots and stating they are no longer part of the human race civil or respectful. Have you ever seen a time when I have used the same insults as you?
Well it could be said I often agree with Jon Huntsman, Chris Christie, Olympia Snowe, and I don't always agree with Joe Manchin, Max Baucus, Ben Nelson, and hardly ever with John Barrow. So there you go!
Caramon. I am not a teen, and don't believe in vampires....but if they did exist they would have once been human....so me kidding about a silver spike is calling the GOP can seriously be considered calling them not human...WOW! Question – Just who lacks a sense of humor here?
As for stating the bulk of the idiots in the GOP were up in arms and bashing Christie for praising the president....that is an apt discription of their behavior....and it is the truth. If the truth cannot be defined as such, and stated then I feel sorry for you.
Well it could be said I often agree with Jon Huntsman, Chris Christie, Olympia Snowe, and I don't always agree with Joe Manchin, Max Baucus, Ben Nelson, and hardly ever with John Barrow. So there you go!
That is really the only thing I was asking for. Actually you will find I have a good sense of humor. But when I repeatedly hear the same over and over, then sometimes I need to push a little more. I must have asked this same question 5 times or more before you finally answered. None the less, I am certain if you look hard enough, you will find times when Democrats have acted like" idiots".
"and don't believe in vampires" By the way Jean a primary rule in science is that you cannot prove that something does not exist. LOL
"and it is the truth. If the truth cannot be defined as such, and stated then I feel sorry for you."
No need to feel sorry for me Jean. Even I know it is wrong to cheat on your family no matter what political party. You have yet to say this about Jackson and Clinton.
The fact is: Jackson and Clinton hold no office....we have enough problems keeping up with the current philanders like Sanford, Hopper.
But, I will take back my statement where I impugned the dignity of people with mental problems, and vampires.
In Christie, we have a governor whose state was decimated by a weather catastrophe ...followed by the President quickly traveling to his state and offering aid, and then the governor praises the President's quick response to his citizens definite needs. These are people who have no heat, no home and in many cases no jobs due to businesses being without power or also destroyed.
Then the whining, spoiled, petulant, heartless, uncompassionate, clueless members of the governor's own party,the GOP in congress... swing into gear in a fit of petty rage with "You can't say a good thing about the President of the opposing party which we would rather diss at every opportunity" without our dragging our feet, and make you wait and beg for your funding relief...and they keep doing that on every issue...with a cry of "where is the President's plan?"...and then when the President presents a plan there is another cynical petty outburst of rage – "Oh he's going to throw a monkey wrench into immigration reform, by stating he has ideas for a plan." And on, and on in endless childish pettiness.
Basically a silver spike would not work on these heartless...clueless specimens of inhumanity.
OOPs my last comment posted above this list of comments.
"You can't say a good thing about the President of the opposing party which we would rather diss at every opportunity"
Sounds a little like someone I know, at least in print. When is the last time you found anything good to say about the previous President of the opposing party?
"Jackson and Clinton hold no office"
Neither does Arnie but you had no problem calling him a pig.
Caramon – Why should I say sometthing good about our previous president? I don't think he was a good one...I can give him Kudo's for appearing to be a good and loyal husband, even though he was a lousy president. I think Bill Clinton was an excellent president and a philandering husband. However... I didn't vote to elect either to be my husband.
Yet, you expect me to give credit where credit is due with respect to our current President. What surprises me most is you have expressed the same feelings towards Ronald Reagan that you have towards George Bush even though he successfully grew the economy, decreased the massive inflation and greatly reduced unemployment. I believe you more than once have stated he was a lousy President.
Reagan surely you jest...Reagan tripled the national debt...nearly spent us into bankruptcy for arms in trying to bankrupt the Soviet Union, and his uncaring inhuman policies perpetuated an explosion of homeless people. The recession of the early 80's was brutal for young families. He, as the GOP wants to do now, did the exact same wrong-headed thing that Hoover did in the 30's "cut spending" which made the situation even worse.
What were you a child? I was a parent, I know how hard it was for young families..
And so you do not believe that cutting unemployment in half, essentially giving work to some of those young families, a positive thing? You also should remember how difficult it would be for some of those young families to buy a home when interest rates peaked over 20 percent. You forget that the recession of the 1980s started even before Reagan took office. Reagan ended his second term with 64 percent approval for a reason.
Tell me Jean, how many of the families living in poverty when Reagan took office are no longer living in poverty now?
Even now, you cannot credit Republicans for anything. Yet, you expect me to be different and credit Democrats.
Read -George W. Bush and the Permanent Campaign Trail – by Emily Jane Charnock. Didn't anyone tell you Bush was campaigning in Florida on 9/11/2001 about No Child Left Behind? That is why he was in that classroom listening to – My Pet Goat.
So quit whining and move on.
obama and jobs..job agenda? This must be a joke. The most incompetent president in American history couldn't create a job if his life depended on it... Funny.
You want jobs? Then approve more spending in Congress and stop the sequester.
MOAR SPENDING????? NO SEQUESTER??? WAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!! – Republicans in Congress
I am for cancelling the 2.2 billion spent on "cell phones for the needy" to invest it into job. I am not all for borrowing more to spend more.
The sequester the Obama administration proposed should go forward if no other agreement can be reached. The "500" in Washington need to begin to make difficult choices instead of the simple minded choice of "borrowing more from China".
I read up on the phone scandal and it is another example of a good idea going to waste because it is managed poorly, starting with the oversight of the FCC, the providers that allowed or were lax on checking fraud, and down to the users who abused the system. I don't mind paying 2.50 a month if it means a low income household will have access to a phone. Nowadays, a phone is indeed a Lifeline, a way to find employment, pay bills, start a business. It's a means to help struggling families to climb their way out of poverty and welfare. I don't think cancelling is the answer, it needs to be brought to light so it can get more scrutiny and be manged properly. Need I remind you that the Telecoms are a huge part of this program and so the failures extend to the private sector? Better coordination is needed between government and private sector entities to ensure there is no fraud and eligibility requirements are rigidly enforced.
As for the sequester, I guess it will take some devastation before both sides can wise up and work together. The Republicans are eager to let it happen because they think they have the political advantage and just blame it on Obama. I recall a vast majority of Republicans, including leaders Cantor and Boehner, voted for the sequester. And for what? So they can stop threatening not to pay their bills? /smh
I read up on the phone scandal and it is another example of a good idea going to waste because it is managed poorly, starting with the oversight of the FCC, the providers that allowed or were lax on checking fraud, and down to the users who abused the system. I don't mind paying 2.50 a month if it means a low income household will have access to a phone. Nowadays, a phone is indeed a Lifeline, a way to find employment, pay bills, start a business. It's a means to help struggling families to climb their way out of poverty and welfare. I don't think cancelling is the answer, it needs to be brought to light so it can get more scrutiny and be manged properly. Need I remind you that the Telecoms are a huge part of this program and so the failures extend to the private sector? Better coordination is needed between government and private sector entities to ensure there is no fraud and eligibility requirements are rigidly enforced.
The President of the United States of America, Pres 0bama, has the power to alter the perimeter of squester. Pres 0bama created sequester guidelines and perimeters. When Pres 0bama is prepared to save the American economy from the looming disaster outlined in this article, Pres 0bama will do so. Any questions? Pres 0bama has the power.
Approve more spending in congress? Surly you jest December. The Country has spent 16.6 Trillion now. Why, after all these years of Big Liberal Social Programs are we no better off than the 1930's?? Obama has a Track Record now. and it isn't doing the hard things. Plan of 4 more years of no Budget and more debt. The Most Pathetic Congress ever? Somebody has to lead. And that person is Absent.
A.) Tax payer money does not pay for the 2008 Bush cell phones law for poor people...that is funded by a non-profit called Safe Link, and actually the original law that made it possible but only for landline phones dates to the Reagan administration 1985 telecom law that broke up the Bell into a bunch of baby bells. They are for people that are 135% below the federal poverty level.
Most economists agree, we should do short term targeted spending to bolster the economy short term so we can do deficit cuts for the long term. One has to happen before the other, otherwise you risk tanking the economy. This should have nothing to do with politics or ideology, these are plain facts.
December, I must confess that I am somewhat confused. Isn't the economy already recovering as we have been told. Then why the need to bolster the economy?
Because we have a long term deficit of spending on infrastructure which is hindering the economy from recovering to the level it should. Much of what we have is antiquated. It is estimated that currently we have a 2 trillion dollar infrastructure deficit. Spending money on that is money well spent because for every $1 spent it is estimated there is a $2 return on the investment. That is a much better return on the dollar than we will ever get from investing in a war on foreign soil.
Each of the periods in history where we have spent money on infrastructure has been followed by periods of massive growth. Look at Post WWII and the interstate highway system, after the 1830-1860 building of the rail system. Building of the Panama Canal just in the return on cutting the time for shipping freight around S. America. Just think of the returns that have been reaped from infrastructure building for natural gas lines, electricity, telephone, and all forms of communication technology. That is the best way to jump start the economy to produce enough jobs to meet the demand is to update our infrastructure with new technology. If we don't that the rest of the world will beat us to being better equiped and will eat out lunch..
Take Warren Buffet he alway invests in things people use every day because he knows they will make a return on the dollar invested....Heinz products. We use our roads, bridges, electrical grid...all types of infrastructure, and we use them everyday. When those crumble, or are obsolete, we are like an apple rotting from the core.
Caramon, we still have high unemployment. The economy is recovering but not at a fast clip. If you ask most economists and leaders in the private sector, they will tell you point of fact that the reason they are worried about these deficit debates is because of spending cuts.
Campaign mode again?!!??!!...he represents his constituency very well....doesn't want to work, just play and draw welfare and food stamps...all the fun of being president with none of the tough decision making...leadership is required
to be sucessful..too bad he doesn't know how to do anything but campaign...worst president in US history....best
politician ever! Thanks, Osama Bin Lyin
AT THIS POINT IN TIME WE HAVE ONE CHOICE–KEEP BORROWING –PAY OFF ALL IN COUNTRY DEBTS,THEN RENIGG
ON ALL DEBTS FROM OTHERS. TURNABOUTS IS FAIR PLAY AND ALL HAVE DONE IT TO US OVER MANY YEARS..
TIME TO MAKE THINGS EQUAL SO TO SPEAK. I THINK IT IS CALLED "REDISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH". WHO SAID THAT? THAT WAS THE DUMMY IN THE OVALATING OFFICE. WELL SHUT MY MOUTH--–JUSTICE HATH SHOWN
US A WAY-----SO TO SPEAK----
We own most of our debt so I guess Congress does not want to pay US back for the spending they made.
THE BEST PAY BACK TO THE TAX PAYER WAS TO UPDATE AND OLD IOU WITH A NEW ONE. THEY HAVE NEVER REPAID A BORROWED DIME TO THE TAXPAYERS--–THEY NEVER INTENDED TO AND NEVER WILL. DO YOU
THINK WE MIGHT GARNASHE THEIR WAGES FOR WHAT THEY OWE.-–NAW –NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN. WE
MIGHT CONTEMPLATE TAKING IT OUT OF THEIR HIDES–NAW–THAT WON'T WORK EITHER–MAYBE WE COULD
TAKE OTHER ASSETS THEY OWN.–NAW THEY AARE ABOVE THE LAW,AS WE ARE NOT. GUESS WE JUST HAVE
TO WRITE OFF THE BAD DEBT.–NAW THAT IF NOT FAIR NOR RIGHT.-THERE HAS TO BE A WAY TO RETREIVE
OUR MONEY. ANYONE OUT THERE GOT ANY IDEAS---NAW-NO ONE IS AWAKE AND NO ONE CARES ANYWAY.-------–
Who is this 'they' and 'we' you keep speaking of? The last I checked, we are our own government and we do so by electing government officials to run the government. If you are somehow unhappy with this situation I suggest you move to Mali where there is no government to speak of.
Senior citizens, VA retiree pensions, government employees retirement accounts, U. S. business who supply the federal government merchandise own the largest percentage of the national debt well over 2/3rds of the total. The government owes us. Since we own the national debt then they very well should listen to the people who are their piggy bank....they should take care of the goose that is laying their golden egg first.
Good intentions will always be pleaded
for every assumption of authority.
It is hardly too strong to say
that the Constitution was made to guard
the people
against the dangers of good intentions.
There are men in all ages who mean
to govern well, but they mean to govern.
They promise to be good masters,
but they mean to be masters.
Daniel Webster
The right of the people
to keep and bear Arms,
shall not be infringed.
KEEP:
To hold or retain in one's possession
To hold in custody or under guard
To maintain in one's service
BEAR:
To exhibit.
To possess.
To bring forth.
To hold or carry.
To have and be entitled to.
BEAR ARMS:
To carry weapons
INFRINGE:
To encroach or trespass.
To commit a breach or infraction of;
violate or transgress.
Note:
Arms is a broad plural statement.
Basically whatever weapons a Citizen
can afford to protect himself from the
government; or anyone else.
Pitchfork, tomahawk, sling shot, knife,
side arm, sword, rifle, cross bow,
stick, rock, spear, etc…
Exactly what part of individual
LIBERTY & FREEDOM
Do you NOT understand???
I understand that my freedom certainly does not depend on you – that's for sure. As for my tomahawk, you ain't touching it unless you want to scalp yourself and send it to the Cancer Foundation as a donation.
Congress...they are as inept as Obama. Neither works and doesn't want to make the tough choices. They are all
off this entire week for...get this..."Presidents Day". I don't even get off one day for presidents day and they get the whole week. Taxpayers are just a bunch of suckers! We started this country as a revolt against a KING! Now we just have a bunch of kings all spread out and the King in Chief who stays on the road, on vacation or playing golf.
I assure the president works 24/7 for 365. It doesn't matter if he is on a golf course or in Florida on Presidents' Day he is till on the job. It is not a day off for him either. I would say you are a tear jerk...but basically you are just a jerk.
HE IS ON THE JOB FOR SURE,SITTING AND WAITING FOR SOME MOVEMENT,SO HE CAN DOUBLE FLUSH. IF YOU GET MY MEANING----
Badboy – You're feeling bad because you didn't get any time off for President's Day Weekend?? Congress has only been in session for a total of 19 DAYS since the beginning of this year – What'a gig.
Let me make it perfectly clear.........No one is listening Mr. pres. You have nothing good to say for America. At the very best you represent 50% of the people you have bought votes from. Take your old sad good for nothing SOTU speech to Cuba. We real Americans would be grateful. We want real change....not your destroying socialist ideas.
No, the last I checked the president is the only person who represents all the people....representatives and senators only represent a political fracton core (due to political gerrymandering) of the people in their district..But mostly they only represent the purchasers who paid to send them to the dance.
LAST TIME 51% WAS NEVER ALL THE PEOPLE–UNLESS YOU FIGURE THAT 49% ARE NOT RELAVENT TO THIS NATION–THEY HAPPEN TO BE THE FOLKS THAT ACTUALLY PAY ALL THE TAXES. JUST SAYING---
The president would do better if he would stay in Washington and work the job he has now, rather than touring the country on his perpetual campaign trail. The lustre of the hunt is over, sir. You cannot run again. Be happy and work at being President.
He is working at being President (much to your dismay and fear that he may achieve success) that is what really bothers you. Doesn't it?
YOU MAY RETHINK WHAT YOU JUST UTTERED-SUCCES FOR HIM IS JUST FOR HIM,WE ARE ARE PAWNS FOR HIS
EGO. YOU JUST DO NOT GET IT.
If all of you who say the President is not accomplishing anything by taking the issues to the people, then what are you so afraid of? Why are you so against it? There seems to be a lot of whining of what you consider 'nothing.'.
The President's issues are moving forward and it is because he is campaigning for them. Otherwise we would have long forgotten about the 'Connecticut Effect' as the NRA puts it. The reason you care so much about his activities is your fear he will succeed. If you want his to stop, then urge Congress to act.
tell me just what are obama's issues? I have some news for you: we need jobs, real jobs not make work ones or govt ones...we need commerce and trade and obama has done nothing in this regard, in fact he is an enemy of business. Do you have any idea just how jobs growth will be affected by obamacare? Go read this mess as it pertains to your state and the IRS enforcement and additional taxes and regulation. I can go on and on...we have a mess. obama has no idea what he is doing, he is a community organizer a college lecturer a racial activist...he does what he does and we will pay the price for decades after he is long gone.
Here's a news flash for you jerry since you know so much about jobs. Private sector jobs are actually growing, public sector jobs? Not so much. In fact, we have been shedding a lot of public sector jobs. That is why we have high unemployment regardless of private sector growth. Unfortunately for you, public sector jobs are counted in the overall unemployment rate so your discrimination is baseless and frankly, stupid.
You can read all you want about Obamacare, until it gets here it is all meaningless. The way I see it, we need to hire more doctors to fill the demand so if anything, it is a jobs growth driver. Obamacare is here to stay so you and Lindsey Graham can go sulk in a corner for all I care.
"we need to hire more doctors to fill the demand"
A small questions December. What percentage of the doctors are currently unemployed? Actually, I believe the care bill intends to fill these vacancies in several ways. There are several sections giving money to medical schools that accept more minority students. I also believe there is intent to increase the number of nurse practitioners. It will also need to increase the current shortage of nurses.
the unemployment rate is 7.8% you moron. And the GNP growth is as dismal as it can be...we have not really come out of the recession. You need to read the business news, not obama's press releases, they are meaningless.
This is real business news, stupid. You just like to cherry pick your news from whatever passes as anti-Obama. You wouldn't know real news if it smacked you in the face and called you daddy.
WELL IF HIS EGO WINS WE ALL LOSE. TELL ME HOW HE IS REALLY HELPING THIS NATION RECOVER! HE IS RUNNING OUT OF OTHER FOLKS TO BLAME,SO HE CONTINUES TO DO THE RERUNS OF HIS FIRST TERM.,THIS ECONOMY IS
HIS LACK OF EFFORT TO REALLY WORK IN A BI-PARTISAN FASHION. HIS WAY OR NO WAY IS NO DIFFERANT THAN
OTHER COUNTRIES THAT SUBJUGATE THEIR MASSES. WE ARE NOT A NATION OF FOOLS AS YOU MAY THINK. AT
SOME POINT IN TIME YOU WILL REALIZE THAT THE 49% THAT DISSAGREE WITH THE CURRENT AGENDA AND ALSO PAY TO HAVE YOUR DIAPERS CHANGED,YOUR EGO'S STROKED AND LET OTHERS PAY TO PAMPER YOU WILL NOT
WORK AND NEVER WILL. WE WILL SOON GO THE WAY OF THE DODO BIRD. WE ALL HAVE TO WORK AS A TEAM,
AS OUR FOUNDING FATHERS INTENDED. I DOUBT YOU HAVE A CLUE WHAT WAS SACRIFICED WAY BACK WHEN
WE FIRST BEGAN. YOU DO NOT WANT TO SACRIFICE,YOU WANT IT ALL HANDED TO YOU ON A PLATTER,WELL
WILL NOT HAPPEN AT THE EXPENSE OF A FREE NATION. WE BECAME A FREE NATION TO RID OURSELVE OF KINGS
AND DICTATORS. YOU REALLY DON'T WANT TO TRAVEL ON THAT ROAD AGAIN. ---
You won't have many roads to travel on if we don't start fixing our highways and bridges. Feel free to depend on your 'Flights of Fancy'. Gotta warn ya though, you won't get many Frequent Flier Miles for traveling from your armchair commando post after raiding your refrigerator for your favorite brewski. – JUST SAYIN'.
After the State of the Union address President Obama is once more out on the road with the American people trying to get their support. I have always wondered why he does this. More often than not there is no election looming to give him cause to go out among people and rally their support. Ever since the beginning of 2011 President Obama has been fighting with congress on everything. Nothing substantial has seem to happen since then but instead of just pointing out the divide the President goes out and tells the people. It wasn't until recently I noticed that the President is doing something amazing not only is he is forcing congress to do what he wants by going to their “bosses” but Mr. Obama is getting the American people involved and motivated to hold their representatives accountable in ways not seen before.
It's a great thing to see the Pres. of the United States among the citizens, I agree.
YOU MUST WORK IN CONGRESS,THEY ENJOY WHAT THE REST US DO NOT AND MADE YOURSEVLES EXEMPT FROM
THE GREAT PLAN OB HAS LAID OUT AND HAD PASSED IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT FOR NO ONE TO READ– YOU HAVE TO VOTE FOR TO SEE WHAT IS IN IT" THAT WAS NEVER AN INTENTION OF OUR FOUNDERS-SUCK ON THAT,BUT DON'T SWALLOW-----
It figures, Nan, that you'd let whatever was left of your favorite popsicle dribble down your chin. Just don't look hurt when folks laugh at what they think is a quaint but colorful vampire impersonation.
P.S. I'd offer you a napkin but, I'm into saving trees.
When the press finally vett ob things will change real quick. The guy is a dismal failure in every way possible. And yes NAM every time he opens his big mouth he puts forth lies or manipulation...every time!
Hack for the Chinese much, jerry?
For our first spending cut, I propose we ground Air Force One !
Gee, Red – WE ALL might want to stay grounded if the Sequester flies. Up to 4,000 Air Traffic Controllers are set to lose their jobs. Yikes x 4,000!!
RE: JEANNE AND HER FAMOUS OLD SAYING.–YOU GOT IT WRONG–"ANIMAL-VEGATABLE OR MINERAL" WAS THE TERM THAT WAS WAY OLDER THAN YOUR MEMEORY--NO MATTER-IF WE COULD PLANT ENOUGH ALGEA TO
PRODUCE THE NEEDS TO SUSTAIN OUR NEEDS,WE WOULD STARVE TO DEATH–NO ROOM TO GROW FOOD FOR
US TO EAT,CATTLE WOULD DIE ALONG WITH THE REST OF US-WLID LIFE AS WELL AS MOST COULD NOT TOLERATE
ALGEA-–THE LIST GOES ON AND ON IF YOU HAD DONE YOUR RESEARCH-–NICE TRY THOUGH...
You are a serious DOPE, Nan. You didn't research algae, you just went to your faux-science news blog and are belching out the same gas that methane producing cows produce. Not to mention the water resources they foul.
Green algae can be grown on very miniscule sized lots. It also cleanses pollutants out of water and the air. It can be used as a food source. AND as much as I hate to correct anyone's spelling because I'm not so perfect in that department – IT'S SPELLED ALGAE. Green algae is the topic of the day and the way of the future. Get out of the way.
Sorry Nam, I would need to agree with Cynthia on the issue of algae. In fact, I have worked with researchers doing similar work with bacteria. Bacteria are actually quite important in production of many products including insulin. You see, researchers could insert a gene capable of producing a product for energy. As one very important PhD said to me. Imagine fueling your car with bacteria some day.
Cynthia, don't forget that algae also grow in the oceans. This brings a much broader territory for algae farming. It is also relatively safe and ecologically friendly.
That's good news about it being able to be farmed in the ocean since we have been seriously polluting the world's seas and oceans with fertilizer run-off from land and careless oil spills causing great havoc on humankind's main food source, the fish who rely on it's health.
As for those who remain stuck in the past, like Nan seems to be, 'Gas Station Sushi' is about the most exotic filler-up at the filler-up – Ugh.
The road to nowhere.