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| Obama's swan song? |
Fresh off a narrow loss in his gubernatorial re-election campaign, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland on Wednesday offered some SOMBER AND SOBER-MINDED CRITICISM for his own party and president..
DEMOCRATS SUFFER FROM AN "INTELLECTUAL ELITISM" that prevents them from adopting the type of populist tone to relate to voters, he said. And while President Obama had made a series of monumental legislative advancements -- any one of which would have been "historic" in its own right -- HE FAILS TO RECOGNIZE THAT HE IS BEING "SLAPPED IN THE FACE" BY HIS REPUBLICAN CRITICS.
"I think there is a hesitancy to talk using populist language," the Ohio Democrat said in a sit-down interview with The Huffington Post. "I think it has to do with a sort of intellectual elitism that CONSIDERS THAT KIND OF TALK IS SOMEHOW LACKING IN SOPHISTICATION. I'm not sure where it comes from. But I think it's there. There's an unwillingness to draw a line in the sand."…..
But his frustration was evident as the discussion progressed. Talking, unprompted, about the debate over the expiring Bush tax cuts, Strickland said HE WAS DUMBFOUNDED AT THE PARTY'S INABILITY TO SELL THE IDEA THAT THE RATES FOR THE WEALTHY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO EXPIRE.
"I MEAN, IF WE CAN'T WIN THAT ARGUMENT WE MIGHT AS WELL JUST FOLD UP," he said
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/01/exclusive-ted-strickland-_n_790489.html
I think he is right that the Democrats might as well just fold up. The democrats (at least the liberal democrats) have lost touch with the majority of Americans and then they blame the majority for not being bright enough to realize how good the Democrats are.
Remembering Jimmy
We can remember some of those successes. RECALL THE CREATION OF A U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION under Carter? Good. Now, quick: Ask yourself to name ONE IMPROVEMENT IN AMERICAN EDUCATION ATTRIBUTABLE TO JIMMY CARTER’S GIFT TO THE BOSSES OF THE NATIONAL TEACHER UNIONS..
Carter gave us an unnecessary DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY. With it we got his Rube Goldberg SYSTEM OF GASOLINE RATIONING. Older Americans may remember waiting in long lines for gas. You had to line up on Odd/Even days, according to the last digit in your license plate. What a nightmare!
RONALD REAGAN SWEPT ALL THAT APPARAT AWAY ON HIS FIRST DAY IN OFFICE. SINCE JANUARY 20, 1981—YOU CAN LOOK IT UP—AMERICANS HAVE NEVER STOOD IN LINE ONE DAY FOR GASOLINE.
Carter’s high legislative “batting average” is hard to credit when you recall that he campaigned against Jerry Ford’s Misery Index in 1976. THE CARTER TEAM INVENTED THE MISERY INDEX—a combination of inflation and unemployment figures. Under FORD, THE MISERY INDEX WAS 16. By the time Carter was racking up his congressional runs, hits and errors, HIS MISERY INDEX WAS OVER 20.
Carter told CBS’ Bill Plante that many of the same problems that beset President Obama are problems he had to deal with more than thirty years ago. Really? The overwhelming issue thirty years ago was the U.S.-Soviet standoff in the Cold War. Two nuclear superpowers faced each other across an Iron Curtain in Europe.
Carter told an audience at the University of Notre Dame in 1977 that is was time for Americans to get over “our inordinate fear of Communism.” But all too soon, Carter was desperately trying to shore up collapsing alliances around the world.
In 1979, after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan, and after HE HAD FECKLESSLY ALLOWED THE SHAH OF IRAN TO BE OVERTHROWN BY THE MAD MULLAHS who remain in power to this day, Carter scrambled to stop the Communist juggernaut. MORE PEOPLE IN AFRICA AND LATIN AMERICA LOST THEIR FREEDOM ON JIMMY CARTER’S WATCH THAN UNDER ANY OTHER AMERICAN PRESIDENT
http://townhall.com/columnists/KenBlackwell/2010/12/02/guarding_jimmy_carter%E2%80%99s_tongue!/page/full/
Perhaps it is best to forget Jimmy Carter, except those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. President Barack “jimmy” Obama for instance?
Good government is a risky business
When I saw the title, I thought I wouldn’t like the article. I thought it would be one of those defending long term elected officials. As it turns out this is a pretty good article which brings home the saying “be careful what you reward, because you will get more of it.”
But in the public sector, success is whatever campaigning politicians and distracted voters deem it to be - whether public organizations are working well, working badly, or not working at all. GOVERNMENT DOES NOT DO A VERY GOOD JOB OF POLICING ITSELF. And prominent PUBLIC-ADMINISTRATION ACADEMICS ROUTINELY RANK RESULTS AS FAR LESS IMPORTANT THAN PROCESS - that is, following even the most trivial rules and procedures. New York City schools Chancellor Joel Klein once admitted that special-education programs TREAT TEACHERS BETTER IF THEY FILL OUT THE FORMS BUT FAIL TO TEACH THAN IF THEY TEACH WELL BUT MISHANDLE THE PAPERWORK.
This basic difference between the public and private sectors means that a business CEO who makes his or her shareholders money will be rewarded with generous contracts, public veneration, and six-figure book deals. In contrast, A GOVERNMENT MANAGER WHO IMPROVES AN AGENCY MAY GET PROMOTED, BUT IS EQUALLY LIKELY TO GET THE AX FOR UPSETTING POWERFUL INTERESTS OR MAKING OTHERS LOOK BAD.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20101201_Good_government_is_a_risky_business.html#ixzz16xFMNswP
Ohio Blowout Raises Red Flag for Democrats
A little more than a year ago, I wrote a column in this that noted Ohio’s bellwether reputation and suggested the state could see a major effort by a rejuvenated Republican Party to regain some of the ground it lost over the two previous election cycles.
THAT TURNED OUT TO BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT.
Before this month’s elections, Democrats held the state’s governorship, three of the other four non-federal statewide offices, one of the state’s Senate seats, 10 of the 18 Congressional districts and the state House of Representatives. The GOP held a Senate seat, a majority in the state Senate and the office of the state Auditor.
This month, DEMOCRATS LOST ALL OF THE STATEWIDE RACES ON THE BALLOT, INCLUDING THE GOVERNORSHIP AND A SENATE RACE THAT ONCE LOOKED PROMISING. IN ADDITION, BUCKEYE STATE REPUBLICANS SWIPED FIVE U.S. HOUSE SEATS FROM DEMOCRATS AND WON A MAJORITY IN THE OHIO HOUSE…..
By sweeping the statewide offices and the Legislature, Republicans have assured themselves the RIGHT TO DRAW THE STATE’S NEW STATE LEGISLATIVE AND CONGRESSIONAL LINES. Moreover, the party credentialed at least three future candidates for statewide higher office: Husted, Mandel and soon-to-be Lt. Gov. Taylor.
Five Ohio Democratic Members were fired earlier this month…. That left the party controlling JUST FIVE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS stretching in a narrow geographic band from Toledo in the west through Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) and to Youngstown in the east.
This year’s results have to concern both Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) and Democratic strategists in and around the White House.
http://cache.rothenbergpoliticalreport.com/news/article/ohio-blowout-raises-red-flag-for-democrats.html
The democrats were literally wiped out in Ohio this year. Ohio has been a bell weather state that anyone who wins the presidency needs to carry. This doesn’t bode well for Obama or the Democrats in 2012.
Barack Obama Blue Dog Democrat?
From a NYT piece:So President Obama is not only incompetent, but he’s delusional as well.
The body of Mr. Obama's writing and experiences before he became a presidential candidate would suggest that he is instinctively pragmatic, typical of an emerging generation that sees all political dogma -- be it '60s liberalism or '80s conservatism -- as anachronistic. PRIVATELY, MR. OBAMA HAS DESCRIBED HIMSELF, AT TIMES, AS ESSENTIALLY A BLUE DOG DEMOCRAT, referring to the shrinking caucus of fiscally conservative members of the party.
Lame duck or sitting duck?
Congress might be in what's technically referred to as a lame-duck session, but it's looking more like a game of political chicken.http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2010/12/02/2010-12-02_sen_harry_reid_rep_nancy_pelosi_are_sitting_ducks_and_the_gop_is_taking_aim.html#ixzz16yVWiypT
In perhaps the brashest legislative strong-arming Republicans have mustered in months, all 42 current members of the GOP Senate conference signed a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) THREATENING TO BLOCK HIS LAST- MINUTE LEFTIST AGENDA IF IT DOESN'T STICK TO ISSUES THAT INCLUDE TACKLING TAXES AND SPENDING.
The letter calls for a filibuster of any legislation not directly related to time-sensitive votes that would prevent taxes from going up for all Americans. In other words, IT ARGUES FOR EXTENDING THE BUSH TAX CUTS AND THE PASSAGE OF A BUDGET, THINGS THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE LONG DELAYED. (It's also worth noting that if Congress doesn't pass a budget, the government risks shutdown on Friday evening.)
The move is gutsy. It's no holds barred. And, quite frankly, it's necessary.
Actually the Democrats failed to pass a budget and have been simply passing temporary spending authorization. That is what they must pass by Friday.
Sarah Palin was right—Death Panels
FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SET — AND ENFORCE — AN OVERALL BUDGET FOR MEDICARE, Medicaid and other federal programs that cover more than 100 million people, from Alzheimer’s patients in nursing homes to premature babies in hospital intensive care.
Palin attracted wide attention by denouncing nonexistent “death panels” in Obama’s overhaul, but A FIXED BUDGET AS THE COMMISSIONERS PROPOSE COULD LEAD TO DENIAL OF PAYMENT FOR MEDICAL CARE IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES.
Overall, the nation will spend about $2.6 trillion this year on health care, and there’s evidence that a significant share of that is for procedures and tests that are of little benefit to patients. There seems to be room enough to cut, but no consensus on what should go.
OBAMACARE STRIPPED RESOURCES FROM MEDICARE ADVANTAGE to fund coverage for the uninsured under Medicaid. The deficit commission would go even further, forcing an END TO MEDIGAP PLANS that help seniors and the disabled pay for better coverage. That would save $38 billion, but the move would force people on limited incomes to foot a large part of their medical bills out of pocket while living on fixed incomes.
http://hotair.com/archives/2010/12/02/deficit-commission-what-obamacare-needs-is-death-panels
Of course this was coming and anyone who was honest knew it. It’s what they do in Europe and it does mean a denial of care for some. I’ll bet that it won’t be for people who are connected in the government.
What sound do sour grapes make?
Contrast Democratic Party talk now, or lack of it, with 2008. When the left won, their rhetoric was all about "CHANGE HAS COME." The verbiage crescendoed with exalted talk of imposing their agenda, elections having consequences, and compromise mandating conservative surrender, white flag in hand, to the liberal creed. Triumphal talk of "WE ARE THE PEOPLE WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR" and "THIS IS OUR TIME ... WHEN THE RISE OF THE OCEANS BEGAN TO SLOW AND OUR PLANET BEGAN TO HEAL" was all the rage when Democrats took Washington by storm. But the story changed dramatically a few weeks ago when liberals lost and conservatives won. As a result, we now get a peek behind the curtain at the quickly sewn fig leaves of liberal defeat.
Here then are the TOP NINE EXCUSES I HAVE HEARD FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S LOSSES in the 2010 elections -- justifications we are going to hear in abundance of over the next two years. So write 'em down now and refer back to them as often as needed.
Excuse #9. Talk Radio did us wrong.
Excuse #8. Conservatives must compromise now.
Excuse #7. It's not my fault.
Excuse #6. Voters are stupid.
Excuse #5. The conservative victory was purely emotional.
Excuse #4. There is too much money in politics.
Excuse #3. This was the nastiest campaign ever.
Excuse #2. We lost because we didn't get our message out.
Excuse #1. Conservatives did not tell the truth about us.
It should be an exciting next two years in politics. It will be a productive period if we constantly recall how the liberal mind works and its inevitable cultural and political carnage.
http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/12/liberal_excuses_for_conservati.html
It’s worth the read. I highlighted the points and left out the explanations. Enjoy!
Listen to the music
Years ago as a young political media consultant I would spend hours in the dark space behind the one-way glass of focus-group facilities furiously writing down what everyone said. At the end of the night I’d have pages of contradictory and often confusing quotes from the “real people” on the other side of the glass. One night a POLLSTER WITH FAR MORE EXPERIENCE THAN I HAD TOLD ME TO “LISTEN TO THE MUSIC, NOT THE WORDS.” I took that advice and soon discovered that I had far fewer scribbles on legal pads, no writer’s cramps and a much better understanding of what voters were actually thinking at the end of the night.http://thehill.com/opinion/columnists/ben-goddard/131503-maybe-no-encore-in-2012
Since the closing days of the midterm elections I’ve been heeding that good advice while watching a president and a White House still trying to get their bearings after the “shellacking” taken by the president and his party. BARACK OBAMA IS SAYING ALL THE RIGHT WORDS — talking about increased cooperation with Republicans and a consensus approach to developing policy, and even skirting the edges of apologizing for his contribution to the divisive partisan atmosphere that has pervaded Washington the past two years.
Those are the words. THE MUSIC — IT SEEMS A LITTLE DIFFERENT. Watching the body language of the president and hearing the weariness in his voice, one can’t help but think he is tired, frustrated and becoming a bit disengaged. He seems to be a man who is not especially happy in his job — someone frustrated with the inability of the media, leaders of his own party and especially the voters to comprehend what he has accomplished in two very difficult years…..
Listening to the music, I FIND MYSELF WONDERING IF WE’RE HEARING A SWAN SONG — if the next two years are about scoring a foreign policy victory or two and then exiting.
I like the analogy and thought I would share it with you.
Feeling angry? Why a spoonful of sugar sweetens your mood
The next time you are nearing the end of your tether, consider some time out with a chocolate bar.Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1334642/Feeling-angry-Why-spoonful-sugar-sweetens-mood.html#ixzz16xCvmpMb
High sugar levels can help control aggression and prevent loss of temper, researchers have found.
Their study compared the behaviour of sugar-starved volunteers with those who had been given a sweet drink, and concluded the latter were less inclined to snap
It appears a spoonful of sugar may actually be the medicine is some cases.
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