Last Crazy Standing: Newt time for the GOP?

[Nbadan]

Last Crazy Standing: Is it Newt Time for the GOP?
by Bennet Kelley



History can be savagely poetic and may be on the verge of doing so again. As the Republican Presidential Circus reaches the doorstep of the Iowa Caucus, Newt Gingrich is inching up in the polls ready to emerge as the right wing's flavor du jour. Who better to be at the helm of the GOP to endure what may be a backlash against Republican extremism and obstructionism, than the one candidate most responsible for both.

Elected to Congress in 1978, Gingrich believed that Republicans must fight the Democrats "with the scale and duration and savagery that is only true of civil wars." Gingrich relentlessly attacked Democratic House Speaker Jim Wright as the "least-ethical Speaker" of the century with countless charges that even his fellow Republicans dismissed as baseless. Nonetheless, the media prefers conflict over policy and Gingrich quickly became a Beltway star.

Former Republican Congressman Joe Scarborough, who served with Gingrich, said his modus operandi is to "smear any public figure who fails to share his worldview. His insults are so overblown and outrageous that after the rhetorical dust settles, the reputation most damaged is his own." Newt's famous smears include calling Clinton Democrats "the enemy of normal Americans," blaming Columbine on the Democrats and claiming that President Obama has a "colonial world view."

Gingrich also attacked Republican Congressional leaders who viewed Congress as something more than "a forum for partisan warfare" and actually cooperated with Democrats to get something accomplished; famously calling Senate Republican Leader Bob Dole "the tax collector for the welfare state".

Republican Mickey Edwards, who also served with Gingrich, explains that Gingrich "aggressively pushed Congressional Republicans in a direction in which the pursuit of power trumped all other considerations." Gingrich became the leader of what conservative columnist George Will described as "ideologically intoxicated" Republicans who believe that "Democrats are not merely mistaken but sinful" or as one Republican conceded to journalist Elizabeth Drew, simply feel that "they were totally right and the other side was totally wrong."

As Speaker, Gingrich issued his famous guide to Republican candidates that merely contained a list of approximately 70 insults to hurl at your opponent (e.g., "corrupt" or "traitor") but which said nothing about policy or effective governing. This was Gingrich's style, as John Feehery, a former aide to House Republican Leader Bob Michel, noted "Gingrich likes to make sweeping generalizations in ways that are needlessly polarizing and often irresponsible . . . as his white hot rhetoric is spoken to inflame rather than inform."

As a Presidential candidate, Feehery believes Gingrich is trying to convince "the hard-right . . . that he is as crazy as they are." Mickey Edwards dismisses Gingrich's candidacy stating

at some point, people will learn to stop taking Newt Gingrich seriously, (since) Newt is utterly unconcerned with the welfare of the country...He cares about (a) Newt and (b) power for Newt.


Congress is now full of ideologically intoxicated "Newtants" who have no qualms about tanking the economy for electoral advantage or bringing the country to the brink of a financial crisis rather than yield on an ideological point. That is why disapproval of Republicans in Congress is at record levels (76 percent disapproval) and half of the country now believes that the Republicans are intentionally sabotaging the economy for political gain.

If these numbers did not concern Republicans before, the election results on Tuesday showed an emphatic rejection of Republican extremism with the recall of anti-immigrant Senator Russell Pearce in Arizona and the overwhelming defeat of Republican initiatives in Mississippi and Ohio.

Republican primary voters clearly have gotten the message and have, instead, chosen to double down on crazy as Gingrich is now in a three-way dead heat with Herman Cain and Mitt Romney.

Today's voters are angry and want candidates they can measure by results not insults. Were he to emerge victorious from the Republican Convention in Tampa it is inconceivable that Gingrich would be able to restrain his penchant for bombast. As a result, Gingrich's final march would only further fuel the current backlash and make him the mascot for everything Americans hate about politics today.

While Gingrich has compared himself to Napoleon and Churchill, it is fitting that his political finale may not be the Commander-in-Chief position he has long coveted but rather as Piñata-in -Chief, making Seis de Noviembre a joyous fiesta for Democrats.


t's remarkable (but perhaps not unexpected) that all the M$M poll-reporting always lump the parties in as "Congress has an approval rating of 8%" (or equivalent) rather than 24/7 pounding the disapproval rating for republicans congress members only....

Newt has always been all bluster and no substance.... Yet he is always portrayed in the media as legitimate - i.e., a "wise elder" and heir-apparent of what are the failed Reagan era policies - most notably those that Reagan's former VP and later President GHWB called "voodoo economics"....

[Winehole23]

The latest to emerge from the GOP clown car. Who's next?

[Nbadan]

Check this out...


ATLANTA (AP) – Republican Herman Cain said God convinced him to enter the race for president, comparing himself to Moses: "'You've got the wrong man,
Lord. Are you sure?'"

The Georgia business executive played up his faith Saturday after battling sexual harassment allegations for two weeks, trying to shift the conversation to religion, an
issue vital to conservative Republicans, especially in the South.

In a speech Saturday to a national meeting of young Republicans, Cain said the Lord persuaded him after much prayer.

"That's when I prayed and prayed and prayed. I'm a man of faith — I had to do a lot of praying for this one, more praying than I've ever done before in my life," Cain said. "And
when I finally realized that it was God saying that this is what I needed to do, I was like Moses. 'You've got the wrong man, Lord. Are you sure?'"

USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/story/2011-11-12/herman-cain-god/51179242/1)

I can sooooo.. see Will Smith playing Herman Cain in that movie...

...but I digress...

[RandomGuy]

The latest to emerge from the GOP clown car. Who's next?

1D5Sa2Yq-2g



or


ya08x-4E5VU

Do you want a red balloon?

[boutons_deux]

Newt even being considered is a humorous indication of how weak and unelectable ALL the Repug candidates are.

[Winehole23]

You only wish. Romney and Huntsman are electable.

[Winehole23]

One of those other clowns might be electable too, who knows. McCain and Palin weren't too far away from it last time.

[AFBlue]

You only wish. Romney and Huntsman are electable.


One of those other clowns might be electable too, who knows. McCain and Palin weren't too far away from it last time.

Agreed on both points. Even with the disaster that was Palin, McCain had a legitimate shot until the conversation turned from the war to the economy.

[boutons_deux]

" McCain and Palin weren't too far away from it last time."

they were destroyed

[baseline bum]

McCain was close until he played Pygmalion with that ignorant cunt.

[Wild Cobra]

" McCain and Palin weren't too far away from it last time."

they were destroyed
I forget what the normal racial vote is, but it seems to me if blacks voted their normal split, instead of making a racial vote, that McCain would have won.

[ChumpDumper]

I forget what the normal racial vote is, but it seems to me if blacks voted their normal split, instead of making a racial vote, that McCain would have won.What is your evidence of this?

[Nbadan]

Agreed on both points. Even with the disaster that was Palin, McCain had a legitimate shot until the conversation turned from the war to the economy.

12% to be exact....that's all it takes to win the election...win 12% of independents....

...Usually the very least informed, real swing voter.....

...truly a scary situation...

[Wild Cobra]

What is your evidence of this?

You are an idiot.

Read my words again.

"It seems to me."

Why does an opinion need evidence.

Will you ever stop being a chump?

[Winehole23]

Why does an opinion need evidence.I'll keep this post in mind the next time you ask for evidence. :tu

[Wild Cobra]

I'll keep this post in mind the next time you ask for evidence. :tu
I'm pretty sure I only ask for evidence when something is framed as fact.

[Winehole23]

Pretty sure. You sure love the weasel words.

[Wild Cobra]

Pretty sure. You sure love the weasel words.
How many glasses of wine have you had so far?

[Winehole23]

None tonight.

[Winehole23]

How much weed have you smoked?

[Wild Cobra]

How much weed have you smoked?
None.

Have a tall glass (1/2 bottle) of Merlot started however. Bridgeview Black Beauty, 2006. 13.5%.

Are you smoking my weed?

[Winehole23]

Nope. I'm high on life.

[101A]

Cain/Palin wasn't that far off - kind of staggering, actually, considering the unpopularity of Bush & the world economic collapse.

Gingrich has too much baggage, as good as he might sound in the debates right now. Speaking of which, his performances haven't been nearly the red meat this article suggests they have been, without saying so specifically. Newt has sounded, IMO, certainly very conservative, but not rabid.

[CosmicCowboy]

Newt would destroy Obama in a non-teleprompter real debate.

[101A]

Newt would destroy Obama in a non-teleprompter real debate.


From his performances in the Republican debates, I would agree.

[boutons_deux]

Cain/Palin wasn't that far off -

Obama received 365 electoral votes, and McCain 173. The popular vote was 69,456,897 to 59,934,814, respectively.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_2008

[Winehole23]

Not bad for a ticket with two clowns on it.

[Wild Cobra]

Newt would destroy Obama in a non-teleprompter real debate.
Yes, but Obama would destroy Gingrich on a teleprompter debate, as Gingrich wouldn't be able to stick to the script of others. He's no puppet.

[Winehole23]

Newt would destroy Obama in a non-teleprompter real debate.Newt will self-destruct long before that happens.

[Wild Cobra]

Newt will self-destruct long before that happens.
Did I miss something?

I thought he self destructed a few years back.

Still doesn't mean he can't beat a Marxist like Obama though.

[Winehole23]

Did I kiss something?The man in the mirror. I don't think you ever stopped.

[Wild Cobra]

The man in the mirror. I don't think you ever stopped.
LOL...

You noticed that before I corrected it. After my 2nd bottle of wine, I had the "K" key jump in front of the "M" key.

[CosmicCowboy]

Newt will self-destruct long before that happens.

I don't think Newt will make any serious gaff/tactical blunders but he is at a serious handicap to Romney in funding and grass roots organization. It would definitely be an uphill climb out of the primary.

[Winehole23]

How much people still dislike Newt is another steep grade. He's got the highest negatives of any candidate out there.

[Wild Cobra]

I don't think Newt will make any serious gaff/tactical blunders but he is at a serious handicap to Romney in funding and grass roots organization. It would definitely be an uphill climb out of the primary.
Newt was instrumental in the "Contract with America" and reneged. He lost so much support, including mine. I cannot believe he is being taken serious by anyone.

[CosmicCowboy]

Newt was instrumental in the "Contract with America" and reneged. He lost so much support, including mine. I cannot believe he is being taken serious by anyone.

Reneged? Are you serious? The fact that they couldn't get all the legislation through the senate or past a veto didn't mean that they didn't put it on the floor as promised.

[CosmicCowboy]

Newts downfall was when he started banging Callista and dumped his wife. The Republican base at that time couldn't forgive him for that.

[CosmicCowboy]

BTW, I think the base is over that. They have been happily married for what...15 years now? Both he and Callista have been quietly honing their conservative credentials since then...I originally didn't think he had a snowballs chance of getting the nomination but am starting to believe he may be the best choice...The kneejerk blue team in here is quick to label him "Crazy" but the guy is actually pretty brilliant and the newer "mellow" Newt is actually a pretty likable guy...He is clearly the smartest guy in the room during the debates.

[boutons_deux]

Newt trolling for the bubba xenophobic racist vote, ie, the basis of the Repug party

Spanish is “the language of living in a ghetto”

http://blog.chron.com/rickperry/2011/11/newt-gingrich-spanish-is-the-language-of-living-in-a-ghetto/

Gingrich/Buchannan would be a wonderful ticket

[Th'Pusher]

Newt's proposed tax policy:

1. Make Bush tax cuts permanent
2. Completely eliminate the capital gains tax
3. Reduce corporate income tax to 12.5%
4. Eliminating the inheritance tax
5. Optional flat tax of 15% (I guess this is just in case #1 wasn't enough)

How in the world are you going to balance the budget and pay down debt with the above proposed tax solution?

[CosmicCowboy]

The statement is factually correct. Immigrants that do not assimilate and learn the local language naturally get stuck in the worst areas of town with the worst jobs. Encouraging and patronizing the chosen lack of assimilation with bi-lingual everything is morally wrong and just serves to keep them down.

[CosmicCowboy]

Newt's proposed tax policy:

1. Make Bush tax cuts permanent
2. Completely eliminate the capital gains tax
3. Reduce corporate income tax to 12.5%
4. Eliminating the inheritance tax
5. Optional flat tax of 15% (I guess this is just in case #1 wasn't enough)

How in the world are you going to balance the budget and pay down debt with the above proposed tax solution?

That's not a bad starting point for discussion.

A corporate flat tax of 12.5% COUPLED with an elimination of credits/subsidies/tax dodges would work better than what we have.

I have always been a proponent of the flat income tax. (obviously on those above a certain minimum income). You envy the rich, but they are the ones that are most able to use the multitude of credits and deductions available under the current tax code.

[Th'Pusher]

That's not a bad starting point for discussion.

A corporate flat tax of 12.5% COUPLED with an elimination of credits/subsidies/tax dodges would work better than what we have.

I have always been a proponent of the flat income tax. (obviously on those above a certain minimum income). You envy the rich, but they are the ones that are most able to use the multitude of credits and deductions available under the current tax code.

Ya. I would be ok with a flat corporate tax assuming the elimination of credits/subsidies, etc. 12.5% seems a little low.

My bigger issue is with the complete elimination of the the capital gains tax and the estate tax and the flat income tax. These are handout to the wealthy, and none of these are going to promote much growth and will eviscerate social services

[101A]

Newt's proposed tax policy:

1. Make Bush tax cuts permanent - Can't afford this
2. Completely eliminate the capital gains tax - Why? - Capital gains should be treated as ANY OTHER income
3. Reduce corporate income tax to 12.5% Whatever, loopholes are the problem, not the rate
4. Eliminating the inheritance tax I don't have a problem with this
5. Optional flat tax of 15% (I guess this is just in case #1 wasn't enough) Ridiculous; I'll use the "flat" rate ONLY after I have run my taxes through the other system - whichever is cheaper, I'll use; which is exactly what any who currently itemize will do, as well. Otherwise, I am for a flat tax

How in the world are you going to balance the budget and pay down debt with the above proposed tax solution? Good damn question.

[spursncowboys]

http://www.bennetkelley.com/bennetsprofile.html

I'm more interested in what a republican strategist's view are. The party who nominate the best looking and youngest candidate over the most experienced doesn't carry much weight IMO.

[Winehole23]

http://themoderatevoice.com/wordpress-engine/files//2010/04/Sarah-Palin-Nuclear1.bmp

[Winehole23]

http://www.nndb.com/people/781/000024709/dan-quayle.jpg

[spursncowboys]

http://www.tsowell.com/images/tom_4b.jpg

[spursncowboys]

https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRzz2PESIId0nTCS7hiCaqf6iXgF7IXw FERa9R8atjDKalxk6RCFQ

[spursncowboys]

https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSGbITMrf5lhE7292_Ba4lOINosv_zRE w8VRcLbLLl6DdJpnAnC

[CosmicCowboy]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NWOPildOnYk/ThwQc2PiuTI/AAAAAAAAFfA/pnUGd__G7lA/s1600/rep-sheila-jackson-lee-d-tx-democrat-stupid-moonbat-political-poster-1279773614.jpg

[spursncowboys]

How is she not in prison?

[clambake]

How is she not in prison?

why

[ChumpDumper]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NWOPildOnYk/ThwQc2PiuTI/AAAAAAAAFfA/pnUGd__G7lA/s1600/rep-sheila-jackson-lee-d-tx-democrat-stupid-moonbat-political-poster-1279773614.jpgSo you all agree Cain is an idiot.

I can live with that.

[AFBlue]

So you all agree Cain is an idiot.

I can live with that.

I don't know if he's an idiot, but he sure is ignorant on foreign policy/world affairs. It's one reason why I wouldn't vote for him if he were the nominee.

[ChumpDumper]

I don't know if he's an idiot, but he sure is ignorant on foreign policy/world affairs. It's one reason why I wouldn't vote for him if he were the nominee.For the record, I wouldn't vote for Jackson either.

[CosmicCowboy]

So you agree that Sheila Jackson Lee is an idiot.

[ChumpDumper]

So you agree that Sheila Jackson Lee is an idiot.Yes.

Don't know what it has to do with the presidential election though.

[CosmicCowboy]

Not defending Cain but since when is being an expert on every single facet of public policy both foreign and domestic a requirement for the Presidency?

[boutons_deux]

Libya has been all over the news, which some people actually follow.

You sorta figure a serious candidate, even if he didn't follow the news, would have been prepared by his handlers to discuses Libya, Syria, Iran, Israel.

The Hermanator Cain'tBeSerious.

[AFBlue]

Not defending Cain but since when is being an expert on every single facet of public policy both foreign and domestic a requirement for the Presidency?

Who said it was?

It's my personal preference to select a candidate that has a passable knowledge and comfort level with foreign policy issues, but someone else may consider it a non-factor in their choice.

[AFBlue]

Also, agree that it goes to lack of preparedness on the part of Cain. I understand his strength is the economy, but he has to figure these types of questions are coming.

[Winehole23]

Not defending Cain but since when is being an expert on every single facet of public policy both foreign and domestic a requirement for the Presidency?Being familiar with a war we helped fight during the presidential campaign isn't an unreasonable expectation.

[cheguevara]

Not defending Cain but since when is being an expert on every single facet of public policy both foreign and domestic a requirement for the Presidency?

"basic-to-applied" understanding of every facet should though

[Winehole23]

lol the "not to defend" defense

[Wild Cobra]

Libya has been all over the news, which some people actually follow.

You sorta figure a serious candidate, even if he didn't follow the news, would have been prepared by his handlers to discuses Libya, Syria, Iran, Israel.

The Hermanator Cain'tBeSerious.
I see...

And current events as they unfold in the media are factually accurate?

OK.

[AFBlue]

I see...

And current events as they unfold in the media are factually accurate?

OK.

Huh? Libya happened, he should have an opinion on it...or at least on how the man who he'll be running against handled it. The response he gave was not competent or confident.

[ChumpDumper]

WC never knows what he's talking about.

[boutons_deux]

Bloomberg News reported late last night that Newt Gingrich has been paid between $1.6-1.8 million over the last 11 years to lobby for the organization with fellow conservatives who sought to dismantle it.

http://mobile.mysa.com/mysa/db_281232/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=HFnZFvdO&full=true#display

[Winehole23]

Freddie Mac only hired him for his expertise as a historian, and paid him $1.5M+ over nine years, primarily -- claims Mr. Gingrich -- for telling them they ought not to be doing what they were doing.

[Winehole23]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-15/romney-two-way-race-is-now-four-way-republican-dead-heat-in-iowa-caucuses.html

[boutons_deux]

Iowa :lol :lol Who gives a shit?

population 3M (less the 1% of USA), voters: ??

7 electoral votes

What a perversion the US campaigning has become.

[Winehole23]

Mitchell Delk, the bank’s top lobbyist, claimed that Gingrich was happy to discuss “the substance of the issues” the bank may face if it dramatically expanded lending. He reportedly said they discussed “what the benefits are to communities, what the benefits could be for Republicans and particularly their relationship with Hispanics.” http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/11/16/report-gingrich-advised-freddie-mac-on-expanding-home-loans/

[Agloco]

Not defending Cain but since when is being an expert on every single facet of public policy both foreign and domestic a requirement for the Presidency?

I wouldn't call a dialogue about Libya obscure by any stretch of the imagination.

I firmly believe that my days with the IAEA give me more knowledge about US foreign policy than Hermann has. :lol

[SnakeBoy]

Not defending Cain but since when is being an expert on every single facet of public policy both foreign and domestic a requirement for the Presidency?

It never has been a requirement and still isn't. The ablility to fake it when you don't know the issue has always been a requirement though.

[Winehole23]

2016: Jeb Bush --ability to fake it!

[boutons_deux]

Drip, Drip, Drip for Gingrich

Just a couple of days after Bloomberg broke the story that Newt Gingrich had actually received between $1.6-1.8 million dollars for ‘advising’ mortgage giant Freddie Mac, The Washington Post reports today that Gingrich’s think tank has earned millions from the health-care industry, in part by supporting policies they like (such as the individual mandate) and offering face time with Gingrich:

The Center for Health Transformation, which opened in 2003, brought in dues of as much as $200,000 per year from insurers and other health-care firms, offering some of them “access to Newt Gingrich” and “direct Newt interaction,” according to promotional materials. The biggest funders, including firms such as AstraZeneca, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Novo Nordisk, were also eligible to receive discounts on “products and workshops” from other Gingrich groups.

The health center advocated, among other things, requiring that “anyone who earns more than $50,000 a year must purchase health insurance or post a bond,” a type of insurance mandate that has since become anathema to conservatives.

The group also pushed proposals to build centralized electronic medical records and use such data to research treatment effectiveness, both central features of President Obama’s health-care reforms.

And that Bloomberg story isn’t going away. Politico reports that Gingrich remained on Freddie Mac’s payroll until the company was taken over by the government in 2008.

Gingrich, who has come under fire this week for work he did during the subprime mortgage crisis, served as a consultant to Freddie Mac until September 2008 when the U.S. Treasury took control of the government-sponsored entity, his spokesman R.C. Hammond confirmed to POLITICO Thursday.
…
Gingrich’s second contract, which lasted from 2006 until September 2008, put him in the position to offer top officials strategic advice. It was an unusual arrangement because it was handled directly by Senior Vice President of External Relations Hollis McLoughlin’s office. McLoughlin, who is still at Freddie Mac, is a member of Freddie Mac’s management committee and reports directly to Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Office Jerry Weiss.

Gingrich did not register as a federal lobbyist under either of these agreements. The Gingrich Group was paid $30,000 a month for a total of $600,000 for Gingrich’s work during the second contract.

http://mobile.mysa.com/mysa/db_281232/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=lkPz8kJG&full=true#display

[boutons_deux]

November 18 News: Climate-Conscious Republicans Call Gingrich’s Flip on Climate Change “Disconcerting”

“I don’t know if he’s just being opportunistic or of he’s had a real change of heart, but it is a bit disconcerting,” said Jim DiPeso, the policy director for Republicans for Environmental Protection.

In the more than 30 years since Gingrich was first elected to the House, he has said there is both sufficient evidence to prove the climate is changing and also that there is no conclusive proof. He supported a cap-and-trade program to limit carbon emissions and then later testified against it before a Congressional committee.

And while in the House he co-sponsored a bill that said climate change was “resulting from human activities,” but he later said he did not know if humans were to blame.

http://thinkprogress.org/romm/2011/11/18/371922/gingrich-climate-change/

[boutons_deux]

Newt Gingrich's firm collected at least $37 million from health care industry



www.dailykos.com/story/2011/11/18/1037723/-Newt-Gingrichs-firm-collected-at-least-$37-million-from-health-care-industry?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dailykos%2Findex+(Daily+Kos)

=========

That's how he affords Tiffany shopping trips.

[Jamtas#2]

Newt is everything that is wrong with politics. Politicians like him and Pelosi are there for personal gain, damned be the good of country.They have traded the future of America for their own immediate gains.

[Nbadan]

Newt or Romney at this point....I give Romney the upper-hand, trouble is, the tea-baggers aren't in love with Romney because of the whole providing health insurance for the poor thingy, and the religious right is the religious right...

.....Newt is a tragedy...

....as I've posted in other threads, still not ruling out someone else jumping in the race....

[AFBlue]

Newt or Romney at this point....I give Romney the upper-hand, trouble is, the tea-baggers aren't in love with Romney because of the whole providing health insurance for the poor thingy, and the religious right is the religious right...

.....Newt is a tragedy...

....as I've posted in other threads, still not ruling out someone else jumping in the race....

Who could jump in that already hasn't ruled it out?

[Nbadan]

Who could jump in that already hasn't ruled it out?

I'm not sure......Jeb Bush maybe.....they sure are 'shaping him' and his lackadaisical tenure as Governor for a possible run....maybe they move up the timescale...maybe the wall street money decides that Obama is starting to talk crazy about his soft support for the OWS crowd...and ew, gawd...actually regulating the banks and the Wall Street casino.....

[CosmicCowboy]

Considering the dark blue tint of your world view glasses I hardly consider you to be a good judge of who in the republican party is and isn't electable.

[Nbadan]

Sometimes that is exactly what is called for...but if you prefer a more moderate source why don't you do a little research and see what Colin Powell is saying...

[CosmicCowboy]

I really don't look to Colin Powell to shape my opinions...and I think very few others do either...his support for Obama in 2008 (self admitted to be based to a certain extent on race) pretty well blew his credibility.

[Nbadan]

didn't Obama win? Maybe Colin just knows how to pick a winner....Poor Colin, despised by the left and hated by the right...

[CosmicCowboy]

I don't despise or hate him. I appreciate his service to his country. I just don't have to agree with all of his political decisions.

[baseline bum]

him presenting drawings of mobile weapons labs in the presentation to the UN in 2001 (which he knew were bullshit but he fell on his sword for bush anyways) pretty well blew his credibility.

fify

[AFBlue]

I'm not sure......Jeb Bush maybe.....they sure are 'shaping him' and his lackadaisical tenure as Governor for a possible run....maybe they move up the timescale...maybe the wall street money decides that Obama is starting to talk crazy about his soft support for the OWS crowd...and ew, gawd...actually regulating the banks and the Wall Street casino.....

Ignoring the biased tilt to your response, Bush is probably the one guy I could see entering late and actually having a legitimate shot at the nomination. Having said that, he's denied interest strongly on multiple occasions.

[spursncowboys]

Considering the dark blue tint of your world view glasses I hardly consider you to be a good judge of who in the republican party is and isn't electable.

That's what bothers me about all the talk. its usually from the left. Truth is any of the candidates would be an improvement from obama.

[spursncowboys]

Cain is still my guy

[Winehole23]

are you excited about the book, too?

[boutons_deux]

Newt Gingrich Pocketed Millions to Shill for Health Care Industry--But Didn't Register as a Lobbyist


Another day, another story about Gingrich profiteering. Well, three stories, actually.

The Washington Post reported this morning that a Gingrich “think tank,” the Center for Health Transformation, collected at least $37 million from health care industry groups, who were promised “access to Newt Gingrich” and “direct Newt interaction” in exchange for their cash. Also in exchange for their cash, perhaps, Gingrich took some interesting positions on health care reform: He supported the “individual mandate” that Americans buy insurance (or post a bond to cover unanticipated illness) as well as measures to encourage “end of life” planning. He ditched both positions, of course, once he realized they were unpopular with the Republican base.

The New York Times had a related story about Gingrich preaching the virtues of a Wisconsin health care consortium that took the lead in “end of life planning” in a July, 2009 Washington Post op-ed. Once Sarah Palin started insisting that encouraging such planning amounted to “death panels,” Gingrich backed away and equated it to “euthanasia.” It turns out the firm he praised in the Post was one of his clients at the Center for Health Transformation, which he failed to disclose.

Then there’s the Wall Street Journal story about Gingrich taking money from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. But heck, it was only $840,000, chump change next to the $1.8 million or so he got from Freddie Mac (for his historian’s perspective), and that $37 million from the health care industry. The Journal also noted that in a recent poll, Gingrich had the most support from Tea Partiers, with 29 percent. But Tea Partiers aren’t big fans of the Chamber of Commerce, it turns out, because the Chamber supported the Obama stimulus bill (to some extent.)

http://www.alternet.org/story/153139/newt_gingrich_pocketed_millions_to_shill_for_healt h_care_industry--but_didn%27t_register_as_a_lobbyist?utm_source=fee dblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=alternet

[CosmicCowboy]

You can tell the progressive establishment is worried about Next...they are pulling out all the stops to smear him.

[ChumpDumper]

You can tell Republicans are laughably desperate.

[101A]

You can tell the progressive establishment is worried about Next...they are pulling out all the stops to smear him.



You can tell Republicans are laughably desperate.


Both of these statements hold grains of truth.

[ChumpDumper]

Both of these statements hold grains of truth.I agree, but it has to be really easy to get dirt on Newt. Hell, there are literally hours of video online of Newt's pimping the health care mandate alone.

[CosmicCowboy]

I agree, but it has to be really easy to get dirt on Newt. Hell, there are literally hours of video online of Newt's pimping the health care mandate alone.

Why don't you like health care?

[ChumpDumper]

Why don't you like health care?It's not about what I like. It's about what Newt pimped.

[boutons_deux]

Just reporting the facts on Newt.

Smearing, slandering, lying is what Ailes, Limbaugh, and other Repug hate media do non-stop.

That he's even in the running proves how ridiculously hopeless the Repug candidates are.

[CosmicCowboy]

It's not about what I like. It's about what Newt pimped.

Why is advocating healthcare "dirt"?

[ChumpDumper]

Why is advocating healthcare "dirt"?It's potentially quite damaging to his campaign.

You really need this explained to you?

[CosmicCowboy]

It's potentially quite damaging to his campaign.

You really need this explained to you?

Wouldn't that make him more appealing to moderates and independents?

[ChumpDumper]

Wouldn't that make him more appealing to moderates and independents?Is he still for the mandate?

[CosmicCowboy]

Is he still for the mandate?

If you are curious about his position on health care you can find it here...

http://www.newt.org/solutions/healthcare

[Nbadan]

You can tell the progressive establishment is worried about Next...they are pulling out all the stops to smear him.

I think progressives would love to see Newt be the GOP contender....plenty of dirt to kick around there....reassuring another 4 years of Obama thingy...what progressives are more concerned with is the unknown...as in, the unknown candidate...and the only candidate that I could think of who could jump in this late and win the nomination is Bush....not saying it's gonna happen...just what I am reading in the tea leaves.....or someone with close ties to the MIC...I really think the GOP is also shaping Petrius, but that may be way too soon...

[CosmicCowboy]

I love it when you guys smugly proclaim that none of the existing candidates can beat Obama.

[ChumpDumper]

If you are curious about his position on health care you can find it here...

http://www.newt.org/solutions/healthcareSo he isn't for the mandate anymore now that he isn't being paid to pimp it.

:tu

[ChumpDumper]

I love it when you guys smugly proclaim that none of the existing candidates can beat Obama.Romney probably could.

[Nbadan]

As long as the Dems can keep the GOP gerrymandering in the swing states caught up in the courts till Nov 2012, it's gonna take a majority of the 12-15% of 'true' independents to win it for any GOP candidate....not saying it can't happen, but appealing to the right, who is already firmly in the GOP base isn't gonna get it done for the GOP candidate...the whole reason Newt is rising in the polls is because he hasn't pretended to be the wing-nut extremists the other candidate have been...

[Nbadan]

Romney probably could.

Not sure how strongly the christian right in some swing states would show for Romney..unless Jesus Christ resurrects along with Joseph Smith...

[ChumpDumper]

Not sure how strongly the christian right in some swing states would show for Romney..unless Jesus Christ resurrects along with Joseph Smith...Not sure he would need them.

[Blake]

Not sure how strongly the christian right in some swing states would show for Romney..unless Jesus Christ resurrects along with Joseph Smith...

the christian right didn't seem to help McCain/Palin

[CosmicCowboy]

The far right is going to turn out for anyone not named Obama.

[coyotes_geek]

As long as the Dems can keep the GOP gerrymandering in the swing states caught up in the courts till Nov 2012, it's gonna take a majority of the 12-15% of 'true' independents to win it for any GOP candidate....not saying it can't happen, but appealing to the right, who is already firmly in the GOP base isn't gonna get it done for the GOP candidate...the whole reason Newt is rising in the polls is because he hasn't pretended to be the wing-nut extremists the other candidate have been...

The gerrymandering cases have no effect on the presidential election.

[boutons_deux]

Gingrich's Absurd Jobs "Plan": Replace Union Janitors with Child Laborers

"This is something that no liberal wants to deal with," Gingrich said. "Core policies of protecting unionization and bureaucratization against children in the poorest neighborhoods, crippling them by putting them in schools that fail has done more to create income inequality in the United States than any other single policy. It is tragic what we do in the poorest neighborhoods, entrapping children in, first of all, child laws, which are truly stupid.

"You say to somebody, you shouldn't go to work before you're what, 14, 16 years of age, fine. You're totally poor. You're in a school that is failing with a teacher that is failing. I've tried for years to have a very simple model," he said. "Most of these schools ought to get rid of the unionized janitors, have one master janitor and pay local students to take care of the school. The kids would actually do work, they would have cash, they would have pride in the schools, they'd begin the process of rising."

He added, "You go out and talk to people, as I do, you go out and talk to people who are really successful in one generation. They all started their first job between nine and 14 years of age.

http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/737114/gingrich%27s_absurd_jobs_%22plan%22%3A_replace_uni on_janitors_with_child_laborers/

and w/o a HS diploma and literacy, they were excluded from Ms of jobs and probably now earning the median $29K or less, NOT in the 1%

[baseline bum]

The far right is going to turn out for anyone not named Obama.

Which is why this is Romney's election to lose, since he can pull centrists/independents. If they nominate any of the wingnuts they're likely to go down in flames to an awful incumbent.

[boutons_deux]

Obama is huge disappointment, but ANY Repug would have been, and will be, MUCH WORSE

[coyotes_geek]

Gingrich's Absurd Jobs "Plan": Replace Union Janitors with Child Laborers

"This is something that no liberal wants to deal with," Gingrich said. "Core policies of protecting unionization and bureaucratization against children in the poorest neighborhoods, crippling them by putting them in schools that fail has done more to create income inequality in the United States than any other single policy. It is tragic what we do in the poorest neighborhoods, entrapping children in, first of all, child laws, which are truly stupid.

"You say to somebody, you shouldn't go to work before you're what, 14, 16 years of age, fine. You're totally poor. You're in a school that is failing with a teacher that is failing. I've tried for years to have a very simple model," he said. "Most of these schools ought to get rid of the unionized janitors, have one master janitor and pay local students to take care of the school. The kids would actually do work, they would have cash, they would have pride in the schools, they'd begin the process of rising."

He added, "You go out and talk to people, as I do, you go out and talk to people who are really successful in one generation. They all started their first job between nine and 14 years of age.

http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/737114/gingrich%27s_absurd_jobs_%22plan%22%3A_replace_uni on_janitors_with_child_laborers/

and w/o a HS diploma and literacy, they were excluded from Ms of jobs and probably now earning the median $29K or less, NOT in the 1%

This is a pretty good idea actually.

[CosmicCowboy]

boutons, do you have to shit in EVERY thread?

[ElNono]

In a speech Monday, Newt Gingrich, another Republican candidate for president, called the failure of the committee “good for America.”

Anybody knows in what context Newt said this?

[CosmicCowboy]

In a speech Monday, Newt Gingrich, another Republican candidate for president, called the failure of the committee “good for America.”

Anybody knows in what context Newt said this?

Basically that the "super committee" idea was dumb to start with and with the entrenched positions on both sides doomed to fail from the beginning.

[TeyshaBlue]

Gingrich's Absurd Jobs "Plan": Replace Union Janitors with Child Laborers

"This is something that no liberal wants to deal with," Gingrich said. "Core policies of protecting unionization and bureaucratization against children in the poorest neighborhoods, crippling them by putting them in schools that fail has done more to create income inequality in the United States than any other single policy. It is tragic what we do in the poorest neighborhoods, entrapping children in, first of all, child laws, which are truly stupid.

"You say to somebody, you shouldn't go to work before you're what, 14, 16 years of age, fine. You're totally poor. You're in a school that is failing with a teacher that is failing. I've tried for years to have a very simple model," he said. "Most of these schools ought to get rid of the unionized janitors, have one master janitor and pay local students to take care of the school. The kids would actually do work, they would have cash, they would have pride in the schools, they'd begin the process of rising."



Newt isn't exactly the first to propose something along these lines...and I think there is a fair amount of (confirmation bias-driven) reading between the lines of what he said vs. what the OP uses for it's headlline.

This was much more common place until the 70's, at which time VocEd was gutted by educational progressives who envisioned a college prep role for high school rather than preparing them in anyway for employment. I say this in the macro sense as there were many states and individual ISD's who resisted this refocusing for awhile.

I think this trend is beginning to reverse, slowly.

[ElNono]

Basically that the "super committee" idea was dumb to start with and with the entrenched positions on both sides doomed to fail from the beginning.

Thanks.

[TeyshaBlue]

boutons, do you have to shit in EVERY thread?

You have to ask? :lol

[101A]

Gingrich's Absurd Jobs "Plan": Replace Union Janitors with Child Laborers

"This is something that no liberal wants to deal with," Gingrich said. "Core policies of protecting unionization and bureaucratization against children in the poorest neighborhoods, crippling them by putting them in schools that fail has done more to create income inequality in the United States than any other single policy. It is tragic what we do in the poorest neighborhoods, entrapping children in, first of all, child laws, which are truly stupid.

"You say to somebody, you shouldn't go to work before you're what, 14, 16 years of age, fine. You're totally poor. You're in a school that is failing with a teacher that is failing. I've tried for years to have a very simple model," he said. "Most of these schools ought to get rid of the unionized janitors, have one master janitor and pay local students to take care of the school. The kids would actually do work, they would have cash, they would have pride in the schools, they'd begin the process of rising."

He added, "You go out and talk to people, as I do, you go out and talk to people who are really successful in one generation. They all started their first job between nine and 14 years of age.

http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/737114/gingrich%27s_absurd_jobs_%22plan%22%3A_replace_uni on_janitors_with_child_laborers/

and w/o a HS diploma and literacy, they were excluded from Ms of jobs and probably now earning the median $29K or less, NOT in the 1%


I worked AND went to school from 14 on up. (El Chaparral in Helotes hired young'uns)

[TeyshaBlue]

I worked AND went to school from 14 on up. (El Chaparral in Helotes hired young'uns)

You and me both. Of course, we could also smoke at high school. Not everything that went on back then was all that great. :lol

[boutons_deux]

so janitors who could have families depending on them are to be fired and replaced with 14 year old kids? cool plan

[TeyshaBlue]

so janitors who could have families depending on them are to be fired and replaced with 14 year old kids? cool plan

Clean up the straw when yer finished.

[Drachen]

I worked AND went to school from 14 on up. (El Chaparral in Helotes hired young'uns)

I did too. $3.25 an hour! Hell yeah baby!

[TeyshaBlue]

lol....you must be a pup if mw was 3.25.

[Blake]

lol....you must be a pup if mw was 3.25.

what age means pup to you?

[CosmicCowboy]

lol....you must be a pup if mw was 3.25.

No shit...I started mowing yards for money at 10 and my first official paycheck was at 15...1.25 an hour, straight time...no overtime...was working the US skeet championships at what is now National Gun Club...got 140 hours that week...I was PISSED when I saw how much in taxes they took out of my check...

[coyotes_geek]

so janitors who could have families depending on them are to be fired and replaced with 14 year old kids? cool plan

Or, 14 year old kids who could belong to poor families get an opportunity to earn some money while continuing their education and learning about personal responsibility. As a bonus, cash strapped school districts get to save money. Yeah, it is a cool plan.

[boutons_deux]

why target full-time/night-time janitors with 14-year-olds?

What 14 year could be janitor AND continue HS education? 14 year old usually get really shitty sub-min-wage jobs for a couple hours a day. They would be better off spending that time studying, given the extremely poor graduation rate for poor kids.

[Agloco]

what age means pup to you?

Probably < 55. :wow

J/K Teysha. :lol

[Drachen]

lol....you must be a pup if mw was 3.25.

MW was 4.25, but didn't apply since I was under 16. I am 31 right now.

[TeyshaBlue]

why target full-time/night-time janitors with 14-year-olds?

What 14 year could be janitor AND continue HS education? 14 year old usually get really shitty sub-min-wage jobs for a couple hours a day. They would be better off spending that time studying, given the extremely poor graduation rate for poor kids.
It's an example, not the "Replace The Janitors With Kids Job Act 2011".

facepalm.

[TeyshaBlue]

Probably < 55. :wow

J/K Teysha. :lol

Shup you!:depressed


And I aint hit 55 yet.:lol

[Agloco]

Shup you!:depressed


And I aint hit 55 yet.:lol

Pup!!

I remember MW at $3.10 or so. What is it now, 7 something? I was doing handplants when I got my first $8 dollar job. :lol

[JohnnyMarzetti]

Newt is a disgrace and makes me sick.

[Drachen]

No shit...I started mowing yards for money at 10 and my first official paycheck was at 15...1.25 an hour, straight time...no overtime...was working the US skeet championships at what is now National Gun Club...got 140 hours that week...I was PISSED when I saw how much in taxes they took out of my check...

Oh and dude, 10? I was doing my own yard at 6, then neighbors thought I did a good job and I got several more yards at 7. . [/pissing contest] :lol Though I always did my next door neighbor's for free, she was an old widow and I did get cookies out of it, so I guess it wasn't "free". Oh and I didn't notice the taxes. I did, however get a $1 tax return that year. Kept the check and everything.

[coyotes_geek]

why target full-time/night-time janitors with 14-year-olds?

Because we can't turn 14 year olds into teachers and bus drivers.


What 14 year could be janitor AND continue HS education? 14 year old usually get really shitty sub-min-wage jobs for a couple hours a day. They would be better off spending that time studying, given the extremely poor graduation rate for poor kids.

If they're not making their grades, give the job to someone who can do both. There's plenty of examples in this very thread of people who worked through high school. I did it too.

[TeyshaBlue]

why target full-time/night-time janitors with 14-year-olds?

What 14 year could be janitor AND continue HS education? 14 year old usually get really shitty sub-min-wage jobs for a couple hours a day. They would be better off spending that time studying, given the extremely poor graduation rate for poor kids.

btw....of the myriad reasons for low graduation rates among poor kids, time studying probably doesn't even hit the radar.

[boutons_deux]

Reminder: Gingrich Was One Of Congress’s Biggest Spenders Of Taxpayer Cash

What Gingrich doesn’t seem to be willing to admit is that demonstrators are not simply demanding free things — they are demanding economic justice after Wall Street’s behavior destroyed trillions of dollars of wealth and plunged 60 million people into extreme poverty through no fault of their own.

But when it comes to the issue of “self-righteously” taking free things for themselves, Gingrich is a much more serious offender than any of the 99 Percenters. While he was speaker in the 1990s, he represented Cobb County, Georgia. Thanks to Gingrich, Cobb ranked “third among suburban counties in federal dollars returned per resident. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the federal government spent $4.4 billion in Cobb County in 1994, some $10,000 per resident, or nearly twice as much per capita as it spent in New York City.”

http://thinkprogress.org/special/2011/11/21/373797/gingrich-one-of-congress-largest-welfare-queens/

=========

Goddam, facts hurt worse that lies, huh?

[boutons_deux]

Gingrich: ‘I Think I Will Probably Teach A Course When I’m President’

By the way, I think I will probably teach a course when I’m president. I think I will probably try to do something that outlines for the whole country what we’re going to try to accomplish, and offer it online sort of like the University of Phoenix or Kaplan. So that way if the country wants, they can sign up. It would be free. Although given the news media’s assumptions about me, oh he’ll probably charge $100 a piece so I can get rich. No! It’ll be free. But the idea would be, why wouldn’t you want a president in the age of social media to methodically in an organized way share with you what they’re going to try to accomplish, so that those people who want to understand it can understand it.

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/11/21/373813/gingrich-teach-course/

========

Gingrich pimping tax-payer subsidized for-profit scam colleges, while grovelling for their campaign donations.

[TeyshaBlue]

Bot mode initiated. lolz

[coyotes_geek]

lol thinkprogress. lol boutons.

[hater]

LOL Newt the teabaggers have gone full circle :lmao

[boutons_deux]

so you assholes can't refute or have any retort to the Gingrich facts and quotes?

Gingrich has no chance in hell of getting the nomination.

[Winehole23]

Probably not.

I wouldn't say Gingrich has no chance, just a very small one:

http://www.intrade.com/jsp/intrade/common/c_cd.jsp?conDetailID=654836&z=1321913067607

[TeyshaBlue]

so you assholes can't refute or have any retort to the Gingrich facts and quotes?

Gingrich has no chance in hell of getting the nomination.

For starters, Newt wasn't speaker in 1994, dumbfuck.

lol think progress. "While he was speaker in the 1990s, he represented Cobb County, Georgia. Thanks to Gingrich, Cobb ranked “third among suburban counties in federal dollars returned per resident. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the federal government spent $4.4 billion in Cobb County in 1994..."


Any idea on what that 4.4 billion was spent on? Of course not.

lol "facts".

[coyotes_geek]

so you assholes can't refute or have any retort to the Gingrich facts and quotes?

Gingrich has no chance in hell of getting the nomination.

Maybe we should start with you coming up with a reason why anyone should have a problem with Newt wanting to teach a free online course should he be elected president.........

[boutons_deux]

Since when do US President have time to prepare and teach online courses?

Noot is grovelling for donations from for-profit scam colleges

[TeyshaBlue]

Since when do US President have time to prepare and teach online courses?

Noot is grovelling for donations from for-profit scam colleges

Well, since online colleges have only existed since 1996, not a hell of alot of them have even had a chance to.:lol

[coyotes_geek]

Since when do US President have time to prepare and teach online courses?

Noot is grovelling for donations from for-profit scam colleges

He might have to cut out a couple of rounds of golf and some town hall meetings, but that would be Newt's problem. Not ours.

[CosmicCowboy]

Since when do US President have time to prepare and teach online courses?

Noot is grovelling for donations from for-profit scam colleges

Well, unlike Obama, some Presidents have actually done other things besides campaign for re-election 24/7...

[ChumpDumper]

Well, unlike Obama, some Presidents have actually done other things besides campaign for re-election 24/7...If Obama has done nothing, why do you hate him so much?

[Nbadan]

At least Obama saved the American economy and a great american company in the process that has done a lot for American families.....all Dubya and the do-nothing Congress did was throw equal money down the MIC drain....

[baseline bum]

LOL teaching a course with that shitbag school University of Phoenix? :rollin

[CosmicCowboy]

LOL teaching a course with that shitbag school University of Phoenix? :rollin

I think the point was to do a detailed online explanation of the policies he would pursue and the thought process behind it...something much more extensive than a 30 second "hope and change" soundbite. I think the U of P analogy was just to give an example of the technology, not the actual medium.

[CosmicCowboy]

If Obama has done nothing, why do you hate him so much?

And Chump, I don't hate Obama...much like I don't hate you just because we frequently disagree.

[baseline bum]

I think the point was to do a detailed online explanation of the policies he would pursue and the thought process behind it...something much more extensive than a 30 second "hope and change" soundbite. I think the U of P analogy was just to give an example of the technology, not the actual medium.

It would last about 1 lecture and a half before he'd contradict himself and have to pull the plug tbh. Gingrich is probably only qualified to teach at Glenn Beck University anyways.

[Winehole23]

Gingrich was an assistant prof at West Georgia College, but did not receive tenure.

[ChumpDumper]

And Chump, I don't hate Obama...much like I don't hate you just because we frequently disagree.If Obama has done nothing, why do you oppose him so fervently?

[CosmicCowboy]

If Obama has done nothing, why do you oppose him so fervently?

Your words, not mine.

I choose to not play this round of Chump asking leading loaded questions just for entertainment value.

BTW, I'm heading for Scottsdale tomorrow for the weekend so you guys have a great Thanksgiving.

[ChumpDumper]

Well, unlike Obama, some Presidents have actually done other things besides campaign for re-election 24/7...Your words, not mine.

Or are you saying you don't oppose him fervently?

[CosmicCowboy]

Just to throw you a bone Chump, I strongly disagree with him philosophically on the role of the Federal Government in our lives.

You probably need a nanny state to keep you safe and indebted to them.

[ChumpDumper]

Just to throw you a bone Chump, I strongly disagree with him philosophically on the role of the Federal Government in our lives.But you said he hasn't done anything but campaign.


You probably need a nanny state to keep you safe and indebted to them.What specifically leads you to say that about me?

[CosmicCowboy]

But you said he hasn't done anything but campaign.

And I will play just a little longer. Your President has made it explicitly clear in repetitive speech after speech that he supports the expansion of the role of the federal government in our lives and is eagerly playing his hole card of class warfare to further that goal

What specifically leads you to say that about me?

You already picked your guy...the agenda goes with the guy...

[ChumpDumper]

So you're just talking out of your ass.

OK.

[CosmicCowboy]

So you're just talking out of your ass.

OK.

LOL

Typical Chump move to fart and try to blame me for the smell.

Have a nice Thanksgiving...

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Leeches, nanny states blah blah blah.

Fearmonger WIC, AFDC and foodstamps when the majority of the countries entitlements are going to your demographic. Baby boomers are more of a problem then poor people.

[ChumpDumper]

LOL

Typical Chump move to fart and try to blame me for the smell.

Have a nice Thanksgiving...LOL

Typical CC talking out of his ass and running away.

[ChumpDumper]

That's his agenda.

[Nbadan]

And they can bus the poor kids to the more elite schools so they can clean up after rich kids! Wow what an idea!

win-win...

[Wild Cobra]

For starters, Newt wasn't speaker in 1994, dumbfuck.

lol think progress. "While he was speaker in the 1990s, he represented Cobb County, Georgia. Thanks to Gingrich, Cobb ranked “third among suburban counties in federal dollars returned per resident. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the federal government spent $4.4 billion in Cobb County in 1994..."


Any idea on what that 4.4 billion was spent on? Of course not.

lol "facts".

Like I said. He violated the Contract with America.

[boutons_deux]

Gingrich’s Latest Social Security Scheme: Privatize The Program Then Bail Out Bad Investors

The government guarantees that all workers with personal accounts will receive at least as much in retirement as they would under the current Social Security system. If someone with a personal account retires with benefits lower than those offered by the current system, the Treasury will send them a check to make up the difference. Thus, there is a legal government obligation that in a worst case scenario a retiree will be able to enjoy benefits at least as good as they would under th e traditional Social Security system.

sets up a huge moral hazard problem. If investors know full well that the government is going to provide them with a minimum benefit, no matter what they do, then the incentive is to make risky investments and hope for a big payoff. After all, why not take the risk if the government has guaranteed that you can’t lose money? Investors have every incentive to bet big in the hopes of a large payout, because if they go bust, the government will bail them out.

Add to this the fact that the privatized systems in Chile and Galveston aren’t as wonderful as Gingrich makes out. In fact, while they work quite well for the wealthy, middle- and lower-income participants wind up worse off. Regarding the Galveston system, Eric Kingson, a professor of social work at Syracuse University, explained that “for most people, it’s somewhere between ‘very bad’ and ‘not very good.’ ” Chile’s system, meanwhile, has “left millions without savings for their retirement.” According to estimates by Chile’s undersecretary for pensions, “in 2007, only 60 percent of Chilean workers had some kind of pension coverage, down from 86 percent in the 1970s.”

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/11/21/373920/gingrich-social-security-privatize-scheme/

[Blake]

Since when do US President have time to prepare and teach online courses?


I have wondered before how SA's city manager has that kind of time.

[cheguevara]

Just to throw you a bone Chump, I strongly disagree with him philosophically on the role of the Federal Government in our lives.

You probably need a nanny state to keep you safe and indebted to them.

those that believe we can live in totally free market are living in fantasy land. Somebody is gotta protect society from greed

[boutons_deux]

"to do a detailed online explanation of the policies he would pursue and the thought process behind it"

He will NEVER get the Bully Pulpit, but BP reaches a lot further than some iddy biddy course at scammers like Phoenix, Kaplan, ...

[spursncowboys]

those that believe we can live in totally free market are living in fantasy land. Somebody is gotta protect society from greed
And who will do that? The elected officials. Nancy Pelosi? She has become a multi-millionaire. Harry Reid? All the congressmen have made a fortune on insider trading, while passing laws to protect against the greedy. Who determines who has too much and is greedy?

[boutons_deux]

govt is the only countervailing power to hold the corps and finance in check, but the govt has been weakened, captured, corrupted by the power of the corps and finance who paid for the policies that increased the wealth = power, while bankrupting/weakening govt.

[ChumpDumper]

And who will do that? The elected officials. Nancy Pelosi? She has become a multi-millionaire. Harry Reid? All the congressmen have made a fortune on insider trading, while passing laws to protect against the greedy. Who determines who has too much and is greedy?snc, class warrior.