Why, heck, after being railroaded into picking an Ayn Rand kind of guy who is three ticks rightward of me, I'm prepared to vote for the other guy myself!

That's okay, though. We're so far ahead in the polls that I don't think a VP guy who wants to abolish medicare will hurt us too much. Who in the heck needs the independent voter, anyway?

Mitt -- Brave, bold, truthful, and unwilling to back down to those Marxist socialists who keep demanding to see evidence of his proven economic successes.

I concur. I don't feel like having "parts" of Social Security privatized, while my hard earned money gets invested in Wall Street without my approval. And turning Medicare into a voucher system...NEXT!

Say what you want,but let's talk after election day, when Obama wins a second term - not because he is good for the country or has good ideas, but because people do NOT want the extreme right making any decisions. Let's see: Ryan opposes abortion, stem cell, has radical plans for social security, the list goes on and on.

And I am the first to admit that we need pension reform, social security reform. But we need smart reform, and we need to keep the socially backwards folks away.

Obama will win a second term, and it should not have been this way. There were other, better VP choices, but Romney is trying to appeal to the far right, without realizing that those folks already supported him (not because they liked him but because they wanted Obama gone). You screwed up again GOP!

Who on their right mind would support Ryan? (other than the already backwards segment of the population, the so called "base" of the GOP. See what Ryan stands for:

Web Link

Resident said: "Who on their right mind would support Ryan? (other than the already backwards segment of the population, the so called "base" of the GOP. See what Ryan stands for:"

Thanks for the link on Ryan's positions. That did it for me. I'm voting against the Romney-Ryan ticket in November. Sorry, GOP, you screwed up big time. If there was any doubt before, there's none now. You've just lost the election.

Ryan is being presented as a devout Catholic. Does he have any comments re: his silence about the sexual abuse of thousands and thousands and thousands of Catholic American children?

Does anybody plan to interview Ryan re: perverted Catholic priests and nuns who rape children?

Get ready for "Obama's America 2016". Remember, no matter how foolish you may be, or how uniformed you are; there is only One GOD and HE is Always in control, not you and not Obama. Amen

I actually like this choice. My main concern is US debt and choosing Ryan is a sign that Romney is going to take this seriously. I voted for Obama, but a lot of what I liked about him were the parts where he said that it wasn't fair to pass our deficit onto further generations and that he was going to cut the debt in half. The opposite happened and I won't vote for him again.

This is what Obama in 2009 said (and he was right, which is why Ryan is a good choice):

"We can not and will not sustain deficits like these without end. Contrary to the prevailing wisdom in Washington these past few years, we can not simply spend as we please and defer the consequences to the next budget, the next administration or the next generation. We are paying the price for these deficits right now. In 2008 alone we paid $250 billion in interest on our debt, that is more than three times what we spent on education that year, more than seven times what we spent on VA healthcare. So if we confront this crisis without also confronting the deficits that helped cause it, we risk sinking into another crisis down the road as our interest payments rise, our obligations come due, confidence in our economy erodes and our children and grandchildren are unable to pursue their dreams because they are saddled with our debts. That's why today I am pledging to cut the deficit we inherited by half by the end of my first term in office. This will not be easy - it will require us to make difficult decisions and face challenges we have long neglected but i refuse to leave our children with a debt they can not repay. And that means taking responsibility right now in this administration, for getting our spending under control."

Cholo, your issue is not relevant for the election of a replacement of the current administration.
To the other leftists, how's it been going so far under the Obama regime? Averse to fiscal responsibility and smaller govt?
Then, I can see why you'd oppose the new vp.

So predictable...ok, back to huffpo for you. It's time for adults to run the country again.

Steve,

Look at the add on this page, about a petition to overturn Roe v Wade. That is what the extreme right is all about, and it will not go well outside the base of the GOP.

Romney and his backwards VP choice will not win in November, and I know you do not believe that, so let's see what you have to say the day after the election.

"Mr. Ryan has been quoted as saying that his family received Social Security survivor benefits after his father’s death, and that he used some of the money to help pay for college."

Web Link

And yet he wants to end the program for everyone else. THat is the typical GOP mentality: get rid of programs that benefit people, but they (GOP extreme right) still want them available to them. Example: Many GOP seniors complain about Obamacare yet they happily enjoy their Medicare benefits

Resident and his buddies need to get their facts straight. Ryan's plan does not end Medicare, but Obama's plan actually takes away millions from the Medicare Program. Check out the facts and quit with the propaganda stuff. Try reading the HHC tax mandate. Oh yes, I forgot, you had to pass it before you even read it! Pass it and then you get to find out what's actually in those over 2000 pages.

You're confusing Ryan's attempt to save a failing system with wanting to end a social program. Nothing could be further from truth. I think many people understand that continuing to throw money at every problem, with little accountability, isn't the right answer. I'll leave it at that.

I see Obama's team of liars got their social media assignments. Pathetic. The tragedy is most of you know you are intentionally lying. You really couldn't be that badly informed. could you??? Surely, you aren't just plain dim and gullible. Has it been so long that you no longer have the ability to actually think independently, and are merely robots.
I am no tea partier, and I think Ryan's great.
He understand budgets better than anybody in Washington. Oooops, I forgot, this group doesn't discuss anything important or relevant. Your only ability it to scare and lie. At all costs, don't ever even hint at real issues or real discussions. You lose if, for even a moment, you allow any discussion of economy or jobs.
Well, losers, from here on lying robots are history.
Suffering Americans deserve and will get, solutions and fixes on economy and jobs....like we SHOULD have had several years ago. We would be well by now, IF it been important enough to Obama to deal with several years ago, instead of making donor kickback deals with Solyndra. The real Mr Fix-it will now perform the long awaited turn-around.
Plain to see you are all terrified ! yea !!!

"Suffering Americans deserve and will get, solutions and fixes on economy and jobs....like we SHOULD have had several years ago."

And where does the money come from to alleviate all this suffering, Repulsed? Social programs paid for by taxes that your presidential candidate hasn't paid into and your vice presidential candidate has accepted despite his public statements opposing.

GOP hypocrites will lose again because they cannot get their stories straight before throwing their hats into the ring. Sad, really sad.

RR,

Are you actually thinking of Bush when you say "several years ago"? He was the one in office then.

Paul Ryan is one of the smartest and bravest people in Washington. How often does anyone see any politician make a statement without first consulting the polls? Ryan, whether you like him or not, does what he believes is right. Nobody has to vote for him but everyone should consider what he has to say.

I very much appreciate hearing all your supportive comments. (Maybe, just maybe, I WILL vote for myself.) Let me add that I'm very proud to have selected my Ayn Rand-influenced running mate. I would have selected Michelle Bachmann, but we know what happened with Sarah Palin. Heh-heh. So I picked someone who has an identical voting record to Michelle's and who supports all of Michelle's positions: the intellectual of our party, Paul Ryan. BTW, Nate Silver shares with his readers that Ryan is the most extreme vp running mate choice since 1900. Take that all you Indies! You see, I wanted to select someone to please all the righties in my party who distrust me for being the author of Obamacare. But more to the point, I wanted to select a running mate whose economic policy allows rich guys like myself to not pay any taxes. Heh-heh. Not that I'm saying I don't pay taxes.

Mitt -- You can always trust him to make a choice and then kind of stand by it.

To those who criticize Obama for the bailout, here is something you should already know but if you do not, read:

"He (Ryan) voted for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP. While a lot of other Republicans did too, and it was proposed by the Bush administration, some have viewed it as a rejection of the conservative economic values Ryan and hard-line fiscal conservatives espouse. "

Web Link

Oh, consistency is way overrated for crying out loud. I've never found it to be all that helpful in my own political life.


Mitt -- Always can be counted on to move from one position to the other (except revealing his tax forms), and consistency be darned.

I think Paul Ryan can out debate and make more sense than Joe Biden on any given day (Biden is a boob). He can also effectively debate president Obama on any economic plan or topic related to the economy.

Time will tell and the voters will vote.

" Ryan sponsored a Social Security privatization scheme that went so far the George W. Bush administration rejected it. So let’s dig a little deeper in the Ryan archives."

Web Link

"Mr. Ryan again proposed reshaping Medicare into a subsidized set of private insurance plans, but this time, in a twist Mr. Ryan had previously announced with Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat of Oregon, the plan included an option that would allow current Medicare recipients to buy into the existing fee-for-service program. The Medicare budget would be cut by $205 billion below President Obama’s budget through 2022. Also, the Republican budget mandates the repeal of Mr. Obama’s health care law."

Web Link

" Ryan, whether you like him or not, does what he believes is right."

But he believes abortion should be illegal, is against contraception, stem cell research, wants to stop funding for Planned Parenthood.... backward beliefs to worry about. If republicans want to force women to have babies even in cases of incest and rape, that is something to worry about.

And HE VOTED FOR THE BAILOUT, so is he really fiscally conservative? He did what he "believes is right" in your own words!

And do not forget that at least one supreme court justice will be appointed by the next president, and we do not need another Thomas or Alito in there, do we? I had hopes that Romney could be moderate but his VP choice clearly indicates he has moved to the far right - too bad because we needed someone to replace Obama, but now it looks like we will have to put up with Obama and his bad policies for 4 more years.

The fact that the tea party approves of Ryan as VP choice, means Romney has moved to the far right:

"Tea Party Patriots welcomes the selection of Paul Ryan as the vice-presidential running mate for Governor Mitt Romney. With this selection, Governor Romney and the Republican Party make it clear that they have accepted the Tea Party Patriots' values"

Web Link

Web Link

Unacceptable!!!! Romney was supposed to be moderate! What happened to that?

The debate about Ryan hinges on whether or not you like Obama's strategy to increase government while also increasing defecits, or the Romney/Ryan plan which is to only spend what you can afford.

I guess it all boils down to Obama/Biden and big government vs. Romney/Ryan and their views on managing our country's finances. I agree with a previous poster; Biden is a boob.

Heck, so many want to make such a big issue of right or left. Aren't these relative terms, after all? I mean Barry Goldwater once was thought to be on the conservative side of the Republican party, but now he'd be center-left. Ronald Reagan would have had to have been a Democrat for his policies to fly today. But, thankfully, we now live during a time when undoing health care, gutting medicare and social security, and giving additional tax breaks to the overburdened wealthy, trumps matters of left or right.

Mitt -- Trust him. Trust his courage of conviction. Where's that coward Harry Reid's tax returns??????

This is a little bit off the major issues concerning Paul Ryan, but one other thing that bothers me about him is that he has apparently taught his 9-year old daughter how to hunt deer with a bow. Now I have nothing against people needing to hunt animals for food. But teaching a young 9-year old daughter how to kill animals for pleasure and sport is a bit disturbing to me. I would really need a good explanation from him or his campaign before I felt comfortable voting for him.

Yes, yes, OF COURSE I REVIEWED SEVERAL YEARS OF TAX RETURNS FOR EACH OF THE POTENTIAL VP CANDIDATES I WAS CONSIDERING!!! Golly sakes, what kind of boob wouldn't do that?


Mitt -- A man of the people.

"Posted by Mr. Mittens, Heck, so many want to make such a big issue of right or left. Aren't these relative terms, after all?"

No. Not when he conversation includes a very left leaning politician/presdent that cut his teeth in the most corrupt city in the Union.

It's always the right time to protect American children from sexual predators. That many sexual predators happen to be Catholic priests and nuns, is reality.

Rep. Ryan is an elected American official who has a duty to do what he can to protect all American children. Keeping American children safe from adult sexual predators requires a willingness to behave responsibly.

What has Rep. Ryan done to protect innocent children from sexual predators who also happen to be Catholic priests and nuns?

Left, right, or in the middle, All Americans have a responsibility to protect fellow Americans, especially the most vulnerable citizens.

Romney should have chosen someone with some foreign experience, especially in light of his recent faux pas in London.

But, he chose Ryan on the perception that:

a) Youth
b) photogenic
c) perception of the some voters that think that only the economy is, and only, issue. Social issues are not important to Romney, apparently.

And, Mitt, he's a flip flopper. I do not trust him.

Hmmm. You leave out, accidentally or conveniently, that the House has been controlled by the Republicans. No matter what President Obama does, even to agree with them, they still work against him.

Sen. Mitch McConnell said it from day one that their goal was to make President Obama a one-term President. Why do you people have a hard time understanding this?

The Ryan Express stops here for me:

Under the so-called Ryan Plan, the Republican's 2012 budget, taxes for the nation's 1 percent would have been cut 50 percent even as taxes would have risen for 95 percent of Americans, according to Nobel laureate economist Paul Krugman.

The Ryan Plan would have increased the deficit by 1.3 trillion.

Ryan is a dangerous far-right ideologue on many issues, but the shocking financial irresponsibility of cutting taxes 50% for the 1 percenters while increasing it for the rest of us tells me this man shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the White House.

Scary to think that the decision will be based on a few swing states. I don't think people in Ohio (I know this is generalizing) look or read other sources for their information. If they did, they would know about the real Mitt Romney.

the election of a president is never based upon a "few swing votes".

Really Sam? I'm supposed to believe that you might have considered voting for Romney but you're not sure know that Ryan is his VP? That's the funniest thing I've heard all day.

Judging by how riled up all you leftists are, I'd say Romney made the right choice.

Just for the record, I have absolutely in voting for the present creep in the White House. As far as I'm concerned, he is O V E R! FLUSH!

YR said: "Really Sam? I'm supposed to believe that you might have considered voting for Romney but you're not sure know that Ryan is his VP? That's the funniest thing I've heard all day."

You shouldn't be surprised that a candidate's choice of a VP can make or break the decision of voters. Seems like you conservatives have forgotten the lesson of McCain and his disastrous choice for a VP running mate already. His decision cost him my vote, as well as the votes of many other independents.

In the case of the current election, the choice of Ryan may appeal to many conservatives, but from what I now know about Ryan I think that he will have limited appeal to independents.

Your saying that Romney made the right choice because leftists are all "riled up" about the choice is the silliest and stupidest thing I've read here today because that's EXACTLY the same thing you conservatives were saying about the leftist response to McCain's choice of Palin four years ago. How did that all work out for you?

GUEST, please do not fret over Medicare...it's a moot point! It's going to be broke anyway!! There's no way to provide free care for 30 years for every senior. Stop fooling yourself with Obama's smoke and mirrors.
TRUDY ?? I can't tell if you're just UNinformed or are intentionally lying..like the Leader. Informed folks KNOW Romney PAID $$ 6.2 MILLION on 2010 & 11 taxes. $3 mil with 2010 return and $3.2 mil with 2011 estimate. Some dummies lie or use misleading percentage rates.
(Comment deemed inappropriate by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff) However, Ryan's going to be really busy for awhile. And Cholo, really, your little list of no-name nobodies, don't mean a thing. Now, if you want to talk corrupt, there is no end to the stories out of Chicago, Cook County bed of BIG-time political Corruption for many decades. Start with the old mayor Daily from the sixties, right thru the Jessie Jr & cocky guy (starts with a B), who is now in jail for selling Obama's seat, which is how it was always done, but this time, it was too "visible". The stories were always from that district, where Obama cut his teeth learning about politics..right inside the pit. You know, Organizing in that district, his only job between college, and a year & half in the Senate, before running for president (no self-esteem problem there) !!
SAM, Don't tell me you're one of those misguided 'single issue' people, willing to sacrifice your country over trivials. So his daughter knows how to hunt with a bow and bring down a deer. That is the prudent and fiscal way to have great fresh venison. Venison is SO expensive at the Ritz ! Only corrupt Harry Reid 'LIVES' at the Ritz (in DC for years!)
I thought my Pleasanton neighbors were brighter people, but, apparently not ! My illusions have been shattered.

Boy, I'd REALLY REALLY like Repulsed by Robots to be MY tax accountant! As it stands, I'll have to be content to allow him to be one of my gullible followers. I say 'stand', he stands; I say 'sit', he sits. Kind of like a Robot!

As for my Democratic opponents who seem to be thrilled I made the choice I did, well, heck with you! Yes, Rubio might have gotten me a few Latino votes (because, you know, Latinos can't tell the difference between Latinos from Mex and those from Cuba); or Hallie might have gotten me a few women (not that any are going to vote for me anyway); and Jindal might have gotten me a few something or others ... well, maybe not. No, better to go with Michelle Bachmann's voting partner who will further alienate women, won't pick up any Latinos, and who will alienate any Independent with a brain.

And don't worry. I'm not bothered by the studies that show Ryan's budget pie-in-sky giveaways to the rich at the expense of America's middle class voters. Because I've already begun trying to distance myself from Ryan's views. Then why did I pick 'im, you say? Well, heh-heh, I liked his tax return info, for one. And, well, that's what Americans want: someone who is ill-prepared to be President in case I end up in jail on account of fraudulent tax returns.

Mitt -- Say what you want, always happy to have your vote.

I had to recover from realization, you just can't judge a book by it's cover !! Some people just look brighter than they are.
Back to enlightening the misguided.
Janna and DublinMike, how soon we forget several years back. You remember, while Obama was fiddling in his first year, being the first President to run off to 'sell' the IOC on bring Olympics to Chicago !! He failed to sell the US! THOSE were the SO critical months/years when jobs were being lost by the thousands DAILY ! Ms Pelosi was running everything as House all DEM Majority during last
TWO years of Bush. And, even more important during the Solyndra give-away, all kinds of the Trillions paid-back to secret Hollywood donors, and fiddling on and on, writing the 2,000 page health bill, like Obama promised his people back home he would. But arrogant MsPelosi snipped 'you'll have to wait to read it after we pass it' !!
RESIDENT, first Ryan is not running for President ! He will help getting around to campaign trail, and just like as all VP's will 'attend foreign funerals'. Romney will focus on jobs and turn-around, and Ryan, who as House Budget Chair the last 2 years, has been working with the Chief Budget Officer, and will help working on 'saving' us from collapse. Europe will settle down too. It makes them nervous when we are in trouble too. A strong US will bring them back too, it gives them confidence when they know we are sound!
Stop with the Roe v Wade scare tactics. I'm a huge fiscal conservative, but am pro-choice. Stop with the threats and lies.
jiyo51, you're right. Corrupt Chicago, Cook Co, Illinois is infamous as the home base for rigging elections for 90 years. Nobody does it better. I'm really surprised Obama has his whole operation there. That makes it all so obvious.
Jobs, Economy, Budget....seems like like a really great team to me.

And so, yes, folks, you need to vote for me because the other guy didn't bring home the Olympics, because Solyndra failed, and because the ACA was way too long. Other reasons to vote for me. Ryan really doesn't count, so forget about him. And he's anti-choice and his discredited budget proposals ........ Ooooops, in treating Repulsed by Robots seriously, I've just realized I'm being out-Mitted by another Mittster.

Well done, I dare say.

Mitt -- A vote for him is a vote against ... Chicago.

(Post removed by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff as irrelevant to this thread.)

(Post deemed inappropriate by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff)

(Post removed by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff as irrelevant to this thread.)

(Post removed by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff as irrelevant to this thread.)

Cholo, you say you don't care about Obama. Well, I don't appreciate you ending a good thread for educating those misinformed robots, who are a threat to our country with their inability to think for themselves.
I'm with you 100 %, I want those perverts in jail... Why are they walking around?? Law enforcement needs to be made to do their jobs.
However, Cholo, I politely answered your questions, and would like you to move to another thread.
This thread has aa real nut case with several loose screws as it is....makes you look good.

(Post deemed inappropriate by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff)

Repulsed said: "SAM, Don't tell me you're one of those misguided 'single issue' people, willing to sacrifice your country over trivials. So his daughter knows how to hunt with a bow and bring down a deer. That is the prudent and fiscal way to have great fresh venison. "

I very much doubt that the primary reason that Ryan and his 9-year old daughter are out in the woods hunting deer is that they love the taste of fresh venison. More likely the primary reason is pure sport. If he wants to practice that, fine. But to encourage a 9-year old daughter into that kind of activity? I very much doubt that, with the possible exception of very skilled individualis, that people hunting deer with a bow and arrows can bring an adult deer down with a quick and painless death. More likely the deer goes through a considerably long and painful death. I would say that that's even more the case if the shooter is a 9-year old who lacks the strength or the accuracy to make a quick kill. In my view, it's a pretty cruel and sadistic practice for a 9-year old to inflict on an animal. To me, all this reflects very badly on the judgement of the father. I don't want this guy as VP.

I personally think that Cholo makes some very good points. The reason I selected a nice young Catholic boy as my running mate is because Catholics have gotten such a raw deal throughout our history, especially the embattled Catholic Church. We Republicans have not only staunchly defended the Catholic Church and its principled positions on gayness, child molestation, and women, but have done our utmost to make sure Catholicism's chaste and authoritarian doctrine has become enmired in the law of the land. Hence, my good Catholic boy, Paul Ryan, extends the Republican tradition of appointing good Catholics to important positions. In fact, the current majority of good conservative judges on the Supreme Court consists of Catholics: Scalia, Kennedy, Thomas, Roberts, Alito.

Once in office I promise to extend this important trend. We need to protect the rights of women and children in this country that has, face it, lost its way, succumbing to the interests of inferior cultures.

Mitt -- Always supports superior cultures.

"Stop with the Roe v Wade scare tactics. I'm a huge fiscal conservative, but am pro-choice. Stop with the threats and lies. "

OK, I know you probably only believe it if Fox news or Rush L say it, so here is something from FOX news about Romney on abortion:

"Today Romney calls himself “firmly pro-life.” He believes Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion nationally, should be overturned, and he is committed to appointing judges who share that view. He says he would be “delighted” to sign a federal ban on abortion if Roe were overturned."

Web Link

And from Politico, a news source Rush often uses:

"Paul Ryan’s budget-cutting zeal isn’t the only stance that has conservatives fired up. His anti-abortion record can energize social conservatives who had been slow to embrace Mitt Romney.

“We are thrilled with this pick,” Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List said of Ryan. “He has a pristine pro-life voting record and will be an asset to Gov. Romney’s campaign.”"

Web Link

------

No lies as you see, the two (Romney and Ryan) are pro choice an Romney is committed to ending Roe v Wade.... read about it - in fact, go to Romney's campaign page and see how far to the right he moved on this issue.

CORRECTION TO MY POST:

I wrote:

"No lies as you see, the two (Romney and Ryan) are pro choice an Romney is committed to ending Roe v Wade.... read about it - in fact, go to Romney's campaign page and see how far to the right he moved on this issue."

It should have read:

No lies as you see, the two (Romney and Ryan) are pro LIFE AND Romney is committed to ending Roe v Wade.... read about it - in fact, go to Romney's campaign page and see how far to the right he moved on this issue.

"Stop with the Roe v Wade scare tactics. I'm a huge fiscal conservative, but am pro-choice. Stop with the threats and lies. "

OK, I know you probably only believe it if Fox news or Rush L say it, so here is something from FOX news about Romney on abortion:

"Today Romney calls himself “firmly pro-life.” He believes Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion nationally, should be overturned, and he is committed to appointing judges who share that view. He says he would be “delighted” to sign a federal ban on abortion if Roe were overturned."

Web Link

And from Politico, a news source Rush often uses:

"Paul Ryan’s budget-cutting zeal isn’t the only stance that has conservatives fired up. His anti-abortion record can energize social conservatives who had been slow to embrace Mitt Romney.

“We are thrilled with this pick,” Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List said of Ryan. “He has a pristine pro-life voting record and will be an asset to Gov. Romney’s campaign.”"

Web Link

------

No lies as you see, the two (Romney and Ryan) are PRO LIFE and Romney is committed to ending Roe v Wade.... read about it - in fact, go to Romney's campaign page and see how far to the right he moved on this issue.

First, some words from the Nobel Prize Laureate from that bastion of liberalism, Princeton University:

"Look, Ryan hasn't 'crunched the numbers'; he has just scribbled some stuff down, without checking at all to see if it makes sense. He asserts that he can cut taxes without net loss of revenue by closing unspecified loopholes; he asserts that he can cut discretionary spending to levels not seen since Calvin Coolidge, without saying how; he asserts that he can convert Medicare to a voucher system, with much lower spending than now projected, without even a hint of how this is supposed to work. [...] He's a hard-core conservative, with a voting record as far right as Michelle Bachman's [sic], who has shown no competence at all on the numbers thing."

The 'numbers thing'. Can you imagine that? And the guy can't even spell Ryan's soul-mate Michelle Bachmann's name correctly. I'm so happy we have a TRUE intellectual like Paul Ryan to guide us through the mess the current guy in office has created. (And what's wrong with Calvin Coolidge anyway? Well, okay, he was kind of a party guy and somewhat tempestuous, but other than that?)

Mitt -- He'll protect women by protecting their embryos; he'll protect women by denying them dignity-stripping social assistance; he'll protect them by jailing their unwanted children after they turn bad as members of, you know, an inferior culture.










This is EXACTLY why I wouldn't appoint the Nobel Prize Winning Laureate Paul Krugman to any position

To um, complete the thought, heh-heh.

This is EXACTLY why I wouldn't appoint the Nobel Prize Winning Laureate Paul Krugman to any position beyond keeper of my magic happy underpants.


Mitt -- He'll help people realize the American dream, unless they're from an inferior culture.

Shallow sickos and liars get SO tiresome. Yes, I'm pro-choice, and I'm not worried....that is not what Romney is about. You know what preferences & opinions are like...everybody has them...Romney is not going to 'change' everything. THAT's what you lie about.
Obama did not even stick with position he 'promised'...do marijuana
'storm troopers come to mind.
The election and administration will be about economics and jobs. RyAN will NOT even be voting in committees anymore! He can help educate dummies about economic realities...remember, UNemployment is still over 8% in US, 10% in CA...that is the focus !!! You do NOT know crap about what a PRESIDENT Romney WILL or MIGHT do, any better than you know about me. I am constantly rotating every channel.... know-it-all. I do what everybody should try. My number one station is middle CNN who covers both sides and has the best primary & general election coverage. I spot-check c-span hourly to WATCH FOR MYSELF WHO IS ACTUALLY SAYING WHAT; next down list check the flame-throwers on MSnbc to hear their lies and email accordingly,and I KNOW they lie 95% of time; next down line is Fox, they have more Dems than MSnbc has Repubs, but I only check in on 2 or 3 of their shows & part-time. And, I never listen the Rush. I don't like rants on single subjects and few callers. Matthews, Ed, Olberman, Maddow, etc, really spew stupid, false, lies,like predicting what's inside whose heads, and who'll DO what...ALL speculation. MSnbc dominance provides more leftist craziness, than all center and center-right coverage combined. I also read many publications and make my own evaluations and do know what I'm talking about, unlike empty-headed, intentional lie repeating, replusive ROBOTS !

" Yes, I'm pro-choice, and I'm not worried....that is not what Romney is about. "

Really? Read this, from Romney's OFFICIAL website:

" he believes that the right next step is for the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade – a case of blatant judicial activism that took a decision that should be left to the people and placed it in the hands of unelected judges. With Roe overturned, states will be empowered through the democratic process to determine their own abortion laws and not have them dictated by judicial mandate."

Web Link

With what the states are already doing to take away abortion services despite Roe v. Wade (think Mississippi and Oklahoma, etc) imagine the free for all that would happen if they overturned it. Women dying everywhere for a start. If I lived in one of those backwards, anti-women states, I would run away as fast as I could.

Get over it ! It's NOT part of his AGENDA. His focus is Jobs and economy. I guess you're so well off and have a completely secure future, so that doesn't matter to you. Or maybe living off the taxpayers...THAT may not BE so secure if we continue in our downward spiral.
We need the turn-around guy. VPs don't play a big role.
Presidents have thousands of 'opinions' and positions, but certainly 'act' on all thoughts. He's not a storm-trooper.
So you're pretty upset with Obama breaking his word about pot in CA, and storm-trooping pot houses...ok with you that he broke his word.

What is a moderate to do now?! Pick those points that are the most important to you and try to vote for the least extreme of the 2 main parties. America needs a MIDDLE OF THE ROAD party that all the rest of us can get behind....where the key word is COMPROMISE.

Minimum wage workers can succeed and grow upward better in a vibrant, growing economy. Nothing good happens without a vibrant, growing economy, it pretty dwarfs all other concerns. Other things fall into place and into perspective. Focus & skill are badly needed. Sadly, from Obama's first day he did not focus on economy, and things just got worse. We need Romney who knows what he's doing, then does it !
Don't let partisan scare tactics about a VICE-pres who has no powers.

I am an independent and will vote for Romney now that he has chosen Ryan. I think we need someone who can do something for the economy and Obama has proven he is not up to the job. It does not matter about California anyway. we are already in to deep and I bet neither Obama or Romney will come here. Actually Obama might come here to pick up some cash. If Obama is re elected this will be the last Presidential election in what is currently the United States.

Bain + Pain = Obama in 2012

Can't show his tax returns? Why not? Could it be that they would show something he does not want shown?

I would not mind voting for a Republican, but my short list of atributes include being Smart and Sane. Romey ain't smart and Ryan ain't sane. The choice of Ryan as a running mate is a tranparent move to placate the Right by a desperate candidate.

WOOF!

I give you my solemn word, and you know I'm good for my taxes, um, I mean word -- heh-heh-heh -- that if I am to select a Supreme Court Justice or two, the economy and taco stand minimum wage jobs will be my only concern. Roe v. Wade, what's that?

Mitt -- He wants your money, as does the rest of Wall Street, and he's willing to gut medicare and social security in order to get it. Harry Reid, where are YOUR tax returns, and why aren't YOU running for President?

MrM,How gifted to see inside Romney's head ! amazing! I pity your ignorance, however. Look around you, there are companies everywhere in CA. Except Romney's own company, was founded in 1984 in BOSTON, MASS, where Romney has lived since. What's with Wall Street. I've never found anything you have to say to have any accuracy. Why do you work so hard to make yourself look so silly. You accomplish nothing.

Hmmmmm

Good versus evil
Pro life versus pro death
Capitalism versus socialism

Interesting contest

I know in the end the winner!!

Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D), Florida, thought she was going to have an open mic to spread the Obama lies about Paul Ryan and Medicare. The lies are too outrageous even for Wolf Blitzer of CNN; watch for yourself:

Web Link

Debbie blinks as much as Pelosi when she knows she's lying.

"With what the states are already doing to take away abortion services despite Roe v. Wade (think Mississippi and Oklahoma, etc) imagine the free for all that would happen if they overturned it. Women dying everywhere for a start. If I lived in one of those backwards, anti-women states, I would run away as fast as I could."

I agree, that is why Romney's position about wanting to undo Roe v Wade is something to worry about.

Also, supreme court justices (at least one) will be appointed by the next president, and we need someone who is prochoice, and Romney has promised to appoint a judge that will be anti-abortion.

I did not want to get involved this time around because I dislike Obama so much, but given the alternative, I have already contacted his campaign so I can help in any way I can.

And "Repulsed," say what you want but Romney is not just about the economy...if he were, he would have chosen a prochoice VP instead of a socially backwards Ryan. And I hate to disappoint you, but I am not receiving any type of government assistance... unlike Ryan's mom, who is a "senior on Medicare" - yeah, his mom is taking advantage of the very program he wants to go after, right wing hypocrisy! I wonder if Ryan is planning to reimburse the taxpayers for the money his mom has already used through Medicare?

Resident you lie with omits and inserts. This will be the end of the DEMS DIVERSION AWAY from Obama's lousy UNemployment numbers and lousy economy.
Romney also said, Roe v Wade IS IN PLACE , and the ONLY way it MIGHT/COULD BE CHANGED WOULD BE through the Supreme Court,
Your intrepetation was "Romney's POSITION ABOUT WANTING to undo". YOU create something he did NOT SAY. PUTTING WORDS IN HIS MONTH HE DID NOT UTTER IS .......LYING. KNOCK IT OFF. You state your creation as if fact...it's NOT. THAT's how you have been tutored to twist words (LIE) to dumb, uninformed people...won't work here. You are smart enough to see the difference, aren't you?
Yeah, right, you are so right. Debbie W is on every channel slobbering over herself trying to get all her lies out. It is shameful ! She is so lacking in ethics. I must be 'CHICAGO's PLAN". It is sad the people they intentionally deceive. They are so use to having ignorant followers who just naively believe their lies that they spew with such ease. That's why I watch for myself who says what....never what somebody SAYS they said..or even sillier..what the opposition THINKS..like they have a crystal ball to look inside their skull. I'm so sick of blank "is gonna do'...how can they predict the future. What I DO KNOW NOW FOR A FACT is the LACK OF JOBS is a tragedy..a genuine assult on Americans. and the economy means many of our families are suffering. The slick campaigner-in-chief hasnn't spent a week working in the White House this year...our problems are NOT being solved! IT'S TIME AFTER 3 1/2 WASTED YEARS, TO START WORKING ON THESE ECONOMIC PROBLEMs. Just look at the past. Easy to see Obama was a very smooth and really good campaigner, smooth talker with promises last time. He's again showing he is a great slick campaigner...a much better campaigner, than president. And the scariest . . . he told Putin, 'just wait til AFTER the election", then I can do whatever I want. Yup, no other re-election, and he will go ALL IN, pleasing the far left, and rewriting history. Bad for America.

I really want to assure people that I do not intend to go to jail for tax fraud or any other crime. My tax records clearly indicate that I have done nothing wrong. That's why I will not release them. It's perfectly logical, as all my Romney's Robots will attest. Golly!

To those who say my choice of Ryan is a Hail Mary selection that ranks right up there with McCain's choice of Palin. Well, heck yeah! Some people said I might have selected one of the Maine babes -- Snow or Collins -- which would have helped move my campaign from extreme right to a more moderate position, thereby attracting independent voters. And that by selecting the extremist ideological leader of the House of Representatives, I'm ceding to Obama the independent vote. But here's my strategy, which I formed with my trusted advisors.

By picking Ryan I forfeit the independent crowd, true enough. But what the pollsters and pundits don't realize is that there are millions and millions of corn dog chewing, Chris Christie types out there who are going to rise up and vote for the first time. That's why I immediately sent Ryan not to Florida to campaign with me, but to Iowa to sample the state's new bacon dipped corn dog. It begins with a fried corn dog, then dipped in mayo and butter, then wrapped with a fatty slice of bacon (Christie says the fattier the better), and then re-fried.

Besides, Ryan will kick Biden's butt. Cuz Biden doesn't know anything about foreign relations -- his stint as chair of the senate foreign relations committee being an illusion that the leftwing media somehow sold off to the public. And as for women really liking Biden, well, Ryan will show them that restrictions on their right to an abortion and other forms of birth control are actually in their interests.

So, my choice was really quite brilliant,as I'm sure Repulsed by Robots and other Romnians will enthusiastically agree. Gosh I LOVE this country!

Summary: Why Ryan?

Women love him -- abortion? who needs it?; vast foreign policy knowledge and experience; Michelle Bachmann loves him; once public finds out he's the intellect behind my party's obstructionism in congress, they'll be really really impressed, because the public loves congress; independents won't like him, but that's a plus because corn dog chewers in Iowa and Mississipp will; minimum wage earners will like his desire to strip away minimum wage; and finally, like myself, he refuses to show more than one partial tax return.

Mitt -- Always showing good sense! What's not to like? Seniors take heed. Let me take your money out of the medicare coffers and give it to wall streeters who always know how to make money, for themselves.

Say whatever you want, "Repulsed," but Romney has given many interviews about his views on abortion and has made it clear that he is for overturning Roe v. Wade and would appoint justices who share his view.

You are probably a guy, but I am a woman with daughters and abortion is an important issue for me. I do not want women rights set back because of backwards thinking "leaders"

Luckily, your vote here in California WILL NOT count. Obama will win in CA just like Romney will win in a backwards state like Alaska.

The key states like North Carolina, Colorado, Florida... are the ones to watch. And fortunately, the polls there are not too kind to the Ryan pick. Baby boomers will be concerned about medicare reform the way Ryan and Romney speak of it, women will be concerned (Colorado) about the abortion issue...... A friend of mine (also a woman, also has daughters) in Colorado will be working for Obama's campaign, something she was not planning to do before the Ryan announcement.

Write here the day after election. I can guarantee we will have an Obama second term despite how much many of us dislike him and what he has done (or not done). The GOP screwed up again, I guess 2008 was not a good enough lesson, and the extreme right is still in denial about the Palin effect on McCain's campaign.

I agree with Resident. Even though I have previously leaned Republican on a consistent basis, the current Republican party has become so extreme on fiscal and social issues that it is now losing me. It is a party led by a few exceedingly wealthy men who are corraling masses of frustrated people who read nothing besides the misinformation they email to one another.

been there, you are so right. Good thing the dems are not like that, with their support from common, middle class folks like George Soros, rich Hollywood liberals and their corp backers like Google, Facebook, etc. Yup, good thing they are the party of the little people. Hypocrites........

BeenThere,.......as opposed to the entire administration of surrogates, who command all the free tv time on all shows 24/7 on screen spinning outright LIES directly to the camera. Shameless, just spinning and spewing on anything, to keep from talking about economy and never, never, JOBS. Always more jobs lost than gained.
And that snarling stepanie, never mentions the 'senior advantage' that Obama/Pelosi has taken away from my coverage, in order to pay for his inner-city followers, like he promised. That 'TRANSFER' was what the entire act was about. He jumped right on that from day one...sticking to HIS agenda, not the job needs of the country.
Resident, I am not a guy! I am choice, and RvW is safe..'a done deal'. I think being the dependable and growing world economic leader, with secure American jobs, sort of 'tops' everything else for me. Don't you want your daughter to have a secure financial future???...a stronger, not weaker country for them, than we were raised with ?? Secure jobs for them and husbands they might have, to build a secure and comfortabe retirement, are needed for a lifetime. That has to trump everything else. Priority one.
Today, not many smart women need abortions. Just how many do you think your daughters will need ??

I am another independent who will be voting for Romney/Ryan and believes Ryan strengthens the ticket. He is one of the few who has the courage to deal with the obvious big issues facing our country and has the intelligence and intellectual honesty to parse the issues.

I hope that Ryan's entry into the race will elevate the debate so that we as a society can truly appreciate what is at stake and what the tradeoffs are.

I am one of those independents who voted for Obama last time but am sorely disappointed with how he is running his campaign - run from the issues and his track record and instead demonize his opponent and their ideas. Obama has the intellectual horsepower. Why not an informed debate that uses actual numbers?

For example, let's assume Obama gets his tax increase on the wealthy. Does that solve everything? If not, what would he propose next? Rather than disparaging the ideas from the other side, let's here how he would lead is out of this mess? He's spent $5T over these past 3.5 years, and we are no closer to solving our economic problems. It seems we have just made the hole deeper.

"Today, not many smart women need abortions. Just how many do you think your daughters will need ??"

Actually, imo, the smart women have abortions rather than go through with an unwanted/unplanned pregnancy. And not too many women would chose to have a baby that is the product of rape. And btw, the GOP these days is not just anti-choice as far as abortion goes, they have issues with birth control as well (think Palin's daughter, or the Santorums). Imagine if those views on birth control were imposed on the general population....

I hope my daughters will never need abortions, but if they do, they should be able to get an abortion, legally here in the US, without having to fly to Europe.

And poor people should have access not just to abortions but to affordable birth control as well, and Romney wants to cancel funding for Planned Parenthood.

You keep saying Roe v Wade is safe, and it is now, but it will not be if Romney/Ryan get elected. We will probably hear more about this as the campaign continues but as of today, there have already been many interviews where Romney states his desire to see Roe v Wade overturned....

I honestly thought Romney was just saying he was anti-abortion to get the nomination but thought he did not really believe that. But his actions lately as well as the Ryan pick say that yes, he is now anti-choice and wanting to undo a law that has been in place since the 70s.

First of all, I really wish the Democrats would stop sowing hatred against America's inferior cultures. Doing this is below the dignity of the office. We need to show more respect, even for the inferior ones.

Second, I thank all you independent voters for suddenly jumping aboard my partywagon. I very much appreciate your honesty. We need more of that in our party. Before I say more, let me assure you that I was thinking about Michelle Bachmann as my running mate, because her veiws are identical to Ryan's. However, everybody laughs at her views because she's a woman. But Ryan has the same views, but he's a man and, as in keeping with our religious faith, man is to command respect over woman.

Besides, Ryan has accomplished a bit more. He has had two of his own authored bills accepted by congress. (That's two more than Bachmann.) One named a federal post office bldg after Ted Nugent; the second pared away an excise tax on arrow making. So, take that Democrats!

Repulsed by Robots. Please stop it. Everyone knows you're a Democrat pretending to be a dumb Republican. Just how much are the unions paying you?

Finally, there is absolutely no truth to the rumor that I am becoming unhinged, despite my VP selection.

Many of these social issues are being used as diversionary tactics. If we don't get our economy turned around quickly, life will change even more dramatically for the average American than it already has.

So, which side had a better platform for economic growth and which P/VP team has a stronger track record.

Rather than have a knee jerk reaction and disparage the other side as usually happens, it would be great to have both sides on this issue.

The economy is the primary issue. Social issues are secondary right now.

Spoken like a true man and member of one of the superior cultures who's never had to be concerned with social issues!

I like you. Why, I bet, with you I won't even have to spell out how my economic plan differs from my respectable heh-heh running mate's plan. That way I won't even have to tell you anything more than I have. (Hint: it does involves doubling tax cuts for the top 1% and raising middle class taxes by average of $2000.00 per year. But that's small price to pay for support of our job creating heroes.)

I wish the other side would stop criticizing and ridiculing me. It's very divisive and below the dignity of the office. What? Who's becoming unhinged?

"The economy is the primary issue. Social issues are secondary right now."

I agree, but the backwards folks running the GOP these days do not think so. If the economy were the only issue, then why all the pressure to get Romney to pick a socially conservative running mate? Romney was forced a few months back to promise he would pick an anti-abortion VP.

Social issues matter because the GOP makes a big deal about them, and the composition of the supreme court is at stake.

Can you share the source for the tax cut implications you state? Thanks

BTW, I agree that certain tax rates for the top income earners should increase. Equally important, we need to elimate the many loopholes that allow people to minimize their tax (in Ryan's budget).

BTW, if Obama were successful in getting the tax rate changes he wants, will that solve our budget and economic budget crises? Or is there more we should be doing? What has Obama proposed?

"I agree, but the backwards folks running the GOP these days do not think so. If the economy were the only issue, then why all the pressure to get Romney to pick a socially conservative running mate? Romney was forced a few months back to promise he would pick an anti-abortion VP."

I believe Ryan was picked due to his strength in the areas of budgetary issues and his leadership/candor regarding our looming entitlement spending crisis (yes, it is a looming crisis if anyone has the intellectual honesty view the numbers).

I don't support the social issues perspectives of the extreme right-wing of the Republican party just like I don't support some of the perspectives of the extreme left wing of the Democrat party. My presidental choice is bases simply on who is better position to deal with our economic challenges.

BTW, isn't it really the Democrats who have been trying to make hay out of all these social issues these past few months? IMHO, these are diversionary tactics as they don't have a strong track record to run on and worse they don't have honest solutions to our economic problems.

Obama and team haven't demonstrated the courage to speak honestly to the American public on our looming challenges. Instead they continue to demonize anyone who does.

We have a simple choice here. We can continue to bury our heads in the sand and then wake up one day with a Greece-style crisis or start to turn the ship while there is still time.

Can't wait for those debates starting in October. I hear obama is quick on his feet, which will serve him well as he runs from his record and the financial crisis he's made worse.
No doubt, Ryan will wipe the floor with Biden. It will be entertaining to watch, if for no other reason, to see what unique gaffes he'll come up with.
What a pair Obama and Biden are.....makes you wonder what they'll do after their political careers have ended. Something meaningful and challenging, like tilting at windmills.

"I believe Ryan was picked due to his strength in the areas of budgetary issues and his leadership/candor regarding our looming entitlement spending crisis (yes, it is a looming crisis if anyone has the intellectual honesty view the numbers)."

I think he was picked because he is a hard core conservative, not just because of his fiscal ideas. Romney promised to pick a candidate that was anti-abortion. Yes, we have a financial crisis, but don't forget that it was the GOP who got the mess started, and for Ryan's fiscal conservative "credentials," well, he voted for the Bush bailout, have you forgotten that? Is Obama bad for this country? Absolutely, that is why I was so disappointed with the Ryan pick.

"BTW, isn't it really the Democrats who have been trying to make hay out of all these social issues these past few months? "

Some, but the GOP makes an issue of them all the time. Did you follow the primaries? Romney was not well liked within the GOP because of his "liberal" social ideas. It reminded me of the anti-McCain sentiment and how he was forced to pick Palin (and we all know how that worked out). I thought at first that Romney "switched sides" on social issues to win the nomination and get the "base" to shut up, but he now talks and acts as someone who will indeed be socially backwards if elected, and the Ryan pick confirms that.

It is sad that the GOP pushes its candidates to the extreme right on social issues. Social issues are important to many, and women's vote is important, and not all of us are willing to accept such backwards individuals as leaders.

In the end, our vote here in CA will not count since Obama will win here. But key states will see problems with Ryan - he is simply too extreme, we needed a middle of the road person but the tea party types got their way so here we are.

I thought this article was interesting:
Web Link

I'm a socially progressive/fiscally conservative who voted for Obama last time (because of the Palin choice) and I am OK with Ryan. I know my vote in CA doesn't matter, but I do hope as the issues are debated that indepedents in swing states will ask themselves honestly which team is better for the economic future of this country.

Also, aren't you being a bit simplistic to blame the financial crisis on Republicans alone? They are not blamless for sure, but let's remember that Glass Steagall was done away with under Clinton's watch, many of the budgets/etc. even under Bush's watch were controlled by Democrats, and there were many Democrats along the way who voted for Republican sponsored bills. If you want to expand your perspective on the many factors that led to the crisis, "All The Devils Are Here" is a great book.

I'm not accusing you of this, but it amazes me that with Europe cratering under the weight of their social contract promises they can keep, the fact that total US government spend representing >40% of GDP (more than several socialist countries), and the fact that we still don't have a credible plan to address the spending gap that people can't connect the dots more.

If we don't fix this, these last couple of years will be a cake walk compared to what's coming.

So again, which set of candidates represent greater intellectual honesty and leadership to deal with THE defining issue? Which ones are talking real solutions?

"Also, aren't you being a bit simplistic to blame the financial crisis on Republicans alone?"

I never said the republicans alone are to blame. Both parties are responsible, but it bothers me to hear the GOP blaming Obama and the democrats alone - just as much as it bothers me when I hear Obama blaming Bush yet again. The housing market collapsed thanks to both parties. Sure, Clinton started the mortgage for all nonsense, but soon after that Bush took office and with an all republican senate and house, and did he undo it? No. Both parties are to blame, both parties need to stop blaming one another and get to work.

"So again, which set of candidates represent greater intellectual honesty and leadership to deal with THE defining issue? Which ones are talking real solutions?"

That I am not sure about. I know Obama's policies are not working, but I am not convinced that Romney and Ryan have the right solutions. OK, I am all for reforming medicare and social security, but if I am not going to benefit from either, why should I continue to pay? Ryan wants to keep medicare and social security as is for current seniors...not fair, and besides, the problem is NOW with the payments we must make each year to keep all current recipients receiving social security and medicare benefits. End the program if you want but for everyone, including Ryan's "medicare recipient mom."

And what about the unions? No mention so far about pension reform. And that, at least in CA, is bankrupting our cities and taking money from programs like education....we need pension reform at the national level.

And there is a lot of talk (Ryan) about cuts to social programs like welfare, medicaid, etc. Fine, they need reform, but if he is cutting programs that affect the poor, how about programs that affect the Bill Gates of the world? (like the tax loopholes Romney has taken advantage of).

We have a huge deficit and it will require both cuts in spending as well as some form of income (which in the short term must come from taxes, and we can't tax the middle class while giving big tax breaks to wealthy individuals like Romney, can we?). And trust me, I am the first one to enjoy tax breaks, but I am realistic, we need income as much as spending cuts. The money cannot come just from spending cuts, the deficit right now is too big for that.

I always laugh when I hear people who make peanuts talk about how great the GOP tax cuts are...I think most blue collar republicans do not even understand that they would not benefit that much from the tax cuts Ryan speaks of (capital gains, etc)

And to make things worse, guess who is advising Romney? Glenn Hubbard, who chaired the Council of Economic Advisers under George W. Bush.

So I am not sure I agree that Ryan's policies are what we need. Again, we needed a middle of the road person.

And not being certain that under Ryan and Romney we'd be better off (financially speaking), the thought of losing certain rights is unacceptable.

And just like you and many of us voted for Obama last time because of Palin, many will vote for Obama again because of Ryan. Extremes are not good no matter what.

I am glad that we can have this civil discussion - thank you.

I agree that both parties need to stop the blaming and begin the compromising. And yes the solution needs to be a combination of spending cuts and tax increases. The missed opportunity here for the Republicans is to agreed to revenue enhancements in return for serious government reform and debt reduction. But alas, I'm not sure that either party is serious about debt reduction. It will take a financial crisis like Europe is currently experiencing for us to change our ways.

I urge you to be more open minded regarding Ryan and educate yourself rather than relying on the demon description the Democrats are trying to spin. E.g., hopefully you realize that Ryan is trying to shut down the loop holes you complain about.


I completely agree that all need to share in sacrifice, including those seniors today who are leveraging social security and medicare. Where is the means testing? This generation is the wealthiest to date and have been lucky enough to benefit from expanding government programs, and yet we are shielding them from sacrifice?

But think about the noise Obama/team would be making if Romney/Ryan (RR) expected cuts from current seniors. They are already misreprenting the Ryan plan to scare seniors. This is one of the big reasons why I can't vote for Obama again. He is playing very dirty politics to get re-elected and has no serious plan to deal with the brewing crisis. "Tax the rich" is his mantra without realizing and/or acknowledging that even if you made the marginal rate for wealthly people 100%, it wouldn't solve the problem.

It has been proven historically that when governments take more than 40% of an economy, things begin to stagnat and growth slows. We are above 40% and I suspect this is one of the reasons why it has been so difficult to recover from this recession. Taking 40% of something production and giving it to an unproduction entity (yes government is hugely unproductive) will inevitably slow things down. So be careful about how much additional revenue you want. And remember, the super wealthy have options and don't need to stay here
to take it.

Last thing, do you realize that it is 3x easier to be poor now than it was in 1960? Transfer payments as a percent of total national income is now 20% compared to 6% back then. And we still have nearly the same poverty level. Clearly, what we are currently doing is not working. I'm afraid we have created an entitlement society where it is easier to sit back and collect your government check. And as we know from Europe, this only lasts for so long.

Regardless of the social issues I DON'T agree with Ryan/Romney on, they are still getting my vote. That is how important and serious this economic issue is.

I'm a life long Republican, though I broke ranks and voted perhaps against my better judgment for Obama. I really thought that he'd get us out of Iraq, kill Osama bin Laden, stave off terrorist attacks of the magnitude that occurred under the much unjustly maligned George Bush, put the skids on the deepening recession, dramatically improve our nation's health care for all, and gradually build our way out of such a trough. But since he didn't do any of those things, I'm going to vote Republican again. This may mean casting my vote for a crook who won't show us his economic doings, and his appointed kook who has failed to write or propose a single piece of meaningful legislation in his 16 years in Congress (sort of reminds one of Ron Paul, doesn't it?), but I really truly honestly think the guy in office is in way over his head and I think the crook might be a better swimmer to survive the coming tsunami. And honest, I really truly honesty voted for that black guy back in 2008.

I suspect you are being facetious with the post above, but I'll bite.

"a crook" - would you mind elaborating on what laws you think were broken by Romney? Was he convicted of something in a court of law?

Oh, such an insightful question. Aw, but you just want me to respond so you can use it as ammunition against me. We can have none of that. After all, I'm not LEGALLY OBLIGED to respond to you. Let's just leave it at this... To seriously respond to you, I'd have to have more respect for you than the crook Romney has for the American public.

Sheltering one's money in Cayman Islands, Bahamas, Switzerland and not paying taxes on it is, especially since the 2009 amnesty, I admit, perfectly legal. That's why we should give Romney's crowd yet another 50% tax reduction ... so they can take even more money from American citizens and run with it. It's legal! And America's middle class, left holding the bag after these crooks get their way, deserves to pay an additional $2000 in taxes.

OK,then let's stop being side tracked by these diversionary FUD factors and get back to debating the core issues.

Let's assume for a moment that Obama gets his way and raises the tax rates on wealthy individuals so that they pay their fair share (even though they already pay a very large majority already), what does he/you recommend we do when this isn't even enough to plug the gap? And this is before things serious start to go south as the Baby Boomers retire (reference CBO numbers).

What is Obama's plan to get spending, in particular entitlement spending, under control?

Please don't feed the troll. He's no doubt busy this morning trying to explain why obama still has us in Afganistan, where 7 more of our servicement were killed yesterday. Where is Code Pink and the other leftist anti-war protestors?
Oh, there's a dem in office...we can't demonize him as a war monger...he's one of 'us'. Time to add some more crosses to the hypocrite's hillside in Lafayette.......

Trivial issues: Defense spending under control? Of course! Giveaways to wealthy through tax breaks and subsidies under control? Of course! Advancing a budgetary scheme that halves taxes paid by the wealthy (except Romney "Trust me" the crook who will continue not paying any taxes at all). Check. A-okay. Get rid of Planned Parenthood. Done! Put elderly at mercy of Bernie Madoffs of this world. Yes, yes, yes. Put medicare savings in hands of rich. No problema!

Core issue? Members of inferior cultures -- entitlement groups (e.g., low income minority groups, women, impoverished children, the elderly, people who are getting health care but who don't deserve it) -- need a comeuppance.

It would be great to get a serious answer to the question I posed.

Do you truly understand the implications of the huge disconnect between our revenue and cost streams? Do understand that if you raised taxes enough to cover all this (even taxing the top 2% at 100% won't cover this so the tax increases necessarily have to increase for other income brackets), it would grind our economy to a hault and we'd be worse off than today?

Whether you like it or not, government spend is going to come down as a percent of GDP. There is no choice in the matter. Either we deal with it now, or Mr. Market will force it on us (just like what is going on in Europe).

So which candidates are honestly acknowledging this and communicating it to the American public? Which ones have proposed solutions? Which are showing stronger leadership in difficult times?

Which ones are using diversionary tactics to avoid the true issues and demonize their opponents?

Another independent,
You won't find any honest acknowledgement from the candidates. They're going to be too busy running negative campaigns and ramping up the propaganda this year. It's already ugly.

Unfortunately you are right.

And with the refusal by many on the right and left to do the heavy-lifting critical thinking on their own and keep the candidates honest, we will continue to get more of this garbage from both sets of candidates.

However, I will cast my vote for the one who shows more leadership and promise regarding our core economic issue. Right now that is Romney. If Obama was to propose something substantial, I'd listen and potentially change my mind.

If the crook Romney revealed his tax returns, I'd potentially change my mind as well.

If he'd change his pick to a strategic one that moved toward the center rather than the kook Ryan out there with Michelle Bachmann, I'd potentially change my mind.

Were the Romnobot to talk seriously about cutting taxes on the middle class and raising taxes on the rich, I'd potentially change my mind.

Were he to talk seriously about cutting defense spending, I'd potentially change my mind.

Were he to express concern about women's health and reproductive rights, I'd maybe change my mind.

Were he to express a serious need to regulate himself and his friends on Wall Street instead of vaguely worded 'fix the loopholes' which seems to be code word for making the lower middle classes pay a higher tax rate, I'd give him serious consideration.

Were I to read a single post on PW site that doesn't consist of badly educated, white oldsters, who, suddenly at the age of 68, with nothing else to do, start gobbling up ("researching") rightwing blog reports with no educational background against which to critically judge, then I'd consider treating the AIs and LisDs and Staceys of the world seriously. But that is as likely as Romney becoming president.

Wow - you represent the worst of what you are afraid of. Maybe you should solve the tempest in yourself before you try to change the world.

Does anyone else want to have a civil debate on this topic?

Yes, however, in keeping with standardo-idioceri, why is it that all positions must start on premise that Obama is bad, really really bad, and that tax cuts for the rich and raised taxes for the middle class are really really good? Well otherwise, for goodness sakes, you simply are not being civil and addressing the core issue! We need to begin taking so many of the contributors here really seriously instead of treating them like a joke. Honestly, we do.

Mr Serious,

Taxes are being increased on the middle class already (and fees for that matter). The middle class is suffering, at least partly, because of the Obama administrations policies. Those policies are much in-line with the political mentality in California; promise everyone everything and figure out to pay for it later. Later equals more & more taxes and fees.

When does it stop?

Arnold,

It is the same way with the Republicans. Both promise more than they can deliver with current tax levels.

Neither party properly regulates the financial companies that got the economy into this mess either.

i think that mitt takes itsy bitsy steps when he walks. it seems to me that he gots a corn cob stuck all up in there.

signed,

anony

Cholo - it is great to see you use such insightful criteria as you contemplate your vote. Makes me proud that you are a fellow American.

Here is an interesting article about Romney's taxes:

"Mitt Romney has paid no less than 13% in personal income taxes over the past ten years, he said Thursday. "

Web Link

This from the man who says he will fix the economy? I do not like Obama's policies, but at least Obama is not playing games when it comes to his personal taxes. I wonder why Romney is refusing to release his tax returns. If there is nothing to hide, the quickest way to get the liberals to shut up is to release his taxes! (unless of course he is hiding something)

-------------------

"What is Obama's plan to get spending, in particular entitlement spending, under control?"

That is a good question, but I also wonder what Romeny's/Ryan's plan is. The problem is NOW. There is no money for medicare, social security, yet Ryan wants to keep the programs the way they are for current recipients (and those 55 or older). With so many people being 55 years old and today's life expectancy being quite high, we are talking MANY YEARS of having to keep these folks on the payroll. Why? And how are Romney and Ryan planning to pay for it? Are they planning to continue to TAX ME and others my age even though we will never see a benefit from it? Does not sound like a solution to me, at least not for MY GENERATION.

Resident, you surprise me. For the school year you advocated financial responsibility and now you're all for Obama. I think you're shaping your views based on your abortion beliefs because I can't see any other way that Obama could be seen in anyone's mind as more financially responsible for our money than Romney/Ryan given how he's added to our debt over the last 4 years. I voted for the man and am so disappointed.

Now if you want to attack that ticket, go for the complete horrible foreign policy plans and you'd be right about that.

I don't care what happens to me but I don't like seeing how our current generation and president are wrecking the future for my children out of sheer selfishness.

"I don't care what happens to me but I don't like seeing how our current generation and president are wrecking the future for my children out of sheer selfishness. "

I am all for good financial practices, but I honestly do not see how the Ryan plan would have better results. He has btw, been in the house for quite a while and has not done anything productive.

I do care about what happens to me, also to my children.

Ryan wants to win the senior vote by leaving medicare/ social security intact for THEM at MY expense. Not a fiscally sound practice imo.

Either end the program for everyone or leave it alone. You cannot ask my generation to continue to pay to support countless folks already receiving benefits (including Ryan's mom) and at the same time tell us we will not benefit from it.

A large part of today's deficit comes from CURRENT beneficiaries of these entitlement programs (pensions, medicare, etc)

If Ryan and Romney are serious about reform, they will reform medicare and etc NOW, including benefits for current beneficiaries.'

Otherwise, we are not really solving the problem but delaying action until years in the future...

And yes, Ryan's backward social views are a big problem and not just for me. Ryan offers no real financial solutions because he is too worried about the senior vote (and probably his mom at a personal level) plus he represents a serious threat to women's rights among others.

And tell me why Romney is refusing to release his tax records. Wouldn't the best way to get Obama to shut up : release the records and get it over with? Is he hiding fiscal practices that could hurt the country in the long run? What is he worried about?

I am not a fan of Obama, but the GOP did not present a better alternative. 2008 all over again....

and btw, there is someone else posting as "Resident" - about school district fiscal practices.

"and btw, there is someone else posting as "Resident" - about school district fiscal practices"

oh that explains it!

I honestly could care less about the individual stuff, I'm more into what the leaders stand for - more or less spending - controlling the debt or not. But I won't repeat the points that "another independent" have made so well. By the way "another independent" - thanks for taking the time to write out the points. I've given up for the most part in CA, but will vote, as pointless as it is here.

I was a staunch opponent of Obama back in 2008. I didn't think this country was ready for a black president. But I'm very impressed with the man, and the way the Republican congress has sought from the get-go to undercut Obama's agenda leaves me sickened. I no longer believe Republicans have the best interests of the country at heart. Very disappointing, from Mitchell who announced astonishingly immediately after Obama's election that Mitchell's primary agenda was going to be to try and get Obama defeated four years down the road, to Boehner sitting, pouting and being a crybaby routine. So, unlike last election, I'm going to knock on doors in support of our current president who I think has done an outstanding job.

Ryan is not serious about reforming medicare. He is just delaying the problem. All 55 and older people will benefit from it, at the expense of those 54 and younger. And he uses his family to justify it, saying we have a promise to keep, well, that promise was made to those 54 and younger as well, and the 54 and younger have been paying for years. So either break the promise for ALL (yes, RYan, including members of your family) or find a way to keep it for all. See? Not that simple, and Ryan's "plan" is not really addressing the problem:

"Ryan took the stage in The Villages with his mother Betty Ryan Douglas, 78, while Romney scheduled a series of fundraisers in Massachusetts. The Wisconsin congressman said he saw Medicare's benefits firsthand as a child when his grandmother, with Alzheimer's, moved in with his family. "My mom and I were her two primary caregivers," Ryan said before shifting to his mother and the promise of Medicare for her.

"She planned her retirement around this promise," Ryan said. "That's a promise we have to keep."

"It's not just a program," he added. "It's what my mom relies on.""

"Polling generally finds that the public places more trust in Democrats' ability to handle Medicare. People also generally oppose plans to replace the current program with one in which future seniors receive a fixed amount of money from the government to be used to purchase health coverage, according to polls."

Web Link

Found this through a google search "ryan medicare vote"

"Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan acknowledged on Thursday that his proposed healthcare reforms rely on many of the same spending reductions for which he has criticized President Barack Obama"

Web Link

Resident - might I suggest you put as much energy into evaluating the Medicare solutions both sides are proposing so you can make the best voting decision that is right for you?

I can't agrue with the issues you have with Ryan's proposed Medicare plan, but I don't see anything better from Obama. In fact, I believe Obama's approach will result in a worse outcome for all.

I am a firm believe in the power of price discovery and the power of properly functioning markets. The only way we are going to get the cost savings inovations in medical care that is so desparately needed is to interject some market dynamics. This starts with individuals being responsible for their money and their medical choices. This starts with a voucher program.

If we don't do this, Medicare costs WILL overrun the system and the government will be forced to ration. When this happens, fewer people will get access to the same expensive medical services as opposed to the other way around where more people getting access to less expensive services.

For those people who say that medical services are different and you shouldn't force market dynamics on people. I say look at the low-cost medical innovatinos that are going on in countries like India. It is a shame that those innovations aren't happening in the US.

So while Ryan's approach isn't perfect, it gets us headed on the road to recovery. Again ask yourself, do you want to live in a world with fewer/more expensive medical services or more/less expensive services? Evaluate the proposed solutions with this framing question.

And Romney is kind of lying too. Here is an interview with his wife Ann, she states they give 10 percent of their income to charity. (trying to defend the fact that they pay 13% or less income tax). I have friends who are mormons and they have to give 10 percent of their income to the church if they want to be allowed in the "temple" - that is not charity the way the rest of us see it - Romney's church giving is a condition his church imposes in order for him to be a member in good standing.

Web Link

It is clear you don't like the Romney/Ryan ticket, which is your choice, and are looking for reasons to support this decision.

Might I suggest you apply the same critical thinking on both sides so you can be sure of your decision? IMHO, your last post isn't consistent with your previous posts.

When someone gives away money to a non-profit, by IRS definition that is a charitable deduction. It seems as though you are applying your own additional definition to exclude Romney's deduction.

Also, Romeny pays a lower tax rate simply because his income is derived from long-term capital gains. This is the same IRS rule that you can I can take advantage of. Now, I agree that tax rate needs to increase, but I don't fault Romney for taking advantage of a known IRS rule. There is absolutely nothing illegal about this.

Now just because I support the increase of the long-term capital gains tax rate, doesn't mean I support the size of government needs to increase. Per my earlier comments, the government is already too large which is helping to increase and/or prolong the economic stagnation we are experiencing.

I'm sure you realize that Obamacare already increased the marginal long-term capital gains rate from 15% to 18.8% already, right? A 25%increase.

"When someone gives away money to a non-profit, by IRS definition that is a charitable deduction. It seems as though you are applying your own additional definition to exclude Romney's deduction."

Also, Romeny pays a lower tax rate simply because his income is derived from long-term capital gains."

I understand that. And yes, his donations to his church are technically charitable deductions. All of us take advantage of that stuff.

But I am trying to make a point: there seems to be a lot of justification for the Romney/Ryan ticket based on how much Obama misleads people (it is true he does), and all I am saying is that both sides are doing that.

Yes, Romney's donations to the mormon church are technically charitable donations but in his case, it is more of a mandatory thing he does for his church. He would have to do it even if he could not deduct is as charitable donations (ask any mormon about that). All mormons must give 10 percent of their income (big or small) to remain in the church, and in return, they get benefits like BYU and stuff. For the Romneys to justify and defend the non-release of tax records and the percentage they pay because of that 10 percent giving to their church, is misleading.

Yes, all of us take advantage of the tax loopholes, but Romney is trying to hide those tax returns for a reason. If I had to release my tax returns (I don't, I am a private citizen), I would have no problem with that. Yes, I take advantage of the tax code, and so do many others, so there should be no problem with the Romneys releasing theirs, don't you think? Romney is not even releasing the 2011 return, he asked for an extension and that can be amended. It is weird that he is so into hiding his tax returns, makes you wonder.

As for Medicare, I have read the Obama proposal under the health care law, and yes, not perfect either. In fact, lots of problems with it.

But Ryan is now trying to run as a fiscal guy, someone with solutions, and how we have to accept his backward social views because he will fix the economy.

All I am saying is that Ryan and Romney are not offering real solutions. Think about it, we have so many people in the range 55 and older that will live a long time. They will be on the payroll for many years, and how does that help with the deficit? Especially with the tax cuts Ryan and Romney speak of.

Neither party is good for the country. But we must choose one. And if we have to have people with no real solutions for the economy, we should at least embrace the ones with progressive social views, rather than those who are threatening fundamental rights.

" in support of our current president who I think has done an outstanding job. "

You have to be kidding! Yes, Obama 2012 is a better choice than Romney/Ryan, but please, do not try to convince people to vote for Obama saying he has done a good job: he has NOT.

Instead, focus on how much worse things could be under Ryan/Romney: no real solutions either (economy) and yet they offer super backwards social views (abortion, etc, and supreme court justices, at least one, will be appointed by the next president)

I have been very impressed with Obama as president. He has not taken us into any unpopular wars, and is doing his best to dig us out of the war George Bush initiated. We have had steady progress on the jobs front. The ACA will provide many of my relatives with an opportunity to receive better health care, including preventive care. And now I'm confident many people will not be quite as gouged as they were prior to ACA. Again, I have been a life-long Republican, and universal health care had been a concern of traditional Republicans at least since Richard Nixon. I am impressed with Obama's presidency, and despite how my (former) party has tried to subvert his efforts, he has done an outstanding job. I did not vote for Obama in 2008. He has proved me wrong. I will actively support his candidacy in 2012.

Walter, you don't need to actively support Obama in CA. He's already won here. Lucky you.

I had to file an extension and still haven't filed my taxes for this year. This is due to the increased reporting regulations caused by the new financial reform law.

Does this make me a suspicious and suspect person too?

Hmmm...thanks for reminding us why CA is is such desperate shape.. CA voters have sent us the same DEM Legislature for decades !!!....truly hopeless !!They're doing the same for the country that they've done for us. XXXXX xx ! This use to be such a
great state.

"Does this make me a suspicious and suspect person too?"

No, but it would be weird if you were running for public office and refused to release your tax returns.

The quickest way for Romney to get Obama and everyone to shut up is by releasing the tax records, so why is he refusing? It would be so easy to release them and move on.

This should have been an easy election for the GOP, given Obama's record.........

Yes, it is somewhat ironic. In 2008, I donated money to McCain, not so much because I liked McCain but because I didn't think Obama was ready to be president or that the country was ready for him.

Ironically, next week-end I'll be joining a number of moderate Democrats and moderate Republicans like myself in order to begin canvassing neighborhoods in Reno on behalf of Barack Obama. He's a good man and a good president. I'm willing to give him another four years.

You're not believable Palmer.
Resident, Romney would be a fool to fall for your trap. First there is no reason to relese any more tax returns.
The Romneys paid $$6.2million for 2010 and 2011. $3 million with their 2010 return and $3.2million with their 2011 estimate returns.

You say..." get everyone to shut up by releasing his returns, so why is he refusing? It would be so easy to release them and move on". You know very well the millions of ignorant, and partisan media would pick abd pick because they would NOT understand such complicated taxes. Few would. You wouldn't either, you just typed out your comments from Chicago on hot blogs, and PW happend to be your assignement. Obama just wants to DODGE talking about jobs and the economy. Romney is no fool. Petty partisans would be scouring through the returns, picking key words for new barrages of lies,and more lies and speculations to keep voters minds OFF OBAMA's economy.

"You know very well the millions of ignorant, and partisan media would pick abd pick because they would NOT understand such complicated taxes. "

I think you are wrong. The 2010 return is online and looks okay to me. If all of his returns are like that, I see no reason for a scandal based on them. He will have to stop bragging about his charitable donations though, since his donations to the mormon church are mandatory for all members regardless of how big or small the income, and mormons would continue giving to their church even if their donations were not tax deductible or considered charitable.

Besides, if Romney is truly worried about what the ignorant think, he'd be better off releasing his records - after all, a lot of that blue collar vote is needed in the swing states.


"Obama just wants to DODGE talking about jobs"

This is the standard answer given by the Romney camp, and it sounds pretty silly.

Again, the quickest way to get Obama to shut up is to release them. Otherwise, Romney can count on his returns being an issue up until election day and why would he want that, just release the returns.

"The Romneys paid $$6.2million for 2010 and 2011."

The 2011 return has not been released yet, he filed for an extension. What you see online is an estimate.

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"Ironically, next week-end I'll be joining a number of moderate Democrats and moderate Republicans like myself in order to begin canvassing neighborhoods in Reno on behalf of Barack Obama. He's a good man and a good president. I'm willing to give him another four years. "

I too want to see Romney/Ryan not get elected but I do not think Obama is a good president, and I think the next four years will be tough. But Romney imo does not offer real solutions (economy) and he is socially backwards these days (as confirmed by his VP pick).

Did you really vote for McCain? If so, I am having a hard time believing you are for Obama now. I think most people who voted for McCain in 2008 will vote for Romney in 2012. It is that swing vote in key states that made the difference for Obama in 2008, and it is that vote that both candidates should focus on.

Keep in mind the high unemployment rate when you "canvass neighborhoods" in Reno - you can hurt more than help. People who are unemployed are not going to buy your line that Obama is a good president. I think even those who like Obama agree that he is not a good president. But the GOP is not offering a good alternative. This is an interesting read for you:

"In those states - Nevada, Florida, Colorado, Wisconsin, Ohio, Virginia and Iowa - jobless rates all rose or were flat in July. Nevada again had the highest rate in the nation at 12 percent, while Florida's 8.8 percent and Colorado's 8.3 percent were both at or above the July national rate of 8.3 percent."

Web Link

Obama's popularity ratings remain high. He has made few mistakes. He saved us when we were on the brink of economic disaster, and the economy has been improving steadily, albeit more slowly than many would like.

An intractably opposed congress, an unprecedented explosion in education and skill, and US companies desire to tap into internat'l labor pool all have contributed to the slow growth rates. Still, the stock market's rise to highest levels since pre-recession suggests that economy is on the way back. The Reuters article fails to mention that Ohio has approx 6% unemployment.

I'm a Desert Storm vet, and I cast my vote in 2008 for McCain because I admire many things about him. Also, as mentioned, I did not think the country was ready for a black president. I continue to maintain that Obama has been an outstanding president, especially given what he was handed by the previous Republican Administration. He is a great patriot who has the interests of America at heart. He is thoughtful, articulate, and measured in the way he approaches enormous problems. As a self identified moderate, traditional Republican (who believes, for example, in the principle of conserving our environment), I have decided to give Obama my support. I'm sorry you don't agree with my decision.

Sorry. My father always told me to re-read before sending something I've written.

an unprecedented explosion in foreign education

" I have decided to give Obama my support. I'm sorry you don't agree with my decision. "

I don't disagree - I do not want to see Romney in the WH either, especially now that he announced Ryan as his VP.

But I disgree with your argument. Obama is not a good president, and it has nothing to do with his race. He has not done much to improve the economy, and instead focused on the health care deal which should have been secondary to job growth. He did not reform the financial institutions as he promised, etc.

Obama's policies are not good for this country, but I believe Romney's would not be any better (and may be worse actually, the way he talks so far).

For me, the way I see it: financially speaking Obama and Romney do not have realistic solutions, and if we are going to struggle in that area anyway, we might as well have a president who, socially speaking, is not backwards, and who will appoint a reasonable person to the supreme court. Romney's promises to undo certain women's rights and to appoint conservative judges is not acceptable for me, and Ryan's super backwards social views are even less acceptable.

Does anybody think that most caucasoids will vote for romney?