1

I was going to put it on the headlines thread, but what I saw was pretty doomy.

No shit?  Death panels so soon?  I thought theyÂ’d try and hold off on this.

2 You fools.  The Rapture took Joplin.

3 Where's me lucky charms?

4 The article is much less apocalyptic than the title -- the author of the piece is at pains to reassure everyone of the steadfastness of Social Security, though even he admits that Medicare is doomed.


Social Security Meltdown = Slight Decrease in the Rate of Growth?

5 I posted this on the HLN thread but it bears repeating here for its doom value.

Fox Business is doing a week long special this week

They are calling it “Makers vs Takers”; Aesop called it the Grasshopper and the Ant. The theme of the show is that the U.S. has become a nation of leeches as more and more people derive their living from government payouts.  Gee, a lot of us have been screaming about that for decades.

6 1 Once again that stupid Mrs. Palin is precient on the issues.

7 What kind of bottle is the doom kitty holding there?

8

As long as we are paying government employees like lifegaurds 6-figure salaries ... Social Security is threatened.

STOP. PAYING. DEMOCRATS.

Easy fix.

Republicans need to stop talking about "fixing" Social Security (that's only going to result in election losses).

Republicans need to start talking about why we're paying Democrats hundreds of thousands of dollars every year to be lifeguards.

9 Prayers said. But thanks for the reminder...

10 "Or, I could do something different, I could just tell you the truth"

11

I wonder what the qualifications are for a job whose perks include the knowledge that any woman anywhere near your hotel room must be there to serve your sexual needs.

Ah, dang. Whites need not apply....

 

12 SS itself is probably in pretty good shape; its SSDI that is going bellyup.

Of course if we go by what all of ya'll younger people have been saying there is no SS, SSDI, or Medicare. Its all government welfare programs and the entire government has to go bankrupt and default before these programs go bankrupt.

13 The former head of the Republican Party is now an employee of Barack Obama's MSNBC. Tell me again why I should vote for Republicans? Tell me again how Democrats haven't totally infiltrated the Republican Party.

14 11, Good shot out of the box.

15 Its all government welfare programs and the entire government has to go bankrupt and default before these programs go bankrupt. Er...the entire government is bankrupt, Vic. Hence the DOOM.

16 _{*whiney BS deflectors armed*}

17 I hope this isn't true, else we are truly boned:

AP-GfK Poll: Medicare doesn't have to be cut

WASHINGTON – They're not buying it. Most Americans say they don't believe Medicare has to be cut to balance the federal budget, and ditto for Social Security, a new poll shows.

The Associated Press-GfK poll suggests that arguments for overhauling the massive benefit programs to pare government debt have failed to sway the public. The debate is unlikely to be resolved before next year's elections for president and Congress.

18 Monty, the Meltdown linky is Fubarred.

19 Then we should just say the government is bankrupt.

20 Tim steele is like a jilted woman. His first move was to fuck his exes nemesis.

21 Associated Press-GfK poll

That says it all. Press polls are the most unreliable of all the unreliable polls.

22 Monty, the Meltdown linky is Fubarred. Thanks for the heads-up. Should be fixed now.

23 As for the MO doom yes say a prayer. When 3/4 of a city as large as Joplin is destroyed you know there is some major doom.

I believe if I lived out there in tornado alley I would build one of those underground houses.

24 This is chilling.

25 So, When will the climate change meme come roaring back to explain the unusually violent spring?

26 Vic, yes SSDI is first on the we are broke list, but Medicare/caid is a close second as the Trustees admit that the CBO projections are unrealistic because of the doc fix issue. SSDI drops dead in 2018; Medicare in 2024 with Doc fix assumed (that's a near 30% cut in doc reimbursements starting Jan.1 , 2012).

27 Then we should just say the government is bankrupt. Unless you're living in a powerful cocoon of denial, you know it already. And those who are living in such a cocoon are about to get the unpleasant surprise of a lifetime.

28 28 What happens when you pull MedicAID out of those numbers? I'm seeing huge problems with SSDI/Medicaid - tainting the hell out of normal SS and Medicare. Essentially you're telling older Americans to get bent cos illegals and criminals and fraudsters are crippling "entitlements". I must be older than my age cos I see huge problems with this. I think SSDI and MediCAID should be addressed FIRST.

29 We are framing the argument poorly.

Obama's failed $1 trillion stimulus/Dem hackery is causing the upcoming doom.

30 What kind of bottle is the doom kitty holding there?

Looks like a beer bottle to me.  Glad to help...

31

Joplin's my home town. I was there last week. The hospital that was destroyed is a massive building, hard to imagine it wrecked.

The High School is supposed to be gone, but school was pretty much out there so the kids won't miss much school.

Unfortunately the twister ripped through some of the better areas in town. There is much that could have used Nature's help in redevelopment.

32 phoenixgirl: The problem is, the checks probably will keep showing up. But they'll be backed by increasingly worthless currency, so that check won't stretch nearly as far as it used to. Americans as a group are deep into denial mode, especially those in the "Boomer bulge" demographic. It's starting to dawn on a lot of people that we weren't living in an "Age of Affluence" so much as an "Age of Debt" for the past 30 years or so, and the bills are all coming due now. It's not going to turn out well, because no one wants to take the pain. Too many people think that there is a way out of this that doesn't involve making painful sacrifices -- that somehow we can just go on the way we have been and things will somehow, magically, turn out all right. It's a stupid way to behave, but human beings can be amazingly stupid creatures.

33 Don't look now but Texas just did what people have been saying can't be done:  closed a huge budget gap by cutting costs and laying off government workers without raising taxes or touching its rainy day fund.

The numbers are something like a $15+B shortfall was overcome in a budget of a little over $80B, with $12+B in spending cuts and 340K government workers sent packing.  And there's still $9B in the Rainy Day account.

There.  That wasn't so hard now was it?  And lo and behold the Sun still came up this morning and everything ....

Nice.  Very nice.

34

Posted by: ✡phoenixgirl✡ at May 23, 2011 09:36 AM (eOXTH)

Yeah, I agree. I also think the concept that the United States government is broke may just be so unbelievable, so foreign to people. There are no riots in the streets, checks are coming, the government is 'functioning', there's no martial law. And CNN and all keep saying there's a recovery. And the Messiah is president. All must be good.

35 No worries, everyone.  While exploring my Irish roots, I expect to think of a good plan to stimulate our recovery winter spring summer.  Maybe we can export moss and shamrocks?

36

After watching the various disaster relief agencies at work, when my CO town was clipped by a large tornado, my reccommendation for donations is Salvation Army or the Seventh Day Adventist disaster team. 

Both groups were there for the long haul, mainly giving support, like water and meals, to the residents who were working with the local churches to get things cleaned up whereas Red Cross blew in got lots of donations and was gone in a week with no one knowing how the money had been used.

 

37

38 Don't look now but Texas just did what people have been saying can't be done:  closed a huge budget gap by cutting costs and laying off government workers without raising taxes or touching its rainy day fund.

 

Vote Rick Perry in 2012!  Here's a campaign button.

38 I think if I were running for President, my plank would be simple: I'm going to do nothing to Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security. I wish to see them end, completely, and not be "reformed". I want to see a better system put in place that doesn't cheat the young and penalize success. The best way to ensure that outcome, given our cowardly political class and denialist voting public, is to simply do nothing. The programs will collapse on their own -- it's a mathematical certainty at this point. My strategy is sound because it would make everyone happy. The old folks and retirees would be less apprehensive (well, until SS and Medicare explode ); the pols would be happy (because they wouldn't have to make any hard choices); and the voters would be happy (because they think they'd keep getting free candy indefinitely). And I get what I want: the end of these stupid, wasteful, destructive social-welfare programs.

39 I don't think you will see any backlash until hunger hits. There is children and adults suffering just twenty miles from my house. Meanwhile the elite are trying to shut down the construction of a concrete plant that could employ a 100+. When bellies start rumbling you will see the SHTF.

40 If the government would go in and start killing the fraud like the "adult baby" Tom Coburn illustrated and all the ADD payments I think a lot more people would be willing to look at some reform of other stuff.

On the medicade  side if they started wholesale jailing of the fraud and eliminating idiot shit like those motorized chairs that we guarantee to get you the same could be said there. But personally, since we have Obamacare now I am for elliminating medicade entirely.

41 But none of this will ever happen because they can't even cut 1% of the current budget even though we are running almost 2T in deficit.

42 polliwog: Churches are always the best disaster-aid organizations at the local level, in my experience. The Southern Baptists always dispatch teams to disaster sites; they're a fixture of most towns and cities throughout the south and west when bad weather strikes. The Methodists, Presbyterians, Wesleyans, and other denominations have large teams as well. When I donate to disaster-relief, it usually goes to my church because I know the money will be used well, and will be used to help those truly in need.

43 I don't think you will see any backlash until hunger hits.

By then, our dear leaders will have us working in the salt mines.  And we will not be complaining.

44 Saturday Larry Kudlow had a great program.  Basically he noted that people lack character and conviction and intestinal fortitude and this is directly impacting wall street and the economy.  He made a very good case and seemed to strike a nerve with his audience.  I think he planned to make the statement and move along and his audience wouldn't let him.

45 Here is some DOOM for you, compliments of Posted by: ontherocks at May 23, 2011 09:47 AM (HBqDo)

check out this little gem of muslim economics sprouting up on Egyptian TV in this marvelous "arab spring". It's the key to jislamaic prosperity worldwide.

From link:

The reason we are poor now is because we have abandoned jihad

46 why do I suddenly have the urge to go buy gold?

47 The reason we are poor now is because we have abandoned jihad


Kill an infidel, eat for a week?

48 Missouri has another warning.

49 chemjeff - think alchemy, make some

50 sadly, those alchemists never quite got it right

51

If the government would go in and start killing the fraud like the "adult baby" Tom Coburn illustrated and all the ADD payments I think a lot more people would be willing to look at some reform of other stuff.

On the medicade  side if they started wholesale jailing of the fraud and eliminating idiot shit like those motorized chairs that we guarantee to get you the same could be said there. But personally, since we have Obamacare now I am for elliminating medicade entirely.

Any solution needs to include punishment of the doctors to include repayment of the amount stolen from the taxpayers, permanent loss of medical license, and prison time. I would also be in favor of applying the same punishment to judges who approve of stuff like the adult baby and the lawyers who represent them. Fine them, disbar them, and throw them in jail. Pour encourager les autres.

I accept that there is a subset of people who will attempt to defraud their fellow citizens. What I do not accept is the facilitation of this fraud by professionals who purportedly ascribe to a code of ethics.

52

Mohammed Achmed Goatnoodler, “You know.  That whole fantasy about rightsÂ… not really valid for the majority of people.”

53 I am proud to see Presadent Obama is going to Ireland to search for his roots. I am Irisish and Druid and I am excited that I may be related to our Presadent. Presadent Obama really understands people and is doing a fine job as Presadent.

54 I don't think you will see any backlash until hunger hits. There is children and adults suffering just twenty miles from my house. Meanwhile the elite are trying to shut down the construction of a concrete plant that could employ a 100+. When bellies start rumbling you will see the SHTF.

Posted by: Oldsailor's poet at May 23, 2011 09:46 AM (NtTkA)

Half the people in my SIL's church in rural VA are unemployed.  There is very little non-agricultural business there so they are, and will continue, to be in bad shape.  One major problem is that the pols live in a "beltway" bubble and never actually talk to the people (i.e., lower classes), and they wouldn't believe it if they did talk to them.

55

Posted by: Monty at May 23, 2011 09:49 AM (/0a60)

Totally agree.  For events that aren't  local I'd still avoid Red Cross and American Way and could probably give to any of the groups you mentioned with fair certainty of the majority of the gift making to the intended area.

We found the news coverage afterwards to be problematic as well.  Everyone was very grateful the first day or so that the word was getting out, but it didn't take long before we realized that the cameras were showing the same small area repeatedly to give the impression that things were even worse than they were.  By the third day of news coverage the residents were starting to get annoyed because they wanted to get to work on fixing stuff and not have to answer stupid questions multiple times. 

56 check out this little gem of muslim economics sprouting up on Egyptian TV in this marvelous "arab spring". It's the key to jislamaic prosperity worldwide.

From link:

The reason we are poor now is because we have abandoned jihad

At least he is honest about their history.

57 morons/moronettes, do me a favor and take a look at this weather map please.

58 The reason we are poor now is because we have abandoned jihad

At least he is honest about their history.

Posted by: Ghost of Lee Atwater at May 23, 2011 10:02 AM (JxMoP)

Yea, too bad looting and slaving are passe'

59 8

As long as we are paying government employees like lifegaurds 6-figure salaries ... Social Security is threatened.

STOP. PAYING. DEMOCRATS.

Easy fix.

Republicans need to stop talking about "fixing" Social Security (that's only going to result in election losses).

Republicans need to start talking about why we're paying Democrats hundreds of thousands of dollars every year to be lifeguards.

Posted by: someguy at May 23, 2011 09:22 AM (iIQ0a)

Also remember, that the government worker (like myself) is not depending on SS because they have PERS. Though I paid into SS for in excess of 30 years, I will not get it as I would have had I not gone to work for a government. Now I have PERS. If you are a career gov worker, why would you be worried about SS? At least that seems to be most government workers' mentality.  I have always maintained that DEMS want government to take care of the people because they are innately lazy. They don't care about anything or anyone but themselves. They don't want to be bothered with helping...let the NANNY do it. So, while they are sitting in the tower with sun tan oil baking their bodies into death panel qualified skin cancer victims,  SS can drown for all they care.

60 What I do not accept is the facilitation of this fraud by professionals who purportedly ascribe to a code of ethics.

Posted by: Ghost of Lee Atwater at May 23, 2011 09:59 AM (JxMoP)

Another problem is that we have so many in power that make no pretense of accepting a code of ethics at all especially if it is seen as limiting their actions.

No, I don't think "I need to get mine first." is a valid code of ethics.

61

Posted by: curious at May 23, 2011 10:03 AM (k1rwm)

I'm in eastern MO and the skies are clear and beautiful here.  When is that red stuff supposed to hit?

62

No, I don't think "I need to get mine first." is a valid code of ethics.

Posted by: Hrothgar at May 23, 2011 10:05 AM (yrGif)

By Thor, you are wrong - knave.

63 wow, curious, that's a lot of weather DOOM

64

Yea, too bad looting and slaving are passe'

Posted by: The Robot Devil at May 23, 2011 10:04 AM (136wp)

What's that you say--they are both clearly described in the book as being good for the faithful!

65

Americans as a group are deep into denial mode, especially those in the "Boomer bulge" demographic.

I agree that Americans generally are in deep, deep denial, but i believe you have misidentified the most culpable. I believe the best indicator of "denial" is a vote for Ds in 08 and 10. And if I recall the stats for those elections, D voting increases on the young end of the spectrum and decreases among the oldsters. You need to have a chat with your contemporaries and their young' uns. they are boning themselves.

66 I'm in eastern MO and the skies are clear and beautiful here.  When is that red stuff supposed to hit?

the map says "within the next 12 hours"

67 After watching the various disaster relief agencies at work, when my CO town was clipped by a large tornado, my reccommendation for donations is Salvation Army or the Seventh Day Adventist disaster team.

Seconded.  (As a side point, the main Salvation Army outpost near the Tuscaloosa destruction was, well, too near...it got destroyed.  I imagine they could use a little extra assistance, for those so positioned and capable...)

68 obama in ireland. Ah jonnywe hardly knew ya? ah wrong President

69

The problem is, the checks probably will keep showing up. But they'll be backed by increasingly worthless currency, so that check won't stretch nearly as far as it used to. Americans as a group are deep into denial mode, especially those in the "Boomer bulge" demographic. It's starting to dawn on a lot of people that we weren't living in an "Age of Affluence" so much as an "Age of Debt" for the past 30 years or so, and the bills are all coming due now

Didn't Calfonia  do something where they issued IOU's to contractors, and then the banks decided they wouldn't accept those IOU's?

70

By Thor, you are wrong - knave.

Posted by: Eric "The Red" at May 23, 2011 10:06 AM (136wp)

Well, we might have to make some exceptions in the name of diversity.  This would work much better if you were Eric "The Black", however!

71 I'm in eastern MO and the skies are clear and beautiful here.  When is that red stuff supposed to hit?

Monitor the weather by all available means.  Weather.com on the web is my preferred means--The Weather Channel is ruin't, so don't bother with them anymore.  Local sources are best, especially since they're keeping an eye on your area already.

You're in for a rough day.  Good luck and God keep you.

72 Joplin ... damn

73 curious - it might rain; don't worry about large scale forecasts unless you have too.  Go local.  Simple question: Do you know the NOAA channel (162.550 for me) for your area and have a radio that can receive it?

74

By Thor, you are wrong - knave.

Posted by: Eric "The Red" at May 23, 2011 10:06 AM (136wp)

Well, we might have to make some exceptions in the name of diversity.  This would work much better if you were Eric "The Black", however!

Posted by: Hrothgar at May 23, 2011 10:11 AM (yrGif)

I've got that nailed down, thanks.

75 Posted by: polliwog at May 23, 2011 10:06 AM (RJHrk)

What scares me about the map is the huge wath of RED that they have in the middle of the southern/eastern part of the country.  I just really feel everyone should be aware of the weather.  What struck me about these tornadoes is hearing all these people say "they came out of no where" which must mean that they had very little warning.

76 obama campaigning for re-election in Ireland right now?

77 Posted by: Office of the Attorney General of the United States at May 23, 2011 10:12 AM (GBXon)

How could I have forgetten Eric "The Holder"?

78 Oh, and this bears infinite repetition--weather radios are your friend.  Period, full stop, end of message.

79

Posted by: chemjeff at May 23, 2011 10:08 AM (7mSYS)

Thanks, I only noticed the bright colored pictures and completely missed any words. 

80

Didn't Calfonia  do something where they issued IOU's to contractors, and then the banks decided they wouldn't accept those IOU's?

Posted by: Ben at May 23, 2011 10:10 AM (wuv1c)

and then they taxed the contractors on those IOUs as if they we income -- and refused to accept the return of those same IOUs for payment of taxes.

81 Posted by: Jean at May 23, 2011 10:12 AM (WkuV6)

That's a good point, I don't.  Last year a tornado hit by my parent's house.  It literally sheered the tops off the trees in the front of their property.  The trees are old very very tall trees, it was feaky how the weather did that, went right down the middle of the road, taking out trees and tornadoes just don't come to our part of the country.

82 I saw a video of Pawlenty this morning.  He seems hell bent on "telling the truth to the American people".  If he does that, he's not getting elected, I really think people don't want the truth.

83 thanks, I might have to pick up a weather radio today

84 these people say "they came out of no where" which must mean that they had very little warning.

Posted by: curious at May 23, 2011 10:13 AM (k1rwm)

They have general warning, but that general warning of tornado potential is an almost weekly occurance in spring & summer, it is the highly localized data that is important.  The actual tornado forms quickly and moves fast.

As above --- Weather Radio! get one -- see a Government program that I like.

85 Joplin is hosed.  The tornado went down Rangeline Road, which is the commercial heart of Joplin.  A friend of mine is on per diem there setting up a new repair depot for a large baking company's delivery fleet. It's gone, and he's heading home.

One of my renters works at the toll booth that you have to go through to get to Joplin from OK.  She said that emergency response units from all over the state are streaming north to help our brothers and sisters in Joplin. Note these units rolled before any call from DC or FEMA...that's how we do it in the Heartland and the South.

Local reports are saying the death toll cold rise into the 100's.  Meanwhile another huge stormwith wind gusts in the 60 mph range is bearing down on Joplin.

If you are the praying type now would be a good time to put a word in for the Folks in Joplin

86 I saw a video of Pawlenty this morning.  He seems hell bent on "telling the truth to the American people".  If he does that, he's not getting elected, I really think people don't want the truth.

Posted by: curious at May 23, 2011 10:17 AM (k1rwm)

"You can't handle the truth!"

Truth telling is to politicians is what sunlight is to vampires!

87 Quick, everybody do some free market commerce while the main O'socialist is out of the country.  Could be your last chance.

You know who should relinquish anything to do with the IMF?  the U.S., thats who.

Finally, can somebody explain that spurwing plover thingy?, never did quite get that one.

88 interesting.  BO and the queen are both in Ireland at the same time.

89 I just had a Doomful thought: Here we all are, chuckling that the Rapture did not happen a couple of night ago as planned. But has anyone stopped to think: The Rapture really DID happen a couple of nights ago, and We ALL God Left Behind?

90 I suppose I should get groceries now and not wait to get caught in a localized hurricane like two weeks ago.

91 chemjeff - get several. 1) At home - an alarm model, that wakes up when notices come in. 2) A small portable unit - I have a Sony Walkman SRF-M37W in my bag, great little radio.  and 3) a windup emergency one, Eton makes several, you might need to know what is going on after power is down. 

You also need a mental plan of where to go -- that guy in the news story who went to a basement closet, something like that.

92 95 I asked to be left behind because there needs to be an adult in charge ...

93

I saw a video of Pawlenty this morning.  He seems hell bent on "telling the truth to the American people".  If he does that, he's not getting elected, I really think people don't want the truth.

I didn't like the guy a year ago but he has since repudiated his stance on man-made global warming. I still have my concerns, one of the major ones being that catchphrases like "I get it," "telling the truth to the American people," and others in that vein have been focus grouped by cretins like Frank Luntz. My worry here is that Pawlenty is mouthing phrases that test well.

Now if he actually goes out and starts saying the same types of things that Christie and Ryan are saying, then I will take a closer look at him.

94

All this Doom talk is bullshit. Scott Brown says we can fix medicare by just getting rid of waste, fraud and abuse.

Scott Brown is a genius.

http://tinyurl.com/3leycs7

 

95 92 I saw a video of Pawlenty this morning.  He seems hell bent on "telling the truth to the American people".  If he does that, he's not getting elected, I really think people don't want the truth.

Posted by: curious at May 23, 2011 10:17 AM (k1rwm)

"You can't handle the truth!"

Truth telling is to politicians is what sunlight is to vampires!

 

Okay, so Newt implodes and now T-Paw implodes. That leaves us with Romney (socialized healthcare is good), Daniels (if his wife lets him with his 16 stitches to the head), Cain (?), Palin (unelectable according to Ace), and who else? Guiliani (the GOP will be lead by NYC Mayor)? Ryan (can't make up mind), Santorum (nobody knows what he is for). So far the field is looking a bit discombobulated.

96 82 obama campaigning for re-election in Ireland right now?

Posted by: nevergiveup at May 23, 2011 10:13 AM (i6RpT)

I am of the opinion that when his tenure is done on the presidential stage you will see him in an international position like the UN or IMF where he can continue to attack the United States.

97 Actually Curious, I think I'm glad you posted that map.  In the last half-hour the wind's come up and the sky's not as blue as it was either.

98 De' Debil Hisself -- I'm all for promoting him now.

99 102
Scott Brown says we can fix medicare by just getting rid of waste, fraud and abuse.

So we dismantle the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches?

100

On the giving money.

I will never ever ever give money to the Red Cross.

 

The Salvation Army is the most trustyworthy major charity out there. Find out if they have a fund set up for Mizzo and give to them

101 As a side point, some radios have dual power, for building and battery; that and an alarm are, in my mind, requirements for anything left in place.  The warehouse I worked in for nine years had one, I was the main monitor for it due to my desk job.  I only had to sound the 'take cover' once, but it was certainly taken very seriously even when it wasn't nearby.

Also, even older cell phones can subscribe to weather alerts, so you may want to consider that if  your reception and service are consistently good.  Cell cards for laptops are also good, that's one of the key ways our Scout camp keeps an eye on this kind of badness believe it or not.

Ugh.  Hurricane season yet to come.  I have a bad feeling about this.

102 100's line up for volunteer work assignments to help fellow citizens in Joplin. 

103 106 102 Scott Brown says we can fix medicare by just getting rid of waste, fraud and abuse. So we dismantle the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches? Posted by: De' Debil Hisself at May 23, 2011 10:28 AM (H+LJc) Hi! I'm WASTE!! My sidekick Joe here is FRAUD! And Nancy Pelagosi over there... Well, she's ABUSE!!

104 "the queen and obama are not in ireland at the same time"

Ah, but obama is a queen in Ireland, is (s)he not?

105 "One major problem is that the pols live in a "beltway" bubble and never actually talk to the people (i.e., lower classes), and they wouldn't believe it if they did talk to them."

Very true- visited there a couple months ago to see some friends. The place was lit up and going full blast like when we had a booming economy (during the Bush years). But thinking about it, DC's economy IS going full blast- tax revenues and printing press money has things hopping.

So you're right- they sure as hell don't see anything wrong happening in their lil' parasitic biosphere. Thinkin' they will, real soon like...

106 "So this guy predicted a wonderful, glorious event, and he and everyone who believed him look like fools now. Give him a break. Just because he's president of the U.S. and the recovery he promised never happened, his heart was in the right place." --Lars Walker

107 Politico has a new article claiming that the Rs ignored all the warning signs RE the Medicare debate. It also says that the pollsters and certain members of the conference warned that it would be an absolute disaster. While I'm sure some of them did, it's also Politico and it's hard to tell whether their "report" is factually correct because it uses quotes from anonymous GOP sources. It also attempts to make Dave Camp look like some kind of prophet.

108 I love it when the Politico tries to give Republicans advice.

109 Why do M&Ms even go to the Politco? It is the NYT of the internet.

110 Good lord.  Fox's site has a picture of the Joplin hospital, or rather it's in the background, with what's left of their emergency helicopter in the foreground.

As usual, once the sun comes up, it's worse than you thought...

111 The point of the article is (obviously) to sow doubt. They paired it with the AP poll about cuts to Medicare to drive-home their point. But a lot of this is inside baseball where we have no way of knowing whether-or-not some of these things actually occurred. Some of the facts presented RE the same do contradict earlier stories but it's still hard to know. So it's difficult to know how to respond to such an article.

112

Uh.... wasn't the Mandate of the IMF to maintain the GOLD Standard?  Somthing we've not been on since the 70's?

So.... why is it still here?

One flaw we have in our current society... we start an organization due to a need, but when the need is no longer there, we continue to fund that same organization, so it 'creates' its own mission...

Look at the EPA... once upon a time, the Air quality sucked... and it did some OK work... but now? Its a powerful group of Government workers LOOKING for some reason to keep their jobs...

Calif EPA is even worse... I moved back to Calif. a few months ago to care for my 83 year old Mom... and have to get Calif Tags for my Durango, which means getting a smog check.  Truck passed with flying colors, way under any limits BUT one of my after market intake parts did not have a Calif CARB board sticker on it, so it auto fails... now I have to spend $250 replacing a perfectly working part, with one approved by Calif.

May have started as a good idea... but too much idle power in Gov Hands creates the Nanny State, as Gov workers try to justify their jobs.

113 116 Why do M&Ms even go to the Politco? It is the NYT of the internet.

To see the latest liberal spin from inside the Beltway so that I know what to anticipate. They also have some good interviews sometimes.

114 CA has discovered a new way to deal with their financial ruin: MORE TAXES!

http://tinyurl.com/3cbqqdr

115 Im sure the eco-wackos will blame this on GLOBAL WARMING especialy those green nut cases from GREENPEACE and the other green wackos will use this GAIA poppycock to explain this

116

May have started as a good idea... but too much idle power in Gov Hands creates the Nanny State, as Gov workers try to justify their jobs.

Posted by: Romeo13 at May 23, 2011 11:07 AM (NtXW4)

Yeah, this.

117 US Stocks plunge on Euro debt fears ... my not our own?

LA Times (sorry)

118 Posted by: Vic at May 23, 2011 09:25 AM (M9Ie6)

What?

119 Inside story, Monty knew what I was talking about.

120 From Jack Tappers tweet-linked story about Irish economic collapse:

Economists warn that there is a lesson here for the U.S., with its skyrocketing deficits and a daunting national debt. 

- Jake Tapper

Is Doom infectious?

121      Not just doom, Biblical Doom!  Obama makes a speech saying the Muslims should have a contiguous state, meaning Israeil should be split in half.  A few days later Joplin, MO gets hit by a devastating tornado. Joplin would be a good place to split the country in half.  Don't get God angry, He'll go Old Testament on you.  It's better to bless Israel than curse it.  We can, and should, pray for Obama, but his heart will probably harden like Pharoah's.

122 These fools decided back in the 1970s that all dialysis patients eventually HAVE to go on Medicare, even if they are under 65. So now Medicare (that is, YOU) are paying $28 a year for some half-million of us, with no cost controls or alternative therapy in sight. Freezing ESRD technology into the paradigm of the 1970s might not have been such a great idea...