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EZExit Champion Author Phoenix Posts:10,752 Points:1,736,330 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 12:29:42 PM Ignore EZExit Report Abuse After billions were spent and two years’ elapsed, Election 2012 is over. The status quo is retained. Barack Obama is still president, Democrats control the Senate, and Republicans control the House — meaning continued partisan gridlock. But the partisanship in Washington will be far worse over the next four years, and that’s due to Obama himself. Obama waged the most negative presidential campaign in modern history. Because his own record was so dismal, Obama focused entirely on tearing Romney down and making him an unacceptable alternative. How? Obama lied about Romney — he’s a heartless corporate raider, vulture capitalist and possible felon, a man who cheated on his taxes, killed a woman with cancer, waged a “war on women” and wanted to destroy the auto industry. Romney — a decent, honorable man — dealt with Obama’s lies in the same way he dealt with electoral defeat — with a dignity and character that Obama can never emulate. Obama’s victory margin was small — approximately 3.3 million votes out of over 120.6 million cast. Obama’s popular vote total was less than it was in 2008 — certainly not the mandate he and Democrats received in 2008. Obama’s bare-knuckles, Chicago-style win was just another of many examples of how far he has debased the office of the Presidency. But Obama’s victory was a Pyrrhic one — for him and America. Obama’s “know-it-all” persona and his fervent conviction of the “government-knows-best” ideology completely rules out a Clinton-like pivot to the middle. Ideologues like Obama never compromise. And Obama’s frequent insinuations since 2010 that Republicans are unpatriotic, along with his lecturing them rather than truly negotiating in budget and debt-limit talks in 2011, and topped off by Obama waging such a nasty, demagogic 2012 campaign, have resulted in his relationship with congressional Republicans reaching rock-bottom. Add in a more liberal Senate under Harry Reid — he wants to limit Republicans’ ability to filibuster — and comments by senior Democrats like Chuck Schumer — he’ll fight tax reform if tax rates aren’t raised — show that Democrats clearly aren’t serious about compromising at all. In fact, based on what Obama proposed during the campaign, it’s clear that the goal is to increase spending, not reduce it. To do this, Obama wants to increase taxes — the “rich” must pay their “fair share.” However, according to the IRS, the vast majority already do pay enough. In 2009, taxpayers who made $1 million or more paid on average 24.4 percent of their income in federal income taxes. Those making $200,000 to $300,000 paid on average 17.5 percent. The top 10 percent of wage earners pay 72 percent of federal tax revenue. Obama could tax every millionaire and billionaire in America at a 100 percent rate and it still wouldn’t make a dent in the current deficit. But Election Day’s exit polls which show that Americans — by an eight point margin — believe that government does too much. And Obama and Democrats asking Americans who already pay enough in taxes to cough up even more when the government is spending $1 trillion more than it takes in is wrong — and will lead to further economic decline. It’s the spending, stupid — not taxes. Short term, Republicans in Congress should compromise with Obama and the Democrats when the American people benefit — like cutting spending — but oppose them when it hurts Americans — like asking Americans to pay more taxes for liberal boondoggles that America can’t afford. Strategically, Republicans must modernize and prioritize. They must quit alienating Hispanics by their current position on immigration. In presidential elections, Republicans have fallen from a 44 percent share of the Hispanic vote in 2004, to 31 percent in 2008, to 27 percent this year. Hispanics should be a natural Republican constituency: an immigrant community with a strong work ethic, religious, Catholic, family oriented and socially conservative. A better outreach strategy to the Hispanic community will greatly increase the Republicans’ base. And Republicans need to focus on the two biggest problems America faces — the economy and national security — and stop getting drawn into debates on social issues. Paul Ryan, Marco Rubio, Bobby Jindal, Scott Walker, Nikki Haley and Chris Christie will challenge the Democrats in 2016. They represent the future of the Republican Party — and it’s a bright future indeed.Philadelphia Courier Times

EZExit

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Phoenix

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Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 12:29:42 PM

Ignore EZExit Report Abuse

After billions were spent and two years’ elapsed, Election 2012 is over. The status quo is retained. Barack Obama is still president, Democrats control the Senate, and Republicans control the House — meaning continued partisan gridlock.

But the partisanship in Washington will be far worse over the next four years, and that’s due to Obama himself. Obama waged the most negative presidential campaign in modern history. Because his own record was so dismal, Obama focused entirely on tearing Romney down and making him an unacceptable alternative.

How? Obama lied about Romney — he’s a heartless corporate raider, vulture capitalist and possible felon, a man who cheated on his taxes, killed a woman with cancer, waged a “war on women” and wanted to destroy the auto industry.

Romney — a decent, honorable man — dealt with Obama’s lies in the same way he dealt with electoral defeat — with a dignity and character that Obama can never emulate.

Obama’s victory margin was small — approximately 3.3 million votes out of over 120.6 million cast. Obama’s popular vote total was less than it was in 2008 — certainly not the mandate he and Democrats received in 2008.

Obama’s bare-knuckles, Chicago-style win was just another of many examples of how far he has debased the office of the Presidency.

But Obama’s victory was a Pyrrhic one — for him and America.

Obama’s “know-it-all” persona and his fervent conviction of the “government-knows-best” ideology completely rules out a Clinton-like pivot to the middle.

Ideologues like Obama never compromise.

And Obama’s frequent insinuations since 2010 that Republicans are unpatriotic, along with his lecturing them rather than truly negotiating in budget and debt-limit talks in 2011, and topped off by Obama waging such a nasty, demagogic 2012 campaign, have resulted in his relationship with congressional Republicans reaching rock-bottom.

Add in a more liberal Senate under Harry Reid — he wants to limit Republicans’ ability to filibuster — and comments by senior Democrats like Chuck Schumer — he’ll fight tax reform if tax rates aren’t raised — show that Democrats clearly aren’t serious about compromising at all.

In fact, based on what Obama proposed during the campaign, it’s clear that the goal is to increase spending, not reduce it. To do this, Obama wants to increase taxes — the “rich” must pay their “fair share.”

However, according to the IRS, the vast majority already do pay enough. In 2009, taxpayers who made $1 million or more paid on average 24.4 percent of their income in federal income taxes. Those making $200,000 to $300,000 paid on average 17.5 percent. The top 10 percent of wage earners pay 72 percent of federal tax revenue.

Obama could tax every millionaire and billionaire in America at a 100 percent rate and it still wouldn’t make a dent in the current deficit.

But Election Day’s exit polls which show that Americans — by an eight point margin — believe that government does too much. And Obama and Democrats asking Americans who already pay enough in taxes to cough up even more when the government is spending $1 trillion more than it takes in is wrong — and will lead to further economic decline.

It’s the spending, stupid — not taxes.

Short term, Republicans in Congress should compromise with Obama and the Democrats when the American people benefit — like cutting spending — but oppose them when it hurts Americans — like asking Americans to pay more taxes for liberal boondoggles that America can’t afford.

Strategically, Republicans must modernize and prioritize.

They must quit alienating Hispanics by their current position on immigration. In presidential elections, Republicans have fallen from a 44 percent share of the Hispanic vote in 2004, to 31 percent in 2008, to 27 percent this year. Hispanics should be a natural Republican constituency: an immigrant community with a strong work ethic, religious, Catholic, family oriented and socially conservative. A better outreach strategy to the Hispanic community will greatly increase the Republicans’ base.

And Republicans need to focus on the two biggest problems America faces — the economy and national security — and stop getting drawn into debates on social issues.

Paul Ryan, Marco Rubio, Bobby Jindal, Scott Walker, Nikki Haley and Chris Christie will challenge the Democrats in 2016. They represent the future of the Republican Party — and it’s a bright future indeed.Philadelphia Courier Times

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

I75at7AM Champion Author Dayton Posts:66,946 Points:2,461,145 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 9:32:27 AM Ignore I75at7AM Report Abuse Obama Goes Back on the Trail Ahead of Debt Talks Yes, after touring the country for the past six months, he needs to go out again and "will meet with carefully selected small-business owners, middle-class taxpayers and corporate leaders over the next couple days..." He should be meeting with Congressional leaders and followers. If you don't know how the country feels by now, you missed the message.
RNorm Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:45,196 Points:794,555 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 11:37:39 PM Ignore RNorm Report Abuse "The only negative attacks from the right came from PACs." I guess you missed this one too: "The Romney campaign has produced a controversial ad that argues Romney would be better for the auto industry than Obama. In the ad, an announcer says, "Obama took GM and Chrysler into bankruptcy and sold Chrysler to Italians who are going to build Jeeps in China. Mitt Romney will fight for every American job." Images of cars being crushed accompany those words." This was produced by the Romney Campaign itself...(and was also refuted by Chrysler as well)
EZExit Champion Author Phoenix Posts:10,752 Points:1,736,330 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 10:53:20 PM Ignore EZExit Report Abuse <<<Character? What character? He did stick to issues though... both sides of every one.>>> See what I mean? You apparently feel that he is bankrupt of any character, the negative ads worked as planned. I agree with your assessment of his sticking to issues, he seemed genuinely concerned to look at each issue from each side, and also seemed to want to move the country forward including all duly elected representatives from both sides of the aisle. <<<You didn't watch the Republican debates then.>>> No, I didn't, are you saying that during the republican debates the candidates attacked Obama on a personal level and leveled charges of criminal behavior instead of challenging his failed policies? If that indeed occurred, then I would stand corrected. <<<What will be your argument when that doesn't happen?>>> No argument whether that happens or not, if it does not, then it will be that both parties cooperated enough to kick the can down the road. You don't really think that we'll actually see a budget now, do you? ROFL! [Edited by: EZExit at 11/27/2012 10:55:06 PM EST]
MiddletownMarty Champion Author Connecticut Posts:17,753 Points:272,435 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 10:38:18 PM Ignore MiddletownMarty Report Abuse "His character was unfairly assassinated and bludgeoned to death, and he stuck to issues." Character? What character? He did stick to issues though... both sides of every one. "The only negative attacks from the right came from PACs." You didn't watch the Republican debates then. "I dare say, I fully expect the fiscal cliff to go down, and the rhetoric to get deeper, while the American people continue to flush down the economic toilet." What will be your argument when that doesn't happen?
EZExit Champion Author Phoenix Posts:10,752 Points:1,736,330 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 10:18:52 PM Ignore EZExit Report Abuse Thanks for the links Norm & Nick, I had honestly not seen them before now... I dare say that I would disagree with Romney's assessment as well. The reason he lost the election is simple. His character was unfairly assassinated and bludgeoned to death, and he stuck to issues. The only negative attacks from the right came from PACs. This was while 90% of Obama's campaign was a laundry list of manufactured charges, and the other 10% generalities about his future "plans". Neither one of the candidates offered much in the way of specifics, so you can't differentiate the two there... I agree with the premise of this article, Washington will be more divided then ever, as I also agree that the election seasoned served well to insert a couple of more wedges in this country. I dare say, I fully expect the fiscal cliff to go down, and the rhetoric to get deeper, while the American people continue to flush down the economic toilet. Both sides will blame the other as we enter the next recession, rougher than the first.
RNorm Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:45,196 Points:794,555 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 7:31:19 AM Ignore RNorm Report Abuse "One thing I have noticed since the election is how Libs are circling like sharks -- the success of their blame game has emboldened them to go further. Blood is on the water and now they want to finish us off. They also think Fox News has been proven dead wrong (yeah, whatever on both counts)." Its actually reminding you of the gleeful arrogance that the right flooded these forums with prior to the election. And talk about blame game, its funny watching you all blame "Obama's tactics" for Romney's loss and can't admit that Romney was doing the same thing during his failed campaign... C'mon man. PS: Fox HAS been wrong more than once in the past.
e_jeepin Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,876 Points:123,170 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 7:17:50 AM Ignore e_jeepin Report Abuse One thing I have noticed since the election is how Libs are circling like sharks -- the success of their blame game has emboldened them to go further. Blood is on the water and now they want to finish us off. They also think Fox News has been proven dead wrong (yeah, whatever on both counts). Will Obama voters ever hold the two-thirds Democrat control of Washington accountable for anything? Never -- the election proved it. They will just elect another Democrat because the last Democrat disappointed them -- repeat every 4 years. Welcome to the City of Detroit gone National -- Democrat run for 60 years and a perpetual failure to govern and maintain City services for the people.
RNorm Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:45,196 Points:794,555 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 1:05:18 AM Ignore RNorm Report Abuse "I haven't heard not one statement from Romney since his concession speech, and that speech was very graceful." He's said a lot since then: "The Republican presidential nominee did not acknowledge any major missteps in his campaign in a phone call with top donors Wednesday, attributing his loss to Obama's focus on distinct groups rather than the country as a whole. "The president's campaign, if you will, focused on giving targeted groups a big gift," Romney said, citing immigration proposals aimed at Hispanics and free contraception coverage that appealed to young women. "He made a big effort on small things." Romney said that in contrast, his campaign was more focused on "big issues for the whole country." Romney also blamed his problems as a candidate on the attacks against him by the Obama campaign, especially their efforts to paint him as anti-immigrant. He said his campaign, though superb, had trouble because of these attacks until he was able to come back during the debates. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal criticized Romney's comments later Wednesday, as some GOP leaders offered critiques of their party's last campaign on the first day of Republican Governors Association (RGA) meetings in Las Vegas. Jindal, thought to be a potential 2016 candidate and the incoming RGA chairman, said he "absolutely rejects" Romney's "gifts" assertion, and said those types of notions do not represent who Republicans are as a party." Its not like I make this stuff up... Jindal wasn't the only prominent republican to disagree with Romney's assertion
NickHammer Champion Author Maryland Posts:16,313 Points:2,606,710 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 1:04:56 AM Ignore NickHammer Report Abuse >>RNorm: Take the blinders off. Romney blamed his loss on "gifts" and other crap and depicted himself as a sore loser; even by those in his own party. EXExit: I haven't heard not one statement from Romney since his concession speech<< EZ, you need to get out more. I'll save you the trouble googling "Romney blames loss on gifts" and having to sort through over 4 million results - it's right here on Fox News. [Edited by: NickHammer at 11/27/2012 1:06:11 AM EST]
EZExit Champion Author Phoenix Posts:10,752 Points:1,736,330 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 12:14:31 AM Ignore EZExit Report Abuse >>>Nope, it was lots of mudslinging going BOTH ways; despite your protestations that Mitt walked on water...<<< I agree that there was lots of mudslinging going both ways, but I might add that it would seem Obama is the one that can not only walk on water, but can part it as well.
EZExit Champion Author Phoenix Posts:10,752 Points:1,736,330 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Nov 27, 2012 12:12:27 AM Ignore EZExit Report Abuse >>>And Romney walked on water? Man please. Romney refused to pull ads that were COMPLETELY dishonest and even when shown they were wrong he still stood by the lies.<<< Sorry, I can't recall any ads that weren't true, although I did see some that stretched the truth. But it sure would be rough to defend the negative ads ran by Obama. The Obama campaign actually made stuff up on a weekly basis! Never heard any apology either. I don't recall even seeing an Obama ad that stated any accomplishments, the closest I recall is that voting for Obama was like having sex for the first time, that's hardly running on your merits now, isn't it? >>>Romney did more damage to himself with his 47% quip...one that he HIMSELF apologized for; but by the time he stop defending it and apologized for it, the damage was already done.<<< The damage started when the DNC started the war on Romney, when they had minions make baseless accusations, such as tax evasion, capital murder, money laundering, etc. When the guy just takes it like a man, and doesn't stoop to the same level, and level unfounded accusations back, it apparently made him guilty of these crimes in the voter's eyes. I suspect that if Obama and Romney ran for president based on their policies alone, the election results would have been different. >>>Take the blinders off. Romney blamed his loss on "gifts" and other crap and depicted himself as a sore loser; even by those in his own party.<<< I haven't heard not one statement from Romney since his concession speech, and that speech was very graceful. If that was the speech of a sore loser, what is your opinion of a graceful loser? If Romney fell to one knee, and proclaimed Obama to be his king forever? I did see a story recently with a photo of Romney filling his car with fuel at a gas station, and the media is treating that like they have seen the second coming of Elvis. Perhaps this is where he is somehow a sore loser? In reading some of these threads post election, it would seem that many liberals are sore winners, they are so wound up and programmed to attack Romney, they just can't stop, even after he is politically "dead". Please reprogram your attack modes, you can still continue to use them, just type "republican" now every time you start to type "Romney", and let the baseless attacks continue.
teacher_tim Champion Author Maryland Posts:15,898 Points:749,380 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Nov 26, 2012 4:37:04 PM Ignore teacher_tim Report Abuse Seems that Obama has just shifted his negative campaigning from Romney to all Republicans for the fiscal cliff talks. THAT should help with the necessary compromising... <sar>
worryfree Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:24,017 Points:1,892,190 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Nov 26, 2012 2:51:34 PM Ignore worryfree Report Abuse We all share the guilt for the success of negative campaigning.
noseatbelt Champion Author Indiana Posts:7,763 Points:207,330 Joined:Feb 2004	Message Posted: Nov 26, 2012 2:39:05 PM Ignore noseatbelt Report Abuse how many, of his completely dishonest ads did obama pull? Liberals, also have a very good set of blinders, when it comes to some of the things obama and friends pulled to get votes.
Michiganian Champion Author Michigan Posts:5,764 Points:847,925 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Nov 26, 2012 2:20:09 PM Ignore Michiganian Report Abuse >> Not to mention that many of Obama's attacks were just regurgitations from earlier attacks on Romney by FELLOW REPUBLICANS in the GOP primaries... << Yes, Romney's primary opponents provided plenty of ammo for the Obama Campaign to use.
RNorm Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:45,196 Points:794,555 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Nov 25, 2012 7:56:41 PM Ignore RNorm Report Abuse "The libs here all feel Obama ran a great campaign on truth and honesty while cry Romney lied about everything." Nope, it was lots of mudslinging going BOTH ways; despite your protestations that Mitt walked on water... Not to mention that many of Obama's attacks were just regurgitations from earlier attacks on Romney by FELLOW REPUBLICANS in the GOP primaries... SMH
RNorm Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:45,196 Points:794,555 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Nov 25, 2012 7:20:50 PM Ignore RNorm Report Abuse "But the partisanship in Washington will be far worse over the next four years, and that’s due to Obama himself. Obama waged the most negative presidential campaign in modern history. Because his own record was so dismal, Obama focused entirely on tearing Romney down and making him an unacceptable alternative." And Romney walked on water? Man please. Romney refused to pull ads that were COMPLETELY dishonest and even when shown they were wrong he still stood by the lies. "How? Obama lied about Romney — he’s a heartless corporate raider, vulture capitalist and possible felon, a man who cheated on his taxes, killed a woman with cancer, waged a “war on women” and wanted to destroy the auto industry." Romney did more damage to himself with his 47% quip...one that he HIMSELF apologized for; but by the time he stop defending it and apologized for it, the damage was already done. "Romney — a decent, honorable man — dealt with Obama’s lies in the same way he dealt with electoral defeat — with a dignity and character that Obama can never emulate." Take the blinders off. Romney blamed his loss on "gifts" and other crap and depicted himself as a sore loser; even by those in his own party. ODS is a mother...
EZExit Champion Author Phoenix Posts:10,752 Points:1,736,330 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Nov 25, 2012 5:41:59 PM Ignore EZExit Report Abuse This article was a guest editorial, not a letter to the editor. But the writer of this piece has no bearing as to the content. The content is well written and Michiginian is unable to attack the statements within the article, and so plan B is to attack the writer. I accept that, this is part of the blind hatred that we see so much of these days... :)
e_jeepin Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,876 Points:123,170 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Nov 25, 2012 4:57:24 PM Ignore e_jeepin Report Abuse The libs here all feel Obama ran a great campaign on truth and honesty while cry Romney lied about everything. Can't fight them on the obvious they deny occurred, let them feel proud about what they endorsed. Obamas legacy will be owning 8 years of America's lost decade
Michiganian Champion Author Michigan Posts:5,764 Points:847,925 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 7:33:31 AM Ignore Michiganian Report Abuse Then explain the byline in the bottom of the piece, EZExit: "Brian Loutrel, Fairless Hills, is a 1975 graduate of Pennsbury High School." That reads like a "letter to the editor" to me.
EZExit Champion Author Phoenix Posts:10,752 Points:1,736,330 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 10:59:12 PM Ignore EZExit Report Abuse Michiganian, it is an editorial, not a letter to the editor, there is a difference. But in any case, it is well written, well thought out, and captures my thoughts and the thoughts of many others brilliantly. I can understand you not being able to argue any of the points made within the editorial, as he did a good job constructing his argument.
flyboyUT Champion Author Utah Posts:23,168 Points:1,038,420 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 10:30:54 PM Ignore flyboyUT Report Abuse Michiggy - at least he links to something. Some seem to just be able to make cheap shot comments then run. Or maybe they spend too much time trying to convince everyone that they have all but a select favored few on iggy.....
noseatbelt Champion Author Indiana Posts:7,763 Points:207,330 Joined:Feb 2004	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 4:23:44 PM Ignore noseatbelt Report Abuse not to mention, his being re elected.
Michiganian Champion Author Michigan Posts:5,764 Points:847,925 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 4:17:52 PM Ignore Michiganian Report Abuse Letters to the editor do not count as a quotable link.
I75at7AM Champion Author Dayton Posts:66,946 Points:2,461,145 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Nov 23, 2012 12:51:18 PM Ignore I75at7AM Report Abuse Every point made in that piece is spot on. Thanks for posting it, EZ. Except for the last line. The democrats must be sharpening their spears already getting ready for the next generation of Republican leaders. --> Paul Ryan - his family owns a construction company. Obviously heartless capitalists, and now Ryan is a big loser in the last election (he actually won re-election to his congressional seat) --> Marco Rubio - token Hispanic, can't deliver his own district for the Republican candidate. And hsi parents were not citizens when he was born (in the USA) so he is ineligible to be President. --> Bobby Jindal - another politician from the corrupt state of Louisiana. Are you serious? --> Scott Walker - just read all the crap that has been written against him. He is the second coming of Lucifer. --> Nikki Haley - didn't you hear? A security breach in South Carolina left millions of taxpayers' bank accounts exposed to hackers. She is obviously unqualified to earn the public's trust. --> Chris Christie? Are you kidding? That walking cholesterol bomb looks he might explode at any instant, making the day of union people everywhere (spilled guts cleaner-upper union especially) [Edited by: I75at7AM at 11/23/2012 12:52:37 PM EST]