The 2011 State of the Union

[loveisdead]

Tonight. Discuss it here.

Are we all sick of hearing about seating arrangements yet?

[sjb2k1]

good news, i'm not going to be near a TV for this.

[loveisdead]

Why not?

[danny_ptown]

As part of the most politically apathetic generation maybe we should watch...i dont know maybe just a thought

[WTG]

I used to watch these in high school, but I just can't stand them. Most of the times it is just one side cheering while the other glares, and rarely is it anything that we haven't heard before. I'll read what is said after and skip the annoyance.

[salt1384]

Excited!

[Ryan Gosling]

everybody just like glowers at obama, poor dude

[Jake Gyllenhaal]

As part of the most politically apathetic generation maybe we should watch...i dont know maybe just a thought

I was pretty apathetic during the Bush administration while at the same time, I was a Poli Sci major

[J.C.]

This has the misfortune of being on at the same time as UConn/Marquette.

Sorry, Barry.

[PaulPelc5]

This x10000

It's being advertised as if they are gathering information for a high school yearbook survey.

"Cutest Couple!" "Most Athletic :)" "Most Likely to Succeed"

"Houston's Biggest Embarrassment/Largest Double Decker Crown Weave"... This one of course is only reserved for Sheila Jackson Lee



Tonight. Discuss it here.

Are we all sick of hearing about seating arrangements yet?

[honkyg88]

Tonight. Discuss it here.

Are we all sick of hearing about seating arrangements yet?

I think it's a good idea. A small gesture like that may be a start to opening avenues of compromise. That being said, treating it like a high school yearbook has gotten a little out of hand.

[inthemidst]

This has the misfortune of being on at the same time as UConn/Marquette.

Sorry, Barry.

Haha, this. Only change it to UGA vs. UF in my case.

[J.C.]

Haha, this. Only change it to UGA vs. UF in my case.

That game will be over beforehand.

[inthemidst]

That game will be over beforehand.

When is the SOTU?

[J.C.]

When is the SOTU?

9 EST.

[Trainsaw]

The Bachmann response is going to be classic

[inthemidst]

9 EST.

Word. Cheers, bro.

[studskalny]

I'll probably end up watching it, if I don't fall asleep.

[saysmydoctor]

I personally think all the members of Congress should be forced to sit outside and suffer through it.

[saysmydoctor]

Capital Tonight anchor and State of Politics blogger-in-chief Liz Benjamin is surprised by Obama's centrist tone in SOTU. You'd think she'd have noticed that...well, two year long trend.

[kemppettyjohn]

im cheering for Obama!!

[JuneJuly]

too lazy to change the channel or go out to the loud and watch it on that tv.

Streaming, ftw.

[loveisdead]

Boehner just looks so pompous.

[Jake Gyllenhaal]

Boehner just looks so pompous.

I thought I saw a tear

[loveisdead]

Smart of him to say right off the bat about Giffords.

[crackedthesky]

Boehner cried before Obama even sat down.

[loveisdead]

Taking a page out of his Tucson speech.

[crackedthesky]

Also just noticed Boehner is wearing a purple tie. That's a nice gesture, since he can't formally sit with the democrats.

[jbaseball44]

Might be my TV but the tie looks pinkish to me

[saysmydoctor]

American Exceptionalism 101.

[loveisdead]

Haha Republicans did not like the Green technology statement.

[dead.end.friend]

I like where he's going with this

[jbaseball44]

Boehner looked confused/annoyed at oil company remark.

[Neo Cassady]

Boehner looked confused/annoyed at oil company remark.

Siiigh. Guess...i'll...clap.

What a tool.

[Jake Gyllenhaal]

Obama just lost the jock vote

[jbaseball44]

Siiigh. Guess...i'll...clap.

What a tool.
haha, he jumped in early on the superbowl/science fair comment.

[EasySkankin]

wiener got his reading face on

[Ben09]

She fell asleep.lol

[saysmydoctor]

wiener got his reading face on
More like "Fuck, I have to seat next to Congressman King" face.

[jbaseball44]

hahaha

[EasySkankin]

More like "Fuck, I have to seat next to Congressman King" face.
and it was totally mutual lol

[Neo Cassady]

Obama just validated my career choice. Sweet.

[Jake Gyllenhaal]

You're a teacher? Good for you. That's one profession I truly admire/respect.

[jbaseball44]

I like the close up on McCain when he mentions immigration (msnbc broadcast)

[bandnamexmyname]

Just tuned in. What's he addressing now?

[bandnamexmyname]

Ooo, internet for everyone.

[Jake Gyllenhaal]

Just tuned in. What's he addressing now?

Investing in technology to advance business

[Neo Cassady]

You're a teacher? Good for you. That's one profession I truly admire/respect.

Thanks. I don't hear that kind of thing enough.

[samsara]

But what about people who dont want the internet?

[jbaseball44]

Need to clean out the tax law

[perceptrons]

Thank Zeus for TiVo, just starting it.

[Neo Cassady]

But what about people who dont want the internet?

Too bad. Big Brother is watching you.

[bandnamexmyname]

Is the Whitehouse.gov version the true live one?

[loveisdead]

He hasn't said anything remotely debatable.

[bandnamexmyname]

I'm not sure that he's really clarifying anything about his health care policies here.

[bandnamexmyname]

Oh god, Obama is doing the "everyday real Americans" thing.

[samsara]

Too bad. Big Brother is watching you.

Stupid paranoid people.....

[loveisdead]

So then why extend the tax cuts, dick?

[bandnamexmyname]

boooooooooo i want controversy

[bandnamexmyname]

Wait, why would you do that...

[loveisdead]

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
x

[jbaseball44]

Please cut military spending

[bandnamexmyname]

LOL

x

[bandnamexmyname]

Please cut military spending

I think he's trying to get the impression across that he'll do that.

[jbaseball44]

plane analogy fell pretty flat

[loveisdead]

At least he mentioned cutting military spending.

[loveisdead]

plane analogy fell pretty flat

Very.

[bandnamexmyname]

lol he said cut health care spending

[bandnamexmyname]

Very.

It feels like you're flying high at first, but then you, you know, you crash.

[Jake Gyllenhaal]

He hasn't said anything remotely debatable.

I've been mentally preparing myself for the past year that Obama was going to go more central à la Clinton's first term.

[Neo Cassady]

We can't afford the tax cuts at all.......

[bandnamexmyname]

Stop trying to please everyone.

[jbaseball44]

I think he's trying to get the impression across that he'll do that.
Yes, i was more or less conveying the notion of "dont just say it, do it"

[bandnamexmyname]

Yes, i was more or less conveying the notion of "dont just say it, do it"

Yeah, not so sure on whether or not he's alluding to substantial action with what he's saying though. He's selling ideals, not plans.

[bandnamexmyname]

Stop trying to make jokes.

[loveisdead]

We can't afford the tax cuts at all.......

Agreed.

[bandnamexmyname]

Hopefully, the Iraq section will be interesting.

[loveisdead]

I want to get drunk with Joe Biden.

[bandnamexmyname]

I liked the American Muslims line.

[loveisdead]

Fuck all the people who didn't just stand.

[Machu505]

Cutting unnecessary regulations and consolidating government agencies? Finally the American people have gotten a clear look at Obama's socialist agenda.

[bandnamexmyname]

Fuck all the people [2]

[Jason Tate]

Reading the running commentary in here is depressing.

[bandnamexmyname]

How so?

[GuitarR0cker1]

zQ-hPNrKdZI

Obama's killing it. Making the economy, education and a transparent government the main focus will definitely be more effective than the Republican response which will surely focus on the deficit.

[Jason Tate]

How so?
Because I have to read your posts.

[loveisdead]

Wasn't a big fan of the Afghanistan stuff.

[loveisdead]

Because I have to read your posts.

:lol:

Edit: Just re-read all his posts. Nothing terribly bad to me.

[Tyler Vagyler]

Because I have to read your posts.

Thank you for saying this.

[jbaseball44]

Last 5 minutes or so he's been particularly strong.

[loveisdead]

Last 5 minutes or so he's been particularly strong.

The whole thing has been pretty good. But yeah, you're right.

[bandnamexmyname]

Because I have to read your posts.

Okay, I apologize then. Thank you for letting me know.

[jbaseball44]

The whole thing has been pretty good. But yeah, you're right.
Agreed on overall quality, just thought his tone was perfect the last couple minutes

[Jason Tate]

Okay, I apologize then. Thank you for letting me know.
:-p

[loveisdead]

Fuck them for not standing up on that. We're really still doing this?

[bandnamexmyname]

Don't approve of people sitting there glaring at Obama affirming gays' right to serve in the military.

[loveisdead]

Don't approve of people sitting there glaring at Obama affirming gays' right to serve in the military.

Absolute bullshit. That infuriated me.

[Tyler Vagyler]

Absolute bullshit. That infuriated me.

Me too.

[Neo Cassady]

Don't approve of people sitting there glaring at Obama affirming gays' right to serve in the military.

Seriously.

[dead.end.friend]

Fuck them for not standing up on that. We're really still doing this?

Did you really expect them to stand?

[Neo Cassady]

Here come the waterworks.

[bandnamexmyname]

Did I hear people booing when he mentioned Boehner?

[peder458]

Here come the waterworks.

beat me (and everyone else) to it.

[loveisdead]

Did you really expect them to stand?

Yes.

[bandnamexmyname]

Always enjoy when he does this.

[loveisdead]

ezraklein Ezra Klein
BREAKING: JOE BIDEN IS BLUSHING

[Jason Tate]

TheOnion (http://twitter.com/#%21/TheOnion) The Onion
If you have an HDTV, we recommend going to 'Menu' and lowering your set's 'Saturation' values 15% to compensate for Boehner #SOTU (http://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23SOTU)

BorowitzReport (http://twitter.com/#%21/BorowitzReport) Andy Borowitz
To tweet about the President's speech, use #SOTU (http://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23SOTU). To tweet about Michele Bachmann's response, use #STFU (http://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23STFU).

[loveisdead]

TheOnion (http://twitter.com/#%21/TheOnion) The Onion
If you have an HDTV, we recommend going to 'Menu' and lowering your set's 'Saturation' values 15% to compensate for Boehner #SOTU (http://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23SOTU)

BorowitzReport (http://twitter.com/#%21/BorowitzReport) Andy Borowitz
To tweet about the President's speech, use #SOTU (http://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23SOTU). To tweet about Michele Bachmann's response, use #STFU (http://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23STFU).

:lol: That's hilarious.

[bandnamexmyname]

Yes.

They were all older officials, so I guess they were raised in a less tolerant environment, but those kind of close-minded beliefs are pretty much antediluvian at this point.

[GuitarR0cker1]

lol @ the vetoing earmarks idea, though. This better not come to bite him in the ass in the form of an attack ad.

[loveisdead]

They were all older officials, so I guess they were raised in a less tolerant environment, but those kind of close-minded beliefs are pretty much antediluvian at this point.

The majority of military leadership has come out in support of the repeal. I'm sick of people acting like this wasn't the right thing to do.

[bandnamexmyname]

Hey, it's Kal Penn!

[samsara]

Some people are assholes you cant expect them to stand.

[loveisdead]

Some people are assholes you cant expect them to stand.

Fine. I'm just glad I can log on a message board and call them assholes haha.

[apoemtothedead]

The smoked salmon industry is pumped.

[kemppettyjohn]

smoked salmon joke was hilarious. good SOTU though. if only bipartisanship was possible...

[bandnamexmyname]

Didn't completely catch the end half of the smoked salmon joke.

[Jake Gyllenhaal]

Ugh. Good Morning America will be interviewing Christine O'Donnell tomorrow morning about the State of the Union... she lost the election and thus no longer relevant. Why give her more attention?

[loveisdead]

Ugh. Good Morning America will be interviewing Christine O'Donnell tomorrow morning about the State of the Union... she lost the election and thus no longer relevant. Why give her more attention?

Good Morning America is still relevant?

[Jason Tate]

Ugh. Good Morning America will be interviewing Christine O'Donnell tomorrow morning about the State of the Union... she lost the election and thus no longer relevant. Why give her more attention?
Because we suck.

[serenab1221]

Are we talking about military leaders not standing? Or the room in general? I know the Joint Chiefs don't tend to stand/clap for anything. It's just a formal event they show up for.

[samsara]

Fine. I'm just glad I can log on a message board and call them assholes haha.

Well if they act like it then why not call them out via the web.

[firewater]

Cutting unnecessary regulations and consolidating government agencies? Finally the American people have gotten a clear look at Obama's socialist agenda.

Oh damn, the scary socialist is going to rule us all!!! Get out of here with that crap.

[zion the lion]

Ugh. Good Morning America will be interviewing Christine O'Donnell tomorrow morning about the State of the Union... she lost the election and thus no longer relevant. Why give her more attention?

Probably the same reason everyone still goes on and on about Sarah Palin.

[apoemtothedead]

Probably the same reason everyone still goes on and on about Sarah Palin.
Because Christine O'Donnell was a Vice Presidential candidate.

[serenab1221]

Ugh. Good Morning America will be interviewing Christine O'Donnell tomorrow morning about the State of the Union... she lost the election and thus no longer relevant. Why give her more attention?

This. Seriously, she made my state a joke. She needs to quit politics.

[PaulPelc5]

I'm having trouble on deciding who was more hammered at the address... Boehner or Biden? Boehner definitely has the " backwards hat barfight" drunk sort of vibe, but, Biden comes of as the "would text your wife nudes of his junk" sort of drunk. Both are equally as entertaining to watch.

[loveisdead]

Stimulus didn't work blah blah blah.

[zion the lion]

Because Christine O'Donnell was a Vice Presidential candidate.

If by vice presidential candidate you mean lost the election, then yes.

[loveisdead]

Did they pick this guy to do the rebuttal cause his ears are just as big as Barry's?

[saysmydoctor]

Well, nothing truer has been said--surprisingly, this time by Ryan.

Edit: Poor timing. I meant Paul Ryan.

[loveisdead]

Well, nothing truer has been said--surprisingly, this time by Ryan.

Edit: Poor timing. I meant Paul Ryan.

Hahahaha. What do you mean though (I know you mean Paul Ryan and not me)?

[Kyle Garchar]

Ugh. Good Morning America will be interviewing Christine O'Donnell tomorrow morning about the State of the Union... she lost the election and thus no longer relevant. Why give her more attention?Because our country is full of retards who focus on those insult our political system by running because they were on television ten years ago.

Also, does anyone feel this republican speaker is literally a step back from everything Obama just said?

Obama = work together and make things better. this is America, let's do great things.
Paul = the democrats are fucking up, lets stop them in their tracks and reduce our debt, without focusing on anything else. Stimulus failed, TOLDJASO DEMS

[apoemtothedead]

If by vice presidential candidate you mean lost the election, then yes.
Which part do we need to work on? The meaning of the word 'candidate' or sarcasm?

[neo506]

The response hasnt said anything of significance yet. Anxiously awaiting Bachman for teh lulz

[saysmydoctor]

Hahahaha. What do you mean though (I know you mean Paul Ryan and not me)?
He said people are right to be skeptical of both parties and that they've both been part of the problem.

I just don't see how he considers his--and his party's--approach as part of the solution. That doesn't change that perspective.

[crackedthesky]

When is Bachmann's response?

[loveisdead]

When is Bachmann's response?

Supposed to come after this.

[samsara]

Hey you Paul Ryan please stfu this is like listening to an audio manual on toilet repair.

[PaulPelc5]

Paul Ryan...... Willard??

http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/columbia_pictures/charlie_s_angels__full_throttle/crispin_glover/charliepre3.jpg

Did they pick this guy to do the rebuttal cause his ears are just as big as Barry's?

[loveisdead]

Could this have been a more counterproductive speech? Holy shit.

[jbaseball44]

What Ryan just said makes no sense, on how to create jobs and that this system has done so much for the poor

[crackedthesky]

Politics aside, Ryan is horrible at this. He sounds totally and utterly fake.

[zion the lion]

Which part do we need to work on? The meaning of the word 'candidate' or sarcasm?

Start with the first and skip the last.

[saysmydoctor]

I preferred Jindal.

[Kyle Garchar]

He said people are right to be skeptical of both parties and that they've both been part of the problem.

I just don't see how he considers his--and his party's--approach as part of the solution. That doesn't change that perspective.

Exactly. The irony is ridiculous. How the fuck can you dispute the fact that we need to work together for the betterment of our nation? This dude is a ridiculous.

The whole thing he's saying about "those on wall street broke our trust" and then he claims that limited government is somehow going to fix this problem. If people are greedy and evil, let's stay limited with our policies and that will fix things. Of course people who are greedy won't be greedy if we simply tell them not to.

[perceptrons]

I wish Obama would have listed non-believers alongside the different religions in terms of military people.

[PaulPelc5]

I wish Obama would have listed non-believers alongside the different religions in terms of military people.

This was an issue to you? Really?

[peder458]

kind of?

[loveisdead]

Obama said he wanted to promote govt. transparency by putting more on the internet. Just not on #Wikileaks

[saysmydoctor]

Obama said he wanted to promote govt. transparency by putting more on the internet. Just not on #Wikileaks
If we can at least garner this lesson from Wikileaks, then I think we're better off.

[perceptrons]

This was an issue to you? Really?
It didn't ruin the speech for me, but yes, it would have been nice to acknowledge we exist (not that I'm serving).

[saysmydoctor]

Bachmann, I read your press releases. C'mon.

[loveisdead]

Oh God. I hate this woman.

[loveisdead]

A Chart!

[GuitarR0cker1]

lol

[Kyle Garchar]

Obama said he wanted to promote govt. transparency by putting more on the internet. Just not on #Wikileaks

I read that like this and it was quite funny.


Obama said he wanted to promote government transparency but putting more on the the internet, not just #wikileaks

[jwicklun]

It's still mind blowing how this woman is still in congress.

[crackedthesky]

Bachmann can't even look away from the Teleprompter she gets so pissed off at Obama for using

[saysmydoctor]

The factchecking here will probably take eons of parsing.

[saysmydoctor]

Bachmann can't even look away from the Teleprompter she gets so pissed off at Obama for using
Holy shit, I laughed out loud really loud.

[crackedthesky]

I like both Bachmann and Ryan bringing up blame. "no one knows who is to blame for what happened while Bush was in power; all we know is that everything after November 2008 is directly Obama's fault."

[EasySkankin]

Malpractice reform! way to tackle the problem, bachmann

[serenab1221]

Bachmann can't even look away from the Teleprompter she gets so pissed off at Obama for using
This. This. This. This.

[loveisdead]

Iowa JAMMA :lol:

[neo506]

Holy shit, I laughed out loud really loud.As did I.

Does she always sound like this (Minn accent) or is she actively trying to sound like Palin?

[crackedthesky]

What the fuck? Iwo Jima? Really?

[jwicklun]

Holy hell that was awkard.

[Jake Gyllenhaal]

Where are you guys watching the Bachmann response?

[saysmydoctor]

It's all over, it's all over.

[GuitarR0cker1]

I was going to watch Bachmann's response but the urge to blow my brains out was too strong to continue.

[EasySkankin]

cnn

[crackedthesky]

CNN. Did msnbc not show it?

[jwicklun]

Where are you guys watching the Bachmann response?

At Huffington Post for me.

[jbaseball44]

Yeah it's not on MSNBC

[EasySkankin]

Can't blame the other networks for not airing it. Paul ryan shines compared to that... thing.

[PaulPelc5]

It didn't ruin the speech for me, but yes, it would have been nice to acknowledge we exist (not that I'm serving).

:violin:

[saysmydoctor]

The Bachmann response compared to the SOTU....just astounding. Jesus Christ.

[crackedthesky]

I guess they didn't want to risk Chris Matthews going into cardiac arrest at the plastic zombieism and revisionist history coming out of Bachmann

[sjb2k1]

Why not?
AA meeting. also i hate the ass kissing standing ovations.

[loveisdead]

AA meeting.

Totally understand. Have I told you the latest with my whole situation? If not I'll PM you.

[sjb2k1]

Totally understand. Have I told you the latest with my whole situation? If not I'll PM you.
hmm, not sure. go for it.

[theyperch]

Wow. Even I, as a conservative and a stupid 17 year old kid, is amazed at how incredibly coherent Bachmann is....

[perceptrons]

Wow. Even I, as a conservative and a stupid 17 year old kid, is amazed at how incredibly coherent Bachmann is....
I'm going to assume you meant incoherent.

[The Personist]

I'm going to assume you meant incoherent.

also going to assume he meant "am" instead of "is." Unless this is another one of those "Je est un autre" Rimbaud things.

[theyperch]

I'm going to assume you meant incoherent.

Grammar fail, but no I was being sarcastic....

[speakhandsforme]

Usually I have a sensitive palate when it comes to awkwardness (see season 1 of The Office) but, damn, that was so awkward it was entertaining.

[ParkwayTom]

http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lflelq8ssj1qa0uujo1_500.png

[esposimi]

How I saw John Boehner the whole speech. http://a.yfrog.com/img610/5672/lm4sl.jpg

[Jake Gyllenhaal]

Ugh, I just tried to watch the Bachmann response this morning. I couldn't get past three minutes. Doesn't look like the response went that well.

http://www.doublex.com/blog/xxfactor/michele-bachmanns-gaze

According to the New York Times (http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/25/live-blog-president-obama-delivers-state-of-the-union/#bachmann-accuses-obama-of-exploding-govt-spending), at least, the Web site of the Tea Party Express didn't carry Bachmann's speech live, despite the fact that she was ostensibly speaking for them as a subset of Republicans. Which leaves me wondering whether anyone wanted Bachmann to respond nearly as badly as Bachmann did herself.

[Thriftstoresuit]

Watching everything now since I was unable last night and, I know this is a late pass, but lol at Bachmann's response. Also, she does not make eye contact a single time

[Colinmac36]

i enjoyed the speech alot what was said needed to be said, hopefully he can follow through on what he says now, i like the psotiivty and change he wants tom ake for the future, everyone eneds to be patient and give the man a chance

[caveBEAR]

I tried to watch the Bachmann response. Got all of 20 seconds into it.

[cwya]

Why won't Bachmann look at the camera?

[Scrandon]

I love when she rotates her shoulders to towards the chart, but her head stays facing the teleprompter, shit takes talent.

[jawstheme]

Overall it was what I expected, but I am a little worried about the 5 year spending freeze he was talking about. Seems kind of backwards to the rest of the speech about innovation. We can't invest in clean energy, education, and things like high speed rail while reducing discretionary government spending. Unless of cours we reduce spending in the right areas (military), but that won't happen.
Nothing really surprising or specific in there though.

[crackedthesky]

I love when she rotates her shoulders to towards the chart, but her head stays facing the teleprompter, shit takes talent.
I know, right? The way she does that scares the hell out of me, she's like the Terminator or something

[saysmydoctor]

I agree with this.
(http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/01/sotu-wrapup)
Especially about Boehner.

[saysmydoctor]

This. Seriously, she made my state a joke. She needs to quit politics.
To be fair, Delaware is frequently a joke:

6M_1fGshM1o

[serenab1221]

To be fair, Delaware is frequently a joke:

6M_1fGshM1o

HAHAHA yes that's true. We've always been known as the boring state with no defining feature, save for being small.

But we weren't really thought of as a dumb state (not to my knowledge, anyway) until we picked that woman over Mike Castle in the Republican primary.

[saysmydoctor]

HAHAHA yes that's true. We've always been known as the boring state with no defining feature, save for being small.

But we weren't really thought of as a dumb state (not to my knowledge, anyway) until we picked that woman over Mike Castle in the Republican primary.
You're just a traffic jam between New Jersey and Maryland.

Yeah, but I kinda like Coons.

[louie772]

Somebody explain why many people hate Boehner? My dad absolutely loves him and considering I'm not the politcal genius I wouldn't know. Other than the fact that he was practically sleeping and rolled his eyes several times during the speech of course.

[crackedthesky]

Somebody explain why many people hate Boehner? My dad absolutely loves him and considering I'm not the politcal genius I wouldn't know. Other than the fact that he was practically sleeping and rolled his eyes several times during the speech of course.

His idea of fixing the health care system is making it illegal to sue your doctor if he leaves a scalpel inside your stomach, for starters :shrug:

[louie772]

His idea of fixing the health care system is making it illegal to sue your doctor if he leaves a scalpel inside your stomach, for starters :shrug:All I can say to that is lol. What could he possibly argue as an upside to making it illegal? Thats just ridiculous.

[crackedthesky]

All I can say to that is lol. What could he possibly argue as an upside to making it illegal? Thats just ridiculous.

Eh, I was exaggerating. Back when the leath care vote came up, he put forward the "Republican plan" which didn't make it illegal, but it vastly lwoered the amount of money people can sue for. It's an interesting point to raise, but it was lowered to a ridiculous amount. If your doctor fucks up and puts a family member on life support for the rest of your life, under Boehner's plan, you get to pay for that out of your own pocket, pretty much.

[louie772]

Eh, I was exaggerating. Back when the leath care vote came up, he put forward the "Republican plan" which didn't make it illegal, but it vastly lwoered the amount of money people can sue for. It's an interesting point to raise, but it was lowered to a ridiculous amount. If your doctor fucks up and puts a family member on life support for the rest of your life, under Boehner's plan, you get to pay for that out of your own pocket, pretty much.Any clue on what that ridiculous amount was? Either way thats pretty screwed up.. There's so many little holes like that in the health care plan from what I'm hearing, am I right?

EDIT: Oh and thanks for filling me in. Helped a lot.

[crackedthesky]

Any clue on what that ridiculous amount was? Either way thats pretty screwed up.. There's so many little holes like that in the health care plan from what I'm hearing, am I right?

EDIT: Oh and thanks for filling me in. Helped a lot.
Off the top of my head, I don't recall.

A lot of people dislike him because he's basically the ringleader... whenever some ridiculous lie comes up, like "government takeover of healthcare" or "government is too big" or "your taxes have and are skyrocketing," Boehner is the guy behind it, making sure everyone else is also repeating it. He also believes that compromise is evil, so I guess in politics you should force everyone to do things your way or else you've failed your duty to the country.

[louie772]

Off the top of my head, I don't recall.

A lot of people dislike him because he's basically the ringleader... whenever some ridiculous lie comes up, like "government takeover of healthcare" or "government is too big" or "your taxes have and are skyrocketing," Boehner is the guy behind it, making sure everyone else is also repeating it. He also believes that compromise is evil, so I guess in politics you should force everyone to do things your way or else you've failed your duty to the country.Oh god not one of those guys. People that force their ideas are just assholes. I pretty much see why he's hated a lot now. I was just so curious because he went to my high school.

[crackedthesky]

Oh god not one of those guys. People that force their ideas are just assholes. I pretty much see why he's hated a lot now. I was just so curious because he went to my high school.

Yeah. He's done some other fun stuff, too. Like on the floor of the House, he handed out checks from a tobacco company to members of the House of Representatives, during a vote regarding tobacco laws. In his defense, he later went on to make it a rule that campaign contributions can't be handed out on the floor, but it was kind of douchy for him to do it and then ban it. He also claims to fight for smaller government and keep the government out of people's business, but then he tried to make the government force a museum to take down a display he found offensive to Christianity. Basically, he leads a chorus of several hundred saying one thing, and then he does the opposite, but blames the other party for doing it.

[serenab1221]

You're just a traffic jam between New Jersey and Maryland.

Yeah, but I kinda like Coons.

Haha pretty much. A 25 mile traffic jam. With terrible drivers.

Yeah, I like Coons too. He's a good guy, and I look forward to seeing what he'll accomplish in the Senate.

[Zeran]

Overall it was what I expected, but I am a little worried about the 5 year spending freeze he was talking about. Seems kind of backwards to the rest of the speech about innovation. We can't invest in clean energy, education, and things like high speed rail while reducing discretionary government spending. Unless of cours we reduce spending in the right areas (military), but that won't happen.
Nothing really surprising or specific in there though.
agreed. i didn't like so much of his pro-business rhetoric because i feel like they'll end up just being terrible republican-esque policies...

[Simulcast]

I don't know what you all are worried about. I doubt anyone really expects spending to freeze for 5 years. 2 at most, but 5? No way.

[jawstheme]

I don't know what you all are worried about. I doubt anyone really expects spending to freeze for 5 years. 2 at most, but 5? No way.

His whole thing about bipartisanship worries me. It seems like he gives in too much to the republicans at times (tax cuts for the wealthy). Seems like you're more conservative, so I'm not sure of your take on that.

[Simulcast]

His whole thing about bipartisanship worries me. It seems like he gives in too much to the republicans at times (tax cuts for the wealthy). Seems like you're more conservative, so I'm not sure of your take on that.

Why does it worry you? He wants to get re-elected in 2012.

[jawstheme]

Why does it worry you? He wants to get re-elected in 2012.

It worries because I think it is the wrong the to do, not because of his re-election.

[Love As Arson]

Basically, he is imposing austerity on things that actually help people and providing business with what it needs to be profitable. He is worse than Clinton.

[Simulcast]

It worries because I think it is the wrong the to do, not because of his re-election.

If he doesn't compromise, he's guaranteed to lose. Besides. you didn't really lose anything in the tax compromise. Letting the tax cuts expire would only recover a small fraction of the projected deficit in the next ten years.

[jawstheme]

If he doesn't compromise, he's guaranteed to lose. Besides. you didn't really lose anything in the tax compromise. Letting the tax cuts expire would only recover a small fraction of the projected deficit in the next ten years.

He compromises too much though. Republicans seem to draw the line on where the middle is.
And 100 billion dollars or so (not including the ridiculous estate tax deal) to people who don't need it is a waste in my opinion, regardless of how much of a dent it puts in the deficit.

[Simulcast]

He compromises too much though. Republicans seem to draw the line on where the middle is.
And 100 billion dollars or so (not including the ridiculous estate tax deal) to people who don't need it is a waste in my opinion, regardless of how much of a dent it puts in the deficit.

A large portion of small business make in excess of $250,000 a year. It's not a waste for them to keep the money they earn. How else are they expected to hire more people? With what money?

[loveisdead]

A large portion of small business make in excess of $250,000 a year. It's not a waste for them to keep the money they earn. How else are they expected to hire more people? With what money?
I think the dollar amount shouldve been a million.

[jawstheme]

A large portion of small business make in excess of $250,000 a year. It's not a waste for them to keep the money they earn. How else are they expected to hire more people? With what money?

I haven't seen evidence that the original extension led to more hiring. I also know that small businesses write a ton of things off as business expenses and don't get taxed as much as some people think.
And
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/30/AR2010073002671.html

"Less than 2 percent of tax returns reporting small-business income are filed by taxpayers in the top two income brackets -- individuals earning more than about $170,000 a year and families earning more than about $210,000 a year."

[Simulcast]

I think the dollar amount shouldve been a million.

In that case you are not taxing the bulk of the money in the country, so tax revenue will likely never meet or exceed government expenditure.

[loveisdead]

In that case you are not taxing the bulk of the money in the country, so tax revenue will likely never meet or exceed government expenditure.

It's better than what we got.

[Simulcast]

I haven't seen evidence that the original extension led to more hiring. I also know that small businesses write a ton of things off as business expenses and don't get taxed as much as some people think.
And
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/30/AR2010073002671.html

"Less than 2 percent of tax returns reporting small-business income are filed by taxpayers in the top two income brackets -- individuals earning more than about $170,000 a year and families earning more than about $210,000 a year."

We are of two ideological camps then. I think it's good for people to keep their money.

I think we can both agree though, that government kowtowing to certain industries and businesses (I'm looking at you, GE), is not a good thing.

[Simulcast]

It's better than what we got.

Maybe, but it won't solve anything in the long run.

[loveisdead]

We are of two ideological camps then. I think it's good for people to keep their money.

I think we can both agree though, that government kowtowing to certain industries and businesses (I'm looking at you, GE), is not a good thing.
Hm. I haven't thought much about this.

[Simulcast]

Hm. I haven't thought much about this.

It's basically amounts to government-sponsored monopolies. No free-market conservative will tell you this is a good thing.

[loveisdead]

Maybe, but it won't solve anything in the long run.

It'll start to. It at least pays for the unemployment benefits. And if after a few years the economy starts shaping up you rework the number to maybe 500k. We need to start chipping away any way we can.

[loveisdead]

It's basically amounts to government-sponsored monopolies. No free-market conservative will tell you this is a good thing.

I think that's a tad hyperbolic but I see what you're driving at.

[jawstheme]

We are of two ideological camps then. I think it's good for people to keep their money.

I think we can both agree though, that government kowtowing to certain industries and businesses (I'm looking at you, GE), is not a good thing.

I do agree with you there.

[Jason Tate]

GRETA: Governor, last night there was a lot of discussion about the Sputnik Moment the President wants us to have. Do you agree with him? Is this our moment?

PALIN: That was another one of those WTF moments, when he has so often repeated, the Sputnik Moment, that he would aspire Americans to celebrate, he needs to remember that what happened back then with the former communist USSR and their victory and that race to space, yeah, they won, but they also incured so much debt at the time that it resulted in the inevitable collapse of the Soviet Union so I listen to that Sputnik Moment talk over and over again and I think, no we don’t need one of those.

She is out of her fucking mind stupid.

[loveisdead]

Wowwww Palin.

[inthemidst]

This may have been brought up already, but maybe someone can answer this for me. How would the new healthcare reform reduce the federal deficit? It really just doesn't make sense to me how that's possible.

[Jason Tate]

This may have been brought up already, but maybe someone can answer this for me. How would the new healthcare reform reduce the federal deficit? It really just doesn't make sense to me how that's possible.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2011/01/health-care_reform_doesnt_have.html

[loveisdead]

Ezra is awesome.