Liberal Forum

Another smoke and mirrors Republican.Rick Perry: Why His Texas Record Is Much Worse Than You ThinkBetween speeches in Los Angeles, New York and New Orleans, Rick Perry is doing his best to keep people guessing if and when he’ll throw his (ten-gallon) hat into the GOP presidential primary. When the Texas governor appeared last Tuesday on “Your World with Neil Cavuto,” the conservative Fox News host was already gushing over the hundreds of thousands of new jobs created in Texas in the past two years. When Cavuto asked how Perry had lured Carl’s Jr. restaurants to Texas, the governor flashed a trademark smile. “They love the smell of freedom,” he explained. Cavuto is hardly the only one enamored with the Perry story. Following his media blitz, few articles have cast a skeptic’s eye on the governor’s Texas record. “Texas Governor Calls for Halt of Economic Ruin” read one recent Bloomberg headline. The narrative is appealing: Small-town guy becomes Texas governor and makes (the economy) good—all by sticking to conservative principles. But while Texas remains “open for business”—the slogan of his successful re-election campaign in 2010—the state’s Legislature is in the process of a going-out-of-business sale. The Texas budget for the next two years is a mess of accounting tricks and gutted programs, thanks to an unprecedented budget shortfall. The state’s business tax has not only been unpopular, it also doesn’t generate nearly enough revenue. Operating at a structural deficit, the state has even begun to attack funding in the once-hallowed ground of education. And while Perry has spent a good bit of June on his non-campaign-campaign, state lawmakers from both parties are fighting tooth-and-nail to legislate around his dictums.Although he campaigned in 2010 on the premise that, as he told the Associated Press, “Texas is better off than practically any state in the country,” Perry, along with the rest of the state, soon discovered that Texas’s budget gap—$27 billion short of what it would need to maintain its already lean services in the next biennium—was among the worst in the nation. Luckily, Texas did have a rainy day fund—over $9 billion saved up for “economic stabilization.” Some lawmakers, including many Republicans in the state Senate, advocated using the fund to prevent or at least soften cuts to education and health care. But Perry, who had turned “preserving the rainy day fund” into an applause line, stood firm in refusing to use it to plug holes in the budget for 2012-13. As a result, the budget cuts were draconian—initial proposals cut almost 20 percent from public schools and proposed 30 percent cuts to Medicaid providers. According to estimates from the nonpartisan state Legislative Budget Board, the initial proposal would have cost the state over 300,000 future jobs. In the face of Perry’s promise to veto any use of the rainy day fund, lawmakers turned to accounting tricks like deferred payments to soften the blows to state programs. Fees, too, on everything from getting help collecting child support to registering as a lobbyist, are going up all over the state, and almost nowhere does the budget account for normal growth in social services enrollment. The final budget short-funds Medicaid by almost $5 billion. Legislators had to return for a special session to hammer out the cuts to education, which will likely end up around $4 billion. It will mark the first time Texas has cut funding for public schools since 1949, when the state first took a prominent role in financing them. Even the Texas Association of Business, a conservative, pro-business coalition if ever there was one, has expressed concerns over some of the cuts to schools and early childhood education. “Our state runs the risk of falling short on our commitment to Texas school children and businesses that rely on a well-educated workforce,” the group proclaimed in one March press release.Of course, many lawmakers didn’t want to use the rainy day fund in the first place, but that’s because they know a dirty little secret: Even after this two year budget period, the state’s fiscal woes are far from over. The Lone Star State has a standing $10 billion shortfall every two-year budget cycle, thanks to a faulty tax system pushed by Perry that fails to balance the budget. Although the governor normally stays away from the state Legislature—sightings in either chamber are rare and exciting—Perry engineered a new business tax in 2006 to replace a prior one riddled with loopholes. Ostensibly a good idea, his new tax nonetheless suffered from the simple fact that it didn’t bring in enough revenue. Furthermore, it turned out to be incredibly complex, leaving many business owners scratching their heads. Those who figured it out, meanwhile, realized that, because the new tax was levied on gross margins as opposed to profits, companies could be losing money and still find themselves on the hook.State legislators on both sides of the aisle have decried Perry’s ill-conceived fiscal planning. The chief Senate budget writer, Republican Steve Ogden, hasn’t been afraid to mince words about just how bad the business tax is. “None of us were elected to raise taxes on anybody,” he said the first day of the session. “But the margins tax is different. If we don’t fix the margins tax, local property taxes will definitely go up.” The regular legislative session came and went, however, without any real effort to fix the broken tax. The result is that the state is still operating with a structural deficit, and will very likely face more cuts the next time around.Meanwhile, Perry continues to traverse the country, stirring up will-he-won’t-he excitement. As he told Cavuto, he may decide very late to join in the fun, keeping everyone on their toes a little longer. It also means less time for reporters to investigate the governor’s tenure in Texas. But if Neil Cavuto does find his way down to Austin, he might be a little surprised at the fiscal record of this pro-business, pro-growth governor. Edited by MistyBlue, 06 July 2011 - 02:13 PM.

Another smoke and mirrors Republican.Rick Perry: Why His Texas Record Is Much Worse Than You ThinkTexas last year created most of the jobs that were "created in the US."Without Perry, Obama's supposed job creation would have fallen by more than half.Say, speaking of "smoke and mirrors," how's that roaring Obama Economy?Roughly 11 1/2% real unemployment at a cost of trillions.$278,000/job "created." Great job there, Barry.But who do you attack? Someone who's competent. Silly little moonbat. Edited by RichClem, 06 July 2011 - 01:49 PM.

The Worst Idea In WashingtonBy Ezra KleinBruce Bartlett (domestic policy adviser to President Ronald Reagan and Treasury official under President George H.W. Bush) takes a look at the Balanced Budget Amendment all 47 Republicans signed their names to and pronounces it quite possibly the stupidest constitutional amendment I think I have ever seen. It looks like it was drafted by a couple of interns on the back of a napkin.I think stupid is the wrong word. Dangerous is more like it. And maybe radical. This isnt just a Balanced Budget Amendment. It also includes a provision saying that tax increases would require a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress so, it includes a provision making it harder to balance the budget and another saying that total spending couldnt exceed 18 percent of GDP. No allowances are made for recessions, though allowances are made for wars. Not a single year of the Bush administration would qualify as constitutional under this amendment. Nor would a single year of the Reagan administration. The Clinton administration wouldve had exactly two years in which it wasnt in violation.Read that again: Every single Senate Republican has endorsed a constitutional amendment that wouldve made Ronald Reagans fiscal policy unconstitutional. Thats how far to the right the modern GOP has swung. But the problem isnt simply that the proposed amendment is extreme. Its also unworkable. The baby boomers are retiring and health costs are rising. Unless you have a way to stop one or the other from happening and no one does spending as a percentage of GDP is going to have to rise. This proposal doesnt interrupt those trends. It simply refuses to acknowledge them or, to be more generous, it rules them unconstitutional. This is the equivalent of trying to keep your kid cute by passing a law saying hes not allowed to grow up.Another problem: In a recession, tax revenue plummets and GDP stops growing, but spending has to be sustained, or even increased, to A- give people unemployment insurance and Medicaid and other services they need and B- keep the economy from contracting violently. This amendments includes no provisions for recessions, meaning that when the economy contracted, the government would have to contract as well. That is to say, were still not out of one of the deepest recessions in American history, and every Senate Republican has co-sponsored a constitutional amendment to make future recessions worse. Its just breathtaking.A world in which this amendment is added to the Constitution is a world in which America effectively becomes California. Its a world where the procedural impediments to passing budgets and raising revenues are so immense that effective fiscal management is essentially impossible; its a world where we cant make public investments or sustain the safety net; its a world where recessions are much worse than they currently are and the government has to do more of its work off-budget through regulation and gimmickry. I would like to say something positive about this proposal, say theres some silver lining here. But there isnt. This is economic demagoguery, and nothing more. Its so unrealistic that it wouldve ruled all but two of the last 30 years unconstitutional, which means its so unrealistic that there has not yet been a Republican president who has proven it can be done. And that doesnt just suggest it cant be done: It suggests that when Republicans are actually in power and have control of the budget, they know perfectly well that it shouldnt be done. Theyre just pretending otherwise for the moment.http://www.washingto...QaOIC_blog.html

Flying MonkeysYes, this particular bill might well be simple political grandstanding.However, Obama's first budget, rejected 97-0, would have increased spending, on top of the already $1.6 trillion deficit.What is Obama's and Dems' plan to eliminate the deficit?What is their plan to reform entitlements, so they don't go bankrupt and cause the collapse of the entire US economy?Speaking of "flying monkeys." Edited by RichClem, 12 July 2011 - 01:44 PM.

But who do you attack? Someone who's competent. Silly little moonbat.Perry? Competent? Jackhole.

But who do you attack? Someone who's competent. Silly little moonbat.Perry? Competent? Jackhole.Job creation is going gangbusters in Texas. Texas created half the jobs created in "the US" under Obama.Is the roughly 12% real unemployment rate proof of Obama's competence?How about the $1.6 trillion deficit?

Flashback to 2002:TIM RUSSERT, FORMER MODERATOR, MEET THE PRESS: We are confronting a situation we hadnt in a few years, and that is the debt limit, where the government cant borrow any money. Its frozen at $5.95 trillion. What are we going to do about that?MITCH DANIELS, THEN-BUSH BUDGET DIRECTOR: Were going to raise it, as a reasonable government must. This is really housekeeping, Tim. This has nothing to say or do with future spending. This simply reflects decisions made in the past, and it ought to be treated as the housekeeping matter it is.RACHEL MADDOW: The housekeeping matter it is. That was then George W. Bush budget director, Mitch Daniels, who now is both Indianas governor and a hot vice presidential prospect for the Republicans heading into 2012. Mitch Daniels arguing that raising the debt ceiling ought to be treated as the housekeeping matter that it is. No news here, just do it, dont even talk about it.During the George W. Bush administration, they did just treat the debt ceiling as a housekeeping matter. The debt ceiling was raised seven separate times during the George W. Bush presidency with lots of Republican support every time they did it. In fact, todays Republican leadership in Congress, which has taken such a strong stand against it this time around, they voted to raise the debt ceiling 19 times during the Bush years. But now, its all different. Now, not only have Republicans balked at raising the debt ceiling, they have also made a big show of turning their backs on any effort to negotiate with Democrats a reduction in the deficit, a reduction in debt.Some history......Since John F. Kennedy was president in 1962, Congress has voted to raise the debt ceiling 74 times. Seven times during the Johnson presidency, seven times during the Nixon presidency, six times under Gerald Ford, six times under Jimmy Carter, on and on, over the last five decades, raising the debt ceiling has happened roughly once a year.In recent times, the only time we havent had to raise the debt ceiling was in the late 1990s, toward the end of the Bill Clinton presidency.Why did we not have to do it at the end of the Bill Clinton presidency? Because President Clinton by the time he left office was presiding over budget surpluses, not budget deficits. So, the debt ceiling didnt have to go up.George W. Bush did away with that little problem very quickly. After years of not having to raise the debt ceiling under Bill Clinton, under George W. Bush, we started incurring massive deficits again, and so, we had to start raising the debt ceiling again routinely.VIDEO-4 minutes in

Tea-vangelist Gov. Rick Perry of Texas has invited the nation's governors to join him in a prayer day on August 6th, to seek God's guidance to deal with the problems facing America.One of the official endorsers of Texas Gov. Rick Perrys The Response prayer rally, John Benefiel (head of the Heartland Apostolic Reformation Network) says that Washington D.C. is under a curse from God because the Founders named it in honor of the goddess Columbia. Benefiel calls the Statue of Liberty a demonic idol and homosexuality an Illuminati plot, and blames the countrys political problems on the District of Columbias supposedly pagan foundations.Another person who is involved in organizing Texas Governor Rick Perrys The Response prayer rally, John Hagee, has previously claimed that Adolf Hitler was a hunter sent by God to hunt Jews.Texas Governor Rick Perry is working with a number of radical preachers to plan his upcoming Christians-only prayer rally. Perry's partners in the event include extremists who believe that tolerance for homosexuality caused the September 11th attacks, Oprah Winfrey is the harbinger of the Antichrist, the deadly Japanese earthquake was caused by the countrys Emperor having sex with a demon, the repeal of Dont Ask Dont Tell caused bird deaths in Arkansas and violence should be considered to overthrow President Obama, among many other extreme beliefs. You can read more about the extremist preachers Perry is associating himself with, here.

You can read more about the extremist preachers Perry is associating himself with, here.Strange, you never thought preachers were a problem when anti-American, virulent racist, Marxist-Communist Reverend Wright was the topic of conversation.In fact, you lied and denied every fact that was presented.And of course, no answer to my points, when you claimed Perry is incompetent.Job creation is going gangbusters in Texas. Texas created half the jobs created in "the US" under Obama.No answer to my question? Never thought you would.Is the roughly 12% real unemployment rate proof of Obama's competence?How about the $1.6 trillion deficit?

I just know that the right wing flying monkeys who praised James O'Keefe for his undercover videos will feel the same about this John Becker exposing the lies and quackery of Michele Bachmann and her husband. [/sarcasm]Hidden Camera Finds Reparative Therapy at Bachmann's Clinicsby Lucas GrindleyNew evidence has surfaced that Marcus Bachmann’s Christian counseling clinics are actually in the business of so-called reparative therapy for gay people — a claim that he had denied.His wife, Michele Bachmann, a top Republican candidate for president, had clearly endorsed reparative therapy over the years by giving the welcome blessing at a Love Won Out conference in 2004 and by endorsing a book written by a woman who claims to be an ex-lesbian. But Marcus Bachmann had been coy about whether his team of approximately 20 therapists offer their help in supposedly turning gay people straight.After giving a presentation called “The Truth About the Homosexual Agenda” to a group of Minnesota pastors in 2005, Marcus Bachmann told a local newspaper, “if someone is interested in talking to us about their homosexuality, we are open to talking about that. But if someone comes in a homosexual and they want to stay homosexual, I don’t have a problem with that.” And that’s all anyone’s known about what happens to gay people at his clinics until now.Truth Wins Out was formed in part to combat the myth that gays can be converted to straight, and it sent a hidden camera into Marcus Bachmann’s office with a man posing as a patient. On the tape, counselor Timothy Wiertzema reportedly assures that “It’s possible to be totally free of [same-sex attraction]. For sure.” He claims, “It’s happened! It really has happened to people.” The undercover activist — John Becker — attended five sessions at the clinic. The plan of action by his therapist: “I really am going to recommend that we start working on how you can develop your attraction towards women.”With these tapes, it will be hard for Marcus Bachmann to avoid accusations he performs reparative therapy, which is considered dangerous by the American Psychological Association, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Psychiatric Association. What might also complicate the situation for Marcus Bachmann is his company’s acceptance of government funding.“The facts plainly show that Bachmann’s clinic does try to cure gay people and he is being evasive when he claims otherwise,” said Wayne Besen, the group’s executive director. The Nation was the first to report on the Truth Wins Out sting, and for its part, it found a patient who says he was the victim of an attempted conversion. Andrew Ramirez said his stepfather brought him to the clinic after he came out during high school. Ramirez told The Nation that his counselor said “being gay was not an acceptable lifestyle in God’s eyes” and prescribed prayer and reading the Bible as part of a “cure.”http://www.advocate....mann_s_Clinics/Of course Michele Bachmann is refusing to answer any questions about this, since she is now posing as some kind of a reasonable, moderate person, and not the crazy religious zealot and homophobe that she really is.More:Why Truth Wins Out Concluded That Marcus Bachmann’s Clinic Engages in ‘Ex-Gay’ Therapy Edited by MistyBlue, 13 July 2011 - 11:57 AM.

Those Bachmann's are vile.

I just know that the right wing flying monkeys who praised James O'Keefe for his undercover videos will feel the same about this John Becker exposing the lies and quackery of Michele Bachmann and her husband. [/sarcasm]Of course Michele Bachmann is refusing to answer any questions about this, since she is now posing as some kind of a reasonable, moderate person, and not the crazy religious zealot and homophobe that she really is.Oh yeah, the only "normal" people in the US for 20 years attend a church where an anti-American, virulently racist, Marxist/Communist preacher rants his moonbat psychosis.Then they make that lunatic their Spiritual Adviser.And are married by them.That's "normal" in moonbat-world.No answer to my post? Never thought you did.Job creation is going gangbusters in Texas. Texas created half the jobs created in "the US" under Obama.No answer to my question? Never thought you would.Is the roughly 12% real unemployment rate proof of Obama's competence?How about the $1.6 trillion deficit?

This post is hidden because you have chosen to ignore posts by RichClem . View it anyway? I doubt that Clem needs to use two hands. Edited by MistyBlue, 13 July 2011 - 01:26 PM.

This post is hidden because you have chosen to ignore posts by RichClem . View it anyway? It's so very courageous of moonbats to hide from their opponents.Just like Protectionist did for 34 pages.Tell that hilarious lie again, how he "kicked my butt."

Looks like the Republi-baggers have turned to Frank Luntz again for some handy new buzzwords.All of them are now saying that Obama is obsessed with raising taxes, and the word rich is now forbidden. Wealthy people can no longer be referred to as rich. They are now to be known as job creators.As usual Jon Stewart points out their devious tactics.VIDEO Edited by MistyBlue, 19 July 2011 - 02:48 PM.

Looks like the Republi-baggers have turned to Frank Luntz again for some handy new buzzwords.All of them are now saying that Obama is obsessed with raising taxes, and the word rich is now forbidden. Wealthy people can no longer be referred to as rich. They are now to be known as job creators.As usual Jon Stewart points out their devious tactics.Oh my, Repubs use some poll tested words? I'm shocked, shocked!Democrats never do that, do they? Never seen you complain when they tell absurd lies like,"Republicans are trying to destroy the economy to hurt Obama!"Of course, the term "job creator" is quite accurate. Half of "the rich" are actually small to medium business, S-Corporations.The other half are rich people who save or invest their money.Where is the money better off, with business and investors/savers or in the hands of voracious Beltway politicians?

Oh my, Repubs use some poll tested words? I'm shocked, shocked!So how about a doing a little pole testing with me My Clemmy?

Jobs and the economy in Texas is behind california. Texas has serious problems.

Congrats to Phyllis Siegel (77) and Connie Kopelov (85), who have been together for 23 years, for being the first couple to wed in Manhattan under New York State's new marriage equality law.