Patterico's Pontifications

So, why don’t we just kick this can a little further down the road, then we’ll deal with, I promise. No, I really do this time. I really, really mean that I will do something about this, just not right now, in the future, yeah, the future. What a joke we have as POTUS. We’re screwed so bad our great-grandchildren’s asses will be sore from the anal reaming we are receiving. Hope n’ change. We’re ^%^%^@&*

J. Raymond Wright (e8d0ca) — 2/23/2009 @ 7:40 am

Our great grand children probably just won’t be using the US dollar anymore. I can’t see how this government’s currency could survive 100 years.

Between now and then, a serious war will probably be waged to settle the matter. I wonder if the democrats realize the stakes of owing the world trillions upon trillions of dollars we’ve spent on crap and stupid favors for lucky friends of democrat senators.

Joco (4cdfb7) — 2/23/2009 @ 7:55 am

From the article:

“…opposition from his party’s left and from Democratic Congressional leaders who contend that his political capital would be better spent on health care and other priorities.”

These “leaders” (typed with tongue firmly embedded in cheek) will not, repeat WILL NOT do anything that might include republicans in any meaningful way. Their hatred and game playing will spell disaster for America and for the “little people” they claim to work for.

GM Roper (85dcd7) — 2/23/2009 @ 8:08 am

Serious policy matters are not going to engage the attention of the Democratic party of today. This is posturing by Obama and he will allow himself to be quickly diverted to other pastures with other sheep for shearing. This president thinks making a speech is accomplishing something. After all, it is all he has ever done.

Mike K (90939b) — 2/23/2009 @ 8:08 am

Simple solution is to increase retirement age significantly. 65/67 is a bad number and it should be closer to 72. This would allow many more beneficiaries to pass before collecting. Regardless if they keep working it is more likely they will live longer and delayed the scourges of age.

The private savings idea is great but it really should be focused on putting money away in a manner with rotates cash from equities to senior debt as folks get older. I am all for “regulating” this in order to get some version of Private Savings Accounts. But I agree, this is not the answer whatsoever and folks who say it is are foolish.

Obama über alles!!!!! (da3d2f) — 2/23/2009 @ 8:10 am

Mike,

He won an election. That is a bit more than making a speech.

Bad policies aside, he does have talent and accomplishments to his name (even if only a few).

Obama über alles!!!!! (da3d2f) — 2/23/2009 @ 8:12 am

He announced his intention to deal with the problem…
Problem solved!
After all, intentions are everything.

Only 1427 days to go.

AD - RtR/OS (9d1a46) — 2/23/2009 @ 8:12 am

AD,

The scariest thing about Obama are the unintended consequences of all his jibberish.

Already the solution to FICA is increase taxes. Just a god damn idiot this guy.

He thinks the magic wand is kept taxing “the rich” why failing to understand the rich drive the investment side (productivity side) of the economy.

It is why communist/socialist countries fail. There is no improvement in technology or labor productivity. If not for the Capitalists creating technology and wealth, socialists would all be living in caves celebrating shared misery..

Obama über alles!!!!! (da3d2f) — 2/23/2009 @ 8:20 am

It’s a damn shame that Bush relented on his attempts at serious reform – that may have been the last chance at a complete rehaul of the system.

Dmac (49b16c) — 2/23/2009 @ 8:38 am

As long as the fed and state governments tax the savings of individual American’s with accounts under $1M, Social Security will always be “broken”. Our retirement “system is both a contradiction and bi-polar in its effect upon the individual and the economy. We “can’t get there from here”.

C. Norris (b9d30f) — 2/23/2009 @ 8:41 am

Just go back to the SOTU where Bush says his reform of Social Security was stopped .. and the Democrats jumping to their feet to applaud.

After telling us that it was “just fine” for the last 8 years, it seems a little late (or a bit early) to be acting responsible.

Neo (cba5df) — 2/23/2009 @ 8:56 am

And people thought Bernie Madoff ran a large Ponzi scheme.

Horatio (55069c) — 2/23/2009 @ 9:23 am

Too true.

Dmac (49b16c) — 2/23/2009 @ 9:55 am

“It’s a damn shame that Bush relented on his attempts at serious reform – that may have been the last chance at a complete rehaul of the system.”

– Dmac

And it’s a damn shame he didn’t start his attempts before the ’04 elections, instead of after them: he might’ve had the decency to save us four years of (his) shitty governance.

Leviticus (43095b) — 2/23/2009 @ 10:12 am

Albeit unintentionally.

Leviticus (43095b) — 2/23/2009 @ 10:13 am

Actually, I think Obama would benefit greatly from picking a fight with the Pelosi-Reid axis of idiocy. If he chooses real Social Security reform for that fight, then good for him. Republicans need to dig in and demand Social Security and Medicare reform before any further entitlements (such as national health care) are created. Surely even Snowe, Collins, and Specter can be enlisted in that crusade.

JVW (bff0a4) — 2/23/2009 @ 10:21 am

Hey – what the Dickens happened to my other comment?

Leviticus (e87aad) — 2/23/2009 @ 10:52 am

Oops. There it is. That’s weird…

Leviticus (e87aad) — 2/23/2009 @ 10:53 am

If Obama keeps getting rolled like this by his own party, he’s going to look worse than Clinton did – which directly led to the Dems losing their majorities in both houses during the mid – term elections. Hell, even Clinton understood where he messed up, hence welfare reform and the priceless line from Carville: “it’s the economy, stupid.”

Dmac (49b16c) — 2/23/2009 @ 12:09 pm

As long as the fed and state governments tax the savings of individual American’s with accounts under $1M,

I don’t know what you mean. There are all sorts of tax deferred savings vehicles. Maybe you mean that they shouldn’t be taxed when the money is withdrawn. Double taxation of savings is a problem that was addressed by IRAs and corporate pension plans (although they are expensive to maintain) and 401ks.

Obama is either repeating Jimmy Carter’s experience or he is another lefty like Pelosi, et al. I’m not sure which it is.

Mike K (90939b) — 2/23/2009 @ 1:46 pm

WOW!!! we have a “surplus” in “social security”.the way I always heard it.it was supposed to go broke last year.looks like it is just another “crisis”.

I like the way the writer still found a way to attack president bush.and for a policy that never had a snowball’s chance in he’ll of passing.much like “school vouchers”.anything that takes away government money and power will never pass.I also like the way these lib writers throw around the word “bi-partisanship”.as if bush didn’t want any.the fact is democrats opposed bush in everything,just because it came from him.

the more these so-called journalist’s write,the more power and influence is transfered to the blogosphere,talk radio,and the Internet.where true objective journalism lives.

mr. falcone (af9c72) — 2/23/2009 @ 1:50 pm

I know you’re all opposed to Social Security on principle but there is no crisis. So please stop lying.

Read the report:
http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/96xx/doc9649/08-20-SocialSecurityUpdate.pdf

Read the snark:
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/02/13/the_economists_who_missed_the_housing_bubble_are_c/

Since you don’t like Krugman here’s Clive Crook on Krugman
http://clivecrook.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/11/krugman_and_krugman_and_social.php

Social Security still runs a surplus, and its reserves will not be exhausted until 2041, and after that payroll taxes will still 78 percent of benefits. SS needs some adjustment, nothing more. Medicare is the crisis.
But since you love tax cuts in war time It’s hard to take any of your whining seriously.

It’s amazing how unhinged you’ve all become. Innumeracy and antisocial conservatism: won’t get you very far, even in this country.

P. Favor (8843e6) — 2/23/2009 @ 2:36 pm

If P.Favor is a Catholic, I imagine right next to his obligatory portrait of the Pope, is one of F.D.R.!

AD - RtR/OS (9ed43c) — 2/23/2009 @ 2:43 pm

P Favor,

Bernie Madoof ran a surplus too and there was no crisis there either for a long time..

I think you are missing the point being made here which is allowing individuals to fund their own retirement savings with their own wages as opposed to the Ponzi Scheme we have today.

Obama über alles!!!!! (da3d2f) — 2/23/2009 @ 2:44 pm

It’s amazing how unhinged you’ve all become. . .

Hey, that’s our word for your side. Don’t go stealing it, or we’ll have to start calling Dear Leader, V.P. Hairplugs, and Secretary Cucquean all “War Criminals” in order to even it out.

And if there is no need to reform Social Security — if it is in fact in such great financial shape that it only needs “some adjustment” — why would Dear Leader be bringing it up in the midst of an economic collapse? He is not generally known for his political bravery, in case you haven’t heard of his penchant for voting “present” when he was a legislator.

JVW (bff0a4) — 2/23/2009 @ 2:48 pm

Obama voting “present”
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/01/24/fact_check_obamas_present_votes/
If you’re interesting in politics maybe you should read more.

And maybe Obama should be more forceful but then again, as people have pointed out: on the stimulus package he put up his plan, the democrats added to it, the republicans fought back, and it shrunk back to where it started. So Obama got what he wanted.
Maybe he just plays it smart. He didn’t win Illinois as an angry black man, did he?

P. Favor (139099) — 2/23/2009 @ 3:16 pm

Por favor again brings its talking points and its good faith desire to maturely discuss the topic at hand.

JD (677a23) — 2/23/2009 @ 3:37 pm

no he won Illinois by having all his opponents removed from the playing field then ran un-opposed.you need to know “sarcasm” when you read it.but then again libs like you don’t know sarcasm,let alone have a sense of humor.to dems,everything is a “crisis”.it’s the only way to get people to “willingly”give away their rights to the almighty government.

raising taxes never,and I mean never reduced the government budget!.and when you whine and cry about tax breaks for the rich.you fail to understand that it is the rich that pay the majority of taxes.I,for one have never seen a poor man hire anybody for any job.cutting taxes is always beneficial to the people,especially in wartime.

conservatism is what has,is,and will again make this country go far.we are not anti-social conservatives.we are anti-socialism,conservatives.peope did not,and do not come to this country for it’s “socialism”.it has failed miserably every time it has been imposed.

mr. falcone (eed2b3) — 2/23/2009 @ 3:37 pm

Por favor also happens to be spewing the same talking points that Helen Golum Thomas was squawking at Gibbs’ briefing today. My eyes are still bleeding.

JD (677a23) — 2/23/2009 @ 3:40 pm

PF = TdJ, JD.

Dmac (49b16c) — 2/23/2009 @ 3:48 pm

P. Favor (3:16 pm), did you assume your little Boston Globe link would make Obama’s “present” votes sound statesmanlike without even bothering to read the article first? Were you fooled because it had the words “fact check” in the link? The article does not make his “present” votes sound very brave. Here are some excerpts:

President Pam Sutherland said the group feared several senators were going to vote “yes” on the legislation because of attacks from Republicans over their past opposition. Sutherland says she approached Obama and convinced him to vote “present” so that the wavering senators would do the same. For their purposes, a “present” was as good as an outright “no” because it kept the bills from reaching the majority needed to pass.

So what is this telling us? That rather than casting a vote and going on the record on a difficult and divisive issue, Obama worked to allow himself and his colleagues the latitude to try and have it both ways. Yeah, that’s a real profile in courage there.

And how about this quote:

Obama also voted “present” on legislation making it easier to send juveniles to adult court. He said in debate that he felt the measure violated an agreement, reached after an overhaul of the juvenile justice system a year earlier, to wait on further changes until the new system had been reviewed.

But he did not explain why he wasn’t simply voting “no.”

Read between the lines: even the reporter here thinks that Obama’s vote was a wimp-out designed to protect himself from both flanks.

JVW (bff0a4) — 2/23/2009 @ 4:08 pm

There is little more hilarious than a troll who does not read his own links … in fact, I’m reminded of a now banned troll …

SPQR (72771e) — 2/23/2009 @ 4:09 pm

There have been so many….
how can you remember a specific one?

AD - RtR/OS (9ed43c) — 2/23/2009 @ 4:16 pm

this is not a shot at Mormons,but the libs work the same way.they indoctrinate their followers,then send them out to “preach” what they have been taught.the majority of people not understatnding the Mormon religion,hear it and say…”well that sounds good to me.so they believe without ever finding out the truth.this is liberalism.

“Por favor”,I like that.Por favor has been taught his talking points,and mantra,and now goes out “preaching”,his problem is we are not un-informed people,so when when we contradict,or ask questions about his beleifs,he has no way of answering.talking points,mantra,and propaganda is not equal to knowledge.

mr. falcone (eed2b3) — 2/23/2009 @ 4:58 pm

Do you folks just pour oil from rotted fish in your nostrils each morning so you can always smell red herrings?
Social security. Yeah, right. To the extent there could be a problem there, it is 30 or more years down the road. Let’s spend lots and lots of time and political chits debating it now.
And let’s keep giving money to bankers for bonuses so we can keep the banks afloat and avoid, uh, receivership…oh, sorry, here you gotta say nationalization. Socialism. Communism. Yeah. Government is incapable of efficiently running something that should be run by the capitalists. Uh-huh. Even if into the ground.

Larry Reilly (45e7a4) — 2/23/2009 @ 5:29 pm

Larry Reilly (5:29 pm), read the post and the link provided. If you think Social Security is not a problem that needs to be addressed right away, then your argument is mainly with Barack Obama, not those of us who comment here.

JVW (bff0a4) — 2/23/2009 @ 5:35 pm

If a Troll posts incomprehensible musings but no sentient being understands it, did it post anything in the first place?

Dmac (49b16c) — 2/23/2009 @ 5:35 pm

Mary – Baracky is going to be mad that you did not get the talking points. Plus, it helps to actually read the post and the links. Granted, in your case, you would still sound like an ignoranus. Plus, you sound just like Helen Thomas. Prolly look like her too. Ewwwwwwww.

JD (677a23) — 2/23/2009 @ 5:51 pm

Comment by JD — 2/23/2009 @ 5:51 pm

TMI!

AD - RtR/OS (9ed43c) — 2/23/2009 @ 6:09 pm

Larry, just why is it that you can’t pay even the briefest moment of attention to the substance of a thread?

SPQR (26be8b) — 2/23/2009 @ 7:46 pm

just why is it that you can’t pay even the briefest moment of attention to the substance of a thread?

Because Mawy is a six – year old little girl, and often gets easily distracted by pretty butterflies and Teletubbies – don’t you, Mawy?

Dmac (49b16c) — 2/23/2009 @ 9:02 pm

larry,name me one liberal,no scratch that.name me one government agency that is run effectively.you can’t.the bank system is in the mess it is now,because of government getting involved.that is,government forcing it’s policies down their throats.you know difference between bush’s TARP policy and Obama’s stimulus plan?.in both cases it was pure BS,but Obama is doing it,not to prop up the banks,but to take them over.and by the way larry,the banks did what they were told to do with their TARP money.that was to buy up smaller banks,get them out of the way.not lend it to the people.lending the money to people who could never pay it back is what got us here.you can thank the democrat party,ACORN,NAACP,ACLU,MALDEF,and every other minority activist group that extorted these banks with the threat of litigation.

mr. falcone (eed2b3) — 2/23/2009 @ 9:04 pm

BTW, if Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security don’t get fixed… it will be the GOP’s fault.

So says Andrew Sullivan.

His cup of crazy runneth over.

Karl (8966b4) — 2/23/2009 @ 9:22 pm

yea,because we all know this bush’s fault.everything that is wrong with this country happened because of the last eight years of bush policies.

that Sullivan is a whack job,him and joe klien.
…and Matthews,überdork,pelosi,Reid,maher,behar,o’donnell,Damon,clooney,Penn…,well,you know who I mean.

mr. falcone (eed2b3) — 2/23/2009 @ 10:39 pm

Its amazing how many falsehoods Obama is packing into this speech tonight. Well, amazing if amazing meant nauseating…

SPQR (26be8b) — 2/24/2009 @ 7:06 pm

2/23/2009

Plus ça change

47 Responses to “Plus ça change”

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