FourFreedomsBlog - A Deficit of Confidence

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A Deficit of Confidence
Author: BobR Date: 08/26/2011 12:49:59

Disappointment... disillusionment... anger... These are the emotions the electorate is currently feeling after the national embarrassment that was the debt ceiling battle. Something so mundane got escalated to a pissing match of immense proportions, and nearly brought down our (and possibly the global) economy. In the smoldering wreckage of the aftermath, our credit rating got downgraded by S&P, and even Moody's gave us a guarded outlook for the future.

Recent polling shows that Congress fared worse than the president, and the Republicans fared worst of all:

Disapproval with Congress's performance: 87%
Favorable Approval of Congress: 12%
Trust Republicans with the economy: 40%
Trust Democrats with the economy: 43%
Trust neither party with the economy: ~ 30%
Want House members voted out: 53%
Want their own House Rep voted out: 65%
Approval of Speaker Boehner:

Republicans: 47%
Independents: 20%
Overall: 29%

Support the Tea Party: 25%

This is not the stuff of heady re-election campaigns - this is a "vote the bums out" mentality. The coming election will be a newcomer's dream, and most House Reps will be on the defensive.

Raising taxes will be inevitable (regardless of what form they take and how they're labeled). It's only possible to cut government spending so much. Even Ron Paul (R-TX) gets it, saying (about services cuts) "these problems are going to be with us and I am just afraid there will be people in the streets like there have been in other countries when they don’t get what they want..." This gets to the point of the reality that when government spending is cut, so too are the things we take for granted.

AFL-CIO President Rishard Trumka had some choice words about the budget deficit talks and plans. He urged the White House to focus on job growth, not the deficit. There is truth to that, because with job growth comes income tax revenue, which will help reduce the deficit. Unfortunately, he also said:

"This is a moment that working people and quite frankly history will judge President Obama on his presidency; will he commit all his energy and focus on bold solutions on the job crisis or will he continue to work with the Tea Party to offer cuts to middle class programs like Social Security all the while pretending the deficit is where our economic problems really lie..."

It's completely untrue that the President offered to cut Social Security; in fact, it's quite the opposite. I understand the frustration of seeing vital programs trimmed down while the rich enjoy historically low tax rates, but if you are going to make persuasive arguments, they must be based in fact.

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is pushing a bill to raise the cap on Social Security taxes to help fund it into the future. It's a simple thing that the Republicans will most certainly hate and fight against, once again reinforcing their reputation as obstructionists. The GOP has also been warning Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke to not do another round of quantitative easing, which will gooses the economy by making more money available. Improving the economy is just not on the Republicans' agenda when there's campaign hay to be made.

There is some positive news, though. The TARP program (hated by Libertarians and Tea Partiers) recovered another $900M in the first 6 months of this year. That means that of the $413B actually disbursed from the program, $314B (or 76%) has been recovered. So the next time some politician rails against TARP, saying we gave away nearly a trillion dollars in taxpayer money, the reality is that less than $100B is actually outstanding, and that number continues to shrink.

THAT'S how you protect the economy and the taxpayers. Republicans take note.

62 comments (Latest Comment: 08/26/2011 22:56:58 by TriSec)
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Comment by

wickedpam on 08/26/2011 13:09:52

Morning

So here's to hoping Sexy Liberal comes to DC in the spring

Comment by

Raine on 08/26/2011 13:16:05

Quote by wickedpam:
Morning

So here's to hoping Sexy Liberal comes to DC in the spring

Morning!

It probably will- I really don;t think they will be coming here in the winter.

Are you all prepped for the weekend MAla?

Comment by

wickedpam on 08/26/2011 13:18:51

Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Morning

So here's to hoping Sexy Liberal comes to DC in the spring

Morning!

It probably will- I really don;t think they will be coming here in the winter.

Are you all prepped for the weekend MAla?

Winter has become dicey here - never used to be.

Not to worried about the weekend really, getting the backyard preped for the small loose flyaway items but mostly I'm just hoping my hair appointment isn't cancalled on Sunday

Comment by

Mondobubba on 08/26/2011 13:38:15

Greetings from storm ravaged Northeast Florida.

Comment by

Raine on 08/26/2011 13:48:51

Quote by Mondobubba:
Greetings from storm ravaged Northeast Florida.

You get a few bands of the storm?

Comment by

Mondobubba on 08/26/2011 13:50:48

Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Greetings from storm ravaged Northeast Florida.
You get a few bands of the storm?

There was a storm at about 4:35. It is overcast at the moment.

Comment by

Mondobubba on 08/26/2011 13:51:28

Fugalsang! Stop hating on "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald!"

Comment by

Raine on 08/26/2011 13:53:29

Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Greetings from storm ravaged Northeast Florida.
You get a few bands of the storm?

There was a storm at about 4:35. It is overcast at the moment.

ahhhh....

Comment by

Mondobubba on 08/26/2011 13:54:08

Wow! Glenn Beck is getting his antisemitism on!

Comment by

Mondobubba on 08/26/2011 13:54:54

Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Greetings from storm ravaged Northeast Florida.
You get a few bands of the storm?

There was a storm at about 4:35. It is overcast at the moment.
ahhhh....

And the low pressure has caused my sinuses to balloon up in my head.

Comment by

Raine on 08/26/2011 13:54:58

Is Beck
still in Israel???

Comment by

Mondobubba on 08/26/2011 13:57:58

Poor Momma. I feel her pain.

Comment by

Scoopster on 08/26/2011 13:58:27

Mornin' all & Happy 'Canemageddon Friday!

Comment by

Mondobubba on 08/26/2011 13:58:29

Quote by Raine:
Is Beck
still in Israel???

Apparently. Please let there be a kidnapping.

Comment by

Raine on 08/26/2011 14:00:11

Happy 19th Ammendment day!!!

Comment by

wickedpam on 08/26/2011 14:06:29

Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Is Beck
still in Israel???

Apparently. Please let there be a kidnapping.

Don't wish for bad stuff I throughlty believe that is swings back at some one

Comment by

wickedpam on 08/26/2011 14:10:05

Comment by

Mondobubba on 08/26/2011 14:10:11

Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Is Beck
still in Israel???

Apparently. Please let there be a kidnapping.

Don't wish for bad stuff I throughlty believe that is swings back at some one

:hair flip, gum crack: WhatEVER.

Comment by

Raine on 08/26/2011 14:10:15

Alan grayson talking about the Four Freedoms!

Comment by

Mondobubba on 08/26/2011 14:11:01

The Fair Rebekah called me dude!

Comment by

Scoopster on 08/26/2011 14:11:12

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONDOOOOOO!

Comment by

Mondobubba on 08/26/2011 14:29:14

EYE BLEACH! Where is my eye bleach!

Comment by

wickedpam on 08/26/2011 14:31:04

Yes! Happy B-Day Mondo!!!!!

Comment by

wickedpam on 08/26/2011 14:53:21

Mondo!

Comment by

Raine on 08/26/2011 14:53:32

MONDO!!!! Nicely played, Sir!

Comment by

Mondobubba on 08/26/2011 14:54:56

Quote by Raine:
MONDO!!!! Nicely played, Sir!

Thank you, thank you very much!

Comment by

wickedpam on 08/26/2011 14:55:58

okay - John its really not that funny

Comment by

BobR on 08/26/2011 14:59:01

work getting in the way of writing a blog. Anyway, here are a couple fun videos to keep you occupied:

Doggy reunion after a year apart

Comment by

BobR on 08/26/2011 15:01:38

oh, and

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONDO!!

Comment by

wickedpam on 08/26/2011 15:05:12

Doggy reunion made me

Comment by

Raine on 08/26/2011 15:22:27

Quote by wickedpam:
Doggy reunion made me

Me too. That baby is so happy to have Momma back!

Comment by

Will in Chicago on 08/26/2011 15:27:27

Good morning, bloggers!!!

First things first:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONDO!!!!

I hope that all my friends along the East Coast will be fine this weekend. I missed Beck's remarks, but I am not surprised. I have more respect for carnival barkers than for Glenn Beck.

Comment by

Raine on 08/26/2011 15:27:59

President speaking on Hurricane Irene now. www.Whitehouse.gov/live

Comment by

Raine on 08/26/2011 15:29:34

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

Comment by

Will in Chicago on 08/26/2011 15:40:52

Media matters on Glenn Beck. Well, sorry, Mr. Beck -- Jews will define themselves. The Israeli people will decide what to protest, and what terms to come to regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Please take your patronizing attitudes and go for a walk -- preferably on top of the Sea of Galilee. Make sure to wear swim trunks.

Comment by

Will in Chicago on 08/26/2011 15:46:13

Here is the Media Matters piece on Glenn Beck and his allies in Israel:

Glenn Beck Embraces A Kahanist

Comment by

Will in Chicago on 08/26/2011 15:48:38

The stuff from Beck's rally is also an amusing read. Restoring Hyperbole: Beck's Jerusalem Rally Will Be "A Planet Course-Altering Event",

If pride goes before a fall, Glenn Beck may leave a hole in the ground to put the Grand Canyon to shame.

Comment by

Will in Chicago on 08/26/2011 15:51:26

Here is an editorial from Haaretz, an Israeli liberal daily, that looks at Beck, his American allies, and his allies on the extreme Right in Israel:

The extreme Israeli right's alliance with lunatics

Comment by

Mondobubba on 08/26/2011 15:52:18

:looks Missy right in the eye: I love you you are a sweet loving kitty, BUT STOP PAWING AT ME!!!!!!!

Comment by

Mondobubba on 08/26/2011 15:53:20

Quote by Will in Chicago:
Here is an editorial from Haaretz, an Israeli liberal daily, that looks at Beck, his American allies, and his allies on the extreme Right in Israel:

The extreme Israeli right's alliance with lunatics

Glenn has touched a nerve, Will?

Comment by

livingonli on 08/26/2011 16:01:58

Good morning everyone.

Happy Birthday Mondo!

I got a kitty in my room who wanted some attention but now she's chilling back and watching me type.

Comment by

Will in Chicago on 08/26/2011 16:23:16

Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Here is an editorial from Haaretz, an Israeli liberal daily, that looks at Beck, his American allies, and his allies on the extreme Right in Israel:

The extreme Israeli right's alliance with lunatics

Glenn has touched a nerve, Will?

One of the deepest divisions in Israel and the larger Jewish community is over the question "Who is a Jew?" According to many of the ultra-Orthodox, Reform Jews, Conservative Jews, Reconstructionist Jews and others are not truly Jews. Beck is supporting those who hold such views.

The historical Zealots were Jews who did not want any compromise with Rome to end the rebellion some 1900 years ago. They even went as far as killing those who were trying to find a peaceful way to end the siege of Jerusalem. Later Jewish scholars hold the Zealots as being partially responsible for the death and suffering that happened at the fall of the Second Temple. One of my rabbis (Reform) explained that the reason that until very recent times, Jews trace membership in the Jewish community by the mother dates from that time. Essentially, the Roman legions used rape as a weapon and the Rabbis of the period ruled that the Jewish community should treat any child of a Jewish mother as a full member of the community. (In recent times, the Reform movement has ruled that a child of a Jewish parent of any member can be considered part of the community if the parents chose.)

I fear that Glenn Beck is an American Zealot, aligned with Christian Zealots and Jewish Zealots -- who may each unwittingly bring harm to what they love. May they not bring the sort of disasters that the original Zealots wrought.

Comment by

BobR on 08/26/2011 16:40:03

Blog is up! - sorry for the delay...

Comment by

livingonli on 08/26/2011 16:45:58

Bernie Sanders should have an I tag since he is considered an independent who happens to caucus with the Democrats.

Comment by

Raine on 08/26/2011 16:57:07

Quote by livingonli:
Bernie Sanders should have an I tag since he is considered an independent who happens to caucus with the Democrats.

I walked away -- but I have to say this, When I hear people talk about wanting Sanders to Primary Obama -- I am quite happy to remind them that he isn't a Dem...

That isn't a knock at all -- it is just fact.

In other news, I went outside and just got eaten alive by mosquitoes,

Comment by

Raine on 08/26/2011 16:57:23

Quote by BobR:
Blog is up! - sorry for the delay...

YAY!

Comment by

Mondobubba on 08/26/2011 17:11:19

back from the lye-berry. It is humid even by Florida standards.

Comment by

Mondobubba on 08/26/2011 17:34:49

Quote by Will in Chicago:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Here is an editorial from Haaretz, an Israeli liberal daily, that looks at Beck, his American allies, and his allies on the extreme Right in Israel:

The extreme Israeli right's alliance with lunatics

Glenn has touched a nerve, Will?

One of the deepest divisions in Israel and the larger Jewish community is over the question "Who is a Jew?" According to many of the ultra-Orthodox, Reform Jews, Conservative Jews, Reconstructionist Jews and others are not truly Jews. Beck is supporting those who hold such views.

The historical Zealots were Jews who did not want any compromise with Rome to end the rebellion some 1900 years ago. They even went as far as killing those who were trying to find a peaceful way to end the siege of Jerusalem. Later Jewish scholars hold the Zealots as being partially responsible for the death and suffering that happened at the fall of the Second Temple. One of my rabbis (Reform) explained that the reason that until very recent times, Jews trace membership in the Jewish community by the mother dates from that time. Essentially, the Roman legions used rape as a weapon and the Rabbis of the period ruled that the Jewish community should treat any child of a Jewish mother as a full member of the community. (In recent times, the Reform movement has ruled that a child of a Jewish parent of any member can be considered part of the community if the parents chose.)

I fear that Glenn Beck is an American Zealot, aligned with Christian Zealots and Jewish Zealots -- who may each unwittingly bring harm to what they love. May they not bring the sort of disasters that the original Zealots wrought.

About the who is a Jew question, my cousin who when her husband started a spiritual reawakening that ultimately brought him (and her) to his current socialist/orthodox Jewish sect (Will any insight here) converted to Judaism, so that their kids would be Jewish. I know that there are folks out there that don't considered her a Jew. I find this laughable because my cousin and her husband can be annoyingly Jewish (I don't mean this as insult, Will).

Thanks for bringing me up to speed on the Zealots as well. I've been sort of aware of this rather unholy alliance as it is part of the plot "The Yiddish Policeman's Union."

Comment by

Mondobubba on 08/26/2011 18:08:47

That is one big diamond.

Comment by

Mondobubba on 08/26/2011 18:49:49

Now I fully understand my sense of dread for the past couple of days. It isn't my worrying about my friends & loved ones security and safety as Irene threatens the East Coast. No, it is Michele Bachmann being in Duval County. No more than 25 or so miles from where I sit.

Comment by

Will in Chicago on 08/26/2011 19:06:49

Mondo, Orthodox rabbis will accept the conversion of a person from another faith -- provided that the Orthodox rabbis in question accept the legitimacy of the authority doing the conversion. I find this a bit laughable and offensive, as there was always a plurality of practices within Judaism, sometimes with wide divisions. So, I would accept your cousin as a fellow Jew as much as I accept my second cousin who is a Reconstructionist rabbi. (I am a Reform Jew, so I am a liberal in the religious sense of the term. Lets say Beck's Israeli allies would not consider me a proper Jew, but they did not think Yitzhak Rabin was either. In that instance, I welcome their contempt and would be honored if any spoke my name besides a man who pursued peace and was murdered by a conservative, ultra-Orthodox fanatic who heeded the calls that Rabin was a traitor and not a true Jew.)

What I learned long ago, as a child, is that some people will never accept you regardless. So, your cousin and her husband may be embracing a conservative version of my faith (one that would probably not consider me or my second cousin proper Jews or Jews at all). However, they should know full well that some will not accept them regardless. I guess my advice is to love them, put up with what you do not understand, and let them know that your door is always open to them. We have to remember that if we do not understand someone, we can still love and accept them. That is to my mind, the true spirit of compassion and faith. Love the stranger as yourself. This is something utterly alien to Glen Beck and Michelle Bachmann, who may see in themselves a reflection of the Divine. Casting God in one's own image is to me just as much idolatry as bowing before a Golden Calf.

Comment by

Mondobubba on 08/26/2011 19:19:58

Quote by Will in Chicago:
Mondo, Orthodox rabbis will accept the conversion of a person from another faith -- provided that the Orthodox rabbis in question accept the legitimacy of the authority doing the conversion. I find this a bit laughable and offensive, as there was always a plurality of practices within Judaism, sometimes with wide divisions. So, I would accept your cousin as a fellow Jew as much as I accept my second cousin who is a Reconstructionist rabbi. (I am a Reform Jew, so I am a liberal in the religious sense of the term. Lets say Beck's Israeli allies would not consider me a proper Jew, but they did not think Yitzhak Rabin was either. In that instance, I welcome their contempt and would be honored if any spoke my name besides a man who pursued peace and was murdered by a conservative, ultra-Orthodox fanatic who heeded the calls that Rabin was a traitor and not a true Jew.)

What I learned long ago, as a child, is that some people will never accept you regardless. So, your cousin and her husband may be embracing a conservative version of my faith (one that would probably not consider me or my second cousin proper Jews or Jews at all). However, they should know full well that some will not accept them regardless. I guess my advice is to love them, put up with what you do not understand, and let them know that your door is always open to them. We have to remember that if we do not understand someone, we can still love and accept them. That is to my mind, the true spirit of compassion and faith. Love the stranger as yourself. This is something utterly alien to Glen Beck and Michelle Bachmann, who may see in themselves a reflection of the Divine. Casting God in one's own image is to me just as much idolatry as bowing before a Golden Calf.

She is blood I totally accept her. Her younger sister is atheist so there ya good. Cuz's congregation is very strict in their orthodoxy, yet they encourage full participation of women in it. None of that separating the genders during worship stuff for them. I just deal with the inconvenient (for the Gentile) stuff.

Comment by

Mondobubba on 08/26/2011 19:47:19

Just got off the phone with Momma Mondo.They expect the storm to roll in all her glory around seven this evening with tropical storm force wind. I suggested she not park the car in the garage in case she needs to get out of the house. My idea for that eventuality is she goes over the nursing home where Poppa Mondo is doing his PT. Momma Mondo is still kinda scared, so good thoughts for the little old lady.

Comment by

Will in Chicago on 08/26/2011 19:53:50

Quote by Mondobubba:
Just got off the phone with Momma Mondo.They expect the storm to roll in all her glory around seven this evening with tropical storm force wind. I suggested she not park the car in the garage in case she needs to get out of the house. My idea for that eventuality is she goes over the nursing home where Poppa Mondo is doing his PT. Momma Mondo is still kinda scared, so good thoughts for the little old lady.

Wishing her the best. East Coast people, please be prepared and be safe. As for tomorrow, I am expecting a high of 80 tomorrow, sunny with winds of 12 to 24 mph.

Comment by

BobR on 08/26/2011 21:29:00

Quote by livingonli:
Bernie Sanders should have an I tag since he is considered an independent who happens to caucus with the Democrats.

Good catch!

Fixed...

Comment by

Raine on 08/26/2011 21:37:40

Quote by Mondobubba:
Just got off the phone with Momma Mondo.They expect the storm to roll in all her glory around seven this evening with tropical storm force wind. I suggested she not park the car in the garage in case she needs to get out of the house. My idea for that eventuality is she goes over the nursing home where Poppa Mondo is doing his PT. Momma Mondo is still kinda scared, so good thoughts for the little old lady.

Comment by

wickedpam on 08/26/2011 22:39:49

Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Just got off the phone with Momma Mondo.They expect the storm to roll in all her glory around seven this evening with tropical storm force wind. I suggested she not park the car in the garage in case she needs to get out of the house. My idea for that eventuality is she goes over the nursing home where Poppa Mondo is doing his PT. Momma Mondo is still kinda scared, so good thoughts for the little old lady.

Comment by

wickedpam on 08/26/2011 22:45:07

Liv I hope you've gotten your provisions

Comment by

livingonli on 08/26/2011 22:49:44

I have to work this weekend. At least, they have a back-up generator there if I can't go home. I just hope we don't lose power at the house.

Comment by

TriSec on 08/26/2011 22:54:10

Passing through....

It was 90 and bright sun in these parts today, so your LL Bean Kayak Instructor rented a kayak from these guys and had a very nice paddle through the neighborhood up to the Moody Street bridge and back.

Soon, we'll be off to one of Javi's friends for an outdoor movie night on the big screen..."Star Wars", I hear. I'll try not to quote too much of it verbatim for the kids.

Actually, I'm hoping the adults will be hanging out elsewhere drinking bourbon, but I digress.

I took in all my flyaway stuff and added extra reinforcements to my sunflowers...that's about the only thing I'm really worried about at this time.

Comment by

TriSec on 08/26/2011 22:55:42

Quote by Mondobubba:
Now I fully understand my sense of dread for the past couple of days. It isn't my worrying about my friends & loved ones security and safety as Irene threatens the East Coast. No, it is Michele Bachmann being in Duval County. No more than 25 or so miles from where I sit.

I felt a great disturbance in The Force...as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror, then were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened.

Comment by

TriSec on 08/26/2011 22:56:58

Quote by Raine:

In other news, I went outside and just got eaten alive by mosquitoes,

http://news.wbru.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/big-blue-bug.jpg

FEED ME!!!

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A Deficit of Confidence
Author: BobR Date: 08/26/2011 12:49:59

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A Deficit of Confidence Author: BobR Date: 08/26/2011 12:49:59

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A Deficit of Confidence
Author: BobR Date: 08/26/2011 12:49:59