What about the state of OUR union???

[ljb5]

All he's talking about is Afghanistan, Lebanon and Iraq!

What about the USA?

Now he's talking about sending more troops to Baghdad.

Doesn't it bother anyone that our president spends 90% of his time working on the problems of other countries?

[Stiletto]

He is the problem for a lot of those other countries.

[Paul Pless]

Doesn't it bother anyone that our president spends 90% of his time working on the problems of other countries?yup!
He is the problem for a lot of those other countries.double yup!

[geeman]

His way of avoiding whats happening here, keep the focus on other countries.

[skuthorp]

"His way of avoiding whats happening here, keep the focus on other countries."

George Orwell, where are you? Standard practice for totalitarian regimes, and as you can see on other threads your democracy is not the only one in trouble. One should always remember that Adolf was elected after similar fear campaigns, though in terrible economic times as well.
I suppose if an administration wanted to maintain the level of 'terror' they could hardly have planned it better.

[Paul Girouard]

And what is "happening here?" Gas is under two bucks , you all seem to be payin your internet service bills, so one would assume you have jobs.
Interest rates all still low , etc , etc.

Ya all should smile like Leon's daughter She's in the hunt , ya'all are just sittin on yer hands worryin about the way he se'z Nukuler:D :D WTH , does it matter, he's from Texas! They kan't spek english all that well anywho:D

I will agree with that Democrat who gave the rebuttel , life for the middle class is getting harder.

Come and get it!!!:D :D

[ljb5]

Actually, I thought it was probably the best speech he ever gave.

It's amazing how well he can read the teleprompter after he's had the cocky knocked out of him!

Only two problems with the speech --- it was mostly about other countries..... and none of it was true.

He sure said some stuff that sounded nice... but when you compare it to what he actually does, there's no connection at all.

[garyspear]

rich that is because he is following the beat of his own drum. The conservative base know that he is the most liberal president since carter. the liberals hate him because he has an R by his name. the democrat legislators hate him because they have to. in order to remain relevant. and the republican legislators hate him because they are already obsolete.

time for a rational third party not driven by hate. unfortunately none exists. OH WELL.

skuthorp. what ever. I live in what is at the present moment the best and most important nation on the face of the earth. that could change but then you would all still hate us. I keep hope alive that true statesmen will come back to our government but as of late I have been disappointed.

[skuthorp]

No one hates YOU Garyspear, least of all me. It comes with being top dog, and such an economic power that if the US sneezes....... you know. So powerful you can ignore the law, even if it's your own. I dont even hate the US, it's just what your political establishment does, and I dont expect the Dem's would be much different in practice as they would be beholden to the same groups as the Rep's.

[garyspear]

skuthorp

well said. Also, I didn't mean to say that you actually hated me and The YOU was directed at the rest of the world (NON U.S.) you personally. you don't know me I would hope you didn't hate me.

allow me a little pride in my nation. :) We will dissagree about the U.S. and I think that's healthy.

[Keith Wilson]

The conservative base know that he is the most liberal president since Carter. My goodness, I must have missed something. Perhaps if you equate "liberal" with running up huge deficits? But Carter didn't do that, and Reagan did. Exactly which of his policies are "liberal"?

[The Bigfella]

As Skuthorp says re being top dog.... The US is actually doing a reasonable job as the only effective police force for the world in difficult circumstances - it IS holding in check (well, relatively speaking) a couple of rogue nations.

The problem you as a nation have is the inflexibility of the leadership - as demonstrated by the situations in Iraq and New Orleans. These have been mismanaged incredibly. I shared some pleasant officers mess red wine with a senior defence force specialist on the Middle East a while back. To quote him - it beggars belief that the Americans could expect to waltz into Iraq and have flowers placed in their rifle barrels.

Unfortunately, the US's dirty linen gets displayed very publicly - and all to often the response is to say everyone hates us. Not so.

[BrianW]

Didn't see the speech.

But I'm reading these complaints about him focusing of problems overseas, rather than talking about things inside our borders.

It goes without saying, that if he'd glossed over foreign policy, or the war in Iraq, you liberals would be all over him for that omission.

Quite frankly, it's expected, and come as no surprise. More of a confirmation of bias than anything else.

Carry on...

[Tim_H]

I am honestly suprised nobody has tried to off him yet.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

I watched part of the address, and I am amazed. This guy just isn't very bright.

[Katherine]

I was most impressed by his "Strong Economy" approach.:rolleyes: Been to Michigan lately?:mad:

[Norman Bernstein]

I was most impressed by his "Strong Economy" approach.:rolleyes: Been to Michigan lately?:mad:

You nailed it, Katherine. It is a strong economy, all right.... but for who?

[George Roberts]

I read his health care plan proposal in the paper.

We make out really well.

I expect many will take the $15k and not buy sifficient insurance. Then complain about lack of coverage.

[Katherine]

I heard him talk about his healthcare proposal, but I want to study up on it before I pass judgement.

[Norman Bernstein]

I expect many will take the $15k and not buy sifficient insurance. Then complain about lack of coverage.

Huh?

The $15K (for a family) isn't a grant or credit, it's a tax deduction, and could only be taken up to the extent that you actually pay for insurance. Even if you did, if you were low income, the deduction might be worth little or nothing.

[geeman]

Thats exactly what they'll do, "not buy insurance" because they'll attempt to pay over due bills they couldnt pay before, then be in the same boat they were in before.
I didnt get a paper today,wheres the $15 k come from? My total income tax I pay isnt near that much, hmmmmmmmm hows that gonna work?

[Norman Bernstein]

Thats exactly what they'll do, "not buy insurance" because they'll attempt to pay over due bills they couldnt pay before, then be in the same boat they were in before.
I didnt get a paper today,wheres the $15 k come from? My total income tax I pay isnt near that much, hmmmmmmmm hows that gonna work?

There's precius little detail available yet... but you're right, if it's a tax deduction, then people who don't pay as much as $15K in federal income tax will get only as much deduction as they pay taxes... whereas, if they're forced into buying health coverage separately, they'll still have to pay the full tab. It will actually be worse, because the plan proposes to tax health care benefits provided by employers... inducing more employers to drop coverage.

This is bad on so many levels, it's undoubtedly going to be a 'non-starter' in Congress. The individually-purchased health care insurance market is a disaster; pre-existing conditions and cherry-picking mean that only the young and healthy will be able to afford or obtain coverage, if their employers don't offer it.

There are a number of other provisions that are equally frightening... but it bolis down to one thing: it will be great for insurance companies. Keep those political contributions coming!

[Nicholas Carey]

Didn't see the speech.

But I'm reading these complaints about him focusing of problems overseas, rather than talking about things inside our borders.

It goes without saying, that if he'd glossed over foreign policy, or the war in Iraq, you liberals would be all over him for that omission.More likely, we wouldn't be in Iraq.

[ljb5]

It goes without saying, that if he'd glossed over foreign policy, or the war in Iraq, you liberals would be all over him for that omission.

Quite frankly, it's expected, and come as no surprise. More of a confirmation of bias than anything else.

You're right -- it would have been an omission if he hadn't.

I don't fault him for addressing that topic.... the topic needs to be addressed. Sad.

I was just expressing my wishful thinking.... Wouldn't it be nice if the topic didn't need to be addressed?

[BrianW]

You nailed it, Katherine. It is a strong economy, all right.... but for who?

I'd say most here are doing well. They can't get enough good workers up north right now. Anybody who's healthy and unemployed, need only look in the mirror to find the problem.

[Phillip Allen]

send me info Brian...I have many tallents beside masonry

[Tim_H]

Huh?

The $15K (for a family) isn't a grant or credit, it's a tax deduction, and could only be taken up to the extent that you actually pay for insurance. Even if you did, if you were low income, the deduction might be worth little or nothing.

They just said on the radio that the average family would get about $140 credit. The upper income brackets would get about $6000.00.

[BrianW]

send me info Brian...I have many tallents beside masonry

Try some of these...

asrcenergy (http://www.asrcenergy.com/careers/)

Shell (http://www.shell.com/home/PlainPageServlet?FC=/us-en/tailored/careers_recruitment/category_1/category1/experienced_professionals/job_search/app_job_search_ga_0503.html)

Alyeska (http://www.alyeska-pipe.com/employment/jobs.asp)

VECO (http://www.veco.com/Careers/Default.asp)

Halliburton (http://www.halliburton.com/careers/index.jsp)

Doyon (http://www.doyon.com/hr.html)

Peak (http://www.peakalaska.com/human_resources.html)

[George Roberts]

A quick look indicates that there is no limit on the $15k deduction or even a tie to health care insurance.

But I can wait until the proposal becomes law to find the best benefit.

[Norman Bernstein]

I'd say most here are doing well. They can't get enough good workers up north right now.

Too bad all of Michigan can't move to Sitka, Alaska. Most probably don't really want to.


Anybody who's healthy and unemployed, need only look in the mirror to find the problem.

Yup, they must be slackers, all right... lazy bums.... its their own fault.

And you really believe this?

Sheeeeesh.

[BrianW]

Too bad all of Michigan can't move to Sitka, Alaska. Most probably don't really want to.

That would be stupid, there's not much work here. I travel to my job, so yes, I expect others to travel too. There's no guarantee that there will always be good work anywhere somebody chooses to live.

In fact, anyone who sits around unemployed, rather than moving to find good work is not going to get any sympathy from me.

The only thing Uncle Sam owes us is the right to pursue happiness. Note the word 'pursue' as opposed to the word 'sit on your arse and bitch.' See the 'don't really want to' I highlighted in your quote.


Yup, they must be slackers, all right... lazy bums.... its their own fault.

And you really believe this?

Sheeeeesh.

With an national unemployment rate around 4.6%, I do believe it. If there's one thing we shouldn't be complaining about, it's the unemployment rate. But, that never stops some folks.

[Norman Bernstein]

With an national unemployment rate around 4.6%, I do believe it. If there's one thing we shouldn't be complaining about, it's the unemployment rate. But, that never stops some folks.

Well, you're right, in a sense, about one thing: unemployment is far less of an issue than underemployment. Just ask any middle level manager from the 90's who is now standing at the front door, repeating 'welcome to Walmart'.

[Tim_H]

With an national unemployment rate around 4.6%, I do believe it. If there's one thing we shouldn't be complaining about, it's the unemployment rate. But, that never stops some folks.


The unemployment rate isnt the issue really its the quality of employment.
Sure the service sector is booming...
I myself dont want to work at Walmart.

[BrianW]

I will say that you should realize that there are people whose situations are quite different from yours.

Really? Would you care to state my employment history? Could you tell me how others are different from me. Otherwise, your statement sounds good, but has no factual basis.



I just started a full-time position after five months of searching for a job for which my experience qualifies me.

Congrats! You got a job!


I, unfortunately, have a thirty year background in manufacturing support – materials management to be precise. Even worse, it’s what I enjoy. Not much out there for me to pick from, and a bit late to start in a whole new direction.

Those are personal issue, not at all under the control of the government. But you overcame the negatives and got a job.



I spent those five months working as a temp (no benefits, no insurance), so at least I didn’t adversely affect the sacred unemployment rate.

It's not sacred to me, but appears to be yet another unqualified whining topic for the democrats, and of course Norman, who always swings their way, but isn't really a democrat.



The gentleman I used to work... ...eventually gave up looking for a suitable job, and is now working at a Home Depot store... ...wonder what he thinks when he looks in the mirror.

Maybe something like 'I need to get some new training".


Naw, I’ve reconsidered, you’re an idiot, Brian.

Hope you had more self-control when you were looking for a job.

[Tim_H]

Really? Would you care to state my employment history? Could you tell me how others are different from me. Otherwise, your statement sounds good, but has no factual basis.




Congrats! You got a job!



Those are personal issue, not at all under the control of the government. But you overcame the negatives and got a job.




It's not sacred to me, but appears to be yet another unqualified whining topic for the democrats, and of course Norman, who always swings their way, but isn't really a democrat.




Maybe something like 'I need to get some new training".



Hope you had more self-control when you were looking for a job.


OK, fish face
Did you ever think that perhaps some people would like more out of life than just a job? You are obviously happy just having a place to go every day and bring home a paycheck. Some people are driven by bigger aspirations.
I too spent over 20 years in manufacturing. I am now finishing up a bachelor of science degree in software engineering and hope to make some money from that before the rest of those jobs are outsourced too.
A person can only re-define themself so many times in the course of a life time though...

[ljb5]

When a Republican candidate runs for office, he says, "Vote for me and I'll improve the employment situation."

When a Republican business owner talks to his Congressman he says, "Give me a tax break and I'll be able to employ more people."

When a Republican investor talks to his Congressman, he says, "Eliminate the capital gains tax and corporations will be able to hire more people."

When a Republican CEO from an oil company appears before Congress, he says, "Give me taxpayer money to expand my oil fields and I'll higher more workers."

When a Republican CFO talks to investors, he says, "Give me more stock options and I'll lay off thousands of workers."

So he gets elected - and he gets a tax break. And he gets a capital gains tax cut. And he gets taxpayer money to expand his business.

And yet, still people get laid off.

And when a Republican talks to a laid-off worker, he says, "I had nothing to do with it." :rolleyes:

[High C]

We see examples here of people who have very specialized jobs, and expect that those jobs will go on forever.

It has never been thus.

[Tim_H]

We see examples here of people who have very specialized jobs, and expect that those jobs will go on forever.

It has never been thus.
I wouldnt call Manufacturing a specialized job. I would call it a key industry.

[BrianW]

Well darn, I've upset the folks who thought they had guaranteed jobs for life. Ain't I the mean one. ;)

[Phillip Allen]

Well darn, I've upset the folks who thought they had guaranteed jobs for life. Ain't I the mean one. ;)


just the Frenchies