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Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Generic Ballot Republican Lead
Date:	3/23/2009 8:16:25 AM

As I stated previously I am getting more and more optimistic about 2010. Two recent polls support that optimism, one by Rasmussen and the other by NPR (probably Democrat pollster Stanley Greenberg) that shows Republicans tied or ahead in the generic ballot. Democrats have led this poll for several years. So much for Hound waiting 100 days, apparently millions of Americans have already figured out they were duped by the Messiah and the mainstream media. No shame in admitting you were tricked into believing BO was a smart alternative to GW when instead he is a reflexive liberal with socialistic world views, a neophyte who has never run anything in his life and a charlatan who can't string together a simple sentence without a teleprompter (or even read a teleprompter right for that matter......what a rube!).

Despite the growing backlash about his now $2.3 trillion in new debt over the next decade (CBO numbers), the long-term negative consequences to our country (CBO conclusion) and numerous Democrats that are starting to object, the most merciful and gracious Messiah says "full steam ahead" with his socialist agenda. Keep pushing Barry and you will find out what life is like with Congress back in Republican control. History has shown us how quickly it can change.

Name:	Lady -	Reply
Subject:	I don't think so!
Date:	3/23/2009 9:23:28 AM

Research2000 is an independent polling firm with a good track record in the 2008 election. On their report of March 20th, President Obama holds onto a 67 percent approval rating. The Republican Party, lately beset by internal turmoil, gets a favorable rating of just 27 percent, with 65 percent of those surveyed having an unfavorable opinion of the GOP. The Democratic Party gets a 53 percent thumbs-up, with 39 percent viewing the party unfavorably. A CNN "poll of polls", which averaged seven national surveys, last week gave Obama a 61 percent approval rating. Overall, congressional Democrats are seen favorably by 44 percent of those polled, and unfavorably by 48 percent. Republicans in Congress will need to dig themselves out of a hole. In the poll they are seen favorably by just 17 percent of Americans, with a whopping 72 percent disapproval figure.

Name:	Mulligan -	Reply
Subject:	Generic Ballot Republican Lead
Date:	3/23/2009 9:59:38 AM

I sent Michael Steele a letter entitled "If you want me (and my contributions) back" then we need a new and improved Contract With America: 1. Don't diddle with the Constitution, it's just fine as is. 2. No earmarks from Repubs. 3. No foreign aid to countries who refuse to be allies. 4. Reduce gov't spending, really reduce it, not slow the growth; therefore NO MORE BAILOUTS PERIOD. BTW, a good way to reduce gov't spending is to offer any gov't employee who eliminates his/her job, full retirement for life if they will just go away. Their cost is eliminated in about 20-40 years. I didn;t offer up #5, but if the repubs are really brave, they should add the Fair Tax to the Contract. And if they are really, really brave #6 would be an annual "needs analysis requirement" for continuing to receive welfare, disability, unemployment, etc.

Name:	Council Roc Doc -	Reply
Subject:	I don't think so!
Date:	3/23/2009 10:04:01 AM

"Research2000 is an independent polling firm with a good track record in the 2008 election. It has been taking the public pulse for dailykos.com, a liberal website that generally supports Obama's policies -- but has taken pointed digs at Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid."

Come on Lady, stick with Gallup or Rasmussen if you want objective statistics or else continue to drink the Kool-Aid.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	You are wrong again
Date:	3/23/2009 11:08:51 AM

Tell me what about the poll results I reported on that are wrong. They are what they are and come from liberal pollsters like Greenberrg and NPR. If you want to cherry pick other polls then do a separate post. The fact of the matter is that Republicans have made significant improvement in the generic ballot question. Does that mean that current Republicans in office are viewed favorably? It doesn't even answer address question and wasn't meant to.

One thing that should give you pause is that every single substantial change in control in Congress has correlated with the generic ballot question. Believe me, in some ways I hope and pray that liberals like you continue to ignore the coming train wreck just like a lot of Republicans did with their abandonment of conservative principals. Keep your head in the sand while Rome burns around you and it will be good for the country to have adults in charge once again.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Generic Ballot Republican Lead
Date:	3/23/2009 11:10:37 AM

When you eliminate all those government employees, I'd like to know who you think is going to investigate crime (FBI), develop intelligence (CIA and NSA); payout SS, support the troops, protect your technology, ensure your children have some kind of educational standards, collect taxes, regulate trade, keep foreign companies from buying out critical US companies, protect national security issues, staff our Embassys all over the world, take care of veterans and make sure they get their checks just to name a few.
Without Government employees, you have no government. Period. Just close down the govenment for 3 days and watch people scream when they don't get their services.
You people are laughable.

Name:	water_watcher -	Reply
Subject:	I don't think so!
Date:	3/23/2009 11:17:34 AM

Wow you are out of touch Lady. I am sure liberals want to believe Obama is not a disaster and has no clue ... but the reality is that is true. I know a lot of people that believed in his "change" vision and are regreting it very much. The bumper stickers are being pulled off very fast as people are becoming increasingly embarrassed by this clown.

Name:	water_watcher -	Reply
Subject:	Generic Ballot Republican Lead
Date:	3/23/2009 11:19:39 AM

But Hound ... the dems believe in intelligence when they are in charge, but say they are mislead by the same intelligence when the other party is in charge. So what does it matter.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Straw man argument
Date:	3/23/2009 11:56:26 AM

Hound, why is it that you try to deflect from sensible proposals by arguing against something that no one believes? Every time someone suggests a reduction in the number of federal employees you spout off about eliminating all government employees which was never the suggestion. It is a dubious technique but one that cannot be tolerated. But let me address each of your areas of concern:

1) investigate crime (FBI) - actually the FBI in one agency I would strengthen but you have to understand that the vast majority of crime is investigated at the local level.
2) develop intelligence (CIA and NSA) - clearly a federal responsibility and should be strengthened, particularly in the area of HUMINT
3) payout SS - this program needs to be completely overhauled and was supposed to be temporary but like all entitlements it never works out that way. If a private company ran themselves like SSA they would be in prison.
4) support the troops - obviously the national defense is a federal matter
5) protect your technology - what agency does this?
6) ensure your children have some kind of educational standards - give me a break. If you look at the history of primary and secondary education in the U.S. it is inarguable that we have seen lower results with more federal intervention. The Dept of Education should be disbanded and control should be returned to the states and local government where they can be held accountable.
7) collect taxes - we obviously need a federal agency to collect federal taxes but if we had a more sane tax code it could be significantly smaller (and both parties share the blame for the tax code)
8) regulate trade - we should have free trade and if we are smart we would not regulate it in any form or fashion unless we were simply trying to woo union votes. Free markets= free men and women and economic prosperity. Worked every time its been tried and didn't work anytime and anywhere it was not tried.
9) keep foreign companies from buying out critical US companies - how many people does this take and why is it so important anyway?
10) protect national security issues - how do you protect an issue? Anyway, national security is clearly a federal role and should be strengthened.
11) staff our Embassys all over the world, take care of veterans and make sure they get their checks just to name a few. - all federal tasks that are important.

"Without Government employees, you have no government. Period. Just close down the govenment for 3 days and watch people scream when they don't get their services. " This is the biggest laugher of them all. As I recall during the shutdown of the government back in the 1990's we got along just fine without all the non-essential employees. The only whining was from duplicitous federal employees that knew they were getting a paid vacation. My wife was at EPA at the time and it was a big joke because they were told when they left that they would get paid in full and enjoy the time off. She shook her head in dismay at those sniveling liars bemoaning their economic ruin on the nightly news. Trust me, we would be happier and more prosperous as a nation with a smaller, less intrusive federal government and more control at the local level.

Name:	Mulligan -	Reply
Subject:	Straw man argument
Date:	3/23/2009 12:56:21 PM

Thanks for the help on the rebuttal, much more articulate than I. My point wasn't clear enough for the libs regarding gov't employees being allowed to retire only if they could figure out how to eliminate their jobs. If they can't figure it out, guess what? It's necessary!!! Like soldiers, FBI, etc etc. No nation ever taxed itself to prosperity, and it takes alot of tax to support all those federal jobs, essential or not.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	No worries
Date:	3/23/2009 1:13:34 PM

Your point was clear to me but Hound has this tendency to state something that wasn't said and then argue against it. Her immediate characterization of any comment about reducing the size, scope and intrusiveness of government as a call to abolish government. Nothing could be further from the point we are making as concerned conservatives that see government not as the solution but as the problem.

Usually at this point she will respond by telling me to stick it in my ear.......or some other witty, fact filled rebuttal.......she'll never admit it here but at some point I think she will acknowledge to herself at least that she was duped like a lot of others fed up with GW.

Name:	lakngulf -	Reply
Subject:	No worries
Date:	3/23/2009 2:25:45 PM

MM what would be the differences right now if McCain/Palin had been elected? Honest question. He voted for all the pork he said he was against. He said he would give money to homeowners who were in trouble. He was in favor of the Bush/Paulson Wall Street Welfare, would he also be in favor of helping AIG/Goldman/etc now? Granted he would not go for health care reform now and he would possilby lower taxes. But I never thought he had clear answers either. I think you could line up all the candidates and go down the line and say "clueless, clueless, clueless, clueless, etc."

Perhaps Romney would/could have pulled us through? I like Huckabee but he is more like a sosphiticated George Wallace, with TV charm.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	No worries
Date:	3/23/2009 2:58:06 PM

On several issues I will grant you that McCain would not be a whole lot better than Obama. Yes he voted for TARP like a lot of Republicans. He and others believed that was necessary to stem the bleeding and they were all wrong. I supported Romney in the primaries but the media selected our candidate and we had to make do as best we could.

However, McCain has always been a hawk on earmarks and he voted against the BO Stimulus-Porkulus Plan (the only Republicans that voted for this craziness were the RINO's Specter, Snowe and Collins). He has been outspoken against many of the hidden provisions in the plan such as the billions in earmarks or pseudo-earmarks, the health care provisions, etc.

I also think McCain understands fundamentally that the long-term solution to this economic situation is permanent tax relief. He said in the campaign and I believe he would have tried to make the Bush tax cuts permanent. Not sure with the makeup of Congress he would have been successful but he would have tried. That act alone would eliminate a lot of uncertainty and prompt business to begin making investments versus holding onto cash in anticipation of higher taxation.

I base this not just on his statements during the campaign but on his actions as a Senator. It is mere conjecture on my part but one thing I can say with absolute certainty is he is not a socialist like Obama and would have been incrementally, if not significantly better than what we currently have running the government. And finally, he would have at least provided a counterbalance to the wackos running the House and Senate (Reid/Pelosi) rather than the rubber stamp that BO has become (not by the way any surprise to many of us who warned that he has never gone against party orthodoxy). By all appearances BO is the Celebrity in Chief or the Teleprompter in Chief and Reid/Pelosi are running the country. There is no way McCain would have let that happen.

But Hound would say we're leaping over mouse turds or some other highly intellectual analogy.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Straw man argument
Date:	3/23/2009 5:29:31 PM

Well, you clearly aren't the master of the entire Universe. What agency protects technology? Well, that would be the State Department, the Commerce Department and the DoD. In addition to reviewing techology exports, co-products, co development and international agreements to share technology. They also hold membership in any number of international groups that to develop guidelines, and agreements to keep certain critical technologies out of the hands of rogue nations.

And why would we care if foreign companies buy out US companies? Well that would be because of national security concerns for one. Like when a Chinese company wanted to buy the company that runs the whole communications grid for the Southwestern US. And the US doesn't care much for foreign ownership of companies that control or manufacture critical US goods like highly specialized sonar or manufacturing processes for highly sensitive technology that makes sure we maintain our nationa security edge. This particular fact of government life only saw the light of day when Ports control became a political football a few years ago. Seems like a lot of people cared about that and thought that was a threat to US national security. BTW, FYI, the Commerce Department is in charge of that review process.

Commerce also makes it a point to have Trade Representatives in foreign countries to ensure that US companies have a chance at business -- like say, the Chinese buying a large quanity new airplanes from Boeing.

The post that brought this up said offer every government employeeto retire. Well, given that there is just so much appreciation for what the government employees do, I would think a large number of them would take it. Then you'd be left with your political appointees, your Title 11 employees, and a bunch of young hill staffers who haven't a clue.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	No worries
Date:	3/23/2009 5:36:12 PM

Well, at least I wasn't dupted by GWB.

Clearly, someone who wants to retire those who can think of a way to eliminate their job, has no understanding about government. Despite what you may think, it's not like government offices are way overstaffed. In DoD for example, a decision was made to eliminate all the military positions out of offices so they could be reassigned to units. In my organization, we lost 23 officers and enlisted. Those positions were not replaced by civilan workers (we got no additional authorizations) yet the work still must be done. No different from companies that have to cut employee jobs. The work still needs to be done, and those remaining get to pick up the slack.

Name:	Swimmer27 -	Reply
Subject:	yep
Date:	3/23/2009 5:45:50 PM

All we would be left with is lifers like you that obviuosly have all the asnwers!

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Generic Ballot Republican Lead
Date:	3/23/2009 6:01:43 PM

I really almost wish that McCain had been elected. Then he could have cut taxes and when that all fell on it's butt as no solution, then it would have at least proved you don't have all the answers.

As far as I can see, tax cuts are the only thing you understand and you are riding that horse on into the sunset. You don't seem to have any ability to see that the problem is much greater than tax cuts. You don't seem to have any grasp that what we may be witnessing is the last days of American as we have known it, and not by the hand of OB, but as a serious evolution of our culture and government. BO had nothing to do with people deciding to live on their credit cards, their home equity and buying property that they couldn't afford. And while they played a role, the 2 years of Dems in control of Congress was not what caused the housing crisis. Prices of houses had grown unsustainably high well before Dems took control. Regulators failed to regulate the mortgage business and the deriviatives that were created out of the subprime mortage mess.

All of the problems we have today have been decades in the making, and now you criticize BO because he can't solve it all in less than 100 days. Just because his solutions aren't your solutions, doesn't mean they are wrong.

And as far as me telling you to stick it out your ear -- well, I'd say that you are well overdue for someone to tell you that. YOu can say anything you want to about me -- I take in information from various sources and I come to my own conclusions, I don't have to trot out someone else's facts and spin it as an origianl thought. I'm just sitting back and laughing at you. Republicans making a comeback? Only in your dreams.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Mr. "Me Too"
Date:	3/23/2009 6:03:32 PM

Posts again! Any original thoughts today? I thought not.

Name:	Swimmer27 -	Reply
Subject:	you really are just like him.
Date:	3/23/2009 6:30:18 PM

I thought you might be different from feb, but you are just like him. As soon as you know you have been bested you go for the name calling. It's OK, I have thick skin. There are a couple of very capable guys that beat you up on a regular basis with the facts. I am only hear for the comic relief.

MM and WW are both very good writers so why should I retype the same argument that you refuse to admit are right on the money. And yes, I do have many original thoughts on a daily basis I jsut choose to share them in other places.

Maybe I will stop by the Oakachoy Mini McMansion this summer and say hello. I try to get back the old stomping grounds at least once a year, but it has been a while since I have gone all the way through the narrows. It is, after all, my second favorite place on the lake to ride in circles....lol.

Name:	Swimmer27 -	Reply
Subject:	Time for the ole standard...
Date:	3/23/2009 6:35:15 PM

"Never try to teach a pig to sing, it wastes your time and annoys the pig"

Keep up the good work fella's!!

And BTW Hound, that is not an original thought either, thats why it is in quotes.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	BECAUSE TAX CUTS WORK!
Date:	3/23/2009 7:24:57 PM

Hound: I have given you multiple opportunities to provide me with one example where government has successfully taxed and spent its way out of an economic recession and have given you multiple examples where cutting taxes has. Don't get stuck on liberal stupid because you seem way too smart for that. You just can't stand logic and facts when they demonstrate your mistaken vote for Obama.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	As I told you....
Date:	3/23/2009 7:28:05 PM

I am a mere mortal, albeit with significantly more undertsanding of how 95% of the country works while you seem to have a better understanding of the 5% that sucks this country of its economic lifeblood. I will take my ability to generate jobs, income and wealth over your ability to live off my largesse taken at the point of a gun. If I were you I would be more humble and thankful but like the old days, you think the earth (government) revolves around the sun (private companies, entrepeneurs and regular working folks).

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	By the way
Date:	3/23/2009 7:29:19 PM

once again you focused on my one question rather than all the other facts. I address your moronic posts point by point and you spout drive by comments......

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	I will bet you my house
Date:	3/23/2009 7:31:19 PM

against yours that Republicans will once again control Congress, the Senate and the White House? Want to take my bet? You are so ignorant of history if you think Dems will control government forever.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	I will bet you my house
Date:	3/23/2009 11:01:08 PM

I wouldn't take your bet. Of course the Dems won't control the government forever. After the bailout fiasco, I suspect that the Dems will be losing a few seats in the next election.

I have no particular desire to see both the WH and the Hill controlled by Dems or controlled by Republicans. I think we need balance. I've always said that there are smart people on both sides of the aisle and they all need to get full consideration. What is going on now is just pure politics. There needs to be a good balance -- but I don't want to see the Hill totally run by Republicans with a Democratic President, either. Nothing will get done.
I don't like Pelosi or Reid any better than you do.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	As I told you....
Date:	3/23/2009 11:04:41 PM

I should be more "humble"? Coming from you that's laughable. In case you don't know it, my retirement comes from my own contributions and the contributions of other government employees to the retirement fund. It's not taxpayer funded. Sorry to disappoint you.

Name:	Swimmer27 -	Reply
Subject:	As I told you...hmmm....
Date:	3/24/2009 8:06:29 AM

And jsut where did you get the money to contribute? Oh yeah, that would be the TAXPAYERS that paid your salary.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	No I'm Not
Date:	3/24/2009 9:05:42 AM

No.
First of all, he's male and I'm female.
He's older, I'm younger.
He's an Aquarius and I'm a Sagittarius.
I'm a big picture kind of person, he's detail oriented.
He's from the South, I'm from the North.

No one who knows us would say that we are just alike.

If you come by to say Hi, instead of "spinning your wheels", come by and have a coke. Arguing politics on the forum is one thing, but I don't take it personally. Do you?

Name:	Lady -	Reply
Subject:	Generic Ballot Republican Lead
Date:	3/24/2009 3:14:41 PM

Since someone didn't like the independent Research2000 poll, let's do Gallup! Today, Obama has a 63% approval rating and 27% disapproval. Guess most of the forum posters aren't in the majority.

Name:	lamont -	Reply
Subject:	Give it time Lady......
Date:	3/24/2009 7:41:39 PM

Give it time. A downward spiral is definitely developing. Oh dear.

Name:	Lady -	Reply
Subject:	Give it time Lady......
Date:	3/24/2009 10:24:45 PM

Hmmmm........maybe not!

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Again you are mistaken
Date:	3/25/2009 2:14:58 PM

My salary comes from my clients whose cash we collect for services we provide to them. My 401k contribution comes from my salary which comes from cash collected from my clients. So I owe my salary and my retirement to my clients and I am very grateful to them and tell them often.

Your salary comes from cash collected at the point of a gun from productive people like me. You take a portion of that cash collected from me and put it in your TSP. So every single U.S. dollar in your TSP came at the expense of a productive taxpayer like myself, including the taxes you yourself paid, but there is no gratitude. Only sour grapes and class envy attacks on the productive people in this country.

Simple economics continue to elude you.....

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