Reply #20

The American people chose to re-elect President Obama despite the “conservative” right’s strenuous attempts to obfuscate the truth funded mainly by plutocratic “dark money”. We believe that the following facts drove the favorable outcome.

Americans believe in and want the separation of church and state. As long as you are not hurting other people or interfering with their civil liberties, you should be allowed to practice whatever crazy, nutbag religious beliefs you have (Evangelical Christians and Mormons come to mind here). However, those crazy, nutbag institutions are not to dictate the actions of government. Those of you in the South may be surprised to learn that this is written in the first amendment of a document called the “United States Constitution” and it reads, in part, as follows, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ...."

Americans want to maintain Social Security despite what “little brat” Paul Ryan may espouse. The average person simply does not save for retirement. Who knows why, maybe it is human nature, but it is a fact. Prior to the establishment of Social Security in the 1930’s, the average American died within two years of retirement. Since Social Security, this range has extended to over seven years. Not much has changed since the 1930’s when you consider the fact that the average Baby Boomer retiring today has saved less than $25K for retirement (in total). George W. Bush’s attempts to privatize Social Security resulted in a spectacular failure (one of a long list). This is why you often hear Tea Party members scream, “keep your government hands off our Social Security”. Airtight logic like that is what wins elections – for the opposition.

Democratic administrations have demonstrated that they can reduce the debt much better than Republicans can. See note 1 below.

Something had to be done about the unsustainable health care system. Ignoring one-in-six uninsured Americans is not Christ-like, especially in the world’s wealthiest (and “exceptional”) nation. Although poorly sold, the Affordable Care Act (aka “Obamacare”), has very popular and pragmatic features that will reign in the out-of-control health insurance industry. It’s a good step towards “single payer” which is what small businesses and entrepreneurs (the real job creators) really want and need to grow the economy.

Americans do not want to return to 1950’s by relitigating settled social issues such as a woman’s right to choose, civil rights, contraception, etc. Most of the Republican primary topics came across as foolish gibberish 100% counter to the wishes of average Americans. For example, most know that access to free contraception reduces the abortion rate. Which do the “conservatives” want?

Americans want real candidates to run for the nation’s highest office, not the clown show of Republican fools that were trotted out this year: Santorum, Bachman, Perry, Cain. Did we mention Santorum?

As an aside, voters in America’s economic centers are sick of a handful of overrepresented, yet unproductive “red” states obstructing progressive policy for the rest of the country. It is a perverse fact, but contrary to popular belief, those who make the most noise complaining about Federal spending are the same people who receive the most Federal dollars. See note 2 below.

Here’s to four more years!



Note 1)

Ronald Reagan:
Took office January 1981. Total debt: $848 billion
Left office January 1989. Total debt: $2,698 billion
Net change in debt: $1,850 billion

George H.W. Bush:
Took office January 1989. Total debt: $2,698 billion
Left office 20 January 1993. Total debt: $4,188 billion
Net change in debt: $1,490

Bill Clinton:
Took office 20 January 1993. Total debt: $4,188 billion
Left office 20 January 2001. Total debt: $5,728 billion
Net change in debt: $1,548

George W. Bush:
Took office 20 January 2001. Total debt: $5,728 billion
Left office 20 January 2009. Total debt: $10,627 billion
Net change in debt: $4,899

Barack Obama:
Took office 20 January 2009. Total debt: $10,627 billion
Total debt (as of the end of April 2011): $14,288 billion
Net change in debt: $3,661

Note: The Obama spending was mostly due to ongoing Bush era programs (such as the Iraq war of choice, devastating tax cuts, the unfunded Medicare part D and the TARP) and a devastated economy due to Republican deregulation of the financial services industry starting with the Phil Gramm Glass Steagall repeal.


Note 2)

States receiving the most federal funding per tax dollar paid:

1. West Virginia: $2.57
2. Mississippi: $2.47
3.
4.
5. Alabama: $2.03
6. Alaska: $1.93
7. Montana: $1.92
8. South Carolina: $1.92