Obama becoming the National Nanny
posted at 1:36 pm on February 8, 2010 by Ed Morrissey
The funk into which Barack Obama has fallen can be chalked up to a host of reasons — the failure to engage on his own legislative agenda, the failure of ObamaCare, lack of attention to the crisis in employment for almost a year, and so on. Some Democrats think that the problem goes beyond the agenda and extends to Obama’s conception of a President. After having borne themselves the brunt of scoldings from Obama in his State of the Union speech, Politico reports that some in his party wonder why Obama insists on casting himself as the national nanny:
For a president who ran on uplifting themes like change and hope, Barack Obama spends an awful lot of time scolding Americans about how he hopes they’ll change.
He has advised parents to “replace that video game with a book and make sure that homework gets done.” He has urged members of Congress not to read blogs or watch 24-hour cable news. And he’s challenged lobbyists, lawmakers, bankers, journalists, insurance companies and other heads of state to do a better job.
He’s prodded people to get off the couch, eat healthier and exercise more. He’s even suggested Americans buy stocks, U.S.-made cars and energy-efficient light bulbs, while cautioning them not to max out their credit cards.
At times, having Obama in the Oval Office is like having a really powerful Dr. Phil around.
Well, Dr. Phil never whines about how much work Dr. Laura left him when he gained pre-eminence, so I’m not sure that analogy works.
Carol Lee quotes former Clinton aides DeeDee Myers and Paul Begala as saying some of this might be necessary, but too much becomes damaging, which is absolutely true. No one respects a manager who constantly crabs about everyone around him but doesn’t roll up his or her own sleeves to participate in the work. That’s exactly what Obama has done for the past year in pushing Congress to act without bothering to present his own specific ideas to contribute to the effort.
However, part of this comes straight from the agenda itself. After all, if Democrats want to build a nanny state, someone has to be Nanny in Chief, and Obama assumes that will be him. GOP strategist John Feehery says that no one likes a scold, but what has become crystal clear is that the Democratic agenda will put government in that position — with tremendous power to punish what it sees as bad behavior. The founders worried that a strong central government would accrue too much power to infringe on personal choice rather than sticking to truly national issues, which is why they wrote the Constitution to sharply curtail its ability to do just that.
Obama’s problem isn’t just that he acts like a nanny; it’s that his rhetoric makes clear the direction he wants to take the US, if the agenda didn’t already make that clear enough as it is.
Update: I think a little Mary Katharine Ham would be just perfect for this post (thanks to HA commenter Forest for the suggestion):
She came to the same conclusion almost two years ago.
Blowback
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You people are hilarious.
Your house is on fire and you’re upset that Obama is telling you you should call the fire department.
Dave Rywall on February 8, 2010 at 2:27 PM
Wow, you’re as fucked up a touchdown during the World Series.
Bush did his job as President in that: Calming the fears of the People. Being so smart as you are, I’m surprised you posted that; you should have known better. Or maybe you do, but have more sore a need to prove a point.
Liam on February 8, 2010 at 2:29 PM
Dave:
Seriously, you keep insulting everyone here, but you have never answered my question about why you bother voicing your opinions on our politics.
WHY ARE YOU HERE!?
Are you really an illegal alien trying to subvert our political process in order to get your vote counted so you can come here for your healthcare?
Isn’t your Canadian system enough for you?
Why do you think we really care about what you think of our politics?
It is our fight-not yours.
You want freedom?
Fight for it in your own country.
LEave us alone.
Badger40 on February 8, 2010 at 2:29 PM
Our “house is on fire” and you find it hilarious. Nice neighbor. Pud.
jamie gumm on February 8, 2010 at 2:29 PM
Dave’s quite a fit little subject. He just comes here to rationalize away the gnawing loss of his self-determination, on his way home to bow in gratitude to his betters. You know, those folks who respect him so much.
People aren’t pets, dude.
DrSteve on February 8, 2010 at 2:30 PM
Sorry about that. I do know you from your posts. Should I have used an irony tag perhaps?
donh525 on February 8, 2010 at 2:30 PM
Bush tells everyone to go shopping after 911. You applaud.
Dave Rywall on February 8, 2010 at 2:18 PM
Wow, you’re as fucked up a touchdown during the World Series.
Bush did his job as President in that: Calming the fears of the People. Being so smart as you are, I’m surprised you posted that; you should have known better. Or maybe you do, but have more sore a need to prove a point.
Liam on February 8, 2010 at 2:29 PM
——-
Americans don’t like being told what to do.
That’s because, according to all of you, they DON’T NEED TO BE TOLD what to do.
So Bush “calming the fears of the people” was handholding nonsense.
Dave Rywall on February 8, 2010 at 2:31 PM
Dave –
Your faux concern does not hide your jealousy very well. Now, go look after the Inuit Indians. They say they’re not being treated special enough.
kingsjester on February 8, 2010 at 2:31 PM
Drywalls needs some KY Jelly. (That’s not Kentucky Jelly,btw)
jamie gumm on February 8, 2010 at 2:31 PM
LOL!
You are quite the psychologist!
Every time Dave comes here, I am reminded of Brad Paisley’s song Online.
I picture him on a Mac in his mom’s basement. LOL!
Badger40 on February 8, 2010 at 2:31 PM
Our “house is on fire” and you find it hilarious. Nice neighbor. Pud.
jamie gumm on February 8, 2010 at 2:29 PM
—–
No. I said you were hilarious.
Dave Rywall on February 8, 2010 at 2:32 PM
This one is especially rich, considering his response to the audacious idea of CUTTING GOVERNMENT SPENDING and this and all…
NTWR on February 8, 2010 at 2:32 PM
You’ll quote me, but you won’t answer my question: WHY ARE YOU HERE if you are a Canadian?!
Our politics are none of your business.
Whine at home.
Americans don’t like being told what to do bcs many of us have the cajones to do for ourselves on our OWN-not getting help from the GOVT.
Badger40 on February 8, 2010 at 2:33 PM
What I need Barry to tell me is how I can get a sweet deal on a home loan like he got from Tony Rezko.
NoDonkey on February 8, 2010 at 2:34 PM
Do not imagine for a moment that leadership is a pleasure. On the contrary, it is a deep and heavy responsibility. No one believes more firmly than Dear Leader Barack Obama that America’s ordinary citizens should have freedom and liberty. He would be only too happy to let them have the freedom to do what they think is best for themselves and their families, but sometimes America’s citizens might spend too much or not spend enough or drive the wrong vehicles or eat the wrong foods or go to the wrong doctors or watch the wrong television programs or listen to the wrong radio programs or read the wrong blogs or take their vacations in the wrong place, and then where would we be?
Cheshire Cat on February 8, 2010 at 2:35 PM
You people are hilarious.
Your house is on fire and you’re upset that Obama is telling you you should call the fire department.
Dave Rywall on February 8, 2010 at 2:27 PM
___________________
And all is well in the Democrat caucus.
uknowmorethanme on February 8, 2010 at 2:35 PM
Do not attempt to adjust your computer. This is a service message from your Nanny in Chief. We will return control back over to Hot Air at the end of this message. If you have any credible questions, ask Dave Rywall for enlightenment. (annoying buzzing sound in the background)
/
Rovin on February 8, 2010 at 2:35 PM
The guberment’s biggest tool for enforcing their nanny state utopia upon us is the tax code. The latest idea is to reward “good” businesses with a new tax code status that allows them to pay less taxes in order for them to do “good”. What good might that be? Whatever the government deems it to be. In other words, normal businesses pay more taxes so that companies who can’t compete in the real world can get tax breaks.
If you want to put people back in control of their own lives, abolish the federal tax code and replace it with one that can not be manipulated by the power brokers in D.C.
ClanDerson on February 8, 2010 at 2:35 PM
You’ll quote me, but you won’t answer my question: WHY ARE YOU HERE if you are a Canadian?!
Our politics are none of your business.
Whine at home.
Americans don’t like being told what to do bcs many of us have the cajones to do for ourselves on our OWN-not getting help from the GOVT.
Badger40 on February 8, 2010 at 2:33 PM
——
Yes, so your current efforts to get rid of FEMA includes what?
Dave Rywall on February 8, 2010 at 2:35 PM
Dave, I’m interested to read your answer too. Please.
capejasmine on February 8, 2010 at 2:35 PM
You’re nothing, Dave. Somebody in a cubicle in Ottawa can take complete credit for your every accomplishment in life. You’re a program statistic, not a man.
DrSteve on February 8, 2010 at 2:36 PM
Well now. If my house were on fire and someone were outside helping themselves to my zinnias while yelling at me that I should be calling the fire dept — you’re da** right I’d be upset.
Obama is the kind of person who “lays heavy burdens (i.e. future debts and taxes) on others without lifting a finger to help lighten them.”
Why, that’s exactly right! I do not need to be told what to do.
Am certainly open to hearing good advice. What I am NOT open to is good advice from someone who clearly doesn’t take it himself. Let’s review, shall we? (continued)
inviolet on February 8, 2010 at 2:36 PM
And people like a leader, someone who can in times of crisis bring the population together. It was an idea, not a command. You, being smart as you think yourself, should know the difference.
Recall, too, I agreed with you suggestions were fine, like buying American. I also told you, which you should have understood, that the source has no real credibility for the reasons I stated. Now, I know you, being so smart and all, will say the same about the GOP but I also said I have no love for them, either.
Under Obowmao and the Dems as a whole, they cast things as orders, then enact laws to make their wishes reality. Come to NYC and see if you can get fois gras (sic) at a restaurant. You can’t, because it’s outlawed by the Dem mayor!
As for our house being on fire: Obowmao isn’t the only one who can be a hero for the rest of us; he’s not the final solution.
Liam on February 8, 2010 at 2:37 PM
I’m calling the fire department to tell them about the arsonist who torched our house.
I’ll describe him as a thin, well-dressed, articulate and clean African-American with no trace of a negro dialect.
NoDonkey on February 8, 2010 at 2:37 PM
Here’s what we Americans, in the voice of Sam Adams, said to the loyalist Tories, (future Canadian): “If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.”
You were pwned centuries ago.
jamie gumm on February 8, 2010 at 2:40 PM
Dodger.
This response has WHAT to do with my question?
We do not care what you think about our politics.
Whatever mess there is is OUR mess-not yours.
I never mentioned FEMA, or any effort to get rid of FEMA.
That has nothing to do with what I said.
You would make a good politician-you spew moronic rhetoric & never answer a question.
Badger40 on February 8, 2010 at 2:41 PM
This thread has too much Canadian shut-in.
Go troll the Readers Digest boards…your act is getting real old.
Asher on February 8, 2010 at 2:41 PM
No Dave. Our house is blazing and Obama is telling us to use an eyedropper to put it out, because he has the fire department on retainer for his own “house”
coak11 on February 8, 2010 at 2:41 PM
Here is the good that will come…Obama will be out in three years, and we can look forward to a Conservative President to follow him, like Reagan followed Carter.
Kevin71 on February 8, 2010 at 2:42 PM
So sweet & beuatiful.
My sentiments EXACTLY.
We have a whining Tory on our hands.
Sore loser.
And as my genealogy experiences remind me: Canada is full of the decendants of former Tories.
Badger40 on February 8, 2010 at 2:42 PM
Speaking of “other people’s houses” Dave, how’s your Canadian health care system working out?
Rovin on February 8, 2010 at 2:42 PM
Dave:
Seriously, you keep insulting everyone here, but you have never answered my question about why you bother voicing your opinions on our politics.
WHY ARE YOU HERE!?
Are you really an illegal alien trying to subvert our political process in order to get your vote counted so you can come here for your healthcare?
Isn’t your Canadian system enough for you?
Why do you think we really care about what you think of our politics?
It is our fight-not yours.
You want freedom?
Fight for it in your own country.
LEave us alone.
Badger40 on February 8, 2010 at 2:29 PM
Dave, I’m interested to read your answer too. Please.
capejasmine on February 8, 2010 at 2:35 PM
——-
The rest of us outside your country suffer when you fu*k things up.
That is why the world is so critical of/ informed about things happening there.
This site is an amazing example of people with tight party blinders.
Zero objectivity. Close mindeness. Stubbornness.
If it’s from the other side of the aisle, it’s always wrong.
If it’s from your side of the aisle, it’s right 99% of the time.
You have a ridiculous 2 party system of government.
You applaud your own party’s obstructionism but sh*t on Dems who did the same thing to Bush.
I’m just pointing out your bullsh*t and the mountains you make out of molehills.
Dave Rywall on February 8, 2010 at 2:42 PM
Are we ever gonna do it?
Maybe we should go ahead and do it
Go ahead?
Feel the heat, pushing us to decide
Feel the heat, burning us up, ready or not
Some like it hot and some sweat
When the heat is on
Some feel the heat and decide that
They can´t go on
Some like it hot, but you can´t tell how hot
Til you try
Some like it hot, so let´s turn up the heat
Til Obama and Pelosi and Reid and their Nanny State plans all fry!
Some like it hot
MB4 on February 8, 2010 at 2:44 PM
“We can’t drive our SUVs and, you know, eat as much as we want and keep our homes on, you know, 72 degrees at all times whether we’re living in a desert or we’re living in the tundra and then just expect that every other country’s going to say, ‘Okay.’” – Barack Obama
“And Barack Obama will require you to work. He is going to demand that you shed your cynicism, that you put down your division, that you come out of your isolation, that you move out of your comfort zones, that you push yourselves to be better and that you engage. Barack will never allow you to go back to your lives as usual.” – Michelle Obama
Django on February 8, 2010 at 2:44 PM
Breaking! Fox is reporting John Murtha has passed away.
Sincere condolences to the Murtha Family.
Rovin on February 8, 2010 at 2:44 PM
(continued)
This man keeps the Oval Office at a temperature “hot enough to grow orchids” according to his own staff “because he’s from Hawaii and needs it warm” and he’s lecturing us on our temp habits? This man serves Waygu (did I spell it right? I’ve certainly never tasted it) beef and other expensive foods and builds superexpensive “unprecedented” tents for his massive state dinners when he has a dining room a few feet away, and spends millions on “date night” while telling us how and how not to spend our money. While he’s out spending our money.
I don’t give a s*** about Las Vegas – have never even been there. I don’t take vacations out of state because I can’t afford them – too busy keeping myself in savings, paying my way through grad school w/ no debt. And this hypocrite poseur is going to lecture ME about thrift and using money well?
He can go f*** himself, and so can anyone else who tells me I NEED him or anyone else how to use my freedom. That’s pretty much how I feel about that. Yes, I’m pretty pissed in case you haven’t guessed. Take your nanny talk somewhere else.
inviolet on February 8, 2010 at 2:44 PM
-cautioning them not to max out their credit cards.
HORRIBLE ADVICE
Dave Rywall on February 8, 2010 at 1:49 PM
______________
It’s not horrible advice, it’s the person who has max-ed out the USA’s credit cards and then upped the limit 3 times lecturing us about managing money that’s horrible.
uknowmorethanme on February 8, 2010 at 2:44 PM
Wrong on every count. And hypocritical besides.
I think it’s adorable when you stand on your hind legs like that, though.
DrSteve on February 8, 2010 at 2:45 PM
John Murtha.
Buh-bye.
justltl on February 8, 2010 at 2:46 PM
Dave Rywall on February 8, 2010 at 2:42 PM
If you don’t like us and our country, go away. Puhleeze.
kingsjester on February 8, 2010 at 2:46 PM
Your house is on fire and you’re upset that Obama is telling you you should call the fire department.
Dave Rywall on February 8, 2010 at 2:27 PM
Why would the arsonist tell me to call the fire department?
I’m calling the police department and telling them to put an APB out on an articulate, clean Indonesian with no apparent negro dialect.
NoDonkey on February 8, 2010 at 2:46 PM
I will just translate your response as:
My country is weak & inconsequential in world affairs, blah blah blah, I am jealous, blah blah blah.
If you are so concerned that our country has too much influence in what happens to yours, then make a difference in your own country so that you guys can survive on your own without us.
What a whiner.
Badger40 on February 8, 2010 at 2:46 PM
Wrong on every count. And hypocritical besides.
I think it’s adorable when you stand on your hind legs like that, though.
DrSteve on February 8, 2010 at 2:45 PM
—–
I have a very clear track record of agreeing with Hotair on what you would consider a surprising number of things. Bye bye now.
Dave Rywall on February 8, 2010 at 2:47 PM
Your house is on fire and you’re upset that Obama is telling you you should call the fire department.
Dave Rywall on February 8, 2010 at 2:27 PM
Why would the arsonist tell me to call the fire department?
I’m calling the police department and telling them to put an APB out on an articulate, clean Indonesian with no apparent ebonic dialect.
NoDonkey on February 8, 2010 at 2:47 PM
The linebacker warned us.
notagool on February 8, 2010 at 2:47 PM
Oh, man, that’s awful, if true. Condolences to his family.
DrSteve on February 8, 2010 at 2:47 PM
I will just translate your response as:
My country is weak & inconsequential in world affairs, blah blah blah, I am jealous, blah blah blah.
If you are so concerned that our country has too much influence in what happens to yours, then make a difference in your own country so that you guys can survive on your own without us.
What a whiner.
Badger40 on February 8, 2010 at 2:46 PM
——
Jealous? Uh, no. But a typical response.
Now how about you explain how you don’t have party blinders on.
Dave Rywall on February 8, 2010 at 2:48 PM
Have you two met?
DrSteve on February 8, 2010 at 2:49 PM
Uhhh, Hello! That was my point. Why does Obama feel the need to tell us what to do all the time it is expected that we should able to figure it out on our own.
One minute you are saying there is nothing wrong with Obama telling us how to live our lives, the next minute you are saying we should be expected to figure it out on our own. Which is it?
I hope you streched out before you came into this thread…it looks like you are about to pull a muscle with all that contortion.
Joe Caps on February 8, 2010 at 2:49 PM
I have a very clear track record of agreeing with Hotair on what you would consider a surprising number of things. Bye bye now.
Dave Rywall on February 8, 2010 at 2:47 PM
Translation: I’m getting the Palin Steele kicked out of me. I’m running away now and will declare victory to myself.
kingsjester on February 8, 2010 at 2:50 PM
No, Drywalls, you are pointing out your own ignorance. Not having any experience with being an American, you are confused. We run the show here, not you and not Barack Obama or George Bush. We decide who gets to act as leader. They must act in our best interests, and we don’t care if those are your best interests or not.
You have your own country, and apparently it’s been perfected, because you are now trying to fix ours. You will change no minds here, not becase we are stupid and stubborn, but because we are free. We make up our own minds, you don’t. Don’t mistake your own government and culture’s predilection for being passive followers of the State as nuanced and experienced behavior. It is what we strive and fight NOT to become. You are too surrounded by it to see it as the invasion it is…you see it as the natural norm. We don’t.
jamie gumm on February 8, 2010 at 2:50 PM
Hey Rywall, why don’t you run along and stiff some waitress at a Tim Hortens out of her tip?
Aviator on February 8, 2010 at 2:51 PM
Then back us, we Americans who want less government that we can be free to innovate and prosper, as individuals. You strain out gnats but let through camels.
Our concept is of the individual, leaving him/her room to prosper. Government is never a solution. If the rest of the world prospers because of us, note how much harm has been caused as Washington became more intrusive, more controlling. Do you see a connection?
We, on this site for example, want liberty spread across the world, to everyone out there. I want to see you, personally, as wealthy as I want to be. And if you gain more than me, I won’t be going to government with tears in my eyes to take from what you earned by the sweat of your brow so I can have a five-meter TV.
See the difference, see what we here are about? When the train comes in, everybody rides. And we here on HA want everyone on Earth to hold a ticket.
Liam on February 8, 2010 at 2:51 PM
Cute video!
Yea, has the guy ever spent an entire day in his office?
scalleywag on February 8, 2010 at 2:51 PM
Yeah. That Bill Clinton guy even spent evenings in the office too.
Aviator on February 8, 2010 at 2:55 PM
Sincere condolences also to any and all those who may have paid him bribe money for any contracts that have not yet been awarded.
KentAllard on February 8, 2010 at 2:55 PM
ABC confirming Murtha has died. A terrible loss to his family and constituency.
DrSteve on February 8, 2010 at 2:57 PM
If you study leftism in power, and look at the personality types who become leaders on the left, you arrive at the point of nannyism rather quickly, and of course realize that this can never be the end point. The end point is total control over your life. There can be no voluntary compromise on this point to a leftist, only a compromise compelled by the unfortunate rules of democracy and rights of the individual. But this only forestalls the quest for absolute control. No true leftist would ever willingly stop short of total control. This is the holy grail of the Left, and as long as one individual somewhere demands his own individuality and dissent from his collectivist genius-masters and their sacraments of the State, leftists do not rest easy and cannot be happy.
rrpjr on February 8, 2010 at 2:58 PM
back to Dr. Bambi: hey, Precedent, I’m doing all those things you suggest (though i try to shop as little as possible so as to save money).
so, is your cousin Pookie doing all that you say? when does he find time between crack deals?
kelley in virginia on February 8, 2010 at 2:58 PM
I hope for his sake he is judged as a Marine and not a Congressman.
jamie gumm on February 8, 2010 at 2:58 PM
Good one.
29Victor on February 8, 2010 at 2:58 PM
Condolences to the Murthas. My God hold you up at this saddest of times for your family.
Liam on February 8, 2010 at 2:59 PM
Please ignore Rywall. He has claimed to be a Canadian legislator and USN veteran. Both proven untrue. It has serious mental problems.
arnold ziffel on February 8, 2010 at 3:00 PM
Folks, don’t feed the trolls.
Just let Mr. Drywall fester in his own impotence.
Pablo Snooze on February 8, 2010 at 3:01 PM
Then back us, we Americans who want less government that we can be free to innovate and prosper, as individuals. You strain out gnats but let through camels.
Our concept is of the individual, leaving him/her room to prosper. Government is never a solution. If the rest of the world prospers because of us, note how much harm has been caused as Washington became more intrusive, more controlling. Do you see a connection?
We, on this site for example, want liberty spread across the world, to everyone out there. I want to see you, personally, as wealthy as I want to be. And if you gain more than me, I won’t be going to government with tears in my eyes to take from what you earned by the sweat of your brow so I can have a five-meter TV.
See the difference, see what we here are about? When the train comes in, everybody rides. And we here on HA want everyone on Earth to hold a ticket.
Liam on February 8, 2010 at 2:51 PM
——
Your country’s too big. You will never eliminate enough bureaucracy to your liking. Never. This crybabying about the size of gov’t is conspicuously muted when your party is in power. Why is that? How come you don’t hold them responsible for not downsizing government when they’re the ones holding the conch?
Your side gets outraged at microscopic increase to taxes for the wealthiest people in your country even though with an increase they’re still paying double digits less than they did 20 years ago under Reagan. Meanwhile the middle class that does all the work continues to struggle.
Both sides keep picking the wrong battle to fight and b.itch about. Nobody has their sh*t together. And that will never ever change.
Dave Rywall on February 8, 2010 at 3:02 PM
Maybe that’s why he left in a huff, which I never before saw him do. Unless…He was seeing how correct are Conservative thought and opinion.
Liam on February 8, 2010 at 3:03 PM
Dave Rywall on February 8, 2010 at 3:02 PM
Envy is an ugly thing.
kingsjester on February 8, 2010 at 3:05 PM
I’m registered “no party,” and in many ways I think George W. Bush was a terrible President. Plenty of people here complained about the growth of government under 43.
Talk about blinders.
Go decompensate somewhere else.
DrSteve on February 8, 2010 at 3:08 PM
Dave, you don’t have the conch. STFU.
jamie gumm on February 8, 2010 at 3:08 PM
Am I the only one who feels like if leftists didn’t know who MKH was, and they saw that video, they wouldn’t view it as mocking satire… Instead they’d get hopey changey thrills up their legs about just how awesome Obama’s totalitarian socialist America will be? Come on, you all know liberals who are dumb enough to think this song is a great anthem rather than a dig at The One.
RightWinged on February 8, 2010 at 3:10 PM
You people are hilarious.
Your house is on fire and you’re upset that Obama is telling you you should call the fire department.
Dave Rywall on February 8, 2010 at 2:27 PM
I think it’s Obama’s house that is on fire.
He just keeps on fiddling.
elclynn on February 8, 2010 at 3:17 PM
First up, I’m not a Republican. That Party hasn’t stood for me in twenty years; they’re Democrat Lite far as I’m concerned. The number of people who think like I do is growing.
As for us being ‘too big’, Canada is larger. So doesn’t always make a difference, you know! LOL
The tax system is BS, and many want a flat rate. Many hate the notion of punishing achievement. After all, the poor never gave another person a lasting job. Only the rich can do that.
As for the middle class supporting the wealthy, the lowest 20% of wage-earners pay NO taxes. The middle class is supporting the ‘poor’ more than it’s covering the collective ass of the rich. BTW, and you can check the IRS own figures, the top 5% of wage earners pay about 80% of the income taxes.
Tack in–which you might not know–sales taxes, gasoline taxes, cigarettes taxes, use taxes, and all else which are totally regressive. They hit the poor and middle class hardest.
Here in NY, there’s a $3.25 tax on a pack of smokes. Then, on top of it, there’s an 8.5% sales tax–a double-whammy.
Before you say tobacco is such a cost, I’ll ask if maybe we shouldn’t just outlaw the stuff like we do pot. That should solve that whole health thing.
We don’t believe that nothing will ever change. We don’t roll over, play dead, and accept the status quo. That’s the dynamic of our Constitution, which is what people like me and others here are trying to keep.
We CAN shrink the expenses. We CAN make changes.
In my lifetime, I’ve gone from seeing black men step into the gutter when my mom and me passed him on the sidewalk, to me meeting another black man at the same lunch counter at the same time for burgers and a beer.
Change can’t be done, you say?
We say otherwise, because we’ve done it in the past and can do it again. Yes, we can!
Liam on February 8, 2010 at 3:18 PM
He’s not fiddling… He’s pouring gasoline on it. The worst part? He’s filled containers marked “water” with gasoline to fool people, but he’s fully aware of the contents.
RightWinged on February 8, 2010 at 3:18 PM
Your country’s too big. You will never eliminate enough bureaucracy to your liking. Never. This crybabying about the size of gov’t is conspicuously muted when your party is in power. Why is that? How come you don’t hold them responsible for not downsizing government when they’re the ones holding the conch?
Your side gets outraged at microscopic increase to taxes for the wealthiest people in your country even though with an increase they’re still paying double digits less than they did 20 years ago under Reagan. Meanwhile the middle class that does all the work continues to struggle.
Both sides keep picking the wrong battle to fight and b.itch about. Nobody has their sh*t together. And that will never ever change.
Dave Rywall on February 8, 2010 at 3:02 PM
You’re right, It is OUR country.
elclynn on February 8, 2010 at 3:20 PM
I hope you are not taking the name of the conch in vain :o)
Key West Reader on February 8, 2010 at 3:23 PM
Odds are, the Canuck probably drifted here when Ed started posting on Canadian politics.
Chris_Balsz on February 8, 2010 at 3:23 PM
Dave Rywall on February 8, 2010 at 3:02 PM
You do realize that no one here has the power to change anything that the federal government does, don’t you?
Even Senators and Congressmen don’t, individually.
So you can take your tired, boring little lecture somewhere else, no one is interested in it.
NoDonkey on February 8, 2010 at 3:30 PM
Naw, Key West…STFU = Silly Tories Forever Underwhelm
jamie gumm on February 8, 2010 at 3:30 PM
That’s as clear a statement of Marxism as ever I saw one. Yes, we spent bazillions of our own dollars to build a military which not only gets called on by the likes of you ‘outsiders’ when bullies come calling, but it also goes in to areas devastated by natural disasters, at a huge expense over an above what everyday Americans dig into their pockets to donate to relief efforts.
Our medical system is lightyears ahead of all other ‘outsider’ socialistic systems. National health care programs like yours have negotiated with health equipment and pharmaceutical companies to get the lowest costs, which provide those companies with barely enough to pay for the actual costs of producing the products/drugs. And that left it up to those companies to come here, to Americans, to demand inflated and outrageous costs for the same thing, because frankly, they need that extra profit to fund the actual research and development of more effect equipment and drugs which they then turn around and sell to you at bargain basement rates.
The fact is that when you ‘outsiders’ start pulling your own weight and share in the costs of these clearly necessary things, then perhaps Americans might find motivation to stop being so darned independent when it comes to matters and issues that impact all of us worldwide so dramatically. When we are able to stop carrying the lions share of the cost of catastrophic and even medically necessary burdens, perhaps we’ll be more open to your advice about how we should spend our own money, not to mention how we should run our own country via political venues.
KendraWilder on February 8, 2010 at 3:38 PM
I think he’s got a point. Those who voted for the other guy, however….
James on February 8, 2010 at 3:39 PM
Jimmuh!
ya2daup on February 8, 2010 at 3:40 PM
Related parody: Obama Announces National Snooze Button Policy http://optoons.blogspot.com/2010/02/obama-announces-national-snooze-button.html
Mervis Winter on February 8, 2010 at 3:50 PM
Who ever coined that scold term… I saw it in a headline and used it right away. It is the perfect perfect description. Everytime he talks about anything he is scolding! What a nag.
petunia on February 8, 2010 at 3:52 PM
KendraWilder on February 8, 2010 at 3:38 PM
Wow! That was amazing!
petunia on February 8, 2010 at 3:53 PM
I was just in an office for an appointment and they had a Time magazine from Sept. 2009 and a poll showed (then) that in a choice of whether those who asked felt that they could make responsible purchase choices or wanted the government to guide them, guess which had the majority? The majority of people wanted the government to help them make their choices. I would love to see that one taken now.
Cindy Munford on February 8, 2010 at 3:55 PM
What business is it of his how I wear my socks?
And yes, Obama’s gives bad “advice” especially when it comes with the power of a majority of congress and the IRS behind it.
petunia on February 8, 2010 at 3:58 PM
Almost too true to be a parody – sounds exactly like the Scold-In-Chief. LOL
Only way it could be better is if he left after the speech for his own afternoon siesta.
inviolet on February 8, 2010 at 4:01 PM
Okay where can I get one of those Obama’s for my shoulder?
petunia on February 8, 2010 at 4:03 PM
And then he goes and smokes a pack of cigarettes….
albill on February 8, 2010 at 4:20 PM
Unfettered paternalism. FU Barry!
daesleeper on February 8, 2010 at 4:23 PM
Normal parents can’t wait for their grown children to get out on their own, to later serve only for a source of wisdom and support, while Barry and his Dems want to keep us under their roof and thumb, on their plantation.
Liam on February 8, 2010 at 4:35 PM
Goodadvice? Probably, but he is the POTUS, not my mother. Stick torunningruining the country, not my life.kam582 on February 8, 2010 at 2:00 PM
FIFY
annoyinglittletwerp on February 8, 2010 at 4:48 PM
its not that liberals dont know anything they just know so much that isnt so.who said that dave.
lees on February 8, 2010 at 4:50 PM
didnt think you would know that.heres a clue it was said by a real american.
lees on February 8, 2010 at 4:53 PM
RYWALL=CLUELESS
lees on February 8, 2010 at 4:55 PM
Does Obama still sneak smokes in the Rose Garden? Someone should be nagging him to quit.
Mallard T. Drake on February 8, 2010 at 5:03 PM
This is all absolutely expected behavior. This is the way consistent Progressives are, as far back as Dewey. Finger wagging is the only thing they can do, because their philosophy is completely impractical. It demonstrates clearly how absurd it is that people think pragmatism has anything whatsoever to offer as a guide to or method for achieving values in the real world.
JDPerren on February 8, 2010 at 5:12 PM
The anger is in large part because, rather than grab a firehose, Obama has knowingly (or via willful ignorance, with him it’s hard to know which) grabbed the hose labeled “high octane gasoline” and is spraying it in every direction, while stuffing his ears against the professional firemen’s advice.
JDPerren on February 8, 2010 at 5:18 PM
Damn, here I thought drywall was leaving. But you can’t keep your stupid mouth shut, can ya, Davey?
Hey a$$hole, I am a US citizen who has dual citizenship (US/NZ) and currently lives in Australia (I am about to get permanent residency here in Oz). I think from my travels over the years that I appreciate much more than you the role US politics has in world affairs. Yet you never see me whining about it.
Wonder why?
Oh, that’s right, it’s because I am a US citizen and I get to vote in US elections.
When you get the privilege to vote in the US, drywall, only then can you rightfully have a say in US politics.
Until then, f*ck off already, idiot…
Wanderlust on February 8, 2010 at 5:30 PM
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