Barack Obama is back on the campaign trail...and it increasingly seems like a trail which has wandered a long, long way from what most people would call "reality."
Adding to previous economic pronouncements like "The private sector is doing fine," "If you've got a business, you didn't build that," and nightmarish jobless numbers are "a step in the right direction," Mr. Obama slid further into the Twilight Zone on Monday when he told supporters that tax cuts and spending cuts were a failed plan tried by previous presidents, but then "we tried our plan - and it worked!"
But, in the words of Obama's dear Native American friend Dr. Joe Medicine Crow, "How!?"
Jobs are in the toilet, consumer confidence is shot to hell, manufacturing is down, our debt and deficit are wildly out of control, homes are being foreclosed on, the cost of Obamacare has already tripled from original estimates, food stamp use is epidemic, and a new study suggests that under this president poverty has increased to levels not seen in half a century.
But supposedly counterbalancing ALL of this heartache - and proving that his economic master plan has worked - Obama says "I refused to turn my back on a great industry and American workers - and three years later, the American auto industry has come roaring back!"
Only it really hasn't. Tens of thousands of jobs were lost when Obama closed down General Motors dealerships. The much touted (and somewhat flammable) Chevy Volt is still costing taxpayers approximately $250,000 per car. And the government-owned General Motors stock (purchased with taxpayer dollars) is now worth $23 billion less than we paid for it.
That's not a "roaring success" - it's the world's most expensive, taxpayer-funded, campaign prop.
All of which goes to show that when Barack Obama talks about our economy and the way his plan has "worked," he's describing a fantasy world which isn't even remotely connected to the one the rest of us live in. Which is decidedly unsettling.
But at least he's not doing anything dangerously crazy, like...oh...thumbing through a stack of pictures of people he hates and deciding which ones to kill.
Oh wait - he does do that to prove how manly he is!
And the reason we know, according to Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein, is because that classified information was leaked by some joker in the Whitehouse.
Sure, sure - the private sector is FINE! Now take your meds.
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32 comments:
I swear I just heard Mr. Duck saying, "quack, quack, quack!"
Well, to be fair, in Obama's world with lavender skies, gumdrop houses and lollipop trees his plan IS working perfectly. I especially like the cars in that world that operate cleanly on unicorn hairs and positive thinking. Now THAT's progress!
How sad for the rest of us that have to provide for our families in the real world that we can't transition between both worlds as easily as he.
He has no reason to believe that the same BS he has dished since 2008 won't continue to be gobbled greedily by the media that created him. His state of denial about the reality of the past 3-1/2 years is what makes me wonder about his mental state. Although all his past actions could be labeled "crazy" by our standards, he has just been following the socialist, hate-America playbook and by that measure you could truly say he's been rational - or at least consistent. That he is doubling down on his obvious failures is further evidence of a narcissistic personality disorder that refuses to accept responsibility or acknowledge the reality of the moment. His creators/stooges in the media feed this disorder and are helping to drive him to even wilder claims and fantasies.
In the end, "insanity" may be like "pornography"; difficult to describe but you know it when you see it.
@ AHD
I know you've deceived me, now here's a surprise
I know that you have 'cause there's magic in my eyes
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles
Oh yeah
If you think that I don't know about the little tricks you play
And never see you when deliberately you put things in my way
Well, here's a poke at you
You're gonna choke on it too
You're gonna lose that smile
Because all the while
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles
Oh yeah
Who you quoting there Ricky?
(sorry, couldn't resist)
See also -
"Meet the new boss, same as the old boss"
Agreed, the problem is NOT that he spouts this stuff, nor that people believe it, the problem is that he's CORRECT! His policies HAVE worked. Greater social polarization, much greater reliance on 'gummint freebies' (never mind that freebies ain't free) and NO accountability.
Worse than the people who are lapping up the words at full spin, are the ones who hear it at face value and are still all 'yeah, right on, you socialist brother'.
Tragic.
Fairly soon, we're going to separate the makers from the takers, and the takers ain't gonna be too happy about it..
Sunnovapitch gussed miserable posting comment **$%@@%&$(#* system...
It's relatively easy and effective to convince people that things are worse than they actually are, because even though you might be doing okay, you could always be doing better, and for all you know, there might be people elsewhere doing much worse. This was the media narrative from 2003-2008.
Of course, then in 2008 the Democrats finally got their wish and the *$#@ hit the fan and people actually were worse off; the only way a nation like ours could/would elect a total unknown yet obvious socialist like Obama.
But now the problem for the Democrats is that it's not possible to sell the alternative false reality that everyone is really better off, because unlike before, everyone is either directly experiencing the effects, and/or knows others who are. Rainbow-farting unicorns are little interest when your net worth is less than it was 4 years ago and your dollars are disappearing even though they swear that inflation isn't a factor. (On a percentage basis, not many people got hundreds-of-millions to start phony green companies)
I almost have to feel sorry for Obama. I mean, exactly what is he supposed to run on? "Yeah, we suck. Give us 4 more years. We'll get it right this time. Really"? All they've got is trying to convince people that it's not all that bad, and that Romney will be even worse.
@AHD, I don't think Obama is in any state of denial. He knows what he's doing. The only people in a state of denial are the diminishing number of faithful who continue to cling to the idea of him, because the alternative of self-sufficiency is just to scary to contemplate.
@Velcro- That's how it starts.
@RandyS- Even if we wanted to, we conservatives could never live in Obama's magic fantasyland. After all, we're the Blue Meanies in that particular Pepperland.
@Angry Hoosier Dad- I agree with your analysis. I think most of Barry's posturing is calculated and purely political - but I also believe that he has that narcissistic personality disorder that you mentioned (and all that goes with it).
@Tricky Ricky- Nice song quote. I'm definitely pulling that up on iTunes this morning.
@Pete(Detroit)- I think I'll play the song YOU mentioned, too. And there's no question in my mind that you're correct about Obama's policies working. I think they're doing exactly what he wants them to.
@John the Econ- It is hard for Obama to run on his record, but sadly there are still plenty of people who are willing to believe that his record has been great if he just claims that it was. I can't tell you how consistently I encounter liberals who explain away all of Obama's obvious failures by repeating the Democrat line that the president was handcuffed by an "obstructionist" Republican congress which wouldn't let him do anything. These people have literally no memory of two uninterrupted years of Democrat supermajority, during which Obama could pass anything he actually wanted to. And did.
I'm thinking of how Obama, a junior senator from Illinois, could have become President of the USA with no credentials to prove him worthy of such a lofty position - except the spinmeisters, that is. Then I think of Romney who has been running for President for the past six years. The differences are compelling. Romney had to know his background, finances, family life, etc. would all be questioned by the liberal media - that's all they have on him. So - his tax returns will be reflective of this as will all of his life. This man, who wasn't my original choice, is demonstrating real leadership. I'm hoping he doesn't show his tax returns - the media/President/hollywood/unions/ etc. will dissect it - piece by piece - until election day in Nov. When Obama reveals all of his background info, which is carefully sealed from everyone, then Romney may consider the same action.
Obama has said that things could be worse. And given the chance he'll make good on that statement.
He's getting it from all sides.
First, he says he's being taken out of context.
Then, he can't even tell us what his context is.
His Whitehouse is fingered by Feinstein for leaking intel, and now Feinstein is told to do a Cory Booker.
And, of course, the usual idiot race-baiting shills just compound the idiocy.
The stupid, it burns!
... and in China a billion people are told every day how wonderful their life is in the Greatest Socialist Country In The World - and they better believe it and repeat it or else.
Does Obibama-Kenyobi think he can just wave his hand and say "Conservatism isn't the change you are looking for - My Change is better" and the weak-minded droids will believe Him? Could work ...
@Daddy Dave -- so far, it seems to have worked. His Debti mind-trick convinced on all those dupes in 2008.
Alas and alack ... I am mightily depressed. Heard one of participants at the VFW conference talking about the Obama and Romney speeches. Talk about lavender skies and lollipops ... the lady sergeant says Romney just sounded like a cheerleader ... but Obama, "who I didn't vote for last time" ... really made me realize how much better things are now, and after seeing them "straight up" ...she's going to vote for Obama.
I wonder what alternate univers the sergeant was transported to when Obama was speaking? Are they piping mind numbing drugs in through the ventilation system to create appropriately docile sheep?
Gloom, Despair, and Agony on me!
Sometimes I think I'm living in some kind of alternate universe where people believe everything they hear from "the god of this land." Are people really going to wake up and quit taking everything this joker says as gospel truth? Of course, with the media on his side, people will believe the moon is made of green cheese if obama says so. I fear for everyone who lives in that universe.
@Irene Peduto- Romney's tax records have already been vetted...every single one of them. Because all were submitted to the IRS, and were subject to inspection, audits, computerized analysis, and every other tool available to that multi-billion dollar agency which makes a priority of finding every possible taxable dollar.
Are we supposed to believe that Obama's campaign flacks would make a more thorough or less partisan inspection of those records?
Frankly, I'd like to see Romney use this logic, and every time he's asked about his tax records counter with "why do you feel so strongly that the big government agency which reviewed my records is incompetent?"
@Goldenrod- Obama says "things could be worse" with the same eagerness that children say "Christmas is coming."
@Gang of One- Say, nice use of links! The depressing thing is that conservatives like us are almost drowning in these damning news stories, but people listening to the MSM don't even know the stories exist. I think of the recent example in which the Bamster declared Executive Privilege to hide whoever is responsible for "Fast & Furious," and the MSM networks had to explain what "Fast & Furious" was to their viewers in order to make sense of the assertion of Executive Privilege. The "Fast & Furious" story had simply never been reported to their viewers before that.
@Daddy Dave- Hey, if you'd been elected President of the United States solely on the basis of saying "Hope," "Change," and "Yes We Can," you'd be pretty confident that you can say any BS at all and get away with it.
@Gang of One- It's true. There are many, many liberals who still believe Obama has a halo and is doing a magnificent job.
@elcedar- There will be idiots who fall for Obama's line of crap again. It's unavoidable. But for what it's worth, the woman you mention was clearly already an idiot before she made up her mind for Obama. I can't and won't believe that anyone truly rational and informed would be swayed by anything he has to say.
Sometimes I think I'm living in some kind of alternate universe where people believe everything they hear from "the god of this land." Are people really going to wake up and quit taking everything this joker says as gospel truth? Of course, with the media on his side, people will believe the moon is made of green cheese if obama says so. I fear for everyone who lives in that universe.
@ Stilton:
Already been vetted...by the IRS.
Brilliant. He has to use this; it's just too damned good not to.
Sorry, guys. Fat fingers went off...prematurely.
Brewski - yah, that "p"s me off EVERY time...
Cookie "god of this land"
(Small (well, relatively) Cruncy Dinosaur) - I think we should call it - This Land
(Larger, Hungry Dinosaur) - *I* think we should call it "Your Grave!"
SCD - "Curse your sudden yet inevitable betrayal!"
(fighting ensues)
Sorry, but any time I hear 'this land' I have firefly flashbacks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znxFrgql5dc
(and yes, it's a Steg and a TRex, but Small Crunchy and Big Hungry are funnier)
I read over his entire speech to see the rest of the context.
I was struck by this quote:"...everything has to do with how do we help middle-class families, working people, strivers, doers -- how do we help them succeed? How do we make sure that their hard work pays off? That’s what I've been thinking about the entire time I've been President."
So he is saying the middle class can't succeed unless he "makes sure" and "helps" them. Does that mean the reason they're not doing so is that he hasn't had a chance to think enough about it? And if they'll just give him a second term he'll have a plan for sure? Or they're supposed to believe he's already helping them succeed?
Maybe he should stop thinking and leave off all the many ways in which he is undermining their success. Of course then they'd start succeeding and realize that it's him who's been stopping them. Or maybe, by the grace of God and the president's saying too much, they're finally figuring out that he is NOT the friend of the middle class.
As one of his employers, I demand a piss test and a 3 day psych evaluation.
And, if what I suspect is true, he should have shock therapy daily and a lobotomy. Rubber room is optional.
He is clearly a danger to others.
@Cookie- There are clearly a lot of people who believe everything Obama says, and who will hold lifelong grudges after he loses the election.
@My Dog Brewski- I don't know why Mitt isn't hammering this point already. Is it more important to have your tax returns reviewed by government authorities, or by political hacks? This shouldn't even be an issue.
@Pete(Detroit)- Nice clip!
@Anonymous- When you read Obama's remarks, it's clear redistribution of wealth. The successful DIDN'T get there with their brains or hard work. Other people have brains, and other people work - but they don't have the same success. And Obama intends to help them by giving them a "fair share" of the lucky guy's ill-gotten gain.
There is NO WAY to read his remarks and come up with any other interpretation.
@sablesgd- That piss test seems like a better idea every day.
More economic news due out this week. "Recovery Summer ]I[ , duh sequel continues unabated.
@John the Econ- If the economic news is bad for the umpteenth time in a row, will it still be "unexpected?"
"@Anonymous- When you read Obama's remarks, it's clear redistribution of wealth. The successful DIDN'T get there with their brains or hard work. Other people have brains, and other people work - but they don't have the same success. And Obama intends to help them by giving them a "fair share" of the lucky guy's ill-gotten gain."
Stilton--so apparently his praise of middle class hard work is not just lip service but part of the case for more interference. I get what you're saying: Even here he's introducing redistribution. Their hard work will never pay off without government as the mediator, measuring their effort, deciding what they deserve based on that and more mysterious factors, and handing them the appropriate amount of someone else's ill-gotten gain as compensation. Because reward can never be the inevitable result of hard work. The government always has to arrange it.
"more mysterious factors"
Like how much of your "loan guarantee" or 'grant' money you kick back to the Prez?
@Anonymous- Great summary; that's exactly what Obama is saying. Success is a matter of luck, which is unfair. So government will make success a matter of redistributionist policy to make it "fair."
@Pete(Detroit)- Granted, as "mysterious factors" go, these aren't very mysterious.
So, Barack Hussein wants to "redistribute" the lucky peoples' wealth? Why doesn't he start with the wealth of, say,the Kennedys? No, I'm sure that their wealth is somehow untouchable by being in offshore accounts or trusts or some other accounting-trick safety deposit box. As is the wealth of all the left-wing quasi-socialist people who got rich solely through accident of birth. Apparently, those who inherit their money (or marry into it) are to be permitted to keep their money, but those who actually earn it aren't? I don't get it. But then, I'm not a Demo_Rat, either...
Good observation @JustaJeepGuy. Do note that pretty much all of the Progressive redistributionist schemes attack "income", and not "wealth", which are two entirely different things.
Of course, I wouldn't advocate targeting wealth either. We'd become a very poor country very quickly.
But also note that wealth is being attacked in this country through inflation. I feel especially sorry for seniors today with the bulk of their savings in safe, no-interest-paying devices that after inflation have a negative rate of return. This isn't a problem so much for "the rich" who keep their wealth in appreciable assets.
I've always asserted that printing money to fund government spending (which is what "quantitative easing" is) is really a tax upon everyone. Ironically enough, it's a far fairer way to tax that most of our current income tax system in that nobody, rich or poor, escapes its wrath. But it's also ironic and appropriate that inflation attacks "poor" people who think they aren't paying taxes far more harshly than "rich" people, because the poor consumer >100% of their income whereas the rich do not.
"It's working ..."
Isn't that what the Democrat Robert MacNamara said about both the Edsel and the Vietnam war?
John the Econ:
Wealth is a funny word. When free-marketers talk about "wealth creation" we mean that there will more for everyone. Not trickle-down, a rather false metaphor that we didn't invent. Rather, increased productivity and investment which circulate around and around, or the rising tide that lifts all the boats.
However, the left has poisoned the word. When a lot of people hear the word "wealth" they think of it as a special, evil kind of money. So when we say "wealth creation" they assume we mean "more for the rich, who already have too much." This "wealth" is always ill-gotten, sits in bags doing nothing, and can only be spent on frivolous things which are not made by any workers earning paychecks or anything like that. So it has to be taken away from them purely on the basis of being offensive. The government apparently cleanses it in some manner and turns it back into ordinary people's money. Not sure where it goes from there to get reattached to productivity. Certainly not green energy or shovel-ready jobs!
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