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Texas Governor Rick Perry has released a new campaign ad on YouTube to help boost his slumping numbers in the 2012 GOP Primary Race. The ad targets the Christian Evangelical base of the Republican Party. Specifically, its intentions are to string a cord within the Christian Evangelical community and garner their support by conveying an extremely homophobic and highly theocratic message. Following embarrassing performances in several Republican debates, Perry's numbers have plummeted in the polls. Perry entered the race to become the GOP Presidential nominee on August 13, and he immediately became the front-runner in the polls. He held that spot for five weeks peaking with a 19 point lead over Mitt Romney on the 1st of September, but then his numbers began to steadily decline. Now he finds himself near the bottom of the candidates with only 5% support in the most recent Gallop Poll. Perry needed to act and act quickly in an attempt to re-energize his campaign and create enthusiasm and support from potential GOP primary voters. As one of several Evangelical Republican potential nominees, Perry's campaign needed to create some noise to separate himself from the rest of the group. Therefore, his campaign chose to draw a staunch line in the sand with the following message in his ad: "I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a Christian, but you don't need to be in the pew every Sunday to know there's something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military but our kids can't openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school.As President, I'll end Obama's war on religion. And I'll fight against liberal attacks on our religious heritage.Faith made America strong. It can make her strong again.I'm Rick Perry and I approve this message."Is such bigoted and theocratic language acceptable in America? Isn't America supposed to represent equality and justice before the law and equal opportunity for all to strive to achieve one's goals? And which Church liturgy would Perry like our public schools that are paid for by tax funds from ALL AMERICANS, including Muslims, Jews, Athiests, Hindus, and other faiths, to forcibly teach our children? Personally, I am an Orthodox Christian, and I don't want Protestant guided prayer to be taught to my children. In particular, I don't want Evangelical Christianity to be taught to my children whatsoever. However, this is besides the point and only an example of why even Christians don't all agree or want schools being involved with guiding our children's spiritual growth. America is a secular country, and has never been a theocracy. The Separation of Church and State is a fundamental underlying principle in our Constitution protecting individual liberties and freedoms. The Constitution grants Americans the right to choose what religion to follow, and whether to follow a religion at all. State institutions are barred by the Separation clause from favoring any religion, and this includes Christianity.In the year 2011 is such homophobic and discriminatory language still acceptable from a politician running for president? Yes, what Perry said is not just homophobic, but also discriminatory to gay and lesbian Americans. Singling out one group (gay/lesbian Americans wanting to serve in the military) and denying them the right to freely participate in any aspect of society that all others are permitted (all other Americans are permitted to serve) is the very definition of discrimination. Finally, is this what defines the fabric of Christian America? Is the evangelical message the message of American Christianity? It definitely is not for me, and I wish it did not define the voice of American Christianity. However, there is no counter Christian block in American politics to the Evangelicals. Unfortunately, those of us Christians that love and accept all people and judge them by the content of their character have no representation in US Christianity and Politics. We are too few and far apart. I obviously don't think Perry's anti-gay ad should be acceptable in America, but I do unfortunately believe his Evangelical Christianity is the American brand of Christianity. Of course, there are small pockets of Christians here and there that do not adopt the Evangelical message, but their voice is not a part of the political discourse that represents Christianity in US politics. Anyways, what do you think?Is Rick Perry's new anti-gay ad acceptable in America? Does this message define the fabric of Christian America?
"I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a Christian, but you don't need to be in the pew every Sunday to know there's something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military but our kids can't openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school.
As President, I'll end Obama's war on religion. And I'll fight against liberal attacks on our religious heritage.Faith made America strong. It can make her strong again.I'm Rick Perry and I approve this message."
Republican Presidential candidate Herman Cain has recently unveiled his 9-9-9 Tax Plan which calls for a 9% flat corporate tax, a 9% flat income tax, and a 9% flat federal sales tax. Cain's campaign website states the following about the plan:Phase OneOur current economic crisis calls for bold action to truly stimulate the economy and Renew America back to its greatness. The 9-9-9 Plan gets Washington D.C. out of the business of picking winners and losers, using the tax code to dole out favors, and dividing the country with class warfare. It is fair, simple, transparent and efficient. It taxes everything once and nothing twice. It taxes the broadest possible base at the lowest possible rates. It is neutral with respect to savings and consumption,capital and labor, imports and exports and whether companies pay dividends or retain earnings.9% Business Flat TaxGross income less all purchases from other U.S. located businesses, all capital investment, and net exports.Empowerment Zones will offer deductions for the payroll of those employed in the zone9% Individual Flat Tax.Gross income less charitable deductions.Empowerment Zones will offer additional deductions for those living and/or working in the zone.9% National Sales Tax.Unlike a state sales tax, which is an add-on tax that increases the price of goods and services, this is a replacement tax. It replaces taxes that are already embedded in selling prices. By replacing higher marginal rates in the production process with lower marginal rates, marginal production costs actually decline, which will lead to prices being the same or lower, not higher.Economic ImpactAccording to former Reagan Treasury official Gary Robbins, of Fiscal Associates, the 9-9-9 Plan will expand GDP by $2 trillion, create 6 million new jobs, increase business investment by one third, and increase wages by 10%.9-9-9 Plan: SummaryRemoves all payroll taxes and unites all tax payersProvides the least incentive to evade taxes and the fewest opportunities to do soLifts a $430 billion dead-weight burden on the economy due to compliance, enforcement, collection, etc…Is fair, simple, efficient, neutral, and transparentEnds nearly all deductions and special interest favorsFeatures zero tax on capital gains and repatriated profitsExports leave our shores without the Business Tax or the Sales Tax embedded in their cost, making them world class competitive. Imports are subject to the same taxation as domestically produced goods, leveling the playing field.Lowest marginal rates on productionKills the Death TaxAllows immediate expensing of business investmentsEliminates double taxation of dividendsIncreases capital formation which aids capital availability for small businessesIncreased capital per worker drives productivity and wage growthFeatures a platform to launch properly structured Empowerment Zones to renew our inner citiesThe pro-growth, pro-job, pro-export economic policies of the 9-9-9 PLAN equals a strong dollar policyPhase 2 – The Fair TaxAmidst a backdrop of the economic renewal created by the 9-9-9 Plan, I will begin the process of educating the American people on the benefits of continuing the next step to the Fair Tax.Ultimately replaces individual and corporate income taxesEnds the IRS as we know it and repeals the 16th AmendmentThe 9-9-9 tax plan replaces the current tax code. It eliminates the current individual income tax, corporate income tax, payroll tax, and estate and gift tax and places his three 9% tax proposals in their place. Analysis by the Tax Policy Center, an independent Washington think tank, says the tax plan will increase taxes on 84% of Americans, including creating huge tax increases on those making less than $50K a year, while cutting taxes for millionaires. However, Cain has refuted the study's finding. Perry Bacon Jr. of the Washington Post says "Cain has long rejected such criticisms, saying his plan includes 'opportunity zones,' which he formally discussed for the first time on Friday.Under Cain’s plan, the federal government would designate for exemption from the 9-9-9 plan special areas with high unemployment and poverty. In these areas, businesses could deduct their entire payroll from their income subject that would normally be subject to the business tax. People who live or work in these zones would also get tax benefits, although Cain did not detail them.And to address the criticism he is raising taxes on the poor, Cain would exempt people all over the country who are at or below the federal poverty line (about $22,000 for a family of four) from the tax on income.And while Cain said the opportunity zones would create jobs in cities across the country and help the poor, his proposals were so vague it would be difficult to measure their actual impact. Cain did not define the exact criteria under which these zones would be designated, how many would be created, how large they would be and how much taxes would be reduced in them for individuals who live or work inside them"What do you think? Is Herman Cain's 9-9-9 Tax Plan the answer for our economy?
Phase OneOur current economic crisis calls for bold action to truly stimulate the economy and Renew America back to its greatness. The 9-9-9 Plan gets Washington D.C. out of the business of picking winners and losers, using the tax code to dole out favors, and dividing the country with class warfare. It is fair, simple, transparent and efficient. It taxes everything once and nothing twice. It taxes the broadest possible base at the lowest possible rates. It is neutral with respect to savings and consumption,capital and labor, imports and exports and whether companies pay dividends or retain earnings.
9% Business Flat Tax
Gross income less all purchases from other U.S. located businesses, all capital investment, and net exports.Empowerment Zones will offer deductions for the payroll of those employed in the zone
Gross income less all purchases from other U.S. located businesses, all capital investment, and net exports.
Empowerment Zones will offer deductions for the payroll of those employed in the zone
9% Individual Flat Tax.
Gross income less charitable deductions.Empowerment Zones will offer additional deductions for those living and/or working in the zone.
Gross income less charitable deductions.
Empowerment Zones will offer additional deductions for those living and/or working in the zone.
9% National Sales Tax.
Unlike a state sales tax, which is an add-on tax that increases the price of goods and services, this is a replacement tax. It replaces taxes that are already embedded in selling prices. By replacing higher marginal rates in the production process with lower marginal rates, marginal production costs actually decline, which will lead to prices being the same or lower, not higher.
Economic Impact
According to former Reagan Treasury official Gary Robbins, of Fiscal Associates, the 9-9-9 Plan will expand GDP by $2 trillion, create 6 million new jobs, increase business investment by one third, and increase wages by 10%.
9-9-9 Plan: SummaryRemoves all payroll taxes and unites all tax payersProvides the least incentive to evade taxes and the fewest opportunities to do soLifts a $430 billion dead-weight burden on the economy due to compliance, enforcement, collection, etc…Is fair, simple, efficient, neutral, and transparentEnds nearly all deductions and special interest favorsFeatures zero tax on capital gains and repatriated profitsExports leave our shores without the Business Tax or the Sales Tax embedded in their cost, making them world class competitive. Imports are subject to the same taxation as domestically produced goods, leveling the playing field.Lowest marginal rates on productionKills the Death TaxAllows immediate expensing of business investmentsEliminates double taxation of dividendsIncreases capital formation which aids capital availability for small businessesIncreased capital per worker drives productivity and wage growthFeatures a platform to launch properly structured Empowerment Zones to renew our inner citiesThe pro-growth, pro-job, pro-export economic policies of the 9-9-9 PLAN equals a strong dollar policyPhase 2 – The Fair TaxAmidst a backdrop of the economic renewal created by the 9-9-9 Plan, I will begin the process of educating the American people on the benefits of continuing the next step to the Fair Tax.
Ultimately replaces individual and corporate income taxesEnds the IRS as we know it and repeals the 16th Amendment
Ultimately replaces individual and corporate income taxes
Ends the IRS as we know it and repeals the 16th Amendment
"Cain has long rejected such criticisms, saying his plan includes 'opportunity zones,' which he formally discussed for the first time on Friday.Under Cain’s plan, the federal government would designate for exemption from the 9-9-9 plan special areas with high unemployment and poverty. In these areas, businesses could deduct their entire payroll from their income subject that would normally be subject to the business tax. People who live or work in these zones would also get tax benefits, although Cain did not detail them.And to address the criticism he is raising taxes on the poor, Cain would exempt people all over the country who are at or below the federal poverty line (about $22,000 for a family of four) from the tax on income.And while Cain said the opportunity zones would create jobs in cities across the country and help the poor, his proposals were so vague it would be difficult to measure their actual impact. Cain did not define the exact criteria under which these zones would be designated, how many would be created, how large they would be and how much taxes would be reduced in them for individuals who live or work inside them"
There are three seats open
Hasan Abu Nimah wrote an article titled Why is it Open Season on Palestinians in US Presidential Race? for the Electronic Intifada recently. Nimah says "it seems that the Palestinians, or more precisely bashing and demonizing them, preoccupy a disproportionate amount of the candidates’ attention. Even more extraordinary is the fact that the Palestinians never sought to make Americans or the US their enemy nor did they do anything to harm the US." In many of the Republican Primary Debates, it appears as though the candidates are fighting over who can say the most racist and hateful things towards the Palestinians. Here are a following of the things each candidate has said:Newt Gingrich said the Palestinians are an "invented people." Mitt Romney claims they are taught terrorism and to hate Jews in their schools.Rich Santorum said "All the people who live in the West Bank are Israelis. There are no Palestinians. This is Israeli land"Michele Bachman believes Palestine should die so Israel can live.Rick Perry attempted to have all persons aboard the Palestinian Freedom Flotilla's arrested for terrorism.Ron Paul is the only candidate that hasn't said any racist and hateful comments towards Palestinians. Those are just examples of a few of the candidates comments. Look up some more and then decide, Which Republican Presidential Candidate hates the Palestinians more?
In the video, Rick Perry is speaking at Cornerstone Action's Annual Fundraising Dinner and Awards Gala in Manchester, New Hampshire, on October 28, 2011. Was he drunk?
On the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Ron Paul says Congresswoman Bachmann does not like Muslims. You can see his comments in the video provided above, and then her response. Also, there are more videos provided below. Watch them all and use the information you already know to decide, Was Ron Paul correct in saying Michele Bachmann hates Muslims?
In a Republican Primary Debate on Fox News, Congressman Ron Paul and Congresswoman Michele Bachmann exchanged words concerning whether the US should declare war on Iran. Listen to the exchange. Who do you agree with on Iran?
The first question of the night asked of the candidates was "What's your position on replacing the federal income tax with a federal sales tax?" After asking the general question to all the candidates, CNN's Anderson Cooper specifically asked Congresswoman Michele Bachmann why she believes Hermain Cain's 9-9-9 plan, which calls for a 9% sales tax, a 9% income tax, and 9% corporate tax, would destroy our country?Michele BachmannEssentially, Bachman makes two points. The first is that if we were to give Congress a 9% sales tax, then it would only be a matter of time before Washington increases it. She continues saying "we also have to be concerned about the hidden tax of the value-added tax, because at every step and stage of production, you’d be taxing that item 9 percent on the profit. That’s the worry." When asked whether she "would raise taxes on the 47 percent of Americans who currently don’t pay taxes," Bachmann said "I believe absolutely every American benefits by this magnificent country. Absolutely every American should pay something, even if it’s a dollar. Everyone needs to pay something in this country. That’s why with my tax plan, I take a page out of not theory but what’s provable and what works. What is provable and what works was the economic miracle that was wrought by Ronald Reagan in the 1980s. That’s the plan that I look at. I also want to completely abolish the tax code. I want to flatten the tax for all of Americans, simplify that tax for all of Americans. And that creates job growth, which is exactly what we need to have."Rick SantorumSantorum is asked if Cain's Tax Plan will raise taxes, and Santorum says "reports are now out that 84 percent of Americans would pay more taxes under his plan. That's the analysis. And it makes sense, because when...you don’t provide a standard deduction, when you don’t provide anything for low-income individuals, and you have a sales tax and an income tax and...a value-added tax, which is really what his corporate tax is, we’re talking about major increases in taxes on people." Santorum also criticizes the plan as taxing single Americans as much as a family of three. According to Santorum, "since we’ve had the income tax in America, we’ve always taken advantage of the fact that we want to encourage people to — to have children and not have to pay more already to raise children, but also pay that additional taxes — we gave some breaks for families. He doesn’t do that in this bill."Rick PerryAnderson Cooper tells us Texas has a 6.25% sales tax, and then asks Governor Perry "would taxpayers pay more under the 9-9-9 plan?" Perry responds by saying "you don't need to have a big analysis to figure this thing out. Go to New Hampshire where they don't have a sales tax and you're fixing to give them one. They’re not interested in 9-9-9. What they’re interested in is flatter and fairer...right here in Nevada you’ve got 8-plus percent. You want nine cents on top of that, and nine cents on a new home — or 9 percent on a new home, 9 percent on your Social Security, 9 percent more? I don't think so, Herman. It's not going to fly."Ron PaulCooper states Paul called Cain's plan dangerous and wants him to elaborate. Paul says it is "because it raises revenues, and the worst part about it, it’s regressive. A lot of people aren’t paying any taxes, and I like that. I don’t think that we should even things up by raising taxes. So it is a regressive tax. So it’s very, very dangerous. And it will raise more revenues. But the gentlemen asked the question...what are you going to replace the income tax with? And I say nothing. That’s what we should replace it with. I do want to make a point that spending is a tax. As soon as the governments spend money, eventually it’s a tax. Sometimes we put a direct tax on the people...we borrow the money...[or] we print the money. And then when prices go up...that is the tax. So, spending is the tax. That is the reason I offered the program, to cut $1 trillion out of the first year budget that I offer."Mitt RomneyCooper says to Governor Romney "you have your only 59-Point Plan. In the last debate, Mr Cain suggested it was too complicated. Is simpler better?" Romney responds by saying "oftentimes simpler is better...now let me make this comment...We’ve got a lot of people in America that are out of work...We’ve got home prices going down. We’ve got to talk about how to get America growing again, how to start adding jobs, raising incomes, and tax is part of it. I want to reduce taxes on our employers to make it easier to invest in America. I want to reduce taxes on middle income families...I want to get our burden down on our employers, on our people. I want to make sure our regulations work to encourage the private sector as opposed to putting a damper on it. I want to get trade, opening up new markets for America...This is time to get America growing again. And that’s what this campaign ought to be about."Newt GingrichOn what type of tax system he would like to see implemented, Gingrich says "I favor very narrow, focused tax cuts such as zero capital gains, 100 percent expensing, because I think, as Governor Romney said, jobs are the number one challenge of the next two or three years. Get something you can do very fast. Change on this scale takes years to think through if you’re going to do it right"Herman CainAfter Cooper points out several conservatives are saying the 9-9-9 Tax Plan would raise taxes on the middle and lower class voters, Cain responds by saying "the reason that our plan is being attacked so much is because lobbyists, accountants, politicians, they don’t want to throw out the current tax code and put in something that’s simple and fair. They want to continue to be able to manipulate the American people with a 10-million-word mess." On the specific attacks concerning whether his Tax Plan created a value-added tax, Cain says it is simply "not true. I invite people to look at our analysis, which we make available...I'm sorry, Representative Bachmann — it’s not a value-added tax. It’s a single tax. And I invite every American to do their own math, because most of these are knee-jerk reactions. And we do provide a provision, if you read the analysis, something we call opportunity zones that will, in fact, address the issue of those making the least."Which of the stated Tax Policies do you most support?
One big issue discussed in the GOP debate on 10/18/2011 in Las Vegas, NV was how the candidates would deal with illegal immigration. CNN's Anderson Cooper opened the first question of this series to Herman Cain by simply asking if Cain would attempt to build a border fence across the entire border between the US and Mexico? Herman Cain"Yes, I believe we should secure the border for real, and it would be a combination of a fence, technology, as well as possibly boots on the ground for some of the more dangerous areas. I don’t apologize at all for wanting to protect the American citizens and to protect our agents on the border, no. Secondly, the second thing that I would do — see, I believe in let’s solve the whole problem. We must shut the back door so people can come in the front door. Secondly, promote the existing path to citizenship by cleaning up the bureaucracy in Washington, D.C.Thirdly, enforce the laws — the immigration laws that are already on the books. And here’s another one of these bold ideas by the non-politician up here. Empower the states to do what the federal government is not doing in terms of enforcing those laws."Rick PerryAfter Cain's response, Cooper asks Governor Perry whether it was "possible to build a fence...across the entire border" of Texas? Perry replied that you could build a fence, "but it takes anywhere between 10 and 15 years and $30 billion. There’s a better way, and that’s to build a virtual defense zone...along that border, which...you can do it with strategic fencing in the obvious places where it matters. But the way you really stop the activities along that border that are illegal...is to put boots on the ground...You use Predator drones to use that real-time information to give those boots on the ground that information, and they can instantly move to those areas. And that is the way to shut that border down, to secure that border, and really make America safe."Michele BachmannNext, Cooper asks Congresswoman Bachmann agreed with Governor Perry? Bachmann replied saying "last Saturday, I was the very first candidate that signed a pledge that said...I will build a double-walled fence...with an area of security neutrality in between...on the entire border, and I’ll tell you why. Every year, it costs this country $113 billion in the costs that we put out to pay for illegal aliens. It costs the state and local government of that amount $82 billion. For every household of an American citizen, it costs us $1,000 a year...I will build the fence. I will enforce English as the official language of the United States government. And every — every person who comes into this country will have to agree that they will not receive taxpayer-subsidized benefits of any American citizen...I think there’s a very real issue with magnets in this country. And I think the issue...is the issue of anchor babies. And that’s an issue that...the state is very concerned, because when someone comes illegally across the border, specifically for the purpose of utilizing American resources for having a baby here, then all of the welfare benefits then attach to that baby."Mitt RomneyFormer Governor Romney just sort of jumps in with his opinion saying "in terms of how to secure the border, it’s really not that hard. You have a fence, you have enough Border Patrol agents to oversee the fence, and you turn off the magnets. And that’s employers that hire people who they know are here illegally. That’s why you have an E-Verify system so they can know that. And, number two, you turn off the magnets like tuition breaks or other breaks that draw people into this country illegally. It is not that hard. We have to have the political will to get the job done."Ron PaulCongressman Paul says "when we approach this immigration problem, we should look at the incentives and that — or the mandates from the federal government saying that you must educate, you must give them free education. You have to remove these incentives. But I don’t think the answer is a fence whatsoever...But I might add about the border control...is we lack resources there. I think we should have more border guards on it, a more orderly transition, and run it much better. But where are our resources? You know, we worry more about the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. We need to bring the guard units home and the units back here so we can have more personnel on our border."Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum did not answer this question during the debate.Which of the stated Border Fence Policies do you support the most?
The Republican Candidates for president met in Las Vegas, Nevada to participate in the Western Republican Presidential Debate. The entire debate is provided as well as the following blogs and polls covering the positions the candidates have taken on several issues:10/18/2011 GOP Debate - Taxes - Cain's 9-9-9 Plan, Romney's 59 Point Plan, and the others10/18/2011 GOP Debate - Border Fence Policy10/18/2011 GOP Debate - Occupy Wall Street Impressions10/18/2011 GOP Debate - Role of Faith in Elections10/18/2011 GOP Debate - Defense Budget Spending CutsAfter having either watched the debate or having reviewed the provided information...Which Candidate won the Western Republican Presidential Debate in Las Vegas?
Republican Congressman from Texas, Ron Paul, is running once again in the Republican Primary Race for the 2012 Presidential Elections. If Congressman Paul were to win the Primary, Can he beat President Barack Obama?
Select three below. There are three seats open.
Newt Gingrich has become the front-runner in the GOP Primary Race. If he were to win the nominee, could he beat President Obama in the General Election?
During the Republican Primary Debate, the candidates received a question via twitter that asked: "How do you explain the Occupy Wall Street movement happening across the country? And how does it relate with your message?" CNN's Anderson Cooper opens this question with Herman Cain because "two weeks ago, [he] said 'Don't blame Wall Street, don't blame the big banks. If you don't have a job, and you're not rich, blame yourself.' That was two weeks ago. The movement has grown. Do you still say that?"Herman CainCain quickly answered, "Yes, I do still say that. And here’s why...They might be frustrated with Wall Street and the bankers, but they’re directing their anger at the wrong place. Wall Street didn’t put in failed economic policies. Wall Street didn’t spend a trillion dollars that didn’t do any good. Wall Street isn’t going around the country trying to sell another $450 billion. They ought to be over in front of the White House taking out their frustration. So I do stand by them." (See 1st paragraph under Paul before reading the 2nd paragraph under Cain.) In response to Paul's first paragraph below: "All I want to say is that representative Paul is partly right, but he’s mixing problems here. It’s more than one problem. Look, the people — the banks — yes, the banks and the businesses on Wall Street, yes, the way that was administered was not right. But my point is this: What are the people who are protesting want from bankers on Wall Street, to come downstairs and write them a check? This is what we don’t understand. Take — go and get to the source of the problem, is all I’m saying. And that's the White House"Ron PaulPaul immediately followed Cain saying "I think Mr. Cain has blamed the victims. There’s a lot of people that are victims of this business cycle. We can’t blame the victims. But we also have to point — I’d go to Washington as well as Wall Street, but I’d go over to the Federal Reserve. They create the financial bubbles. And you have to understand that you can’t solve these problems if you don’t know where these bubbles come from. But then, when the bailout came and supported by both parties, you have to realize, oh, wait, Republicans were still in charge. So the bailouts came from both parties. Guess who they bailed out? The big corporations of people who were ripping off the people in the derivatives market. And they said, oh, the world’s going to come to an end unless we bail out all the banks. So the banks were involved, and the Federal Reserve was involved. But who got stuck? The middle class got stuck. They got stuck. They lost their jobs, and they lost their houses. If you had to give money out, you should have given it to people who were losing their mortgages, not to the banks." (Read paragraph two under Cain now)Yes, the argument is it’s — the program was OK, but it was mismanaged. But I work on the assumption that government’s not very capable of managing almost anything so you shouldn’t put that much trust in the government. You have — you have to trust the marketplace. And when the government gets involved, they have to deal with the fraud. And how many people have gone to jail either in the government, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, that participated in this heist? And nobody suffers the consequences. All these investigations, and yet the people who lose their jobs and lose their houses, it’s their fault, according — that’s why they’re on Wall Street. And we can’t blame them. We have to blame the business cycle and the economic policies over the last 10 years that led to this disaster"Mitt RomneyAfter allowing Cain and Paul to go back and forth, Cooper tells us Romney had "originally called the protests 'dangerous'...[and] 'class warfare,'" but "recently sounded more sympathetic." Cooper asks Romney "Where do you stand now? What is your message to those people protesting?"Romney responds saying "we can spend our time talking about what happened three years ago and what the cause was of our collapse. But let’s talk about what’s happened over the last three years. We’ve had a president responsible for this economy for the last three years, and he’s failed us. He’s failed us in part because he has no idea how the private sector works or how to create jobs. On every single issue, he’s made it harder for our economy to reboot. And as a result, we have 25 million Americans out of work or stopped looking for work or in part- time work and can’t get full-time employed. Home values going down. You have median income in America that in the last three years has dropped by 10 percent. Americans are hurting across this country, and the president’s out there campaigning. Why isn’t he governing? He doesn’t — he doesn’t have a jobs plan even now. This — this is a critical time for America. And I — and I can tell you that this is time to have someone who understands how the economy works, who can get America working again. Instead of dividing and blaming, as this president is, let’s grow America again and have jobs that are the envy of the world. And I know how to do it."Of the three GOP Hopefuls, Who Do you agree with concerning their impression of Occupy Wall Street?
Recently Republican Presidential Nominee contender Herman Cain has been accused by several females of sexual harassment. Will this kill his 2012 Presidential Campaign?
AUDIENCE QUESTION: "Currently, there’s a deficit reduction measure to cut defense spending by $500 billion. Would you support such a reduction in defense spending? And if elected president, how will you provide a strong national defense?" CNN's Anderson Cooper directs the question as follows: "Congresswoman Bachmann, should defense be cut?"Michele BachmannCongresswoman Bachmann responds saying: "Well, $500 billion is the amount that the questioner had mentioned. And don’t forget, this was an historic week when it came to American foreign policy. We saw potentially an international assassination attempt from Iran on American soil. That says something about Iran, that they disrespect the United States so much, that they would attempt some sort of heinous act like that. Then, we saw the president of the United States engage American troops in a fourth conflict in a foreign land. This is historic. Then, on Sunday, we heard the reports that now that — in Iraq, the 5,000 troops that were going to be left there won’t even be granted immunity by Iraq. This is how disrespected the United States is in the world today, and it’s because of President Obama’s failed policies. He’s taken his eyes off the number one issue in the world. That’s an Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon. That makes all of us in much danger. And the president of Iran is a genocidal maniac. We need to stand up against Iran. And as president of the United States, I will. We will be respected again in the world.Cooper interrupts Bachmann stating: "The question though was about budget cuts. And is everything on the table in terms of cutting the budget?" Bachmann says "Absolutely everything," and Cooper attempts to make sure he is clear on her position by asking her again: "So defense spending would be on the table, should be?"Again, Bachmann says "Defense spending is on the table, but again, Anderson, now with the president, he put us in Libya. He is now putting us in Africa. We already were stretched too thin, and he put our Special Operations Forces in Africa." Bachmann does, however, say they are "on the table, but we cannot cut it by $500 billion. We can’t do that to tour brave men and women who are on the ground fighting for us."Newt GingrichGingrich responds to the question saying "I mean, if you want to understand how totally broken Washington is, look at this entire model of the super committee, which has now got a magic number to achieve. And if it doesn’t achieve the magic number, then we’ll all have to shoot ourselves in the head so that when they come back with a really dumb idea to merely cut off our right leg, we’ll all be grateful that they’re only semi-stupid instead of being totally stupid. Now, the idea that you have a bunch of historically illiterate politicians who have no sophistication about national security trying to make a numerical decision about the size of the defense budget tells you everything you need to know about the bankruptcy of the current elite in this country in both parties. The fact is, we ought to first figure out what threaten us, we ought to figure out what strategies will respond to that. We should figure out what structures we need for those strategies. We should then cost them.I helped found the Military Reform Caucus. I’m a hawk, but I’m a cheap hawk. But the fact is, to say I’m going to put the security of the United States up against some arbitrary budget number is suicidally stupid."Ron PaulCooper says "Congressman Paul, you just proposed eliminating the Departments of Commerce, Education, Energy, Interior, Housing and Urban Development. You say it will save a trillion dollars in one year. You’re proposing a 15 percent cut to the Defense Department. Can you guarantee national security will not be hurt by that?"Paul quickly states: "I think it would be enhanced. I don’t want to cut any defense. And you have to get it straight. There’s a lot of money spent in the military budget that doesn’t do any good for our defense.How does it help us to keep troops in Korea all these years? We’re broke. We have to borrow this money.Why are we in Japan? Why do we subsidize Germany, and they subsidize their socialized system over there? Because we pay for it. We’re broke. And this whole thing that this can’t be on the table, I’ll tell you what, this debt bubble is the thing you better really worry about, because it’s imploding on us right now. It’s worldwide. We are no more removed from this than the man on the moon. It’s going to get much worse. And to cut military spending is a wise thing to do. We would be safer if we weren’t in so many places. We have an empire. We can’t afford it. The empires always bring great nations down. We spread ourselves too thinly around the world. This is what’s happened throughout history, and we’re doing it to ourselves. The most recent empire to fail was an empire that went into, of all places, Afghanistan. They went broke. So where are we? In Afghanistan. I say it’s time to come home."(Read Santorum first - this is Paul's response) Well, I think we’re on economic suicide if we’re not even willing to look at some of these overseas expenditures, 150 bases — 900 bases, 150 different countries. We have enough weapons to blow up the world about 20-25 times. We have more weapons than all the other countries put together essentially. And we want to spend more and more, and you can’t cut a penny? I mean, this is why we’re at an impasse. I want to hear somebody up here willing to cut something. Something real. This budget is in bad shape and the financial calamity is going to be much worse than anybody ever invading this country. Which country — are they going to invade this country? They can’t even shoot a missile at us.Rick SantorumHe jumps into the conversation saying "To address Congressman Paul’s answer and the other answer on military spending, I would absolutely not cut one penny out of military spending. The first order of the federal government, the only thing the federal government can do that no other level of government can do is protect us. It is the first duty of the president of the United States is to protect us. And we should have the resources — we should have all the resources in place to make sure that we can defend our borders, that we can make sure that when we engage in foreign countries, we do so to succeed.That has been the problem in this administration. We’ve had political objectives instead of objectives for success. And that’s why we haven’t succeeded. Which GOP Policy Position do you support?
Mike Richards mailed in a question asking the following: "With the controversy surrounding Robert Jeffress, is it acceptable to let the issue of a candidate’s faith shape the debate?" CNN's Anderson Cooper says "this is in reference to a Baptist pastor who, at the Values Voter Summit, after introducing Governor Rick Perry, said of — said that 'Mitt Romney is not a Christian,' and that 'Mormonism is a cult.' Those were his words. Should voters pay attention to a candidate’s religion?"Rick SantorumCongressman Santorum responds saying "I think they should pay attention to the candidate’s values, what the candidate stands for. That’s what is at play. And the person’s faith — and you look at that faith and what the faith teaches with respect to morals and values that are reflected in that person’s belief structure. So that’s — those are important things. I — I’m a Catholic. Catholic has social teachings. Catholic has teachings as to what’s right and what’s wrong. And those are legitimate things for voters to look at, to say if you’re a faithful Catholic, which I try to be — fall short all the time, but I try to be — and — and it’s a legitimate thing to look at as to what the tenets and teachings of that faith are with respect to how you live your life and — and how you would govern this country. With respect to what is the road to salvation, that’s a whole different story. That’s not applicable to what — what the role is of being the president or a senator or any other job."Newt GingrichCooper next directs the question to Speaker Gingrich asking him if he agrees with Santorum. Gingrich responds saying: "Well, I think if the question is, does faith matter? Absolutely. How can you have a country which is founded on truths which begins we are endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights? How can you have the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 which says religion, morality and knowledge being important, education matters. That’s the order: religion, morality and knowledge. Now, I happen to think that none of us should rush in judgment of others in the way in which they approach God. And I think that all of us up here I believe would agree." But I think all of us would also agree that there’s a very central part of your faith in how you approach public life. And I, frankly, would be really worried if somebody assured me that nothing in their faith would affect their judgments, because then I’d wonder, where’s your judgment — how can you have judgment if you have no faith? And how can I trust you with power if you don’t pray? Who you pray to, how you pray, how you come close to God is between you and God. But the notion that you’re endowed by your creator sets a certain boundary on what we mean by America."Rick PerryNext, Cooper says asks Governor Perry to repudiate the comments by the pastor. Perry replies saying: "Well, our faith — I can no more remove my faith than I can that I’m the son of a tenant farmer. I mean, the issue, are we going to be individuals who stand by our faith? I have said I didn’t agree with that individual’s statement. And our founding fathers truly understood and had an understanding of — of freedom of religion. And this country is based on, as — as Newt talked about, these values that are so important as we go forward. And the idea that we should not have our freedom of — of religion to be taken away by any means, but we also are a country that is free to express our opinions. That individual expressed an opinion. I didn’t agree with it, Mitt, and I said so. But the fact is, Americans understand faith. And what they’ve lost faith in is the current resident of the White House."Mitt RomneyGovernor Romney responds to Perry saying: "What I actually found was most troubling in what the reverend said in the introduction was he said, in choosing our nominee, we should inspect his religion. And someone who is a good moral person is not someone who we should select; instead, we should choose someone who subscribes to our religious belief. That — that idea that we should choose people based upon their religion for public office is what I find to be most troubling, because the founders of this country went to great length to make sure — and even put it in the Constitution — that we would not choose people who represent us in government based upon their religion, that this would be a nation that recognized and respected other faiths, where there’s a plurality of faiths, where there was tolerance for other people and faiths. That’s bedrock principle."And it was that principle, Governor, that I wanted you to be able to, no, no, that’s wrong, Reverend Jeffress. Instead of saying as you did, 'Boy, that introduction knocked the ball out of the park,' I’d have said, 'Reverend Jeffress, you got that wrong. We should select people not based upon their faith.' Even though — and I don’t suggest you distance yourself from your faith any more than I would. But the concept that we select people based on the church or the synagogue they go to, I think, is a very dangerous and — and enormous departure from the principles of our — of our Constitution."Which GOP Candidate do you agree with on the issue of the relevance of a candidate's faith?
Mitt Romney is one of the Republican front-runners in the GOP Primary Race. If he were to win the GOP nominee for the 2012 elections, can he beat President Obama?
Larry King
March Madness
Natasha Fame Leslie
Ryan Seacrest
Sanu Dellafiore
John Armstrong
Fred Hanna
Georgia Hester
