WELCOME TO OPINIONS BASED ON FACTS (OBOF)
| Name | Published |
| OVERVIEW | Dec. 28, 2010 |
| SOCIAL SECURITY PART 1 | Dec. 30, 2010 |
| SOCIAL SECURITY PART 2 | Jan. 10, 2011 |
| SOCIAL SECURITY PART 3 | Jan. 17, 2011 |
| SOCIAL SECURITY PART 4 | Jan. 24, 2011 |
| SOCIAL SECURITY PART 5 | Jan. 31, 2011 |
| SOCIAL SECURITY PART 6 | Feb. 07, 2011 |
| SOCIAL SECURITY PART 7 | Feb. 14, 2011 |
| SPECIAL ISSUE | Feb. 18, 2011 |
| SOCIAL SECURITY PART 8 | Feb. 21, 2011 |
| SOCIAL SECURITY PART 9 | Mar. 01, 2011 |
| SOCIAL SECURITY PART 10 | Mar. 07, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 1 | Mar. 14, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 1A | Mar. 21, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 2 | Mar. 25, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 3 | Mar. 29, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 4 | Apr. 04, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 5 | Apr. 11, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 6 | Apr. 18, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 7 | Apr. 25, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 7A | Apr. 29, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 8 | May 02, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 9 | May 09, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 10 | May 16, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 11 | May 24, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 12 | Jun. 06, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 13 | Jun. 20, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 14 | July 05, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 14A | July 18, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 15 | July 19, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 16 | Aug. 03, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 17 | Aug. 15, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 18 | Aug. 29, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 19 | Sept. 12, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 20 | Sept. 26, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 21 | Oct. 10, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 22 | Oct. 24, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 22 EXTRA | Nov. 04, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 23 | Nov. 07, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 24 | Nov. 21, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 25 | Dec. 05, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 26 | Dec. 19, 2011 |
| SS & MORE PART 27 | JAN. 03, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 27A | JAN. 05, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 28 | JAN. 17, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 29 | JAN. 31, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 30 | Feb. 14, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART CL1 | Feb. 21, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 30 EXTRA | Feb. 23, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 31 | Feb. 28, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART CL2 - 59 | Mar. 06, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 31 EXTRA | Mar. 07, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 32 | Mar. 13, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART CL3 - 1 | Mar. 20, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 32 EXTRA | Mar. 24, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 33 | Apr. 10, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART CL 4 - 2 | Apr. 17, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 34 | Apr. 24, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART CL5 - 49 | May 01, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 35 | May 09, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART CL6 - 19 | May 15, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 35 EXTRA | May 18, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 36 | May 22, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 36 EXTRA | May 25, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 36 | |
| EXTRA II | June 01, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 37 | June 05. 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 37 EXTRA | June 07, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 38 | June 12, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 39 | June 19, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 40 | June 26, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 41 | July 03, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 42 | July 10, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 43 | July 17, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 44 | July 24,2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 45 | July 31, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 46 | Aug. 07, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 46 EXTRA | Aug. 09, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 47 | Aug. 14, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 48 | Aug. 21, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 49 | Aug. 28, 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 50 | Sept. 04. 2012 |
| SS & MORE PART 51 | Sept. 11. 2012 |
IN THIS ISSUE
1. Conventions over, Debates next.
2. Obama's advantage - Romney's opening.
3. Jobs report, and the election.
4. Disagreement with Robert Reich.
5. Congress is back.
6. Romney's latest, flip-flop.
7. Parting thought.
~~~
"VOTE, AN EDUCATED VOTE"
What is an educated vote? It is one that has been made with as much knowledge, based on facts, not misinformation, that an individual can obtain.
~~~
CONVENTIONS OVER.
DEBATES NEXT.
By Floyd Bowman
"Opinions Based On Facts"
PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES
October 3 - 11 - 16 - 22
The 11th will be VP debate
Well, as usual, I have been reading and listening to many accounts of the two Conventions and this is what I have concluded. The Republican Convention fell short, as far as generating enthusiasm, and appealing to the average voter. The speakers, for the most part, talked about themselves with an occasional jab at the President. Romney, himself, made a huge mistake by not recognizing the troops in harms way or anything about the war. The polls showed a bounce of 2 points when it was over. At the time, Romney showed 46 % and Obama 44%.
Between the end of the Republican Convention and the beginning of the Democrat Convention the polls showed the two in a tie at 48% each. After the Democrat Convention, on the following Saturday, there were a lot of different poll numbers, but it seemed to me that Gallop poll was the most realistic. Among likely voters, Obama 52%, Romney 43%. Among Independents, Obama 53%, Romney 43%.
All reports that I have read are simply glowing about the speakers at the Democrat Convention. Of course, the one that stole the show was former President Bill Clinton. As usual, with him, it was long, 48 minutes, but everyone, and I mean everyone was on the edge of their seats through the entire talk. It laid out what President Obama has accomplished much better that the President staff has.
While all this looks very promising for Democrats, winning is not at all a sure thing. The two Presidential Debates and one Vice Presidential Debate will no doubt have some impact one way or another. In addition, Romney has a war chest full of money to be spent in the final weeks.
There is nothing sure about the outcome. All Democrats must work as hard as we can in the remaining 56 days and contribute whatever you can to Obama for America
President Obama and the DNC raised $114 million against the Republican challenger, Mitt Romney and the RNC who raised $111 million. All, of the Democrat staff, was not only happy about raising more than Romney and the RNC, but also, it was the first time Obama and the DNC broke the $100 million mark. Their average donation for August was $58.31 and 98% of donations were $250 or less. On top of that, 317,954 people were first time donors. Obama beat out Romney on the total number of donors 1.1 million to 820,000.
None of this counts the deep pocket donations that are still there to be used by Romney's wealthy friends.
~~~
Obama’s advantage,
Romney’s openings
By The Washington
Comment by Floyd Bowman:
"Opinions Based On Facts."
I have listened to and read a lot analysis about both Conventions and where things stand following them. This one seems to me to be the most reasonable, sensible, and realistic of any. Mr. Dionne Jr. is noted for this kind of thinking by many in the field and is highly respected. I think you will find this a real and honest assessment of the present standing of the Presidential election.
Normally, a president presiding over 8 percent unemployment and in a country that sees itself on the wrong track wouldn’t stand a chance. But then a candidate with Mitt Romney’s shortcomings, including his failure to ignite much enthusiasm within his own party, wouldn’t stand a chance, either.
The combination of the two explains why this election remains close, but President Obama heads into the campaign’s last phase with some major advantages, starting, as Ronald Reagan did, with a rock-solid base. These voters will support him no matter what the economic numbers say. Their commitment helps create an electoral map that also favors Obama, particularly with Ohio stubbornly retaining a tilt the president’s way.
Obama also has a benefit of the doubt from many voters because they know he inherited an economic catastrophe, a point powerfully made by former president Bill Clinton in Charlotte Tampa
Democrats were so eager to help Obama that it seemed they were ready to cheer even the reading of a phone book or a grocery list. Tampa Charlotte
In fact, the same candidate dominated both conventions. But the centrality of Obama to this election is also where Romney’s advantages begin. If Republicans are rather temperate about their own nominee, they are resolutely determined to oust Obama. This gives Romney at least some maneuvering room with his base.
The economy’s difficulties form the Alpha and the Omega of Romney’s efforts — and the economic reports between now and Election Day seem unlikely to show a sudden spike upward in the country’s financial fortunes. Romney still has time to convince enough voters that they’d be better off if they changed presidents.
Romney will have a money edge. In presidential races, cash gaps don’t make that much of a difference as long as they are not too big, and Obama’s fundraising will at least be competitive. More worrisome to Democrats is how the super PACs financed by billionaires and multimillionaires might affect House and Senate races.
Still, money does buy Romney additional options. The Republicans will have extra dollars to use in trying to make states currently solid or leaning to Obama — Wisconsin , and perhaps Michigan
The debates next month are Romney’s biggest opening, and he’s very disciplined in his approach to such encounters. He used them effectively to turn back primary challenges from Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum. The president, on the other hand, is out of practice. And although Obama performed well in the 2008 debates against John McCain by directing almost every word he spoke to swing voters, debating has never been his strongest suit.
Indeed, some of Obama’s most loyal supporters see an additional debate risk for him: The president can look arrogant and dismissive when he doesn’t respect an opponent or when he feels he has the upper hand. Obama can afford no “you’re likable enough, Hillary” moments. Romney will try hard to cause or manufacture them.
Nonetheless, there is a sense after Charlotte Charlotte Charlotte
Democrats also opened up foreign policy as a new campaign front, both in Obama’s own speech and in a forceful and entertaining address by Sen. John Kerry. Foreign policy will be only a marginal issue this year, but it favors Obama — and close elections are won on the margins.
There is, finally, the politics of class. Romney Republicans really do look like the party of very rich people. Convincing Americans wealthy people have to do even better for the rest of the country to do well is the hardest sell Mitt Romney has to make.
~~~
by ROBERT REICH
NATIONofCHANGE
Published Saturday Sept. 8, 2012
Don't miss my comment at the end. Floyd.
President Obama's speech to the Democratic National Convention was long on uplifting rhetoric but short on specifics for what he’ll do if reelected to reignite the American economy.
Yet today’s jobs report provides a troubling reminder that the economy is still in bad shape. Employers added only 96,000 non farm jobs in August. True, the unemployment rate fell to 8.1% from July’s 8.3%, But the size of the workforce continued to drop, according to a Labor Department report Friday.
Unfortunately for the President — and the rest of us — jobs gains have averaged only 94,000 over the last three months. That’s down from an average of 95,000 in the second quarter. And well below the average gain of 225,000 in the first quarter of the year and compared to last year, the trend is still in the wrong direction: a monthly average gain of 139,000 this year compared to last year’s average monthly gain of 153,000.
Look, I desperately want Obama to win. But the one thing his speech last night lacked was the one thing that was the most important for him to offer — a plan for how to get the economy out of the doldrums.
Last week Mitt Romney offered only the standard Republican bromides: cut taxes on the rich, cut spending on programs everyone else depends on, and deregulate. They didn’t work for George W. Bush and there’s no reason to expect they’ll work again.
But the President could have offered more than the rejoinder he did — suggesting, even in broad strokes, what he’ll do in his second term to get the economy moving again. At least he might have identified the scourge of inequality as a culprit, for example, pointing out, as he did last December, that the economy can’t advance when so much income and wealth are concentrated at the top, that the vast middle class doesn’t have the purchasing power to get it back on track.
Undeniably, we have more jobs today than we did at the trough of the Great Recession in 2009. But the recovery has been anemic — and it appears to be slowing. We’re better off than we were then, but we’re not as well off as we need to be by a long shot.
ONE OF VERY FEW TIMES,
I DISAGREE WITH ROBERT REICH.
by Floyd Bowman
"OPINIONS BASED ON FACTS."
OH! Robert, your glass is half empty. I think it should be obvious that the President's plan for the next four years is exactly the same as the first. The plan he offered in his first four was perfect. The only problem was the REPUBLICANS would block almost everything he wanted to do.
Even under these circumstances, he got the Affordable Care Act passed, got a stimulus package passed that, contrary to what some say, was very successful, it was just to small. I can show you some infrastructure updating, that is in progress, even now, as a result of the stimulus package. And in spite of a lot of criticism, he helped the auto industry to come back full force with full repayment from the industry and more jobs than before the great recession.
If, he gets re-elected and gets a Democratic Congress, you will see the economy speed up big time. The main point is that, while slow, it is going in the right direction. Even though the RATE of job increases are slowing they are still increasing.
ARE WE BETTER OFF THAN FOUR YEARS AGO? YOU BET WE ARE. Ask any of the 4.5 million Americans who now have jobs that didn't have a job 31 months ago. Ask some of the Small Business owners who have seen their taxes reduced 18 times in the past four years. And asking the millions of people that now have medical coverage that didn't have any four years ago.
Sure Robert, recovery is much slower than we all would like to see, but I would much rather look at my glass as being, half full instead, of half empty.
~~~
CONGRESS IS BACK
After a 5 week recess, Congress reconvened on Monday, the 10th of Sept. 2012. It appears as though we can expect about the same of amount of successful work to be accomplished as we have seen for the entire year of 2012. In other words, NOTHING!! There is a considerable amount that should be done, but nothing is going to happen until after the election.
The outcome of the election will determine what will happen from November 7th to the end of the year. The biggest problem to be dealt with is the budget and debt cliff and it isn't going to be easy to find a solution to keep from falling off the cliff. I am not sure of the date, but the Congress will go into recess, again shortly after the first of October, until after the election November 6th.
~~~
Romney: I Won’t Cut Taxes for the Rich, Will Keep Some Measures of Obamacare
Posted Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012.
Comment:
By Floyd Bowman
"Opinions Based On Facts"
This is the height of waffling. This just proves beyond any doubt, that this man will say anything and anytime that he thinks people want to hear. This is a complete reversal of positions he has taken earlier. To my readers, use this in your talking to others between now and election. This man can not be trusted for even a day. He'll wet his finger, hold it up in the wind to see what he should say to this audience.
Mitt Romney speaks at a rally in Nashua , New Hampshire
Mitt Romney clearly feels the need to defend himself from the criticism that Democrats threw his way during the convention. In an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press, Romney insisted that despite what President Obama might say, he has no plans on cutting taxes for the wealthy. He also said he would keep several (of the most popular) parts of the health care reform, including coverage for people with pre-existing conditions.
Romney said that his proposed 20-percent tax cut for all would be paid for by eliminating loopholes and deductions from the highest earners. He said his plan would essentially cut taxes on the middle-class while keeping those for the richest Americans unchanged. As Holly Bailey writes on Yahoo! News, Romney “again declined to offer specifics on how exactly he would accomplish his goal of lowering taxes for other Americans while also balancing the budget.”
In the same interview, Romney insisted he wouldn’t get rid of every aspect of so-called Obamacare, reports Bloomberg. He would still repeal the law, as he vowed to do early in his campaign, but he would incorporate some of its measures into his own plan. “I’m not getting rid of all of health-care reform,” Romney said, “Of course there are a number of things that I like in health-care reform that I’m going to put in place.” In addition to keeping coverage for those with pre-existing conditions, Romney also said he’d also allow young adults to stay under their parents’ health-insurance plan “up to whatever age they might like.”
In the midst of fighting back against what he described as the Obama narrative of his campaign, Romney also emphasized what he believes will be the main message coming from his camp in the run-up to Election Day: “It’s basically ‘You want more jobs? You want higher income? Then vote for Romney and Ryan.” While Obama’s reelection would translate into more unemployment and a growing debt crisis, a Romney presidency would lead to the economy “roaring back,” he said, according to the National Journal.
Floyd again:
I can't help it, this last paragraph is just a bunch of words that really says nothing substantial. How will he make the economy come "roaring back?" Like Bill Clinton said "I don't know whether to cry or laugh" at such ridiculous statements.
~~~
PARTING THOUGHT
I postpone death by living, by suffering, by error, by risking, by giving, by losing.
Anals Nin
If, the good Lord is willing and the creek don't rise, I'll talk with you again next Tuesday September 18, 2012, if not before.
"GOD BLESS YOU ALL
&
GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Floyd
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