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Congrats to Obama (OT)
Posted By: <b>JimB</b><p>I thought somebody else would have started this thread by now. I just wanted to acknowledge what an important day this is in our country's history and to wish Obama and his administration the best. They have got major problems on their hands on all fronts. Hopefully our politicians can begin to work together a bit towards common solutions for the common good.<br><br>Please don't turn this into a political fight. It is just meant to be a well-wish.<br>JimB
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Posted By: <b>barry arnold</b><p>Well put Jim.<br>I'm with you in this celebration.<br><br><br>best,<br>Barry
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Posted By: <b>Ken Wirt</b><p>Here, here!
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Posted By: <b>brock</b><p>I just dont like how it all cost 175 million dollars. That could have gone to some other company right now.
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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>It was a glorious day, but now it's down to business. I wish him well. If there is one thing I believe he can do it is bring the country together.
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Posted By: <b>David Atkatz</b><p>A very moving experience.<br><br>When was the last time we saw crowds so united by something that was not an expression of anger or fear?
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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Obama received cheers and shrieks in Washington yesterday like the Beatles did in NYC in 1964. I've never seen so much adulation before for an elected official. Will the good feelings last?
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Posted By: <b>Glenn</b><p>Just joining in the sentiment, I'd like to extend further congratulations and well wishes to President Obama and the country and, what the heck, the rest of the world.
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Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>I didn't vote for Obama and I disagree with many of his plans. That being said I am excited for the country, hope the best for him, and am behind him 110%. I do have confidence in him....I hope we can eventually get past the race thing too. Maybe this is a beginning ...
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Posted By: <b>Richard Simon</b><p>A new era is beginning,, adherence to the Constitution, respect for all, the end of a foolish and costly war.<br>Congratulations to President Obama and may you lead this country out of the terrible mess it is now in.<br><br><br>I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.<br>Unknown author <br>--<br>We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember.<br>No retreat baby, no surrender.<br>The Boss
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Posted By: <b>Rob D.</b><p>It took nine posts. Impressive.
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Posted By: <b>Tom Boblitt</b><p>hopefully the people expecting him to be a Panacea will be a little more realistic down the road. He will have a tough time. WE will have a tough time.
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Congrats to Obama (OT)
Posted By: <b>Laura</b><p>At least the market's back up over 8,000 today so far.
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Congrats to Obama (OT)
Posted By: <b>Bob</b><p>Some times perception is all important. I agree with you Tom, it will be a tough time, but I am hoping that the country can rally behind Obama and his programs. It just feels like a clean, fresh breeze this morning here in the Ozarks after so much doom, gloom and fear the past 8 years. <br>Good luck to the Prez!
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Congrats to Obama (OT)
Posted By: <b>Stephen Mitchell</b><p>I am not hopeful that President Obama or his policies will cure America's ills any more than the central planning of presidents and congresses before him.<br><br>Earlier this year I read a book that focused on the years before and during the Great Depression (The Forgotten Man by author Amity Schlaes). Although the author does not directly find a parallel, I could not help but notice the similarity of George W. Bush's meddling in the free market with Herbert Hoover's. And the very likely, considerable meddling by Obama - mirroring FDR. I heartily recommend this book although it took me a quite a bit of time to read (re-reading many portions) it.<br><br>For my part, I will pray for the new president but if he forsakes policies that have historically gotten the nation back on track (i.e. cut spending, cut taxes and reduce government's role in micro-managing the economy) and opts for the central planning policies of Europe, much of Asia and most within his own party, we will only see a repeat of the failures of FDR. And a long, difficult Depression.
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Congrats to Obama (OT)
Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>I am not sure the wording you used is exactly as meant? I would at least hope you are hopeful? I am not saying you need to be optimistic but I can't imagine you wouldn't want to be hopeful. I am optimistic but realistic too. It's going to be tough but I "hope" Obama can do it.......take care
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Posted By: <b>David Atkatz</b><p>" ...we will only see a repeat of the failures of FDR..."<br><br>I sure hope so!<br><br>
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Congrats to Obama (OT)
Posted By: <b>Jim</b><p>An interesting read that is fitting for the times is a work called The Politics Presidents Make by Stephen Skowronek. Skowronek theorized that the place in the order of presidential succession is the key to the success/failure of a president. One could conclude that Obama, like Abraham Lincoln, FDR, and Ronald Reagan, is placed nicely in the order of presidents to be a success. Things went poorly for G.W. Bush during his second term (particularly foreign affairs and the economy), and the public grew tired of Republican presidents (20 of the last 28 years). There are similarities between the times that the aforementioned presidents ascended to office and the current situation. Though I did not vote for Obama, I too wish him well. I hope that in four years I vote for him in a landslide victory.
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Posted By: <b>JimCrandell</b><p>"If he forsakes policies that have gotten the nation back on track(cut spending, cut taxes, reduce govt. role in micromanaging economy) and opts for central planning poluicies of Europe, much of bAsia and most within his own party we will only see a repeat of failures of FDR"-Stephen Mitchell<br><br>Extremely well said--my sentiments exactly. Obama seems prepared to take the country hard left, mirroring his voting record in the Senate as the one with the most liberal voting record. This is a route to failure. If one supports higher taxes, the nationalization of key industries, and other policies of the loony left Obama is your man.
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Posted By: <b>Alan</b><p>Let's take a poll on how many threads it will take for Leon to lock this thread because a political discussion will get nasty. Let's start the bidding.
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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Come on Jim, the left isn't loony. That's kind of insulting. He is certainly far more intelligent than the person he replaced.
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Posted By: <b>Dan Bretta</b><p>Jim, I'm not going to argue with you, but I'm interested to hear what indications Obama has given that he's prepared to take the country hard to the left.
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Posted By: <b>PC</b><p>Jim -- I think it far more likely Obama will be the next great practitioner of "triangulation", as mastered by Bill Clinton. I doubt he will do anything to the extent the lunatic left and the Hollywood crowd hope he will do. Yes, he'll throw them a few bones, but he still has to cater to normal, centrist America if he has any hope of being reelected.<br><br>And yes, he is already thinking about getting reelected. That is Obama's main concern, and his party's only goal for his presidency in the next four years. Whatever the party line is, it means little compared to losing the presidency in four years.<br><br>In short, expect a lot of spin, and more of the same old same old.
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Posted By: <b>JimCrandell</b><p>I agree Barry--the left is by itself not loony but there is a segment of the left called the loony left that I believe Obama will take his marching orders from.<br><br>Dan,<br><br>I honestly believe that Obama will try to pass every program the far left has pushed for over the past 10-20 years.<br><br>First I am sure you saw that he intends to just give every American on welfare $1,000. He will then take the most accelerated tax structure and make it even more so by reducing taxes for the poor and what he calls the middle class and increasing it on the most productive of our society--from already a record percentage. The percentage of the population not paying taxes will grow to a majority--the true welfare state.<br><br>Then watch how rapidly he tries to increase spending --some of which under the guise of us getting out of the recession--some of which because he wants to change our society to a more socialist model. The massive spending will be followed by an equally massive increase on those paying the taxes....and obviously high inflation will follow.<br><br>As far as the banking system is concerned we are moving toward absolute govt control--including the govt dictating who and where money will be lent to.<br><br>Health care--expect price contriols, limits on what Doctors can make,healthcare rationing and poorer medical care.<br><br>Immigration--open the door to as many Mexicans as possible to turn Texas, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona into permanently democratic states.<br><br>Unionization will grow as secret ballot is repealed.<br><br>FCC will impose "fairness doctrine" on talk radio fundamentally reducing influence of Rush, Sean, Laura and the Great One.<br><br>I could go on. The free enterprise system that made this country great will be hugely altered. I think those on this board on the radical left know this and are expecting it to happen. However I also think there are many reasonable people on this board who voted for "change" and they don't know what they are getting themselves into.<br><br>Jim<br><br><br><br>
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Congrats to Obama (OT)
Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>I'm glad I'm hitting the sack right about now.
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Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>If it stays civil I guess we can hear the same thoughts that we all, already know from everyone? I will reserve the right to lock that thread at any time though. I do have a concern about too much socialism but what we have been doing hasn't worked too well lately. We shall see.....and I am hopeful the country starts doing better economically. best regards
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Posted By: <b>Dan Bretta</b><p>Well, I'm not here to argue...I've heard Jim's reasoning and I don't agree with it, but it ain't worth fighting about.
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Congrats to Obama (OT)
Posted By: <b>David Atkatz</b><p>"Immigration--open the door to as many Mexicans as possible to turn Texas, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona into permanently democratic states."<br><br>Wow.<br><br>And you think the <i>left</i> is loony?
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Congrats to Obama (OT)
Posted By: <b>Richard Simon</b><p>I don't believe Obama will lie to the American people to start a war, I don't believe Obama will trample on the Constitution, I believe Obama won't embarrass us throughout the world, and I don't think I have "misunderestimated" him. He will follow left-center policies and those who think otherwise will be fooled. <br><br><br><br>Of course don't forget that famous presidential quote,, "fool me once, shame on, shame on you, fool me, you can't get fooled again." DUH,,, I don't think Pete Townsend wrote it that way. George, maybe you shoulda Googled it before speaking.<br><br><br><br>BUSH IS GONE,,the president with a 22% approval rating, the lowest in history, the man who is responsible for the current condition of this country, the world is smiling, truly <img src="/images/happy.gif" height="14" width="14" alt="happy.gif">.<br><br><br><br>Tuesday was a historic day, let us all hope that President Obama succeeds, otherwise all of us will be in trouble. <br><br><br><br>=<br><br><br><br>I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.<br><br><br><br>Unknown author <br><br><br><br>--<br><br><br><br>We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember.<br><br><br><br>No retreat baby, no surrender.<br><br><br><br>The Boss
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Congrats to Obama (OT)
Posted By: <b>Joel</b><p>Jim C...what's the name of your old company...the one that went under...the one whose stock was worthless....ya that one...I'd think anyone would want a little more government control after that mess and the countless others which occurred and the future messes which are around the corner.<br><br>I am a republican and Bush sucked. Obama's got one huge mess on his hands...none of this mess was here 8 year's ago when Bush took over. Did Bush and company just have a lot of bad luck? <br><br>I'm in WA state and our economy is one of the better ones around..umemployment hit 7.1 percent today. and that's NOT including the 4k WAMU jobs about to go in the next 30 days. <br><br>Hard to see anyone bashing Obama on day 2, give the guy a chance...even if he does nothing in the next 4 years...that's better than Bush did in 8.<br><br>The only good thing Bush did was to not pardon Libby. That was surprising considering his gang goes back for decades....too bad more of them weren't tried and convicted.
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Congrats to Obama (OT)
Posted By: <b>MikeU</b><p>"FCC will impose "fairness doctrine" on talk radio fundamentally reducing influence of Rush and Dr. Laura." <br><br>And you consider this a bad thing?
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Congrats to Obama (OT)
Posted By: <b>JimCrandell</b><p>In response to two comments.<br><br>In regards to my comment about doing everything possible to expand the Latino vote to make all the SW states Democratic being loony--I predict Obama will legalize all illegal immigrants who have been in the country 5 years to get them to a stage where they can vote as quickly as possible.<br><br>I also think he will weaken border controls.<br><br>On the issue of fairness doctrine--lets see left wing media--NY Times, Boston Globe, LA Times, Washington Post, CBS, NBC. ABC, MSMBC, CNN. Right Wing--Fox News, Successful Talk Radio--yeah seems balanced to me. <br><br>Anyone who listened to the media euphoria surrounding Obama's inauguration should come away with view that mainstream media in the bag for Obama.
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Congrats to Obama (OT)
Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Why shouldn't the media love Obama? He's the complete package, whether you agree with his policies or not. Incredible charisma, beautiful wife, Harvard educated, fiery speaker, he's got it all.
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Posted By: <b>JimCrandell</b><p>Barry,<br><br>And the left wing media is completely in sync with his socialist agenda...its perfect for them..and you think its great because you are a liberal--but its hardly fair and objective journalism.
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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>America is in love with the Obamas, and the media is going with it. It's a great story, and it's what the country wants right now. 80% of the people are fed up and angry at conservative politics, and you can thank Bush for that. He dsstroyed his party, and it may take them a decade or more to recover.
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Congrats to Obama (OT)
Posted By: <b>joe brennan</b><p>I don't see Obama being as far left as Jim predicts. I think he will make more enemies in the Republican party than people think. We needed a smart man to guide us through this time and we elected the best choice we had. He surely can do no worse than the last sitting president. I for one look forward to progress. BTW, I am a republican, but would never have voted for a man who would prolong another useless war. Bring our boys home and improve the economy and he is a success.<br><br>In Rememberance of James W. Brennan Sr. 1924-1982. Dad, thanks for everything you did for me.
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Posted By: <b>JimCrandell</b><p>Barry,<br><br>That is through the eyes of a liberal--Chris Matthews says there is Lincoln, JFK and Obama.<br><br>Step away from this and if one analyzes what he is likely to do I think most Americans with traditional values would be appalled. <br><br>You don't like Bush --I understand. I think he did great things in protecting the country against terrorism. He should have cut non-defense spending a lot more but the Dem majority in House of Senate would not have allowed this.<br><br>My hope is southern Dems will align with Reps. and block his extremist agenda.<br><br>Jim
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Posted By: <b>PC</b><p>Timing is everything for Presidents. <br><br>Bush came in when times were good, and big problems brewing -- his public approval could only go down.<br><br>Obama has come in when times are real bad, with those big problems in full force -- his public approval, which will likley go down in the near term, will most likely be positive at the end of his term(s).<br><br>Blaming Bush for everything is popular, and overly simplistic. He did not create the bad lending practices and the government programs that supported those practices, which brought down the international banking system. Those policies came into being under Clinton, and a liberal Congress. No other President had to deal with such a large scale attack on American soil. His reaction was (necessarily) militaristic, something that will always be unpopular, and vocally unpopular in the left wing press. And if you think Gore would not have gone into Iraq, you're not seeing the big picture, or you've bought into the left wing "Bush vendetta" and "they lied to us" mantras. And as far as trampling the Constitution, no one on this board, and I'm certain no one you know or met, has been denied any Constitutional rights under Bush, whether it be under the Patriot Act or otherwise. Regarding Gitmo, I think it has served its purpose and Obama will close it, but the legal reality is that the "detainees" are not protected by the Constitution.<br><br>And for the far left that is up in arms over the Patriot Act, but seem to be big FDR fans, try to remember all the things that FDR -- the beloved founder of modern government liberalism -- did, in the face of economic and military crises, all of which make the Patriot Act and Gitmo appear inconsequential. FDR's two biggest violations include incarcerating American citizens based on race (the Japanese internment camps), and he tried to expand the Supreme Court to pack it with judges sympathetic to his most clearly unconstitutional policies and programs. And he ran for a third term ... viewed now and then as dictatorial. Oh, don't forget Pearl Harbor and WWII.<br><br>I'm not a Bush fan. I think he listened to bad advice, and could have done better. But if you think our economic, foreign relation and environmental problems would not have existed under Gore or Kerry, then I think you give far too much credit to some, and too much blame to others.<br><br>I certainly hope things improve under Obama. We need him to be successful.
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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>I think Americans with traditional values will embrace Obama. I think you are wrong there.
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Posted By: <b>Richard Simon</b><p>"But if you think our economic, foreign relation and environmental problems would not have existed under Gore or Kerry"<br>In reference to this quote,,, Gore would never have invaded Iraq.<br>=<br><br>I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.<br>Unknown author <br>--<br>We made a promise. We swore we'd always remember.<br>No retreat baby, no surrender.<br>The Boss
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Congrats to Obama (OT)
Posted By: <b>John K</b><p> The Right seems to fear socialism. Bush seems to have given it to us already, in large degree. As Robert Reich said in 2008, "We have Socialism for the Rich and Capitalism for everyone else."<br> On another topic, the Grey Wolf may be able to breathe easier after Jan 20.
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Posted By: <b>Tom Boblitt</b><p>"BUSH IS GONE,,the president with a 22% approval rating, the lowest in history, the man who is responsible for the current condition of this country, the world is smiling, truly."<br><br><br>Ah....but the vast majority of congress with the mid teens approval rating are still firmly ensconced to protect us! The only group with a LOWER rating than Bush.....<br>
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Posted By: <b>David Atkatz</b><p>True.<br><br>But they have <i>far</i> less power to do ill.
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Posted By: <b>Jim VB</b><p>Tom, <br><br>The ironic thing is, that while Congress, as a whole, has low approval ratings, almost every single Representative and Senator has good to excellent ratings from his own district or state. <br><br>80% of the country sees Congress as ineffective, but it's NEVER our guy. It's ALWAYS the other people's guy who stinks.
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Posted By: <b>Tom Boblitt</b><p>They're all a bunch of liars and cheats the whole lot of them. Only way to make it into politics. May seem a little cynical, but we now have Geithner(sp?) and Holder and others. Just a new bunch of crooks running things. Some people like this group of crooks better, some liked the last! One thing for sure, no shortage of crooks in politics..................<br><br>
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Posted By: <b>Richard Simon</b><p>Saying that only Congress has a lower public approval rating than Bush is not correct.<br>That renowned war hero Dick Cheney,(I think he had four deferments during the Vietnam war because he was too busy to serve his country in uniform)has a lower public approval rating than Congress. I would have been proud to have served with you Dick, where were you?<br>Congratulations Mr. Cheney, only you coulda been ranked worse than Congress in the public eye.<br><br><br>ps. Very,very good point JimVB. <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><b r><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
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Congrats to Obama (OT)
Posted By: <b>marshall barkman</b><p>I love the fact that Obama has bigtime swagger. Finally a President who brings something more to the table than a brisk walk and stiff facial expressions. The dude was grooving and is not afraid to be himself. His record speaks for itself in the accomplishment category. My only fear is that the tide can shift almost instantly so he better watch with the rock god adulation. People have very high expectations and i'm quite sure they do not understand true politics or the Washington machine. I live a hour from DC and the town can eat you alive if your not careful. Good luck Obama and welcome to the jungle.
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Congrats to Obama (OT)
Posted By: <b>Rob D.</b><p>Best. Post. Ever.
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Congrats to Obama (OT)
Posted By: <b>Pennsylvania Ted</b><p>......you remind me of the "LONE RANGER" besieged in the old Wild West.<br><br>With the exception of an accurately informative post by Stephen Mitchell.....and TOM B.....you are outnumbered by the<br> "usual suspects", whose comments are strictly dictated by emotion, and not reality.<br><br>Riding in to "rescue" is "TONTO TED" with 2 Colt 45's blazing (hey guys, I actually own these antiques from the Civil War <br>era).<br><br>Stephen M. spoke of the post-Depression period and I'll further elaborate for the benefit of our uninformed posters here.<br><br>Hoover was the President on that 1st "day of infamy" when the "Great Depression" occurred on Oct. 29th, 1929. Hoover<br>used his "bully pulpit" to try to rally the American people with his "optimistic" speeches in 1930-32; however, mere words<br> were very ineffective.<br><br>In 1933 FDR took over and increased the Big Government remedies in an attempt to restore the country's economic woes.<br>FDR's policies were very similar to what our politicians are doing now. FDR's policies DID NOT alleviate the economic woes,<br> as is evident in the following UNEMPLOYMENT numbers for the 12 years following the Depression...... <br><br>1930....25.5%<br>1935....20.3%<br>1936.... 16.9%<br>1937....14.3%<br>1938....19.1%<br>1939... .17.2%<br>1940....14.8%<br><br>It was not till 1942 that the Unemployment figures finally dropped. It took WWII to reduce unemployment to an unprece-<br>dented low of 1.9%.<br><br>So, let's hope that our new President learns from this history....eloquent and grandious rhetoric will not pull us out of our<br> current economic problems....nor will "Big Government" policies.<br><br>Allow the American people the freedom to control more of their hard earned $$$$$....however they so desire. And, watch<br> this current recession vanish within a year. <br><br>Too many of our politicians have forgotten, or have ignored George Santayana's famous aphorism......<br><br>"Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it".<br><br><br><br>
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Congrats to Obama (OT)
Posted By: <b>Tom Boblitt</b><p>Can Obama BRING THE NOISE? what about bringing the funk? We never get that one. Just a little humor.......don't flame me...........<br>
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