The Starving States

Inside Obama's meeting with a beleaguered group of governors.

By Howard Fineman | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Dec 2, 2008

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  • Posted By: ok4u @ 12/03/2008 7:55:41 PM

    If anyone thinks Bush wrecked the economy, he doesn't remember who it was that put the policies into effect that caused the problems in the first place. Must be the TV mentality, where there is no time between cause and effect. But revisionist history is one of the benchmarks of a modern liberal, isn't it?

    • Posted By: 40YearR @ 12/04/2008 11:35:18 PM



      I can see you're in to the Fix 'News' and anonymous email reality. So, Bush was rendered incapable by 'those policies'? LMAO!

      See, Mah! I TOLD you it was those radlibs all along. Rush just told me!

      A 40 year republican

      • Posted By: ok4u @ 12/05/2008 10:28:07 AM

        Sorry, I don't get cable or satellite. How is CNN? FYI, Both Bush and McCain called for oversight investigation into the operations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, well before it came undone. Guess who said they were working very well, and led the refusal to look into the matter? Barney Frank and Chris Dodd. Gee, I can see why they need to blame Bush. The best defense is... It's called CYA.

        • Posted By: 40YearR @ 12/05/2008 8:07:57 PM



          You didn't get this slop from CNN, It's just a recapitulation of the smear emails that started when McC hire Rick Davis and the Bushies to run his campaign.

          If you really want to know, rather that regurgitate the preemptive lies, read these;

          http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/22/us/politics/22mccain.html and http://www.newsweek.com/id/164732/page/1

          Davis was paid millions to lobby republicans against regulation, including while he was McC's campaign manager. One of the articles describes how the republicans had the votes to past that law, but massive lobbying of republicans kept it from even getting out of committee. They had the votes to do it without a single democrat vote.

          You're the one who's pitching the revisionist history fed to you by the propaganda office.

          A 40 year republican

          • Posted By: 40YearR @ 12/07/2008 4:16:08 PM



            The links I gave above are dated, but not refuted. Check out this new AP article

            http://www.newsweek.com/id/172797/page/1

            The massive lobbying in the links provided earlier were just a few specific drops in the rainstorm describen in the AP article.

            Does anyone, who actually reads the articles at the links I've provided, think this is just revisionist history? If so, then please provide citations.

            A 40 year republicans

  • Posted By: sharkman @ 12/05/2008 12:16:59 AM

    We will not pay higher taxes,why do you think our manufacturing companies left the US it was not for cheap labor it was for cheap taxes and oversight.Socialism will not work it will lead to communism.

    • Posted By: OhioGal @ 12/05/2008 1:12:55 PM

      Alot of our industrial goods are now made in China, a communist country, so it must be working for them. Our jobs have gone overseas because people in poorer countries will work for less, they also have a lower cost of living. Another major reason companies go overseas is so that they won't have to pay the large health benefits that companies pay American workers. Most countries have nationalized health or people who can afford to pay for medical care pay for it themselves.

  • Posted By: VoiceOne @ 12/03/2008 6:10:33 PM

    ......................................Bush is an incompetent President in so many ways and America has watched his blunders year after year and finally we get to see him leave the White House. Bush has been among the worst President sthat America has had. Bush is a failure just like fellow Republicans Herbert Hoover and Richard Nixon were. It will take America years to overcome the mess that Bush has made!!!

    • Posted By: 40YearR @ 12/04/2008 11:37:14 PM



      Carter was my worst. Now it's Bush. No contest.

      A 40 year republican

  • Posted By: vstillwell @ 12/04/2008 10:22:13 AM

    ok4u: Blah blah blah blah blah. Go to a Sarah Palin rally and leave us alone.

  • Posted By: trogers @ 12/03/2008 10:52:10 PM

    Despite restrictions and safeguards approved by voters; local and state govermenments have spent more than they are allowed and far more than they can afford. They can't control themselves. So now they appeal to the mother of all overspending, the US Congress, to save themselves from themselves. All over America efforts to constrain local, and state budgets have failed. Why? Why is it so hard for cities and counties and states to figure out balanced budgets? The public employee legacy costs are overwhelming budgets across the country. Cities , counties and states have so many pensions and benefits to pay they can never catch up. The power of the pension people means no reform can ever be accomplished. They must be paid at all costs even if bankruptcy is the inevitable result. Like the unions who will never accept less even if it means the destruction of the companies they work for; government employees will never agree to reduced benefits to save the system that pays them. In the end the whole system will collapse because of simple arithmetic. Not enough taxes and fees can be forced on the citizens to maintain the lifestyle of the current and retired public employees. There are far too many of them supported by far too few private citizens already on life support. No politician can challenge this insanity until the ultimate crash occurs. Then they will be the first to say they saw it coming.

  • Posted By: ok4u @ 12/03/2008 7:55:59 PM

    If anyone thinks Bush wrecked the economy, he doesn't remember who it was that put the policies into effect that caused the problems in the first place. Must be the TV mentality, where there is no time between cause and effect. But revisionist history is one of the benchmarks of a modern liberal, isn't it?

  • Posted By: Jack999 @ 12/03/2008 6:01:28 PM

    Repigs are just plain stupid politicians when at Helm,Saddam Hussein in the mid conflict of war with Iran,before bush created his own war Iraq.He should has let Saddam attacking Kurdis who lives at Iranian border, Kurdis are mainly Iranian decendant tribe,that definately be supported by Iran,Bush instead choose to interfere ,which cost the US taxpayer with the dumb war and money one trillion,worst still costing US economy at its knee,by creating War with Iraq claming WMD, Bush should cares for US interest ,Lets Iraq goes to War with Iran,at US benefits by watching from far,same time,US dont have to worry about Iranian and its nuclear.weapon. or at least with his concern he can verify and see about Iraq WWD ability.

  • Posted By: maggieschumacher @ 12/03/2008 12:54:14 AM

    Actually California has a Republican Governor. You know Arnold Swartzenegger, he's R. The state is sick of the failed economic policies of the Republican Party's last 8 years, so they voted Dem. in the presidential election

    • Posted By: Tenplay16 @ 12/03/2008 3:23:47 PM

      Lol sure but Arnolds a liberal repub but the state has voted dem in the presidential elections every time since 88' california is a blue state with failed dem policies look no farther to see what big government can do

    • Posted By: Tenplay16 @ 12/03/2008 3:17:51 PM

      Lol sure but Arnolds a liberal repub but the state has voted dem in the presidential elections every time since 88' california is a blue state with failed dem policies look no farther to see what big government can do

  • Posted By: dachou11 @ 12/03/2008 4:46:51 AM

    Ok4u,
    I don't think you know what you are talking about. CA has been under a republican for 8 years, MA has been under republican for more 14 years and they have jst elacted a DEMOCRAT. CT has been under republicain, FL has been under republicain, AK has been under republicain, NH has been under republicain, RI has been under republicain. Should I keep going...? NOW GO GET F... and DON'T BLAME US FOR YOUR FAILURE

    • Posted By: ok4u @ 12/03/2008 11:06:45 AM

      Arnold is a Republican? Well I guess he does call himself that. I do wish these RINO's that act like Democrats would be honest and change parties. It would lessen the confusion people like you have. But thanks for your advice anyway. I expect nothing less from a liberal. They are such angry, unhappy people, even when they win. BTW, there isn't much real difference between Republicans and Democrats. The biggest difference is the Democrats want to wreck the country a little sooner than the Republicans do. But there is difference between liberals and conservatives.

      • Posted By: 40YearR @ 12/03/2008 2:01:27 PM



        I LOVE you ultras. Anyone who isn't as right wing as you, isn't a 'true' republican, unless you're having a bad day, which seems frequent, and then we're rad-libs or worse.

        "The biggest difference is the Democrats want to wreck the country a little sooner than the Republicans do."

        What's left to wreck after the last 8 years?

        A 40 year republican

    • Posted By: bmd12345 @ 12/03/2008 10:45:44 AM

      Sorry buddy, this is because New York has sucked us dry with all of the bailouts - 7 trillions worth

  • Posted By: maggieschumacher @ 12/03/2008 1:24:46 PM

    A lot of immigrants are more focused, work harder, and faster then some Americans. Just because some people were lucky enough to be born in the US, they think they can just get a free ride and not try as hard. This is becoming a global economy and Americans need to step up to the plate and become more educated and speak other languages.

  • Posted By: maggieschumacher @ 12/03/2008 1:22:33 PM

    Enter Your Comment

  • Posted By: thinkotsdbox @ 12/03/2008 1:11:58 PM

    Well the Whole world is affected and you folks still think its Republicans vs. Democrats. I guess you elites are not as smart as you think. :-)

    Try living in the real world, both parties stink... and only want power. We need competition!
    PS. many immigrants are far better educated and paid than Americans.

  • Posted By: maggieschumacher @ 12/03/2008 11:45:23 AM

    It's funny how Republicans are blaming Democrats for this financial mess we're in. I remember times being pretty good when Bill Clinton was the Pres. Now look what our Lame Duck Republican President Bush is leaving us with. I'm so happy that we have a new administration coming soon. Hopefully Obama will turn things back to how it was during the Clinton administration.

  • Posted By: bmd12345 @ 12/03/2008 10:43:41 AM

    Amazing - This is what happens when a state tries to become something for everybody. Pretty soon everybody wants something and views the handout as a right. What ever happened to the WASP tradition, pulling yourselves up by your own bootstrap and work hard?

    Sooner or later we will have to pay the piper. For all of the immigrants who expect the government to do something for you, you just do not understand the US after all. The reason why the US is a great, is due to the hard work and INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY of the citizens, and not because the government is great.

    Big momma can no longer give out any more milk, it has dried out.

    • Posted By: summer4077 @ 12/03/2008 11:21:43 AM

      I live in one of the hardest hit states, Ohio. Your notion of people looking for a handout should just work harder is completely off base. This state has seen numerous factories close in the past two years, losing tens of thousands of jobs that have yet to be replaced (including Anheuser Busch which was bought out by a foreign corporation). So your next argument might be they need to get a better education. Ok, that sounds good until you realize that Ohio is also one of the most expensive places to do so--we recently received an F on a national report card of affordable education. It's not that people don't want to work, it's that they're caught in a vicious cycle. No jobs, education way too expensive, then they lose their house...it's really terrible and depressing here. These people that are flooding welfare and medicaid systems right now most likely don't relish it. They're probably horrified and embarassed to find themselves where they never thought they'd be. And the WASP comparison is absolutely ridiculous. This is one fellow WASP who realizes I've had way more advantages than other populations. We're all Americans. Now is the time to help each other, not point fingers.

  • Posted By: besseli @ 12/03/2008 11:16:43 AM

    Look bmd12345, get off the immigrant case. I don't know any immigrant in this country that believes the gvt should take care of his need. They work hard for minimum wage without benefits and yet they don't complain. But looser like you that received all kind of breaks along the way are still looking for scapegoat. Please go deal with your insecurity elsewhere....

  • Posted By: ok4u @ 12/02/2008 10:40:06 PM

    Funny how it is the States that have been under long-term Democrat "leadership" that have the most severe financial problems. They do like to buy votes with the people's money, though.

    • Posted By: summer4077 @ 12/03/2008 11:16:41 AM

      Ohio, my state, has only had Dem leadership for 2 years and Strickland inherited quite a mess of corruption, a broke budget, and scandal by a long stretch of REPUBLICANS. Spare the Dem/Repub BS. All of the states are hurting regardless of leadership...it falls back to failed leadership on a federal level.

    • Posted By: Doc Howl @ 12/03/2008 9:08:49 AM

      What? LOL.

  • Posted By: besseli @ 12/03/2008 11:12:19 AM

    Look bmd12345, get off the immigrant case. I don't know any immigrant in this country that believes the gvt should take care of his need. They work hard for minimum wage without benefits and yet they don't complain. But looser like you that received all kind of breaks along the way are still looking for scapegoat. Please go deal with your insecurity elsewhere....

  • Posted By: DrewCAENG @ 12/03/2008 7:15:02 AM

    Fact: Every state that voted for McCain with the exception of TX, I repeat EVERY state (minus TX) that voted red is a debtor state!! They take more $ from the Fed gov. then they pay in, with Mississippi being the worst at somewhere near $2.45 per every $1 paid in. And these are the poeple crying about socialism and wanting McCains spending freeze!
    Sorry red states your sports and food are great but you people are virtually worthless!

    • Posted By: bmd12345 @ 12/03/2008 10:57:24 AM

      Last time I checked NY, Mass and Cali were dem, even though Arnold is repub - he is really a dem. Both states are blood suckers

  • Posted By: dachou11 @ 12/03/2008 4:44:44 AM

    Ok4u,
    I don't think you know what you are talking about. CA has been under a republican for 8 years, MA has been under republican for more 14 years and they have jst elacted a DEMOCRAT. CT has been under republicain, FL has been under republicain, AK has been under republicain, NH has been under republicain, RI has been under republicain. Should I keep going...? NOW GO GET F... and DON'T BLAME US FOR YOUR FAILURE

  • Posted By: Jane Iddings @ 12/03/2008 12:59:31 AM

    Why ask why, but why have the states not seen these budget deficits coming? Or maybe they have and we just haven't heard how dire the situation is in most states. Every way P-E Obama turns, there is someone with a begging bowl. How many will there be? How many can we fill? How will we fill them? What will those who go away with empty bowls do? There are way more questions than there are answers. Clearly we need all hands on deck or the ship is going down fast. We all need to do our part, to work with P-E Obama in what is turning out to be an unbelievable job. This is going to take every bit of maturity we can possibly muster. Jane Iddings, Blogger, GrowUpNow.info and BarackObamaRealMaturity.com

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