ThinkProgress: It’s often claimed that the Solyndra loan guarantee was “rushed through” by the Obama Administration for political reasons. In fact, the Solyndra loan guarantee was a multi-year process that the Bush Administration launched in 2007.
You’d never know from the media coverage that the Bush team tried to conditionally approve the Solyndra loan just before President Obama took office…..
Because one of the Solyndra investors is funded by George Kaiser – a man who donated money to the Obama campaign – the loan guarantee has been attacked as being political in nature.
What critics don’t mention is that one of the earliest and largest investors, Madrone Capital Partners, is funded by the family that started Wal-Mart, the Waltons. The Waltons have donated millions of dollars to Republican candidates over the years.
…. the media has decided on a narrative that matches right-wing talking points but not the facts….
… To set the record straight, Climate Progress is publishing this timeline – verified by Department of Energy officials – that shows how the loan guarantee came together under both administrations. In fact, rather than rushing the loan for Solyndra through, the Obama Administration restructured the original Bush-era deal to further protect the taxpayers’ investment (See timeline at the link)
What critics fail to mention is that the Solyndra deal is more than three years old, started under the Bush Administration, which tried to conditionally approve the loan right before Obama took office. Rather than “pushing funds out the door too quickly,” the Obama Administration restructured the original loan when it came into office to further protect the taxpayers’ investment.
Full post here
The Obama Diary 
Why can’t the media ever get things right???? It is because it is all right wing.
I saw that “court jester” and newest PL Obama hater comedian who hates being called a liberal, Jon Stewart, was repeating the lies with clips of Obama touring the plant and Joe Biden saying this company will create millions of permanate jobs.
It’s still embarrassing, they got screwed by this company and are now being blamed for it!
Distraction!
The article also explains how market forces were also in play.
Jovie it won’t be a distraction for the administration. Everyone else will obsess over it. Count me out. 😎
Five Biggest Right-Wing Lies About Solyndra
Since President Obama’s election, right-wing media outlets have again been engaged in creating a constant stream of negative and destructive “stories” that try to turn the public against the president, Democrats in general and government itself.
The Number One Lie
And the number 1 lie told by conservatives is:
1. Something bad happened.
The right has been trying to push the idea that something bad has happened involving Solyndra. They are calling it a “scandal.” But it is entirely a manufactured scandal, like those from the Clinton era. This is what they do. Nothing bad happened.
http://www.ourfuture.org/blog-entry/2011093715/top-5-list-5-biggest-right-wing-lies-about-solyndra
I promise from now on I will not read anything about that nasty bastard Jon Stewart. Something is up with Stewart, all this has gotten to personal. Is Stewart Jewish. I have notice Jon really turn on Obama around the time Israel PM came to the U.S. and the President talk about Israel and Palestine,and the 1967 border. I have no facts, all this is just my opinion.
Jon Stewart is Jewish, but his disdain and resentment of President Obama runs far deeper!!!
And no amount of being “nice” to random blacks like Common while he demeans and disrespects President Obama is going to hide his agenda!!!
I wish people like Common, Oprah etc. would stop falling for the fake and dishonest flattery and glorifying by people like Jon Stewart who only use them as cover for his racially motivated attacks on President Obama!!!
Exactly Eleroy! There are some prominent AA’s who are in DENIAL or want validation from these so called Progressive entertainers, pundits, and journalist. We all have to stay focused on the task at hand, including PBO’s supporters in Hollywood. Obama/Biden 2012!!
Wow, I think you are so far off base it’s hard to even know where to start. I would love for you to supply any sort of evidence of Jon Stewarts “deep disdain” for this president and would really love for you justify your implication that it has something to do with him being Jewish. I find your accusation that he has engaged in demeaning racially motivated attacks on this president absurd, offensive and without merit. If you believe they have some merit then please back them up with some sort of facts.
It does absolutely no good to attack people who are on our side. Yes, they may find occasional fault with the president (which is fine and is actually healthy) but that certainly does not mean they are attacking him or do not support him. There must be an ability to discern between the Jane Hamshers of the world and those who support the president but do disagree with him from time to time.
Jon Stewart’s segment on Solyndra was shoddy work done by he and his merry band of idiots called “writers.” He basically copied the rightwing crap reporting from all stations “liberal” and conservative alike and spewed nonsense. Frankly, that was dumb reporting and he showed he’s no smarter than an amoeba.
I personally love Jon Stewart, I watch him almost every night and think he is spot-on on most things and is usually great at skewering the media for how really awful they are. He and his team got a bit sloppy on this one and just went with whatever the beltway media was reporting but I personally don’t believe he is an Obama hater just because of the occasional jab on his show.
I did however write to his show and let him know that he didn’t do his due diligence in looking into the story and he should revisit it at some point.
I thought Jon Stewart recently stated that he would vote for one of the Republican candidates instead of President Obama?
In essence he did say that but he said it as a hypothetical and not in reference to any of the current candidates. He also explains why he says that. It’s very much middle of the road and although it might be disappointing it would be hard to call him part of the PL as many do here at the same time that they accuse him of wanting to vote for a Republican. He says his expectations weren’t met and freely admits that he doesn’t really know if his expectations were fair to president Obama. Some of his points are correct.
Our president has been head down, getting the job done and he did miss out on some of the “bully pulpit” opportunities in the first couple years because he was busy grinding out legislation with the Congress while he had it. I think what many people, liberals in particular struggled with (and I admit to it on occasion) is that he was so very inspirational, so aspirational during the campaign and when he went straight to governing (which is actually his job) and left the oratory behind to a certain extent, that was somewhat disappointing to many. On the political side it was also a bit of a miss because the best way to get “the people” on your side is to create the right narrative and sing it loud. Because of the depth and breadth of the problems the country was facing he really needed to be heads down and therefore wasn’t able to inspire the people like they wanted. It’s very lazy and selfish on the part of “the people” but it does go part of the way in explaining why people are disappointed. Jon Stewart made a decent point about how he had expected Obama to be (ala Teddy Roosevelt & Reagan) and how he was in the first couple years.
Here is the link to what Jon Stewart actually said on the Bill O’Reilly show
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/18/jon-stewart-bill-oreilly-obama-republican_n_863464.html
I also watch Jon Stewart and I’m sorry to say from the beginning of the 2011 season, he has in essence been the definition of the word hypocrite. Yes he occasionally jabs the republicans and points out their destructive policies in local, state, and federal government and he mocks them for their intransigence but at the same time he would make Jane Hamsher proud. Why people call him a PL or a Firebagger is because he would make Jane Hamsher proud. PL’s and Firebaggers would vote for a Republican if only to just “stick it” to President Obama because he hasn’t fulfilled one or more of their neurotic demands. President Obama was a great campaigner, and more people should have opened their ears while he was campaigning; because even though he talked about hope and Yes We Can, he also told us it would be DIFFICULT. Our economic problems are deep and he would need our help to dig us out. He told people that it may take more than one term to lift us out of the doldrums so to speak. Instead of progressives exercising something called…. Oh I don’t know…..hmmmm….. patience; they and Jon Stewart began projecting their absurd impossible to meet demands on this President. He’s not God. He’s a human being and there will be false starts and step backs but he’s doing the best he can. Haven’t you all heard of the saying “you campaign in poetry and govern in prose.” The President talked and talked ad nauseam about why we needed the stimulus, healthcare, and while he was doing this he and his administration were creating better job creating environments but oh no it still wasn’t enough for the likes of Jon Stewart who mocked him for saving the financial district because that automatically made him “beholden” to Wall Street. Governing is boring, long, tedious and complicated. One often has to deal with people from the other side of the aisle who may not agree with ones policies. Unfortunately for President Obama, he’s not dealing with the normal type of opposition but a concerted effort to not only personally destroy him but to put a definite stop to his presidency. Jon Stewart mocks the media for their dumb and lazy reporting and their failed practices. Well, if I were him I would take a look into the mirror and then he would see that he was just as bad if not worse than the people he mocks. He laudes himself as a speaker of truth and one who points out the crap job our msm is doing. Well he should look at the crap hit job on President Obama that he’s been conducting since the beginning of the 2011 season. He thinks just because he uses satire and sarcasm it gives him the right to mock President Obama and his accomplishments in infantile juvenile manner. He mocks President Obama for not making use of the bully pulpit. Well Jon is a liar. If he would go to http://www.whitehouse.gov he would see many examples of President Obama effectively using the bully pulpit. But does Jon bother to show his audience the videos, blogs, and other effective tools President Obama and his administration have and continue to use? No. He doesn’t even tell them that he’s not reporting the true and complete story. He knows a lot of young people watch him and regard him as their news and he does a piss poor job of informing them about what President Obama has achieved. He mocks President Obama for not being more “Shaft-like” what kind of disgusting tripe is that? He mocked President Obama for the American Jobs Act. Who the hell in their sane mind mocks a bill that will put a lot of people to work and grow the economy? He wants President Obama to constantly yell and portray the angry black man demeanor because then he’ll be satisfied that President Obama is effectively doing his job. Well newsflash President Obama is not Samuel .L. Jackson in some action movie. He’s the President of the United States and Jon should accord him that respect. He mocked President Obama for his South America trip where President Obama was trying to strengthen our relationship with Brazil, Chile, and El Salvador and make sure that as these countries grew in leaps and bounds economically, the U.S. will be on hand to be a partner in that growth so that our collective industries can benefit. He basically reduced the worhwhile trip to crap by saying that all President Obama did was play soccer and listen to music in some favela. Who the hell mocks a President for taking time to visit a poor section of Brazil and playing soccer with orphans and listening to music and a show put on for him by proud children? He mocked the Wisconsin union workers and basically referred to them as another version of the tea party. Who the hell in their right mind does that? He mocked President Obama for the Solyndra mess without conducting his own research to find out the truth and present the truth to his audience. He basically used the msm’s reporting that he mocks and did a lazy, lazy, lazy job. Will he correct it next week? Of course not. He goes on shows like Rachel Maddow and Bill O’Reilly and mocks President Obama in a childish playground tit for tat manner and says he might hypothetically vote republican. Well ok then Jon….. you may do as you wish. Let’s see how that turns out for you. His appearance on O’Reilly was disgusting. What did he go there to do? To show that he’s sooooo “impartial” that he can endlessly and baselessly mock President Obama so no one will accuse of him of being an Obot. No one says he shouldn’t criticize President Obama. But that criticism should be fair, based on logic, facts, and truth and not some hair on fire nonsense he pulls out of his disgruntled ass. Yes, Jon Stewart is a comedian but that doesn’t give him the right to conduct lazy research and spew tripe instead of informing his audience with the truth. Yes, Jon Stewart is a liberal but that doesn’t mean it automatically protects him from criticism when he does piss poor job after piss poor job night after night. Jon Stewart should take a look into the truth mirror and own up to the fact that he has done a disservice to his millions of viewers and to President Obama. He needs to take a million lessons from Stephen Colbert and Colbert’s writers who actually conduct
credible research. Colbert may act like a “conservative” on his show but he speaks the truth. He, unlike Stewart realizes what is at stake in 2012 and though he criticizes President Obama, he does so in a fair and truthful manner while at the same time pointing out his accomplishments.
Spot on utaustinliberal…
Jon Stewart has been horrid…
But in a bid to wage some weirdly obsessive, petty, spiteful, personal war against President Obama while shamelessly sucking up to the Bill O’Reilly’s of the world, Jon instead ends up exposing himself for the weak, disingenuous, dishonest, coward he really is…
Personal and demeaning digs at President Obama is easy schtick…especally when one relies on and employs right wing/PL talking points and plays loose with facts for full effect and with every intention to strip the President of support and respect, …
But for someone who’s obviously bought into his own hype and has been undeservedly lauded as the honest, unafraid, truth-telling political satirist, Jon not only falls way short, but has proven time and again that he is thin-skinned, petty, spiteful, cowardly, vindictive and painfully small in every sense of the word…
Jon Stewart’s take on President Obama is never the response of one who has been ‘disappointed’…
His persistent hit jobs on President Obama while curiously choosing to ignore some of the more apparent and most pertinent factors and destructive forces at play at this our crucial point…are blatant and obvious and not only seek to diminish and disrespect, but reek of condescension, disdain and a resolve to destroy…
Nothing Jon says or does with regard to President Obama even slightly suggests that he is coming from a place of respectful critique or disagreement…
It is personal, petty, spiteful, reaching and unfunny…
HSR agency ordered to reach more minority businesses:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/09/california-high-speed-rail-minority-businesses.html
This Solyndra Thingy gives the republicans the excuse to say that green jobs are a myth!
Of course, the republicans don’t want to hear from the chief executives from Solyndra, instead only government officials! Hmmm!
say i just saw this tweet from tally i bet it’s been around here too. Oh well. I tried to paste it in I don’t know how I guess. anyways the gist is the republicans are trying for a powergrab in PA and the Dem organization is tyring to get sigs to stop them. the links below.
http://www.padems.com/petition/tell-republicans-stop-their-partisan-presidential-power-grab-pennsylvania
Looks good right now but we have to work like we are 7 points down:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/latest_polls/elections/
I am call banking tomorrow in my very old Jewish community area. I have all my research ready to go this time. I have a great article penned by Robert Wexler…who they love by the way….supporting our President. I also have his firm and number bookmarked to give out on my next round of calls. I spoke to my reps office (Ted Deutch) who took Wexlers place. We plan to have both Robert Wexler and Senator Schumer down here soon to speak to our community. My best asset is my Hebrew name which I use while making calls.
Shalom,
Shoshana
Mayor Koch said he was going to take his message national!
Me thinks, the RNC is paying him, or to be sure dick armey or Steve Forbes payrolls
He is that silly uncle you only bring out at holiday parties when everyone has had a little too much to drink.
I love you for this, and I love Robert Wexler! Love is in the air! 🙂
Bp to face 30 billion in fines! Some of that goes into the treasury snd some to help the coast rebuild, as promised by the President:
http://in.mobile.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-59383220110916?irpc=932
I thought ProPublica had a good story up about this too. It seemed very balanced without the overcharged language.
Mitt Romney Continues Factually Incorrect Attack On Obama’s Iran Policy
http://thinkprogress.org/security/2011/09/16/320861/mitt-romney-continues-factually-incorrect-attack-on-obamas-iran-policy/
Romney Misrepresents Obama’s Iran Record, Calls For ‘Credible Military Threat’ That Already Exists
http://thinkprogress.org/security/2011/09/14/319501/romney-credible-military-threat-iran/
During SecDef Confirmation Hearing, Lieberman Makes Sure Panetta Has A Plan To Attack Iran
http://thinkprogress.org/security/2011/06/09/241212/panetta-lieberman-iran-attack-plan/
look at the Repubs itching for a war with Iran.
This is the first thing they’re going to do if they take over the White House. Gov O’Malley was right about the damage that the GOP has done to this country, but the problem is that they plan to continue to do harm to the rest of the world, too. There’s a lot at stake with this election, globally.
Texas Close To Receiving 17th Medicaid Waiver, Despite Perry’s Complaints Of Federal Inflexibility
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2011/09/16/321349/texas-close-to-receiving-17th-medicaid-waiver-despite-perrys-complaints-of-federal-inflexibility/
Perry: We Wouldn’t Have As Many Uninsured In Texas ‘If You Didn’t Have The Federal Government’
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2011/09/08/314145/rick-perry-tries-to-blame-feds-for-texas-high-uninsurance-rate-here-are-the-real-reasons/
Texas And Feds Agree ‘In Principle’ On Medicaid Overhaul
http://capsules.kaiserhealthnews.org/index.php/2011/09/texas-and-feds-agree-in-principle-on-medicaid-overhaul/
https://www.cms.gov/medicaidstwaivprogdemopgi/mwdl/list.asp?filtertype=dual&datefiltertype=-1&datefilterinterval=&filtertype=data&datafiltertype=2&datafiltervalue=Texas&keyword=&intNumPerPage=10&cmdFilterList=Show+Items
Perry says “wouldn’t be as many uninsured in Texas” if not for the Fed Govt. He means: because they’d all be dead already.
More from THINK PROGRESS…..
A Post-Solyndra Video Primer on How Loan Guarantees Work
===============================================
The Solyndra investigation has brought loan guarantees out of the obscure world of political wonkery and into the living rooms of Americans around the country.
The problem is, many in the media are completely misrepresenting how the instrument works and who supports it. So we’ve put together a video primer on how loan guarantees work, posted below.
Some Republicans may want you to believe they don’t support this Obama-era display of government largesse. But in fact, one of the loan guarantee programs for clean energy was signed into law by the Bush Administration. And what did the Bush folks have to say about it in 2007?
“The administration is one step closer to issuing guarantees for loans for clean energy projects that will help reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources, boost economic competitiveness, and combat climate change,” DOE spokeswoman Megan Barnett wrote in an e-mail.
If that statement were made by the Obama Administration today, conservative politicians would be all over the airwaves complaining about government manipulation of markets. The fact is, loan guarantees have historically enjoyed bipartisan support — until it wasn’t politically convenient to do so.
================================================
http://thinkprogress.org/romm/2011/09/16/321226/video-primer-on-how-loan-guarantees-work/
Rick Perry: Romney’s Individual Mandate Is Socialism
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2011/09/16/321427/rick-perry-the-individual-mandate-is-socialism/
The HPV Vaccine: Rick Perry Was For The ‘Mandate’ Before He Was Against It
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2011/08/15/295838/the-hpv-vaccine-rick-perry-was-for-the-mandate-before-he-was-against-it/
FLASHBACK: Heritage Touted RomneyCare, Key Elements Of Health Reform Heritage Now Opposes
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2010/04/10/90621/heritage-romneycare/
FLASHBACK: GOP Supported Individual Mandate To Prevent ‘Government Takeover’ Of Health Care
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2011/05/31/232017/republicans-mandate/
Texas Insurance Rates Becoming Serious Issue
http://www.insurancequotes.org/news/texas-insurance-rates-becoming-serious-issue/
Gov. McDonnell: When Perry Says ‘Ponzi Scheme’ He Means ‘Preserve This Valuable Safety Program’
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/09/16/321259/mcdonnell-translates-perry-social-security/
Bob McDonnell to Rick Perry: Ponzi scheme not the best choice of words
http://www.thestatecolumn.com/articles/bob-mcdonnell-to-rick-perry-ponzi-scheme-not-the-best-choice-of-words/
Hi Guys and Gals,
@ the University of Delaware VP Biden is being introduced? Someone is talking about his senatorial papers – audio only @www.whitehouse.gov
Perry Once Bashed Financial Industry For Being ‘Run On Greed,’ Now Wants To Repeal Wall St. Reform
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/09/16/321161/perry-wall-street-tarp-flip-flops/
On Third Anniversary Of The 2008 Financial Crisis, GOP Candidates Pledge To ‘Free Up’ Wall Street
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/09/13/317692/financial-crisis-gop-wall-street/
Perry slams Washington for bailout failure
http://www.chron.com/business/article/Perry-slams-Washington-for-bailout-failure-1555461.php
Perry on TARP support: No ‘Ma’am’
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0911/Perry_on_TARP_support_No_Maam.html?showall
Gov. Scott Walker’s Office Targeted By Corruption Probe After FBI Raids Aide’s Home
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2011/09/16/321064/scott-walker-corruption-investigation/
Former Walker aide shaken, embarrassed following FBI raid, denies any wrongdoing
http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_ff2fabdc-dfef-11e0-805e-001cc4c03286.html
Former Walker aide Archer says she has done nothing wrong
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/129890163.html
Scott Walker, Wisconsin Governor, Eyed In Corruption Probe After FBI Raid On Cynthia Archer’s Home
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/16/scott-walker-cynthia-archer-fbi-raid-wisconsin_n_965899.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000008
Michele Bachmann Slams ‘Perrycare’ In Low-Budget Video [VIDEO]
http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/michele-bachmann-slams-perrycare-in-low-budget-video-video.php?ref=fpb
Romney: I Don’t Say Obama Is A ‘Socialist’ (VIDEO)
http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/romney-i-dont-say-obama-is-a-socialist-video.php?ref=fpb
Rick Perry’s Texas Hits Highest Unemployment Percentage In 24 Years
http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/rick-perrys-texas-hits-highest-unemployment-percentage-in-24-years.php?ref=fpb
Latest Texas jobs figures shows net jobs loss, unemployment highest in 24 years
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/09/16/7796858-latest-texas-jobs-figures-shows-net-jobs-loss-unemployment-highest-in-24-years
Walker: I Only Know About Investigation From The News
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/walker_i_only_know_about_investigation_from_the_ne.php?ref=fpb
Anybody else get this bunk of a reply from Speaker Boehner per letter sent to him today? I wrote him urging him to pass the Americans Jobs Act. Also noted my personal circumstances of being employed and the lack of action it is cost me and millions of other Americans to suffer and this is what I get:
September 16, 2011
Ms. ____________
_______________
____________________
Dear Ms. ______:
Thank you for taking the time to contact me. It’s good to hear from you.
Your ideas, comments, and questions help make possible my goal of leading a House of Representatives that listens and reflects the will of the American people. That’s why I’d like to ask you to keep speaking out by:
• Visiting Speaker.gov to sign up for email updates on issues that concern you;
• Offering your solutions and engaging other Americans on the challenges facing our country at AmericaSpeakingOut.com;
• Joining the conversation on Facebook.com/OfficeofSpeakerBoehner/; and
• Connecting with my office on Twitter.com/SpeakerBoehner/.
I made a Pledge to America to focus on removing government barriers to private-sector job creation and economic growth – that includes cutting spending to help end the uncertainty facing job creators; repealing the job-crushing health care law and replacing it with common sense reforms that lower costs; reining in excessive regulations; and promoting an American Energy Initiative that increases energy production to create jobs and lower energy prices. I also pledged to lead an effort to reform Congress and rebuild the bonds of trust between the American people and their representatives in Washington. I hope you’ll stay engaged and keep me updated on your thoughts as we work to keep this pledge.
Thank you again for contacting me and please stay in touch
Sincerely,
John Boehner
Speaker of the House
Sign up for The Speaker’s E-Newsletter!
Ha! Look at you – at least you got a reply! I saw that button to “sign up for the Speaker’s E-Newsletter!” and just thought quietly to myself ‘nope. no. not clicking on that. nope.’
Don’t give them your email addresses. That is what they are looking for!
I just sent Boehner an email and I didn’t give him my email address. I told him it is clear he doesn’t have the guts to do anything. I said you are afraid of Eric Cantor, you can’t control your members and you have to obey Limbaugh. I said you are so right you and the President are from different planets, on your planet people like you only care about the rich. You don’t give a dam about the middle class. What the American people will have to do is 2012 clean the Congress starting with you John Boehner.
Finally, I am on Twitter.
Now to sloooowwwwlllly learn!
I am ready to fight the smear!
I am @mtmarilyn2. I’ll find you. I am still learning but it’s fun.
I’m learning, too. I’ll find both of you! I’m @JOBoomr
Consumer confidence increases on improved economic outlook!
I just tweeted Senator Johnson from Wisconsin – he’s been harassing the President in his tweets about Solyndra.
did you send him this one?
http://thinkprogress.org/romm/2011/09/16/321226/video-primer-on-how-loan-guarantees-work/
yep. saw that. tweeted him thanks for keeping an eye out! don’t you love this twitter thing?
Sent my first tweet!
Yeah!
good for you! 🙂
This was posted recently at WH
American Jobs Act and Your Community
has PDFs for how the American Jobs bill affects women, Hispanic, AA, etc. I just love all the info the WH is putting out, I will convert the PDFs to web pages this weekend. so much fun stuff to do
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/09/14/american-jobs-act-and-your-community
My husband just received the same garbage letter from Boehner. He said he’ll respond to the nonsense over the weekend.
highly recommended article i found reading comments by engineers in this industry, their concern is Solyndra’s salvageability and that US jobs were lost. one engineer recommended Andy Grove’s “How America Can Create Jobs” (500+ comments from 2010). Grove’s main point: “scaling [is] crucial to [our] economic future”. and today’s scaling challenges are much higher, plus we might’ve forgotten how to do that.
Andy Grove: How America Can Create Jobs
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_28/b4186048358596.htm
How could the U.S. have forgotten? I believe the answer has to do with a general undervaluing of manufacturing—the idea that as long as “knowledge work” stays in the U.S., it doesn’t matter what happens to factory jobs. It’s not just newspaper commentators who spread this idea. Consider this passage by Princeton University economist Alan S. Blinder: “The TV manufacturing industry really started here, and at one point employed many workers. But as TV sets became ‘just a commodity,’ their production moved offshore to locations with much lower wages. And nowadays the number of television sets manufactured in the U.S. is zero. A failure? No, a success.”
I disagree. Not only did we lose an untold number of jobs, we broke the chain of experience that is so important in technological evolution. As happened with batteries, abandoning today’s “commodity” manufacturing can lock you out of tomorrow’s emerging industry.
Wanted: Job-Centric Economics
Our fundamental economic beliefs, which we have elevated from a conviction based on observation to an unquestioned truism, is that the free market is the best of all economic systems—the freer the better. Our generation has seen the decisive victory of free-market principles over planned economies. So we stick with this belief, largely oblivious to emerging evidence that while free markets beat planned economies, there may be room for a modification that is even better.
Such evidence stares at us from the performance of several Asian countries in the past few decades. These countries seem to understand that job creation must be the No. 1 objective of state economic policy. The government plays a strategic role in setting the priorities and arraying the forces and organization necessary to achieve this goal. The rapid development of the Asian economies provides numerous illustrations. In a thorough study of the industrial development of East Asia, Robert Wade of the London School of Economics found that these economies turned in precedent-shattering economic performances over the ’70s and ’80s in large part because of the effective involvement of the government in targeting the growth of manufacturing industries.
– – –
Long term, we need a job-centric economic theory—and job-centric political leadership—to guide our plans and actions.
DOE is taking heat from the media(for advanced batterie loans) but as you can see, the ny times is lying:
http://energy.gov/articles/reality-check-cheaper-batteries-are-good-america-s-electric-vehicle-manufacturers
American jobs act, rebuilding America:
http://m.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/09/16/american-jobs-act-rebuilding-economy-american-way
anybody watching the white house live chat? I’m still at work and streaming is turned off in my work environment
EPA greens a Hospital:
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/931381dfcd9a5c308525779700424ccd/db74f5e680ff4ad78525790d006b9c83!OpenDocument
I love how Reverend Al and Bob Shrum are taking on these Crybaby criers in Congress.
I was listening to PoliticsNation during that segment it was great. Reverend Al and Mr. Robert Schrum make team.
He called it the crybaby caucus……
I love that…..He asked Chris Hayes to bring it up with Nancy Pelosi on his new show tomorrow morning at 7 AM. I hope he does
I love Rev Al!
Second time I’ve heard Rev. Al mention that Boehner says he and President Obama are from two different planets. Rev. Al says, “Well, President Obama is from Planet Earth … what planet is he from?”
So funny.
Thank God for Rev Al. He is telling the truth. I am so happy that he has his show and he is in PBO’s corner. I LOVE Rev. Al.
Hi, COS! I love Rev. Al, too. He’s the only one on MSNBC I can bear to watch now, on a regular basis!
OMG – just saw the new Friar Tuck Chuck Todd NBC commercial. He thinks the West Wing is still a teevee show, I guess. What a laughingstock.
Me too!!! A breath of fresh air. I also like Martin Bashir. I didn’t think I would, but he calls out the repugs as well.
Bashir was the reason Michael had to go through that faux trial on child molestation charges; so he is not one of my favorites. He does call the liars out on their lies. I hope he apologized to Michael before he passed.
Lorraine, every time I see Bashir I think about also, that hack job he did on MJ.
I know, I boycotted him for a long time for that stunt, but this is about getting the President re-elected and he seems to be in his corners. Many people are suffering and Michael would want them helped.
You are right Doris.
this video was just released by MoveOn
I know that some folks don’t care for MoveOn, and I won’t argue the point, but this video is just another example of groups that are fighting back. I think we should use the tools the groups provide when they support the President, and ignore them when we don’t.
this video needs to be shared, it is chilling and heart wrenching.
I posted it earlier today on my FB Wall. It is heart wrenching. MoveOn did an excellent job with this one. Thanks for sharing it here WIW and thanks for your help today with the calls to Boehner.
Watch Chris Matthews tonight. It is a good one.
Watching now. Caught only part of the earlier show. He’s calling out Perry!
I just caught the rail end of the voting rights segment and it was really good. Cynthis Tucker did not mince words. This is the kind of reporting that we need to see more of. The Republican Party has nothing to offer the American people so they will just try to rig the next election. They are not even embarrassed about the fact that we all know what they are trying to do. It’s astonishing. This is just Un-American.
Which one of Chris’ many personalities showed up today???
Wow, the segment on President Obama and Wall Street is off the hook. What the hell happened to Tweety???? That’s the problem I have with him you could get whiplash trying to keep up with his swings back and forth. I guess he is getting that feeling running up his leg about President Obama today. I don’t expect this to last. But it really is refreshing when Tweety just says the truth.
Phenomenal Job today making those calls, tweets, emails and faxes to Boehner’s office. Most of the day his line was tied up with rather long wait times to speak with a live person. At times there were reports of them hanging up on us and in some instances short in their responses. We did exactly what we set out to do…send a message to Boehner that we are an army ready and willing to support this President’s efforts to put people back to work.
Thanks again to everyone.
Now back to my fundraising.
I am a Fundraising Challenge Leader for a once in a lifetime chance to speak to the President or Vice President. If I win I have promised to mention the support I rec’d from the TOD family. Will you consider a $5.00 donation today?
https://donate.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/2012/donnanoshock3
This thing is getting serious. I’ve been on top of the leaderboard all week. If I continue to get donations can you imagine me talking to President Obama on the phone? This would be the thrill of a lifetime.
Here is the leaderboard. I’m in 3rd Place for dollars raised and 1st Place for number of donations since September 1st.
http://www.barackobama.com/grassroots-fundraising/challenge-leaderboard?source=20110909_RG_3&utm_medium=email&utm_source=obama&utm_campaign=20110909_RG_3
p.s. Thank you and a big {{{{{hug}}}}} to all those who donated earlier today to my fundraiser.
Kudos, Donna for spearheading this call to action. Looking forward to more like this. Thank you.
Would love to donate, but can’t right now. Will be praying you get enough to make #1.
Thanks again!!
Donna I wish I could donate. It will have to be next Friday…I had a great conversation with the aide in Bohner’s office. He really understood the state of Ohio’s manufacturing base going to Mexico in the 70’s
Thanks so much for making that call!.
Thanks Africa!
Donna…. I am going to get you to your goal of $2800.00 right now.
I hope you win.
Oh My Goodness Linda this is wonderful. Thank you so much. 🙂
This political season is not only highlighting the death of truth and civility, witness also the death of true journalism. Ten years from now, no one will know Edward R, Morrow, Chet Huntley, David Brinkley, Walter Cronkite, et al. There are more but old age is blocking the memory.
you mentioned the best!!
I’d add Peter Jennings. Too bad, since journalism was so highly respected in previous years.
Remember Walter Cronkite were call the most trusted man in American. Name one news person today who could get that title? There isn’t one. Those clowns like Todd, Tapper, Henry Knoller, Nora O’Donnell, etc. , etc., these ones isn’t worth a dime.
PARTY IN OHIO! — Even Vice President Biden is getting in on the fun in House Speaker John Boehner’s state. The White House just announced that on Tuesday, Biden and the administration’s small business czar will go to Solon, Ohio, “to discuss the importance of the American Jobs Act for small businesses in Ohio and nationwide, and to announce a new lending initiative.”
He’ll get there two days before President Obama flies to a bridge in Cincinnati to do the same thing, talk about the jobs bill. Obama was already in Columbus three days ago to build support for his jobs plan.
So far, the jobs tour has yet to hit a state that isn’t a 2012 battleground.
Lol!
Love it.
This kinda disproves the old adage, ” Don’t shit where you eat.” Evidently thr “Turtle” and “Orange Crush” like to eat while sitting in the outhouse!
President Obama will give his third back-to-school speech on Sept. 28, the White House announced. It will be at Washington’s Benjamin Banneker high school.
“The President’s Back-to-School Speech is an opportunity to speak directly to students across the country,” the White House said in a statement. “In past years, President Obama has encouraged students to study hard and take responsibility for their education, urging students to set goals, to believe in themselves, and to be the authors of their own destinies.”
P-44
I dare any of these crazy tea baggers to have a problem with this when their criminal deadbeat, Joe Walsh, spoke to students and actually tried to indoctrinate them into thinking tea bagger policies make sense. Of course, he was taken down by the kids. As it should be.
Jon Stewart is NOT an Obama hater. He is a comedian first and foremost. I’m a big fan of Stewart’s and to say he’s a hater is just plain wrong. In fact he’s a big supporter of Pres Obama and Obama is a faithful watcher of his program and thinks he does an excellent job of satiring him. I trust the Pres Obama and believe this alleged scandal is nothing more than the right trying to pin something negative on this administration. We need to keep our level heads and not lash out at critics (satirical or not).
Many people watch The Daily Show and use that to get their news. From the beginning of the 2011 season, Jon Stewart has done an incredible wrong to the Obama Administration and to his audience who expect truth from him. He likes to laude himself for calling out dishonesty in the msm. Well Jon should look in the mirror and realize he’s just as bad and as guilty as the msm that he mocks. He thinks just because he uses satire and sarcasm that gives him the right to twist President Obama’s record and make disgusting mockery of it. It does not! He mocked the American Jobs Act. Who the hell in their sane mind mocks a bill that will put a lot of people to work and grow the economy? He goes on shows like Rachel Maddow and Bill O’Reilly and mocks President Obama in a childish playground tit for tat manner. He mocks President Obama for being cool, calm, and collected and says he should be more “Shaft-like.” He used the rightwing talking points to mock President Obama about Solyndra without getting off his lazy ass and doing some research to find out the truth. It’s not only disengenious, it’s lazy reporting, and he is and should be better than that. He needs to take a million lessons from Stephen Colbert on how to be funny, smart, intelligent, and politically savvy and relevant. Frankly, he’s been a huge disappointment. Stephen Colbert is a million times better.
You forgot that he made fun of the Wisconsin union protesters.
Thanks UT. I abandoned him long ago. We don’t have to agree on Jon Stewart, Lonnie you should continue to watch him if you enjoy him and find him relevant. I think he is harsh on President Obama, and maybe because of the unrelenting and undeserved tone of disrespect in our MSM towards President Obama, I find it very difficult to indulge. I also think he demonstrates a deference to his Republican guests that he does not afford the Democrats. I don’t like what I perceive to be a perception of bias.
I always liked Stephen Colbert better, he is smarter, wittier and doesn’t seem to have a mean spirited bone is his body.
I think he is genuis 😀
Spot on Sue and utaustinliberal…