Obama's first official press conference

[Dunecat]

He proposed a relief for capital gains tax and instead of redistributing the wealth and ing with tariffs he's going to have the gov't create jobs, which he stressed a lot. He said the purpose of his tax system is a net cut, provide relief to the middle class, to help small businesses, and help the economy.

So much for Socialism.

[morteduzionism]

I wonder how much grief he's going to get for the "mutt" comment.

[Mikelus Trento]

I wonder how much grief he's going to get for the "mutt" comment.

That old bald guy behind his left shoulder sure was amused by it.

[HorseArcher]

He also said, the first thing they are working on right now is to release an economic stimulus package, can happen before he is even inaugurated into office.

It's a socialist idea. Just like Bush (a socialist) did it during the summer.

Sarcasm enbedded.

[Winter]

I wonder how much grief he's going to get for the "mutt" comment.

I thought it was funny. Does that make me racist?

[HorseArcher]

I thought it was funny. Does that make me racist?

No, appearantly the people around him laughed and he meant it as a joke.

It's a concept of if you say it about yourself , that's your problem, but don't label others.

So If I say that "I'm a mestizo" mixed race person, that's my own statement. I can tell myself, that "I'm so retarded", for whatever reason, but if you come at me and call me that, that's an insult.

Anyone can call himself, whatever he or she wishes, but it's a different cake if someone comes up and call you a name, that isn't welcomed. Pretty much how black people call each other the "n" word, but if you call them and you are happened to be a white, well, you're getting into problems, that's for sure.

[Bovril]

I suppose this is a more general concern with American political discourse, but why is it that everything seems to be done to help the middle class? Obama proposed a 'rescue plan for the middle class'. What about the working class? Does America not have a working class? Do the people who work for general motors and wall-mart simply not exist? Or does the US have such a staggeringly high minimum wage that everyone with a job is middle class?

[the_mango55]

I suppose this is a more general concern with American political discourse, but why is it that everything seems to be done to help the middle class? Obama proposed a 'rescue plan for the middle class'. What about the working class? Does America not have a working class? Do the people who work for general motors and wall-mart simply not exist? Or does the US have such a staggeringly high minimum wage that everyone with a job is middle class?

Well the working class already pays little in taxes. There's not too much you could do for them as far as tax relief.


Also, a general motors employee is probably in the middle class, especially if his/her spouse also has a job. They make a lot of money for a factory worker, and have fantastic benifits and retirement plans.

This is actually one of the biggest reasons why GM is doing so poorly right now, they treat their employees well. Not really a glowing endorsement why a company should practice ethical business, it's really tragic if you think about it.

[Mikelus Trento]

He proposed a relief for capital gains tax and instead of redistributing the wealth and ing with tariffs he's going to have the gov't create jobs, which he stressed a lot. He said the purpose of his tax system is a net cut, provide relief to the middle class, to help small businesses, and help the economy.

So much for Socialism.

damn

[Garrigan]

I suppose this is a more general concern with American political discourse, but why is it that everything seems to be done to help the middle class? Obama proposed a 'rescue plan for the middle class'. What about the working class? Does America not have a working class? Do the people who work for general motors and wall-mart simply not exist? Or does the US have such a staggeringly high minimum wage that everyone with a job is middle class?

As I understand it the Middle Classes typically have the greatest spending power. So if you want to help the economy recover, you want the middle classes to have enough money so that they feel comfortable to start buying more luxury goods again. Hence help for the Middle Classes.

[Bovril]

As I understand it the Middle Classes typically have the greatest spending power. So if you want to help the economy recover, you want the middle classes to have enough money so that they feel comfortable to start buying more luxury goods again. Hence help for the Middle Classes.

That's fine, but my point was more that the term working class is simply absent from American political discourse. It's a sort of inconveniance to be shoved under the carpet. This goes way beyond strategies for stimulating the economy (and of course working class people actually save less, so tax breaks amounting to the same total for them would stimulate the economy in the short run more) into total denial of the existence of working class people and interests in US politics. Its a sort of Orwellian excercise as far as I can tell.

[chamaeleo]

As I understand it the Middle Classes typically have the greatest spending power. So if you want to help the economy recover, you want the middle classes to have enough money so that they feel comfortable to start buying more luxury goods again. Hence help for the Middle Classes.

I pretty much agree. "Working class" used to be synonymous with Low to Middle class, the un- or minimally educated labor, construction, factory workers, etc. I wonder about its recent disappearance from our vocabulary. Could it be linked to the fact that we've shifted way from producing goods, and towards distributing imported goods / servicing them? The era of cush assembly-line unionized jobs is past..."paper, or plastic?"

But, yeah, for a growth-based economy to recover the spendiest folks need to feel safe again to do so.

Mango's correct in that the "working class" doesn't contribute much in taxes compared to the middle class. One of Obama's best ideas is to create new middle class jobs, by retooling our transportation and energy infrastructures...don't give the poorest of the poor handouts, rather, improve the job market and give em a chance at a future.

[Gauvin]

I think I know the content of those secret intelligence briefings:

"Socialism is bad"

So, he's now changed his mind.

[Mikelus Trento]

I think I know the content of those secret intelligence briefings:

"Socialism is bad"

So, he's now changed his mind.

I am so confused whether it is good or bad to be one today.

[Joker85]

By the way, the market dropped 100 points as soon as he started talking. Looks like the "Obama bounce" of the last two days is continuing.

[ZaPPPa]

By the way, the market dropped 100 points as soon as he started talking. Looks like the "Obama bounce" of the last two days is continuing.

And as soon as the speech was over, the market jumped.. Right about at the point where people were able to listen to the speech, digest the information, enter the stock orders and have them executed.

[Valiant Champion]

He wants to pass another bail out package. Thats real smart. But of course who can stop him now as the Senate and House are so dominated by his party nothing can stop them.

And when did middle income become Middle Class!! More Socialist talk if you ask me.

[Farnan]

And when did middle income become Middle Class!! More Socialist talk if you ask me.

Socialists existed during the Middle Ages?

Middle Class has always meant the group between the upper and lower class whose income fell between them.

[touchmaster]

/obama fails

[Joker85]

And the result of Obama's first press conference?

An apology had to be issued from the (non existent) "Office of the President-Elect"

Yeah, fun times ahead with this narcissistic clown indeed.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmi...cy_Reagan.html

I think the only thing more goofy and offputting than him today was his silly little "Office of the President-Elect" sign hanging from the podium.

All heil the reign of Emperor Obigula. Bringer of Change, hope, and insults to sick 86 year old widows. Should be great in diplomacy for sure.

"I'm sorry Putin, I didn't mean to insult your mother, it was just a bad joke, can we still talk about those missiles aimed at Poland?"