That being said, you and I are far afield of this blog.

You have ideas that are different than mine; you see big government, especially a leftist controlled government, the solution to the ills of the world. I see any such government, regardless of political affilliation as the problem.

A suggestion:

Perhaps you can use your influence with your son to allow us to offer a Point/Counterpoint series of columns on these issues. A topic is chosen. We each write our column, and it is printed in the Journal. The views expressed would hopefully flesh out the soundbites so common to the discussion. It might be interesting.

BTW, why must you use derogatory terms when referring to the right? Cut and run is “slimy?” What is your view of the Clinton decision in Mogadishu? The USS Cole? The WTC bombing in 93?

Cut and run re: Israel? Easy. The daily barrage from the MSM that equates Israeli response to aggression by Muslim Terrorists. The MSM solution? “Moderation” in military response by Israel against an enemy that hides behind women and children. The MSM goal? Isolation of Israel and the US in the “court of world opinion.” Forget national sovreignty; it’s all about “one world.”

Reagan’s years were also accompanied by enormous deficits. We entered a new era at that time, where just paying the interest on the national debt became a significant part of the annual budget. Can we continue increasing the debt as we have under Reagan and Bush’s I and II?

I do not speak for the left, but as one on the left.

For the vision thing, off the top of my head, just for a start,

1. Poverty wages are unacceptable. No-one working full time should be poor.

2. Education -
a) create universal pre-K
b) require a BA or BS in their subject for PS teachers
c) create something like a GI Bill for those that need college tuition help
d) expand PS continuing education
e) Find a source of funding for schools other than the property tax

3. Healthcare
a) our system is a mess. Put every American citizen on Medicare and improve it.
b) allow the gov to use free market competition to negotiate prescription drug prices

We should remove our troops from the civil war in Iraq as quickly as can be done safely.
I agree that “cut and run” is not a solution. It is just a slimy GOP talking point. By the way, what does “cut and run” mean re Israel?

The General Accounting Office is my source for the info. Why would you “assume” something which is law? The Bush Tax Cuts are a fact, or do you dispute that? A minor sidebar is the current vogue of “tax free” weeks for school shopping. The reason given is to stimulate retail sales during a slow period. Interesting: Tax cuts stimulate the economy. Where have I heard that idea before? Kennedy, 1960s, Reagan, 1980s, Bush, 2000s.

The revenues are not sufficient because of pork barrel spending. Currently there is a bill in the Senate, S2590, that would establish a web site to see which senators and representatives are padding the spending bills. THAT is what causes deficit spending; Bridge to Nowhere, Canaan Union Station, rebuild train tracks in Mississippi that WERE NOT damaged by Hurricane Katrina, but put the pork in the Katrina expenditures, so on.

Tax cuts put more money into the economy. People have more money to spend (see the note about Sales Tax Amnesty, above), businesses have more money to pay employees, invest in new equipment and expansion.

Yes, the Pork Barrel issue affects both parties, I said as much in my first post. Heck, I even named names! Regarding percentages, haven’t the answer. Try matching the following names with their party: Coburn, Paul. Those are the only 2 names from the current session of trough feeders that oppose pork spending.

Are you whining? YES. Where are these “ideas” you speak of? The fact is the left is not the source of ideas or solutions. IF they were, you wouldn’t have to look, they would be plain to see.

Terry summed it up nicely:

“If discussing his IQ is a distraction, then people on the left should stop talking about it so much and focus more on a compelling critique of his policies. It might even win them some elections. But all too often (and I can attest to this in NWC) they would rather talk about his presumed idiocy instead of their own vision for America. Perhaps it’s because the former is so much easier to do.”

So, Tom, et al, what is your vision?

Paul said “The latest economic numbers coming from Washington show tax revenues ahead of projections”, whose projections, based on what assumptions? If the projections assume the tax cuts, then that needs to be considered. The revenues are not sufficient. That is a fact.

The causes of the deficits are many. Pork spending is certainly one of them. Does anyone support Pork Barrel spending? Both parties are to blame, but the GOP is in charge of all branches. Don’t they deserve most of the blame? War expenses are another cause. I am opposed to the war in Iraq, But support whatever spending is necessary to keep the troops safe. I think that the tax cuts are a major cause of the deficits. Paul says “How many Democrats ARE NOT on the Pork Barrel? How many voted against spending increases? How many voted in favor?” Those are questions that deserve answers re both parties. I don’t know the percentages. If Paul does, maybe he can share them with us.

I am on the left and have lots of ideas. I have friends on the left who have lots of ideas, some I agree with and some I don’t. I have friends on the right who have lots of ideas, some I agree with and some I don’t. There is no shortage of complaints on either side. Am I whining?

Let’s take one of Tom’s points about Bush:
Tax Cuts/Deficits. The latest economic numbers coming from Washington show tax revenues ahead of projections. That is a fact.

Deficit spending: How many Democrats ARE NOT on the Pork Barrel? How many voted against spending increases? How many voted in favor?

Since Tom mentioned the Left, that is my focus. I know that the other side is worse. Canaan Union Station is “getting” $1.5 million from the Transportation Bill. Why? Because Nancy loves pork, and the public loves “free” money, at least that is how the idea is sold.

Where is the discussion from the Left on this point? Non-existent. The Left has no ideas, only complaints and whine.

By the way, 1206 is an unusual SAT score. In all of my years prepping kids for the SAT, I do not remember a score that did not end in zero. The explaination was that anything else would pretend to an accuracy that was not attainable. Maybe things were different back in the day.

I agree with Marshall.

I don’t think its in the Consssstitution that yopu have to be brilliant to be President. George may not be brilliant, but he is no fool!

You may question his politics, his approach, his honesty..but way to many people have underestimated his intelligence!

Jimmy Carter was one of the brightest people ever to occupy the White House, he was one of the most honest, and look at his legacy as President! Then look at his legacy as a human being.

I am by no means a “Bush supporter”, but, lets judge others as we would like to be judged!

Most of what a president does is determined by philosophy, not intelligence. I have read that one of our most intelligent presidents was Herbert Hoover.