The debates are FIXED. The Commission of Presidential Debates is a private corporation that chooses who appears and what the rules are to be. This is America's greatest hoax--check out GARY JOHNSON and vote for FREEDOM in 2012.

The debates are run by liberal media. The agenda is set. What a waste

Get the tinfoil hats out quick!

I want Romney to say if he plans to take back my Obama-phone. If so, will I be able to transfer the number to my new iPhone.

I love a good conspiracy. However, these are terrible ones. Please try harder. Thank you.

Chris, I will be watching to see if the moderator will push to get Romney to declare who he is and what he stands for. My goodness, he has taken So many blatant contradictory positions. We'll see.

I do with they would allow the independent candidates to participate.

I actually have paid no attention to her whatsoever, but you're totally ignoring my point by attacking. Point: I would like to hear the independent candidates thoughts and ideas.

I do believe that if the far fringe element of both parties continue to foster divide of ideology, a third party is a possibility. At least I hope so.

We need to move back to the middle...both parties.

IMO, there is no way a third party would work in the US. Having four parties would work.

Currently, any third party would probably take more votes from the Republican Party candidate. The Libertarian party is the "strongest" of the possible third parties--and they overlap the Republican position of less intrusive government.

If you have FOUR parties, you can have a far left wing party--which would take from the Democratic candidate--and a far right party--which would take from the Republican candidate. All FOUR positions would be discussed and there would be a even opportunity that if you voted for the party that mirrors more closely how you feel, someone on the other side would be voting for the party with a non-GOP or non-Democrat position.

These four parties should extend to the Senate and Congress. Coalitions would need to be formed. And more views would be represented. JMO

Does anyone know of a bar/restaurant on Peachtree in midtown that will be televising the debates? I don't have a tv and my laptop has been very unreliable lately.

Hi Becky, the Atlanta Young Republicans will be hosting a presidential debate watching party at Hudson Grille in Midtown. Contact staff@atlantayoungrepublicans.org for more information. I will see if I can find some other spots, too.

I suppose my question would be for Romney:

Given that Regan is to conservatives what Mohammed is to Muslims, how do you square his record of raising taxes when necessary with today's Party of Grover Norquist?

And a follow up:

40 out of 47 republican senators and 236 of 242 republican members of the House have signed Norquist's pledge which states:
ONE, oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses; and
TWO, oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates.
With so many members of your own party publicly pledged to never increase revenue, how is any meaningful deficit reduction possible?

And before the conservatives who post here say it can all be done with spending cuts, total federal revenue is 14.8 percent of GDP as of 2011. You have to go back to 1950 before it drops lower to 14.2. In 2000, when Clinton left office, it was 20.6. He passed the budget that raised it to 20.6 in 1994. How did we have 6 years of exploding economic growth with such a burdensome tax rate on our "job creators?"

Let's see tonight if Romney is actually able to give us his view point. He doesn't appear to have any at all. I mean what does he believe about rape, homosexuals, same sex marriage, health care issues religion. The National debt. Anything other than always putting money into the already rich folks' pockets. The Republicans are good @that because they high everything in offshore accounts and then want to investigate everybody else!!!!

Phil, I am aligned with Amy L's assessment. Thus, I say 3 vs 4 party. I want folks to leave the Republican Party. I want that party's fringe element to standout alone and be seen as the ideologues they are. I say this having voted Republican in the past, but they are way too far right to be seen as credible IMHO. Someone has to bring back the Reublican Party. What we have now is Not the RP. Again, Amy L is spot on.

I would vote for anyone or anything over the America haters that currently occupy the White House. Voting for BO is voting for failure. The fact that he was ever elected is an indictment of government schools and liberal insanity.

Hard, what Republican policies , corporate greed, lack of regulatory over site are responsible for the sh#t hole our President inherited?

HA...paint me a picture and profile of what the YR crowd will look like tonight?

The debates are run by "liberal media"? Really? Most of the media is mainstream and reports the news and both sides of philosophical discussions. The only media that isn't mainstream and balanced is Fox News, it's subsidiaries and affiliates.

I'd like the Romney to explain:

His tax plans and the specifics of how he intends to reduce the national debt while cutting tax rates for the wealthy, broadening the tax base but not increasing taxes on the poor & middle class.

Why he manipulated his 2011 tax return and failed to take all deductions available to him under the law? His manipulation cost himself several hundred thousands of dollars (i.e. more than most people's life's savings).

Why he won't release his 2009 and earlier tax returns and whether his decision was influenced by the IRS amnesty program for tax cheats hiding revenue in foreign accounts.

Why he has contempt for 47% of the American public who work every day, are retired, or are simply unemployed.

Why he wants to overturn Obamacare when it is a copy of his health care plan and why he thinks 50 states can implement similar legislation to expand medical coverage when only 1 or 2 states have done so.

Why he wants to abolish the inheritence tax when the national debt is a direct result of insufficient taxes over the last 80 years, during which time, the rich elderly (soon to die rich) amassed their fortunes especially since much of that wealth has never been taxed.

Regarding inclusion of independent candidates in the debates: where would you draw the line? Who would decide who's in and who's not? If you have more than 10 or so, a debate would be unmanageable. Any thoughts?

In addition to the many questions listed for Romney, I would add three more:

1. What will he do to win over the largest minority segment of our country (Hispanic and Latinos) that so far it appears he has gone out of his way to alienate?

2. Does he agree same sex couples should be married in civil ceremonies ?

3. What specific exemptions will he eliminate in order for his economic policies to work and remain "revenue neutral?"

Amy L, what has to happen before the "obstructionist" strategy by the RP is disrupted?

There are two possible outcomes in my mind. If Romney wins, then republicans wont have to fear giving a democrat credit for the recovery and will likely bend on policy enough to get enough moderate democrats to vote with them. If Obama is reelected, then he and the democrats will just have to get much more aggressive with executive orders, signing statements (al a Bush), "budget reconciliation" votes, etc... They will have to resort to these tactics to get anything at all done. Republicans will certainly not want any kind of recovery to happen before 2016. The goal will be to prevent or slow the recovery enough so that they can still be blaming democrats for it when we do this all over again in 2016.

Amy L, I will take your scenario that President Obama wins reelection. Here is my greatest fear. That the obstructionist element within Congress (Grover Norquist pledgers included), along with even more radical 2016 candidates playing to the lowest denominator of the party base, creates an even higher degree of hate and fear rhetoric that makes the last 4 years look mild. As a result, the laundry list of important issues to be addressed that Frank Jones provided earlier are ignored. If they are discussed, it will be positioned as "value issues" that deflects attention from any credible economic and job creation strategy by the RP beyond "trickle down" initiatives. So here is where I have to believe the mainstream American voting public will say enough is enough. A third party emerges, taking independent and moderate democrats and republicans, and basically becomes a progressive/moderate party. This leaves the far ends of both the republican and democratic parties to fend for themselves. Regardless if this scenario plays out or not, it seems we are in the throes of a significant transition of political, economic, corporate, and religious institutions and systems, complicated by U.S. demographic shifts and globalism in all forms. I wonder what history will say about the next 100 years that is getting ready to unfold?

David, regardless of how anyone personally feels about former President Clinton, but if you watch a replay or read his speech from the DNC, he does a very nice job of outlining where President Obama started following President Bush, and the accomplishments over the past 3 years. In my opinion, President Clinton has communicated the accomplishments much better than the Obama administration.

Roger That and Phil, it's a nice change of pace to be discussing something other than Brookhaven city hood.

E Pluribus and Amy L...Well said! I agree that Repubs will continue their obstructionist tactics and try to prevent any meaningful recovery. I would welcome a centrist party to emerge and crush the far right and the far left.

For the most part, I believe that Americans are centrists and agree on many things:

Strong national security: Yes
Involvement around the globe for no reason: No
Strong middle class: Yes
Strong upper class: Yes
Fair taxation of rich: Yes
Sock the rich: No
Economic safety net for displaced workers: Yes
Handouts for bums: No
Shotguns and hunting rifles for hunters: Yes
Assault weapons for everyone: No
Fair individual and corporate tax policies: Yes
Special tax breaks for corporations and special interests: No
Freedom of religion: Yes
Imposition of other faiths on you: No
Abortion as a legitimate medical procedure: Yes
Abortion prohibited in all cases: Mostly No
Free trade agreements: Yes
Unfair trade practices by foreign governments: No
Outsourcing jobs/industries: No
Trade deficits: No

We've been running annual trade deficits of $600 to $850 billion/year. That's money no longer invested in the US; money no longer supporting our economy; money no longer paying taxes. Solve that and our tax deficits go away.

We've got to get past the Left/Right, Conservative/Liberal mentality and unite behind being Americans. Until we unite and start working on economic policies, China and other countries will eat us alive.

David...You claim that Obama has does nothing to facilitate a recovery. Then please explain the following:

- Holiday sales are projected to rise 4.1%
- Auto sales reach highest level since February 2008 with 1.19 million sales in Sept.
- Chrysler had its 30th straight month of year over year sales inreases
- For the 12 months ending July, sales of new homes were up 25%
- The National Assoc of Realtors median price of existing home sales was up 9.5% from last year
- DOW Avg in March 2009 was 6,626; it's more than doubled to 13,494
- Employers were slashing jobs, now they're hiring

The bailouts and deficit spending have stopped the bleading and are now adding real jobs. The worldwide Great Recession was the worst financial calamity since the Great Depression and it couldn't be fixed overnight. Obama and his team did it's part. Europe and China have some issues, but we're steadily improving.

Obummer is being spanked by Romney.
Love it!

“ Nothing is so strong as gentleness, and nothing is so gentle as real strength. ”
— Ralph W. Sockman

I know this may sound petty but I do not appreciate how either candidate/leader is treating the moderator or the rules of engagement.

Wonder if they will move onto illegal immigration. Anyone ride by the new commercial building going on next to Lowe's on L'ville-Suwanee Rd? About 50 construction workers with jobs. Everyone of them is Hispanic. Not saying they are illegal. But with all the illegal immigrants in Georgia, what's the chance many are? What's the answer??

Romney must have experience as a janitor because he mopped the floor tonight with is opponent. I appreciate how he called bho out when he got caught in a distortion. Bho didn't reply because he couldn't without coming up with another one to cover it (hard to do without your teleprompter-awwwww)..
That's all I got to say about that. :)

GR- I fail to see how Romney insulted the electorate? I thought he was very encouraging and inspiring.

Obama was a surprise tonight. He was surprisingly bad. He looked tired and annoyed at even being there. He was downcast. His pitch was the same old, same old. The past four years?-- let's do it again!

I am watching MSNBC right now--and I think the pundits there must have been watching another debate. The self-avowed Socialist, Lawrence O'Donnell, is just calling Romney a liar. And my personal favorite who stands above all--the Reverend Sharpton--is hollering.

Even Ed Schulz is saying that Obama seemed t obe afraid to go after Romney and was not prepared.

Hmmmm.....sounds like Romney won.

Phil, that's a good sign. They're mad because they got owned and they know it. Never seen obama at a loss for words until tonight. first time. He was surprisingly bad because he had no teleprompter. Second, he wasn't expecting to get called out. Romney was a pleasant surprise. He went in with no fear and a plan that he laid out. Good for him (and us when he's elected).

What a riot! Commentary on the big debate started at 9 am. Obama sounded and looked so tired. Romney was on Red Bull. He came out of the gate strong and finished strong. Doesn't mean I agree or even know what he's actually going to do but if perception is reality - he won that round for sure.

CHris Matthews does not look happy--no tingles going up his leg.

@All...On first look, it appears that Romney won the debate. However, it you review Romney's remarks and his "plans", you'll see that he has no plans...He's holding an empty box wrapped in pretty paper.

To paraphrase:

-Obamacare...I'll replace it and keep everything good that's in it, but I won't tell you how.
-Obamacare...I'll replace it, but it is something that every state should do on its own.
-Tax Rate Cuts...I'll cut corporate and individual tax rates, make permanent the Bush tax cuts but cut the deficit and reduce the debt, but I won't tell you how.
-Tax Rate Cuts...I'll reduce the deductions the people can claim on their taxes, but I won't tell you which ones.
-Medicare...I won't make any changes to Medicare for anyone near retirement age, maybe 57 or 59, but younger workers, we'll put in place a plan to let you buy private coverage, but I won't give specifics and I won't say if it is a voucher plan.
-Health care...each state should be able to set up its own health care policies and health insurance should be sold across state lines. That's contradictory.
-Dodd Frank...I'll repeal it because there were unintended consequences and replace it with something else. I won't tell you what it is so you won't be able to analyze it for unintended consequences.
-Regulations...Regulations are a necessity in business, but I don't believe in Obama's regulations. BTW, I won't tell you which ones I'd support nor which ones need to go.

Who won the debate? Chris Matthews knows

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/10/03/chris_matthews_freaks_out_at_obama_after_debate_romney_was_winning.html

Obama didn't have the media covering up for him, not did he have his teleprompter. He was at a loss for words .usually, distortions are met by the media as "yes! obama!" The electorate swallows it, and moves on. But tonight, when caught in a distortion, he had to back down lest he get caught in another one. It really was that simple. Exposed without his protection. He looked like he was sitting in the principals chair having to account for not having his homework and skipping classes.

Frank Jones...spot on observations. It seems Romney is willing to saying anything in order to get elected. His "base" will not care that much of what he said was in direct conflict to their beliefs and platform. All that mattered is that he appear more credible than President Obama...tonight. With that said, I thought both the President and Jim Lehrer had a terrible night. Enjoy your night tonight republicans because there is a lot of time left before the election.

C.J., exactly. So now, let's say there is a large segment of voters who are going to vote for their candidate regardless. Do you believe those who were waiting on the debates to decide who to vote for saw Romney as untrustworthy for all the reason you and others have described? Do you have enough confidence in the American voter to see through what really went down last night? Finally, I tossed and turned last night wondering why the President didn't take more of the dissuasion to Romney to be more specific of his "economic plans" if the moderator wasn't going to do that?

rommey won. he had the right answers

MR with his watery, blinky, beady eyes was rude and obnoxious. Compare that to BHO who was calm, cool, collected, poised and polite. I don't care what either one said, I simply I observed their demeanor. MR will not will the race in November. There's not a snowball's chance.

After watching last nite, what was called a debate, I have even less confidence in our government, President Obama did not properly prepare for this very important debate, why?. No excuse for this, or is there?

Maybe he feels he has the fix in and has it won or more likely his ego ruled and he didn't think he had to prepare, he knows best, or he knew he would get crushed. Hmmm...Community organizer vs. a sucessful Governor, Olympics Chair (both at no pay by the way) and successful businessman and job creator, a no brainer!

Sorry Kids, I smell setup.....by the Obama campaign....they're too good for this to be anything else...wait for the next 2 'debates'....there will be fireworks, count on it!!
Barrry-styte__cold, chi -town Killer, This is what you call 'being lulled into-a-false -
sense- of- security'........watch for it.....lol!!

michael Henley...you really think so? I hope you're right.

I am constantly amazed with how people get wrapped around the axle with the trappings of our broken political system. Lies, half truths and innuendos make the headlines, not the hard facts. We are in big trouble as a country. The President tries to cater to all but the 1%, the Republicans cater to the 1%, the religious right and the racists. Like it or not people, we are all in this together. It is time to get over it. Let the Bush tax cuts expire for EVERYONE, reform the entitlements, cut Defense spending, it is time to get our house in order. The blame game is for the simpletons, pull your heads out!

ToJo, good morning. I agree with many of the points you stated except for the President catering to only the 1%. I personally don't believe he is doing that. A couple of additional points I would make to what you succinctly stated is the obligation of both parties to social justice and stewards of the environment. Finally, do you believe there is an opportunity for a third party to form and fill the gap you outlined?

Michael Henley- I had the same thought. Is it possible that they realize that once jan. comes, the marriage tax (which will hit the middle class) the death tax 9which will hit the middle class), the childcare deductions for the middle class were cut by 50%, etc... will take effect and people will realize that they were snookered? I think that was the purpose in saying that he would be a one term president. That way the next president will get the blame.
I'm hoping that it was my first thought which was thta he spent so much time in hollywood (where they stroke his ego) that he went in cocky and sure and had a moderator thta just happened to actually moderate without the liberal spin and gotcha questions. Like Romney said- you've got to choose what you want. That simple. Hopefully, the takers don't outnumber the givers.
I wonder though, why anyone would want tax cuts to expire? They expired on me and my paycheck got smaller. My insurance went up. All under obama, and I make 25k a year (well, not any more). Hardly the 1%. People need to wake up!

ToJo, that would make for very interesting discussion. What is it that we must teach our future generation of children so as not to end up in the same or even worse state of affairs? I am hopeful but often have to ask myself why.

David, read carefully, think carefully. Before you speak.

ToJo....beautifully thought out and stated. You've started me on my day with your words. Thank you!

As clarification to my earlier michael Henley response, I do hope the set-up puts President Obama back in the WH.

Told you David and Michael. I give actual experience rather than rhetoric and nobody has an answer to it.

EPU - so you think it's ok to manipulate? Well, that explains a lot. Did you not read what I told you was going to happen in Jan.? I firmly believe that liberals choose not to see it becasue they have some kind of idol worship thing going. You WANT him to succeed. Wishes and reality are not the same thing. We are already suffering because of his policies. Jan. will be a very telling month.

And WE if applied to ME, should tell you a lot. I am lower middle class and affected by higher taxes.

Tammy Osier, not sure where you fear and hatred is coming from while at the same time being empathetic to you situtation, and really not caring what your life belief is. I am not looking for your approval or endorsement. What is interesting to me however, is that many folks who vilify, demonize, and strike out at the President and his party's policies, are folks who are economically impacted (negatively) and would benefit from several of them. As an example, providing more effective regulation over financial institutions and Wall Street whose greed and predatory shenanigans created the economic crash we are now experiencing and thus putting middle and lower socioeconomic classes at even more risk. Another example is why is our country trying to wage war in parts of the world where we have no business being in. As a result, we are putting sons and daughters in harms way and caskets, fighting unjustified wars, who are largely coming from lower socioeconomic classes. So our children are fighting wars for the benefit of oil, greed, and the very, very rich in our society. Do you think their children are dying on the battlefield in the Middle East? It's really sad and makes me angry that irrational fear and hate is creating so much irrational behavior...by many who are underpinning systems and institutions of greed and obscene profitability.

What about the January taxes? I refuse to go one step further until you answer the question. I can provide the stats and source.

EPU - Didn't think you would answer the question. Policies can be disagreed with. That's like..OK. It's nothing personal agianst your chosen party. It's not hate as you call it. Not surprising that you would use a strong adjective. That's what happens when someone simply has no argument. Might you discuss it with me instead of saying "I don't care about you or your belief?" What about those taxes? Answer that. Oh wait...they don't exist since you don't believe them. I think you're just afraid it might be true and you'll have toadmit that bho is not a god. I got my stats from a government site - your guy. That's ok. Stay in your bubble and debate with no one but yourself and those who agree with you.

(quote from EPU)
"What is interesting to me however, is that many folks who vilify, demonize, and strike out at the President and his party's policies, are folks who are economically impacted (negatively) and would benefit from several of them."
My answer:
Why should I have to benefit from any of them? I worked hard for my money and could go where I need to be if the government didn't TAKE IT AWAY. In your world, work hard, government takes it away, government decides who gets it, I go to government to get money that was MINE in the first place? How do you not see how asinine those policies are??????

David, "realizing they've been had?" It won't just be too late for them. It will be too late for all of us. That's one I told you so, that I will only get a temporary thrill out of. Blinded. Perfectly put.

One clarification. When I say "folks who are economically impacted etc.," they are being sliced and diced by and from the policies of past Republican presidents and current RP platform.

My, my...you're defensiveness is so telling.

Rob - thanks for the head's up on the spammer. I'm assuming you're talking about epu. I'll stop right here and flag as inappropriate if he harrasses me. His personal jabs and lack of reading anything that he hasn't written are telling as well. I don't waste my time on that sort of thing.

Hey Rob, thanks for the heads up for Tammy. That's funny.

Would it not be phenomenal if we could get past the petty spats and get to the real crux of the matter? No one (including me) wants to pay more taxes than are required to support the people of our country. Taxes are a requirement to pay for the things that taxpayers deem important. So that is the question, "What is important?" I have thought allot about it and I encourage everyone to do the same. Here is my wish list, this is the USA we are entitled to our opinion, right? Tax money to support clean air, clean water, a safe food supply, safe medications, rules to insure an effective healthcare system, a strong Military Defense, a safety net for those that need help getting over the hump, police protection, fire protection, an education system that works, security for the old, security for the sick, protection from unscrupulous actions, oh just to name a few. What do we want to pay for? We are Americans, the best and brightest, we can figure this one out!!

Look's like Romney's debate bump was smaller than most people thought and not a game changer:

http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/07/oct-7-national-polls-show-signs-of-settling/

ToJo, I like what you have proposed because I believe it appeals to balance and the reasonableness of the majority of Americans. I believe folks are at wits end with the ideological rhetoric that creates so much unnecessary "us against them" at all cost mindset. Fear and hate has always been used by those seeking or holding on to power and control and to pit one group against another and dehumanize. You asked "why" earlier. My belief the why and root cause of the insensitivity, fear, hate, and divisiveness is all about power, control and greed. I also believe Dr. MLK Jr. was so effective is that he asked the American people if we truly believe in The Constitution and our Christian Bibles, than we were required to behave those principals and values. Unfortunately we have lost our way because an important segment of Christisn churches have lost their moral position because they have become political mouthpieces and party adjuncts. Finally, one other area I would add to your list...the need for objective news journalism. We have also lost our way with the disappearance of ethical journalism (in all forms).

Why this election is even close is amazing. Romney-Ryan shown their contempt for the American people with their comments too many times:

Romney - 47% are dependent upon government, believe they are victims that are entitled to government assistance, and won't take personal responsibility for their lives. It's been proven that these statements are WRONG. Further he stated that these American will vote exclusively for Obama, but in actuality, half will likely vote for him.

Ryan - His comment is slightly different, yet very similar. Ryan claims that 70% of us are NET-TAKERS from the gov't while 30% of us are MAKERS. Yes, he's saying that 70% of us are take more from the gov't that we contribute. In effect, 70% of Americans are moochers. He claims we're reaching or have reached "moral tipping point" the Takers exceed the Makers.

Romney-Ryan are talking about you, your neighbors, co-
workers, parents, siblings, children, and friends.

But what he fails to state is that the "TAKERS" include people receiving: social security, medicare, veteran benefits, etc. Programs/benefits that we the "TAKERS" have paid into or that we as a society are unified in our belief should exist.

Lastly, Romney-Ryan imply that this is all Obama's fault. That's false. Obama hasn't added programs or changed eligibility.

See Ryan's video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHWb7BEOh7I

Frank Jones, thank you for your post. I have a belief as to why this is even a close race. I agree with you... It shouldn't be close. Before I share, I want to see how others respond. Thank you.

Erick Fernald, think about it. The 2008 economic crash resulted from a combination of failures in government regulation and oversight, unethical Wall Street risk taking practices, and gross corporate mismanagement and greed. Most independent studies will indicate all of this could have been avoided. Additionally, we were also negatively impacted by a global recession...the reality of globalism and economy. The effect of our economic crash was the loss of jobs. In the last 6 months of President Bush's last term, 3.5 million jobs were lost in that short time period alone. Bureau of Labors stats point to the accumulative number of jobs lost due to the economic crash and corporations not replacing workers who were either involuntarily let go or voluntarily left at approximately 9 million. The catasthropic human impact of this is immeasurable. For example, approximately 21% of children in our country live in families below the poverty level. Additionally, this same % represents the number of children (not young adults or adults) who are food insecure. The number of children and young adults who are classified as homeless is heart breaking. I won't get into it, but it's very obvious what the short and long term negative impact and ripple effect this has on educational learning (testing scores, drop out rates etc.), health outcomes, abuse, crime, military and defense personnel, and preparing a skilled and available labor pool for our corporations as we compete globally, as examples

Erick Fernald, to finish up. In addition to what I have outlined, the social agencies who traditionally have the responsibility to mitigate the impact of "bad economies" with our citizens and communities, have never been prepared to deal with what they are currently trying to do. And trying to respond as best they can with reduced funding and financial resources. Finally, based of BoL stats, for every job opening in the workforce today, 4.5 to 5 individuals are competing for that same job. And you know what the situation is for college grads...highest unemployment rates ever. So to say decent, hard working individuals and families are gaming the system because they are lazy and wanting to enjoy the "rewards" of unemployment is really misplaced when looking at the cause and effect of what got us here in the first place. We are a nation of individuals (men and women of all racial and ethnic backgrounds) who take great pride in work, doing a good job, and providing for loved ones. What is so debilitating about our current economic situation is that its impact crosses all genders, races, generations, socioeconomic class, educational level, religious belief, sexual orientation...you name it. It's destroying our communities and families. It's decimating our middle class. It threatens our future and our children's future.

Erick Fernald, thank you for considering and understanding my perspective.

Erick Fernald, and that is how you choose to respond. To effortlessly dismiss the toll of human suffering in our community directly before our eyes, resulting from unabated greed and absence of ethical governance, with denial and intellectual dishonesty. As is the case in our human existence, something will happen in your seemingly smug and privilege life that you will have the opportunity to find your heart and conscious.

Mr. Fernald, I thought your reply was well thought out, truthful and accurate. But you have to realize that you put the blame on BOTH parties, so at that point EPU will not hear you. Then, the personal insults. Please don't waste your time.
Here is another fact for which you will never get a reply (democrats had some part in the blame as they occupied both house and congress):
" In the last 6 months of President Bush's last term, 3.5 million jobs were lost in that short time period alone."
Before that time unemployment was low. But that would keep you from blaming Bush, so it couldn't be true. I gave up trying to reason with them because they refuse to converse when facts are shown to them and then the personal insults get thrown (as if they are having a temper tantrum or something). It's unreal. All you said was that government is not the be all end all answer for people with great needs. We have a safety net for that, but should never let government control our lives. It's hurts people. Ther'es a difference. You know that and I know that. How that is your being heartless is beyond me. Sounded very compassionate to me. Government is their god, don't you know that? I've come to that conclusion and I'm done. It's like arguing with sheetrock.

Mr. Fernald, I hope you continue to debate with us on Patch. Sometimes I think that inmates have take nover the asylum and then we get someone who comes on here who isn't hyped up on emotion and demagogery. Glad to have you aboard!

Erik Fernald, I thought you were through on Monday at 10:42pm? Gee, something must be nagging you deep, down inside to come back tonight and over explain your repeated point of view to an out of touch, anonymous EPU. Maybe you are trying to rationalize to yourself that you really are a good guy. I don't know and don't care. You are clueless about what it is you have no concept of because of your self absorption and arrogance.

Tammy Osier, your pattern of validating everything "Mr." Fernald says leaves me with an image of you being a Cockatiel but without the charm. Please allow me to clue you in on something. Don't feed the young man's already bloated ego and self importance. You really are not doing him a favor. I am not sure what your motivation is to constantly bow to "Mr" Fernald. Maybe it's a need to be accepted. Again, I don't know and don't care. He really doesn't give a rat's arse about you. And think, you stroked his ego under 60 minutes with your last post.

Now, the only other individual missing from your silly threesome is "spammy" Rob. It may take him a day or two to catch up with the discussion. I believe he is trolling the other Patch sites calling out anyone who remotely makes him uncomfortable as spamming.

Chrystal H., Do you think that they (Independents) are not allowed, or just choose not to debate? Seems that one year, and this was a long time ago, there was an Independent at a Presidential debate. Was that Ross Perot? Do you recall?

Hey fellow commenters, how y'all doin'.....anybody hear who won the presidential debate last week? I've been out in the woods, meditating.

hey Bulldogger, depends on who you ask lol

David, tomorrow night, no matter what happens, i don't foresee the media doing anything but spinning things in bho's direction, regardless. I don't think they could take two defeats. I think people are finally starting to see things for what they are rather than the reality that the media feeds them.
However, if the questions will be on foreign policy, I wonder if the current beghazi-gate will come up. The media is trying to downplay and cover-up but it's coming out as one of the worst flubs in history since we were attacked on 911. Of course, libs will still vote for obama- no surprise there. I think he got caught playing too much with his hollywood friends when he should have been doing his job. Kind of like the water fountain slacker that finally gets fired. ;)

I saw Obama yesterday claiming the new job numbers are proof that his policies are working and that we are in an economic recovery... Fact is, that is not the truth, or even close to the truth...
First, the unemployment rate ticked up to 7.9% and the year-to-date monthly average of 157,000 payroll jobs is barely enough to keep up with population growth -- much less make up for the 8 million jobs lost during the Great Recession.
Second, the so-called real unemployment rate (U6) remains elevated at 14.6%, albeit down from 14.7% the prior month. Similarly, the labor participation rate is at 63.8%, up from its multi-decade low but still incredibly weak.
Third, average hourly earnings fell a penny in October and average hours worked fell to 34.4 from 34.5 in September.
Stagnant wages means "we're not generating income," Reinhart says. "That's a problem in terms of the durability of an economic expansion, which is usually fueled by consumption. To get consumption you've got to generate income."
Also, just look at your checkbook. We are paying a lot more for everything now than we did in 2008. The price of gas has doubled. At the same time, wages have gone down, and that's if you're lucky to have a job.
In 2008, 25 banks went out of business. In 2012, 48 banks have gone out of business. Almost double the amount. Does that sound like recovery to you? Don't believe the Obama lies!!

Romney/Ryan 2012

The America we / you knew is over. We ALL are victims of the N.W.O. no escaping.
It doesn't matter who the president is, The agenda is set. Mark my words "there will NEVER EVER be any so-called economic recovery in this country" . If it makes you feel better, you can vote for either of the available Puppets, the agenda remains. Back in 1993 our beloved President Bill Clinton signed in to law the G.A.T.T. and N.A.F.T.A. trade agreements , marking the end of America as we know it. To truly create a viable sustainable economy . Manufacturing companies and corporations must stay in America and hire Americans. So when I hear all of this political BS about creating jobs, It's NOT going to happen unless those trade agreements are ratified. So far this topic is not in the conversation, WHY?

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