BREAKING: Rep Ryan Answers Obama, “Here’s My Plan”

Wow. I thought this was a smashingly effective speech — seeing his press conference (the video below the fold) is a must.

As an Independent, this guy’s proposal is making me lean Republican.

How do we help him in this viscious, Pelousy run House?

Looks like the Republicans may have a new star. (Bobby Jindal stumbled onto the stage, I’m, afraid).

Ryan will bear watching by those of us life-long Democrats who now define ourselves as nonpartisan populists.

Great job Ryan. Mr. Ryan may have just recruited a former D to join the R so we can stop this Obamanomic explosion.

Why doesn’t Chris move over to the WH and be the Obama mouth piece? What a moron?

Rep Ryan is very impressive and the plan he presents
is certainly more appealing than anything I have seen
from Obama. I am sure there is no hope of the Dems
embracing this.

Yea maybe that guy should run for POTUS he makes a lot more sense then BO ever did. Also I like the post card for the taxes. You think the Obama nominees would be behind that simple tax plan.

Finally. Someone is Washington DC got it figured out!

It is astounding:
Republicans have tapped into the psyche of the little guy in America. They recognize our inherent need to strive and produce is what keeps us strong. They realize that they cannot invent another way (such as Obama has done) to get out of debt. They realize that we have to maintain and improve our place in the global economy!

It is a bright day in America!

Paul Ryan: Our version of Daniel Hannan.

Plus he’s cute for all those american idol type voters.

ALL the Rs need to do is get Ryan out there everyday to hammer the message in on this budget. And I would love to see the Ds out there depending the Obama’s budget.

This is is the perfect fight to take back the house.

I am going to write to him to start his 2012 Campaign. I will contribute!

Gee, what would this country do without Republicans to set us straight?

Indeed. If this makes sense to a majority of American Voters, which I hope it does, and the dems still go with Odumbo’s budget. 2010 and 2012 will belong to the GOP!

ummm, i guess we’d leave massive debt to our children & grandchildren!

I certainly hope they can get this through. I’ll do anything I can to help the cause.

Ryan made CM look like an idiot……oh never mind.

I love that spelling. Never seen that before. “Sweet!,” as Cartman would say! Heh.

If Obama truly meant what he said when he was campaigning on true bi-partisanship and reaching across the aisle, then he certainly has to give credence and fair hearing to what Rep. Ryan has to say and to the Republicans’ alternative budget.

If he once again outsources to Pelosi and they pull this “well, I won” crap, then you will know definitively (as if you didn’t already) that this was just more “words, just words.”

Obviously, anyone would have to look at both budgets to see details and what would work and how a reasonable compromise could be reached, but Rep. Ryan certainly acquitted himself extremely well here. I also love that he had an answer to Chris Matthews in re the Hoover dig.

Mr. Tingle was obviously very surprised and thought he was going to take the fight to this ‘young whippersnapper’ – and he found out how wrong he was.

I love it that they came out with this while Cheif Dufus is out of the country.

Chris Mathews is a complete boob. He has absolutely NO credibility. MSNBC is banned in our house. I hope they fail withe their liberal agenda!

I think Ryan could easily become the American version of Daniel Hannan, the British PM who skewered Gordon Brown last week. I’ve listened to Ryan on several occasions. He’s young, bright and very articulate in discussing complicated budgetary matters.

Ryan could be a rising star for the Republicans.

Of course, the Dems have already come out to discredit the Republican’s budget version. But if you look at the comparisions, put the budgets side by side, and wipe the slate clean of partisan politics, you can see how crazy the Democratic spin truly is. Too bad the Republicans weren’t willing to be fiscally responsible when they were in power.
Better late than never, I guess.

I hope Americans are paying attention. My party wants the country to take a dive down a bottomless rat hole. The Republican budget recommendations will not be pleasant or easy to follow. But at least they offer us a way out rather than digging our own graves.

The Obama plan consisting of spending your way out of recession and borrowing your way out of debt is what makes no sense to Americans. Even if you’re a believer in Keynesian economics (not me), Obama’s plan fails because he’s not spending enough under that theoretic model (see Paul Krugman’s complaints).

This R plan will resonate because it approaches the gov’t budget from the same perspective everyday Americans must approach their own household budgets. If the Rs must push hard, loud and long for this approach, 2010 is theirs.

A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.

Edward R. Murrow:

Our major obligation is not to mistake slogans for solutions.

I am glad someone is actually working while Obama and his wife MEcHELLe are off playing prince and princess in England.

Yes, Matthews seemed a bit speechless that someone knew more about something he thinks he is an expert in.

Did anyone else see Matthews interviewing someone else (can’t remember who it was). It was regarding foreign policy. Matthews snarly asked what they thought about Hillary Clinton – expecting to get a negative comment. The guy being interviewed gave Hillary great support and called her the sleeper in this. He thought she was right on target and doing an excellent job. Again.. Matthews was left speechless. Love it!!

Ryan seems much more articulate than Teleprompter Jesus and he is good looking. As a Democrat, Ryan appeals to me on the most basic level. I seriously think we will see him on the national stage in a few years and probably a Republican nominee for president someday. I haven’t seen another Republican any better than Ryan so far in the last several years.

I just wrote all my Senators and Reps (for all the good it’s going to do, but it’s worth a try) and told them to please get on board Paul Ryan’s proposal.

If anyone had told me a year ago I’d be voting for a Republican for President, that I’d be changing my status to Independent, then thinking a Republican budget was worthwhile, I’d probably would have laughed at them. Times have gotten very weird.

WHO??? Do tell!

The world is upside down, Astra. As a lifelong Democrat, I feel the same way. Very strange times we’re living in!!

OH MY GOD…THERE’S HOPE FOR OUR COUNTRY. This guy rocks and he’s Kennedy cute LOL. Okay, I’m in. Ryan for POTUS 2012. Wow, maybe, just maybe I don’t have to move to Costa Rica yet. Thanks so much for this awesome post Susan. Maybe I will sleep tonight. I actually just read something hysterical from a blogger who says that “while Obama’s out of the country, we should change it back to America.” ROFLMAO

Soros Caught Shorting Hungarian Market:

Hungary’s financial supervisory watchdog announced Friday it had slapped a 1.6-million-euro fine on an investment fund founded by US billionaire George Soros, for manipulating the market.

http://sweetness-light.com/archive/soros-caught-manipulating-hungarian-market

At this point, party can’t matter. We have to all just be Americans taking our country back from this scum. I hope this guy succeeds in what he is attempting. Doubtful Slob-Bomba will listen to a Republican though, because he has never made good on his bipartisan promises.

“while Obama’s out of the country, we should change it back to America.”

Hilarious and…tempting!!

“while Obama’s out of the country, we should change it back to America.”

LOL!!

I love Russ Feingold, but if Ryan chooses to run against him next year Russ could be in trouble. (Interestingly, both are natives of Janesville, recently devastated by the closing of its GM plant. And Feingold’s last serious challenge was from Ryan’s predecessor.)

I have a feeling the Dems would have a hard time discrediting a presidential bid by Ryan in 2012 on the basis of him being a first term Senator.

http://www.poorrichardsalmanac.bniz
OBAMA’S AUNT GETS TO STAY IN U.S.!
AS MILLIONS WAIT IN LINE AUNIE GETS SPECIAL STATUS!

A friend of mine sent this to me it is 11 parts so you have to watch all (or I guess not). ANyway it cover s the IRS and there being no law that says employment tax is required. Is this really true? or bunk? If it is true, why the hell do we pay them? This is not too off topic since the budget deals with how our tax dollars are spent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-2JDfX_68U&feature=related

Would love to see Obama being denied entrance back into the United States of America based on possible falsification of documents regarding his passport and/or legal status as a citizen. Michelle would have to stay with him, of course.

Now that would be some change! LOL!

Here’s the link to that article. Sooo worth the read. Hilarious.

“Quick, While Obama’s Out of the Country, Let’s Change it Back to America.”

http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/ggraham/2009/03/31/quick-while-he%E2%80%99s-outta-the-country-let%E2%80%99s-change-it-back-to-%E2%80%98america%E2%80%99/print/

And he didn’t even stutter, ummm or ahhhhh.

Many of them look good in the fiscal category–I mean, who doesn’t agree with fiscal responsibility? Even those who like to see government supported programs realize there is only so much money to go around.

Let’s see what this guy says on social issues. That’s when it can get ugly.

Well done. He actually understands his speech and doesn’t need a teleprompter.

whaaaaaaaaaa No teleprompter. What’s happening–someone articulate, prepared, no speech fillers (umm er ya know)?

The republican plan sounds FEASIBLE.

Now THAT is change!

Love that Soros got busted by Hungary for market manipulation. Why isn’t that man in jail? Hmmmm.

I like the efforts to control spending. This is important. Here is the problem though. You cannot not reduce the deficit by cutting taxes even more. Republicans tried that in 2001 and again in 2003. The result was that our national debt skyrocketed, and not just because of Iraq and the GWOT.

Prioritize and reduce spending, sure. But be honest and tell us that our taxes will eventually have to go up to pay for the lousy leadership of the current and former administrations.

Stop with the “Rep vs Dem” crap. Bush’s whitehouse spent like a drunken sailor, and drove up the debt like crazy. Of course, Obama now wants to spend like a drunken navy, but NEITHER party has been fiscally responsible, and both got us into this mess.

Viewing everything through the filter of “Rep good/Dem bad”, or vice versa, is a big part of the problem. Why don’t we start evaluating ideas and plans based on whether they will WORK, not who proposed them?

I like what this guy has to say. Not because he’s a Republican, but because it makes sense. If a Democrat says the same thing, I’ll support THAT.

We have become a nation of sheeple, period. I am not paying for that spendathon stimulus bill that no one who reps me actually read. That’s ridiculous, irresponsible and reflects the venal nature of Pelosi and Congress. They don’t believe we deserve to know where they are spending my money. They have another thing coming. Unless and until they stop raping us, and start being held accountable for this nonsense they are pulling, then it’s taxation without representation and Un-American. I can’t believe any rational, sane American would just look the other way while Pelousy and her piggy little thieves screw us.

LOOKS LIKE OBAMA IS SELLING AMERICA TO CHINA. THEY HAVE BEEN INSIDIOUSLY KILLING AMERICANS WITH THEIR POISONOUS PRODUCTS (COULD THIS BE DELIBERATE?) NOW THEY ARE COMING TO AMERICA IN DROVES BUYING UP A LOT OF CHEAP AND FORECLOSED HOMES.AMERICANS BETTER WAKE UP!! OBAMA IS SELLING US OUT.

But would a dem support this budget at this point? If said Dem doesn’t then we are back to the same old problem of Dem vs Rep, aren’t we?

The bi-partisan litany is great and a step in the right direction, however it’s the humans who label themselves as dem or rep that need to catch up.

Any bets on how many dems will drop their support of Odumbell’s plan over the GOP plan?

No, we are not back to Dem vs. Rep. I like this particular thing that this particular Republican is saying. I feel no obligation to make the giant leap of “ergo, all Republicans are better than all Dems”, as you seem to do.

No, the current Dems likely won’t buck the whitehouse – because of party loyalty. Just as many Republicans never stood up and opposed Bush’s bloated budgets because of party loyalty.

I’m DONE with party loyalty, and generalizations, from either side. I will support those people and those programs that I choose, regardless of what side of the aisle they are on. We the People need to BREAK this two-party stranglehold they have on us, and I doubt we are going to do it via a third party. But we COULD do it if we just started supporting that which we approve of, regardless of what party it comes from, and quit this senseless keeping score and trying to “prove” which party is “better”.

OK – a little caution here. I think we’ve all had the “isn’t he cute – he should be President theme done to death (ours).
Please can we have someone Hillary – capable and experienced instead of the next big fad? I’d really like someone who checks the fine print.

You’re entitled to your opinion and your viewpoint. However, you short the process and solution in your zeal to be right.

It is all about Rep vs Dem and until you can dictate to your representatives that bi-partisanship or common sense should be the rule, it’s gonna be ALL about party loyalty.

Besides, if you are loyal to another cause – such as independence of either party are you not just as “guilty” of partisanship?

You point of view is understood. It’s just underdeveloped. Work for change WITHIN the existing structure.

Call all your dem representatives and tell them to get behind Ryan’s proposal. It’s the dems that will make or break this.

True. I had the same thought, but Hillary may be damaged goods as far as a re-bid for the WH. While my sentiments lean towards Hillary being the best choice, the fates may not be as kind.

Ryan just presents another option and one to be watched closely. I bet he is MORE than willing to release his birth certificate, health records, and educational records. Plus, he’s been in the House of Representatives since 1998. He has EXPERIENCE.

I’m not quite sure why you seem to think that my position re: party labels in any way precludes me from doing any of the things you suggested. In fact, I am already doing them.

My original response was to an individual who made the sort of “See, this guy is right, therefore my entire party is the RIGHT one!” statement that I have come to find abhorrent. My point was that a good idea from Dems does not “prove” that they are the “best” party, and therefore to be supported in all things, and neither does that hold true for Republicans.

So yes, call your senators and representatives. Of BOTH parties. On ALL issues. And hold ALL of their feet to the fire. Just don’t reserve your ire for “the other guys”, and let anything that “your team” does get a pass.

Is anyone concerned about how the GOP’s plan includes
messing around with Social Security?

LMAO..Teleprompter Jesus….

I have heard the postcard for a flat tax proposed before. Hmm, wouldn’t that be a nice switch, all of those people mooching off taxpayer dollars not getting big hefty refunds anymore for all of their illegitimate kids. Sounds good to me.

Yep. They’re proposing deep tax cuts for the the wealthy and for business, and cuts for the elderly and poor in Medicare and Medicaid. This seems fair and balanced. There are cuts there for everybody.

Cite your information on the deep cuts. He said that 55 older stays the same. 54 younger different scenario. Define elderly and define wealthy according to your analogy, Cynic.

correct.

Then through the process of discussion of two different viewpoints the conclusion is the same.

I believe I also heard him say something about eventually limiting Medicare benefits for upper income people, didn’t I?

If so, then SHOCKING! Limit govt help to those who actually need it?

(Sorry about the stutter.)

Well, at least they’re finally becoming more specific about their alternative budget proposals. Having specifics makes serious debate possible.

Fabulous!

from the WSJ piece, link above:

In one of the most valued government programs — Social Security — our budget begins to develop a bipartisan solution to the program’s pending bankruptcy by incorporating some of the reforms advocated by the president’s budget director. Specifically, we provide for a trigger that would make small adjustments in the benefits for higher-income beneficiaries if the Social Security Administration determines the Social Security Trust Fund cannot meet its obligations. This is a modest but serious proposal which would not affect those in or near retirement, but is aimed at helping develop a consensus, across party lines, toward saving this important retirement program. We also assure that benefits for lower-income recipients are large enough to keep them out of poverty.

specifics are sorta vague.

who is a “higher income beneficiary?”

that.s no biggy..anybody can do that,heck bet my 6 year old can..

Ryan seems to be on the right track but he missed an important stop and that is freezing government spending, such as salary increases and perks for the Senators, Congress and administration. Make them submit a travel request and cost analysis versus return on the trip. After the obscene “inaugural” parties, let’s do some trimming of the White House entertainment budget (and no, I do not think they gave plastic helicopters from the White House gift shop to the Brown children to save money!) Hey, if we have to tighten our belt so should the occupants of the White House since they are living high on the Wagyu from our largess.

He also misspoke about about FICA; it is not an entitlement and the only reason it gets on the budget is because someone stuck their hands in Our cookie jar and “borrowed” from Social Security and didn’t pay it back. It can’t be broke, babyboomers have been paying into the Social Security system their entire lives and haven’t even reached full retirement age yet so where did all that money plus interest go?

I would much prefer a structured and irreversible payment plan even if we had to pass a Constitutional amendment to force repayment because it is the last rock solid pension plan we have for our old age and we don’t need anyone tampering with something that has provided pensions for workers for over 70 years and who would have nothing if not for the Federal Insured Contribution Act.

Biggest question, if they change Social Security do we stop paying FICA tax and do we get our investment – with interest – in FICA back when they gut it?

The highest tax rate would be 25%, right?

That would be a very big cut, for the people at the very upper end. The super-rich.

Except for that, I rather admire the overall simplicity of the tax reform concept. You might sell me on this.

Here’s a graph that makes a strong impact comparing budgets. Scroll down a bit.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123854083982575457.html#mod=rss_opinion_main

What? Why make Medicare primary insurance – as it is now – for those that have the means and excellent secondary insurance?

If it does limit for those who need it then that needs to be looked at.

AMEN..millionaires don’t need medicare or medicaid cause they are rich..

Usually when you pay into a pension fund you don’t have to meet a “needs” test; it’s your money no matter what other “pensions” or funds you have.

That would be like a bank imposing a “needs” test before they let you have your savings. Or a “needs” test before you could collect all those stock market dividends.

FICA is off budget and paid for by Federally Insured Contribution from your paycheck and the benefit your employer pays, just like the employer “contribution” to your 401K plan. How would you like a “needs” test for that one, too?

looks like a winner..

when are we going to start making people accountable and responsible for themselves?? That is more of take from the rich give to the poor.

yes, I get that.

In a nutshell-it’s my hard-earned money, I paid it in, and I want it back!

I’ve seen how much the tax code allows retirees to earn before they have their SS benefits taxed, and it’s not much.
I can’t even wrap my head around that, let alone
congress deciding someone makes too much to get their own money back.

This budget looks damned good compared to Obama’s, but the GOP made a mistake mucking with Social Security. People will be enraged and the dems will figure out a way to drive that.

oh yeah….

I’m glad the Republicans have an alternate plan and clearly stated it in public so they can’t be accused of not having one.

As for no way out of debt except to raise taxes, I disagree. Alot of tax revenue is down due to loss of jobs. Get people back to work like Ryan said. Cut entitlement programs. If they do that, that is millions saved on non-production. If the entitlement stops, people will have to work and pay taxes. Cut out all government entitlement, no free plane rides, cars, and all of the other frivilous shit they get and shouldn’t have.

There is a lot of waste in government. If someone like Palin would go in there and clean house, they would not need to raise taxes.

It would be a very big cut for the super-rich, and I don’t like that, either. But there are a lot of businesspeople in this country paying the top tax rate now whom I would not consider “super-rich”. Are they vastly more well-off than most? Absolutely.

But to lump them with the likes of Bill Gates is hardly accurate. That is a tiny rarified stratum, indeed, and the highest tax rates hit a lot more people than the Gates of the world.

Wow, as a Winconsinite, I’m proud of Congressman Paul Ryan. We are the birthplace of progressivism. http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-036/?action=more_essay
To think that being responsible has become progressive!

They realize that they cannot invent another way (such as Obama has done) to get out of debt

You mean you don’t buy the fact that we have to go drastically in debt for generations in order to get out of debt. Funny…me neither, due to a little thing called common sense. What ever happened to common sense anyway?

True. But a pension plan is one thing, while a retirement insurance program is something else.

The latter insures people against the risk of poverty, which is commonly associated with the lost work capacity that often accompanies old age. If income remains high in old age, the risk one has insured oneself against isn’t realized. This would be like paying for hospital insurance for years, but being fortunate enough to never require a hospitalization.

Pension plans are contractual agreements, where an employer agrees to recompense a worker for making and keeping a long-term committment to render services. The employer is actually buying something by providing the pension plan, while the employee is actually selling something.

[...] silly fools who praised the speech and writings of Rep. Paul Ryan! Honestly! What’s WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE??? Here’s what TPM’s Josh Marshall has to [...]

How many people who once were wealthy are now no longer in that group? Some millionaires — courtesy of Bernie and falling 401k values — are no longer even middle class.

Social Security is neither at the present … not secure and in trouble socially.

He probably knows what he is talking about … big damn difference!!! 0bama is as in charge as W ….

And he can answer questions without a teleprompter, and a ton of uhs and ahs.

Brilliant. Thanks for the quote.

THERE’S HOPE FOR OUR COUNTRY.

It’s never the last gas station. Hang in there.

With a hard 25%, no deductions, loopholes, and write offs, the ultra rich would probably be paying MORE! Also, think of the nation wide savings that would be realized with out an IRS the size of an army, and the savings to ALL individuals gained by not having to hire accountants for taxes. The total amount of manpower that is constantly wasted dealing with an insanely complicated tax system is enormous, and produces nothing tangible. Imagine the boost to our economy if all of that manpower were directed toward productive activities.

Love the quote. Copied it, credited it to anonymous and sent it out to my family and friends.

Ani, thanks. I am not feeling so good about it today from some things I heard.

You’ve probably got a good point about the deductions, write offs, and loopholes.

I wonder if politicians in general would go for this? They might nod, and then turn right around and recomplexify the system. They like a complex tax code. Narrowly defined tax breaks are one of the things they all like to trade for political support.

Maybe the overall proposed rates could be raised by a fraction of a percent. We could use the additional funds to finance the entire election process with public money, and ban private and special interest campaign contributions outright.

One group sure as hell wouldn’t like this: tax lawyers.

Good points Cynic.

Gee, I think Chris Matthews was almost at a loss for words. He wasn’t his usual obnoxious self and didn’t really dispute what Ryan said. He tried, but he failed.

Hearing that guy talk makes me glad the Republicans aren’t in power, that’s for sure.

Also: I’m curious, does this site not even pretend to be liberal anymore? I remember when it was a pro Hillary site. Hillary Clinton is a liberal, you know that right?

That was snark I hope.

Hillary is a liberal-centrist. That’s a big difference to Obama’s left-wing socialism. Remember Obama was voted the most liberal senator when he was there.

Hillary is not a socialist by any stretch of the imagination. Don’t let any obot tell you that Obama is not a socialist. He is by definition, action, and the company he keeps.

Thank you, WMCB. I was going a little crazy with all the Republican love going on because this one guy has a better budget plant and he happens to have an “R” after his name. Dubya got us in this mess, which is why we ended up with That One and all the Chicago antics.

Imagining this, Andrew, I see more people being laid off like those who work for the IRS and those who are accountants and tax preparers. They are also Americans who would like to keep their jobs. I don’t know the answer, but I think it’s somewhere in between the Rs and the Ds. I vote for Hillary’s plans. I would also prefer Sarah Palin in 2012 than Ryan. Time for a woman in the WH, I’m really tired of the American Idol selections.

I totally agree, C.S.

You are right Susan!…He does have a presidential aura to him, especially when he brings such solid ideas to the table. Thank you for the video.

While he probably won’t make much headway…I have a feeling Americans will remember him because he looks and acts sober.

I was thinking not your typical Republican. Where do the Republicans hide the men and women like this that do make sense? That aren’t smug and condescending. They need to get them out there more. I’d also like to hear more from some of our Conservative Democrats. I for one am tired of only hearing from the radical portions of the parties. We need to hear more from those with some integrity, responsibility that are more interested in this country and her citizens. We have far too many that are more interested in being a star. They want to be a star, mingle with the stars, they can go to Hollyweird. Leave those that take their responsibility seriously to run the country.

I do believe he said something about a freeze on spending for 5 years…I may be wrong.

You are so right…sheeple that barely deserve their country. If it wasn’t for the few people like yourself–who actually mistrust government no matter who runs it AND dispite its weaknesses, truly understand and love our country’s traditions and values enshrined in our constitution, and understand the wisdom in upholding it to the letter–I would probably give up on it altogether. It’s just too hard to watch.

I can’t believe how many out there are willing to give up everything for a few lousy scraps in handouts….they are pathetic and deserve everything that comes to them. I mean everything.

Honestly, these days I can barely contain my anger. I have day dreams of slapping all those brainwashed zombies out there into consciousness–into a mode of healthy self-preservation and out of narcotized ideological stupor. I guess life will teach them what and who the true enemy and threats to their way of life really are–and it’s certainly not the classical liberal who they nowadays call “conservative”.

Hopefully they’ll at least feel shame when they reflect on their lunacy and how it brought this country (let alone the western civilization) to its knees irrevocably. Perhaps they’ll realize that their good intentions have been manipulated and used by the dark side all along to perpetrate a mass campaign of discrimination and humilation of their fellow citizens with whom they disagreed. Perhaps they’ll realize that they skirted their responsibilitiies as good parents and citizens by hiding behind their good intentions/self-defined moral superiority and used them as a shield and spear to manipulate and oppress others into submission to a dysfunctional and pathological ideology…collectivism.

Of course, believing to be as intellectually and morally superior to everyone as they believe they are, it will take one huge catastrophe to make them realize they are not above being concerned about base and boring instincts like self preservation from hunger, death, and real physical misery that comes with crime and tyrrany…their lofty naive and unrealistic ideologies will be useless then. Surely, but in vain, they’ll then crave the days of good ol’ America: its apple pies; its might (which comes with its citizens common and noble goals and values to uphold the constitution/bill of rights); its wonderfully generous, spiritual, independent, and hard-working people; its honorable and dedicated military; and that fiesty but wonderfully functional American spirit that comes only out of devotion to individualism, self-reliance, and suspicion of a too powerful government.

I must admit, when it all comes crashing down around me, I do believe I will get some modest amount of pleasure in watching them flail in vain. I do feel a little guilty for saying it…really I do.

.

[...] Rep. Paul Ryan, get goin’, guy. You’re real presidential timber with the brains and the actual experience! [...]