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Mustard Wasn't Cut

The first presidential debate was wimpy.

Neither of the presidential candidates showed us the bacon Tuesday night in the first of three national debates. Mitt Romney was more aggressive than to be expected, but he was in outer space on some of his “facts.” Barrack Obama looked like he’d rather be at dinner with his wife on their anniversary. Let’s pray the future “debates” --  these were not such -- show us the money. Re-runs of “West Wing” would have been more exciting.

Unfortunately for an American electorate so very concerned about a dwindling middle class, poor job outlook, exponential health-care costs and expensive military involvement that sends home stricken warriors but does not end corruption nor foster democracy, Obama and Romney were talking heads. Each argued poorly, invoking the same, old unfruitful Democratic and Republican rhetoric that has little to do with reality. These were two policy wonkers, and you wanted to send each to a time-out corner for not getting to any point except endless posturing.

Better this debate should have been held in a deserted factory in Detroit, or on a New York City street corner where the homeless gather around fire in an old oil drum, or on an Afghanistan road where bombs take out our military, or in an overcrowded classroom where textbooks are years old and too many students wait for help that will never come. Instead, the stage was well-lit, the candidates in spiffy suits, makeup applied, question-and-answer rehearsals having taken place. Where was reality?

Reality is Main Street, USA. Reality is the ordinary American holding his head in his hands at the kitchen table. Reality is job loss. You see tears now, in the households where the unemployed sit for two years or more, from college graduates without hope, from those who bought into the American Dream only to have it dashed by an economy built on the middle class and now controlled by entrenched politicians who ignore that class in favor of lobby money. 

The many in America today know full well that Congress and the presidency are damaged systems, and great change must come if the nation is to survive. Special interests rule the roost, and the people’s voice must rise in volume against them. Otherwise we will continue to have polished-up candidates who talk a line but do not walk it. We need a person of courage to tell it like it is.
    

The writer is a retired newspaperman.

Sami October 5, 2012 at 04:18 pm
I have to say I am in a way better place than I was 4 years ago. I too became unemployed, but worked on my skills, updated my resume after much research on the best ways and landed myself a fantastic job with great benefits and a very large salary boost from my last job. Was it a hard year while I was out of work? Of course, but I did odd jobs and whatever I needed to to stay afloat. I think we are moving in the right direction and am afraid that the middle class will just continue to disappear under Romney. What I think would make a big change is getting rid of all four leaders in Congress and starting fresh- new blood and idea are needed to move past this partisan bs.
James F. Leiner October 5, 2012 at 04:40 pm
I have a question. Perhaps one of you can help me. When the government gave "bailout" money to the Detroit Car Makers....(Ford refused) where did the money come from?
nstrdr October 5, 2012 at 04:46 pm
Jeff,
How can 3 months of declining JOB GROWTH numbers result in a LOWER Unemployment rate??? Even Jack Welch (ex-GE) called the numbers manipulated... CNBC is also questioning the accuracy of the numbers...Very telling
Billy October 5, 2012 at 04:46 pm
We borrowed it from China didn't we?
Walt October 5, 2012 at 04:59 pm
"These Chicago guys will do anything..can't debate so change numbers".
GC October 5, 2012 at 05:51 pm
The US Govt bought GM's stock using $ from the general fund, they currently have a 30% stake in GM (I think). GM filed for bankruptcy in 2009 and all of the old common stockholders and bond holders were wiped out, including many guaranteed state pension funds. Instead of reorganizing the company in a traditional bankruptcy, they did a new IPO and the govt took a 61% stake (again, I think).
I can't wait to see what I'm being teed up for.
JJ October 5, 2012 at 07:20 pm
Just one simple question;
ARE WE BETTER OFF AFTER 4 YEARS OF OBAMA OR NOT? There's your answer.
Issy October 5, 2012 at 08:03 pm
This is not a simple question it is an idiotic and disingenuous one. Four years ago we were heading over an economic cliff, now our economy is mostly stable.
So individually we my not be better off, but as a nation things are improving. Maybe not fast enough but after the tumultuous years of economic suicide that befell us slow may have to suffice.
JJ October 5, 2012 at 09:26 pm
@Issy ; thanks for your astute comments again.
Do you thinks it's ever possible NOT to try and insult everyone who disagrees with you? Are you really that angry? Give it a rest. You seem like a intelligent person but your attacks are juvenile and counter productive to an otherwise decent exchange of ideas.
Blaue Vogel October 5, 2012 at 09:37 pm
Obama's debate performance mirrors his performance over the last four years: FAIL
JJ October 5, 2012 at 09:50 pm
Agree..............he's clueless without that TelePrompTer.
Hard to believe that the unemployment rate went down JUST now ; isn't it? Possible but NOT probable after all of these months. Stand by for major manipulations of all U.S. Government systems now.
Issy October 5, 2012 at 10:23 pm
JJ, did not insult anyone, just pointing out the idiocy of the QUESTION. You on the other hand apparently did feel the need to attack me personally. Please listen to you own advice.
Mary Too October 5, 2012 at 10:24 pm
.
Richard K., the only gullible Americans were those who believed Obama's B.S. four years ago. Romney will slam him again at the second debate. .
Aidan October 5, 2012 at 10:46 pm
Bottom line ... Obama was lazy. Didn't prepare ... thought he could bs his way through it all. Backfire.
Blaue Vogel October 5, 2012 at 10:50 pm
Lazy? Maybe. But he's not as smart as he was made out to be.
JJ's right: without a TelePrompTer and somebody writing his speeches, he's clueless. The people who voted for him last time didn't do their homework and whoever votes for him this time are just plain --- you know the rest.
jeff meyer October 6, 2012 at 12:34 am
JJ: Yes we are better off now then four years ago. There is your answer. JM Tuckahoe, NY
bruiser October 6, 2012 at 12:46 am
Well folks we survived the debate. The President and Romney faced off and as usual there are Some who have given the win to Romney but I give the win to neither.
As far as I am concerned there were only losers and the big losers were the American voters. I can say(Without a shadow of a doubt) that because both candidates embellished, stretched the truth and outright lied about their intentions that it is high time we start demanding better from our politicians.
James F. Leiner October 6, 2012 at 12:55 am
I sure have to agree with your comment "bruiser" I have said often this election is truly a selection of the lesser of two evils. I like Obama, but I am concerned with his financial management and his seemingly desire to more our country towards a socialistic society. I worked hard all my life, held two or three jobs at one time. Now I am semi retired, yes I get a pension and SS....It seems so many people seem to think I am a BAD guy..I truly believe America has propsered under the Captialistic system.
James F. Leiner October 6, 2012 at 01:00 am
GC...I had not intention of any horrible fate...I have been trying to understand the 5 trillion dollar addition to the national debt. The Federal Governement has not had a "balanced" budget since President Clinton. I think now I can take secret-sex in the oval office to the current economic conditions. I do agree OB walked into a mess. But was he seems to think America can borrow and spend our way our of the recession. The increased debt has devistated the value of the dollar. Simply looks at the interest being earned on my retirement savings. less than 1%. I wanted to know where the Bail out money fit, was it borrowed from China as one other commenbted? I have read billions has been borrowed from the Communist China...is that a good idea? thanks for your answer...I understand more now.
bruiser October 6, 2012 at 01:05 am
James the first thing i will say is you are not the bad guy my friend,you worked and earned everything you get.I own and operate a trucking company and i will be voting for the president and so will my family and friends,my business has almost doubled since Obama took office.I can not say for sure why but it seems like since he was sworn in my business sure picked up.
I like your comment on the lesser of 2 evils because it is true,for years now i have believed what my father taught me, if it is the only thing you have to vote for then vote for it. What i would like to see before i meet my maker is a real president i haven't seen one of those in a long time,one that will stand in front of the U.S. voters and tell the truth.
bruiser October 6, 2012 at 01:07 am
I will say as for Obama being a socialist i do not believe that i believe he is a centrist,and i also believe strongly that his intentions are honorable but a little off at times.
bruiser October 6, 2012 at 02:29 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQZ5_qdHLV8
My god sure doesn't look good from here
Aidan October 6, 2012 at 02:04 pm
Hankygate ... how desperate.
Mike October 6, 2012 at 03:08 pm
Wonder why there has been no focus on the lane stream media supported cover up of the well planned terrorist attack on our embassy in Libya where are ambassador was visiouslly murdered? No, instead lets focus on Romney taking a hanky out so that he could cheat at a debate. Insanity.
GC October 6, 2012 at 03:11 pm
All the more reason for a smaller government. The less power we give the politicians, the less they have to lie to us about.
Mary Too October 6, 2012 at 03:43 pm
Aidan, it appears that the only ones who are "desperate" are you and Bruiser, as well as the entire Obama campaign. Please view this webpage:
http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2012/10/05/no-mitt-romney-did-not-bring-cheat-notes-to-the-debate Romney would need a much larger piece of paper to contain the volume of damaging data that he revealed about Obama. The only comeback that you might try, is that Romney was wiping his brow with his "notes"...................lol. .
Aidan October 6, 2012 at 03:47 pm
Mary Too ... you misread.
Mary Too October 6, 2012 at 04:16 pm
.
Sorry about that, you are right. Please accept my apology. .
John Dason October 6, 2012 at 11:15 pm
How can we have cfreated 140,000+ jobs in August and have the inflation rate go up, but create only116,000 jobs in September and have the rate drop .03%? Is someone using "fuzzy math" here?
elizabeth October 7, 2012 at 10:56 am
I thought the debate was pretty interesting. I could really see a difference between the two men, in terms of their personalities. Romney did what his prompters asked him to do, and did it very well. Obama didn't perform. He was himself, and I respect him for that . Romney was animated, aggressive and charismatic. Obama was under toned, pragmatic, and real. I was surprisingly appriciative for his non-BS performance. I don't agree with all of his actions, but I like him, and trust him as a person.

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How can I get more information? When and where are auditions?
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