Without an election, the political discourse in the country seems to have calmed to a light simmer recently. That being said, there are always news topics to discuss.
The purpose of these forums is to have an open space for people to debate these topics and to share whatever is on their mind. Here are a few things that caught my eye; please feel free to comment and/or share your own:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-26/senate-passes-last-ditch-bill-to-end-controller-furloughs.html
- I actually agree that this is simply a "Band-Aid" and that it will simply open the door for more exemptions rending the spending cuts that actually kicked in worthless.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/04/28/army-says-no-to-more-tanks-but-congress-insists/
- UGH. I talk about this constantly on our radio show OpinioNation. It disgusts me that our elected leaders obtain and retain their positions by giving something to people, via the government, in exchange for votes. This is no different. The army has said they don't want these tanks, but our elected leaders don't want to be the voice of the party that says, "no" and threatens to close up shop in ever-so-important Ohio. Power and politics over reality and logic. Disgusting.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Listen to OpinioNation LIVE at 10:00PM EST Tonight!
Our fan base is growing, and it's not because we're pretty. We give the straight talk with no balk. Be sure to join us at 10:00pm EST! Listen to me (Mike - LME), Amy, Bruce, and host, Jon Rollings, as we discuss all the major news headlines of the week. Click the image to listen in:
(the Live365 radio panel will be on the right - it says "Live Stream Players")
This is a great opportunity for you to share your thoughts. From Boston to West, Texas, gay marriage to gun control, taxes to inflation, and everything in between, whatever your opinions, our show is your platform. Call us at 877-297-8022, and you'll promptly be put on the air. Engage the panel, share your views, or ask a question to our listeners. We hope to hear from you.
Finally, be sure to stick around for our final, lightning-round segment The Bottom Line.
Finally, be sure to stick around for our final, lightning-round segment The Bottom Line.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Weekly News Headline and Debate Topic Forum 4/22/13
After a tough, fear-filled, emotion-packed week, we take a step back and try to restore a sense of normalcy to everyday life. The Boston Marathon bombings sent us through a whirlwind of emotions from fear to shock to tension to a sense of victory (even in the smallest sense) as we watched last weeks events unfold.
As we move forward, new issues are sure to come up. While the tragedy in Boston won't be forgotten, other social, economic, and political issues remain.
As usual, please share any and all comments and opinions below.
As we move forward, new issues are sure to come up. While the tragedy in Boston won't be forgotten, other social, economic, and political issues remain.
As usual, please share any and all comments and opinions below.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Listen to OpinioNation LIVE at 10:00PM EST Tonight!
With heavy hearts we will be going on the air tonight. Join us at 10:00pm EST! Listen to me (Mike - LME), Amy, Bruce, and host, Jon Rollings, as we discuss all the major news headlines of the week. Click the image to listen in:
(the Live365 radio panel will be on the right - it says "Live Stream Players")
This is a great opportunity for you to share your thoughts. Whatever your opinions, our show is your platform. If you want to rant, let off some steam, share a viewpoint, or flat out disagree with us, call us at 877-297-8022, and you'll promptly be put on the air. Engage the panel, share your views, or ask a question to our listeners... it doesn't matter - we're here for you, and we hope to hear from you.
Finally, be sure to stick around for our final, lightning-round segment The Bottom Line.
P.S. Due to work constraints, I missed posting the weekly debate forum on Monday. But don't worry; a new one will be up next Monday, and any comment section is open for debate. If you'd like, you can call in to the show to debate, too! My apologies on missing this post.
Finally, be sure to stick around for our final, lightning-round segment The Bottom Line.
P.S. Due to work constraints, I missed posting the weekly debate forum on Monday. But don't worry; a new one will be up next Monday, and any comment section is open for debate. If you'd like, you can call in to the show to debate, too! My apologies on missing this post.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Listen to OpinioNation LIVE at 10:00PM EST Tonight!
Here we go again... lots of topics to talk about. See our discussion list here. Join us at 10:00pm EST! Listen to me (Mike - LME), Amy, Bruce, and host, Jon Rollings, as we discuss all the major news headlines of the week. Click the image to listen in:
(the Live365 radio panel will be on the right - it says "The 405 Radio - Live Stream")
This is a great opportunity for you to share your thoughts. Whatever your opinions, our show is your platform. If you want to rant, let off some steam, share a viewpoint, or flat out disagree with us, call us at 877-297-8022, and you'll promptly be put on the air. Engage the panel, share your views, or ask a question to our listeners... it doesn't matter - we're here for you, and we hope to hear from you.
Finally, be sure to stick around for our final, lightning-round segment The Bottom Line.
Finally, be sure to stick around for our final, lightning-round segment The Bottom Line.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
"Gun Control" Fueled by Emotion and not Logic
I've said this many times: I'm a conservative republican, and while I love our party and its ideals, I don't believe, by any means, that it's perfect. In that regard, I've also said many times that I think there are some positions the GOP holds that are losing propositions (the GOP's position on gay marriage, for example, I think, regardless of anyone's personal feelings, is a losing position to have in the party of smaller government), and while these political "losers" are small in number, there are many, many winners.
Simply put, gun rights is one of these winners. In my opinion, the GOP has the winning position. Hands down.
Much has been said in this arena since the tragic massacre in Newtown, Connecticut, and that tragedy should never be forgotten. No one can fathom the loss and grief the families and friends of the 26 victims are feeling. It's unquestionably a sorrow few know, and this brief article is, in no way, an attempt to downplay that aspect of one of the darkest events in American history.
Simply put, gun rights is one of these winners. In my opinion, the GOP has the winning position. Hands down.
Much has been said in this arena since the tragic massacre in Newtown, Connecticut, and that tragedy should never be forgotten. No one can fathom the loss and grief the families and friends of the 26 victims are feeling. It's unquestionably a sorrow few know, and this brief article is, in no way, an attempt to downplay that aspect of one of the darkest events in American history.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Weekly News Headline and Debate Topic Forum 4/8/13
First, a sendoff to the Iron Lady:
Margaret Thatcher, October 13 1925 - April 9 2013 - - - The first female Prime Minister of Great Britain... a trailblazer to many. Thank you.
What do YOU think of Margaret Thatcher? Her policies... her style... her portrayal in the media... her legacy? Be sure to share your thoughts below.
As usual, there is a whole gamut of news topics to discuss from the dismal employment numbers to North Korea's continued provocation to the death of another American diplomat. Whatever it is, share your opinions and engage others below.
source: wikipedia
Margaret Thatcher, October 13 1925 - April 9 2013 - - - The first female Prime Minister of Great Britain... a trailblazer to many. Thank you.
What do YOU think of Margaret Thatcher? Her policies... her style... her portrayal in the media... her legacy? Be sure to share your thoughts below.
As usual, there is a whole gamut of news topics to discuss from the dismal employment numbers to North Korea's continued provocation to the death of another American diplomat. Whatever it is, share your opinions and engage others below.
Friday, April 5, 2013
The March 2013 Jobs Report
Here is the March 2013 employment situation report from the BLS: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf
Key Highlights:
- The unemployment rate dropped to 7.6%. Non-farm employers added 88,000 new jobs, falling well short of analysts' predictions.
- The number of unemployed persons edged downward to 11.7 million in March from 12 million in February.
- The civilian labor force participation rate dropped to 63.3% form 63.5% in February. This is the lowest level of labor force participation this country has seen since May 1979.
- The "not in labor force" count (those who have no job and have stopped looking for work) increased by 663,000 from 89,304,000 in February to 89,967,000 in March.
- The number of persons employed for part-time economic reasons (those that are considered part-time involuntary workers) fell by 350,000 to 7,600,000.
- Average hourly earnings rose by 1 cent. The 12-month average for hourly earnings have risen at a 1.8% yearly rate.
Key Highlights:
- The unemployment rate dropped to 7.6%. Non-farm employers added 88,000 new jobs, falling well short of analysts' predictions.
- The number of unemployed persons edged downward to 11.7 million in March from 12 million in February.
- The civilian labor force participation rate dropped to 63.3% form 63.5% in February. This is the lowest level of labor force participation this country has seen since May 1979.
- The "not in labor force" count (those who have no job and have stopped looking for work) increased by 663,000 from 89,304,000 in February to 89,967,000 in March.
- The number of persons employed for part-time economic reasons (those that are considered part-time involuntary workers) fell by 350,000 to 7,600,000.
- Average hourly earnings rose by 1 cent. The 12-month average for hourly earnings have risen at a 1.8% yearly rate.
- The change in total non-farm payroll employment for January was revised upward from +119,000 to +148,000, and the change for February was revised downward from +236,000 to +268,000.
So what do I think? Ummm, can you say déja vu? This is a disaster! The unemployment rate is now 7.6%, something the democrats will probably brag about, but the key facet that will get overlooked: nearly 500,000 people stopped looking for work! This is tragic. These people, who are no longer counted in the unemployment rate, simply gave up. Since they're not trying to find work anymore, they're not counted in the unemployment rate, and this gives the UE rate an artificially low reading. This becomes apparent when we look at the civilian labor force participation rate... which is now at its lowest level since May, 1979. Moreover, the employment-to-population ratio is 58.5%. How can a country continue when nearly half the population isn't producing?
Sadly, the media will trumpet this 7.6% rate as a victory. It's not. It's a tragedy. Millions of people are giving up looking for work, and the poverty level in this country is at its highest level since 1960. And all this has happened BEFORE Obamacare has kicked in. The CBO estimates the ACA will cost 850,000 jobs over the next 10 years.
It's clear: the government is not helping... it's hurting. Obama's policies are not a boon to employment; they're a destroyer of it. But hey... when you're unemployed and destitute, you turn to the government for support... and when one party of the government promises to "help" and "take care of you"... when it comes time to vote, you won't bite the hand that feeds you. This is the way of the democratic party.
What do you think? Share your thoughts below.
So what do I think? Ummm, can you say déja vu? This is a disaster! The unemployment rate is now 7.6%, something the democrats will probably brag about, but the key facet that will get overlooked: nearly 500,000 people stopped looking for work! This is tragic. These people, who are no longer counted in the unemployment rate, simply gave up. Since they're not trying to find work anymore, they're not counted in the unemployment rate, and this gives the UE rate an artificially low reading. This becomes apparent when we look at the civilian labor force participation rate... which is now at its lowest level since May, 1979. Moreover, the employment-to-population ratio is 58.5%. How can a country continue when nearly half the population isn't producing?
Sadly, the media will trumpet this 7.6% rate as a victory. It's not. It's a tragedy. Millions of people are giving up looking for work, and the poverty level in this country is at its highest level since 1960. And all this has happened BEFORE Obamacare has kicked in. The CBO estimates the ACA will cost 850,000 jobs over the next 10 years.
It's clear: the government is not helping... it's hurting. Obama's policies are not a boon to employment; they're a destroyer of it. But hey... when you're unemployed and destitute, you turn to the government for support... and when one party of the government promises to "help" and "take care of you"... when it comes time to vote, you won't bite the hand that feeds you. This is the way of the democratic party.
What do you think? Share your thoughts below.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Listen to OpinioNation LIVE at 10:00PM EST Tonight!
North Korea, gun control, Hillary is "back," budget woes, NCAA athletics, and more on tonight's show. Be sure to join us at 10:00pm EST! Listen to me (Mike - LME), Amy, Bruce, and host, Jon Rollings, as we discuss all the major news headlines of the week. Click the image to listen in:
(the Live365 radio panel will be on the right - it says "The 405 Radio - Live Stream")
This is a great opportunity for you to share your thoughts. Whatever your opinions, our show is your platform. Call us at 877-297-8022, and you'll promptly be put on the air. Engage the panel, share your views, or ask a question to our listeners. We hope to hear from you.
Finally, be sure to stick around for our final, lightning-round segment The Bottom Line.
Finally, be sure to stick around for our final, lightning-round segment The Bottom Line.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Weekly News Headline and Debate Topic Forum 4/1/13
April Fool's!
Well, I really have nothing to fool anyone with, but I thought that it would be fun to center come of this week's discussion board on foolish things. For example:
"It's foolish that we send millions of dollars overseas while not being able to balance our budget."
You know... stuff like this.
What do you think? Share your thoughts on government/political foolishness, or anything of that matter, however you like, below.
Well, I really have nothing to fool anyone with, but I thought that it would be fun to center come of this week's discussion board on foolish things. For example:
"It's foolish that we send millions of dollars overseas while not being able to balance our budget."
You know... stuff like this.
What do you think? Share your thoughts on government/political foolishness, or anything of that matter, however you like, below.
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