Bet you're sorry you voted for Obama now

[pattygreen 5]

and concerning the above list: I dont care if it's Bush, Obama, or the M$M guy in Washington who is doing all this unnecessary spending. It is being done and OBAMA is the one in charge now, and continues to spend, spend, spend!!!!!

[Cleo's Mom 257]

specifically, what things is the Obama administration spending money on that is unnecessary?

1. The federal government made at least $72 billion in improper payments in 2008. Then that would have happened under BUSH not Obama. Did you contact your reps to complain about this under bush? Did any of the teabaggers. NO.

2. Washington spends $92 billion on corporate welfare (excluding TARP) versus $71 billion on homeland security.I am all in favor of eliminating corporate welfare or at least reducing it. How many teabaggers are protesting this? Let me think..hmmm...NONE.

3. Washington spends $25 billion annually maintaining unused or vacant federal properties.

4. Government auditors spent the past five years examining all federal programs and found that 22 percent of them–costing taxpayers a total of $123 billion annually–fail to show any positive impact on the populations they serve.

5. The Congressional Budget Office published a “Budget Options” series identifying more than $100 billion in potential spending cuts.

6. Examples from multiple Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports of wasteful duplication include 342 economic development programs; 130 programs serving the disabled; 130 programs serving at-risk youth; 90 early childhood development programs; 75 programs funding international education, cultural, and training exchange activities; and 72 safe Water programs.

7. Washington will spend $2.6 million training Chinese prostitutes to drink more responsibly on the job.

8. A GAO audit classified nearly half of all purchases on government credit cards as improper, fraudulent, or embezzled. Examples of taxpayer-funded purchases include gambling, mortgage payments, liquor, lingerie, iPods, Xboxes, jewelry, Internet dating services, and Hawaiian vacations. In one extraordinary example, the Postal Service spent $13,500 on one dinner at a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, including “over 200 appetizers and over $3,000 of alcohol, including more than 40 bottles of wine costing more than $50 each and brand-name liquor such as Courvoisier, Belvedere and Johnny Walker Gold.” The 81 guests consumed an average of $167 worth of food and drink apiece.

9. Federal agencies are delinquent on nearly 20 percent of employee travel charge cards, costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

10. The Securities and Exchange Commission spent $3.9 million rearranging desks and offices at its Washington, D.C., headquarters.

11. The Pentagon recently spent $998,798 shipping two 19-cent washers from South Carolina to Texas and $293,451 sending an 89-cent washer from South Carolina to Florida.

12. Over half of all farm subsidies go to commercial farms, which report average household incomes of $200,000.

13. Health care fraud is estimated to cost taxpayers more than $60 billion annually.

14. A GAO audit found that 95 Pentagon weapons systems suffered from a combined $295 billion in cost overruns.

15. The refusal of many federal employees to fly coach costs taxpayers $146 million annually in flight upgrades.

16. Washington will spend $126 million in 2009 to enhance the Kennedy family legacy in Massachusetts. Additionally, Senator John Kerry (D-MA) diverted $20 million from the 2010 defense budget to subsidize a new Edward M. Kennedy Institute.

17. Federal investigators have launched more than 20 criminal fraud investigations related to the TARP financial bailout.

18. Despite trillion-dollar deficits, last year’s 10,160 earmarks included $200,000 for a tattoo removal program in Mission Hills, California; $190,000 for the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming; and $75,000 for the Totally Teen Zone in Albany, Georgia.

19. The federal government owns more than 50,000 vacant homes.

20. The Federal Communications Commission spent $350,000 to sponsor NASCAR driver David Gilliland.

21. Members of Congress have spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars supplying their offices with popcorn machines, plasma televisions, DVD equipment, ionic air fresheners, camcorders, and signature machines–plus $24,730 leasing a Lexus, $1,434 on a digital camera, and $84,000 on personalized calendars.

22. More than $13 billion in Iraq aid has been classified as wasted or stolen. Another $7.8 billion cannot be accounted for.

23. Fraud related to Hurricane Katrina spending is estimated to top $2 billion. In addition, debit cards provided to hurricane victims were used to pay for Caribbean vacations, NFL tickets, Dom Perignon champagne, “Girls Gone Wild” videos, and at least one sex change operation.

24. Auditors discovered that 900,000 of the 2.5 million recipients of emergency Katrina assistance provided false names, addresses, or Social Security numbers or submitted multiple applications.

25. Congress recently gave Alaska Airlines $500,000 to paint a Chinook salmon on a Boeing 737.

26. The Transportation Department will subsidize up to $2,000 per flight for direct flights between Washington, D.C., and the small hometown of Congressman Hal Rogers (R-KY)–but only on Monday mornings and Friday evenings, when lawmakers, staff, and lobbyists usually fly. Rogers is a member of the Appropriations Committee, which writes the Transportation Department’s budget.

27. Washington has spent $3 billion re-sanding beaches–even as this new sand washes back into the ocean.

28. A Department of Agriculture report concedes that much of the $2.5 billion in “stimulus” funding for broadband Internet will be wasted.

29. The Defense Department wasted $100 million on unused flight tickets and never bothered to collect refunds even though the tickets were refundable.

30. Washington spends $60,000 per hour shooting Air Force One photo-ops in front of national landmarks.

31. Over one recent 18-month period, Air Force and Navy personnel used government-funded credit cards to charge at least $102,400 on admission to entertainment events, $48,250 on gambling, $69,300 on cruises, and $73,950 on exotic dance clubs and prostitutes.

32. Members of Congress are set to pay themselves $90 million to increase their franked mailings for the 2010 election year.

33. Congress has ignored efficiency recommendations from the Department of Health and Human Services that would save $9 billion annually.

34. Taxpayers are funding paintings of high-ranking government officials at a cost of up to $50,000 apiece.

35. The state of Washington sent $1 food stamp checks to 250,000 households in order to raise state caseload figures and trigger $43 million in additional federal funds.

36. Suburban families are receiving large farm subsidies for the grass in their backyards–subsidies that many of these families never requested and do not want.

37. Congress appropriated $20 million for “commemoration of success” celebrations related to Iraq and Afghanistan.

38. Homeland Security employee purchases include 63-inch plasma TVs, iPods, and $230 for a beer brewing kit.

39. Two drafting errors in the 2005 Deficit Reduction Act resulted in a $2 billion taxpayer cost.

40. North Ridgeville, Ohio, received $800,000 in “stimulus” funds for a project that its mayor described as “a long way from the top priority.”

41. The National Institutes of Health spends $1.3 million per month to rent a lab that it cannot use.

42. Congress recently spent $2.4 billion on 10 new jets that the Pentagon insists it does not need and will not use.

43. Lawmakers diverted $13 million from Hurricane Katrina relief spending to build a museum celebrating the Army Corps of Engineers–the agency partially responsible for the failed levees that flooded New Orleans.

44. Medicare officials recently mailed $50 million in erroneous refunds to 230,000 Medicare recipients.

45. Audits showed $34 billion worth of Department of Homeland Security contracts contained significant waste, fraud, and abuse.

46. Washington recently spent $1.8 million to help build a private golf course in Atlanta, Georgia.

47. The Advanced Technology Program spends $150 million annually subsidizing private businesses; 40 percent of this funding goes to Fortune 500 companies.

48. Congressional investigators were able to receive $55,000 in federal student loan funding for a fictional college they created to test the Department of Education.

49. The Conservation Reserve program pays farmers $2 billion annually not to farm their land.

50. The Commerce Department has lost 1,137 computers since 2001, many containing Americans’ personal data.

My point, that you missed again, is that these Obama protestors didn't care about the things they are protesting when they happened under bush but now all of a sudden we are to believe that they are these homegrown, grassroots, fiscal conservatives. Give me a break. I'm smarter than that. I know who organized them and more importantly why.

[Sistabigbones 0]

I wonder why when President Bush was elected we were not doing polls every other day as to whether or not we were happy with the job he was doing...I wonder the same about EVERY other president that has ever been elected. This country is in a huge mess and believe it or not, PRESIDENT Obama did not put us into this mess..It will take 4 years and then some to get this mess corrected and it is very silly to think that in less than a year, the new president will have just "turned the everything around"...Am i still glad that i voted for him?..yes maam and yes sir..do i believe that he is doing a good job with the mess that he inherited? yes sir and yes maam...I am a working upper middle class person and our class is being hit the hardest by the economy yet I still see the light at the end of the tunnel..is the light close? no but i see it! YES WE CAN!!!!!

[Cleo's Mom 257]

I wonder why when President Bush was elected we were not doing polls every other day as to whether or not we were happy with the job he was doing...I wonder the same about EVERY other president that has ever been elected. This country is in a huge mess and believe it or not, PRESIDENT Obama did not put us into this mess..It will take 4 years and then some to get this mess corrected and it is very silly to think that in less than a year, the new president will have just "turned the everything around"...Am i still glad that i voted for him?..yes maam and yes sir..do i believe that he is doing a good job with the mess that he inherited? yes sir and yes maam...I am a working upper middle class person and our class is being hit the hardest by the economy yet I still see the light at the end of the tunnel..is the light close? no but i see it! YES WE CAN!!!!!

I might add that when you don't address the difficult problems - like bush didn't - then you can't be criticized. Like the failing economy, rising unemployment, healthcare, clean, renewable energy, etc.. You just promote the status quo and kick the can down the road to the next president.

Tackling this difficult problems is going to be a painful process. There are no easy answers but President Obama has the intelligence, ability and guts to do so and has said that if he is only a one term president because of it, then so be it. Bush was only concerned about being re-elected and didn't care what lies he told or problems he ignored to be so.

[happy2lose 0]

Pattygreen,

With all due respect, and I'm not really sure you deserve it, GET A LIFE!

[KartMan 58]

There are no easy answers but President Obama has the intelligence, ability and guts to do so and has said that if he is only a one term president because of it, then so be it.

I know he has the indigence and certainly the ability, but I’m not sure he has the political guts to follow thru. I voted for him for THIS term, not the next term. I EXPECT him to follow though on “YES WE CAN” so that we can say “YES WE DID” even if that means only one term for him. He already caved on Afghanistan and is bending on Health Care. He need to do at least these things right:

- End the wars

- Pass healthcare

- Repair the economy

- Fix the financial system

- End Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

- Repeal DOMA

- Make a real effort on climate change

- etc.

[RedBone Creole 4]

Actualy I'm not!

And what does this have to do with Lapband?

Can't you go to politicstalk.com & post your political views?

[tdslf1 0]

My question is to all...

Kartman posted some of the things Obama promised and some of the things voters want him to do. Why then does it make a difference to some because he is spending the money doing it? Some of these things will cost money, that is the bottom line. WHy is it now that these things cost money that we have some of you guys jumping ship. If you really were well versed with the issues, you knew from jump these things would cost money. Or at least you should have known. People thought these things would cost nothing? You thought these things would just be funded though cutting budgets and program and the defense of the country? Come on, people. A lot more than you would be up in arms if we cut out the programs we have in place now for new stuff. Americans hate change especially when they have to sacrifice. Look at all of the people against health care which should answer one fundemental question for me. Maybe only me.

Question-Would you have more people die because they don't have access to healthcare or would you rather the goverment be more concerned about the cost incurred for passing healthcare?

I don't give a dam about the cost. I give a dam about people today who need medicines and doctor care and can't get it because they are poor or have preexisting conditions. Fudge the money.

[Cleo's Mom 257]

It's a mentality that is exhibited far too often. In my small town newspaper they run an online question each week. Last week's question was about a proposed community rec center and whether people would be willing to pay more taxes for it.

Some said yes, they would like a rec center and would pay more taxes for it.

Some said no, we don't need a rec center.

But most said yes, we need a rec center but they wouldn't be willing to pay more taxes for it.

That's typical. People want good schools, roads, healthcare, etc.. but they don't want to pay for it. Who do they think is going to pay for these things? Wal Mart? McDonald's?

[pattygreen 5]

My point, that you missed again, is that these Obama protestors didn't care about the things they are protesting when they happened under bush but now all of a sudden we are to believe that they are these homegrown, grassroots, fiscal conservatives. Give me a break. I'm smarter than that. I know who organized them and more importantly why.

How do you know that they didn't care about the things that happened under Bush's watch? Is this your opinion? Maybe they were the ones holding the f--- Bush poster.

[pattygreen 5]

Pattygreen,

With all due respect, and I'm not really sure you deserve it, GET A LIFE!

Wow! Thanks for your contribution. I'll give that some thought. :thumbup:

[pattygreen 5]

Actualy I'm not!

And what does this have to do with LAP-BAND®?

Can't you go to politicstalk.com & post your political views?

Can't you go to a forum on Lap Band Talk where they talk about your band? This is the rant and rave off topic forum. :thumbup:

[pattygreen 5]

It's a mentality that is exhibited far too often. In my small town newspaper they run an online question each week. Last week's question was about a proposed community rec center and whether people would be willing to pay more taxes for it.

Some said yes, they would like a rec center and would pay more taxes for it.

Some said no, we don't need a rec center.

But most said yes, we need a rec center but they wouldn't be willing to pay more taxes for it.

That's typical. People want good schools, roads, healthcare, etc.. but they don't want to pay for it. Who do they think is going to pay for these things? Wal Mart? McDonald's?

If it's not a 'need' then it should be tossed! Unless of course there is plenty of money in the funds, your living on a surplus, and all the bills are paid. Even then, any tax money that is not needed should be returned to the people. We pay too much as it is. But where do you find a town, city or state with all their bills paid and extra money in the pot? It's rare. The mentality of the liberal fanatic is to spend more than you have every time! Even if you have ten playgrounds in your town already, let's add one more. We can borrow the money.:thumbup:

[Cleo's Mom 257]

My point, that you missed again, is that these Obama protestors didn't care about the things they are protesting when they happened under bush but now all of a sudden we are to believe that they are these homegrown, grassroots, fiscal conservatives. Give me a break. I'm smarter than that. I know who organized them and more importantly why.

How do you know that they didn't care about the things that happened under Bush's watch? Is this your opinion? Maybe they were the ones holding the f--- Bush poster.

Because they were completely different issues - under bush it was the Iraqi war and the lies that led to it, Gitmo, torture, secret prisons, Katrina, Valerie Plame. Those people were not bush supporters and would not have voted for McCain. They voted for Obama.

Those protesting Obama didn't and wouldn't vote for him and were supportive of bush and didn't find any problem with HIS deficit increases, spending or any of the above issues or the issues they are protesting under Obama. If they had had a problem with those issues under bush we would have seen them protesting them and we didn't.

[tdslf1 0]

"But where do you find a town, city or state with all their bills paid and extra money in the pot? It's rare. The mentality of the liberal fanatic is to spend more than you have every time! "

So what you are saying is that all towns and cities that excessively spend are run by liberals? WOW. Seeing as how it is rare, and according to your premise, towns never have extra money, why is that in your opinion? Why is it most cities, according to you, run in the red? They have run in the red because of the feeding frenzy of the last couple of years, which now dictates the government spending more money to get us out of trouble. Under Bush rule, I might add. Where was this socialist crap back then? Half the people shouting about socialism don't even know what it is. They hear the words from some idiot on TV and take it as gospel, literally. Let alone the fact that we have socialized programs before. And some programs here are founded on a socialist dynamic before we even kew what protesting government policy was. Here is an idea. Lets all go back to when people had their head in the sand and were running up their credit cards ,having play dates at Starbucks and running to the mall every weekend. We can't. It's too late to turn back. We have to change the country to a new parody and not a comical one. If that means spending money to get to high ground, so be it. And please, please don't give me the bullshit about, "we are leaving our kids in debt". They, like generations before us, will work that shit out. Work it out!!!! Just like we will deal with the here and now.