heads-up: Dean on C-SPAN right NOW at NH town meeting

[ima_sinnic]

answering questions from citizens. don't know what time he started; most likely there was a speech earlier. I didn't see a thread about it but please lock this if there is.

[Cha]

1. Thanks!

Going to watch it! :hi:

[maddezmom]

2. thanks for the heads up

listening now while I decorate my 2nd tree! LOL

[Zech Marquis]

3. glad you reminded me

I've been following the latest news in Red Sox nation--althought the deal deadline passed, apparently the 2 teams are still VERY close to making the trade happen. I'll just sit back and listen to Dean hit * on all fronts :evilgrin:

[Sean Reynolds]

4. I only saw the last bit....

BUT he was WONDERFUL.

[flpoljunkie]

5. Isn't restraining the growth of spending what Bush wants to do...

to get us out of the fiscal mess we are in? Isn't this what Bush aims to do--restrain the growth of all the social programs, that is...

How is Bush different from Dean in this aspect?

[quaker bill]

6. It is rather simple.

First you undo the entire Bush tax cut. Since the economy is still not quite charging ahead, you have to constrain the growth in spending to balance the budget. Balancing the budget and restoring a surplus will allow the national debt to be paid off. Interest on the national debt currently constitutes 13 to 15 percent of the total Federal budget. As you pay off the national debt, the revenue currently going to interest payments can be used for other programs without having to pay additional taxes.

It is just like how paying off your credit cards makes the end of the month easier.

Bush on the other hand wants to 'starve the beast' with tax cuts and deficit spending. It is intended to 'force' fiscal discipline. It has not caused any marked discipline yet but as revenue falls (as further scheduled tax cuts come online) and interest payments rise a financial crisis will occur where either huge tax increases are required or dramatic spending cuts must be made.

This is more like charging your credit cards up to the max and then taking a lower wage job.

But then again, if the difference wasn't patently obvious on first inspection, I am probably wasting my time here.

[flpoljunkie]

8. Do or do not Dean and Bush intend to restrain the growth of spending?

That is the question. I understand Dean cut spending on social services in Vermont while also cutting taxes on the upper income tax payers, and that he also raised the regressive sales tax in Vermont--which, we all know, hits those who are the least able to pay, and the most vulnerable.

[Cheswick2.0]

11. nice try

there are many ways to control the growth of spending.

[quaker bill]

13. Bush has grown government spending substantially

So what he intends is hardly relevant. Bush will create a financial crisis, whether he intends to or not is hardly relevant.

There is no national sales tax. So what Dean did in Vermont with them is hardly relevant. The context is not the same. When the problems are different, intelligent people adopt different policies. The type of analysis you pose is precisely meaningless.

Bush transfers taxes from the Social Security tax to fund his deficit. The Social Security tax is the most regressive federal tax and under this administration more and more general fund spending is coming from this source.

Dean proposes to balance the budget. This will allow the revenue from the most regressive tax to be used to fund the needs of those who pay it.

Others, such as the candidate in you avatar, propose to not bring the budget in balance as quickly. This means that the funds from the most regressive tax will continue to be used to fund, say for instance, his proposed expansion of the military.

Deficit spending is an injustice. It is an injustice to take payroll taxes from the first dollar a minimum wage worker earns and spend it on military expansion. This is exactly what deficit spending does in the current context. Since curtailing the growth of spending will reduce or eliminate this injustice most quickly, then I am pleased the Dean supports it. I will also be most happy to pay higher taxes to see this done.

[flpoljunkie]

14. Your family of 4 making $40K will stand to lose around $2,000 if tax cut

rescinded. The Park Avenue bred Dean fails to understand the the middle class do not feel themselves to be taxed too much. Repealing the Bush tax cuts for the middle class is a nonstarter--and a sure loser for any candidate espousing same in a general election campaign.

[maddezmom]

15. tell me about a family of 4 making over 200K?

[Zynx]

19. That is a flat out lie.

That is the AVERAGE tax cut for every American, but it includes people who got up to $100,000 in tax cuts. The median tax cut was slightly above $300. That ain't much considering many other cost of living increases. In addition, HALF of all Americans don't pay federal income tax. How in touch are you with true liberal ideals?

[Nazgul35]

23. That same family of four....

had the amount that they owe on the national debt increased to $52,000....so how does that help again?!

Would you take out a credit card where you get to draw $100 bucks but end up owing $10,000?!

Wake up for crying out loud....

[KaraokeKarlton]

25. Most of those tax cuts start phasing out in 2005 anyhow

regardless of who gets elected. A lot of the cuts were just temporary.

[RetroLounge]

7. He did a great job!

Did you catch the big guy in the crowd toward the end, who is unemployed and without health benefits. Whoa. He was just about in tears.

[quaker bill]

9. Great speech as usual

I love CSPAN because they keep the camera going to hear the comments from the crowd. The way Howard works one on one with people is the most impressive part of any of his appearances I have watched.

I regularly work with elected officials local, state, and federal, one on one in open forums and public meetings like this and have rarely seen anything like this kind of skill. Having stood before a crowd of 400+ with a mike taking unscripted questions from people, some who may be hostile to your position, while the cameras are rolling is one of the most daunting tasks I have ever accomplished. Very few do it well and even fewer of those do it this well.

Most folks rely heavily on the discretion of the video editor, CSPAN is live! I remain impressed.

[poskonig]

10. Good job Governor Dean!

I can see why he is doing so well there (NH).

[askew]

12. Dean was very impressive!

I got the last half of Dean's speech and his question and answer period. I loved his answers on healthcare. I particularly liked his answer about how he would get the plan passed through congress. And his answer on mental health issues with kids was very detailed. While I always like hearing him speak, you can tell he truly has a passion for education and health care issues. All of his answers tonight were great. Did anyone catch the older gentlemen who just went on and on about something to do with being a WWII vet. I thought Dean handled that well. The guy's question didn't seem to make any sense.

[maxanne]

16. It will be on again at 10 pm!!

I was there. It was a great crowd, and Dean was great. Folks were really inspired - even the undecideds were happy they showed up. A lot of minds were changed there, this evening. I didn't get to hear a lot of what he said - because it was SRO - and there were plenty who had never heard the doctor before. I've been fortunate in hearing him a few times now, so I surrendered my spot.

I'm glad ya'll go to see it!

[mandyky]

17. This is part of an event -

the entire speech and more questions will be replayed later during the night.

[maxanne]

18. kick

this will be on again at 10 pm EST.

:kick:

[slinkerwink]

20. Dean's kicking @$$ in this!!!!

I'm impressed!

[maxanne]

21. it was

exciting to be there - and even better hearing what I missed on C-SPAN. That old geezer tried to corner me - thank heaven I got away!!

How strange to see so many of my friends and neighbors in the crowd, asking questions. There are some good things about being in small town NH.

One guy commented to me, "He gets better every time."

I think Steve's right. :thumbsup:

[madfloridian]

22. Who was that magnificent guy who asked the long long question?

And Dean said he was going to make him his speech writer? That was neat. I liked him. He was so upset and angry, and I could so much relate.

I am jealous you were there.

[maxanne]

24. sorry madfloridian!

It was great - but you'll have your turn. The primary is in a month, and after that NH will be on ignore for a while.

I don't know the guy who asked that question. The bearded guy who asked about jobs is one of my neighbors. The guy who asked about the environment is part of the county Democratic delegation (so am I). I knew a lot of the people who asked questions - and a lot of the people shown at the end, shaking his hand.

We all looked pretty smart, for a bunch of small town NH hicks!

I'm not sure how visible it was on tv - but there were a lot of young people there.

[madfloridian]

26. I was very impressed with them. They looked like nice people.

Our group here has some of the nicest people I have ever met.

Hey, that bunch looked impressive. The guy after the Q&A who said they lost their jobs and insurance was about to cry.

[maxanne]

27. that was so sad

I don't know him either.

There were a lot of converts made there tonight, though. I was doing sign in sheet duty - and we gave little ballots out for people to fill out afterward, to gauge the level of support. A lot of folks either made up their minds, or changed them - and that was very cool. My former next door neighbor came in unconvinced and left with bumper stickers, and lawn signs.

:thumbsup:

Sorry - I know I sound a little giddy. The turnout was fabulous - in a place where the two party system is still just a theory.

[madfloridian]

28. I did not realize that about the parties.

Do you mean just your area or NH in general? It was a huge crowd.