“…This is great if you live in la-la land where the current House is capable of passing any sort of solution on immigration. Yes, they should “quit stalling, get to work, and do their jobs.” — but you know full well that is not going to happen. So when the chips are down, Claire, where do you really stand? I’m so tired of your ‘bipartisan’ platitudes. Families are suffering because of our broken system. You are part of the problem and I wish Missouri had a better Democrat representing us…”

Senator Claire McCaskill [file photo].

Senator Claire McCaskill piped up via Facebook last night on President Obama’s address to the nation on Immigration:

Senator Claire McCaskill

11 hours ago

“Our immigration system is broken, and I support a comprehensive plan to fix it, but executive orders aren’t the way to do it. The system can only be truly fixed through legislation by Congress. The Senate’s comprehensive plan got overwhelming bipartisan approval, and Republicans in the U.S. House have sat on their hands for a year-and-a-half, refusing to even consider that bill. They should quit stalling, get to work, and do their jobs-debate the comprehensive plan that passed the Senate with a two-thirds margin.” -Claire

A sample of the responses:

[….] I can’t believe I voted for you. I’ve never voted republican in my life.

[….] When did you become a republican?

[….] When you give the voter a choice between Republican and Republican-lite, they’re going to choose the full-flavor choice.

[….] Congress does need to get to work and pass an immigration bill but we all know that isn’t going to happen as long as we have the current president because the republicans will pass nothing. Until we have a comprehensive immigration bill the executive action is the best solution! I am highly disappointed in you lately Claire!

[….] Claire…you’re losing your base…..support our President…or we see no reason to support you…

[….] A “yes” vote for Keystone and now this, Claire? I wish we had more Bernie Sanders in office.

[….] Well they haven’t done a thing! So I support whatever Pres. OBama feels he needs to do. The GOP already want to jump down his throat, funny how they didn’t do that with the Bush presidents or Reagan when they use executive orders!!! You should be supporting him also Claire.

[….] I am really concerned by this trend you seem to be displaying to be at odds with everything that the president has been attempting to do! I worked hard in past election cycles to get you re-elected here in my home town, and I am really regretting my decision to do so! Please, if you are so afraid of losing your senate seat, that you don’t back the president that we, YOUR CONSTITUENTS, elected, then at least have the decency to tell us about your change of party affiliation!

[….] In a prior interview, around 2011, you stated “If my walk doesn’t match my talk, shame on me and don’t ever vote for me again.” so, I will take your advice.

[….] You can tell it is coming to an election cycle. We did not elect you to be on the right. Stand up for Democratic values!

[….] Claire, deeply disappointed in you. Your principles are no longer mine. You have lost my support, both financially and my vote.

[….] Claire, I have recently lost respect for you. You just confirmed why.

[….] I support the President on this issue. Sick of a do-nothing congress.

[….] Hmmm sounds like a republican answer. Time to vote in a democrat.

[….] Senator McCaskill, I have always been a strong supporter of you, but after reading this post and realizing that you no longer stand for the people, nor do you support OUR President, I will be withdrawing all support for you. You have become too much like the far right, perhaps you have been bought by special interests like the rest of Congress, but your behavior (not to mention the behavior of Congress in general) is inexcusable. Shame on you and many of the Democrats. Don’t you understand that your non-support of the POTUS is part of the reason why we lost in the mid-terms? Despicable. I will certainly be finding a new Democratic candidate for my vote next election.

[….] President Obama has already tried to work with Congress and you have already seen what has happened on immigration. He is creating action and helping to eleviate a problem. You should be supporting his efforts!!

[….] We no longer care about what you think, Claire. Not after you sold us out for KXL.

[….] Senator McCaskill – Take a peek at Senator Elizabeth Warren’s post tonight. That’s what a true Democrat looks like. I’m very disappointed in you.

[….] And the hits just keep coming. I am officially not following your feed anymore and you have lost my vote when you decide to re-up for Senate or for the Gov. of Missouri. You know good and well why he had to do what he did. You are now part of the problem in my view… Quit pandering for vote, it doesn’t suit you.

[….] When did Clair become a repubican?

[….] I disagree. Nothing will ever get done that way. I support my President and so should you.

[….] President is doing what has to be done and that’s why I support him.

[….] Claire, they haven’t passed anything – I’m proud our President is taking legal action to get it moving. Be careful you’re leaning the wrong direction!

[….] I thought you are a democrat. You are talking like a republican

[….] Claire, trying to be a centrist for the sake of being a centrist does not a centrist make. Do you actually believe the Republicans are going to bend one inch for the likes of you if you pander to them?

[….] This is great if you live in la-la land where the current House is capable of passing any sort of solution on immigration. Yes, they should “quit stalling, get to work, and do their jobs.” — but you know full well that is not going to happen. So when the chips are down, Claire, where do you really stand? I’m so tired of your ‘bipartisan’ platitudes. Families are suffering because of our broken system. You are part of the problem and I wish Missouri had a better Democrat representing us.

[….] Wow, I remember a time when you dissed Clinton and jumped into Obama’s camp…. why don’t you just turn republican?

[….] You should be applauding our president, not bad mouthing what he is doing! While comprehensive immigration reform passed by Congress is, of course, the ideal, in the meantime, executive action is the only possible way forward. Bravo, President Obama! (BTW – I was out knocking on doors for you during your last election.)

[….] I support the President.

[….] You’ve become a truly lousy senator. I hope someone runs against you in your next primary. You are a political coward.

[….] Stop your nonsense and get on board with our President!

[….] Claire, what planet do you live on? If the last House couldn’t agree on immigration, what makes you think the next (more Republicans, more conservative) House can agree on anything?

[….] What is WRONG with you Senator??? Congress has had its chance. It is most certainly time for executive action. Between this and your pipeline vote, I have to ask: who bought you??

[….] Claire you got my last vote

[….] Such a disappointing response from you! You too run away from a President who has accomplished so much with a worthless Congress and such lack of disrespect I am disappointed in you as a Senator.

And there were several hundred more comments.

By all means, keep bleeding off the base.

Previously:

President Obama: On Immigration (November 20, 2014)

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D): Well, that went over like a lead pipeline… (November 19, 2014)

Padding Mary Landrieu’s resume (November 18, 2015)

A good take on Claire “Lieberman” McCaskill’s dissing of Harry Reid (November 17, 2014)

Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r): shifting tar sands (November 15, 2014)

We need the Keystone XL pipeline because? – part 3 (November 15, 2014)

We need the Keystone XL pipeline because? – part 2 (November 14, 2014)

Charles P. Pierce is meaner (November 14, 2014)

And then all hell broke loose (November 13, 2014)

We need the Keystone XL pipeline because? (November 13, 2014)

The White House transcript of President Obama’s address to the nation on Immigration:

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

November 20, 2014

Remarks by the President in Address to the Nation on Immigration

Cross Hall

8:01 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: My fellow Americans, tonight, I’d like to talk with you about immigration.

For more than 200 years, our tradition of welcoming immigrants from around the world has given us a tremendous advantage over other nations. It’s kept us youthful, dynamic, and entrepreneurial. It has shaped our character as a people with limitless possibilities — people not trapped by our past, but able to remake ourselves as we choose.

But today, our immigration system is broken — and everybody knows it.

Families who enter our country the right way and play by the rules watch others flout the rules. Business owners who offer their workers good wages and benefits see the competition exploit undocumented immigrants by paying them far less. All of us take offense to anyone who reaps the rewards of living in America without taking on the responsibilities of living in America. And undocumented immigrants who desperately want to embrace those responsibilities see little option but to remain in the shadows, or risk their families being torn apart.

It’s been this way for decades. And for decades, we haven’t done much about it.

When I took office, I committed to fixing this broken immigration system. And I began by doing what I could to secure our borders. Today, we have more agents and technology deployed to secure our southern border than at any time in our history. And over the past six years, illegal border crossings have been cut by more than half. Although this summer, there was a brief spike in unaccompanied children being apprehended at our border, the number of such children is now actually lower than it’s been in nearly two years. Overall, the number of people trying to cross our border illegally is at its lowest level since the 1970s. Those are the facts.

Meanwhile, I worked with Congress on a comprehensive fix, and last year, 68 Democrats, Republicans, and independents came together to pass a bipartisan bill in the Senate. It wasn’t perfect. It was a compromise. But it reflected common sense. It would have doubled the number of border patrol agents while giving undocumented immigrants a pathway to citizenship if they paid a fine, started paying their taxes, and went to the back of the line. And independent experts said that it would help grow our economy and shrink our deficits.

Had the House of Representatives allowed that kind of bill a simple yes-or-no vote, it would have passed with support from both parties, and today it would be the law. But for a year and a half now, Republican leaders in the House have refused to allow that simple vote.

Now, I continue to believe that the best way to solve this problem is by working together to pass that kind of common sense law. But until that happens, there are actions I have the legal authority to take as President — the same kinds of actions taken by Democratic and Republican presidents before me — that will help make our immigration system more fair and more just.

Tonight, I am announcing those actions.

First, we’ll build on our progress at the border with additional resources for our law enforcement personnel so that they can stem the flow of illegal crossings, and speed the return of those who do cross over.

Second, I’ll make it easier and faster for high-skilled immigrants, graduates, and entrepreneurs to stay and contribute to our economy, as so many business leaders have proposed.

Third, we’ll take steps to deal responsibly with the millions of undocumented immigrants who already live in our country.

I want to say more about this third issue, because it generates the most passion and controversy. Even as we are a nation of immigrants, we’re also a nation of laws. Undocumented workers broke our immigration laws, and I believe that they must be held accountable — especially those who may be dangerous. That’s why, over the past six years, deportations of criminals are up 80 percent. And that’s why we’re going to keep focusing enforcement resources on actual threats to our security. Felons, not families. Criminals, not children. Gang members, not a mom who’s working hard to provide for her kids. We’ll prioritize, just like law enforcement does every day.

But even as we focus on deporting criminals, the fact is, millions of immigrants in every state, of every race and nationality still live here illegally. And let’s be honest — tracking down, rounding up, and deporting millions of people isn’t realistic. Anyone who suggests otherwise isn’t being straight with you. It’s also not who we are as Americans. After all, most of these immigrants have been here a long time. They work hard, often in tough, low-paying jobs. They support their families. They worship at our churches. Many of their kids are American-born or spent most of their lives here, and their hopes, dreams, and patriotism are just like ours. As my predecessor, President Bush, once put it: “They are a part of American life.”

Now here’s the thing: We expect people who live in this country to play by the rules. We expect that those who cut the line will not be unfairly rewarded. So we’re going to offer the following deal: If you’ve been in America for more than five years; if you have children who are American citizens or legal residents; if you register, pass a criminal background check, and you’re willing to pay your fair share of taxes — you’ll be able to apply to stay in this country temporarily without fear of deportation. You can come out of the shadows and get right with the law. That’s what this deal is.

Now, let’s be clear about what it isn’t. This deal does not apply to anyone who has come to this country recently. It does not apply to anyone who might come to America illegally in the future. It does not grant citizenship, or the right to stay here permanently, or offer the same benefits that citizens receive — only Congress can do that. All we’re saying is we’re not going to deport you.

I know some of the critics of this action call it amnesty. Well, it’s not. Amnesty is the immigration system we have today — millions of people who live here without paying their taxes or playing by the rules while politicians use the issue to scare people and whip up votes at election time.

That’s the real amnesty — leaving this broken system the way it is. Mass amnesty would be unfair. Mass deportation would be both impossible and contrary to our character. What I’m describing is accountability — a common-sense, middle-ground approach: If you meet the criteria, you can come out of the shadows and get right with the law. If you’re a criminal, you’ll be deported. If you plan to enter the U.S. illegally, your chances of getting caught and sent back just went up.

The actions I’m taking are not only lawful, they’re the kinds of actions taken by every single Republican President and every single Democratic President for the past half century. And to those members of Congress who question my authority to make our immigration system work better, or question the wisdom of me acting where Congress has failed, I have one answer: Pass a bill.

I want to work with both parties to pass a more permanent legislative solution. And the day I sign that bill into law, the actions I take will no longer be necessary. Meanwhile, don’t let a disagreement over a single issue be a dealbreaker on every issue. That’s not how our democracy works, and Congress certainly shouldn’t shut down our government again just because we disagree on this. Americans are tired of gridlock. What our country needs from us right now is a common purpose — a higher purpose.

Most Americans support the types of reforms I’ve talked about tonight. But I understand the disagreements held by many of you at home. Millions of us, myself included, go back generations in this country, with ancestors who put in the painstaking work to become citizens. So we don’t like the notion that anyone might get a free pass to American citizenship.

I know some worry immigration will change the very fabric of who we are, or take our jobs, or stick it to middle-class families at a time when they already feel like they’ve gotten the raw deal for over a decade. I hear these concerns. But that’s not what these steps would do. Our history and the facts show that immigrants are a net plus for our economy and our society. And I believe it’s important that all of us have this debate without impugning each other’s character.

Because for all the back and forth of Washington, we have to remember that this debate is about something bigger. It’s about who we are as a country, and who we want to be for future generations.

Are we a nation that tolerates the hypocrisy of a system where workers who pick our fruit and make our beds never have a chance to get right with the law? Or are we a nation that gives them a chance to make amends, take responsibility, and give their kids a better future?

Are we a nation that accepts the cruelty of ripping children from their parents’ arms? Or are we a nation that values families, and works together to keep them together?

Are we a nation that educates the world’s best and brightest in our universities, only to send them home to create businesses in countries that compete against us? Or are we a nation that encourages them to stay and create jobs here, create businesses here, create industries right here in America?

That’s what this debate is all about. We need more than politics as usual when it comes to immigration. We need reasoned, thoughtful, compassionate debate that focuses on our hopes, not our fears. I know the politics of this issue are tough. But let me tell you why I have come to feel so strongly about it.

Over the past few years, I have seen the determination of immigrant fathers who worked two or three jobs without taking a dime from the government, and at risk any moment of losing it all, just to build a better life for their kids. I’ve seen the heartbreak and anxiety of children whose mothers might be taken away from them just because they didn’t have the right papers. I’ve seen the courage of students who, except for the circumstances of their birth, are as American as Malia or Sasha; students who bravely come out as undocumented in hopes they could make a difference in the country they love.

These people — our neighbors, our classmates, our friends — they did not come here in search of a free ride or an easy life. They came to work, and study, and serve in our military, and above all, contribute to America’s success.

Tomorrow, I’ll travel to Las Vegas and meet with some of these students, including a young woman named Astrid Silva. Astrid was brought to America when she was four years old. Her only possessions were a cross, her doll, and the frilly dress she had on. When she started school, she didn’t speak any English. She caught up to other kids by reading newspapers and watching PBS, and she became a good student. Her father worked in landscaping. Her mom cleaned other people’s homes. They wouldn’t let Astrid apply to a technology magnet school, not because they didn’t love her, but because they were afraid the paperwork would out her as an undocumented immigrant — so she applied behind their back and got in. Still, she mostly lived in the shadows — until her grandmother, who visited every year from Mexico, passed away, and she couldn’t travel to the funeral without risk of being found out and deported. It was around that time she decided to begin advocating for herself and others like her, and today, Astrid Silva is a college student working on her third degree.

Are we a nation that kicks out a striving, hopeful immigrant like Astrid, or are we a nation that finds a way to welcome her in? Scripture tells us that we shall not oppress a stranger, for we know the heart of a stranger — we were strangers once, too.

My fellow Americans, we are and always will be a nation of immigrants. We were strangers once, too. And whether our forebears were strangers who crossed the Atlantic, or the Pacific, or the Rio Grande, we are here only because this country welcomed them in, and taught them that to be an American is about something more than what we look like, or what our last names are, or how we worship. What makes us Americans is our shared commitment to an ideal — that all of us are created equal, and all of us have the chance to make of our lives what we will.

That’s the country our parents and grandparents and generations before them built for us. That’s the tradition we must uphold. That’s the legacy we must leave for those who are yet to come.

Thank you. God bless you. And God bless this country we love.

END

8:16 P.M. EST

President Obama’s weekly address:

The White House transcript:

Remarks of President Barack Obama

Weekly Address

The White House

August 30, 2014

Hi, everybody.  Whether you’re firing up the grill, fired up for some college football, or filling up the car for one last summer roadtrip – Happy Labor Day weekend.

We set aside Labor Day to honor the working men and women of America.  And this Labor Day, we’ve got more to celebrate.  Over the past 53 months, our businesses have added nearly 10 million new jobs.  Last month, for the first time since 1997, we created more than 200,000 jobs for six straight months.  And for the first time in over a decade, business leaders worldwide have declared, two years running, that the number one place to invest isn’t China – it’s America.

So there are reasons to be optimistic about where we’re headed.  And the decisions we make now will determine whether or not we accelerate this progress – whether economic gains flow to a few at the top, or whether a growing economy fuels rising incomes and a thriving middle class.

Think about it this Labor Day.  The things we often take for granted – Social Security and Medicare, workplace safety laws and the right to organize for better pay and benefits, even weekends – we didn’t always have these things.  Workers and the unions who get their back had to fight for them.  And those fights built a stronger middle class.

To build a stronger middle class in today’s changing economy, we’ve got to keep fighting.  We’ve got to fight for the right to affordable health insurance for everybody.  The right to fair pay, family leave, and workplace flexibility.  The right to a fair living wage.

Let me focus on that last one for a minute.  In America, no one who works full-time should ever have to raise a family in poverty.  A hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay.  And raising the minimum wage would be one of the best ways to give a boost to working families.  It would help around 28 million Americans from all walks of life pay the bills, provide for their kids, and spend that money at local businesses.  And that grows the economy for everyone.

The bottom line is, America deserves a raise.  But until we’ve got a Congress that cares about raising working folks’ wages, it’s up to the rest of us to make it happen.  And in the year and a half since I first asked Congress to raise the minimum wage, Americans of all walks of life are doing just that.

Thirteen states and D.C. have done their part by raising their minimum wages.  Four more states have minimum wage initiatives on the ballot this November.  And the states where the minimum wage has gone up this year have experienced higher job growth than the states that haven’t.

Business leaders at companies like The Gap are doing their part.  They’re raising base wages for tens of thousands of workers because they know it’s good for business.

Mayors across the country are doing their part.  Mayor Emanuel in Chicago and Mayor Garcetti in L.A. are working to lift their cities’ wages over time to at least thirteen dollars an hour.

I’ve tried to do my part by requiring companies that get contracts with the federal government to pay their workers a fair wage of ten dollars and ten cents an hour.

And earlier this month, the president of Kentucky State University set a great example by giving himself a $90,000 pay cut, so that he could give raises to his lowest-paid employees.  His sacrifice will give more of his workers and their families a little extra money to help make ends meet.

That’s how America built the greatest middle class the world has ever known.  Not by making sure a fortunate few at the top are doing well, but by making sure that everyone who’s willing to work hard and play by the rules can get ahead.  That’s the bedrock this country is built on.  Hard work.  Responsibility.  Sacrifice.  And looking out for one another as one united American family.

Let’s keep that in mind this Labor Day, and every day.  Have a great weekend, everybody.

From the White House:

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release                                                                                    August 14, 2014

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

Edgartown, Massachusetts

12:49 P.M. EDT

    THE PRESIDENT:

[….]

Now, second, I want to address something that’s been in the news over the last couple of days and that’s the situation in Ferguson, Missouri.  I know that many Americans have been deeply disturbed by the images we’ve seen in the heartland of our country, as police have clashed with people protesting.  Today, I’d like us all to take a step back and think about how we’re going to be moving forward.

This morning, I received a thorough update on the situation from Attorney General Eric Holder, who has been following it and been in communication with his team.  I’ve already tasked the Department of Justice and the FBI to independently investigate the death of Michael Brown, along with local officials on the ground.

The Department of Justice is also consulting with local authorities about ways that they can maintain public safety without restricting the right of peaceful protest and while avoiding unnecessary escalation.  I made clear to the Attorney General that we should do what is necessary to help determine exactly what happened, and to see that justice is done.

I also just spoke with Governor Jay Nixon of Missouri.  I expressed my concern over the violent turn that events have taken on the ground, and underscored that now is the time for all of us to reflect on what’s happened, and to find a way to come together going forward.  He is going to be traveling to Ferguson.  He is a good man and a fine governor, and I’m confident that, working together, he is going to be able to communicate his desire to make sure that justice is done and his desire to make sure that public safety is maintained in an appropriate way.

Of course, it’s important to remember how this started.  We lost a young man, Michael Brown, in heartbreaking and tragic circumstances.  He was 18 years old.  His family will never hold Michael in their arms again.  And when something like this happens, the local authorities — including the police — have a responsibility to be open and transparent about how they are investigating that death, and how they are protecting the people in their communities.

There is never an excuse for violence against police, or for those who would use this tragedy as a cover for vandalism or looting.  There’s also no excuse for police to use excessive force against peaceful protests, or to throw protestors in jail for lawfully exercising their First Amendment rights.  And here, in the United States of America, police should not be bullying or arresting journalists who are just trying to do their jobs and report to the American people on what they see on the ground.  Put simply, we all need to hold ourselves to a high standard, particularly those of us in positions of authority.

I know that emotions are raw right now in Ferguson and there are certainly passionate differences about what has happened.  There are going to be different accounts of how this tragedy occurred.  There are going to be differences in terms of what needs to happen going forward.  That’s part of our democracy.  But let’s remember that we’re all part of one American family.  We are united in common values, and that includes belief in equality under the law; a basic respect for public order and the right to peaceful public protest; a reverence for the dignity of every single man, woman and child among us; and the need for accountability when it comes to our government.

So now is the time for healing.  Now is the time for peace and calm on the streets of Ferguson.  Now is the time for an open and transparent process to see that justice is done.  And I’ve asked that the Attorney General and the U.S. Attorney on the scene continue to work with local officials to move that process forward.  They will be reporting to me in the coming days about what’s being done to make sure that happens.

Thanks very much, everybody.

A White House video – Press Secretary Josh Earnest calling four individuals to ask them if they’d like to have dinner with the President during his visit to Kansas City:

Previously:

President Obama in Kansas City – July 30, 2014 – photos (July 31, 2014)

President Obama speaks in Kansas City July 30, 2014 (July 30, 2014)

President Obama will be in KC on Wednesday… (July 29, 2014)

This morning, from Representative Vicky Hartzler (r), via Twitter:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler ‏@RepHartzler

Yesterday the House voted to defend the Constitution and curb executive overreach. Read my statement here: [….] 8:29 AM – 31 Jul 2014

She voted with the republican majority in the House to authorize a lawsuit against President Obama.

There were a number of responses:

pat ‏@PATR2014

@RepHartzler what Constittution..it has Redress built in ..but party of stupid sued instead. Keep listening to @KarlRove. 8:32 AM – 31 Jul 2014

That was blunt.

Lady With A Voice ‏@champa10

@RepHartzler Not buying it lady. Yet GOP wants America to believe they bare no blame.. Since day 1 your party has been NO GO GOP! 8:32 AM – 31 Jul 2014

So was that.

Cody Welton ‏@acoupstick

@RepHartzler Do nothing, blame Obama. Wash, rinse, repeat. 8:34 AM – 31 Jul 2014

I don’t think they actually wash and rinse.

hungryprof ‏@hungryprof

@RepHartzler Please. You’re probably smart enough to know how stupid and wasteful this lawsuit is but you’re afraid to speak up. 10:04 AM – 31 Jul 2014

That assumes facts not in evidence.

Bob Yates ‏@OldDrum

@RepHartzler Why such a half measure? If the President has violated the Constitution, you should impeach him! 10:56 AM – 31 Jul 2014

One can only hope, Bob.

Previously:

President Obama speaks in Kansas City July 30, 2014 (July 30, 2014)

President Obama will be in KC on Wednesday… (July 29, 2014)

President Obama spoke to a large crowd at the Uptown Theater in Kansas City on Wednesday morning. Jerry Schmidt, as always, took stellar still images:

President Obama speaking at the Uptown Theater in Kansas City – July 30, 2014. Photo: Jerry Schmidt.

“…And that’s what’s at stake right now — making sure our economy works for every American.  See, I’m glad that GDP is growing, and I’m glad that corporate profits are high, and I’m glad that the stock market is booming.  But what really I want to see is a guy working nine to five, and then working some overtime, I want that guy making more than the minimum wage…”

There were protesters outside the Uptown Theater:

Protesters outside the Uptown Theater. Photo: Jerry Schmidt.

Just guessing, but they don’t appear to be in the top one tenth of one percent in income.

“…And what I really want is somebody who has worked for 20, 30 years being able to retire with some dignity and some respect.  [applause]  What I really want is a family that they have the capacity to save so that when their child is ready to go to college, they know they can help and that it’s affordable, and that that child is not going to be burdened down with debt.  That’s the measure of whether the economy is working; not just how well it’s doing overall, but is it doing well for ordinary folks who are working hard every single day and aren’t always getting a fair shot.  That’s what we’re fighting for.  That’s why I ran for President.  That’s what I’m focused on every day…”

Protesters outside the Uptown Theater. Photo: Jerry Schmidt.

Spelling and graphic design skills may need some upgrading.

“…Rather than investing in education, they actually voted to give another massive tax cut to the wealthiest Americans…”

For the republicans in Congress that’s a feature, not a bug.

“…And these actions, they come with a cost.  When you block policies that would help millions of Americans right now, not only are those families hurt, but the whole economy is hurt.  So that’s why this year, my administration, what we’ve said was we want to work with Congress, we want to work with Republicans and Democrats to get things going, but we can’t wait.  So if they’re not going to do anything, we’ll do what we can on our own.  And we’ve taken more than 40 actions aimed at helping hardworking families like yours. [applause]  That’s when we act — when your Congress won’t…”

Photo: Jerry Schmidt.

“…by the way, here’s something interesting:  The states that have increased their minimum wages this year, they’ve seen higher job growth than the states that didn’t increase their minimum wage.  [applause]  So remember, you give them a little bit more money, businesses have more customers.  They got more customers, they make more profit.  They make more profit, what do they do?  They hire more workers.  America deserves a raise, and it’s good for everybody…”

Photo: Jerry Schmidt.

“…I mean, everybody recognizes this is a political stunt, but it’s worse than that, because every vote they’re taking like that means a vote they’re not taking to actually help you.  When they have taken 50 votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act, that was time that could have been spent working constructively to help you on some things.  [applause]  And, by the way, you know who is paying for this suit they’re going to file?  You….”

Photo: Jerry Schmidt.

“…Don’t double down on top-down economics.  Let’s really fight to make sure that everybody gets a chance and, by the way, that everybody plays by the same rules.  [applause]  We could do so much more if we got that kind of economic patriotism that says we rise or fall as one nation and as one people…”

Photo: Jerry Schmidt.

“…I do not believe in a cynical America; I believe in an optimistic America that is making progress.  [applause]  And I believe despite unyielding opposition, there are workers right now who have jobs who didn’t have them before because of what we’ve done; and folks who got health care who didn’t have it because of the work that we’ve done; and students who are going to college who couldn’t afford it before; and troops who’ve come home after tour after tour of duty because of what we’ve done. [applause] …”

Barack Obama speaks at the Uptown in Kansas City.  Video by Jerry Schmidt.

Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) illustrates the current relevance of the House of Representatives, via Twitter:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler ‏@RepHartzler

HASC committee just passed a resolution I supported condemning the president for releasing the 5 Taliban leaders w/o consulting Congress. 2:54 PM – 29 Jul 2014

A reply from a constituent:

Bob Yates ‏@OldDrum

@RepHartzler Why isn’t this an impeachable offense? Wait … wasn’t an American soldier held as a POW released? Was that condemned too? 10:53 PM – 29 Jul 2014

Good questions.  

Yesterday Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) posted an image on Twitter of President Obama and an obviously unhappy baby with the caption “That awkward moment when you realize that your share of the dept is $55,260”:

Rep. Vicky Hartzler ‏@RepHartzler

This baby’s face says it all. [….] 7:02 AM – 22 Jul 2014

There were responses:

KCLiveMusicBlog ‏@KCLiveMusicBlog

@RepHartzler actually I think Obama just told him about the policies you supported. 7:12 AM – 22 Jul 2014

Mary Reed ‏@marsam22reed

@RepHartzler Return free dollars of FARM SUBSIDIES you received, to help bring down the debt. 9:58 AM – 22 Jul 2014

Ouch. Social media is always interesting.

So is this, from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities:

Economic Downturn and Legacy of Bush Policies Continue to Drive Large Deficits

Economic Recovery Measures, Financial Rescues Have Only Temporary Impact

By Kathy Ruffing and Joel Friedman

Updated February 28, 2013

….Just two policies dating from the Bush Administration – tax cuts and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – accounted for over $500 billion of the deficit in 2009 and will account for nearly $6 trillion in deficits in 2009 through 2019 (including associated debt-service costs of $1.4 trillion).  By 2019, we estimate that these two policies will account for almost half – over $8 trillion – of the $17 trillion in debt that will be owed under current policies.[7]   (See Figure 2.)  These impacts easily dwarf the stimulus and financial rescues, which will account for less than $2 trillion (just over 10 percent) of the debt at that time.  Furthermore, unlike those temporary costs, these inherited policies do not fade away as the economy recovers.[8]

Without the economic downturn and the fiscal policies of the previous Administration, the budget would be roughly in balance in this decade.  Even if we regard the economic downturn as unavoidable, we would have entered it with a much smaller debt – allowing us to absorb the recession’s damage to the budget and the cost of economic recovery measures, while keeping debt comfortably below 50 percent of GDP, as Figure 2 suggests.  That would have put the nation on a much sounder footing to address the demographic challenges and the cost pressures in health care that darken the long-run fiscal outlook….

And that’s how we get there.

Representative Hartzler (r) should have posted a photo of former President George W. Bush with the unhappy baby.