TCTI: Too Crazy Too Ignore
 Dave Ross
AP: 74d0b97b-91ea-46d0-b505-46fa1110da34

One question...

BY Dave Ross  on October 12, 2012 @ 7:35 am (Updated: 9:08 am - 10/12/12 )

This is the one question most people wanted answered in Thursday night's Vice Presidential debate:

"Can you get unemployment to under 6 percent and how long will it take?"

Biden and Ryan were both exquisitely empathetic about unemployment, but neither one could say when the rate would drop because they know Congress is deadlocked on what to do.

But here's the shocker. The only substantial difference on the job issue was defining what's a small business. They agree on everything else. The Republican five point plan, energy independence, job training, controlling debt, export more of our stuff, don't raise taxes on small business. They agree on that. Except that Republicans define small business to include Donald Trump and certain hedge funds and Democrats don't.

On the big philosophical issue of government job creation, both sides seemed to agree that in an emergency, it's possible and even desirable for government to jump in and create jobs.

Biden: "I'm not allowed to show letters, but go to our website and he sent me two letters saying 'By the way, can you send me some stimulus money for companies here in the state of Wisconsin.' We sent millions of dollars. You know why...

Ryan: "On two occasions, we advocated for constituents who are applying for grants. That's what we do. We do that for all constituents who are..."

Biden: "I love that. I love that. This is such a bad program and he writes the Department of Revenue saying, 'the reason we need this stimulus, it will create revenue and jobs.'"

Leaving us to wonder yet again, what is it, besides just plain stubbornness, that's preventing this country's leadership from coming together on a plan that works? It must be that Joe Biden chuckles too much.

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Dave Ross, KIRO Radio Talk Show Host
Dave Ross is co-host of The Ross & Burbank Show on KIRO Radio (weekdays 9-Noon) and never too far from the spotlight.
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Comments (89)


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  • kata wrote...
    those letters
    October 12, 2012 8:10 am
    several of them were on the behalf of Unions who needed work. Was he supposed to ignore them? He won in a heavily Democrat district. The money was already being issued and somehow everyone was going to have to pay for it eventually, anyway. He's there to serve all the people in his district. That's what public servants are supposed to do. Remember that sentiment? Has it really come down to this?

    As for unemployment. It takes a long time to grow a good economy. It takes very little time to destroy one. Promising to reduce unemployment is like promising the stars. It's stupid and irresponsible. Hoping one falls to earth during your administration so you can take credit for it - silly. The Government can impose policy and hope seeds grow but that's IT. So unless the Feds are going to hire 12 million people... the answer is "no one" can promise that.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    The way Obama's cabal cooks the numbers
    October 12, 2012 8:10 am
    it should only take a week.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • MO wrote...
    Kersey
    October 12, 2012 8:18 am
    Nice. I think the Obama campaign will find those jobs numbers in the trunk of some car in King County.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    "Can you get unemployment to under 6 percent and how long will it take?"
    October 12, 2012 8:24 am
    The actual unemployment number is upwards of 16 percent. Four years of Obamunism and the ObamaEconomy has produced this number.

    We will NOT see any drop in unemployment until the regime and the Dear Leader are gone!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Only a week or two ago, the collective left has criticizing Romney for not taking all the deductions he legally could on his 2011 income taxes.
    October 12, 2012 8:33 am
    And just why WOULDN'T Paul Ryan seek to get a few government bucks to help his constituents? ... Heck, as far as we know, those constituents could have been democrats. I don't think Paul asked them. Help is help.

    But there's small business and there's small business. ... As an independent contractor (appraiser) I am both an individual and a 'small business' And while I would appreciate any tax break the Wizard of Oz can send, I'm not about to hire anyone. Its not the nature of my small business. .. In fact, it's not the nature of say 60% of small business that there are no employees. .. And many of the rest are family operations or others that 3 or 5 others are sufficient. Even the 7-11. Just how many 8 hour shifts do you need each day?

    So it gets down to the small business that actually have hiring flexibility. And no, Dave, it's not Donald Trump. ... Except it could be Trump before he became Trump. Or Bill gates before ho became MicroSoft. .. Or a starting out Steve Jobs. .. Or...... You get the idea. .. Small business - if it's lucky - can one day be big business.

    But not if you tax the small business at the big business rate. BEFORE it is able to pay it.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sambra27 wrote...
    Ron
    October 12, 2012 10:11 am

    First of all, are you a republican? It does not matter to me I just don't know if you have ever ID'ed yourself. Your posts seems to lean repub...just wanted to let you know that I think your posts are constructive and always offer good points for debate (unless we are debating the validity of the Daily Show :) )

    Here is the link to the factcheck article which talks about Ryan's point of the Obama admin taxing small business income: http://factcheck.org/2012/10/veep-debate-violations/

    I think a good debate could be how much net revenue does a company have to bring in to be considered a good job creator?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Sambra - you seem to like that Daily Show.
    October 12, 2012 12:43 pm
    And I'm not a member of any organized party as that tends to define you and lock you into a position - both sides.

    I suppose I'm closed GOP (or at least what it was 30 years ago) than anything else, but none of my ideas are set in stone. Even in my own mind.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cbrew wrote...
    So i discovered what's wrong with you Republicans
    October 12, 2012 8:36 am
    I went ahead and listened to Hannity the other day... I mean really listened... by the end of it, I thought to myself, now if i was stupid enough.. to actually think this man's opinion was actual news.... I would think the President is a traitor murderer anti-US thug gangster from the land of Gangsters... Now, Thankfully i'm not that stupid and i know you can't get your news from an OPINION radio show.. I get it now though, i understand where the majority of your psychotic rantings come from... I just got to say, How embarrassing for you guys... How absolutely embarrassing that you believe this guy... He sounds like a Meth addict sitting on the corner trying to convince people that the "guvament is afta me" ... I really don't know what to say... Why do you accept this stuff at all? I mean.. I support Obama right now but i refuse to watch MSNBC or a "spin" news station because it's ridiculous... Same thing on the right side, Fox news is ridiculous.. it's not facts, it's not the news, it's one big OPINION article... and the crazier they make their opinion the more of you listen... Seriously you people need help... If you believe what this Hannity guy has to say, you may legitimately be crazy and need mental help... So sad, so rediculous.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Cbrew
    October 12, 2012 9:25 am
    You are soo deep and informed. You need to have your own TV or Radio show...On Comedy Central
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Realitycheck wrote...
    okay cbrew
    October 12, 2012 9:37 am
    I totally agree that no intelligent person should believe either the extreme left or extreme right media.However please enlighten me how you can come to the conclusion that Obama deserves another term.

    I mean name one thing Obama delivered on that was a benefit to the average American worker. Just name one. You can't because there isn't one.

    He allowed gas prices to go out of control which in turn affects numerous other services and product prices which then directly lower everybodies left over money after essential cost of living expenses are covered. And guess what, if we don't have the money to buy that new TV, take that trip or whatever non-essential expense it has a very severe negative effect on the economy.

    Obama said himself if he doesn't turn it around in 3 years his presidency will be a one term proposition but now he refuses to accept the consequences of his failures. And you want a man like that leading you? Really? If you do, it doesn't speak well for you my friend.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Realitycheck claims "Obama allowed gas prices to go out of control"...Really?
    October 12, 2012 9:47 am
    A quick reread of the presidential powers outlined in the Constitution doesn't seem to mention anything about raising, lowering, setting, or controlling the price of anything, let alone gasoline.

    I'm glad you pointed out that gas prices are the fault and or responsibility of politicians in the US. Silly me. I thought petroleum products were an international commodity, imported and exported to a variety of countries by private enterprises depending upon relative demand and willingness to pay top dollar. I thought that was why most of the oil we drill in Alaska winds up in Japan. I thought that was why the Keystone Pipeline routing Canadian Oil to ports in the Gulf of Mexico was going to result in more exports, not more refined products for North America.

    There is *no* shortage of crude oil or refined products, so I guess you must be right. The President of the United States is simply failing to use his Constitutional power to interfere with the international free market pricing of crude oil and refined products.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • kata wrote...
    ermahgerd!
    October 12, 2012 10:00 am
    If only we'd known that 6 yrs ago. *s*

    Perfect example of partisan insanity? Survey says : yes.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/rw/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/03/22/National-Politics/Graphics/w-obama0322.jpg

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Uncle Carbunkle wrote...
    Chuck Gould
    October 12, 2012 3:55 pm
    Hey buddy, when you mau mau an industry, close down pipelines, prevent drilling on federal lands, prevent refineries from being built, you make shortages. At this point in time, the refining capacity of the US is 15% less than what is being consumed so it doesn't take much to drive prices up. Toss in EPA mandatory boutique fuel mixes and Green lawsuits and you add more stress. Obama's Secretary of Energy, Steve Chu, has publicly stated "Somehow we have to figure out how to boost the price of gasoline to the levels in Europe." and has also stated that he has no interest in lowering gas prices. Wish granted boys and girls. So tell me Chuck, how are statements like that good for the "little guy." Don't Democrats profess to help the "little guy"?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Realitycheck wrote...
    Chuck??
    October 12, 2012 7:35 pm
    Really?? He has no powers to do anything about it? What are you smoking man. You guys buy the lies hook and sinker, it is truly amazing. Obama could put and end to high gas prices tomorrow but that is not his agenda and everything else is a lie
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Uncle Carbunkle wrote...
    Cbrew/Republicans
    October 12, 2012 3:44 pm
    Hate to break it to you Cbrew, but Hannity is an *opinion* show, not a *news* show. I think what you need to do is kind get straight in your head what *news* is and what *opinion* is. I also think that if you would look a little deeper into your president, you might find out that he's closer to " . . traitor murderer anti-US thug gangster from the land of Gangsters" than he is a straight arrow. Looks like the Obama campaign is accepting millions in untraceable foreign money (Chinese and Middle East) via loadable (and untraceable) debit cards in amounts under 200 bucks. That's VERY illegal. And you keep bashing Fox Goombah. Their demographics are multiples of their closest competitor.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    Speaking of the auto Bail out How is that going
    October 12, 2012 8:54 am
    http://www.treasury.gov/initiatives/...10.11.2012.pdf For GM Disbursed 51.03 Billion Repaid 23.20 Billion Written off 4.34 Billion Still Owe 23.49 Chrysler Ill admit is paid off, IF you count the written off Disbursed 12.37 Billion Repaid 9.44 Billion Written off 2.93 Billion GMAC (Allay) isnt GMAC still GM Disbursed 16.29 Billion Repaid 2.54 Billion Written off 0.00 Billion Still Owe 13.75 Billion
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    Try this with breaks the system didnt take.
    October 12, 2012 8:55 am
    Repeated lie of it being paid back in Interest http://www.treasury.gov/initiatives/...10.11.2012.pdf

    For GM

    Disbursed 51.03 Billion Repaid 23.20 Billion Written off 4.34 Billion Still Owe 23.49

    Chrysler Ill admit is paid off, IF you count the written off

    Disbursed 12.37 Billion Repaid 9.44 Billion Written off 2.93 Billion

    GMAC (Allay) isnt GMAC still GM

    Disbursed 16.29 Billion Repaid 2.54 Billion Written off 0.00 Billion Still Owe 13.75 Billion

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    Can we get a reply system
    October 12, 2012 8:56 am
    that actually works
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • kata wrote...
    ha!
    October 12, 2012 8:57 am
    now you have to figure out how to close the bold. Yep the comment system sucks.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • kata wrote...
    nvm
    October 12, 2012 8:58 am
    I managed it :)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    test
    October 13, 2012 7:59 am
    test
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    test2
    October 13, 2012 8:00 am
    test2
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • anotherfencewalker wrote...
    Ha Ha...
    October 12, 2012 9:04 am
    If you can set aside your childish name calling for just a sentence or two, would you provide the specific data as where your 16 percent figure is coming from? I'll wait.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Realitycheck wrote...
    Really anotherfencewalker?
    October 12, 2012 9:23 am
    The government themselves admits that it doesn't count people that are underemployed (meaning they had to take something but hardly can live on the earnings) or those that stopped looking out of frustration and now collect food stamps, welfare. It is a highly flawed system to make the government in power look better. Take a look around, almost every middle class neighborhood has foreclosed houses (because banks are still scre__wing us over and not helping many house owners). To say we are moving in the right direction is the lie of the century. So if it is 12, 14 or 16% percent really doesn't matter much but it certainly isn't anywhere as reported by the government.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    Another
    October 12, 2012 9:24 am
    its actually 14.7% - U6 which counts all unemployed including those that quit looking, rather than the U3 which doesn't.

    http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t15.htm

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Uncle Carbunkle wrote...
    Rick W7PSK Another
    October 12, 2012 4:08 pm
    The latest numbers didn't take into account a big "mystery" state (BLS isn't saying) that didn't report. So the 14% is probably low.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Sportfisher wrote...
    Google U6
    October 12, 2012 10:26 pm
    Pick the link that says BLS and it probably says graph or Chart A15
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • FreeRange wrote...
    All I have to say..
    October 12, 2012 9:10 am
    If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet. New American Standard Bible
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    FreeRange
    October 12, 2012 9:28 am
    Perfect....!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HLC wrote...
    Your wrong again cbrew.
    October 12, 2012 9:18 am
    You really are that stupid. You surely believe everything that comes out of Chris Mathews mouth don't you?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }