1) Yes, the people who don't make over $250,000 elected Obama...money can't buy everything.
2) BOTH parties refuse to negotiate; Republicans want it their way or no way. If they can't make a big bonus out of it, they won't vote for it.
3) It existed before Obama...so it really isn't an Obama thing. Republicans keep saying the government needs to stay out of our personal business...well, why don't they?

Haters hate...why not put a positive spin on Christmas and think about what you, as an individual can do better for the world and stop bullying others.

Agreed! We need to face facts and stop blaming everyone else. Obama has been our President for four long years now, and the results indicate that he has been an incredible failure. And now the next four years will give him a chance to put the final nails in America's coffin. He is, without a doubt, the worst President this country has ever had. Is it any wonder he came from Illinois?

Get a grip.

You need to turn off Fox news and go get some fresh air!

Can someone please tell me why the Left is so obsessed with Fox News?

Fox News obsession....it could be the non-stop load of crap that they call "news". Then the herd of sheep in the tea party that can't think for themselves run with it. I hope you enjoy being pawns of the 2%.

We have had a do nothing Congress for the past 6 years. The Republicans still don't get after the results of the last election. It is time for them to wake up and be part of the solution.

Logansdad, The last election only proved that the American people either don't really care or are not paying attention. They (we) actually reelected a failed President whose policies have kept the unemployment rate near 8% for his entire first term. If anyone is to blame for this mess we're in it is we the American people.

Independence666, the last election proved we re-elected the right guy. Maybe not the best but better than what the Republican party offered up as a choice. Every economic indicator has been pointing in the right direction. Look where the Dow was on Inaugaration day in 2009, around 7800. Ten look at where it was on election day 2012, around 13,000. We're fighting out of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, it's going to take time, maybe a lot of it.

It's funny how prior to the election the criticism on the unemployment numbers was, "it's been over 8% for more than 40 months", now that it stands at 7.7%, you say it's "near 8%". See what I mean, going in the right direction? You criticize the NYT for slanting statistics to sut them, yet you so the same thing.

If they need to turn off fox (along with 5 million others), then you and a few of your best friends (maybe 250,000 viewers) should turn off PMSnbc and Rachel Madcow.

Independence666, as opposed to electing someone who didnt even have an economic plan. Everytime Romney spoke, you'd get a different answer from him on everything. All he tried to do is cater to the group of people he was speaking to at the moment.

Buh Bye, Kathy, and anyone else who doesn't like it here.

Linda,
That's SO sweet ! Believe me, I'd be delighted to leave Hellinois to people who are content here. Without boo-hoo details, the reality is that I'm "zoomed" if I stay and just about as much, but differently "zoomed" if I go. And surely, I can't be the only one who is stucko. Also can't imagine that anyone is OK with the state's mismanagement, bloat and "I got mine!" M.O.
Linda, we have paid sufficient taxes to do the business of government (at every level) AND education but they have mismanaged it all and are now coming at us taxpayers to pay it all over again (plus, of course, taxes to support current needs.) In the too little budget cutting they have done, they've cut support to those whose care should be guaranteed - those citizens who are physically or mentally disabled and cannnot adequately care for themselves. That's a sin.
I can't understand why all of the above is OK with you. Get MAD, Linda ! Hold these motor-scooters accountable, help oust them and demand better before they tax you out of all you work for. And before they deprive you and your family of the wherewithal (which presumably you will have earned) to have options in life.

Well I can't argue. Illinois is one of the worst run states in the nation, at least financially.

Kathy's been in the egg nog. A lot.

"Turn around ! Save yourself while you can !"

Very true. I grew up here, but the corrupt government working in concert with the Unions has rendered it unlivable.
Unfortunatley moving out of state won't save you. Obabma will no doubt be picking the pockets of everyone in the US to bailout this sorry-a$$ state.

You said a mouthful Kathy. Thanks for speaking up. The real question is how do we get enough people to care enough to stand up and demand positive changes?

Lemomt - Just keep plugging away. It's hard, it's tedious, the odds against moving an inch against all the damage that's been done are long but is there a choice? Not for me. Contact your legislators and the two top people from both the house and senate, no matter which party. Hold them accountable. Teach your kids, talk to your family, friends, neighbors. Tell them they don't have to take this crapola. If you particularly like sone legislators, support them. All of this "bad" happened because not enough people were involved and they got away with their greed and stupidity. Take the power of the CITIZEN back! WE have the most important voices, WE have the votes.
A lot of poo is gonna hit the fan this year and it ain't gonna be pretty. Get invovled, people! Also, please become more aware of what's happening in your school districts. Many of these school boards are not so particularly talented to be in charge of your kids' education as you may have thought. There is an "eduocracy"* as much as there is govt bureacracy and it's mob-like!
*"eduocracy" - thanks, Bob Shelstrom !
Speak out, Lemont Citizen ! People will listen and say "YEAH, they can't to that to me!" And they'll talk to people and so on. NEVER give up. Good luck, my friend.

Kathy, are you single? I would love to meet you!!!:)

100% correct

Oh Stones........As Obama and his followers lead us all over the cliff on New Year's Eve, I'm sure folks like you will still be singing his praises and blaming everyone else. Pathetic! America will never recover from the incredible damage this turkey has done.

And what exactly has the Crier of the House and his party done? Nothing except used the same tired tactics that have been using since 2010. What is his plan for the next 2 years - Make Obama a one term president? That worked so well.

The Republicans don't care about the Middle Class. All they care about is the rich and big business.

Hey logansdad, "crier of the house" that's actually a pretty good one. But the sad truth is that Obama is the President and, whether he likes it or not, the buck stops with him. Off the top of your head.......Do you know who the Speaker of the House was when Hoover drove the country into the Great Depression?

Wow that sounds like a stat right from the mouth of Sean Hannity. You have the right to be upset about anything you wish, you don't have the right to your own set of facts.
Below are numbers from only a few years ago so there is no way that number increased exponentially to the delusion you posted. We wont have 2012 numbers till 2014, even then it still cant/wont support your post. Lesson learned? Post facts!

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/01/25/us/20090126-welfare-table.html

Sadly, Mr. Rapp Sr. leads his life inside these delusions. Merry Christmas! May Santa bring you the ability to think for yourself.

Come on Tracy.......you're actually trying to prove your point by posting a link from a left wing rag like the New York Times? Give me a break!

Indenpendence666,
It's understandable to be suspect of any news source's bias, but a slant is exposed through which stories are told and what is included/excluded from those stories. But the chart Tracey Love supplied is made up of numbers collected directly from the states' data. Calling the New York Times "left wing" doesn't get you out of having to face this one. (Not to mention that Tracey has actually offered a source, and you have not).

Denise, The New York Times is practically a wholly owned subsidiary of the Democrat party. Thinking people should not even trust the numbers they print. They are doing everything they can to make this clueless failed President look good.

Independence666, Did you even bother to read the relate article that was published with the table/ The current wefare system is a joint program with the laws being written by both the Republican an Democratic (not Democrat) parties.

What makes President Obama failed and clueless? Aside from the usual rhetoric bsed on lies and innuendo? The election is over, get on with your life.

Stones, You ask, "what makes Obama a failed President". Well, all you need to do is open your eyes and take a look at the state of this country. After just four years of Obamanomics, we are in the worst shape we have been in since the civil war. America has never been more divided, further in debt, or less hopeful. We have become a "makers vs takers" society. This guy's "leadership" has been an absolute failure by every measure. But unfortunately, his loyal followers, primarily the "takers", will never admit that the emperor has no clothes. So the country will continue to disintegrate as China becomes the next great world power.

I believe I asked, besides rhetoric and innuendo. We are not in the worst shape since the Civil War, though the divisivness is close. And I blame the far right for that because of their refusual to work with President Obama on any issue for fear of him succeeding. It was more important to them to be sure he was a one term President regardless of what happened to the country. That certainly backfired and it will have a lasting effect on the GOP.

Whether you agree or not, the President did inherit a mess. The recession started under President Bush and a lot of the debt we have piled up is directly related to the war efforts. The country will not disintegrate as you say, we are still a world leader, a world power and a major economic engine for the world.

I for one, am not a loyal follower. I didn't vote for the President in 2008 and likely would not have in 2012 if the GOP had slated a viable candidate. If this is the worst President ever as many believe, what in the world does that make Mitt Romney?

Stones, when will you Obama folks stop making excuses for him. First of all, he didn't "inherit" anything. He had a choice to run and he ran, and won, because he somehow convinced the American people that he could FIX things (remember that whole "hope and change" thing?). Now, after four very long failed years, nothing's been fixed, and there is no longer any hope for change. In fact we're in worse shape now than the day this phony took office. We have more debt, more people collecting "disability" payments, our taxes are going up, the country's credit rating has been downgraded, the citizens are absolutely divided, etc, etc, etc........ No objective thinking person could honestly say that this man has even remotely been a success, on any level. Your loyalty really amazes me.

Independence666, You're just not bright enough to figure this out, blinded by hatred so badly you either ignore facts or simply just can't see them.

Here are some of the facts I posted for you earlier, which you conveniently ignored:

"Every economic indicator has been pointing in the right direction. Look where the Dow was on Inaugaration Day in 2009, around 7800. Then look at where it was on election day 2012, around 13,000. We're fighting out of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, it's going to take time, maybe a lot of it.

It's funny how prior to the election the criticism on the unemployment numbers was, "it's been over 8% for more than 40 months", now that it stands at 7.7%, you say it's "near 8%". See what I mean, going in the right direction? You criticize the NYT for slanting statistics to suit them, yet you do the same thing."

BTW, you need to change your screen name, there is nothing independent about your thought process. And at least 25%, if not more of the debt we have piled up is directly attributed to the two wars we have been fighting. But why let facts get in the way of your hatred.

And once again non-Independence666, you have provide no facts to support your claims. Just the usual rhetoric and innuendo.

My loyalty amazes you? Can you comprehend anything that is opposed to your view? I very clearly stated, "I for one, am not a loyal follower. I didn't vote for the President in 2008 and likely would not have in 2012 if the GOP had slated a viable candidate. If this is the worst President ever as many believe, what in the world does that make Mitt Romney?"

That makes me loyal? Your ignorance is what amazes me.

DON'T DO THE CRIME IF YOU CAN'T DO THE TIME
They're suppose to be punished for their crime. Treat them like the criminals they are, put them to work on a chain gang.

I know people in there and it they only have basic cable, the classes have been cut and prisoners used to do work on roads or other community service but now the state says they don't have money to keep them. So when you have thousands of people with nothing to occupy them they will find ways to use their time like fighting both each other and guards. If the prison system would find ways to help convicts make positive changes in their life you will only get the same results.

Exactly - sheeple. And isn't that sad for our fellow human beings? With the absymal performance of so many schools producing ever more "non-thinkers," it looks like a lock for those politicians who would use them. Very sad, Very detrimental. Unless, more is done and quickly, we may have already past the point of no return.

"Unfortunately, our corrupt Illinois politicians, Obama et al, have also infected Washington, turning our entire country into one huge, Illinois style, failed state."

So all of the 50 states have high unemployment and are billions and billions in debt. You are so misinformed and your hatred for Obama is showing

I wish I could see your face when you discover that Indiana also has county level income taxes of up to 3%, as well as state and federal level income taxes.
http://www.in.gov/dor/files/dn01.pdf
Combined with the max rate of 3.4% state income tax, you could actually be paying more taxes than you do in Illinois.

So, have fun with that.

Are you there yet?

Tim, don't forget the vehicle license fees several times higher than the absurdly high Illinois rates. There is a reason (other than the obvious) that Gary is not the economic hub of the Midwest. Ed...enjoy your trailer!

Yes. Here in the midwest, Indiana is probably one of the of best places to live. I have a couple of friends who have relocated there to follow a job that moved out of the Chicago area, due its crazy unions and ridiculously high taxation. And guess what? They absolutely love it there. I am told that it is a real breath of fresh air for anyone who has had to endure the total stupidity and corruption that is Illinois.

Only a fool from California, would think taxes and actually "not bad".
This state has been controlled by democrats for years now, and the citizens continue to suffer under despotic government.

The lack of term limits at all levels of government are the root cause of the debacle we are all talking about. Obviously, the pols will not pass a term-limit law to vote themselves out of a job. But maybe someone can figure out a way to get it done. Let's be honest: every politician is more concerned about his job than doing the right thing for the taxpayers. The founding fathers never intended for career politicians. Term limits might just save the country.

Not just the Democrats, we had Thompson, Edgar and Ryan, all Republicans. It doesn't really matter, they're all one in the same here. In kahoots with each other and corrupt to the core. John Kass in the Tribune nailed it years ago when he started calling them Republicrats running the Illinois Combine.

I think they're one in the same, like former wrestler Mick Foley's personas of Mankind, Cactus Jack and Dude Love.

Don't forget. Obama is also an Illinois politician. Is it any wonder why the entire country is going down the toilet?

Have you thought about giving the Patch people a Christmas present by taking the day off from trolling?

What are you doing here then. Go and look for the non existence Santa Claus.

FYI, I went to 11PM Mass at St. Christopher last night. I did not spontaneously combust upon entering, nor did the holy water burn my skin. Seems the Shepherd (God) is a lot more accepting of others than some of his flock (like you).

My point is you can be Catholic and not agree with every ass-backward piece of Church hierarchical canon and dogma.

And what would those canon and dogmas be? For the Church to accept abortion, same sex marriage or other evil? Not!

Since the patch is ignorant for removing my earlier comment to Mike F ,I'll post it again. I went to Church on Sunday and Christmas Eve and day. That's what Christmas is all about. What I can't stand are Chriseasters and people that always show up late for mass. Don't people realize after the Priest reads the gospel and they show up for the rest of the mass , it doesn't have no meaning or even counts as a mass.

the hypocrite TURDIE DOC was going to celebrate the birth of a baby born in a non existant village and now we see he she is a closet pagan.

Merry Christmas Vera and good will to all.

You are such a pleasant person.

We don't take our hatred to a personal level like you seem to do.

How about the fact that he's another human being?

"Love one another as I have loved you." I learned that in the Vacation Bible School that my old church and the local Lutheran church used to put on jointly.

Mike F. I say it right now! You are a damn liar if you say you don't or never hated someone.

Gina I can care less what you think. Unpleasant ,because I tell the truth and say what I feel. Aren't we all untitled this under the 1st amendment.

He's been annoying people ever since his conception.

Very Catholic of you Mike F. Not!

I believe in human rights for everyone and it's about time we allowed same sex marriage. What's the holdup? And Despiser - anytime a man makes a fuss about gays and their civil liberties I assume they are in the closet. Otherwise, why would you even be thinking about gay people and their relationships? Come out! And by the way, I could not be more proud of the President.

Vera, is that for all or just the men?

Stones why even ask. No same sex marriage crap should be allowed.

I'll have to agree with Cecilia on this one. As long as it doesn't cost the rest of us anything, who really cares how or with whom someone else has sex. For all I care, you can have sex with your brother, sister, dog, cat, or pony.........just don't ask me to pay your medical bills if you contract AIDS, or some other exotic sexually transmitted disease.

How about keeping guns off the streets?

Ain't going to happen now, when the State passes CCW.

Vera Turdie we know u are not in the closet!

At times like this, I wish Patch were more like Facebook so I could "LIKE" Baba Wawa's post and block DoO.

Baba, performing an abortion (murder) without a license? Too bad you don't need to be also licensed as a voter. You're every bit as incompetent and ill-formed about politics and social issues as you are murderous medical practices.

BTW, and chance we can have an abortion performed on YOU, ex-post facto?

I'm sure there'd be no shortage of well qualified volunteers to perform the procedure.....

Don't engage the troll.

"Don't engage the troll." ...and DON'T FEAR THE REAPER! That ex-post facto abortion is still available for you, Baba. You have the "Right to choose" to decrease the surplus population!

Hey Bob, sure abortion is a terrible thing but, as the folks on the Left never cease to remind us all, it is "the law of the land". So let's look at the bright side of the issue, shall we? Most of the clinics are located in or near the inner city, which is where society really needs to control the population anyway. At the end of the day, unlimited abortion, particularly in these areas, will save us all a ton of money and eventually make our cities much safer places to live.

666 the best fix for the inner city and abortion is to keep one legs closed and stop sleeping around. If one doesn't want to be pregnant get a hysterectomy.

hehe i love it when people depise truth or science

If we didn't evolve from apes, how come we have body hair (some more than others), opposable thumbs and tailbones?

And here we go again with Mike F's ape theories . Mike do you crave bananas or swing from trees. Me Tarzan , you Jane.

It's not 'theory', it's a scientific FACT.

Do you honestly believe God created humans out of mud? If so, then why do some some people have simian facial features?

“The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.”
― Neil deGrasse Tyson

If you believe that Mike does your knuckles scrap the ground when you run or walk? Wow how whacked.

Mike go and tell your Priest that you are evolved from apes and he may have to perform an exorcism on you.

Knuckle dragging? No, that's why it's called evolution. We have evolved from that point, to where we are now. And it's possible we may evolve even further.

Wow Stones tell that to your Priest too, if you have one.
We're gonna do the monkey (oh oh ah ah oh oh ah ah)
Do the monkey (oh oh ah ah oh oh ah ah)
Monkey, Monkey (oh oh ah ah oh oh ah ah)

Mike F. you really don't know anything about Darwin's theory of evolution, do you? His premise was NOT that we evolved from current day apes, but that we had a common ancester. In fact, most scientists agree that if Darwin had the fossil records available today his theory of evolution would be nothing like he hypothosized back in the day.

He expected there to be massive mutation occurring continuously rather than the "quantum leaps" in species we've discovered. Fossil records show distinct and "rapid" appearances of new species, and nowhere near the mutation diversity needed to support his original theory. There just aren't enough "blind alleys" out there. It seems that there's some kind of direction being followed, perhaps some sort of intelligent design.

Einstein once wrote that the more he discovered about the universe, the more he believed there's a God. Of course you're smarter than him, right "Einstein"?

Vera, What grade are you in? 3rd, 4th?

Stones you and Mike F should be asked that if you two still believe we evolved from King Kong.

Hey Mike, please do a bit of quick research on this. Macro-evolution is not a proven scientific fact. It is simply a convenient theory that helps us explain the world as we see it right now. There was a consensus, at one time, that the sun revolved around the earth, and most everyone saw that as a FACT. However, now we see very clearly that they were absolutely wrong. Good scientists continue to ask the hard questions, even when the majority is convinced that something is TRUE.

No, because they're not the one's constantly throwing it out there the way you do. If you're going to talk the talk, you gotta walk the walk too.

He said "BRAINWASHED RELIGIOUS ZOMBIE", not a spiritual person who is capable of independent thought, so I'm certain he's referring to YOU.

Mike go tell your Priest that he can be Catholic and not agree with every ass-backward piece of Church hierarchical canon and dogma.

Mike if you are so spiritual , do you go to the adoration chapel on a regular bases, communion mass in the morning , confession at least once a month , pray the devotion of Devine Mercy, make it to Church on time every Sunday?

I go to the Vigil Mass on Saturday evenings now. Since the reforms of Vatican II, you're allowed to do that. I do get to church on time quite often, but God is not going to strike me down if I get there a few minutes late. No, I'm not a holier-than-thou Bible thumper like you. I ask God directly for counsel.

Good for you Mike. But don't ever show up for mass after the Gospel is read since the mass would not count then.
But you don't expound on this? t You can be Catholic and not agree with every ass-backward piece of Church hierarchical canon and dogma.
Do you tell your Priest this too?

I was talking about social issues like abortion and gay marriage (or as several countries, like Canada and the UK call it, "marriage"), idiot.

Mike F. then tell your Priest to believe in abortion and same sex marriage too. He'll laugh at you.

AMEN, Paul. AMEN!!!

Do you actually take the time to try and construct a reasoned thought, or do you just type strings of random words and hope they make sense?

Vera, We've been down this road before. Leave the comedy to the comics, especially with the rehashed jokes.

There you go again Stones. "It's not Obama's fault". No matter what happens, it's always someone else's fault, right? Let's take a quick look at the prince of mediocrity's "accomplishments", shall we?
1. The Democrat "stimulus" bill he signed into law piled more debt on our grandchildren than they will ever be able to pay, but did absolutely nothing to ease unemployment.
2. Oh, and how about that clever "cash for clunkers" program. Now that was a stroke of genius.
3. His "saving" of the auto industry was nothing more than payback to the union cronies that helped get him elected. Both GM and Chrysler would have been better off going through a normal bankruptcy, where they would have been able to jettison those dreadful union contracts, which will eventually put them both out of business anyway.
4. Oh yes, and don't forget "Obamacare" (the icing on the cake). We have yet to see how far into the toilet this piece of socialist legislation will put us........can you say GREECE?
5. I'll give you one. He did tell our Navy Seals "yes you can take out Bin Laden", but is there anyone on this earth, no matter how clueless, who wouldn't have done that?
6. And now he will take us all over the cliff, due his stubborn "punish the successful, and reward the lazy" ideology. Yes. This is indeed pathetic.

I guess you missed where I said the President gets part of the blame. OK, lets go point by point:

1. "The Democrat "stimulus" bill", is a continuation of the TARP program started under President Bush. Both Bush and Obama did the right thing.
2. Cash for clunkers was a bad idea. A lot of cars were sold, many already repossed and took a lot of viable used cars are out of the market, thus raising those prices.
3. The auto industry, again the right thing to do because it saved American jobs, union or not. Plus most if not all of that money has been paid back.
4. Obamacare? It's still too early to know for sure, but may end up being very good for the country. Most in the healthcare industry believe it will be. Also, keep in mind, it's not healthcare reform, it's health insurance reform.
5. Bin Laden? Yes, President Bush would have had the opportunity but turned his focus away from Tora Bora, where bin Laden was likely trapped and went to Iraq. Does that count as clueless? I like and respect President Bush, that's why I voted for him twice but Iraq was a mistake.
6.Fiscal Cliff, please read the news and see where the real roadblock is and try to focus on the truth, not just what you perceive as the truth.

Stones, your response illustrates why America is a 50/50 divided country. Using exactly the same facts, we both come to diametrically opposed conclusions. I suppose, like the rest of the country, we'll just have to agree to disagree as we both walk, hand in hand, over the cliff.

Vera, that's a capital gains tax, not the entire sale price and it only hits on the very high end so it's not likely to affect most Americans.

Obamacare also covers the extraction of the stick that's up your rear end.

Or up your wife's ( ! )

You sir, are clear proof that evolution didn't take very well in your ancestors' gene chains.

When is your birthday? I want to know so I can pay for your yearly membership in the Tinfoil Hat Society. That'll be my birthday present to you.

Mike are any of these your relatives then?

Top ten monkey names from Monkey World:

Rocky
Mojo
Hebe
Evie
Busta
Lulu
Peanut
Sage
Tito
Adidas

Circa 1 A.D.