Politapocalypse (U.S. Politics Megathread)

namecalling personal attacks

these people just cannot maintain a civil discussion

Right wingers have to out do each other in being what they are best at

smear and lie
who can be the biggest a-hole, who can say the most inflammatory remarks possible,

it's a game, whoever say's the worst possible BS about the other side wins!!

You call this hate??
are you serious???

that's just an reaction to the OP commentary, no lame photos
it was completely provoked by a poster that blatantly disregards all requests for civil behavior
like a 4th grade child

unbelievably pathetic as an example

now he is trying to word bomb the thread
wow? so loving and respectful
such a great way to show how right you are
thanks

The other side uses lies, misinformation and propaganda to demonize the other side because they don't have anything to offer.

namecalling personal attacks

perfectly decent conversation

Gas prices fall below $1.87: Nov 26, 2008

Unemployment Rate at 6.8 for Men and 5.5 for Women in Nov of 2008

The Big Lie: 5.6% Unemployment
by Jim Clifton

Here's something that many Americans -- including some of the smartest and most educated among us -- don't know: The official unemployment rate, as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor, is extremely misleading.

Right now, we're hearing much celebrating from the media, the White House and Wall Street about how unemployment is "down" to 5.6%. The cheerleading for this number is deafening. The media loves a comeback story, the White House wants to score political points and Wall Street would like you to stay in the market.

None of them will tell you this: If you, a family member or anyone is unemployed and has subsequently given up on finding a job -- if you are so hopelessly out of work that you've stopped looking over the past four weeks -- the Department of Labor doesn't count you as unemployed. That's right. While you are as unemployed as one can possibly be, and tragically may never find work again, you are not counted in the figure we see relentlessly in the news -- currently 5.6%. Right now, as many as 30 million Americans are either out of work or severely underemployed. Trust me, the vast majority of them aren't throwing parties to toast "falling" unemployment.

There's another reason why the official rate is misleading. Say you're an out-of-work engineer or healthcare worker or construction worker or retail manager: If you perform a minimum of one hour of work in a week and are paid at least $20 -- maybe someone pays you to mow their lawn -- you're not officially counted as unemployed in the much-reported 5.6%. Few Americans know this.