MrData: don't confuse your opinion with fact. Let's see, Bush increased the debt 5 trillion dollars. He needed 5 trillion dollars to pay his bills but borrowed it instead, and at some point that money will need to be paid with interest. But that's okay because he gave 2 trillion dollars in tax breaks (to who - top wage earners - generation skipping income transfer tax breaks - AKA trust fund babies)
What you are saying is that if I were your landlord, it would be better for me to borrow the money to pay your rent, let you give you rent money to a millionaire, and then at the end of the year have your pay me all the rent due plus 30% interest. But you will love me, because before the year is over I get rid of the building and the responsibility for the debt and some other guy has to collect and clean up the mess. Don't worry, if you can't pay I will just get your kids to make good on your debt, or maybe that millionaire you gave the rent to will be kind enough to trickle some funds back down to you.

I am sorry luckee_clover I cannot let you escape scott free with your incomplete and intentionally mis-leading numbers & uneducated conslusion when you say --

You want numbers? Here are some!
1) "provided entrepreneurs and small business owners with tax credits and loan guarantees that's led to 720,000 clean energy jobs" -

WHERE ARE THEY - OH YEAH, THEY ARE
IN CHINA!!!

2) Highest gas price since 2008: $2.90

Funny, anything bad is Bush's fault --
anything good is due to Obama. Why
wouldn't these lower prices be Buish's
fault, too?

3) "On Jan. 22, 2001 (two days after Bush was sworn in) the debt stood at $5.728 trillion. On Sept. 30, 2008, it was $10.025 trillion."

In 2001 & again in 2003 the BUSH Tax
CUTS reduced all of our income taxes &
hence, tax revenue, by $3.9 Trillion / 10
years or $ 390 Billion per year.

Let's see 5 years * $390 Bill = almost
$2Trillion we got to keep. YIPPEE CAY
YEA!

So while George allowed all of us Kept
more of our money to spend on things we
want, Pelosi & Reid just left Washington
without extending those Bush Tax Cuts
which expire on Dec 31st. They are now
going to tax you & I to death ...

On January 1st you and I and everyone all
get to send more icome tax money to
Obama for he & his tax and spend dems to
spend.

AND as for our national debt - while it
stood at 410 Trillion when Obama took
office - where does it stand now after
only 20 months of Obama being office?

$13.5 TRILLION & climbing at
$440BILLION / year in interest and $1.3
TRILLION / year in budget deficit -- oh
yeah, that would be IF the dems ever
decide to create a budget!

Bash Mr. Bush all you want, it just doesn't hold water any more. facts are against the dems now. After 20 months people now see clearly that they jumped from the frying pan into fire, and they have been burned badly by Obama and the dems. They will remember all this at the voting booth on November 2nd!

I am sorry luckee_clover, Obama and the dems are the most fiscally irresponsible bunch of extremist liberals ever to sit in Washington.

They must go in November!

It is the Republicans that are blocking the tax bills on business investment and R&D. See link: http://tiny.cc/8qfx6

The Democratic plan is to next extend the tax reduction on the high-end personal income tax.

I was not surprised when I read about Bush's appearance. Since Mr. H. is no longer with us, I will respectfully not talk about my experiences with KH before he became a stellar businessman.
I was a young adult working for a business I shall not mention. Let's just say I have never been able to forget the less than stellar way he got his start to success. The connection to George W. is amusing to say the very least.

....but who listens to business owners and expert economists.....people who actually know what they are talking about?

ManufacturingMan - Fantastic post. I know many business owners who are very "gun shy" for the exact same reasons you listed.

I work for a medium sized manufacturing company in Milwaukee and regarding taxes, something a lot of you guys are forgetting is that these are not additional tax cuts what the Repubs and Tea Party is asking for is just he continuation of the current tax policy. The company I work for is poised to make a multi-million dollar improvement in our facility with major acquisition in new equipment and also staffing increases, but the reason why the trigger has not been pulled on the project is the uncertainty of the future tax code. If the Obama administration decides to increase taxes on companies and small business owners which all fall into the upper tax bracket , 50% of what is planned on being invested into New Equipment and Jobs will go to taxes. With congress adjourning this week with no resolution of the tax code this just delays the decision. I know that my company is not the only one that is doing the same. I was just at IMTS (International Machine Tool Show) in Chicago and my comments were stated over and over and it showed by the number of people sitting down and talking with the machine makers, a lot of people were talking serious numbers but are reluctant to pull the trigger due to the same uncertainty that I shared above. If the Bush era taxing strategy is not extended it would be a real hard sell for our board of directors to provide any additional funds for the project, because the project is all based on a new product launch and if others in industry are not investing it would make no sense for us to invest.

This is why all economist and business owners are so adamant that you should never increase taxes at any level during or shortly after a recession, because as I mentioned one thing leads to another. If businesses are willing to invest it has a cyclical effect driving other businesses to invest which in turn creates more jobs. But if taxes are increased and businesses hold back on investment it leads to other businesses to not invest and thus the unemployment rate would increase. This would push us into a double dip recession and if you thought the unemployment levels are high now just wait until that happens; you are talking depression level unemployment levels.

Sorry to drag on here but I felt I had to share for the numerous uninformed comments being posted by some individuals that obviously haven’t been involved in either a job or had anything to do with creating jobs, of which I feel that ABC supply does very well and an from friends that I know work there it is very good place to work.

So many comments, so little diplomacy. The truth is that no ONE president is soley responsible for the absolute mess our entire country is in; not Bush, not Obama. However, what bothers me the most is that we keep electing people that run our country down further. The failing dollar, sending more and more jobs OUT of the US, and then we keeping raising tax dollars so that ALL businesses, small or large are being forced to look elsewhere. What happened to being loyal to the United States of America? We seem more concerned about taking care of other countries before ourselves. I wasn't in favor of MANY things Bush did, but I'm not in favor of even more things that Obama is doing. He is educated, smart, and I'm sure he has good intentions (at least that is what he is communicating) he can speak extremely well, but I don't want words, I want ACTION. America are these candidates the best we have to offer? Really?? By the way, hats off to ABC for doing a wonderful job in Rock County. And thank you for being diplomatic enough to honor a former president, like him or not. And to all the others, drop the political BS. Don't vote democrat or republican. Vote for the UNITED States of AMERICA!!

luckee_clover - No I wasn't brainwashed in college, I'm not a democrat. Like I said, your political party is your choice. I respect that. However, Obama is not a good President. People can bash Bush all they want, Obama is no better in that respect. This story is about ABC supply who I have great respect including the late Ken Hendricks. A business this size would be foolish to have democratic ties. It doesn't work in their favor. Smart business.

jmac40 - no I didn't. I was too busy working and in my spare time, checking my investment portfolio and watching it bringing me double digit returns. I can't say that now...

Luckee...You have to do better than that. Obama predicts that there will be 720,000 clean energy jobs by the end of 2012--these jobs have yet to be created. If you are going to post specifics, please make sure the information is accurate. As far as gas prices go, do you seriously believe one man has the power to wave a wand and influence all of the variables that make up fuel costs? Democrats have had control of Congress and the money which flows through the Federal government for the last 4 years. There are several things Bush did that I COMPLETELY disagree with, but the ringleader and his goofy clowns now running the show are far from answer to the country's problems. At least it only took them 2 years to completely self destruct......

LUCKEECLOVER - Thank you for the intelligent posts and facts about BuSh. I agree with you - well done. A good book to read by Vincent Bugliosi is "The Prosecution of G.W.B. for Murder" - it came out in 2008 and a movie about it is in the works for release I think. The book deals with the evidence / info he gave to go to war with Iraq.

The Bush tax cuts helped ABC and companies like it. Democrats want to take away the tax cuts and raise taxes which would hurt ABC and companies like it.
The Deficit will be growing a lot over the next 20 years NO MATTER WHAT due to transfer payments and a rapidly aging populace.

A former President in the area.... let's honor him as such. Give 'em hell Mr. President.

You want numbers? Here are some!
1) "provided entrepreneurs and small business owners with tax credits and loan guarantees that's led to 720,000 clean energy jobs"
2) Highest gas price since 2008: $2.90
3) "On Jan. 22, 2001 (two days after Bush was sworn in) the debt stood at $5.728 trillion. On Sept. 30, 2008, it was $10.025 trillion."
Also, to clear up a couple other things: The Democratic National Committee paid a majority of the costs and the crowd boosted business for the area. About 26,500 people showed up to the rally, we all must be brainwashed.
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No, there has not been a lot of change, but things are headed in the right direction. I don't know why you all think change comes with the snap of fingers, but it never has and it never will.
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Spark, since you are college educated you must have been brainwashed too, huh? Also, the people there were from all over, not just Madison.
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totellthetruth, the job rates are staying pretty much steady. No, that's not good, but at least the unemployment rate isn't continuing to climb.
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Pattycake, I am not concerned about what I say. I am a well educated individual and I always check my sources and don't guess at things I say. I know that I am wrong at times, but I think with a little less ignorance and a little more research into the truth things would be better for all of us!

What some people forget, the Democrats have been in control for four years, not two.
The current president needs to act like the president of the people,not the leader of the DNC.
The only way Obama can get the young kids out to listen to him.... be sure to have some rock bands.

I hope Bush was there to apologize for ruining all the work that ABC has done. The family helped everyone in Wisconsin while Bush.. well we all know what he has done. He is responsible for where we are today and Obama is being blamed for it. It took both Papa Bush and Baby Bush to put us in the poor house while they live high on the hog.

Hey U.S. citizens, We have freedom! Here we have an important leader coming to Beloit and all I read here is negativity. No matter how anybody thinks President Bush messed this country up, there are so many other factors involved. The most important topic is that a company like ABC has attracted such a great advocate that can boost local economy to our area. We have the highest unemployment rate of the whole state! Wake up! we all should thank ABC and thier employees for being so important that an american icon would take time to draw attention to this growing trend in this area. God bless ABC and everyone who made this happen. ABC is the heart of Beloit and all of it's employees deserve a round of applause.

totellthetruth says: "As soon as Obama was elected, business stopped spending..."
*
Why is it then, the economy was crashing BEFORE the election? GM announced closing janesville the summer BEFORE the election and sales had been dropping way before that.

Since Bush was such an amazing President, its funny the RNC doesn't have him out stumping for GOP candidates being so close to elections. Maybe the RNC realizes it was eight years that are best forgotten.

Bush

Yep, he came back to close Beloit and Janesville like he did GM.

This is awesome. A news story about an ex-president that goes to Beloit for a private event sparks all this interest. Yet, yesterdays story on how the speaker of the house has not held down or investigated corruption gets 2 comments.

It took 8 years for Bush to crash the country, Yes, it might take 8 years to reverse it. Maybe more because many of Bush's policies extend into Obama's term like Bush's tax breaks for the rich that end Dec. 31st.

A new survey was released today :

89% of the people believe that they are the same or worse off than 2 years ago

11% feel they are better off.

Please draw your own conclusion..

This Great American Success Story warehouses some of its workers in buildings with no heat in the winter. For starters.

Census data from 2000-2010. Huge increase in gap between the richest 10% and the poorest 10%. 10% of the country own/or control 49% of the income in the country. The Bush policies resulted in "I got mine, and more of yours also."

Correct meh...tax breaks for the rich will help the little people IF it WOULD trickle down. IT DOESN"T !!! It didn't with Reagan/Bush and it didn't with Bush/Cheaney. Instead, what we got was giant bonuses for CEO's and a crashed economy. Rich people are greedy and they should PAY THEIR SHARE!!!

Many of you do not deserve a company like ABC in Rock County. My guess is that at a point sometime in the not too distant future they will relocate to a place that does not hate success the way this area does. When they do there will be much nashing of teeth, name calling and claims that "we can create a business that is just as succesful running it the "right" way." Of course this will never happen. When the recovery begins in much of the rest of the country and Rock County continues to run high double digit unemployment just remember, "Brother, you asked for it."

Luckee_clover..I'm so glad things have gotten better for you the past 2 yrs. I know of very few that can say that. Also, looks can be deceiving. I rushed out to see Nixon motercade through Beloit, but that didn't mean I had decided to vote for him. As for "when you are running this place someday," I suggest you keep and cherish your words spoken here...you may have to eat them some day. As an 'older generation' I've had a few meals on things contrary to my beliefs at the time. Thank you for having an opinion- even if it may be wrong.

Definately a LOW day in the history of Beloit.

Save the rich, vote repulican. Not !!!!!!!!!!!

If Bush wouldn't have stold the election from Gore, Obama wouldn't have this huge hole to climb out of. Remeber the surplus of the Clinton years. All anyone wants to remeber is the Lewinsky thing. Big deal. At least people had jobs then. And business's didn't take bail out money either. Another Bush invention along with the fear tactics he mastered.

jmac420 - Not nearly as much as Obama's visit. Guarantee ABC forked out a lot of their own cash.

Oh and btw johndenver, i wonder what it did cost the taxpayers!

PBRman, are you out of your mind!! Did you at all pay attention to the 8 years that clown was in office?

This "Mess"??? I'm sorry, but if you are referring to our economy, this started long before Obama took office. The threat of terrorism started before Bush took office. It doesnt matter what side of the fence you are on, the cause of our economic state is the spending of billions of dollars fighting a war...or as Bush wanted to convey to the public "search for weapons of mass destruction". Either way, any one issue cannot fully be blamed on ONE person. It takes more than one person to run our country.

OK, where are all the jobs then? If this so called less taxes for the rich works, how come there are no jobs? What has it been close to 10 years since this was introduced? Shouldn't we be just dripping in jobs now? Anyway, just wondering.

shut up with the "i wonder what that cost the taxpayer" crap

Extremely successful companies become a success by taking huge risks. Taking chances. Not being afraid, but still being smart about important decisions. A majority of people that don't experience some form of success in their lives have that occur because they waist their precious time being jealous of those that have. Rather than learning from others and worrying about themselves.

Thekid3477......believe me, there is absolutely no attempt to hide the arrogance in some of my replies!

Correct Woody, ABC(specifically the Hendricks family and the company's 5000 employees) would LOVE to see it's tax burden reduced. Rather than sending off the money to an inept government to have it get wasted away in another government welfare program, it can be reinvested in the company to help with it's current acquisition and also paid out to the employees through increased wages and bonuses. I have heard that the family treats their employees very well, as evidenced by ABC Supply winning several workplace awards......

the people donating to W's Library were billion dollar companies. The same people that always benefit under a republican administration...

woody - anyone successful would be stupid not to. Pretty simple. If you had a lot of money (maybe you do) you'd be wanting it too. I'm not in that category, but I now I appreciate the child credit tax break, etc or any tax break I can get for that matter.

It's all about keeping Bush's tax breaks for the rich. You can bet ABC Supply would LOVE to keep those tax breaks!

luckee_clover - First off, I wasn't the first one on here acting childish bashing a great company and man for having an ex-president speak. I believe it show's zero class and is extremely ignorant. Secondly, please enlighten everyone on how the numbers show it's better?
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As far as the others that weren't college students, I would expect nothing different. Madison is an extremely liberal town. I have nothing against Madison however. I could care less what party side you favor. I simply laugh at everyone that bashed Bush and continues too, but when dear 'ol Obama get's ridiculed, it's not fair. Don't sit here and tell me I'm the one brainwashed. I'm not that old, did the college bit and have experienced it all.
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Fact is Madison is doing better than practically everywhere and I find it funny that Obama chose to speak there, just for that reason alone.

If it's not political what is it? Obviously ABC paid for this private visit from Bush. Sure ABC has done well, but why do they want Bush to speak to their employees after he got the country into the mess it's in? Seems like ABC should have spoke to and given him some tips years ago.

how big of a stimulus would john mccain have had to pass to keep the economy going??

another cute smiley face to imply no arrogance when indeed arrogance is the odor.

im w luckee. we passed out thousands of harvestfest flyers on tues an there was no shortage of 'blue hairs' or parents with children there...all i assume brain washed too

Luckee......Please give us specific examples of these "actual numbers" that you are referring to.....Obama's $868 billion stimulus and his $1 trillion HCR don't give me that feeling of happy times being around the corner.......

PBRman life was better when CLINTON was in office Bush left it a mess....

If you would all look at the actual numbers, "the mess" has gotten better in the last two years. You can't expect Obama to fix what took 8 years to do. He even said in his campaign that things would look bad at first, but he's undoing things. Maybe you should look at the fact that he is a respectable man and remember what was going on when he took over, we were on the brink of a full on depression.

Your beloved right-wingers want to give tax breaks to the wealthy and run this country based on major corporations. Tell me if you honestly think that sounds like a good idea.
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spark - Seriously, go ahead and bash us "brainwashed college kids" but we are going to be running this place someday. Also, you should have seen the number of people there that were not college students, what's your excuse for them? You can assume we are the brainwashed ones, but you are wrong. It is a majority of the older generation that can't seem to think for themselves. The republicans open their mouths and you throw more money and support their way. The majority of college students (not kids) are more open minded and better educated, despite what you assume! Clearly you don't know what happens when you assume...if you do then you don't mind making an ass of yourself (you do it so well).

So thats why all the county squad cars were sitting at the airport this morning. I wonder what that cost taxpayers?

I work for ABC and there is a reason it has received the Gallup Great workplace award for the last several yrs. Im proud to work for this company and the event today was one I will never forget. Regardless of how one feels about President Bushs politics to listen to him speak in person was an awesome experience. Apparently Sannio knows not a thing about this family or the company otherwise they would not have made such an ignorant comment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx7a3leZJ...

Apparently so!

The man making it 10 times worse just left yesterday.

lefties don't think, they criticize and complain.

Crickett- I agree with you. And I thought he stunk as president. But we should all be respectful anyway. It's neat regardless what side of the fence you're on. I also loved that Obama was in Madison and I also love the lizard comment. HA

"ABC is a nationwide distributor now totaling more than 300 locations and growing monthly."
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Socialism NOT a part of ABC's success.

sannio - Have a little class. ABC and Ken Hendricks are model for many to follow, regardless of your political beliefs.

It was an honor to have a former President speak at a company that is a true American success story (no matter what your political affiliation.) President Bush was engaging, funny, gracious and proud of this country.

I thought ABC Supply was a respectable business?
Guess not.

Gandalf
That's the left over stench from Madison. Bush is here to freshen the air!!!

Gandalf.....The smell is probably coming from your trailer home.......Those self-contained septics aren't all their cracked up to be:)

A couple with real class. Laura loved the the time spent in the white house and was greatful to the staff.They didn't steal any furniture when they left either.

Spark your right on that one.

Ezoner, she engaged in one questionable act in her past, but, yes, it was nice of Laura Bush to pay Beloit a visit. ☺

Sure beats meeting with people in their backyards and meeting in the one city that isn't struggling in front of a bunch of brainwashed college kids.

About time -- someone with integrity visited the area

Life sure was better when he was in office. Can't say that now.....

He came to claim his lost lizzard!

Wonder if he's looking for weapons of mass destruction? Sure couldn't find anything in Iraq.

(yawn)

Wondered why county squads were posted along 51...

President Bush raised 100 million dollars for his library the first 100 days he left office. I wish people hated me that much!