It's all on how you're raised . I was raised by Roman Catholic Irish Democrats . They all vote Republican now .
You need to turn MSNBC off the TV at home
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Maybe they should turn off the Fox News as well.
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Think long and hard about why the GOP is always trying so hard to defund education. ;)
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Says who?

I want to stop funding insane teacher pensions, because they are stupidly expensive and they don't help kids perform better in school.

Here is a true question...if the democrats care so much about "choice", and they care so much about education, why are they so opposed to school choice? Why do democrats force poor people, mostly blacks, to continue to go to horrific, failing schools?

Answer - democrats care a lot more about placating the teachers unions, than they care about choice or about education.

bet he also thinks Hillary has an 'impressive resume", is honest and trustworthy and looks really hot in a pant suit

as usual you get it part right and that's an incredibly disingenuous statement......some in the GOP would like to end Federal involvement in education....think about it Eben, if States didn't have to send the money to the Feds to then be filtered through many grabbing hands before making it's way back to the State...the States might have more money for education..I wonder how much "corporate welfare" is handed out through the Department of Education http://www.theatlantic.com/business/...e/257456/..the... pensions that Jim referred are part of the massive unfunded liability that the States currently enjoy, I don't see how you unfund something that is already unfunded

By LYNN O'SHAUGHNESSY MONEYWATCH January 28, 2015, 5:15 AM

Teacher pensions: The math adds up to a crisis

Teacher pension plans from across the country are staggering from a half-trillion dollars in debt. Put in perspective, that's more than $10,000 worth of debt for every student in the nation's primary and secondary schools.

In 2014, state teacher pension systems had a total of $499 billion in unfunded liabilities, which has risen $100 billion in just two years, according to a new report from the National Council on Teacher Quality, a nonpartisan research and policy group dedicated to restructuring the teaching profession.

The report card on teacher pensions found that 70 cents of every dollar contributed to state pension systems pays for this massive debt rather than covering current employees' future retirement benefits.

"The math on state teacher pension policy doesn't add up," suggested Sandi Jacobs, the organization's vice president. "The funding crisis is staggering, yet the structure of most states' pension systems isn't giving teachers what they need.

Morning Joe is about the only MSNBC I watch at home...
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Bingo. If you want an idea of how the Democratic party has changed (radicalized) in the last 50 years, look at the party agenda throgh the eyes of a Catholic. In my parents' time, it was assumed that Catholics would vote Democrat. A Catholic was elected President as a Democrat, for Pete's sake! Granted, he wasn't what you would call a model Catholic (what with the affairs, and the mafia hits and all...)...but can you imagine a Catholic running for President as a Democrat today? The Democrats, at the national level, absolutely despise Catholicism. The Catholic catechism is unchanged during that period. What happened is that the Democrats embraced San Francisco-style liberal ideology.

So today, democrats have "progressed" to the point where it's bourgeoise to say that boys should use the boys' locker room and girls should use the girls' locker room. To Democrats, only Archie Bunker still clings to such neanderthalic, hateful bigotry.

So where do you get your news, from the North Korea TV station?

I get mine from watching Hee Haw re-runs.

You mean like VP Joe Biden or Martin O'Malley?

According to Pew, a majority of Catholic voters supported Gore, Kerry and Obama twice in the Presidential elections.

Additionally, right now there are nearly as many Dem Catholics as Rep's in the House (68-70) and a majority Dem Catholic in the Senate (15-11).

Spence, why don't you tell Jim about the Repubs. in the past who supported amnesty, or tax increases or environmental regulation in the past. Those would never happen now.
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Sorry, allow me to clarify...imagine if a Catholic, who wasn't deserving of excommunication for being pro-abortion (therefore being anti-Catholic) ran for President.

I'm not talking about phonies who call themselves Catholic on Sunday because they want that vote, then go to pro-abortion rallies on Monday because they also want that vote.

You cannot be Catholic and be pro-abortion. You can call yourself Catholic and be pro-abortion, just as I can call myself a vegan but win a rib eating contest.

VP Joe Biden's executive branch has been the subject of several suits on behalf of the Catholic Church (another one, from Little Sisters Of The Poor, is at the Supreme Court now). I forgot what a swell Catholic he is that he has been sued by the church. He's a disgrace to his church.

Repubs are opposed to all environmental regulation? I must have missed that. I am conservative, and I support all reasonable environmental legislation.

I have no problem with tax increases that are necessary. With all the useless fat that could be trimmed right now, we should cut all that first before we talk about tax increases. Fair enough?

The National Endowment of the Arts subsidizes opera tickets for multi-millionaires. Same for tax rebates for electric cars, which are tax breaks for the wealthy, as poor people don't buy a Prius or a Tesla. Cut stupid spending first. Then, if we clearly need more revenue, we can raise taxes. Is that unreasonable?

"a majority of Catholic voters supported Gore, Kerry and Obama twice in the Presidential elections."

A majority of people who identify as Catholics, as opposed to actually being Catholic, voted for those rabidly pro-abortion democrats. I don't know how many true Catholics voted for them. I'd guess zero true Catholics voted for them, but if you knew anything about the Catechism, you'd know that.

Again, I addressed your questions (tough, probing, and fair questions) head-on, as best as I could. Any chance you could show me the same courtesy?

How about telling me why Hilary's lies don't make her a liar, in your eyes? Give it a shot.

I guess I'm not sure what you mean by amnesty? I believe Trump is the only candidate saying he would deport all of them, and 75% of GOP voters don't support Trump. Can you clarify? By amnesty, do you mean make them citizens? Hell, no. They can stay if they don't break any more laws. Citizenship should be a reward for people who play by the rules, and endure additional hardship because of it.

Martin O'Malley

- Attended a parish elementary in Bethesda, Md., and Jesuit-run Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C.
- Earned his undergraduate degree at the Catholic University of America in Washington
- He’s a pray-every-morning, church-every-Sunday (St. Francis of Assisi in Baltimore) believer who sent all four of his kids to Catholic schools.

i.e. Phony

Jim and I went around on this previously; apparently (and I didn't know the dogma well enough), being pro-choice is grounds for ex-communication.

Have they?
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And what's O'Malley polling at, exactly?

Biden is a phony. He has routinely championed legislation that spits in the face of what he claims to be his religious beliefs. If you want to explain that with something other than "apples and oranges" be my guest. So do phonies like Nancy Pelosi.

Spence, Catholicism requires Catholics to be opposed to abortion. It's not optional.

Now, how does the DNC typically describe people who are anti-abortion? Does the DNC roll out the red carpet for pro-life folks? Or do we get accused of being anti-choice, of waging war on women, and of attacking women's health?

You tell me. I'm all ears.

He's also pro abortion. Meaning, his beliefs are outside of what's allowed for Catholics.

So yes, phony.

Catholicism is made up of binding beliefs (have to go to Church, have to believe Jesus is the son of God), and non-binding beliefs (which are suggestions, but not mandatory, like saying the rosary and being opposed to the death penalty.

Opposition to abortion is a binding belief. You are not Catholic if you are pro-abortion. I can go to vegan meetings, I can say the vegan oath 10 times a day, I can do all kinds of things to outwardly appear like a vegan. But guess what Spence? If I eat steak, I'm not a vegan. It doesn't matter what else I do.

Whether or not a pro-abortion politician actually gets ex-communicated is up to their local bishop. Some have been. All are subject to it. There's no ambiguity around whether or not their beliefs subject them to excommunication. Unfortunately, there's no rule that requires the bishops to do it.

I have a solid fact for you. The real catholic church is happy to take the money of anybody who calls themselves catholic. And trust me when I tell you that the more they give,the more they are welcome.
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can't disagree with that....my biggest disappointment with the church beyond the scandals is the incessant fundraising apparatus.....I have piles of envelopes at my house from multiple church's requesting donations for everything under the sun, newsletters telling you how much of your "time, talent and treasure" that you "should" be contributing...everything has a fee attached to it...not unlike government except that it's still voluntary(if you want to get to heaven)

Not sure you're speaking from experience or hearsay , but I'm pretty sure that can be said of most religions . One thing I do find ironic about the whole abortion thing on this site. Some would defend the commercial harvesting a baby body parts but lambaste the commercial harvesting a striped bass .
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I guess I havent noticed that
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More of that happens than I would care to admit.

What do they do with that money? Any guesses?

It goes to bribe Saint Peter to let you into heaven and to forget about all those sins you (the one giving all that money to the church) racked up over the years.

Oh wait. It's going to all the males who were sexually abused / raped by those who called them selves messengers of gods will and word.
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Whatever.

Last night Nebe, some of your fellow citizens received a free meal at a Catholic soup kitchen, free healthcare at a Cathoilic hospital, free boarding at a Catholic shelter, adoption services at a Catholic entity, and subsidized education at Catholic schools. None of that stuff is free.

Liberals claim that conservatives don't care about helping the
poor, then Sea Dangles acts like the church needs to be called out for aggressive fundraising to do just that. Can't win.

And everyone involved in the sexual abuse, should be in jail.

What about all the pro-choice Catholic organizations? They're all fake as well? Why not get the bishops to push them all out, I mean they're not really Catholics right?

Is it possible the Church's position isn't really that black and white because they need the people or to Dangles point because they want the money?

If the Church is willing to compromise a fundamental tenant what does that say about it's faith?

And if you're interested, it's not a fact. The church has rejected donations when principles were at stake. Sylvester Stallone, who claims to be Catholic, wanted one of his many weddings to be at St Patrick Cathedral in NYC, he offered to make a huge donation to the chirch if they agreed, they said no thanks.

The Catholic Church is very aggressive about raising money. Much of that money, goes to people in need. I don't see a lot of priests living in luxury, not in proportion to the hours they put in.

What religion are you, Dangles? How many hospitals, soup kitchens, schools, homeless shelters, does your church operate? It takes $$.

Being against abortion doesn't necessarily mean you're Catholic either .
I'm going to be a grandfather in a few months . I dare you to look at a modern ultrasound of a three month old fetus and not believe that that is a life . Not condemning those that have abortions just telling you the reality of the situation. It's all very sad
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"What about all the pro-choice Catholic organizations? They're all fake as well?"

The organizations might be real, they might do a lot of good. Pro-abortion people can do wonderful things. What they cannot do, is be Catholics in good standing. Frame it any way you want, spin it any way you want. Being anti-abortion is a binding belief of the Cathchism.

"Is it possible the Church's position isn't really that black and white "

No. The church's position is as black and white as it gets. Some bishops may choose to tolerate pro-abortion folks (showing a lot more tolerance than your side does with pro-life folks), but that doesn't change the church's position on the issue, which is black-and-white.

"If the Church is willing to compromise a fundamental tenant what does that say about it's faith"

It says that Catholics share the same flaws that everyone else has. That shouldn't suprise you, but I guess it does.

I answered every single question you asked. Now, can I ask a simple one, and expect the same courtesy?

How come Hilary's lies don't say anything about her integrity, but Carson's lies say something about him? Please be more specific than "apples and oranges", that doesn't exactly explain the double standard you apply. Doesn't seem fair that I answer your questions, and you countinuously dodge mine.

"I'm going to be a grandfather in a few months "

Congratulations, good luck!

"I dare you to look at a modern ultrasound of a three month old fetus and not believe that that is a life"

To liberals, convenience trumps basic empathy.

"It's all very sad"

An understatement. Liberals now support the right of men to use the ladies' room, as long as said man chooses to self-identify as something other than that which he obviously is. I guess my brain isn't that evolved, maybe it requires years of Ivy League education to think that's not sick.

Every non profit that doesn't 'earn' $ (think AAA) needs to constantly fund raise. Any time you give $ to a charity, you get lots of follow up requests.

More on Carson

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican presidential contender Ben Carson has maintained a business relationship with a close friend convicted of defrauding insurance companies and testified on his behalf, even as the candidate has called for such crimes to be punished harshly.


Pittsburgh dentist Alfonso A. Costa pleaded guilty to a felony count of health care fraud after an FBI probe into his oral surgery practice found he had charged for procedures he never performed, according to court records.

Though the crime carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison, Costa was able to avoid prison time after Carson helped petition a federal judge for leniency.

That's different from the position Carson took in 2013 as he prepared to launch his presidential campaign, saying those convicted of health care fraud should go to prison for at least a decade and be forced to forfeit "all of one's personal possessions."

At Costa's 2008 sentencing hearing, Carson described the dentist as "one my closest, if not my very closest friend."

"We became friends about a decade ago because we discovered that we were so much alike and shared the same values and principles that govern our lives," Carson told the judge, adding that their families vacationed together and that they were involved in "joint projects."

"Next to my wife of 32 years, there is no one on this planet that I trust more than Al Costa," Carson said.

Costa has served on the board of Carson's charity, the Carson Scholars Fund, and continues to lead the charity's fundraising efforts in the Pittsburgh area to provide $1,000 college scholarships to children in need.

Before his criminal conviction and the revocation of his license to practice dentistry, Costa built a multimillion-dollar fortune through commercial real estate. Investments Carson and his wife made through Costa earn the couple between $200,000 and $2 million a year, according to financial records that Carson was required to file when he declared his candidacy.

Costa also continues to promote his involvement with Carson's charity as part of his real estate business, prominently featuring the logo of the Carson Scholars Fund on the company's website. His son has worked with Carson's presidential campaign and a political committee founded by the retired neurosurgeon.
© AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar This Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015 photo shows the office building, owned by BenCan LLC, and INBS LLC, in Mount Lebanon, Pa. Republican presidential contender Ben Carson has maintained a business relationship with a close friend, Pittsburgh dentist Alfonso Costa, convicted of defrauding insurance companies, even as the candidate has called for such crimes to be punished harshly. In 2007, a few months before Costa was charged, records show that a pair of corporations was established in Pennsylvania called BenCan LLC, and INBS LLC. Carson and his wife are listed as the sole members of the companies. Doug Watts, the campaign's spokesman, said Wednesday he was unable to immediately respond to specific questions about land deals involving Carson and Costa. The AP contacted Watts on Tuesday and again Wednesday.

"I will confirm they are best friends and that they do hold business investments together," Watts said.

Costa did not respond to messages seeking comment.

The breadth of the two men's business ties has not been previously reported, partly because details can be obscured in property and incorporation records. Costa's company and its affiliates own properties in at least five states and overseas.

In 2007, a few months before Costa was charged, records show that a pair of corporations was established in Pennsylvania called BenCan LLC, and INBS LLC. Carson and his wife are listed as the sole members of the companies. Though the Carsons live outside Baltimore, the mailing address on the incorporation forms was Costa's home address in Pittsburgh.

BenCan and INBS then paid more than $3 million to purchase an office building in suburban Pittsburgh. The mailing address for the corporations listed on the deed matches the office of Costa's real estate firm, Costa Land Co.

That September, federal prosecutors charged Costa, accusing him of fraud committed over a nearly five-year period, according to court records. Investigators determined that Costa's dental practice charged more than 50 patients for procedures that had not been performed, resulting in a loss of more than $40,000 to insurance companies.

After Costa pleaded guilty, 40 of his family members, friends and dental patients wrote letters to the judge as character witnesses. Carson was one of three people who also testified at Costa's 2008 sentencing hearing, stressing his friend's charitable works and vouching for his personal integrity. Also testifying on Costa's behalf was Jerome Bettis, a beloved former Pittsburgh Stealers running back who had helped bring home a Super Bowl trophy to the city two years earlier.

The government urged the judge to make an example of Costa.

"Reduction of a sentence based on good works by a wealthy person can create the appearance that a defendant's financial resources and prominent connections can skew the justice system in ways not available to persons of lesser means," a prosecutor told the judge.

In the end, Costa got no prison time. He was sentenced to one year of house arrest and 100 hours of community service, and ordered to pay more than $294,000 in fines and restitution. Costa later got 12 months shaved off his three-year probation.

Though Costa was assigned to serve his sentence in his 8,300-square-foot mansion in nearby Fox Chapel, his lawyers repeatedly returned to court to seek permission for him to travel. A few months after starting his sentence, Costa asked to travel to the White House as one of 10 invited guests at a June 2008 ceremony where President George W. Bush presented Carson with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The judge denied that request, though Costa was later allowed to take a month-long trip to the Italian coast while on probation to handle what his lawyer described as urgent business at a resort he owns.

Carson's appeal for leniency toward Costa contradicts the draconian criminal penalties he called for in his 2013 political treatise, "America the Beautiful." In his book, Carson wrote that anyone found guilty of health care fraud should face what he called the "Saudi Arabian Solution."

"Why don't people steal very often in Saudi Arabia?" Carson asked. "Obviously because the punishment is the amputation of one or more fingers. I would not advocate chopping off people's limbs, but there would be some very stiff penalties for this kind of fraud, such as loss of one's medical license for life, no less than 10 years in prison, and loss of all of one's personal possessions."

Despite the tough-on-crime message, Carson and his wife kept their investment with Costa in the years since his conviction. Tax bills for the Pittsburgh office building owned by the couple are mailed to Costa Land Co. A recent lease for a portion of the property was signed on the Carsons' behalf by the president of Costa's company.

should't that read "More on Costa"?

this guy works too hard,...Hillary made a lot more than that in like.... 1 day.... on cattle futures

No, it shows how Carson's actions don't match his public statements and that he continues to associate with a convicted felon.

Given how Jim has made Pres. Obama's membership in Rev. Wright's church a centerpiece of his complaints, I would think he is going to be constantly bringing this up every time he posts about Carson (especially as sitting in church isn't nearly the same as having a financial arrangement (maybe a partnership??) with someone.)

Here is why it is different......

Hilary's current husband used a young girl's reproductive organs as an ashtray (but my side is waging war on women), was impeached for lying about it, and was disbarred. Meaning, a group of lawyers decided he was too unethical to be included in their club.

If we judge candidates by the company they keep, let's dump both Carson and Hilary and move on? Paul, are you OK with that?

cuz Obama and the minions set the very low standard going forward...as Eben would say meh?