If you happened to catch the CNBC debate on Wednesday night one thing was fairly obvious… This was an effort to attack and bring down the Republican candidates.
Fortunately, the candidates maintained their composure and the moderators came across looking like jerks.
This was the least civil and most slanted debate I’ve ever seen. It might as well have been on MSNBC with Bill Maher, Al Sharpton, and Rachel Maddow as the moderators. These 3 might have been less obnoxious and badgering then the ones CNBC rolled out.
Lead moderator John Harwood was by far the worst offender with questions like this one directed at Donald Trump…
“Let’s be honest… Is this a comic book version of a presidential campaign?”
He also said this to Trump…
“You have as much chance of cutting taxes that much without increasing the deficit as you would of flying away from that podium while flapping your arms”
Or when he asked Mike Huckabee this rude question…
“When you look at him (Trump) do you see someone with the moral authority to unite the country?”
This question was met by loud boos from the crowd.
This biased aggression wasn’t lost on the candidates as many called out the moderators.
After constant badgering and interrupting on a question Chris Christie chimed back with…
“Even in New Jersey what you’re doing is called rude”
We even had Marco Rubio offer up this…
“Democrats have the ultimate super PAC. It’s called the mainstream media.”
Though perhaps the best comeback of the night belonged to Ted Cruz when he said…
“The questions asked in this debate illustrate why the American people don’t trust the media… This is not a cage match. ‘Donald Trump, are you a comic book villain?’ ‘Ben Carson, can you do math?’ John Kasich, will you insult two people over here?’ ‘Marco Rubio, why don’t you resign?’ ‘Jeb Bush, why have your numbers fallen?’ How about talking about the substantive issues?”
I couldn’t agree more with this comment by Ted Cruz. Bravo!
Ultimately, this attempt to bring down the GOP candidates back fired. The candidates were able to get their points across without stooping down to their level.
I get it tough questions should be a part of all Presidential debates. Badgering, name calling, belittling, and editorializing should not be. Especially from the moderators who claim to be “un-biased journalists”.
What were your thoughts? Do you think there is a chance we’ll see anything close to this in the Democratic debates?
Let’s dive into some reader feedback after this word from our sponsor…
During this recent campaign we’ve heard Democratic candidates like Bernie Sanders say the US should adopt the policies of Scandinavian countries.
Here was some feedback on my article regarding why the US should NOT be more like Scandinavia.
“The Scandinavian countries are in free fall because of the cost of the migrants from all over the world. They won’t be much of a paragon of state funded health care with all the new immigrants taking over the countries. “
-Ann
My comment: Ann, you’re right. This is a major problem in those countries.
Here’s one reader who thinks Bernie Sanders should move…
“Maybe we should all pool our money & buy him a one way ticket to a Scandinavian Country, & any of his cohorts if they want to live like the Scandinavians do.”
-Mary
My comment: That’s the great thing about America. If you don’t like it you’re more than welcome to leave.
“I too would like the US to be more like Scandinavian countries.
People with consciences, people with ethics and morals, people with hearts, realize that the least of these is just as important as the “greatest” of these.
You, my friend, are not entitled to hang on to riches earned on the backs of others. You need workers, and so you should realize that workers need a living wage, access to health care, good food to eat and clean air to breathe.
Once you’ve extracted all you can from them during their working life, they deserve a reward–retirement without worry.
You and your ilk do not need to control and own all the wealth of our country. Period.”
-Diane
My comment: What riches have I earned off of “the backs of others”? Anyone, I’ve ever hired, both as a full time or contract worker, has done so willingly and been compensated fairly. If you care so much about the “working man” maybe you can elaborate more on the jobs you’ve created.
However, I think you missed a key point in the article. It’s not just the rich paying high taxes in these countries, it’s everyone. In Denmark people earning the equivalent of over $60,000 a year are taxed at the highest marginal rate of 60%. This is not the rich! Plus you add in the highly regressive 25% VAT (sales tax).
“This word needs to get out there because “Occupy Democrats” and other sites sell it like that. Finland: the happiest country on the earth.”
-Cathy
My comment: Thanks Cathy. This was the exact reason I wrote this article. I believe people are greatly misinformed about these countries. If they’re so happy why do Denmark and Iceland lead the world in anti-depressant consumption? Also, it’s not the rich paying for all of these entitlements; this burden falls heavily on the middle class and poor. People also don’t widely know about the terrible racism that takes place in these “progressive” countries as I pointed out in the article as well.
“The countries in Northern Europe are great. The people make great products and the governments take care of all their people. True their taxes are high, but this provides for all the people. They do not get into outside wars.”
-Curtis
My comment: Thanks for your comment Curtis. People are certainly entitled to this opinion, if that’s what you want. Just remember all of this will come at a price, and it is price everyone will pay. Not just the rich.
Here was one comment on the long winters and darkness in Scandinavia.
“I just want to point out that there really isn’t six months of darkness in the Scandinavian countries. They aren’t any different than Alaska & we had at least four hours of sun & close to six hours of light even on the shortest day of the year. It isn’t hard to get used to, however, if I had a choice between the two I would definitely pick Alaska. It’s a whole lot nicer than Florida.”
-Patricia
My comment: Patricia thanks for reaching out to us. Alaska is a beautiful state. I would never consider 4 hours of sun to be ideal. However many Scandinavian countries face the “Polar Night”. These are periods of darkness that last more than 24 hours. Florida isn’t without its own flaws, but I’ll live with them.
Next we hear from a reader who was fed up with Norway and left…
“I left Norway back in the mid 60’s, did not want to become a miserable S.O.B. like the rest over there… 25% VAT (sales tax) + 85% tax on liquor, tobacco products, gasoline, and cars, and everything that has to do with cars. 10 to 20 US $ a day in road tolls just to get to work and back. Road tolls were supposed to be included in the gas tax. Today it is about $8 a gallon. It is just like in Russia, unless they are drunk, they don’t have any fun.
Try to call an ambulance, that’s a joke. They send a doctor with the subway, or the bus. Months long waiting lines to get in to the hospitals, and if you have Cancer, forget it, they can’t afford the drugs, “the richest country in the world”. The only thing I can brag about, schools, some of the world’s best. If Sanders wants to turn this country in to Norway, I’ll pack my bags once more. Thanks for listening.”
-Kurt
My comment: Thanks for sharing. It’s good to hear from someone who has lived it and experienced it firsthand.
Next we have this piece of hate mail…
“Listen (BLEEP)hole I’m not stupid, neither I’m a communist, do me a favor and stop your messages, I consider you a dangerous, murderous mastermind, just like your Muslim in Chief, Pol Pot, Stalin, Mao Sedung, Kim Jong Un, Fidel Castro and Maduro. Do us all a favor and move to another planet and stop being a toilet bug…”
-Eduardo
My comment: Not sure what you’re reading. I’m a “murderous mastermind”? That’s a first. We’ve gone ahead and unsubscribed you so you don’t have to hear about my plotting to destroy the world.
I get it… Many people aren’t going to agree with some of the things I write about. I encourage you to let me know so we can debate those points.
However, I have no clue what Eduardo is going on about.
Thanks again for all of your feedback. I hope you have a blessed, enjoyable, and relaxing weekend.
