Business

Fiddling While Rome Burns: A Fired-Up Santelli Challenges U.S. Leaders to Get Serious on the Economy & Stop Making Excuses

Rick Santelli, the man commonly credited with starting the Tea Party, criticized U.S. leaders Friday for spending more time coming up with excuses for why they can’t seem to fix the economy than developing actual solutions.

“Today we’re going to discuss the jobs report,” he said, referring to the Labor Department’s latest jobs data, “80,000 — a far cry from the type of number we need. But let’s really dig down into the solutions, priorities, and excuses. Right now, I really do feel like Nero. I feel as though many of the leaders in the country look at these numbers and they come up with excuses.”

He continued, arguing that instead of actually addressing the U.S.’ economic woes, the country’s leaders have invested more time in blaming President George W. Bush and claiming that they simply didn’t know how bad things were.

“Here’s the issue the way I see it,” Santelli said, “in 2008, both candidates — Mr. McCain and Mr. Obama — they knew things weren’t good. They were hooked in on everything because we had a lame duck president. They watched the crisis unfold before their very eyes.”

“When it comes to solutions, I want to see some programs that don’t blame the last guy,” he added.

“And the other issue is on these excuses. I don’t want to hear economists from Ivy League schools have excuses because that type of an excuse comes not from their intellect (because they’re smart men and women), it comes from an ideology,” Santelli argued.

“We need people in the economic community that are willing to give good advice, not the advice based on their view of the world from a political vantage point,” he added.

Comments (57)

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  • truther2
    Posted on July 8, 2012 at 1:05am

    People, there are no jobs and there hasn’t been many since Bill Clinton left Office.

    In a July, 2010, story in BUSINESS WEEK, the Writer called the period from 1999 – 2009; “The Lost Job Decade.” Here’s why. During that period, the Private Sector created only 1.1 Million Jobs; and, even some of those can’t be attributed to the Private Sector, because, they were spin-offs, from the Public Sector that needed products or services which, they, themselves were unable to provide.

    A couple of other FACTS make this Job Creation Record – - Disgusting! 1. During this same period, the Corporate Welfare Pigs sucked a Trillion Dollars out of the Government Trough. (Corporate handouts and perks of all kinds, were running about $100 Billion a year.) 2. Also, during this SAME period, President Bush gave the Rich the largest Tax Cut in American History. In fairness to Bush, it appears he may have been, “dubbed,” much like we all are today. The Rich were supposed to create jobs and invest in America; but, neither happened! They just made out like, Bandits!

    Anyone who believes in Free Markets, probably believes in the Easter Bunny as well. Folks, we haven’t had Free Market Capitalism for over 35 years, and, maybe NEVER!

    Loose Regulations and the Repeal of Glass-Steigall, got us extremely high risk behavior on Wall Street; and, led to the Crash of 2008, which, some Economists of the Era are calling, “The Great Wall Street Heist.” More later.

    Report Post »  
  • sallyredneck
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 3:21pm

    Obama don’t want to fix America, Rick, he wants us to be a communist country, get over it.

    Report Post »  
  • TLS
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 12:51pm

    The People in Washington Don’t remember what the free market can do every year they add regulation! That simply roadblocks to job creation, then they wonder why there are no jobs! Cut regulations and taxes and DRILL baby DRILL!

    Report Post »  
  • Unix
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 11:43am

    yep, while Rome burns Nero fiddles! Rick is right, and our Govt is corrupt, and incompetent. Oblamer has us marching towards Socialism/Communism, and his Progressive minions spit on our Constitution. The Republicans have lost their cajones and their way! When the house of cards falls, there will be a day of reckoning I guess, said to say it, but that is my humble opinion. There are too many morons out there who just don’t get it, they have no idea what made this country great…FREE MARKET CAPITALISM and The Constitution. They can all take a long walk off a short pier for all I care, may they end up in Iran, and try to spew their lies!

    Report Post » Unix  
  • ROY S. MALLMANN
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 11:37am

    A lot of this recession was a self fulfilling prophecy because you cannot have a candidate like Barack Obama who was approaching Diety status at the time, telling everybody how bad the economy was, when in fact it wasn’t. We were going into a normal recession, nothing more. After years of record growth and “full employment”, you will see declining figures as you return to normal. The only way Obama could get elected was to destroy the then current administration. I watched this happen, starting with NPR’s magnifying every figure showing decline. Obama who was on every media channel for hours each day told the people how bad things were getting, so guess what, people quit buying homes, cars, large consumer goods, all starting because housing starts dropped 2% to start it.. Now when people quit buying, people lose their jobs and then more people quit buying, and on it goes. I watched this happen on a daily basis. Pretty soon people quit buying all together and the housing bubble burst. Obama got elected but at what cost. The audacity of it all is he said he inherited the mess that he caused. George Bush did not help because he had been attacked by the media so much he developed a “Bunker Mentality” and didn’t do a thing to counter the misperceptions. As a result of this housing slowdown the sub-prime fiasco was exposed and we were off to the races. The irony of the whole thing is that Barack H. Obama blamed George Bush and the Republicans for the entire thin

    Report Post »  
  • 65Plus
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 9:58am

    Keep talking Santilli. Hey, why doesn’t Romney pick you for VP? Oh, then you two could switch places. Nah, Romney won’t even come on Conservative shows – too scared of the questions. Just write in Santilli.

    Report Post » 65Plus  
  • needmoinfo
    Posted on July 7, 2012 at 1:18am

    Well now we know who can’t fix the economy. Or anything else for that matter. 3 1/2 months until the election and I don’t see him throwing any Hail Mary passes. Just counting on the lemmings following him off the cliff again. He knows his ideas don’t work and he refuses to do what will. His belief in his superiority is so rigid that he is incapable of change. Give him 4 more years and it will be a twin to the first term.

    Report Post »  
    • SocialistSlayer
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 7:50am

      No need to“give” him 4 more years. More than likely he will simply declare the election null and appoint himself dictator if he’s not re-elected. Wake up and be ready to take back our country and restore our constitution.

      Report Post » SocialistSlayer  
    • historyguy48
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 7:51am

      Comrade, Dear Leader Loves You! Just look at the way he’s trying to F–k you! So don’t be so negative because nobody can fix this mess!
      Comrade this mess will repair itself and far sooner than you will believe it can happen!
      The USSR of America (United Soviet Sicialist Republic) is preceived as being weak and, as always, the barbarians are at the gates! Only, unlike Rome, these barbarians come prepared to return us to the pre-industrial 18th century so they can easily move into our land and displace the stupid fools that were to weak to defend themselves!
      But don’t worry, barbarians usually don’t kill the entire indigenous population i.e. .05% of Americas native population is still with us. I wonder what percentage of our casinos they own?

      Report Post » historyguy48  
  • TookARisk
    Posted on July 6, 2012 at 11:26pm

    FINALLY, someone who calls it like most of America sees it… how utterly and wonderfully REFRESHING……but no one in the Obama Administration is listening, they are too busy writing up lists of more excuses, running around the country telling people all about contraception instead of rolling up their sleeves and getting to work.

    Report Post » TookARisk  
  • RightPolitically
    Posted on July 6, 2012 at 10:38pm

    Obama says he didn’t know how bad it really was. Obama says he needs four more years to make it right. My question is this: After three and a half ineffective years on the job regarding the economy while not knowing how bad it really was, why would anyone believe that he’ll make it right over the next four?

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
    • Obama_Sham
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 12:36am

      I guess he turned off that laser-like focus the day after inauguration…

      Report Post » Obama_Sham  
    • 65Plus
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 9:59am

      Democrat!Democrat!Democrat!

      Report Post » 65Plus  
  • wisehiney
    Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:10pm

    Santelli/Nugent 2012

    Report Post »  
  • 321481
    Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:49pm

    Obama would say, It’s Bushes fault, and consider that to cover everything!

    Report Post »  
  • Daveed
    Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:35pm

    “leaders have invested more time in blaming President George W. Bush and claiming that they simply didn’t know how bad things were”

    Let the American people tell you how bad it is. “Get the He!! out of our White House!”

    Report Post »  
  • wakewiseone
    Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:21pm

    if santelli is talking, we d BETTER BE LISTENING.

    cause this guy has great insight into what things ought to be done…………….

    better still………….santelli for president !!!!

    Report Post »  
    • DRAGONSEED
      Posted on July 8, 2012 at 4:40am

      No, thanks (to those saying “elect Santelli”). He may have some good ideas and insights, but we need to get the Chicagoans OUT of our White House, not put more of them into it. IMHO!

      Report Post » DRAGONSEED  
  • Ft Lauderdale Dad
    Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:21pm

    except the fiddle is shaped like a golf club

    Report Post » Ft Lauderdale Dad  
  • freedomisasfreedomdoes
    Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:19pm

    So what are we in for as a nation for the next 4 years? Blaming Bush? So are we to believe you are the guy a 2nd time around?

    Report Post » freedomisasfreedomdoes  
    • 65Plus
      Posted on July 7, 2012 at 10:01am

      Actually, blaming our current condition on President Polk is gaining ground in the intelligentsia circles.

      Report Post » 65Plus  
  • freedomisasfreedomdoes
    Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:18pm

    It really is true how much this current administration and the Uber Leftest Pundents blame Bush. Reagan just rolled up his sleeves and got to work vs the “poor me” attitude I inherited a blemished economy. He stood up and numerous times throughout his campaign in 2008 stated he was the guy for the job. And for the last 4 years he kept blaming Bush. So old.

    Report Post » freedomisasfreedomdoes  
  • Micmac
    Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:05pm

    @ Socialism.rocks

    Another useless idiot so I see. For an utopian-type (e.g., socialism, commy) government to work you have to have corporatism and the banks on-board. Through the Federal Reserve, Bernanke is the 2nd strongest person in US government…and he has NoBama’s back. Then you have business people like Jamie Dimon and companies like GE who have NoBama’s back. NoBama wants the banks to be strong but indebted to him, along with companies like GE. The cards are in play, but people like you don’t have the true knowledge to understand what is truly in play because instead of taking the time to study on your own you just listen to what your handlers tell and take it on face value. Tant pis mon ami. Jeopardy is on and it’s calling you.

    NoBama 2012

    Report Post »  
  • doomytram
    Posted on July 6, 2012 at 7:55pm

    It‘s all these Ivy League Academic Unemployment and Labor Economist’s to pack up and go back to Princeton and Yale with Krugman. Oblamer, the Amateur, sucks and his a horrid disaster, for sure, but that’s not enough. These Ivy League Pukes are the brains behind this jobless recovery, the shake down on Lemonade stands, and the Oblamer train wreck.

    Anyone with anything resembling a functioning brain that still supports the disastrous Obama puke is pathetic. I know it’s not enough to just harp on how pathetic Obama is….it‘s his Obamunist’s that are so amazingly ridiculous for believing and blindly supporting him like his drones.

    Report Post » doomytram  
    • Micmac
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:12pm

      He is a closet technocrat. Look at Italy and the current goings on ATM as an example. Only 16-18% of NoBama’s appointments have had private industry jobs, NoBama none, so he is just going to his comfort level, no matter how wrong he is and the final results guaranteed to fail. It’s his hubris, along with his vanity and spitefulness.

      NoBama 2012

      Report Post »  
  • Baddoggy
    Posted on July 6, 2012 at 7:50pm

    The problem is this…Romney will win the election in a landslide BUT the country will be in such bad shape and Romney will only do a few things that will make the Republican heeple happy. Then the meltdown will start and the Republicans will be in charge. That will make the pedulum swing back to the Commie Marxists.

    Unless we TAKE FULL CHARGE to end Big Government control and return to the Founding Fathers vision of TRUE FREEDOM we are doomed to be under Communist Socialist rule with no hope of returning to the Constitution. The slight movement back to the middle of the road Progressivism will kill us forever.

    Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • abbygirl1994
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:05pm

      Hahaha.. There is a reason why Democrats are called liberal… liberals are so liberal with your money,, Republican’s are called conservatives.. Whatever is coming, I am ready.. and I blame Obama and his merry men and women.. who have been about 14 trillion in spending.. You may blame the Republican’s or Bush, but the last two years Bush was in office he had a Democratic Senate and Congress to deal with.. and they spent like crazy.. two years into Obama, they spent like crazy!! And they are giving billions away to bankrupt solar industries.. billions away to Planned Parenthood which to be called Noparenthood.. kill your baby here! Give me a break.. look at history.. everytime and I mean everytime the Democrat socialist, liberal whatevers brought us to the brink of destruction it has been a Republican that brought us from going over the cliff! This time they have gone past the brink and we may just not come out of it.. Thanks to Demoncrats!

      Report Post » abbygirl1994  
    • MCDAVE
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:07pm

      vote tea party candidates…spend the next 4 yrs putting pressure on Romney…Romney has the opportunity to go history as a great man..if he would only do the right thing…Ron Regan wrote the book…just follow his example

      Report Post »  
    • Micmac
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:27pm

      @ MCDAVE

      Reagan, while in office was actually known as being a somewhat laisser faire president who, for 8 years, besides going after the Soviet Union, just let businesses and Wall Street run wild and unchecked, to a point. He had to turn around the debacle that Jimmy Carter caused with things such as 23% interest rates and 444. Lee Iacocca called it an 8 years period of calm. I’m not complaining as my business at the time did historically well until his idiotic tax change, making interest write-off non-deductible. Study him and you will see that he surrounded himself with smart people to make decisions for him. At the time it was clearly evident.

      I don’t see Romney being anything like Reagan. Romney will tinker but not make the big decisions needed to get us back on track, like gutting the Fed and the EPA., etc.

      NoBama 2012

      Report Post »  
    • MCDAVE
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 10:28pm

      @MICMAC Can I hope? Ron Paul was my first choice…I think we will have to force Romney to represent conservatives

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    • GeorgieJo
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 11:09pm

      ABBY–
      You are SO RIGHT!!!!
      The Libs like to say over and over again how BJ Clinton left a surplus
      WELL thats because he had a CONSERVATIVE CONGRESS
      LIBS spend like kiddies in a steroid candy shop
      Can we say BROKE?
      And now the Libbies want to send zillions to AFRICA for GREEN energy
      OMG OMG OMG 2012

      Report Post »  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on July 6, 2012 at 7:35pm

    The author of the deliberate destruction of our economy none other than BHO Barry Soetoro or any other alias the fraud in chief has and is currently using won‘t be corrected until he’s fired.Santelli is looking at the situation we‘re in with the idea of correcting the problem and doing what’s best for the American people while Barry has a totally different mindset,he‘s determined to make us into a third world country because everything he’s done will ensure just that.

    From wealth redistribution from the U.S to favored countries to the so called green energy that’ll bankrupt the coal industry and cause electricity rates to necessarily skyrocket to socialized medicine,it‘s all a well designed plan to bring America down and we’re witnessing it.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • MCDAVE
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 7:55pm

      @ Progressive…good to see a patriot on line tonight..

      Report Post »  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:03pm

      @MCDAVE Back at ya brother,just trying to straighten some people out and it’s an uphill challenge with most of these brainwashed lunatics but can be amusing destroying their illogical arguments.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • Exrepublisheep
    Posted on July 6, 2012 at 7:24pm

    Fidddling while Rome burns. Like this.The Supreme Court ruled last week that ObamaCare and it’s controversial “individual mandate” is constitutional under the taxing power and the repubes still meet to pass garbage go nowhere bills to keep the mass of repubes howling. As long as their barking at Obama the Patriot Act, indefinite detention, warrantless spying…etc will be passed without complaint.

    Report Post » Exrepublisheep  
    • ljjkj
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:11pm

      You are aware that a vote is scheduled for repeal, are you not? This will be a largely symbolic measure as the Senate is still in Democratic hands. Are you being purposely obtuse or did you really not know this?

      Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on July 6, 2012 at 7:02pm

    Understand clearly, Obama is in the grips of absolute madness from his god complex and narcissistic behaviours; he will never admit to being wrong on anything and is capable of lashing out at anyone with force, as long as he and others such as Pelosi and Reid remain in power, they will obstruct each and every effort to bring changes that will save the nation; and with their days numbered in office, I do see them shoving forward full speed to make sure the nation collapses with them into the fire as they are defeated across the board.

    Obama and Reid and Pelosi, along with the Progressives will either control and rule all or destory it all; there is no inbetween for them in their madness.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • socialism.rocks
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 7:28pm

      when the collapse happens and it will happen the people will want to know why and who supported the big bankers you know what is coming for him and you conservative retards the mass of people even the independents will turn on you just wait and see it will be open season on you idiots soon enough
      i cant wait the founders hated you conservative traitors…. you all have been traitors prior to 1776 i cant wait for open season

      down with the tories down with the conservatives liberty justice and freedom…. Conservativism = Tyranny

      Report Post » socialism.rocks  
    • MCDAVE
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 7:52pm

      @ socialism…Have you ever run a business, met a payroll,paid a mortgage,raised a family? ..I doubt it…..Have you done anything meaningful in your life?

      Report Post »  
    • GeorgieJo
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 7:54pm

      Snow
      Broke California just approved high speed rail
      Who is John Galt?

      OMG 2012

      Report Post »  
    • BLACKDIAMONDSKIER
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:55pm

      @ socialism.rocks

      You might want to learn how to construct a coherent sentence before being too critical of conservatives. At some point, your credibility comes into question when you can’t seem to form a complete thought or complete sentence while attacking conservatives as “idiots.” Also, have the guts to say what you mean instead of masking your evil desires under statements like “i cant wait for open season.“ For the ”idiots” sake of course.

      Report Post »  
    • bravjim
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:06pm

      Don’t sing it, bring it!. What are you going to do? Go out and break out some store windows? Are you drooling as you type? Will you be drooling when you are breaking windows, or will you just wait till you get arrested? Why so full of rage? Why so full o hatred? Most of all, why do you think it is that you need to rely upon the government rather than go out and make your own way? We are not a nation of reliance, we are a nation of strong, independent, and independently minded, capable of thought, reason, and virtue freemen. The quality of our work will determine the quality of our life. And when you follow the biblical sense of work, doing everything to the best of your ability, your life becomes abundantly blessed. And you won’t be so full of rage and anger anymore.

      Report Post »  
    • wisehiney
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:13pm

      @socialjismrocks – you can always recognize a weasel that has never been under fire, hope to meet you weasel

      Report Post »  
  • Scottsman
    Posted on July 6, 2012 at 7:02pm

    Sounds like we need a little more support for Ron Paul and his economic plans. Audit the Fed should be a good start. Followed by sound currency, less debt and market controlled interest rates.

    Report Post »  
    • soybomb315
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 7:10pm

      No kidding. I understand if someone disagrees with some of his constitutional beliefs but when it comes to financial….There is zero reason to disagre with him (unless you are progressive)

      Speaking of a progressive…..http://www.infowars.com/romney-takes-swipe-at-ron-pauls-budget-blueprint/

      Report Post » soybomb315  
    • Mutiny
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 8:19pm

      @soy

      The man proves over and over he has no clue. I dont believe he will win, I think the more and more people find out about Romney the fewer will vote for him. I mean Romney will be completely exposed and the people will say its unfair because Obama is protected by the media, but this is the real world and life isnt fair.

      Report Post » Mutiny  
    • chips1
      Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:18pm

      I sti;; think the Convention is going to be our greatest triumph. Romney hasn’t been nominated yet. Americans are not happy and they just might have a say so about their candidate.

      Report Post »  
  • seeker9
    Posted on July 6, 2012 at 6:57pm

    Could that last bit have been a swipe at Krugman – ideologist, campaigner, lastly an economist? Santelli makes sense.

    Report Post » seeker9  
  • Micah.Stone
    Posted on July 6, 2012 at 6:43pm

    Thanks to the failed policies and anti-business actions of OBOZO and his dictatorial regime, the American economy is no longer on life support – it is stone cold dead. Rigor mortis has passed and the economy has now become just a decaying, stinking corpse. In spite of this, bailout bernanke, to justify his massive salary and humongous benefits, continues to provide mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to this rotting pile. All that is doing is creating asset and bond bubbles which help his Wall Street masters reap massive profits, but which also will inevitably collapse causing equally massive harm to the poor and middle class. Even with bailout bernanke’s desperate and potentially harmful actions, the labor force participation rate – the most significant measure of US employment – continues to decline and is now at more than a 30 YEAR LOW, while “disability” claims and food stamp recipients are at an all time high.

    OBOZO / bailout bernanke insanity = repeating the same failed policies over and over again but expecting a different result.

    Report Post » Micah.Stone  
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