Bill Maher slams Republican debate with facts
Bill Maher described the Republican debate as “an amazing conspiracy of delusion among the people on that stage.” He said that the Republican candidates spoke about the world as if it was on fire and that the United States was in the toilet.
Bill Maher took exception to Trumps “we have to make America great again” which is articulated by other candidates even if using different words. They all claim that we have to restore things to the way they were before. Bill Maher then went on to itemize the successes of the Obama administration contrasted with what George W. Bush left him.
- Unemployment went from 7.2% to 5.1 %.
- Gas prices went from $3.24 to $2.31.
- Percentage of uninsured went from 15% to 9.2%.
- Oil imports went from eleven million barrels per day to 4.5 million.
- Teen pregnancy went from 40.2 birth per thousand to 26.5.
- Iran went from 19,000 centrifuges to under six thousand.
- GDP growth went up from -.3% to 3.7%.
- The Dow Jones average went from 10,365 to 16,000.
Maher then asked if the Republicans really wanted to return to the past. George Pataki attempted to re-frame the narrative. Pataki claimed that Americans are not feeling that success. Petaki also said that the recovery was weak. Mark Cuban corrected him. This is the longest period in history without a recession.
Republicans constantly claim that worker participation in the labor force is lower than normal. What they never add is that one of the major reasons that is the case is that baby boomers are retiring. That volume alone will be reducing participation rates for some time to come.
Bill Maher challenged Petaki’s inability to accept truth. “Governor, what is more important,” Maher asked. “Facts or what people think..”
Pataki answered correctly but immediately reverted to the standard GOP talking points. Watch the video to get the entire context.