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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced this morning that Republicans will block any legislation from coming to the Senate floor until two key economic issues are addressed: funding the government (the “continuing resolution” which must pass to prevent a government shutdown) and the extension of the Bush-era tax cuts.
McConnell said that members of his caucus are united in the pledge to use procedural votes to prevent any other non-economic issues -- including the new START treaty, the DREAM Act, or the defense authorization bill that contains a potential repeal of the military’s Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy – from coming to the floor for debate.
"Republicans have pleaded with Democrats to put aside their wish-list - to focus on the things Americans want us to focus on," McConnell said on the Senate floor. "They've ignored us. The voters repudiated their agenda at the polls. They've ignored them."
In a letter signed by all 42 members of the GOP caucus, Republicans write that, "with little time left in this Congressional session, legislative scheduling should be focused on these critical priorities.”
“While there are other items that might ultimately be worthy of the Senate's attention, we cannot agree to prioritize any matters above the critical issues of funding the government and preventing a job-killing tax hike,” the letter reads.
Speaking on the Senate floor this morning, before McConnell made his remarks, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid slammed the GOP tactic as "very cynical, but very obvious and very transparent."
"With this letter, they have simply put in writing a political strategy Republicans have pursued this entire Congress," he said. "Namely: obstruct, delay; obstruct delay."
Msnbc.com's Carrie Dann contributed.
Leave a Comment:
Wow, the Republicans blocking the country's business so their rich buddies can get their money, I'm shocked, shocked I tell you, Mitch must have gotten the word from the Koches and the Faux news folks, they want their money now.
We elected Republicans to focus on the economy. Get over it, you lost. Ever hear that before?
They are doing the right thing.
Yeah. Like the financial crisis of 2008. You ever hear of that? The Republicans are the official party of negativity and of supporting the rich.
I say let them block all bills... I want to see two years of that.
You ever hear of 9/11 and how it crushed the US economy?
Hang in there Mitch, the DREAM act needs to be trashed not passed.....
What are you complaining about? It is not like Congress is doing anything for us anyway. Go to WallMart or Lowes and see if you can find ONE product Made in the USA. Hell, even the "Made in China" tags are now written in Spanish.
No one is guarding the Fort so why is this latest stunt by the Repubs or Democrats anything to say "Wow" about?
The Dems lost a boatload of seats in the last election. The Repub leadership is taking a stand that America has spoken. So get over it!
The GOP won't be happy until all their rich buddies
can drive their Rolls Royces over the dead bodies
of all those not rich enough to own a Rolls.
For those who consider themselves Christians.....
they sure all full of hate, lies and greed.
Republicans have a poor history of fixing the economy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_debt_by_U.S._presidential_terms
THis old Beatles song starts palying, and it won't quit:
"you saaay you want a rev ooo lutioooonnn...."
WOW... quit drinking the kool aid! Take a peek at Obama's top campaign contributors -
University of California
$1,591,395
Goldman Sachs
$994,795
Harvard University
$854,747
Microsoft Corp
$833,617
Google Inc
$803,436
Citigroup Inc
$701,290
JPMorgan Chase & Co
$695,132
Time Warner
$590,084
Sidley Austin LLP
$588,598
Stanford University
$586,557
National Amusements Inc
$551,683
UBS AG
$543,219
Wilmerhale Llp
$542,618
Skadden, Arps et al
$530,839
IBM Corp
$528,822
Columbia University
$528,302
Morgan Stanley
$514,881
General Electric
$499,130
US Government
$494,820
Latham & Watkins
$493,835
Notice the Wall Street bankers on the list. He's on the take from quite a few unions too. It's both parties that are on the take from various companies. The DREAM act andthe START treaty are detrimental to this country, so any delay on their enactment is NOT a bad thing.
Reid said, "With this letter, they have simply put in writing a political strategy Republicans have pursued this entire Congress," he said. "Namely: obstruct, delay; obstruct delay."
The Dems have shut the Repubs out of the conversation since they got into power four years ago and then said they are the party of no! I'm tired of Dems filthy lies which the mainstream media repeats adnauseum and which the gulible public believes. I've watched it all on C-SPAN so I know first hand.
The truth is the Repubs have been the party of total wimps willing to cave on everything. Look at the way they caved on the new Healthcare plan.
If Repubs don't get it this time, they're out permanently.
What on Earth did 9/11 have to do with the economy crashing?? The only thing it cost were lives and cleanup
I say let the Republicans shut down the government and let the tax cuts run out for all. This is all the Republican are good for. The Republicans have been trying to overthrow our present form of government for many years. No one to collect those taxes if the government is shut down. And with no taxes shut down the war as well. Way to go!
Are you Irish?
With your comments I can understand why the economy in Ireland is collapsing. With the repudiation of the Democratic congress and Obamanomics, Democrats have no right not the support from the AAmerican Ccitizens to push their agenda in the lame duck session this is just a desperate move from leftist to push their agenda.
Bush tax cuts were enacted in 2003....why isnt the economy in GREAT shape???
Mike
How many prestigious American Universities are donating to the Republican party???? Hmm, let me guess here, none! Funny huh, the top institutions for teaching our youth and keeping America on top and ahead in the world support the current President and not the Republicans, hmmm what does that mean?!?!
The fact that so many financial institutions still back the President is proof that calling him a socialist is purely idiotic, otherwise those financial institutions would not be supporting him.
Block the ever loving piss of the left! The Democrats pulled the very same crap on the Republicans when they held the Senate because they disagreed with the GOP policies. Now the Dems are in power and they are wondering why the GOP is returning the favor? Because they can!
The Dems were the party of "NO" before the GOP was, and before that it was the GOP, and before that it was the Dems; see where I am going with this?
The left wants everything they carry to the floor to be passed and will pull out every stop to get it passed, that is fine, that is their right as having been put into power. But please stop your God forsaken whining about the OPPOSITION OPPOSING YOU! The left seems to be missing something, like what the definition of "opposition" is!
The Bush tax cuts, as they are called, was actually a BI-PARTISAN bill that was voted FOR by Democrats AND Republicans alike. When the bill went before the Senate it was evenly divided with 50-50, so if it was just a GOP thing how did it get passed?
I am certain that when the GOP regains power in the House in January that the Dems that are still lingering will be certain to attempt to appease the GOP, just like they were asking for the GOP to do for them? (Don't hold your breath, just your nose!)
Joe, ltwv, irishradical and for all of you who rail against the "rich", would you mind defining who "the rich" are? What qualifies to you as someone who is rich, or is it simply someone who has more than you?
Jason,
It's very simple. UNIONS! Obama backs the teachers unions. Also the SEIU as well as the Auto maker unions. the tax part is pretty comical too. Most of his cabinet have had issues with NOT paying their taxes and getting caught cheating on said taxes. I'm not saying any party is better than the other. That's why I'm a huge fan of term limits. It's the only way to keep the corruption down. The longer they stay in D.C., the more corrupt they get. BOTH parties!
That simply means that the top universities and colleges are liberal and looking for a GOVERNMENT HANDOUT from a liberal president and congress
Jason, where do the Colleges get the money to throw at ANY political party? Damn, I can't afford to send my kids to college, yet the schools have Hundreds of Thousands to throw away?
What the heck is going on here? When the Government give money to the schools, are they doing it just to get it back into their parties bank accounts?
Does anyone else see something screwy here?
Wake up Washington; America spoke in November, however the party in power did not hear the message; this administration is on a self destruct mode, and does not understand the mood of the people, unbelievable !
The train is rapidly gaining speed to our country permanently becoming the new Corporate States of America.
The Dems should not cave in and just let the tax cuts expire. Then the entertainment will really begin!
I hope they shut down everything. Our government is a joke, America is broke, and all you people can think of is politics. If GOP actually shuts down congress it would be great. All the Bush/Cheney tax cuts will expire and these useless wars will end due to lack of funding. Mitch please continue your ridiculous behavior.
Mike, what a deception. What you listed is the companies of donors. The University of California did not make any campaign donations, nor did Harvard. The same is true for the other companies you listed. Here is what the cite said that you took this information from:
This table lists the top donors to this candidate in the 2008election cycle. The organizations themselves did not donate , rather the money came from the organization's PAC, its individual members or employees or owners, and those individuals' immediate families. Organization totals include subsidiaries and affiliates.
What you did was deceptive. You can do better.
This surprises you how? They've been doing this for the last two years yet the American people in all their brillance put more of them in the Senate. Get use to it folks.
We need a government that efficiently does the things that government ought to do. Instead we have one that gloats over inefficiency and ineptitude.
The Republicans were blocking whatever they could when the Democrats had a filibuster proof majority - such as all the anonymous holds on Obama's Federal judge nominations. What a surprise. Rather than take full advantage of the super-majority in the Senate and the majority in the house, Obama tried to compromise - he was the first president in perhaps forever to offer a cabinet position to the other party (actually a bad idea), and he tried to set up a non-partisan process in appointing Federal judges (actually another bad idea). I hope the Democrats learned from this. The next time you get majorities like that - use them. If the Democrats had gotten through the jobs bill they wanted, without appeasing some Republicans, the economy would likely be in better shape, which would have greatly affected the elections.
Tom........Remember the old shell trick. Really not that deceptive. Pick a hand any hand!
Thiey are insisting that all these issues be resolved before anything can pass; read give us what we want right now, without give and take with little discussion. This is at the same time that they refusee to extend unemployment benefits because they are saying it hasn't been thought through sufficiently.
Can you say hypocrite? I don't disagree with all of the positions of the Republican party. I'm a moderate, leaning towards liberal. I do tend to strongly dislike Republicans for their arrogance and hateful attitudes. Actually I'm sick of politics and the people involved. I don't like a lot of the stuff going on in the Obama administration, I despise Palin and the incompetent people she helped to nominate, her being the queen of incompetence, and I believe virtually all new elected officials, dem or repub will be corrupt in a very short time, if they're not already there.
No one is interested in governing. Just politics, backing big business and being on the take. We may have had the best government at one time. No longer. That's just facing facts. I try to be an informed citizen and possess some knowledge of the issues independent of the spin from both sides. Thanks to the system and the despicable type of jounalism started by FOX, now emulated by MSNBC, it's almost impossible. I give up. Maybe the answer is guns; arm them in session and let them kill one another, make sure Rupert Murdoch and his kind are in the audience and start fresh.
Irishradical
So, you think 600-700 billion OVER 10 YEARS is not affordable? You do realize that the Bush tax cuts the Democrats are so convinced we cannot afford costs less per year then earmarks do annually? We are talking about 1/10th of 1% of the total Federal Budget here. Extend all of the tax cuts but revisit them in the future. We need to stabilize America's and the World's confidence in our economy. We need to give businesses direction through telling them what their tax rates will be for the next 5 years or longer. Once this happens the economy will show strong growth again.
Wow, I posted a solution based on common sense rather then using sarcasm and attacking a political party offering nothing in regards to solving America's problems. A perfect example of the difference between conservative values vs liberal values respectively.
The Republican leadership has shown its true colors. This isn't about the deficit, this isn't about cutting spending. This is simply about a further rape of the country for the benefit of their corporate masters. The Roberts Supreme Court is complicit in the destruction of the country, for giving aid to the Robber Barons who have brought us to this pass. Each and everyone of you who voted for these crooks ought to be ashamed. And I hope you never need the help that you are ready to deny others. Why don't all of you good "Christians" go metaphorically kick a Christmas elf, since that is what your message is this season. And while you are at it, don't you DARE instruct ANYONE that "Jesus is the reason for the season".
All those tea party republicans talked about was the big bill $$$$ deficit we are gonna leave our children. The taxes that could be raised from letting the tax break expire for the top 2% I heard could pay that debt off in 10 years (before the kids get out of high school) so maybe if we let them all expire we could have the bill paid off before they get to high school!
getalifevirginia, are you for real????? If I switched the words Republican and Democrat throughout everything you wrote, it would be more truthful. You said the Republicans caved on health care? What the &*$# are you talking about? Go look at the 1993 REPUBLICAN health care reform bill. Almost every provision in that REPUBLICAN bill is what wound up in the new health care law the DEMOCRATS passed. Where is the single payer system progressives had been pushing? Progressives didn't even get the compromise -- a public option. Virtually NOTHING progressives wanted ended up in that health care bill. But almost everything in that bill, including the mandate, is directly out of Bob Dole's 1993 GOP health care bill. And don't give me the usual rhetoric about back room dealing. The only reason that happened is because of progressive Democrats had to be bought to sign onto an essentially Republican health care bill, and Bluedogs representing delusional people such as yourself (who are basically Republicans as well), needed arm twisting. That kind of stuff goes on in any bill of this magnitude. Doesn't make it right, but it's still routine. Bottom line: we ended up with essentially Republican health care reform, and the just-say-no Republicans voted against it -- voted against their own ideas -- because that's just the way those politics-first scumbags play.
Mike is not telling the truth. Those campaign contributions were NOT made by the University of California and Harvard. They were private contributions made by individual EMPLOYEES of those institutions. Big difference.
Funny, corporations and foreign governments (neither of which have the right to vote) can now give unlimited funds to affect our elections, but Mike thinks that it is unreasonable for individual VOTERS to give their own hard earned money for the candidate of their choice. Which rather suggests that Mike does not want America to be a free country.
@ MIke-680333 your assessment of top contributors is a little misleading and disingenuous. This represents the employers or schools of the contributors. Many of these companies were also top contributors to John McCain. This is completely bogus and impractical way to imply special interests are at work. Please attempt something a little more honest...
So you think allowing the government to take $800 Billion out of the private sector over the next ten years is a good idea? Remember, this is not about the government "giving" money to the rich, it's about the government "taking" money from the private sector. Frankly, I trust the private sector to use the money to create jobs better than the government can use it.
Can't believed you are so dense to think that the republican are blocking this bill to help their friends but failed to mention the democrats friends, THE UNIONS, GOLMAN SACKS, SENATOR FEINSTEIN HUSBAND (25 billions with a B )KICK-BACK, GEORGE SOROS 2 BILLIONS with a B. Keep drinking their propaganda KOOL-AID the reason this country is screw up it's b/c of the democracts B S,look what they are trying passed next THE DREAM ACT AS A PAY-BACK FOR THEIR VOTES last november this is pure amnesty for 12 millions illegal alliens, thats what we need with 15 millions american unemployed.
I consider myself moderately liberal, but can agree with Republicans/libertarians on a few things. Obama put his money where his mouth is by freezing govt pay, without using it as a bargaining chip. I would like to see the right do the same by ending farm and defense subsidies (SOCIALISM!!!! Which I thought they were against!) While they are at it, lets get rid of the single-payer SOCIALIST govt-run health care system that you FORCE our brave service men and women to pay into. If you really believe in the free market and SUPPORT our troops, then get rid of this SOCIALIST system, give the troops more money and allow them to buy the wonderful market based health care we have now on the free market, unless you are either HYPOCRITES or DON'T SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!
A couple years after the Bush tax cuts were inacted and the economy was picking up steam during that fake economy we had for several years, the Republicans kept saying, "it would be a mistake to end the tax cuts while the economy is doing so well." Now that the economy sucks, they say "it would be a mistake to end the tax cuts during a down economy." It's so crystal clear these tax cuts have zero to do with the economy. They know where their bread and butter comes from, corporations and CEOs. But there are a lot of stupid sheep out there who are brainwashed by Fox Corporation Tabloid News and follow right along, no matter what those hypocrites say.
And who voted for these people???????????
I am about ready for North Korea to drop a nuke on Congress.
typical republican crap, tax cuts for the rich , and their belief that trickle down economics works. the tax cuts (under Bush) were put in years ago,with 1.5 - 2 millon jobs created ,while costing us a fortune in federal debt.
NO! It's not affordable. Neither are the earmarks. They both must go. That is a truly conservative value.
You will know exactly what the tax rates are going to be - but apparently if it's not what you want to hear, you will create confusion about it. Many of us are not confused.
Businesses are reporting record profits very soon after a near depression. That does not engender compassion from liberals or independents.
The Republican 'common sense' nearly caused an international economic meltdown.
Your common sense seems to be driven more by self serving greed.
Fine. Start the talks then. And remember the key word, Obama, is NO!
Very few people are employed by the poor. The "rich", who employ people, are not going to invest money (to employ more people), if they do not know what the future tax environment will be. Think about it. Would you invest your hard earned money, even borrow money to invest (and have to pay it back), if you don't know how much of your money the government is going to demand?
It is called priorities. The majority don't care about the DREAM act, Food Safety Program, (which will not pass the house), DADT, at this moment in time. They care about their taxes that will rise in 30 days if congress does not act now. All the other stuff can be accomplished after the tax issue is resolved. These pet projects are what got the liberals into hot water in the first place.
I can't believe that people are complaining about this. I would think that the liberals would want to make sure that the government continues to work, and that the tax extension would finally come to an end.
Why would it be more important to pass a "dream act", "DADT", or even "START" before keeping the government running and ending the tax extensions.
Is there any time that the liberals are happy? Only when the rich are paying for everyone else to sit on their lazy rears?
So what is so surprising ? the Neanderthal party has been blocking every bill and appointment to government office to slow down recovery and make it hard to implement any policy. I wonder if the American people can do the math, all the savings in the in the "Debt Commission" suggestions for a ten year savings of a trillion dollars would be wiped out with a tax break for 2% of the riches Americans, who a are making huge $'s in this crisis that 98% of Americans are struggling to deal with. So now where are these savings going to come from ? it wont be on Wall Street or the Rich. Go ahead Americans vote against yourselves again in the next elections, bring on the Neanderthals and their banana republic economics.
BRENT--
I am confused--How is the Health Reform Single Payer if I and my company pays into it?
Please stick to the kool-aid and stop mixing your drinks!!!1
I would say that the republican have no right to prevent the government from functioning but, someone should stand up for the princciples of freemarket enterprise and self responsibility. otherwise, were nothing more than communist b*tches standing in line waiting for our government bailouts!
Joe B,
Yes we heard of the financial crisis of 2008 and if memory serves me correctly the "DEMOCRATS" had control of Congress then. Ever hear of that? Or is that something you don't want to remember?
It is about time that we had a Congress who puts things in proper priority. Obama's START treaty will only weaken our defenses not make them stronger. His Dream Act is a total joke. Reid accused the Republicans strategy of being transparent and on that one point I agree with him. Take care of the nation's business FIRST and then take a look at Obama's Agenda last. While Obama and the Democrats are busy figuring out catchy names to label their personal agendas with to make them more marketable to the Sheep, the Republicans appear at least united in keeping it up front and simple. Take care of the important things first, the "must be done items" if you will, then worry about the "would like to see done items" later.
You seem to be wanting to make the Bush tax cuts all about helping the rich. Are you too brainwashed to realize this will have a negative nationwide effect on not only the rich, big and small business, but anyone who pays income tax. If allowed to expire, our economy will see yet another decline. Even big businesses are not the Federal Government, when we need more money, higher taxes are not the answer. Unlike the Federal Government we can not simply print more money. There is going to come a time when taxes will have to increase, that is a simple and inescapable fact. Now is not that time. Federal revenues are down not because of the Bush tax cuts (the don't help I am sure) they are down because people who do not have jobs, normally do not pay taxes and unemployment is very high. Businesses that are struggling now, may be forced to close their doors unless some common sense is used by our federal government. Many businesses who have the money to hire new people are not doing so because they don't know what is going to happen to them next year with regards to taxes.
The key to fixing what is wrong with our economy is a simple one that for some reason seems to have escaped Obama and most of Congress and that is JOBS.....Period..... I am not talking about low paying, or short term jobs, I am talking about jobs that pay a livable wage, are long term and even provide decent benefits as well. We used to have them in both the private and public sectors and they will come back if only our own government will get out of the way and let businesses grow instead of looking at a small business and saying OH my, look you have X number of employees and gross over $250K a year, we want more tax money from you and by the way, YOU are responsible to pay for health care for your employees. I know of several small businesses in the town I live in that deliberately keep their gross profits below $250K and don't hire more people simply because of these tactics being used by our wonderful elected officials in Washington.
So to sum it up I side with the Republicans on this issue. America first, the rest of the world dead last. If the federal government grinds to a halt it won't just be the Republicans fault, remember it takes two to tango.
Rick-in-SD
No Rick, if tax cuts stimulated the economy by themselves and required nothing else to resolve our economic issues, then ALL of us can be experts in field of economics by simply cutting taxes. This is just one part of the whole recipe for growning an economy.
Our whole economy is based on spending. If people don't have money to spend, our economy will continue being sluggish, or worse, cause us to fall into another recession leading possibly to a depression. The less dollars our government takes from us, the less they can waste. I would rather keep the portion of money I gave in taxes that ended up being wasted by our government and spend it on items my family needs.
Our economy wouldn't be in the shape it is in if it wasn't for our government messing it up. You notice I didn't say Republican or Democrat. After all, we are talking about OUR government and that my friends IS the bottom line. WE NEED LESS BURACRACY, LESS GOVERNMENT, AND LOWER TAXES.
republicans are not blocking anything, they are preventing not a tax cut for the rich but a tax hike to everyone. If you are willing to let the government grope you with the TSA and then unload you of you own money which rightfully belong to the individuals. I have not seen a single job created by a poor person, it's the private enterprise that generates jobs. Anxiety of these government's policies and administration overreaching into the private and small business areas have created a lack of incentives for investing in America. The Obamatrons came into office with the promise of jobs jobs jobs, and shovel ready projects, but they forgot that government needs to steal your money, by way of taxes, in order to generate income. They without us, have an empty purse. GO REPUBS.!
Way to go Republicans---so the unemployed, and the long term unemployed won't get any benefits until the rich get their continuing tax cuts! What a crock.......
Just let the tax cuts expire, I agree with that completely.
@$$h0les...
Progressives stand your ground! Don't cave to these turkeys!
repbulican ,same old, same old, give to the rich,and hope it trickle down to us. It did'nt work during Regan years. It not going to work now.
The Republicans are doing what we elected them to do. You lost, get over it. Ever heard that before?
The economy is number one at this time.
I had to repeat myself because this "community" can't handle the facts. Do I not have freedom of speach on this blog? You cowards!
Palco,
Over 10 years, if we tax the top 2% even more, it will never make it to the so called $700 billion that you liberals keep throwing out there, because as they did before and will do again, when they are over taxed, they place their money in hidden accounts, move it offshore, or put in corporations that are taxed much less.
So all this hype about gaining all this money is ridiculous, besides it won't matter because our present government refuses to cut any programs and keeps on spending. Knowing that we would have a shortfall in tax revenue again, our current administration & government has provided us with a budget with a deficit of $1.29 trillion--instead of cutting the budget they have increased it again. Now that is a fine outstanding school of thought.
Its the EconomyStupid! Paraphrasing one of the former Democratic leaders. I do not think Obama, Pelosi, And Reid get this yet!
Irish - I think you had better take a gander at this.... Looks like there are plenty of "rich" buddies on the hill to commiserate with. The Dem's just do a better job at hiding, mud-slinging, and blaming their counterparts to stir the minions.
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2010/nov2010/cong-n26.shtml
Personally...give an extension to all on the tax cuts temporarily....as long as they extend the unemployment benefits. Arguments for both sides that make sense but someone has to do something or it's going to look a lot like 1933 in a few weeks....The only thing I'm really sick of is those saying that unemployment makes people lazy. THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH JOBS OUT THERE!!!! When there are 5 people looking at 1 job...figure it out!
For all the cheerleaders of the neanderthals banana republic economics that say "tax breaks for the rich create jobs" prove it....the Bush administration and these very Republicans in Congress sunset this tax bill because you can't by law allow a tax break that is deficit spending for more than ten years, and lets see after ten years what was the total of jobs created by the neanderthal party =.028%, and we lost seven million manufacturing jobs. That the lowest job creation since the depression.
Some more food for thought, who are the other bottom feeders for job creation in the last sixty years besides King G.W. Bush, his farther G.H. Bush=.059%, and the neanderthals hero Ronald Regan=2.11%, lower than Bill Clinton=2.74%, Jimmy Carter=3.11%, and LBJ=3.74%, the top job producers in the last sixty years.
Propaganda does well when you have a incompetent Media, the control of the Radios of Hysteria, and the Televisions of Crisis all spewing the same historical lies.
I really don't want to get involved in this thread, and yes Republicans are @!$%#s, everyone knows this. But I just wanted to correct this one statement.
At no point during an Obama presidency did the Dems have a filibuster proof majority. If anyone ever tells you that, they're lying. 59 (w/ Sanders) != 60. To get to 60 they would have needed Lieberman, which is to say they never got anywhere close to 60...
the economy is the number one concern of Americans - at least SOME people in congress listened and are doing what we asked them to do
GOP the Party Of Amy Whinehouse - No! No! No!
New GOP song,
The No! No! Know nothings of the Republican Party!
SO WHAT ELSE IS NEW!
The only thing Republicans seem to know anything about is BLOCKAGE!
(Maybe Republicans need more ruffage. They seem to be so full of other stuff)
Finally someone is taking some sort of action on something. Stick to your guns Repubs. Most are behind you.
Example: 11/2/10.
Shades of Newt Gingrich! It must hurt with a Hockey Puck between your ears. Based on History the GOP has been declared mordant by a KY bigot. First the Federalists, then Whigs, followed by Know Nothings, Prohibitionists, Progressives, Socialists, and Maoists. Now the GOP!
Typical partisian politics. Both sides still suck.
Dems - grow a set. Please. If you really believe in your postions stand up and fight for them, otherwise your just a Republician or a wimp. your first Item of business should be to get rid of Reid and replace him with a Senator with some balls. Harry is a big part of your problem.
Repubs - Specificly Mitch. Been home to KY lately Mitch?? No? Well then, it's getting pretty bad here in the state you claim you represent Mitch. People are so desparate to feed their families they are having to stoop to crime to do so. We had a story here in the county I live in the other day Mitch I thought you might be interested in. It seems from the newpaper article I read that people are stealing the air conditioning/heating units (whatever those things are) from churches in the county. turns out they caught the guy who was doing this. The reason he gave when caught was that he was taking the metals found in the units down to the metal recycling center and selling the metal for scrap. Why you ask Mitch? Well the newpaper quoted the guy "I needed money to feed my family." It seems that this guy was trying anything to get some money to feed his wife and 3 children who were living in a shack he built in the county park and this was one of the only ways he could afford to feed his children. Guy NEVER had a criminal record, was active in one of the local churches etc. Nice guy, forced into bad choices. That Mitch is what's going on here in KY. everywhere. So it's good to see that you're concerned for the people of your state Mitch, at least the rich ones that contribute to your campaign. Screw the rest of eh Mitch? F#ck the poor eh Mitch? Nice.
Americans want a fair shot that's all. That guy I mentioned doesn't want a hand out, he wants a job, an opportuntity to prove himself. This crap that the unemployed are lazy freeloaders is BS. The laziest people I know are Sentators. That means you Mitch.
(yes, dear readers I hate Mitch McConnell, he's a pompous ass doing nothing for his state.)
Wow a lot of collapsed comments. I'm sure they were appropriate given the magnitude of this issue.
How much more are we going to take? Are we really going to sit back for the next 2 years and allow these fools to finish us off?
Someone must have an idea of how we can let the Republicans there now and those that swarm in come January that we simply refuse to allow them to hold this entire nation by the throat? I admit that I am seriously crazed by this sh t and at a loss to think rationally. I'd probably end up in jail.
If our president is afraid to stand up for us, we need to stand up for ourselves.
When is America going to wake up? It's not about Rebublican or Democrate its about the self serving wealthy running the country and making policy that lines their pockets with more money. Sure they throw the people a bone once in while to keep the masses just happy enough, but when was the last time the middle class was growing and the upper class shrinking for any substantial time?
Im all for capitalsim and want the government out of my bedroom as much as my pockets. But nothing is going to get done in DC because the more nothing gets done the more that needs to be done and the politicains can keep selling dreams to the American people so they can keep their jobs.
The simple reality is that the majority of politicians could give a @!$%# less about you.
Well, let's just say that the tax cuts expire, and the Washington Congress and Whitehouse cronies sit at their desks in livid anticipation of the piles of new tax income money they think they are gonna get. It's a Congressional wet dream, isn't it? If that happens, what exactly do you think they will do with their newly acquired funds,..er "contributions"? How can extra money create jobs. You think Congress, Republican or Democrat would spend it wisely? Have you people seen their track record? I really wouldn't mind tax increases IF I thought that my neighbor would get a job out of it, or I would see local business flourish. Putting tax money on your Congressman's table will not acheive this. So leave the tax cuts in place for everyone. At least, in this horrible economy, we are getting some relief with them in place....
for the democrap supporter thats worried about gov policies being delt with, preferably spending $ before they have it you ahould be all for this! you complain how key gov issues were never delt with, gov spending being most important, includeing spending $ the gov doesnt even have yet, and youcomplain about it? i dont know about any of you, but i'm personally sick of this crap. i need a job, along with 30 million other people who want to work in this nation, and who is sick and tired of the current administration skipping the important part of what needs to be dealt with, the economy. last spring with the measly number of job offers, Nobama took credit as to how things are shaping up, and fact is, its worse than it was, and dont ever, EVER remember having a hard time finding work.
it is time we start dealing with the issues that need to be dealt with, rather letting them try to fix it's self. the dems had a long time, to get a tax bill ready on the floor and passed before they lost seats, and it was never done. more procrastination from the gov than i can EVER remember seeing in my lifetime... EVER!
I think that what many are missing is that taxes are our money first, not the government's. It's high tiome that the govt learns what most of us have known for most of our lives: the public purse is not bottomless. Make the tax rates permanent. Concentrate on what is most important - reduction in spending accross the board. The inescapable facts are that we do not have money to support the government's livestyle, the majority of us don't like the way or the amount that we are taxed and that we voted accordingly. To all politicians - listen to the people or face the very real risk of having to get a real job after the next election. We are feed up with politics as usual and don't give me the line that the current administration is any different than any other in this respect.
Instead of living in the past and blaming Republicans and Democrats that have been dead or out of office for awhile, why don't we try to solve the debt crisis? It doesn't matter to most normal people (those not obsessed with politics) who caused the crisis. People want their unemployment extended and they don’t want their taxes to go up. Most people probably would like to see DADT repealed, and most probably don’t give a darn about the DREAM ACT. The people that are really interested in DADT and DREAM ACT probably know that those issues are a much lower priority than getting unemployment benefits extended and the tax cut situation solved.
You all read a headline that reads” GOP to block all bills until tax cuts are addressed” and don’t read the entire article because the headline fits your agenda
McConnell said that members of his caucus are united in the pledge to use procedural votes to prevent any other non-economic issues -- including the new START treaty, the DREAM Act, or the defense authorization bill that contains a potential repeal of the military’s Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy – from coming to the floor for debate.
"Republicans have pleaded with Democrats to put aside their wish-list - to focus on the things Americans want us to focus on," McConnell said on the Senate floor. "They've ignored us. The voters repudiated their agenda at the polls. They've ignored them."
Even though there are some that wish to make Americans think DADT, and the DREAM ACT must be passed this year, there is no emergency regarding these issues. The government isn’t going to cease to run if these two issues aren’t passed this year.
BUT people will go hungry if unemployment isn’t extended and the economy will suffer if taxes are increased. ALL McConnell is saying is these two issues should be the priority
Well BIG BEAR, when G.W.Bush left office his budget was at $1.5 trillion, so it looks like this administration has done a better job at lowering it, even in this crisis. And remember the Republican budgets during the Bush years did not include the "Tax breaks", "the Wars", "the Medicare drug bill-which has cost more than TARP and Stimulus put together)". So spin on the Banana Republic economic policies of the Neanderthals, maybe you can uptick the distribution of wealth created in this nation from the 85% that has gone to 2% of the richest Americans since 1980, to who knows what 99.9% is that the goal ?
Who ever voted for republicans, this is what you get (Delay, obstruct). It is a party of NO and guess who will pay the price, the american people, especially middle class. Wake up people and be informed about the issues and the politics before you vote on anybody republican or democrat. People in congress especially republicans have no urgency regarding the economic issues, all they care about is to score political points and demolish each other. I have an idea, we need to start a website/journal that dissect every politician agenda, motivation, policies and politics, etc to expose anybody who lie and mischaracterise the issues.
Ohmahgaaaaaaaaaaaaaawd... *Eyerolling and facepalm overload*
Obama, cut them off. THIS is the most important thing to Republicans... Letting people who aren't getting hurt by the economy keep more of what they have. Just work around them. Stop trying to be bipartisan at all until they grow up. Here's what you do: Everything and anything you want to get done, some how or another, relate it back to the budget, pass it with reconciliation, and just cut the GOP out of the process. They're petulant little children, period.
I accessed this article by clicking on the News tab on MSN. When I opened the page, it was on the Money tab, and the article in the same exact spot was "Stock Market soars as economy adds jobs". The economy is clearly not as bad as they're trying to make it sound. And the only reason they want it to sound that bad at all is to make You look bad. There's no honest discussion of anything anymore, it's "win political points, and screw the voters who aren't financing me, giving me money".
Furthermore, you should've said screw compromise a while ago. I've heard strategist after strategist, and politicians as well, from the Right, talking about how nothing that's gone wrong since Obama's been in office could be their fault, because the Democrats had the votes, and they didn't use them. They're !@#$ing in your face every chance they get, Barrack, just forget them. They're children. Snotty little children.
You are quite right in that the Republicans are doing what you elected them to do. You elected them to reduce taxes on the rich, and that is what they are doing, the rest of the economy can go to heck.
Your second sentence is a lie, though. Although tax cuts to the lower brackets will help the economy, tax cuts to the rich will hurt it by increasing the deficit. The Republicans have also refused to do other things that would help the economy, such as extending unemployment benefits and have absolutely rejected the idea of a stimulus.
Quite frankly, the Republicans were elected to give tax cuts to the rich, and for nothing else. They are going by their mandate. If you think that they are going to do anything for YOU, though, you are sadly mistaken.
The Republicans are using the excuse that the top earners create jobs and that's the reason they want their tax cuts extended. Right? Well, show me the proof. Because as I recall, during the Clinton years the top tax rate was at the higher level and we had unprecedented job growth, economic growth and middle class salary increases. So why not go back to that rate? Obviously it worked well!
Republicans bank on the fact that Americans have very poor short-term memories. Mine's pretty darned good....how about yours?
Good grief, I thought all of these new political goofballs were going to do something. So now we have a stalemate. Can't you all come together to get this country up and running. Stop being age 2!!! Grow up and act like the adults you pretend to be. Your constituents are looking for you to be adults and get the US back in shape. We, the people are tired of all of your bull!!
Deathtotyrants
well, i tell ya this.... if it means i have a job, tax break the hell out of them. think the rich are holding Americans as ransom? get real, look into what $ it takes to make a buisness, especially a small buisness work to grow and break that measly 250,000 barrier you are so up in your a** over. Look into something once before you wet yourself with all this wasted anger, such as what buisness makes under that amount. you people need a reality check. those people making under that little amount busted their azz's to get that, worked for it. these are small buisnesses, when you look at whats out there, and crying. those big ceo's with the nice salary, you think they fit into this "tax break"? need your head exsamined if you do, lol. see, your all in a binder because someone said YOU should be making the same as your boss, or make him pay. put his face in the grinding wheel and push till you cant anymore, and let the guy behind you take over when you cant push anymore.
if you want, wanted, to make that same amount of $ as your boss, by all means go do what he/ she did. start your own buisness, or try to, till then, let the people who actually know a little bit about it talk. i had a small buisness for 2 1/2 yrs, tried to start another one after the the meltdown, and impossible. only an idiot would put $ out there, on something that is looking right now, as a waste of time. those are your 250,000 in tax breaks type of people. SMALL BUISNESS.... look into it once....
Tax cuts for the rich, deregulation and wars are behind the mess we are in now. Guess who is championing these issues, republicans!!!!!! they have some sort of amnesia and people who vote for them are naive and misinformed (don't get your info from FoxNews, Rush Limbau and the extreme right!!!)
this forum is a joke anymore. look at all the comments that are perfectly ok that have been collapsed. no one wants the other side's opinion to be heard. msnbc you need to change the way you handle things like collapsing comments. it's censorship in it's ugliest form.
Please give it back to the Republicans, all three branches they did such a great job with W's 8 years 2 wars we were attacked 1.7 trillion on the wars doubling the debt wall street melt down paid for by the chinese can't wait for there encore performance the very tax cuts they want to extend haven't produce any jobs
you may be right on that front but please don't be so naive to believe that the Demo's aren't as corrupt. We do need less government and a heck of a lot less spending.
Let's let all the cuts expire. It will cost me plenty, but it's absurd to talk of reducing the deficit and at the same time talk about adding billions to the deficit by extending these tax cuts. Unless you are one of the 2% I just don't see how you can back these Republicans. Anyone who isn't a millionaire and is for the Republican agenda is really confused. Why is it the first thing Republicans talk about when reducing the deficit is cutting Social Security and Medicare, while asking for tax breaks for the super wealthy?? It's because the poor have no voice in the current government. And why is no one talking about cutting government waste, and defense spending??? Like I said before, let the cuts expire, and let the Republican explain their support of the uber rich to the People.
President Obama and the Democrats should call the Republican’s bluff.
Let all the Tax Cuts sunset on 12/31/2010. The Republicans will come back with a monster Tax Cut Bill in 2011 that will benefit the rich disproportionately and maybe then even the dumbest members of the electorate will see the mistake they made in 2010 by putting those obstructionists back in power.
Can’t wait to see them campaign on “Tax Cuts for Millionaires”. That will be rich (pun intended).
Democrats are not perfect by any stretch but these Republicans are without conscience and will be judged by history and a higher power as the worst to ever come down the pike.
Here we go...this is what happened in this country when the rich paid a HIGHER tax rate (before the Bush tax cuts):
More Than 22 Million New Jobs. 22.2 million new jobs since 1993, the most jobs ever created under a single Administration -- and more new jobs than Presidents Reagan and Bush created during their three terms. 92 percent (20 million) of the new jobs have been created in the private sector, the highest percentage in 50 years. Under President Clinton and Vice President Gore, the economy has added an average of 248,000 jobs per month, the highest under any President. This compares to 52,000 per month under President Bush and 167,000 per month under President Reagan. [Bureau of Labor Statistics]
So what's the excuse now Republicans? Obviously your first excuse was a blatant lie. So? Anyone? Bueller?
McConnell is a prostitute. These tax cuts only benefit the rich contributors to his campaign. He'd sell his soul to gain more power and money. He is a disgrace to his family name.
He doesn't give a damn about more jobs for Americans, and he and his buddy Johnny B. need to loose their jobs.
Palco,
Interesting numbers,
And even though we did not have as much growth as we would all like in employment, Bush gets create for creating 1.28 million more jobs than when he started.
As of June 2010, our current president is -3.3 million jobs overall, so he has a long way to go to get to where Bush is. I hope he does, for the country's sake. But he spends more time pushing his private agenda, telling Americans what they should do instead of working to create jobs. Especially those "shovel-ready" jobs:).
But in one area he has done a better job than Bush--creating federal jobs--during 8 years of Bush, he only created 50K new federal jobs, while our current president has already created 40K new federal jobs in just 2 years.
Maybe Obama should take a lesson from Clinton, someone who during his terms cut 100,000 federal jobs, decreased the White House staff by 25%, and was able to have budgets with much less deficit the last 3 years of his terms. Of course less deficit is caused by higher employment, because more people are paying taxes also.
So please keep believing that spending ends deficits. That is the liberal way. Yet, another democrat was able to do it without spending as much, cutting the federal workforce. Consider that in today's world, where the AVERAGE federal employee gets $123,000 in salary & benefits, we are already spending $4.92 billion more because of our current president. So maybe he should take a page from the Clinton playbook and cut those 40K jobs and another 60K and save us $4.92 billion plus another $7.3 billion. Freezing wages may be a start, but there is much more to be done.
Tax breaks: Everyone in congress earns above the 250,000 cap. Let's declare this a conflict of interest, create a public referendum and let the country decide. No issue so no gridlock
Funny how smart everyone is, the dems control congress until 1/20/11, yet they blame the republicans for blocking everything! And you fall for this, you should be so proud of your education, the dems are determined to keep you stupid, stupid enough to believe there lies...
Ernie said, "America first, the rest of the world dead last."
I couldn't agree more, stop threatening our retirees and those truly in need, end the stupid war and bring home our troops then put them on our borders right now, stop all foreign aid right now, eliminate the DEA and about ten other specialized law enforcement agencies and put the best of the lot into the FBI and fire the rest, legalize industrial hemp (not the kind you smoke) so we can manufacture bio-fuels allowing us to ween off of the foreign petroleum teet. If we don't do it soon we'll be forced to do it when our inept fed collapses.
When are the people we elected to run our country going to grow up! Both sides are so determined to be 'right' and their way is the ONLY way. It is time to unite and do what is best for ALL AMERICANS - not just a few.
That is correct its their money. Not yours not the governments, THEIRS!
I wondered why the market was up. Investors were looking for people with the kahunas to stand up to the Obama gang(sters). This is also better than the people voting for the Republican change in November thought even possible.
My guess is they got stone-walled in the meeting with the Pres. Which has brought about this nuclear option.
Doing what the majority who elected them will get them elected in larger numbers in 2012.
I say call their bluff--"no adjournement until Dec 31. We will have floor business on the 24th and 25th. " See if Mitch likes sitting at his desk in the chamber on Xmas Day.
The unemployed, including the 99rs, may be impecunious because of these nutjobs, but they still have their franchise. Let them keep doing these heartless things and see where it gets them.
Yea JH, and we all know what a wonderful job repubs do running the economy [into the ditch]. I thought they wanted to attack the defitcit? Why spend $700B on tax cuts for millionaires? That makes LOTS of sense. They need that much more than the unemployed. And I'm sure they'll go right out and spend every bit of it to help boost the economy. The unemployed would prob just invest those benefits in stocks or something anyway...
I just hope the voters see what a great job repubs are doing now so they'll be sure to reelect them next time.
well, in obamas own words...."we won, you lost, too bad"... now maybe the country can get back on track instead of obamas turning the country into a nanny state that promotes cities like detroit, and keeps blacks in the ghettos with their give away programs and entitlements. now we need mandatory drug testing once a month for anyone that recieves food stamps or welfare. welfare needs to be cut way back also. i cant believe a person cant find a d a m n job in two years, and that is just being lazy. I dont care if he needs to ctut grass and pick weeds for a living, he needs to work instead of ripping off the taxpayers for years. dump health care and that will get rid of more waste, because we dont need a bunch more people working for washington managing this stupid healthcare system that is nothing short of socialism at its worst. the irs does not need to be the watchtower over the healthcare system as the private sector is just fine. where in the constitutioon does it say we have to purchase anything from the government? Yup, we need to cut taxes for the "rich" cause that is where you idiot liberals get your jobs from, that is if any of you ever work.... most of you sit on your a s s e s and collect off us taxpayers.
I hear a lot of complaining about the "Rich" Republicans...Tell me Why the Republicans and the Republican run states are the most self sufficient and the most charitable by far than the Democrat run states!?!?! It's because we know how to take care of ourselves and help each other out without crying to the government to bail us out.
We take responsibility for our actions and our own communities, rather than ask for government hand outs and continue down the path of self destruction for ourselves, and our country wich of course would be the easy way out. We are not afraid of hard work and accountabiity wich sadly seems to be more and more rare these days.
Our founding Fathers worked hard for the freedoms we enjoy so much, and now we have to do the same to keep from losing those freedoms to our own government as pay back for hand outs. Wake up People! Take responsibility for yourself and your bad financial desisions..quit playing keep up with the Joneses and live with in your means!
Arizona,
Clinton had some good years, mainly because he cut federal government employment, and in some part stayed out of the way of business, and probably got a little help from the GOP tax cuts. What you people don't seem to understand is that it takes time to start a business, invest in a business, and keep it growing where you can hire more people. It doesn't happen overnight, like you want it to. I takes, months, years to get a good business going.
And of course it was easier to raise taxes during an economic boom, because people don't care as much about their taxes, as they do today. I complain about taxes because I am one of the 53% of the people paying to keep this government running. All of those 47% that did not pay taxes last year, and the 43% that didn't pay the year before should be thankful that the rest of us paid.
And to complain about priorities, would you rather have a "Dream Act" or the government continuing to run--so you can get your SS check?
Maybe the Dems should write their priorities on a sheet of paper and see which one's make sense.
Well it looks like the Big Corporations are going to get exactly what they payed Karl Rove for during the campaign, a hamstrung and gridlocked government. All of you that voted republican got played hard, and thats about to become really apparent. Fortunately we'll have about 9.6% of the population really pissed off at the republicans come next election cause they were thrown under the bus over unemployment, so that and the GOPs dogmatic support of the ultra rich for the next two years dhould seal their fate.
The Republicans are so hypocritical. I don't recall them yielding to the Democrats after the election in 2008, when the Dems won BOTH houses of Congress and the Presidency. They won a majority in ONE side of Congress in 2010 and now feel entitled to run the entire government.
Palco,
Just a reminder, TARP was part of the Bush 1.5 trillion deficit, and according to the current administration all of that money has been repaid, with 8% interest. Therefore, you get to reduce the deficit under Bush to 800 billion. Even more if you throw in the interest.
By the way, where did that money go?
I agree, the Rep. " We're going to take all our toys, till "YOU" give us what we want !!!!!
It is just to bad the Republicans have to pray on the uneducated in this country. Please do not take this as an insult to those who have little education, it is just that it seems easy for the elephants to get your goat. Reality is that tax breaks for the rich have never created jobs, neither has the deregulation in this country all the way back to Reagan. It is a party mad that a black demacratic man beat a white military hero in an election of true change. This last election was not a notice of change needed, it was a country torn and mislead about the change that has and is taking place as we speak. So elephants please continue with your negativity, because now the true republican will have to show itself.
Let the tax cuts expire. Bush attempted two wars with reduced revenues. Let's be honest and start paying off our debt.
Both sides are unreasonable. The voters sent a message and the Democrats are still ignoring it. On the other hand, Republicans should reconsider the bills they are blocking, because all those bills don't need to be blocked. It is clear the Democrats and Republicans agree on one thing about the Bush taxcuts, everyone making under $250,000 should keep them. Come on, what happen to the compromises of the old days, they should be room to at least satisfy both parties a little bit.
I thought their priorities were jobs, jobs, jobs! Now their real agenda is finally up front! Tax cuts for their wealthy buddies!!
Thank goodness someone has finally put their foot down and put important things first on the priority list. If the death tax is not dealt with by year end the economy will be right back at the bottom of the recession with shovels digging it deeper.
The death tax -inheritance tax-will cause many of America's family farmers to go under. Those same farms are pulling American's economy back around and out of the recession. If the death tax is reinstated the United States is beyond fixing long term.
We need to stop thinking Republican vs Democrat and what each party has conventionally stood for. We don't need to help the rich stay rich, but we need to support those would contribute to the economy and keep this country running. Do some research those of you who think farmers are rich. See what it costs to buy land, equipment, supplies, and fuel. Then compare what farmers are making. Very little actually remains in their personal bank accounts.
Put your pride on the shelf and go for the cause that will fix this mess.
It's obvious that the majority of my Conservative Republicans have a job and can afford to agree with the Republican stance. For we Conservatives that don't have a job the perspective is a little different! Let's take care of the "Don't Ask / Don't Care Policy" and getting Roger Clemons before we look out for the unemployed.
Also, let's keep sending money around the world helping other countries (Haiti, etc.) instead of taking care of our own. I have never been so ahamed of the government I defended in Vietnam as a wounded Marine, than I am today! HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all the working, and rich, Representatives and Senators!
Obama & Harry Reid's Dream Act is: "very cynical, but very obvious and very transparent." That all they want is OPEN AMNESTY to anyone that is here in our country. This will financially break America's back..We are in enough trouble as it is, why ask for more? WE NEED TO HELP THE AMERICAN CITIZENS, before we can help millions of "illegals"...and "NO", it's not about the children,,,READ THE BILL
well your buddy obama, who did accept the most money from any oil company, needs to start listening to the people and quit pushing his agenda. tax cuts mean money in the pockets and more spending by consumers. in turn, employers higher employees because of an increase of demand for goods. you can blame corporations for holding onto money and not investing it because of fear from this administration's economic policies. so please stop with the garbage that dems will save the economy. the stimulus was an absolute waste of money and did nothing. we're running annual deficits in the trillions with obama. something needs to change
In a nutshell...with emphasis on the word, "nut", the Republicans are just plain mean and hipocritical (but mostly united in their common hatred of specific social issues); the Democrats have no spine (if they did, they would have blazed through healthcare reform, financial reform, basically all the reforms NECESSARY after the "Decider" years). I'm very disappointed in the way the Democrats wasted time trying to be bipartisan. They should have taken a page from the Republican playbook and simply punched through everything they wanted. But, those Democrats, they NEVER learn. I wonder how many of the members of Congress are in the top 2% of income earners...heck the top 25%! And, if they aren't, their friends and lobbyist supporters surely are. It pays really well to be a lobbyist or a member of Congress. I think a great reality show would be to have Members of Congress living at just above the poverty level for one year, follow them around with a camera and see just how quickly they fall apart. Actually, living at just above the poverty level should be a prerequisite for running for national office.
Those rich buddies are helping to provide the majority of the jobs in the US. You need to get over the false statement that the republicans are only protecting the rich...they are protecting your job. If you don't like it, it's probably because you aren't rich.
...This thread is pathetic. you are all childish. I never, never post anything like this, but I am now. I read through the first 50 posts, then realized that I could get the gist of what everyone was saying by reading only the caps locked words.
The repubs are talking about stopping all work in the senate until they get their wish list. Fine, parties do that from time to time; it's destructive, but whatever. The problem here is that for wanting to reduce the deficit, they want to help increase it by not allowing the govt. to collect taxes. Simple fact is that without taxes, the government cannot fund any federal programs such as public schools, law enforcement support, subsidies on agriculture, foreign aid to Americans working overseas without going further into debt. I applaud the president for pursuing a pay freeze for federal employees. He actually is making steps to reduce the deficit by shrinking government.
until we can manage our own ignorance, then i guess we will all just be trolls on the internet while the rest of the world leaves us behind
Gee, here`s an idea, how about both sides stop stomping on each others toes and do the damn job they were sent there to do, ummm, maybe, like working for the people. What a thought that is, something new. How about passing the unemployment extension bill? You know, for those people you supposably work for. What a concept that would be, to really help those you work for.
The Republican party will have this turned around so that it is the President's fault. The big thing everyone needs to look at is where all this started. As soon as Clinton left the office the country has been in a decline across the board. The only people that it hasn't hurt are the ones that it can't hurt, the richest. And the Republican party wants to soothe this very elite and small part of our society,I got a question for ALL the politicans: Will you turn down your salary to help keep the unemployed going?
We elected the Republicans to fix the economy? Eight years Repbulicanism under "W" did enough to fix(?) the economy. When will you idiots recognize this is exactly what put us in the current situation.
Their first priority is funding the government, the second is preventing tax increases. How is this a bad thing? The treaty has sat on Reid's desk since April with no thought of action, we have no budget in place for next year, We are facing crippling tax increases on the first of January at a time when we have 10% unemployment and people are complaining about extending all the tax cuts. The American people in the midterm elections said, see to the nation's economy and start acting in a bipartisan manner. Evidently democrats didn't understand the message. I applaud the Republicans for making a stand to set the nation back on the proper path. If it takes stone walling democratic agenda items to do it so be it. The debate over the tax cuts has been going on since September and was labeled a urgent piece of business until after the midterms. When Democrats found out that they were being rejected, they vowed to retaliate by changing the agenda so that they could claim that republicans were still being obstructionist. The worst part of the scenario is now we truly see who is running this administration, it is Reid and Pelosi not Obama.
Haven't you been reading the papers. If I give you a big fat tax increase, would you hire?????
This IS about JOBS!!!!!!
It's about time the Democrats REALLY did something to encourage job growth. Instead of just talk.
How was the "Recovery Summer" for you?
Didn't see it here!!!!!!
No more Social Engineering.
Put us back to work!!!!
Bizwald,
You are correct, the government cannot run without taxes. But the government also needs to learn to spend what they take in. Which they don't, in fact, instead of cutting anywhere, they increase each and every budget.
And the easiest way to raise money through taxes is to simplify the tax code, leave it with a few tax credits, and tax everyone at the same rate. Then no one has a right to complain, they pay the same percentage. But that is too easy, and will cost the rich too much, because they can't funnel their money and save on their taxes.
The problem with your argument is that a tax rate that is the same for all income levels, puts a greater burden on those that make less. Say a tax rate of 10% for argument purposes: Someone making $20,000 a year would pay $2000 in taxes; someone making a $1M a year would pay $200K. Who do you think would have the greater burden?
Let me tell all of you something...if they don't do something about the tax code any single person making over 33000 and any married couple making over 42000 is going to owe a boat load of money. I personally can not afford to pay ANYONE any more money.....I have nothing to give. I'm living on half of what I've been used to and even that is going to dry up very soon. For the first time in my life, I'm begging to have help with someone helping me to pay my gas and elec. My life sucks and so does a few million others. Some of us the tax cuts will help others do not even have a part time job so that the tax cuts can help them....Unemployment should become non taxable like it used to be. That in itself would help me and millions of others. Good luck to all and go pay someone to do your taxes...be sure to get all your tax deductions every little bit helps.
The closest thing we have to a democracy in this REPUBLIC are the polls. Hard numbers about what American voters want.
The majority (according to the polls) want the unemployment insurance extended.
The majority want the tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires to end.
The majority want campaign and election reform. Now!
When our representatives in this republic are not following the will of the majority of our people - we have a problem which elections cannot fix. i.e. We do not have a Republic but an Oligarchy.
We either need to face that fact or let the elite rule unhindered with the hope that there will be enough crumbs left over for us to survive.
In a time not so long ago, actions like what the Republican'ts are doing were called TREASON.
Save the wealthy, and forget the rest of the country or the world. This transparent greed will backfire on the GOP. Mitch ain't doing them any favors.
WOW... there sure are a lot of uninformed people. Repeat the rhetoric, repeat what you hear- not what you found out- on your own- with your own mind.
To those saying we should let the tax cuts expire- how does this help? Don't repeat Obama's lie "it will add billions to the debt...". It is HIS debt by HIS spending. Tax cuts already in place can not by any definition ADD to the debt!! Also- taking $$ out of those who spend it is a really bad idea- because that is you and me! Not just the rich- all of us that still pay taxes. I love how the 52% of the population has the nerve to say "tax them more- the rich MUST pay more!!" only because they themselves do NOT pay taxes!! Walk a mile in different shoes and see how it really works. "Let's return to the Clinton era tax rates"- yeah if only we had a dot com bubble to bank on again- but sadly, we do not (which by the way, is how he balanced his budget- by guessing wrongly that the bubble would never burst). GW Bush didn't cause the $1.7 Trillion debt- the one sided Democrat Congress (which Obama was a part of) did that and sadly, a lot of Republicans went along with it (which is why they were voted out in many primaries & elections). Add the housing crisis (led by Barney Frank) and tah dah! You have your debt!
Congress MUST get off the wish list and get to the meat of the matters- extent the tax cuts so people know where they stand- and secondly- get the unemployment benefits extended. This is no time to screw around with these matters!
The House changed specifically to create gridlock- get used to it for a while. America is against most of what Obama stands for. He still has support- but it is dwindling fast- those who don't wish to believe it- look at the Nov 2 results again. America said to get the priorities in line- the Republicans are doing just that- the Dems don't want to hear it... again.
I don't get this McConnell character. First of all he says that we the people are saying that we want to allow the upper class to have their continued tax breaks. To my understanding the polls shows that the majority of us do not want the tax cuts for the upper class. He says this way jobs will be created plus he makes comments of how it would hurt the small businesses. What is called small business is way out of whack and he knows it. We can make things look as to how we want them to look and he's doing it. Even Warren Buffet made the comment that his sercetary pays more in taxes than he does. Buffett made the comment that it was time they were to do their part. McConnell is all about power and that is what this is all about. It isn't about saving our country - doing what's best for all Americans. He doesn't have a clue who is really the backbone to this country - the middle class. We're playing politics all over again. Look at the statistics and it shows that the upper class have increased their earnings while the middle class fell behind. It's time that the real backbones step up to the plate and get these power hungry monguls out of DC. If it doesn't happen we are going to be just like Mexico - the rich get richer and the rest of us will only get poorer. We are sick and tired of hearing about trickle down economy. It doesn't work. The upper class has had these breaks and look at what we got - no jobs so why now would it create jobs. It didn't for 8 years!
Personally I am overjoyed that defense appropriations id being held up!!
We have frozen civillian pay across the board why not freeze Militiary non combat pay?
Talk about Blackmail??? These people who claim to be fiscally conservative are wanting to borrow another 700 billion dollars from the Communists for their rich friends. No way Dems should let this Blackmailing the American people happen.
If Democrapts cave in on this issue at all they only prove they are a weak bunch of gutless weasels, Which I already know they are.
Jeff,
Why shouldn't we all pay the same tax rate? Taxes are burden to everyone, just the rich seem to hire someone to hide their money.
Why should certain people have to pay a higher percentage than other people? Because you make more you have to pay more to take care of those that can't. Now that is completely unfair.
But when was fair--fair?
BigBear,
Your point would be valid if it were true. The ultra-wealthy pay lower rates than the middle class. They gain income via capital gains, which is taxed at 10%. If you want to start taxing my income at 10% I will be right there supporting the extension extension of the tax cuts. Also, if you want to start cutting the amount of SS taxable income to 50% of my total, I will be right there with you.
End the tax breaks, increase the capital gains tax to 25% for anything over $250k in returns (makes retirement fund safe), make a simple 25% income tax across the board, no deductions, SS tax is 2% of total income, and call it a day. Or would that not be fair?
So sick of hearing about taxes being job killers. These companies have made record profits even in the recession and have not hired people, so how will handing them even more money force them to suddenly employ people? The answer is it won't.
It is not about wealth distribution, its about equal taxation. We all need to pay the same percent or come up with a different system. I am all for a VAT. It would encourage savings and hit the big spenders (wealthy) much harder than the middle and lower classes. Essentials like food, child supplies, and maybe even a small portion of vehicle taxes (based on mileage perhaps?) would make sure that the poor were not unduly taxed.
How does a comment with 264 positive checks not get restored after its collapse?
That's just great...Nothing gets done until the top2% of Americans get a tax cut.....Guess we found out where Republican loyalties are.....
If the Repubs fail and the tax cuts are not equally applied, then I hope you and everybody else have to start paying your fair share of Federal Income taxes!
Not that you sound very informed on the tax issue but the top 2% are already receiving their current rate! NOBODY is saying the top 2% deserve a reduction so get off Olberman's lap and read something outside of the FOX/MSNBC talking points memo's. This issue should have been solved A LONG TIME AGO!!! If you want to know the President's position read his own words...... Barrack, "We have not proposed a tax hike for the wealthy that would take effect in the middle of a recession. Even the proposals that have come out of Congress—which by the way, were different from the proposals I put forward—still wouldn’t kick in until after the recession was over. So he’s absolutely right, the last thing you want to do is to raise taxes in the middle of a recession because that would just suck up—take more demand out of the economy and put businesses further in a hole"
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-and-taxes-simpler-better
Hey Johnny,
Hate to break it to you, but they are not getting a tax cut.. AND the Bush Tax cuts were NOT just for the top 2 percent of Americans. Stop listening to the DNRC and their talking points.. EVERYONE got a tax break with the Bush Tax cuts.
AND IF everyone of you bashing what they are doing actually took time to READ the article, the Tax cuts are just one of the things they are saying needs to be done. The other is funding the Gvmnt..
You know, the thing that was supposed to be done BEFORE November 1st when the new fiscal year started?
As JH said, the Republicans were elected TO focus on the Economy. AND they are doing it, seems fine to me.
How can it be a tax cut when nobody will see extra money in their paychecks? It will keep taxes from increasing for anyone, which is fair, considering the top 2% are the ones that have the ability to create jobs. Unless a poor person is paying you a salary, in that case I sure would like to know that poor person who hires people.
get what you voted for
Big Paul, I am with you, I want to see everyone pay their fair share of taxes. AND if you are an American Citizen, owning a Company manufacturaing "off shore" you pay the the same taxes as if you were working in the US. You want cheap labor, ok, but NO TAX DODGE on off shore profits and you pay a tariff to import into the US.
donna426 wrote:
Problem is, as time has gone by, they've been creating more and more of those jobs in countries outside the U.S.
Hysterical that anyone would actually believe that the top earners are paying anywhere near their current 39% rate. These people have teams of accountants who shuffle the funds from tax haven to tax haven. Either that or they intentionally hold stake in a losing proposition that becomes a huge write-off.
Oh, pity the wealthy and blame the poor. The GOP has of course changed little other than tilting to the extremes. Still amazing they have been able to dupe so many Americans into voting against their own interests. I mean really...the little guy is told if he will let the big guy have a larger share of the pie his own share will also increase. It's a shell game that would make Benny Hinn proud.
You mean the wealthy just create jobs out of the goodness of their hearts when they get a tax cut? Are conservatives really that naive?
Hate to break it to the conned, but DEMAND, not tax cuts, drives hiring and job creation. Did you people actually ever take and pass an economics class. Sheesh.
The average Republican screaming for taxcuts is actually screaming I WANT MY HAPPY MEAL ONCE A WEEK
DROP ALL TAXCUTS!!!!!!!
I agree with Donna,You people have had that extra money ever since Bush signed it into law and if it expires you will no longer have that extra money and your taxes will go back up to where it was before the cut was put in place. I,however haven't made up my mind about the $250,000 and up except for millionairs who mainly waste more than they do good with.
Donna-
Believe it or not there are people creating jobs that are not making very much money. I own a small business that has been open for a year that has created 4 jobs. I understand that this is not very many, but when there are hundreds or thousands of new small businesses this can create many jobs.
For the low amount of money that I am currently making and increase in the tax rate is a drop in the bucket. However, I feel that if we keep going further into debt because of spending and then not paying for it, it is only a matter of time until China makes a telephone call.
the gop has never changed there strips, why would any one think they would now. they have never and will never be for the middle class and the poor why dont you all get that. I working for over 40 years got hurt and cant work I cant even pay my monthly bills because of there dumb ideas and they want to take more from me but keep the top 2% in there tax cuts as they are helping create jobs I would like to see the jobs and remember they the (gop feels that unempolyment is the problem they help cause that problem. I may be wrong but didt they give themself a raise last year but put ahold on retirement raises no cost of living for 2 years and now they want to cut more from us as we cost the Gov to much I earn that retirment the spent it now they want it back from us older workers again give me a break . GOP hands out of the cookie jar
Big Paul -
You really need to read more. The "Bush Tax Cuts" have absolutely zero impact on 98% of all Americans. They ONLY impact the top 2% money makers in the US. You talk about supporting the Republicans fight to spread the tax payments fairly, yet the truth is that the Bush Tax Cuts will insure that the Middle 70% of Americans pay more than the top 2% pay.
You talk about "what America wants", polls show that the average American does not read one single newspaper and only gets their news from a single TV news source with many Republican voters thinking that Hannity, Beck and O'Reilly are "news shows". Based on this it is clear that the typical American voter is ill-informed and make un-educated voting choices. Like someone said in an earlier thread, if we created domestic policies based on popular opinion, blacks would still be cotton picking property, and women would still be barefoot and pregnant.
Our leaders are supposed to be like parents. They are supposed to do what is best for us especially when we don't know what is best for us. Letting "the people" dictate what is best for us would be like letting children tell parents how to raise them.
I say to drop all tax cuts, but I also say drop all entitlement programs!!! The only thing people are truly entitled to do is get off their a$$e$ and get a job so they can pay their share of taxes. In fact they should do away with any and all exemptions and everyone pay a flat 30%! and I mean EVERYONE!
IvanAp - That's why I vote and I am voting "out" the party of change for the party of stop the entitlement programs!
Right because if someone is a liberal - they dont pay their fair share of taxes. Dolt.
So the Republicans will allow the government to use our hard-earned taxpayer dollars to provide roads, schools, national defense, and a system of justice, but only if we cough up over $100,000 per year extra as a give away to every wealthy person in America. When FICA taxes are taken into account, the average middle class tax payer already pays a higher percentage of income taxes than the wealthiest filers anyway.
Let all the blasted tax cuts expire and then GET TO WORK you political hacks! Can you imagine what would happen to ordinary working stiffs if they refused to DO THEIR JOB until and unless a huge chunk of money was paid to their pals?
WHY CAN'T ANY ONE ON THE REPUB SIDE REMEMBER WHAT HAPPEN?...The upper 2% are STILL getting a tax cut since w's enception.What happen since? WE ALMOST WENT INTO A DEPRESSION UNDER THE VANISHING GOP.s WATCH!!...PERIOD!!...Over 750,000 thousand jobs where being lost monthly,our companies where imploding(6,500 points on the stock market right before President Obama was sworn in)THERE WAS NO TRICKEL DOWN EFFECT TO THE MIDDLE CLASS AT ALL!...PERIOD!....SO why do some ordinary AVERAGE MIDDLE/LOW CLASS AMERICANS THINK THE VANISHING GOP ARE LOOKING OUT FOR THEM,US,YOU?Becuse they are zombied out on fx(rnc)noise talking points.....The gop-teabaggers are there to obstuct,obstuct obstruct,for a reason,to take away the checks & balances,the wall street regulations,IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU & YOUR FAMILY INTERESTS!...The vanishing gop tea-baggin liers false flaggers are there for one thing only...MONEY! & THAT MONEY IS THERE INTERESTS WHICH EQUAL=RICH PEOPLE'S INTERESTS...PERIOD!...NOT OURS,YOURS OR YOUR KIDS...Watch! will see in 2 years where we are at...they will hold sway on the house side....NOW WE COULD POINT OUR FUC-EN FINGERS AT THESE OBSTUCTIONISTS..& SAY WHERE ARE THE JOBS AT?!!....that's the main focus why they...the vanishing gop-tea baggers con-serv-ah-nothins came back into power,because they talk a good game of cutting and jobs....but they can't even answer where there going to cut at?.....DON'T WORRY MY FELLOW(see through there dam b.s.) Americans-the every day working man & woman,you will be o.k. Because the greeed,liers,conivers,hypocrite gop-tea baggers will not succeed....GOOD ALWAYS OVER COMES HATE...Look through out time,the gop never had done anything good for this country...EXCEPT RANSACK IT!!,,& THE Dumb-down's have bought into there shananagans over,& over & over....What has it got them?....ZERO!..THAT'S WHAT..................Hang In there People!try to find solice!
IvanAP our leaders are elected officials, they are not our parents, they work FOR us not the other way around. If you want parents, move back in with your mom and dad and enjoy a bottle.
Why are poor Republicans sooo.... DUMB!!!
If you are a Republican who does not make over $250,000 a year Change to Democrat!!!@
It makes no sense for you to vote for people who makes legislation that is not in your favor.
I have a poor Republican friend in a small town that Will die fighting for Republicans.
But, she is sooo... out of it that she votes for that ticket but, screams that she's broke and wish the government would do more.
Now that her town has experienced job losses for the shipping of factory work over seas she doesn't understand that she has been voting against herself all of this time and for the top 2% to put money in their paocket only!!!
That is why the Republicans acted quickly in the Supreme court ruling to allow for companies to advertise against politicians. Because the Yoda mind tricks are working on the dumbfounded Americans who do not really know what is going on with their government.
Mike -
Wow, either you took that as being literal which is sad. Or you understood it was a metaphor and decided to debate it as a literal statement which is even more sad.
I suspect that the reason for many of the issues in the US is that we have elected officials who have made decisions based on getting re-elected (doing what your voters tell you to do even if you know it is not the best choice for the country) instead of ones that made decisions based only on what is best for the nation.
Again, history supports me on this one. If politicians had voted based on their voters opinions, blacks would still be slaves and women would still have no vote or voice.
The ROOT of the problem is, when you continue to burden business with tax increases and ever-increasing regulation, it drives those businesses outside the U.S..
As far as taxes on the public go, everyone in the middle class WANTS to make more money. They WANT to be able to have a comfortable retirement and an education for their kids, but the tax code increases sharply as one tries to make more money. Capital gains taxes are there to take a massive chunk out of any substantial gain like a home sale. This structure helps to ensure that the middle class remains stuck in the middle. The liberals like to rail against the "rich", but it's all BALONEY! The liberals ARE the"rich"! They are attacking the middle class.
When the republicans pass tax cuts that the left cry are for "the rich", everyone gets a cut. Tax cuts generate increased revenue for government. Democrats say they care about the middle class, then bury them under debt and taxes. Only the uninformed buy into their rhetoric.
TimeTraveler100 -
Please name one tax cut created by the Republican Party that directly helped the 98%.
Peel your right its amazing how stupid the majority of republicans are . they constantlyvote against them self's .for there children who go to school then go to Iraq and die instead of collage [BECAUSE THEY CANT AFFORD TO GO TO COLLAGE]. take the peanuts that company gives them for slave labor and suggest to them to vote republican. it is amazing WOW
if the top 2% get a new tax cut, then it will be exactly that. A NEW tax cut. The Bush tax cuts are expiring, if the rates are to stay the same it will need a NEW bill proposing a NEW tax cut equal to what Bush gave out.
Slice it anyway you want, but this is inarguable. The lower and middle classes will also be getting a new round of taxcuts.
That being said, if the R's are intent on making sure that new tax cuts for the top 2% are enacted to continue the current rate then we can at least stop listening to them about their deficit concerns (why we ever listen to them about deficit concerns given their track record is another issue).
It's theire own money they don't want TAXED! Not one of these people can focus on more than one issue and that's to continue giving the rich more money. This could tie up legislation for years, which is exactly what the party of NO wants. They say they're representing the taxpayers. The little guys are paying the taxes and there's no way the GOP is representing the little or middle guy. They have and always will protect the rich. Why is this announcement any different from what they've been doing for the past 2 years? They have NEVER been the people's party!
@BobbyMac1
My salary hasn't gone up in 5 years either. Strange.
The current Bush tax cut that's about to expire reduced by taxes went it went into effect and I make under $60k /yr. I'm hardly the top 2%.
Name for me the proof that ONLY the top 2% benefit from the tax cuts (don't bother quoting some crap from Media Matters either).
God Almighty
"You mean the wealthy just create jobs out of the goodness of their hearts when they get a tax cut? Are conservatives really that naive?
Hate to break it to the conned, but DEMAND, not tax cuts, drives hiring and job creation. Did you people actually ever take and pass an economics class. Sheesh."
Dear "God"
Having taken and passed several econmics classes I will reply. First it doesn't matter what motivates someone to create a job when they get a tax cut (or in this case keep their tax rate where it is currently - Not a tax "cut" - see Econ 101).
Economics is a cyclical, interdependent system. You can not have demand unless there is someone to support the demand (someone with an income). You can't have someone with an income if you do not have jobs. You can't have jobs without someone with an incentive to spend capital on a new or existing company and that incentive almost always takes the form of an anticipated monetary return on investment. Taxes affect ROI.
Bottom line is that you cannot have a demand, income, jobs or ROI with out each other. Ther is no "prime mover" in economics. You affect one part (taxes affecting ROI in this case) and you affect all others. Just thought you should know.
It's not that only the top 2% benefit, its that they benefit the most - unfairly. I work with someone who made more than 4X what I did last year - and they paid less in income tax than I did. You make more, you pay more in taxes - plain and simple - yet it doesn't work that way. The people in the middle $50-100k carry the larger burden - unfairly.
In the corporate world, both sides would be fired for NOT doing their job. Their jobs would be sent over seas where people would work twice as hard for next to nothing. Fire them all.
There was a reason the tax cuts had to be passed through "reconciliation" which suddenly appeared evil when it was brought up during health care. Some republicans took a stand against the wealthy hidden benefits in the bill. This really is all about defeating Obama, plain and simple. If they want to fix the economy then free trade needs to end, we've sold ourselves out to china long enough! We need to start taxing imported goods, and imported labor to stop the pigs from thinking about more money while they throw our jobs down the toilet and blame it on mexicans : /. Honestly China is gonna buy this entire county out one day.
It won't matter, I don't make a ton, but if the tax cuts expire, then I will pay $2700 more in taxes. Given to a government that does not know how to balance a budget, and which allows 47% of the people to pay no taxes. So I get to support their habits also. What a wonderful world?
James:
As the masses squabble about blame, yours is the first comment that addresses the free trade issue. What's happening is the direct result of NAFTA which set the stage for offshoring our industrial base, and outsourcing jobs. Signed by Clinton in 1994, it just took this long for the detrimental effects to show up. During 2005 & 2006 Bush jammed the SPP, NAFTA plus, CAFTA, & FTAA through his "rubber stamp" prone congress, then signed them all into law. Those agreements have so much more than trade issues in them. It was a fact that most of those who voted in favor of the agreements never even read them.
If anyone in the media really cared about journalism, coverage of the terms of those agreements would be a priority since the agreements render all benefits and privileges to corporations at the expense of everything and anything in their path.
As long as the masses are kept occupied blaming each other for the state of the economy, and the coporations are buying our elected officials on both sides of the aisle, the faster and further the nation will continue to deteriorate. As it deteriorates, a depleted middle class will increase their distrust of our current form of government.
Be careful of any altrnatives that are presented as an option to democracy (that they are proving no longer works)...If we're brought to our knees economically, it'll be a lot less difficult to overcome any "foolish nationalists who refuse to surrender their sovereignty." The Council on Foreign Relations is getting very impatient with those "nationalists" who are blocking the CFR's path toward that New World Order. (That's how they reference middle class American patriots). The CFR issued a tri-national call for a North American Economic and Security Community by 2010. The blueprint for it is contained in the SPP, the other trade agreements just supplement the progress toward the NAU.
But keep the secret! Keep claiming it's all a "conspiracy theory"... so we can all keep our head burried in the sand... That can't be happening here...we have a constitution to protect us. Question is who's in charge of enforcing the constitution? SCOTUS...the same SCOTUS that granted corporations the right to buy our elections? Or, congress? ...the same congress that is paid by the corporations? Hmmmm...maybe the executive branch? The same executive branch that has broken almost every campaign promise made using the opposition as a scapegoat? The same executive branch that decided not to pursue holding the last administration accountable for violating the constitution? (specifically with warrantless surveillance?)...
Yup, it's a mess, isn't it... I will repeat...just be careful of any alternative that's presented when we're weak and compliant enough for the kill...
Johnny Redbird
Do you realize just how big the increases will be if they are not addressed? Not only are the Bush cuts set to expire but also the payroll tax cuts that were part of the stimulus. Come the first week of January, you could see a much smaller paycheck then you did the last week of December while still working the same number of hours. Democrats promised action on these issues before the elections and have continued to push them back. Instead, they push forward a treaty that can afford to wait two months to be ratified that has already sat since April. We have no budget for running the country so we must rely on spending bills to keep things going. At least the Republicans are willing to fund the government so that work can continue. When don't ask don't tell was overturned by the courts, it was Obama and his administration that pleaded for the stay so that they could pass legislation to end it, so they could claim credit for something the courts had already done. It is time for these idiots to drop their arrogant ignorance and start dealing with what America wants and that is progress on the economy and reassurance that their plight will not get any worse.
The closest thing we have to a democracy in this REPUBLIC are the polls. Hard numbers about what American voters want.
The majority (according to the polls) want the unemployment insurance extended.
The majority want the tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires to end.
The majority want campaign and election reform. Now!
When our representatives in this republic are not following the will of the majority of our people - we have a problem which elections cannot fix. i.e. We do not have a Republic but an Oligarchy.
We either need to face that fact or let the elite rule unhindered with the hope that there will be enough crumbs left over for us to survive.
Sooner or later an Oligarchy will not be on your side. But if they are entrenched, there will be nothing that you can do about it.
People you have all been lied to.... tax cuts for the rich to not equal more jobs.
Fact: The average income for the richest 1% has increased dramatically since the first Bush tax cuts
Fact: The average income for the middle class has gone down, very slightly
Fact: The average income for the poor has gone down dramatically.
Ok, so what exactly did tax cuts for the rich do for the middle class? If they supposedly give us all jobs then why is the middle class's income eroding? Why do 99% of Americans continue to get poorer with every tax cut and why does the top 1% only get richer? Stop defending the richest 1%, they can pay their share too you know.
Tax cuts for everyone period.
The 'rich' will do more hiring if they get that tax cut.
Fact: during tax cuts, number of small businesses increased by 25% percent
Fact: during tax cuts, the number of black businesses increased by 80% percent
Dem in Texas, I'm Rep in texas.
Why is it that Texas has one of the strongest state economys through this depression? Oh, cause we have Rick Perry who does good work thats why.
JohnnyRedBird said, "That's just great...Nothing gets done until the top2% of Americans get a tax cut.....Guess we found out where Republican loyalties are....."
Many of these people are small Chapter Sub S corporations that combine their personal and business tax accounts. In most cases, their extra money goes back into their company and they only take a small amount for personal needs.
They need to maintain this tax cut because they are the main hiring engine in this country and need that money for hiring new workers.
You do want these people to hire don't you?
Surely you didn't just find out what motivates the Republican lynch mob. They are like spoiled brats who throw a tantrum until they get their way regardless of whether it's good for Average Joe or Jane or not. They are ONLY concerned about serving their owners; the filthy selfish rich. Nothing has changed since the election. Republicans continue to be the party of "No" only now it's "Hell No!"
jim-1129414 - You are correct to a point.
Targeted tax cuts to the poor create more real products and services (economic growth) than those targeted to the rich due to an increased multiplier effect. The poor will spend their tax cut much quicker than the rich which creates more immediate demand which in turn drives up orders and employment. Businesses hire based on current and future income projections. A sizable taxcut to the poor will move the economy out of a recession much quicker than one given to the wealthy.
Any investment into stocks or bonds on the secondary market does not create jobs (many of the rich put their money here - including their tax refunds). Demand for products and services does create jobs. Peolpe receiving dividends and/or interest payments are not generating any real economic growth. It does not make any economic sense to give them tax cuts.
Trickle up economics works much better for everyone than Reagan's trickle down fiasco.
@ IvanAp
"You really need to read more. The "Bush Tax Cuts" have absolutely zero impact on 98% of all Americans. They ONLY impact the top 2% money makers in the US. You talk about supporting the Republicans fight to spread the tax payments fairly, yet the truth is that the Bush Tax Cuts will insure that the Middle 70% of Americans pay more than the top 2% pay."
WTF are you talking about. Removing all the tax cuts affects everyone. Look at this data, speaking of You really need to read more.
Current tax rates.
EGTRRA created six tax rate brackets--10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33% and 35%, based on income levels. If no extension is passed and signed into law, then the pre-2001 tax rates will go back into effect starting in tax year 2011.
Tax rates without the extension.
The 10% bracket would disappear, and those taxpayers would move up to the 15% bracket, which would apply to all incomes below $34,550. The other tax rates would increase to 28%, 31%, 36% and 39.6% for the highest earners making more than $379,650.
Please tell me how that only affects the top 2%. Jesus people quit spewing non researched information.
BTW Information quoted directly from Forbes.com
Heres the link if you care to read anything.
http://www.forbes.com/2010/07/22/expiring-bush-cuts-affect-personal-finance-taxes.html
No, JohnnyRedBird, nothing is going to get done until legislation is passed that ensures WE ALL don't get a tax hike come January 1, 2011. Or, in other words, the BUSH tax cuts continue for ALL. We need to cut spending. PERIOD. NOT RAISE ANYONE'S TAXES!!!
Lets do this make the top rate 39% and add a whichever is lower clause and then you would hear some real screaming when they would have to actually pay their rate. This smokescrren that is raising rates is nonsense. Right now until they expire they are paying a reduce d rate and it is scheduled to go back to pre reduction rates when they do. That raise rates in a recession is right wing fear mongering.
Get a life Virginia - Any small (and I mean small) business owner knows the value of expensing out as much as possible to avoid paying taxes. Your small S corporations are no different. There is much more room for creative accounting through inventory valuation, estimating bad debt expense and depreciation methods. All of these can work for the business owner to avoid (not evade) paying taxes.
The people who are not given these options are the workers. They truely do pay their fair share.
Does this really surprise anybody? You can't seriously think that the GOP had any intention whatsoever of working with the current administration on anything at all. You get what you pay for, so all you GOP sheep........Eat it and smile!!! You wanted it, you got it......
I would rather pay more tax than agree to fund a tax break for rich people. The next email will be to all my representatives to let them know.
American for Israel,
Since I did not study why Texas is doing well economically I will not explain it. However, I am pretty sure the economic success of Texas is as much Rick Perry's fault as it is Bush's for 9/11. What I'm saying, in case you don't understand that analogy is that there are many other factors as to why Texas is doing well.
Now what I am pointing out that maybe you did not understand is that according to BLS data, when there is a tax cut given to the richest 1% it is followed by an increase in their average income. Furthermore, it is not followed by an increase in middle class incomes and it is actually followed by a decrease in poorer incomes.
Why is this? It is true that when you increase the money supply unemployment goes down, as Keynes preached long ago. However, there are efficient and inefficient ways of increasing the money supply. If you believe that because the rich give us jobs they deserve the tax cuts you miss an important point. The rich do not consume nor do they create demand like the middle class does. Here is an example: if someone of wealth buys a product at, let's say $5,000 it does not have the same effect as 100 people buying one of a similar, but cheaper product at $50. The later example leads to more efficiency. This is why I argue against tax cuts for those making more than $200K a year and families making more than $250K per year. Tax cuts for the top 1% are the more inefficient way to stimulate the economy.
timetraver100, you're logic flaw...to think that company created jobs out of U.S. because of the tax burden. I know company just didn't started moving overseas after Obama took office. It's been happening since the Clinton Administration because of NAFTA. And to think company would come back and create more jobs in the U.S. after GW's tax cut to all bracket. It's been more than 8 years and that hasn't and won't happen. So to think or even suggest that company move out of the country because of the tax burden is deceitful at best.
Guys this is a ridiculous argument. The Bush tax cuts debate will not save the economy, even if the cuts are allowed to expire for the rich two percent, while it will take a big cut from the deficit, it is nowhere near enough to repair the damage. Our discussions need to be producing. American goods are going extinct, we have begun to live off of foreign goods and foreign labor for our own goods because its cheaper. We're falling apart and special interests have distracted us by talking about the Bush tax cuts?
Lemme just say this, to try and end this, you say the rich will hire if they get the extension, well they have this cut right now. They've had this tax cut for almost nine years so... where are the jobs? Where are the jobs? Where are the jobs?
Same @!$%# different day, spewing from the mouths of the same ole @!$%# birds.
American for Israel
Happy Hanukah.
That said. I am an independent in CA.
I don't agree that the Bush tax cuts created jobs. When Bush entered office, the unemployment rate was 4%. When he left, it was 7.6%.
Maybe there were more businesses as you say (and I note you did not support your claim with a reputable study) but THESE BUSINESSES benefitted a few people, if there were businesses created at all (like I said, you did not support your claim).
Not to mention, I have not forgotten about the mortgage meltdown caused by greedy wealthy people who wanted to make more money.
I just told all my reps that I prefer to pay more tax than to agree to reinstate the Bush tax cuts.
The Republicans keep saying "Americans want this" but I don't. I wish they would quit talking for me. I would give up a tax break for myself as long as they don't get one.
There has been a net loss of jobs since the cuts were made, 8 years ago....so when are these companies going to start this hiring that was promised? Where are the raises? Where is the capital at, that was supposed to be in surplus? It doesn't exist, its not coming, cutting taxes only weakens us in the long run.
By the way, the large percentage of S Corps are not small companies - they are tax shelters for some of the largest and richest companies in the country are S Corps. Here is a link to a company that is an S Corp, billions in profits - and over 80,000 employees....I guess thats the mom and pop small business everyone keeps talking about.
Johnny Redbird, You comment show just how bottom of the food chain you are, I bet you are also turning down Jobs because you make more on unemployment. The top 2% fund this country let us not piss them off.
ruck the fepublicans.....ya get what ya vote for.....none of these as*holes represent me, i am my own country and you're all fired....NO TAX CUTS and PAY THE DEBT DOWN, NOW...i'm not a tea bagger, in fact i'm pretty liberal for an over 50 guy but we need to pay down some debt and get people back to work instead of rewarding companies and giving them tax cuts to send jobs overseas, give them tax breaks for creating jobs here and investing here the way it used to be 20-30 years ago.....let's work together people and get this done or maybe do like my Mom used to do when my brother and I got in a fight when we were kids, take a time-out with your brother, look him in the EYES, tell him you're sorry and mean it, and then give each other a hug and go on with your day as a better person.....the President, Senators, and Congressmen and Congresswoman are all grown-ups, start acting like it and do something good for your country, GET TO WORK and do you JOB or you're FIRED!!
Hey Karen in Los Angeles, The Border Patrol caught 11 illegals landing by boat in Coronado last Saturday night. They have been landing by boat at least once a month and we finally got a patrol boat because of security at NAS North Island....just wanted to let you know and have a great holiday season!! KQ
I'm getting God damned sick of this bull@!$%#.
At what point have the Republicans finally declared open season on themselves?
Until they start feeling afraid for their very lives, they'll continue pushing this arrogant ignorant SHlT of an agenda!!!
Typical "party of no" try to balance the budget & pay off the deficit by cutting taxes. There was a surplus when Clinton left. Now we are in debt up to our ass & these guys don't seem to know what the hell they are doing. Yea cut taxes, that's going to help. Just sit there in office, do nothing but say no, & get paid. What a waste of space the GOP is!
The economic problems did not invent themselves once NAFTA was passed, they magnified past errors by the democratic party.
You can point to 1964 as the start of the end of American manufacturing might. This was when Lyndon B. Johnson and a democrat controlled legislature rewrote the tax code. They decided that the wealth must be spread by allowing American Corporations to move operations out of the USA and not have to pay import taxes on goods they produced, as long as their headquarters remained in the USA.
This was magnified by Jimmy Carter and the last democratic super majority passing regulations that further drove American corporations to expand overseas operations. You wonder why there are fewer oil refineries in America? Look to Carter and the dems. There once were 6 oil refineries in MI, now because of excessive government intervention and regulation we are down to 1. The permit process is assinine.
Yes, Bill Clinton and the democrats passed NAFTA and GATT. It was like pouring magnesium on a fire and expecting it to go out..
Sheady,
Republicans are not asking for tax cuts, they want the current tax rates to stay as they are. As it is, 47% of Americans pay no net income tax. The ignorant posting above here think the poor pay taxes. Well, yes they do, if they get a pay check. But once they file their income taxes they get it all back, usually even getting more than they paid in.
Remember the "earned income credit?" If the Bush "tax cuts" are not retained, say goodbye to it among many other "tax breaks" we enjoy. I am one of those who will pay more if the "tax cuts" expire, and my earnings are way below $250k. I'll make about $50k this year, and I'll end up paying more, my taxes will increase next year by a minimum of $2,700.00.
I am hardly rich, except by standards set by John Kerry, Harry Reid and the other moronic millionaires who think their pocket money makes me rich.
Republicans want me to have more money? Good! I can use it. Democrats play you people for the suckers you are. Saying they are for the little guy, demonizing the "rich" while they hold their hands out for campaign contributions, getting twice the dollars that the republicans got from corporate donors.
By the way Sheedy, there was a surplus when Bill Clinton left office, but you forgot to mention that the Republicans had control of the legislative branch and with shutting down the government they forced Bill Clinton to balance the budget which lead to a surplus.
I used to vote democrat, until I found out what a bunch of liars they are. You all can keep em!
I have to laugh about people and how they vote.
A good example are college students that vote for the Democrats who are running up HUGE deficits that add $Trillions to the National Debt.
Guess who is going to have to pay that debt back - not the bottom 50% because they pay no income taxes. It's going to be those same college students that will make the middle incomes or above that will have to pay ALL of the income taxes that will be required for interest, much less actually paying down the National Debt. Just paying the interest on the additional debt that Obama and the Democrats will run up in 8 years will cost the average middle class family an extra $15,000 per year ($1,250 per month). Congratulations on that "Change we can believe in" that you swallowed 'hook, line and sinker'.
Talk about people voting against their own best interests.
lol
So all you people who voted for these jerks and did so because "they would change how things were done", should be jumping for joy. Yup these guys are pushing change - they want to change back into the failed policies of the previous administration. This is a man who has claimed his one objcective is to make Obama a one term president. NOT FIXING THE MESS THEY MADE, NOT CREATING JOBS AND CERTAINLY NOT GIVING A CRAP WHETHER THE POOR HAVE MEDICAL COVERAGE. Let's sit back and watch as they are all called to pay for the campaign donations from big business. Then perhaps middle class America will step up and see this group for the liars they are.
Nice rhetoric, here are the facts about the demise of manufacturing in the US.
http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=5078&type=0
There are graphs here that show the manufacturing jobs and output since 1950. It shows an increase in manufacturing jobs from 1950 to about 1980 where it peaked at just below 20 million and held fairly steady between 17 and 18 million until the year 2000. It also shows that Manufacturing as a percentage of GDP has remained steady even while the total number of manufacturing jobs have declined. This is due to increased productivity. The conclusion is that while many jobs were outsourced, even more work was computerized or mechanized reducing the need for human interference in the process and those that were needed required higher skill sets. During the Clinton years there were some increases in manufacturing jobs as the national economy grew. This came to a halt during the world wide recession at the end of 2000 and with the loss of private sector jobs and the growth of government jobs throughout the Bush administration it has never rebounded.
So much for your rant about how the Dems killed manufacturing, if there is blame to be laid it is to be put at the feet of technology and a shift from production to consumption by the country more than anything else.
As to the cuts the GOP shut down the govt. over:
As usual the GOP wanted to cut benefits for those least able to absorb them and cut education, a GOP platform plank. There was nothing of substance to their cuts, they just wanted to play to their base, as usual.
Did robots build the robots? How did they get here? Dear god! Who will watch the Watchmen?
Isn't it more like nothing gets done unless the Republicans do it Obama's way? Both are obstructionists and calling the Republicans that and not the Democrats is just plain silly.
Roy W - your post 2.62 is PRICELESS. I am sending it to my niece who just graduated from college. She voted for Obama even though I warned her what would happen. Young kids think they know everything. Bummer that they could not get Prop 19 passed.
Kevin Q - I did hear. You live near there? Did you hear that some state legislator is working on an AZ law for CA? HURRAH!
I'll be posting more on this topic after work. This work computer is way too slow for this huge seed.
Paul, unfortunately, since the GOP started cutting education budgets back in the 70's, we have lost the technical advantage we had and those robots were built in Japan and China.
Only give tax cuts for job creation. How can repubs whine about the deficit and then push for tax cuts for the wealthiest. I say let em expire and let the republicans pay in 2012. Repubs gave us 2 unfunded wars and unfunded prescription plan, and it is time to pay the bill. I think they are more worried about thier taxes and the taxes of thier rich donors than the well being of the nation. More jobs were created under Clinton, without tax cuts... 22 million jobs.
The deficit has been going up since 1958. Clinton's administration did not reduce the deficit as the so called surplus had nothing to do with paying down our national debt, just look at the numbers. By the way, the GOP was the majority both in the House and Senate the last 6 years of Clinton's admin. The deficit has increase on an average of 10% since 1975. The Dems have significantly increase the deficit greater then the Republicans have since 1950.
Fact: When Republicans held majority in House and Senate deficit increased 52% which was 10 years in the period between 1950-2010
Fact: When Democrats held majority in House and Senate deficit increased 257% in those 38 years between 1950-2010
Fact: Since Dems took both House and Senate in 2007, deficit has increased 47%
I'm not sure what every one wants. The Republicans have been doing this for years. It is one reason why the US is in the position it is now. Everyone has been blaming Obama, yet he just could not stop all the abuse.
The US is declining and self destructing and yet people think the Republicans will get things back on track! The American people are really dumb and we deserve the destruction of our country as we sat back and let it happen, again, and again, and again. Actually, the Democrats are no better than the Republicans, so lets face it, America is dying, and will not rest in peace.
Nice try whatrutinkin, here is what economists have to say about the deficit, it's causes and who is responsible.
You are welcome to your own opinion but you don't get to make up facts as you go.
As to your assertion that it is the fault of whichever party was in control of the congress, that is horse @!$%#. Congress does not set the budget, the budget belongs to the president and is usually passed without major reduction by the congress. If the President disagrees with the congressional bill he can refuse to sign, as President Clinton did to the Republican congress in 95.
Misinformed et al,
When legislation has a sunset provision at the end it is no longer law at the end of that period and either previous standards apply or you change the existing or re-enact it. When you do this you are creating new legislation hence a tax break for the top 2%. As to the idiocy that tax incentives for the wealthy create jobs as a long term fiscal policy has absolutely no historic or economic justification. Unregulated capitalism (laissez faire) has NEVER done anything but cause misery for the overwhelming percentage of the citizenry. Virtually all US economic crisis have come on a GOP watch dating to the beginning of the 20th century. Liberal vs Conservative party sentiments have reversed at various times,(ie. Jacksonian Era, Civil War and Reconstruction, Introduction of heavy industry and poulation shifts to cities) but incentives to the most affluent have as defined within the term only Trickle Down benefits for everyone else. Since the 1980s and the introduction under Reagan of the Heritage Foundations' economic credo the movement of welth up and debt down has been relentless and is a real threat to the fabric of the Republic. A radical Federal Court system with 30 years of ideologically driven appointments have greatly reduced individual liberty while increasing exponentially the positions of corporate entities up to and including personhood.
By the way ChevsMark, you forgot to mention is was CLINTON who refused to sign the UNBALANCED budget the Republican Congress passed! It was CLINTON who forced a balanced budget, NOT the GOP!! Way to try and re-write history though! Clinton made the GOP go back and re-do their FAIL budget, so the GOP CANNOT take credit for the balancing of the budget during his tenure.
ABSOLUTE FABRICATION by ChevsMark!!
Punishing the most productive members of society with more taxes is stupid. They're the ones that do all the hiring. Take away more of their money and they hire less.
Hope that the wimpy Repubs don't wimp out yet again.
Following that 'logic,' begs the question then why did taking LESS of their money ALSO result in them hiring less? We've had these tax cuts in place for a decade, and they don't seem to have helped in the manner you say they should. Jobs are scarce,and the economy has been weak and getting weaker since the cuts were put in place.
Perhaps your assumptions are false...?
 Great strategy, because it worked so well the last time the Republicans shut down the government. All I can say is good luck with that!
Democrats have enough votes to pass any bill, however , many democrats are supporting Republicans in this non sense of calling rich to anyone that makes more than 250k . Senator Durbin propose 1 M up to be rich , that makes more sense, but people Obama, Reid and Pelosi don't want take this approach. If government shut down is Obama's fault.
oskar - 98% of Americans make less that $250K. You're telling me that people making between $250K and $999.99K are not "rich"?
Let me tell you about the Bush Tax Cuts. I make just around $180K and I pay about $60K in taxes with a annual refund of about $1,200.00. I have friends who three times as much as I do who end up only paying as much as I do in taxes due to all the tax breaks that they qualify for but I do not. How is that "fair" taxation?
Actually, in reality, some dems are willing to negotiate that number up to 1 million from 250K, but it's the republicans who don't want to negotiate. Show me one republican that's willing to drop the top 2% out of the tax cuts.
This is the Republicans acting like a kid stomping his hands and feet on the floor. I'm not saying the dems don't do it at times too, but negotiations with some give and take from both sides is needed here.
So now we have two sides of the gov't., both acting like grade school kids, and guess who will lose? Everyone! This is rediculous, we have a bunch of big kid babies running this country, and we wonder why we are in such bad shape.
This country is divided and following two extremes, while we need to grow up and meet in the middle.
Oskar, the plan was to make everything OBAMA's FAULT. That's their path to the White House. They will let the clock run out and at the end of the next two years, there will still be no jobs, the economy will still be crap and they will find a way to blame Obama. If people don't see through this now, they never will. They voted for JOBS and only JOBS in November's election. For some reason the Republicans took it to mean Americans wanted us to take over the government. It is still all about JOBS. Let the taxes expire, then take a vote of whether you are for the extention of tax breaks for the middle-class ONLY. Let the public see exactly where the Republicans stand is. And Obama has got to stop with this bipartisanship bs. In each and every way they have tried to destroy him. If he still tries to reach across the aisle now, he's only putting the last nail in his political coffin.
oldlady-1247747
Let the public see exactly where the Republicans stand is. And Obama has got to stop with this bipartisanship bs. In each and every way they have tried to destroy him. If he still tries to reach across the aisle now, he's only putting the last nail in his political coffin.
I agree. the President asked us to hold his feet to the fire. His feet should charcoal by now. when Republicans have pleaded with Democrats to put aside their wish-list - to focus on the things Americans want us to focus on," McConnell said on the Senate floor. "They've ignored us. The voters repudiated their agenda at the polls. They've ignored them."
oldlady-1247747
When Republicans say "they have pleaded with Democrats to put aside their wish-list - to focus on the things Americans want us to focus on. They've ignored us. The voters repudiated their agenda at the polls. They've ignored them."
I find it ironic and most of all brainwashing lies.
. The polls show most…
people oppose extending expiring tax cuts for the richest Americans
most people want "don't ask, don't tell repealed
nearly three out of four Americans say lawmakers should ratify a nuclear treaty with Russia that's stalled in the Senate
a majority of Americans want the Congress to keep the new health care law or actually expand it, despite Republican claims
It's time for Americans who listen to Fox and those type of Republicans to wake up before it's too late.
I hope what President Obama did yesterday was a cunning endeavor and the last one to expose these greedy hypocrites
if you're in or above the 98th percentile in income, then yes, sorry to burst your bubble, but you are rich. Someday I hope to join that crowd, but when I get there I'll know I'm rich.
Sorry the President didn't accomplish squat yesterday. His take on that meeting was that there will be talk between the two parties. McConnell, Bohner, and Cantor (I believe) sat in front of the cameras telling all that there will be no compromise. Even the President putting a wage freeze for civilian federal workers for two years was met with the all to familiar response from Republicans, the President is just grandstanding.
This country has gone completely nuts. We allow and feed into such hate and disrespect for this President. We must look pretty appetizing to the Taliban. We have even home grown our own terrorists. There is no longer any sense of what made us a strong and intelligent country. We are destroying ourselves from within. My fear is, who is going to stop the insanity. Obviously, the Republicans don't intend to do anything but continue to beat the average American citizen into extinction.
Beverly
Cite polls please
It was stated in the article is that the republicans in the senate want to work on and pass a continuing resolution to KEEP THE GOVERNMENT GOING before working on other bills. So, if the government shuts down because a continuing resolution was not brought to the floor, it would be the democrats who shut down the government.
Mike you left out BP one million plus to obama.
Mark
What are you basing your allegations on? The democrats are the ones not willing to talk, and are really unconcerned that the cuts are going to expire! They said as much earlier this year. it is only because the people have been complaining that they are paying any lip service at all to renewing the cuts. If taxes go up that means less money that they have to borrow to maintain the status quo and more borrowed money available to expand social programs. Get a grip, Democrats only care about getting their agenda through, they could care less what happens to the economy. If it tanks again when republicans are in power they can use it as propaganda for the 2012 election. They don't care if they throw Obama under the bus to do it, because the real power is in the house and senate.
Let me guess... you watch Fox news all the time.
We should take advice from the same people who wrecked the worlds economy the Republicans? This same band of idiots cut taxes on the wealthy then started a trillion dollar war which they then needed to borrow money to support. By borrowing money the dollar fell in value which made the price of oil go straight up which made the recession begin. The rest is history and now they are back licking the boots of the rich. When will you people learn Republicans are not you friends. They have driven off all the sane ones and what is left in there are the dregs of a once proud useful party.
Jim, try finding the information for yourself. It's a little more difficult than just having someone else tell you what to believe but it won't kill you.
 and the Republicans think they are serving our nation by taking one issue and expanding it into a full stoppage of America's business?Â
On Nov 2, 2010 we, the voters, told them once again... "It's the economy, Stupid." They are setting the priorities just as we told them to. Take care of this items so we can move to the other, less pressing (not necessarily less important) issues.
Tom 39....
No, the Republicans know better than that... But they're masters at distorting...so that's what they're using as an excuse...hiding behind it...while they do the work of corporate America...so they can continue to get paid...by corporate...
The democrats were just given the best scapegoat that they could've wished for in their wildest dreams...by the American voters...! "The devil made me do it..." As they feed at the same trough as their republican "opponents"...
bluwtrdia
It is corporate America that provides the job you work in even if your employed by the government. With out corporate America there is no money for taxes and no money to support government. End of Story!
It is Democrats partisan politics that are forcing this show down. If they would work with Republicans to sort out issues then we wouldn't have been at an impasse for the last two years.
Well that spirit of bipartisan search for common ground lasted long, didn't it? All of 24 hours. I also noticed that Mitch McConnell thinks he's now the Senate Majority Leader, since he claims they won the election. Is he planning to switch parties and run for Harry Reid's job?
They are setting the priorities just as we told them to. Take care of this items so we can move to the other, less pressing (not necessarily less important) issues.
What an ugly troll fart that was I can smell it way out here thats just plain stupid.
More of the same crap - Regardless of party why do we elect these clowns?
reportthis...
Because the clowns have the system rigged... By offering no real choice of candidates in our elections, they simply continue to fight for power...the winner gets more money...
bluwtrdia
Did you run for office? Did you support and stump for candidates that were not affiliated with either major party? If not your as much to blame as they are and have no right to bitch!
because there is no term limits?
This is GREAT news. Since Pelosi decided, stupidly of course, to block anything the Republicans wanted to do, this should show her that it goes both ways. Mr. Obama and the Democrats free spending days are numbered. One term and out for this one.
You just don't get it. Obama and Pelosi did try working with the party of no. It always gets back to the gop making sure their donors get to continue raping our country. Did you not learn anything from the last time the republicans were in office. They almost ruined our country and it was Obama that saved us from that. Try getting your news from a legitmate source and not Fake News.
What exactly did Pelosi block?
What alternate universe have you been living in the last 2 years? Pelosie has block anything the Republicans wanted to do? You should change your name to HearMyLie. You do realize that the Republicans hold the record with filibusters, don't you? How on earth can you make those moronic assertions? Obama's downfall will come from this fantasy of bipartisanship. He will never, ever get the Republicans on board for anything. It's unbelievable that they want unemployment benefits to be paid for, but not Bush's tax cuts? If Americans don't see exactly where the Republicans alliances are now, there is absolutely no hope for America. November's elections results was about JOBS, not about insuring that Bush's Taxes are made permanent. Millions with no employment benefits, but millionairs getting more money to invest in their portfolios. We're doomed if the country starts working along those lines. LET THE TAXES EXPIRE AS THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO THIS YEAR! 10 YEARS IS ENOUGH!
doug - Pure BS coming from you. Try getting your news from a legitimate source and not Olbermann and Maddow.
Pelosi didn't block anything. STOP LYING!
Doug, you're kidding, right... To say that Obama and Pelosi did try working with the party of no is like saying the Nazi's simply tried to resettle the Jews to improve their quality of life. I mean, having sound bite where you SAY you reach out to the other side is very different than actually listening and incorporating their ideas. The Democratic position was on clear display during the televised Health Care Summit, where Obama and his cronies shot down each and ever point raised by the Republicans...
So it's "great news" when the republicans overuse the filibuster but you think it's "stupidity" when the democrats don't let the republicans pursue their agenda. Got it.
The business of our country and the needs of the people are bigger than the petty disagreements between the Republican and the Democratic politicians!! Don't be a fool and get sucked into their mindless rhetoric. They have no right at all to extort the government into satisfying their own party agendas!
FOR those of you NAY-sayers who are NOT staying current with the news here is a link to the idiot Pelosi's comment that YOU obviously ignored or missed. LEARN IT!!!
Pelosi's new mission: Block Obama deals with GOP
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40357872/
Now lets get Mr. Obama out of there in 2012 BEFORE he completely bankrupts this country.
Here's a news flash - THEY WERE THE CONGRESSIONAL MINORITY. Why would she bend to what the Congressional minority wants?
I know how Bush always did alot working with dems for the first 6 years.
HearMyTruth,
First you say that Pelosi is trying to keep Obama from working with Republicans. Then you say that our reaction should be get rid of the guy trying to push partisan politics?
Oh, and in case your missed it.....even conservative economist have stated that our economy is getting stronger, our economy is getting more stable and more Americans are experiencing more financial stability now than in they have in five years. So exactly how is the current administration bankrupting our country?
e average American (Not the political savvy ones here) only see that a tax cut puts money in their pocket, not that the reduced government income limits the ability of the govt to pay for all those things the people also want. So, the average American gets the govt to print more fiat and then wonders later why prices go up all the time without showing up on inflation indexes. The average American is not steeped in economics or politics, except what they read and hear because there is not a convenient, easy to use, source for research, and it's boring anyway. They would rather work, rest, and spend quality time with their family than try to understand and keep up with everything. It's just the crisis of today they are informed on, not the whole picture, so we get the government we deserve.
Now your all cracking me up. Both sides arguing about which news (entertainment) is the correct one.
Hmmmm, lets see, Fox is a conservative backed news entertainment station, while MSNBC is a liberal backed news entertainment station.
Please note that 90% of the broadcasting on either station is not actual news, but entertainment and opinion. While the remaining 10% of the broadcasting is partisan backed news which leans their parties way.
I can't tell the difference between OReilly, Maddow, Oberman or Beck, as each have an "ENTERTAINMENT" program that ALWAYS broadcasts the so called "news" with their partisanship bull their top agenda.
I mean really, there are some topics I agree with on both sides, but to blindly follow the rest of the crap is just insane. And I mean either party, neither has your best interest in mind, they only look after their own butts, and their campaign donors. Ho mush did any of you donate to either campaign? Was it enough to get their attention and pass a law to repay you? I think not....
and what say you of the 100+ Republican amendments that made it INTO the Healthcare bill before they promptly voted "NO" on it?
Just curious.
Anyone that thinks Obama and the Dems have been the obstructive party over the last 2 years has, quite clearly, not been paying attention to the world around them...
Unfortunately if the President hasn't got the balls to stand up to the republican slaughter of the average American, I'm glad Pelosi will still be there to fight for us. Our President needs a swift kick in the butt.
All of the MEDIA have been telling the FAKE news for two years now. Pelosi and her bunch of thugs did not want to work with the Republicans on anything. Those days are over. Go cry in your beer and get over it!!!
If Pelosi and Reid wish to continue working against Republicans despite the cost to the nation, they will find it extremely hard to get anything done once the polarity and make up of congress shifts. She has stonewalled and pushed the hard left agenda for the last two years and contrary to an above opinion, has not brought us stability. The economy is mending on it's own and is showing us why it is important to do everything in our power to help it heal faster. If proper steps had been taken, unemployment would be falling now instead of hanging stagnant. Government revenues would be up because of more people rejoining the workforce instead of remaining on unemployment.
Another lie Pelosi was better to the Republicans than she should have been and only blocked bill like the birther ones and the other insane crap they came up with.
archangel, you just wake up from a 8 year coma?
Logdump - She only blocked one bill ?
While Democratic House Speaker Senator Pelosi pays lip service to the long term unemployed, she made darn sure any bills such as " The Americans Want To Work Act' did not make it on the Senate roster for discussion.
During the most important debate the Congress has faced yet -- the discussion about the Iraq war. Democrats initially said they would allow Republicans to propose one alternative to the resolution denouncing a troop buildup but, days later, they thought better of it.
Months before her party won control of Congress and she became speaker, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said "bills should generally come to the floor under a procedure that allows open, full and fair debate consisting of a full amendment process that grants the minority the right to offer its alternatives, including a substitute." After the election, Pelosi told the Associated Press: "The principle of civility and respect for minority participation in this House is something we promised the American people. It's the right thing to do."
In the first weeks of the new Congress, however, Democrats bypassed the usual legislative committees, refused to allow any amendments and took their agenda straight to the floor for passage. They said they needed a clear path to pass a handful of popular measures that were the basis of their successful November campaign, including expanded money for stem cell research, an increase in the federal minimum wage and implementation of recommendations of the Sept. 11 commission.
I see again the party of NO are up to their un-American activities. The republicans just don't get it. When will they do something for the common working class family and not for the big businesses that fund their campaigns. These people are more of a threat to our way of life then any terrorist group. Bin Laden, McConnell, no difference!
doug
FDoing something for the common working class family? Like the SEIU dropping all children from their insurance coverage for 30,000 low-wage home attendants? Why don't they have their higher paid members cover the cost? I would rather have big business on the side of Americans than unions.
the south controls the republican party.we will always have problems in this country as long as the south has any power in our political system,it was the same when the south control the democrats.
Doug
The TEABAGGERS are no better.
Wonder how much Al Queda is sending them. They are their best splinter group.
Go ahead Mr. President - hold your hand out again and see what happens?????? - THEY BITE IT OFF and continue chewing your freaking arm off - Screw Bi-partisanship - and Screw the Republicans - enough of this @!$%#ing @!$%#...
Just what I was thinking. Don't give in Mr. President. Not only do they keep on chewing, they chew and spit-out.
Typical Repug behavior.
People, there is no such animal as bipartisanship...it's a myth.
If bipartisanship existed, there would be no need for parties. The party in power needs to force its hand, not extend it in friendship else it will be bitten off.
I'm personally beginning to worry about the mental health of the president. He seems to be totally and completely lost when it comes to dealing with the repugs or getting his message across. How many times and in how many ways do they have to tell him that they are not interested in compromise or even attempting to work together to get anything done? It's like he has a fetish for being rejected or being made to look bad. Does he think that appearing and acting weak and indecisive is a viable political strategy? It has gotten to the point where we can't count on him to stand up to McConnell or anything that the other side throws at him. He seems to be like someone who enjoys being beaten and mauled by an abusive spouse. Maybe it's time for the president to have a mental evaluation.
lol - I'm sure the President of the United States has a team of doctors around him - and is far more mentally stable than many of those who oppose his policies.
He jsut gave them a rope to hang themselves he exposed all that BS they were spreading about jobs etc being the most important thing in one sitting.
This is just the kind of ridiculous partisanship that has created such a chasmic divide in this country. ALL legislation, good , bad or indifferent! What has happened to civility, understanding and compromise?
Obama has been trying to compromise but the Republicans attitude is screw everybody else but the rich folks.
Working behind doors and telling memberspass the bill without reading it? This is why Republicans kick out Dems.
That happens when stupid angry people elect stupid angry Congressmen, they can't get anything done. The country is going to be stuck in the mud for another 2 years, then if the GOP wins (I expect so) the presidency it would sink even further, while China's economy grows another 7%. What a shame of a country we have become.
Working behind doors and telling memberspass the bill without reading it? This is why Republicans kick out Dems.
What brand of kool aid was that you had this morning? The Healthcare bill that passed has been kicked around the hill for 20 years and over 40% of it came from Republicans.
I hope the people that voted in the Republicans Tea Bags are proud of their handiwork. The party of NO is staying true to its ideals- our way or NO WAY. I am so proud to announce I dropped the Republican party affiliation in 2006. They only become more disgusting.
YES, I'm happy about it!!! WHY is Congress WASTING time on bills that COULD wait until next year, instead of funding the Gov't? Because the Dems KNOW they won't get this stuff passed next year, so they've got to do it NOW. The DEMS would be the ones shutting down Gov't, either by not funding the next year (and why would they, since they won't be in power) OR by forcing this showdown. The DEMS are the ones you SHOULD be mad at!
The financial crisis of 2008. It is the party of NO and the party of support the rich. They sure have brainwashed a lot of average folks into that too. They are 100% against you, unless you are rich.
Im pretty happy now and I plan to be even happier as the new Congress comes in. I look forward to watching Pelosi/Reid and Mr Obama slowly lose everything they crammed down our throats over the past 2 years!
Joe, Just because you keep repeating your nonsense does not make it any more true. Wake up -- your "savior" is the one trying to destroy our Country. You people keep harping on the top 2% -- why do you think these people take their business out of the country? Because they can't afford to work here! The Unions are costing us our jobs and Obama works FOR the Unions, in particular SEIU!!
I find your statement to be the quintessential hypocritical statement. Whining about repeated rhetoric and how it doesnt make it true - quickly followed by the qualifying statement that the elected commander in chief of this country is trying to destroy it. LOL! You people belong in straight jackets.
Are you that dense? How about cheaper labor to start. Your ill attempt at framing the reason companies move overseas due to taxes is ridiculous.
Its really quite simple and fast:
1) Sign the Start Treaty this afternoon to strengthen national security: Democrats clearly now have the high ground on national security -- whether the Republicans sign it or not-- another issue where the Republicans have lost significant ground. By signing the Treaty the Senate might truly demonstrate they care about a non-partisan issue beneficial to all Americans, and to all of humanity--WOW, what a wonderful gift for this blessed season.
2) Extend the tax cuts to all those making less than $500,000/year. Sign it by December 15.
3) Use the new revenues to incentivize American corporations to stop sending jobs overseas.
4) Extend jobless benefits by December 8.
5) Through March 15, 2011, monitor whether record corporate earnings are indeed "trickling down" to create new jobs. If not, increase taxes on those making more than $2 million per year.
6) Close tax loopholes and offshore accounts.
I think we hear the sound of peace, job creation, and real deficit reduction...
No one crammed anything down my throat, maybe you should find better friends or move?
Good Ideas.
Too bad that the status quo will never let it happen. They have had these tax cuts for over 9 years. They say they need them to create jobs. Where are the jobs, China? If they want these tax cuts to continue, then let them create 1 million new jobs by Jan. 31st. If they can then they can keep their tax cuts. (they've had these cuts for 9 years). If the can't create these jobs then screw them.
What did Americans think they were going to get by voting back in the party of "No"! Repuknics have always been good at politics, but can't govern!
Sure there is some waste in government, just like in any large organization. However, sooner or later, we will have to realize that we can't have the kind of communities and country we want to live in without raising taxes.
Sure we can. Cut out welfare for those who choose to live life without a hint of personal responsibility.
YES!!! Cut off those with no personal responsibility!!! Of course removing all those dolts in DC would cause some panic here and there, but in the end it truly would be the best thing for all of us. Career politicians are sucking the life out of this country and clearly show no remorse or personal responsibility for the actions they take.
bdfaust-
but what are we going to do without all those CEO's and wallstreet bankers?
You know I don’t think that’s what he was talking about.
We need to reform how food stamps are distributed . Any system that encourages generations to continue receiving foodstamps and medicaid is flawed. I personally am sick to death of going to the grocery store and being in line behind someone who is using food stamps (or food stamp debit card) and watch them purchase food frozen food items, (which are much more expensive) and other junk food items with their card. THEN they use cash to buy liquor and cigarettes. They also tend to have very expensive cell phones and I have seen their children have their own expensive cell phone. This is an outrage. If they can afford these types of luxuries they can be taken off of food stamps.
Welfare should be payed not based on how many children there are, but it should be done as it is in the military. We’ll give you xx dollars to supplement your food budget, BUT that’s all you get we don’t care how many mouths you have to feed.
Receiving foodstamps and other gov assistance was never meant to be permanent, it was meant to be a hand up not a handout. Of course people that are unemployed should be eligible. We all know of people who make a living a scamming the system and those people should be prosecuted and when found guilty put in prison.
Where I live here in S. Illinois, welfare fraud is a thriving business and more attention needs to go to stopping it.
You really need to look at the actual federal budget, not the rumor mill. The amount spent on welfare and food stamps is so small it's almost a rounding error. If you really want to cut spending, you need to take a look at Defense and "Homeland Security", which is over a trillion dollars. That is more than twice what we spent when we were trying to keep the Soviet Army on the eastern side of Europe.
Janet, you really don't have a clue do you?
Shellie -
Janet, you really don't have a clue do you?
You got to start somewhere. I live in California and trust me, foodstamp assistance program needs reform. Did you know that you can use that card for fast food? Sick.
"Here we go again." - DMX
Either do the job, or get out of the way so we can get people who will.
What a bunch of stupid, pompas, arrogant idiots!!!!!!
Let's have another DO NOTHING but SAY NO Congress and Senate. That's just what we need!!!
Our political system is badly broken. Our two party system no longer works (if it ever really did).
Did you not read the article? The aren't saying do NOTHING...they are saying put the ECONOMY first, rather than give-away feel good legislation for illegal aliens.....Pretty clear to me. Until the Democrats begin to understand they won't even HAVE a job unless they begin to focus on the economy, then block every hand out they DREAM up!
It hasn't worked. What worked was our economic system but now the rich have all the money. It's no secret that the Republicans are for the rich.
Joe B
John Kerry is the richest Senator and George Soros is not a Republican. It's no secret that the progressives lie an awful lot about who the rich are. I'm conservative and I am not rich. The Republicans just want to pass fiscal bills before all the other crap that progressives want to shove at us. What is wrong with that?
But neither of them are purporting to leave the existing tax schema as it is. That'd be your repub buddies.
Mike
As soon as you lefties decide to make everyone contribute I will agree with you. I say let all the tax breaks expire or none of them. Knock off this class warfare crap.
John Kerry is spending a Republicans money. Heinz is probably rolling over in his grave seeing what his widow is doing. Typical lib, can't do it on their own, need to steal from the successful.
I contribute - which renders the rest of your post stupid.
Which dead republican made Warren Buffet and Bill gates rich? I forget so please remind me. Again - the rest of your post is rendered stupid.
I would bet that both John Kerry and George Soros deducted more than the standard deduction from their income taxes. If they, and others like them (Bill Maher, Michael Moore, etc.) think the rich should pay more in taxes then they should lead by example and no longer deduct anything and pay taxes without adjusting their income. When that happens, I'll believe it when they say the rich are under-taxed.
How do you know it's not? Assuming again I see.
Shellie, how does who what is not?
It’s been more than three months since we first told you about Capt. John Kerry’s high-seas tax dodge on his new $7 million yacht, Isabel, and the town of Nantucket still doesn’t have a check from the senior senator!
Bookem - Using John Kerry to prove a point?
Yes, I was. He is one who states "the rich" should pay higer taxes. So, instead of just saying that others should pay higher taxes, he should first pay higher taxes himself and then ask others to do the same.
In other news, Mitch is advising mothers to throw out the baby with the bathwater. He's such an inspirational leader.
Just in case I missed it, did we elect a bunch of 5th graders to office? I guess Mitch is gonna get Nancy at recess next!?!
She'd give him a really good smack down!!! But don't worry she'll give Boehner all the hell he can handle in the House come January.
FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blocking a nuclear treaty and the funding of our armed forces so the rich can get a tax break that they don't need?
Stay classy, Republicans.
they're not getting a tax break...learn to read the issues hey are getting the same extension to the same tax cuts the middle class has enjoyed...I guess you believe the rich should pay our fair share too.
You have a problem with some of congress putting the ECONOMY first?
The rich do not pay their fair share at all. The middle class pay the bulk of our taxes. That is common knowledge. You have to be totally brainwashed to think otherwise, kind of like those cult people.
cardrings, you mean the same tax extension that has cost as much as the idiot's adventure in Iraq and only served to increase the wealth gap in this country? The same extension that have had no positive impact on our country whatsoever other than to plunge it further into debt?
You keep defending the rich like a good little serf though, cardrings. That's a good boy.
Joe, they aren't like cult people. They are cult people. In this case, it's the cult of ignorance.
Joe-
The rich do pay the bulk of the taxes. Of course, the only reason they do that is because they have the bulk of the income. We have an income based tax system. There are some rich who do pay their fair share, although there are many who pay at a smaller % than the middle class does.
Its the only way to get what this country needs, The lefty libs are like Custer forming a wagon circle while the Indians continue to circle.
The wealthiest 1 percent of the population earn 19 percent of the income but pay 37 percent of the income tax. The top 10 percent pay 68 percent of the tab. Nearly 48% of the pop pay no income tax at all. Statistical fact. Look it up.
and this is exactly the point. The few are paying for the many. So if you happen to be of the "many" how do you care how badly taxed the "few" are. Not everyone in the "few" group is a corrupt Goldman Sachs employee you know.
Nearly 48% of the pop pay no income tax at all.
Exxon mobile is part of that 48% you whine about. What, you didn't know that? No surprise, apparently there's a lot you don't know. it might benefit you to actually find a fact or two and stop being told what to think.
And this is news? That's all they have done for two years, they have to pay back those corporate pigs that bought them the elections don't ya know, so things like unemployment and DADT, the budget, well those are for the little people. The GOP are the Leona Helmsley's of the world!
You mean like the Democrats (like Harry Reid, for instance) have to pay back all the Hispanics who promised to vote for them if they'd push through an amnesty?
uhh Becky, if they need amnesty then they probably couldnt vote for him, ya have to be a citizen to vote, you betcha!!
@ nancy; uhh you're wrong, harry reid and obummer received votes from huge blocks of illegal aliens, and have continued to block a system for verifying voter registration. as it stands now, the only verification required to register to vote is your signature on the line at the bottom, affirming that you are a legal citizen.
NO DREAM ACT, NO AMNESTY, NO GOVERNMENT SUPPORT OF ANY TYPE/KIND FOR ILLEGALS!!!!!!!!
Im a US citizen and I registered to vote with a US postal letter with my name and current address on it. Hmmmm Poor Nancy she knows not what she say.
I know, judging by the complete certainty in your post, that you will able to produce some form of evidence that huge blocks of illegals voted. More reading and independent thought - less Fox News.
Upon reading it you see that they just want to get the top priority items settled (economy) before moving onto less dire issues since they don't have much time left in session. Prioritizing isn't a terrible idea.
They just want to make certain the top 2% get their tax cut. They are holding the country hostage to that aim. Period!
Are you for real? It is this "interpretation" of republican blackmail that has destroyed this country. How can you believe giving the 2% a continued tax reduction for them to invest is more important than extending unemployment benefits for those who are desperate to survive. For the record if I was voting my pocketbook I would love Mitch, but I believe those of us who are lucky need to help others succeed so I am a Democrat.
That's all there is to it. The rich don't want to pay their share. They want to keep all the money, and they get the average Americans in the Republican Party to fight for them. It's amazing that they can brainwash people like that. All you have to do is somehow equate this money issue with being a true American, a good Christian, a gun owner .... and throw in the fact that Ted Kennedy drove that car into the water. Basically the Republicans will get whipped into a frenzy and meanwhile the rich get all that money. They just want the money, they don't care about America, bibles, guns or even Ted Kennedy.
Obama came out of that meeting saying they had agreed to work together. Boehner and Cantor came out of that same meeting saying that Obama had basically apologized for excluding them from decision making. Obama said they had agreed to let a commission work out compromise. Today , his friends on the other side of the aisle blindsides him with this crap! If they force a vote, I hope the Democrats have the balls to tell them to go fly a kite! If ever there was a need for a resounding "NO" this is it! No employment benefits for millions, but millions more going into the bank accounts of millionaires. Unbelievable!
The most pressing issue facing the US is cutting taxes for the wealthiest 2% of Americans at the cost of $700 billion dollars over the next decade, when it has been shown time and time again that the top 2% of the wealthiest DO NOT create jobs, they save their money. Small business owners, who DO create jobs, are not the top 2% of the US. Add to that the fact that the wealthiest never pay what their "stated" tax rate is because of loopholes, and it becomes apparent that cutting taxes for the wealthiest 2% is a disgusting joke. But who do you think funds the Republican Party?
PLEASE DEFINE WHAT YOU LEFT LIBS CALL RICH! All I hear from you is rich rich rich. WTF is the definition of rich. Someone with more than you? Some one with a new car? Some one who managed to keep track of their money and was responsible? WHAT IS RICH.
But is it worth shutting down the government unless we do it their way? I understand the Republicans just want to get on with the stuff about the economy, but logically looking at it, wouldn't it be better to vote on that stuff after the budget commission votes on their recomendation on Friday? Or could it be, they are afraid of what the Budget Commission will recommend??!!!In the meantime, there ARE other things they could be taking care of instead of just doing nothing!
Rich is someone that had all the privelege of education due the the fact that their parents got corporate welfare to make their millions and continue to ask for more. These are the true elitists, not someone in a rural commnuity working his ass off to pay the bills and see on television the excesses of the "rich' buying cars, for their chilren christmas presents and the only reason you are rich is your parents mooched off the taxpayers for cooporate welfare to build a business and that in turn gave you the opening to a great college to make you richer and connect with your fraternity brothers to mooch more off the hard working of this country.
littlejoepeep:
Why dont you read??? It has ALWAYS been clear that for the purposes of allowing tax cuts "for the rich" has ALWAYS meant those making $250K/yr!!
Let the GOP shut down the government! It's too bad so many voters got taken in by their lies. Im sure the people are just going to LOVE that!! Then ones who will suffer MOST are those that do not have a lot of money!! The GOP doesnt cARE about those people-- only the monied elite!
The notion that jobs are at risk because of the impending tax change for the wealthy is a total fabrication. It amazes me that the Mitch believes we are all so uninformed about benefits and legal loopholes available to business owners. If a business owner is paying himself 250 g's and the tax break starts there, he is just going to adjust his salary to 249,999. If a business owner has employees he needs to do a job, he is not going to get rid of him to NOT do the job because of taxes. A business owner will hire more people if he has more CUSTOMERS---or you could call them employees, or consumers, or the middle class---maybe the tax cut should expire for everyone---but everyone should get to follow the same rules as the business owners---imagine being able to write off 20% of your house expenses for an office, or write off your gas used driving to work?
Who the hell do the Republicants think they are? They didn't get a policy endorsement in the last election but just unfounded pushback ironically against the bad economy they caused by and large. The Dems need to call their bluff and vote on a bill just to extend tax cuts for the middle class. Then when they Republicants vote it down they will be on the record as being anti middle class which anyone with a brain already knows!! Obama needs to grow a pair and be aggressive for once. I wonder how smart our voters really are?
Joe Liberal Believer of Spin,
Fact - 2008 breakdown of US tax burden
Top 1% contributed 38%
Top 2% contributed 59%
Top 25% contributed 70%
Conclusion: 75% of taxpayers contribute 30% of tax burden
98% of taxpayers contribute 41% of tax burden
99% of taxpayers contribute 62% of tax burden
The wealthiest 2% contribute a substantial amount of money; but you keep pushing class warfare here on MSNBC...
What has Mitch and the GOP done in the last 10 years, nothing.
Mitch - lead, follow or get the hell out of the way.
How much of the national wealth is held by the top 25% and how much is held by the other 75%???????????????????
The top 1% make 24% of the total income.
The top 10% make close to 50% of the total income.
The class warfare is not the poor against the rich, it is visa versa.
As someone in the the top 15% I would gladly return my tax cut if it would be directly applied to the debt.
Please, these old farts aren't putting anything a head of anything. They have been sitting on bill after bill for the last 2 freaking years. They want to study them, not make fast decisions. If they haven't been able to accomplish this in 2 years, they are either illiterate, don't understand the English language, mentally challenged or they are habitual liars and don't give a rats Asses.
Stop with the nonsense
pat c-1901476:
You would be correct!
But that is a dirty little secret that Republicans never talk about.
What is so sad is all the misguided , uneducated and POOR folk who vote with the Tea Party Republicans to give a Tax Cut to the rich while they will continue to be poor. Voting against their own interest.
Is that stupid or what?
For anyone referencing the Presidential term with the budget and/or deficit, you're forgetting who makes the budget.
A better and more accurate reference would be to track the Congressional party in power versus the budget. That gives you a true look at who's doing what.
http://simplyshrug.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50:revisiting-the-bush-deficits&catid=31:general&Itemid=50
Sheila Md, Pat C,
No matter how much money the top tier earners have, even if it is more than what the US treasury has, it does not belong to the government and it does not belong to you. It belongs to the people who made the money... period. That is what the folks in the Tea Party get, but sadly you and our current liberal congress and president don't get it.
If you want to get a good feel for this, let's suppose the playing field for tax payment gets leveled. Everybody, regardless of income, pays the same rate. I know, I know, "but I can't afford to pay as much as so and so." You wouldn't be. You would be paying an equal percentage. The rich guy is still paying a truck load more than you are. But, I'd lay odds that the idea of you paying an equal percentage is already making you squirm and cringe because after all that would be so "unfair' to you. The question is whether it really is unfair.
This one's dedicated to Sparky1028, since I'm sick and tired of reading the ignorant comments spewing from disillusioned fools. Are you rich? Do you make over $250,000 per year? No? So what exactly are you defending right now? Tea Party and Republicans aren't in office for the average person, they're in there to make sure their pockets and those that financially support them remain lined with gold, while everyone else, including yourself, gets screwed. Logically speaking, who actually needs to make $250,000 or more per year and then complain that too much is being taken away?
All I've seen in the last few days is that Republicans are going to block any motions that would help people until they get what they want. And last I checked, they were elected into office because the people wanted them to change things. I'm positive if their campaigns had mentioned extending Bush era tax cuts to the wealthy, they wouldn't have been ushered in by fools like you.
And to add to your point, Sparky, If every American was required to pay the same flat tax rate, those with less income would feel the pain more than say a millionaire. It would be no different than a flat sales tax rate on grocery items that is paid by all. Just who feels the tax bite more?
Sparky1028-
Most of the Democrats I know favor an across the board percentage when it comes to taxes. Unfortunately, the Republicans won't go for that because it would put ALL of the people on the same level and that would offend the Repubs sensibilities! No special treatment for the very rich! The middle class will always have to bear the brunt of the economic situation because they are the buffer between the haves and have-nots!
Well, Mr. McConnell and Mr. Boehner, you and your Republican brood are just going to hold your breadth until your faces turn blue until you get your way! To hell with the rest of us! I'd be lying if I said I was surprised.
Mary, the progressive tax system we have is designed to encourage those who are in a position to invest, to actually invest, hire more people and create more taxpayers. And everybody wins. A flat tax will actually discourage investment. Then nobody wins.
Despite what the left would have you believe, the government doesn't create jobs. The private sector creates jobs. Increasing taxes discourages the private sector from risking its capital in the free market. The government is not the solution, it's the problem. Whether you think dems or repubs are the bigger pinheads is immaterial. They are all basically incompetent and need to be in charge of as little as possible. The liberal dems don't seem to grasp this.
It's important to understand that we don't have a revenue problem, we have a SPENDING problem. Increasing taxes on anyone at this point to fund more government spending is an impediment to the growth that is required to rescue the economy.
Unbeknown to the hard core liberal the bush years were boom years if you couldnt make money or find a job you werent trying and the reason the bush tax cuts.
Obviously the people in this country are not dumb they can see with bigger taxes looming on the business sector of this nation. The job market has slowed down to a trickle. Why? The people who do all of the taxable hiring do not know what their taxes will be with the democrat spend and tax maniacs.
It is always easy for the liberal math mind to say let's raise taxes yayyyy we get to get even with old richie rich. Richie rich produces all of the taxable jobs in the usa. Richie rich produces everything consumed in the usa. Richie rich has to pay higher taxes those higher prices get passed on to everyone in this nation in lost jobs and higher prices now tell me how this is a win win for the struggling middle class with less jobs and higher prices?
Obviously the people of this nation wanted the republicans to come in and stop this job loss and higher priced future with the I can't add up the damages liberals.
People want jobs not higher taxes People want food not higher prices.
The government cannot create a job that is lucerative to the people of thhis nation government jobs are a liability while privet sector jobs are a asset.
Maybe the people of this nation are smarter then previously thought so they elected the repubicans to increase jobs and keep prices down. That is the biggest favor our government can do for this nation no matter what class you are in.
Typical republican obstructionism. They demand "bipartisanship" from the president and the democrats -- then they vow to completely shut congress down unless they get everything they demand. They're going to completely shut congress down unless the democrats agree to extend tax cuts for billionaires.