Well said, Louis J. The policies of Bush 43 was Reagan's times 10. President Obama is doing what needs doing. Republicans will continue their obstructionism, their minority rule via filibuster, rather than adhering to the Constitution which clearly states majority rule. History will most likely judge Bush 43 as one of the worst presidents ever; sure he'll score points for a view good things but his economic and foreigh policies set this country on the road to disaster. President Obama may anger some liberals but in the end, he will succeed in moving this country's legislature back toward civility and working together, something that has been missing for 15 years or more.

Looks like epiphany time at First Read.

"...the Obama-GOP package will clear the Senate with relative ease..."

Let's see...

The President proposes legislation with bipartisan support obtained through negotiation with the opposition party, and...all of a sudden, the rules of the Senate no longer appear to be an obstacle to passage of the bill he wants.

Of course, this isn't the way Nancy Pelosi is used to doing business.

But then...she's not the President of the United States, is she?

You know something Jody, I am all for having confidence in the elected officials. I did not have a problem with Bush... at first. I hoped that he would do a good job even though I did not vote for him. Matter of fact, I was hoping he would find the culprits that instigated 9/11. But I lost all confidence when he did not make gains on finding Bin Laden, and lost all hope when he mentioned Iraq.

I then started to wonder what even happened during 9/11... I mean, where was the intel? Bush was either the laziest and most inept President we had or he was the most devious... I guess history will decide. But I guarantee, "Infamous" will be part of the title.

Yep, and it really started to go downhill when Demos gained control in 2006..

Spend, spend, and spend some more....

Would have thought Barry would have put an end to all the spending,.. for the good of the country,

But NO, he just spent more than the others..ha

And the proof, Jody, is that all of his policies have been so effective?

The only jobs 'saved' by his stimulus were state union bureaucrats- who, themselves, represent a drag on the economy because their bloated ranks, salaries, benefits and pensions must be born by the taxpayers in those states. Moreover, the D.C. Cash infusion merely delayed the reckoning. States that did not take action last year are facing bankruptcy this year, (think California, New York, and Illinois, to name the worst problem states).

The only way out of this fiscal mess is to cut spending deeply and permanently.

Jody, you are completely out of touch. He is making things worse and worse, despite the best efforts of the liberal media to continue to try to paint everything the libs do in a positive manner. The last election proved that people are waking up. Quit trying to blame Bush, this is all in the Dems lap now.

louis j - On your post #1.0... If I ignore the rhetoric of your third paragraph, you have for once shown a thoughtfull approach to american politics. I congratulate you and the fact that you presented your post in a manner that didn't entail the word "republithugs"

LouisJ applying that lipstick REAL thick still isn't going to change how history judges this President. Nomatter how much Vaseline is on the lens, Obama is not now nor will he ever be anything but partisan.

On another note why does bipartisanship mean more spending? Why can't they get together sing Kumbaya and cut spending?

This vote is as good a crackpot litmus test as you are going to get. It is a compromise deal, and those who still are unhappy because they either think he gave too much or too little, are the radicals who, thankfully, have less and less voice when it comes to the decisions that matter. How you get things done is exactly how it is getting done today. Let the rabid eat each other.

Republicans elect football players, wrestlers and beauty queens and then wonder why government doesn't work.

I'm tired of Republicans. It was all a nice puppet show. Foolish elderly Republican voters actually think that Republicans are going to repeal the Heath Care Reforms and ban earmarks and bring "freedom" back.

Would you hire a confessed animal hater to run a pet store? No? Then why would you elect politicians who freely admit to despising government?

Republicans rally against regulation of industry, and then America sees how that turns out when BP spills a million barrels of oil in our seas.

Republicans will rally against gay people, stripping them of civil rights, and then you find them tapping their toes in airport bathrooms looking for their gay lovers.

Republicans will rally against non-existent communists but have no problem driving an economy with Karl Marx like spending of tax dollars on endless wars against enemies that did not attack us.

After the last ten years of watching Republicans one word stands out as defining them perfectly; hypocrite.

People in government should believe in government, and that's exactly why Democrats will get my votes for years to come.

The tea Party never existed. It was a propaganda campaign to rally the disaffected Republicans. The media was paid to say "Tea Party" instead of saying "Republican" and in doing so created a new "brand" that was not tainted by the failure and incompetence of the Republican Party.

There is no such thing as a conservative. I understand the frustrations of everyone who wanted Obama to fix the world in 365 days, but I do NOT understand how anyone could be so illogical to think that Obama is an evil person bent on the destruction of this country.

There are people who vote for people that call themselves conservatives but really what you get is a bunch of theocrats who try to consolidate money and power to an elite group of ideological zealots who are willing to commit intense acts of hypocrisy simply to feel as if they have "won", like it's all some kind of game.

These toe tapping tools will stop at nothing to force your children learn myth in science classrooms such as ID or that the Earth was made 6000 years ago. These fake so called Republicans will vow that gays should not be able to live as non-gays do in our country, while simultaneously being gay in the closet. These people like to hate things. Fighting is what feels normal. These people are angry and angry people are easily exploited.

Welcome to the Divided States of Glen Beckistan.

I hear some of you saying to cut spending. I'll ask (as I've heard asked many times) what spending would we cut? Social Security? Health and Human Services (Medicare/Medicaid)? Defense? Those are the three biggest areas of spending in the government so would have the biggest impact if reduced.

Everyone good with that?

http://www.federalbudget.com/

We have no intention of cooperating with the inept lying quasi socialaist in the white house.

Obama will be come know only, as the president who presided, when economy was finalliy imploded by the quasi socialists.

Conservatives you ran on a program of cutiing spending , opposing Obama and repealing the insurance facre.

Here you are upholding borrowing more money and compromisning with the inept liar in the whitehouse.

We removed a lot of republican incumbents ibt he primaries this year we will be happy to do so again..

Let the tax cuts expire for every one.

Let's get the 47% of filers that paid no taxes back on board.

When they are paying taxes again, they wiill be concerned when Obama raises taxes to pay for his leech programs.

apostasy - Football players know how to win, quarterbacks know how to lead, wrestlers (as in wwe) know how to act and beauty queens know how to inspire and motivate.

All these properties, obama, pelosi and reid failed to do in the last two years. At least obama appears to be learning, can't say the same for pelosi and reid yet.

Hypocrit? Isn't that another word meaning politician who can't compromise or find common ground?

BTW, what news sources do you believe in? Perhaps we can all benefit by reading your sources as well, rather than the limited sources such as "thinkprogresive" or fox news. Please enlighten us, curious minds want to know.

Revisiting my solution to the deficit from last year, but with several new ideas. here are my suggestions.

We sell Texas to Mexico. They don't like America anyway and their idiot Governor wants to cede(sp) from the Union anyway.

We also sell Arizona to Mexico and not only pay off the National debt, but make a nice profit with the two sales.

And, as an added bonus, we solve Arizona's immigration problem. Now there's no more illegal Mexicans only illegal Americans. LOL Sounds like the answer to me. Plus we get rid of their goofy Governor,

Jody every dem programs is predicated on stealing money from the people that earned it and giving it to the handouters.

We have no intention of being civil or polite to the the people that steal our wages and give it to the handouters.

We should have started as soon as Kennedy started his parasitical programs and we wouldn't be where we are today.

You folks blew it this time, Obama lured all of the libs out of the closet, all the way out of the closet, we know know you what you are, you will never stop, as soon as one handout programs is inplace you will start on the next one.

Party is over we have no inention oc cooperationg with the handouter enablers.

You think it has been ugly before, wait, for it.

Consequences are normally based on irrational actions and the results are usually negative. However, the more that critics continue to paint this compromise as a negative, the longer they can keep it in the mainstream and as the main subject. Anytime the media manipulates the public storyline, the more they become emboldened to push it as fact when all it is dynamic fiction. All details are manipulated to feed a public frenzy of ideological influence in order to create other hysterias. I call it "Beating on the hornet's nest".

The public needs to unplug itself from the need of all things electronic and begin to think for themselves. As long as we as a people allow the corporate board rooms to think for us, the more we continue to give them what they want.

I tell you that the pundits that make you say what they want, are only empowered by their influence over you. They become the voice inside your head. Tell the voices to leave you alone.

Hey Louis J maybe you should get your information right before you open your mouth.

the Dems had control of both houses for the last two years of Bush, so they could have

passed anything they wanted thank you very much

Ever heard of Veto? They are both in on it.

California Tom,

I would think we would get more money from the sale of California, besides, that would end the marijuana debate out there. Then the rest of the nation won't have to listen to all of those left wing liberals, and then Nancy can be President of Mexico, or better yet, Speaker of their house. Because we know that California is so financially sound:)

And besides, if you sold Texas, they would just Revolt again and become their own nation again. Something that California could never do.

"Washington doesn't have a revenue problem. Washington has a spending problem". What a bunch of bs. Republicans fail to admit that Washington does indeed have a revenue problem. Tax revenues have repeatedly shrunk after Reagan's so called 'revenue neutral' tax reform in 1986. Yes it's true that Washington has a spending problem, much of it is health care and two wars, but please, stop brainwashing people into thinking tax isn't part of the problem, because it is, and these 'low' tax rates cannot be sustained forever without continued borrowing.

Remember folks, it isn't about whether to raise taxes or cut spending, because tax cuts ARE government spending.

I never said anything about the legislation of 2006 and beyond. I spoke of 2002 and will even say up to this point. They were both dysfunctional. I'll agree on that. Both had opportunities to do something. But the mere fact is that they little to curtail the problems we are facing right now. Whether either had filibuster power or not, the fact that President Obama has set policy to disrupt unregulated financial institutions from sceming against the public, policy to stop health insurance malpractices, fair pay for people looking for work is strengthened, UI is still helping...

Listen we can agree to disagree, but the fact that people are stressing over a progressive agenda to line up with 21st Century Innovations is a baseless issue in dealing with long term deficits. There are underlying issues that are the real problem that will be dealt with by enveloping strong policies that are in place from the above legislations. True that there will be tinkering that needs to take place but that does not take away from the effectiveness of dealing with the issues we face.

My bottom line is tax cuts for the wealthy does not make sense. The rationale used by Republicans has been trickle down voodoo economics.

Trickle-Down Economics: Four Reasons Why It Just Doesn't Work: http://www.faireconomy.org/research/TrickleDown.html

Recent study on what really happens to tax cut money - Rich Americans Save Tax Cuts Instead of Spending, Moody's Says : http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-13/rich-americans-save-money-from-tax-cuts-instead-of-spending-moody-s-says.html

And here is that actual track record of tax cuts for the wealthy. Reagan and the two Bushes in five terms in office simply transferred the IRS tax revenue loss onto the national debt along with excessive military spending. Through all five terms in office America accounted for more world military spending than all other nations combined. They account for 9.2 trillion dollars of the current national debt.

http://zfacts.com/p/1195.html

Most of us are still in recession hard times while the financial wealth disparity between the rich and poor has degraded back to the level it was at in 1928 - just before the Great Depression started with the wealthy and Wall Street giants collapsing the US economy with white collar crimes and greedy speculation.

The statistics, factual evidence, graphs, charts and authoritative opinion lines up against trickle down voodoo economics. The only real rationale Republicans have for those tax cuts is an extra butt kiss to the wealthy hoping they will be Republican campaign donors.

Calif.tom you talk about Arizona and Texas,open your eyes Calif. is about to go belly up of course then you can continue picking up your welfare checks. Illegal immigration is not only Arizona's problem but the country's, so what laws do you think we should enforce? It's a good thing ignorance isn't against the law.

Even though the Democrats have had a majority in both houses, the republicans have been using the filibuster since day one of that majority, thus limiting ALL of the good work the Democrats could have been doing. So, shut up about the Democrats having the majority since 2006 because they would have had to have at least 64 seats to even get past the republican filibuster agenda.

LouisJ: "President Obama will be known as the Great Uniter, the detractors will be known as the Great Dividers."

And where Obamas Minions (the Democrat’s) will be known as the GREAT THIEVES and the Great Deniers. Ask people in Alabama about the 3 democrat’s (one was a democrat who changed to republican, but never got to run as one) arrested on federal corruption charges. And where 50 Democrats voted for a 62% pay increase.

By the way. The WAR you talk about was demanded for by the people of the United States. Congressmen demanded that the U.S. strike back. Bush did what the majority of the people wanted.

Louis,

Though you may not choose to believe it, Obama isn't the one that has many tough decisions to make. Most of them were made for him. All he needs to do is act on what is happening in his administration, the tough decisions were made before he took office. The decisions and legislation implemented in 2007 and 2008 as the economy was unraveling were the ones that brought us to a halt where we are at. It was Obama's job to make things improve. Despite what you may think Bush did a lot to help this country and faced many tough decisions. Because of his choices we are not in a depression, The world is a little safer, Al Qaeda is still hiding in the mountains, and there is hope that the middle east will stabilize. Our troops in Iraq are coming home and Afghanistan stands a chance to be rid of religious extremism.

Steven, Highlands Ranch, CO

Well, to help curb spending, the federal budget should not be increased until unemployment is at 5%. At the same time, the hiring of federal employees should be frozen. In 8 years of Bush, he only increased the amount of federal employees by 50K, while our current president has increased the number of federal employees by 40k in 2 years. This doesn't include the census workers.

He has already frozen federal pay, and they won't receive their 1.4% raise, which is somewhat of a start. But I still believe that federal employees should have a 5% pay decrease to save money. Not on their benefits, but on salary alone. Some will think that more would be okay. I think that the salaries of Congress should be frozen and that their expenses cut by 25% this year, along with a 5% decrease each year after that. Make them accountable for the money they are budgeted.

Other areas to consider--foreign aid--suppose to $41 billion this year. We need to take care of our own, so that needs to be cut by 75%, saving another $30 billion. I also believe that we could easily cut 10% of waste from the military, SS, and Medicare, without disrupting benefits.

Forget the Democrats and The Republicans both parties are now not living in reality.
I don't care what happens anymore because no matter what the people at the bottom will continue to get the doo doo end of the stick.
Why don't this goevernment just leave us alone we do not benefit from their intervention and to me it does not matter who rules us bc they all are the same.
I've lost hope that we will ever get on the right path.
I've lost hope in Obama and after this vote will lose hope in my congress and senate.

I say just don't do it the worse that can happen is that we'll began to chip away at the national debt.
The deal just doesn't add up. The lower class Americans won't get nothing in tax savings a total of $1,100.00, while the rich will get all of the money $104,000.00 off of $1million in income.
Unless they expect for me to get a 10% or more cut in taxes like they are receiving it does not make since for this President to sell out the people who have been convincing others to vote for him and his democrats over the last few years.
That is not a slap in the face that is a punch in the face because when it comes to us and taking care of us he always play the middle. If we were looking to get stabbed in the back we would have voted in McCain.

Peel-Layer,

Just remember that 47% of Americans did not pay taxes on their income last year. Of the 151 million tax payers, over 70 million received a total tax refund or more back. Although not rich, I believe that the tax system should be fair, and when the top 5% of the taxpayers in this country are paying 80% of the bills, well that is not really fair.

Until Congress reforms the tax code, cuts out deductions & loopholes, we are going to keep having these problems. But until everyone is paying their fair share in income taxes. I would rather the rates go down, than allow our government to keep taking more and spending more.

Archangel, so someone else made the "unpopular" decision to "compromise"? Yeah, ok. Wake me when the soothsayer returns on that one. And while you're at it, hit my snooze button on the Health Care Wake Up clock. SMH. Nice try.

John Brown-2337910:

You comments echo those of so many on the Right who keep insisting that President Obama stop blaming Bush and the Republicans for the mess we are in. Okay let’s blame it on Saddam Hussain or Tony Blair.

The bottom line is we cannot blame President Obama because the spending frenzy began when he was still an Illinois State Senator. To suggest that because the Dems had controlled of the House and Senate in 2006 meant that they could pass any legislation and spend as much as they wanted to is just not based in reality.

Ever hear of such a thing as a presidential veto?

Batman....before 2006 the Democrats were doing their fair share of filibustering as well. And they filibustered one major bill in 2003 that could have seriously helped avert the worst of this crisis, the housing and mortgage industry. At the guidance of Chris Dodd, Maxine Waters, and Barney Frank, their killed a Bush administration bill to reign in Fannie and Freddie.

Of course, the Dems have been in bed with those two, and I mean that literally since Barney's hunny worked for oone of them. The latest financial reform passed by the Dems mysteriously doesnt include Fannie or Freddie. Why??

Sheila,

Wasn't Obama part of the US Senate that helps make laws, appropriates money. But I guess it doesn't take two to tango. But then again, he voted "present" more than anything else. Must have known he was running for president, didn't want to have a voting record that could be used against him.

I will start respecting him a little more once he gets off his soap box and quits blaming the past, we need someone to take care of the present and the future.

Sheila,

When you take a job; you take everything that is good or bad. Running for POTUS is voluntary. No one put a gun to his head and made him take it. Obama knew all of this going in. He sees a lot of intelligence and things are said to him that no one outside of his circle will ever see.

It is on him whether you want to believe it or not.

As far as the House. This is 2010; that is 4 yrs. You pass and let the POTUS veto it. It then becomes his problem.

AZChzhd,

The Senate in the 111th Congress used nearly 3 times the number of filibusters used by any other Congress ever.

This is a divided country! If we don't find someone to unite it, and soon, the consequences will be devastating. The USA can have the strength it once had, but we have to work together to achieve it. Petty bickering and political posturing won't get us there.

We need the politicians to stop playing "King of the hill," start acting responsible and treat our country like it is the most important thing to them!

Shiela, MD - The blame game that Obama uses about Bush was good for possibly the first year. The game continues even into Obama's late 2nd year. Obama uses it because nothing is changing and he wants to detract attention away from the policies he has institued that aren't working. Nothing stirs a democrat/liberal/progressive up like blaming Bush. It's an old tactic and its past worn out.

The way I see it is that Obama should have instituted cost cutting measures in order to stave off our bloating debt. He hasn't done that. Spending from the public treasury doesn't create many jobs or does it help the economy. Had Obama demanded cost cutting from the very beginning, I would respect the man, but he never did that, nor does he have any intention of doing it. His solution is to spend even more money we don't have. It doesn't take an economist to see that when you spend more than you have, debt overcomes you. You can't borrow your way out of debt... never works in the real world.

The only one to blame now, is Obama. He could have reversed this, but he failed to do so. The one question to ask, is, why?

John1000006 is the perfect example of someone who's vote doesn't matter to even Republicans anymore.

Those who don't understand compromise don't understand anything at all, really. And are always on the losing end of something. Somehow, being a flaming, stubborn, unyielding, angry retortist is viewed as admirable by a few. Probably has to do with an upbringing of punishment, but regardless, only animals need to defend their territories in such a way. Again, thinkers win. The radicals can go kill each other over this nonsense. John's counterpart is an ecoterrorist. Both have turned a lofty ideal into an excuse to act out of their minds.

Dennis...I am glad they did. And its obvious the majority of the country agreed with the Republican filibusters because they voted in the Republicans in huge numbers. If 80% of this country is either independent or conservative, liberal policies wont get you very far.

And I wasnt really talking about the shear volume of filibusters. I was referring to one HUGE filibuster that liberals fail to overlook when they blame Bush for this economy.

LouisJ,

"Is it just me"

Yep, it's just you.

Liberals! LOL!

no joe, no bo, nj

And the proof, Jody, is that all of his policies have been so effective?

The only jobs 'saved' by his stimulus were state union bureaucrats.......

Nice talking point, however you are incorrect if by "saved" you are also including "created". Proff you ask? well my current position and many more like me working to implement EMR at hospitals around the nation. But, hey, nice talking point none the less, even if it's not true.

The only way out of this fiscal mess is to cut spending deeply and permanently.

Okay, I think everyone can agree we need to cut spending. The question is how? Do tax cuts help to reduce the deficit? Hmm.. no. So the whole tax cut thing doesnt help, if fact it makes the deficit worse. So let's look at what to cut. Defense? It is the largest part of our spending, and it also has the worst corruption, so what's say a 30% reduction. Besides those wars are winding down anyways. Social Security, another big part of our budget. What say we cut a billion out of that. Since we had to cut, lets face facts and admit some popel aren't getting any or very little SS. So you's that going to be? My generation who is currently working and looking forward to retiring some day and hope that SS will be a part of the income after we retire? Sure, why not, we're used to paying for government services we'll never see. Screw us again, we're used to it. Or we could cut out everyone who has over X amount of retirement dollars saved, including the one currently receiving SS. Why are well to do collecting SS anyways? I'll never be well to do and every proposal I've heard from the conservatives want to reduce my SS, why not the current people on SS? Seems fair to me.

I have one great idea, close ALL loopholes for businesses. Period. No more tax breaks for ANY industry. If they can't survive they can either learn to compete or go out of business. Kind of like how the conservatives wanted to treat GM. I will grant one exception, businesses that creat jobs in America by moving them from oversees to America get a tax break. No others.

Stop listening to FOX and the talking heads and think about this for awhile. Independent thought is great, you should try it.

louisj your tale is something I would read to my Grandchildren, because it is such a Fairytale of lies and innuendo. #1, the "Great" Clinton dropped NAFTA and the Homeownership "Entitlement", causing lenders to lend to the unqualified while shipping nearly ALL our Industril basis overseas. Bush is hit with an Economy that began failing in 1999, DotCom.bubble, created falsly, as Carter Falsly created the Oil crisis of the late '70s. Bush was totally Hamstrung in '98, when Pelosi/Reid began their Rape of our Treasury with the help of their Partisan Bretheren the DNC, all just following the big Socialist Lie foisted on America since Kennedy.

Bush suffer's the single largest attack on America in History killing over 3,000 Citizens, yet the Left find he shouldn't have gone after the Enemy wherever they could be. ALL Arabs, Egyptians, and Al Queda operatives. You on the Left tend to forget that Bush waited for the U.N., you're sweetheart one-World failed Goat Herders to give the OK to move Militarily, and it was you're UN WMD Inspectors testimony that led to the UN sending in ALL the Troops from ALL the Countries trying, with hands firmly tied, to get to the perpetrators, with Saddam's Weapon program at the top of the List. Convienient selective Amnesia by the Left, as always.

The "surplus" left by Clinton was achieved by adding the total sum of ALL the Tobacco Lawsuits to his budget BEFORE being distributed to the States, as the settlement clearly stated it must do legally. Clinton engineered a nice "Windfall" temporarily to blind and baffle the Leftist lie.

Jodi.......You state that "Majority rules, it's our way." PLEASE explain to all of us then why it is that the Left floods the Courts with Lawsuits whenever an election or Bill doesn't get the results the LEFT wants? ie. Al Gore's loss in that bastion of Democracy West Palm and Palm Beach, FL., but BUSH is Elected by the Electoral College? Also our Law. California's Prop 8, off to Court because the Left lost. Brady Bill destroying our 2d Amendment rights. The 2d Amendment is in place so the Population can ARM ITSELF against the Tyranny of the likes of King George, and now the policies of Carter, Clinton, Pelosi, Reid, Obama, Hillary, Janet Reno, on and on and on. YES, all loyalist Leftist/Communists/Socialist/Progressive One Worlders that believe America should fail at ALL costs. Your "wonderful" Left has refused ANY COLA increase for the Social Security and V.A. Disabled for two years, even though the actual cost of Living HAS increased by at least 16%. Social Security IS NOT part of the "General Fund" BUT was placed there by the Left under Nixon( No I didn't care for him ), and immediatly raided by the Democrats for their "Social Programs" of the day, and depleted, overnight, the funds put away BY law by both the Worker AND Employer, but the LEFT couldn't just ignore ALL that Money, it had to be spent quickly, and the Public noticed.

You on the Left have never met a Program, or created one, that could be refused, hence your title of Tax and Spend Democrats, and reinforced nearly Daily. You claim the Gov't will LOSE Billions under the Bush Tax code, but, you fail to mention that this is the Tax code that has been in place since about 2004, and YES, it has worked. You lose nothing if you never had it, and to claim LOSS by NOT keeping the current schedule in place is again, your LIE. Obbama's Treasury Secretary, today, is doing the exact thing WE would go to long term Prison for: He is Printing MORE cash to buy junk Bonds. We would be Tried for writing bad Checks on an Overdrawn account, but to the LEFT, it's all proper, just like it was during the "Weimar" Republic.

I come here daily for comic relief, and am never dissapointed by the LEFT Screaming the Lies and Rhetoric of the Socialist policies that have caused EVERY Nation to try them to Fail miserably. Just view the current "European Union" for that Proof, as one Country, Greece, nearly toppled them, then Ireland get's their chunk. The EU is a Failure, as we are fastly becoming, because of the Socialist/Communist Doctrine forced on those Populations. Just read the Euro Newspapers and Blogs for that proof. We are laughed at openly by Asia for giving up our Industry to great Human Right's Nations such as Cambodia, China, Vietnam, and India/Pakistan. How better to kill a Nation than through it's Economy, and Clintons NAFTA is proving that Daily with our un-employement figures. Can't argue with that because it's the LEFT's 8000# Elefant in the room that you want to dance around.

NO, my vieews are not dictated by Rush or Beck, but because I've lived the History on many Continents, and I've viewed the Socialist Collapse in all of them and now America.

VOTE FOR OBAMA? NEVER!!!!!! If the Boy King is so damned good, why does he turn the Press Corp briefing over to Bill? Why is he allowing the Killer of America into the WH to begin with?

Yes, Democrats, I bet you are ALL very proud of yet another Obama and Democrat failure. Spin that!!!!!!

Here's reality, no matter how much spit and glue we put on it the country is on its way out, we have past the point of no return and people here are arguing over what?, it does not matter, every time there needed to be action taken we had the GOP clog the gears, the economy is time sensitive, its like Domino's once they start to fall you can't stop it, here we are again now being held hostage, soon there will be no cards to play are we all waiting for riots in the streets like we had in the 60's because that's what's around the next corner, we need to either come together to lick this problem or kiss your butts good bye, because when the sh_t hits the fan it will be everyones worst nightmare .......

Exactly what was the expectation of the DEMs on what they wanted to get out of the tax deal...and what exactly did they not get....Can anyone shed some light...I have a pretty good idea but wanted to get feedback nonetheless..

Ray, writing a lengthy book as you just did is not someone finding "comic relief", it's someone trying too hard to feel relevent. "Spin that" could never sound so ironic as coming from a detractor that finds so much "humor" and yet has so much to say. Now that's the funny of it.

Of course, the Dems have been in bed with those two, and I mean that literally since Barney's hunny worked for oone of them. The latest financial reform passed by the Dems mysteriously doesnt include Fannie or Freddie. Why??

Because Frannie and Freddie were a symptom of the finanical crash, not the cause.

Dave - No. Fannie and Freddie were the cause of the meltdown. Symptom? No way! It was directly because of the bad loans Fannie and Freddie were pawning off on the financial institutions as part of loan packages that caused the meltdown. You sir, need to do some more indepth reading.

http://independentpolitic.com/?page_id=27

http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/2008-07-17-fannie-freddie-lobbying_N.htm

The list of information is long and wide. These are just 2 examples of them not being a symptom, but a direct cause.

As a hard working tax paying American I just don't understand why the Congress or the Senate can't pull the unemployment extension out and vote on it seperate? These are mostly people who are suffering in the winter with Christmas about 2 weeks away and little or no money to spend!

I fill as though the unemployment extension is being used as a bargaining chip, so in other words the people suffering and needing the help are pawns in a political tug of war!

Trust me, most of the people on or waiting on unemployment extension passage know there being used as pawns in the tax cut debate!!!

Pull out the Unemployment Extension and vote on the 54 billion and get it approved and worry about the rest after!!!

Thanks,

Very unhappy tax payer

DEREK---------- Yes we have seen how well your compromise works.

If you missed my point I]m totally uncoincerned about the opinion of a supporter of the democratic parasitical party.

Republicans can act like conservatives or be gone..

The liibbies just had handed to them the worst licking they had seen in 70 years, yet here they are on the vine spouting exactly the same drivel.

Republicans, I say again, you campaigned on repealing the insurance farce, stopping Obama and cutting spending .

You are are remisss on all three, we removed a lot of republican incu,bemnnts we will be happy to do it again, in 2012.

Yep right up there with Carter

BigBear62:

Sorry, but Barack Obama was not in Washington for the Big Spend in 2003. He was still a member of the Illinois State Senate.

You Obama haters will always try to find a way to blame the financial meltdown on Obama. Most of that sh!t started when he was a teenager ( 1980 Reaganomics) so find someone else to blame for the mess.

Yes, it is his mess now and he is doing everything he can to clean up the poop, however, the a$$es who made the mess are mad that he did not get it cleaned up in 365 days!

I say to them, it took eight years to create this mess and it will probably take as long to fix it.

And NO BrianB 99431 and others who want to forget that George Bush inherited a surplus and squandered on the rich you have it just right but the borrowing started way before January 20, 2009.

"You can't borrow your way out of debt... never works in the real world."

Again, Obama haters didn't march in the street with placards calling Bush, Clinton, Bush, Reagan, Carter, a socialist, for all of their borrowing. No, it only applies to the current President.

Why is that?

The tax cuts for the rich are just another way to eliminate the middle class. They don't need it and they admit to that. The biggest fundamental truth that is not being ASKED or SAID is (where are the jobs created by the Bush administration? What country?) The Republicans and Wall Street keep saying millions of jobs have been created. Again I ask What country are they created in? As far as I'm concerned they don't count if they aren't created in America for American workers.

Shiela MD - can we have a little dischord here without you namecalling everyone? I am not an Obama hater. I can't stand the man, but hate isn't the correct adjective. Why are you defending him anyway? Do you know him personally? Is he a bud of yours? Sheesh.. You are over the line taking this so personally.

Like I said, if Obama had demanded cuts from the beginning, instead of ordering up almost a trillion dollars in new debt, he would have won my respect. I don't respect Bush for his spending and I definitely disrespect Obama for his over the top approach to paying back all those that put him into office (i.e. Unions, businesses, wall street, etc.) And if you must know, the left was rabidly against Bush and did march against him daily, hourly and every minute of every day. Justify that in light of how you defend Obama and the things conservatives see wrong with him.

There is justifiable cause to put Obama down. I don't make these things up. You simply want to give him a pass and blame it on everyone else. There's a saying in my business. Never look behind you, always look in front. Looking in front, considering the current decision makers is hard to do. All I see is bad decisions being made that will effect us further down the road. If you think life is tough now, just wait until one of our states goes bankrupt, or this country goes bankrupt... We don't have anyone in the White House looking forward to those devistations and protecting us from them.

California Tom...........lets sell California and New York. These are both states that have a history of financial problems.

Sheila,

I am gonna have to agree with Brian B, you rantings, profanity, and name calling are not inviting.

Everyone knows that Obama was just a kid in 1980, but you are now saying that our economic downturn is Reagan's fault also.

Did you know that Bush 2 also had a surplus budget, until the 9/11 attacks. Are the wars cause for some of the deficit, you bet ya. But also the economic turmoil of the times help create it. Didn't the people of this country want justice. Did Bush make a mistake in Iraq? yes, but we as Americans still wanted justice.

And you act that the left never went after Bush. Gee, I guess that Michael Moore and his movie crusades against Bush were just nice documentaries about our president then. The one thing I have noticed is that he is not going after Obama in his movies.

And while in the US congress, did Obama vote against spending funds, did he vote against TARP, what besides "present" did he vote for. At least Bush's TARP has been paid back in full with 8% interest, how has that stimulus package worked out for Obama. And when will we see the benefits from the GM bailout. Shouldn't all of that money be used to pay off the debt?

I have one great idea, close ALL loopholes for businesses. Period. No more tax breaks for ANY industry. If they can't survive they can either learn to compete or go out of business. Kind of like how the conservatives wanted to treat GM. I will grant one exception, businesses that creat jobs in America by moving them from oversees to America get a tax break. No others.

So let me get this straight, you dont want to give any business an incentive stay here, is that it? You want to make it harder for the jobs to stay here by taxing the crap out of them? Isnt that why most left in the first place? I guarantee you if you do that they will just take their ball and leave. Then you start contradicting yourself by saying a business that left to go overseas can come back and get those breaks?? You want 10 businesses to leave for every one that comes back? So then what would keep a business from leaving and then coming back so they can get those breaks. then you are right back at square one.

I have a better idea, we eliminate corporate income taxes altogether so we can attract the ones that are overseas and keep the ones that are already here HERE! The left is so pissed off about businesses and tax cuts for the rich that they are willing to shoot themselves in the foot! The rich hire the poor, either directly or indirectly by their buying and spending on services. Not many people have been hired by a poor person. Without the rich, we all have NOTHING.

John1000006 deluded. You didn't remove anybody. Independents did.

Radicals like to claim credit for everything they don't do. You should hang out with an Assange supporter. You are just like them. Oh, and compromise got the tax deal done. Sorry, excuse me? What has not compromising done?

A lot of nuthin except oh, nuthin.

See ya!

It is class action warfare brought on by liberals that devides this country along with those that want to do nothing while the working stiffs provide it for them. It is those that think they are entitled to services such as health care at the people's expense because government pays for nothing and represents a free loader with lots of friends and groups like NPR. Liberals said time and time again about Bush tax cuts only for the RICH but here we are and your biggest liberal says we have to have them. The tax cuts were for everyone including those that provide employment and proves liberals are nothing but a bunch of liars. They have always been a bunch of liars. The answer to all direct questions is to answer the question with another answer to a question never asked. It is defection and smoke and mirrors. Here we are in Iraq in a war that liberals (Obama) claim now protects us and is not a mistake but needed for our protection which means the start of it was also important but because Bush started it, that's bad. Holy crap batman, can't you liberals stick to anything?

OK Tim, here it is direct: Our tax cut has been flattened to route unprecedented wealth to the already wealthy. Upper class incomes have exploded over the last 30 years while middle class incomes have been flat. Corporate welfare is at an all time high.

There's your class warfare. The upper class is waging war on the middle class, seeing us only as an overpriced labor pool. We've been deliberately distracted with an ongoing effort to turn us against the poor.

That's what's happening. No deflection, no games. If you want to dispute that go ahead. I'm happy to back it all up with facts.

Ron:

Nice way to start a new week.

Today should be an interesting day. The tax cut deal goes in front of the Senate this afternoon. Most are saying it will pass and then move on to the House. What will happen there is anybodies guess at this point. I hear conflicting reports all weekend. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

The tax cut deal was a compromise, and like most compromises there are things that people like and those they do not. I think at this point much of it is moot only in the sense that to do nothing is not an option. The result of doing nothing will be a chaos for the economy here in the USA and probally across the pond as well.

Time will tell.

Hi Ron, Thanks for the predictions.

I believe that Congress will take up tax code reform creating the great debate for the 112th Congress that HCR was for the 111th.

Instead of getting involved with people’s health care this time they will look at how much to take from your earnings and what deductions will be allowed, if any.

Dennis: I will hard-copy your prediction and at the end of next year, see how you/we did. Others are welcome to add their predictions.

Dennis:

Good morning my friend. I hope you are correct on the tax reform. While the tax cut deal does have some really good stuff for the Middle Class, it alone will not be enough. As you said, we need tax reform, spending cuts and more revenue to sustain what we are currently doing. We will need help from across the aisle as we cannot do this alone any longer, especially come Jan. when the republicans will control the House. Will we get the help from the republicans?

Most are saying that the tax cut deal will pass the Senate. I think there is a vote scheduled for about 3:00PM today. I will be watching that. It will then be up to the House and I have no idea what they are going to do. I keep hearing conflicting reports but in the end I think it will pass. To do nothing is not an option.

Nice way to start the day, folks. Hope everyone's weekend went well.

For many conservatives, doing nothing is progress.

This is very true. I was once part of a small group in a training series promoted by the state industry group for the line of business where I work. The President of the organization (a die-hard big business Conservative) told us that keeping the legislature from doing anything was his #1 goal. Beyond that any regulation they could roll back or new tax break they could add was gravy.

I believe "Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing" will be the theme for 2012. The new TP members of Congress feel a great entitlement to enact whatever they wish. Many of them are political neophytes. Moving from a world in which the biggest mouth and loudest voice gets his way to one in which deals must be struck and votes obtained from the opponent will be an enormous culture shock. They'll respond by getting louder and harsher, paralyzing Congress while giving the Beltway press plenty to talk about.

Meanwhile the economy will find its legs and pick up the pace, particularly toward the end of the year. That still won't be enough to bring the unemployment down below about 9% because the well we're in is so very deep. By year's end the public will be tired of the GOPTP posturing and will have realized that they have thrown their lot in with the cranky old coot at the end of the block who claims to have the answers to everything but never really did anything.

Ron. I always enjoy your predictions. You've listed some of my own thoughts about 2011. Mine are:

1) The Senate will change the filibuster rule. It must or this country risks being not just dysfunctional but nonfunctional. If getting legislation passed was nearly impossible with a 60, then 59 seat majority, the odds get worse in January--neither side can function and no president of either party can hope to pass the agenda voters supported during any campaign.

2) The GOP/TP will continue its "do nothing" ways because they believe it worked, they won back the House and gained seats in the Senate but they are wrong--voters want both sides to work together.

3) The Tea Party will still be loud but lose ground as independents and moderates notice they don't just talk about the debt and spending, they're too extreme on social issues and definitely illogical about governance and government.

4) Israel and Palestine will move closer to resolving their differences and move a stop closer to agreement but not without turmoil.

5) Americans will moan and grown that British Royalty has outlasted its time but millions will watch the wedding of Prince William and Kate just because.....

#5 was for fun. That should be "moan and groan"!

Jody and John B:

Your predictions show great wisdom. Folks from Iowa are just the right distance to see Washington in perspective. I'll hard-copy these predictions with others. I know my wife will watch the royal wedding.

I'll add another to your list Ron, but it will take all of you working with us to make the prediction come true.

Enough people will join the Popular Amendment movement to petition for Constitutional Conventions to pass the Election/Campaign Finance Reform and Term Limits amendments that we will actually see those conventions called for in at least 3/4 of the states. We will be on the road to doing what Congress has failed to do for the past 60 years in both regards. Go to www.faircampaignreform.us to get involved. Post your activities on the forums to keep others aware of what is happening in their state.

Ron,

Love the Prediction game.

1). Congress--I don't think that many of the rules will change, especially about the filibuster. Therefore, the possibility of gridlock will remain. While the House will have new leadership, I know that it will be impossible to get Health Care repealed, but they might get a key piece repealed, that is the mandate part of it, while at the same time cutting appropriations to HCR.

2). Legislation--I believe that the Tax Code could be a big one, but with so many corporations and wealthy people supporting our congress, it won't do much good, because there will be deductions and loopholes throughout the code. NO ONE in Washington understands how to simplify anything, therefore, our tax problem will continue. When all they have to do to raise revenue is to cut out deductions & loopholes and tax everyone at the same rate. But that is way too easy.

3). Economy--I believe that the economy will grow at around 3%, just a wild hair. & I believe that the unemployment rate will lower, to about 8.5% by December of 2011. I am thinking real positive there.

4). Foreign Affairs--Iran & Syria will back Hezbollah in Lebanon is a war against Israel. US soldiers will be once again fighting in Korea. And on a positive note, I believe that some sanctions against Cuba will be lifted, allowing some tourism, and the sale of cigars in the US.

Ahmedinajad is very popular with the ruling clerics of Iran. I don't see him going anywhere. Other than that, I agree. It's going to be another long angst ridden year of political theater while the GOP presidential hopefuls line up in a row. I see Mike Pence as being a likely popular GOP hopeful but I don't know if he can win the primary.

Thanks Anti-trust proponent, Big Bear 62, and Beer Man. Your predictions will also be hard-copied and this time next year, we can see how well our crystal ball is working.

In order for your predictions to come true first Obama has to propose a decent jobs bill to vote against, so far he hasn't. Infrastructure, while needed is like putting a band aid on a shotgun wound it just doesn't cover enough of the wound to help. Second, let's talk NBC and MSNBC spouting all the liberal agenda to the world in the hopes of killing conservatism. It seems alright for the left to have media outlets but not the right. Rush and Hannity don't hold a candle to the divisive comments made by the president and members of his administration. There not the ones that consider every negative thing spoken against their ideas racist. There not the ones blaming someone else for the current situation. They aren't the ones ignoring the people when the pole results are announced. The people sent a message on election day, Moderate your stance Mr. President. In the last few days it seems he listened a bit and is willing to compromise to go forward. It is the rest of the Democratic hard core that want to continue to ignore the will of the people and continue on their crusade for a socialist society where government provides all, takes all, and is all.

1. Michelle fires her hair stylist...finally.

2. Robert Gibbs gets the axe. That guy is a dope.

3. The Colts shock the football world and win the Superbowl.

4. Auburn shocks no one and wins the national championship game.

5. Congress stays the same and gridlock ensues.

6. Sarah Palin has BillO and Doughboy Glenn enthralled with the "will she or won't she" announce a run.

7. KeithO will remain the hack he is.

8. Republicans will blame the democrats, and Democrats will blame the republicans.

1. Sarah Palin will emerge as the clear frontrunner for the Republican nomination, Newt and the others will be left in the dust.

2. Paul Ryan will emerge as the consensus budget wonk in the House and garner support from both Tea Party types and (bipartisan) establishment types to initiate serious reform of the federal budget.

3. Much to the chagrin of the left, the new Tea Party influence in Congress will not result in internecine warfare among Republicans. Instead, the Tea Party will be seen as being successful in dragging establishment Republicans back to their fiscal conservative roots.

4. The process for raising the debt ceiling early in the next Congress will be messy, but it will firmly establish a fiscally conservative tone that will dominate the session.

5. Obama will go along with the Ryan-led House and sign on to significant reductions in federal spending. Can you say Palin-Ryan in 2012?

6. Republicans won't be able to repeal HCR, but will succeed in slow rolling its implementation.

7. The professional left will be exasperated by Obama's continuing shift to the right.

8. Tax reform won't go anywhere.

9. Neither the Yankees nor the Red Sox will win the American League East.

I'd offer the thought that the Ravens will be a surprise Super Bowl team, but don't wanna press my luck.

Chef Darrell

1. Michelle fires her hair stylist...finally.

Woowee! What does you hair look like Mr/ Mrs or teenager Darrell that you can be so whinny; sweet potatoes? you sound like that dolty, shrieker, whack job, Sarah Palin.

http://www.stylebistro.com/lookbook/Michelle+Obama/ZD1wYp1gBCM
http://www.stylebistro.com/lookbook/Michelle+Obama/3lg50_KAlYZ

When attending the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors this weekend, Michelle Obama just may have outshone honoree Oprah Winfrey and guests Diana Ross and Jennifer Hudson. Dressed in a dynamic deep red dress, accented with tulle and floral sequins by Naem Khaan.

The First Lady absolutely radiated beauty and sophistication. Always one for formal dress, Michelle kept her hair simple and accessorized the gown with bold earrings byBochic, which were made of brown diamonds and white gold. Of course, she was sure to bring her favorite accessory; her loving husband President Obama!

http://www.bvonstyle.com/2010/12/07/michelle-obama-style-watch-kennedy-center-honors-ceremony/

Tell me you're the belle of the ball.

Bill: Thanks for playing. Your predictions will be saved as well. Sure hope Sarah Palin does as well as you suggest.

This is what I like to see, people from the left and the right making predictions without belittling the others and name calling. Except for Jody, who cannot seem to do without throwing some kind of dart at the right. Her and Fiesty. I usually skip over their posts anyways. Why I actually read it this time, I have no idea, but it just confirmed what I believed all along. I can handle debate but when it crosses over into belittlement, I get turned off. Put Beverly in that camp too. Although I agree with your assessment of Palin shrieking, its her beliefs and her conservative view of America I endorse. Not sure I want her in office though. She does just fine as a motivational speaker.

US Navy...thank you for your service. I have a few family members stationed overseas at this moment. I pray for them to return home safely. On a different token, I rarely agree with you and thats cool. But the tax reform appears to be a point everyone from all stripes and parties seem to agree with.

Overall, coming from this conservative, great predictions from both sides! Except for the Ravens, being the Packer fan I am :)

Beverly,

So because I think someone who represents out country on a daily basis needs someone who knows something about styling hair, I am comparable to Sarah Palin?

Get back on your meds.

Indy Ron,

"Iran is still a potential powder keg. "

Wow! You must be the Nostrodamus of Indiana. Fascinating predictions!

Liberals! LOL!

One more prediction: IF the LEFT continue to destry whats left of America, none of this will matter to anyone. Dictatorship? Yep, by Presidential Executive Order, "Marshall Law", if the Polls show a big Dem loss in 2012, otherwise we just might get the real, FREE America of our Founders back!!!!

Whine cry Lefties, America is awakening, and you will not be able to destroy the USA as planned. Obama, Clinton, Carter, Kennedy all led you down the rose covered path with your blinders firmly in place. Happy now?

Ron Indiana: I fear you may be correct on most items. As far as natural disasters, we have only begun the nightmare. Perhaps that a series of horrible events (that include the USA - as pretty much that is what most American's care about) will bring us together and the game playing will stop - no choice as it will be about survival of our country and the world.

Navy:

You have two great posts to start this Monday morning. Liked them both. So glad to see your thoughts here on FT.

These people will just save the money or buy more luxury items as has been documented. They do not create jobs,

USN, I have one issue with the above statement- while the so-called "rich" spending money on luxury items may not create jobs in the sense of the rich person using his money to start a company and hire people to work for him, I find it interesting that no one on the left ever seems to consider the jobs that are sustained by the purchases made by those who can afford them. This is the problem I see with tax increases- when the people with disposable income find themselves with less disposable income, they buy fewer luxury goods which means the people employed making those goods face job loss because there is no longer a market for the products they produce. To me, sustaining existing jobs is at least as important as creating new jobs because if the existing ones disappear, the unemployment numbers still go up. As the economy slowly starts to recover I honestly believe we need to keep as much money in the hands of the private sector as we can because that's the money that gets spent in the market place to continue the growth cycle. Increased demand for goods creates job growth.

In many respects, I agree with you on the social security tax cut. 2% more in our pockets is good, exactly the same situation as the scenario I layed out above, but what is the legacy cost? On one hand, if money is coming from general funds to make up for it, it's a bit like the American people collecting on some of those IOUs Congress has left in the SS trust fund, but the deeper truth is it is money we don't have that we're going to have to come up with at a later date where the real cost will be much higher. So this conservative agrees, it's probably not a wise course, but that's all part of compromise- you give a little to get a little. Glad to see Obama's at least figured this out, even if the rest of the democrats are still struggling with it.

Speaking for myself, i do not think we are saying that buying luxury items does not have some impact on the economy. Somebody has to make those items and services and the richest are the ones that will support those. The issue is that on the bigger scale, the tax cuts for the richest 2% just do not put a lot of money back into the economy (when compared to other programs). They do save most of it and that ends up at Wall Street. I think the last I saw these cuts only add $0.32 back and out of all the projects that the CBO,CBPP, and most economist (both dems and reps) have explored, the tax cuts for the richest 2% was the worse investment of them all. If we are going to operate on the concept of getting the biggest bang for our buck to bring this economy back, this is very low on the list.

I agree with Ron except on California. So mark me me down

also I predict that Ron Paul will run again for president and Palin won't.

I also feel that Tom Delay will get a plea deal and oust those who received checks from him.

Palin will be confronted about her PAC and laundering money to buy her own books.

the oakland raiders makes the playoffs yikes now that is a stretch

Good morning to all my favs Ron, Us navy Vet,John and Feisty and everybody ..sorry about your team Fiesty

Suzy,

“To me, sustaining existing jobs is at least as important as creating new jobs because if the existing ones disappear, the unemployment numbers still go up.”

So if the government cuts spending resulting in job losses it would be the wrong thing to do since the government employees that lose their jobs will cut spending resulting in private sector job losses, right?

Great job, US Navy, on both comments. I do have a slightly different take on the one-year payroll tax although I agree with you on the long-term impact. I think this puts money instantly into the hands of the middle and low income wage earners; it is a stimulus targeted specifically to that group. Democrats and Pres Obama wanted a second stimulus but it gets money to those who need it most. It is clearly not as effective as infrastructure or some other job-creating measure but it is something. I think it is overall strategy to get more for 98% of Americans today that could not be done with the current GOP Senate blockade. I plan to voice my opinion directly to the WH is the threat of the veto in 2012 if the GOP attempts to make any of these cuts permanent.

Jody:

Agreed. we are both on the same page. Great posts as usual.

Navy vet

Let's see how 2011 goes before we look to 2012. If 2011 is a year of compromise and working from common ground in stead of far left and far right agenda then 2012 should be a good year. If it is a year spent in dead lock, then Obama can say good bye to the white house. Cutting spending needs to be a priority, the feeble attempts proposed by Democrats in the 11th hour are not enough, it will need to go much deeper. You know it ,I know it, and all of congress knows it. They are leaving it to Republicans to propose the tough choices so that in 2012 they can point and say Republicans cut social security, medicare, and welfare programs right along with everything else. The republicans won nothing with the compromise on tax cuts, they are only extended for two years not permanently a move that Obama himself was talking about before the elections. You don't raise taxes when the economy is in the dumper, unless you want the roof to collapse again. Jobs will be a major priority in 2011 or at least they should be, because until people get back to work all the rest of the problems will just keep compounding.

Dennis, nope, just the opposite. I'd far rather we slash the size of the government monster and pay the workers who are eliminated unemployment- it's a whole lot cheaper for the tax payers to pay unemployment benefits than it is to pay salary and benefits to those still employed. I suspect the government could "outsource" a good number of jobs to the private sector to save the tax payers a huge chunk of change and cut down on the number being added to the unemployment roles as well.

USN-R, I guess right now I feel the $0.32 returned to the economy is better than more being taken out of it by raising taxes and reducing disposable income. I've said a number of times, I have grudgingly come to accept that taxes are likely going to have to go up but now is not the time to do it as it will hamper the recovery we're starting to slowly see. Once the economy as a whole is on better footing, lets talk again. And in the mean time, stop the spending train. Cut the size of the budget in all areas from military spending on down, rewrite the tax codes to level the playing field for all tax payers (no more refunds to those whose liability is zero, no more loopholes for the wealthy, etc) and then we can see where rates should be set so that we can fund the necessary programs and grow the country again.

Feisty: Condolences to da Bears. Pat: Congratulations to the Patriots. Like Feisty, I walked away at half-time as I had enough. The Patriots are contenders.

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

Congrats on your Pat’s – Pat!!!

I’m disappointed because I thought it would have been a more competitive game! Instead da Bears GOT spanked…

How 'bout the Bulls? I was screaming da Bulls beat the Champions, the Lakers.

Speaking of painful to watch, who else saw John BOO HOO Boner on 60 minutes?

Does this clown have a hormonal imbalance or is he just a weepy drunk?

I read about it. He 's not gonna last long if he keeps breaking up like that.

And he’s not the only right wing male who can cry on queue… think the Beckerhead… I’m going with it’s the booze!

Glenn Beck might, for once, be right: the government is coming for your gold. But only if you happened to buy it from one of Beck's *one-time advertisers, the Superior Gold Group. At the request of prosecutors from LA County and Santa Monica city who have filed a civil suit against the company, Los Angeles County judge has ordered that Superior Gold be placed into receivership and all of its assets—bank accounts, real estate, and presumably gold stored for customers—frozen On Monday, a court-appointed lawyer actually physically seized control of the company, presumably to prevent further wrongdoing. The lawsuit alleged that among other things, Superior had defrauded its customers by overcharging them, fraudulently inducing them to buy overpriced collectors' coins rather than the bullion that they wanted, and taking customers' money for coins they never produced. The prosecutors hope that the lawsuit will provide restitution for all of the company's ripped off customers. The judge will hold a hearing later this month to decide whether the company's assets should remain frozen until the case goes to trial.

http://motherjones.com/mojo/2010/12/superior-gold-judge-freezes-assets-glenn-beck

Tears of a CLOWN indeed you'rs !!!

Typical Boehner playing to the camera. If he really cared so much about the children why did he and other politicians stick our children with a big bill that they will be paying off for a long time. Rhetoric does not match the deeds again.

Feisty

Tears of 2 CLOWNS indeed. You're so right !!!

What about that twit Palin's escapade in Haiti?

Good MOrning Feisty,

Did you ever see such a display from a government leader? It was a pathetic show of a weepy wimpy individual who is in over his head. We can look forward to some fun for the next two years.

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. SNL will have plenty of material for some shows.

The Patriots are annihilating everybody lately. But I can't get too confident. The Pats/Giants SB has made me pause and not assume anything any longer. But it's nice to have something to be hopeful about, even if it's just football. They play Sunday night on NBC here in Foxborough. I love to see Al Michaels and Chris Collinsworth and Bob Costa coming to town. The big hitters. All the guys up here LOVE the job they're all doing on NBC, with Dan Patric, Coach Dungy and Rodney Harrison.

What's the deal with Cliff Lee perhaps not signing with the New York Yankees as reported by Keith Olbermann over the weekend?

Yes, Virginia indeed - there just may be a Santa Claus.

The good times are back. I hope.

yes US navy why did pelosi and reid stick our children with such a debt! That is what you meant when you said "other politicians" right??

I learned a long time ago that if someone needs to tell you how honest he is, hold on to your wallet. You don't need to listen to Beck for very long to understand why that comes to mind now.

Speaking of the Rodeo Clown himself, he started his Saturday radio show (repackaged stuff from the week before) with a lengthy discussion of how you'll recognize the beginnings of the soon-to-appear hyperinflation that he's always talking about. Apparently when people start to get raises we're moments away from Communist Yugoslavia. Amazingly heartless and irresponsible.

Economists are more worried about DEflation than INflation, middle class incomes have been virtually flat for 30 years, the wealthy continue to accumulate wealth at an unprecedented rate, but you'd better hope for a continuation of this sorry state or plan on paying for your restaurant meal when you order to beat the price hike.

Now we're actually selling us that the continued impoverishment of the middle class is good for us. Conservatism has no shame in its service to the wealthy elites.

Well it appears the professional leftist club is in full swing this morning.

Conservatives, contact your senator, remind them we removesd alot of republicans in the primaries this year, if they vote for this tax bill we will be happy to do it again.

And let us not forget the two unfunded wars (one sold to Americans on lies, the other totally mismanaged), two unfunded tax cuts, one unfunded drug plan, and a bevy of regulation re-writes for Big Business and Wall Street. ALL these have contributed to the huge deficit that we are now and have been paying on. How convenient for the right to keep on forgetting these facts and blaming the whole deficit on President Obama. When are you guys going to start taking responsibility for what you did to this country. President Obama did not do this, you republicans did and now you want to do even more harm.

At least you guys can have the honesty to own up to your part in all of this instead of just blaming President Obama for your failure, NOT HIS.

American.... So the GOP and Bush 43 taking a budget surplus and turning into a massive doubling of the national debt does not count because republicans are fiscally conservative, right? The GOP had nothing to do with the debt, right? There really is something in the water that makes conservatives write totally factless comments that can be debunked in 30 seconds with a trip to Google.

Pelosi's botox doesn't allow for tears

Jody:

The Republicans labor under the assumption that we are all low information voters and have never heard of Google or the "internets".

That is why they can come before the TV camera and spout off the most outrageous lies with a straight face and show no shame.

They think we will never catch them in the lie!

Imagine that.

Tax cuts create jobs!

Yeah. And storks deliver babies.

Pathetic

"Tax cuts create jobs!"

I own a company. If they raise my taxes, I'll fire 2 people. If they lower my taxes, I'll hire 2 people.

You liberals should really stick to your predictions rather then trying to comment on something you know nothing about like business. I mean your predictions were really insightful. Ron from Indiana informed us that "Iran will remain a powder keg" LMFAO!!

Liberals! LOL!

Yes my Liberal Commrades speak out! We need to implement 100% taxes on everyone so that the government ration out as our glorious leaders see fit. How dare those Conservative Republicans actually dare to fight for a country that allows people to keep their money! How dare the Republicans question unbridled control by the Government! We must all live in government provided housing, with government provided uniforms, eating government provided gruel!

Yes my Liberal Commrades you are correct!

Jason,

It's hilarious when liberals make posts about things they are clueless about like business and taxes. But it's great comedic relief to read some of this stuff! LOL!

But seriously, I own a business and I hired 89 people during the GWB years. GWB wasn't the greatest prez, but he was a good friend to small business. I have hired 1 employee since Chairman ObaMao lied his way into power. This incompetent fool is ruining small business. But I absolutely will hire 2 new employees if he goes along with the GOP and lowers my taxes. And when the supreme court rules against obamacare or the conservatives repeal this horrible law, I'll hire 10 more.

Redneck, you're full of it. You have now idea what others here do with their lives, many of us are in the business world.

Please, by all means tell us how the downturn that started with a falling Dow in 2007 is President Obama's fault. THAT is what's ruining small business, a recession that started before Barack Obama ever took the oath of office. As far as your promises to hire or fire based soley on tax policy you're just feeding us a line. That from someone whose business plan calls for 60 new employees next year.

jody, iowa believe what you will, you really should recheck your reading comprehension. I asked for clarification and you want to "trip the light fantastic" with a journey thru google.

Apparently you yourself haven't drunk enough iowa water to overcome the liberal california mind control you embraced before retiring to Iowa.

Blame the conservatives (republicans) all you want it still won't absolve the liberals (democrats) from sharing the blame, nor will the past repeat itself if we choose to learn from it. We aren't in la la land anymore, besides we all know that it is the water in lap lander land (south of I-80) that is funky.

John B,

Thanks for proving my point that you libbies are clueless about business. The stock market didn't hurt my company. I own my company 100%. Forcing healthcare insurance on my company is what is killing me. I do not offer any benefits. And my employees love it. Why? Because I pay them about 40% over the going wages here in south Florida. They can buy their own healthcare insurance if they like. It's called freedom. People should be allowed to do what they like with their hard-earned cash. Not have the feds say that they must buy insurance.

But help is on the way. Either the supreme court will kill off obamacare or congress will repeal it. Then companies like mine can start to grow again and create much-needed jobs. Sorry, but you libbies had your chance and you blew it. It will be about 50 years or so before you get another chance. Yay!

Oh, so you're the source of a lot of those uninsured who drive up the cost of insurance for the rest of us. Thanks, I appreciate that your "freedom" costs me money. Your contribution to the death spiral our current system finds itself in is duly noted.

Johnny B,

Yep, everyone should pay for their own healthcare insurance if they want it. I pay for my own policy. My employees would riot if I told them I was providing healthcare at the expense of trimming their $90,000 a year salaries. Again, it's called freedom. Something you libbies are trying to take away from us.

Yes, the freedom to die of a preventable illness because you have no insurance. The freedom to die of starvation once we dismantle the social safety net. The freedom to live as a serf in a society in which the middle class is increasingly impoverished. The freedom to take medications that don't work, eat food that's contaminated, and buy products that are dangerous. The freedom to live in a society more and more like Malaysia or Dickensian England. The freedom to be discarded in a society of FYIGM.

Johnny B,

LMFAO!! Nice rant dude!

The sky is falling! The sky is falling! Most Americans do not want obamacare. Either congress will repeal it and / or the supreme court will rule it unconstitutional. Either way, you and the rest of the libbies lose. Perhaps you guys could move to Cuba. I hear they have government-providedhealthcare.

Liberals!

That's what your sort said at the onset of the last "permanent Republican majority." Those of us who disagreed were dismissed to another country then, too.

Johnny B,

Yep, it's that "freedom" thing again you libbies hate so much. It's the freedom to live where ever you want, even in progressive Cuba. I would think you would want to leave a capitalistic country like ours when people are dying in the streets from starvation like you said. In liberal Cuba, no one dies of starvation. So you should look into relocating to this island paradise called Cuba.

Absolutely, USN. Believing your own propaganda is one of the worst mistakes in politics, and Conservatives have actually convinced themselves that they won the government shutdowns of 1994 and 1995. They're itching to do it again. Add that one to my predictions for 2011, I think their frustration level and that of the TP base will lead to exactly that place.

With the same result...crushing defeat for the Republican Party.

Re health care, the consensus from within the health care "system" is that it is tottering. The current combination of socialized medicine (VA system), Medicare/Medicaid, employer insurance, self insurance, and out-of-pocket payment has created an administrative and clinical nightmare that results in overtreatment and undertreatment; a host of outcome and quality issues; and rationing on the basis of age, income, employment, and veteran status.

Moreover, because of at-risk demographics, access before age 65 is most open to those who need health care least and most closed to those who need it most. (And because of changes in reimbursement, Medicare is no longer a cash cow and is not opening doors like it was.) Not only that, we as a nation emphasize specialization over public health and primary care, the two biggest bangs for the health care buck. The overall cost of all of this in dollars and lost productivity is immense.

Moreover, health policy experts from left to right agree on the necessity of universal health care under a single program. The differences lie in how the program should be structured: Vouchers v. government-regulated insurance. (Single-payer has no traction, and would require an external effort of movement proportions to enact.) One would hope we could remove ideology from the debate and come up with a pragmatic solution, but then one hopes for world peace as well.

I'd like to offer a pragmatic solution. Working in this industry for the last 15 years I think I can offer a substantive non-partisan opinion. First off let me dispel some myths about the healthcare debate from the left and right. Lets start with tort reform this argument is complete BS. I’m not sure about private healthcare practices but at our hospital malpractice insurance is 0.9% of our total operating expenses. This is a drop in the bucket. While I admit it may reduce costs, it does nothing “fix” healthcare. It’s a win for physicians and a loss for the consumer who got the wrong leg operated on. Secondly, from the left, the public option will do nothing to control the cost of healthcare if anything it will increase the cost of healthcare for the average consumer who has employer sponsored health insurance. The problem with our current healthcare system is the government reimburses hospitals .90 of every dollar spent, we make up for that shortfall by negotiating for higher rates with commercial insurers, who in-turn pass that onto you. I’m no genius but if you take 35M more uninsured people and place those in a government sponsored health insurance program that does nothing but add to the problem. Even if you pool them together and allow commercial insurers to do the bidding for them they will try to negotiate very low rates for this population. Regardless hospitals and health practices will have to negotiate much higher rates with commercial insurers to make up for the loss. That increase WILL get passed onto the working consumer in one form or another either through deductibles, co-pays, higher insurance rates or higher taxes altogether.

My proposal is a healthcare system that is completely private or completely government run. The one caveat to a completely private system is that health insurance must actually cover the cost of healthcare and not cherry pick the benefits. I’m not opposed to either but the current structure doesn’t work. I believe this structure will give either the insurance companies or the government the bargaining power to control costs and force suppliers and providers of healthcare to do the same. They will have the influence to shift where the demand goes if they control the entire healthcare population. My preference is to make it completely private and make insurance companies not-for-profit. A not-for-profit will take away the need to please investors by cutting benefits to boost the bottom line. It will also give them to power to incentivize people to take responsibility for their healthcare. If you eat like a pig everyday of your life you should pay higher premiums because you are a higher risk for future health problems. Like it or not, I don’t care how harsh that statement is but that is a fact. Same goes for any other excessive unhealthy habit. Also our current payment structure incentivizes volume over outcomes. We have to change our payment structure and reimburse for better outcomes and not unnecessary testing to boost profits. This is why we spend the most on healthcare and have poor outcomes.

So I guess I’m advocating for compromise. Liberals you cannot give everyone health insurance with no strings attached and expect cost to stay the same. Conservatives you cannot advocate that people should be able to eat and do whatever the hell they want with no consequences. Fact of the matter is the one who pays the bill will always be standing between you and your doctor regardless of whether that is the insurance company or a government bureaucrat. In order to fix our healthcare system one of those two will have to change our thinking and the way we consume healthcare.

IR:

Nobody writes like you. I agree. This is a time of giving and I wish all a Merry Christmas. Help those you can. You will be surprised how far a little goes these days.

Good Morning Independent Redneck Va.

Just as sure as the Man Upstairs makes little Green Apples in the Spring Christmas is coming.

I love it when spin out those down home yarns.

Tis the Season for thinking of your fellow man and especially children.

I've been giving my donation at drop offs. This weekend, I saw a shabbily dressed young lady whom I've seen a couple of times on the streets. She always looks so lonely and desolate. We started talking. I felt embarrassed to ask her when was they last time she had a good meal. We won up in Popeye's chicken and had a good time. It felt great to she the twinkle in eyes.

Folks you can’t Legislate it and you can’t Filibuster it and you can’t Veto it.

No you can't. You can't buy it either. It just comes naturally.

Happy Holidays, IR

No you can't. You can't buy it either. It just comes naturally

Thank you Bev

You have brought Sunshine into my World this morning

As you say it’s just like Sunshine. You can’t buy it and it’s not for sale anyway. If you want it shine on you we can only do as you have done and live within it.

I think most folks are doing the cheritable thing but have found a place much closer to home that does not have the top 50% scraped off for administrative costs. Most of us know of families right down the street to help and you get the extra added pleasure of seeing a little girl in her new boots. Nobody will ever know who put in the pot but no one will ever have a regret for doing it either. I think perhaps you are selling the cheritable American short. Just because there is no record of it does not mean it isn't happening.

I attended a dinner this weekend and a can was passed for two families, and no names were mentioned, but the pot was overflowing. The one thing I might add is that needy families don't just get that way at Christmas time.

maggie-965735

Maggie thank you. You have also brought some Sunshine into an old fellows Morning.

Just like Bev you have shown that there are many ways to give of oneself and I purely do appreciate it. I hope many will follow your lead and work within their communities. A good deed doesn’t have to be public for the giver to reap the reward .

Old Cherokee saying: The gift is only worth the cost to the person that gives it

I know I have said this many times here on the Vine but if you really are undecided who to donate money the two best that I give are The Salvation Army they are always first responders in a tragedy and my favorite are disabled vets of America.. Both need help bad in these times..another is homeless vets

The rich aren't helping with job situation so hire a vet. I hired one last week a really good egg and has done well in the sales end of my job that I hate

John B, Des Moines, IA

Dude, BREATHE!

Wow, I think the dude is on drugs; John;maybe speed. If foundya1.4m doesn't post for a while we can assume he crashed.

Well said Pat and it needs saying. The Democrats in Congress have badly let down their President and the voters who put them there. I am so glad most of them are now gone even though their replacements are mostly TPs. They wont last long either if they put themselves before the needs of the country.

No where is it written that any elected to COngress or State Legislatures are entitiled to a free ride (also known as lifetime job) The days of re electing the same, lazy, self centered, representatives are now over. Do the peoples work or go home.

Pat:

You make some great points today. I think that the American People are starting to listen and they are moving this beyond a republican versus democrats fight. They are starting to ask both sides of the aisle what are you going to do to move this country forward? They are starting to engage in the concept of stop the stupid fighting and obstructing and start doing something that helps this country. I think they are now looking for our elected offficals to start governing as they were elected to do. Time will tell.

Better late than never, Pat.

Imagine if the President had taken the same hands-on approach to the passage of health care reform instead of leaving Congressional Democrats to shape the final legislation.

He could have ended up with a bipartisan bill supported by majorities of the public...instead of an unpopular bill that's being challenged in the courts, while lawmakers look for ways to challenge it legislatively.

No less a liberal giant than the late N.Y. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan pointed out that you simply cannot pass major landmark legislation without bipartisan support...let alone without majority support from the public.

If the President managed to get the tax cuts extension agreement from a Republican opposition flush with victory in last month's midterms by exerting presidential leadership and rejecting the demands of his own Congressional leadership...I'm left to wonder just how different the last two years might have been had the President taken the same approach with a much weaker Republican Party.

Oh well...

Like I said...better late than never.

Pat, Boston, MA

First Read: ...will benefit middle- and upper-middle-income Americans… They felt left out.

When have they ever NOT felt left out?

This post isn’t mine. I stole it. {smile}

I got it over @ BWD’s site. I tried to clean it up a little. Also, check out the lovely photos of the Obama Family celebrating Christmas with some heavy hitters – Mariah Carey anyone?

Good morning Pat, thanks for passing this on.

The older daughter is almost as tall as dad. She could be model; she's so beautiful. I went to gala Christmas affair Saturday. Would you believe I felt so proud wearing a dress with a belt thinking of the First Lady. She has so much grace. To top matters there were pictures of candidate Obama gracing affairs in Chicago through out the years Then the M.C. said something that brought tears my eyes. She said "from the out house to the White House".

I found this this morning @NYT...

What Progressives Don’t Understand About Obama

By ISHMAEL REED

Published: December 11, 2010

When these progressives refer to themselves as Mr. Obama’s base, all they see is themselves. They ignore polls showing steadfast support for the president among blacks and Latinos. And now they are whispering about a primary challenge against the president. Brilliant! The kind of suicidal gesture that destroyed Jimmy Carter — and a way to lose the black vote forever.

Unlike white progressives, blacks and Latinos are not used to getting it all. They know how it feels to be unemployed and unable to buy your children Christmas presents. They know when not to shout. The president, the coolest man in the room, who worked among the unemployed in Chicago, knows too.’

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/12/opinion/12reed.html

==========================================================

I must admit that Ishmael Reed’s thoughts may not be as aesthetically valid to some progressives; not all. But, it is the beautiful truth as I see it. We on the left cannot take our “eyes off the prize” in light of the chicanery of the GOP/TEA Party, the money flow of the US Chamber of Commerce, and what the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision is capable of. I also remember then senatorial candidate Barack Obama said… Money doesn’t vote; people do (paraphasing). So we must not succumb to the temptations that will be forthcoming.The corporate terrorist are out in full force perched to pollute the minds of the left , right, and center. Change doesn’t come easily.

What many angry, radical, Democrats, myself included, must be cognizant of is that this country is governed by a two-party system. Come January there will be significantly fewer Democrats. The GOP/TEA Party will be held accountable!!!

For the GOP/TEA Party to sit on their side and continue their radical strategy as the party of “Nope” is a clear step towards political suicide for them. The President had absolutely nothing to do with the present plight of Americans, as the GOP/TEA Party wants to portray; compromise or not. However, the President’s willingness, to me, reflects what the GOP/TEA Party has not done lately; specifically compromise.

http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/122681-frustrated-house-still-waiting-for-senate-action-on-420-approved-bills

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How does that hostage taking promote having this country's interests first?

They are not serious about compromise; otherwise 400+ bills would not be held hostage on the Senate shelf.

Crickets don’t all vibrate at once. Before you collapse this post, as you usually do, here’s a suggestion. Why not allow those who want to engage in the conversation, should they choose to, an opportunity to form their opinions. We can agree to disagree.

Pat, outstanding post! Thank you!

This says it perfectly. People are so fickle and so impatient that they cannot see the end result or tolerate the effort it may take to get there. We have become a microwave society.

DaNoid:

The rhetoric very seldom is supported by the deeds in this environment. Politicians are saying what ever they want to get elected, some being bought by "Special Interest Groups" that we know nothing about. The republicns ran on a campaign to lower the deficit claiming to be the party of fiscal responsibility. We have seen just the opposite from them. Go figure.

A little balance, if you please, Da Noid...

The President has just received the recommendations of his own hand-picked deficit commission and is well aware of the urgent need to take measures to cut federal spending and reduce the deficit and debt...yet, the bulk of the spending in this proposed compromise legislation involves measures that BOTH President Obama and Congressional Republicans want.

I think both parties to this compromise would argue that the number one, most urgent priority at the moment is the economy, jobs, and unemployment...there will be no significant, meaningful attempt to address the matter of deficits and debt without a substantial economic rebound.

Be careful, Da Noid...

You're running the risk of sounding hypocritical...heaven forbid.

If Obama care is so great then why doesn't the Govt. enjoy the same benefits Rick that would be Dems and Repubs,pull your skirt down your bias is showing.

Houston;

Funny how they never let the facts get in the way of their rhetoric. Thanks for bringing the facts to light.

The Presidents getting stronger and better and the next two years and the 4 he will be awarded for a job well done will show that. He does where his heart on his sleeve sometime and actually I love him for that. He's genuine. In Washington he's learning how to combat that. Houston, your position is note worthy and you pay attention to facts and track polls instead of just reiterating Fox News Positions... I need to say this; was anyone else offended by what Keith Olbermann said about our President ( Nazi comparison) and the followup insults by Rachel Maddow? I can't look at them the same. Just an observation. Sometime I wish like in Maoist China people who talk about any President like that should "disappear"... not that i'm condoning Communism but that was disguisting and treasonous. Please understand the reason I used Maoist China for a comparison. That wouldnt happen there. Period.

Houston!

I don't fault the president for not "fighting" harder before he made his deal with the devil -- uh, I mean with Republicans. It would have been counter productive to draw lines in the sand he knew the Republicans would keep crossing

Nate Silver spoke about the polls.

It is probably worth waiting to see whether a similar trend is manifest in the Gallup tracking poll when Gallup updates its weekly trend data, since Gallup's sample sizes are about three times larger, making analysis of trends among political subgroups much more reliable.

http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/11/poll-suggests-risks-for-obama-if-liberals-feel-taken-for-granted/#more-4167

=======================================================

President Barack Obama is neither weak nor is he stupid. He is human just like te rest of us. It's wrong to expect miracles when he has no back up from weak kneed democracts. He knew he didn't have the votes and the clock is running into January 2911. At least he tried. The Republicans have not.

And we had another poll posted at Newsvine (MSNBC) showing that the public DOES NOT support the Republican plan.

Spending is popular because everyone got what they wanted with no thought about the soon to be $14 trillion national debt. It is absolutely brainless for people to say that they are against spending, but are for this plan and completely ignore the fact that $900 billion is going onto the national debt tab. Many of those Tea Partyers cannot connect dot number one to dot number two: tax cuts to the rich will go onto the national debt and that will increase the national debt. You can't brainlessly say you are for the tax cuts and for less spending.

Obama is trying for a backdoor stimulus of Main Street. I am OK with the concept through the front door with PayGo added instead of tax cuts and unemployment benefits extended. Tax Wall Street!!! Taxpayers bailed out Wall Street, so why isn't it OK for Wall Street to bail out taxpayers? They accounted for three fourths of this last quarter's record breaking profits after being on the brink of bankruptcy. Tax the excessive bonuses they are ready to hand out. Tax each and every same day transaction in the flash trading by superfast computers and speculators. Tax outsourcing. Create a super fund for stimulating American jobs that will stay in America in the private sector by way of tax credits and exemptions.

The Gallup question was framed on the basis of the compromise proposal -- which is to extend the Bush tax rates for all Americans. There's nothing nefarious about that.

In its analysis, Gallup mentions an earlier poll that included the choice of not extending the tax rates for the wealthy -- but that's a different poll for a different circumstance. And oh BTW, a plurality in that poll opposed extending the tax rates for the wealthy, NOT a majority.

Gallup combines these two insights thusly: "...the results of the new question suggest that, while the compromise position on taxes may not be their ideal, most Americans would support congressional passage of it." That's what Gallup was trying to find out. It's as simple as that.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/145109/Americans-Support-Major-Elements-Tax-Compromise.aspx

Lib's are quick to shoot down Fox News but when you want un-bias news, you go to Fox. There are way too many communist in this country and many of them are in journalism. They built McCain up, weeded out the field then started dumping on him. They knew Obama was way left of socialism and was their man. They are in the tank for communism which is nothing but a social failure with several cases in point with most of them in riots and burning buildings. All of these are union led communist in Greece and three others. Socialism just a shade off from communism, both failures in every country. The news in this country is not news anymore with the only alternate being Fox News.

Baloney. From the horse's mouth;

“The anti-liberal Fox News Channel and the Wall Street Journal, whose editorial page is conservative, are both doing very well.”--Bill O'Reilly

david - what is your point? The new congress isn't taking office until jan 2011, at which point the democrats still have majority control of the senate and hopefully a potus who is wiser in the executive branch. Unfortunately, those politicians who can't get along in support of the US will be without a job come the next election cycle.

Everything from here to the end of the year will be just posturing, with onjly a small handfull of legislation passing.

And when the NEW Congress raises the National Debt after SWEARING they won't, maybe THEN it will sink in Pollyanna. Your tea party dudes will cave, wait and see

Sure looks like it. We the people need a third party that can challenge both the right and the left. One that might not ever be large enough to have a majority but one large enough to swing votes in congress on all decisions. A party with the nation's interest as a whole the number one priority. The two party system needs a shake up. Most opposing views have gravitated to one or the other. The majority of the time they vote as a block; not as individuals with their own minds. Both have their sacred cows and carved in stone ideologies. There is rarely anything that both sides agrees with publically. With the lines drawn there can be no bi-partisanship. The left and the right is polarized more then ever and it is a "winner take all" mentality.

Keepertrout:

It doesn't and the republicans know it and in fact are counting on it. They are already calling this President Obama's Tax Plan and you can bet your years salary that this will come up in 2012. Of course they will forget the role they played in this just like they forget the two unfunded wars, the two unfunded tax cuts, the unfunded drug program and the reduction of regulations on Big Business and Wall Street that started the snow ball rolling to begin with. They hope we will forget to.

Because the bank can then lend the money to a business. It's called banking 101. I don't know if you understand capitalism but if saving are not used as investments where do think the capital comes from?

We need a flat tax that way all you whiners can find something else to do besides your boorish comments on these vines.

Two things... One somebody has to get taxed unfortunately to pay down the debt. It's sad but true. So by passing this bill, the taxes won't change, they'll stay the same and not go up. Two...where's the bacon? Whose state or district is making out like gangbusters? I just want to know please let me know so I can have more facts. I thrive on them. Definately not the north east or the Rust Belt where, by the way, the President is from (Illinois). Everybodies mired down, thats why this has to be done now. We can come with more COMPROMISE and I guarantee you that if government keeps moving like it seems to be starting to the 99ers will get more weeks of unemployment even. Stay tuned and get me the numbers on all that "pork" flowing into somebodies home. Don't say the rich. They'll be rich either way.

The only "pork" in the original deal worked out by the president was the extension of unemployment benefits. That was married to the tax cut/tax hike/no action (whatever sides term you use). I might be wrong but Reid tried (and succeeded?) adding online gambling for one example?

Taxes aren't being cut,they're voting on keeping the taxes in place

They are voting on keeping tax cuts in place. They should let them expire.

Taxes aren't being cut Skippy. They just won't be rising which only a moron would do when we have 10% unemployment rate.

don't you see that we cannot trust these obstructionists? after 2 years of "NO" policies. i am disappointed that this president said "YES" when these obstructionists literally put a "GUN" at his head and threatened not to get anything done unless there is a tax cut for the richest and the wealthiest top 2 %.

I am disappointed. This tax bill must not stand..

So you say he do nothing and let taxes rise and ui benefits expire? I don't think so. The President is brilliant. He's got a lot of time to duel with John Boener and, if you haven't noticed, it's already started. He'll make him cry a few times before it's all said and done.

SOP;

You hit it square. Like the deal or not, it does provide much needed help to the middle class. Come Jan we will not get a better deal, regardless of what the pundits and some politicians say. Ever wonder why the these people, who for the most part are pretty well financially set, keep spouting this crap? they have no skin in the game. To not pass this bill, will in my opinion, cause far more problems. We should have been addressing this issue many months ago before the election cycle, but we did not. So be it.

You might be right. It could change from congress members distancing themselves from an unpopular president last election to the president distancing himself from an unpopular congress in 2012. Most voting dem ticket has to wonder why did they wait two years and after the election to address this tax? Both houses and the oval office was solidly controlled by the dems and they waited until the 11th hour to address this? After the right was emboldened by the election results?

No more robbing the Social Security to pay uneeded debt! If unemployment stays at this level or rises this country will be overwhelmed by the unemployed and especially the retirees who paid into thier retirement funds.