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We have a few thoughts on President Obama's news conference. Here's our first: He tried to hit the reset button on the budget message war in Washington, as Republicans have accused him of "punting" and lacking "leadership" on entitlements.
On the budget his administration unveiled yesterday, the president said it meets his goal of cutting the budget deficit in half, and that U.S. revenues would match expenditures by 2015. But that doesn't include, as he acknowledged, interest on existing debt -- which would still be a significant portion of deficits to come.
"We won't be running the credit card up anymore," Obama contended, arguing that his budget shows his administration is serious about the U.S. needing to "live within its means while investing in the future."
He added, "You might put off a night out for dinner or a vacation," but you "wouldn't want to sacrifice" a child's college savings or "key repairs to your house. That's what we've done with this budget."
He said there are budget cuts that are his priorities, like freezing government workers' salaries for two years, community action programs, and conservation programs.
At the end of the news conference, Obama said his first two budgets ran up deficits to prevent an economic depression. But in his current budget -- his third -- the focus is changing. "The economy is growing again, created more than a million jobs in the last year. And in that environment, we have to look at these long-term problems, in a much more serious and urgent way."
The president said he still intends to push for entitlement reform, but, he said, it requires Democrats, independents, and Republicans to "work together" the way Ronald Reagan and former Democratic House Speaker Tip O'Neill did in the 1980s.
He added that he believes Social Security will be easier to shore up than Medicare and Medicaid.
"All of these steps will be difficult," Obama said, adding that there will be "discussions" on entitlements in the months to come.
He expressed optimism that a deal could get done, but noted that it wouldn't only get done if both parties "are committed" to tackling the problem "in a serious way."
"This is going to be a negotiation process," he said, adding that "all sides" have to be "serious" and "willing to give," and that there has to be a "genuine spirit of compromise."
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I see the MSM has pickedupon Frank Luntz new buzz word "Punted". Now carry the waterbucket for the Republicans somemore Mark, Chuck & Domenico.
Why don't yall report on the Fact that Medicare Part D was passed in the middle of the night ata cost to the American taxpayer's of $6 Trillion, (Trillion with a T).
The MSM cares Nothing about reporting, only stirring $h!T.
O yeah, by a Republican majority Medicare part D was passed.
Are yall(MSM) gonna try & tell me & other Americans who actually remember(sometimes)this was Only 5 years ago,that the GOP is gonna tell Seniors that depend on Part D, that their gonna havta give it up Now, because America can't Afford It. Goodluck with that since the DonutHole is closing somemore this year.
Until the Republicans along with thier waterboys"the MSM" want to get Serious, I guess from here in Rural Ky, we'll just continue to say:
WTF !
Dog gone it Rick - we here in MSNB-land look forward. That's why the catch phrase round here is "lean forward."
Now with $.42 of every dollar belonging to the Chineses that may very soon become BEND OVER American Deadbeat Scum and pay your debt.
That cool with you Rick? You got the $42k to pay back YOUR share of the debt?
My question is what is the Teapublican proposed budget plan?
Oh, thaaat's right - they don't HAVE ONE!
Why is it always wait & see with these clowns?
Cantor makes an ideal 'water boy' for Boehner's bourbon on the rocks!
Spanky, I paid Mine when Your $h!t was still Green.
As for the Chinese, go to the Bushes,Little george to be exact & tellem we need that Trillion Dollar Pistol, to pay some Interest on that Chinese credit card he holds.I'm sure it'll pay todays interest amount
Domenico, thanx for the Response, but as usual, some of Us have already figuredout the new Luntz buzzword "Punted" & the You have to, because YOU Printed it.
ComeOnMan!
Actually, Fesity, today we did get a peek at some GOP budget prposals, and they are just about what you'd expect.
Although the President's proposal does come down on some programs serving the poor and the disadvantaged, it make an effort to sustain the nation's infrastructure, support further recovery from the Recession, and generate jobs (to the contrary of the comments by Speaker Boehner).
And what do the Republicans offer in response?
Low-cost, national public service volunteer programs, a national "crown jewel" in the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the health of women and children, programs to improve employment and fill more jobs, and restoration of an environmentally-vital section of the national landscape .... all sacrificed for a hollow-seeming effort of the GOP to keep the radical right happy.
The last election wasn't about the defecit, the stimulus program or abortion rights. It wasn't about health care reform. It was about jobs.
Instead, the GOP/TP has wasted its first month and a half with a House majority on ideologically-driven, right wing, nationally-divisive subjects. And now it comes up with absurd budget proposals of its own that simply cost more jobs and abandon the nation's needs.
The President addresses issues responsibly. The GOP/TP addresses issues ideologically - and illogically.
When George Bush came to office in 2001, THERE WAS NO DEFICIT! THERE WAS A SURPLUS!
But then, BUSH DECIDED, that we were all in danger from the terrorists in Iraq who were in possession of WMDs that would blow us off the face of the planet. That good old "yellowcake" purchase in Niger that NEVER HAPPENED.
We destroyed a country and killed and displaced hundreds of thousands of lives because of the WMDs. This was a war that Bush said would PAY FOR ITSELF FROM IRAQ'S OIL. That never happened because Cheney used his pull for his own company HALIBURTON & NO BID CONTRACTS to go in and harvest the oil for itself. WHY ARE WE NOT INFORMED OF ALL THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN IRAQ since that war? HOW MUCH DID WE SPEND ON THAT BOMB FORTIFIED EMBASSY IN IRAQ? DID WE EVEN HAVE A SAY?
i give it to Bush though; he tried to buy off the Chinese by taking them to Iraq and setting up an oil deal for them with his new colony.
And, yes, I BLAME THE DEMS, TOO. They gave that man billions for these eternal wars whenever he asked --THEY DIDN'T EVEN DEMAND RECEIPTS.
Now the middle class and low income, fast becoming the same group, are asked to bear the brunt of these sacrifices while George Bush enjoys his TAX CUT FOR THE WEALTHY. Tax cuts for the wealthy have nothing to do with the deficit, some say. Well neither does Social Security!! Of course, when you have 10-15% of the population not working and the bulk of those working not making enough money to pay bills to banks and corporations, YOU MIGHT HAVE A PROBLEM!
I wish I could sing cee-lo's song online without censorship. The only terrorists in this country are BANKS AND CORPORATIONS, who have done more damage to this country and its economy that any foreign terrorist could do with a stink bomb.
Keep it up. The people will soon begin feeling Egyptian.
Obama added, "You might put off a night out for dinner or a vacation," but you "wouldn't want to sacrifice" a child's college savings or "key repairs to your house. That's what we've done with this budget."
Dear Mr. President: Millions of Americans are out of work and currently find ourselves sacrificing our kids college savings and home repairs. Until cuts are deep enough to decrease the US Debt, our economy will worsen, and we'll still be unemployed. CUT DEEPER! STOP SPENDING!
A friggin bullet train...we're lucky if we can put gas in the car.
@Blueburner...Do you not recall what was happening when Clinton was in office that helped him get such a surplus? Its called the whole internet boom. The bubble popped as he was leaving office. That had nothing to do with Bush. Clinton was lucky to be in office at that time to get credit for something like that.
I've seen the GOP / TP budget plan. End all taxes, take care of it yourself. End regulations so businesses can charge what they want, dump what they want where they want and pay what they want.
They don't even want to pay for bread or circuses anymore.
BlueBurner, common misconception. There was no surplus. There was a projected surplus. Those two things are completely different. For example, Obama 'projects' that his budget will cut the deficit in 10 years, but most experts say not to hold your breath, because in 10 years food prices will have changed, energy costs will have changed, health care costs will have changed, the value of the dollar will have changed, disasters (natural and otherwise) will have occurred, etc. It was the same with Clinton's 'surplus'. It was projected, not actual. The US has run a consistent deficit since the '70s.
John A., it would be nice if we could afford to provide everyone with perfect health, free heating and cooling, a nice house, a new electric car, and a sugar-free lolly-pop on top of it all, but that's not the government's job. They're nice things that I would love to see the government do if we had the money, but they're not the primary concern. They're extras. We can't afford extras right now. Unfortunately, your and my health are primarily your and my responsibility, not the government's. That means that the government shouldn't put you and I (and our grandchildren) in debt to try to pay for those things for us. I don't agree with everything the Republicans have done concerning budgets for the past 30 years (lower taxes forever), but the Democratic rush to get the government to pay for everything is foolishness.
Rick, you've gotta be kidding accusing First Read, NBC or any of these three writers of being republican. This is a softball article that doesn't delve into the waste....all it does is highlight Obama's usual nonsense rhetoric to make us all feel better.
Comparing Obama to Reagan is like comparing Bush to JFK....they are nothing alike. Reagan promoted self-reliance while Obama wants to pay everyone not to work.
Did he mention cutting pensions of government employees? Did he mention reducing foreign aid? Did he indicate any change to the way the government caters to companies that outsource manufacturing and labor overseas? Did he talk about closing loopholes that allow illegal aliens to use taxpayer dollars?
No....He wants a train. How can anyone take him seriously?
Reagan was the biggest socialist shill there has ever been! And talk about steal from the poor to give to the rich! his trickle down economics helped to share the wealth so all the corporate fat cats on wall street could enjoy wealth greater than ever known. That economic hack reagan never did one good thing for this country.
I agree that comparing obama to reagan is like comparing bush to jfk, reagan drooled when he slept through meetings too.
Feisty,
Perhaps you forget that the Dems had both houses of congress and the presidency last year but they couldn't be bothered with actually writing a budget for this year. This means that the Republicans have to deal with the Democrats incompetence and finish last year's work before they can get on to doing this year's work.
As far as the ideologic work, such as removing Obamacare, that has taken a couple of weeks to accomplish; I'm not crying about it. The only thing Dems have done for me over the last couple of years is put more and more of a dent in my budget. And no, I'm not anywhere near the top 1% of income earners in this country.
Reagan worship is based entirely upon myth. Ronald Reagan led the most corrupt Administration in American history - as measured by the number of felony convictions for Cabinet members and senior advisors. He had hardly been in office a few months when his National Secuurity Advisor was jailed for lobbying on behalf of old clients while also serving in the Administration. Reagan's long-time political advisor, Lyn Nofziger, was jailed for corruption. and the list goes on.
Reagan had nothing but contempt for the Constitution. Not only in the Iran-Contra scandal, but in others, he rode roughshod over the Constitution. He won election by making illegal behind-the-scenes deals with the Iranians to hold on to U.S. hostages until he took office - knowing that the enduring drama would harm Carter's re-election chances.
He had no conviction of principles in the slightest. Reagan spent four years crafting an alliance of the right, with fundamentalist preachers and Libertarians, and reneged on almost all his promises to them.
Reagan was a master political manipulator, however - and it is in that respect that President Obama seems to be lifting leaves from the Reagan recordbook.
The President's budget proposals are sound, although I disagree with some of his cuts. Obama's plans are much wiser than some of those offered by Republicans today, who wish to make deep cuts mainly on the backs of the working class. Obama's Health Insurance Reform is also actually a money saver, regardless of GOP/TP propaganda to the opposite. Those who like to claim he's "not listening to the people" forget that one of his principal election issues was health insurance coverage - he listened, all right.
C. Smith,
Bravo!
Unfortunately, you're talking "Self-Reliance". It's become something like Latin these days: a dying language that many people don't even want to learn.
But you're still absolutely right.
And America can't wait to hit "reset" in 2012.
Obama - WTF?
Hey Feisty Redhead, the Republican Revised Budget Changes don’t come out until after the President submits his annual budget. Looks like there is a lot of work to be done on this one….
Let me break down this proposed Presidential budget in terms all the simple minded out there will understand. President Obama's budget cuts primarily focus on our domestic economy; no cuts were made on International out of control spending and nothing was cut affecting Corporate America (better known to all, as the wealthy). However, with President Obama eyeing the beginning of a re-election campaign, can any of you really expect him to honor his original campaign promise of making the wealthy carry their tax weight. NO, NO, NO, my friends, he needs these high dollar individuals, companies and foreign investors to fund his next presidential bid.
The Domestic Budget Cuts directly adversely affect Middle America, (You know: the middle class, the backbone of this country that keeps it solvent).
Some of the Domestic Budget Cuts Proposed are:
a) Higher Taxes on the Middle Class.
b) Limited Reduction for the Wealthy.
c) Billions cut in Defense Spending. (Some is necessary, but, not to the extent the President is proposing. We still have a nation to protect, border crime issues, and live in an unstable world.)
d) Deep Cuts to Social Security and Medicare (the average senior get about $656.00 per month to live on and pay Medicare out of pocket co-pays, proposed cuts could reduce this monthly allotment as much as $100.00 per month. Could you totally support yourself on $556.00 per month? (Let me remind each of you, that Social Security and Medicare are Trust Accounts primarily funded via your paycheck deductions paid by you and matched by your employer weekly or bi-weekly. These Trust Funds have been “borrowed against” or allocated to other government agencies and programs for decades via the annual Presidential Budget; and replaced with “I.O.U.s”; necessary because these are Trust Accounts and NOT FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
Now, that these “I.O.U.s” are due, it’s easier to convince Americans these funds have been depleted through individual use; rather than pay back decades old hundreds of billions in borrowed dollars. (Anyone remember the warnings Social Security funds would run out? This is government agencies not paying back borrowed money and the government covering up this fact. How can accounts receiving hundreds of Millions of Dollars in weekly payroll deduction collected weekly for over fifty (50) years nearly be depleted? Not possible……
Now, our President is calling Social Security an “Entitlement” to the American People. Correct me, if I am wrong, but since when are Trust Accounts completely funded by American payroll wages a “Entitlement?” No, what we have here is another Presidential budget allocation (borrowed funds) from Social Security called a “Budget Cut”; to such an extent that it will adversely affect those currently collecting Social Security and Medicare. That sucker punch that your feeling is the government asking you to bend over and take one for “Uncle Sam.”)
e) Cutting Domestic Infrastructure funding, such as: funding to clean our highways; funding to protect our National Forests; Funding for Water Treatment Plants (Aren't you going to love the taste of all those chemicals, bacteria and waste left in your water supply!)
f) Cutting Funding for "Green" and/or Environmental Programs. (Who cares if the ozone is failing or we live in a concrete country. Let the fish in our waterways die, our forests die off and burn; and nothing spared for future generations. After all, our President says this is unnecessary, so why do you care?)
g) Let's not forget another big one, The Department of Education. I hope all those starry eyed naïve college students that wouldn’t listen to reason, while working on Obama’s Presidential Campaign in 2008; enjoy “pulling that double cross knife out of their backs.” Exactly how our underprivileged students are supposed to pay for their own college tuition; much less cuts to state education programs that will happen as a result of this? President Obama is no fool, an undereducated populace is easier to manipulate! (Exactly, how are Americans suppose to compete in an international trade and business market, if they are undereducated?)
However, what our President has accomplished is increasing the national debt since taking office another 5+ Trillion Dollars, to the current 14+ Trillion. (Original 5+ Trillion was created by Bill Clinton's Administration and 4+ Trillion mostly created by military spending after 9/11 during the Bush Administration). Former, President Bush Administration was spending on average 450 Billion in deficit in national spending, during his final term in office, with a Democratic Controlled Congress passing an additional budget of 4+ Trillion for Military War Spending.
The president's 2012 budget projects that the deficits will total $7.21 trillion over the next decade, bringing our national debt to well over 22+ Trillion Dollars. Additionally, with the imbalances never falling lower below $607 billion, a figure that would still exceed the previous deficit record before Obama took office of $458.6 billion in 2008, President George W. Bush's last year in office.
In a Nutshell, President Obama has created more national debt than ANY PRESIDENT in the history of this nation.
When one considers: all the domestic hardship this budget will create on the Middle Class, Senior America and the truly needy; all the Constitutional changes pending by this administration regarding immigration, gun control and now, internet and media control; all the lack of Federal assistance in securing our borders against crime and influx of illegal residents (including this President's open agenda of creating open borders between Mexico and Canada. Doesn't this strike anyone else as similar to the European Union, instead of America? We will in fact, have a North American Union, with all countries answering to a Union Party. Plus, where is the Homeland Security in that, anyone with any agenda crossing over?)
There’s an old saying “Take care of your own first, then worry about others.” Since budget cut are necessary, why wasn’t more emphasis first placed on unnecessary International Spending and Wealthy Corporate America; instead of striking at the heart of a struggling American Nation and its Economy?
The final question, regardless of Political Party Affiliation, one must ask oneself is: Exactly where does President Obama's political loyalties lay, it certainly doesn't appear to be with Working Class Middle America, Senior America or the truly needy; and can we as Americans, really afford another four years of the financial and political devastation created by President Obama?
President Obama may be an inspirational Speechmaker; however, as President, a lovely speech doesn’t invalidate the fact, this President is hurting this country more than helping it.
Just some food for thought on what type of country and its future you want to pass down to your children and grandchildren.....
Wow. That's the first time I've heard the deficit and economical disaster blamed on the internet.
Do you know how much money we have borrowed to pay for Iraq & Afghanistan and military?
Projected surplus? Actual? Bottom line, we were all doing a lot better 10 years ago than the last days of Bush's office when Paulson, projecting a certain economic disaster, convinced congress on overnight bailouts for BANKS AND CORPORATIONS! Who, to this day, refuse to thank taxpayers by PAYING IT FORWARD, and perhaps lowering their 30% interest rate or stop manipulating checking accounts to generate overdraft fees (if Bank of America did it, you can bet it was industry practice.)
HEY! We just gave tax cuts to the top 2% wealthy! The country must be a-OK if we don't need that money!! Well, we do, so let's take away assistance for the low income to pay their utility bills. Gotta sacrifice!!
Health care our own responsibility?? Can you pay your own hospital bills without insurance? How about this? The prices are INFLATED? WHY? NO EFFIN REGULATION!!!! $100 for an aspirin? Where's the sacrifice by the price gougers??
Give me an effin break.
Joe,
Thee only way those are going to happen if it becomes illegal for politicians to receive checks other than pay roll checks. Could you imagine having your money in the market and being able to pass laws? Kind of like a Judge, Judging his wife's murder case.
In sports you have players and referees not player/referee.
Given the percentage of the total budget (36% 2009) that the military/defense spending take, this budget does not go far enough in cutting "going out to dinner" portion by far. Real progress in deficits will only come with drastic cuts to defense spending.
Future years need to set a downward trend from over 36% of total budget over $996B (2009) to some much smaller percentage - ?25%...
In the season of the mean, the republican'ts want to cut assistance to needy families by 100% yet do you hear the big wig family rights groups screaming? I don't either. makes the big wig family rights groups two faced!!!
In the season of the mean, obama the coward cuts assistance to the poor to where they freeze to death in the winter. They should charge obama with murder for cutting off heating assistance to the elderly.
obama is a 1 term president for caving into the republican'ts for making things much harder for disabled and elderly and the poor. obama is a democrit in name only. obama is in reality a republican't
China spends approx $25 Billion in Defense spending, according to the CIA.
The US spends ~$750 Billion in Defense spending.
The US spends ~$70 Billion in Education.
So...anyone else see the major problems here?
Then again, we could afford adding $400 Billion to the deficit every single year to fund the Bush Tax Cuts, so why is everyone complaining? You all WANTED this, you WANTED your little tax cut, so you lose any right to complain about the debt that results.
You could get the deficit down $1 Trillion EASY, just by eliminating ALL the Bush Tax Cuts [$400 Billion/yr], reducing Defense spending by 50% [~$350 Billion], and by cutting Medicare part D.
Boom, $1 Trillion in savings.
EDIT
BTW: Is anyone shocked Republicans went after the CPB? Is it any shock they went after the last major source of media not under their control? Then again, just look at Italy, and what happens when 90% of the media is under the control of one guy...
What a load of crap....MSNBC is completely biased for liberal democrats...
gamer,
Tax cuts are simply money the government does not steal from you. If you want to hand YOUR money to a nanny state, go ahead! And why defend our country, let's have a 9/11 attack every week; we don't need a military, right? We'll just trust the world to play nicely, dump more good money after bad into failed public education, continuing to turn out idiot kids who can't read, write, or do simple math. Businesses can just fund their continued operations from money that appears out of thin air, not from consumers buying products they want, that are also profitable for the company to make. Guy, you are clueless and far off the lunatic left-wing, it's not even funny.
How's it feel to be a character in an Ayn Rand novel, Coomojoe?
You do realize that's fiction, right? Rand herself spent years collecting Social Security and Medicare.
So the idol of modern Conservatives was a welfare queen...delicious irony.
Rick, thanks for reading as always. I would point out that we haven't "picked up on" a talking point or carrying "the waterbucket" for anyone. We are noting the criticism from the other side of the president and cite it as such: "...Republicans have accused him of 'punting' and lacking 'leadership' on entitlements."
Key journalistic phrase there: "accused him of."
Great point Domenico, but come on, it sure was not only republicans, now was it?
And since you have chosen to join in, lets hear it - do YOU think he punted? Are the entitlements in Obama's budget or not? Seems like a pretty easy question, no?
Let's cut out the "other side" stuff. Obama took a beating from all sides because he failed to address the most important issue of the day. Or you gonna stick with "republican accusations" only?
Thank you so much for your response.
While I don't entirely agree, I am extraordinarily gracious that you take the time to respond to your readers.
As for Frank Luntz wordsmithing, I would hope the MSM could find a better phrase than "entitlement". I realize that is what they are called, but when you've paid into something your entire life, you aren't just entitled to it, you're owed it.
Domenico - I thought your piece was pretty good, actually. Some of the commentators here have a more critical attitude towards columnists and journalists than do I, however. I put inough years as a reporter and editor to take a different view.
As for Spanky's comment, I disagree entirely that the president "punted" anything. Let's remember that in fact neither Social Security nor Medicare IS a formal part of the budget. They are paid out of trust funds, from which the federal government has been borrowing for much too long, in order to jugger the actual budget figures. President Obama is NOT doing that.
He is also correct to "divide the question," as they say in parliamentary procedure. to mix any effort to revamp Social Security and Medicare with the quite different issue of funding government operations would be to make any debate or discussion over either of the matters impossible.
It is so easy to wait until someone else proposes something and then shoot holes in it. If he proposed cuts to med/care/ss they would have slammed that as well. I am waiting to see if ANYONE in congress has the nuts to actually tax people and companies that have contributed to them, make the tough calls on SS and immigration, and come up with an actual budget. T
It's clear what Obama and the Democrats are doing, they're setting this up to be all about politics and not about what is right for the American people. This budget is all about 2012. It's all about accusing the Republicans as being heartless and not being "compassionate". All this while Obama and the Democrats are stealing future generations blind.
If Obama wants to spend and additional $1.65 trillion dollars over and above what the federal government takes in with taxes, he is obligated to say what taxes need to be raised to close that budget gap. You'd think the media would be all over Obama for proposing a deficit, a record deficit, like he has with no answers for closing it, but yet, the media is silent.
Same thing with the Republicans. If it is their intention to cut that deficit, they are obligated to say where, for both this budget, and the ones going forward. The media and Obama seem very interested in this part of the narrative, I guess it's a smoke screen to cover up for Obama's lack of a plan and any kind fiscal restraint.
With this budget, we know that Obama has punted. Now we'll see if the Republicans can become leaders and actually address the federal budget issues, because apparently Obama is too much of a coward to do so.
JoAnnaSmith1
"It's clear what Obama and the Democrats are doing, they're setting this up to be all about politics and not about what is right for the American people."
I have to admit- that strategy sounds R E A L familiar somehow.......Did Obama say their first priority was making Boehner a one-term Speaker? Wouldn't surprise me none.
What!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You mean Democrats may be playing Politics, Say It Aint So !
Democrats stealing future generations blind, you say, what did the Republicans do from 2001-2006 ? Paydown the debt, Nope. Borrow from the Chinese, Yep. Fail to respond to a national crisis, Yep. Go to War because of Imaginary WMD'z, yep.
Promote Democracy in the Middleseast, Yep. Now we have Hezzbollah running Lebanon, Hamas leading Palestinians, & Iran close to being Nucular, & now, possibly, the dreaded Musslim Brotherhood running Egypt.
As bad as Saddam was, he kept all that Nonsense in Fear! Now Iran has Total rein on the middleeast.
Breakout the Pistol georgieBoy, looks like we maybe needing it in the Near future.
Osama Binladen sits back & laughs at how the republicans played right into his hands.
Since the new Buzzword is Punted, i'll just say, Republicans Punted when it came to Defending AMERICA'S HONOR !
JoAnna - You make me laugh.....I could say the same thing about Republicans.....Where is THEIR budget. Where are their plans. None!!! But they like to throw bombs just as you do at the President that has put forth a very thoughtful and responsible budget. We didn't get into this mess in one year and we won't get out of it in one year. But you and the Republicans want to slash and burn all in one year and possibly jeopardize our fragile economic recovery by throwing millions of people out of work. Good job. No, JoAnna, President Obama hasn't punted....he's forcing the Republicans to show their cards if they have any which are viable
So you're in total agreement with Obama that we should keep this deficit spending going. In fact, Obama has super-sized it, now it's 4x's that of what Bush's largest deficit ever was, and it appears you're a-okay with that.
Yeah, sure, why not, Congress should just pass Obama's budget. Who cares. What could go wrong.
I do hope, in your lifetime, you get the sincere privilege to live under a regime like Iraq had with Saddam. I really hope you do. And, if you live, I'd like to have you talk about the experience.
laurie - Good job. No, JoAnna, President Obama hasn't punted....he's forcing the Republicans to show their cards if they have any which are viable
Yeah, quite the leader we have with Obama. 2010 deficit was too high? Not problem for Obama, he'll just increase it by $400 billion or so for 2012.
Quit the hero worshipping laurie. It makes you look pathetic.
laurie - We didn't get into this mess in one year and we won't get out of it in one year.
Ain't that the truth sister, but you'd think that Obama would at least try and have the deficit go in the right direction, ie., down.
We need a real leader in the White House. You know, someone besides a Community Organizer and a college professor.
JoAnna, until you agree that President Bush kept 2 Wars off the Books, along with several other Innovative ways of bookekeeping, your Rants about President Obama fall on deaf ears.
Was it worth all this, JoAnna, to be rid of Saddam?
Was America's Honor more Important at the Time, hell yes it was !
Saddam's future demise could've waited.
Don't p!$$ on my head & tell me it's raining!
But thats just an opinion of an Appalachian American!
Spanky, Democrats have certainly been critical of this budget. But not for "punting" on Medicare and Social Security. That's been a GOP talking point. Democrats have been critical for cuts they believe go too far, like low-income heating and cooling and other items. They believe it's small potatoes and a matter of priorities.
Now, certainly there have been some on the Democratic side who believe the president needs to "lead" and do more on long-term debt reform, but they are generally wary of the potential cuts and changes to Social Security and Medicare.
As far as whether I think he's "punted," it's not my job to say. It's my job to try to make the complicated a little more understandable for you all and people outside the Beltway, who might not follow every twist and turn. That's how I see it anyway. Now, that said, the president hasn't given a timeline on how and when he'll address long-term debt and deficits and that's certainly something we in the press corps are going to continue to press him on for more details.
The first 2 years the budget helped slow the terrible recession we were barrelling into. Now we can start working on getting our heads back above water. What some people would like to do is just slash and burn everything, which would dump us right back into recession.
This is a time to tighten our belts, but we hear of companies raising costs, sitting on millions and not opening up more jobs and bonuses of record levels being given. We should be doing everything we can to improve ourselves and make our country better and better. Why wouldn't we want to give our fellow citizens a hand up when they are in need?
No one said Saddam wasn't bad, but since when did the US decide to go into nation building? Oh thats right under the republicans. Was it WMD or was it coz he made a fool out of Bush's daddy? And seeing as how the right is the voice of responsibility, why weren't the wars on the books? To take obama's analogy further, you can skip a meal out but not skip sending your kids to college, you should also put in the budget when you buy two brand new cars, not just purchase them and pretend you didnt. Looks like the dems are the fiscally responsible party again (and again).
I guess I not really surprised. "Not my Job?" Dude, I asked YOU a direct question. You did not provide a direct response. You punted.
And just stop with the talking point meme. Just like with your failure to respond, Obama's is also a "punt." Now we can call the non-response by many names - they all mean the same. That's not a talking point, that's just reality.
My question is what is the Teapublican proposed budget plan?
Oh, thaaat's right - they don't HAVE ONE!
Why is it always wait & see with these clowns?
Cantor makes an ideal 'water boy' for Boehner's bourbon on the rocks!
Domenico, ignore spanky for when you try to argue with idiots, they will only pull you down to their level and beat you with experience.
Feisty, I don't often agree with you but I don't understand why people keep deleting your posts. What do you have against Bourbon and water.
That is totally right Matthew. Thanks!
Domenico Montanaro, As a newbie to this site, I am learning more about it, and have several queries for you. Do you or your associates publish op eds to selected members of this site, allowing them to use the articles to foster discussion? Do you also publish follow ups to the talking points?
I also have a question regarding your ability to keep folks off of the site for a week's time. I saw comments by Tylor (Tailor??) where you kept him off for a week. But we have others on this space who consistently degrade people while still blogging here. Are there two sets of standards?
Just want to know......
Safecracker,
Yes there is a double standard on the vine. A lot of the writers of these articles are lefties who were not beat enough by their dad when they were little leftie brats.
Yeah, Obama and the Democrats are really into "compromise" as in asking their base to bend over and grab their ankles. Now the democrats have meekly gone a long with Republicans in attacking and demonizing public sector workers.
Teachers who work all their lives for squat are some how responsible for the financial ruin of the country because they get a better retirement than the stingy 401K's that private sector workers get.
And Democrats of course love to stab their base in the back and so meekly go along with it.
Here's an article I found on line with some very interesting information and a different point of view:
US House committee hearing takes aim at public sector pensions
By John Marion
15 February 2011
A subcommittee of the US House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform held a hearing February 9 to prepare the way for attacks on the pension benefits of millions of state and municipal workers across the United States.
The hearing, titled “State and Municipal Debt: the Coming Crisis?” was held the same day as the introduction of a bill by Rep. Devin Nunes, Republican of California, to prohibit bailouts of states by the federal government.
The House’s Subcommittee on TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program), Financial Services & Bailouts of Public and Private Programs questioned a panel of four experts about the potential effects on bond markets of state bankruptcies. But during the first hour of testimony the committee focused its attention on unfunded liabilities in the pension plans of millions of teachers, firefighters, transportation workers and other public employees.
The problem of state budget deficits—estimated to total between $125 billion and $140 billion and exacerbated by the ongoing economic crisis—is very real (See “US state budget deficits could top $140 billion”). However, in his opening remarks to the subcommittee, Chairman Patrick McHenry (Republican, North Carolina) ruled out any new revenues for states and blamed the problem on a “fiscal straitjacket caused primarily by … lucrative public sector union pension and health care benefits.”
These benefits, according to McHenry, will cause people to realize “in the end … that their government has actively hurt them.” This statement ignores the obvious: public sector workers and their hard-won benefits are being been demonized while Wall Street has received untold billions in bailouts from the federal government.
Testimony before the subcommittee established that, depending on the rate of return of invested pension assets, the average percentage of state and municipal budgets devoted to pensions is between 3.8 and 5 percent. To McHenry, this allocation of resources to a basic social right constitutes “reckless spending.”
Some Republicans have suggested that laws prohibiting states from declaring bankruptcy be altered to make it easier for state governments to rip up workers’ contracts and attack pensions.
Democrats at the hearing prefaced their questions with ritualistic promises of bipartisanship and working together. In his opening remarks, ranking Democrat Mike Quigley of Illinois was servile before both McHenry and the bond rating agencies, which, he noted, have rated his home state’s bonds only slightly above those of Iraq....
....In a statement introducing his Public Employee Pension Transparency bill the same day, Nunes said, “Unfortunately, this debt is masked by accounting practices that would never be tolerated in the private sector.” Even putting aside all of the swindles from Enron to collateralized debt obligations, Statement 87 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board—which addresses accounting practices for private sector pensions—allows companies to underfund workers’ pensions if they show a corresponding liability on their balance sheets.
McHenry claimed in his opening statement Wednesday that “government has outgrown our capacity to pay for it.” In fact, the opposite is true: plenty of wealth exists for the provision of benefits and health care, but state and municipal governments have spent decades giving tax breaks to companies that threaten to move elsewhere or to lay off workers.
In 1995, for example, military contractor Raytheon threatened to move 16,000 jobs out of Massachusetts if the state did not give in to its demands for tax cuts. Within two years of receiving the cuts, the company had nonetheless reduced its headcount by 4,100 jobs while paying bigger salaries to executives. General Electric, which is equally reliant on military contracts, threatened this past November to lay off 150 workers at its jet engine factory in Lynn, Massachusetts if the state did not give it $25 million in tax cuts. In reporting that story, the Boston Globe noted that GE paid no federal income tax in 2009 because it “reported losses on its US operations.”
Such bullying is a standard practice across the country. In July 2010, for example, the web site Stateline reported that Missouri Governor Jay Nixon had proposed $150 million in tax “incentives” for Ford if the company agreed not to close a Kansas City plant with 3,700 employees.
On Friday, the Seattle Times reported that the Washington state Senate had passed a $300 million tax cut for businesses, prompting state Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles, a Democrat, to comment: “It’s a really good day for businesses because we’re going to be providing a permanent rate reduction to 90 percent of businesses in this state.”
While bonds have traditionally only been used by state and municipal governments for capital projects (construction, roads, etc.), states like Illinois are now borrowing just to pay their operating expenses. One of those testifying before the subcommittee noted that debt service represents on average 4-5 percent of state expenditures...
...On January 25, the National Association of Governors issued a statement opposing changes to federal law that would allow states to declare bankruptcy. The association expressed its fear that “the mere existence” of such a law would drive up the cost of borrowing “and create more volatility in [the] financial markets” from which state governments need to borrow, hat in hand.
The governors’ statement expressed no principled opposition to the use of bankruptcy to abrogate existing contracts or attack the pensions of people who have been working—many for decades—with the promise of this benefit. McHenry made no bones during the hearing about asking the panel whether the word “default” could be broadened, legally, to include not paying pensions.
In a “recap” video posted on YouTube afterward, McHenry signaled that the February 9 questioning of “academics” was only an opening salvo, and that the subcommittee’s next hearing will involve representatives of the bond markets and credit rating agencies.
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2011/feb2011/stat-f15.shtml
RN, if there's a plan why can't any of the Conservative posters here speak to it?
You know the plan, what is it?
Well John B, you will have to wait until April for the plan. It shouldn't be a long wait, many have waited over two years to see the plan from the leader of this administration. And when that plan is published, you will have you turn to tear it appart, I'm sure.
My wife sent me a video of the budget, expressed with pennies on a round table. Each penny had a value, and segments of the pennies were identified as portions of the budget. The majority of the pennies were allocated to Medicare and Social Security. A smaller portion was attributed to debt costs, a slightly larger portion was the military complex budget, with the balance to disgressionary funding.
What was interesting is the removal of the pennies. Where the military budget is cut, pennies were removed - but more pennies were added with increases due to obscure programs. I found it an interest visual that anyone can view to determine this budget, like others, is nothing but smoke-and-mirror budget preparation. Sounds good, but adds more.
Reset button? I see no evidence he is trying "to hit the reset button" How is presenting your case hitting the reset button?
My bet is Domenico wrote this.
No evidence eh?
Ok Ron where in yesterday's budget was Medicare/Social Security and the other entitlements?
Did he specifically address that today? If he did, why did he. Or better yet, why did he give a talk just one day after presenting his budget? Might it have been because he took a shellacking from all sides?
No, you are right, no reset, no attempt to look like he's doing something. He probably just wanted to chat today.
He did mention entitlement programs (SS, Medicare and Medicaid) and even thanked the GOP/TP for bringing it up. Now since the GOP/TP made it an issue lets see what they do with it or will they punt like they (GOP/TP) have been doing on Jobs and the Economy??
Spanky, the NEOGOD Ronnie RayGun, stole form other Private Pensions(Mine to be Exact) to shoreup SS, & almost 30 years later, notta single President has Offered 1 cent of it back, Nor has Any Congress taken up That Fight!
That was Reaguns way of Fixing the problem at that time.
Rick, come old buddy, I know it's hard but it's time to look forward. What shall we do NOW?
Geekers, Rick- don't you know we aren't supposed to talk about Reagan anymore?
DBO, 1 thing I agreed with President GHW Bush, was that Ronnie RayGun's economic positions, were "VOODOO Economic's"!
Parts are falling off everywhere, 30 years on down the Road !
As for you you Spanky, I stopped Leaning Forward when Chucky T. disrepected President Obama!
CNN now catches my attention along with Shep around 3pmest!
Ron, as opposed to a straight news item, Mark and I thought we'd give a bit of our analysis. And that's what we mean when we're saying he tried to hit the reset button. It's not in quotes, so no need to think he said that -- just that in our view that's what it seems like he's trying to do -- if that makes sense.
If its time to look forward, why are so many on the right trying to go backwards? " I want my country back " ? Lets look forward and get those green initiatives that will produce jobs and improve our infrastructure. Lets look forward and build high speed rail. Lets look forward and provide health care for everyone, even the poor and the children. Lets look forward and end these endless wars.
Reset button? A "reset" implies that Obama recognizes and acknowledges the problems, and is proposing a solution that may be a workable one with the Republicans. But with this budget he's proposed, it's a shot across the bow. Not only is Obama greatly increasing the spending by the federal government, he's offering no proposals to open up any kind of dialogue regarding entitlement spending.
There hasn't been a reset of any kind from Obama. In fact, he looks to be aggressively defending his spending plans. And by not addressing the core issues of the economic problems of the country, Obama has in fact punted.
What Obama said Domenico was....
I'm not going to put a budget out there with reforms or cuts to any entitlement programs, because that would p!ss off my base and I don't want to fix or change them anyway.
However, if the republicans want to bring forth a bill to fix them, then I can let my base tear it apart by saying things like "kills granny" or "elderly will end up on the street" or "grandpa won't be able to afford his medicine". All the while, time passing, and nothing getting fixed. It's a win-win situation for the narcissist. DOESN'T DO MUCH FOR AMERICA THOUGH, DOES IT?
and by the way.....he punted! (reset button...really, is that the best spin you could come up with?)
Thanks to President Obama for once again calling on all parties to act like adults and make a bipartisan effort.
The guy is the only adult in the room, though.
Shame that, too.
He's not an adult, he's just better at pretending to be one than the rest of them.
said c smith the child
John...where's the entitlement reform in his proposal? If you want everyone else to act like adults, shouldn't it start with him?
Again I ask, WHERRE ARE THE ENTITLEMENT REFORMS IN HIS ADULT PROPOSAL?
So, he didn't address an issue you want him to and you're going to SHOUT ON THE INTERNET?
That was very adult of you.
The President said it's a dialogue, a negotiation. Republicans hold the House, the ball is in their court.
Ron & John B:
I thought President Obama did a good job in explaining his position on why he did what he did. We have yet to hear a similar discourse from the GOP/TP. He was very clear in that this is a starting point and not the finished product. He once again invited the GOP/TP to join him in adult conversation.
So, I watched the pressed, and I have a question:
Obama stated that his proposal cut the deficit. ( important note- the deficit, rather than the debt.). Now, to me, that is a lot like your deadbeat brother in law promising to only overspend by 10% next year, rather than the 20% he is always borrowing from you. One of the reporters actually questioned this, and Obama did his usual, rambling rhetoric routine.
Why did NONE of the reporters ask him about the impact of his proposed budgets adding $13 trillion to the DEBT?
Is there some reason none of you could call him on his obfuscating the truth?
Cause, I have to tell you, the treatment of this president betrays the principles of your profession.
Same old main stream media is liberal conspiracy? The media's main concern is raising their ratings to sell more advertising. They don't give a hoot in hell about what you think their principles should be. It's about making money. They report what sells add space.
It's not just Republicans who have accused President Obama of punting with regard to his 2012 budget proposal:
"THE PRESIDENT PUNTED. Having been given the chance, the cover and the push by the fiscal commission he created to take bold steps to raise revenue and curb entitlement spending, President Obama, in his fiscal 2012 budget proposal, chose instead to duck. To duck, and to mask some of the ducking with the sort of budgetary gimmicks he once derided."
-Washington Post Editorial, Tuesday, February 15, 2011-
This is the Washington Post, First Readers;
Not the despised Fox News;
Or...even the Wall Street Journal.
Off-topic...didn't President Obama once deride the Patriot Act as well?
We are noting the criticism from the other side of the president and cite it as such: "...Republicans have accused him of 'punting' and lacking 'leadership' on entitlements."
Key journalistic phrase there: "accused him of."
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr Montanaro,
Um, this took about 30 seconds to find...talk about "punting"...key "journalistic phrase"....lol
Senate Dems up in 2012 mixed on Obama budget
By Shane D'Aprile - 02/15/11 08:00 AM ET
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/144097-senate-dems-up-in-2012-mixed-on-obama-budget
Congress Budget Chiefs Not Happy
Uh-oh, looks like President Obama is going to be working both sides of the aisle. After Republicans slammed Obama's budget plan Monday—only hours after the president proposed it—the budget chairmen in both the House and the Senate also criticized it. Democrat Kent Conrad in the Senate and Republican Paul Ryan in the Senate both criticized Obama's proposed budget because it does not address the twin problems of Social Security and Medicare—
http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheat-sheet/item/congress-budget-chiefs-not-happy/fiscal/
This budget of Obama's is nothing but a lack of leadership on his part. Where is the restraint in it? There is none. $1.65 TRILLION dollars of deficit spending! Didn't Obama get the message last November? Quit the spending! Quit funding new entitlement programs like ObamaCare. Reform the existing entitlement programs, and provide a sense of order and realism to the federal budget.
Instead, Obama comes out with a budget with a $1.65 trillion dollar gap. That alone should get him fired in 2012.
This is about mr. montanaro's comment, not the endless, meaningless, and all too predictable rhetoric that accompanies every thread.
"Obama can do no wrong" vs. "Obama can do no right" is the other thread...
Sorry dangerfield. Sorry for expecting some kind of leadership, any kind of leadership of the one sitting in the big chair in the White House. And a few of us think that's meaningful, more meaningful than what someone posts as a story in a blog.
So Obama punted? And what happened just last month when the republican party had a wonderful opportunity to slim down the deficit by agreeing to let those well off pay taxes at the standard rate for their income level? That's right, they chose to continue to line their own pockets. And wasn't it just within the last year that the republican party was criticising Obama for not doing enough to create jobs and stimulate the economy? And now that we are barely pulling out of this recession you honestly think that it's a good idea to drastically slash the government spending which injects so much money into our economy? Slow and steady wins the race, you can't stop a barge and turn it around on a dime. This debt has been building for a long time and it would be wise to continue to invest in our nation rather than panicing and leaving ourselves operating inefficiently and with lower income potential for the future. Education is key! Stop having such a short memory and attacking and defaming ideas that should recieve conscientious debate. Our nation would benefit greatly if Republicans would offer suggestions and work to build a better plan. As for the disgusting propaganda that is the "job killing obamacare plan" look at the numbers. It will greatly help cut costs in our country. Read about the purchasing power that comes from having a pooled group of users. It benefits everyone except for Insurance companies, health care lobbyists, and those looking to make money at the expense of the sick. Please stop having such a short memory. The republican party has only been consistent about arguing one side of an issue and then changing their minds and attacking the exact same thing that they supported six months earlier. As for the party of less government...it's an absolute lie. Republicans are only for less of anyone elses government. It amazes me the liberty with which the party seems to think that they can intrude into the homes and lives of American's personal decisions. When Cantor speaks you can see all over his face just how funny he thinks it is that he's feeding everyone a bunch of lies and deceit. We'll never make any progress unless you can be honest with yourself as well as the rest of the nation. Here in Montana republicans are talking about nullification...is that patriotic? When did a democracy become my way or the highway? You worry about socialism when you should worry about Oligarchy...that is where many republican leaders would have you.
How about the President putting a boot in the pants of the GOTP leadership? They need to get real and raise taxes when needed and make cuts when the are feasible. We aren't going to be able to cut our way out of this one. Sorry.
The GOP "Cuts it's what we're all about". We haven't met one we didn't like... well except when you're talking about our salaries, government health care package or military spending.
Obama is no Reagan. He's not even a Tip O'neill. After 2 years of scorched-earth partisanship, its a little late for him to expect anything to grow in them fields anytime soon.
BS Detector - Turn that devise in your direction. If anyone is responsible for scorched-earth partisanship its the know nothing, do nothing Republicans. Talk about cynical strategy, cut taxes, spend like drunken sailors, borrow as much as possible to make your policies look good, then blame it on the Dems when they have to fix it. I'd like to dump the lot of them in a big snow drift of which we are uncommonly blessed this season.
I haven't had a chance to read this budget yet but it's my understanding that there is an additioal $.15 gas tax?? Also, how does this budget address paying down our debt? Nevermind, I'll go find the budget
President Obama has done the right thing at the right time every step of the way. He has charted a course that lead to economic recovery and improvement in our standing in the world. He is FINALLY leading this country towards the development of alternative energy and improving public education. I shudder to think where we would be if McCain/Palin had won in 2008.
So this is recovery? Amy, please explain. How has our standing in the world improved? Are we not the world's largest debtor? Do you find that to be a good thing?
"improvement in our standing in the world"..........are you kidding me. They laugh at him! At the G20 Summit they pretty much told him to sit down and shut up when he told the countries to spend! Of course that's all he does.
Amy you obviously are living under one of the oregon Cliffs there. Because you havent seen that Odumbo's popularity has dropped in all the countries he has apologized to for the US. But I guess there is a reason you live in liberal world there in Oregon. WTF. You need to understand that the rest of the world is scared for where this dumb *** is leading us and you.
rbt, care to back up that claim that the standing of the US has dropped?
John....I thought I had already suggested to you that you do your own research.
Rbt 99, As an American who lives overseas and listens to news in three languages I can respectfully tell you that you are full of it. Odumbo, as your third grade name calling intellect would indicate, has lifted our reputation from the level of "a bunch of cowboy bullies" up to the level of "looks like they might not bomb us now". You don't live near the Oregon cliffs anymore, because one of the loose rocks obviously hit you on the head during your last visit. If you don't know what your talking about, then have the decency to STFU.
Not my assertion, therefore it isn't my job to prove it. If rbt wants to argue a point he should be prepared to offer evidence. Otherwise he's just making an unsupported statement.
Whoops............you're going to cut aid to help the poor with heat? With all the money to Freddie, Fannie, Union bailouts, Government Motors and what does Obama do.........? Cut aid to the poor. What a great type of guy he is. Why don't you cut Congress member's salaries?
But al least all those UAW/GM workers will get a bonus.
Where but in the government does a failing, bankrupt company give bonuses?
Amy, is that the right thing to do?
Republicans are hypocrites.
Well the government is already trying to find a way to get rid of those to companies because they should be able to stand and survive on their own.
Also This Administration has done a really good job in collecting on their Stimulus. Because i work at a Bank i know how hard it is.
Amy B. That is a very dark thought you put in my head, We would still have combat troops in Iraq and no escape plan at all. I remember Mccain saying it would be an unending war. Obama has already said he will be pulling troop out of Aghan. I think this president is very smart, and Republicans honestly don't know how to deal with him. Every Strategy they have come up with to try and defame him. He makes them look bad. Also I think back to the inauguration i think he honestly has planned this all out step by step to get the outcome he wants. I think President Obama will seen later in life as a master manipulator and uniter.
annirich - You really do bore me...With you President Obama is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. I suspect strongly no matter what this budget looked like, you would object because it is President Obama's budget. Makes you look silly.
Godabed,
1.) I'm not sure what you mean by 'collecing on their Stimulus', but experts estimate that about 2/3 of Obama's Stimulus was pure waste.
2.) We're out of Iraq because of Bush's plan to get us out. It happened under Obama, yes, but Obama just followed Bush's plan.
3.) Who has Obama united? Well, he has managed one thing that may be considered masterful. He's united the Dems and Reps... in opposition to him.
Care to back up those claims, C. Smith? Ahh, nevermind, you can't and you won't even try.
Don't feed the trolls.
I guess its okay to give the people on Wall Street the big bonus. After all they came so close to destroying our country. Also, why, do the Republicans dislike so many people in the working class? To them, anyone who is making a decent middle class wage doesn’t deserve it.
Also, on a side note, I hope everyone got to see the Last word last night or will watch Lawrence’s challenge to Bill O’Reilly. It’s an excellent report, where Lawrence points out what trash FOX Noise is, and the simple minded folks that believe their garbage.
Ya know. If ya google gross personal income figures, average that to come to a median baseline, then times that figure by 20%, VIOLA, problem solved! Heeeeeyyyy, what's this really all about anyway? The IRS would just go away, another 200 billion saved. Wonder who it is that doesn't want to pay 20% of their real income on Fed income tax? Could it be both ends of the economic spectrum wanting the median income earners (middle class) to pay for everything?
isnt all the bonuses negotioated before the bail outs? Isnt that what they always say to justify the payouts? It is all a lie and UAW is a bunch of lying ****holes. What is heavens name would you give employees bonuses when the company still owes the american people 20 million dollars? I use to pride my GM car but now I have sold them all and driving the the other american made car. Lets all make Odumbo and his low class white house aids join the unemployment lines in '12!! Next thing we have to look forward to is opening the Mexican borders and having 50 million mexicans to deal with. But there is no urgency according to the white house. BS
Is English your second language?
Amy B. Portland, ME
President Obama has done the right thing at the right time every step of the way.
VS.
JoAnnaSmith1
This budget of Obama's is nothing but a lack of leadership on his part. Where is the restraint in it? There is none. $1.65 TRILLION dollars of deficit spending! Didn't Obama get the message last November?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
let the reasonable and courteous discussion begin!...lots of room to find common ground here...:)
JoAnnaSmith1 is Right...reasonable and courteous.
Something smells fishy in Republican land.....All you people here with conservative leanings and all the Republicans and the news media types practically screaming that we MUST do something about Medicare and Social Security right NOW.....what's going on? Why are you all making false claims that these programs are failed programs? Social Security is one of the most successful governement programs there ever was. The fix is relatively simple with Social Security and not that imperative that it done tomorrow or even in the next 5 years. Congress already put into motion a slow steady rise in the retirement age from 65 up to I believe 68. I'm 55 and I won't be eligible for full SS until age 66 and 3 months. Additonally, raising the cap limit would probably fix SS for generations to come. Medicare...the easiest fix would be to have a Medicare for all system in this country which means that the healthy younger people will support the program for the older sicker people. Everyone pays in and everyone gets medical benefits. Payrolls deductions pay for the program and the government facilitates it just as they do for Medicare now. The government can enlist cost control measures as they see fit and people can purchase supplimental plans from the private market just as seniors do now in the form of Medigap plans. Well, no, the Republicans would rather demagague these programs in the hopes of privatizing them or eliminating them altogether. Right now the clamor is for those under 55 no Social Security just private accounts and for Medicare those under 55 would get a voucher to buy health insurance in the private market. Guess how far that will get a senior. We Americans must be very careful not to let these Republicans and other pundits frighten us into giving up the two most important benefits the middle class receives.
laurie Something stinks with Obama's budget. It's not fishy, it just stinks. He elected not to lead but to punt his leadership. All leading economist say that something drastic must be done, and Obama punts to the Republicans to make the tough calls. Talk about a serious lack of leadership.
HEY! What's WRONG with you? The truth is anathema to politics. Stop it. Stop it RIGHT NOW- you can't post truth to a political article unless you put at least one ridiculous, biased, ignorant or outrageous lie up at the same time. Remember: fair and balanced.
Gary - Spare me...please. It's up to Congress to come up with a budget, the President can only suggest a way. It's really up to the Republicans to put forth their buget and let the negotiations begin. Why should the President show all his cards in the first go round. You and those that think like you are just playing ideological politics. Too bad....you want the president to show all his cards so you could shoot him down. He's smarter than that so now you'll have to wait and see what your guys come up with. It's going to be good to see the Republicans squirm and try to justify to the American people why their lives are going to get progressively harder....why their local and state taxes may go up...and why the rich and well off are getting a free ride while the rest of us have to pay the so called "piper".
laurine,
SS is one thing, and it get's derided more than it should. The problem with SS isn't SS, it's that the government has been dipping into the SS trust fund for decades and now that SS is running a deficit (it did in 2010 and is now projected to for the foreseeable future, though an economic boost today may change that a bit), the government has to pay it back.
Medicare isn't the thing being targeted so much. It's Medicaid that's being targeted right now. That's the one that has become a major portion of our federal budget and an average of 20% of state budgets. The reason your Medicare idea wouldn't work is because the doctors would quit. Medicare and Medicaid both currently severely underpay doctors, to the point that many doctors are refusing to take Medicare or Medicaid patients. They actually lose money on those patients.
And it's traditional for the President (any President) to suggest a budget to Congress before they actually propose anything. No, he's not required to do so (at least as far as I know), but he'd see more criticism if he didn't.
laurie...why don't you just say I'M A SOCIALIST....like in AA....they have to say "my name is....and I'm an alcoholic"....did you read your post?
....you said... Medicare...the easiest fix would be to have a Medicare for all system in this country which means that the healthy younger people will support the program for the older sicker people.
Did you take government in high school? We live in a free society with free markets and freedom to NOT WORK OUR A$$ES OFF TO PAY FOR SOMEONE ELSE.
The American youth should simply announce to the World that they have no intention of ever paying off our debts! Who with a straight face could ever tell them that is irresponsible or can't be done?
Obama obviously doesn't understand even on a simple level the phrase "living within ones means".
Since when does living within ones means borrowing 40% of everything you spend? If you make $30,000 a year and you are spending $50,000, putting the extra $20k on your credit card mean that you are "living within your means"?
The President is sitting there assuming everyone is an idiot when he lies straight-faced into the camera. The Presidents budget for the next 10 years doesn't even one time include a period where the government is spending less money than they have revenue to pay for it. I also got news for everyone. The BUDGET doesn't include all they extra spending that Congress likes to tack on to every piece of legislation that comes out.
Cut pay and benefits by a flat 20% for all three branches: Congress, Executive, and Judicial at the same time. Then, cuts made to other sacred cows gain some credibility. "We sacrificed first because we want to lead by example. Due to the seriousness of the problems we face, and the requirements on our time necessary to address them, we also passed a bill making the corrupt practice of lobbying illegal beginning tomorrow, with penalty of death: all guards at every government building have been instructed to shoot any known lobbyist on sight, and any new lobbyist on detection. We will suffer the same reductions we propose for everyone else until the budget is balanced. We pledge today to tie any restoration of our income to the restoration of America's fiscal health and to the welfare of its people!". If only....
Until then, any speech made by anyone in DC is just one more monkey showing its colorful butt to the world at large- and some of them are very large indeed.
Can't wait to vote this moron out of office!
bethcat you're an idiot, not because of your political beliefs, but because you started the conversation by name calling. Be an adult.
With all our debt, I found this on Fox. Our elderly, disabled and poor, are getting kicked out while illegals take over:
I had an appt. with my O BGYN last week and a young pregnant illegal woman was there. When I was leaving the mexican receptionist had cleared the waiting room out of clients and she was telling someone (the bookkeeper? or doctor?) I couldn't see, that the young woman didn't have insurance. I wanted to scream. This pregnant woman was barely showing, she had time to go back to Mexico, it was not an emergency or she would have been taken in much sooner than the over an hour that I know of. This is typical of what is going on. Drs. are signing these women in for prenatal care, putting them on our Medicare when there is no reason to. They are up here being treated like royalty, not paying one cent and getting citizenship.
Now Mexicans are signing their children in for dual-citizenship, this same article is in this very paper you are commenting in right now:
MEXICANS SEEKING DUAL CITIZENSHIP FOR THEIR CHILDREN
More and more Mexican parents with children born in the United States are requesting dual citizenship for them, according to officials at Mexico's consulate in Raleigh, capital of North Carolina.
The consulate in Raleigh serves more than half a million Mexicans who live in the Carolinas.
Under Mexican law, people born in another country can obtain Mexican citizenship if one of their parents is Mexican and without having to renounce their citizenship in their birth nation.
According to figures compiled by the consulate, in 2005 just 415 people requested dual citizenship, but by 2008 that figure had risen to 4,745 and in 2010 it was 4,918.
LOOK UNDER latino fox mexicans seeking dual citizenship for their children
What is Obama doing? Leaving the borders wide open. Where is OUR dual-citizenship.
To Obama, that is a future voter for the Democrats to harvest.
What's wrong with your argument first off is "I found this on fox news" Fox viewer were said to be the least informed of all news networks. Posted on The last Word the report was done by an independent group. I hope you did more research then fox.
Don't premise any post with "I found this on Fox" if you want anyone to take you seriously. That statement immediately demonstrates an embarrassing inability to discern the difference between fantasy and reality.
Doctors can't put people on Medicare. How did you know she was here illegally?
What I want to know is why neither side is willing to cut any military spending. We pay pensions out to 40 year old retired military veterans who are perfectly capable of finding a job. They get a retirement whereas the rest of us are probably going to have to wait another 2-5 years later than we already do when the social security retirement age is raised again. We have soldiers stationed all over the world in countries the wars are done and over with for 40+ years already. We have soldiers fighting in Afghanistan and still have soldiers in Iraq for 2 illegal wars, as only congress can declare war.
How much is spent on TSA? How many terrorists have they caught? How many times have they violated our 4th amendment rights? How much have we spent on the Patriot Act, which also violates our 4th amendment rights. For a constitutional law professor, I would have expected Obama to know this.
Entitlements are not entitlements. They are taxes that we the people paid specifically for those services and are owed to us. We did not pay those taxes for the government to spend it on trillion dollar pistols, private jets, bloated salaries, and the best possible healthcare available without them paying a dime for it.
I for one have been feeling Egyptian since 2003.
Unfortunately, military spending has become essential to our economy, due to the military industrial complex. All those billions of dollars support a huge part of the corporate infrastructure. Rachel Maddow was talking last night about the extra engines that the government pays for, that the military keeps saying they don't want or need. Unfortunately, the factory that makes these engines is in Speaker Boehner's district, so he will not cut defense spending, even for equipment the military says they don't need.
I am not supporting the defense budget, and I can't stand that it's even bigger in Obama's proposal. It is the epitome of paying people to produce nothing of value, and the country needs to invent that money in useful directions, Imagine how many useful jobs could be created with contruction of a highspeed rail, and new nuclear plants, and clean energy research.
It seemed like there was so much more urgency in passing the stimulus bill in the middle of the night and passing that ridiculus health care bill on Christmas eve. I geuss Odumbo just doesnt see actually paying for his crap as urgent. All you people I see bashing the TP need to understand those pissed off people who got stuck with the bill from Odumbo are growing in number......
rbt You said it all ! Now reload and keep firing at this bunch. I can still say that right?
You are straight up correct on the border to the south. he will open this up in the middle of the night if we let up for a moment about the Mexicans amnesty. That is why we need to keep a close eye on Obama while he attempts to steer us away from the truth by involving himself in every single aspect of our life's. This is only year two for this dreamer. The repubs need to get behind a good candidate and get with the program before we are stuck with this man child for another term. The USA is not leading anymore (lack of leadership) we are reacting to the rest of the world. Lets get back to being leaders again and not spectators...
Both the Left ( Obama and co ) and the Right ( Republicans, Independents and Conservatives ) and most of the bloggers on here need to get off the Blame Game.
Right now America is bankrupt,, yes bankrupt ! We are selling debt to finance the Governmet. That is a fact.
Rather than blame everyone you can, we need solutions. Obama is showing Zero Leadership by not addressing the debt. His budget is a joke, it doesn't even cover the Interest Expense on current debt.
He continues to talk about infrastruture and spending on education and bullet trains when the States do NOT want them. Wisconsin has declined and other states have declined - see Christie in New Jersey who stopped the train project in NJ because there was no way to finish the project and no way to manage the project. The time for spending by either party is over. Bill Clinton was dead right when he stated " The Era of Big Government is Over ! "
The Health Care Plan will bankrupt every states, be they Blue or Red. It doesn't matter.
The National Debt will destroy America and everyone here. Obama needs to be a Leader and quit visiting schools and every political event he can stage and Congress and the White House need to have a televised debate with the CBO and define where we are right now. We have to stop spending, and we have to address Social Security , Medicare and Medicade, the entitlements will destroy us.
This meeting needs to be in public and aired on TV. Then all of us can quit blaming everyone and watcch a talk about solutions.
There is one thing I believe in that won't be shaken. Do the Math like Paul Ryan has done. We are on an unsustainable path to ruin. IT is time to get real serious by everyone and quit preaching politics and elections. Discuss the Debt and Entitlements on CSpan ,, negogiate a plan in front of America,, because everyone of us has a stake as do future generations.
I am 100% against Obama but as President he deserves the change to have a dialogue with the CBO and all of Congress to define the problem and discuss solutions. This is NOT about politics,, this an economic problem that needs an economic solution. The White House, Obama and his staff are very clear on their beliefs,, that we can spend out way out of this situation. We Cannot. Obama's own Deficit Commission laid out Bi Partisan solutions that had to be done. Their answers probably were not all correct, but don't Americans deserve the chance to see our President and our Congress solve this problem ?
Your right both sides have done nothing but bicker and squabble . Democrats are too weak and non organized and republicans say everything is on the table but all they seem to cut is programs for the poor, weak and education which is silly.
Sounds like the same old "spend more money we don't have" garbage, just worded differently.