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Subscribe to RSS“Senate Democrats won’t be putting much on the table when the first bipartisan debt panel meeting with Vice President Joseph Biden takes place today at Blair House,” Roll Call says. That’s partly by design, partly by necessity. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid appears to be eyeing the less-is-more strategy that he employed during the partisan brawl over spending that almost ended in a government shutdown this year. Just as he did then, the Nevada Democrat is keeping his own cards close to his vest, urging his Caucus to keep its options open and waiting to see what the White House puts on the table.”
The Washington Post adds, “Senior Republicans conceded Wednesday that a deal is unlikely on a contentious plan to overhaul Medicare and offered to open budget talks with the White House by focusing on areas where both parties can agree, such as cutting farm subsidies.”
The Hill: “Tax policy is again dividing Democrats and Republicans as they begin negotiations Thursday on what budget process reforms to attach to legislation raising the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling.”
“House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi will unveil an energy legislation package Thursday morning, one day after House Republicans launched their own task force to stay ahead of the issue,” Roll Call reports.
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Perhaps at last the mainstream GOP realizes that the Tea Party faction is not only a minority in Congress, but in the nation as a whole. Allowing that ultra-right, radical faction to stampede the nation into insane decisions to satisfy their rigid ideological stance - using a made-up "crisis" as an excuse - has been wrecking the Republicans and may indeed shred the party by next year.
There's a solid alternative to both the White House and Ryan budget proposals. The Progressive caucus has offered an intelligent plan that cuts deficits, addresses the national debt, and preserves programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
While this budget proposal has gotten almost zero MSM attention, it's one that should. We'll be reading more here about it as the debates unfold.
The only thing that ever comes from the Progressive Caucus is a move to a Socialist country they have nothing to offer this country. They are nothing but a very far left communist / socialist group that want to destroy this country and remake it into their wet dream of what this country should be
openmind266 - Pure twaddle.
You must feel that Roosevelt's New Deal was Communism, right?
Get an education and we'll let you back into some serious conversation.
I think you are the one that needs an education. The only thing the government should be doing is defending this country and leave the rest of it up to private industries. Anytime the government gets involved in the private sector they screw it up
Yup - thought so. Another of those narrow-minded, uninformed "Constitutionalist" Libertarians.
You just want to dissolve the nation. You are absolutely not worth discussing anything further with.
Just as I thought another progressive that hasn't worked a day in his life and depends on the government to give him his daily handout
John,
You know how it is. These Tea Party types just don't get it. They want to turn the country over to big business. You can buy them books and send them to school and they still live in the dark areas of their minds.
Job That is an interesting handle. If you have one thank a business owner if not thanks your democratic party for running most of them out of the country
openmind266-
Or should I say narrow mind cause that's the way you think.
Now to your remark about the Democratic party running most of them out of the country......I think that would be your GOP for running most of them out of the country!!!!!
"The only thing the government should be doing is defending this country and leave the rest of it up to private industries. Anytime the government gets involved in the private sector they screw it up"
Did you happen to notice what the financial industry did to the US economy in 2007-08?
Anyone who votes to raise it.... will be looking for work come 2012 ! America is watching... and if they withhold voting on social security and Medicare until after the election every Republican will be voted out ....we already thought about them pulling this stunt !
We? Who exactly are you talking about?
So is you group of "we" okay with killing the economy and our seniors?
Be careful of that "we" crap, Kemo Sabe.
The rigid right-wing ideologues who oppose raising the debt ceiling will simply commit political suicide by doing so.
At this moment, the only fiscal "crisis" the U.S. must address without delay is raising the debt ceiling. The consequences of not doing that are disastrous. You want high interest rates on the national debt/ You'll get 'em. You want inflation? You'll get it. You want another massive economic crash here and abroad? You'll get it.
You right wingers are utterly insane.
And you are the world's most outrageous liars, too.
John A,
Although I hear where you are coming from ie. I believe the employment of more people is a bigger issue to help swell the tax rolls. However, don't you think that having a plan to address some of our deficit issues is prudent? While a definite agreement doesn't necessarily have to be penned and inked before raising the debt limit our politicians should get to work on this. Yes I know that the Gang of six and Obama's new commission is working on it, but they need to present those ideas NOW to enable all parties to agree disagree and hammer issues out.
With no intention of belittling the foreign policy victory about OBL this is the big story. Our politicians should start looking for a solution that everyone can stomach. As I've said many times, taxes have to go up on everyone - the 2% and the 98%. Taxes on businesses have to increase as well. On the flip side NON PARTISAN cuts will need to be made to domestic spending and defense spending will need to be reduced. Most importantly a fair, reasonable approach has to be made to reform, Not Slash or destroy, some entitlement programs.
That being said, extending the deadline announcement was not a good idea IMO. That will only give more time for the Dems and Reps to fight.
The U.S. can borrow until Aug. 2 after reaching the $14.29 trillion limit because of “stronger-than-expected tax receipts” and by taking “extraordinary measures” such as suspending the sale of bonds to finance state and local infrastructure projects, Geithner said in a letter to congressional leaders yesterday. He previously said the deadline would be July 8. Without such measures, the legal limit will be reached May 16, he said.
"don't you think that having a plan to address some of our deficit issues is prudent?"
Did you read any of John's comments on the Peoples' Budget? He is not saying that we shouldn't have a plan. He is saying the plan should be balanced and should not destroy the safety net for seniors and the unfortunate.
80% of Americans could care less what the Progressive Caucus proposes. We're not that far left.
Nothing new here America! The lines have been drawn in the poltical/economic sands between the two political sides. Now the GOP/RNC are taking Medicare and Medicaid off the budget table for now. After 2012 they will be eliminating both programs immediately after winning the Presidential Election. They are very mistaken on this assumption, and are digging themselve even into a bigger political ditch. Which is fine to see them do, and this type of misleading the nation on matters lke this is not knew for the GOP/RNC. Time will tell where the budget debate will go however, I have a pretty good idea. Hey! Hey! Ho! Ho! The party of no has got to go! Getting ready to vote yet America?? I hope so.
The Republicans are starving off the old people and setting it up so the wealthy have everything ! The republicans are for the wealthy ...the Koch brothers tell them what to do ...if they don't do as told they lose their seat in congress or the senate !
You have about as much proof of that as I do say that Obama is a slave to George Soros and Obama can't do anything without running it past him first
The President and the Democrats are going to win this battle.
Yes they are!!!!!!
congress, it is time to create jobs and create new revenue. your job is to protect the citizens of this country against war and teranny. it is your job to provide the citizens of this country with the same benifits they we provide you. it is your job to provide the citizens of this country with the tools to pursue their pursuiot of happiness. it is your job to make the laws for our well being not the well being of the few. you took and oath to uphold the constitution of the United States, not to destroy it. so, do your job and do it now!