He needed to get back to C street, and those XXX dvd's.

OR- he can't bring himself to offer this compromise: Dems MUST cut spending, but Repubs raise taxes in an equal amount, and we raise the debt ceiling to 1/2 of what the combined valure would be.

My guess is he needs the break to consult with his lawers over the Ensign cover-up!

My guess is he needs the break to consult with his lawers over the Ensign cover-up!

You know, you might be on to something Ursula! lol

Now that it's been revealed, he was involved in it up to his beady bagger eyeballs!

Huh, how strange - it looks like Feisty has forgotten what became of Obama's debt commission.

That's ok Feisty, but perhaps you need to consider that you might not be all that informed before you spout crap like republicans "quit" when the going gets tough. Or maybe Obama and the dems have done something since Ryan's plan came out?

Oh who are we kidding - you just keep on keeping on with you silly comments. And remember never, ever put those Obama pom poms down. :)

Ok how about this - just what is Obama doing about the fact that we hit the ceiling yesterday?

Colburn quits, and the righties attack Obama, the Ryan plan is strangling the TP/Repubs., none of them will give an inch, and who gets the gas pipe again? That would be you and me, Mr. and Mrs., and Ms., taxpayers. Bend over, their coming after us again! Don't you dare touch the big oil co.s!

Nice to see the deflections coming out early. Are you dragging Obama into this discussion because you lack anything positive to say about Coburn?

If the Republicans are adults, why does Coburn need a time out?

I think Mr. C-Street has something more important to think about at the moment...

Totally agree, NYMike, I thought this post was about Coburn. Why isn't he being investigated also. He was right in the middle of the payoff part. I guess that's the counseling part.

Astonished has the nerve to come on here and say that anyone who blindly follows a single party is a child, but then continues on to spout Republican talking points without a hint of objectivity. Hey I have another word for you, how about hypocrit..

Tom Coburn is now under scrutiny for his role in negotiating hush money paid to Ensign's mistress and her family. Hmm...that might be why he wants some time off.

Puleeze, there's no liberal conspiracy here. Liberals don't have to do anything but sit back and watch GOP/TPers hang themselves with a long rope.

All the so-called "family values" Republicans are getting busted for their-not-so-family-values behavior, and hypocrisy in attacking Clinton -- We're still waiting for Louisiana to give Vitter the boot too. It's a good thing for Schwarznegger that he didn't get busted until he was out of office. That's what you get for trying to legislate other people's life.

Took a break to watch Jon Stewart...LMAO! He just did a report on ginned-up attacks by FOX/GOP about Common at the White House, and "family values" Huckabee jamming with Ted Nugent singing Cat Scratch Fever (look up the lyrics)--this just before Huckabee announced he wasn't running for POTUS. It's a good thing he said he wasn't going to run.

Coburn just voted to KEEP the oil co bribes. So much for the deficit. You may be facing jail time for your part in the Ensign cover-up.

Hey Feisty, give Coburn a break. He's had a bad week. He's been working really hard to convince us that he and the 'C' Street gang are God's gift to the American people and that God speaks to and through him. The self-righteous bastard almost had us fooled. Don't worry, he will be back with more preaching about how his way is the only way. If only Ensign had listened. (Maybe he did)

There is talk that Coburn cut a deal for imunity for his testimony about his buddy Ensign. Proving once again the the C Street gang of so called Christians, are as phony as a three dollar bill. Seems the "gangs" main purpose is CYA for their fallen members. Thus making them the biggest gang of hypocrites in DC. Every time there is a scandal, and there have been many, the C Street gang is right in the thick of it. One thing the Rethugs are really good at are coverups, and the sheeple on the right sleep on.

Here the left now starts it's next attack ... The "C" word, ie Christan Values? Where was this part of the discussion in the article? The article was about the debt ceiling and the budget, you know, the gang of six. Mis-direction is part of the Left's game plan.

Oh yeah, that's right it's the third year of the first campaign term!

So we drag in the usual suspects ... the oil companies. Those rotten old free market firms that actually produce something to generate commerce in this country. They'd like use OUR resources to produce that bane to the global leftists "hydro-carbon fuel". In the mean time the disingenuous left sponsors tax breaks to GE (along with other "favorites") sufficient enough to generate a $1.1 Billion tax CREDIT in 2009. Then the left has gall enough to complain about "Crony Capitalism"?

Health Care ... and then there were the waivers ...

The Stimulus (that wasn't) created 450,000 government jobs and destroyed 1,000,000 private sector jobs (Ameican Enterprise Institute). Of course this will be disputed (as usual) yet we see that almost 3 years into the Act unemployment is still above the 8% level and probably will remain at these levels for quite some time. IT DIDN'T WORK! The fact remains that you never could in the past, you can't today, and you never will be able to spend your way into prosperity.

The bailouts ... Goldman Sach's? The Fed QE... (more) worthless dollars ... Tim Geitner? Auto buyout? ... and then there was the Volt! No buyers!

But the left and Obama believe they can reward their friends and punish their enemies to produce wealth. Now we see the attack on Boeing for DARING to think about building another plant somehwhere in the US other than a Union-only state. And you wonder why jobs go over seas?

Get the government out of the way, get the spending under control, and reduce the size of the Federal government.

if Ensign is smart he will consult with Slick Willy's lawyers, because in the end it all comes down to what your definition of is is and feisty must be one sexually frustrated hag. bwaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Astonished... I was looking and I can't seem to find one single new point in the above rant that wasn't given to you by Fox news...duh...think for yourself much? Obama haters are just haters, they spout off and spread their hate at every turn. They vote with their hate and try to convince others that they are "right" and everyone else is wrong (thats closed minded). Lie, cheat, and steal, spin the right's abuse of the common American to line their own pockets with Corporate money, and then blame the President. President Obama is going to be re-elected in 2012. Get over it...

want to bet?

Tim,

I can't seem to find one single new point in the above rant that wasn't given to you by Fox news...duh...think for yourself much

And what gives you the concept that Fox news is the basis of my opinion. OH YEAH that's right when someone objects to the Left's BS don't think about it at all just blame it on Fox News, Bush, Cheney, Exxon, Haliburton, Iraq, global warming, the rich, the famous, the anybody but the ones leading! Whatever!!

Personally, I'd vote for daffy duck before I'd waste another four years on these income re-distributing U.S. wealth to the rest of the world Obama-ites and their deflate the dollar to zero crap.

get a life!

Ira: His comments, we're at an impasse, let's quit for a while seems to be the theme of this entire Congress

For the Senate it is. Have they done anything this year? Lets see, they brow-beat Ensign, and they're talking about (and not voting on) on the $2 billion dollar oil subsides. Obama finally told the Senate to just pass the FY2011 budget.

The House seems to be making progress. Passing budgets for both FY2011 and for FY2012. Ryan has his plan, and it passed the House.

The Senate is lost. They have passed no budget in answer to Ryan's. They have no plans, and no majority that will approve any budget. Obama was depending on the Gang of Six to fashion a budget he could get behind seeing his ObamaBudget for FY2012, the one with $1.65 trillion in deficit spending, is now even disowned by Obama himself. So now Obama is just as Lost in Space as is the Senate.

The Democrats certainly don't like what budget Ryan came up with, but until they have one that they can agree on, it's best they go sit in a quiet room together and figure out what exactly they stand for. Because right now, they stand for nothing.

Republican voters don't like the Ryan budget--but 235 GOPers are stuck with a YEA vote because the majority got cocky and in a big hurry.

JAS - you're not actually defending Ensign, are you? "...Lets see, they brow-beat Ensign..."

I don't care which side of the aisle he sat on - his activities were illegal and it'll likely turn out Coburn was in thick with him - WATCH OUT!

JAS - you're not actually defending Ensign, are you?

Not defending anyone. It's just amazing that the Senate Democrats had the time to scream and shout about Ensign, but can't for the life of them figure out a budget.

With the work schedule this Congress keeps, work two weeks then off one, one would think they'd be up to a little extra effort to sort this out. What a racket, they have too much time to get into trouble or out of it, depending on you point of view.

Nothing of substance will be accomplished as long as they spend more time grandstanding ( which they are all very good at).

"Senate Democrats had the time to scream and shout about Ensign, but can't for the life of them figure out a budget."

My eyes keep playing tricks on me.

Every time I read this comment, it comes out "House Republicans had the time to scream and shout about Planned Parrenthood, but can't for the life of them figure out a jobs bill".

So Ira - how about that super neat bill coming from Reid. He's going to sock it to the big 5 oil companies.

Too bad he's such a monkey he couldn't even draft a bill that was constitutional. No real surprise there.

And look-y here but Reid's efforts seem to have escaped notice of FR. Huh, I figured they be all over libbie efforts to increase the cost of gas.

Every time I read this comment, it comes out "House Republicans had the time to scream and shout about Planned Parrenthood, but can't for the life of them figure out a jobs bill".

The private sector creates jobs, not the government. Have you learned nothing from the massive failure of the American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009? Apparently you haven't.

You know, because it says "Jobs Bill" in the bill, it doesn't make it so.

The private sector creates jobs, not the government. Have you learned nothing from the massive failure of the American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009? Apparently you haven't

Oh JoAnna darling, just can't help yourself can you?

You were thoroughly debunked under First Thoughts and yet, here you are still spreading your hogwash!

From my earlier comment:

Republicans Have Spent Two Years Blocking Job-Creation Efforts

The Recovery Act Lowered The Unemployment Rate And Increased The Number Of People With Full-Time Jobs By Millions.

According to the CBO:

CBO estimates that ARRA's policies had the following effects in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2010:

• They raised real (inflation-adjusted) gross domestic product by between 1.1 percent and 3.5 percent,
• Lowered the unemployment rate by between 0.7 percentage points and 1.9 percentage points,
• Increased the number of people employed by between 1.3 million and 3.5 million, and
• Increased the number of full-time-equivalent (FTE) jobs by 1.8 million to 5.0 million compared with what would have occurred otherwise. (Increases in FTE jobs include shifts from part-time to full-time work or overtime and are thus generally larger than increases in the number of employed workers).

[Congressional Budget Office,2/23/11]

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=5&ved=0CDkQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpoliticalcorrection.org%2Ffactcheck%2F201103140006&ei=N1rQTcOIBKXj0QGZhYDqDQ&usg=AFQjCNEXV1mqI2Lgb1N_wHGv7ikLTwWzGA

The Teapubicans were elected on the promise of jobs and the economy...

Do you all seriously think people are going to fall for your bullsh!t AGAIN?

Then do tell us a big favor Feisty - remind us all where that stimulus money got to? You remember Obama and Sheriff Joe assured us unemployment would not go above 8% if we dumped all that cash into the system.

You remember all those "shovel ready" jobs? All that totally great and fun green tech/shoots, just waiting for some cash?

Sorry old gal and DBO - as usual JAS1 Has nailed you again - the government creates nothing. It takes money from one place and dumps it another, and almost always in a wasteful, totally inefficient manner.

Come on and say it with me - Wreck-covery Summer, part 2. Subtitled this time for your enjoyment, summer of inflation. Yay, yipee, who-dy, who. THis is your massive government not being able to get out of it's own way.

I'd say night night Feisty, but come on, where would you go?

remind us all where that stimulus money got to

The question that is never asked is how many jobs will be destroyed when the government has to tax people/businesses to pay for its deficit busting (so-called) stimulus? Liberals for some odd reason think that money is "free".

No surprise there, borne out by the depth f the comments. Just look at Sandy, below.

Classic really.

Spanky..

Democrats have been pushing for repealing subsidies for the five biggest oil companies, arguing that the move would not only serve to lower gas prices but would also make a dent in the national debt. Republicans and the oil industry have contended that rather than alleviating gas prices, repealing the subsidies would increase costs for consumers and would also make only a trivial impact on the country’s oil supply.

We both know this is a symbolic vote with no chance of getting 60 votes. Symbolic equals a waste of time.

Don't care who is right or wrong cause this vote does nothing to impact the price at the pump.

Riddle me this though. If these 5 companies are making multi- billions of dollars in profits, taking away $20 billion...that an average of $4 billion apiece really has no impact on their bottom line. The impact is really borne by their shareholders....if they play fair and don't pass the "loss" on to the consumer.

Have a good night.

Ain't going to be no vote Ira - the bill is not "blueslipped" i.e. unconstitutional. Hell, even Drive By knows revenue creation must originate in the House. Apparently not Reid.

Ira - what in the hell does "play fair" mean? Corporations don't pay taxes, they pass the cost of goods sold on. Come on Ira how many of your friends - the high priced New York securities lawyers would take on a case a corporation did not act in the shareholder's best interest?

Leave the oild companies alone, or change the IRC for all. Golly if only Apple didn't get to write off all it's deprecitation it'd pay more taxes too But guess what? That shiny I-pad would just cost you more.

Spanky-..

Play fair...ok..naive comment when it comes to big business.

You could try to prohibit any pass along increases via prohibitions in the legislation. I know, it would be like trying to enforce a no smoking in bed law....worth a try though. We do prohibit fed funds from being used for abortion and that has to be as hard to enforce as this. Seems to be the rule and not the exception, so it's working.

You can't change the IRC and eliminate all subsidies for all energy companies and expect a level playing field. Oil companies are too well capitalized and the "green energy" folks are just start ups. David and Goliath under any circumstances.

One other point and I am confused on this. If the subsidies were put in place to offset some of the cost of exploring and drilling wells, if removed, wouldn't the oil companies just take the expense as an R&D cost and take the tax benefit anyway?

If that's the case, what's the point?

arguing that the move would not only serve to lower gas prices but would also make a dent in the national debt

How? Subsidies were designed to keep expenses garnered by the oil companies (exploration) low(er) so that the expense would not be passed onto Americans. How would ending subsidies lower gas prices? I can get on board with lowering the debt provided the revenue attained was paid on the debt but any additional expenses will be passed onto the consumer.

I await your explanation.

Doug Ponders...

Not my explanation, that's the democrats rationale....and I don't see how it lowers prices either.

I asked the following:

If the subsidies were put in place to offset some of the cost of exploring and drilling wells, if removed, wouldn't the oil companies just take the expense as an R&D cost and take the tax benefit anyway?

If that's the case, what's the point?

Ira,

The use of the term "subsidies" is causing confusion. The government is not writing a check to the oil companies to help offset exploration costs. Rather, the "subsidies" everyone is talking about are in fact the tax law that allows the company to expense the R&D cost and take the tax benefit. Exactly how you describe. It is the tax deduction on capital equipment and R&D that the Democrats are trying to get rid of - and only for the oil industry.

They are using the term "subsidies" to make it sound like something it isn't.

For those who have short-term memories, or worse try to re-write history, here is a summary of what has transpired prior to and in the last two years under President Obama and the Dems:

"[Bush] presided over two terms of laissez-faire supply-side policies that yielded the weakest expansion in recent U.S. economic history, marked by tepid job growth, weak private investment, stagnant family incomes, and a host of other ills that mounting housing and financial bubbles helped partially obscure.

…since the changing of the guard in Washington in January 2009, conservatives in Congress have done everything they can to obstruct efforts to fix the economic mess left at the end of the Bush era.

It started with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act [stimulus], which conservative senators fought in general and then worked to weaken by stripping out more effective job-creating provisions in favor of less effective conservative priorities.

The House passed a sweeping financial reform bill on December 11, 2009; not one Republican voted for the bill. Senate conservatives' filibustered the bill in efforts to weaken reform, ultimately delaying a vote until May 20, 2010, more than five months after the House.

In May, the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010 was introduced. Conservatives blocked the bill throughout the summer. All 41 Republicans voted to continue the filibuster in July, leaving the bill for after the August recess and forcing small businesses to go weeks more with the uncertainty over their financial futures.

One of the most troubling examples of conservative obstruction to economic recovery is their actions on unemployment insurance. Unemployment insurance is both good social policy and among the most sound, best countercyclical economic policies.

Conservatives then repeatedly filibustered attempts to reinstate the benefits, demanding that unemployment benefit extensions be paid for with commensurate budget cuts, and that the deficit-busting $830 billion Bush tax cuts for the richest two percent of Americans be extended but not paid for.

Republicans…unveiled a "Pledge to America," detailing their "new governing agenda." CAP analysis shows that putting the plan's proposals into place would cause the federal budget deficit and debt to grow much faster than they would under President Obama's budget. The deficit would be $200 billion larger in 2020 under "Pledge to America," and $1.5 trillion larger by 2030, while the federal debt would rise above 93 percent of GDP with interest payments surpassing $1 trillion a year.

The bottom line is that the pledge merely recycles the same failed Bush policies that caused the six years of jobless economic growth followed by the Great Recession and today's current malaise in the broader economy accompanied by lots of federal red ink—a relentless focus on tax cuts for the richest Americans."

Since that time, Republicans have failed to propose any legislation to create jobs or stimulate the economy. In fact, they have been trying to repeal financial reform, HCR, and other cost savings and protective measures. Either conservatives hate America, or are very stupid, or both.

I keep posting this for JoAnnaSmith, et al, but I don't think they're big into reading.

Sorry I have to go to the Joanne uninformed - however I have seen her posts time and time again - no liberals don't think money is free - however don't you have a clue on how you are being used - the Republican party is trying to destroy socialism, as we know it - and along with that unions - why they vote Democratic - labor unions - they vote democratic - blacks - try to get them at the polls - threbuplicans have an agenda - and believe me it is not in America's interest- it is in Corporate Interest came out today SCAP - all corporations ascribe to it - America is doomed unless we fight these Corporate Interets

fiesty the jobs are in Obama's campaign/reelection army. You have got to be happy now, yes?

Those damn republicans - following Obama's approach to not increasing taxes on the "rich."

When the right holds unemployment benifits hostage, what can one do but give in and extend the tax cuts to the billionares.

See, I can use talking points too.

Pres. Obama should have let the Bush tax cuts lapse for everyone. Seems we did alright with Clinton level taxes, having a surplus and all.

Ryan's plan starts to address entitlements.

Entitlement reform AND higher taxes. Like the old Reeses ad where the chocolate gets mixed with the peanut butter. Why not enjoy BOTH and get the damned deficit back under control?

Why not DBO. Tell you what- you go first.

Me. I'll stick with all those lovely "loopholes." See they already got a whole lot of my chocolate and my peanut butter. I'd just like to keep a little more, cause I loves me chocolate and peanut butter.

Damn you DBO - now I got to get me some Reese Peanut Butter Cups. MMMM.

Entitlement reform AND higher taxes

The Senate Democrats are welcome to include higher taxes in any budget they want to pass.

So when do the Democrats plan on coming up with something?

House first.

Ryan's plan doesn't actually address "entitlements". It simply shifts the problem of irrationally increased health care costs from the government to individual senior citizens, who will not be able to afford them and consequently will not get heath care (except for the millionaires).

Addressing the problem would be the act of doing something about the underlying cause of the problem, which is health care costs going up much faster than inflation, even while providing less in return.

Ryan's plan will sink America's health care ranking in the world from 37th to something in triple digits.

House first.

The House did go first. Ryan's budget bill for FY2012 is passed and has been sent to the Senate. The Senate can pass it as is, or include amendments as they see fit in which case it will go to a conference committee to be negotiated.

You see buzz, the Democrats talk a good game, with their constant babbling about "Taxing the rich" and all. But when it comes to doing the dirty deed of legislating the raising of taxes, the Democrats are cowards. Why is that? Perhaps they know they'll lose a lot of votes?

Joanna you really are totally clueless about what is going on in Congress and that is sad because you don't get yourself educated with the truth and only listen to what feeds your current beliefs.

Democrats HAVE been wanting to include higher taxes but the Tea Party and the Republicans scream like you are butchering their pet cat every time the Democrats try or even mention it.

The Democrats have always been coming up with something but the Republicans continually block it. The Republicans won't be happy until Grandma is out on the street begging for money to pay for her medical care.

Sandy Missouri: Democrats HAVE been wanting to include higher taxes but the Tea Party and the Republicans scream like you are butchering their pet cat every time the Democrats try or even mention it.

Obama's FY2012 budget, the one he submitted back in Janaury, the one with $1.65 trillion in deficit spending, had no tax increases.

In the Senate, what Republican is blocking any tax increase in any legislation the Democrats have come up with? Do you have a reference to that legislation and a name of a Republican that is blocking it?

Waiting for your answer.

How soon you forget the vote to keep the Bush Tax Cuts. Democrats wanted them to expire but the Republicans bullied them into renewing it. If the Republicans and YOU were freaking serious about cutting the deficit then they would have let those tax cuts expire. But no, people like you screamed like they were wanting to butcher your pet cat.

And the Democrsts want to remove the subsidies from the oil companies. You know those oil companies that get so many tax breaks they pay ZERO tax dollars every year because of the tax breaks and subsidies THE DEMOCRATS WOULD LIKE TO GET RID OF. And those same companies are going to make over 100 billion IN PROFITS this year.

I could go on and on with the things Democrats have tried to do but you will not listen and constantly ignore the truth and any fact put before you. You are unreasonable and there is no way anyone can carry on an intelligent and reasoned conversation with you as your mind is already closed to anything that might change it. In other words a typical Tea Bagger.

Don't bother - Drive By punched out 10 minutes ago.

Poor silly bastard, still slogging to get the MAN ahead.

Uh, Sandy dear - the answer is higher taxes? Really, that's what you got?

But noice job going back to grandma. So predictible, so lame.

Sandy, Missouri: How soon you forget the vote to keep the Bush Tax Cuts. Democrats wanted them to expire but the Republicans bullied them into renewing it.

Oh now, this is humor! "The bad'ol Republicans made us do it!" Just how weak are the Democrats? They got "bullied" you say? Didn't the President and First Lady have a press conference telling us bulling wasn't nice? Super majorities in both houses of Congress, a veto pen in the Oval Office, and the Democrats got "bullied".

And the Democrsts want to remove the subsidies from the oil companies.

So, when are the Democrats going to put it into legislation and vote on it? You see Sandy, the Democrats talk a good game, but they get campaign contributions from Big Oil too.

Thanks for the chuckles Sandy!

Oh my Sandy appears to be all riled up today.

Guess you forgot who signed into law the extension of those terribly horrible tax cuts. Oh, and I don't you recall why Obama said they were a good idea - hint, it had to do with the recession.

Oh and Sandy - rather than debate oil company profits - how much do they [the top 5 ] pay in income taxes each year? and when you say subsidy, what do you mean, and be specific please.

Now Jas1 and I may be unreasonable, but you appear to simply be misinformed. In fact, very misinformed. Now off with you to google search all the money the oil companies pay every year in taxes. Oh and do look into all the taxes the government makes off gasoline alone. Eye opening really. :)

Trust me Sandy, JS1 knows a thing or two about bullying!

Sadly for her, she's all bark & no bite - kinda like a toothless junkyard dog! ;o)

Joanna, you never did watch any of the votes and floor discussions did you so you have no idea what I am talking about but you think you do when it comes to the Bush Tax Cuts. The Republicans were withholding things like extending unemployment insurance for the unemployed if they didn't get their way on the Bush Tax Cuts. Basically the Republicans bullied the Democrats into voting to extend it. The Democrats had a choice either help the people who needed it the most or cave into the Republicans demands that the rich keep getting richer with lower taxes. The Democrats actually cared about the MAJORITY of Americans while the Republicans were going to let them lose everything in an effort to make sure the rich kept their tax breaks.

You see the truth is out there if you actually look for it but you won't because it shatters your view of everything.

If you have been reading the news you would know the Democrats HAVE been doing that about Oil Subsidies" but you either have ignored the news or hope every one else hasn't read about it and will believe you.

" The Senate is voting on a bill Tuesday that would repeal about $2 billion a year in tax breaks for the five biggest oil companies, a Democratic response to $4-a-gallon gasoline that might fare better when Congress and the White House negotiate a deal later this year to increase the government's ability to borrow."

"The bill is expected to be defeated in a procedural vote in the evening. "

That means the Republicans will make sure there is no way in hell it will pass as they vote as a block against it.

Like I said you don't really know what is going on and are just spouting what you have heard from unreliable sources.

Sandy, Missouri: Joanna, you never did watch any of the votes and floor discussions did you so you have no idea what I am talking about.

The vote on H.R. 4853, the Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010 was 277 – 148. 139 Democrats and 138 Republicans voted for it.

In the Senate, the bill passed on a vote of 81-19.

That's called a bi-partisan vote.

President Obama on the extension:"I am absolutely convinced that this tax cut plan, while not perfect, will help grow our economy and create jobs in the private sector."

Source: http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/bush-tax-cut-extension-passes-senate-81-19/

Spanky you do know that all of the government taxes collected on gasoline sold at the pumps goes into the General Highway Fund. You know, the one that doles out money to the states so they can keep up repairs on the highway system. It doesn't go in as General Tax Revenue and is not used in the budget. Look it up and learn.

And it is easy to find information about the Oil Companies not paying any taxes. In 2009 Exxon Mobile made $45 billion in profit and paid ZERO in taxes and received millions in oil subsidies that came from taxes paid by working Americans. The same thing has happened for 2010. The big 5 didn't pay any income tax because of all the loop holes that were created by congress for them. Guess who created most of them and you get one guess and it's not Democrats.

And if you know anything about the Oil Subsidies it is the Government using tax dollars to get the Oil companies to do things they are doing already like a subsidy if they manufacture gas in the US or Foreign tax credit where they are not taxed at all if they are taxed in some other country (so they move things to a country with low taxes so they don't have to pay a thing in the US) and I could go on and on.

Like I said people educate yourself and you will see the Republicans have blocked everything that will help the country and keep pushing things that hurt average working Americans while giving their political donors more money in things like Tax Breaks and Subsidies.

Hey Sandy, if the Democrats really gave a fig about "Grandma being put out in the street" they would have considered our elderly in their health care scam...

If we can keep our children on our health insurance until the age of 26 why couldn't we keep our elderly parents on our health insurance, after the age of 65, as a supplement to Medicare? Oh that's right, then AARP wouldn't get all those additions to their money making scam called "supplemental insurance"..

My question to you is what viable option have the Democrats come up with to rescue Medicare? And that is besides raiding it of 500 billion (in the name of fraud) and diverting it to Medicaid (which also has a high fraud rate)... Sounds a little like starving granny (who is done paying taxes) so that America's children will eventually become productive tax paying citizens and contributing to the coffers, to me!!!

Remember what Libby's like you said when ObamaCare was passed? It sounded something like this "it (HCR) may not be perfect, but at least it's a start"... Well Ryan at least came up with an option, "it may not be perfect, but at least it's a start".. Oh and at least we can see what's in it before it's passed....

PS, if I worked for an oil company and I had actual physical evidence (pay stub) that the company was paying out their obligated payroll taxes I would call you a liar saying that they pay "ZERO" in taxes....

So Sandy the democrat's response to high gas is to make gas more expensive, and you are cool with that?

Or do you suppose that taking away tax deductions for a target group of businesses will cause them to decrease the cost of their gas?

Silly. Entertaining, but silly.

Joanna you conveniently avoided the pertinent facts on the vote. If the Democrats didn't vote for it then people who were unemployed and their benefits were running out would have been SCREWED to the wall.

So either the Democrats vote for it and the President sigh it to keep the tax cuts or the Democrats block it and the unemployed get shafted by the Republicans who wouldn't let the extension pass. Get a clue. That is called Bullying or blackmail and not negotiation.

If a company making 45 billion a year is going to make gas higher because the government is going to remove their Subsidies then that company is far too greedy for it's own good and if you support that thinking then God Help the US as we are totally screwed.

No the silly part is thinking the oil companies will reduce the price of oil if they have subsidies. I mean why would they reduce it? There is absolutely no incentive. We are basically paying them to keep the oil high. Why else do you think the profits are so high for the oil companies when gas consumption in the US is way low? It's not because of the price of a barrel of oil.

I wonder if the Democrats in the Senate will take up that $2 billion commitment Obama made to Brazil to fund their drilling for oil? Think they'll be for it, or against it? And does that money come from the taxes we pay at the pump? Or did we just borrow it?

You didn't read the Obama quote, did you Sandy? See, here's your problem Sandy, you believe what you hear, but not what you see. Look at the vote totals, look at the Obama quotes. Look whose signatures are on that legislation. All this other nonsense about "Oh, the Republicans made us do it" is all spin, all propaganda, all nonsense. It's just put out there by the Democrats to give an excuse to their weak-minded supporters to talk about. And in your case, apparently it worked.

Ellie May don't you know that the Insurance Mandate that was included in the Health Care bill was a REPUBLICAN idea that has been around since Ronald Reagan was president. Most of the Republican congress men were FOR that mandate before they were AGAINST it (sound familiar). They were constantly pushing the same mandate for health care but when Obama decided to use THE REPUBLICAN IDEA suddenly is was a bad thing. They all switched over night because a Democrat was using their idea. As long as it was a Republican Only idea it was a GOOD thing but when a President who is a Democrat signed onto their idea suddenly it was HORRIBLE. Speaking of flip floppers who have no character that's what the Republicans are.

Oh and as to fraud did you know that Medicare Fraud is just a fraction of what Regular Health Insurance Fraud is. Medicare and Medicaid are the two best run plans out there when compared to ANY other commercial Heath Insurance company. Why do you think Grandma and Grandpa are up in arms over anything that would change it like the Ryan plan. They know it's the best thing going for elderly people compared to any commercial Health Insurance.

And Ellie May no one is talking about the income taxes taken out of the employees pay check like YOU are. I am talking about the income taxes that the oil companies DO NOT PAY the US government for any profits they make.

Sandy writes, "you will see the Republicans have blocked everything that will help the country and keep pushing things that hurt average working Americans"

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

That's because average working Americans aren't the republicans' constituency. Not rich enough.

JoAnna that quote from the President was trying to put lipstick on a pig and make something that tasted rotten be palatable.

JAS1, I work in the industry that is directly affected by all of those "transportation funds" that Washington collects from "federal gas taxes".. I can firmly attest to the fact that those funds are not trickling down to our industry. Our industry is in the proverbial crapper. WHERE ARE THOSE FUNDS WASHINGTON???

Maybe you can tell me Sandy? Who do I need to write to? Who do I need to tell that I go to work everyday, with my stomach in knots, wondering if this is the day that I get my pink slip? Who do I need to tell that my stock values are heading towards being virtually worthless???

Oh and I like how you skirted my question by going off about how the whole health care scam was all republican... LOL!!! What are the DEMOCRAT solutions to fixing our Medicare problems? And you said "ZERO" in taxes.. You didn't specify which taxes....

One more thing Sandy... Evidently you are unaware of how payroll taxes work.. Remember Obama gave you a 2% cut in your SS taxes until 2012? Well guess what? Those were for employees NOT EMPLOYERS.. They are still paying their portion of all payroll taxes....

By the way, why is it that the Democrats didn't fix all those "tax loopholes", that you all shout about as being unfair, when they had the chance? I'll clue you in... BECAUSE IT WASN'T/ISN'T IN THEIR BEST INTEREST EITHER....

Sandy would you please supply a web site, or reference to where we may look up the information about those ZERO taxes that the oil companies apparently do not pay ?

Sandy,

Here’s the truth about subsidies to big oil.

The “subsidies” that have everybody all riled up refers to a tax deduction that was provided to all industries under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 – a law designed to encourage domestic production and create jobs. The Act was passed with bipartisan support.

When they take away “subsidies” they are really taking away the tax deductions available to every other industry. In the oil industry it’s the ability to expense intangible drilling costs (allowed by law enacted in 1916). The “oil subsidies” are no different from the tax breaks other companies get for R&D.

The “percentage depletion allowance” which was enacted in 1926 and is also included in the “subsidy” hoohah doesn’t even benefit Big Oil, but rather small, independent producers. It was designed to help the small guys compete.

These two tax breaks along with a domestic production deduction that was included in the Job Creation Act amount to almost the entire $4 billion in annual “subsidies” Democrats are in a tizzy about. The Democrats are grandstanding on this issue. Think about it. In the whole mess of things: $4 billion?

That Big Oil companies don’t pay taxes is also wrong. According to the Tax Foundation, the oil industry paid $26 billion in corporate income taxes in 2008 and almost $92 billion in government revenues when you combine income, excise and other levies.

Over the past 30 years, taxes paid by oil companies have exceeded profits by 37%. The oil and gas industry pays more in taxes as a share of net income than the average manufacturing company.

http://www.forbes.com/2010/04/01/ge-exxon-walmart-business-washington-corporate-taxes_2.html

Exxon tries to limit the tax pain with the help of 20 wholly owned subsidiaries domiciled in the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands that (legally) shelter the cash flow from operations in the likes of Angola, Azerbaijan and Abu Dhabi. Exxon has tens of billions in earnings permanently reinvested overseas. Likewise, GE has $84 billion in overseas income parked indefinitely outside the U.S.

The above has nothing to do with the American Jobs Creation Act. Regardless, if you are a believer in free market philosophy, the private sector should not require "corporate welfare" in any form, but certainly not as incentive to make a profit, and certainly not when they are making record profits.

Back to the oil for a moment, oil drilled in the US (or drilled by US oil companies anywhere) is NOT placed in barrels marked "USA" and reserved for domestic use. All oil goes on the global market, where China makes long-term contracts for it.

But I thought this thread was about Coburn and the GOP/TP digging a hole deeper and deeper...

Federal Energy Tax Subsidies per mega watt hour: Natural Gas /oil $.25 Coal $.44, Hydroelectric $.67, Nuclear $1.59, Wind $23.37, Solar $24.37, where is the outrage for wind and Solar?

Thanks for the info jkh!

If anything, this creep Coburn, reminds me of 'Dr. FeelGood' now more than ever!

It's a close one Feisty. Rick Sanctimonious Santorum is pretty creepy--He seems like a used car salesman with a really slick smile. All that is lacking is greased-back hair--yeck.

are you going to cry??

[are you going to cry??]

Nope...Boehner's got this one all wrapped up...

Nope...Boehner's got this one all wrapped up...

Have I mentioned just how tired I am of that blubbering bag of bullsh!t?

Nothing worse than 'beer muscles' other than a weepy DRUNK!

Just like all the other "family values" Republicans, Coburn asked "What would Jesus do?" and then did the opposite.

pathetic whining about tax cuts your dems never even tried to repeal

Based on prior experience, and the plethora of one-line Hate Speech, I suggest we all vote to collapse Rob's posts and save space and BTUs now.