E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSA senior Democratic aide tells NBC, "At 9:30 Senator Reid will go to the floor to announce that the Senate will forego its scheduled recess for the week of July 4th and stay in session to continue forging a deal to cut the deficit and create jobs."
UPDATE: Reid announced on the floor that the Senate will return for votes on the evening of July 5 and remain in session for the rest of the week. Negotiators will spend the week continuing work on a deficit reduction deal with the House and the Obama administration in advance of an August 2 debt ceiling deadline.
UPDATE II: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell challenged the president Thursday to outline his debt plans, inviting Obama to speak to Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill and "explain his plans to hike taxes by hundreds of billions," per McConnell's office.
Leave a Comment:
Instead of recess they get detention...serves them right...
like sarah palin, i can see Greece from my backyard. detain all with no pay and benefits. if possible let them return all the pay they've received so far for doing nothing this year.
Good! They've had way too many vacations already this year, 8 weeks so far. They need to quit the BS, quit the political doublespeak, and compromise, right now. Risking our country to prove a political point is treasonous.
Pius Emeka Nebo,
You expect the people who do not feel that the rest of us deserve the same "socialist" health insurance as them to fork anything over? You expect the people that feel that the government jobs (for the rest of us) pay too much and have too many benefits to admit that they work way less and get paid way more?
Should we feel sorry for them? How many of us get the week of the 4th off......With Pay? If they would do their jobs in the first place there would be no need for this.
Leader Reid,hold the gop asses to the fire!......THEY WILL CAVE IN TO THE PRESIDENT ON THE DEBT CEILING ISSUE.....Why? Because they're gop/tea-bag,con-serv-ah-nothin asses belong to wall street,that's why......
bayllie
it's simply unbelievable that the interest of a few now supersedes the rest of the nations plight. our country is basically run by selfish and unrepentant money bags like the Koch brothers. Regan, the god of teapublicants, raised taxes 11 times......... hey, how louder can that be. this current republicants thinks middle class should and always be the sacred cow for the rich goons and corporations. it a shame on them. they should take off their pin flags or whatever off their suits cause they don't represent and respect the common man.
All people involved have done nothing towards helping the country move forward...Dems didn't think it was important to pass LAST YEARS budget....figured they were going to get beat in last Novembers election,and could hand it off on the new republican congress.......who HAVE ALSO DONE NOTHING.......campaigner-in-chief.....er....travel agent....you know,the guy with his nose in the air to see which way the wind blows...hasn't paid attention to anything unless it's a re-election fundraiser.....I still see this debt ceiling/spend cutback issue going down to the wire,and these clowns charge of our future are playing chicken with it....BOTH Parties.....I would HOPE to see a CHANGE in the White House for the better in 2012.....unfortunately....neither ruling class,Dems,or Repubs...whoever has more money to buy the election...show any sign of a possible leader with any substance..........U.S.Army Disabled Veteran
Pius Emeka Nebo
what's even more unbelievable is that there are average joes defending them. they're either in denial, hoping to be rich someday or just masochists.
We know that the Republicans don't want tax increases, but we don't know what the Democrats are willing to cut from spending.
It would be nice to see all of the information available so we can see who's being unreasonable.
I just took a look at the projected revenues and expenses for Medicare over the next 10 years, using the projected figures from Obama's own Budget. Here is what it shows;
Total Medicare Revenues over 10 years = $2.917 Trillion.
Total Medicare Expenses over 10 years = $6.621 Trillion.
Shortfall = $3.704 Trillion, which happens to be the approximate amount of spending cuts recommended by the bipartisan Debt Commission.
So for all of the people who say "I paid into the system, I want full benefits", perhaps this will be a real eye-opener. I think we need to either cut back on some spending (Ryan's Plan), or dramatically increase the amount that workers pay into the Medicare System (Or perhaps some combination of both).
There is no 'free lunch'.
ROY WILSON-336103
we know that the Republicants don't want to increase taxes on the rich but want to cut programs for poor and disabled. They don't want to cut DoD but want to cut programs for Veterans, etc.
We were in this boat in 1993, Roy. Clinton signed the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (aka Deficit Reduction Act) that passed WHITHOUT SINGLE REPUBLICAN vote. Look it up. So there is no surprise that this time around, the Republicans don't want to play along either.
END the entitlements for Congress! NO paid health, NO paid retirement, 2weeks vacation, NO paid government trips under the ploy of business, cut Congress staff by 90%, Cut their salary to be more in-line with Union workers, get their Religion out of Americas politics, Campaign finance reform, if the the filibuster is used make them stand and talk. Term limits.
ROY WILSON-336103
ryan plan is lopsided. ryan's basically cut spending on middles class, the old and poor safe nets while giving tax subsides to the to 2 %. why should that be? why should any sane mind think of balancing the budget on the back of the middle class that has not seen pay increase in yrs. the same people that bailed all out of the economic mess w. bush dumped on us. what moral justification has ryans plan? the congress know what do if only they can stop thinking of re-elections and their campaign coffers. reality and not ideology is what will bail us all out of this mess.
Detention? They are working OT. They will have bills for things they should not have needed if they completed their job on normal hours.
How many people would want to see a higher credit card limit for the unemployed so they can buy a video game system and bigger TV? Raising the debt ceiling just encourages pointless spending.
Focus on securing the US borders, deporting illegal immigrants and bringing back manufacturing jobs to American shores.
LOCK the doors.
Turn off the Air Conditioning.
Let them all sweat out a solution.
The poor in America sweat all the time.
NO Lobbyists
To #1.15
Seriously...unemployed people have a true reality grip on fiscal responsibility. Your comments are crass and without sensible solutions.
BTW: cut your hair...
If the RICH did really create jobs then I would back them up on NO tax increases but WHERE are these so called jobs they create, Overseas don't count, and where are the Jobs the GOP said they would create if elected, I bet most people have the same thoughts as me since no jobs have been created by the RICH or GOP, taxes should be increased along with the closing of TAX loop holes ...... Enough of the entitlements to the RICH and CORPORATE America ....
Roy Wilson-336103:
One of the easiest ways to reduce the shortfall for Social Security would be to simply eliminate the cap on how much earnings get taxed (currently 106,800, unlike MediCare which has no cap) and tax all a person's income. The tax rate for Social Security is currently 4.2% for employees and 6.2% for employeers (per the Social Security web site) for a combined total of 10.4%. That means that someone earning $200,000 pays $4,485.60 to Social Security and their employeer pays $6,621.60 for a combined total of $11,107.20; if they're slf-employeed, they pay the full amount. Without the ceiling (or cap) on how much income is taxed for Social Security, that same person would pay $8,400 and their employeer would pay $12,400 for a combined contribution of $20,800. Of course, someone like Bill Gates, or Warren buffet, or Michael Dell would wind up paying much more because their income is so much more. There's no cap on income for MediCare taxes , so why do we have a cap on it for Social Security taxes? Also, note that this proposal would have no effect on anyone earning less than $106,800 per year; they're already paying Social Security taxes on 100% of their income.
Rick-3608408:
If you don't think the rich create any jobs in this country, then tell me who think does; it sure isn't the poor. You can't seriously think that people like Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and Michael Dell don't create jobs. Without Bill Gates, there wouldn't be a company called Microsoft employing people all over the world (including this country); without Michael Dell, the employment picture in places like Round Rock, TX (just north of Austin) would be a lot different, and not for the better; and without Warren Buffett, Burlington wouldn't be as successful as it is and the companies it owns wouldn't be employing as many people as they do. The dirty little secret that liberals don't want to admit is that it takes someone with money to start a company and hire others. The poor obviously can't do that; they don't have the funds. The only people who can start companies that eventually grow into the next Microsoft or Dell or HP is someone with a vision and the money that they're willing to risk on that vision. Sometimes they're successful and sometimes they're not, but if they are then they become "rich" (whatever that's defined as). Don't be to hasty to demonize those folks either. They were willing to take a risk on whatever their vision was and they made it work. When you were growing up, how many of your friends had a goal of being poor as their life's aspiration? I didn't have any and I suspect you didn't either. Most of the vitriol we read and hear is just pure jealosy.
Roy, half of America is unreasonable. Guess which half. The word "unsustainable" is brought up more and more. Apparently, half the nation thinks that is a good thing because they have no skin in the game.
If The bedwetting democrats want to raise taxes.......fine. Raise taxes on everyone. It's everyone's debt. Make everyone pay.
15% flat tax on everyone until our "debt" is paid off.
Detention? They better do the work then. And the GOP/ T-bagger/ blue dogs better not try to turn back the clock on civil rights, because President Obama is doing his best to stop them in our behalf. He is doing his best to fix the economy while the GOP/T-bagger Party is trying their best to tear it down through their being wholly owned puppets of the Kochs and Fox noise.
People are watching and 75% say the economy is their main concern. The point is no more Tax breaks for the rich and big oil.
Bev,
Your distorted views are amazing. Its like you are so full of hate that you think what you say is true. Every one knows that is was the Dems who were negligent in getting this done. They had total control and could not get it done. Yes, they blamed republicans for questioning their stupidity, but ultimately they should have had the votes with dems alone. Bev you need to be put in detention with nothing but Fox news for a year. Your hateful lies are disgusting!!! It like you are part of the crazy Keith Odumbman Cult.
Realhope,
What is this total control you speak of? Let me guess, you will tell me that they had the Super Majority to end the constant Republican filibuster. Could they have chained the Republicans to their chairs to prevent them from their walk out?
That is worse than waterboarding!
I find it interesting that you don't say the same about the Becks, the O'Reillys, the Hannitys, etc. because these people are experts on hate and lying.
Realhope do even realize it takes 60 votes to pass anything in the Senate? But keep repeating what the Fox cult keeps telling you.
BTW: by your post you've been kept in detention with the Fox cult for several years.
Realhope
Bev,
Your distorted views are amazing. Its like you are so full of hate that you think what you say is true. Every one knows that is was the Dems who were negligent in getting this done. They had total control and could not get it done. Yes, they blamed republicans for questioning their stupidity, but ultimately they should have had the votes with dems alone.
Correction: Most people know appropriations start in the House of Representatives. Since thee lunatic T-baggers are proposing cuts detrimental to thee middle class, poor people, women's rights, and anything the majority party can conjure up to make big oil and the rich richer ; of course they would.
Bev you need to be put in detention with nothing but Fox news for a year. Your hateful lies are disgusting!!! It like you are part of the crazy Keith Odumbman Cult.
You are another crazy "carnival barker" whose punishment should be you never get off the merry-go-round you clowns are on; so you'll be dizzier and even more clownish than you are now.
Here,here!...Bev...............Obama/Biden 2012
Mo: you are incorrect. Passage in the Senate requires 51 votes. 60 votes is only needed to end debate. For 2 years the Democrats controlled both Congressional Houses, and the Presidency and were capable of passing any legislation they chose. Yet they did not pass a budget, only continuing resolutions. There never was a Republican "walkout", a walkout was never threatened. You must be confusing the Republicans in the Federal Senate with the Democrats in Minnesota.
The argument that the Democrats did not "really" have a super-majority and thus were still unable to get anything done because of those mean Republicans is a weak joke. There were 58 Democrat Senators + 2 independents creating the 60 member caucus, The 2 Independents were Joe Lieberman (who only became an independent when he lost in the Dem primary, remember him, he was on the Dem presidential ticket a few years ago) and (I forget his name and don't feel like looking it up) a registered Socialist who historically has voted with the Democrats 98+% of his time in office.
Congress needs to stay in session and get a real deal done. The President"s lasted idea of increasing taxes to generate 64 billion in revenue (over 10 years) along with 1 trillion (over 10 years in spending cuts) as a solution to a 12 trillion (over 10 years) problem. They are only 1/10th of the way to a solution.
Adam-1897760
You are right with the exception of the constant Republican filibuster.
again, I will refer to the Republican exercise of filibuster
You must have not heard about the walkout on 6/23.
Republicans walk out of budget talks over taxes
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/23/us-usa-debt-cantor-idUSTRE75M3SA20110623
This dude can't even get his states straight! lol
Fascinating when presented FACTS which counter their OPINION they still can't see the forest throug the trees!
Nice rebuttal Bayllie! ;o)
Feisty, I must admit that I did not even notice "Minnesota" 'til you pointed it out!
He must live under the rock not to hear about this walk out! Maybe he's one of those guys in the Geico commercials.
Thank you, this one was easy. These guys just make it easy to prove them wrong.
realHope: For your kind NO hope!
Bayllie: Odd, your "republican walkout" happened in 2011. The Democrat super-majority existed in 2009 - 2010. Additionally, your "walkout" was from a meeting with Biden, NOT abandoning their posts in the Senate. Terribly sorry to interrupt your rhetoric with facts. The 60 votes to bring a bill to the floor IS the end of the filibuster.
Yeah I saidMinnesota in stead of Indiana, but that doesn't alter my point in the least. Feel free to try again.
Bottom line: The current budget mess we are in is a DIRECT RESULT of the Senate and House (both Dem controlled) not doing their job in 2010 by passing a 2011 budget. The solution, thus far, for a 12 TRILLION (over 10 years) deficit by President obama, is a 64 Billion (over 10 years) tax increase and 1 trillion (over 10 years) reduction in spending. That is less that 1/10th the problem.
You and Fiesty may now return to name calling, finger pointing, and your other childish pursuits while the adults continue to discuss the actual issues.
Awwww, look.... They couldn't rebut what I said and colapsed the thread... how sweet.
I'm taking bets on who will be the first Republican to come out and say that not having the recess is unpatriotic.
How much you bet they get a special treat, like a surf and turf dinner with champagne cocktails and cake for being such hard working boys and girls?
Seriously, I am glad Harry Reid is announcing they will stay and work. The House should take a cue from the Senate and stop acting like the body of Teapublican demogoues they are.
Da Noid
I'm taking bets on who will be the first Republican to come out and say that not having the recess is unpatriotic.
I believe I heard the faux patriot right wing enthusiasts on Fox Noise say that this morning. I usually tune in for minutes to get their skewed views. I'm being polite heard by not calling them what they are. That'd be LIARS!!!
A little off topic: When will First read discuss FOX NOISE is going after Media Matters tax exempt Status?
The article strongly suggests that Media Matters is violating its exemption as an educational foundation by actively participating in partisan political activities. Specifically the IRS application for 501(C)(3) tax-exempt educational foundation status, Section VIII, Question I asks the applicant: "Do you support or oppose candidates in political campaigns in any way?" (Emphasis added).
Read more: http://nation.foxnews.com/media-matters/2011/06/27/want-file-irs-complaint-against-media-matters-click-here?cmpid=NL_FiredUpFoxNation_20110629#ixzz1QluDhXxj
http://nation.foxnews.com/media-matters/2011/06/27/want-file-irs-complaint-against-media-matters-click-here?cmpid=NL_FiredUpFoxNation_20110629
===============
More proof of Fox hypocrisy. Why not go after the Koch brothers conglomerate ?
Lets see there is Planned Parent hood , Npr, etc all in the name of tax payers according to fox noise
Da Noid
i betcha, before the end of the today a teabagger goon will make your day.
I kinda understand where the GOP/TP are coming from. When you don't have any ideas and you don't plan on doing anything it gets pretty boring. They haven't done anything in the last 5 years except vote no and go home.
Bev, good on you! Go get 'em!
On another note, this am on "Morning Joe", political anyalst, Mark Halprin, called Pres Obama a "dick", NBC suspended him "indefinitly", and he apologized right after. No check for you Mark. You were out of line and showing your typical Rethug bias. And good on NBC for swift action.
Michelle---I'm guessing there goes Mr. Halperin's chance to get an interview with the President! Very respectful way to refer to the President of the United States.
Steeler Fan, (from a Packer fan!), the Repubs have shown no respect for the office of the Pres., since he got elected. They are the biggest group of losers in our history. Showing they have no respect for themselves, either.
Funny, I don't recall much in the way of "respect for the office of the Pres" from Dems when it was George W Bush...
Cantor will be the first!
Adam, I don't remember a democratic congressperson yelling "you lie" in the middle of a speech given to both houses of congress by GWB.
Andie: Might be that faulty memory of mine acting up again... Could you please direct me to my post where I stated that the Republicans have acted with the specified "respect for the office of the Pres"
....
Can't find it can you?
I am simply pointing out the hypocrisy of the Dems complaining now after 8 years of doing the exact same thing.
Fine, then getting back to Andie's question, when, exactly, did a Democrat yell out "YOU LIE" in the middle of a speech by President Bush?
The answer is it never happened so spare me your "Doing The Exact Same Thing" BS.
Yeah, complaining about those mean nasty heartless people over there is so much easier than being honest about how you (used indistinctly and as a plural) have acted...
The Senate has done absolutely nothing all year - what makes anyone think they'll get anything done next week?
JAS1
Why don't you ask Boehner, what his congress has achieved this year?
The Congress got some buildings named.
Neither the House or the Senate has done a damn thing to move this country forward! The polls say they have an 11% approval rating. I want to know who the stupid 11% is, they need serious help.
Your finally coming around JAS1, you recognize the GOP/TP congress hasn't done anything since they were put in power. I know you didn't mean to admit it but you couldn't help yourself, it was probably some stupid liberal that make you say it.
Where are the jobs?
Last time I checked the congress was split...Democrats controlling the upper chamber and Republicans controlling the Lower chamber.
So winner of the stupid liberal goes to...
For most people in this country, the long 4th of July weekend is something to treasure. Why? Because most people work hard every day, all year and so look forward to this of all Holidays to spend time with their friends and family. And leave work behind for a few precious days.
Congress once again has to stay behind because they do nothing all year.
This is the state of our government. Embarrassing isn't it? Shameful.
Wonder if they'll be wearing their flag pins while in their self-inflicted 'time out'? lol
Feist, you can bet the house on that! lol
I love this. If the stupid Republicans can't or won't read the polls that say raise taxes on the richer citizens, leave our Medicare alone, eliminate the tax loopholes for corporations, and go with the majority of the American people, then I will enjoy my grill, fireworks, family while they sweat and squirm in Washington.
Go get 'em Senator Reid!!!
Fred: You idea of "raise taxes on the rich" will not work, they aren't rich enough. You could tax them at 100% and the government would STILL have run a deficit this year. Obama's 65 billion tax increase sounds nice, until you do the math. It is 6.4 billion a year, against a 1.2 trillion annual deficit. Even with the spending reductions he mentioned (100 Billion a year) we are 1.036 TRILLION ($1,036,000,000,000.00) dollars short EACH year.
Based on the current spending projections, we will nearly DOUBLE the national debt in the next 10 years. Does anyone actually think that the GDP of the US will also double in that same 10 years? That is national bankrupcy folks. That is BEYOND where Greece is now.
The spending in Washington must be reduced significantly. This means that promises and programs that were preiously passed will have to be curtailed or ended, and people are not going to like it, but that is the way it is.
The United States needs a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. We can have all the nasty name calling fights we can stomach over WHAT to spend money on, but we need to cap the amount that Congress CAN spend.
Adam,
That is so true, there is no way in HELL our country will recover, anyone that thinks it can better stop drinking or doing drugs, its over and the only thing left is for the FAT lady to sing ....
You have to love it when the only reason a Repub can give to not cutting the tax breaks for the wealthy is that we shouldn't do it is because this one action wont fix everything. Of course it wont fix everything by itself. It's just one of may steps we have to take including fixing the costs and reducing waste in our social programs like Medicare (but not killing them like the Repubs would do), cutting the waste and duplication out of the DoD (we can do this and not reduce the security of our nation even a fraction of a percent), eliminating corporate welfare (how about giving tax credits to just the companies that are actually hiring) and eliminating the tax cuts for those who don't need tax cuts (tax cuts are temporary help for those in need of help - the rich aren't struggling to put food on their table or pay their mortgage).
RU: I am all in favor of a complete overhaul (more like scrap it, burn the books, and start over) of the taxation system. But the US does not have a revenue problem. We have a spending problem. If Congress was something even REMOTELY resembling responsible in how they spent money, then I would be a bit more willing to give them more. They are not, so I am not.
Balance the budget FIRST then come to the taxpayer and ask for more. Heck, how about even WRITING a budget first. For the last 36 months Congress has been spending money like it is air.
Congress is about to take off for the 4th of July ...they could care less about the budget or what the people need ...they have had to work almost 2 weeks in a row without 4 weeks off
Say it isn't so
Congress is about to take off for the 4th of July ...they could care less about the budget or what the people need ...they have had to work almost 2 weeks in a row without 4 weeks off
More importantly, the President is right. He has been there they haven't!!!
The first thing the Boner did was cut the House of Representatives working weeks down. That's really a crying shame.
Over @ the Lie Factory aka Fox News the arm of the Republican/ T-Bagger Party they're running a meme that the President hasn't been engaged. They even have a video graph.
http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/201106300007
Beverly,
Isn't because the President is taking his $2 million/day vacation?...Oh, that's right that was fabricated by Fox. Is it because the President is on vacation all the time?...sorry, that was fabricated as well....Is it because he's too busy building concentration camps for Americans? nope, that's not it either. I know, it's because he was too busy printing his birth certificate...
I was trying to prove you wrong about Fox News making $hit up but I failed misreably. I guess I would have an easier time proving that Tooth Fairy exists.
Beverly: Regarding the HoR work week, this is the only thing I could find...
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/280181 Dated 10/2009
Are you saying that the House now works less than 2.5 days a week? I can't find anything backing up your statement? Can you provide a link?
Kick the can down the road and get re-elected! What's wrong with these people. Woo Woo!
Finally, a good decision....now please dont waste it. Let's get this done.
Over to you Speaker Boehner, the ball's in your court and this aint Wimbledon.
 Stupid question I know but what exactly are they going to be doing? They just mostly mill around the floor while a few go off to work on (so far) a non existant budget.
I'm no politician, much less in politics, but there are plenty of bills and other issues that need to be brought to the floor. If they are waiting on the negotiators to come back for a vote, maybe they should be working on other issues that are waiting for action? Again, I'm not sure who all negotiates, whether it's the entire group or just a select few.
I hope you are correct. You are betting they will be doing something constructive and only time will tell. My question was what WILL they be doing not what should they be doing.
John of Orange will be hosting happy hour in his office daily!!
The real problem for our democracy are the multinational corporations. In essence, they have transcended nation-states in money, influence and power. Nation-states are increasingly doing the bidding of these trans-national giants and worse, nations now feel helpless before the so-called global economy.
The 'global economy' itself is code for what I term Viking capitalism: companies invade, strike, pillage, rape (resources) and then build their settlements among the groups (small businesses and economies of scale) that they replace. There are no longer any real free markets. There are only manipulated markets controlled by the hedge fund managers, corrupt equity firms and the multinationals.
Marx thought the workers could unite and revolt against the company owners. In the 19th and 20th centuries they could, although many workers died in the strikes that finally granted laborers universal rights recognized, albeit briefly, by corporations, nations and even the U.N. Now, however, the level of technology and monitoring of citizens precludes any effort to organize, rebel and win. The U.S. government has become an even more potent form of 'Big Brother' than even Orwell could imagine in 1948. Anyone can be picked up and made to disappear, legally, at any time.
The only effective means of resisting global capitalistic exploitation will have to be modeled more on the Resistance movements against the Nazi's and on the IRA but with this difference. All the cells will have to retain a 'sleeper' component that can be activated once the core cell members are taken out. Think of Ray Bradbury's Farenheit 451 except that instead of memorizing books, the cell members memorize the plan and method for continuing the resistance. And though I am completely against it, violence, especially against CEO's, upper management, bank presidents, equity firm leaders and their families, is bound to be tried. After all, you can't kill the corporation, but you can limit the numbers of those willing to risk their lives for the sake of unfettered greed.
The Greek riots are the first wave...people are growing tired of being held down by the interests of the world's wealthy.
Fancy That
=oligarchy
and that is what we are becoming.
The only effective means of resisting global capitalistic exploitation will have to be modeled more on the Resistance movements against the Nazi's and on the IRA but with this difference. All the cells will have to retain a 'sleeper' component that can be activated once the core cell members are taken out....
You do know this is a political blog. Think you must have thought we were discussing mankind's resistance as seen in "Falling Skies" - TNT.
Where do you read and come up with stuff like this? Is this from some college professor manifesto or marxist book you learned in college? Your right we should be scared of Dunkin Donuts, Abercrombie and Fitch, Nike, Subway Sears, K Mart as they seem to be replacing France, Iran and nation states in influence and power. Come on, even big bad Coke provides jobs for millions of people around the world and sells a product people love to drink and you think somehow they have become a nation state? Dont read some manifesto based on some anarchists views of mankind and use some critical thinking and say wow these companies have done so much to provide a source of income, employment and yes wealth around the world while at the same time certainly havent created any nuclear bombs like Iran or terrorists or financial meltdowns like Greece or even financial problems like our own politicians here in the US. If you think they have become nation states please give specific examples in which the harm they have done is greater than the benefits and why
Fancy that, You sound like you have seen the movie "Controlling Interests" My college social sciences professor showed us that back in the late 70's. It was propaganda then and it is now.
Hey, they should be lucky they have a job to go to.
Unemployed......And we pay for it, and then when they leave/retire, they continue to be paid handsomely along with some wonderful benefits, and we pay for them.
Most times when out of session, they go all over the world on these so called fact finding missions, known as junkets, again we pay for all expenses. We are all fools to tolerate this pillaging of our treasury and get nothing for it.
Gingerbread Mamma,
So true, I was shocked to find out the Supreme Court Justices gets 3 month vacation every year.
 it's about time!
It's a good thing if the Democrats make the GOP/TP actually stand for something other than tax breaks for the rich and corps.
Oh I forgot they stand for eliminating Medicare.
At least the Senate is doing the mature thing by staying in Washington and addressing the debt problem in this country. I hope Congress does the right thing for this country.
The Unemployed-3672376
Hey, they should be lucky they have a job to go to.
Your remark is the most intelligent and pertinent of all in my book and I give you 5 thumbs up!!!
Just like (most...not all) of the USA..the 4th of July is just one day off from work not every weekday following!
And you really think they will accomplish anything but political grandstanding and taking bows for their "missed break" ? If you follow what they do on the cable feeds you will see they do little but bluster on with speeches, take way too much time off, travel on the taxpayer's dime, give themselves perks and pork on our taxes and could care less about the plight of the average American. Both Dems and Republicans, until term limits are imposed will look out for themselves, their re-election and their big contributers needs and until the general public wakes up and votes them out it will continue.
butt john bohener and bachman said that's it's no big deal if we don't pass it. what they not telling the truth... i think i'll just follow their lead as fiscal conservatives and not pay my bills...defend this rep. is that irresponsible two of the top five repbulican leaders....children in a growth up world....
would any of you conservatives like to defend the position of not raising the debt ceiling?
Sure thing. Be happy to. Raising the debt ceiling DOES NOT FIX ANYTHING.
This country is on track to double the national debt in a little over 10 years, we are NOT on track to double the GDP in the next 10 years. Even with the "spending cuts" that have been worked out AND if President Obama gets the tax hikes he is looking for, we are STILL running a $ 1,000,000,000,000 per year deficit. This does not work.
42% of the federal budget is comprised of so-called "entitlement" spending, and as currently structured, that percentage is scheduled to increase. It is not sustainable.
adumb then why in the 50 plus years have we always raised the debt ceiling 9 times during w's admin don't remember a complaint then are you just taking this opputunity to bash obama or a republican that isn't ever satisfied and have to find something to complain about. you are wrong it would immediately cost 50 billion in higher interest payments on our bills kinda like if you don't pay your credit card on time...50 billion which would be kind excessive for the repbl...teaparty type tow make a point don't you think...that's amount is half of the cuts that the teaparty promised in the recent budget battle...your thinking is why i'm starting to think that some conservatives are merely fools. because in action in this case would devast the economy and merely make the hole digger...you wouldn't do this in your life...because it's stupid and unnecessary
Mark Huff: First I would like you to note that I did you the courtesy of using your name, not reducing myself to the level of a 3 year old by making fun of it. Secondly, though I am "Adumb" I, unlike you apparently, am able to find the spell check button. GOSH, isn't name calling FUN!!!!! Makes me regret ever leaving elementary school.
Now that that is taken care of, I will try to decipher your points and address them. You seem to be upset about the debt ceiling raising. Not sure what the 50 plus years stuff is, and (according to NPR) it was raised 8 times during W Presidency, and 3 times thus far in Obama's, and 102 times since its inception in 1917. The minority party usually raises a fuss (Just like Obama did when he was a Senator, except at that time, the Democrats were not the minority party in Congress, but that is not relevant). I wasn't particularly please with the financial choices made then, and REALLY I am not now.
Now, on to your assumption (and that is what it is) that not raising the debt ceiling will mean defaulting. I do not believe that is what will happen. You will please note, I said believe, not know. neither of us is in the position to KNOW much about what our elected (and appointed) officials will do, only what they HAVE done. Even if we default, and it costs us 50 billion dollars, it would not upset me too much. $50,000,000,000 is significantly less than the $2,000,000,000,000 in new debt (by a factor of 20). Going back to your analogy of being late on your credit card, before you don't pay your debts, wouldn't it be a good idea to stop eating out every other night? Wouldn't you cut off the HBO movie package? Might you even *gasp* discontinue your internet. Do you REALLY think that the US has made those choices yet?
As even a cursery read of my posts will reveal, I am in favor of a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. I am in favor of a DEBT FREE USA. That starts by Congress (BOTH parties) not spending as much money as they have in the past. Once they have stopped spending my great grandchildren's money, maybe I will be receptive to the idea of them having some more of mine.
I could go much further, but there really isn't a point to it. If you are like most of the rest on this First Read board (i.e. Bayllie, Beverly, and Fiesty), once the name calling is completed, you won't really have much to add to a conversation.
Lst night a woman in front of me in line at the supermarket paid for her groceries with food stamps. Then she carried them out herself to her LEXUS, parked in a handicapped space, and drove off.
I was glad to see this in person for once. For years, liberals have told us that this is a myth. It's not. I'm buying this lazy b***h her food so she can afford her $60,000 car, and her and other liberals want taxes raised why? So she can have a bigger house? Entitlements must be cut...drastically.
On a brighter note; congrats to the citizens of Maryland, who through petitions and protest MADE DEMOCRACY work and forced the so-called "Dream Act" to a referendum, where it will surely fail next year. DEMOCRACY IN ACTION!
How do you know it was her car? Maybe it was a rich friends or relatives who was trying to help her. I do not know. However, I wish both Democrate and Republicans would stop the name calling and making stupid remarks about our elected officials. They all have reasons why they vote and think the way they do.They all are our elected officials and they are all patriotic Americans and deserve some respect.
dude quit making the welfare queen ronnie reagan , making extreme examples to make a point so what is the point everone on welfare has a lexus ha ,,,or because 10% of the people probably are getting over on the system we should eliminate it for the truely needy...did you bother to ask this person...who knows...it isn't the norm and i work with people that it the diffence from their kids going hungry...don't be an ass....
Maybe now they will get down to the job they were elected to perform. Somehow I doubt it though...
John of Orange...... now THAT was funny...
does anyone else see these 'freedom loving... TEA BaGgers'.. are taking us so far into freedom as they call it, the government will be so far to the right, we will be on the faciast train... at breakneck speed. the more freedom, from their point of view, they seem to so bitterly 'give' us, the more 'RIGHTS' we seem to be losing.
I have never in my life, seen this country swinging so far right. Tell you right up, and out front.. I am scared. I'm not afraid for myself. I pray the country stays intact for at least, a good twenty to thirty years at least, for my daughter and her husband, my grandson, my neice, my friends, to live a good life, before these blasted idiots turn our country into something NONE of us has EVER seen before... only before WW 2.
Michelle Bachmann... really, really? I cant believe ,here, in this country, a woman who thinks 'our founding fathers ended slavery', got the place where 'the shot heard round the world' took place, and mixed up john wayne with john wayne(serial killer)gasey(sic) towns in iowa.... Doesn't anyone see THIS WOMAN ISNT WEARING ANY CLOTHS!!!!!!! I suggest everyone open their eyes, and give everyone of these politicians another look, good and close.... Is she really, are WE really in a place where Michelle Bachmann , seriously has any way to get NEAR a nomiation for the presidency......... She is sooo ignorant...does she want to protect this country?... She doesnt even KNOW this country.
she has been to the same school as ms. palin....bush..the second, also went to that school..its called the 'cover me with teflon' school.
What we really need is for the Democrats to get control again to push some multi-trillion dollar Ponzi scheme up our tailsides. They would lose congressional elections after that, and then they could blame ANY party that they wanted. The Demos have spent, spent, spent, and then spent some more. They raided social security since the 60's to buy votes for entitlements. I do believe that big oil and the rich should pay their fair share, but we've spent ourselves into a corner. Unemployment is so bad that big govt can't cut back without laying off too many. Any more unemployment will spiral us out of control, if we're not already. The damage is done!
Damage123, Ya right!!!! I bet you also see little green men.