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Subscribe to RSSA day after the President chided Congress for not stepping up its working pace to hammer out a deficit deal, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced on the Senate floor that the Fourth of July recess would be cancelled.
The Senate will come into session the afternoon of July 5 and all day Wednesday July 6.
The rest of the week is still to be determined, Democratic aides said.
Items that could be on the agenda starting Tuesday: the McCain-Kerry Libya resolution authorizing a limited one-year mission for U.S. forces, plus some jobs packages. Senate Budget Chairman Kent Conrad is also ready to unveil a long-awaited Democratic budget plan.
At a caucus meeting Wednesday night, Democrats discussed the possibility of cancelling recess. Several senators left the meeting visibly grumbling at the prospect of coming back to work to make what is largely a political statement. A group of mostly freshman Republican senators also held a press conference Wednesday to make clear they are jumping at the chance to cancel recess to get to work.
"It is really important that we do this," Reid said on the floor Thursday morning. "That moment is too important, the obstacle is too steep and the time too short to waste even a moment. I hope my Republican colleagues will put politics aside and help Democrats fulfill Congress's responsibility to the American people."
The battle over the deficit has now spilled out in a big way on Capitol Hill after several weeks of relatively quiet bipartisan negotiations led by Vice President Joe Biden. Now both sides are digging in on their respective positions. Democrats are hammering the message that Republicans would rather protect the wealthy from more taxes while Republicans say Democrats are trying to hike takes and spend more.
In the latest round of maneuvering, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell took to the Senate floor to invite President Obama to Capitol Hill today to meet with Senate Republicans.
"That way he can hear directly from Republicans why what he's proposing won't pass," McConnell said. "And we can start talking about what's actually possible. The President says he wants us to get working. I can't think of a better way than to have him come over and hear directly from our conference about the legislative realities in the Congress right now."
The President is expected to leave for Philadelphia later this afternoon.
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It was awesome how Obama laid out a specific plan for what to do to tackle the problem.
So, how will this effect his golf schedule?
Say sis anyone cah what Durbin said about the Dreamers? One might become President on day. Think fact check will get on that one or is it just too stupid to check?
Harry Reid!? It was rumored he was dead! Did Harry see his shadow? Will there be 6 more weeks before he gets a budget?
Hey JAS1 - you think Harry might find some time to squeeze out a budget?
I love the selective anger. Harry's all in a twitter over this, but the budget, not so much.
On the brightside, maybe hanging around will give Durbin a chance to read the Constitution. What a boob.
No, that's not going to happen. After getting a 0-97 defeat of his budget in the Senate, Obama feelings have got to be hurt, and Obama does like anyone harshing his mellow against his enormous ego.
So wat does Obama do with his weekend - more golf, or more fundraisers.
The fundraiser number will be out shortly. I think he is going to be WAY short of the $60 mill mark. That will really ratchet up the panic level.
I think Obama is going to work on figuring out how old his kids are, seeing he flubbed one of their ages yesterday.
Rumor has it Barry is demanding to see a birth certificate.
So does the "Pulitzer prize winning" fact checker get all over that?
Oh No. I hope Michelle at least slapped him.
The Republicans are playing a reckless game.
How can you conservatives support these guys? What is conservative about playing Russian roulette?
And don't tell me its time to stop kicking the can. It is morally wrong, and foolish, to wreck the economy, to prevent the economy from wrecking.
So whats the big deal...these vultures with the best healthcare and good paycheck have to work on the 4th...I dont think there is a violin in the world small enough to be played for the poor deprived senate.
LMAO comment 1.5..thats truly funny Joanna
Hey Cautiously why is it that the Conservatives that always have to give in? Whats wrong with all you Socialist giving up on your dream of Wealth redistribution
News Flash . . . .
Want to Know Part of The Reason We Are in this Deficit/Debt Situation Because:
Bush & Dick "Deficits Dont Matter" Chenney's War That They Said Would
"Pay for Its Self" Cost 3.7 Trillion ($$$$$$$$$$) Dollars! ! !
Thanks, GWB & The Republican Pary - you made my day!! Imagine where we would be if this 3.7T was spent on domestic programs, improving our dilapilated infrastructure, schools, R&D and reducing the taxes that your party is clamoring for!!
And Whos Going To pay For This $$$$$$$$$$$$$ ? ? ?
You Are (Retired or Soon To Be Retired) Of Course! With YOUR social security / medicare money (That You paid Taxes Into and Now the Republicans want to tell you are now "Entitlements"
Keep electing Republicans (The Party Of NO compromise) And Expect The Same Old Lame Results
openmind266
Hey Cautiously why is it that the Conservatives that always have to give in? Whats wrong with all you Socialist giving up on your dream of Wealth redistribution
I am not suggesting that we stop the argument. I am suggesting that using the debt ceiling as a lever is purely political bs and dangerous.
Have the discussion without holding a gun to the head of the international financial community.
IE act like adults in a democracy
They are going to work 4 hours a day and 3 days a week until this gets done.
Too funny - the president's spokes hole just said Obama will not be participating at all over the break.
What happened to all that "I'm here" crap?
What a joke. Oh wait, leading from behind. Got it.
Way cool, obama is hitting two fundraisers today (from above). He didn't waste any time in telling congress to show leadership and then go off on the campaign trail again. Guess he showed us all on his brand of leadership, must be why polls consistantly cite (in the 60 percentile range) that Americans believe our country is headed down the wrong track and the question doesn't even mention political party.
Well spanky and jas1, at least obama sows us where his priorities lie...re-election!
Here I thought that the incumbant always had the advantage in a election?
Wonder how his lottery is coming along and when the first names will be drawn.
American lotsanumbers:
If you expect to be taken seriously, you should learn the difference between percentile and percentage. Perhaps this explains why Republicans believe you can cut revenues and increase them at the same time.
Just curious JAS1...at what point does a child begin...conception or birth? As for actual age...I would think that less than a week away from the 13th birthday would make her closer to 13 than 12. So no matter if you have a R, D, or I in your political beliefs, this is just petty and childish thing to bring up. I read a lot of post on this forum where instead of actual discussions there is a lot of "I know you are, but what am I?", "My dad can beat up your dad" type of bickering. Both sides are guilty, I just pointed this to you because of the age of the child comment.
WHAT????????????
The republicans haven't been giving in -- at all. In fact, the GOP set a record for the most uses of the filibuster in Obama's first two years in office. The republicans haven't been willing to give in on ANYTHING. The democrats, on the other hand, have compromised so much even those of us on the left have taken to calling them the Wimpocrats.
I, for one, am sick and tired of seeing the democrats compromise, compromise again, and compromise again while the republicans filibuster, refuse to give in on ANYTHING, and generally hold the country's economy hostage (because they know they'll be able to blame the resulting catastrophe on President Obama).
Compromising too much is the very thing that keeps getting the democrats in trouble. You want an example? Let's take health care reform. Polls showed a strong majority of Americans wanted a public health insurance option. Most of the democrats in congress wanted it. So why didn't it happen? Because the republicans had a couple of conservative democrats on their side and that was enough to filibuster the bill. That meant that the only way to pass anything seemed to be to water down the health care reform bill into what we actually got.
Well, the health care reform bill we got is better than nothing, but most Americans didn't support it. Part of the reason it wasn't more popular with the people is that republicans kept calling it a "government takeover of health care", which is one of the most astoundingly blatant lies in political history. (The nonpartisan fact checking website Politifact named this one the lie of the year.)
So, we went from a great bill (with a public health insurance option) that was supported by a clear majority of Americans to a mediocre one that isn't popular. This happened because the democrats compromised and the republicans refused to. It's good political strategy for the republicans but it's bad for the American people.
Now the GOP is doing the same thing with the economy. They refuse to compromise because they think that, even if their refusal to compromise drives the economy over a cliff, they'll just blame it on President Obama.
The president was absolutely right to blame congress (particularly the republicans) for this budget mess. This may come as a shock to some, but the president can do very little until congress sends him a bill to sign. He can't negotiate with the republicans unless the GOP is willing to make some concessions. So, the GOP won't compromise and they won't allow a bill to pass congress. Then they turn around and try to blame the president for nothing getting done.
/facepalm.
Obama is set to become the longest seated, lame-duck President in History. Nothing will get passed unless it proudly bears the Gold-Plated Republican Seal of Approval.
So sorry B.O. This is the long term consequence of the Mid-term elections. You know, the sheee-lakin that never ends??
Hey so my state sales tax goes down tomorrow, as do several other taxes.
Seems We here in Cali have been paying a bunch more in taxes for absolutely nothing. Total waste. They said it was to fix the budget. But they obviously lied. Deficit worse now than before - in spite of three years of huge tax increases.
So tell me, anyone, why do you think raising taxes on the federal level will produce a different result?
spanky
how do cutting safe nets programs for middle class while given tax subsidies to top 2% help in deficit reductions or help grow the economy?
i really don't care if they come out of that chamber bloodied so far the peoples job is WELL done. a little punches and chair trowing could help beat some reality senses into some ideological numskulls.
Growing the ecomony is one goal, but so is reducing the debts and deficits.
You understand those are separate things, right Puis?
Plus I know you don't like it, but even [or especially] Obama is all over the whole "raising tides lifts all boats" stuff now. Frankly, he has nothing else. It is his last hope, which is why taxes will not go up.
I'll say it again - raising taxes is a huge waste. I know this for a fact. I live in California. Why repeat the same mistakes?
SPANKY
I think both sides believe we need to act quickly to reduce our deficit but it shouldn't just end there. this is where the republicans are making huge mistake. they will cite you Regan this Regan that but forgetting that he raised taxes 11 times. did that make him a spending libbie? reducing deficit and growing the economy should be done simultaneously.
How we cut and what we cut matters. tax cutting does not grow economy simply because it does not pay for itself. revenue is needed to grow the economy while eliminating wastes in the system. it not a rocket science. cut waste from all programs wisely, close all tax loopholes, stop all wars, spend on infrastructures both old and new.
Oh I don't know Pius, rocket science to me would be not spending 42% more than you got. It would be not creating and operating programs that are laden with fraud, waste and abuse.
So are you saying the dems in Cali are just idiots? And how do we end wars, when you got Obama and Libya? Dude won't even admit it is a war.
Tax loopholes. I want you to explain, with specificity what you are refering to. I really think you have no idea, and I am certain you have never read the IRC. But brother as someone who reads it all the frigging time and works with it in a variety of ways, I would just love to chat with you about it.
So be specific. Like IRC Sec. 179. I get $25,000 back when I bought my big ass SUV. Would you call that a "loophole?" I just bet you would, but I really suggest you read that section. You will see the broadness of its provisions and see the necessity of the section.
Go ahead, give it a read. No ThinkProgress drivel on this one.
Spanky...it will on a federal level because I read that it would and of course everything we read is the truth
pious - How does spending billions in interest payments to service our debt not also impact your social agenda goals?
I think the only ones saying reagan this and reagan that are the libs. After all didn't he die some time ago? I would think that it would be rather arrogant on reagans part to have an aircraft carrier named after him if he was still potus and/or alive.
Your new governor just signed a budget that eliminates the CA deficit altogether just 6 mo into office. Something the last governor couldn't accomplish in 7 years. Not one Republican voted for it, even though it was all done with cuts rather than extending the tax/fee hikes of 2008. Let us know how you like it when you don't have a fire department when you need it.
News Flash . . . . Want to Know Part of The Reason We Are in this Situation Because:
Bush & Dick "Deficits Dont Matter"Chenney's War That They Said Would
"Pay for Its Self" Cost 3.7 Trillion ($$$$$$$$$$) Dollars! ! !
Thanks, GWB & The Republican Party- you made my day!! Imagine where we would be if this 3.7T was spent on domestic programs, improving our dilapidated infrastructure, schools, R&D and reducing the taxes that your party is clamoring for!!
And Whos Going To pay For This $$$$$$$$$$$$$ ? ? ?
You Are (Retired or Soon To Be Retired) Of Course! With YOUR social security / medicare money (That You paid Taxes Into and Now the Republicans want to tell you are now "Entitlements"
Keep electing Republicans(The Party of No Compromise) And Expect The Same Old Lame Results.
Ps: I Said this Earlier About Super PACS (Political Action Committees) but I Never thought It would Start Soo... sooon
I can't Imagine What the scare tactics the Republicans are going to use on us or other lame approaches such as the Usual "Stay on the message" "Repeat the Message Because People Will Eventually Believe it". And Promote an add that is for Medicare cuts for Elderly, But is sponsored By "Concerned Elderly Citizens For Better Government"
Their Propaganda Machine seems to take its cue or Play Book Right from the 1930's Josephs Goebbels Ministry Propaganda of the S.S (With Carl Rove Standing In For Goebbels)
I just Heard A Lame Add On CNN Attacking Obama For GWB Mess From Guess Who???
Crossroads Grassroots Policy Strategies, (which I Googled) also known as Crossroads GPS, is a secretly-funded 501(c)(4) conservative political group created in June 2010 by right-wing political operatives and "advised" by Karl Rove.
I figure Rove's Next Nefarious Move is To Make The Sponsored by / Supported By. . . In Microscopic Print
OR To Hide His Involvement Behind a Shell Corporation and Invoke Client Lawyer Privilege To Hide/Delay/& obfuscate who the Real (Right Wing Nuts) Backers Are ? ? ? LoL
TOO FREAKIN Bad!
The only one to BLAME is yourselves with all you political posturing and gamesmanship!
Lock the doors Harry and don't let them see sunshine UNTIL this is resolved!
Boehner needs to sober up anyway! lol
PS: Good to see MSNBC has suspended the AHole, Mark Halerprin for is disgusting comment this morning! He of all people would know what a 'd!ck' is, he sees one every time he looks in the mirror! ;o)
Good point Feisty - when was the last time you actually saw one?
We talking the 1940s or 1950s?
So Feisty - how come Obama didn't give any of his own ideas? Sure he pushed out a budget, but when the vote goes 97-0 against it must really suck, right old gal?
Of course it did.
Curious why the MSM is ignoring this:
In other words, we as Americans have become so complacent, we no longer CARE the fox is guarding the hen-house!
Running out of talking points there old gal?
Re-posting the same crap on different threads now?
Might be time to shut down the old computer and get outside.
Feisty I agree on 2 points I have just read...the 1 u posted to start comment 3 is correct and also..u probably do need to shut it down and get some fresh air/puddin pop
I think you meant the fox is IN the henhouse!
fiesty - I bet if you locked yourself up with the senators they would get something done or just end up laughing there azzes off at your antics I don't think you would find boehner there though.
I'm hoping the President orders both houses into extraordinary session until they agree to the debt ceiling increase. We can sit back and enjoy the do-nothing Republicans squeal about that, too.
Normally I am not a big fan of Mark Halperin, but he was correct, the President was being a dick. He just forgot that every sob in Congress has been a thieving dick for years, and on both sides of the aisle. I disagree with the fact that he has been suspended indefinitely. Should not that be the person who flubbed the 7 second delay? Cutting the deficit? How about eliminating the deficit? Otherwise we are still over spending and getting deeper in debt. The hole will just get bigger and be harder to fix later. No wonder 39% think we are never coming back from this hell hole of an economy.
A slight correction Rick.
Although Obama was being a dick, he was being a limp dick....... Mr. Flaccid,....... Woose.
He never unvieled his plan to fix the budget. He doesn't have a budget. A budget would be, at least in a small way, a method to hold him accountable. Can't have that now, can we??
Another pretty little speech, then off to the campaigning again. This isn't even leading from behind. This is more like leading with your behind. LOL
So if Obama hates those evil corporate jet folks, how come his stimulus included a provision to produce more corporate jets?
You know, it's almost like he just has no idea what he is doing and flounders from position to position.
Anyone else getting that same feeling? Great at pointing out the flaws in others, not so strong on personal strengths. Of course that may have to do with he fact he has never run a business or even created a budget.
Anyone else think Michelle ran all household expenses?
The main stream media was going to fact-check Obama's speech/presser from yesterday, but then they got all bogged down with this "dick" comment from Halperin, and now it's time they got back to calling Bachmann a liar.
Spanky, what is unclear about jobs for corporate jet production and then taxing the corporate users? You can bet the fat cats will keep flying. Looks like a win-win to me.
So is corporate plane sales fall, how does that impact Alcoa and other component parts manufactureres?
Sure won't help.
Best Corporate jet in the world - Air force 1
Win-win? Really? How does it help you? Do any of your friends/family work in the jet manufacturer industry? How's it help them, especially when the orders for planes are reduced?
I have to admint that I don't know any detail about this. I watched the man's speach yesterday and heard him yacking about corporate jets.... and "can't we all agree that this is..."
So my question is... Was he talking about jets that are OWNED by corporations?
The reason I ask is that my company just charters a jet when we need it. Why buy? Especially with discriminatory policies like this.
(Discrimination is good if its against those evil corporations... right?)
Last week it wasn't Corporate Jets it was ATM's that was killing his great spending plan to create new jobs
If the debt ceiling doesn't get raised and we begin to default on our obligations, what happens when our rating goes down and the interest rate goes up, costing the government MORE to pay off the debt? That will be on republicans and it does seem like they really don't care what happens to the country or their fellow Americans, as long as their corporate owners get their part of subsidies, tax breaks and corporate welfare. Watch the republicans go down in flames as they crash the economy one more time, this time into a depression. They WILL get the blame because everybody knows they are licking their chops in anticipation of a government shutdown.
The "corporate jet" flap (no pun intended) brings up some very interesting points, relevant to this and other discussions on this board, especially the eternal (and perhaps un-resolvable) taxation versus jobs debate. The President is proposing elimination or roll back of a number of tax deductions, including depreciation schedules for general aviation (all non- airline) airplanes in order to generate new revenue. Airplanes are expensive machines - $30,000 for an old Cessna you might see at your local airport to over $50 million for a top-of-the-line corporate jet.
Seems like a no-brainer, doesn't it?
Like most issues it is not that simple. General aviation is a very specialized field that is poorly understood by the public. The fact is when Mr Fat Cat goes flying in his plush jet there are hundreds of people keeping him moving. Directly - flight crew, mechanics, line service, caterers, ground transportation, airport operations, air traffic controllers. Behind the scenes an army of administrative personnel. Parts suppliers, specialized service providers. A busy general aviation airport is like a town unto itself, supporting hospitality, retail, and other businesses.
And manufacturing - ask the people of Wichita , Kansas or Savannah, Georgia how essential it is to their respective communities orders for Citations and Gulfstreams keep steadily rolling in.
Corporate jets get a lot of negative press but there is a lot more to it than celebreties flaunting their wealth. A great deal of general aviation is conducted for, or in support of business. For many business people and executives time is money and a corporate jet allows for travel schedules that accomdate them and make for a minimum of wasted time. Case in point, I flew for a CEO who would have an early meeting in the home office in LA, a meeting in the midwest, two meetings on the east coast. Next morning another east coast pow-wow, one more in the midwest, then back home. Back in the home office 48 hours later. Can't do that on the airlines! Many of these "fat cats" are awesomely hard working individuals.
Due to the high costs involved general aviation works on perilously tight margins and here we get to the heart of the matter. Increased taxation on any aspect of the industry - in this proposed case, aircraft owners - sends negative ripples and by the time some of these ripples hit certain corners of the industry they have grown into tsunamis. Increased taxation causes a slowdown in the number of flights and number of new aircraft orders. Combined with the present price of fuel we just can not afford to get clobbered any more.
General Aviation is just too easy a target. Very few constituents are going to complain when a politician proposes increasing taxation on what is wrongly perceived as a cash bloated business. Aviation business is an exaggerated mirror of economic conditions at the time.
This all smacks of Trickle Down and I understand this is a dirty word on this board. America is an enormous country and no one economic system can possibly serve everyone effectively (therein lies the challenge facing lawmakers.....yikes....) Aviation spans both the manufacturing and service disciplines, so it is affected by a multitude of factors, but Trickle Down is most definately one of those factors.
In this case, I believe the benefits of gains in revenue by increased taxation would be negated by further stagnation of the general aviation industry. Result? Fewer jobs.
Simple Math People: if you have to balance your budget AND pay down huge debt, you MUST decrease your expenses AND increase your revenue, or else, decreasing your revenue while you also decrease your expenses will leave you in the same place - debt ridden! Why don't Republicans get this simple fact?
Pat - how'd that work in California?
Seriously, I would love to hear your response. Got any?
Or is it that the dems here don't understand simple math Pat?
Spanky, we've had it with your California crap. You guys voted for a terminator to governate your economy--what did you all expect?!
Ah Spanky, another Fox news watching whore....
Lets see... If this was me personally....
If I had $100 of debt and my income got cut by say... $5... (I lost my job but got a new one that paid less) AND.... I cut my spending by $10... don't I still pay down my debt by $5...?
You CAN pay down debt WHILE cutting revenue if you REALLY WANT TO!
Pat - blithely passing me off as a "Fox watcher" is both incorrect and pathetic. What's the matter Pat, got no answer? We all got it - pat response when no answer, per Libs r us handbook, entitled "Politics for dummies."
And as indicated so very many times before I am an MSNBC guy. Loving Sharpton as a replacement host. He is the best [and brightest].
SO, come on Pat, tell us why CAli is not just the ghost of christmas future. You cannot, can you?
It's ok, I know ThinkProgress has not gotten there yet.
Andy, Arnie bit, but dems totally control the legislature. Do suppose you could help old Pat out, could you?
Republicans in and out of congress are shielding and protecting the rich who have so much over the middle class who have so little is a complete and utter disgrace and Americans should work hard to make sure republicans pay dearly for it. The soul less traitors!
If you really think it is just the Republicans protecting the rich, please wake up. Who do you think the Democrats go to for fundraisers?
How to get congress to do it's work? Don't pay then any salary and cutoff their health insurance until they reach a deal on the budget and the debt limit No unemployment insurance or any safety nets for them either. - you'll see how quickly they will all fold.
Yah think?
I think that most of them (rep and dem alike) only got there because they already had money... they dont need that congressional salary.
Your theory likely wont hold water.
SickOfTheBickering - You are right the majority of the Senators are wealthy and so are many members of the House of Representatives - so why are they there ? POWER BABY!!! and possibly MORE MONEY!!!
I think it's strange that everyone is talking about "entitlements." These are NOT entitlements. We've paid into the system and we've earned them. I also think it's strange that everyone is talking about reducing these "entitlements." Neither Medicare nor Social Security is causing ANY of the debt. Obama is correct in letting the Bush Tax Cuts expire (60% of the deficit). The Great Obstructionist Party is only fighting for their corporate puppetmasters. Let's see, cut pay & benefits, make education more expensive by cutting out PELL grants, cutting Medicare for seniors, making Social Security private (investing in the stock market? It crashed twice in the last 12 years!). The Republicons are doing what they can to push the U.S. into a third world country, and having 2 classes. The incredibly rich and the incredibly poor. I have one question: If our economy is 2/3 based on consumption, if nobody is making any more money to put a roof over their heads and food in their bellies, how can people go out and actually buy anything to stimulate it? You go Feisty! GRRR.
Medicare/Medicaid and SS outlays each year are about $1.6 trillion dollars for the federal government. Each are growing rapidly as the Boomers retire. The federal government is taking in about $2.2 trillion in tax revenue a year, so that means that Medicare/Medicaid and SS programs will soon consume all of the governments tax revenues. Of course the other government outlays, the discretionary spending, take up about $1.6 trillion dollars. So what do you suggest, we leave the entitlements alone and eliminate all discretionary spending to pay for the entitlements? Or, we can do it Obama's way, and deficit spend $1.5 trillion a year. Or we can do it the GOP way and reform the entitlements.
Thanks neighbor!
Hope to see you around more oftern - you made a lot of valuable points! ;o)
PS: It's best to just ignore JS1 - she's a paid RNC pinhead! lol
JAS1... you made a lot of valuable point! ;0)
(but dont wait for Feisty to acknowledge them ;-)
Libs r Us playbook, chapter 2, page 3:What to do when confronted with fact.
"When confronted with a coherent and logical factual argument, particularly one that contains irrefutable facts, simply ignore both the arguments and the facts. Respond with simple personal attack. Be sure to always refer to the poster as either a "paid troll" or "Faux Noise puppet."
Well played Feisty old gal. But what happens when you playbook becomes outdated? Perhaps you and Bev. could craft a new one? Maybe next week?
Or you can take Obama's approach and decrease your revenue and increase your spending, dramatically. That has really worked out. And you are wrong, you can balance your budget by only cutting spending. I do it everymonth, why can the government live within their limits? I don't want them taking any more of my money until they show some responsibility in how they spend it.
AMEN!!!!
But you should brace for impact because around here common sense talk like that is met with ridicule.
Va Ind,
Unless you are in the top 2 to 5% you have nothing to worry about. I am sure that two wars, one of choice has nothing to do with balancing the budget. Thank Bush and the Republicans and the Weapons of Mass Destructions that were never found. Now that they have drained the budget, the Republicans are concerned. They expect shared sacrifice, but not if your rich.
Until a Democrat was elected President, deficencies did not matter. Decreasing the revenue and protecting the rich is all (and the only) Republicans plan. They will not be happy until all but the rich are starving and dying in the streets.
Republicans are not your friend. Do not fall for the dog and pony shows on faux (made up news) programs.
Er... uh... dude... don't start the 'how about two wars' talk...
Remember... the messiah has now put us in a THIRD war!
@sickofthebickering-- I agree with you whole heartedly, but why people ever thought of Obama as the messiah I'll never know. Seeing whats going on in Washington right now certainly does explain why Christ decided He would rather die than be King on this ridiculous planet...(j/k).
Obama is a politician. I knew that when I voted for him and yes to my chagrin, even gave money to his campaign. However after 8 years of the village idiot ( Bush) running things I was like a man marooned on a desert island. I would have voted for Mickey Mouse at that point. I do however know this. We need term limits on all politicians. It isn't the president who writes the checks or controls the budget. It's congress, and most of them were in office when I was still a child!!! Time to get rid of all of them and get honest people in there.
The reason the government (at the Federal level) doesn't have to live within their means is simple. They can print as much money as their little heart desires. We as individuals can't do that. States can't do that. The fed can!! So every single government around the world is propped up by fiat ( fake) money that they print and play games with. By doing so they can increase taxes by creating inflation. We as citizens don't understand this and think "omg gas prices and food prices are going way up!!!" The truth is that while demand does have a role in price increases, historically its when a government debases its own currency that we see the significant price increases that we are experiencing now. So no government on earth is ever going to truly live within its means. They don't have to
AMEN!
Awww....the highly overpaid Senate will give up a paid vacation My heart just really hurts (not!)
You can't always balance your budget by simply reducing your spending. If your utility bill is $600, you can't just send the utility company $500. You can eliminate the cable and cell phones, but then you can't get ahold of your kids to tell them to not take the bus home, and without cable (or dish) you get zero reception if you took that metal thing off your roof a few years ago. Granted these things are still not life threatening, but at some point they are necessary to your accustomed/desired way of living. Now you can be stubborn and cut them out, or you can go out and get that second job. And if the conservatives are still reading, let me pose this. Forget about Obama's deficits for a minute and focus on Bush's. Focus on his two wars and his unfunded drug benefit and his tax cuts that produced no net gain. Now vis a vis people's relative economic standing, who is in a better position to pay toward the Bush deficits - the lower and middle classes who are being asked to take cuts in services, wages and pensions, or the affluent who didn't pay for the last decade anyway? What the affluent and the GOP are really saying is that the government has to cut services to others to pay for the wars and the previous tax cuts. If that is not hubris, then the word no longer has meaning.
While I agree with the spirit of what you're saying, the premise of your argument is flawed. If you have a 600.00 utility bill then you have several choices. 1) Cut off the cable and live without "Dancing with the Stars" for a month. 2) Work overtime or get a second job ( which is a cut back on your leisure time) 3) Cut back on eating out or video games 4) Borrow money from friends or relatives etc. The point being there are ways to cut back.
The problem with government is not just taxes and spending, but a bigger problem is priorities. Do we spend on war or do we spend on education and food? Every Economics major(thats me!!!) is given this argument in the first week of class in economics 101!!! Economics is about making choices!!! We have a multi- trillion dollar budget but our priority is building bombs and rebuilding nations that hate us!!! We need new leaders who's priority is our own people. In both the Democratic and Republican parties.
Problem is that the GOP isn't engaging in this debate, because they don't accept the initial premise that government is needed for something more than national defense and a few other things. They won't accept the basic purposes of the New Deal/Great Society programs. In the GOP's universe, Robert Taft defeated Eisenhower for the nomination and was elected president. Because the GOP wants to fundamentally restructure the purpose of government to something prior to 1932 (or 1904), it's really hard to debate priorities. Why should the Dems open a discussion about fundamental changes in Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security if the GOP won't concede to a restructuring of our nation's defense and accept that a tax system's primary (only) goal is to raise necessary revenue. Accept that taxes don't change economic decision making in a larger sense and don't promote social policy. It is simply a political decision who to tax and how much, whether it is income, capital gains, passive income or estates. It is not a fairness issue and only barely an efficiency issue. Taxes are not immoral they are necessary to the functioning of an organized society. It's yours, you earned and you have a voice it how it is taxed and can be spent, but it can be taxed.
The Unfunded Drug benifit:
As of the end of year 2008, the average annual per beneficiary cost spending for Part D, reported by the Department of Health and Human Services, was $1,517,[18] making the total expenditures of the program for 2008 $49.3 (billions). Projected net expenditures from 2009 through 2018 are estimated to be $727.3 billion. (can be found at 2009 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARDS OF TRUSTEES OF THE FEDERAL HOSPITAL INSURANCE AND FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS, Table III.C19.—Operations of the Part D Account in the SMI Trust Fund (Cash Basis) during Calendar Years 2004-2018, Page 120 (Page 126 in pdf) http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ReportsTrustFunds/downloads/tr2009.pdf)
Sure lets cut that, like the libs want to, BTW who does it help? The "rich" I don't think so. I would hazard a guess that the most people that use it are middle class and lower. So on one had you have the libs saying that we need to cut this program and Bush was an evil evil person for suggesting it( I don't say pass, because it was Congress that passed it), then on the other hand you have the same libs saying don't cut any aid given to the middle class and lower. Which on is it? BTW I say libs in the context of the far left wing people.
I'm sick and tired of Republicans saying Americans who spend 50 years of their lives building this country do not deserve to receive the payment they deserve for paying into Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
We have had Republicans in the White House for 28 of the past 43 years. During 8 of the years the Democrats were in the White House, we had budget surpluses.
Senator McConnell, in early 2009 you said your number one goal as a US Senator was to make sure President Obama was a one term President. Maybe if you spent the last 2.5 years working to create jobs, instead of fighting to take away our Social Security and Medicare, America would be a better place.
I'm one of the "rich" who will pay more taxes but I see both sides of this argument. The problem with me paying more taxes is what the hell are they going to do with the new revenues? Are they going to pay down the debt or are they going to keep paying billions to Halliburton and other companies ? End the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq , start building infrastructure and paying down the debt. Put our own people back to work in America and yes I'll pay more. But if they want to keep spending money on stupidity, I'm not paying another dime!!!!
You are right.
Don't forget the so-called masters of the universe on wall street , fly them to DC.
They missed the cue, so a spelling should be offered to them.
They were supposed to call a press conference, announcing that they agree with the nurses: there should be a 0.4 % tax on all finance transactions including commodities/stocks/derivatives...
England already implemented it, at 0.25%. There were rumors that Camaroon proposed 0.45% but their association of professional dentists quickly pointed out that unlike the rest of the world english people have much higher dental bills, and they settled on 0.25%.
Congress needs a pay cut!
I agree, lets make them work for $10 and hour and keep a time sheet to prove how much they worked.
We are so doomed!
Can anyone tell me where, if anywhere, on the MSNBC website is there an article about Mark Halperin calling President Obama (excuse my language) "a di-k" this morning on the Morning Show program? I understand he has apologized and been suspended but I can' t find the article. I'd like to know more.
Shawn thats a good question I didn't see anything on that Chris Mathews show, you know the guy who looks like a middle aged Charlie Brown with a spitty lisp...
It was practically front page on the MSNBC website. You actually have to look at the website first.
Jon Stewart of The Daily Show had a clip of Halperin's comment and apology. Halperin first asked Scarborough if the 7 second delay was in place and then called Obama a "dick" for how he came across in his Press Conference. Halperin knew what he was going to say but the "delay" didn't "bleep" as he expected. There cold be this clip on The Daily Show website.
Shame on the GOP and the TP. They are the reason our country is in the shape it is in. End the BUSH tax extensions, end corporate welfare of ANY kind, put 60% tariffs on ALL imports, KEEP Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Throw the Koch brothers and their slimy "friends" out of our country. Turn off Fox news and take back the USA. Thank you.
Have a safe 4th of July.
;-)
Hannah wins the Dumbest Post of The Day Award...congratulations everyone who reads it is just a little dumber for having done so...LOL
O'bama is incompetent and in over his head, he's done nothing but make things worse, he's exposed now and its all over soon REAL HOPE AND CHANGE COMING IN 2012! The country won't be Okey Doked again.....
The House Rep - work one week - off one week, makes no sense. I say-hold their paychecks until they get serious and do the work.
Harry Reid wants to work the day after July 4th....wow! I'd be impressed that they were getting down to work except for the fact that its been over 800 days and the Democrats never produced a Budget.....funny how we never see anything about that on MSLSD the Government Run Liberal Media....hypocrites....
Well you don't see Republicans working during "Happy Hour". We Republicans want a (glug, glug, glug) balanced budget.
Doesn't mean a thing unless they have the votes to reinstate those heinous tax breaks for the wealth and give those of us on the loosing side this class war some satisfaction.
Keep the Senate and the Congress in session until they've reached a budget agreement. No vacations until they've done that.
Elect John Maddon. We need a President who is afraid to Fly.
Is scares me that Obama's budgets are so crazy they are afraid to show them to us.
Exactly Leroy,
Many embarrasing facts will be withheld till after the 2012 elections. If Obama wins, the American people will get their sh!t pill to swallow.