obama and company play this political drame quite well don't they...

Interesting on how the obama (formerly bush) tax cuts are set to expire in 2013, but still the libs ignore this legislative fact. Still waiting for obama and company to submit a written declaration on what they are willing to cut.

Rhetoric won't win the day for them in 2012, but a written plan of action and legislation might save their azz.

Well, that settles that.

What shall we "debate" now?

"We do have the Congressional Progressive Caucus budget plan that NOBODY is talking about, but that plan will never see the light of day as long as John Boehner is Speaker"

Thank God for that ! It is amazing the zealots of the Left are clueless enough to want to order up more of the same failed out of control spending...

american - you definitely know better than to spout this drivel.

The 'legislative fact' that you are so apt to mention is that the HOUSE - not the President, or the Senate minority Leader - crafts budget legislation. The President doesn't HAVE to do SQUAT. Now, the President MAY present an outline, at his discretion, but it is NOT the President's JOB to craft budget legislation.

So why are you intentionally skewering the FACTS?

You are so right Pietro, a manufactured crisis, to deflect from enacting any job bills. Republicans are such drama queens..... That's the nicest thing I can say about them.

"but it is NOT the President's JOB to create budget legislation"

Then why is Obama on TV every day, spinning furiously about how he wants some phony "grand bargain'...?

Bob (numbers) - what part of 'Doesn't HAVE to do SQUAT' in relation to crafting budget legislation do you NOT understand?

The President, as HIS discretion, MAY propose an outline for the Congress (Specifically the House), but ultimately it is the House that has the 'power ofthe purse'.

That means, Bob, the HOUSE is charged with providing a budget for the President to sign, not the other way around as you are suggesting.

You guys REALLY need to lay off the hateraide.

as long as John Boehner is Speaker.

The way Eric Cantor is feverishly riding his ankle - his days are numbered... ;op

Gingerbread Mama - you have got it absolutely correct. Drama Queens providing DRAMA and norhing else. With all of this DRAMA, we are going to see the House present President Obama with 'clean' legislation to raise the debt limit, which is just what the President asked for in the first place.

So why are we going through all of this?

I'll tell you why. All of this Drama is for the cameras. it is Kabuki theatre; a dog and Pony show to 'show' the Republican base that the House Republicans are doing SOMETHING when actually they are doing NOTHING (as usual) by sitting around throwing rocks at the President, blaming HIM for not doing their jobs for them.

You CANNOT get any more PATHETIC than this.

Odd that there aren't any follow up stories to Obama releasing 30 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Oil Reserve. That release was supposed to bring the price of gas down, but instead, prices continue to go up.

Question for you Libs, how do you blame this one on Bush?

Source: http://nationalgasaverage.com/

Odd that there aren't any follow up stories to Obama releasing 30 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Oil Reserve. That release was supposed to bring the price of gas down, but instead, prices continue to go up.

What does this have to do with the debt ceiling, which is the converstion we are having on this thread?

This is just like you, JAS1, to try and change the conversation.

Again.

Buffet's a nice guy, has one vote just like me.

I don't get the point of this discussion. If releasing 30 millions barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve didn't stabilize prices, how is that President Obama's fault? And if that's the case, then how would more drilling, which couldn't even be implemented for years, make a difference in prices today? Especially when all the oil that would be drilled would go straight into the world supply, rather than be targeted specifically for the US market.

But personally, I blame EVERYTHING on Bush. THAT'S how I do it.

Saves so much time trying to sort it all out. Nasty facts and such, you know.

Pietro: The President doesn't HAVE to do SQUAT

Finally!! Something Obama is good at!

Obama doesn't seem to like the Cap, Cut, and Balance legislation the House is working on either. He threatens to veto that one too.

Source: http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/171997-obama-officially-threatens-to-veto-cup-cap-and-balance

Of course the Senate is still do nothing. Nothing new there.

It's looking more and more like Obama wants his spending limit raised with no conditions, because he sure doesn't like any conditions anyone is trying to put on him.

Of course, this is the same Obama that voted "NO" along with all of his Democrat colleagues in the Senate back in 2006 when Bush asked that the debt ceiling be raised. They were only raising it $780 billion or so back in those days, not the $2.5 trillion they do these days.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/16/politics/16cnd-spend.html

Who said the following?

"Any objective analysis of our country's fiscal history would have to conclude this administration and this rubberstamping Republican Congress are the most fiscally irresponsible in the history of our country," Mr. Reid said. "In fact, no other president or Congress even comes close.

Source (again): http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/16/politics/16cnd-spend.html

Fiscal Hawk Harry Reid produced that quote. So will Harry be proclaiming the same thing about Obama?

It's looking more and more like Obama wants his spending limit raised with no conditions, because he sure doesn't like any conditions anyone is trying to put on him.

Yep, it is SURE looking like it. Too bad that all of us have had to be subjected to this STUPIDLY crafted 'political theatre' when it ALL could have been avoided in the first place.

Pietro: What does this have to do with the debt ceiling, which is the converstion we are having on this thread?

Oh, it has something to do with everything Petey. Obama is so incompetent on so many levels, it's really hard for the media to keep up with all his failures.

Pietro: Yep, it is SURE looking like it. Too bad that all of us have had to be subjected to this STUPIDLY crafted 'political theatre' when it ALL could have been avoided in the first place.

Too bad there will be no unconditional debt ceiling bill for Obama to sign. Obama really doesn't play well with others, he's going to have to learn how to do that.

AM : And if that's the case, then how would more drilling, which couldn't even be implemented for years, make a difference in prices today?

The problem, though, is Libs have been using that argument for years.Probably could have been drilling by now. But I believe the bigger problem is lack of refiniries. Which the Left strictly prohibits.

I haven't kept up to date, has the President re-opened all the drilling in the Gulf?

JAS1 - We don't even know what's in this bill now do we? There's been no hearings no indication as to what exactly, cut, cap and balance REALLY means for average Americans depending on programs that make this country run. Weren't you one of those posters with your hair on fire about "we don't know what's in the health reform act"....the sky is falling OMG? Now you're all for a bill you have no idea what's even in it. You show us all that you either don't have a brain cell in your head and can't think for yourself or you forgot what you say about legislsation you don't ideologically like. Haters like you have absolutely no credibility here.

The President, as HIS discretion, MAY propose an outline for the Congress (Specifically the House), but ultimately it is the House that has the 'power ofthe purse'.

____________________________________________

Wrong Pete: The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 REQUIRES the President to submit to Congress a detailed budget request for the coming federal fiscal year, which begins on October 1.

Step One: The President's Budget Request

On or before the first Monday in February, the President submits to Congress a detailed budget request for the coming federal fiscal year, which begins on October 1. (In years where there is a change in administration, the budget is submitted later.) This budget request, developed by the President's Office of Management and Budget (OMB), plays three important roles. First, it tells Congress what the President recommends for overall federal fiscal policy, as established by three main components: (1) how much money the federal government should spend on public purposes; (2) how much it should take in as tax revenues; and (3) how much of a deficit (or surplus) the federal government should run, which is simply the difference between (1) and (2). In most years, federal spending exceeds tax revenues and the resulting deficit is financed through borrowing.

Second, the budget request lays out the President's relative priorities for federal programs — how much he believes should be spent on defense, agriculture, education, health, and so on. The President's budget is very specific, and recommends funding levels for individual federal programs or small groups of programs called "budget accounts." The budget typically sketches out fiscal policy and budget priorities not only for the coming year but for the next five years or more. It is also accompanied by historical tables that set out past budget figures.

The third role that the President's budget plays is to signal to Congress what spending and tax policy changes the President recommends. The President does not need to propose legislative changes for those parts of the budget that are governed by permanent law if he feels none are necessary. Nearly all of the federal tax code is set in permanent law, and will not expire. Similarly, more than one-half of federal spending — including the three largest entitlement programs (Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security) — is also permanently enacted. Interest paid on the national debt is also paid automatically, with no need for specific legislation. (There is, however, a separate "debt ceiling," which limits how much the Treasury can borrow. The debt ceiling is raised as necessary through separate legislation.)

The President does have to ask for one type of spending each year:

• Funding for "discretionary" or "appropriated" programs, which fall under the jurisdiction of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. Discretionary programs must have their funding renewed each year in order to continue operating. Almost all defense spending is discretionary, as are the budgets for K-12 education, health research, and housing, to name just a few examples. Altogether, discretionary programs make up about one-third of all federal spending. The President's budget spells out how much funding he recommends for each discretionary program.

The President's budget can also include:

• Changes to "mandatory" or "entitlement" programs, such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and certain other programs (including but not limited to food stamps, federal civilian and military retirement benefits, veterans' disability benefits, and unemployment insurance) that are not controlled by annual appropriations. For example, when President Bush proposed adding a prescription drug benefit to Medicare, he had to show a corresponding increase in Medicare costs in his budget, relative to what Medicare would otherwise be projected to cost. Similarly, if the President were to propose a reduction in Medicaid payments to states, his budget would show lower Medicaid costs than projected under current law.
• Changes to the tax code. Any presidential proposal to increase or decrease taxes is reflected in a change in the amount of federal revenue that the President's budget projects will be collected the next year or in future years, relative to what would otherwise be collected.

To summarize, the President's budget must request a specific funding level for appropriated programs and may also request changes in tax and entitlement law.

laurie: JAS1 - We don't even know what's in this bill now do we? There's been no hearings no indication as to what exactly, cut, cap and balance REALLY means for average Americans depending on programs that make this country run.

The legislation hasn't even been produced, and already you're whining about it.

But unlike the health care legislation, Obama seems to already know what's in the Cut, Cap, and Balance legislation. He's promised to veto it.

american-2051576, we are still waiting for Paul Ryan and the House GOP to say how they will reduce the debt in the next 10 years.

In case you forget, Ryan voted against the debt commission's $4 trillion deficit reduction over the next 10 years and introduced his own bill. Ryan's bill passed the House. Funny thing though, it would increase the deficit by $338 billion over the next 10 years. Additionally, Ryan and the House passed bill would take 4 more years to reach a balanced budget than President Obama's deficit commissions plan.

Now, the GOP is pushing a balanced budget amendment, but they stand by Ryan's budget that was passed. Maybe they should tear up Ryan's budget and look at some real deficit reduction like President Obama's $4 trillion in deficit reduction that he is pushing.

Even Speaker Boehner agrees with President Obama. Unfortunately, Lieutenants like Cantor and Ryan refuse to agree to the $4 trillion in deficit reduction.

Hi Pietro,

So true. Also, if the debt ceiling is not raised, the corporate bosses of the Republican Party will not be happy. The debt ceiling will be raised and this new bill the Republicans are pushing will not be passed.

White Collar:

The problem, though, is Libs have been using that argument for years.Probably could have been drilling by now. But I believe the bigger problem is lack of refiniries. Which the Left strictly prohibits.

The "bigger" problem is really the short-sightedness that ends every discussion about energy supply with a stubborn adherence to "drill, baby, drill," rather than at least acknowledging the need to "save, baby, save," and to find "alternatives, baby, alternatives."

It's just like saying over and over again that we can't raise taxes. I get the strategy of it, but not the sense.

Joe in Albany - thank you for posting all of what you did to prove my point. I'll summarize it for you:

To summarize, the President's budget must request a specific funding level for appropriated programs and may also request changes in tax and entitlement law.

All of what you posted was what the President must REQUEST for the budget. Note the word 'REQUEST'. The President could choose to not 'request' ANYTHING; however, most Presidents do request many things that the Congress may or may not agree to.

Nowhere in all that you posted where it says that the President is REQURED to do anything, as the Republican House is trying to sell this canard to the American people.

Thanks for providing that informative post, Joe in Albany.

Got it, Scott, one vote, two t's.

Even as Mr. Buffett says this, I wonder how much his various funds have in Credit Default Swaps on US Treasuries ?

I haven't got any ponies in this show (other than wanting America to succeed,) I'm too busy swapping payments between Peter & Paul to worry about CDS's.

I, like many other Americans, are beginning to worry that the clowns in Washington will cause a monumental economic collapse on a world-wide scale. Selling your soul to Grover Norquist for a few pieces of silver in the next election is not acceptable. The only pledge any of our leaders should make is "to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic." Pledging anything else violates that oath.

Pietro, there is an advantage to coming to these thread after work. I get to see the flow and side channels beinthat were created earlier in the day. I totally agree with you about this dog and pony show. Utter distraction. RAISE THE DEBT CEILING. Joanna's interruption to the thread about oil is a side channel. Her comment about "cap,cut ,and balance" is really believing in this delaying kid's game. It does give them cover to vote for this no starter, so by next week they can vote for increasing the debt ceiling. But their political expediency is putting our counry at risk, per W.Buffet statement above.

All of what you posted was what the President must REQUEST for the budget. Note the word 'REQUEST'. The President could choose to not 'request' ANYTHING;

____________________________________________

Pete: are you really that stupid??

Sadly, I think you are.

No, Joe in Albany, you really ARE the stupid one here when you do not know the difference between 'REQUEST' and 'REQUIRED'.

Go back to sleep.

Other than libs, who cares what they think!!?

Other than libs, who cares what they think!!?

Anyone running for the Republican Nomination for President next year, that's who.

Why doesnt MSNBC interview George Soros?

....after all, he is a billionaire, and he is funding the vicious leftwing blogs which provide the slanderous talking points MSNBC steals from every day....

american-2051576

Shouldn't we care since they play the Teapublicants pipes.

Bob:

Why doesnt MSNBC interview George Soros?

....after all, he is a billionaire, and he is funding the vicious leftwing blogs which provide the slanderous talking points MSNBC steals from every day....

Who funds yours?

Because whoever it is, they do vicious and slanderous (not to mention libelous) WAY better than Soros.

Because whoever it is, they do vicious and slanderous (not to mention libelous) WAY better than Soros.

Do we need to bring up the lie about John McCain's adopted daughter that killed his 2000 campaign?

Do we need to bring up the lie about John McCain's adopted daughter that killed his 2000 campaign?

Ah, yes. Karl Rove, as I recall it.

pious - and who plays yours?

BINGO Anna.

Buffet's a nice guy, has one vote just like me.

Hello, scott -- LoL

Ha, ha, Anna Molly! I thought that looked funny...Warren Buffet..hee hee...I wonder how long it will take them to correct the headline.

LoL They corrected the text but not the caption.

Got a chuckle out of that, Anna.

HE lost credibility, and the perpetrators did NOT?

Is that what you're saying? I hope not.