Can't wait for the next town hall meetings!

Quite the opposite Feisty. I think the "fiasco" is just getting started. Sure we averted a contrived crisis, but the next one is only months away when the bi-partisan commission is obstructed by the Tealiban, forcing massively unpopular cuts to all government progams.

I also love how the President says he'll "fight" in the second wave of cuts. If the result is anything like this deal, he should hang up the gloves. I've seen 2 year olds fight with more ferocity than President Obama.

I don't mean to contradict, but that's how i'm feeling right now.

You're right, Feisty. Congress should not be going anywhere. Staying in session has been done before, one would think they would think long and hard about 5 weeks off.

I think the "fiasco" is just getting started.

Of course you're right Bryan, I guess I'm relieved for a temporary 'breather'.

I don't know about you but, I'm exhausted from something that NEVER should of occurred!

What really pi$$es me off are the congress critters taking a 5 week PAID vacation on our dime at this time!

On the other hand, maybe it's a good thing to get them the hell out of there - at least they can't cause any further destruction...

Feisty,

You are right. That these jokers in Congress get 5 weeks of PAID VACATION on our dime is utterly ridiculous. How can they pretend in front of the cameras that they are about fiscal responsibility? FAA partially shutdown, not collecting $200mm a week in tax revenue. Millions of Americans out of work and struggling to keep whats left of their sanity. And these guys take a 5 week paid vacation. They haven't donew their jobs, why do they get rewarded?

But Feisty,

they have worked so hard, they far exceeded the $174,000 per year they get paid. It's tough to hold an entire country hostage and not take a vaca to recharge so they can do it again. Remember their main focus when they get back is going to be jobs, Yeah Right... Jobs will become important in the 2012 campaign for the GOP/TP, us poor little people out here struggling can wait 5 or so weeks to watch them gear back up so we should be good sometime in 2012!

True that Robert1960!

Speaking of raking in $174,000 per year, appears that's still not enough to honor your responsibility as a father if your Joe Walsh (R) IL...

He owes $117,000 in BACK child support to his ex-wife!

What's his excuse?

I have had financial troubles and I talked about them throughout the campaign. This is where real America is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkHJHoQzazQ&feature=player_embedded

Did you catch that? Real America?

These hypocritical cowards MAKE ME SICK!

What a great example for good solid conservative family values. And these yokels wonder why people end up on entitlement programs, maybe the deadbeat GOP daddy's...

So Wall Street and the Rich got everything they wanted while we wait for the only thing that ever trickles down to the middle class...pain

So now that the Corporate rixch wont have tax hikes (or any sacrifice whatsoever) and the debt ceiling lifted, the UNCERTAINTY has been removed, right?

START HIRING Corporate America, you now have everything you wanted...uncertainty removed...where are the Jobs? Time to find out that the 'keep taxes low and they will hire' crap is all smoke and mirrors.

See you at the end of September for the Jobs Report. It better be stellar. The GOP PROMISED it would create jobs. Ok 'Job Creators' , START HIRING!

What...

Nothing in the Rose Garden today?

Already McConnell is going to staff the GOP side of the Committee with the same NO crowd. Gee what a surprise....no shared sacrifice will even be CONSIDERED.

The GOP is failing the middle class

Tim, Seattle

Yeah, I want to see the "Job Creators" (Boehners new catch phrase) start job creating. Funny how they said this when they were fighting to keep their corporate buddies in the tax free bracket, "they are the job creators." Then in the next breath curiously say, small business's and entrepreneurs are the ones that create the jobs...

Hmmm, Feisty girl...

The "congress critters"...

Would that be ALL of our "congress critters"?

Including those "critters" who make up the majority in the House of Congress called "the U.S. Senate"?

And those who comprise the minority in the House of Congress we refer to as "the U.S. House Of Representatives'?

Because their own President helped to craft this legislation with the opposition party...the utterly helpless President of the United States.

That can't be right, Feisty.

It ISN'T.

Is it?

fiesty - like many of your FR lib friends, anything invoking the word "right" makes you sick. You must abhor driving in the right lane or making right turns or making the right decisions for what's for dinner.

I give you this, your constant state of delirium is often humorous.

I just don't get you Libs. When the President was taking all that Vacation Time, you defended his right to take it. Even said it would be good for him. Didn't matter what was going on in the world.

Now you are all up in arms because Congress is taking it's SCHEDULED recess. Most go back to their constituents and work. Do they have to be in Washington to get stuff done? Obama didn't. He even had Legislation signed with an Auto-Pen while he was away.

So which is it? Vacation good or Vacation Bad?

Jody of iowa, surely you miss the point of a recess creating face to face contact of congressmen with their constituents. Now, oversea junkets at this time may indeed be questioned.

Makes me wonder if Iowa senators will visit my little part of Iowa?

White Collar Auto

Vaca bad!

When Americans are suffering and losing everything and the Congress said themselves that jobs are job one and they have the power to help! Maybe it's just me but if I can help someone by working a little harder and earning my pay by going above and beyond for the good of the people, I would like to think I would do it, it is only right, they are the elected "Leaders" of our country. They work for us not the other way around. Besides I never defended the POTUS for anything like a vaca, when he had to do his job somehow he did it.

Well, this is certainly cheery.

More disappointment for those who think I'M the lunatic:

http://money.cnn.com/2011/08/02/news/economy/debt_ceiling_deficit_hawks/index.htm?iid=HP_LN

"No one should pretend that they have solved anything other than an artificial political crisis," said Bob Bixby, executive director of the Concord Coalition, a nonpartisan deficit watchdog group.

Bixby said he was watching the brokering of the final deal with "fixed horror."

Here's what's been most maddening for hawks: For all the energy spent and bad blood created on the road to resolving that artificial crisis there's not nearly enough to show for it.

Yes, the final deal may reduce deficits by at least $2.1 trillion over 10 years.

But how those savings will be achieved is somewhat misguided, hawks say.

The bill relies too heavily on cuts to discretionary spending, which is not the major driver of the country's long-term deficits. And it all but ignores the need to reform entitlements and raise more revenue -- both of which are key ingredients to improving the country's long-term solvency.

Dow is down 265.87. Hey, don't look at me. My money's under the mattress.

Congress is the one that did this, took a bow, and then, when greeted with silence from the crowd, existed stage left to go on a long, undeserved vacation.

Of all the things that have happened here over the past few weeks, that's the one thing that perhaps bothers me the most.

Will anything be left when they return?

Ummm...

AM-

You're for addressing the "major driver" of long-term debt?

You're for reforming the entitlement programs and addressing revenue?

Like the bipartisan Bowles-Simpson commission?

AND the Concord Coalition?

Wow...

You must REALLY be worried.

But...you're certainly sounding more sane.

You guys do realize Feisty doesn't have a job, probably collects disability on your dime...why do you think she's always the first to post on all First Read articles?

I am in total agreement with Feisty and AM, No one in our federal government deserves a vacation the American people do. AM, by the way its time to get rid of that old mattress let me bring you by a new sleep number or something like it and haul the old one off.

Bring it on, Bob.

One thought to add to my initial post.

Do we even WANT Congress to come back?

Given the enormaty of difficulties still facing the nation - NO ONE should be going anywhere!

Your are correct in a vaque sense feisty redwig, Let's beak it down…

The initial cut of $917 billion appears to be a lot of money on the surface but when you realize it is over 10 years, the yearly reduction is only $92 billion per year. Let us not forget that, according to the Government Accountability Office, our Federal government made at least $125 billion in "improper payments" in 2010 alone. This cut is nothing to write home about.

The second part of these "budgetary controls" is a cut of approximately $1.5 trillion over 10 years from years 2013 to 2023. This amounts to an additional yearly spending reduction of approximately $150 billion per year bringing the total to $242 billion per year of deficit reduction. In total our deficits will be reduced by $2.3 trillion up until and including the year 2021 which is the last year the OMB has a forecast.

I hope that everyone fully understands that what Congress is proposing is NOT a debt reduction plan. The debt will continue to accumulate year after year and government obligations will continue to grow fast…just not as fast as it was initially projected. This legislation is more of a reduction in the rate in which were are becoming insolvent rather than saving us from insolvency.

According to Table S-14 of the Office and Management and Budget 10 year forecast our gross national debt was scheduled to reach $26.3 trillion dollars in 2021. If all proposed cuts are enacted from this legislation the gross national debt will be $2.3 trillion dollars lower at $24.1 trillion dollars.

The big unknown here is the provision for a potential vote on a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution. My guess is there is no way it passes the Senate and even less likely that it gets sent to the states for ratification. For now, it is just a pipe dream and was only inserted into the framework so politicians running for re-election can pretend to be fiscal conservatives.

This proposed new legislation, which raises the debt ceiling again, does not solve the problem. It is just delaying the inevitable.

We are still headed for Greece. We are just stopping off in Italy first to give our grandchildren the boot

That's right feisty, thanks to the misguided (or planned?) efforts of the administration and dirty Harry, no of us are going anywhere! I'm afraid this date will mark the beginning of the Era of Austerity for America!

This entire debt-ceiling fiasco was just another chance for the wealthy to rape the middle class even more.

The rape of this country by the wealthy is disgusting, their continued ratcheting down the standard of living for the majority of Americans makes me hope that people will finally rise up and destroy this sham of a political system in which bribery and corruption through the influence of big money is making life for the average American dismal as we have not only have to take lower wages, but also must pay the additional cost of shysters enacting legislation through puppet politicians that gives them a license to steal . It's similar to living in a concentration camp without the barbed wire or guards but the constant fear of losing more.

I am not alone in hating the system and all it currently stands for over the past 30 years of being played for a fool by subhumans that are wealthy. I am do not fear the specter of a revolution; I wholeheartedly welcome it.

As goes the economy so goes jobs. Jobs have historically been lagging indicators. The debt ceiling and our debt has always been a part of our economy.

I for one am not a proponent of kicking the can down the road.

So jody, think the senate will now come up with a written counter proposal to the houses passed FY2012 budget? Any manufactured crisis here will surely lie with the senate and obama.

Any job creation legislation should be tied directly to a FY2012 budget.

So, what's the Stock Market's response to the Republican Debt plan signed into law????

Who endorsed and signed this bi-partisan bill?

President Barack Obama...

So, what's the Stock Market's response to the Republican Debt plan signed into law???? Tanking! This legislation is making things worse because it still leaves more uncertainty...all thanks to the Tea Party and Boehner!

_______________________________________________

Sorry, Pat. Asian and European markets were up on Monday from the news that this bill was going to get done. US markets were also up sharply on their open at 9:30 yesterday. What killed them yesterday and continues to drive them today, and likely for a while, is the continued lousy economic news showing that Barry is presiding over the worst "recovery" of modern times (remember, Joe Biden declaring last summer the "Summer of Fecovery??) Friday: GDP in the first half of 2011 growing at barely a crawl, Monday: the ISM report showing a decline in manufacturing activity to near contraction level, Today: personal spending is down, likely Friday: a really lousy jobs report. That's what's driving the markets down, Barry's piss-poor economic leadership.

I see...so guys like Cantor, Boehner and McConnell didn't approve of this deal?

Thanks for the clarification.

Joe In Albany,

When our lawmakers are speding their time either on vacation or rangling a phoney crisis instead of focusing on economic growth and jobs, how are we supposed to improve GDP numbers? We are not legislating. We are stumping in D.C. When the Congress as a whole gets their "asses in line" maybe we'll see some movement on the recovery efforts. However, this most recent Tealiban "win" sees the economy slowing even more than before, with jobs being shed at an alarming pace. More of the same I'm afraid.

It is pathetic to see the repubs try and collar Obama with their bill, a bill that only had to be created because the repubs decided to play politics with raising the debt ceiling, even a voter that has received an ice pick lobotomy is going to see through that BS.

When our lawmakers are speding their time either on vacation or rangling a phoney crisis instead of focusing on economic growth and jobs, how are we supposed to improve GDP numbers?

_______________________________________________

Govt and politicians don't improve GDP numbers. The private sector and businesses improve GDP numbers. Govt and politicians can only block the way or get out of the way. The current rabid anti-business sentiment created by Washington Dems and Barry serves only to block the way. The best thing we could do for the GDP numbers is send all the politicians on a LONG vacation.

Joe, the private sector does not initiate infrastructure projects only government does. Our transportation system is almost second world and rapidly moving to third world; our investment in new technolgy, which historically has been government funded is running on fumes. We started wind and solar power and now we are losing that industry to China. These are just two areas where the government could create jobs. Infrastructure projects take on average two to three years to complete. DUring that period housing will pick up thereby, creating more jobs. Also, we could invest more in education which has a longer lasting economic benefit.

Joe declares: "Govt and politicians don't improve GDP numbers. The private sector and businesses improve GDP numbers."

The government does what the private sector and businesses tell them to, that's why they are currently setting on several trillion bucks,

Joe name one thing anti-business that the rabid Dem's and Barry have done? Whatever it was it must not have worked very well since wall street and corporations are doing fine.

Joe name one thing anti-business that the rabid Dem's and Barry have done?

_________________________________________________________

How about ClunkerCare which will significantly increase the cost of having employees on the payroll for many small businesses that cannot afford to provide health insurance to their employees. How about all the rhetoric about "fat cats". How about ridiculous regulations creating paperwork nightmares for business like the new 1099 reporting requirement in the ClunkerCare law. How about the threats to raise income taxes on those making over $250,000 many of whom are small business owners who pay taxes for their business profits on their 1040.

Your dreaming, Bob.

Richard - isn't that where change and innovation comes from? Dr king had it right "I have a dream...".

What i think Richard means is that Bob is hallucinating. After all he is awake is he not? If he were asleep, he'd be dreaming.

Give'em hell Bob, but remember:

It is pathetic to see the repubs try and collar Obama with their bill, a bill that only had to be created because the repubs decided to play politics with raising the debt ceiling, even a voter that has received an ice pick lobotomy is going to see through that BS.

American - Comparing apples to oranges usually ends up as 'fruit cake'.

'fruit cake'.

Now why did you have to go and drag Marcus Bachmann into the conversation? ;o)

lmao! good one job1!

You want a negotiator? Talk to my wife. She'd beat the SH&T out of Boehner and crew and make them feel like it was their fault they got beat down. And i'm dead serious. You have no idea how many salesmen to this day run when they see her coming.

patHuntingtonNY

That would have been awesome! Standing in the Rose Garden and call them out and flip the bird and set the Bill on fire, oh man what a missed campaign opportunity.

Pat - He can't do it alone.

The American people (where have I heard that?) need to get up and rally against this overtly racist GOP/TP insanity.

couldn't you just see the campaign posters, The POTUS with his finger front and center and the slogan "Hey Tea Party, up yours!

I was holding out hope that the bill would be torpedoed in the Senate and the President went with the "nuclear" option. That would have made my leg tingle.

Unfortunately until he does something along those lines the Repubs will continue to run over him, his threats have zero credibility which puts him in a poor negotiating position.

w bush

sadly true. He calls them out and they pout and do nothing. There is no negotiating with bratty little children.

It's hard dealing with the TEA party, especially when they are wearing their Benedict Arnold costumes.

American - I applaud your understanding of the necessity to have a mix of Socialism and Capitalism in this economy.

And, yes, a WPA style program targeting our Parks and natural disaster sites would go a long way.

Maybe recouping the 60 billion a year in medicare fraud could help with funding.

richard - recouping medicare fraud was already done and justified when obama and company used $500 billion from medicare to fund obamacare. Looks like that boat sailed, but thanks for thinking.

Like obama said in his last state of the union speech, "lets have revenue neutral cuts..." <paraphrased>

Pony05 - please don't count your chicks before they hatch.