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Subscribe to RSS“President Obama on Wednesday will push Congress to pass a new surface transportation bill when it returns from recess next week, the White House announced Tuesday night,” The Hill writes. “The current version of the federal highway bill, which among other things allows Congress to collect the tax on gasoline sales, expires Sept. 30. With recent fights in the transportation sector such as the funding for the Federal Aviation Administration devolving into partisan fights this summer, there has been speculation the highway bill could be the next impasse that causes a shutdown in Washington. But in a Rose Garden speech, Obama will argue this issue is too important to the fragile U.S. economy to not resolve quickly after lawmakers return from their traditional August recess.”
The New York Times: “President Obama vowed on Tuesday that he would not allow cuts in programs for veterans as Congress and the administration look for ways to balance the budget.”
The front page of the Boston Globe has this headline: “Obama’s uncle is called a fugitive.”
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I'm not a veteran, but I can only hope that this time Obama actually means what he says. He has come out with this kind of statement in the past, only to give it up quickly when negotiating with Congress.
Don't do it. Don't give this one away. These men and women need...and deserve...all the benefits we promised them. They have done the job in Iraq and Afghanistan for 10 years.
Don't break the promises.
Obama's uncle will probably need to use a plane, train, and an automobile to avoid causing his nephew anymore political headaches!
I too hope Obama's promises regarding the Veterns are not empty campaing rhetoric!
What does the President's estranged uncle have to do with anything?
The guys not an American citizen nor from all accounts even close to the President.
If my uncle got a DUI, how in any way should that have anything to do with my character?
This story belongs in the tabloids, not on a news website!
Tom, I believe Ben was commenting on the item at the end of the article....... capishe?
I knew that, my problem has more to do with why is it even a story that should have anything to do with the POTUS. How can a relatives actions be related to you. In this case, the only connection is that his uncle has the same last name, they barely knew each other.
The uncle's exploits shouldn't have been in the FR story at all.
Tom cut the whine okay, everytime President Bush's daughter bought a drink in Austin while he was in D.C. we heard about, let the first African American President born from a caucasian mother hear it for awhile.
Aside from this being about an immediate family member, yeah, it also stupid. Moving on...
The American people need to demand that the GOP/TP stop using their tax dollars for nation building elsewhere. What, the American people don't rate, they can't have schools, health care, or infrastructure? What, our country is too broke, yet China can do all those things? Small ideas from small-minded people is not what makes our country great.
Obama/Biden - 2012!
Democratic House 2012. End the gridlock and the partisan sniping. Let President Obama do his job!
The administration has no one to blame but itself for its falied policies! The first lesson it should have learned during the recent debt/deficit debates is to cut spending and help the private sector create the jobs! It seems he still needs help to 'do his job'.
Ms. Amy the dems had the house , senate and white house for two years.
I agree, he needs help from the house of republican "No Men" to get-ur-done.
Unfortunately, they're agenda isn't to solve the problems, but to obstruct any solutions whether it's based on one of their own ideas or not. Once the President agrees with it, then they're all of a sudden against it.
Pride and Joy, how is the President supposed to magically help the private sector create jobs without spending to stimulate demand? Write a sternly worded letter to all the corporations asking them to pretty please, hire more people?
MRWSR., and yet the Republicans still managed to filibuster over 400 bills since Obama took office. It takes a lot more to get anything done than it takes to stop anything from getting done.
Ash,
That number and the bills you claim were 63% bi-partisan. Look at the dem fillibuster numbers under Bush. Not Trying to arrgue are mute your point, but there is more to it.
I'm having trouble finding precise stats, but from what I've found so far it looks like the filibuster numbers under Bush come nowhere close to those since.
That's just it Amy, It is glaringly apparent that Obama doesn't know how to do his job, and never will. This was not supposed to be a trainee position. Even if it was, he hasn't learned his job in 3 years. He never will. Whoever voted for this walking mistake is suffering buyer's remorse big time. Never again in our lifetimes, will American voters be so incredibly stupid as to elect such a nincompoop to such a high office.
C'mon 2012.
J.E.P. -- Just because you say it, even repeatedly, even louder, it does not make it so. You're just swooping and pooping with no substance to back-up your opinion. Also, you and other conservatives forget there needs to be a viable alternative to win an election. The GOP/TP field is so pitiful no matter what the polls show on any given day.
That's what I thought in 2004, but Bush was reelected. Mind bending, however, it was only because of the Iraq War--not any merit, and actually despite many negatives (not enough room to list them all). And let me guess, Republicans are hoping the right-leaning SCOTUS will over-rule the popular vote again in 2012 in favor of Perry, Bush with no brain. Who would then start another war with Iran or Syria in hopes of a second term. So predictable.
i am getting really sick and tired, and tired and sick, of 60 individuals in the house of representatives who were elected by 35% of the people in their districts, plus their wealthy corporate backers, determining what does or does not happen in this country.
it has been noted, one of the characteristics of a tea partier is their fear of change; well, count me in. i don't like the changes they are creating by their hostage taking. no fema, really? no disaster relief? is this what americans really want? does this poll well with their supporters? will this get them re-elected? no, department of education, no epa, corporations who pay their ceo's more than they pay in federal taxes? no safety net for those who are hurting? no unemployment insurance?
pecos perry says, if elected, he promises to make government as inconsequential and unobtrusive in our lives as possible. well, i for one, like the fact the federal government is making sure my water supply does not have arsenic in it. i like the fact my asthmatic grandson has clean air to breath, i like the fact the fda has approved the meds i take, i like the fact in a disaster there is help as compared to watching with horror and heartbreak the pictures coming out of the convention center in new orleans after katrina. it gives me pride to see the national guard airlifting bottled water and food into isolated towns in vermont.
I'm sure the GOP will have nightmares trying to decide how to argue with Obama on providiing help to veterans. The GOP typically do not support helping any one accept their richest supporters.
Politically this is a very smart move on Obama's part. It stimulates the economy, is a good and just cause and spends tax dollars fairly.
I can't wait to hear the GOP and Tea Party arguments. The question is will they be stupid enough to cut their own throats and fight it.
Sooner or later Patriotic Americans are going to see through their no tax increase scams and smack them down a bit. This is a great place to start.
I see the libtards all ready have their panties in a wad well before Congress evan has a chance to see what's in the new bill!
I'm sure obama's proposal will be more than an effort to gain political mileage and is reasonable enough to comply with the lessons he learned during the debt/deficit debates! Yes, and there really is a tooth fairy, lol
Check your facts , the repubs have done more for veterans in the last 20 years than any dem in the last 20 years. Just facts and facts don't lie. THe house would support vet legislation, if your president does not attach tons of crap on it to make unpassable.
Puttign military cuts as one fo the major items to be enacted if the Gang of Twelve cannot agree on the new $1T+ cuts by November was a DEMOCRATIC and OBAMA demand... not a Republican demand! Don't even start ot say that the Democrats always support the miltary... It isn't even worth the tissue the Libs cry on when it is brought up! WHo are you trying to kid today? Who is the first ones to throw the miltary udner the bus? Jsut ask Harry Reid that said the war was lost when we had our gusy and gals overseas fighting terrorism!
Looks like the House needs the line-item-veto. LOL
Hopefully, the President will take off the gloves and challenge these Right Wing Extremist in front of the American People, and not take no for an answer, and give them the knock out blow that they deserve and force these Extremist in Congress to put up or shut up and make them do what’s right or force them to tell the American People NO.
I guarantee you, with this approach, the American People will rally and once again, We the People will be working with the President and we will shut this Right Wing Extremist and this Economic Mafia up, and force them to work with the President and do what they promised to do.
If having a balanced budget and adhering to Constitutional principles is extreme....count me in.
The only Constitutional principles that are being broken are by the Republican-Tea Potty people.
Call me crazy, but if I have to choose between a balanced federal budget and a functioning economy, I'll pick the economy first and then worry about balancing the budget once we can afford to do so.
Ash,
Right - the economy is always #1... were you and Job 1 screaming at Obama for wasting 15-18 months on Obamacare? If not, you should have. Let's fix the leaks in the foundation and roof before installing granite countertops.
Job,
What is it you want Obama to really do? Do you actually believe that 60 rookies have more power than Reid/Senate and King Obama? If that is true, how pathetically weak does that make Reid and BO?
All the ranting about 60 rookies... what would you say if you read a story where a handful of 1st graders were "holding hostage" a class of 10th graders and the teacher? Would you buy it?
Krell: "were you and Job 1 screaming at Obama for wasting 15-18 months on Obamacare?"
"Wasting"? You realize that out-of-control health care costs are a big part of what was driving the economy into the toilet, right?
Ash -
The timing was bad. Obama talked about the condition of the economy and instead of dealing with it as the #1 priority, he moved his focus to healthcare (installing granite counters).
So yes, wasted 15 months on something that the majority did not and does not want. We had to listen to Obama give what, 40 lectures on why we "want Obamacare".
Hi Ash,
I'm for the affordable health care act and I'm glad that the President got it passed. However, I wish it would have been stronger such as a public option or single payer.
The truth is the majority of the people wanted a public option or single payer, but the Republicans fault any plans for reform. Also, the amount of time would have been shortens had the Republicans not fault it.
All the ranting about 60 rookies... what would you say if you read a story where a handful of 1st graders were "holding hostage" a class of 10th graders and the teacher? Would you buy it?
I would buy it because the first graders want eat their peas.
Krell: "The timing was bad. Obama talked about the condition of the economy and instead of dealing with it as the #1 priority, he moved his focus to healthcare (installing granite counters)."
...Did you even read my post? Dealing with health care costs was PART OF dealing with the economy.
And Job1 is right: of the "majority" you quote as not wanting HCR as it was passed, a decent portion disapprove because they wanted it to do more.
Job,
Your worship of Obama is nauseating.
Ash,
I did read -- we see it differently - doesn't matter this or that. The end result is more want it killed or modified. But to spend 15-18 months on it was stupid. He could have worked with business instead of offending them at every turn.
I'm an electrical engineer in the power industry... I'm not working in that area now.
ran out of time... the power industry is suffering and it will continue to as long as Obama wants to power the country on wind and rainbows.
First order of business in 2013 will be for our new administration to repeal the health care fiasco known as Obamacare. Then begin trimming all the stupid regulations this administration has piled onto the business community. Then cut the spending to the bone. Then start cutting some of that bone too.
Can't wait.
Joseph,
That want happen because the Republican-Tea Potty in office will be going home for along time.
If you like what you see coming from the President, well you haven't seen anything yet. There is more to come.
Rick Perry has not yet begun to face the intense scrutiny of media. He probably won't unless he becomes the GOP nominee. Then the "dirt diggers" will really go into action. Right now he's like the new kid that just moved into town. He's not known very well, but he will as time goes on.
I heard from a republican friend of mine (actually just a neighbor and I don't really like the guy) that republicans are thinking of scrapping the Constitution and replacing it with a corporate Mission statement. Just something I heard.
No'oreaster,
And you were stupid enough to even repeat such nonsense on the newsvine?? Or are you just making up B.S.??
Smart enough to p!ss you off, the republicans can lie all they want and express it as a fact, why can't I. Just using their time tested tool that if you lie big enough and loud enough then people will start to believe it.
No'oreaster
Good one.
Right, That's Obama's creedo. Starting to wear thin though.
You have to pity the fool. He can't run on his accomplishments. (how do you paint failures as accomplishments??)
This just leaves him one option....attack ads, and lots of them. Well, Americans have learned to see through the smoke, have learned to separate the fly-poop from the pepper. Attack ads have a funny way of backfiring.
Obama and his wife Moochelle had better suck up all the exotic vacation time they can before they are booted out of our White House. Gravy train is coming to the end of the track.
MRWSR and Fed up, no, you check YOUR facts. Just saying it doesn't make it true. When budget examiners and hopefully cutters - recommend cutting expensive weapons programs that aren't needed and that the Pentagon has asked be discontinued - that is not failing to support the troops. Contractors vs troops, very very different. Where were Republicans on the new GI Bill? The Bush adimn got a lot of mileage out of the BS that if you weren't for invading Iraq at the expense of the Afganistan effort, you didn't support the troops. It won't wash anymore. Supporting war is not supporting troops. An intelligent use of troops, is supporting troops.
Just lately, there's a lot of Republican complaining that if only we'e jumped into Libya w/ both feet if could have ended sooner and we should have led from the front. Instead, we built a REAL coalition of countries that really mattered and shared the lead as well as the costs. We also shared the credit w/ other countries that participated in allowing Libyans to take the lead and take pride in their own success. We have no idea the eventual shape of their "success", but again, look at the alternative. Iraq and Afganistan have dragged on for a generation and the end results are still unknown except for 6 thousand or so Americans killed in action. We think Iraq may keep having elections in the future,but it will be out of our hands. We KNOW Iran is much stronger as a result of our adventures in Iraq and then of course there's our pride and joy - Karzai. And in Libya, at the very least, Kaddafy is out of power, Libya's future is in the hands of its people and American casualties = 0. I'd say that is the ultimate way of showing care for our troops.
Many on the right get their false facts from right wing media, and anyone with a half of brain knows that these sources are adding to the dumbing down of America.
Dumbing down?? Yep, you are a prime example.
No, you guys have proven that you hold that title.