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Subscribe to RSSIn his speech yesterday, per the New York Times, House Speaker John Boehner "rejected tax increases as part of a sweeping effort to reduce the nation’s debt, delivering his prescription for a Congressional deficit-cutting committee ahead of a competing presentation by President Obama early next week. Mr. Boehner urged the new bipartisan committee to focus on cuts in federal spending and entitlement programs as a way of slowing the growth of government. He said tax increases should be 'off the table' as the committee works toward a late-November deadline."
But: "Boehner said that the committee’s efforts should include proposals to close tax loopholes as part of a broader overhaul that lowers personal and business tax rates... 'Yes, tax reform should include closing loopholes,' he said. 'Not for purposes of bringing more money to the government. But because it’s the right thing to do.'"
Roll Call: “In a speech before the Economic Club of Washington, D.C., Boehner largely dismissed President Barack Obama’s jobs plan.”
“The Senate cleared legislation today to provide about $7 billion in emergency disaster aid and a House-passed transportation package that averts a partial shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration,” Roll Call adds. “The bill, passed 92-6, includes a four-month FAA funding extension and a six-month funding extension for surface transportation programs, scheduled to expire at the end of the month. Before final passage, the Senate rejected two Republican amendments. The measure was being held up by Sen. Tom Coburn over his opposition to a provision that would require states to set aside funds for projects such as bike paths, sound walls and decorative highway signs.”
Unable to make the trains run on time: "In last year’s campaigns, Republicans ripped into Democrats for failing to perform one of Congress’s most basic duties: providing money in a timely way for the operations of government,” the New York Times says. “But Republicans acknowledged Thursday that they would miss the deadline they had promised to meet. They began to rush a stopgap spending bill through the House because, they said, Congress could not finish work on any of the 12 regular appropriations bills before the new fiscal year starts in two weeks, on Oct. 1.”
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Boehner says he and President Obama communicate like they are from different planets. He's from planet Orange where the cats are fat and President Obama is from the real world where people show up and do the jobs that they were hired to do.
I don't know, Tom: isn't Boehner from the planet Jupiter where they get more stupider?
NDR--- Wherever he's from, he's out to lunch. Give us a jobs bill, not more corporate giveaways. What a A...hole!
Couldn't agree with you more, Tom!
Funny that you should mention the Wisconsin ocngressmen and women who did not show up for work and do their jobs and ran to a neighboring state instead of stay and state their case.
Aaah and the whole debacle over Aiviation funding that was benig pushed as the highest prirotiy and immeidate need in Governmetn by the Adminstration actually nicluded a priroity for bike paths, sound walls, and DECORATIVE HIGHWAY SIGNS? YOu have got ot be kidding. Coburn was right to having objected as all the others in Congress should have also.. Just like the ADminstration... State the worse scenario and then you find out it is really baout bike paths,... and decorative signs! Where are the Obama Amdinstration priorites!
Speaker Boehner, will you admit that President Obama holds the office of President of the United States?
List of Presidents that taxed the US upper 2% oligarchy just fine:
Roosevelt
Truman
Eisenhower
Kennedy
Johnson
Nixon
Ford
Carter
Clinton
Mr. Boehner, The top 2% that you speak for are not super-qualifed, extra-special human beings. They've had a good $$innings and it is now overdue/time they contribute and do right by people that made them the wealthiest group in the world. With the highest profits ever in US history. You know it.
GET THEM TO PAY UP.
If Boehner and the right-wing are really concerned about the debt, they would end corporate welfare and tax breaks that only the rich enjoy and don't need. Instead, they continue to show complete disregard for the least among us and for the struggling middle class.
And even though Social Security has nothing to do with the debt--other than the IOU in the trust fund box that they don't want to pay back--they are trying to use the debt crisis to pursue their same old agenda they pursue regardless of conditions. Which is ending any and all "progressive" programs.
Well the majority of Americans are NOT with you Boehner. They like what is in the president's jobs plan--heck, they like that there is a jobs plan period--where the hell is yours? They agree that corporate welfare should end, and it should end permanently. They agree the tax code should be made fair by getting rid of tax breaks that only apply to the rich, and it should be permanent.
I'm glad the president is taking his case to the American people. But We The People need to do our part too. Aside from contacting representatives and demanding they pass the jobs plan, we need to be out at rallies, marching, like the folks in Wisconsin did. We need to do it at Capital Hill and around the nation. Stephen Colbert, MoveOn, the DNC, etc. -- Help organize these. And in 2012 we need to get out the vote and throw Boehner and the Teapublicans out!
Okay, you want to know how I really feel? I can't post that here.
“But Republicans acknowledged Thursday that they would miss the deadline they had promised to meet. They began to rush a stopgap spending bill through the House because, they said, Congress could not finish work on any of the 12 regular appropriations bills before the new fiscal year starts in two weeks, on Oct. 1.”
Ya know, if you didn't take off a week for every 2 weeks worked, you would have the time to get these things done, but I guess that just makes too much sense.
John Boehner is so anally retentive....
"Cut entitlements and spending" as he advocates, without increased revenues is such a crock of BS = CUT BUSINESS PROGRAMS first Boehner... you know - the things that benefit YOU and that YOU use extensively.
Also remember that W's daddy became a one term President by adopting this identical position of "no tax increases" back in 1991; "those who do not understand history are bound to repeat it...."
Bye-bye.
It is Paul Ryan Hoods plan to privatize Medicare to give more to the rich, no matter how Boehner presents it. I can't believe people are voting for Republicans.
Boehner: "Not for purposes of bringing more money to the government. But because it’s the right thing to do"
Why is bringing more money into the government a bad thing? If they are really concerned about reducing the country's debt, don't they realize that cutting spending and increasing revenue at the same time will reduce the deficit faster than just cutting spending? Aren't they aware that statements like that make them appear stupid? They appear to be wealthy, out of touch people who have no concept of what it takes to get out of debt because they have never actually had to do it.
Their inaction's and obvious stalling all for Ideology sake is getting old. They will not be ignored in 2012. His ideas of not raising taxes to help America get out of this W Bush recession and not working with the POTUS to figure something out about jobs and the economy will be the GOTP downfall.
ALL of the new polls show that although the Jobs Act is not perfect, more people support it than don't. More people want Congress to do something, anything to help the country move forward. I just wonder what is going through their minds knowing what the best thing to do is but sitting and doing nothing all for the sake of getting the presidency. News flash, none of the GOTP candidates show to be over taking the POTUS, Congress approval at 13% and people are equating the Congress with the GOTP and the Potus around 40%. Doing what they are doing will ensure their demise.
I hope the President takes the big fight to the American People and lets us the People know that it is the hold Congress against us and the President, as far as jobs.
Job1- I also hope Obama continues his arrogant, lying demagoguery. It will make it that much easier to send Carter II back to his old job of community organizer.
Robert -- You are absolutely right about calling this the W Bush recession, because we are STILL operating under Bush era economic policies of "trickle-down" tax cuts, deregulation, and any other hollow arguments Teapublicans make -- litigation, really? We've been doing this for over a decade and it isn't working. It's time for change, as Perry says, but change away from failed policies of the Republican Party.
It looks like John Boehner takes his orders from Rush Limpball.
Actually, Grover Norquist controls the directions of the Republican Party, and they meet with Grover every Monday in Washington DC on your taxpayer dime.
Their whole goal, and in fact ONLY GOAL is to stall the President on accomplishing anything until it will be too late for 2012 elections. Boehner is coming out with the same ideas for the Repubs ... cut taxes for the wealthy & corporations ... period. Stuck on 1980 Reagan "Supply Side" ... duhhhhh!
MacNfries. Your right, it is Norquist. But, I really think it goes deeper (in the future) than the 2012. Because the Republicans are doing everything they can not to be elected. I think it goes to the fact the Norquist has a aspirations of becoming the first dictator (could be wrong word) and the people who signed the pledge will be on his cabinet. Yeah, I know, sounds like a conspiracy, well, actually the Republicans are conspiring against the people of the United States.
The Republicans keep brining up Reagan and I have no idea why. He really didn't have any ideas for the United States. He raised taxes and raised the debt ceiling (this should be your clues that the Republicans do not hold Reagan in esteem, just a talking point for the citizens).
To everyone, it costs only 44 cents for stamps and an extra few cents for paper and envelope to send a message to Mr. Boehner. Make your thoughts on the United States debts short, kind. He probably will ignore one or two but how about thousands and thousands. We are all concerned, and none of them read these posts.
slightlyold- thanks for a reminder just how brain damaged liberals are.
The Grand Bargain -- The 4 Trillon Big Deal -- The huge spending cuts including Medicare reforms in exchange for increased revenue by closing loopholes and ending subsidises, in other words making the tax code fair -- This is what the GOP/TP continues to block. The only legitimate criticism (which the Dems make) is that loopholes should be closed and corporate welfare ended for everyone, not just Big Oil.
Grover Norquist was a nobody, nothing but a little dweeb, who would go into the fetal position if any real responsibility or duty was placed upon him. And none of these far-right pundits like Limpballs or Glenn False Prophet Beck have an iota of merit--education, life achievement, building a business empire--nothing--just preying upon the fears of ignorant people. But alas, these are the leaders of the Teapublican Party--Gees what's wrong with this picture, huh?
Problem for you, Mr Boehner is that your boss, Grover Norquist has already been quoted as saying "any tax change, that results in a increase in taxes on individuals, is a TAX INCREASE"... so, unless Norquist has quietly backed off that statement, you won't be given approval from your boss, "tan man", to pursue eliminating tax loopholes on individual tax payers.
The fact is, Canton and their boss, Norquist, is not going to approve a closing of ANY tax loopholes without FIRST an agreement to additional TAX CUTS for the wealthy ... that was so stated by Canton on "Morning Joe" just 2 days ago.
There will be NO MORE tax cuts for the wealthy approved by Democrats ... so it looks like the Obama Jobs Bill is going down the tubes because of stubborn Republicans. REPUBS are digging their own graves in the 2012 election regardless of what their biased, stupid polls they take says. As Forest Gump says .. "stupid is as stupid does"pretty much spells out the REPUBS.
In less than 4 months, working Americans face a 2% tax increase as President Obama's tax savings expire.
The President's American Job Act would give every working American an additional 1.1% tax savings (bring it to 3.1%) and it would give businesses an additional 3.1% savings.
That's the equivalent of telling businesses their employees receive a 1.1% raise courtesy of the President. In addition, the President gives the business a 3.1% savings for each employee.
Sadly, Speaker Boehner came out yesterday and disagreed with the plan. Instead, he wants more commission and committees.
Does America want to jeopardize the President's 6.2% tax break so that Speaker Boehner can hold more committees and commissions? 14 months of commissions and committees and Congress still is working on the debt. Do you really want Speaker Boehner spending 14 months playing with your money?
what is holding back companies around the world is Washington. The German Chancellor stated that when the President presented his jobs plan it was already understood that it would not have a chance to go anywhere. They knew it was just going to turn into the same thing the Debt Ceiling Debates did. The world sees this uncertain and useless fighting in Washington and knowing they will not do anything and the markets react poorly, when the American Markets react badly the world markets do the same. The uncertainty, or rather the knowing ahead of time nothing is going to get done is the biggest cause for Job Creators are holding back with investment and growth.
Companies learned over the last few yeasr that they get as much work done with less employees. They want to grow and invest but with current atmosphere in Washington they are not going to stick their neck out.
Washington is just shouting at each other, Ideas like the Presidents Jobs plan no one believes it is perfect but it is a step in the right direction. No one believes it's going to go anywhere and that is why business is so frustrated. Neither Party seems to be able to deliver stuff they know needs to be done!
failed leadership, and it starts at the very top...
This is way off subject, but please someone answer this for me. The Republicans came up with the phrase "job creators", are they equating corporations to GOD, the creator of all things? Is this a buzz word for them? Kind of subliminal manipulation of the party's loyal followers. Subliminal messages are used on those with weak minds and are easy to control. Way off subject...right? I must be working too much, a victim of sleep deprivation.
-Ctborn...no not way off subject. And, unfortunately The Republicans come up all the time to throw God/creator/ salvation at the weak. The ones that have to rely on God for courage do not seem to realize God has given them free will and a very strong resolve. Ever wonder how we made it as a country. It was a strong faith in oneself.
The House of Representatives are relying on people forgetting that they are the ones keeping the country on the downward trend. At one point, President Obama will not be blamed as he cannot create jobs anyway. The Corporations are going to have to bring the jobs back and the only way to do that is to tax imports high and then Americans not buying the crap.
Anyone signing the pledge with Norquist should be recalled or impeached (can you impeach elected officials.) The Supreme Court can also be recalled, but I'm not sure how so at this point I will have to study the issue.
Agree completely! That pledge prevents the pledger from being able to perform the job he is being paid to do - i.e. legislate effectively. Therefore, the pledger is obtaining monies - pay - for what he knows, or should have known beforehand, that they can not do and that amounts to fraud and theft. Fraud and theft are "high crimes and misdemeanors" for which an elected official may be impeached and removed from office.
Some on this board will not wish to take my word on this... where is Spanky when she is needed? The ones who won't listen to me, would believe Spanky.
Bottom line Slightly, is that YOU ARE CORRECT. Perhaps one of the progressive action organizations will initiate a movement to impeach Norquist pledgers.....
That would get our government functioning again! Of course, it is going to happen anyway in Nov. 2012.
HERE'S THE REAL PROBLEM....REMEMBER JOE THE PLUMBER?......"After Obama responded that it would, Wurzelbacher continued: "I've worked hard . . . I work 10 to 12 hours a day and I'm buying this company and I'm going to continue working that way. I'm getting taxed more and more while fulfilling the American Dream."
"It's not that I want to punish your success," Obama told him. "I want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they've got a chance for success, too.
Then, Obama explained his trickle-up theory of economics.
"My attitude is that if the economy's good for folks from the bottom up, it's gonna be good for everybody. I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody."
Selectively pulling quotes out of context is an easy manipulation. Actually what you quote has considerable merit when considered in its total ... and it is a clear and positive contrast to what the Republicans consistently push, the "trickle down" theory that Bush-Cheney proved beyond any doubt is nothing but a fraud making the wealthy wealthier and soliciting political support (if that worked, we wouldn't have the problems we have). All of it being simply obvious but then you have to be willing to put biases aside and objectively and rationally view the facts while rejecting the manipulative subterfuge.
"My attitude is that if the economy's good for folks from the bottom up, it's gonna be good for everybody"
Which is exactly what happened in post World War II America. In the 50's rising wages lead to a consumer-driven boom economy. In the 80's (Reagan's era) wages began to stagnate as unions declined, while tax cuts for the wealthy increased their share of the pie.
Here is a link that helps explain income inequality:
http://sociology.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/power/wealth.html
[REMEMBER JOE THE PLUMBER?]
Joe the "Plumber" was found to be a liar...oh, and a tax cheat...and the credit-dodger...and...well, read for yourself:
http://articles.sfgate.com/2008-10-17/news/17138517_1_plumber-presidential-debate-samuel-j-wurzelbacher
You liberal fools better buy the gas masks now. Pick up your rocks to throw at the police ! You'll be rioting in the streets ( ala Greece) soon when all the tax money runs out ( huge deficits, no budget, $15 trillion debt and counting). Obama stands for pouring the tax payers dollars into Union bail outs and "green jobs ( which don't exist....i.e. Solyndra) .
Leona
Systemic TAX EVASION played a huge role in Greece's deficit problems.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704182004575055473233674214.html
John Boehner and the Republicans, once again, prove beyond any doubt two things: one, that they really don’t care about solving problems or about the majority, the average American; and second, that they will stubbornly stay irresponsibly totally fixated on their political ambitions and on placating the very few, their strong and powerful supporters, regardless of the costs to the people and the inefficiencies for the country. If the policies they arrogantly advocate and the tactics they belligerently pursue could really have any benefit, then we simply wouldn’t be having the problems we are having as Bush-Cheney aggressively pursued those same policies and totally proved that the “trickle down” theory only makes the wealthy wealthier and then just solicits political support. Anyone failing to recognize that truth is simply being manipulated and whoever is advocating or supporting those policies are obviously the manipulators.
Taxpayers are already footing a huge share of a bill, that in large measure we had no control over, and didn't authorize. When does the accountability and transparency of government come into play? When do those who happily jumped on the spending bandwagon have to give up from their personal budgets to help defray the cost of the policies that they supported? When do we see layoffs to make government more efficient as other businesses have felt it necessary to do? When do we see freezes on government wages that extend for multiple years? The working guy has all of his costs going up and his ability to pay those costs erroded away between stagnant or reduced earnings and increasing taxes on all things imaginable. Sorry, I have to agree that the gravy train has to stop, and not everyone receiving benefits from the massive government safety net is entitled to them, or even has need of them. The devaluation of the American Credit rating and the American dollar is also inflating all the costs to the working man.
The problem is not federal taxes that has decreased for individuals. The problem is that State taxes and fees has increased. And there has been lay-offs of local workers as well as furloughs, that's a pay cut. I live in Georgia and we have fees to be eligible to apply to jobs, these fees go directly to the state and local governments. For example: for some employers they require you to provide a dmv report that must be attached to your application. For some people I know, the cost was only $5 but in my county it cost me $38. That doesn't seem like much but it is when you working part-time and have bills to pay.
Sue, you are right in most of your post. My only disagreement with you, is that without jobs you are going to have people in need of help with food, etc. Give the American people good paying jobs and you will have a happier country. I don't think anyone could call the way they are living a gravy train. I certainly wouldn't.
Again, the jobs for American need to be brought home. If high import taxes and then no one buying is the only way to do, that is what we should do. If everyone could create their own business, how would it work. There would be no "workers" to work for the businesses.
Remember all, The Corporations did not become wealthy by themselves. It was the American Workers who worked for them. The American Dream of working hard to get ahead is all but gone. And it is the Corporations who are to blame.
When John Boehner (like Bush Sr before him) speaks of "reading lips" he is showing ignorance. Hearing challenged people do not read lips. They read speech, which involves much more than just the lip movements. When some people speak, they barely move their lips, so there isn`t much to use anyhow.
Get rid of the entitlement programs for corporations.