They were to busy voting on a bust to honor Churchill to worry about the 99% for real check it out.

No kidding,,,, Just last week Boehner said passing it would be good for America

I guess Nitquist and the TP straightened out his thinking.

Word is that Boehner didnt have the votes to stop the bill after all so now all he is trying to do is save face-no wonder his face is orange.

let it die and tax breaks expire. That's the only way to get a republican to raise taxes. Then, shove the dead bill up Norquist's nose and tell him his pledge didn't work.

i find it almost comical. The republicans pledged allegience to Norquist instead of the flag. Now, they are letting the tax cuts expire, which Norquist says is the same as raising taxes. Wonder what the difference is?

You don't suppose that the middle class taxes aren't real taxes and big business taxes are the ones they count, do you?

Hey, Alil Common Sense: the payroll tax actually doesn't impact any income over about 105,000 per year. The SS and Medicare taxes are only levied against the first ~105,000 of income. So, in reality, the payroll tax cut has the most benefit for people who make less than 100,000 per year.

If you had "Alil Common Sense" you would have researched it before you posted complete garbage.

I've said it before and I will say it again, if they are going to punt (or kick) it, just don't kick it to Hester!

What good does a 2 month extension do? It would just have to be renegotiated again soon, and perpetuate the impression that Congress is broken.

I am not sure why this continues to be labeled the "Tax Extension Vote". The discussions in the house are on extension of the unemployment benefits. The change of the two months to twelve months - any normal person would vote for this (if that was all that is in the bill).

Tom and Jerry at it again..I new their cartoons would come back to haunt them..

.......

alil commonsense - Yep, the amount of cash that the payroll tax cut would inject into the economy would be small, but it would likely provide a boost to taxpayer confidencet.

Regardless, I for one am becoming tired of the politicians on both sides of the aisle to get - r - done! I am getting even more tired of obamas failure to lead and develope unity within the beltway. A two month extension is political stupidity from both the senate and potus.

I think that it was the rebups that wanted the funding coming from the mortgage insurance, not obama. get your facts straight

Well, what did you expect?? Congress has about the lowest approval rating ever and they keep giving us reasons to like them less.....

No prospects on an actual annual budget, even though it's their job. Just more 2 month extensions and emergency bills.

No belief that American citizens should have any control over their lives- just more and bigger central government needs to take care of everyone.

No fiscal responsibility, period. Yay, a tax break being taken from the non-existant social security fund. All that means is that it's going to fail sooner.

No fiscal responsibilty, period (part 2): No understanding that when you spend money you owe money. In this case it's overspending what we take in by over $1.5 trillion every year and calling it a job well done.

The idiocy of stating that people not having jobs collecting unemployment creates jobs and helps the US return to viable. Guess what Ms. Pelosi, etc. Debt equals debt. The government spending taxpayer money to fund unemployment, to get a small portion of that back in taxes doesn't close any gaps. You all are just too stupid to realize it.

How about fiscal responsibility again: They think it's responsble of them to "cut" spending on budgets by 3-5% that already have 6-8% increases built into them. That is, we are going to spend more, but not as much more as previously wanted. That's still more morons.

Time to boot them ALL.

FreedomRingsLoud

Yo, dude!

The timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops in Iraq was decided during the Bush administration with the signing of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) by U.S. and Iraq officials on Nov. 16, 2008. The Iraqi parliament signed SOFA on Nov. 27, 2008.

The agreement, which had been in negotiations since 2007, set a timetable calling for most U.S. troops to leave Iraqi towns and cities by June 30, 2009, with about 50,000 troops left in place until the final withdrawal of all U.S. military forces by Dec. 31, 2011.

Thank you President Bush!!

The hypocrisy of Obama is, sad to say, completely believable. He takes credit for what others accomplished, and blames others for his own mistakes.

Thank you President Bush????? huh? W e should be thanking President Bush for starting an illegal war?

Obama got every troop out of Iraq forever. You even have dick cheney saying now that at least 20,000 troops should have stayed in Iraq. No thank you. Obama got us out completely.

You have every Republican candidate (clown) calling for Obamas head because he took all troops out. How do you explain that?

YOU HEAR THAT???? "COMPLETELY OUT!!!!"

It is time Democrats stop the game, Obama continue playing politics to blame Republicans in congress in complicity with "Dirty " Harry and his comrades in congress. It is time to put politic aside and do something for all Americans. Union workers for the first time are on the side of Republicans because they are the ones that support Keystone pipe line that Obama is against. Obama is hijacking the tax cut and ending the possibility of the creation of thousand of more jobs and alowed many anemployed bring food to their table, but ironic they say are in favor of the poor and middle class. Democrats are siding with the crazy wacko environmentalist another group of Obama supporters. This is Obama's call nobody else but all Democrats will be responsible for the consequences of his idiocy. Blame Republicans is not going to work this time only the enemies of this country can go so far put their ideology first.

Translation:

The Weeper of the House can't whip the votes to vote the Senate bill down. Worst Speaker ever!

ItemNoBr011 - Here's the key in this one. You must be a formal employee with an employee who is a payroll employee or you do not get the break. Yup - Self-Employed Get Nothing! I checked. Government picking who wins here, and it is a lot less than you think. A substantial number of people who dropped off the unemployment rolls are now working for a lot less than 100,000 per year.

American

This tax cut , if it passes, will do nothing to boost consumers confidence, as a matter of fact it shows that we don't know what will happen in two months. What's worse is that it sends a message to business that we will continue to operate in the dark . Business is very reluctant to expand and hire as long as this POS is in charge.

Freedom

You are mostly right, Odumba gets no credit for the war ending. What doesn't get reported is the fact that Odumba wanted to extend our withdraw date but Iraq said NO.

FreedomRingsLoud,

Obama got every troop out of Iraq forever.

Yes, as he was directed to by President Bush. You see President Bush used something called foresight and negotiation, something our current Imitator-in-Chief has no clue about.

It is true that Bush laid out the basic plans for withdrawal, but Obama created a far more detailed timetable that had much clearer dates (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withdrawal_of_U.S._troops_from_Iraq). So just as it is false to say the withdrawal was completely Obama's idea, it is false to say that he was completely "directed to" by the former president.

You even have dick cheney saying now that at least 20,000 troops should have stayed in Iraq.

Pssstttt, Cheney is no longer Vice-President, the buffoon Joe"Bite-me"Biden is. Remember? The one the commanders in Afghanistan gave that cute little nickname to?

Your statements are irrelevent. Cheney is a representative of the Bush adminstration, and his viewpoints can be used as representative of the Republican party.

Finally we are starting to get a clue and unite and finally agree. Several posts and many more I feel is the main heartbeat (as should be) of America. News flash the politicians LIE!!! They do NOT care about you or our freedom. All they care about is their wallet and their own personal agenda. So why would any sane person believe the ear tickling lies of someone that would look you in the face smiling telling you what they know you want to hear and then turn around and STAB YOU in the back. The sad thing is It happens to BOTH Dems AND Reps and all the while we are calling each other names and fighting with other like little four and five year olds!!! They are up there in Washington in their cushy little world away from the camera behind closed doors LAUGHING at us. We need to QUIT being so damn gullible and STOP buying the BS they are trying to feed us!!!

What ever happened to One Nation Indivisible!!!!!!!!! "WE THE PEOPLE" need to grow up and behave like adults and REUNITE and get rid of the LOSERS that are in office ALL of them!!!!!! Send them a message that if you want to be in government then YOU have to OBEY us or you WILL be voted OUT and if you test us we WILL fire YOU Immediately!!!

We need to totally and utterly clean out all of these crooked politicians and vote in ALL new ones. And FORCE them to pass a new law that if they lie even a micro white lie or half-truth or utter out of their mouths or write any level of dishonesty that they will be fired IMEDEATELY with ZERO chance of EVER serving in public office again!!! It is OUR fault for being so gullible and such push overs believing their BS!!! But WE can fix this with UNITY and by not acting like little immature bratty spoiled four or five year olds throwing whiny complaining temper tantrums and fighting with each other!!!!!! GROW UP!!!!!! So what if you’re conservative so what if you’re liberal!!!!!! What matters is that WE ARE AMERICANS and the world is watching and laughing their A$$e$ off at (us) U.S. because we have become a nation of preschoolers!!! My question is where are all of the adults? I think they all died and left behind a bunch of bickering name calling babies. Grow the fk up!!!!!!!!!

News flash the politicians LIE!!! They do NOT care about you, me or our freedom. All they care about is their wallet and their own personal agenda. So why would any sane person believe the ear tickling lies of someone that would look you in the face smiling telling you what they know you want to hear and then turn around and STAB YOU in the back. The sad thing is It happens to BOTH Dems AND Reps and all the while we are calling each other names and fighting with other like little four and five year olds!!! They are up there in Washington in their cushy little world away from the camera behind closed doors LAUGHING at us. We need to QUIT being so damn gullible and STOP buying the BS they are trying to feed us!!!

What ever happened to One Nation Indivisible!!!!!!!!! "WE THE PEOPLE" need to grow up and behave like adults and REUNITE and get rid of the LOSERS that are in office ALL of them!!!!!! Send them a message that if you want to be in government then YOU have to OBEY us or you WILL be voted OUT and if you test us we WILL fire YOU Immediately!!!

Redplanet, calm down. You say we are

calling each other names and fighting with other like little four and five year olds!!!

yet you are acting very immature yourself. I agree that there are people acting incivil and divisive on both sides here, but at the same time there are people on both sides who are discussing these legitimate issues civily. If you don't have anything to contribute, please don't post.

~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Pumpkin-Head is a Dishonor to this Nation" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Republicans always tie something into a bill that benefits the Rich Corporations. What does the pipeline have to do with the payroll tax ?? They did the same thing with the debt limit. The two month extension is to give the tax break and give them time to knock the hell out of the pipeline. Why do you think the Canadians don't build refineries and process their own stinking sludge they call oil ??? They would rather ship it down to the gulf and pollute the hell out of all the air and water we have ? The gas they refine is going to be shipped to China we won't get a drop of it ! Wake up America. If we vote these crooks out the Corporations and Banks will just buy off the next batch ! Only way we can get out of this is to find somebody that has the guts and Moxie to stand up and tell the truth - Vote Ron Paul and give the Democrats a majority so we can get something done- Ron will stick to the Constitution - Have any of you heard of this Document ? Get rid of the fed - control the banks and tell the Supreme Court that Corporations are not people and limit the $$$$ they can use to buy these crooks !!!

johnny on the spot - would you have preferred if I used the word "spirits" or "feelings"? I for sure feel better with a few extra bucks in my pocket. I am also sure that the retailers will feel better moving product, the suppliers will feel better selling to the retailers and their workers will feel better that sales translate into job maintenance. All in all everyone will have a sense of confidence that the economy looks like it is starting to move forward.

You do realize that I think having only a two month extension is a lame idea, right?

BREAKING NEWS: The Senate, and Dems in the House, will NOT conference.

Boehner and Cantor say they don't want to "kick the can," well they're about to get their arses kicked, and rightfully so. Democracy is not rule by the majority of the majority--or worse, the Tea Party caucus minority of the majority--but by the entire House, along with 90% of the Senate. Let the House vote on the 2-month extension, because we all know the Dems along with as few as 20 Republicans (who feel their seats are threatened) will get it passed. Stand aside Teabaggers and LET DEMOCRACY PREVAIL!

Alil Common Sense:

You wrote: "60% of the benefit will go to those earning 100k or more per year".

Not true. And the point you made about 105k earners getting more savings than 30k earners is true, but does nothing to back up your garbage post. It only points out that you can do simple math.

DB Akron - Good point. Too often the self employed get hosed.

gee rick, the tax cuts are for stimulating demand and hence jobs. The pipeline is about private sector jobs paid for by the private sector. I suspect that any additional environmental studies would be funded by tax dollars though. Get the connection now, they both are oriented towards jobs.

I suppose it would be a strech for you to think that it is easier (cheaper) to build a pipeline to existing refineries than to build a refinery.

Get rid of the FED?? Europe doesn't have the equivalent to the FED, and we all see how the politicians are handling their money in europe. Paul may very well have to rethink how the FED works.

Interesting, do you really think that the left will listen to ron?

How about if the party of NO says no to the Senate bill and the Government has to shut down on December 31, that President Obama issue an executive order that NO MEMBER of the HOUSE or SENATE shall be paid until an agreement is reached by both houses of Congress and signed by the President.

How about if the party of NO says no to the Senate bill and the Government has to shut down on December 31, that President Obama issue an executive order that NO MEMBER of the HOUSE or SENATE shall be paid until an agreement is reached by both houses of Congress and signed by the President.

I hope the Democrats stop capitulating to the road blocking right --as the right continues to kiss Norquist's a&*.

ItemNObr it seems the one thing you attacked as garbage as my post you now agree with. Because I can do simple math, yes. But so can you. And the math dosn't lie. The numbers don't lie. A guy making 75k a yr gets 1108$, someone making 105K gets 2219 dollars. READ THE BILL. So how is my post "garbage" ? Did you mean your post, but you misstyped? Lols.

American : What do you think the Central bank is - I.M.F. - Euro - who prints the Euro and what do they use for colateral ? That system is working real good for them, They just print more money get them farther in debt and take more control of what they can and can't do . Our Federal reserve is a private bank that pays no taxes and has never been audited - they are no more Federal than Federal express They print money and we pay them interest to do it - What a racket . I'm all for jobs but lets get something out of it in the end ? These are temporary jobs with a whole lot of impact down the road- Bet that Pipeline is not in your back yard ?

Blame Republicans is not going to work this time only the enemies of this country can go so far put their ideology first.

I've noticed that republicans are projecting again. You are looking in the mirror, you just described the teapubs. And trust me, Americans know who is to blame - the party that will do ANYTHING to protect the 1%, blatantly willing to screw over the 99%.

american-2051576

gee rick, the tax cuts are for stimulating demand and hence jobs. The pipeline is about private sector jobs paid for by the private sector. I suspect that any additional environmental studies would be funded by tax dollars though. Get the connection now, they both are oriented towards jobs.

In as much as most of the oil companies receive preferectial taxation and subsidies, the vast majority of defense contractor's money comes from taxes, what is the "private sector" in your opinion. The jobs end with the pipe goes in the ground, so they're just temporary jobs. Isn't this form of capitalism grand?

The US is now a net exporter of oil. Allowing farm land to be turned into big oil's newest dumping ground is wrong and I hope the damned concept is killed. The Gulf is dead because of "Big Oil."

goddam republican filth. again, it's only about them and how they can make hay out of this. they dont give a damm about our country. lowlife POS's.

republican party voted against the democrats bill and then put up one of their own that was negotiated in good faith (or so the democrats thought...once again, the republicans showing how they cannot and will not negotiate in good faith) and the democrats voted for it and now the once again, that means as in the past they have done it before, the republicans are VOTING DOWN THEIR OWN BILL..........

WOW!!!..............talk about showing your true colors and how actions speak louder than words...

the republicans extended their hand and were ready to shake and now choose to cut it off in order to fulfill their pledge to Norquist and the uber rich and their party (remember Mitch told everyone that their main goal from 2010 on was to unseat President Obama---at any cost.............................

well, on half of the 99%, I personally hope they bleed to death.

and don't cauterize that self inflicted wound either........let it fester just like they have allowed our economy and her people woes to fester..........

we should all vote these self serving ingrates out of office and put them out of our misery.

Rick - the ECB doesn't create policy, but it can print euros. If I am not mistaken the ECB also cannot loan euros directly to sovereign nations, but the IMF can and the IMF's major funder is the US tax payer. With what the ECB proposes to contribute to the IMF perhaps this balance will change.

BTW - the FED has the responsabilty to establish Americas monetary policy outside of political influence, Neither the ECB or IMF has that function. Right now it is the euro politicians that establish policy, but only if their individual governments agree. Not very efficient. The FED has its faults, but based on europes sovereign debt crises the EU could use something similar.

Sandtrich...

I have worked within the commercial and industrial construction arena for over 20 years. All construction jobs are temporary, finish one and move on to the next if you got the contract of course. You expected permanence? Only when the pipeline owners would contract out maintenance and repair work like any other utility company.

I don't follow the reference to defence contractors and private sector means any business not created as a government entity.

Correction sandtrich, the US is now a net exporter of REFINED oil products. Regardless, even obama recognizes the need for the US to export more, not less.

Ever watch the site preparation for commercial, industrial or road construction? The prime value soil is stripped off from the erection area and set aside with the less valuable sub soil excavated. At completion the process is reversed although sand and gravel may be used initially. The end result is the same, the majority of good dirt is still on top.

Could laying a 3 ft diameter pipe 8 ft down be different? Sure, I don't know what the latest technology is for laying that size pipe down. I do now this though, We have the technology, skill sets and experience to construct a pipeline with minimal risk to the environment. Sorry, it won't be zero risk, mother nature and unknown geology have been shown to eventually destroy whatever man has built.

Not acceptable? Better hope that alternates to oil and coal come online pretty quick. Even then, those technologies will impact the environment. Better hope for a big decrease in the world population as well.

Debbie - Please read the US constitution to understand the fundamentals on how congress has been established. Then you can search on how a bill becomes a law.

What is your problem on having the tax cuts extended for a full year? Doesn't congress have better things to do than revisit a bill every 2 months?

Why do we Americans love to HATE each other so? I seriously don't get it, are we not countrymen? Are we not on the "same team"?

I choose my country FIRST!!!! Whether we like our President or not, he IS our President, and we need to support him until he is removed from office! Those of you who think we should live with one party rule I would like to remind you that we call that system COMMUNISM! Thanks, but I'll take what we have here right now, which in my opinion is the best country to live in on the planet!!!!! Would you rather be in Iran?? How about Egypt?? No? Well maybe you'd rather live in Europe huh???

If you say yes, and would rather live elsewhere then I, and my fellow countrymen, invite you TO LEAVE!!!! For the rest of us, we have a job to do next November!!!!!

@ American--you are aware that they "was" fixed location jobs with healthcare, etc--once upon a time.

Has the fact that the oil was refined in the US dropped the price of gas at the pump--or, did the US Corporations align with OPEC Prices? It seems that when oil companies profits set a new record profit nearly every quarter.

The "pipe in the ground" trick--Oil companies have proved with the Alaskan Pipeline that they have no intention of maintaining the pipe once it's there.

There has to be something that allows people to believe that there has been millions permanant loss of jobs and it's a cycle--that everything will be fine. That income gap will not close until the left has had enough, the jobs are gone. The GOP answer--put a pipeline through the heartland of the US for Oil, give them a subsidy in the process.That's the mindset that gives strength and credibility to OWS.

What, exactly, did America's youth do to cause a $16T debt? Nothing. Industrialists in concert with government has ruined an economy and millions of futures. When asked why they have no specific agenda, I understand their gripes.

Since only the first $106,800 is taxed, for Social Security, the rich won't notice the extra cash.. AT ALL! The rich don't pay anything into SS from their income that is over $107K. They get ANOTHER free ride.... a handout. Only those making less than $107K are able to REALLY benefit from this cut! The less you make, the more this cut will put in your pocket. This cut is, also, the ONLY type of tax cut that creates jobs! A tax cut, for those who ALREADY have enough money to hire people will NOT make them hire more! It takes demand, to create jobs. To play politics (including pipelines for oil buddies) is inexcusable!

And we're wondering why Congress isn't working period let alone not working for us. A Senators term consist of 6 years. In my humble opinion no one should be allowed to serve in Congress, in any capacity, more than 12 years. The only way we can change government is to get an initiative started to limit terms and put an end to lobbying....it's a start.

Senators and years in Congress:

1963
Daniel Inouye D-HI..........................48 years

1975
Patrick Leahy D-VT.........................36 years

1977
Richard Lugar R-IN.........................34 years
Orrin Hatch R-UT............................34

1978
Max Baucus D-MT..........................33 years
Thad Cochran R-MS.......................33

1979
Carl Levin D-MI.............................32 years

1981
Chuck Grassley R-IA......................30 years

1983
Jeff Bingaman D-NM.....................28 years

1985
John Kerry D-MA...........................26 years
Tom Harkin D-IA...........................26 years..........plus 10 years as Representative.......36 years total
Mitch McConnel R-KY....................26
Jay Rockefeller D-WV...................26

1987
Barbara Mikulski D-MD...................24 years...........plus 10 years as Representative.......34 years total
Richard Shelby R-AL.......................24
John McCain R-AZ..........................24
Harry Reid D-NV.............................24 years...........plus 4 years as Representative........28 years total
Kent Conrad D-ND.........................24
Herb Kohl D-WI.............................24

1989
Joe Lieberman ID-CT......................22 years

1990
Daniel Akaka D-HI.........................21 years

1992
Dianne Feinstein D-CA...................19 years
.
1993
Barbara Boxer D-CA....................18 years...............plus 10 years as Representative.......28 years total
Patty Murray D-WA......................18
Kay Bailey Hutchinson R-TX........18

1994
Jim Inhofe R-OK...........................17 years

1995
Olympia Snowe R-ME..................16 years.............plus 16 years as Representative........32 years total
Jon Kyle R-AZ..............................16 years.............plus 8 years as Representative..........24 years total

1996
Ron Wyden D-OR..........................15 years

1997
Pat Roberts R-KS.........................14 years............plus 16 years as Representative........30 years total
Dick Durbin D-IL...........................14 years............plus 14 years as Representative........28 years total
Tim Johnson D-SD........................14 years............plus 10 years as Representative........24 years total
Jack Reed D-RI.............................14 years............plus 6 years as Representatvie........20 years total
Mary Landrieu D-LA
Jeff Sessions R-AL
Susan Collins R-ME
Mike Enzi R-WY

1999
Chuck Schumer D-NY..................12 years.............plus 18 years as Representative..........30 years total
Mike Crapo R-ID..........................12 years............plus 6 years as Representative..........18 years total

2001
Bill Nelson R-ID..........................10 years.............plus 12 years as Representative...........22 years total
Tom Carper D-DE.......................10 years.............plus 10 years as Representative...........20 years total
Debbie Stabenow S-MI..............10 years............plus 4 years as Representative...........14 years total
Maria Cantwell D-WA.................10 years............plus 2 years as Representative...........12 years total

And we wonder why same old BS, because the same old Bull sh_tters are in office .....

"It is time Democrats stop the game, Obama continue playing politics to blame Republicans in congress in complicity with "Dirty " Harry and his comrades in congress. It is time to put politic aside and do something for all Americans. Union workers for the first time are on the side of Republicans because they are the ones that support Keystone pipe line that Obama is against. Obama is hijacking the tax cut and ending the possibility of the creation of thousand of more jobs and alowed many anemployed bring food to their table, but ironic they say are in favor of the poor and middle class. Democrats are siding with the crazy wacko environmentalist another group of Obama supporters. This is Obama's call nobody else but all Democrats will be responsible for the consequences of his idiocy. Blame Republicans is not going to work this time only the enemies of this country can go so far put their ideology first."

I see Redvirginia, telling the truth about todays R.I.N.O.s in the house is considered blaming them. You are wrong about this, the house Republicans, sorry I mean the house R.I.N.O.s, are responsible for taxes going up for everyone except the top 1 percent. So be it. I expect Obama's last act in his first term will be to let Bushes tax cuts for the wealthy expire. And there is NOTHING you or any other Republican can do to stop it.

Boehner is a pussy. He wont stand up to Nitquist. Total failure.

The whole story could be over with a different leadership. The extreme position of Obama and Democrats in congress hijackedby the left are making almost impossible to reach agreements in Congress, the approval for congress is at the lowest along with Obama's approval , 2/3 of Americans say we are going in the wrong direction with Obama's leadership, Hillary could be doing a much better work , Obama has to step down and let her bring sanity to the White House. If Obama is reelected we are going to have 4 more years of the same. Any Republican can beat Obama , he can't run his campaign with the Hope and Change mantra nor whit his record, the only chance is run a negative campaign,but not to Hillary who has more than 60% of approval. I don't need a crystal ball to see Obama defeated.

Here is my Take.... Congress is not supposed to pass anything - Unless it is a good bill for everyone. They are supposed to be in stalemate.

Now - saying that - New blood continuously being refreshed because of term limits would be beneficial.

Thomas Jefferson once wrote that the tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time by new blood.

He wasn't talking about rebellion and insurrection - which by the way is where we are headed if the knucle-heads in Washington - don't start listening to the PEOPLE instead of the Lobbyists.

Rico-3714896 said it best - Too many people in Congress have been there for to many years.

We need:

1.) Term limits

2.) An end to PAC's and their money.

3.) To dictate to the FCC that part of being an American broadcaster is based on GIVING valid candidates FREE airtime to inform the voters of their stance on issues and problems. Part of those rules need to reflect that there will be NO misleading and character assassination ads. - Just the facts - and where you stand and what your ideas to solve a particular problem are. Plain and simple.

I understand that my viewpoint might not be your viewpoint - but that is what makes this a great country. I can express my views and so can you AND we don't need to see eye to eye to live peacefully together.

This is all the Tea Party House does, kick the can down the road with every vote.

No to term limits: it's the lazy voter's answer and simply ensures incompetence. I'll bet not one of the freshmen behind this debacle has even learned how to write legislation yet.

The Supreme Court has already spoken on PACs and you're not going to get Congress to cut off their own life blood. Public financing for campaigns has been tried over and again and voters refuse to support it. Too late for the FCC as well...that won't satisfy anyone. (Take a hint: do you know what CSPAN's average daily viewership is? Wouldn't fill a thimble).

Want better candidates? Demand better candidates. As long as the American electorate doesn't care (and the vast majority of people still do not vote) this democracy is not going to change.

TeaBags = Gas Bags. No One else to blame.....

What is your problem on having the tax cuts extended for a full year? Doesn't congress have better things to do than revisit a bill every 2 months?

WTF? Of course everyone would love the tax cuts to be extended for a full year, but NOT per the Teapublican House bill that pays for it by cutting jobs, freezing wages, and slashing UE benefits -- This would do more damage to the economy than the payroll tax holiday could help. Also, other "poison pills" such as attaching the unrelated pipeline is wrong, and everyone knows it except you apparently.

Because of Teapublican protection of the 1%, and playing obstructionist games such as this, once again an issue has come down to the wire -- Thus the two-month extension. Another two months in which Dems will TRY to find a way to pay for this middle class tax cut and to help the unemployed a little more until the economy recovers, and at least not cut folks off right before Christmas like the @#$%! Teapublicans.

So american, you can stop repeating this silly "gotcha" question.

As for the rest of Americans -- The Teapublicans have shown themselves once again as the douche-bags that they are. Throw the Teapublicans out!

TruePatriot:

Then why doesn't the Senate ENTER NEGOTIATIONS, like they're supposed to? Why is Sen. Reid playing 'My way or the highway'?

If the Senate Dems don't like the House Reps' bill, let them enter into the legitimate, established for of negotiation between Senate and House bills to resolve the difference. Instead, he's insisting the House pass, without negotiation or modification, a useless bill which economists tell us is trouble (uncertainty) and the tax people tell us would take longer to prepare for than it would be in effect for.

Oh, and btw, I don't know what jobs the House bill is cutting, but it's making new jobs with the pipeline (not directly connected, I know, but there is a relation). The frozen wages would be primarily THEM AND THEIR STAFF. And the 'slashed' UE benefits would be simply bringing them closer to the pre-recession levels (since unemployment claims are going down and Obama says the economy is recovering, this only makes sense).

Usually, people should do what they're good at, but in Boehner's case it turns out the only thing he's good at is "nothing worthwhile".

It's that feeling you get when you think the Government's hand is in your wallet.

yes he is a mistake

Definition: we don't have the votes. Apparently there are still a few Republicans in the House that have a conscience, and are sick and tired of the Tea ScumBags.

The problem is where the teapubs may be the majority, they are not the ENTIRE house. Remember all those democrats that are still there? Boner can't control his own caucus, but he's trying to do everything with just the repukes. That's why he can't even get his own legislation passed. He's a complete failure. He hasn't even begun to do his real crying yet.

On a side note, why is that Eric Cantor always stands behind Boner staring a hole in him with a look on his face as if there is something going on just below the cameras view and he blinks incessantly?

I think the Speaker is mightily afraid that the majority leader is going to stab him in the back and thus become the new Speaker!

Thanx for answering my question earlier today about oil sands from Canada.

The House is waiting to see if Michele & the Girls takeoff to Hawaii in AF2, so then they think they can hammer the WH over using 2 planes for a XMas vacation.

See above where 1stRead talks about Political Optics, if ya don't beleive what i'm talking about!

Next years election is gonna bring about major changes to America's Political System.

Incumbents Beware!

Feisty, have the Popcorn ready, next years gonna be a Doozy!

Occupy SoggyBottom!

Alas, my friends, me thinks these folks this evening have no humor.

And the ugly coming from you isn't any too pretty either.

I see the Christmas spirit has missed you. Beware, Santa will leave coal in your stocking!

all i have to say is tax cut or no tax cut , with the troops coming home they are gonna need some jobs

And no doubt that will be CLEAN coal, right?

well, there goes michelle and kids chance to see how the middle class lives as they fly off in AF2. How elitist!

Bet the kids could have sold a lot of raffle tickets for dinner with the family at the WH...

american: and you were on here with righteous indignation for every single one of those Bush trips, right? Let me guess? You thought your Texas millionaire was a man of the people?? Could you sink any lower than attacking the kids? No wonder you're american with a small 'a'...very small...

i agree and honestly hope someone has started a campaign to vote them all out. As a group, they are an infuriating embarrassment!

It's about time they learn who they actually work for.

Well, at least let's vote out the teabagger-republicans. They suck!

What the heck is a matter with you?

The Senate conservatives voted for it,,, House conservatives were for it before they were against it

Vote out incumbents? ---- Vote out the ones who are opposing it,,, they will raise taxes on American Families

Lost my thought hits it. WHO DO THEY WORK FOR? My guess it's a million dollar answer.

I echo your sentiments. These clowns are supposed to represent us, their constituency, not their respective party agendas. We also definitely need term limits. To start the ball rolling, let's vote 100% of them out next year, either through the normal election cycle or resorting to recall elections where they are not currently up for re-election. This is OUR country and our representatives will respond to OUR needs or they are gone.

Thank you for an excellent post.

I hope Santa is listening. What I want for Christmas is an ability to legally vote in all 50 states where I can pick from the litter. Regrettably, I can only vote in one state. The ones here aren't so terrible, except for the one that sounds close to can'tdo.

I know they are products of the things they eat or what they drink, but can you imagine how much of the manure they must consume to be so full if ish?

They work for Grover. Gee, it was in all the papers.

As usual the only thing that changed was the President went on record being for it.

Therefore, the Teabaggers in the Congress forced Boner to go against it.

3yrs of the same BS. Party over Country

Really...what is so f'g complicated about the fact that they want the payroll tax cuts for an entire year and not just two months that is so hard to comprehend. Boehner is not against the cuts...he's against the two-month gimmicks. Since when does Congress write laws that expire in two months??? It's just asinine.

Reid wants two months to work out better bribes.

I bet 99% of the people in this country don't even know that 230+ years ago, our congress use to get paid $O for being there. It was called a "SERVICE" to your country to represent Americans. Now politicians are about greed and backroom deals for themselves, and screw the country. Jefferson once said that every generation needs a revolution to keep it's government on the right path. We haven't had that since a little known tea party in Boston. If Lybia can do it, i don't understand what's America's problem.

Bingo Harley!!!

You are right on! Most of them wouldn't last ten minutes in a REAL job due to the little work that gets done, especially the Republicans.

JS vote out the tea party? Why? They are willing to think outside the box and bring a reduction in our debt. Want to vote out the old school thinkers like obama and reid that believe "deficits don't matter" go for it. Heck their are probably republicans that think old school as well.

Look on the bright side, the tea party (and other freshmen) congressmen haven't succumbed to the special interests yet. Still think you want to have obama and congress still carry "on business as usual"?

Sanity - pushing policy down the road two months at a time is not a good plan to follow.

Does anyone realize how this came to be?

Yes, the WH and the dems wanted a clean 12 month bill, Mitch McConnell, the republican senate minority leader (for those of you who still don't seem to know anything about your own government) said no, they dems and Mitch negotiated, they came up with this extension because the republicans wanted to attached all sorts of crap, namely the pipeline to the bill. MITCH MCCONNELL and senate republicans are responsible for this 2 month extension. The senate passed it, and Boner now picking a fight with MITCH MCCONNELL AND THE SENATE REPUBLICANS! Clearly though the tetard cheerleaders here haven't the slightest clue as to what happened. Of course I guess they wouldn't when it's obvious thay are only capable of regurgitating what they have been told to.

Sure -by pusing things along that they don't want to address directly, as so many of us do in our own personal lives, i.e., "I'll lose weight after the holidays," "I'll quit smoking for the New Year," "I'll quit drinking after my birthday," "Next year I'll pay cash for everything at Christmas." The difference is that those things really don't effect anyone other than myself and my family, whereas deciding national policy on this basis harms us all. But for now they need to do SOMEthing, rather than NOthing.

It isn't like that is a shock. The government has been "punting" their bills for decades.

It's called job security.

I can only hope that everyonme will vote out all politicans now in office in congress...and not vote for any republican now running for office of president. Granted..I think Obama could have done more. But have to wonder how with the republicans blocking everything. Would we be better off with the trickle down economy they wish for.? I can not see how since it has never worked before. The only ones who are benefiting from the republicans blocking of everything is the general public....the middle class who are being cut out of everything.

Put,,, It's called "Those nuts you vote for" to put in government who are the problem.... They all wanted Obama's longer solution,,, before they were against it

Blaming government is like you standing outside screaming at your house for you failing to keep the maintenance up

Well ivan, I seem to recall that presidents prior to obama could work with congress and that bipartisanship existed.

Interesting on how obama chose to ignore the minority leaders until 2010, he should have had a WH sit down with them no latter than feb, 2009. To think that he even had majority control in both houses. At least he had pelosi spouting off on how house members didn't need to read bills, just pass them and read it later at their liesure.

Trickle down economy? Obama and company are promoting it hard. They expect that if the rich would only give a little more, recovery will be just around the corner. Let all the obama (bush) tax cuts expire in 2013 and start paying down debt.

I think it's taking longer to consume what's in the can before kicking it.

ronfree... You are correct that Boehner did state he liked the bill as discussed. What the bloggers here do not see in this MSNBC tainted article is that the unemployment extension was previously set to a specific time limit. The document returned to the house extended the unemployment out a long period - with no way to pay for this great expense. Sure, the Tax Extension was at two months as discussed, but the unemployment extension was not accepted.

Thus, all the finger pointing here at the Republicans who are not following through with the previously discussed two months, must extend the debate to the real reason for the failure of the Senate "changed" response.

Well there's no one to blame for the senate failure but Mitch McConnell and senate republicans since this 2 month extension is their baby. Scott Brown is about to crap his pants and Mitch is probably out getting therapy right about now. LOL

Incredible that the House Republican leadership sold out their Senate counterparts to this extent. They're like Glen Close in Fatal Attraction, "We will NOT be ignored!"

We tried that at the mid-terms...the American people said "Somebody please stop these clowns from spending trillions of dollars we literally don't have". Now that the GOP is doing what they were elected to do, the Democrats are crying big ole crocodile tears about "obstructionism".

JR: interesting interpretation of how your saviors were supposed to save the day...let's see how the general election comes out and see if anyone is still buying this absurd notion we're "broke" and can't afford anything except wars and millionaire tax cuts for the most profitable sectors in the economy...Not sure your grumpy old white guy party is going to be able to sell that same old trickle down, let em eat cake stuff this time...

I love the idea of the Keystone Pipeline and of course its upcoming passage and am happy you agree that we all need it! Finally, getting oil from Canada instead of importing so darn much from the middle east. It does make good energy policy, doesn't it? ;)

Finally, getting oil from Canada instead of importing so darn much from the middle east

I'm not sure whether to laugh, cry or be totally embarrassed at you complete and utter lack of knowledge Belle, Gee, I wonder, currently, who is the biggest exporter of oil to the US? Why, that would be Canada! Of course I don't blame you personally for your illiteracy, your name explains it all!

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/100726/top-7-us-oil-importers

Belle: you DO realize, right, that the US is now an EXPORTER of crude oil? As in, we SELL our surplus?? No? Then might want to study up...

We've always exported oil because its more economical to sell Alaskan oil overseas and import oil from Mexico and Venezuela, both of which are closer to the refineries in Continental America. We remain a net importer because we import far more than we export. Except for the ridiculous comments about this from the left, there is nothing new or unusual about it.

correction !

it is speaker Cantor. Boehner has yielded to the tea party and grover norquist.

Nope, he was jonesing for a drink (or two or three).

The fact 7 people checked this absurd post really illustrates the lack of intellect here.

What an evil look the House Speaker John Boehner has.

Actually, He looks like Cantor just pulled out, and he hasn't adjusted to that sudden empty feeling just yet.

You'd think after all these times, he'd be used to it by now.

@Sue

I've got an idea...you and I are going to form a business. We will agree that we have to agree on all business decisions. Okay, I'm going to recommend that we open up as many credit cards as are sent to us and then max them out as fast as we can. Do you agree? Next I recommend that we leave all the lights on in our business all night, every night so people can see into our windows at any time. Do you agree with that? Next, we need to have our delivery truck chrome plated so it's the shiniest truck on the road. How about that? Oh yeah, we'll hire a manager right off the bat even though there's not enough work to justify it, and we'll pay him a salary of $200k per year, full bennies, and we'll max match a 401k for him/her. Are you in? No? Why not? Are you kidding me? Man you are a do nothing Obstructionist, I can't believe how uncooperative you are.

Well I’m not going to help out around the shop at all, instead I'm going to go out right now and tell all of our would-be customers that our company would be growing and doing so much better if it weren't for my do nothing obstructionist partner, so there!

You're a fool sue. They've got dozens of "Freakin'" alternative plans that address the economy but your leader and the press that's in his pocket are such jack-asses that you actually have to dig a little to find out what's going on behind the scenes. Just like most blind followers that would take effort so you don't bother.

Liberalism and all that it stands for is anti-American in nature. Just like Obama, just like Reid. In it's very definition, in it's history, and in it's attempt to do what Barack and his cronies are doing. He plays a game, Boehner isn't following the leader and people like you cry because you're too damned blind to know any better. You're comical too...without any pipelines huh? Isn't that addressing economic issues. Not a save-all but isn't it addressing it? You are so misguided in your processing that I fear for our future if it is controlled by the likes of you. Enjoy the whole "ignorance is bliss" thing.

Let me tell you the plans the republicans have so far...

Privatize Medicare and Social Security.

Lay off government workers.

Take taxes from the middle class and give it, in the form of tax refunds, to big business.

Shut down Planned Parenthood, the U.S. Mail, and NPR and privitize emergency services including FEMA.

Increase regulators to regulate who can vote, invade Iran, drug test welfare recpients (a failure so far because it costs more to test than it saves people from welfare), increase the national guard to police protestors, build a pipe line the U.S. will not see a drop of oil from, illegalize abortion that will increase back alley abortions and birth control, illegalize unions and reinstate child labor.

In essence, the republicans will put this nation back to the 1800s and everyone will be the law, carrying their own weapons and fending for themselves, just like the good ole days. Before you know it, the U.S.A. will be another Africa. It isn't just a speculation, we are headed there already. You can't have a 275% pay gap and expect everyone to have a chance at the "american dream". There's only 15% of the money available to the 99%.

Weren't you saying earlier that the house was against it first? They are opposing to so that we can make it a 12 month bill instead of a 2 month bill.

Bull$hit. They are opposing it because there's no PIPELINE deal in it. They WILL NOT allow a clean bill, either for the tax holiday or unemployment benefits, to pass, short term OR long term. No pipeline, no bill.

I think that Boehner is trying to tell the Senate to do their job and pass a 12 month bill instead putting things off with a 2 month band aid.

PutAmericaFirst...if that was Boner's plan, then he should have used that logic LAST week, instead of agreeing the the 2 month version....and then backing out again. If he sucessfully negotiates a 12 month deal in lieu of a 2 month deal, would he then walk out again in hopes for an 18 month plan?

The truth is, he never really knows if he has the repub/TP support or not. He thinks he does, agrees with the plan, but then finds out when he lets his Party of Nooo in on the plan that they don't like it. And of course we all know....THEY don't like it, because Obama agreed with it.

Gawd, how would anyone negotiate with Boner? He says YES, but then later renigs. What an ass.

Wonder if the Speaker cheats on the golf course?

Bull Crap they did their job!!! You call 2 months a bill. Give us a real bill

Bull Crap they did their job!!!

and thus, this is how they got their name: the Party of Noooo

Wonder if the Speaker cheats on the golf course?

I dunno. But I bet his handicap is in inches rather than strokes.

Then the president would be lying. The house republicans are fighting for a 1 year bill of tax cuts instead of this 2 month joke of a bill.

Singe.. I'm Independent and honestly believe both parties are nothing more than flip sides of the same corrupt coin, however, I read this in the article

House Republicans prefer legislation to extend the expiring tax cut by a whole year, and produced legislation to that effect. But Democrats in the Senate rejected that proposal because of some of the cuts used to offset the cost of the bill, which also includes an extension of unemployment insurance.

Now you can call me stupid, but it appears that the Republicans DID put something on the table that was rejected by the Senate.

However, in truth neither party cares for you, me or anyone other than getting themselves re-elected.

you could be right but it's the only game in town and so i pick the team that might have some of my interests in mind instead of the one that clearly doesn't.

No, the president would not be lying at all.

By obstruction they find themselves cast between a rock and a hard place. In the past, this issue was never an issue.

The republicans have vowed not to raise taxes. Grover said that letting tax cuts expire is the same as raising taxes. Since republicans pledged their allegience to Grover instead of the flag, they have to bite the bullet and vote for it. The bill passed the Senate with 90% of the votes. It is as bypartisan as a bill can get.

Should the president say that republicans pledged not to raise taxes but they did anyway (according to the leader Grover), that would be a factual statement.

Cheer up, things are peachy compared to Gingrich being president.

The Republicans are not fighting for a 1 year extension cut v. a 2 mo. extension, they are fighting for the pipeline-plain and simple. Wake up and smell the game! Grover and his minions will profit big time from the deal.

XD: you didn't mention that the bill held up support in exchange for a decision on the pipeline....the argument might make a bit more sense if you see the whole picture...and the whole picture is, well, political.

The Dems want a two month extension of the tax cuts. The Reps are holding out for 1 year of cuts.

Now, which is better for working people? Isn't agreement and compromise on a one year plan worth a couple extra vacation days? Come on Dems, pass the full year extension. We can always find something else to fight over in February.

And where is Obama on this? I thought he demanded the full year extension. Lead the Dems to the table Obama. You decided to stay until this was done. Shouldn't the Senate stay too?

They were elected to keep our government running & create some jobs... What we've seen was nothing but ideological attacks on government & little attention to jobs or the issues

You've see a lot of false flag attacks from conservatives over tax plans --- But those only raise taxes

Grinspoon,,,, Keep in mind that Obama wanted a longer extension in the 1st place. Conservatives have shown you they will oppose him no matter what & try to spin it against him

Those are the same conservatives who tried to convince you that Obama wasn't an American citizen

Don't worry, the dems will fight this tax break to the bitter end. They seem to have no desire to pass any bill that last longer than 6 months, unless it is the budget ceiling. I find it odd that they are against Boehner on this. I guess it just proves that they are every bit as partisan as the birthers.

Jim-372206 - The House Reps gave Obama what he wanted - a full year of extention, 2 years on the Medicare doctor increases, and more unemployment benefits. So, what does Obama want now?

It is Reid's Senate who offers only 2 months. Isn't the year better for everyone? What's the problem here?

Jim-372206 - and my position was, why didn't Obama just release his birth certificate and quickly put an end to the matter. Obama finally did release it after his Muslim upbringing was in everybody's thoughts, and put an end to the matter. I could not see how it served anyone for Obama NOT to release it. I guess Obama finally agreed.

Grinspoon97, the simple fact that Obama was allowed to be sworn in should have been all the proof anyone needed.

Or do you think that no one verified any information first?

I think Obama should have realized the polls showed a large percent of the public wanted to see his real birth certicifate and the matter was consuming a lot of time from other things Obama wanted to talk about. It was a simple matter for Obama to just release it and move on - which he did.

Actually Grim it wasn't a "large percent of the public" that insisted on seeing his birth certificate. It was a small number of loons such as yourself.

Sure genius, we'll just go along with the dumb FUX NEWS talking points...