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Subscribe to RSSFrom the beginning of the "fiscal cliff" negotiations, aides from both sides have said that November would be for saber rattling and December would be when a deal is put together between President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner with Majority Leader Harry Reid’s blessing.
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, in a press conference on Thursday attacked President Obama and the White House for not taking firm action in avoiding the so-called "fiscal cliff."
Well, consider comments from Boehner and Reid today to be the November saber rattling reporters were warned about.
In his weekly press conference Boehner called out Obama and the Democrats.
"The president has warned us about the dangers of going over the fiscal cliff, but his actions have not matched his public statements,” said Boehner, who acknowledged speaking with the president Wednesday night and called it “very nice” but “direct.” “Members of his own party seem quite comfortable sending the economy over the fiscal cliff."
Boehner said that no “substantive process had been made over the last two weeks” and that he was “disappointed” with the current state of the fiscal cliff negotiations. He also chided Democrats for not offering, he says, serious spending cuts in exchange for his promise of some increased revenue.
Republican leaders say they've put revenues on the table, but are waiting on President Barack Obama to give, and offer something up on ballooning federal retirement programs like Medicare. Fortune Magazine's Carol Loomis discusses.
Speaking later in the day, Reid took this blunt shot at Boehner: “I don’t understand his brain.”
Reid called for Republicans to make “a serious offer” and indicated that Democrats would not act until they heard Republican demands on cuts to entitlements.
Along with raising tax rates, entitlements are also a major sticking point in the negotiations. Neither side wants to be the first to put their fingerprints on any specific entitlement cuts due to the risk of a major public backlash from seniors.
Asked by NBC News what specific cuts to entitlements the GOP would like to see, Boehner pointed to previous budgets passed by the House GOP and rejected by Democrats, but he declined to be precise in what he wanted out of these negotiations.
J. Scott Applewhite / AP
House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio gestures as he speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, after private talks with Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on the fiscal cliff negotiations.
“It's been very clear over the last year and half,” Boehner contended. “I've spoken to the president about many of them. If you look at our budget, where we outline very specific proposals that we passed in last year's budget and the budget before, we know what the menu is; we don't know what the White House is willing to do to get serious about our debt crisis."
Boehner dismissed an assertion that the talks had broken down, but his tone was far from optimistic. Wall Street is hoping to see a deal reached, is paying close attention, and both sides are acutely aware of that.
In what could be another potential headache for the White House, Boehner did not back down on his 2011 position regarding raising the nation’s debt limit, saying, “Any increase in the debt limit must be accompanied by spending cuts."
White House Spokesman Jay Carney said he was “surprised” by Boehner’s debt limit comments.
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If the House republicans cannot be reasonable, then let's just go over the cliff and let them explain why they would allow tax hikes on 98% of the people in this country in the interest of protecting the 2% from a not unreasonable tax hike. Any tax increases incurred by the fiscal "cliff" (a debatable term) can be corrected retroactively once the GOP comes to its senses, if indeed it has any sense.
Lets go over the cliff. Tax cuts for the 98% can be retroactive. No downside what-so-ever except for the GOP.
So then if the republicans do nothing to interfere with any of this, your still going to blame them? Vote present let the Dems run the show and do what they want....as fast as they want. Come on we want to see progress before midterms
let thelma,louise,and lucy,aka,boner,cantor,mCconnell,go right over the cliff and quit pissing around on the taxpayers dime,their time in washington is short so what the hell don't act like you care about us,bring the cliff the people of this country will survive without you clowns,even if we don't make 500 years.cause even tricky dick said the silent majority will speak again in 2014,just like 2012,hahahaha
Sounds like he has no one to blame but himself.
Poor John. He knows what he has to do, but unfortunately he has to cow-tow to the Tea Party, grandstanding and acting as if he has any real power these days. He doesn't.
If you think Tom Cole went off the reservation without Boehner's full support then you don't understand how Washington works. John is positioning himself so he can tell the Tea Partiers, "If you don't pass the middle class tax cut now, Cole will wrangle up enough Republicans who will join with the Dems and get it done anyway."
The smart Republicans, and granted there aren't many left, know what they have to do and they very much want to go home for the holidays and tell their constituents "I fought hard against those that would raise your taxes and we won!"
So goes the D.C. dance. The good thing is, if you listen carefully, you can hear the last gasps of the Tea Party.
The election of 2010 seems like a hundred years ago.
Look at the committee asignments boehner made. All of the GOP members are white guys - mostly older white guys. They have no clue as to how it is outside of their social circles.
Cut all federal employee wages and benefits by 25%. Then lets hope for the good of the American people that obama has a massive stroke
Wont happen! But keep dreaming!
Dennis,
As I've said before to folks who think like you do: Learn to lose.
Dennis, anything to offer?
I mean other than silly remarks that is...
Does that include military?
It would be better if YOU had that stroke and stop inflicting this site with your asinine posts. Karma is a bitch,my friend. The saying goes "when you dig a ditch for someone, dig two..(the other is for you)" That said, I am stunned and amazed by this turn of events. Americans have voted on what they want done regarding taxes. To have the people who supposedly work FOR us, basically tell us to stuff it. Amazing.
Just over half voted for this. You do realize you can take all the rich peoples money and its still not enough. But I say.....we do it all your way. Fast lane everything come on make your moves.....but please show everyone the progress before mid terms.
Why aren't folks like Grover Norquist, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, et al, putting their whole bodies where their mouths are? Why haven't they run for Congress, faced primary and general election challenges? Because they are just entertainers. Congress needs to get down to the business of running the country, not pandering to entertainers.
Right you are Dennis! Grover Norquist is, to my mind, more of a meddler than a useful person. But there will all fiddle around until the eleventh hour, this gives them more press coverage.
apparently you have not read the idiot norquist's file he's married to a islamic woman,all this does not add up,but she works for USAID front folk AKA CIA spooks,you do the research i came across them in vietnam.
If he's so disappointed then perhaps he should instruct Republicans to be a little more cooperative....else he's going to be a LOT more disappointed in November 2014. The blame game is losing it's effectiveness.
In my opinionThe senate, the House of Representives,and The President better start to work together on this fiscal cliff. Or all hell is going to happen,
The only down side is for the GOP. America will be fine! Lets jump people!
jump baby jump
Hey, GOP... The bottom line is this. The Super Rich are going to pay a few percent more in taxes, and the working class tax rates will no go up!
Deal with it!
Boehner and his cronies need to stop being water boys for big business and the affluent and get to work on a deal. This is an embarrassment. I am starting to believe that it would be better to go off the fiscal cliff than to give in to this guy.
They are more than waterboys. They are the rich's bitc... well you know.
Of course it would be better. If nothing else the tax cuts for the working class can be passed retroactively. And the rest can be sorted out on it's own individual merit.
Boehner cannot Soften his tone? Eric Cantor is nipping at his heels for the Speakership. NEANDERTHALS in the House, would turn on him in a minute’s notice if he does not tow their ZEALOTRY on NOT WORKING with the President on ANYTHING and hope the Public blames the President.
All the House has done in 2 Years is NOT PASS A JOBS BILL, Repeal Obamacare 30+ times, Continue to PUT MORE BIG GOVERNMENT on Women's Bodies, and Take Time Off to Continue to lie to their Constituents that it is all about JOBS!
According to Paul Ryan they also got a MANDATE BY GERRYMANDERING their Districts. The President Winning was just an URBAN THING per Ryan. The People and Wall Street will have to kick these Neanderthals to the Curb.
Wall Street understands that Raising Taxes is NO big deal, But the 1% think they still have the upper hand over the People with the House. Wall Street does UNDERSTAND IS Economic Chaos on Businesses all over the World ESPECIALLY THE GOP/TEA’s PLAN TO USE THE DEBT CEILING as LEVERAGE against Tax Hikes.
I wonder if low information voters who VOTE Republicans against their own Interest like to SEE RIOTING in this Country on a Daily basis, LIKE EUROPE by their family, neighbors, friends on Government STUPIDITY and a PLEDGE to a ZEALOT, Grover Nordquist, who is UNELECTED? The GOP/TEA House is willing to USE THE DEBT CEILING to further ERODE THE FAITH AND CREDIT OF THE UNIED STATES OF AMERICA AGAIN.
I will use Boehner's Famous words "This is what the American People want us to do!"
This OBSTRUCTION by the GOP/TEA is downright "Un-American.”
Our country is not only heading for the economic cliff it's headed into the garbage and what is this president doing....oh, he's having lunch to rub in his victory and still campaigning for whatever. Roll-up your sleeves and get to work Mr. President, your 4 year campaign and egomonical tour are over. It's becoming obvious that he plans on America taking the leap. Then he can begin to put his own socialist plan to work for the idiots that voted for him.
Hmmm...his "campaigning" is called the "bully pulpit" - i.e. taking his economic plan to the people directly. I believe, historically, it was named such after Theodore Roosevelt (a Republican), took his fight against the big corporate trusts directly to the people, in order to break their hold on Congress.
Republicans would like to keep the American people out of this. I wonder why?
Sorry, clicked the wrong thing...take your points back to "1" not the two seen. More "idiots" voted for the President then all you "intellectuals" who voted for Mr. Working Digits didn't they. You voted for an empty suit. You smarty pants voted for a guy who asked the people to trust him; that he'd tell us what his exact plans where AFTER he was elected....how stupid do you have to be to vote for someone like that?
oldladyisback - you are confused. It was Romney who wouldn't detail his economic plan, partticularly in regard to his proposal for tax code reform.
she is old. I can't tell who she is talking about. Or what.
Why is Obama afraid of negotiating with Boehner ?
No reason what-so-ever for Obama to negotiate on this one.
Obama is not negotiating anymore. He doesn't have to. Bobo is only negotiating with his own Tea Party radicals. He will be crying soon.
Maybe because he tried that the last time and got screwed??? I hope and prayed he's learned that lesson and learned it well. Has anyone one noticed that Cantor is back front and center....where the hell has he been hiding lately. Could it be because he wants to be in front of the cameras once again. What a flipping snake in the grass.
are you from the south?just asking.
Ok, I'll admit to a bit of gluttony, I bought a locally raised free range organic turkey when I could have a free factory turkey full of salt water.
Also, I bought it from a local farmer, not Whole foods...
I think, just on this thread, I'll give my employees a christmas bonus. I'm an atheist that served, but hey, I have mine, why not share a bit more.
I say, give till it hurts, be a patriot!
The teabaggers are driven by greed. I have a couple of brothers like that so I see it often. They can't comprehend being fair and generous. Funny thing is the two super greedy brothers hate each other. Sounds like the republican party.
If the party of Hell No wants deal... It's because no deal at all would only hurt them. Has the Party of Hell No showed any indication they care about America over the last four years... Or were they just saying Hell No to everything.
They don't care about America here either. They just understand that no deal only hurts them.
Bobo is "disappointed". Wait till we fire him in 2 years, he will be really crying (again).
If Romney had been voted in we wouldn't have this mess people would be back to work by now...so live with what you voted in and be happy.
What bills would Romney have signed already? None?
Sure, and we'll all be millionaires living in La Jolla.
Are you serious?
He would not have taken office until 1/20/2013???
Im not going to make excuses for you ...you have to make them your self ...you voted him back in.All you doing blaming it on someone else....besides Bush this time.Obama had 4 years and he did nothing as you well know.
You do live in a right wing fantasy world. Unfortunately for you, there's a real world out here.
There is a real world and its time you faced it and stop blaming ever one. Im as poor as the next one but I don't want the rich taking care of me ill take care of me myself.
Right Bill but the problem is you and your liberal/progressive friends can't get it to program into your GPS. Conservatives are already there. I figure your GPS upgrade will come through in about 2 years ore so when the proof will be staring you in the face about the real Obama agenda and what it will do.
hey job,i mean hand those people you post about will take flight next time around 2014 deal with it,the people have had it with half-azz conservatives.
Everyone in America is disappointed in the House and Senate leadership for not getting the message on the 6th of November. They lost decisively! A clear signal was sent and these childish people carry on their misconceived notions they won.
It's the middle class who needs the protection - Not the upper 2%! Going forward in time into 2013 and the House leadership of John Boehner, Eric Cantor and Paul Ryan coupled with the leadership of Mitch McConnell and John Cornyn, and their all-white men committee heads, American's will have to pay close attention to the actions and legislation's passed. The last congress(112th) failed to produce any legislation except anti-abortion bills as did numerous state houses. Social Security tax applies only to the first $106,800 of wages in 2009 through 2011. Employers also must withhold income taxes on wages. An unemployment tax and certain other levies apply.
These programs should not be limited as outlined, and in doing so, funding of the Social Programs would never have received the attention received. Entitlement reform is code words to fight tooth-and-nail to protect the top 2% from increased taxes. There are proposals that any tax code modification occur above the Adjusted Gross Income line on the 1040. Below the Adjusted Gross Income line on the 1040 would effect every middle class citizen in America.
Only the richest people fully utilize these exceptions, exemptions, limitations, adjustments and the like which have been implemented long ago when the richest could buy every congressman and set in motion implementation of these exclusions for limiting or minimizing tax liability. There are too many exclusions to limit tax liability for the super-rich and there is where the closing of loopholes must be made. Look closely at the long form 1040, you will find many areas with limitations and exclusions above the Adjusted gross income, and only the richest of the rich fully utilized those areas.
Top earners on Wall Street and Banking should have their entire earnings(Up to $5,000,000.00) taxed and not limited to the first $110,100.00 for Social Security and federal taxes without limitations, adjustments or exceptions. Additionally Social Security benefits should not be taxed on retired peoples tax returns as they have already been taxed and paid into the system to receive these benefits as they are already earned from past employment. It's the middle class who needs the protection - Not the upper 2%!
The 2014 Mid-term election is a-coming!
Boehner is always disappointed regardless of what the President does or doesn't do. Wonder what would happen if the President told the Repubs to present all the spending cuts they'd like to see to his office. See where there heart is. Increase the damn budget and stop jerking this country around in front of the world to see how stupid our political system is.
Republicans don't dare put the spending cuts they want in writing.
It's be helpful if Boehner actuallly compromised. So far he just reiterating the same talking points, not tax increases and some unspecified elimination of deductions. Basically saying, give me everything I want and we'll call it compromise.
The reptards are going DOWN! Now, they show clearly that their masters are the ultra rich. Even with the clear mandate sent by the American people, they are unable to escape their yoke of slavery to the rich. WE voted them in, now let's kick them out.
One "Entitlement" that should be discussed for reduction is the retirement benefits for members of Congress. If they cut Medicare,Medicaid, or Social Security, or raise age to be eligible to collect benefits, the same ()$#@ should apply to THEIR retirement, health care etc. benefits. They work for ME! I pay for those benefits.
The economy is doomed and it's destruction was planned by the democrats. The democrats have no intention of stopping it even if the republicans cave on everything. This is what the people voted for. The democrats have to know that taxing the rich will raise only about 100 billion and with spending at over a trillion, it's meaningless. I can only infer that the destruction of the economy is what the left wants.
Why should the dems negotiate on any of this? Lets jump off the cliff. America will land on a nice feather bed... And the republicans will crash into the rocks below.
I would love to see the republicans fighting a tax cut for the working class while demanding tax cuts for the super rich in time for the 2014 election. Lets jump America and lets take the republicans with us.
Wrong again "money". Increased taxes is just the start. There will be increased revenue from all sources in time and drastic cuts and savings. For example, no more hand out to Big Pharm and big oil. Once hillarycare is implement in 2017 we will completely reform all healthcare in the US and save a trillion dollars per year. Just get out of the way loser teabaggers. The adults are now in charge.
This is the problem. People voted for big government. Big government is expensive but nobody knows it's expensive because we haven't had to pay. I agree that we need to go off the cliff so that people know what big government costs. Until you see it on your paycheck, people dont know.
Martin, you dont really believe that the federal government can run a program that will make trillions of dollars do you? They've never done this before, ever. Not a single program that's actually made money, much less broke even. I know, I know, socialism will work this time...it's never worked before, but it'll work this time..
Looks like the rich have gotten so far into your head you can't see the forest from the trees. Seems to be a common ailment amount teabaggers. So the rich are smarter than the rest of us.
I Happen to be both mark "Get used too It"
Reality is sometimes hard to face. The GOP wants those cuts, for the wealthy, to stay. They will hold the middle class cuts as hostage. That is the reason they lost the last election. Yes, the "fiscal cliff" is approaching. But, when the Republicans FINALLY cave, the middle class will continue to receive the tax cut. Yes, the rich will pay more, through a combination of tax hikes and closed loopholes! THEN the spending cuts will be address, if not, oh well.... 10% across the boards! Sorry, grandma and GI Joe!
I personally think that all income earners should pay income tax and it should be relative to spending.
I recommend that their salary payments be stopped until the basic budget is passed. Appeal to their primary self-interest and things will start moving.
Someone please start a grass-roots petition calling for this.