Pssst! McConnell!

Checkmate!

Yeah right, McConnell.

The spending Obama has already cut.

"The White House keeps saying it wants a 'balanced approach' but this offer is completely unbalanced and unrealistic," a Capitol Hill Republican said yesterday. "It calls for $1.6 trillion in tax hikes -- all of that upfront -- in exchange for only $400 billion in spending cuts that come later."

Let's put aside, for now, the irony of hearing Republicans talking about "balanced" debt-reduction plans. Instead, the importance of complaints like these is that they overlook everything that happened a year ago. Jonathan Cohn had a good piece on this.

...As part of the 2011 Budget Control Act, Obama agreed to spending reductions of about $1.5 trillion over the next ten years. If you count the interest, the savings is actually $1.7 trillion. Boehner should have no problem remembering the details of that deal: As Greg Sargent points out, Boehner at the time actually gloated about the fact that the deal was "all spending cuts."

And now, with this latest offer, Obama is proposing yet more spending reductions, to the tune of several hundred billion dollars. Add it up and it’s more than $2 trillion in spending cuts Obama has either signed into law or is endorsing now. That’s obviously greater than the $1.6 trillion in new tax revenue he’s seeking. (And that doesn't even take into account automatic cuts from the 2011 budget sequester, which Obama has proposed to defer, or savings from ending the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.)

I can understand the temptation to block 2011 from memory, but what transpired is clearly relevant to the current debate. Obama wanted a "balanced" approach last year -- some cuts, some new revenue -- but didn't get it. Instead, faced with the prospect of Republicans crashing the economy on purpose, the president accepted a deal with a whole lot of spending cuts.

How much new tax revenue came as the result of last year's deal? Zero. The entire package came in the form of spending reductions and savings.

With this in mind, Republican complaints ring hollow. The president's plan is quite balanced when considered in context -- it's a $4 trillion debt-reduction plan, most of which comes from spending cuts, which is the kind of deal the right says it wants. Given all the spending cuts Obama has already agreed to, it's arguably quite gracious of him to offer hundreds of billions of additional cuts now.

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_nv/more/section/archive?author=steve-benen

______________

Republicans, we're waiting. And in the words of Adlai Stevenson, we're willing to wait until hell freezes over.

Or until December 31st.

2 trillion in cuts over 10 years, hmmm, seems like that is about 200 billion per year. 1.6 trillion in new taxes to be collected in 2013 and each year after that, hmmm, that about 16 trillion in 10 years. 16-2 should equal about 14 trillion new debt. OK, that puts us at about 30 trillion in national debt. Sounds fair to me. We want to make sure this proposal is fair.

I think the 1.6 trillion in new taxes is also for the 10 year period, not every year.

JC in G

No, that would add up to !8 trillion over ten years to deal with the debt or lower the cost of government. But then LA Crystal is correct with new taxes.

I've never seen a turtle laugh...but I've seen one squashed on the road. Mitch seems to think his shell is made of titanium - we shall see.

Check out JC in G's comment. I hope this guy is joking but he probably is this dumb. He is suggesting that when the government takes in more money from taxes (revenue) the debt is increased. When of course it's the opposite, as deficits result from the difference between revenue and spending. Honestly I don't know how people this stupid even know how to use the internet. Much less function in society. Guess what? I bet he votes too.

Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen a turtle smile or burst into laughter either.

After the public laugh McConnell probably cried in private because he knows the jig is up on repubs, knows the democrats hold the cards, knows he's darned if he does and darned if he doesn't. There's a tear in his beer.

"Behind the McConnell laugh" stands a moron.

Jersey, please stop with nasty wordsmithing, unnecessary. We need both revenue increases and responsible spending cuts, no one is saying the opposit.

Duly reported Jersey Girl. Way out of line, but this is the superior attitude we tend to see from the losing side that has nothing more to offer than the same old "voodoo economics" the Republicans have clung to since the Reagan years that has done immeasurable damage to America's middle class and poor and driven record deficits and debt.

McConnell is a very sick man. Too sick IMO to be serving in such a prominent position. He is childish, petulant, whiny, and as is the case here, downright insane! Certainly no one I could ever admire. He reminds me of Jesse Helms, only Jesse was a whole lot smarter as he actually learned a few lessons in the end. McConnell has learned nothing.

I'll bet McConnell 10,000 bucks that my laugh was louder and deeper than his when he and his party lost by landslides on election day. Now that is something we can laugh about all the way to the bank.

The ride has just begun. And don't say we didn't tell you so,.

Ooohhhh, scary .. a threat from the unsound and reckless fiscal policies from those on the right. Remind us all again .. how did we end up in this GLOBAL FISCAL CRISIS? Oh year, the GOP party threw us not only over the cliff - they picked the mother lode of cliffs and threw us off the Grand Canyon and into the raging rapids below. I'll take the Obama recovery any day vs. the black hole the GOPTP would have us in had they been in charge the last 4 years.

I think it's reached the point where the only thing that matters to Republicans is that they WIN. How they win or what they win is secondary.

Their whole theme now seems to be to prove that they are right and everyone else is wrong. About everything.

The gig is up and you Socialists will be shown for the scumbags you are.

Psst... Jersey. FEMA. Enough said.

Pedestrian-Jersy Girl won't understand. She truly has no clue!

reddev,

You stated: "Ooohhhh, scary .. a threat from the unsound and reckless fiscal policies from those on the right."

Ok, let me put it to those on the left so even children can understand it:

You say the right has fiscal policies that are reckless and unsound, correct? You, as a worker, business owner, husband or wife, president or anyone who has to make money go as far as it can these days - just how unsound and/or reckless is it to be one of the above stated people and not have a BUDGET? What are you spending the money on? How much money have you spent? Where does or is your money going? Is this money being spent on necessary items or just thrown away?

Well your (and I DO stress your) president doesn't have a budget, now does he? That would imply (ne say) that his fiscal responsibility doesn't exist or if it does, it's not a priority of his.

severed,

"I think it's reached the point where the only thing that matters to Republicans is that they WIN. How they win or what they win is secondary."

Me thinks that perhaps you and your party is looking in a mirror.

Acutally Richard, you are not paying attention, President Obama is offering both spending cuts and increase in revenue. Cheerlead for the wealthy if it makes you feel better, but to be honest with you, I'm 60 years old, I've paid into Medicare and Social Security since I was 19 years old (even while I was in college), same thing for my husband, and both my grown children have worked and paid into this system so you will just have to get over the fact that working/middle class folks really don't give a rats patootie about the 1%. If the 1% ever really creates long term, good paying, good benefits jobs then maybe we will care again, but thanks to trickle down, at this this point and time I sure don't!

16 Trillion in debt? If only we were that blessed.  Ask them to show you the real financial sheets for the U.S.  Try more like 85+ trillion in debt by the time you factor in all that is owed for medicare, Medicaid, SS, etc.  And as to the “in 10 years,” when was the last time (or any time) that you saw anything budget related last 10 years?  It’s just political speak for “never, but let’s not tell the little people, they would just get upset and wouldn’t understand it any way.”

Keep holding the line Republican’s and if we go over the cliff, well – it is what the demonic-rats are really after any way.  They aren’t looking to solve anything except perhaps their need to keep buying a voter base.  Can’t afford it?  Who cares, we’ll be dead before the country goes completely under, so it’s not our problem, says the demonic-rats and their followers.

kkwilson - republicans get this country back on track? How? By starting wars that you don't count in the budget? That would be like me going Christmas shopping and not writing the check amount I spent down in the check book. Somehow I doubt my bank would be very unforgiving of that debt and I'd probably have to find a way to put money back in there for it. President Obama is much nicer to you 1%folks than I'd be, all of the 1% were gung ho to attack Iraq and have the government supplement their defense contract companies, make those bombs, bulletts, guns, and all that war making stuff but no one is supposed to pay for it? I'd much rather my money pay for a teacher, fireman, policeman, or actual military person's salary than go to the 1% for anything much less the ceo of a defense contract company. No, under this working/middle class person the 1% would go back to the Eisenhour rates except with no deductions. You guys are just angry that the working/middle class is finally calling you out that trickle down does not work - at least it does not work for us, might work for the 1% but right now I'm not too worried about the 1%.

Good ole B!tch McConnell

Jersy girl,,, I didn't know FEMA was a power company. Not very smart are you? Seeking Sanity is correct. You have NO clue!

TO: JERSY GIRL 1 who wrote:

"... We are going over the fiscal cliff either now or in a year or two, We cannot sustain the spending being done in Washington. The sad thing is you idiots seem to thing everything will be rosy once Obama gets his way... And don't say we didn't tell you so."

Republicans are constantly wishing for disaster. Well that's better than when they had the White House and more than a couple of "disasters" actually did happen from 9/11, to Afghanistan, to that Lie Called the War in Iraq, and then Republicans finally crashed the entire Economy of the richest country in the world: The United States of America!

Republicans have a really, really bad record in terms of disasters happening when they're in control, and then they chicken out, get amnesia, and turn to lie and deny pile-a-tricks rather than take "personal responsibility".

I'm sticking with President Obama and the Democrats.

Don't let Republicans fool you, they love to claim being "broke" and say we're "bankrupt", but they're always ready to jump into another trillion dollar foreign war.

Wasn't McConnell one of the Grandpas in the movie "Sixteen Candles"? Dong [clap hands] Dong!

TO: Fredr40-2983199 who wrote:

".... you do not want to live in the USA that I grew up in...Coolaide works..."

I don't want to be in anything you've been in, you can't even spell Koolaid !

Majority rules in this country, so, you may want to go on back to your own planet.

Living in KY I hope the people here has wised up enough to vote him out, if not it goes to show there really is a bunch of stupid hillbillys still living here.

Looks like Jersey girl has multiple Newsvine accounts to suit her multi-personalities...

Pat, Boston, Thank you! I have been listening to all this Republican whining about Dems proposing all tax increases with no spending cuts and wondering what happened to all the spending cuts that have already been passed with no tax increases? I would have commented on it myself, but I wasn't sure enough of all the details. Thank you for inserting that into the discussion, even though there appears to be no commentary on your post. I think there should be a lot more discussion about that.

I said this 4 years ago. Still believe it to be true.

NO single american, that has walked our nation's soil, is more unhonorable than Mitch. NO ONE!

Bought and payed for like no other, and american idiots on the street carry his water. TRULY pathetic.

I have heard all sorts of magnanimous statements about "standing up against" this and that but i've seen no effort of a counter-proposal, you know, that thing called negotiating? where one side's offer is countered with the other side's offer and worked on?. Not coming to the table and laughing at what they claim is Geithner's offer in national media is a tactic, not a negotiation. They have no offer and it's not The President's job to write bills, it's the Congress' prerogative to stop us going off the cliff and there solemn responsibility to make offers, bills, to be considered by the Houses and President. If this (the Fiscal cliff)happens it is 100% the end of the Republican Party.

Turtleman has nasty little rotting teeth.

Fredr40-2983199

Let us just re-write every aspect of Government until it fits your liking and control,

Hey Fredr...You sound like a Democrat about 8 years ago voicing concerns about a Unitary Executive. Why weren't you guys concerned about it then?

Just curious...

2833 clark

Living in KY I hope the people here has wised up enough to vote him out, if not it goes to show there really is a bunch of stupid hillbillys still living here.

I'd say vote him out or invest in a lot of "KY". I don't think this guy's doing Kentucky proud.

• Mitch NOConnell is a typical 21st century Republican --- old, white, and angry at anyone who is not exactly like him.

Amy - I agree - Wheew! - I'm glad they cleared it up.

Observation - His teeth look like baked beans.

Lol@ Jersey Girl...good to see you're still dumb as dirt. Keep spreading the ignorance!!

" ... Got it Duly noted, ... "

Unfortunately it looks like you didn't. It must be nice to be as ignorant as you.

I say ignorant because if you could read, you would see that the President is proposing both spending cuts and raising more by taxing the "rich". But of course you prefer to believe the crap coming from the likes of Fox News over oh say ......

... facts and the truth.

So no you DON'T get it. Just like the rest of the Right-wing nut-jobs. Arrogant, ignorant and living in a different reality then the rest of us.

Huh. Imagine that.

Duly noted.

Ya know, I laughed too. Because I remember his voting record:

June 2002: [Republican-controlled] Congress approves a $450 billion increase, raising the debt limit to $6.4 trillion. McConnell, Boehner, and Cantor vote “yea”, Kyl votes “nay.”

May 2003: [Republican-controlled] Congress approves a $900 billion increase, raising the debt limit to $7.384 trillion. All four approve.

November 2004: [Republican-controlled] Congress approves an $800 billion increase, raising the debt limit to $8.1 trillion. All four approve.

March 2006: [Republican-controlled] Congress approves a $781 billion increase, raising the debt limit to $8.965 trillion. All four approve.

September 2007: [Democratic-controlled] Congress approves an $850 billion increase, raising the debt limit to $9.815 trillion. All four approve.

So here's what I see - those in Congress who act most concerned about the debt approved massive increases in it when Bush et al doubled our national debt in 8 years!

We will see who has the last laugh in 2014. All Democrats have to do is NOTHING! Polls already show who will take the hit for diving off the fiscal cliff: Republicans! And, in the meantime, no matter how much damage it causes to the economy (not that Republicans care, they showed that with the voting history above) Bush tax cuts will go away and sequestration spending cuts will happen. This will decrease the budget deficits, we will clean out a lot more Republican trash from Congress and Obama is not worried about another term. Win-win-win! The only losers will be the American people!

Wake up, McConnell!

" ... We got it your group won, ... "

Actually I don't think that you do.

In your reality LOSERS get to make the rules. In the REAL world, the WINNERS do. But that seems to be a concept beyond your ability to understand.

When Bush won, by a smaller margin, in both the popular vote and the electoral college. Your side said that it was a mandate. Now that Obama has won, AGAIN. And in a bigger way then Bush did. You say F-YOU! So tell me. Just how does that work?

Elections have consequences. Losers don't get to dictate. The Republicans lost.

Now spend some quality time in the real world. A world where your side was told .....

"No Thank You! You have F'ed things up enough."

" ... people are still waiting for your boy to produce a BALANCED BUDGET. ... "

Psssstttttt! Hey moron. Here's a clue. The Presidents job is NOT to propose budgets. It IS his job to sign them. It's Congresses job to pass budgets. Specifically, according to the Constitution, it's the job of the House ( the Republican controlled one ) to pass a budget that the Senate then votes on. Unlike the Ryan budgets, ones that the Senate can take seriously. Then pass on to the President.

What the people are really waiting on is ....

For the Republicans to get real. For them to do their job. To produce a realistic budget that has chance of getting passed and sighed.

Me, I'm waiting for the Republicans to go the hell away. So that something, anything, can get done.

What the people are really waiting on is for the Republicans to stop saying "NO". To everything. And for people like you to turn off Fox News, Bill O, Rush, and that rodeo clown Glen, and join the real world.

You know the one I'm talking about. The one where the scary black man in the White House just won re-election.

" ... just how unsound and/or reckless is it to be one of the above stated people and not have a BUDGET? ... "

My guess is that you are talking about The President. Well here's a clue for you. It's not reckless at all. Nope, not one bit reckless or unsound.. You know why?

BECAUSE IT'S NOT HIS FREAKING JOB!

What about the budget, and who's job it is, is it that you people don't understand?

It's NOT the Presidents job to propose budgets. It's Congresses job! The Presidents job is to sign, or to veto them.

IT'S CONGRESSES JOB!!!

F'ing morons.

Geeze. Pull you head out you arse. And join the real would.

And stop blaming the scary black man in the White House for everything. Including your ignorance.

DAMN!

When you play any game with a deranged person you will always lose

because they make the rules from the start

and then they change them just before you do win .

Mitch will have us believe he is willing to commit political suicide

in order to KEEP from committing suicide .

Mitch is a "severe conservative" ....look for the etch-A-sketch noose !

Ashley Judd 2014!!!

The GOP party of do-nothing self-centered @!$%#s will cease to exist if it doesn't change it's ways. At one time it may have represented our general interests, but not now. Any small business owner with half a brain would walk away from these idiots. I did and I'm still walking... can't seem to put enough distance between me and these creeps.

I'm sitting back and am enjoying watching the Republican party commit suicide.

Where the hell have all the conservatives gone? Some one should make a movie of Eisenhower's two terms in the White House to learn what conservatism is really about. We need Conservatives and Liberals to maintain a sane balance. Now that the nation has moved seriously too far to the right, it may take a generation or two to get back to sanity.

America Girl: I have followed you for over a year and you have yet said anything intelligent or given one source for you statements. Please go somewhere else.

RedDevPS
I'll bet McConnell 10,000 bucks that my laugh was louder and deeper than his when he and his party lost by landslides on election day. Now that is something we can laugh about all the way to the bank.

More handouters waiting for more Obama dollars. The problem is we're out of money. I don't care what Obama squeezes out of the GOP, this panty raid is self correcting when the bond markets tank and we can no longer service our debt. Live it up handouters. The end is near.

Gil

You are an Idiot, sir. Go away. You contribute nothing of value.

Don't like women huh?

John

The radical RIGHT is to blame...spoiled brats that they are.

The sky is falling, the sky is falling if you don't do what the repbs/teabaggers want.

Go find some new tin foil...your hat needs a fix Get out of the way and let the Pres. clean up this Mess the Rep/baggers created.

Prays

Who spent $6 Trillion more than we took in? I guess Obama will deficit spend our way to prosperity?

Praysalot: Keep praying.

OH MY GOODNESS!!

Where do we get these people from with their shaky arithmetic and bad reasoning skills? First we have someone saying that the debt will grow (#1.2 - which was beautifully dismantled by #1.7)

Then we have someone stating that the actual debt is $85 billions, because somehow he/she knows some secret accounting shennanigans that is going on that the rest of us don't know.

Then we have those claimingthe Republicans ARE the ones ACTUALLY trying to save the country. They reason that by not taxing the rich for added revenue - even freaking lowering their taxes, and continuing to generate deficits and debt is actually saving the country?

We also have folks saying at #1:57 that Obama spent more than he took in. Of course, he did! That is because we aren't getting enough revenue. DUH! Hence the reason for wanting to raise taxes on the rich. We'd get there a lot faster ifwe could raise it on everyone, but since the economy still hasn't recovered from the downturn, that would be counter productive.

This is a perfect example of how the media spins things. Glad the truth came out about McConnell's laugh.

I think everything that happens in government needs to be televised live so the American people can see how things really happen.

The media painted McConnell as being a grouch with an evil laugh when really it was a short funny conversation between Geithner & McConnell.

Say what you want about Obama being generous to the GOP with spending cuts, but the bottomline is we are spending 3 trillion and collecting 2 trillion. With the exception of the truly wealthy elite who can realistically achieve all their income through >1 year investments and gain a huge tax break through the capital gains tax (only 15%), the majority of the tax burden in this country is already shouldered by the working professional class many of whom would have their taxes raised again if Obama and the Democrats get what they are calling for. I thought the Constitution pronounced us all equal so how is it equal if one group of people have to pay a significantly higher PERCENTAGE of their income than another. Remember that this country started with a revolution over unfair taxation. It would seem to me that we have not learned from our own history. You can dress it up with words like progressive tax but in the end the ideology shares its roots with socialism. The numbers that the Democrats float around for spending cuts mean nothing until the final tally is done. Retailers have been doing this trick for years. They say they are offering a 40% discount but what they don't say is that they raised the price 30% before the sale. Same thing in Washington. I can say that I am offering 800 blln in spending cuts, but if I am also proposing 500 blln in new spending the difference is smaller. Also, since elections change the political landscape a couple of times over 10 years, an incoming democratic congress could easily reverse the spending cuts leaving the GOP with just the tax increases. The debt ceiling part of Obama's offer would basically take away the GOP's leverage to get further spending reductions. So in the end, yes, this is a one-sided deal. It's kind offering beads for lands. Not a fair trade. The better deal would be to offer the same spending cuts with no new spending and about 800 blln in increased revenue through tax reform and removal of the capital gains tax cuts but making the Bush tax cuts to income levels permanent for everyone. I think that would be a more fair deal.

Those from the right continue to complain that Obama has not done enough to straighten out the mess Republican policies got us into in the first place... They continue to point to how bad things are now, seemingly forgetting how bad things were in 2007-2008... These people are true-believers in the Laffer curve, trickle-down, supply-side, voodoo economics that has been de-bunked on a regular basis throughout the 20th and 21st centuries... You can always tell a supply-sider when they describe the top takers as the 'top producers'... I got news for you folks... Supply does not create jobs... Neither do rich citizens and corporations who pay little or no actual taxes... Demand, and demand only, creates jobs... Keep repeating that and it might sink in and you will all realize that neither major party has a serious plan for job creation in this country...

- Jon -...

Google "Poor mans last dollar/Rich mans last dollar" and learn a little about the reasoning behind progressive taxation... Even Adam Smith advocated for progressive taxation... (You DO know who Adam Smith is, don't you..?) I only ask because of your quite basic, and I must add, childish and simple take on the American Revolution... I would also suggest you read a little about John Locke (The 'founders' and writers of the Constitution certainly did) and discover that he believed a just and equal society for free, landholding white men was just what should happen while in their pursuit of life, liberty and property, er, I mean, happiness... (The 'founders thought it unwise to include Locke's terminology in regard to 'pursuit of property' and wrote 'pursuit of happiness... figured it would go down better with the poor saps who would be actually FIGHTING the revolution) You people slay me with your convoluted reasoning, and your distorted history... I can see you now, Jon; Standing there in your tricorn hat and pantaloons, holding a sign proclaiming your hatred of being taxed and treadled upon...

This is the same guy who said that their primary goal was to make Obama a one term president ?

The entire deficits have been racked up during Republican administrations - just the 2 wars alone !? We did not need either one of them - all we needed were a few special missions and drones to selectively eradicate our enemies and this could have been accomplished much earlier too.

If all they did was to ask each department to come up with a 10% cut in their respective budgets we would have a fantastic start accompanied by ending the bush tax cuts for the ultra wealthy - say above 500K !

Or simply go to a flat 15% tax - eliminate all deductions and that would save 95% of the IRS's budget along with!!!

Solutions are simple - if the will to solve these issues is there !?

TO: Gil-2872519 who wrote:

"America Girl: ... Please go somewhere else."

You first.

I think his face must have fallen off after that.

I think that is up to the people of Kentucky, Unless you live there, you have NO SAY.

If the people of KY were smart, they would vote the bum out of office; I'll give them the benefit of doubt and wait & see.

I am in KY and while I hope we have the good sense to toss this joker out of office I am terrified that the KY voters will re-elect him - take a look at our other Senator - whe have given the country Rand Paul.

If the people of KY were smart, they would vote the bum out of office;

Hollykb lives in Kentucky and she is smart. And I'll bet there are a few dozen more smart people in Kentucky. But I think that Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are safe.

The right candidate might take it --- our governor is pretty good and a Dem.

There ARE some smart people in Kentucky. I'm from there. But they're outnumbered by morons, so it's likely that the rest of the country will be plagued by this obstructionist idiot until he expires. We need to change the filibuster rules, and quickly.

As Mike45 says, lets give them the benefit of the doubt and wait and see. Surely they are getting smarter as days go by. Ky, surely has some good schools. And there is the TV and internet. I agree, McConnell and Rand both need to go. I would hope Tennesseans would get educated also. Alexander and 7 of Tennessee's 9 US representatives, need to go. They are all anti-American hypocrits.

Ashley Judd might have a decent shot, should she choose to run. Thus far she has not ruled it either in or out. Her grandmother dismissed the possibility, but she sounds like a strong Republican/McConnell backer. Ashley, on the other hand, is clearly a Democrat. She would have to re-establish Kentucky residency, but I doubt this would be a problem. She has deep Kentucky roots, is a University of Kentucky graduate, and routinely and publicly attends several UK basketball games a year. Several years ago the UK club hockey team sent her a team jersey with her name on it, and she returned a picture of herself wearing it and apparently nothing else other than UK blue fingernail and toenail polish. The picture was made into a poster of the team's schedule, which became a much sought after dorm room staple. By this act alone she demonstrated more commitment to Kentucky than McConnell has in his entire tenure in the senate.

It seems as tho we have several from KY that have a lil CommonSense,however, Ashley Judd is'nt the answer we seek to displace "Turlteman" .From my lil neck of the woods,Mitch is'nt well thought of, to hear people say. Our state of KY is madeup of what they call Conservative Democrats(lower level Republicans in actuality)& they Love them some "God & Guns"(nuttin wrong with that)& are to easily drawn into the National debate of "GoD & Guns" & Vote accordingly like that on a Federal Level. Sad to say, but TRUE! Personally, i'm just a Democrat(not a Tree hugging Liberal).

To my knowledge, in Sen. McConnels 5 terms spanning 30 years, He has proposed Notta single Bill that has actually been signed into Law. He is the Essence of Everything that is Wrong in DC, continuosly playing Defense to Perfection(even when in the Majority Party), to the detriment of Real America. It's sad that he is so Petty, wanting Government to grind to a halt, as he continues to wanna Stay on the Draw from that same Government. There are Many like him, but his Legacy will Not be what he thinks it's gonna be.

His Legacy will be that He stayed on Government Welfare from the Taxpayers of both the State of KY & The Federal Government Only:

"To Have Accomplished Nothing Meaningful" for the United States of America!

In 2008, Mitch had to Campaign across our State & Hopefully in 2014, his Defensive posture will catchup to him & someone will replace him. I've No idea who, but Gov. Beshear & Greg Stumbo, come to mind.

Here in my Neck of the Woods, We would'nt be disappointed to see that happen!

You Betcha!

Occupy SoggyBottom!

I'm getting a kick out of many of the republican comments and labels: liberal scumbags - moron - nobama - or just obama (lower case). Here's a little help: most of your comments attract very few likes, two, three or four. I assume you knuckle-draggers can deduce (sorry about the long word) that your STANCES ARE NOT POPULAR. So here's a bit more help with labels: President Obama, President Obama, President Obama. Practice that a few times while I write another check to the Democrats.

@blueinnm...

You put yourself in a bad position when you admonish others for calling names, while you refer to them as "knuckle-draggers", and use a lower-case 'r' to comment on "[r]epublican comments"... [sic]... See any problem with practicing what you preach, sir..?

It was Romney's advice yesterday. He said to run the national debt up to about 60 trillion, suck all the money out and put it in off shore banks and then file bankruptcy.

jims,

By stating what you did makes you the ultimate moron. That is the stupidest, most ignorant babble I have ever heard and I've heard quit a bit in my time. After this, I'm just waiting to hear those imortal democratic words from your non-thinking mind: Bush did it! Bush did it! Bush did it!

Going through life while making statements like that must truely be a challange.

Richard, If you think that is stupid (and I agree), read JC in G's earlier post. That is by far the dumbest thing I've read on any of these boards anywhere. So many of these under educated right wingers are spewing nonsense and voting against their best interest. He/She doesn't get that the revenue proposal is for 10 years and astoundingly believes that raising revenue and reducing spending as Obama has proposed actually increases the deficit. Yikes. His calculation comes out to 14 trillion in new debt. Not even Boehner would try to spin misinformation like that.

Hi Pat,

I saw a funny tweet over at the Romney Verses:

"Obama walks into a bar. He says 'OUCH'"

Get it? He walked into a bar. Maybe not looking where he was going. Maybe the bar was hanging down from the ceiling.

Here is another one Pat:

How many Obamas does it take to change a light bulb?

We don't know yet, let's give it 4 more years!

JC - you've totally missed the point of humor. It is supposed to be funny. But, you Republicans seldom understand ANYTHING!

I want to explain elections to Republicans - it is not as Boehner says a mandate when your candidate for President looses (no matter how big the vote differential). It is not a mandate when your party looses seats in the Senate. It is not a mandate when your party looses seats in the House. It is a mandate when you win the Presidency, and add to your seats in both houses. Looking at the results the Democrats have the mandate, now if Obama would grow a pair and use it.....

Does anyone else find it ironic that a tax cheat delivers a plan that includes tax increases that he has no intentions of paying????

@Hollykb - So the Republican candidate "looses", the party "looses" seats, in the Senate and House? Really "looses"?

Democrats have no more a mandate than Republicans. Both are responsible for this mess. Obama gives meager cuts and increases taxes on EVERYONE (more on "the rich" than on the rest, but all are getting tax increases). The problem is we HAVE to get spending under control. PERIOD!

It's like P.J. O'Rourke says "Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenagers."

What ever happen to the promise of C-SPAN coverage, and that all pending legislation be posted online for 5 days before signing?

2h,

"The GOP is so dysfunctional the Senate and Congress both the worst in history." Are you not being a bit dysfunctional in your statement; specifically proofreading?

But wait, that's not new for a democrat.

@2hheels2 - So the Senate is dysfunctional? Judging by what you said (rather incoherently, I might add) you are a Democrat, and don't the Democrats control the Senate? And aren't they going to control the Senate after Jan 20? Hmmm. And the Republican party is looking out for everyone. Who is it that hasn't passed a budget in any of the past four years?

They were busy man. You see McConnell's whole job, for four years, was to see that the POTUS was a 1 term president. And how is that working out for him?

This guy is nothing but an obstructionist. And we the people of the Commonwealth will soon be doing something about that.

There are many people here who insist,I quote, prove it! Well, there are many little other quotes that have been around for many years and have survived by being proved. one is the proof in the pudding is in the tasting,but another one is ,one person's sweet is another's poison. I can not understand the support of working people to the present day Republican/Tea Party .They are so obviously in complete accord and even accepting gifts/bribes of the lobby of the rich to the exclusion of their fair Representation of we ,their employers.I admit that some so called Democratic Representatives have joined them but no section of the humans have exclusive locks on morals.If any one is unable to see where my first remarks have anything to do with where I am going then ,to make it plain,never mind the sincere looks or the quality of the bu****it, use your own mind and common sense when you vote.

Yes, that is all there is to the story. McConnell thought it was funny that Geither never saw him smile. The media has made this a talking point "McConnell laughs at presidents plan". This article just points out that he did not laugh at the plan, but he did laugh at Geither's cute little comment.

Now I will be able to sleep tonight without having to worry about what caused McConnell to laugh. Phew!

For it shows that members of Congress do not understand the laws of the United States of America.

Or that they don't care. After all, most of them were reelected.

Debbie,

The Party of No has made negotiations impossible by insisting for years that there shall be no tax increase on the wealthy, displaying greater fealty to a wormy lobbyist than to the welfare of the American people. Did you know that the income of the top 1% rose 275% while that of the middle class barely kept pace with inflation during the period 1979 to 2007? Did you know that between Eisenhower's presidency, when the capital gains rate was 91%, and Obama's, when the capital gains rate was 15%, taxation on capital gain taxation has gone down by 76%, thereby reducing the tax burden on the wealthy considerably. Trickle down has proven to be trickle up, and now the top 20% take home 85% of all wealth generated annually in the United States.

Yet the Party of No serves as the relentless warriors for the wealthy. You realize that the Republican Party sought to defeat Social Security during FDR's presidency, don't you? You do realize that the Republican Party sought to defeat Medicare during Johnson's presidency, don't you? Do you think they supported collective bargaining by unions in the 40s? Get real. Republicans are deeply concerned with protecting the power and privileges of capital investors and making the middle and lower classes believe it's in their best interests to go along for the ride(the mantra for trickle down--a rising tide lifts all boats; the more recent iteration: investors are entitled to tax advantages because they're our "job creators' (albeit in other countries)); Republicans have never had either heart or compassion for those who actually work for a living.

Republicans prey on voters' fears and religiosity, and they foster ignorance and demonize the poor to ramp up hatred against them. The Republican Party of today is simply nastier and a good deal more dogmatic than their counterparts in the 20th Century; today, Rethuglicans would label Eisenhower a socialist and Bush 1 a lying fool for not keeping his promise to not raise taxes.

Unless future Republicans reject the radical right's internecine agenda, the Republican Party will go the way of the Wigs. Good riddance, haters.

Michael M/I agree with you one hundred percent but how do we convince those who will not see?

Jax while my pocket book would be hit if we go over the cliff - I am with you lets do it. I really want to see forced cuts in defense spending. I also would love to see at least 10% of the tax increases and savings go to paying back that which was ripped off out of Social Security over the last 60 - 70 years. Once Social Security is made whole from all the borrowing than let people demonstatrate that it is not viable.

hollykb,

Paying back what was ripped off out of Social Security? Well, lemmee see now... we need to ask ourselves one simple question: how many programs were added to social security that were not and are not bringing in new revenue and WHO added these programs?

Democrats just might be surprised at how much damage they did to social security or they might just deny it. But history is there and can't be denied. (Remember, Republicans were for foriegn policy and business and Democrats were for national policy and programs for people.)

I would have guessed the only thing the old perv would laugh at is child porn. I can see where he's mean-spirited enough to enjoy children being assaulted.

Maynard - I thought he who laughs last usually didn't get the joke.

They did not lose the House. Lest you for ever idiots forget.

Fredr no they did not loose the house but the sure as hell lost 8 seats in the house and at least one in the Senate - so they sure as heck didn't win anything either.

Fred, gerrymandering? 2014 looms boys and GOPers will be routed.

Holly,

So as your group is sooooo fond of saying Elections have consequences and you did NOT win back the House. Deal with the fact that the House controls the Purse strings.

Classic response "We almost did" "So why are we not being given the trophy, this isn't fair <Stomping of feet and general tantrum> Not an adult among them.

<Stomping of feet and general tantrum> Not an adult among them.

Sure sounds like the GOTP to me.

Fredr - yes elections have consequences and since ROmney is not planning his inauguration the DEMS WON!!!!! The Republicans LOST SEATS -- the consequences are you guys aren't top dogs, the voters were reallly clear we voted for OBAMA knowing his position on taxes, what part of that do you folks not get. WHat part of the fact that wehn GWBUSH took office the budget was going the way we wanted towads balance, so Bush pushes through an unfunded tax cut for his buddies (he had to give us peons something to make it palatable so we got a little tax cut). Than he decides we need to go to war - but fails to follow the constituioon and actually get a declaration of war, oh and then he funds it OUTSIDE THE BUDGET PROCESS for his entire 2 terms, and he also fought wars for the first time without a tax increase in other words he led us down the path of unfunded wars, unfunded tax cuts etc, and now the Re[publicans fail to see it as the problem.

Lets cut to the truth - the Republican leadership wants to reward teir business cronies by cutting their taxes - these so called job creators - I am trying to identify the jobs they created....oh yeah they are at Grament Factories in Bangladdesh, Call centers in India, iPad factories in CHina.

Maybe what we should do is allow the tax cuts to stay in place for the so called Jobn Creators - but they actually have to prove they have created jobs to collect.

For God's sake, Holly, the word is LOSE, not LOOSE!!!

You can also try to learn the difference between THAN and THEN.

Then people might not lose their patience when reading your drivel.

hollykb,

You make me laugh.

"Fredr no they did not loose the house but the sure as hell lost 8 seats in the house and at least one in the Senate - so they sure as heck didn't win anything either."

Wrong! They lost 8 seats but are still the MAJORITY, so it sure is not a loss. As far as the Senate goes - 1 lost seat in a democratic MAJORITY Senate; no win but it sure as hell isn't a loss.

The Senate actually gained 2 seats, but whatever.

The fact that the House lost 8 seats to me looks like a shot over the bow warning for the Repubs to get their party out of their obstructionist modus operandi and get to taking care of the people's business.

The Prez ran on it and between 65-75% agrees that raising the tax rates on the top 2% is what they want. Yet Boehner and McConnell refuse to budge. They refuse to see the writing on the wall right in front of them. By the way, a higher percentage of the electorate agree with the Prez on this than voted for him. I have no doubt that if this obstructionism continues, the Repubs will no longer be the majority in the House. And that can't happen soon enough for me. The majority should either do their jobs and compromise OR GO HOME!!!!!!

Oh, and by the way, if the right hadn't quashed Congressional Research Service Report 7-5700, H42749, it would be glaringly obvious that this whole 2% tax rate thing was exactly the WRONG fight. The conclusion of this report was "There is not conclusive evidence ... to substantiate a clear relationship between the 65-year steady reduction in the top tax rates and economic growth. Analysis of such data suggests the reduction in the top tax rates have had little association with savings, investment or productivity growth." Basically, in people-speak their conclusion is it only makes the rich richer!

SO GIVE IT UP REPUBS!!!! Maybe you should start working a little bit more for the 98% and a little less for the 2%!

Hannah, the Senate GAINED 2 seats? So the Senate now has 102 members? Did we add a 51st state that no one knew about? I know Puerto Rico voted to become a state, but last time I read the Constitution, that had to approved by Congress.

And the House LOST 8 seats? Did the population of the United States decline as a result of the 2010 census?

You negate your arguments when you incorrectly state the facts. The Democrats in the Senate GAINED 2 seats and also GAINED 8 seats in the House, which means the GOP lost 2 seats in the Senate and 8 seats in the House. Unless the 10 year census adds additional seats (technically districts) in the House due to population increases, it is a zero sum gain, i.e., the total number of House members do not change. And unless a 51st state is added, there will be a total of 100 members of the Senate - 2 from each state.

Bugs me when people cannot correctly describe their own government and how it works.

I will possibly be bugged when I am perfect. I am also guilty of poor spelling at times,even tho I know that I merely have to hit the last frame above the start of my comment to have spell check work. Holly made her views quite clear as far as I am concerned and that is the ultimate point. We often see and I for one am guilty of, belaboring a point but that shouldn't negate an argument. As the saying is ,bu**s** baffles brains. I do agree with you that we are still unable to stop the house gift to the rich,so the rich will continue their steady move to enhance their fortunes. Hopefully that will be altered in our next elections.

dee,

"Spending cuts..." REALLY!!!! Just what do you call stimulus, or for that matter raising the national debt? Stimulus calls for the feds to print more money further diluting the value of a dollar. And raising the national debt means, gee how about taking a guess!

Richard, are you really that ignorant or are you deliberately trying be obtuse? No, spending cuts MEAN spending cuts!!!!! This information is all over the internet. Try reading about it instead of just skipping to the comments portion.

Remember right after the 08 election he literlly said he would block everything to assure Obama was a one term President. What a maroon.

Also not all people in KY have married their cousins, not all of us are coal miners or grow tobacco. KY is not a bad state has some good people, we could also insult the fat folks in MS, the Boston Brahmans, the Gang Bangers of Michigan. WHile McConnell does not deserve to be in the Senate not all Kentuckians are reflected in him or his politics. So long as our elections are basically guided by he who has the most $$$ we will continue to have the McConnells and the weeping Boehners.

We have come so far , now we see what the repubs didn`t want us to see. What`s funny why should a senator be laughing at a situation that he`s about to legislate on ,be funny to him.?? They are not going quietly, they are going to fight tooth and nail to stop all that`s going to bring us back . Yet they collect their salarys from our tax money , yet they hobnob with corperate officials and feather their own nests. They care.

McConnels camapign money comes from BANKS, LAWYERS etc. WHy should he care - also he is around the 10th richest guy in the Senate - Maybe we all need to pour coerespondence into his and boners office asking where are the jobs they campaigned on and promised in 2010....

holykb,

You seem to remember what mcconnel said but somehow are plainly addle-brained when it comes to your guy and what he said. Let me refresh your poor little one-celled brain: I ONLY WANT ONE TERM. Got it - ONE TERM. But we all know what the lying scumbag NOW wants. GIVE ME ANOTHER CHANCE.

The best thing to do is to write to his office and tell him what you think of his 'posturing'.........I did several times.

Well, Big Mac, is soon up for reelection. I hope he hires Carl Rove to run his campaign

I have never known a P.O.T.U.S. to claim that he only wanted one term in office.Ricky, so please try to not start your comment with obvious lies and I do not mean half truths. You and dkl,would be better to be thinking rather than accuse others of the lack of. There are a reasonable amount of true Republicans who are polite and have some reason for agreeing with the Republican Philosophy but you two are probably,in my opinion of those T.P. persons. I doubt if I need to state my opinion of those creatures.

God I hope not - I want Breshear

And you think McConnell is a dim bulb.........

go ashley!

Just what Kentucky needs...

Social Security has nothing to do with the budget. It is a separate Trust fund. You or I would be thrown in jail if we treated it any other way. Remove the cap on Social Security Wages and it will become solvent beyond the years you or I will ever be around to see. Remove the cap and increse the percentage 3 percentage point and people wouldn't even have to wait til 67 to collect the full amount. they could start at 62.

That would work for SS. I like it, just dont know if all could afford 9 percent. My point is something has to be done but noone in DC has the political will to do what is right.

Social Security doesn't need fixing. It only has to have what two former Presidents advocated. The government should not be allowed to use it . they borrow it at two percent lend it out at a larger percentage and use the profits to balance their budgets. They also pay back to S.S. the amount borrowed when it is convenient for them. Even our former P.O.T.U.S. wanted to stop them from doing that but his alternative was to have it put into the Stock Market.

Hope he only has two years lease left on his Senate office.

They haven't learned a thing. Still the party of No.

low income people don't pay taxes except for those associated with the affordable care act. in fact low income people get a refund check from the IRS for money they didn't pay in. its called eic .

we're all going to be poor if the dems get what they want. it will take a generation or two of growing up in poverty but people will become tired of it and change the way they see the democratic party.OR it will become second nature to depend on others for our own survival. there will be no motivation to work and no aspirations of success because success will will have no meaning

Already there Chuckles it happened when OUR ECONOMY BLEW UP LIKE AN ATOMIC BOMB, but you keep on fooling yourself into believing it didn't already happen & placing blame on others for the actions of your diseased party of LEMMINGS FOR PURITY!

What a joke or maybe you do not see the tears of those who use to give to charity & now are forced to rely on it or the elderly who through no fault of their own lost more than half of their pensions & retirement funds through the speculative nature of people who were suppose to protect them from such predatory actions!

You people are so deluded by the nature of your loss of so called White Only status you don't see the PRESENT suffering of others around you - what a bunch of losers & I don't just mean the election!

Chuc**** The party of No i.e. the Rep.T.P. are the group who refused to pass legislation,that our P.O.T.U.S. asked them to in order to aid the retiring troops to be helped to obtain jobs. They also have been pounding on him about the slow increase in jobs and yet have done nothing except obstruct in his attempt to increase our job increases. They ran on a promise to increase our job picture yet there has been no development from them.If you are a worker,or unemployed worker you should not be expecting help from the party of no. I could go on farther on their lack of any advantages that we have obtained from this useless alliance between the Republican Party and the T.P. but their supporters would not see what they will not see.