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Subscribe to RSSThe GOP makes its counteroffer… And it (as well as the White House’s proposal last week) seems more geared to playing to the base… But if you split the difference between the two offers, you see the outline of a pretty serious deal… Boehner’s power move… Obama meets with governors at 10:10 am ET and then conducts an interview with Bloomberg News… And Team Romney’s regret -- immigration.
The fiscal cliff counter-offer issued by House Republicans has one thing in common with last week's White House proposal – neither was designed to win any bipartisan support. The Daily Rundown's Chuck Todd reports.
*** Playing to the base: Congressional Republicans yesterday unveiled their counteroffer to the White House in the budget negotiations to resolve the looming tax increases and spending cuts that will automatically begin at the beginning of the year. That counteroffer, per NBC’s Luke Russert and Mike O’Brien: $800 billion in new revenue (through closing loopholes), $600 billion in cuts to federal health-care programs (so Medicare and Medicaid), $200 billion in savings by adjusting the cost-of-living increases in Social Security and Medicare, $300 billion in discretionary cuts, and another $300 billion in mandatory cuts. Given that the GOP proposal raises revenues -- but not rates on the wealthy -- the White House and Democrats immediately rejected it. "The Republican letter released today does not meet the test of balance,” said White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer. “Their plan includes nothing new and provides no details on which deductions they would eliminate, which loopholes they will close or which Medicare savings they would achieve.” But let’s be honest: Just like the White House’s proposal last week, this GOP move is largely playing to the base rather than being a serious offer.
Roger L. Wollenberg / Getty Images
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speak to the media at the White House on Nov. 16, 2012 in Washington, DC.
*** Splitting the difference: While the two proposals seem far apart -- and they are -- look at them when you split the difference between the two. You get $1.2 trillion in revenue and about $450 to $500 billion in savings to Medicare and Medicaid. And then say you throw in some stimulus for the Democrats (unemployment insurance, transportation spending), as well as the cost-of-living adjustments on Social Security for Republicans. That sounds like a pretty serious deal that both sides could live with, though it would look more like a “win” for the White House. Of course, Republicans would have to relent (in some form or fashion) on rates going up, while Democrats would have to acquiesce (one way or another) on the Social Security. In the New York Times, David Brooks sees a similar middle ground. “Republicans have to realize that they are going to cave on tax rates. The only question is what they get in return. What they should demand is this: That the year 2013 will be spent putting together a pro-growth tax and entitlement reform package that will put this country on a sound financial footing through 2040.” Folks, there’s definitely a way to resolve this. The only question is if there’s the will.
*** Boehner’s power move: Speaking of will, check out this other news from Capitol Hill: “Four House Republicans have been stripped of their committee seats after it was determined by the Republican conference that they were ‘not team players,’” NBC’s Frank Thorp reports. More: “The decision made Monday during a meeting of the Republican Steering Committee strips Reps. David Schweikert (R-AZ) and Walter Jones (R-NC) of their seats on the Financial Services Committee, and Reps. Justin Amash (R-MI) and Tim Huelskamp (R-KS) of their seats on the House Budget Committee.” Pure and simple, this is a power move by House Speaker John Boehner and the GOP leadership to signal to their members that they’re in charge. Our question: Does the move enforce party discipline (especially in forging a fiscal-cliff deal), or does it backfire?
*** Obama’s day: Today at the White House, President Obama and Vice President Biden meet with governors from across the country to discuss the fiscal/budget negotiations at 10:10 am ET. USA Today: “The president's guests include three Republican governors -- one of them Scott Walker of Wisconsin, whose battles with public employee unions made headlines throughout the recent election season. Gov. Jack Markell, D-Del., chairman of the National Governors Association, will also be in the meeting with Obama. So will the NGA Vice Chair, Gov. Mary Fallin, R-Okl. The other attendees: Gov. Mike Beebe, D-Ark., Gov. Mark Dayton, D-Minn., and Gov. Gary Herbert, R-Utah.” In addition, Obama sits down for his first TV interview since the election with Bloomberg News at 12:30 pm ET.
*** Team Romney’s regret -- immigration: Out of all the dispatches and news from Harvard’s campaign-manager recap of the 2012 presidential election, this might be the most interesting: Romney Campaign Manager Matt Rhoades said he regretted Romney’s hard right turn on immigration. Per the New York Times, “When asked directly whether Mr. Romney regretted tacking to the right on immigration to appeal to conservative primary voters, the room fell silent. Stuart Stevens, a senior strategist to Mr. Romney, shook his head no. But after pausing for several seconds, Mr. Rhoades said, ‘I regret that.’ He went on to explain that the campaign, in hindsight, had been too worried about a potential threat from Gov. Rick Perry of Texas, who jumped into the race to challenge Mr. Romney as the jobs-and-economy candidate. For weeks in fall 2011, Mr. Romney hammered Mr. Perry on Social Security, particularly his calling the program a ‘Ponzi scheme’ that should be overtaken by state governments. In retrospect,” Mr. Rhoades said, ‘I believe that we could have probably just beaten Governor Perry with the Social Security hit.’”
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Greedy Obstructionist Party. Obstructionist is their middle name
Are you talking about the Democratic Senate?
Ozzie is that the same Senate that the Senate Republicans have used the filibuster 598 times in the past two years? You are throwing out softballs today, Oz.
I didn't see them filibustering the budget proposal? Oh, probably because there wasn't one from the Senate and they never brought the Houses up for a vote did they?
You can look up who in congress voted for and against what . Then you can eat your pathetic lies.
OK, Austerity I did and still don't see the Senate voting on a budget sent by the congress.
Well Ozzie if you really did look then you see the Tea Party congress voted for nearly 100 bills dealing with abortion and resticting abortion.
The 2010 Tea Party congress campaigned on JOBS, but when they got there all they cared about was the reproductive rights of women.
And the GOP still wonders why they lost the Woman Vote.
Double posted
$800 billion in new revenue (through closing loopholes), $600 billion in cuts to federal health-care programs (so Medicare and Medicaid), $200 billion in savings by adjusting the cost-of-living increases in Social Security and Medicare, $300 billion in discretionary cuts, and another $300 billion in mandatory cuts. Given that the GOP proposal raises revenues -- but not rates on the wealthy -- the White House and Democrats immediately rejected it.
Where Are the Cuts To Salaries, Benefits And Expenses For The Do Nothing Congress?
Where Are The Cuts In General To All Federal Employees Elected Or Otherwise To Begin Them More In Line With
The Private Sector Salaries & Benefits? What About Shared Sacrifice Here? Federal Employee Entitlements I'd
Say?
Social Security Is A Stand Alone Program And There Is A Simple Fix Here -- By Removing SS Taxed Income Limit!
Like Wise Medicare & Medicaid Can Have Benefit Payout Limits Based On The Ability To Pay!
GOP -- Cuts -- Deduction Loop Holes Are What? Mortgage Deductions? Can Be Adjusted Downward But Too
Much Would Kill The Housing Industry -- A Major Employer And Revenue Source!
Loop Holes Can Be Closed When It Comes To Overseas Accounts!
Corporate Loop Holes Need To Be Addressed -- Energy Industry For One!
Loop Hole Will Not Cut It On Their Own But Have To Be Part Of The Package!
Tax Rates -- Sorry -- Will Have To Go Up -- No Question About It --!
CMCPO, regarding mortgage interest deductions, wouldn't it make sense to limit it to one primary residence? If I recall, Romney has homes in California, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. I doubt that Mitt is paying a mortgage on any of them, but if he is, he should be allowed the deduction on just one.
His Homes Are In His Tribes Names -- Each Claiming That They Are Their Primary Residences -- Yes It Pays To
Have Losts Of Kids! A Simple Transfer Of Title To Your Family Members And Bingo -- Tax Write Offs Work!
Speaking of 'Playing to the base", does anyone think that current House Speaker will make any firm statements about anything until after the House organizes in January and he is re-elected as Speaker? He is in no position with his caucus to do anything until then, and even then he will have to watch every move Cantor makes to ensure he doesn't end up like Caesar on the Ides of March.
There is no "fiscal cliff" only incompetence in our Corporate Government.
“Republicans have to realize that they are going to cave on tax rates. The only question is what they get in return. What they should demand is this: That the year 2013 will be spent putting together a pro-growth tax and entitlement reform package that will put this country on a sound financial footing through 2040.” Folks, there’s definitely a way to resolve this. The only question is if there’s the will.
Sounds too voodoo to me, first you kill a body and then mark another that's still alive with a voodoo icon, and prepare it for ritual in the hope that the spirit of the dead body will take over that of the live one after it dies of suicide!
Perhaps a simpler version of policy making might work--that is let the House work together, with a few temporary compromises. With this temporary compromises, fiscally sound policies shall be tested throughout 2013. Congress from its law making abilities will have to find out which of these said compromises will be best fitted for the present American social system.
If tax hikes will be good for the top 2 percent, then perhaps, the government might have to relax the Dodd-Frank doctrine in order to provide for growth--which is crucial to business expansion.
The White House seem to have been ignoring the fact the economy is very weak after all of the President's funny speeches about Big Bird, Immigration, and tax hikes for the rich, and the failed Mid-East policies, and so forth.... Of course the President might still sacrifice Big Bird, and a few others on a Voodoo alter if he see it fit, in running his government under his mysterious second term (a jobless recovery that is)!
Hold firm Repubs and let things go over the cliff. Raising tax rates ON EVERYONE is fair and the only way to pay for all the "freebies" welfare and handouts. Taxing the bottom 47% who pay nothing needs to start happending ASAP. Let the people who use the welfare pay the taxes to fund it!
The best plan is to eliminate the IRS and all deductions. A VAT tax of 20% charged on every product and service with no exceptions would more than solve revenue problems, and collects tax from everyone. Eliminate COLA. SS was not created to live off of. Anyone that has to deserves their fate.
Sorry it is the One Percent that are getting all the freebies.
Yeah paying 37% of the tax burden is really getting a freebie Austerity.
to Austerity: I would expect nothing less from a lazy, less intelligent, welfare-fed socialist like you. Without the 1% paying 37% of all tax collected, scum like you would starve! When they are gone, you will. Personally, I can't wait for that to happen! The rich are going to go for tax free investments now and reduce what they pay. I would love for all the rich to move to investments that are not taxable for the next 4 years.... what fun that would be! It will happen.... the next 4 years are going to be a financial disaster and exactly what is needed to eliminate welfare and handouts once and for all.... and that is a good thing.
That is nothing compared by ratio to wealt they have.
Says you who does all the collecting!
sAyItLiKeItIs
"to Austerity: I would expect nothing less from a lazy, less intelligent, welfare-fed socialist like you. Without the 1% paying 37% of all tax collected, scum like you would starve!"
And they wonder why they lost the election.
Sheesh.
Do you think that ,we the people,could have our employee/representatives enter and pass an amendment turning their wages benefits and working conditions over to we the people,or is that an impossible dream?
It's an impossible dream.
Everbody pays taxes. We are taxed for everything we buy and sell. Except for Wallstreet that does thousands of transactions a minute and don't pay a dime for it.
The taxes being discussed are Federal Income Taxes... MORON.... which 47% of Americans like you do not pay. " Everbody" does NOT PAY FEDERAL INCOME TAX. Please educate yourself before posting.... if that is even possible.
sAyIt, your asking a lot of Austerity, good luck!
Only the wealthy pay federal income taxes. Moron the 47% you say is a lie. Only 6.8% actually pay no taxes.
ozzie... you are correct....austerity is quite stupid...as most welfare fed libtards are... welfare promotes reverse evolution..survival of the laziest, dumbest, least productive genes.... austerity only proves this point!
Didn't think you bible thumping retards believed in evolution. Have you informed your masters of this? LOL
sAyItLiKeItIs
"ozzie... you are correct....austerity is quite stupid...as most welfare fed libtards are... welfare promotes reverse evolution..survival of the laziest, dumbest, least productive genes"
And still, they wonder why they lost the election.
Sheesh.
The 5 Walmart heirs have more wealth than the Bottom 40%
So, start a store goof!
The bottom 40% should be exterminated as they serve no useful purpose to society other than to breed out of control and live via welfare and handouts off of other peoples work. Sterilization for welfare with the goal of eliminating the poor from breeding should be the first goal of governments worldwide. Eliminate the bottom 40% and all problems are solved! Overpopulation is destroying the planet for those who work and contribute. Elimination of the losers would be wonderful!
MeeTooBoo,
The above post by Sayitlikeitis is evidence as to why your Republican Party/Tea Party is becoming irrelevant.
It won't take much time, as I said, less than six years.
Buck Garcia 5
tea party isn't a republican party its a tea party hence party behind tea. Tea party are a mix of conservative most with non other party affiliation some lean liberal some lean right most are middle But all are fiscal conservative with strong constitutional values. Its silly to suggest tea party is like GOP. Face the facts the tea party didn't make the fiscal mess it was sent to congress by voters to fix the mess and not play along.
Meetooboo,
Face this fact, I'm not saying the Tea Party is responsible for this fiscal mess. Okay? You keep repeating that line, but I never said it.
What I am saying is the Tea Party has no idea how to get us out of this fiscal mess, and so they come with an agenda that the American Voter just rejected, and soundly I might add.
And yet the Tea Party refuses to acknowledge the election results or the voice and wishes of the American voter.
As for the Tea Party being apart of the GOP or not, I beg to differ. In two years the Tea Party has taken over the GOP. Just ask Karl Rove.
In the nation's eyes, more and more, the Tea Party stands for nonsense. I cannot recall one nationally known Tea Party member who stood up to the Birthers and said, "Barack Obama is an American just like me. He's not from Kenya, he's from America, just like me. Now let's get on with fixing this country."
I never heard it, and neither did you. Nonsense.
I think the tea party has the right idea but your ideology is fogging your mind to see it. Spending is the problem we take in plenty of revenues. Spending fraud and abuse of our dollar is the problem. Doing unconstitutional over reach of a central government is another issue. States can better manage then a central government.
Meetooboo,
Look, you sound like a reasonable person who believes in what they believe in. Fair enough.
Here's my problem, and yours too. The Tea Party plan to fix the problem is the Ryan Budget Plan. That's it. They don't have another plan.
This past election the American People got a look at the Ryan Budget Plan and soundly rejected it. So now what? Does the Tea Party just keep harping about the same plan? If so, then they're done. Finished.
You can't survive in American politics, in a national sense, by proposing plans that the majority of Americans reject. It's as simple as that.
And again, if they're to be taken seriously then please tell me who the Tea Partier was who stood up to his supporters and told them "Barack Obama is as American as I am. Barack Obama is not from Kenya, he's from America just like me. Now let's get on with fixing our country."
It never happened and if you don't want to acknowledge this fact then so be it, but your party is doomed.
You have to fill bad for the gluttonous rich, with all that phony monopoly money, they're still going to die. ie disappear like a squashed bug.
AAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhh the humanity!
You have to feel bad for all the jealous, ignorant non-gluttonous rich, they're still going to die. AAAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhh the humanity!
What have Guns got to do with this article? Looks like, Boehner, and his gang of GOP's would like to drag this cliff thing out for 4 more years, to see if they can win the Presidency. If they don't stop messing things up, the GOP's will never have another chance at the presidency, and they will soon be permanently labeled as childish troublemakers.
Even from a starting negotiating position, for the GOP to start with the Romney Plan is laughable.
We should mention though that the reason they started with the Romney Plan is because the GOP has no other plan. They didn't during the election, and they don't have one now.
And for those Tea Partiers out there who'll respond with "Yes we do. We have the Ryan Budget. It passed the House and Harry Reid refuses to introduce it in the Senate," I have this to say: The American People soundly rejected that plan.
Again, if the Tea Party refuses to acknowledge the results of national elections than they and the GOP will become irrelevant in six years or less.
Amen Buck
So i suppose the constituents of those Tea Party representatives do not have a say in how our government conducts itself? And yes the GOP will become irrelevant as longs as there are people willing to vote themselves free sh!t rather than worrying about the debt we are piling on our grandchildren.
Hey Ozzie,
I'm a Democrat. So where's my free sh*t?
Huh?
Buck your just not trying hard enough. Typical lib but don't worry they will be putting out a Public Service announcement I'm sure.
Hey Ozzie,
What a bunch of Bullsh*t.
And you wonder why you lost the election.
I've already said why we lost the election Buck. But again because the takers out number the givers now.
You mean republicans voted against the republicans? LOL Ironic how they 47% voted for romney. What's that make you ozzie. LMAO
Ozzie,
It's obvious you're out of Fox News talking points.
So be it. Romney ran out of talking points too.
there was one successful president or party since 1976 when it came to taxes and debt??????? There was one president that had a reduction in the debt for a one year period. That was Clinton in which there was a republican house and senate. From 76 to present we went from $653,544,000,000 to $16,383,000,000,000 and looking at $20 trillion by 2016. We have no choice because there is a mixed party congress and that leads to no decision. The only solution is to let the cliff happen and stop cap the debt let the extra revenues build and pay down the debt.
metoo no other alternative except to let the fragile economy tank, so you conservatives can have another shot at the White House...sorry I wont drink that koolaide. besides things are moving in the direction of a compromise where both sides can come up smelling like a rose. That is the American politic.
Joe from the cape12
unless you want to cut spending then we wont need the revenues. Were do you want to cut? you can cut a few servings of koolaide a day.
It is a no-brainer to approve tax cuts for middle class. Just do it. Then, let's go to the next thing. Squash Norquist.
good analogy real.. Norquist does look like a bug, acts like an annoying mosquito that just wont go away until you kill it.
Here's a novel approach, let's cut spending and leave everybodies tax rates where they are.
Here's another novel approach. Let's do what the American people voted to do, which is raise tax rates for the rich.
Either the American voter has a voice or they don't. Either national elections have consequences, or they don't.
Either we live in a democracy or we don't.
What about the 48% that didn't vote for your guy they don't have a say?
Buck Garcia 5
lol 2% more voted for not to raise taxes on the rich but to get more freebies. Don't toot that horn so long you may pass out. There was no landslide on raising taxes. You ll get your taxes but its going to be for everyone and the house will cap the debt ceiling to stop the spending.
Meetooboo,
What freebies? I'm a Democrat? Where's my free stuff.
That's nonsense and one of the reasons your side lost the election.
Buck Garcia 5 whats my side we both loss.
Meetooboo,
I'm a Demcrat. I voted for Barack Obama. I believe in 90% of what he stands for and for what he wants to do in the next 4 years.
I'm clear about what side I'm on. The winning one.
Buck Garcia 5 WELL IF YOU FEEL 8% UNEMPLOYMENT IS A SUCCESS AND 4 TRILLION DEBT FOR YOUR KIDS AND GRAND KIDS A SUCCESS THEN I SUPPOSE YOU LL ALWAYS BE A WINNER BECAUSE OF LOW EXPECTATIONS.
Meetooboo,.
You can spin it anyway you want. You can put words in my mouth. So what?
I remember, even if you don't, when we were losing 800,000 jobs a month. I remember, even if you don't, when unemployment was at 10% and climbing. I remember, even if you don't, how George Bush couldn't wait to get out of Washington.
And I remember how Barack Obama took over the reins and stopped us from going over the abyss, then steadied the ship and now we are on the road to recovery.
If you think we're not on the road to recovery, so be it. Every legitimate economist disagrees with you, but again, so be it.
I'm on the side that won. The Tea Party is on the side that lost. It's pretty simple math.
Meetooboo,
John Boehner is a resonable man. He's been a moderate Republican all his life. He's not a great leader, but he's not a bad one either.
If Boehner didn't have to deal with the Tea Party contingent of his party we would've had a deal last year. If he didn't have to deal with the Tea Party, the GOP would've won the Senate. If he didn't have to deal with the Tea Party, Mitt Romney may well have won the election.
The problem is the lowest denominator, that being the Tea Party, is running the parade. How can that be? Their agenda enjoys a whopping 12% national approval rating, and that was before the election.
Get rid of the Tea Party. They refuse to acknowledge the results of national elections. That's called fascism, not democracy.
Buck, you're just pissed at the tea party because they threaten your very way of life.....government assistance!
Ozzie,
You just don't get it do you?
"Goverment assistance?"
Painting every Democrat as one who relies on goverment assistance is why you lost the election. Keep it up, you'll lose the next one, and the next one, and the next one...
Like I said earlier I already realize that at least until the money runs out.
Boy, Ozzie, when you run out of tallking points you go right to silly.
Good for you.
Obama in 2012!!! Oh wait. We just won that one!!
Buck that's not a talking point that is a fact we can not keep up with all these programs the way they are now. That is not uncaring that is fact and you can try and rationalize all you want but it is a fact.
Ozzie,
Facts? Listen, if you would be so kind as to argue with just one legitimate fact I would be happy to debate you.
So far though, all you do give Fox News talking points, which means a pretty general and negative complaint, but devoid of facts.
I'd be happy to have the conversation. In the meantime let just say, "My guy won and I'm happy."
Social Security should not be on the table for negotiating. Not even the cost of living raises, this is part of the program. This program is currently solvent, is not responsible for any of the current debt problems incurred by a war mongering country that was stupid enough to cut revenues while waging two wars half way around the globe.
It would be shameful for Democrats to allow any reductions in these cost of living raises on the poorest and neediest members of society. The constant fluctuations in gasoline alone eats up all cost of living increases, this doesn't even take into account the rising cost of food and electricity bills which seem to be constantly on the increase as well. Usually at a far higher per centage than any of the cost of living raises. Any reduction in these raises will be taking away from members of society who mostly cannot work any longer, they can only live on what Social Security provides, regardless of what costs go up or how much they go up. They need every penney, they cannot afford any reductions to these raises. FIXED INCOME means just that, usually there are no other options to increase that income.
Yep, better to let it go bankrupt. How old are you?
What exactly are they "taking", with the exception of mega banks, Wall Street and GM who got a tax payer bail out, they use the "PROGRESSIVE" tax code that you PROGRESSIVES" put into place to allow them to "take"?
It's official. Two of the most conservative Republicans in the House have been kicked off of the House Budget Committee by Speaker John Boehner.
The move has apparently been made in the name of compromise. I wonder if Harry Reid will kick the most liberal Senators off of the Senate Budget Committee as well....doubt it.
Just now finding this out? A little slow aren't you.
what's my side whats your side what happen to the American side? It seems were on sides not were on America side but were all looking for what I can get. We ALL loss in this election we still have the same crap in power both Democrats and Republicans are the problem. Seems the Democrats want to hand out freebies and the Republicans want to rain in the spending. Whets wrong with slowing the growth of spending. Ok we raise taxes then what spend more. Or we raise taxes and cut spending. Or we lower taxes and cut spending or do we lower taxes and spend more.... Then were we are at. We can't keep this fiscal madness of the debt going on like this, that dollar is not going to make it then what? What are we going to do about illegal immigration? Allow it to continue till we have all our resourses going to social services then what raise taxes? Where does it stop till were taxed at 100% then what it can't keep going. We have laws for legal immigration we have laws that the president elects not to enforce. Now we have states going against federal law on allowing illegal drug use were does that end? Does it end were we pick and choose what laws we as a individual deems right? It all boils down to a true leadership that neither party is willing to do. It suppose to be we the people not only my base or his base. A true leader runs America as a single body. There were the hate is it's like we are at war in America because both sides hate each other. Were the leadership? Leadership is about give and take. To be a leader in this country because of its vast diversity must lead from the center. If not then were doomed as a nation…When Clinton did it in his last two years we had a balance budget and the deficit went down. Why cant we do it now? There no reason other then greed and power that prevents doing the right thing for America. Thanks for listening. lol
Hmm, I dunno, 'boo'; you seemed to try to write a balanced, non-partisan post, but you did not really succeed. Agree with some points, but well off the mark on others.
That is very much just your perception. Clearly, there is blame to go around, but we did not 'all lose' because you say so.
This is just patently false, and is the same myth that is being perpetuated by the conservative right and is probably one of the main reasons why Romney lost the election. Democrats do not want to just 'hand out freebies'. Democrats are not just unemployed 'takers'. And republicans certainly are not pillars of 'conservative spending'; remember when republicans loved deficit spending under the Bush's and Reagan? Again, plenty of blame to go around. But do not pretend that only repubs can control spending.
Ha ha, ridiculous. We are taxed at historically low levels right now. We are not even close to 100%, and we never will be. For chrissake, the GOP won't even agree to a minor tax hike (which of course, is NOT even a tax hike, but rather the expiration of a CUT) for the wealthiest Americans. 100% tax rate, my rear end.
Couldn't agree with you more on this point; Rampant profiteering by the financial industry, the insurance industry, the health care industry, and many others; who are earning record profits while paying out record low wages and benefits; and who are allowed to influence our political system with any amount of money that they see fit in order to further benefit themselves, is exactly what is 'dooming' us as a nation.
bhart2000 I'm just looking at the data on the freebie stuff its still growing and the Democratic talking points state the economy on a recover sorry but the data don't reflect any recovery. Then there the student loan issues which my friend this bubble is about to bust as well. The whole idea of free contraceptive I thought was a way off the boards, come on $9.95 a month. I agree to the point of the children who are of illegal immigration should stay since they been here and have already made a life for them self. That all needs to stop. Im for the Cliff but we need to cut the spending too. Lets bring up the taxes it wont kill middle America the dollar week anyways there has to be revenue increases along with cuts to knock out the debt and balance the budget that's if we had a leader to actually put forth a budget. I dont have all the answers but I do know this country is different then a decade ago...
I don't believe for one second that someone such as yourself meetoobooho can comprehend data when you clearly can't even comprehend basic English. Your posts read like a 3rd grader wrote them.
American Spectator: No Ifs, Thens, or Buts
Believe it or not, there was progress in the fiscal cliff negotiations between the White House and congressional Republicans this week. Progress was made, at least in flushing out what both sides really want.
Obama's "offer," taken to the Hill by Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, was a back-of-the-hand slap at Republicans. Having won the election, Obama chose to make an offer he knew Republicans had to refuse. Starting with $1.6 trillion in increased taxes over the next ten years, Obama asked for more spending -- not spending cuts -- and a potpourri of increased White House power and government growth. Not only did he want unilateral permanent power to raise the debt ceiling, he wanted another "if-then" deal on Social Security, promising an eleven-month study that would supposedly produce an agreement on entitlement reform.
Real progress was made in the reactions to Obama's Christmas wish list. As Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told the Wall Street Journal about his meeting with Geithner, "He noticed that I laughed. That pretty well summed up my view of what he was saying." House Speaker John Boehner (R-Oh) called the offer "unserious" and said that there was no way the House would give the White House unilateral authority over the debt ceiling. And that was only the beginning.
In a radio interview last week, McConnell told me that the Republicans weren't going to fall for another "if-then" deal, a point he reiterated to the WSJ. If McConnell and Boehner stick to that resolution, and they must, whatever deal may be made will have to be on legislation that takes effect now, not later, when it comes to entitlement reform and spending cuts. Boehner, on Fox News Sunday, explicitly rejected the idea of another commission to study Social Security. He said America has a serious spending problem and "we're going to fix it."
So, at this point, where are we? Nowhere. Which is the good news and the bad news.
It's good news because it will be far better for our economy for no deal to be made before the year ends than if there's another bad deal, like the Budget Control Act of 2011, which created the mess we're in now.
And it's bad news, because Obama and his team have focused the media narrative on one narrow issue: whether the upper income taxpayers will suffer a tax increase. As the narrative goes, that's the only big issue dividing the two sides.
In that radio interview, Sen. McConnell told me that if the upper income rates were raised as Obama wants, the revenue would be so small that it would only pay for six days of the government's operations. The most important issues are twofold, and the Republicans would benefit greatly by undertaking a big media offensive to clarify them.
First and foremost is economic growth. For the economy to recover, for unemployment to drop and for the economy to be able to sustain growth long enough to even begin to make up for what we've lost over the past six years, economic growth has to be spurred.
Obama's plans only increase spending and maintain $1 trillion increases in the federal debt for the foreseeable future. They do nothing to reduce spending or restore growth. And while Republican ideas don't harm growth, they don't focus on producing it.
Thanks to the Free Congress Foundation and prominent economist Gary Robbins, we know what will promote growth. Instead of freezing or increasing tax rates, their "Growth Code" would reduce business taxes, end double taxation, allow expensing (same-year deduction) of the cost of business investment, and provide parity in tax rates for investment and consumption spending. The five points of the "Growth Code" are economically proven, simple, and explainable. They should comprise the simplified agenda Republicans pursue now.
The second issue is federal spending, including Social Security and Medicare. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill) is first among the Dems in insisting that Social Security doesn't add a penny to the federal debt. What nonsense. According to yesterday's Washington Post, Social Security takes in -- at least for now -- more than it spends. But the surplus is borrowed from Social Security's trust funds and spent elsewhere. The borrowing adds to the debt. In 2012 alone, Social Security's income (what's paid into the funds) had $110 billion in interest payments out of a total income of $854 billion.
Yes, we owe it to ourselves, but every penny that is "borrowed" from Social Security trust funds is still part of the debt that has to be repaid.
The rest of the federal budget is as out of control today as it was before the election. The federal debt is now equal to our Gross Domestic Product. The congressional Republicans need to come up with a specific menu of cuts -- massive cuts that take effect now, not ten years from now -- and demand Obama deal with them in whatever deal is made to avoid the fiscal cliff.
Obama's team is out pressing their case. Following Susan Rice's example, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner made the rounds of the Sunday talk shows yesterday, making Obama's case for higher taxes that congressional Republicans had literally laughed off. His talking points were a bit better than hers, but included one amazing claim.
Geithner's talking points were designed to backfoot the Republicans into negotiating with themselves on spending cuts, and to keep the narrative focused on one question: whether 98% of Americans would have their taxes increased because Republicans refused to raise taxes on "the rich."
Social Security reform, Geithner said, had to be a part of another effort and couldn't be done within the fiscal cliff dealings. He's proposing -- and Durbin is endorsing -- another "if-then" deal. It's hard to believe that the Republicans would fall for that again.
Geithner said that there would be no agreement unless the upper income tax rates are increased. If that's Obama's bottom line, it's a weakness in his position that Republicans can and should exploit.
Geithner also said that Democrats would support Obama's tax hike agenda. But none have come forward to endorse those hikes. Do the so-called moderate Dems -- Sens. Baucus, McCaskill, Pryor, Tester, Landrieu, and Nelson --want the tax hikes? If they do, why haven't they said so? Because small business owners -- including farmers -- reject them. It is those constituencies -- and the whole middle class -- at which the Republicans should focus a media campaign.
There are still four weeks until the fiscal cliff is reached. That's an eternity in politics. As Boehner said, there's a stalemate now. The longer it lasts, the more leverage Republicans will have. Obama is weaker than he appears. Let's take this one to the brink, and not do another "if-then" deal.
Corporate Profits Are Moving Off The Charts Going - Up Up Up And Average Incomes Are Moving Off The Charts Going - Down Down Down!
The Corporations Are Crying That They Need & Want Competitive Tax Rates To Grow And Compete?
Let Me See Now -- Most Corporate Execs Are Bonused & Paid On Revenue & Profit Growth & Profits Are UP UP UP!
So One Of The Best Place To Pickup & Grow Their Bonus Buck Is Controlling Labor Costs And Passing Alot Of Their Labor Costs Along To The Government To Supplement Their Low Income Employees With Government Entitlements -- Because They Don't Pay A Living Wage -- Example In Case WALMART! No Starving Owners & Execs Here For This Huge Employer -- With Huge Profits To Share!
Corporate Profits Grow -- Because They Are Directly Passing Along THe Costs To Us -- They Bonus Out -- And
They Take Home The Bacon And Guess Who Pays The Bill -- You And I!
Minimum Wage Laws Should Be Address And Turned Into "Live Wage Laws"!
More Jobs Are Not The Only Issue -- Jobs At A Live Wage Is Even More Important -- 70% Of Our Economy Is Comsumption Based -- No Living Wage = No Money = No Consumption!
here is a great idea
take away the pay and benefits of congress if they do not agree on a budget. Why pay for a service that is not provided. would you have a job if you did not show up for work or perform your duties you were hired for. what makes congress so special.
The danger to America is not Barack Obama, but a citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the Presidency. It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of an Obama presidency than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their president. The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr. Obama, who is a mere symptom of what ails America . Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince. The Republic can survive a Barack Obama, who is, after all, 'merely a fool'. It is far less likely to survive a multitude of fools, such as those who made him their President.
Blah, blah, blah.
The majority of Americans disagree.
It's pretty simple math. Boy when right wingers win it's all about "America has spoken."
When they lose it's all about the end of the country as we know it. My father, a WWII vet, would tell you quite simpley, "Kiss my ass, you lost."
He had a way with words.
Why should Obama try to cut a deal? The fiscal cliff gives him higher taxes - which he wants - and gives the Reps the blame. Why not just give making a deal lip service and wait for the win-win? Perhaps that's what he's already doing ...
President Obama knows exactly what he's doing, and so does John Boehner.
Go over the so called fiscal cliff. The Bush Tax cuts expire. Reconvene in January and introduce a bill to revert back to the Bush Tax cuts for the middle class only.
Now watch the Tea Party led House Republicans vote against cutting taxes for the middle class.
Those Tea Partiers in the House are a funny bunch. They think losing is winning.