P.S.:

Merry Cliff-mas, GOPee

Not so Merry a Christmas for the rest of Americans, because of you GOPeeTPee holding America hostage. The President already raised the income threshold for raising taxes to $400,000 earners from his voter-approved $250,000. Take it, GOPee. Don't be such a grinch, GOPee.

No politician in DC should go home until the fiscal cliff is resolved. This includes Boehner, Reid and Obama.

I've worked through many holidays when things needed to be done in the office, and the politicians can do the same.

It is a good thing the world will end tomorrow, thanks God.

We're going over the cliff soon. Everyone get ready, weeee! Enjoy it this should be fun!

Eric Cantor,

Make Our Day! Vote and then Veto. More time wasted protecting the rich and corporate greed! I can't wait for the next round of elections to see the republicans become extinct!

Voting for Plan B is like voting for a TEA Party condom with a hole in it (increasing our deficit)..........

It continues the unfunded coporate tax cuts for the rich (top 2%) and phases out unemployement compensation for a number of unemployed who paid into SDI unemployment by State taxation when working................

After Presidential veto of this failed Bill..........onto where we started......a GOP meeting compromise (or not) in the middle of what the majority of America already voted for with Obama's initial proposal during the 2012 election........

Forward........

Exactly. Cantor - good job, dipstick. Evidently, you didn't see the results of the last election. Your time is coming.

Bonehead Boehner continues to live up to his name. Protect the corporate greed and rich at all costs. Evan wasting a vote today that had better be vetoed! Get in touch with reality republicans. You lost in November for a reason!

Here we see, first hand, where the line forms for the GOP. Here is where we see just exactly how much the GOP will fight for the middle class. President Obamas' plan of a $400,000 limit is fair for all of us in the middle class, yet, Boehner thinks the middle class starts at $1,000,000! Anybody see the disconnect?

Speaker Boehner, take the deal from the President because that is the best you will get. The President has said NO to plan B and that's the way it will be. End of story.

The MOST important thing is to keep track of who votes for Plan B -- essentially I think most Republicans. THEN OUR MOST MOST MOST MOST important job as someone on this blog said is to watch the Republican Party go EXTINCT. They WILL pay at the 2014 ballot box. It cannot come fast enough for me.

Beyond that STATE HOUSES MUST MUST MUST MUST TAKE OUT Republican Governorships and both houses in state legislatures. The south is a gonner we know that. Good let them go who cares BUT the other states that we saw give our president re-election times 10 MUST be made to see that for their bread and butter issues RepublicRATS are NOT NOT NOT about them. They are about the top 1% and the tea baggies god only knows what they are about. Tea baggies ain't rich but there are many white racists among them and they will never give in to the 1/2 black man in the WHITE House.

So let's get what we can then persuade Republicans who are part the OLD saner party to come across the isle where the water is fine and there is a functioning brain!

Hey, romilio

It is a good thing the world will end tomorrow, thanks God.

LOL.

The smart Mayans predicted this fiscal cliff that would happen around 12/21/12. But stay calm, Superman Obama will save the day.

.

Marry Cliff-mas...any one?

Pigotry is on top #1 - that rules everything right, make no mistake that Pigotry is a ham, Salute !!!

Hear that sound? It's the can being kicked farther down the road.

They are ALL disconnected up in Washington anyway. What further evidence does anyone need?

Why can't I get paid that much to do nothing? *grins*

John Boehner and the GOP thing that by having a vote, they gain some kind of leverage.

The reality of the situation, which has not sunk into the GOP yet, President Obama does not have to run for re-election. He does not care if some of the blame (or all of it) falls on him. He will not be running an election campaign again, ever. He's done campaigning. He doesn't have to please a Grover Norquist, Sheldon Adelson, Koch brother or anyone else.

The President is doing what is right. He has no corporate masters to please.

The President can't be bullied because John Boehner goes in front of the camera and blames the President for Boehner's walking away from the negotiation table. The White House has already said that they will go "over the cliff" instead of accepting the GOP proposals (increasing defense, cutting Social Security, Medicare and domestic spending) and cutting taxes for those over $250,000. $400,000.

Personally, I hope every GOP member who lost his/her seat, plus 12 more vote no. Cantor has his stiletto ready and he painted a target on Boehner's back a long time ago.

So let's see, there are some Teapublican Crazies who won't vote for any tax increases, and then to pass anything in the House, votes from some Dems will be needed too, no? Yesterday the news was the Dems adamantly reject Plan B. Then it would have to pass the Senate. Not.

The Senate has already passed a bill to avoid the fiscal curb. Who really thinks Cantor (look at his sniveling smart-arse face above) is running the show? Especially after the election, and the huge majority of Americans who want the president's plan passed instead -- The majority of the electorate favors raising taxes on the richest 2% starting at $250.000 in income as well. Even the $400,000 counter offer is pushing the envelope.

My guess is this is news bait.

Rick-3416939,

Democrats have NOT moved the "target" for negotiations in the fiscal cliff deal like you falsely assert. And I might add, Republicans, like yourself, seem to be falsely asserting too much during these negotiations. I'd like to remind you the Senate already passed Obama's middle class tax cut long before Congress in the House even thought of plan B.....END OF DISCUSSION. Therefore, it is Republicans moving the target. Despite your despair that a beloved GOP (according to you) is not our Presidential administration or a majority within the 3 branches of Gov't. The Bullseye within the target proposed remains what the majority (Executive and Senate) presents.....not the minority (House) with 1 out of 3 branches of Gov't. By the way, your attachment is not emphasizing any point within your post. You have made no point. You've only expressed a wish on your Santa Claus list for letting the top 2% get out of paying for those unfunded coporate tax cuts of the last 12 years they benefited from reflected in our deficit bill.

Hey, Patriotic American U.S.A.

Pigotry is on top #1 - that rules everything right, make no mistake that Pigotry is a ham

stop talking about ham..it's lunch time, making me hungry. Or wait..I just need to bite into my own shoulder...there is ham & pork chop ...a miracle.

LOL ....................& Merry Cliff-mas, GOP

Once again the Tea Party has pulled their @!$%#..... Cantor we spoke when we voted in President Obama...... I really do not care at this point what you are offering since it really is just BS again..... Mr. President it is time to Sequester Congress, do not allow any House or Senate Member to leave until this is resolved..... I am sure their families will not miss them since this impasse sits clearly in their laps..... By the way Rep. Cantor if you want to make cuts then start with the Pay & Benefits Congress gets..... It is sure plane that you all have not earned a Dam Penny must less your out-rages Pay & Benefits.....

Pelosi is against Plan B because it increases taxes on the middle class not because it is on incomes above $1 Million a year.

Plan B, by allowing several key tax credits to expire –including the expanded Child Tax Credit and a credit that helps with higher education tuition — would raise taxes on 20 million families. Also, allowing the current payroll tax cut to expire will affect every working American. As the Tax Policy
Center noted, “Most low income and middle income families with children will see their taxes rise.”

http://taxvox.taxpolicycenter.org/2012/12/19/toppling-over-the-fiscal-cliff-could-cost-low-income-families-1000-in-reduced-tax-credits/

Let's see the GOP pass any of their budget bills in the house with a 3/5 majority as currently required in the senate; after all, if it's needed one place to 'prove' the bill has enough 'public support', why not both places?

If the Republican party were a movie, it would be 'Clueless'.....

iowaretiree

Plan O= tax the rich and spend us into oblivion!!!

Let me guess, you get your information from FAUX Noise, probably that blond ditz on FOX and Friends? Or maybe Hate Radio idiots like Beck or Limbaugh, who couldn't complete college and have had substance abuse problems? As the saying goes, stupid people get their information from stupid sources.

If you think "ear marks" are causing the deficit (though in reality these are a drop in the bucket), then why not get some serious revenue by requiring the rich to pay their fair share? At least it's truly a good start, and it addresses the issue of inequality that is fundamental to this nation.

Rick-3416939 -Wow, just wow. So what are you saying? That the middle class starts at 1 million? And who is moving goal posts? President Obama campaigned (clearly and non-stop) on raising the tax rates starting at the richest 2%, which is $250,000. And in his proposal EVERYONE continues to enjoy the 2001 Bush tax cuts on the first $250,000 earned -- Then to top it off, he countered with $400,000!

In the meantime, Boehner/Teapublicans are the ones moving the goal post. They conveniently neglect to add in the spending cuts already passed last session -- with ZERO in revenue, mind you. Puleeze, you and others like you are the ones having a disconnect. Stop spreading your manure in this forum and go back to The Blaze.

Tonytellsthetruth you can just keep making it up and it will never change the facts. The House passed a bill back in August to extend all the Bush era tax breaks and it has been sitting on the desk of Harry Reid since. You apparently just don't get it, this whole process is meaningless, it solves NOTHING. This is no more a solution to solving this nations fiscal crisis then rounding up every kids piggy bank. This is slight of hand, more Washington smoke and mirrors, just a pile of nothing. But go ahead and beat your liberal drum, and ignore the endless hypocrisy from both sides. Washington does not solve problems, they create them. That my friend is the honest truth, and history proves it over and over. Term limits for congress, a totally revamped tax code, and a balanced budget amendment are this nations only hope. Perception, not solutions is all that will come of this issue, and of course another kick to the can.

Hear that sound? It's the can being kicked farther down the road.

LOL, AG -you hear what else?? It's ALSO the sound of your retirement account crashing after January 1st, and the sound of your home's property value dropping, and the sound your take home pay being a few coin drops in a tin after all is said and done, and the march of China coming, and................

LOLZ!

AG99

Hear that sound? It's the can being kicked farther down the road.

Took the words right out of my mouth... or out of my fingers in this case.

Should we ask the politicians to enhance the deja vu feeling and name it the Fiscal Control Act of 2012?

President Obama should do a Executive order and stick it to the pigs !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

These bastards are trying to wiggle out of both real spending cuts and real revenue increases!

PLAN B - "...while TWO (2) MILLION Americans would lose unemployment insurance", on December 29th, 2012.

Through no fault of their own, I know of 2 million Americans and their families, (now read 6-8 MILLION Americans effected), who will not be having a "Merry Christmas" if this gets passed as advertised.

Plan B:

– Cuts to food stamps that could knock millions of low-income Americans out of the program

– Cuts to Meals on Wheels, a program that delivers meals to seniors or other individuals who are unable to prepare their own food

– Cuts funding to health exchanges that will be created under Obamacare and funding for Medicaid included in the same law

– Cuts to the Dodd-Frank financial reform law that will yield no cost savings, but will make bailouts of
big banks more likely

– Denying the Child Tax Credit to the parents of American children, if the parents are
undocumented immigrants.

Your wasting our time and yours Cantor.

IMO The solution to our debt problem is to let the tax cuts expire it didn't produce jobs, only more debt.

Decide what percent we need to cut spending then cut everything by that percentage.

Stop letting companies write off the cost of doing business off shore.

Stop subsidizing oil companies.

@ Eric Cantor

hey azzclown, what part of the top 1% paying their fair share don't you and your fellow tea bagging dimwits fail to understand, Boneheads bill only raises taxes on approx the top .04%. I understand that math and intelligence isn't the tea party's strong point, but I would think that having your ass handed to you in an election might cause you tools to use that peachpit between your ears more than you have been.

Arthur66

The GOP leaders are doing *their* job!

Now if only failed Senator Harry Reid can do *his* and the most divisive President since Andrew Johnson can move off his rigid ideology just slightly, we can get a deal done!!

I didn't realize that the leadership of the Republican Party's job was to get a bill passed in the House that is certain to die of the Senate. That helps all of us.

Arthur,

This is not a deal. Why would anyone vote for this thing? It makes no sense. I think you are watching too much FOX Noise.

Is there a bigger A-Hole than Eric Cantor?

At this point in time it is time for the repubs to resign or change their affiliation to D. Neither plan does a damn thing to improve the fiscal health of our nation. It's all nickel and dime stuff. They've already given in to the dems. Plan B is essentially about where the dems started off. Once Boehner conceded the dems language (which is BS) then there isn't anything to do but roll over and play dead. It's unfortunate because the country is being destroyed. But, I don't see anyone in Washington who sees there is a problem or who is willing to do anything about it. The dems will gleefully let Obama drive the country off the cliff and the repubs seem to be jealous of the dems for being the ones to do the driving (apparently they'd rather be the ones driving the ship over the edge).

But, gotta give Obama credit, he's reading the repubs right. He knows he can stand firm and the repubs will roll over, just like they have for the past 6 years. No sense on discussing "solutions" as no one will take notice. The dems will just call you names and the wusses don't like to be called names.

This Mess "W" got us in is getting Crazy, the GOP are starting to act like the Tea Loonies !!!!!

Boner and Cantor the Kapo got their deal, this was what they wanted to raise the debt ceiling(the fiscal cliff), now they are trying to screw the average American for the benefit of the 2% yet again. It is time for them to be voted out of America's house, they are not of the people, they are by the people and they are certainly not for the people. 2014 is just a stones throw away, then we can remove these thieves that steal from the poor and middle class to give to their masters, the rich and big business. Shine your $2000,00 a pair walking shoes. Read the polls I can't remember a time the GNOP's approval rating was so low, and they ignore it thinking their handlers will buy their seats for them. No matter how much money and negative ads the rich and corporations give them in support, and despite citizens united each PERSON has only one vote and they are equal no matter your income. The last election is proof of this.

Will President Obama cut and run?

"Washington does not solve problems, they create them"

Where have I heard this before? Ah yes, Reagan: "Government isn't the solution, it's the problem." Get some new material already. Supply-side voodoo economics has been debunked -- Government often is the only solution to problems, and in fact anyone who thinks the private sector should do everything (from security to economic policy) is f'ed in the head.

Also, in regard to the false equivalency, forgettaboutit! The Teapublicans have broken all historic records with their pre-meditated plan to obstruct and collect their paychecks for doing NOTHING. The Teapublicans, led by bat-crap crazies like Michele Bachmann wanted to default on our debt causing our rating to drop. The GOP is so beholden to a handful of cranky gazillionaires and brainwashed minions as to be a complete joke.

Seriously, if you really want to know the root of all that is wrong in our country, you can trace it to a handful, or even one rich, self-serving arsehole whether Roger Ailes/Rupert Mudock, the Koch Brothers, etc. The best example of only one person causing ruination for the working class is Lewis Powell, per the book Who Stole the American Dream -- read it and weep:

Smith fits the puzzle together, starting with Lewis Powell’s provocative memo that triggered a political rebellion that dramatically altered the landscape of power from then until today.

This is a book full of surprises and revelations—the accidental beginnings of the 401(k) plan, with disastrous economic consequences for many; the major policy changes that began under Jimmy Carter; how the New Economy disrupted America’s engine of shared prosperity, the “virtuous circle” of growth, and how America lost the title of “Land of Opportunity.” Smith documents the transfer of $6 trillion in middle-class wealth from homeowners to banks even before the housing boom went bust, and how the U.S. policy tilt favoring the rich is stunting America’s economic growth.

And since the mid-1990's when FAUX Noise and Hate Radio launched, we now have about 47% of the population so misinformed and unreachable that our democracy is at risk. A crap-load of people who are black helicopter paranoid, bigoted -- even misogynistic, religious fanatics as in Flat Earth Society and anti-intellectualism in general, and in a nut shell going backward to the Dark Ages.

The problems our country faces is much deeper than what goes on in Washington -- A monster created that now one wonders if we can ever correct it. Perhaps it is the end of the world, at least in this way...

@NJHome, I have been reading about, and commenting on, fiscal cliff disussions on several websites and that is the most concise, well put, Fair statement I have read. I would add that the capital gains tax rate needs to go up and no others, they should just expire as you have stated.

We need a third party that represents average Americans

Oh for cripes sake! These boneheads will never learn! They are more than willing to risk the economic health of our nation to prove they STILL are not willing to accept the leadership of President Obama. Can hardly wait for the 2014 midterm elections. We need to send these idiots packing!

John-2895194:

Is there a bigger A-Hole than Eric Cantor?

Um> John Boehner, Rush Limbaugh, Jim DeMint, Joe Walsh, Rience Preibus, Gov. Jim McDonald, Gov. Scott Walker, Gov. Rick Snyder, Gov. Rick Scott, Sen. Kelly Ayotte, Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.... the list goes on and on and on and on and on.

TruePatriot-445959 1.46, well said.

235,000 Americans earn $1 Million or more with a mean income of $3.1 Million. The group pays a mean tax rate of 24.6%, which will revert to the 28.7% pre-Bush mean tax rate under the Boehner plan. This would result in a $29.6 Billion annual boost for the Treasury, however recent talk of exempting the first $250K may reduce the boost to the Treasury to about $27 Billion.

@truepatriot, It is funny you mention that Obama campaigned (clearly and non-stop) on raising the tax rates starting at the richest 2%, which is $250,000, but fail to mention he also campaigned on a 2.5 to 1 ratio on spending cuts vs increased tax revenue but that is not what he has proposed - twice. His proposals have been far below 1 to 1. How is that for moving the goalposts and not sticking to his promise or more pointedly, what he got elected on.

Again with the arrogance of the losing party...

I thought Republicans were against Plan B? It's part of their ongoing fight to remove access to contraception.

Apparently, the GOP is still determined to make President Obama a one-term president; it's as if they never got the memo from the voters.

So, The New Republican Party wants to play Chicken. Do they understand that they are playing the game of Chicken with the American public? It looks as if Harry Reid is calling bull@!$%# on them. If Boehner or Cantor think that by holding this ridiculous vote and further running out the clock is going to end up on the backs of Dems then they are much more stupid than even I thought.

CNN Poll (12/20/2012):

53% of people, including 22% of Republicans, said the GOP's views and policies as too extreme. The number is up dramatically from previous years. In 2010, fewer than 40% thought the party was too extreme.
57% consider the Democrats to be main stream and only 37% see them as too extreme.
61% of Republicans would accept raising taxes on the wealthy in order to avoid the "fiscal cliff."
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/12/20/cnn-poll-are-gop-policies-too-extreme/?cid=sf_twitter

Plan O= tax the rich and spend us into oblivion!!!

I love how the truly misinformed just make crap up to please themselves. It doesn't matter a bit that nobody else can see this "spend us into oblivion" crap; it doesn't matter if anything is true. Just believing something is true is now the Fact-Check, extraordinaire, for the GOP and their Republican-voting sheeple.

From the article above:

President Barack Obama has promised to veto the legislation; it is virtually dead-on-arrival in the Senate, where Democrats oppose the proposal.

At the same time, Democrats ridiculed Republicans' strategy as a waste of time given Obama and Senate Democratic leaders' stated opposition to even allowing for consideration of the plan.

The GOP (Greedy Obstruction Party) is at it again.

They have decided to hit the gas pedal and speed America over the cliff.

Just like Thelma and Louise, but this time, its Boehner and Cantor.

2013 is starting to look real good. New congress, newly re-elected President, and a nation that has had it up to Kris Kringle's cap with obstruction and the usual BS from the GOP.

Step aside Boehner.

Move along Cantor.

This President and the MAJORITY of Americans will take it from here.

We will move America FORWARD towards prosperity in 2013.

Salud

scott-579755

Will President Obama cut and run?

No, he'll hold firm to his principles of driving the bus over the cliff. He needs the additional money to pay for Progressive investments.

And, no one will be in the halls of congress over the holidays: Obama goes to Hawaii, Reid sends Senators home.

Can't negotiate when the halls are empty.

1funnygirl-

Can't negotiate when the halls are empty.

That's when the House of Representatives is at it's best!

Salud

I heard that Clinton signed a bill that said that companies could only deduct up to $1M in salary to executives. So, they started paying themselves with stock options.

Now, if Boehner is going to raise taxes on those making over $1M, and knowing that capital gains tax rates are at 15%, and when executives cash those stock options\ they are taxed as capital gains, THEN WHO IS GOING TO PAY HIGHER TAXES? It's the Capital Gains Rate that needs to be increased. That's where the 1%ers are getting their income.

Damn the selfish right just don't stop. THIS IS GROVER NORQUIST's PLAN B. He told them "stop negotiating a tax increase or else...." and they did of course. He is their fuhrer.

This is not going to get better we bounce these right-wing clowns out of the House. The Tea Party has the Republicans by the nads. 2014 can't get here soon enough so we can eliminate these pieces of crap.

repubs will roll over, just like they have for the past 6 years.

Hey whatever your smoking, give me some.....'GOP rolling over' for Obama..are you really THAT STUPID, Witchrunner? Al the GOP did was obstruct and they passed NO MEANINGFUL LEGISLATION BILLS. How can you 'be rolled over' if your answer is 'No' and you dont participate.

CAntor is an F-N Moron

I'm still for giving the President and his party exactly what they want so we can all see whether it works or not. Just because it hasn't worked anywhere else in the world - Greece comes to mind as a recent example, doesn't mean that if we keep doing the exact same thing over and over again it won't magically have a different outcome this time. I think that they need to accept the responsibility for the results of their actions as well.

President Obama didn't inherit this problem from George Bush, he created it in his first term by adding 6 trillion to the National Debt.

...even as Senate Democrats said the GOP proposal would never even be allowed a vote in their chamber.

And all you lefties want to call the GOP obstructionist. If Plan B is passed in the house, the senate won't even bring it up for a vote?!! No more of this. If the Dems don't like Plan B let it come to a vote in the Senate and let them vote it down. No more of having one person, Harry Reid, decide on what bills should be voted on any more. If a bill is passed by one house of congress, the other house should at least hold a vote on it. Yet, the Dems won't even do that. Why, because their leadership knows that Plan B is better than nothing and they know that some of their party would vote for it and pass the bill. They also don't want to put Obama in a position to have to veto a bill and take the blame for this mess.

It's very clear that the Republican Party is on its way out of our lives. They have gone stark raving mad and ought to be institutionalized. Oh, wait, they already are.

Added to that problem, what the hell is wrong with Obama? Why doesn't he just say, take it or leave it and we will let the voters decide if they want you around?

Give it a rest already pig. If it is not the Dems way you cry like a baby. All you do is GOP this GOP that getting old. Time to have some bacon.....

Spend spend spend is all the DEMS want to do they don't give a rats butt about the middle class all they care about is the money they have and the food stampers and welfare babies.

I want to hear what Obama is going to cut. Can you tell me that or just sound like a pig GOP GOP GOP GOP...

The worst part about this is it was never supposed to be anything more that a simple vote to raise the debt ceiling and prevent completely avoidable financial collapse. Our incompetent government has made a laughing stock out of our politics by turning what SHOULD HAVE BEEN A ROUTINE THING into a joke and political stage.

The equivalent of not doing this routine vote would be an individual choosing to go into bankruptcy when they have a good enough credit rating to take out a loan for their very successful business.

It makes no sense. But our government has turned what should have been a routine thing into a hostage situation for political agenda on both sides of the party line. It started with the GOP, who needed leverage on something because they had no majority except in the house. They took the country, it's functionality (or what's left of it) of government, and it's economy hostage over political agenda. And the Democrats were not much better. In the name of compromise, they did the equivalent of, "Take my wallet, take my credit card, take my house, and while you're at it take my dog." Meanwhile, the GOP decided to press for more and more, not budging for anything while the date of economic ruin fast approached. In the end, the Democrats didn't give the GOP absolutely everything (although they did mostly) they wanted (like a victim at gunpoint) to the GOP. And since the GOP wasn't allowed complete control of the government by the Democrats, they still refused to budge on the debt ceiling (self made) crisis. The solution by both parties:

Since CONGRESS CAN'T EVEN FUNCTION let alone get this done, we'll assign a bipartisan "committee" to fail on it. And let's put in STUPID and destructive cuts THAT NOBODY WANTS to automatically kick in if we fail to figure this out in time as a motivator to get this done by the deadline.

And the solution of the "committee" was:

WE GIVE UP!

Obviously, they couldn't automatically do their job just because the group was smaller. The same bipartisan issues occurred. There was just less useless people in the group to waste space. With the deadline fast approaching (even more so) and the "committee" not working out. So our incompetent government had to do something. Otherwise we might face, like, completely avoidable financial ruin. And they may be, like, voted out of the cozy jobs they don't do in the first place. The solution for both parties:

LET'S PUT IT OFF UNTIL AFTER THE ELECTION!

Wonderful! Now we can have a government where nothing passes until after the election because apparently we can't run a government during campaigning season. AKA: The second two years of a four year presidential term, or HALF OF IT! NOT THAT WE COULD RUN IT ANYWAY! Now it is after the election, and we voted to keep everything largely the same. More or less, we have the same government. Yeah, a few Republicans and Tea Party goers bit the dust. But many didn't. The bottom line:

We voted to have the same president, the same Democratic majority in the senate, and the same Republican minority in the house. THE SAME EXACT COMBINATION OF PARTY MIX THAT COULDN'T GET ANYTHING DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!!!!

The priorities of most of our esteemed politicians in both parties are now once again:

1. Self

2. Party

3. Country (If there's anything left over for that. Often there isn't.)

We would vote other people into office, but we tried that and most of them didn't know how to do their jobs. The old ones just chose not to do their jobs most of the time, but at least they knew how.

Is it any wonder we get nothing done?

Both parties are to blame. At this point, just get something done. Enough blaming the other parties for the incompetence of an entire government. Enough excuses, enough posturing, enough stalling, enough finger pointing, and enough political agenda. Just ignore it all and vote to raise the debt ceiling. You can argue over taxes and all that bull** later!

Well Joey, apparently so does the Democratic Party, or at least that is what Nancy Pelosi wrote in her letter to Speaker Boehner on May 23, 2012.

Rick, if that offer was so good for Republicans, why didn't the Republicans agree to that on May 23rd?

That ship sailed 7 months ago. It ain't coming back. Now, you want to come up with something that will actually pass each House (as Boehner insisted from Obama)?

Typical Republican games. That's exactly why the Republicans will get the blame.

mdub44

@truepatriot, It is funny you mention that Obama campaigned (clearly and non-stop) on raising the tax rates starting at the richest 2%, which is $250,000, but fail to mention he also campaigned on a 2.5 to 1 ratio on spending cuts vs increased tax revenue but that is not what he has proposed - twice. His proposals have been far below 1 to 1. How is that for moving the goalposts and not sticking to his promise or more pointedly, what he got elected on.

If I understand what you are saying, you are saying that if anything, President Obama has compromised from his initial position? Yes, he has, and why I say it is crazy talk when rightwingers claim the president is moving the goal post (or raising the bar higher) when it has been the other way around. And yet Boehner, et al still can't recognize a really sweeet deal when they see one.

Personally, I don't feel the president/Dems should budge an inch from what he campaigned and won on -- by a very good margin. Some polls claim that Democrats want compromise even if it means giving a little, so maybe that is why. But it makes the Teapublicans look like the sh!theads they truly are. If that is the PR before we go off the fiscal curb, then so be it.

In regard to your earlier post about capital gains, I must disagree that this is all that should be raised. Most folks don't follow the blow-by-blow history, but you need to remember there were two sets of Bush tax cuts.

The first was the 2001 federal income tax cuts across the board, though these still favored the richest 2% far more than the working class. Even if the highest rates are returned to Clinton levels, we are talking only a few percentage points. I would like to see Jan Schakowsky's fair tax plan passed, which raises the highest rates more.

But to get revenue back up to at least 20% of GDP, these are needed ALONG with an end to the 2003 Bush tax cuts that only benefited the rich -- capital gains as you mentioned as well as on dividends and keeping the estate tax in place. Also, the charitable contribution loopholes that Mitt Romney has used to pay zero taxes must be ended.

Along with ending corporate welfare, most specifically tax breaks for companies to off-shore. That Teapublicans blocked the Bring Jobs Home Act is mind-bending and despicable beyond words.

The other important part of reducing the deficit (as well as stimulating the economy) is indexing minimum wage to inflation and passing equal pay for equal work legislation. Then when wages are put back on track, we need to end all tax credits that in effect are an unfair redistribution of wealth among the working class (most notably the child tax credit) -- These tax credits were put in place by Republicans in lieu of indexing the minimum wage to inflation. Just pay people properly and they won't need the tax credits!

On another point made by someone else -- I disagree about the payroll tax cut. This needs to be pegged to economic recovery and ended ASAP since this revenue is needed to fund Social Security and Medicare. Along with this, the cap MUST be raised to the same cut-off agreed to on federal income tax rates. For example, if it were to be $400,000, then raise the cap from the current level of $110,000 up to $400,000. If that is the amount deemed as "middle class" than that is the amount at which EVERYONE should contribute to payroll taxes.

I despise the cake and eat it too mentality from Teapublicans. NO, you can't abolish the minimum wage and tax credits both. NO, you can't have tax cuts for the rich and also not require them to contribute to payroll taxes for trust funds. NO, you can't subsidize corporations with tax breaks, as well as food stamps and other programs to compensate for low wages.

I don't know what is wrong with Teapublican's brains, as Harry Reid said! And as much as we need a two-Party system, I want each and everyone of these GOP idiots voted out to wander in the desert until they regain some sanity.

Nice diatribe, but the current situation has nothing to do with the next debt ceiling increase. That battle comes later.

True Patriot:

I can't say I'm surprised that Republicans would pass an incredibly ridiculous proposal that they know will not go any further than the House. What DOES surprise me is that someone hasn't slapped the crap out of Eric Cantor. Don't you think his role model is Dickens' Uriah Heep? Slimy, obsequious, back-stabbing punk.

I would like to know why Reid won't let it come up for vote. He seems to do that on a lot of things. Maybe he is afraid some things would pass and then Obama would have to veto it.

how can any deal with people who do nothing but scream in your face, lie and call you names while at the same time praising and defending anyone on their side. when you cant even produce an independent thought but instead parrot lies like 'unfunded wars, unfunded tax breaks,' that doesnt even make sense. how do you not fund something but yet still pay for it? and how to you fund something that does not need funding like giving us our money back? hell, you people dont even know the difference between a subsidy and a tax reduction/deduction. you chant 'corporate welfare' but you have no clue to what you are saying as that doesnt even make sense.

obama is not a leader, a grade school class president has more leadership skills than obama could dream of. leaders dont blame others, leaders dont point fingers, leaders dont lie, leaders dont go on vacation while work needs to be done, leaders dont need to re-apply for a job if they know they did a good job. leaders dont pretend to be someone they are not. obama has no experience at doing anything in the private sector, none. you dembots voted for a guy who just walked in the door because he was black and wasnt a repub.

please name just one thing obama did in the private sector? writing books about yourself and community organizer are not private sector experiences.

stop repeating what liars tell you. do you think the democrats are any better than the republicans? they are both the same in the end, screw over the people so to gain more power and eventually oppress them. this is what history tells us for all governments that have ever existed, its the same pattern over and over.

Listen you one-line-bumper-sticker Nazis, the government is not any bigger now than it was before. The real increase in spending is to pay for 2 wars, 1 OF WHICH WAS ILLEGAL AND W AND CHANEY SHOULD BE IN JAIL FOR IT.

And, when the government spends, it buys good and services. Tax advantages to the rich goes into their trust funds. Government spending is an engine of the economy. Tax advantages for the rich is a whole in the gas tank. You tea baggers are being played like Bud Fox was played by Gecko The Great.

God of Fate -- "Both parties are to blame"

But NOT equally, as you point out prior to this false equivalency. And NOT remotely in the same way. The Teapublicans for being obstructionist bullies and Democrats for their spineless olive branches -- Two completely different levels of blame. Also the voters who should have elected more Democrats to the House in 2012?

Swagganaut -- Are you related to Sarah Palin? I can't read your run-on sentences at all.

tony post 1.22

Democrats have NOT moved the "target" for negotiations in the fiscal cliff deal like you falsely assert. And I might add, Republicans,

Clearly you missed the some events. There was the round where Boehner offered capping deductions to in lieu of raising tax rates on the rich. Obama immediately said "NO". Then a few days later Obama comes back with a increasing the tax rates really won't do much (something republicans have been saying all along) so, we think we need both raising the taxes on the rich AND capping deductions to start making a dent. That IS moving the goal posts further away.

Then there is Boehner saying we will give on the rate increases to those making over $1,000,000, if you give us some spending cuts in entitlements. Obama initially says no, and that too many "rich" people not paying the additional taxes, but I will give you an over $400,000 tax increase instead of over $250,000 and will okay cuts to entitlements provided you come up with which ones and I agree to how much.

First, Boehner gave to an approximate meeting point in the middle and a location where the most of the more vulnerable small businesses would not be increase in taxes. Obama's "give" should either been to agree to the middle or move to about $600,0000. The cuts in entitlements was no bargin either, he the point was to blame republicans for cutting and using that as a campaign tool in the next election.

Second, The last time - late last summer, after the super committee failed to agree on a compromise, Boehner then negotiated directly with Obama. Again Obama had made certain demands and gave very little if at all. Finally, to avoid the fiscal cliff back then Boehner finally agreed to Obama's terms and returned to the White House to agree. Upon accepting the terms, Obama then demanded more, to which Boehner walked out.

I think Obama has given just a little because after the polls showing 64% of Americans thought the richest should not get a continuance on the current rate, other polls started surfacing showing the 73% of Americans think the government needs to cut spending more than raising taxes.

Since the last deal fell through, I'm not confident that a deal will happen. In negotiating, when someone isn't interested in meeting you half way, you are probably giving up more than you should and are usually best off to walk away. From all appearances, Obama is not meeting Boehner half way, so Boehner should make his offer of Plan "B' his final offer.

It occurred to me that one stark difference between the party affiliations is that the Democrats don't need an epidural after an election to prepare for what their party really meant they would do for them...

David Walker -- Agreed, at least slap that smarmy smile of his snively face. I've listened to Cantor in interviews and he is dumb as a rock as well.

GOP Start representing "the American people" and stop being the paid lapdogs of corporations and billionaires. I am watching as 50 million dollar a year CEO's of profitable corporations try to steal pension fund money, outsource American jobs, and take away other important benefits from middle class workers.

Seems the end result of this type of system is that there will be a few hundred people who are billionaires presiding over a serfdom of 300 million minimum wage, no benefit workers.

The Republicans don’t seem to have a problem with any of this. As a matter of fact, to them it's just good ole Ayn Rand capitalism.

Just once, let me spell it out: Americans reject your platform, period! It's wrong, it will never work! It's been proven to have never worked in the worst recession since the Great Depression!

But, no, I don't expect you to listen. It will take at least three more failures to convince you. Well, bring it on! I am in no way finished punishing the Republican party for putting those warmongers Bush and Cheney in the White House!

Anyone who has decent enough eyes should have been able to see how the Republicans were screwing up, and how they mostly always screw up. Because of what many Republicans believe, they will never agree with the fact Republicans need to learn how to talk to ALL of America, not just white rich America.

Just imagine how much more appealing the Republican Party would be if they simply fact-checked their ideological assumptions against the framework of real-world, human history. Not against their own misleading, marketed narratives that convince them to vote against their own interests, nor based on their own subjective, emotion-based, "patriotic" hyperbole, or their communicated propaganda of fear imagery; rather, they should fact-check themselves against measurable, quantifiable, social and economic trends and patterns.

But considering how historically-revisionist and how "anti-science" and "anti-public-education" their religion-dependent party has become, I don't expect any internally-motivated, constructive changes to improve their lot, any time soon.

Thus, in the long interim, they are dooming themselves and their leadership into embarrassing irrelevance.

The GOP allowed themselves to be hijacked by the extremists: Tea Baggers, misogynists, religious zealots and fundies, robber barons and plutocrats, white supremacists, immigrant-haters... they all found a home within the Republican party. But the Faux News sheeple and the Rush Limbots were deluded into thinking they were the majority of "true" Americans, in spite of all evidence to the contrary. The Archie Bunkers were still living in the 1950's. On Nov. 6th, 21st century reality splashed cold water in their fat faces.

The Republican Party is the party of billionaires, bigots, birthers and bozos. Until they completely abandon their greedy and prejudicial hate-everybody-but-themselves attitude, they will never win another election.

Wow, i am beginning to wonder WTF the republican party is doing here. As a conservative it makes me scratch my head that these guys aren't seeing the writing on the wall. The Republicans got their asses handed to them in the election. The newly elected President has the mandate to raise taxes, and $400K to start is more than fair. Asking to raise it to 1Million is ridiculous and completely outside the range of a Middle class worker. At a million dollars how many will be getting away with continued uses of sleight of hand accounting to avoid paying what they should. The fact is the Republicans lost. Usually when you lose a contest, you accept the defeat graciously and work harder to avoid a similar fate. The republicans need to un-hook their trailers from the corporate/rich wagons and start thinking realistically. They need to come down to the level of ordinary citizens, not the fairy tale world of millionaires, more like the reality of us thousandaires. There are more thousandaires than any other. Do what is right for the majority of the country, not for the lobbyists who line your pockets. Today i am a little bit ashamed at my parties un-willingness to compromise for the good of all. Selfishness and greed will be the downfall of a once great country.

@ TruePatriot,

At this point it is no longer about who gets the blame, or gets gets more of the blame. I'm tired of the blame game because it got nothing done. The bottom line is our government can't function, and there is blame to go around everywhere if we wish to look for it. But I don't care about that. I'll vote out who I blame most next election cycle and hope for the best. For now, I want them to get this done so we don't wind up in yet another economic mess as a country. At this point, we should ignore everything that is extra. That is just noise, and will only serve to distract us. We have been distracted more than long enough. Here's what I think we should focus on:

1. The Debt Ceiling should have been a non-issue. Let's make it that way again.

2. We should do this by taking all of the "compromise" and budgeting swill out of it, and simply voting to raise the debt ceiling.

3. We can argue about taxes, cuts, and all the other party agenda later, after we vote to raise the debt ceiling separately from all this hoopla. You know, like we should have done in the first place. But we should not continue to attach that stuff to what should be a routine event.

I know that after 180+ replies these comments are totally irrelevant but let me make a simple one that I guess we all seem to overlook as it is ancient history of the 1930's. The Republican agenda they don't talk about follows the steps of Hilter step for step in taking control of Germany. Have any of you people ever stopped to read the accounts of how Hitler created fear, banished immigrants from citizenship, and on and on. It truly appears to be the same process we are seeing where he took control of the country. Now the denial of our democracy principles in congress is standing loud and strong for their agenda. Yes, it is going to be time to take up arms people but probably not the same enemy as the gun rights fanatics are spouting. But it fits their agenda word for word doesn't it??

TruePatriot-445959Swagganaut -- Are you related to Sarah Palin? I can't read your run-on sentences at all.

if you cannot read what i wrote in plain english then i feel sorry for you and anyone around you, you are illiterate. while my punctuation is not good, i find no issue with its readability as anyone with any basic understanding of the english language could read that.

i assume you responded to my post in that manner because my post is truth and people like you cannot handle the truth, instead you ridicule.

ManOwords

The ones that vote for Obama was the foodstampers and welfare babies.

So if you don't mind I would like the GOP to repersent me...

And Reps being billionaires um I guess you did not see that the top 19 richest in congress is Dems...

Oh sorry I did not see those blinder you are wearing I guess that big finger pointing was in my way.

truepatriot? Supplyside economics debunked? When? I'm sure you preferred the economics of Carter over Reagan, but the fact is that it was that "debunked" supply-side economics that got us out of the disaster that was Carter. And yes, it really was a disaster.

I'm glad you think Obama shouldn't budge an inch. If the repubs would hold firm, then you'd get your wish of higher taxes and the economy will boom, at least according to you and the other socialists. Let's face it, according to you, Obama lied when he said last December, that now is not the time to raise tax rates as it would hurt the economy. Nothing has changed since then, but now it's a good idea? But, if it's good to raise rates on the top 2%, it must be great to raise them on everyone. The House has already passed legislation to prevent tax rates from being raised on the 98%. Obama would obviously rather use the 98% as bargaining chip to punish the 2%, which would actually do nothing for the 98% anyway. So, enjoy watching tax rates go up. And then be the fool and whine and complain that it's the repubs fault.

@ Swallow456789

Please, this is not a Republican conspiracy. Nor is it a Democratic conspiracy. They are just selfish, gutless people who put party ahead of all else. They are not looking to make Hitler's Nazi regime. Stop drawing ridiculous lines where they don't exist!

Greece comes to mind as a recent example

Once again Conservatives demonstrate their inability to understand the most basic tenets of Economics...in this case the Paradox of Thrift.

Greece (along with several other European countries) is learning that you can't cut your way out of a weak economy. The reason is the Paradox of Thrift. If I economize within my own household it makes my money go further and I'm better off. If GOVERNMENT cuts back dramatically while the economy is already weak it causes large numbers of people to stop spending and slows the economy so much the budgetary situation gets worse instead of better.

What we're actually seeing in Europe is a recession caused by austerity, exactly the medicine Conservatives would apply to our own economy.

it's like a pissing contest between two extremely dumb and stubborn people... I hope the world does end

According to some liberals, it's better to keep spending money we don't have. I guess when our debt payments become more than the revenue taken in, it will produce a well balanced and stable economy. Borrow, borrow, borrow... it's the American Government's solution to fixing our economy.

Throw caution to the wind... let's not upset the entitlement class... don't cut social security or medicare. Keep on borrowing... the money wheel will never stop... we can keep on borrowing.. even if we can't pay the debt on the money... nobody will ever notice... ignore the problem just to keep the democrats happy...

Well said Lasertroll...

Oh what a wonderful cliff-mas, let's go over the cliff and stop with all this messing around.

No mas, no mas.

Felis Navidad!

Supplyside economics debunked? When?

Here;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dQUIzzIOPo

And here (this one also debunks your Carter talking point);

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/15/carter-reagan-revenue/

And here;

http://bigpicture.typepad.com/comments/2006/07/debunking_one_o.html

Also here;

http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2007/10/the-great-lie-o.html

here;

http://amprog.tumblr.com/post/28570349048/supply-side-economics-debunked-source-center

here;

http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-17350-9_things_the_rich_dont_want_you_to_know_about_taxes.html

and here;

http://www.examiner.com/article/debunking-the-hoodoo-voodoo-economics

Basically Supply Side Economics has been debunked virtually everywhere except talk radio and Conservative politicians.

lets check a few facts

the fiscal cliff was created by the gop during the debt ceiling negotiations which is really dumb since the debt ceiling has nothing to do with speending but is to pay the money you have already spent

the dems passed the tax cut extension for 98% of americans in june and the gop to this day has refused to bring it up in the house.

any guesses why they won't bring it up? well it obvious they won't bring it up because they are afraid it would pass

StoptheCannibals-2908428

Rick, if that offer was so good for Republicans, why didn't the Republicans agree to that on May 23rd?

That ship sailed 7 months ago. It ain't coming back. Now, you want to come up with something that will actually pass each House (as Boehner insisted from Obama)?

This liberal mantra of too late, that ship sailed, is about as lame as they come. First off nothing being discussed solves anything. This all paltry Washington slight of hand and smoke and mirrors. This has as much chance of getting our fiscal house in order as it would to round up every kids piggy bank. But to suggest that anything moves through Congress with speed that 7 months is some outrageous amount of time is pathetic. Either Pelosi wrote what Democrats believed was needed or she was playing games. Go read Pelosi's letter, and if you would please quote where she said this offer expires on. Or I can save you the effort, there was no sunset date so quit with the lame excuses. Liberals just refuse to admit that Democrats have had constantly changing demands. There is more then enough hypocrisy to go around on this issue, and yet is solves nothing.

@ Rick-3416939,

Banging a drum??? This isn't a parade. It's not about being Conservative or Liberal. It's about paying off debt accumulated by our expenditures requiring an equal and balanced approach at paying it off. Among those expenditures remains unfunded coporate tax cut of Grover Norquist with two unfunded wars of the last 11 years. And the top 2% income earners enjoyed those benefits but hasn't equally contributed in paying off the debt caused by such actions. Plan B doesn't identify an equal approach. It designates an imbalanced approach benefiting those same folks, again. The ones inthe top 2% of income earners.

By the way, the Senate middle class tax cut act (S.3412) was passed 51/48 votes on 7-25-12. This was before the House voted on anything regarding middle class tax cuts....................

conner-389725

lets check a few facts

the fiscal cliff was created by the gop during the debt ceiling negotiations which is really dumb since the debt ceiling has nothing to do with speending but is to pay the money you have already spent

I would say both parties bear blame in the fiscal cliff game. The Budget Control Act of 2011 could not have been passed and sent to the President without Democratic Support. In this situation, both sides elected to kick the can down the road, but make the "controls" take place 15 months later. They were sure with the level of the cuts, they would agree on something before they took place. If they expected the bill to work as passed, we would have been spared a lot of lousy rhetoric from both sides.

the dems passed the tax cut extension for 98% of americans in june and the gop to this day has refused to bring it up in the house.

any guesses why they won't bring it up? well it obvious they won't bring it up because they are afraid it would pass

I define this as a "poison pill". It is legislation intentionally designed to make Republicans look bad. If Republicans vote for it, the Democrats can claim victory, which the Republicans do not want. If they vote against it, the Democrats have more ammunition to use against them, which the Republicans do not want.

The problem is that I think we are all aware that keeping taxes at the same rate on the 98% will not solve our financial situation, and nor will only taxing the wealthy at a higher rate. Personally, I am tired of the can being kicked down the road. We have to find a real solution at some point, and for too many years we have put it off. The previous method of kicking the can down the road was to create a situation that no one wanted to force them to agree. That didn't work. I don't want congress to try to figure out other ways to force themselves to get along with each other that comes at our expense.

*** post was edited to hide my crimes against the English language.

Rick, it is obvious that Washington isn't going to do anything about our deficits or the national debt.
All politicians are chickenduedue. They don't give a whit about fixing anything. All they are concerned about is their own careers and aren't concerned about the nation's interest. This includes every politician in Washington from the president down to senators and congress.

They are bringing this country to ruins... and we the people will suffer it through a failed economy. They are all bringing this country to a third world status.

Come on liberals, defend your president... tell us how HE is fixing the problem... the real strides and not just political garbage. You believe in him... tell me where he is intent on fixing our economy... what strides has he made? What are the results? So far all I see is an additiional $6.3 trillion in debt and he will increase that in the next 4 years.... what liberals? Don't you care if this country fails?

Damn....Obama's effort to use the Sandy Hook tragedy to force Republicans to give in to everything he wants was foiled.

The problem is that Obama can't negotiate. He sucks at it. He screwed up last time which gave us this idiotic "fiscal cliff" and he has learned nothing since.

True patriot,

I agree with some of what you have said but first you misunderstood the ratio comment. Preisdent Obama campaigned, and got elected, on a promise that for every 1 dollar in increased revenue (targeted increase of the tax rate of the top 2%) would be offset by 2.5 dollars reduction in spending. In short, a 2.5 to 1 ration of spending cuts vs tax revenue. By the way, at different times he said 3 to 1 and 4 to 1, changing it to fit his audience. His first two proposals (broken promises to the very electorate that elected him) reflect less than a 1 to 1 ratio. Meaning for every 1 dollar increase in revenue he will cut less than 1 dollar in spending which is obviously not a balanced approach.

The GOP proposed changes to tax code that would limit deductions and charitable contributions but Obama has so far nixed that saying he did not want to limit people's charitability.

I will stick to the only raises in tax rate that are necessary are capital gains. All (meaning all pay their fair share, not one targeted group pay a "fair share" which isn't fair at all) tax cuts should expire to correct the revenue discrepancy. The american worker, whatever the pay rate, should not be punished with even higher rates. We already have a system that is based on a rate, not a flat tax...the more you make the more you pay which is fair. The rich, who are able to make money off their money and not contribute to the overall workforce (creation of jobs, payment of workers, etc) are the only ones that should be targeted for a rate hike...capital gains.

Sure they're ready to approve it when they already know it will not pass.

What their districts are going to see in coming elections is the fact that their taxes are higher because their representatives let them expire. It would also be the expiration of a few terms in office.

I hope they do realize they can oppose Obama all they want but the president is not seeking reelection, they are.

Dan H-540362 -- Hahaha, Greece is yet another squawking point from the rightwing, which once again is simple-minded and lacking depth. The larger problem for Greece is that no one has been paying taxes, in particular the rich. If you want to learn a lesson, learn all of it and not just the part you like.

lasertroll -- You need to go to Wikipedia and search on deficit spending. You would then see which administrations spent the most -- Republicans! Puleeze, do you really believe it was a great idea to have the Bush tax cuts during time of war in Afghanistan, then adding the second round passed with Cheney's tie breaking vote during the additional invasion of Iraq? Holy cow, at least have War Bonds, but pay for the spending whether a war is necessary or not!

And this also leads me to yet another historically inaccurate post by witchrunner. Keynesian economics HAS been tried many times and WORKS! It is supply-side "trickle-down" tax cuts for the rich that does NOT create jobs and therefore does not create demand for economic prosperity. Add to this deregulation that caused Too Big To Fail, and the belief that tax cuts pay for themselves -- the key part of Romney/Teapublican thinking to this minute that is the most ridiculous voodoo of all!

God of Fate -- Agreed that the debt ceiling is a political football that has to be taken away from Teapublicans. But the blame remains important -- How do you know where to go if you don't know where you just came from?

The first problem is gerrymandering, the second is the abuse of the filibuster, the third is rightwing media that is the tail wagging the dog, and on and on that adds up to the great big mess we find ourselves in.

Swagganaut -- I was being facetious that text messaging is not for everything. We all make errors due to the fast moving debate, and it is better to be engaged then not at all. Welcome to the forum.

Obama is negotiating like Wimpy from the Popeye cartoons....For huge tax increases today, I'll gladly cut spending next Tuesday. (Tuesday that never comes).

You liberals aren't very bright. Obama promising phantom future spending cuts.

The fiscal cliff was created by both parties in the debt ceiling and then ignored it until 1 month before the cliff. Good job.

Take it over the cliff Beohner...You got nothing to lose....If you cave, you lose. If you do what's right, you lose. So, call Obama's bluff and do what's right.

mdub44 -- I don't care for getting into the weeds, because there is the first term position, which differs from the campaign position, which changes with each counter proposal. And then there is counting the spending cuts that were already made in the first term without any revenue concessions. And if you want to get appalled, just look at the GOP presidential debates in which nearly every candidate raised his/her hand that they would not accept a 10 to 1 (spending cut to revenue) ratio.

Stay on the fairway and keep your eye on the ball... We need a balanced approach to reduce the deficit, economic recovery going forward, as well as fairness so that everyone enjoys economic recovery now and going into the future.

Hey Empty Suit take the Beohner deal...it's the best you're going to get......Hey we're trying...we putting a bill to paper and onto the floor of the house.....What's the Empty Suit done....nothing as usual....He owns this tax hike.....and all that implies........Doing nothing is a pattern for him.....like Benghazi.......The spoiled child is going down......

And then there is counting the spending cuts that were already made in the first term without any revenue concessions

What spending concessions are you talking about? Obama never agreed to any specific spending concessions.

Obama is spending a trillion dollars more than Bush did in his last year (and the first year of the meltdown which included the first TARP payments). The year before that the deficit was 168 billion. It is now 1.3 trillion. Where are these magical spending concessions????

Beohner should come out and say..."Obama, if you don't negotiate now, don't bother calling me in January. You will not be some hero coming in to save everyone. The public is put on notice that Obama is going to be responsible for this tax increase because he's not being serious now."

I want to get to "plan Z." Obama need not negotiate with these people, nor concede anything. He holds all the cards. Let them propose B then C, then D-Y: then let them go right over the cliff. Let's see how they like free fall and to contemplate the end of free fall. I don't remember the formula exactly, but there is one for how fast and how hard objects fall from a height. I just know that the higher up, the harder you fall and the faster you fall. It ends with "splat squared." The Republicans want to pull the middle class and others over the cliff too. It will hit hard, and people will blame the Republicans. The idea of the Republicans being thrown out of their congressional seats and being unelectable for years appeals to me greatly. When they are gone, old people and poor people don't have to fear them.

Post cliff, Obama can set the terms; and here is his chance to stick to his guns. Cut no one and tax the rich, even at 1950's 1960's rates. The Republicans will comply when the middle classes are ready to kill them for causing a Depression. The Republicans stand to lose the most in this game of chicken. Let's corner them! Plan Z!

God of fate, I am sure you are correct, it just bothers me to no end to read accounts from the Germans before WWII and sit here wondering why the crap I see here is any different?? I guess the quest for power process is the same be it democracy, or any other ideology in the world.

On May 23, 2012 Nancy Pelosi sent a letter to Speaker Boehner and I quote:

"Democrats believe that tax cuts for those earning over a million dollars a year should expire and that we should use the resulting revenues to pay down the deficit."

That was seven months ago!!! And considering that there was a decisive election since then, it's an eternity in politics. The majority of Americans will blame the GOP if we go off the cliff. That's a fact, despite what you and your Fox News watching cohorts say!

http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/13/15141771-poll-if-government-careens-off-fiscal-cliff-gop-to-shoulder-blame?lite

Sung to the tune of Auld Lang Syne

The GOP shall be forgot
and never brought to mind
The GOP shall be forgot
for all the rest of time

The worthless GOP, my dear,
the worthless GOP,
we'll vote them out of office yet,
the worthless GOP.

When 20-14 rolls around
and voters have their say
The GOP will be long gone
and we'll save the USA

• Straight Democratic Ticket in 2014!

Merry Christmas to all!

Hmm Plan B. Good name. It is the abortion that will take place in 2 years of the house of reps and tea bag holocaust that has haunted us for the past 2. Over the cliff we go and it wont hurt.

Because Republicans have the audacity to offer Democrats exactly what they ask for, it is time to move the goalpost again. No matter what the Republicans offer, Democrats are going to move the target.

Pelosi made her proposal last Spring during back-and-forth negotiations. The Republicans didn't accept it then. There is nothing unreasonable in the Democrats refusing to make the offer again more than half a year later. If a store offers you a deal today, for today only, and you refuse it, would you expect it to extend the same offer six months later simply because you changed your mind?

As for moving the targets, that's a Boehner specialty. During the debt ceiling negotiations, he virtually reached a deal with the White House, only to find that he was unable to deliver on it because of the TP wing of his party.

Beohner should come out and say..."Obama, if you don't negotiate now, don't bother calling me in January. You will not be some hero coming in to save everyone. The public is put on notice that Obama is going to be responsible for this tax increase because he's not being serious now."

Hahahaha! That's not the way it looks to the voters.

today - Dec 20: Fiscal Cliff Doing Republicans No Favors
Dec 19: GOP may be forced to give on fiscal cliff argument
Dec 18: Why Republicans badly need a deal on the fiscal cliff
Dec 14: Frustrated nation ready to drop fiscal cliff 'blame bomb' on Boehner, GOP
Dec 13: GOP will get blame for going over cliff
Dec 12: House Conservatives: Blame for Fiscal Cliff ‘Rests Squarely on Boehner’s Shoulders’
Dec 10: Republicans to Blame if Country Goes Over Fiscal Cliff
Dec 9: Poll: Public would fault GOP if 'fiscal cliff' happens
Dec 5: Poll: GOP To Blame if Fiscal Cliff Talks Fail

I got tired of looking - feel free to look up more of your own! Hahahahaha!

Why not just call him a cock..

Plan B is just a distraction and a waste of our precious time.

Unfunded tax cuts? Just what the heck is an unfunded tax cut? Here I thought it was the various expenditures that would be unfunded is tax revenue was not increased. Learn something new every day. Or not!

Until Republicans take up our bill in the House -- the one that passed here -- there's nothing to discuss," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. "We're not taking up any of the things they're working on over there now." There is an example of obstructionism from the WH and Democrats. It is my way or the highway. Yes, they will blame Repulicans with the help of the media bias MSN their affiliates and media matters, George Soros puppets.

[Throw caution to the wind... let's not upset the entitlement class...]

Hey there BrianB...what happened, you get fired? AGAIN?!

EEngineer

Hahahaha! That's not the way it looks to the voters.

today - Dec 20: Fiscal Cliff Doing Republicans No Favors
Dec 19: GOP may be forced to give on fiscal cliff argument
Dec 18: Why Republicans badly need a deal on the fiscal cliff
Dec 14: Frustrated nation ready to drop fiscal cliff 'blame bomb' on Boehner, GOP
Dec 13: GOP will get blame for going over cliff
Dec 12: House Conservatives: Blame for Fiscal Cliff ‘Rests Squarely on Boehner’s Shoulders’
Dec 10: Republicans to Blame if Country Goes Over Fiscal Cliff
Dec 9: Poll: Public would fault GOP if 'fiscal cliff' happens
Dec 5: Poll: GOP To Blame if Fiscal Cliff Talks Fail

You are right , this is what the Media bias show to the less informed people, the majority of Obama voters, the ones that have less education and easy to convince, the ones that know more about Jersey Shore than the Benghazi attack.

Good for you Mr. Speaker! Never mind the dismissive comments coming from President Obama and Senator Reid. Pass your bill an demand a vote from the senate. If old Harry continues to sit on his flabby ass instead of letting the senate vote he can explain how the middle class tax cuts passed by Republicans was allowed to expire under Democrats. Maybe its time for everyone to see who really benefited from a Republican tax cut when they get their first pay check next year. Maybe President Bush will finally get some long overdo credit for protecting us in the middle class as President Obama hangs us all out to dry.

You are an example of why this country is broken. You act like Obama is some kind of Messiah. He is not. You mentioned his $400,000 plan. The person he based this on Buffett says the bottom should be set at those making $1,000,000 or more to keep from hurting small business. Second Obamas plan puts off spending cuts and does nothing to specify cuts in the future. Thats is more Washington BS.

Both sides of the aisle got us here. If you want more revenue lets create more jobs. neither side has a plan for that and Obama has only created a false bottom with government spending. People need to understand simple math. Taxing the rich sounds great until you realize it does very little and the only way we will ever get enough revenue is to increase taxes on every man and woman. We have become this I want it now but I don't want to pay for it society. Time to suck it up people and pay your way through life.

Both sides need to negotiate in earnest and to date neither side has. Whether you are Republican or Democrat its time to join reality.

Call me once 400 House bills die from filibuster upon reaching the Senate, timothy. That's the record Republicans set in the last Congress. Until then I don't see where Weeper Boehner has anything to cry about.

tonytellsthetruth You lie!!!! Unemployment insurance is paid by the employer, not the employee. You should check your "facts" before you spout off. This is one of the things that will keep you out of the top 2%! I know. It is easier to blame your shortcomings on the greed of the wealthy and their tax breaks!!

The dems will just call you names and the wusses don't like to be called names.

Does anyone else see the irony of this comment?

You are right , this is what the Media bias show to the less informed people

You mean like how Fox and Friends used a Santa impersonator to push their agenda? Acting like no other religion celebrates during this time of year and being respectful by saying Happy Holidays is such a travesty. You mean that kind of bias?

At least they weren't bashing the poor for having kitchen appliances again, right?

Way to fit in the embassy attack into your post too. Real classy.

We seriously need to get rid of these political dynasties we have controlling our government where positions seem to get passed down from one family member to the next. What we need in our government are fresh minds, not a father passing his ideas down to his son so he can continue the same failed plans. What we have has become almost no better than a monarchy where the wealth goes to the elite and the rest of us are nearly peasants.

President Obama should speak to the American people from the Oval office and say we will be going over the cliff because the House Republicans care more about the wealthy than the 98% of us.

I think that a wall should be erected in Washington with the Republicans names on it who cared more about the wealthy than the american people. They have turned their backs on the majority of the people in favor of the few.

Republicans out in 2014

Looking at that photo of Cantor and His 3 compadres brings distinct memories of a side show I witnessed at a local "Fair" when I was yet a teenager. 4 goats on roller skates accompanied by a recorded rendition of "Swan Lake".

I farted!

People, I've said it before and I'll say it again. Boehner's plan is just posturing because he realized he's failed to convince the GOP to follow him in a compromise. Obama yeilded and comprimised on his brackets, Boehner took it back to the house and the GOP said no. So Boehner has no option. He passes his own inane bill that guts all of our safety nets and protects the rich, and then screams "IF THE PRESIDENT DOESNT SIGN THIS ITS HIS FAULT!!!! HE HAS DONE NOTHING!"

So either Boehner is an idiot (nope), or he realizes his own party has screwed him, so he's spinning this as best he can. There is NO time left, people. Congress goes on holiday recess now. It's over. Cliff has arrived. This is just showmanship.

Next step, we go over the cliff, and the Dems get everything. All the Clinton tax brackets return. And then Harry Reid passes a tax cut for the middle class again in the senate, and the GOP either has to vote AGAINST a tax cut in the house (not likely), or hand Obama yet another victory as he signs another tax cut in the Rose Garden with cameras rolling.

This is very bad for Republicans, and Boehner knows it. He is doing his best to preserve the already sullied image of the GOP. Don't blame him for trying to spray perfume on a dung heap.

Democrats ridiculed Republicans

You expected anything less? All Democrats DO is ridicule Republicans. If the entirety of the last 12 years hasn't made it obvious enough, ridiculing anyone they don't like and/or don't agree with is the status quo for the Left. It's how they get elected, it's how they prevent any progress, and it's how they keep supporters. It's a case of arguing with perpetual 15 year old teenage high school girls who have hidden your car keys by flushing them down the toilet. I feel bad for the few mature Democrats out there who are good people of good conscience, logical thought processes, and a desire to see their country flourish. Unfortunately we never see nor hear from them.

And then we watch Boehner resort to Democrat tactics and what happens? More ridicule. He should step down before humiliating everyone else further with his complete failure to fulfill the will of the American People. Yeah, he's doing great for the Establishment, but the Establishment isn't us down here on Main Street. The Establishment produces nothing, manufactures nothing, has no tech support capability, and no leadership ability. Why do we keep them around?

Because... Democrats ridicule Republicans. It's more popular to be dramatic than useful.

It would appear that 6 weeks after the election, the repugnicans' takeaway from the election is that :

1) they didn't try hard enough to shut down Obama and Washington last term, and

2) the dems were lucky and will never thrash them senseless again.

I guess they expect lots of blacks, women, and Latinos to die or move away before 2016. What idiots.

"Let's do the last election cycle over again!!"

Wow! The left wing loonies are out in force today. Every post I have read on this thread leaves me to believe that most have no concept on how a budget actually works.

Answer me this, How can a President or any house of congress handcuff future houses of congress with debt restrictions that you rightfully know will never take place?

If any of you believe any good will come from Odumbdumb getting his way. I have Ocean view property in Nebraska for sale you will be interested in.

even as Senate Democrats said the GOP proposal would never even be allowed a vote in their chamber.

And once again, the limp-wristed Liberal/Progressive Senate shows America who the real Party of No is.

So, Libbies, tell me when was the last time the Democrats in the Senate actually did something good for our great Republic?

When did they actually take a bill proposal and debate it? When did they study, proceed with hearings or take something to committee last?

It's been 1,331 days since a budget was passed by the Democrats. This should be an embarrassment to even the most rabid Liberal/Progressive bobble head. Of course it won't be. They have no shame because they have been indoctrinated to just willingly submit to the statists in their party who have convinced them they are incapable of any free thought or independence.

This is most obvious as they succumb to Barrack Husseins insistence that the best they can ever achieve is to be middle-class. Of course the Liberal/Progressive elite from the Ivy League faculty lounges, and of course Hollywood, can have all the wealth because they know what is best for everyone, especially the useful idiots in the party.

Greed isn’t someone wanting to keep more of what they earn, its people demanding a greater share of money that someone else has earned.

You are right , this is what the Media bias show to the less informed people,

Hmmm, is that the same media bias that you all claimed insured a Romney win?

Wow, it's hard to write a story about The Current Republican Position and leave it up for more than a few hours because the story becomes obsolete so quickly!

I'm beginning to think they won't be able to do anything until after we step off the fiscal curb. It's a kind of paralysis not addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Merry CLIFF-MESS - courtesy of Boehner the Worst Speaker ever.

NO-THANKS, GOP.

"Cantor: GOP will have the votes to pass..."

What an embarassment for John Boehner!

Only Eric Cantor decides what bills will pass the House?

And all along we thought that was left up to Boehner.

What was Boehner doing in there talking to the President when he knew all along that only Eric Cantor decides what bills pass in the House!

Eric of Can't is the leader of the TeaPeople in congress, who are playing "What Time is it, Mr. Wolf" game, only the Weeper doesn't know it!

Cantor: GOP will have the votes to pass..."

That's something Boehner will never be able to say because no one in House listens to a word John Boehner says!

And by the way Mr. Cantor, that piece of crap is dead on arrival in the Senate!

Wow, that makes both Boehner and Cantor look foolish.

GOPigs are going to destroy us as a Nation if we don't stop them, 2014 & 2016 get out and Vote !!!

It seems like only yesterday that the Tea Bigots were foaming at the mouth about deficits. Deficits. Deficits. Sooooo, . . . I guess that was only because it was better than admitting their rage was only about the guy in the White House.

Now, after adding up all of the dollars they took from the wealthy so they can steal an election, they now turn to protecting the wealthy tax breaks. Wow. I didn't see that coming . . . . or was this the issue all along. Darn nice of Boehner to make sure the lowest earners give up something . . . all the while protecting the wealthy. Same 'ole same 'ole.

And a significant number of lemmings will follow their GOP liars over any cliff. Gotta love the ignorati.

Well, elections have consequences, remember? You guys failed at getting control of the house so they have a right to do their jobs as elected officials. So, shut up, sit down, and try again next time. Until then, they make the rules.

In the middle wrote, "...they have the right to do their jobs as elected officials." Yes, they do. When is that going to start? We're waiting...

TO: in the middle-2260511 who wrote:

"Well, elections have consequences, remember? You guys failed at getting control of the house so they have a right to do their jobs as elected officials. So, shut up, sit down, and try again next time. Until then, they make the rules."

Oh no they don't, but I'm sure they wish they could "make the rules" all by themselves.

Republicans can create any fantasy they like, but they can't "make the rules" without the approval of the Democrats AND the President of the United States.

What Republicans can do on their own is the same thing they've been doing since 2009, which is stall our economic recovery and throw a wrench into the cogs of government, and there's even a limit on how much of that they can do on their own.

You just dont get it do you? They are from areas like mine, and represent people like me. I have a right to have a voice in DC, and they are my voice. You may not like it, but they're doing what they were elected to do. They are elected officials, not professionals pushing an agenda. Obama, on the other hand, is just another professional that is pushing his agenda....he doesn't get it either. If he would start acting like he is the president of the 47% of the people who did not vote for him, he would start getting more support from their reps too. Until then, we will keep calling and writting to make sure they do not cave.

TO: in the middle-2260511 who wrote:

"You just dont get it do you? They are from areas like mine, and represent people like me. I have a right to have a voice in DC, and they are my voice. You may not like it, but they're doing what they were elected to do. They are elected officials, not professionals pushing an agenda. Obama, on the other hand, is just another professional that is pushing his agenda..."

President Obama's "agenda" is the majority of the American People's "agenda".

If Republicans insist on NOT compromising, we're basically going to get what we want anyway.

Republicans, on the other hand, will just be giving up their right to "compromise" and they'll be taking the blame because Republicans seem to think they can run the United States like South Africa used to be run, by minority rule, instead of majority rule.

"I've done my part," Boehner said about the state of negotiations. "They've done nothing."

That's right Boehner, You did your part, just keep trying those blocking tactics you've been using. Eventually you're going to get plowed over. You and the whole damn republican party will just be bad memories.

American Girl -

"President Obama's "agenda" is the majority of the American People's "agenda"."

Source where you got this, please. I don't count your one opinion as majority.

The real problem is...everyone is pointing the finger at the other side. Neither proposal is any good, yet everyone is saying that theirs is the lesser of two evils, apparently. "Republicans aren't willing to work with dems...", while this is true, the opposite is also. Harry reid said that republicans need to take up Obama's plan, because they aren't going to listen to any of their counterparts ideas. Republicans have said the same thing. Makes me wonder exaclty who they are working for. Doesn't appear to be any U.S. citizens.

fuzzy -

Bad memories? Kinda like the last 24 years of decision making in the White House...

tough times require tough measures, and if the President will just hold true to what he campaigned on and promised it may take a couple of years but we'll get through this. Correct me if you can, but going over the fiscal cliff isn't all that dismal. Shortly after the New Year, Congress can convene and a bill to reconcile the hardships placed upon the middle class can be voted on. Should it fail because of the tea-party rethugs, we're stuck with hardship for a couple of years but I bet come 2014... that will be taken care of by elections. It's the one way to get rid of these "worship the rich" catering Republicans... and for good. Otherwise, if the President buckles and gives them their way... we're in the same situation we are now. The poor are at their mercy, along with the ever-diminishing middle class and the uber-wealthy will run things they way they deem fit.

Impeach Boehner! Now! The Republicans are not "plowing ahead with Plan B....they are mowing down what's left of the Middle Class. Wake up people. Those who earn the most should pay the most in taxes. The GOP believes just the opposite. The less you earn, the more they want you to pay. Holding Middle Class Americans hostage, using our tax dollars to dole out freely to their Corporate Welfare cronies and then sticking it to working Americans by refusing to demand a give back of that 2001 funding employers received to hire and create jobs they didn't hire or create is the GOP's only achievement in the last 4 years.

You earn a million and you're Middle Class? Gee...will someone tell that to our employers who are sticking it to us right, left and center with debts they should be paying from their fat revenues?

Well in the middle, if you are so proud of keeping control of that house thing, when the heck are they going to do what the house is supposed to do? They are still all about doing nothing, nothing and proving it to the US and the world what idiots we truly are. And, by the way, if thinking people look a little deeper just what is their agenda?? It is not what you think and history bears it out very strong.

in the middle, azdlr, you both seemed to have missed the recent elections. The Democrats won the White House, the Democrats increased their majority in the Senate, the Democrats increased their minority in the House. Democrats tallied more votes overall in all congressional races.

Stop with the agenda and majority talk. Elections do indeed have consequences. The Republicans lost. The majority rules.

In the middle, the President is elected in the same way as Congress; by a vote. And Both the President and Congress represent the people who elected them. Azdlr, you need to look at the recent popularity polls. The President is far more popular than Congress.

Looks like the 1% control the Repubs, greedy pigs !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Swallow..."They are still all about doing nothing,"....What do you mean...they've put a bill on the floor....what has your Empty Suit proposed?????

He's done nothing....Just like he did in Benghazi....and look how well that's turning out for his minions.....the heat is going to come back to him sooner or later on both of these issues......He owns them both.......

The American People Overwhelmingly Won, their is no more to say, do or die - Obama "Rules" and you guys are starting to look like "fools" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It’s hard for me to believe that we’re actually paying a salary to these Republican obstructionists. They can’t even pass the simplest legislation without political drama. Why oh why America did you send these un-American Republican ideologues back to Washington?

I'm counting the days till the 2014 election. Maybe by then the American people will finally wake up and see these Republican jerks for what they really are........... Corporate shills.

TO: azdrl66 who wrote:

["American Girl - "President Obama's "agenda" is the majority of the American People's "agenda"."]

Source where you got this, please. I don't count your one opinion as majority.

So, what planet were you on last November 6th?

That's why President Obama was re-elected, because the American People chose President Obama's "agenda" over Mitt Romney's.

You just dont get it do you? They are from areas like mine, and represent people like me.

No, I am afraid you just don't get it. Due to previous Republican manipulation, tax rates on everyone will go up at the end of the year. Obama would like to limit those tax rate increases to only those who could afford it, but that will take a deal with Republicans and they won't do that! There is a very real possibility that letting the tax cuts on the middle class lapse will push a still-fragile economy into another recession.

I personally don't care anymore - let them all expire. If we have another recession, so be it! I lived through the Bush Recession, Ian hold out through the Boehner Boner!

And 2014 is coming! Republicans are gonna love this!

Go all in, Mr. President, tell the pinhead republicans in the US House it is time to step-up or shut-up, Americans are fed up with republicans obsession to shield the rich at the expense of the middle-class, elderly and working poor..........

We must do a more extensive HOUSE cleaning job in 2014, we must rid Congress of those who support the philosophy of the American Taliban.

fielden, american girl -

Two bad it takes 2 branches of government to say "yes" to things. System of checks and balances...gotta love it. As far as Obama's "agenda" goes, the rest of us are going to reap what he sows. For all of us, I certainly do hope he makes the right decisions. The past 4 years tend to prove otherwise, however.

If John Bonehead cannot lead the GOP to compromise - in 2014 he and McConnell (who has suddenly been silent in all this) will likely lose re-election. As well they should.
I have the time and money, and Ohio ties, and will really enjoy supporting Bonehead's loss in 2014.