So much for the Mayan prediction of the "end of the world" as we know it...

Well, unless you're talking about Otis & his merry band of cohorts and their unmitigated apocolyse last night in the House!

To quote the Idiot from Albany; BWHAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAA!

Here's a tissue John-Boy, wipe the egg off your orange face! LMAO!

Now that Boehner has had his Mayan moment, maybe it’s time for him to reach across the aisle.

Ironically, history will treat him better if he does so.

Things were so bad for Speaker John Boehner Thursday night, support for his Plan B tax bill so diminished, the limits of his power with his own party laid bare, that he stood in front of the House Republican Conference and recited the Serenity Prayer.
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Boehner nearly cried.

Boehner's Republican Conference has relegated their negotiator to the sidelines. Now, Republicans will see why Boehner was willing to offer Obama so much: The final deal Republicans will now have to swallow will be driven by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Obama.

http://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/john-boehners-plan-b-toughest-hour-85391.html?hp=t1

Boehner should resign while there's still a Republican party left to resign from! The GOP cannot govern.

The vote for the Speaker is up in 2 weeks -

Boehner is a GONER....I hope he cries

Speaker Boehner didn't realize that the one man he walked away from was the only man who extended his hand.

President Obama.

He should pick up the telephone and talk to him. The president is a man who will work with him to get a deal done. He needs to as well extend his hand to Nancy Pelosi.

He'll get nothing from the GOP.

As a tweet going around says - he needs to go to President Obama and say - This is hard. Because with the party he has to lead, it is indeed going to be very hard.

He needs democrats to save himself from himself. Do it Speaker Boehner. Do it. The nation needs you to do it.

President Obama's door is open. So isn't Nancy Pelosi's.

*** Does the White House save Boehner -- or try to break the GOP?

If they were not some of the meanest, hypocritical, bastards to ever set foot in the halls of Congress, I might have some sympathy for them...

Break em like a toothpick Mr. President!

Remember, they have done NOTHING but plot your demise since the day you were sworn into office!

In these Hosue Republicans, you see HUMAN NATURE at its worst.

These RepubliCONs insist on over-protecting the military-industrial complex that really needs no protection

These RepubliCONs insist on over-protecting the Top 1% - or 'job creators' who have destroyed the US and world economy, have been bailed out by the taxpayers, have moved their wealth to foreign tax havens, and have paid themselves millions of extra bonusses with taxpayers' bailout money, and have decided to buy off politicians so as to shirk their responsibilities to general society, and have moved jobs overseas, and have demonstrated their contempt for We The People.

OLD MR. BLIZZARD. Thought I'd share a long forgotten story of where the term blizzard was coined. It began in Iowa according to etymologists. The word was first used to describe a snowstorm by the Northern Vindicator newspaper in Estherville, Iowa, in 1870.

There was a story circulating around the Spencer area about a Mr. Blizzard. Mr. Blizzard was a man with a "raging temper". During a snowstorm, one woman looked out her window and remarked, "My, it's a regular Old Man Blizzard of a storm." It became a family joke that eventually made its way to Estherville where "blizzard" became the first printed usage on record to describe a wind-driven snowstorm in the Northern Vindicator newspaper. From there, the term spread across Iowa and to neighboring states. By 1888, it had spread eastword and was used to describe an historic storm that paralyzed the Eastern Seaboard and took 400 lives.

While Washington D.C. last evening was not in the midst of an Old Mr. Blizzard, a "raging temper" of another sort took place in the GOP controlled House of Representatives. Some media reporters seemed surprised by the implosion of the GOP but this poster was not. Beyond the fact that Plan B was not a smart move by Speaker Boehner, it was the only move he had left because his GOPTP had turned down any offers Boehner brought from the White House. The GOP has become infused with irresponsible, irrational and rigid ideologists who simply do not understand what governing means nor do they understand what democracy actually is.

Today's GOPers are born of ignorant and irresponsible Pledges to inconsequential persons, and they shame the term "fiscal responsibility" as well as shame the meaning of true conservative. Prior to Ronald Reagan, true conservatives believed that at times it was necessary to raise taxes, at times to lower them; they believed that revenues equalled responsible spending. Reagan himself understood that and when his spending led to huge deficits and doubling the debt, he raised taxes--11 times he raised taxes. In other words, spending as necessary to remain a strong and viable country and if that meant raising taxes, then the GOP raised taxes just as did Democrats. Those days of the GOP have long disappeared.

As a liberal, it would be easy to gloat over the implosion of the GOPers in the House but I take no pleasure in the realization of what we witnessed last night: the crumbling of a once grand old party into a heap of disarray and total inability to function~a party incapable of governing. The GOPTP is filled with Old Mr. Blizzards with raging tempers of rigid ideology and little else. Speaker Boehner ran out of options not because he did not try but because his own party refused to accept any negotiations with our President nor were they willing to try again.....the House went home for Christmas; who knows if they will return this year. It is sad to realize that we citizens can do nothing at this point except watch.

Today, we mark the Winter Solstice. This is the day the ancients marked as the beginning of a renewal. Each following day meant a bit more daylight. The world was NOT ending. Any number of groups bound by a common spirit have taken this time of the year to celebrate. Here, in our household, we like the pagan view. We are part of a great annual cycle, and Spring is now on the way.

Christians have taken this holiday as a remembrance of the birth of their Christ. (It's always interesting to consider that the Christ is the Son of their God. Is that maybe more accurately "the sun" that lights the way?) Is Christmas not a celebration of light?

Jews celebrate their own miracle of light with Chanukah and its primary symbol - a menorah. Legend/lore/tradition has it that there was only enough oil to provide light for one day. But, miraculously there was enough for eight days.

While we like the pagan view, we also like the spirit of giving that we find in Christmas as well as Chanukah. In that light, here are my best wishes to those who share that spirit.

Edit to #1.9, paragraph 2, that should be "spread eastward"; guess I was mired in words!

The House has departed for Christmas and Cantor said they will return after Christmas if needed. In other words they may be finished for the year.

Did they ever pass the Farm Bill or the Violence Against Women Bill ?

What else will die with the 112th Congress ?

Good morning all...

I'm hoping everyone will join the nation and take a moment of silence at 9:30 am this morning to remember the victims of last week's horrific shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut.

Thanks.

A Moment of Hilarity

John Boehner can’t even lead from behind chew on that number for awhile

http://www.buzzfeed.com/zekejmiller/white-house-boehner-didnt-have-the-votes-for-his

Jody, I'm in 100% agreement with you. I take no pleasure in what occurred last night.

Your post was so spot on.

What's going on in our nation right now with all the problems we have to fix shouldn't be treated as some sort of game. Shameful.

But Speaker Boehner has only himself to blame. Here's hoping he gets serious and extends his hand to those who are willing to do the same, republicans and democrats alike.

Grinch has stolen our Christmas...for real

GOP is short for the Grinch of Pigotry (GOP)

Pigotry is defined as the government by pigs, of pigs, and for pigs (the GOP-controlled House, that is). Pigs refer to the ungrateful 1% - corrupt corporate CEOs and Military-Industrial Complex

John Boehner is desperately searching for a way to pull Eric Cantor and the Tea Potty knife from his back

Republican's wasted time on Plan "B".

Nancy Pelosi

The facts about Republicans' "Plan B": The wealthy get tax cuts, while the middle class foots the bill:

https://twitter.com/whitehouse/status/281818789828505600/photo/1

https://twitter.com/NancyPelosi/status/281874529763069952/photo/1

Well, here we go again. The Republicans can't, or won't even support their own Party. My My. What a surprise. I feel (somewhat sorry for Boehner, but he may be his own worse enemy. Now, Mr. President just go back to your original tax plan ($250,000) and the rest of your agenda. If they (Repugs) don't agree, then it's a THELMA AND LOUISE.

Stay firm Mr. President, your going to win this battle. The Republicans are in complete disaray.

Maybe the GNOP should just "Self - Deport" back home on a one way ticket....I don't think many are going to make it home in this weather....

Seeing as the GNOP is only interested in cutting spending....IMHO they should look at the biggest boondogle and expense...Congressional salaries....imagine earning what - $177k or more for really part time work????WTF is the that.....let's pass an amendment that sez they get $50 an hour and no benefits only for time spend in DC in their chairs....none of this BS of travelling around the world on our dime..(except to those areas of War where our troops are....)

On another note to - to all the FR readers....it's that time of the year - to offer seasons of wishes irrespective of party affiliation,,,,to wish every one a happy and healthy...and to remember those we lost and those less fortunate.....

Twenty-Six Angels on Our Christmas tree

Since last Friday, I’ve found it impossible to be happy or to even care about Christmas. I can’t begin to fathom what it’s been like for the heartbroken people in Newtown, Connecticut.

Yesterday, I suddenly remembered when on Sunday night, December 16^th, the Ministers, Priests, and all fellow Clergymen read inspiring words of scripture to the good citizens of Newtown.

Words of wisdom can put life in perspective. Words of wisdom can relive the anguish.

I needed to be reminded what those words mean.

Last night, after dinner, I went into the living room, and turned the lights on our Christmas tree. It’s the best Christmas tree I’ve ever seen. There are the usual lights, ornaments, and tinsel, but it’s much, much brighter this year. There are Twenty-Six Angels on Our Christmas tree, which God has embraced with all his love, here to remind me, how precious, how wonderful, every moment is, and to love each other, forever.

God Bless us, everyone.

Merry Christmas

C U in 2013

Salud

The Speaker has pulled a Boehner, and -

'pull a Boehner' is now officially a term finding its way into the dictionary, to mean 'a total collapse', 'a total disaster', and/or 'a total political self-destruction,' or just 'an epic failure.'

Going off the cliff is exactly what everyone wants in Congress. Taxes go up, spending gets cut, and both sides will be blaming each other. Obama campaigned and liberals have been claiming for the past four years that the Bush era tax cuts caused all our financial problems, and now everyone gets to put their money where their mouths have been.

David Walker

Today, we mark the Winter Solstice. This is the day the ancients marked as the beginning of a renewal.

David,

John Boehner could certainly benefit from a pagan renewal.

Here's a tissue John-Boy, wipe the egg off your orange face! LMAO!

_________________________________________________________

http://www.politico.com/gallery/2012/12/top-10-political-gifts-for-the-holidays/000642-009088.html

Frank "Grimey" Ironically.....I was reading your post.....right at 930 this morning....eerie....but lets all remember the unwrapped gifts for those little angels of Newton Ct......as the Crosby Stills Nash song sez - Teach your Children' hug them close tonight and every night....

This is one of the hardest times of the year for me - as I volunteer at the Ronald McDonald Hse here in NYC (goin' on 19years)....and the saddest thing is to get a memo saying that one of the children didn't make it....especially now at Christmas......

Pat, Boston, great point. Let's hope that Speaker Boehner picks up the phone to make those calls. I really do feel a little sorry for him.

David W, wonderful post on this Winter Solstice day.

John Beohner needs an astronomical beginning since he can't lead from behind.

Does anyone know how many hundreds of thousands of jobs will be lost due to the Republicans throwing us off the cliff? No doubt, thousands are going to have a pink holiday season from all the upcoming pink slips being issued. Perhaps our resident investor in all things negative, the Albanian Idiot, will have a great holiday after all, after investing all his pennies in the production of pink ink.

Comprehensive Friday Post

Get Mad, Stay Mad!

So here we are, one week out from the horrific slaughter of the innocent at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. People dither, dawdle, delay and deflect about the causes and the solutions to end the gun fetish nightmare that is demonstrably slaughtering more men, women and children on a rapidly increasing basis. I say, right now, you have to Get Mad and Stay Mad!

Everyday that gun control laws don’t change so that rational people can live without fear, YOU, Yes YOU, need to see the Specter of Death, swathed in the grimy, fetid fabric of darkness, a sepulchreful grin in a bleached, leering skull, reaching a bony, withered hand, dripping with the gore of the freshly killed coming to clasp your children into the eternal, unchanging night that is death’s domain. You need to Get Mad and Stay Mad!

And by mad, I do not mean the insensate, inchoate rage that characterizes the typical American gun wielding psycho-killer. I’m speaking of the anger of righteous indignation, a white hot fury that won’t be banked until justice under the law and reform of the institutions that allow this gun madness to be perpetrated into an endless, blood soaked perpetuity is achieved. Get Mad and Stay Mad!

Now some people may think the 20 or 26 “Acts of Kindness” is an appropriate response. Or flooding Newtown with teddy bears and stuffed animals and free Christmas trees is a relevant way to deal with this situation. This is a typical momentary, self-indulgent, conceited panacea of slothful, indolent eyewash that typifies the American response. Has 26 acts of kindness changed a single law? Has a memorial of teddy bears and frost bitten flower arrangements helped a mentally ill person get the treatment they need before the voices in their head direct them to the next killing field? No, but it is so typically American to think, “Well, I’ve bought a toy or I donated to Good Will; I wonder who won “Survivor” or “X Factor” or whatever the next mundane, inane, attention grabbing freak show is passing for “entertainment” these days?” That won’t cut it anymore. Get Mad and Stay Mad!

Am I hurting you? Am I assaulting your feelings? Do you think it’s as bad as being riddled by multiple, high speed .223 or nine millimeter bullets, tearing your flesh asunder, penetrating you with searing pain, while your brain tries to process the surprise and shock of your sudden, vicious violation? A violation that you’re to young to comprehend as the precious lifeblood flows from your body and chills to the same temperature as the linoleum floor that you’re forever staining with the essence of your vitality. Am I hurting you? As hurt as a parent who dropped their child off at school never expecting to get a call about a mass murder? As hurt as the gut wrenching, nerve snapping adrenaline surge of searching to find your child’s face in a crowd of bewildered, weeping and terrorized children? As hurt as the parent who is asked to come and identify a bullet riddled, metal shredded corpse that only hours ago was their beloved light and joy of their earthly existence? If that’s what it takes to motivate you to action, then I hope I’ve stung you to the very core of your being and that you might taste even one salty, bitter tear as it courses slowly down your face in between constricted gasps and sobs of sorrow. Then, Get Mad and Stay Mad!

So, what can you do? What can I, one person do? Block out some of your 1080 p “story time” that’s being regurgitated from your DVR and write your elected representatives to demand change now. Find like minded friends, neighbors and co-workers and pick a date to march, en masse, to your state capitol to demand change. Then take those same people and find more and take chartered buses to the nation’s capitol on an appropriate day, say, Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2013, depart those buses and rally on the Mall to demand change from your elected representatives. If it doesn’t work the first time, keep doing it, until you get the results that end this gun crazed madness that is killing innocent citizens; men, women and children at our schools and malls and churches and political gatherings. Until that happens, Get Mad and Stay Mad!

Westward, “Ho’ ”

It’s time to issue a clarion call. A call to all the sufferers of Obama Derangement Syndrome, with their tri-corned, tin foil hats nestled snugly upon their heads, who believe that F.E.M.A. death camps are being constructed across the nation waiting to sweep them up for their “patriotic” beliefs. A call to all that believe climate change is a United Nations plot to steal their liberty and that the Affordable Care Act is going to add more fluoride to pollute “our precious essence”. Come heed my call.

Westward, westward you must go, to the land of half term governors, the land toward which the action of the sea is directed, a state that has the distinction of being the easternmost, westernmost and northernmost, (giving you three directions to brag about, unlike ”The South“), a land as big as two thirds of the continental United States. Yes, take your trailer off blocks and gas up the S.U.V.; Alaska is calling you.

Alaska, a land of untrammeled wilderness, where reality television stars rape the land with hapless grins on their mirthless faces. Alaska, where every variety of game is available for you to unload your weapons upon with the rapacious glee of an amphetamine crazed wolverine. (And they have wolverines, though how much meth they use, I know not.) Alaska, where if you have the virgins, they have the volcanoes. Alaska, where multi-national corporations are waiting to employ YOU with their schemes to utterly destroy every eco-system that might have a penny of resources in it. And hey, don’t forget, Alaska will pay you if you can live there for 366 days and every year after that. Don’t go Galt, dig Galt’s gulch in Alaska.

Yes, that star of the north; “North to the Future” is their motto and what a glorious future you could take part in! Spending long summer days organizing militias to stop those communist Russkies and spending long winter nights rewriting the Constitution until it finally agrees with the Book of Revelations. So take your Confederate flags and your Gadsden banners and plant your standard in Alaska.

Head on up, and leave the heavy lifting of economic and social change to us down here. We’ll try to let you stay as backwards as you want to be, with minimal intrusion. Hell, I’ll bet when enough of you are up there, Canada will be more than happy to build a border wall for you, since everyone knows how fond you all are of those.

From Fish Hook to Funny River, Kalifornsky to Kipnuk, Moose Creek to Meadow Lake (and let‘s not forget fabulous Wasilla), the siren song of Alaska beckons. So do yourself and everybody else a great big favor, and start the migration now. Westward, “Ho’ ”!

P.S. Take the Republican party with you, they won’t be missed. Oh yeah, and Ted Nugent, please!

Jody:

Your post is spot-on. Speaker John Boehner is probably not the best man for that job, however there is probably no one else who could do any better on the Republican side.

To borrow from that Shakespeare fellow, Eric Cantor has that "lean and hungry look", and seems ready to slice Boehner to ribbons at a moment's notice. The Speaker is cursed with a large number of Teabagger types who flatly do not grasp the consequences of the over-spending of the past years, which include an ever-increasing debt ceiling and a monstrous national debt. Worse, rather than learn their jobs, they have come with an agenda that could be entitled "Civil Rights - We Really Hate Them".

Day after day, we see a parade of unparalleled ignorance. Attacks on women. Attacks on science. Denial of Anthropogenic Global Warming. Unrestricted access to overwhelming firepower in the face of repeated massacres.

There is no way Speaker Boehner can make an appeal to reason, when the Republican Party is bereft of reason.

The astounding irony is that Rep. Nancy Pelosi will be the power behind any compromise. She is the best hope for putting together a reasonable budget.

Hi, Jody, Iowa

Today's GOPers are born of ignorant and irresponsible Pledges to inconsequential persons, and they shame the term "fiscal responsibility" as well as shame the meaning of true conservative. Prior to Ronald Reagan, true conservatives believed that at times it was necessary to raise taxes, at times to lower them; they believed that revenues equalled responsible spending. Reagan himself understood that and when his spending led to huge deficits and doubling the debt, he raised taxes--11 times he raised taxes. In other words, spending as necessary to remain a strong and viable country and if that meant raising taxes, then the GOP raised taxes just as did Democrats. Those days of the GOP have long disappeared.

Excellent post. Your post reminds of a quote from Nietzsche, a German philosopher -

Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies.

.

Pragmatism is one of core principles of conservatism - and today's GOP has conveniently forgotten about it in their devotion to the corrupt corporate CEOs and Military-Industrial Complex

Tomas Grande, wonderful reminder, well said. Merry spirit of the season to you, too. Salud

Pat, David, thanks.

Glad to see the political gloating. I for one would welcome the fiscal cliff. It may educate people that they cannot have low taxes AND the government services at a 40% discount for forever.

If left in place, in 2013 families with children would see over $43 billion in benefits from these provisions. But absent Congressional action, these expanded benefits will disappear over the cliff. Should the EITC, CTC, and CDCTC revert to their pre-2001 form, the Tax Policy Center estimates nearly three-quarters of all families with children will see their taxes rise or net rebates decline by an average of almost $1,200, compared with what they would pay if the provisions were extended. Keep in mind those changes would be in addition to the broad tax hikes that would affect nearly all working families such as the expiration of the payroll tax cut and any increase in marginal tax rates for all families with income above the tax entry thresholds.

Most low income and middle income families with children will see their taxes rise (almost 72 percent of families in the lowest 20 percent of incomes and 89 percent of families in the second income quintile), in many cases by a substantial share of their income. Among families whose taxes go up, the average increase will exceed $1,400 for families in the lowest quintile and $1,600 for families in the second quintile (see chart). Most of this increase comes from the reduction in the CTC to pre-2001 levels. Although the child credit phases out and the EIC is unavailable at higher incomes, even families in the top quintile are not immune to tax increases stemming from these three provisions. Just over one-third of families with children in the highest income quintile will see their taxes rise in 2013 by an average of about $600.

I love how the FR article describes how the Republicans are scrambling and are in disarray, but there's no mention of the above effects on the Democrats constituents. I guess they have no worries if we go over the cliff.

Meanwhile in more Washington news, New England Senators are holding up Sandy relief for New York and New Jersey because he wants his own pork in the bill.

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) said the emergency-spending bill for Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts won't pass unless money for fisheries is included.

"This legislation is not going to pass without the inclusion of this money, point blank," Kerry said on the floor Wednesday.

Later Wednesday, Sen. Dan Coats (R-Ind.) offered an alternative emergency-funding bill that would not include money for fisheries. His version would cost roughly $24 billion.

The Coats bill does not contain money for storm damage, and eliminates funding for other past disasters. His office highlighted that it eliminates a grab-bag of random funding in the Democratic bill that has come under some scrutiny. The Democratic bill has money for fisheries in Alaska, to fix museum roofs in D.C., for wildfires in Colorado, for tree planting and for the Legal Services Corp., Coats’s office noted.

http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/273913-kerry-sandy-emergency-funding-bill-must-include-fisheries-to-pass

So stop blaming the Republicans exclusively. Both parties suck.

Jody,Iowa-

Wonderful story!

Salud

An idiot GOP Congressman (selective memory has dumped his name) was on Morning Joe. Joe tried to befriend him on economic issues but the Congressman continued to put his foot in his mouth. Then Mica asked the Congressman about a possible ban on assault weapons and the other foot was swiftly inserted.

Scarborough exploded - and justifiably so - not so much out of this representative's rank stupidity but because this man showed how completely out-of-touch the Republican Party - his party - has become.

It is not about winning and losing any more, it is about trading in these neanderthals for a new party that can represent conservative ideals in an intelligent dialogue with Liberals - thereby creating legislation that helps our country advance and compete.

The greatest country in the world is swimming with a concrete block tied to it's ankle - an entirely unnecessary hindrance.

Merry Christmas everyone and a Joyous 2013 and beyond.

Jody,

Your point of taking no pleasure of gloating over the implsion of the Republican GOP party is well taken....But.

The despicable nature of these so called leaders to systematically destroy President Obama at the expense of the country deserves no pity.

I've said many times "Some men just can't be screwed over" - The GOP obtructed and flat out lied about our President, and every time the President came out on top. President Obama is a man of integrity and it's quite obvious he cares for the people of this country.You would have thought those evil doers of the Republican party would have learned tthis in under 4 years....but they haven't.

If I were President I'd state this publically and destroy them. I wouldn't do it behind closed doors I'd expose every nasty detail of their motives and the American public would do the rest.

It's soooo very obvious that that the Republican Party is unfit to govern.

Boehner,......here is your smoke and blindfold.

Now stand against that wall over there and we'll have an NRA color guard give you a 26-gun salute,........ using assault rifles.

But not to worry,......cause guns don't kill people,..... eh Pubbies?

Further to prove my point that they are unfir to govern.

These are the kind of idiots the American people are up against. To him I guess this is a joke. Another well informed Tea Party Member.

Incoming Texas State Rep. Kyle Kacal says "guns don’t kill people—ping pong kills people."

Boehner is the worst speaker the House has ever had. It's time for him to step down and go to rehab.

Agreed Job1. More and more I think that America is seeing that the GOP holds no good in store for the common man.

The goal of the Pubbie party is to turn America's working class into hordes of profit-generating wage slaves, nothing more, nothing less.

The despicable nature of these so called leaders to systematically destroy President Obama at the expense of the country deserves no pity.

Kevin,

My thoughts exactly!

Not even in the spirit of the holidays can I find forgiveness for what they have subjected us to the last 4 years!

They have made their bed, now they have to lay in it... fleas and all...

Maybe now that Boehner has had his sheep's costume ripped away, non-political junkies like us will see the predators posing as the GNOP!

House Republicans are just shooting themselves in the foot. If a deal securing a Republican majority is not possible, then the only option is a bill with a Democratic majority and Republican minority. The fewer Republicans who will cross the line on that, the more Democrats you need, and the further left the legislation will move. House Republicans have effectively removed themselves from the negotiations and tossed away whatever voice and leverage they had.

Dealing with this in January may be the only option now. I'm not sure Boehner will risk crossing his party until after he's secured the speakership for the next Congress. Until then, let the dog and pony show continue. Boehner and Cantor are playing their part right now.

The crazies cannot be reasoned with.....Afterall, they must stick to their "Principles"!

....They care nothing about the solvency of the country and will not bend. I fear that their "principles" will get in the way of any meaningful restrictions on gun/weapons!

They are nothing but obstructionists......unable to think.

Speaker Boehner is now on TV...he blames the Democrats for his failure...I can't freaking believe my ears. Who is in the majority in the House? Hearing is not believing, any more?

Now, it's Cantor talking on TV.

Can'tor: the little GOPeep that can't!!

Now Boehner is answering questions from reporters. I see a new tattoo on Boehner's face... Boehner just got a tatoo overnight with the word 'LOSER' written all over his face.

Boehner, What happens when you try to please all the idiots in your party all the time? Nothing.

Hope you enjoyed your job while you had one.

Repulsivecons, do us a favor and don't come back from Christmas break, we'll run it without you. We'll mail you your last check.

Paul S...

That is awesome that you have been volunteering at Ronald McDonald house for that long. Thanks for doing that. I've been working hard to try to get my kids to understand the value of doing things for people that are less fortunate. They are still fairly young, but they are getting it more and more. I take them with me to buy toys for charities during the holidays and they are at the point now where they get more excited about that than they are about getting gifts themselves. Happy Holidays to you!

Since the House passed spending reform measures last night and extended tax cuts for all Americans in August, if the president doesn't like it it's up to him and the Senate to take action. The Senate has not sent a bill to the House. Why not?

Pig -- I am listening as well and the Speaker said no such thing. You are misrepresenting his words.

Happy Doomsday John Boehner and Republicans!!!

ForePlinger

Thank you, a highly rational rant.

Again we have the ham on top, make no mistake his post are not mud, just facts !!!!!!!!!!!

Boehner is still on TV...saying that someone is drowning and he is the lifeguard -

what? I thought Boehner is the ONE WHO IS DROWNING. I can't believe myself..watching him on C-Span (saying that).

Then now he just got off stage - before he left - he said:

Merry CLIFF-MESS.

Hah! Hah! Now that the GOP REPUBLICAN PARTY is totally, and I mean totally, IMPOTENT

us Socialists can finally Complete, Realized and Establish our SOCIALIST UTOPIA on the PLANET, EARTH

in the COUNTRY you once called AMERICA. Who's going to stop us, you TEABAGGERS?

Of course FIRST we'll have to "TAKE AWAY your ANNOYING GUNS and BIBLES",

but that shouldn't be too hard once we RE-ESTABLISH the Infamous "OBAMA SNITCH LINE",

where LOYAL CITIZENS can REPORT you REPUBLICANS and TEABAGGERS, if you "Get Out of Line".

The POLITICAL TAKE-OVER was EASY once we got our "stealth" MUSLIM-MARXIST" Candidate OBAMA

on in for a SECOND TERM. Hey, did you hear that BARACK's on the COVER of TIME MAGAZINE

as "Man of the Year"? Ain't Life Grand?

I can't wait till BARACK stacks the SUPREME COURT with as Many SOCIALISTS, MARXISTS, LENINISTS, and some Old-Style DIRTY COMMIES, as He can.

And SUPREME COURT JUSTICES are APPOINTED for LIFE. arf. arf.

ps. TRUMP was Right about One thing: OBAMA was BORN in KENYA!!!

Too LATE now!

Democrats: Check out some of the conservative blogs today. Their blame-each-other-game is in full bloom.

Obviously, most of them (conservatives) are in such deep denial they are unable to fathom what has actually happened to their party.

But, here's a clue: Conservatism (almost by definition) resists change. That ideology is fine so long as it is not so extreme that it causes its proponents to become disconnected from reality (aka progress).

But, that's exactly what has happened in the GOP. The extreme right-wing has wrested control from moderate (sensible) conservatives. They are now forcing the GOP further and further away from a voting majority of Americans. They don't (or won't) understand that ideology cannot trump politics in a free society.

We are witnessing the death of the GOP. What emerges may still be called the Republican Party. But, it will not be the republican party we all know.

Is Boehner’s speakership in trouble?

===========

Not that a whole crap load of things can, have and will continue to be said, but is this even a legitimate question? I'll turn around and ask you, name me what John Boehner has done to even remotely deserve the honor of Speaker of the House? The man and the Republican Party are a modern day joke.

RepublicansForObama-6186389.......

Who do you think you are fooling?

Such adolescent shenanigans might fly among your Fox News consumers. But, here you merely appear childish.

I'll turn around and ask you, name me what John Boehner has done to even remotely deserve the honor of Speaker of the House?

Exactly what every other Speaker of the House did. Won a majority of seats in an election (twice), and received a majority of votes from their caucus. What did Nancy Pelosi, Newt Gingrinch or Tip O'Neal do different?

House walks out on Bonerhead and Fleabag Cantor, What a joke - the Pigs house is Broken !!!!

Frank "Grimey" Grimes == Thanks for your kind words...I always enjoy your reasoned views and comments here and wish you and your family the best this holiday...Keep up the good work with your children as well.....

I have absolutely no Idea what the speaker of the House is up to. One moment he is very close to a deal in his favor and then he caves and comes up with this weird plan B that had absolutely no chance of passing the Senate or getting President Obama to sign it into law. Then we find that after he said he will pass it in the House and then it's President Obama's fault if the veto's it as if he could pass the buck so easily. Now we find out he can't even muster up enough Republicans in the House to pass the Plan B. So what does he do? Goes on vacation for the holidays. No worries, not like there is a looming fiscal cliff just about to happen, just so he gets his holiday ham for Christmas.

All this aside, President Obama should be celebrating with his crew, because this is so poetic justice. Here the Republicans signed a pack to make him a 1 term president. Not only did President Obama get re-elected, but in a landslide. Also he holds the House Republicans in his hands and can crush them now if he so chooses. House Republicans should kiss President Obama's Presidential ring and thank him for being a better man then the good old boy House Republicans.

If i was President Obama, I would be asking House Republicans if they know how to spell the word sequester?

Looks like Marine Jon Hammar to be released but be on alert for more Mexican payback messages as all Americans are in jeopardy for the illegal Fast & Furious gun running stupid bungle.

As to the "cliff" situation, the president will blink again and this time harder. He knows his legacy is at stake as well and it is time for him to step up and take responsibility for where this country is going. Bush is long gone and Romney is but a memory. You can try to come up with cutesy juvenile names and put blame where is doesn't entirely belong but the president and Senate need to take they lead. As we are all painfully aware -- the democrats control 2/3 thirds of Washington. So act like it and lead unless you enjoy being the chumps you are. You are committing generational theft and it has to stop.

The Tea Party and those sticking to the policies of "starve the beast" have to go. That is why they don't want to raise revenues, they need the fiscal crisis to cut entitlements.

Why do they call them entitlements? I have paid into Medicare and Social Security my whole life, it's my money?

Replace Boehner with Ryan and they will do no better.

Look for big changes in 2014.

For far to long this nation has suffered at the hands of the "our way, or the highway" party of lunatics representing the tea party movement. It is time for responsible republicans to change into their big boy pants and join with democrats to craft a truly bi-partisan solution to this mess. Boehner can no longer trust the members in his own party to do what is right for the country.

C-Span just revealed that immediately after the failed vote, there was chaos among RepubliCONs..bordering on a fist fight among themselves. Raucous rowdy RepubliCONs. Gloom & Doom set in. Only one thing is clear - Boehner has lost control

Kevin, I don't disagree with what you said. I have been angry at the party of NO for a long time, their willingness to let the country and the people suffer in the name of defeating President Obama and winning the next election was inexcusable and irresponsible, and unforgiveable. I just can't take pleasure in it even though what happened to the GOP was self-inflicted. We're stuck with those incapable yahoos for two years.

Guess I've postponed long enough going outside to clear the driveway and porch of what Old Mr. Blizzard left us yesterday.

The Tea Party and those sticking to the policies of "starve the beast" have to go. That is why they don't want to raise revenues, they need the fiscal crisis to cut entitlements.

If we go over the fiscal cliff and raise revenues by 400B a year, AND cut spending by a further 100B a year we will still have a deficit of $500B+ a year. There will still be a fiscal crisis and entitlements WILL be cut.

Why do they call them entitlements? I have paid into Medicare and Social Security my whole life, it's my money?

Great. Simply take out what you put in, plus accrued interest, and the system will be fine.

Deal?

10:00 Presser …
Reporter: Mr. Speaker, what is next?
Boehner: God only knows!
Boehner has no path forward given the Tea Party caucus.

Former Senator Gregg (R)
The President needs to put a 1:1 or 2:1 plan on the table that the majority of House Republicans can sign onto and Leader Pelosi will be able to get the rest of the votes needed
They are only $400 Billion apart so they should be able to get this done

I am glad there is no deal. Forward... over the cliff we go! The Democrats got the USA into this fix and they need to feel the pain. Silly how they try to blame others, but that is Democrats.

And there goes the stock market. Perhaps cooler heads vs. the crazies on the right will prevail on the investing side of the country. If not, it's going to be an ugly end to a wild year as we see all the gains wiped out by the selfish acts of the GOPTP representatives.

Alan, NJ

I'll turn around and ask you, name me what John Boehner has done to even remotely deserve the honor of Speaker of the House?

Exactly what every other Speaker of the House did. Won a majority of seats in an election (twice), and received a majority of votes from their caucus. What did Nancy Pelosi, Newt Gingrinch or Tip O'Neal do different?

=======

Alan, we and I are all aware of how one logistically gets to be Speaker, that's not in question. But "Speaker of the House" is an action, not just a title. Say what you want ideologically about the others that you mentioned, but they governed at some level, Sir. They governed.

Obama and liberals have been claiming the Bush tax cuts caused all our financial problems, so letting them expire should be what all liberals want. It is certainly what Obama wants. So liberals should be celebrating that they have finally gotten what they have been wanting. Lets go back to the Clinton tax rates and Clinton spending levels. I sure hope that doesn't impact all the free stuff Obama has been handing out.

There is one reason and one reason only that Boehner is going to take the country over the "fiscal cliff," a move that he knows will risk wrecking the economy: the Denney Hastert Rule that no legislation can go through the House of Representatives unless it is supported by "a majority of the majority." A reasonable compromise could be reached with 40 or 50 Republicans voting with most Democrats in Congress.

In other words, to Republicans in Congress, loyalty to The Party is far more important than loyalty to America. In this regard, they bear a strong resemblance to certain political parties in Europe in Germany and Russia during the last century. We all may pay a heavy price for the foolishness of voters in past elections who put these fanatics in office.

Rick,

I think you have made that statement a hundred times in the last month but at least admit it is a conspiracy theory, that no one in Congress or our President has made such a claim.

Stomp on these fools until there is nothing left. Remember what they did to Clinton. They dogged him for 8 straight years of investigation after investigation and the only thing they finally come up with is lying about a BJ that had nothing to do with anything they were investigating. They had their own prosecutor that dogged him his entire term. The drag our president through the mud and impeach him on lying about a BJ. Unbelievable. I have no sympathy for these UN-American trolls who's whole objective is to destroy or weaken the federal government. To make it vulnerable to our enemies abroad and destroy it's ability to carry out it's constitutional duty of dealing with the welfare of the country.

Stomp on them like little cockroaches. Let's go over the cliff and reinstate tax cuts for everyone under 250,000 after the new house is sworn in. Then put the democratic political machine to work to start heading into these districts and change the map in 2014.

No sympathy, no retreat. Make these whacknuts capitulate. They are spoiled children looking out for their very wealthy handlers.

@Dennis -- That wasn't the question the Speaker was answering when he said "God only knows." Sad to see you stoop to the misrepresentation the other do on here. The administration also doesn't have to make a "claim" as you lecture Rick -- it is so obvious Ray Charles could have seen it. Over three-quarters of the tax loss in this country is attributable to the 98%. This country is devaluing the dollar every day and is hurting the middle class more than anything.

In the press conference today, Boehner was still spewing his usual nonsense. Let me refute his nonsense in the following -

First of all, the President won re-election - among the voter-approved Obama's policies is raising taxes on household income of $250,000& above; but the President agreed to move the threshold up to $400,000. It's GOP that has refused such generous gesture.

second of all, Boehner went along with his own proposal of $1 million (against the popular will), but he failed to get even his GOP colleagues to support it.

Third, he came out blaming his failure on the President?

What ???????????????????????

I wan't expecting anything different from this Dufus Bonehead!

Why do they call them entitlements? I have paid into Medicare and Social Security my whole life, it's my money?

BTW, here are the figures for 2011 for SS/Medicare

http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/UploadedPDF/social-security-medicare-benefits-over-lifetime.pdf

Lifetime Social Security benefits ... $266,000

Lifetime Medicare benefits ... $170,000

Total benefits received over a lifetime ... $436,000

Lifetime Social Security (OASDI) taxes ... $299,000

Lifetime Medicare taxes ... $60,000

Total Social Security & Medicare taxes paid ... $359,000

Alan, we and I are all aware of how one logistically gets to be Speaker, that's not in question. But "Speaker of the House" is an action, not just a title. Say what you want ideologically about the others that you mentioned, but they governed at some level, Sir. They governed.

Yes they did. But some of Pelosi's caucus voted for her policies and not their constituents, and that is why the Democrats are now in a minority and the Democratic caucus has moved left.

Anyone see Kansas republican Representative "Tim Huelskamp" on "Morning Joe" this am? This man displayed vividly, all that is wrong with the governance of the country today. I am, right now, so very sorry for Speaker Boehner. He can't and shouldn't be charged with shaping the mentalities of insane individuals, even if they have been elected to represent their various insane constituents. Additionally, the President cannot lead this country, for the same reason. Madison envisioned a divided government, slowly working, purely for deliberative checks and balances between governing bodies. He did not though, envision a governing body made up of members who were bred, birthed, and mentally nurtured in and by residents of Bedlams lower dungeons. Most democratic members of the US Congress should be removed to a more appropriate place, leaving most republican members there, lock and block all escape exits, and re-label both chambers "INSANE ASYLUMS".

Mr. President, Sir, Hold your ground! Do not give in one iota to these CRAZY SONS-AH-BITCHES. You may yet have to send troops into their districts to maintain order, but, that would be better than allowing the continuation of the barbaric howlings of such mean spirited, and abject ignorant people who are costing the rest of us much treasure and even much more in raw consternation of all forms. GWADDAMN!!!!!!!

Everybody, and I mean Everybody, check out my AWARD-WINNING post #1.52

just a little way-up on this "thread".

My astute, Provocative, insightful, Psycho-Political post shows EXACTLY how Republicans and Teabaggers THINK!

And Like COMEDY and REALITY, it's NOT ALWAYS PRETTY,

now is it?

My Post #1.52, just above, will "ROCK your WORLD and BLOW your MIND"

It's that Good.

#1.52

just above!

#1.52

ps. Ian Emdee post #1.55. don't worry!

I'm just "RATTLING the CAGE" of all those Racist, Gun-toting REPUBLICANS and Crazy Wacko TEABAGGERS,

who still can't stand the FACT that there's still a BLACK MAN in their once precious WHITE HOUSE.

They still BELEVE all the "stuff" I wrote.

I'm just Confirming it for them

Buck stops at the top -- even a Pig should know that.

Homer,

Please get in touch with reality? The who did what? Let's see 2 wars, lost wars, and $4,000,000,000,000+ later started by bush and the net result 7,200 body bags. You deserve Boehner the Bonehead!

It's Terrible we have two Clowns in the house like Bonehead & Cantor spitting on the Middle Class for their 1% mega rich buddies !!!!!!!!!!

Ben,

The speaker said he would keep trying to work out a deal with Obama. "How we get there, God only knows."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2012/12/21/boehner-fiscal-cliff-news-conference/1784169/

Go home for Christmas, House Republicans, but don't bother going back to Washington, DC EVER!

Vote 'em all out 2014!

FOX NEWS WEBSITE:

Boehner says tax bill designed to help avert a year-end fiscal crisis did not have sufficient support, and it is now up to Obama to work with Reid on solution.

Really? Pushing your job on the other branches now? It is the job of the House to come up with a budget to pass the Senate and the President, not the other way around. DO YOUR FREAKING JOB SPEAKER BOEHNER.

P.s. Can't post on Fox News anymore, they got tired of being called on their false reporting.

I agree with Representative LaTourette's sentiment that we deserve better, that this is horrible.

It's horrible that we have a president who said $250 bn deficits were immoral, but who thinks $1 trillion deficits are acceptable. We deserve better.

It's horrible that we have a president who said raising taxes in a fragile economy was wrong, but who now says we must raise taxes in a fragile economy. We deserve better.

It's horrible that our president said he could find $1.2 trillion in new revenues from cutting deductions and credits ONLY, but who now says that it is impossible to get even $800 bn doing the same thing. We deserve better.

It's horrible that our revenues are close to what they were pre-recession but that spending is about $1 trillion more than it was during the same period and that our leftist friends claim that revenues are the only problem we need worry about. We deserve better. (Just in case you will make the claim you want to reduce spending, I say you don't. Your ideas are for a reduction in the rate of growth--AT BEST--and are more aptly described as wanting future unspecified cuts which, if history is any guide, will never be remembered when the future arrives).

It's horrible that Speaker Boehner is so inept as to be allowed himself to be painted into a corner and so now all Americans will pay. I don't mean tax rate increases. I mean an America in long-term decline. We have partially achieved the left's wet dream of massive government, and our futures are worse for it. We deserve better.

Come to think of it, we don't deserve better. This is OUR bed. We made it. It's time to sleep in it. It's time to stop making our future unborn heirs pay for our free stuff. It's time to get serious about market fundamentals to make our economy grow, rather than rely upon the facade of growth provided by QE to the nth power, and massive federal deficit spending. We are the most immoral, selfish, and narcississtic generation our nation has ever produced. I've come to conclude we must be made, figuratively speaking, to rub our nose in our own mess so we might learn to stop making mroe messes.

Maybe then, with a bit of luck, we will deserve better. We might also get something better.

This will all be pushed off until January 2013 because Boehner still wants to be Speaker. Until that is settled NOTHING will happen.

Eric-913730

The Tea Party and those sticking to the policies of "starve the beast" have to go. That is why they don't want to raise revenues, they need the fiscal crisis to cut entitlements.

Why do they call them entitlements? I have paid into Medicare and Social Security my whole life, it's my money?

Medicare and FICA are called entitlements because you ARE entitled to them, specifically for the reasons that you quoted. What most conservatives want cut are the other items called entitlements, which are the welfare programs that continue to enable large numbers of people to avoid responsibility. We are sick of our tax dollars paying for cable television and cell phones for people.

@Dennis -- I see your post via the link but the USA Today reporter is out of context. I watched and listened to the entire statement when the Speaker said those words and it wasn't to "What do we do next" and then those words. This is a prime example of shoddy and/or partisan journalism.

The usual and annoying loud noise from the libbies not withstanding, I''d like to congratulate the true conservatives in the House for standing up to RINO Boehner and preventing him from succumbing to President Santa Claus and his quest to destroy capitalism.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Cliffmas

Have yourself a merry little Cliffmas,

Let your heart be light.

From now on,

Our troubles will be day and night.

Have yourself a merry little Cliffmas,

Make everybody pay.

From now on,

Our troubles will not go away.

Here we are in Tea Party days,

Where millionaires can soar.

Faithful friends who are dear to us,

Get shoved under the bus, once more.

Someday soon,

We all will be poor together,

While Congress dallies now.

Living in our car,

With Skittles and cat chow.

So have yourself,

A merry little Cliffmas right now.

Have yourself a Merry little Cliffmas,

The pain won’t go away.

Ben-e-fits,

You paid for will be gone awaaaaay.

So have yourselves,

A Merry Little Cliffmas,

To-Daaaaaaay.

Thanks to Pigotry for the inspiration.

Spider -- The libbies can't help themselves. They have drunk the poison kool-aid of the Barack "Jim Jones" Obama Cult Society.

Thank God the GOP is finally being handed a "perform or die" message. They have gone from attempting to safeguard the US economy to safeguarding their "Political Contibutors". As long as large business and corporations continue to receive tax breaks and concessions (like the oil industry) the GOP will continue to have a strong financial power base.

As was stated above, the Military complex, which is largely made up of PRIVATE corporations who contribute heavily to the GOP, needs feel the pain. As a member of the military, I agree, but that never happens. I, as a soldier in the US Army, feel the pain. Because when there are defense cuts, they go after my pay and benefits first, or they force me out of service.
Prior to 2000, the US Service member was one of the lowest paid fields at the lowest levels. During the last decade, we made a dent in the number of lower enlisted who were forced to use "Food Stamps", YES, there were a large number of military families ON Food Stamps, there still are. We have good, not exceptional, but good, medical coverage, but where we used to have PX and Commissary access that allowed for cheaper food, the AAFES exchange has become privatized. The fuel that is provided (by AAFES) on those military posts that are left is the same price as off post, even though the contractors don't pay taxes on military reservations. The same goes for commercial items sold in the PX/BX (Post Exchange/Base Exchange).

The entities that NEED to feel the pain are the contractors, the Research and Developers, who provide weapons systems that don't work, armor that doesn't protect and uniforms that fall apart.
The Army has been researching a new combat rifle, because there are issues with the M16/M4 Assault Rifles, that have been present since Vietnam, but since Colt and the old gas advance design has been the norm, they continue to supply those same semi-reliable weapons. There are at least two companies that have M4 style weapons, that use the same magazines, but work on the piston design that are just as accurate, maybe more so than the M16/M4 designs. Yet they are still used and since the companies that developed the weapons are not US companies (ie., political contributors), Congress won't agree to purchase the systems.

That leads me to another issue that has been brought up here...gun control. I agree that there needs to be better control on access by mentally unstable individuals, but UNLESS they are located and identified for some sort of psychological evaluation, and that information is made available for access by organizations that sell guns, preventing tragedies like Newtown will never happen. If the school had security or someone in the school trained to use a gun, this type of thing will happen whether law abiding citizens have access to guns or not.
Harris and Klebold set the stage for attacks on schools. Now, we have to live with those who copy this kind of thing as an attempt to be noticed. Lanza was an evil, pathetic, mentally deranged individual whose reasoning for attacking the school may never be known, except that he wanted to make some kind of statement that would be remembered.
The same goes for the attack in Aurora Colorado. The shooter had attempted to let some close to him know he was losing it, but no one thought he was a danger. No one considered attempting to have him evaluated, since he hadn't done anything to make anyone believe he was "dangerous". So, when he started buying weapons, there was nothing out there to keep him from being able to get anything he could use to kill.

Our outrage at the actions of these two individuals is justifiable, but to quote an old cliche, "Guns don't kill people, people kill people," and until we can predict the actions of those who mean us harm, and can confront them prior to acts like this, targetting guns is not the answer.
There are too many people out there who DO mean us harm, and it is better to be able to protect ourselves, responsibly. Not like Mr Zimmerman, who had no business owning a weapon, but that is a completely different discussion.

"It is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it..."

This is great news for the country. The one, true entity that represents the majority of US citizens (House of representatives), has said "No" to the idiot-in-chief. The public wants spending cuts now! Boehner was caving in to this goofy, liberal prez when it's clear the country does not want this plan.

Now your move Mr President. Cut spending big-time because the US majority has spoken.

The Tea Retarded Movement that brought us our first down grade in American history walks out on the American people and goes home, these losers belong in jail !!!!!!!!!

Bobster,

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 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

Alan NJ:

But some of Pelosi's caucus voted for her policies and not their constituents, and that is why the Democrats are now in a minority and the Democratic caucus has moved left.

You're spreading the BS thick today. The Democrats are in the minority in the House despite the fact that they got more votes overall than the Republicans in this year's election. The fanatical Republicans control the House only because of the GERRYMANDERING of Congressional districts that they did after they took over state houses in 2010. The so-called House of "Representatives" is no longer representative of the will of the people. Also, the Democrats have NOT moved to the left. If anything, they have moved to the right while the Republicans have moved into the ultra-right loony bin.

Colorado-Man-

Medicare and FICA are called entitlements because you ARE entitled to them, specifically for the reasons that you quoted.

Social Security does not add to the deficit. It has a trust fund of over 2.5 Trillion dollars.

Medicare is one of the most successful programs run in this country.

What most conservatives want cut are the other items called entitlements, which are the welfare programs that continue to enable large numbers of people to avoid responsibility.

I feel sorry for you how you willingly parrot lies from the Right Wing media on this website.

We are sick of our tax dollars paying for cable television and cell phones for people.

Another opinion from you with no facts or links to back it up.

Everyone here sees you have no crediblity from your posts.

You offer no solutions.

You offer nothing positive for America.

I hope this Christmas you will see the light.

Salud

@brenda1964 and other blind liberals...

The plan that Boehner just introduced WOULD have been passed by Senate and the President, but it failed to receive enough support in the House to pass.

Boehner and the President are working together just fine, and Boehner is basically doing everything the President is asking, the problem resides in the rest of the Republican House members who have thus far refused to compromise on a tax hike.

Buh-Bye, Mr. Boehner, Buh-Bye.

But don't feel bad, you and your obstructionist colleagues will all be looking for new jobs in 2015.

Buh-Bye!

Geeeez this Christmas just keeps getting better and better.

I'm glad he's walking away....now you people will get exactly what you voted for.....higher taxes for everyone........congratulations fools........I figure about 18 months until the revolution......20 months for the indictments for accessory to murder charges for the Empty Suit......

Alan NJ...Trying to make payroll deductions every pay period appear to be some kind of handout is like you stuffing money into your 401K and thinking it won't be next on the GOP hit list for taxables. How will that 401K entitlement be so enjoyable then?

Get real...I live in NJ too...90% of New Jerseyans are fed up with the skankage of the GOP across the board. Let me guess....A Wall Streeter who rides the train like dutiful little bois to sit in front of a reckless high risk investment screen all day long?

And, if you think your retirement savings won't be next on the GOP hit list. Think again. It was suggested in 2005 during the Bush Administration. But, as we all know, that was to avert the September 2008 Financial Meltdown Republicans knew was headed their way from handing Halliburton billions up on billions of our tax dollars.

The Poor Rich routine isn't cutting it anymore. $250K a year isn't Middle Class. Learn to live on that like you expect everyone else to do.

Pigotry,

This is all Obama and you only want to point the finger like every other Dem.

Obama needs to cut the budget but he wants to raise it and he wants to be able to raise it as he pleases.

And any one in this world knows that's not a good thing to do and if you think it is you are the most dumbest person I have meet on any postings I have been in.

So you keep pointing that finger at the GOP because the rest of America thinks Obama is nuts including Dems I have talk to.

All the polls they have don't ask that question so don't go throwing polls at me.

The majority did not vote this loser in office only you and your foodstampers and welfare buddies did this is why in his 1st term he made sure there was more foodstampers and welfare babies to vote him back in office.

you need to get your 500 lbs butt out of bed and see what is really going on.

No limit to the dept that is just dumb.. But you don't care you don't pay a dime in taxes....

You are the main reason this country will have another civil war..

Bobster-1557895

Now your move Mr President. Cut spending big-time because the US majority has spoken.

Yes they have.

President Obama - 332 Electoral Votes

Governor Romney - 206 Electoral Votes

The next four years are going to be difficult for people who are in denial about the election and who is in charge of this country.

American's overwhelmingly trusts the Democrats and President Obama to lead this nation into economic prosperity next year and beyond.

I understand you don't have anyone in your party to cheer about, so naturally you have to spread lies about the President and to tear him and Democrats down with more, and more lies.

You, like the rest of the Republican Party, have become insignificant.

You should spend some time this Christmas to reflect on why you hate so much and why you have become so gullible in believing everything Rush and Faux tells you.

Salud

Dennis,

Liberal CNN Poll? LOL! The only poll I look at is the huge lead the the American public gave to the conservatives in the House.

The people have spoken. Now it's time for the president to cut spending big-time like we demand. This was a huge win for the American public. The second best thing is to go over this so-called cliff. We have to cut spending across the board and at least this does that. Not crazy about the tax hike though. But if we continue with the spending habits of Bush and Obama then we are headed for destruction. It's less painful if we do it now then to keep pushing it down the road like Obama wants.

LaserTroll,
EVERYONE needs to tighten their belts. It's not just the Federal Government. Yes, there are programs out there that need to be eliminated or controlled. I would be the first to say that the only way to make Welfare work is to monitor the hell out of it. But, THAT would cost a boatload of money by itself.

WE all know what lack of control can do, we are living it. I don't think government should OWN business, but they should, sure as Hell, make sure business is acting responsibly. Organizations like the SEC, EPA, IRS and others are there to make sure those who play the games play by the rules.
Those rules took a beating in the 2000s, and you and I paid the price for that. The rich got richer, and we all got poorer.

Bobster,

Yep, it's a Liberal poll. Probably skewed Liberal by 8 points (oversampling) just like the Presidential election polls – Right ?

Actually Dems in the House in total got more votes cast for them than the Republicans did. The only thing that saved their [Republicans] butts was the gerrymandering in newly Republican controlled states.

Colorado-Man,

I think everyone agrees that waste in welfare should stop. The difference is Republicans/TeaParty think the abuse is done only by Democrats, Independents. Which is not true. Red states generally receive more dollars back in Federal aid/welfare than Blue states. Talk about cutting your nose off to spite your face!

IT’S OFFICIAL!

Barrack Hussein and Democrats are the Party of No!

No budget for 1,332 days.

No plan for jobs.

No plan for the fiscal cliff.

No plan for sequestration.

No plan for increasing growth.

No plan for cutting spending.

Obama has not, is not and will not cut anything from our budget, let alone our debt.

On June 12, Barrack Hussein claimed he already signed $2 trillion of cuts and allegedly proposed $2 trillion more in cuts.

On June 22, he said he was going to reduce the deficit by $4 trillion.

On August 14 he stated he already cut a trillion dollars.

So which is it?

The truth is, none of the above. There has been no cut in spending and the 2013 budget dramatically increases deficit spending.

In 2008, according to the OMB, federal spending was $2.983 trillion. In 2009, after he voted for the $700 billion Bailout and signed the $833 billion $timulu$, spending increased to $3.518 trillion. In 2010 federal spending was $3.456 trillion. In 2011 spending we $3.603. This year OMB estimates our deficit budget will be $3.796 trillion. Since 2010 federal spending has increased by $340 billion.

There has been NO trillion dollar cut in spending.

When Barrack Hussein claims that he already signed $2 trillion of cuts, he means the debt-limit deal from last Augusts debt-ceiling deal. In exchange for agreeing to borrow an additional $2.1 trillion it was agreed to cap the amount of increase in future federal spending, but no date was ever agreed on when this should happen.

This mirrors the 1982 TEFRA agreement that Reagan agreed to which Tip O'Neil later reniged on.

The CBO explained what the deal might mean. If appropriations in the next 10 years are equal to the caps on discretionary spending and the maximum amount of funding is allowed, CBO estimates the legislation would reduce budget deficits by $917 billion between 2012 and 2021. In addition, legislation originating with the joint select committee would cut deficits by at least $1.2 trillion over the 10 year period. Thus we get a total of at least $2.1 trillion over the period.

However, the CBO warned, "Those amounts are relative to CBO's March 2011 baseline adjusted for subsequent appropriation action."

So, in essence, this will NOT cut spending, it would cut the size of anticipated future deficits based on the deficits the government was already planning to run based on previous legislation. This can also change if any new legislation is enacted. It won’t cut any spending in the long-term or even the mid-term.

As per the CBO’s update in March, including the spending caps, it showed that spending would drop by $47 billion. After that it will increase in each of the next 9 years up to $5.520 trillion in 2022.

Under the Obama-Boehner deal, the budget would never balance and the debt would increase by another $2.887 trillion over 10 years. So, not to be outdone by his own ignorance, this years budget would have reversed the debt deals caps on increased spending. The CBO’s analysis concluded that, "the cumulative deficit that would result from enacting the president's budget -- $6.4 trillion (or 3.2 percent of GDP) -- would be $3.5 trillion larger than the cumulative deficit projected under current law."

This is the delusion of the Liberal/Progressive cabal. They believe the cuts in already bloated spending levels will somehow magically reduce the deficit and debt. There is no functional way to accept any of the bizarre offers from the Left. They are not interested in true fiscal sanity.

The question is, why do the Liberals/Progressives hate America so much that they are willing to collapse our envied economy, again, just to save their unsustainable entitlements and social programs?

This is the criminality of Progressivism.

wb52

I'm glad he's walking away....now you people will get exactly what you voted for.....higher taxes for everyone........congratulations fools........I figure about 18 months until the revolution......20 months for the indictments for accessory to murder charges for the Empty Suit.....

The Empty Suit lost the last election. Or are you talking about the Empty Suit that goes by the name of John Boehner?

Did I just hear Wayne LaPierre call Spongebob violent durin his press conferene? If so, he is an idiot.

Wayne LaPierre made no mention of the victims of Sandy Hook.

OOPS sorry MISS piggy Its not all about you now. QUIT whining and lets go over this cliff you that they will be FORCED to CUT there WASTEFUL SPENDING.

Till the DUMBORATS decide to CLOSE those LOOPHOLES that the RICH use to LOWER there tax burden I say screw you. Good JOB John do NOT give in to these THUGS that want to keep the LOOPHOLES and UNLIMITED deductions for the RICH. I bet OBLAMER is just ttrying to make it where GE will NOT have to pay any taxes again this year. No wonder they back him so heavily and we can NOT get any good reporting from there MSNDC crew.

Looks like all the liberals came out of the woodwork to post their moronic comments. Not one of them has any idea what is really going on in this country. All I see is the same partisan left wing drivel that has dominated the comment pages for the last couple of years. If you people have the solution to this countries problems, please enlighten the democrat leaders, including your president. The solution has nothing to do with raising tax rates on the rich, that is only talk coming from the current White House. They want to keep you blindly following them, in order to advance their socialistic agenda. Wait until all their misguided actions begin to bear fruit, you left wingers will have to bear the same burden as the rest of us.

rightwingscrewball...Anti-social Americans are mentally ill. Seek help. That Bushmaster made chopped meat of 26 little kids. How dare you or any other rightie compare our president to an assault weapon when your Bushmaster for 8 years killed over 4,000 Americans in Iraq? Let's not forget that 3,000 who died in the Towers on 9/11 that your Bushmaster could have prevented if he wasn't so hot to help out Darth Vader Cheney's Halliburton and Blackwater.

Responsibility for righties isn't their strongest suit. Just big mouths and no brains.

As long as interest rates on treasury bonds stay low, the U.S. has time to figure out a long term solution to strengthening our economy and lowering our debt. This is probably the most important and overlooked number that actually shows the confidence the global markets have in the U.S. economy. This is macroeconomics.

If businesses can get cheap loans, they go into debt to take them in order to invest in their companies. Low cost debt means increased profits ( assuming every dollar they borrow they can then make a profit on). The U.S. just has to figure out how can it profit best from the money it borrows today. That is the biggest hurdle facing this country.

We can continue to make smart cuts...and we can raise taxes, but we still have to invest in infrastructure and education for our future. That has been time and again the best return on investment a country can make.

We still have to be aware of the amount of debt we have. We need to get rid of the tax cuts that have hurt our economy. We have to look at doctors who fraudulently order tests for terminal patients to increase their bottom line ( 95% of medical costs are incurred in the last 2 months of life...many costs are unnecessary and it has been shown that hospitals that focus on rewarding doctors on quality of care rather than doctors profiting from ever test or procedure have reduced costs by 40%). We need to drop programs that have a poor track record or are unnecessary. There have been cheaper more efficient solutions to some programs proposed, but they are squashed by either party for political gain.

We also need to ban lobbyists from literally writing our bills and handing them to politicians to pass.

Jim that is his plan it will only take 10 years or more to implement it. His plan is to SPEND it now and recoup it in 10 years. HOW stupid doe he think the american people are. I know they did re-elect him, but they did NOT see this coming at them for there future.

Bobster,

The only poll I look at is the huge lead the the American public gave to the conservatives in the House.

This guy is one crazy nut. What poll did this idiot looked at that said house conservatives had a huge lead. Ok bobster, show us that Poll. According to RCP, Dems won the Popular vote in the House in the 2012 elections. You know what that means right bobster, of course you don't so let me break it down for you. It simple means Dems WON more votes from the people on election day. The only reason repubs kept those house seats are because of "Gerrymandering".

I bet your dumb ass don't even know what gerrymandering is anyway.

Bobster another right wing nut

EWENT I see you have a LACK of BRAINS. You spew that Bush knew about the 9-11 attack, OK TROLL tell us how he knew and show us the PROOF of what you say, as that is what you would expect from us smarter people. You do KNOW if you are not right you are WRONG.

rightwingscrewball

No houston,

Were talking about Bushmaster (Obama for the slow liberals). Hopefully the weapons ban includes him.

You've chosen a very appropriate screen name for yourself. You make less sense than the average screwball does.

Since the world didn't end for most of us, it seems there is cause for reflection and a need to come to terms with how business is done in Washington. If elected officials can't be good stewards of the peoples business then we have elected the wrong people. The question is; "How much rope do we the people give to the stewards of our business?" Neither the Democrats or the Republicans seem to be doing a very good job when it comes to the peoples business. How long do we wait? When do we lead the stewards to the chopping block? No elected official should be immune to this, including the President.

Military Man-1740371

I think the best way to hurt the rich and help the poor and middle class is to set a Cost law.

42" T.V. = $56.36 to make so the manufacture can add 5 % then the retailer can add 10% Right now the retailer raises it 150% on all electronics.

Heck the iphone only cost $26.15 to make and the charge over $700..

This I think is the only way you can fix this. Just think of how many TVs the would sell.

And cars are the same.

Hell a house can be built for about $80,000 and a real nice house but they turn around add this add that next thing the house is $175,000.00.

This would stop the rich from getting real rich and help the lower class.

Just my 2 cents worth and my last 2 cents till payday.........

rightwingscrewball

Houston, you are libtard fruitcake number 428! This name was chosen for profiling purposes. You have, much to my joy, profiled yourself for me! I always love to see dimwitted and "tolerant" progressives show their true colors by stereotyping themselves while calling me a bigot.

You could have used the screen name "Moron" but maybe that one was already taken.

I am probably one of the few Democrats here that just can not take any pleasure in what is going on with the GOP. If anyone else feels the same way and has written about it - I am sorry but I work for a living and do not read all the posts here - if I did I wouldn't get paid and certainly would not deserve to have this job.

It was painful last night and this morning to listen to Mr. Boehner speak. There is just way too much political theater going on that does not help out this country. We need a deal and we need it now. The market is going down, down, down. It is a sad fact that there is too much political idealogy going on and not what is best for all of us.

Now about today being our last day - the day ain't over yet!!

Military Man-1740371

And then you have prescription pills to help heath care and stop letting them charge $9.00 for an aspirin.

I found a penny on the ground so you got a bonus

America has a GREED and IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION PROBLEM which translates into "don't cut MY BENEFITS PROBLEM or MILITARY BUDGET" which translates into AMERICAN GOVERNMENT HAS A SPENDING PROBLEM!

Alexander Fraser Tyler, Cycle Of Democracy (1770)

A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over lousy fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship. The average of the world�s great civilizations before they decline has been 200 years. These nations have progressed in this sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith; from faith to great courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance; from abundance to selfishness; from selfishness to Complacency; from complacency to apathy; from apathy to dependency; from dependency back again to bondage.

Elise, SF

I am probably one of the few Democrats here that just can not take any pleasure in what is going on with the GOP.

You're not the only one. The Dow is in a nose dive and this madness is going to impact anyone with investments in the market as well as the working poor and anyone who's unemployed. I'd rather see a Republican Party that could win elections because they demonstrate the ability to govern responsibly rather than a bunch of insane self-destructive clowns who are determined to take the rest of the country down with them. But unfortunately, the GOP we have today is the Crazy Clown Party.

I believe teaching most of today's republicans common civics, and basic arithmetic is as improbable as one safely affecting a blow job from an angry "Bengal Tiger". Prospects aren't good.

Ideological fools following Paul Ryan right over the fiscal cliff, American citizens be damned. After all, we just fund their paychecks. :\

Each of the Republican House Members represents there own little districts. I for one, applaud the legislators for standing up to the King. I support all the cuts (the so-called cliff) that both the Democrats AND Republicans agreed to last Summer. While this bi-partisan agreement will be difficult, it is a necessary start. If we really think about it, $600 billion isn't really enough. We are at an historic place in history where we can break the back of our crushing debt problem. Please, please, please Congress, do not kick the can down the road, again. WE NEED THESE CUTS!! And, thank you to my Republican Representative who is following the wishes of his district and voting NO to "government as usual."

For the GOP, things likely to get worse before they get better: Here’s a final point we want to make about last night, and it’s a point our colleague John Harwood made on Twitter: For a defeated party, things usually get worse before they get better. In fact, it’s more than likely that last night won’t be rock bottom for the GOP after its losses in November. As Harwood noted, “Political parties with losing hands don't change until they've absorbed lots of punishment. See Dems, 1968-88. GOP not done yet.”

For me this is no suprise. I said throughout the last electoral cycle, in fact from the moment it became clear that obstruction was the only business of the GOP that this is the only and final destination for the party in it's current configuration. This is the end game for them, the inevitable destination when you start pandering to an increasingly radical base while working to discourage everyone else and induce them to abandon the political process. Eventually large numbers of people say "we have to do something about these idiots" and the base is too small to stop them.

Conservatives have already decided against all available evidence that they only lost because they "weren't Conservative enough." As a result the 2014 slate will feature even nuttier wingnuts, probably the 2016 Presidential campaign as well.

After that there will be a massive fight between the remaining, entrenched radicals and moderates who realize we need two healthy political parties to have a healthy political system. Eventually those moderates will recreate a sane party that contributes something of worth to the dialogue. Before that happens the GOP will spend a long time out in the cold.

@rightwingscrewball#1.134: GOP is protecting us? And tornadoes come upon us with the express purpose of cleaning out our gutters. All that destruction they cause is pure illusion? Damn! Get some help. See one of those Doctors who specialize in head hemorrhoids.

4 years ago the republicans pledged to vote against anything good for America to try and make the nation fail...hoping to blame it on President Obama. Well they suuceeded in slowing the recovery...but MOST Americans are smart enough to see the failure of the republicons to represent 98% of Americans.

All republicon politicians should publicly denounce their pledge to King Norquist and revoke their pledge against America...or be tried for treason.

Jason,

LMFAO! Typical liberal response. All hate and attacks and no substance. LOL! Your idiot-in-chief Obama must be proud. LOL!

Blame Bush!! LOL!

Blame GOP! LOLOL!

Blame gerrymandering! LOLOLOL!

So perhaps you can post how many GOP reps in the house vs dem reps. Yeah thought so. LOL!

Glad I could straighten you out Spanky! LOL!

Obama campaigned and liberals have been claiming for the past four years that the Bush era tax cuts caused all our financial problems, and now everyone gets to put their money where their mouths have been.

You are forgetting two unpaid-for wars. Be as it may, it takes a liberal to realize that the world is a lot more complicated than that. Things don't work the way you think. A tax increase on the middle class NOW will cause financial hardships to most American families that will be a serious blow to the economy and cause a serious recession. The way to deal with recessions is to grow our way out of them, which means both stimulus spending and tax cuts targeted towards people who will spend it in ways that will benefit the economy.

If I were President......

Send the Marshalls to Boehner's office and cite him for smoking in a public place......

Just to screw with him and make him cry.

Sit back and watch a total melt down...and laugh

Kev,

Not much chance of a welfare baby becoming prez. Aim lower and maybe be a fireman when you get older. LOL!

The REAL failure in Boehner's leadership was in allowing the sniveling bastards to 'recess'. He should have just held them over until they reached a deal. THAT would have been leadership.

And the reason Cantor was practically CHORTLING on his 'march' out of the chamber? He's pretty sure he just got himself appointed ringleader of this nut bunch. What a friggin' joke.

And, NO, I don't take pleasure in this failure - But the IRONY isn't lost on me. Can someone say Waterloo?

Not much chance of a welfare baby becoming prez

President Obama's mother at times had to rely on food stamps to get by. A self made man of the sort that every Conservative is proud...unless he's a Democrat. Then he must be destroyed by any means necessary.

You're spreading the BS thick today. The Democrats are in the minority in the House despite the fact that they got more votes overall than the Republicans in this year's election. The fanatical Republicans control the House only because of the GERRYMANDERING of Congressional districts that they did after they took over state houses in 2010. The so-called House of "Representatives" is no longer representative of the will of the people. Also, the Democrats have NOT moved to the left. If anything, they have moved to the right while the Republicans have moved into the ultra-right loony bin.

How did the Republicans win in 2010 in the first place? How did they win all those state houses that allowed them to draw the congressional districts? How many Republicans are there BTW are there more blue-dog Democrats now or in 2008? That was my empirical evidence of the Democrats moving to the left. What's your's for claiming they haven't?