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Subscribe to RSSUpdated 10:40 a.m. -- Just as the fiscal-cliff negotiations are drawing to a close, a fresh controversy is brewing in the House of Representatives after Republican leadership decided they will not vote during the 112th Congress on a bill to provide supplemental aid to victims of Superstorm Sandy.
Both Republicans and Democrats lashed out at Republican leadership for what one Republican called a "personal betrayal," after it was decided that the bill would not be considered until the 113th Congress, which convenes at noon Thursday.
"For the Speaker to just walk out is inexcusable," Rep. Peter King (R-NY-Long Island) told reporters. "It's wrong, and I'm saying that as a member of the Republican Party."
A spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) said in a short statement: "The Speaker is committed to getting this bill passed this month."
That assurance was not enough for the members of districts affected by Sandy.
"I feel it is a personal betrayal," Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY-Staten Island) said. "But I think more importantly, when you parse out all the politics, the people of this country that have been devastated are looking at this as a betrayal by the Congress and by the nation, and that is just untenable and unforgivable."
A bipartisan group of eight lawmakers gathered after protesting the move on the House floor after the House vote late Tuesday night to pass a bill to avert the so-called "fiscal cliff." That bill passed 257-167.
The House had originally planned to consider a two-step bill that would start with $27 billion in supplemental aid, but also include an amendment worth an additional $33 billion. The bill had been split to allow conservative Republicans to vote for a base level of additional aid, but not the entire package, which many Republicans said did not entirely go to those affected by Sandy.
The Senate passed a bill on Dec. 28 by a vote of 61-33 that would provide $60.2 billion in additional aid to victims of Superstorm Sandy. During that vote 12 Republicans voted for the measure, but only after a replacement amendment that would have stripped $35 billion from the bill failed to pass.
"It passed the Senate in a bipartisan way," Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) said. "And again, to me, this is a real betrayal, a betrayal of the leadership of the Republican Party."
According to House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), he had been speaking with House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) on a regular basis about when the bill would be coming to the floor for a vote.
Cantor, whose office schedules what bills come to the floor and when, told Hoyer that he was "99.9 percent confident" that the bill would be considered after the fiscal-cliff legislation was considered.
"I urge the Speaker to reconsider and bring this bill to the floor," Hoyer said. "Do not walk away from these millions of people; do not walk away from these states that have been damaged."
An aide for Cantor said that the majority leader "is committed to ensuring the urgent needs of New York and New Jersey residents are met, and he has been working tirelessly toward that goal."
But even after these conversations between Cantor and other members of the House, it's unclear why Republican leadership decided not to consider the bill before the 112th Congress came to a close.
FEMA told lawmakers in December they have enough emergency funds to take them through the spring, but the members protesting the change Tuesday night said the supplemental bill includes key funds for programs that go past the emergency phase of the Superstorm Sandy response.
An emotional King went so far Wednesday to urge residents of New York and New Jersey to halt donations to his own party in the House as a result of the chamber's inaction.
"I’m saying right now, anyone from New York or New Jersey who contributes one penny to congressional Republicans is out of their minds," he said on Fox News. "Because what they did last night was put a knife in the back of New Yorkers and New Jerseyans. It was an absolute disgrace.”
The House is in session Wednesday, beginning at 10:00 am ET, but according to aides, no legislation is scheduled to be considered. The 112th Congress must adjourn by 11:59 am ET Thursday, so the 113th Congress can gavel in at noon on that day.
Any legislation that passed either the House or Senate has to be re-passed once the new Congress is sworn in.
NBC's Carrie Dann contributed to this report.
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There you have it folks, conservative compassion at its finest!
Eric Cantor supported sending $6 billion dollars to Iraq to rebuild schools were blew up but can't support citizens of this country who are suffering through no fault of their own!
Shame on them!
As for the rest of the "deal", the amount of fury coming from the right, speaks volumes! lol
No need to get the panties in a wad. The president can procure emergency funding. The new Congress should make the decisions on new spending.
Michael Grimm (R-NY-Staten Island) said. "But I think more importantly, when you parse out all the politics, the people of this country that have been devastated are looking at this as a betrayal by the Congress and by the nation, and that is just untenable and unforgivable."
====================
Understand the outrage, but where are you getting the "...and by the Nation..." line in your comment Congressman? This is about your Caucus, their priority and their decision making. This has nothing to do with the "Nation". This has everything to do with you, when you want/need something and being affiliated with a Party that is all too quick to say they care, but even quicker in showing they do not.
The “new Congress” is still 85% the “old Congress” … only 80 new members
Happy 2013!! Now back to reality (if your Obama back to vacation). The president moved a little bit on tax rates and got what he wanted. The Republicans were badgered into allowing tax rate increases to avert the “fiscal cliff.” Now the president and Democrats OWN it. This deal comes with a $4 trillion price tag according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office – what the president gave his thumbs up to adds another $4 trillion to the deficit; extended unemployment benefits for one year; moves the sequester cuts two months down the road and ASSURES THAT ALL WORKING AMERICANS WILL SEE THEIR TAXES GO UP!!!! A balanced approach? $15 billion in spending cuts and $650 billion in spending increases???
Yes, it’s true from the man who campaigned on reducing the deficit by half and that those making under $250K will not see their taxes go up – you see payroll taxes have also gone up on all. As part of my analysis of media bias, a search (this A.M.) of all the left media shows only one – DailyKos – even reported the CBO report. It cannot be found on NBC, Salon.com, Thinkprogress, the Huffington Post, etc.
So now the “millionaires and billionaires” will supposedly pay more and everyone who supported that should be happy – although if you actually believe it will raise the $600 billion in revenues I have a bridge to sell you. Are you also happy that those in need (those who can least afford it) will see the cost of their medical devices (i.e. artificial limbs) go up due to taxes in the ACA? I hope you feel proud of your collateral damage.
I enjoy debate and conversations. So, is there any one out there that believes spending cuts, tax reform, entitlement (for lack of a better term) reform, economic growth (CBO says this deal slows growth), deficit/debt reduction, stop borrowing (you know purchasing on a China credit card), etc. should not be addressed and enacted? I know the president won, but does that give him the right to be so arrogant that right before he rushed to AF One last night to say he won’t “have the debt ceiling debate again?” Now to pay for sequestration are you going to support more demonizing of the successful in this country asking them to pay more in taxes?? This has to stop.
And so the feral children of the House Republican Caucus continue to demonstrate how little they deserve to be a majority, and Speaker Boehner continues to demonstrate that he is a dismal failure as leader of that caucus.
As confirmation of both those points refer to the Politico piece about the Speaker telling Senator Reid "Go f*** yourself" outside the Oval Office then going back to Capital Hill and bragging about it to the rest of the feral children.
Ben-636050
No need to get the panties in a wad. The president can procure emergency funding. The new Congress should make the decisions on new spending.
============
Ben...first off, I'm sure it's just me, but having a picture of rifles or some type of weapons seems a bit over the top, but if you feel that represents what you are, that is obviously more than your prerogative, but I digress.
I hear what you are saying, but perhaps your comment should be geared towards the Representatives who are outraged at the GOP Leadership in the House. You so casually throw out what the President can do in spite of the inaction of the Congress only to open the door for others to come along and declare that the President doesn't are about the role the House in monetary matters.
It's these type of comments that always fan both sides of the flame forever leaving this President in an unwinnable position if he acts or does not act.
The House Leadership made it's choice. We don't care NOW and we won't act now.
There is an old quote..something to the affect "when a person shows you who they are, believe them".
Looks like the House Republicans all got knives and togas for Christmas. Let no back go unstabbed!
From the article above:
They've been "unclear" for two years.
I think a pitcher of Bloody Mary's is in order this morning.
Ouch, my head!!!
Salud
Well said Allen, and if the Gentleman from NY-Staten Island will have learned anything, Eric Cantor does not believe in helping his fellow citizens on many levels especially following a natural disaster such as after Hurricane Irene a year or so ago. He refused to help the victims and only somewhat relented following a huge outcry. Rep. Cantor is no gentleman when it comes to helping his fellow man in need, but himself and his well connected friends now that's another story. Let's hope this snake never becomes Speaker.
A story on two days when many of you have argued that a statement was made by the dems gaining house and senate seats. So let the new Congress make the decision on how much. Noth trying to put any one in a box.
Ben-636050 - This deal comes with a $4 trillion price tag according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office – what the president gave his thumbs up to adds another $4 trillion to the deficit;
=======================
The national 'debt' Ben, not the deficit and as well that would be 250+ House members and 89 US Senators giving that 'thumbs up'.
Alen - wel put. And, the rifles are more indicative of the mentality of the poster but of course, guns are NOT the problem. When someone has that as their avitar after the Connecticut shootigs it is more than just poor taste. It is totally lacking in any sense of what is right and wrong.
I see the Republicans in Congress are beginning to feast on each other. They won't even vote for help for one of their own - but we also saw that with the disgusting lack of respect for Robert Dole when they voted down the disabilities bill.
My guess is we'll find remnants of Grover Norquist's head all over the steps of the Capitol - surely it exploded when he found they had increased taxes on his buddies!!!
I'm thinking there will be a House cleaning in 2014 - they will remember this!
That is immoral. Sandy missed me. Twenty miles up the coast all the way into Long Island was hit hard. Many of the houses destroyed in the NYC area are year round homes. Just immoral.
Thank god they are the toughest people in this country.
TomasGrande
I am one up on you,
salud amigo
GOP House, one step forward and two steps back. That said, maybe Speaker Boehner decided he'll have fewer tea-nuts in his caucus when the new Congress convenes later this week.
Eric Cantor is a total two-faced, forked-tongue, jerk who lacks any compassion for others. He had no problem voting for every unfunded piece of legislation during the Bush 43 years.
I just can't wait until 2014....I hope the Dems remember all this and make sure Cantor, Boehner and the rest of the G *NO* P get booted.....Cantnor is the one who betted against the US....he is first on line with his hand out for stimulus money or disaster aid... while he rails against the spending but for the rest of the country he wants offsets.....What a real piece of work.....Anyone who signed Norquets pledge should be impeached....
Seeking,
Couldn't agree more, I put the little passive/aggressive poster on "ignore" many months ago...
Unfortunately, I can still see his disgusting avatar, but at least I don't have to read his drivel anymore! ☺
Allen -- These stories say "deficit."
http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/economy/275095-cbo-fiscal-cliff-deal-carries-4-trillion-price-tag
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/01/01/1175562/--Fiscal-Cliff-Deal-Will-Add-4-Trillion-To-Deficit
As to the thumbs up -- as I stated the democrats forced the republicans into the vote, so democrats now own it all. You didn't want obstruction, well you got it. Now address the other issues if you have the courage to do so before democrat talking points come out.
As to the avatar, I have a right to bear arms in picture and in person. So believe what you want.
As to lack of respect, all you need to look towards Sen. Inoyue's last request.
The earlier such disaster relief reaches the victims, the better.
But I have to give Speaker Boehner credit for delivering the votes for fiscal cliff lat night. And I think it's OK to wait for the 113rd Congress to ratify the package since 112nd congress alreapunted - there is no other way. It's a bit more legitimate for the new congress to do this.
Ben - yes you have the right to be disgusting and you clearly are.
A Republican party that won't admit to putting our children in debt for tax cuts and two unfunded wars wants us to believe they have nothing but our best interests at heart when they talk deficit reduction on the backs of the old and the poor. Yeah sure! A Republican party that talks balancing budgets but come from majority of states that don't collect enough wages or pay enough taxes to take care of their state and the federal government has to make up the difference by allowing them to survive on the federal government's teat. Yeah sure! A republican party that preaches gun rights and right to life and small government and yet their states have the worst gun crime rates and infant mortality rates in the country, and yet stick their noses into your bedroom and your vagina constantly. Yeah sure! Just wanted to make sure any Republican on this post realizes what their real fiscal and social histories are.
Tomas......that pitcher of Bloody Marys sounds like the perfect antidote to watching last night's shenanigans......I have a headache listening to the wails of those who wanted it all their way. Last night, a pitcher full of Mojitos might have softened the blow to the tea nuts angst.
Salud and Slainte. Best wishes for a great New Year!
Aloha Mr President.....enjoy the rest of your well earned vacation.
Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!
Partied like it was 1999
From the article above:
We’re still here.
First it was Y2K, then the Mayan doomsday, and now the “Fiscal Cliff”.
The sun still rose for most of us on January 1st, and we were all hoping to awake in a New Year filled with joy, togetherness, and sanity.
I should have stayed in bed.
I wrote this column last night so by the time you read it, one of two things could have happened. Either there was a miraculous ‘kumbaya’ moment in which Grover, Boehner, and Cantor embraced each other in a hot apple pie of compromise and American democracy, or, they did the least damaging thing to their careers and postponed the vote until the new congress convenes on Thursday.
The sheer exhaustion and stress this congress has heaped upon the American public the last few months doesn’t begin to match their blatant indifference for failing to do their jobs as elected officials. People on the street are literally saying “What the %$#@ are they doing?”
So the saga continues my friends as another year has begun and we wait anxiously like Pavlov’s dog for the conservative media to come up with the next manufactured crisis to divide the nation in order to boost their ratings and pad their pockets.
The good news is, I’m happy to say that the momentum and the polls are in our favor as we begin 2013. This Thursday, we welcome a new Congress that will hopefully smooth out the process. Then on January 21st, Martin Luther King Day; we celebrate the Electoral Landslide win of a Two-term Democrat President named Barack Obama.
Until tomorrow:
“Now that my war on Christmas is over, I can begin my war on New Year’s.”
Steve Martin
Salud
GM - unfortunately as we all know, the President NEVER really gets a vacation. He missed New Years with his wife and family because the Republicans had to hold the nation hostage. No doubt there will be many things he'll bbe focused on during what we glibly refer to as "his vacation." He definitely needs some relaxation time - hope he gets it!
Hope your New Years was wonderful!
I am also 99.9% confident that Cantor is 100% full of crap!
Ben-636050
As to lack of respect, all you need to look towards Sen. Inoyue's last request.
=============
Don't recall saying anything about 'respect'. I just think it's goofy to have such a picture as your avatar. I mean heck, you don't have a big stick, or a bat, or a golf club or a can of mace, these things as well arm you, but you don't have a picture of them. You have a picture of a weapon, serious weapons giving off the impression that you don't intend to deter aggression, but clearly to end it by killing.
You'll more than likely say that is not your intention, but impression can and oft times mean more than reality. Just saying.
As for the Senator's last request, not certain your point, but last I saw, was a friend of 50 years, a fellow wounded veteran of war, a fellow public servant, a man normally bound to a wheelchair and a member of the Republican Party muster the strength to physically stand on his, salute casket of the late Senator because he did not want the late Senator to see him bound to a wheelchair.
If there was a slight you intended with the Senator's last request, I'll prefer to go with the class displayed by Senator Dole and whatever he thought of the late Senator.
Both of these men truly 'bore arms', respected the Constitution and dedicated their lives to the betterment of the Country w/o having to have a weapon as an avatar to prove the patriotism. Just sayin'.
It's great that they got the deal done, by coming to a compromise. Taxes are going up on the top percent and we have added a little more fairness to the landscape. However, there is a ton of work that still needs to be done.
My avatar and showing or not showing respect by legislators to other legislators are not the issue behind this story nor behind what is facing the country today. I would like to have your opinion on the CBO report as well as the other concerns I address in the last paragraph of my first post.
@job1 -- Please elaborate on what you see needs done moving forward. Can you venture into that before the democrat talking points come out? You seem to be a reasonable thinker most of the time :-).
Republicans behaving Badly ...again.
The minute you thought the GOP has improved .. as evidenced by their support for fiscal deal, you are immediately brought back to reality.
The more things change, the more they remain the same.
Ben-636050So now the “millionaires and billionaires” will supposedly pay more and everyone who supported that should be happy – although if you actually believe it will raise the $600 billion in revenues I have a bridge to sell you.
==============
It's these kind of statements I don't understand Ben. I won't say you, but let's say House/Senate Republicans say that letting the upper end marginal tax rates expire will cost the economy A, B, C D, etc. but then folks like yourself turn around and say that those revenues won't be realized [because they will just be hidden another way].
How can both of these be correct at the same time? How can point 1 be proven as true, if those revenues are never realized by the Government because they just continue to hide those earnings withing the tax code?
Ben, NO ONE forced those republicans to vote YES! Or did you miss that part? The GOP House could easily have refused to bring the Senate bill to the floor for a vote. The truth is this, the GOPTP realized that the public was against them, they had no cards to deal, and they would pay a huge political price for taking the country over the fiscal cliff.
It is infuriating to listen to conservatives whine about the deficit and debt NOW but they remained silent during the Bush 43 years while their own party took a budget surplus and turned it into a trillion dollar deficit in less than one year and doubled the debt over the eight years of Bush 43. Even Joe Scarborough commented this morning that the mask has been torn from the GOP and their so-called deficit hawks, including Ryan, for the eight years in which they were fiscally irresponsible--Morning Joe didn't outright call the GOP phony liars but he certainly implied it.
Hello all, happy new year or is it?
I wondered if any one understood the situation. Was any politician or politico willing to put aside their blinders on this issue? Would anyone finally speak sense about the so called fiscal cliff? As a fiscally minded liberal, I thought no one thought like me on this, until...
Much like I have been saying, Howard Dean on MTP 12/30/12 said that he hoped the nation would go over the fiscal cliff. He said it would be the best thing for us. The TEMPORARY TAX CUTS FOR ALL OF US needed to end. Much as I have said, he also stated that we needed to weather the sequester. We would be better, stronger in the long run.
Instead, on 12/31/12 much to my chagrin the Senate floated and irresponsibly passed this supposed miracle bill. I went on about my business and thought nothing of it. As by Christmas I had tired of the endless fiscal cliff timelines the "Extra, Extra" deadlines on the news shows. There were bowl games to watch and festivities to plan. Besides, I still had hope that the Republicans would stand for something and stand for deficit reduction. They surely wouldn't allow more deficit creation. Paul Ryan, surely he would vote down this snowballing of the deficit? The party questing to save their children from crushing debt would talk reason.
(sarcasm off)
Hypocrites all of them! Our elected officials have only kicked the can. They have only allowed a new definition of middle class to be someone who makes $399,999.99. Imagine the possibilities of a yearly deficit of only $500 billion instead of the $1 billion of the past few years. Now with these wasted opportunities we shall continue to see $1.2 trillion plus deficits. This is a failure on everyone!
At what cost? What type of extra revenue will be had? Some may revel and dance at this supposed victory but it is hollow and empty. This wrangling and regurgitated sausage process is but a taste of things to come...the debt ceiling debacle to come.
and some people feared the Mayan apocalypse.
So now the MSM will officially accept that the Obama tax cuts are the main drivers of the deficit?
After all Obamacare fixed Medicare D funding, the Iraq war is over and Afghanistan is almost over. So, the only other claim from the left was the tax cuts.
BTW for those that think the new taces will not affect employment here are comments from real employers both explaining why they will not be hiring....and neither is greedy.
BTW for those that think the new taces will not affect employment here are comments from real employers both explaining why they will not be hiring....and neither is greedy.
NEW YORK CITY - Most parts of Obamacare will take effect next year, but a lot of small businesses are already making plans.
At the Five Guys restaurant in New York City, burgers and fries are the specialties, but owner John Rigos worries he'll have to cook up some cost savings when the affordable care act is fully implemented.
================
Wow, that is hilarious. How about we start with purchasing a few less potatoes and actually providing a serving of french fries vs. over-filling the box for fries + adding 3 more ridiculous scoops of fries in the bag on top of it?
Why is any Employer taking credit for the Payroll tax cut that has been in place? You'll be the same folks who will turn around and complain that the cost of those particular cuts came at the expense of SS?
red -- if the senate truly wanted to help the hurricane victims they would have passed a bill to do only that and nothing more. once the pork begins to get added the costs skyrocket and the intent of the bill gets diminished greatly.
there will be a bill. most of the money allocated won't even be spent in CY2013 so not sure why the rush because mr. obama promised that he would take care of everything.
why do you suppose that the democrats in the senate waited until the last minute to get the bill up for a vote? waiting for all of the pork requests?
no, the senate leadership is responsible for this debacle. had they done their job in a timely fashion without all the political payoffs then the bill could have been debated in a reasonable manner and voted upon.
And it seems the world and our biggest foreign creditor is not enamored by this deal.
Any politician of either party who tells you that we can solve this deficit by "taxing the rich a little more", or "raising the SS age by a year or two" is lying. There will be painful cuts and it will not be easy, but rest assured it will happen regardless of the party in power. We cannot have government at a 40% discount.
I accept that George W Bush and a Republican Congress started this mess but the current incumbent and his allies in the Senate are no better than what we had in 2004. Twelve years and no leadership.
@Allen Omaha
Well I guess you'll be opening your restaurant this month and employing how many workers? You mock a guy who employs 250 people with your ignorance.
But we all know where you come from. The guy was lucky and we all built his business.
Please post where your business is and how well it is doing.
The rate of workers' payroll taxes, which fund Social Security, has been 4.2% for the past two years. As of Jan. 1, it's back to 6.2%, on the first $113,700 in wages.
__________
The ending of the social security tax holiday is one of the few good things to come of this legislative mess. For all the liberals who are pleased at taxing the rich, why do not the rest of us need to pay the piper?
Ok, lets nip this in the bud, because some yahoo will ask me if I will pay more taxes to do my patriotic duty? No, I will pay what the IRS tells me to pay. As of Jan 1st if the cut off for middle class is redefined to be $400,000, financially if not in other areas of life, I must be in the poor house.
Rigos, who has 10 New York franchises and 250 employees, was waiting until after the election to confront the new health care legislation -- officially called the Affordable Care Act -- which will force him to provide insurance for all his full time workers, or face hefty fines.
_______
Message for the above mentioned Richo - health care is a price of business. Deal with it.
Brey said he can't raise compensation to ease the pain. Enduring the recession meant cutting his own salary, firing workers, taking on half a million dollars in debt and raiding his own 401(k).
______
Message to Mr Nay - Minimum wage increased in 10 states. Paying a livable wage is a price of business deal with it.
Ranks right up there with the Billions Obama sends to Muslim countries to rebuild the temples. Or we can talk about many programs where taxpayer dollars go to buy favor with foreign governments only to see no value in return.
You can't blame only one party Red.
@Dog
As I said before, you are too sensible to be on the left.
I did not say that the taxes were bad, I simply said do not think that employment will be unaffected by these new costs of doing business.
Alan, your article is filled with weasel words signifying nothing. It starts from the premise of "a guy said." What "the guy said" was "I'm afraid that", "I might have to", and "I'm thinking about." All in all it's the worst sort of lazy journalism, pretending to have something important to say while in fact having no more validity than something you overheard at the grocery checkout.
It's like walking into a boardroom and making a business case that starts with "the guy buying chocolate milk said..."
@John B
So think that Obamacare will not materially affect employment?
You claim that taxes cannot be raised on the middle class because it will affect the fragile economy, but taxes can be raised on businesses and there will be no effect. Doesn't seem logical or consistent to me.
Alan, NJ
@Allen Omaha
Well I guess you'll be opening your restaurant this month and employing how many workers? You mock a guy who employs 250 people with your ignorance.
But we all know where you come from. The guy was lucky and we all built his business.
Please post where your business is and how well it is doing.
===========
Ummm, no. I am addressing wasteful spending. Is that always the argument? Excessive french fry purchases, leads to more cooking oil, leads to wasteful purchase of a french fry box to begin with, leads to wasteful use of paper napkins, leading to more pop being consumed in store etc.
The ends don't justify the means. I don't owe this man anything because he "employs" people. He doesn't own his business for the purpose of getting people a job. There are degrees of job and the employees at Five Guys aren't exactly pushing the upper marginal tax rates.
And on the surface, considering the quality and quantity of the food served there, it seems rather quaint that his chief complaint is about needing to provide a measure of health insurance to his FT staff. Seems like he's adding to their needs for that insurance.
@Allen
As I said before, nobody is stopping you from starting a restaurant business and competing with 5 Guys. You should have no problem competing with them as your restaurant will be the model of efficiency, with the lowest costs in the industry.
I await your opening with baited breath.
funny girl,
Will you ever understand that Presidents do not spend, Congress does.
The President can promise anything but it means nothing if Congress disagrees and will not provide the funding.
Dennis - Again you are wrong. The President can and does request spending, the spending bills are then written and voted on by Congress. If passed by Congress the bill then goes to the President for his signature making the bill a law, or the President can veto the bill and send it back to Congress for reconsideration. So yes, the President shares in the spending when he signs it into law.
By this logic I assume you do not blame Bush for two unfunded wars and Medicare D?
Alan,
I have never blamed bush for the wars (Cheney for Iraq - yes)
or the Prescription plan but I do blame him for not including the funding in
his budgets especially after the first full year at war and we were still engaged.
http://www.factcheck.org/2011/03/funding-mosques-overseas/
Funding Mosques Overseas
Posted on March 10, 2011 , Corrected onMarch 18, 2011
Q:Is President Obama using tax dollars to rebuild mosques around the world?
A:Yes — and to rebuild historic churches and temples as well. The State Department’s program to preserve overseas cultural landmarks started funding projects under President Bush in 2001.
Actually I do blame Bush for Iraq. Afghanistan was acceptable and necessary. I disagreed with the fact that he never asked for sacrifice to pay for it. Also, it was a lost cause IMHO after the Iraq war started and we should have left then. As to Medicare D, I always thought that was a naked attempt to buy senior's votes with taxpayer (borrowed) dollars.
However, that is almost 10 years ago and the current incumbent is making the same decisions. He is not funding 40% of the government. It's very depressing.
I'll throw this out. Say the President gets a political victory and the economy improves in two years. When the time comes what exactly will a grand bargain look like? All I hear is the Clinton tax rates. I never hear what programs will be cut, apart from the F-35 or something.
The feral dog that is the republican house just had to hike it's racist leg on somebody after being forced to sort of move a little bit toward what the vast majority of actual Americans want... really humiliated them, so they urinated all over Governor Christie for being civil to Obama in public against party orders...
Other states and the cumulative count of sufferers are just collateral damage. 112 goes out with a jealous, snide, racist, useless little whimper.
Alan,
During the campaign President Obama proposed consolidating 5 departs into one. I assume that is still on the table. We do know of the promised $4 Trillion in the grand bargain we have already achieved $1.6 Trillion in combined cuts and revenues leaving another $2.4 Trillion in cuts to be determined in the March debate hell with the Debt Ceiling (not the place for it) on about 3/1, the new Sequester date on 3/1 and the Budget CR that expires on 3/27.
First, lets stop giving out numbers over a 10 year period. Usually the cuts are in the out years when the current incumbent is long gone. What's the projection for this year so far? Any chance the deficit will drop below a trillion? Not now.
Fiscal cliff scenario
Political Victory Scenario
Second, the 6 agencies have a combined annual budget of under 8B. However, any saving would be welcomed. It will mean job cuts I would assume as duplicate processes are removed.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/obama-hoping-less-is-more/2012/01/13/gIQAWJtLwP_graphic.html
It's perfectly logical and consistent, because corporate profits are at record highs at the same time that the earnings power of the middle class is lower than it's been in decades.
And yes, if the pattern of the last 2 years continues Obamacare will not materially affect employment. There are 2 reasons for this;
1) Health insurance premium increases for the last 2 years have been lower than at any time in the last 20 years. "Bending the cost curve" was supposed to be part and parcel of ACA.
2) Obamacare makes it more difficult to force employees to fend for themselves for health insurance. Anything that helps the middle class will at this point strengthen the economy. You may reply that the effect instead will be to just hire more part time employees. To that I will respond A) that only works as long as the job market remains so soft it's impossible to find full time employment and B) Isn't that the strategy followed increasingly by employers for the last 10 years anyway?
In light of developments over the past weeks, I'm given to wonder if the remaining mainstream majority of the currently-existing Republican Party will look back upon the 112th Congress and consider how it's been co-opted from within, take stock of its core values, and purge the toxic elements that are the tea party... before it's too late.
Then again, the repercussions for their failure to do so would be seriously hellacool for the Democratic Party vis-a-vis the 2014 election!
Either way, sounds like a win-win to me. Whoo-hoo!!
@John
As Obamacare has not been implemented yet I don't see how your claim that it is bending the cost curve can be justified. If anything it has added to costs through added benefits and lower FSA's. Apart from the FDA approving generics faster there is nothing in this lengthy list that saves money for regular employment based health insurance.
http://obamacarefacts.com/health-care-reform-timeline.php
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2012/oct/04/barack-obama/obama-said-health-care-premiums-went-slower-any-ti/
As to your second point.
I see the effect of Obamacare being the end of employer based health insurance. I believe companies will pay the fine and move their employees on to the exchanges. In the long run this may result in single-payer or a public option, which I would support, but there will be chaos, confusion and higher premiums in the short term.
If it's desirable to discontinue employer-based health insurance now wouldn't it have been MORE desirable to have done it prior to enactment of ACA?
Fwiw I agree that eventually we'll end up with some sort of public option, single payer, or other system, mostly because our existing system has been in a death spiral for about 20 years already.
My guess is we'll end up with something Like Germany, where they have a public system for basic and major care, with the ability to bulk it up via private insurance should you wish to do so (and if you have the money). You'll notice than when people want to complain about "socialized medicine" they virtually never mention Germany because their system works so well.
ben.........
do we get to pick which rifle in your avatar to stick up your...................never mind.....you might enjoy it.
Newtown parents brace as children get ready to go back to school
By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN
and PAT EATON-ROBB
NEWTOWN, Conn. — Since escaping a gunman's rampage at their elementary school, the 8-year-old Connors triplets have suffered nightmares, jumped at noises and clung to their parents a little more than usual.
Now parents like David Connors are bracing to send their children back to school, nearly three weeks after the shooting rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. It won't be easy — for the parents or the children, who heard the gunshots that killed 20 of their classmates and six educators.
Classes are starting Thursday at a repurposed school in the neighboring town of Monroe, where the students' desks have been taken along with backpacks and other belongings that were left behind in the chaos following the shooting on Dec. 14. Families have been coming in to see the new school, and an open house is scheduled for Wednesday.
An army of workers has been getting the school ready, painting, moving furniture and even raising the floors in the bathrooms of the former middle school so the smaller elementary school students can reach the toilets.
Connors, a 40-year-old engineer, felt reassured after recently visiting the new setup at the former Chalk Hill school in Monroe. He said his children were excited to see their backpacks and coats, and that the family was greeted by a police officer at the door and grief counselors in the hallways.
Teachers will try to make it as normal a school day as possible for the children, schools Superintendent Janet Robinson said.
"We want to get back to teaching and learning," she said. "We will obviously take time out from the academics for any conversations that need to take place, and there will be a lot of support there. All in all, we want the kids to reconnect with their friends and classroom teachers, and I think that's going to be the healthiest thing."
Teachers are returning as well, and some have already been working on their classrooms. At some point, all those will be honored, but officials are still working out how and when to do so, Robinson said.
"It's going to be a long road back," Connors said. "Back to what I guess is the biggest question. Everyone keeps throwing that word around the new normal. What does the new normal look like? I think everybody kind of has to define that for themselves."
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/01/newtown_parents_brace_as_child.html
__________________________________________________________
America’s Children and their Faithful Guardians have been laid to rest their lives and responsibly frozen in time for all eternity.
New Year New Time
Time for all of us to step Forward and to Support the Survivors and their Parents, Teachers and Administrators as they do the best they can to return to a life in which serious questions of life and death were revealed way to early.
The Courage that it is going to take shouldn’t be asked of Children but the actions of a Depraved Individual has left us no choice. Let Us do all that is necessary to support them and ease their way forward. We owe them no less.
Lest We Forget.
Ever.
IR - thank you for your post. My heart aches for those students and parents today. I'm certain parents are reluctant to let go of those little hands and children are fearfull of the days ahead. The community has done such a wonderful job to make this school welcoming for the little ones. But, nothing can erase the horror they experienced. They are forever scarred and nothing will change that.
It is our responsibility to make sure our representatives in Washington do their jobs to address the issues which allowed this to happen: mental health care; loopholes that allow gun purchases without background checks; the availability of large ammo clips; the availability of assault weapons. They have a job to do and anyone who isn't willing to do the job should be replaced!
It breaks my heart every time I hear and read about Newtown. Keep Newtown in our prayers.
But, thank you, IR for your post.
Independent Redneck Va.-
Well done.
Salud
IR, well said.
Happy New Year, Floyd. Thanks!
IR, I will always admire your gift for finding what touches the heart and speaking to it in a way that's difficult to accomplish.
There was an opinion piece from another newspaper in the local paper Saturday. It spoke about how after every mass shooting, politicians tell us that trying to prevent such horrific tragedies "is complicated". It was a well written piece. The end showed tombstones with the names of the 20 children and 6 adults who were slaughtered at Sandy Hook, beneath the names was "It's Complicated."
Of course, it is not easy. Of course, mental health issues are part of the solution; of course, no laws will completely eliminate gun violence--but at least we can agree we should make every effort to make it harder for the mentality unstable, the angry, the socio-paths. We can agree to a common goal of "Massacre Prevention". It should not be difficult to ban military-style assault weapons--they have no place on our streets or in our homes. It should not be difficult to ban extended magazine clips; or to require background checks for everyone who wants to buy a gun and to have a waiting period; or to close the gunshow loopholes. If we can put terrorists on the no-fly watch list, we should be able to put them on a list to prevent them from buying weapons and ammunition of mass destruction. Nor should it be difficult to establish a National Gun Registry so that law enforcement knows who is amassing weapons, ammunition, etc.; we do not have such a registry; we have zero idea of who has what. It's really not that complicated to enact sensible gun laws and to improve mental health access; it is only complicated by the fact we refuse to try.
Thanks folks. A Little off topic I know but it points to the larger question of how things get accomplished. I'm tired of what has happened the last couple of years with our legislators and a certain segment of We the People that insist on seeing somebody that doesn't agree with them on all points as blood enemies. The World is not made of black or white but a constant shade of grey. Only thing you do with seeing the world this way is giving yourself an excuse for (as Jody says so well) not trying. That's just to easy a way to go. Why don't we want to to be known as the generation that tackled the hard problems and overcame them instead? We owe to to many including 20 Kids to do better and to quit letting ourselves off with the excuse that it's to "hard".
seeking - has your heart ached for the more than 500 people killed in chicago in 2012? your faux sympathy for the sandy hook victims is transparent and meaningless.
just because they were white? how many black folks need to be killed in chicago before something will be done?
it saddens me that folks like you with big opinions have such little sanity.
IR---I think delay is part of the GOP arsenal. The media will obsess with "the fiscal cliff" for 3 more months, during which nothing will happen to reform our laws about assault weapons and ammunition. The same for other items of the President's agenda---immigration reform, climate change---all things that the GOP is against and will stall and delay and kick down the road.
Billy Bob. Your just exactly what I'm talking about. I don't see where in any part of what Seeking said up there where they went out of their way to kick your puppy. Yet here you come with a load of such Bushra. And if it isn't you it's a few others just like you. How's about doing me a real big favor. Set down 'bout five minutes and think about what your posting on here. If you give what your trying to say that much thought and still can't find a decent way to say it to folks then maybe you shouldn't put it up at all.
ir -- fair enough. let's do each other a favor. i will put your stuff on ignore and you can do the same for me.
problem solved.
Now Billy Bob Why would I want to do that? After all a blind hog finds an acorn ever now and again and I sure wouldn't want to miss yours. Just think about things a litle bit and tamp down the personal retoric a little bit and you and me can get on just fine. I assume you've got something to add to our discusion don't you or are you just here wasting my time and yours for fun.
85 Republican House members had enough of sense to realize that the deal wasn't going to get any sweeter. I salute them. If the deal doesn't pass, a new Congress gets sworn in and a dozen bills get introduced to lower the rates on everyone under $250K. Not voting for THAT would be tough to explain to constituents in even the most scarlet of districts. Failure to act on Sandy is still unbelievably disappointing.
IR...thank you for posting that piece. I had previously read it last evening and was taken back to the days immediately following this awful painful tragedy. I can not even imagine what the little survivors must think and the hell their parents have to deal with over time. The angels who died and their families have to deal with a different but no less painful hell and we must not forget.
Until the American public demands changes to our insane gun laws, nothing gets done. We have to lend our voices to this cause and try to stop another senseless slaughter.
The House will freely spend $50M on failed attempts to repeal Obamacare 33 times, but can't bring themselves to give Federal Aid for Hurricane Sandy. How much did Cantor take in Federal Aid for the earthquake in Maryland. Typical I got mine, screw you attitude from the GOPTP led House.
Childish remarks won't accomplish a thing. Obama said no red tape. They should have already gotten the money since he doesn't need a budget to run government.
Ben - you're right childish remarks won't accomplish anything. So why do Republicans continue making them?
SS -- The same reason the democrats continue to make them -- they are all human. It's a new year and it is time to respect others opinions and rights -- new years resolution :-) -- with disagreement without character assassination. What do you say?
Speaking of childish remarks, Ben, none is more so than yours. The President of the United States, regardless of party, cannot spend money unless the House votes authorization for it. The House has been passing continuing resolutions in lieu of budgets for three years; those resolutions authorize spending.
RedDevPS - Rep. Cantor is from Virginia, not Maryland. And yes, his district was DIRECTLY impacted by the Virginia Earthquake. Yes, he asked for money on behalf of his constitutents as part of the Presidential Disaster Declaration process. This is the same process that opens up federal funding opportunities under the Stafford Act to NY, NJ, etc. from Hurricane Sandy as they were Presidentially declared also.
This $60 billion in proposed funding has to pass Congress since the current TOTAL disaster funding available from FEMA is only $11 billion. That's for the entire fiscal year and for all 50 states (plus territories and federally recognized Indian tribes).
A link to the OMB document supporting the funding request can be found at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/supplemental__december_7_2012_hurricane_sandy_funding_needs.pdf.pdf
Rep. Cantor used to keep a thick three-ring binder on his desk. It contained records of donors to his political campaigns. If you weren't in the binder, you didn't get any face time to discuss things with him. His theory was that if you didn;t take care of him, there was no reason for him to do anything for you. He would open it up and look in it when you came into his DC office.
Actually Jody that is not correct. The president has at his power the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act) for this very thing. It would be easy for him to allocate enough funds until the new Congress could act. So in your eyes my remark may have been uninformed but not childish.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stafford_Disaster_Relief_and_Emergency_Assistance_Act
Ben - there was nothing even remotely resembling character assassination in my post to you. However, I find your avitar repulsive and disgusting after the shootings in Connecticut so you'll forgive me if I find anything posted under that avitar less than impressive.
It's called compromise. For me as a Progressive, I wanted to see anyone at $250,000 and above taxes go up. However, we needed to compromise. So, moving forward this President and Vice-President are going to get more Great things done.
SS -- That's one of the major problems in resolving issues these days -- throwing the baby out with the bath water over one thing instead of listening to the message. It's human nature I know. Oh I forgive you but you did say in 1:20 I was clearly disgusting. I somehow took that as an personal attack on my character.
Sure, Ben, there is the Stafford Act....and the republicans will then demand spending cuts to medicare, social security, medicaid, food assistance for the poor, and ObamaCare to pay for any funds President Obama disperses as a temporary measure without their blessing. It's what they've been doing since Jan 20, 2009.
Eric Cantor demanded off-setting spending cuts for every disaster relief effort the past four years UNTIL his state and district was impacted by a disaster and suddenly off-setting spending cuts were not a requirement.
Jody, that was the same basic ploy that (former) Rep. Paul used. He'd claim the US had no business in disaster recovery and then go thorough the back door everytime to negotiate for additional funding for Galveston and Texas in general.
Hey Job1, Obama sat on the sidelines with little involvement in your cliff thingy. Will he now declare he was responsible for bringing this bad legislation forward?
Can I now remove my cliff avatar and bring back my normal one?
Sure, why not?
I have no problem with disaster relief, its the right thing to do. The problem I have is the pork that is attached to the aid.
Take all the pork out, not one penny more, and make appropriations that specifically states it to be only spent on Sandy's recovery.
jody........
they were until the outrage of his constituents got to him.
I only wonder what the response would be if the storm had devastated the south. I bet it would have been timely if not hasty.
Judyaz - had it been Florida or Texas - funds would have been there the next day!
It should Be!
Ben's avatar is disgusting because of all shootings that have happened and will continue to happen. However, I'm sure its just his way of compensating for deficiencies in other areas.
only 7% of all gun related violent crimes are committed with rifles.....know the truth, it will set you free. more than a million people are maimed/killed by AK-47 weapons made in China/Korea/Soviet block countries....why dont you tell them to stop making them, I am sure they will listen.
Todd - we just have to stop selling them in this country to at least keep MORE of them off the street. Will it solve the problem? No, but it will be a step toward solving it if we keep from putting more of them in the hands of idiots. We also need to address mental health issues; large ammo clips; background checks on people buying guns; illegal selling of guns; etc. It is not an easy fix but we can't keep avoiding doing anything.
seeking -- more than 200 children were killed by drunk drivers in 2011. what laws should be created to eliminate this carnage? should we ban alcohol? cars? not allow kids to ride in cars?
just as with all the knee-jerk proposals to the recent tragic events at sandy hook the above make no sense either.
Hey Billy Bob, I think you are on to something. Let's get rid of all these silly sobriety checkpoints and all of these drunk driving laws. Obviously, drunks will be drunks and it will only hurt the Right of all of us good responsible people to get drunk by having these laws getting in the way of our rights. In fact, let's let children buy alcohol because these kids that really want alcohol are going to get it anyway.
By the way, let's get rid of these silly anti-texting laws too. Its our right to text as much as we want and the laws will never prevent any of these irresponsible texters from making road kill out of us.
I too think that little Bennie lotsanumbers should take down his avatar of Air-Soft rifles with the little plastic red tips cut off of them... It's not very mannish after all.
How about it Bennie? And do tell Mum what you've done to your toys before Father gets home.
Clearly you haven't been paying attention. Thanks to improvement in cars and changes in the law traffic fatalities per unit miles have declined dramatically over the years. In fact that effort has been so successful that raw numbers of fatalities have gone down even while miles driven have increased.
http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1070404_traffic-fatalities-dip-to-lowest-level-since-1949
Feel free to let us know why this approach that's been so successful in other avenues shouldn't be applied to gun-related deaths.
Right, like they were throwing money at Texas right after Bastrop went up in flames....try again. They take their sweet time with everything out there. Obama didnt order the National Guard or Army in to fight the fire...the State Governor did it....the volunteers from across the Nation did. We didnt sit around waiting for the government to come and fix it.
Todd - Governors are ALWAYS the ones to call out the National Guard in their state - that's how it works. States usually take care of the fires in their states - as California, Colorado, etc., have done for years.
So, what exactly is your point?
Todd, Governors are the ones who call up their State's National Guard when something happens in their respective states. Governors must request Federal assistance from the Government via the President. You know, "state's rights". BTW, government is government whether state or federal. The federal government and the president responds to requests for emergency assistance received from state governments. Such requests are generally expedited, FEMA is put on high alert prior to impending known disasters, as was the case in Hurricane Sandy. It is also common that during disasters, other states and private businesses responds with assistance to disasters. My own small town's municipal power company voluntarily sent electrical workers to assist the East Coast after Hurricane Sandy; just as it has done in the past whether blizzards, tornadoes, ice storms or hurricanes. It's what we do in this country.
Well isn't that just like a Texan... All you gotta do is choose not to understand how anything works and then blame the Fed fer whatever goes poorly... He!!, that's just good common (Texas) sense right thar!
Secession!! It's the only aswer fer this here oppression!!!
Oh yeah? Well on behalf of Harry Reid and rational-thinking centrists/independents let me respond by saying: “F**k you too, Boehner. You and the Tea Party pigs you rode in on!”. Print that. A**holes!
The one thing that is clear from this whole process is Boehner needs to be kept as a cheerleader on the sidelines in the next round of negotiations. The person to negotiate with is McConnell. If you can work out a deal that gets 20 Republican senators behind it, get that bill through the Senate and then hold to your ground in conference committee and it will ultimately pass.
Just another example of the really poor leadership in the Republican party. That said, as bad as Boehner is, Cantor would be worse. Frankly I am surprised they got done what they did. The 112th Congress is the worst in modern times when it comes to getting things done. Hopefully the new Congress will do better and that this fiscal cliff mess can finally be fixed. The President has compromised and Speaker Boehner has made a few minor compromises (gotta make it look good, you know) but the GOPTP caucus says no, no, no, no and no to anything and everything except naming post offices after Ronald Reagan.
As for disaster relief...There should be a mechanism in place to bring immediate aid to victims of natural disasters like hurricanes, tornados, earth quakes, tsunamis etc. Depending on Republicans like Cantor to care enough means no aid unless from private enterprise that will make tons of money bilking people out of what little they have left.
Adler-273784, there is, it's called FEMA!
So true.
Relief without pork, plan and simple.
job -- you do realize the ridiculous point you have made -- regardless of what the gop do they are bad. vote for the bill -- bad; don't vote for the bill -- bad.
seems like you have lost all touch with reality.
It isn't "regardless of what they do", they just have a bad agenda.
FEMA -
the agency the republican budget wanted to eliminate?
My outrage is not that they didn't pass Sandy Aid Jan. 1st, but that they didn't pass it in the 2 months prior. Where were all these outraged congressmen in mid November? Imagine how much they could have achieved had they worked the week between the holidays,
All those outraged congressmen were told by Boehner that there would be a vote after the cliff was taken care of.
Let me explain a few things to the idiots on here who want to blame the Republicians for not passing the Sandy relieft bill. It was filled with over 30 billion in pork fro the Senate. The House had 2 choices:
1. Pass the bill as is with all the pork, or-
2. Amend the bill removing the pork legislation; vote on the amended bill; & then send it back to the Senate for a vote.
Since the Senate had already adjourned for the year & it's also the end of the 112th Congress, I doubt Harry Reid would have brought them back into seesion to vote on the amended bill.
So since it is also the LAST DAY of the 112th Congress, any legislation NOT PASSED by both Houses of Congress is dead. That means the new Congress will have to start all over again with a new Sandy relief aid bill. Unfinsihed legislation DOESNOT carry over from 1 Congress to the next.
Rep. Pete King (R)
And it was not 30 billion, it was 400 million.
and that is the reason mr. King is considering becoming an Independent.
So true.
Barney Frank said it best the Voters are the ones who KEEP KICKING THEMSELVES in the CAZOO! WHEN THE VOTE IN REPUBLICANS.
As long as Barack Obama is President and he Caves and the Democrats Cave they do not CARE HOW MUCH they hurt the Average Citizen in this Country as long as they get their Way with Hostage Taking and Blackmailing.
LYIN Ryan said it best, THEY ALSO GOT A MANDATE in this Election, they Kept the House, and as Boehner said, they are doing what the American People want them to do - Would that be KICK THEM IN FACE?
The Big Difference from President Obama and Democrats is that GOP/BAGGERS will RUN OVER THEM LIKE A STEAMROLLER and continue to Move the Goal Post and not give a DAMN about the Electorate being under that SteamRoller. BAGGERS will USE IT TO THE MAX.
President Obama and the Democrats will still be thinking do you think the Republicans will go along half way?
If the Baggers/GOP had the Presidency and the Senate, Nancy Pelosi could just go pound Sand.
GOP/BAGGERS just want to DISMANTLE THE NEW DEAL and currently, they have a good head Start on it and do not care about the Road KILL (VOTERS) TO GET THERE.
Time and again the GOP has shown what's most important to them...the MONEY! Not people, not even GOP constituents. Very Telling, isn't it???
and the democrat money people? what about them? warren buffett just fired a bunch of people after buying their business -- sounds a bit like a vulture capitalist doesn't it? how about all of the celebrities that supported obama and just got hundreds of millions in tax incentives from him?
"Park Avenue: Money, Power and the American Dream". Find it on-line, watch and learn what and who our leaders care about. Politics in America has nothing to do with our society or individual needs. It is all about who has the most ($) at the end of the game. Our government will send trillions of dollars out of the country "to help" (read: influence) our fellow citizens of planet Earth, but argue over helping our families and neighbors in times of desperate need. Every time mother nature guts this country, it is a war over who gets what ($) and how best to take advantage, financially, of the pain and suffering of our fellow citizens. All we can depend on are each other and prepare for the time when we are sacrificed for the "good" of our political system.
The republican obstructionists are on a win/win streak as they make government look bad and fail at the same time, soon they will enable the american people to follow the pied piper tea party propoganda to replace government and society with one of tea party ideals. Wake up people we don't need another movement, this sort of thing started with "make love not war" hippy movement in the 1960s and we got more divorces, unwanted orphans, drug addicts, and no improvements to goverment as a result. Either work within government to improve this great nation or self deport, Sandy relief should not be an opportunity to expouse ideals and anti-spending policy, this is a time to help fast. Folks that deny disaster relief should be put in an asylum for the politically insane.