The turtle is still slow.

Right after the Presidents first election, McConnell's cry was "make him a one term President," LOL...poor MickyConnell lost that one, so now his current cry is "lead the country, not drag him to the table." McConnell is one of the biggest jokes and @!$%#s the republicans keep sending to office.

Gingerbread Mamma

They had no trouble spending billions on unfunded wars and the pharmaceutical industry through Medicare part D running those costs up on the nation's credit card and still running them but deficits don't matter, so said Cheney.

Gingerbread Mamma,

The silly part is they can't see Americans are buying their bill of goods any more. Mitch McConnell is just FAKE NEWS the Superhighway to unreality

McConnell has never once listened to his constituents in KY, he cares about his own agenda. As a resident of his state and a person who has reached out to him and gotten pooped on my his office. I hope he gets tossed out with the trash when it comes time for his reelection. He is nothing but an obstructionist. He plays to the media and to his cronies, McConnell is one of those arrogant old school/good ol' boy politicians that gives my state of KY a bad name as well as the Republican party. He needs to be gone.

EDIT:

The silly part is they can't see Americans are NOT buying their bill of goods any more. Mitch McConnell is just FAKE NEWS the Superhighway to unreality.

Get rid of corporate tax loopholes that are NOT cost effective to the American people (i.e. - those that lead to out sourcing and off-shoring) and reduce spending. It takes both actions to reduce the debt and deficit spending.

And continue to reward (via already passed tax benefits) those companies that return jobs to the US.

McConnell has turned so yellow, he has gone from filibustering his own bills to refusing to stand behind his actions on public TV. Of course he will hold the country hostsge, shut it down, and stop paying the bills to force his hand. He is a terrorist thru and thru.

everyone here is right its suppose to be give and take! allthe working people give and the lazy system suckers take ! get off your lazy butts and see what its like to be a productive member of society! cradle to grave deadbeats let them twist in the wind they have chose their life styles!

That's a SWEET picture of McConell above! He truly looks like the idiot he is!

They had no trouble spending billions on unfunded wars

Good Morning Gingerbread Mamma, Backhouse, RedDev, Fuzzy & Bev,

Let's not forget Cheney and his cronies getting filthy rich by getting Halliburton involved...

Why should it matter they were electrocuting our soldiers in showers???

It's always PROFIT no matter the COST!

Feisty Redhead:

How is the President supposed to lead a bunch of petulant, immature, obstructionists?

You forgot "liars." All these GOP clowns are going around lying about what the debt ceiling is. They're claiming that getting rid of the useless debt ceiling would be giving President Obama a "blank check" to spend what he wants when the truth is it would merely assure that the US government pays the bills it already owes.

Where are Obama's Spending Cuts? He has a run deficits of over a TRILLION dollars per year every year.

Buh Bye Joe#######s!

It was wasn't nice hearing from you!

We already cut a trillion dollars LAST YEAR from spending and so called entitlements! People are already hurting over those!! Taxes were not raised enough!! The costs of the wars, the tax cuts that were already wasted and excessive over spending by the Pentagon is the problem!! You can't keep cutting from the bottom to fix the problem! Stop all subsidies to businesses that make a profit! THAT alone would save billions of dollars. If they think the people who have gotten away with making the most out of this country, without giving back are done giving, they are wrong!! Wages have stagnated for 30 years!! Let the middle class catch up for a change. Let McConnell and all of the rest of the rich Congress pay more!! When the so called job creators start creating higher paying jobs, or simply pay a decent wage to their current employees, then we should talk about cuts to the poor and already struggling! Until then, keep your hands off food stamps, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid!! People who use these services ARE ALREADY POOR AND HURTING! It's time for the top to step up to the plate and do what is right. Although, the Republican Party has no idea what is right anymore!

"McConnell did not answer repeated questions about whether or not he would use the threat of a government shutdown to force Democrats' hand on spending cuts."

After seeing what went on the last time around I like the presidents stance in regards to the debt ceiling. From a political standpoint, I would hope the president just tells the Congress there is no discussion of anything, you either pass the debt ceiling or you don't, everything else is a separate discussion. Just solve it politically, tell them they can pass the debt ceiling or take sole responsibility for the consequences if they do not, and walk out of the room. Congress approves all spending whether people want to admit it or not, it is their responsibility, they hold the purse strings, they can honor the debt they approved, or not, and they can suffer the political consequences. If I was president Obama I would do just what I said, tell the Congress there is no discussion you pass it or you don't the ball is in your court fellas just let me know what you decide so I can inform the world. The debt ceiling stands alone, if you want to address the business of future cuts, expenditures, or budgets put it into a bill get it through your branch of government (Congress) and when it gets to my desk I'll sign it, or explain why I must veto it. Put them in the position of just flatly passing it or not, no deals, no haggling, up or down, you keep the American government in operation or you take sole responsibility for the consequences, they never did this to any other president for the money Congress has already approved and spent, and I would never let them do it again.

If I was the president I would take no part in cuts so SS or Medicare, certainly not as a response to any dealings with regard to the debt ceiling, actually I would have no part of it at all, under any circumstances. I would force the Congress to do it's job, and anything along those lines would have to come out of Congress, it's their responsibility anyway, and they can suffer the political consequences.

when the truth is it would merely assure that the US government pays the bills it already owes.

Hiya Houston!

What do you expect, over half the right wing nitwits on this board alone cannot distinguish the difference between debt & deficit?

The GOP distaste for this President has never been more clear. Obama should just take a step back and exclude himself from any legislative dealings. He can simply pull out his VETO pen and send it back to Congress. The obstructionism exerted by the GOP party is getting old.

I hope Obama stands firm and refuses to negotiate with them over the debt ceiling. Let's see how far the GOP is willing to go to spite Obama. Will they allow the government to shut down? I believe they would, and then try to point their fingers at the White House.

If the GOP is serious about curbing spending, let's start with the bloated defense budget.

I agree with most comments today.It amazes me that they still will won't say what they want to cut!
Joe lots of numbers how about bringing something to the discussion.

Is this some sort of sick joke?

I'm so tired of hearing him and others in D.C. talk about their false care of spending. This is nothing more/less than a tactic to further divide or nation through two political partys.

If anyone in D.C. truly wanted to start making cuts they might look at themselves first.

It isn't the size of our government or a handful of programs that continue to escalate the national debt. It is our elected officials adding billions of dollars to the debt as they placate their special interest groups.

The latest installment was clearly seen by everyone looking just this week. In order to pass the bill (temporarily) to avoid the "fiscal cliff" politicians in D.C. added more than a handful of amendments that aided special interests amounting to tens of millions of dollars once again. This happens all the time and this "pork" has to be cut.

The epitome of who needs to be kicked out of Washington ...... one of the many rotten apples!!!!

Hah! Hah!

Dream on, Republicans!

Obama's Tax Hike on the Filthy White-Rich Republicans is only Beginning.

We need alot more of your ill-gained Loot to pay for our Free Obama I-phones, He promised us!

I believe it was Jesus who said:

"From Each according to their Means,

to Each according to their Needs".

That's very Biblical, it's in the Bible and Jesus said it!

I beleve I'm correct on the validity of the above quotation.

Am I Correct?

Revelations, I believe.

The president never has and never will have a blank check, he does not have the authority to spend or save a dime, Congress holds and has always held the nations purse strings. You elected government officials pretending they don't know how the government works and continually calling it Obama's spending, Obama does not spend, he has no authority to approve a single dime of spending, or taxes, or pass a budget, every dime that has ever been spent was voted on and approved by Congress. Maybe our elected officials should take an 8th grade test on US governmnet before they go on MTP, hell maybe they should take that test before they are sworn in, and each year thereafter. Basically the republican complaint about the debt ceiling is like someone who racks up huge credit card bills, and then calls the bank and says you know I don't want to pay these bills, why did you make me spend so much!

Joe in Albany

Spoken like a true right wing nut! If the Constitution really ruled, your party would be out of luck! The only time you care about the Constitution is when it suits your purposes and then you distort it to make it so! Your party is full of rich, white, old men and misguided women, who could care less about this country and ONLY about their profit! If you want people to be able to stand on their own, pay them a decent wage! Give them decent benefits and some hope of retiring with a pension! THAT is the way it USED to be before greed took over your party! People want to work! They do not want to be slaves!! If the so called job creators ACTUALLY start creating decent jobs, with decent pay, then we can talk tax breaks. Until then, they need to give back what they did not do in the first place!! CREATE JOBS!!

@ Matthew,

What corporate loopholes are you referring to that should be closed to prevent jobs from going overseas? The only ones I know of are:

1. Free Trade, which Obama supports

2. And higher corporate tax rates, which Obama wants to reduce.

I'd like to know because I could use some loopholes. So, please enlighten me.

Roselle,

"How is the President supposed to lead a bunch of petulant, immature, obstructionists"

Do you not realize that is his JOB! That's what you elected him to do. At least I thought you were electing him to be a leader. Perhaps not. Perhaps you would prefer he just sit on his butt (like you) and cheer about what a wonderful job he's doing.

Did you read the article or did you not understand it? McConnell said the tax issue is done. They gave Oboma what he wanted. They raised the tax on the rich. Now it's time to see what should be cut. I'll try to explain this to you in simple terms so you get it. Virtually (Sorry big word) every government agency has 10% WASTE. that's where we need to start. That's Defense, FEMA, the IRS, The VA, ALL departments. That's not to say they need to cut their budgets by 10%. Maybe if they get rid of the waste they can actually do more with perhaps a 5% cut in spending. But I don't expect you to understand Efficiency (Sorry, another big word). maybe it's time for government to get off their butts and act responsibly (Sorry again). Maybe if we took the waste out of government and the pork out of legistlation we could dig out of the hole all the past administations (Sorry, I can't help myself) put us in. And just think, in the process we might keep Pigotry from being turned into sausage.

Why yes Joe the Constitution governs the USA, and it spells out quite clearly that all spending is approved by Congress not the president, according to the constitution the president should just back away and let Congress pay the bills they have already racked up or put the nation in default, the president does not have the authority to determine that. He should offer no deals or be involved in it, it is not his branch of government, republicans want to pretend he has responsibility here for their own political cover, and these are the folks that pretend to love and revere the Constitution. So has the the constitution changed Joe, is it now the presidents responsibility that Congress voted on and approved every dime ever spent, and now they don't want to pay for what they already voted on and approved. If they now want to punish the old, poor and sick for their spending, the president should take no part in it, it's not his job, Congress has to do it and they have to take full responsibility for their actions, it's that Constitution thingy right Joe.

Has anyone seen any actual numbers showing the GOP losing support? Not happening in my red area I can tell you that. The rhetoric has only gotten nastier here. Until there are real consequences to their actions they aren't budging. Sure Romney was defeated but they couldn't have cared less about him. They just wanted him in office so they could steer him around. Until they lose their majority in the House and see considerable loss of support in the polls they are going to continue down this path of spite. And we know the first will not happen until at least 2014. They want gridlock and that gridlock is going to badly damage the financial markets. I am expecting to see major losses to my retirement accounts this year. That's just dealing with reality. For that I will be sending Mr. McConnell a thank you. Of course I will also be referring to him as a scumbag in that note.

And with 3/4's of income tax paying Americans seeing their taxes rising this year don't expect the Democrats to see some huge jump in popularity either.

McConnell wants the President to determine spending cuts but that is not his job. The Congress holds the checkbook. The Congress writes the legislation. The GOP is horrified to tell Americans where these cuts they talk about will come.

You can't lead people who have already made up their minds NOT to DO anything!! It is NOT Obama's job to babysit Congress!! He laid out his plans, it's THEIR job to act on them or not! They won't even bring things to a vote!! They are afraid they would look bad for doing the right thing!! It is not Obama's job to coddle the Republican Party! It's their job to act like grown ups, realize they lost, TWICE and get over themselves!! Their job is to do the right thing! Their job is NOT to OBSTRUCT everything!! They even vote against their own ideas!! WHY? Just to say no, that's why! It is Obama's job to lead. He has. Your Republican and Tea Parties, have no idea what compromise and doing the right thing are. They just don't like THIS President and that is all it takes for them to destroy all of us! A bunch of spoiled, schoolyard bullies! THAT is the Reputea Party!

McConnell is merely saying "The Republicans gave in on tax increases, so now it's time for Obama to address the other half of the problem - Out of control SPENDING."

My guess is that Obama will ignore it, and demonize anyone that dares to suggest that we cut spending. Obama will say "How can you be so heartless as to suggest we cut the vital 'Safety Net' for ...........(name your group that has become dependent on the government).

Wait and see.

Joe if you are so worried about the constitution, what about the separation of church and state the republicans are ignoring and then trying to make women into second class citizens with the support of the church.

Why would a democracy and believers of the constitution let the republicans block the votes of American citizens?

I am sure somewhere in the constitution is the right to threaten to destroy America's economy for the republicans to get their own way, right Joe?

The main reality you are ignoring Joe is that the republicans lost the election by a large margin. Don't the will of the majority of people count? You know like how it was written in the constitution?

Roy,

Obama gave in to spending cuts last summer that were greater than those just agreed to, but the republicans and crybaby Bonehead walked away!

Forrest Gump................... excellent post (1.31)!

The very people who have created and continue to add to our financial problems are the ones screaming the loudest. They not only created and have the ability to further the debt, they want to place the blame on the president for their counterproductive actions.

I hope the president is planning to make a televised speech that points the blame squarely where it belongs and in no uncertain terms; Congress. It's time that every American becomes aware of the culprits in the House and how they abuse the system time and time again and then want no responsibility for their actions.

Same old liberal noise. The two biggest budgets signed by Bush came from a Democrat controlled congress. Since then, no Democrat lead branch of government has even passed a budget, and yet Obama has run the largest annual deficits in US history. Add to that the fact that supposedly combat operations are over in Iraq and as Pelosi claims there have been significant cuts in spending, and yet the annual deficit remains over a trillion per year. No Democrat controlled congress has put forth a balanced federal in over 40 years. Democrats and their liberal loons need to face reality, they are a bunch of massive spenders like everyone else in Washington, and the pork laden senate Sandy relief bill the perfect example. Likewise there were plenty of tax perks for the rich courtesy of the Democrats in the senate in the fiscal cliff bill. Democrats share as much blame for the condition of the country and the partisanship in Washington, only their liberal lunatic minions are fooled by the rhetoric.

vox,

Just look here on-line and there is your poll. My two neighbors are pissed at the House for walking away all the time and then blaming each other first and then the Democrats.

I forgot... Why is the U.S. in Afghanistan? Or any other country?

joe-2849984 "Feisty, you are a total douche bag. Where is your other welfare queen Ms. Piggy?"

They might be the same person. A Hacker posted some time ago that they both have the same IP address, meaning they use the same computer. Perhaps she/he? posts under different names and then agrees with themself on various topics. They also seem to have a 'special relationship' with NBC which allows them to make the first posts on many subjects.

I watched Mitch on "Meet he Press" and he never answered 10 questions asked him. Rather the pulled the old, "Spending cuts are what has to happen!" Sort of the republicans still beating the dead horse of Bengazi! Is he as dumb as he sounds?

Joe,

You are just a disgusting rightie! Scum! Foul mouthed and ignorant! Sort of like Mitch-"You just don't get it!"

OH, Mitch's response to the 10 questions was the same thing Spending! He said it 16 times in response to only 10 questions!

clwyd-2621393 "Roy, Obama gave in to spending cuts last summer that were greater than those just agreed to, but the republicans and crybaby Bonehead walked away!"

So now Obama got tax increases for NO spending cuts - Since the Republicans gave him tax increases, why doesn't Obama agree to some comparable spending cuts?

By the way - 'Spending Cuts' are a misnomer - they are not ACTUAL cuts in spending, they are merely cuts in the amount of the INCREASE in spending. The tax increases are REAL increases in tax revenues. Only in Washington is a spending INCREASE considered a CUT.

cdahl - among other tax deductions, corporations take the cost of shipping inventory overseas and the cost to develop overseas factories from their US taxes. I've linked a few stories to provide additional and other background. Feel free to read and do some other research.

http://www.businessinsider.com/corporate-tax-breaks-2011-2

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2009/05/05/20090505obama-taxes0505.html?wired

http://mobile.blogs.wsj.com/cfo/2012/09/21/the-morning-ledger-corporate-tax-loopholes-targeted/

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/07/09/heres-a-corporate-tax-loophole-a-porsche-could-drive-through/

http://www.revengeis.com/2011/08/tax-expenditures-corporate-tax-loopholes-what-is-washington-talking-about-–issue-1

http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=1868

http://www.calaborfed.org/index.php/site/page/corporate_tax_loopholes_the_real_waste_fraud_and_abuse_in_californias_budge

Americans First-3238795 "Joe if you are so worried about the constitution, what about the separation of church and state the republicans are ignoring and then trying to make women into second class citizens with the support of the church."

I guess you still haven't figured out that Obama's 'War on Women' rhetoric was merely a campaign tactic.

The Republicans suggesting that women pay for their own birth control pills is not exactly what most people would consider a WAR.

By the way - Is Obama waging a 'War on Men' by refusing to have the government pay for free condoms for men?

The way you liberals are pulling for the out-of-control spending spree to continue I bet the majority of you have TERRIBLE credit. Probably all the nonstop collection agency calls that puts you all in such a bad mood and makes you post the ridiculous things you post (eg. Feisty, Pigotry, etc). The national credit card is maxed out and you can't make the minimum payment. Time to cut back on your spending children.

$1T cut in 2011 and the $400B cut last week plus the $1.2T that must be cut in the new sequester.

The new total cuts = $3.1T to $500B in new revenues. That makes it 6 to 1. More revenue is needed to make it a 4 to 1 deal.

For those of you who don't understand the tax code, it is already a progressive tax system that taxed higher earners at higher rates. You may think that corporate dividends are taxed too low, at 15% (now2 0) but these dividends are already taxed at the corporate level.

So the Republicans lived up to their compromise by raising taxes even MORE on the higher earners and eliminating/phasing our deductions.

And where are the Democrats spending cuts? Obama does not know how to compromise from his far left position.

He is the major reason this country is so polarized, there is no compromise and there has to be as both sides are American.

For those of you on this post resort to name calling, you just demonstrate the stupidity of the radical polarized stances taken.

I think both sides need to come together to get this country on track. The revenue side has been addressed. Now we need to go after spending.

Forrest Grump 2.0

Maybe our elected officials should take an 8th grade test on US governmnet before they go on MTP, hell maybe they should take that test before they are sworn in, and each year thereafter

Forrest, one in particular. I just finished putting breakfast down and am so glad to see your post.

Who can forget Boehnor brandishing a copy of the Declaration of Independence calling it the Constitutions? I have on video below.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/1109/Boehner_mixes_up_Constitution_and_Declaration.html

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What a drunkard idiot to confuse the pre-amble to the Constitution with the Declaration of Independence!!!

This is the moron who squeaked by with a knife in his back to led the other extreme morons in controlling our pursue strings. SMDH

I trust you are fine. Don't forget you have a standing appointment with me, Feisty, & Seeking Sanity whenever you come to Chi-town

“I campaigned on the promise of being willing to reduce the deficit in a serious way, in a balanced approach of spending cuts and tax increases on the wealthy while keeping middle class taxes low,” Obama continued.

“I put forward a very specific proposal to do that," he said. "I negotiated with Speaker Boehner in good faith and moved more than halfway in order to achieve a grand bargain. I offered over a trillion dollars in additional spending cuts so that we would have two dollars of spending cuts for every one dollar of increased revenue. I think anybody objectively who's looked at this would say that, you know, we have put forward not only a sensible deal but one that has the support of the majority of the American people, including close to half of Republicans.”

Maybe these figures are closer to the truth.

According to the White House Office of Management and Budget, federal spending was not cut by $1 trillion in 2011. In fact, in fiscal 2010, federal spending was $3,456,213,000,000. In fiscal 2011, federal spending was $3,603,213,000,000. That was an increase of $147 billion.

While President Obama did not cut federal spending by $1 trillion in 2011, he did increase the debt by more than $1 trillion in that fiscal year. In fiscal 2011, according to the White House Office of Management and Budget, the federal deficit was $1,299,595,000,000. That was up from a deficit of $1,293,489,000,000 in fiscal 2010.

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/obama-i-cut-spending-over-trillion-dollars-2011

time to go after the rest of the 50 percent tax cut Reagan gave the rich and restore the tariffs,the lack of which has made outsourcing so profitable.then hiring americans at a living wage will be as profitable as sending the jobs overseas.the rich will have no other choice but to reinvest that money back into america or lose it to the tax man

Also the current cost of BOTH wars over the last 10 years has been 1.4 TRILLION Dollars...

Not the Gazillions the Libs try to say it is.

Lar,

Our President has asked for the Republicans to spell out what cuts they want so he can make an appropriate counter offer.

He and we are waiting …

The Crack-Up of the GOP: No Way Out

The Washington Post reports that there are divisions within the Republican Party about whether or not they can effectively use a threat to destroy the country's credit rating and cause a global recession to extract spending cuts from the Democrats. If they did it before, why not do it again?

Meanwhile, the New York Times focuses more on the big picture divisions like immigration, women's rights, gay marriage, and letting the NRA dictate the GOP's policy on guns.

In both cases, it is really a divide between conservatives and Republicans. The near-total capture of the GOP by conservatives has created a situation which has now come to a head. They call it the Conservative Movement for a reason. They have places to go. The problem is, the American people do not want to go there.

http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2013/1/6/105318/4727

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amen, I'll drink to that one!!!

Times,

[While President Obama did not cut federal spending by $1 trillion in 2011]

That is $1T over 10 years - starting in FY 2012.

McConnell proved one thing this morning and only one as he dodged and danced around David's questions avoiding any intelligent answer!

He proved that all he really is; is a an old many who has touch with reality!

There also needs to be accountability for cutting the spending. It does not matter what proposals are drafted and approved when there are continual ways for the high dollar earners to slide through loopholes that are given. Otherwise, why tax them higher so it can look good on paper or be sold to We The People better? That is stupid!

Washington... stop writing checks that your ass can't cash!

RepublicansForObama

"From Each according to their Means,

to Each according to their Needs"

Actually that quote is from Karl Marx, you must have heard in a government class you attended in the 'motherland'

lol @ you! Jesus said it in Acts, but he was referring to charity not forced giving. Today you can substitute welfare instead of charity.

Obama also was confused over this quote, so you are merely following you fearless leader (Comrade).

The only reason why the Congress is in this fight about taxes and spending, is because Reid and Democrat in Congress the party of no , do not want to deal with the budget proposed by the House, and Republicans had to use any opportunity to bring to the table ways to restrain the escalating need for Obama to spend more and more each day without worrying about the future. . Almost 4 years Obama is governing the country spending the money we don't have ,with no Budget approved by the congress.

The only thing that could lead to the end of this game is approving a Budget first, that lead to a balance of spending and taxing.

You are so wroooooong McConnell.

The single biggest threat to our children and our futures is a political party, NOT SPENDING. The (R) racist party that YOU are leading is CLEARLY the threat.

Your a lame loser at everyone elses expense. Nothing more, nothing less.

Hope you run out of depends you unhonorable sob.

How is that we do not have money for the old and sick, but we have money for NASCAR, which by the way is the perfect republican redneck sport, driving hard and fast in circles, the only thing that is confusing to me is why do they make left turns, I would have thought that they would prefer hard right turns.

oskar,

Budgets DO NOT control spending

Spending bills control spending

ONCE AGAIN THE LITTLE LIMP-WRISTED LIBBIES REFUSE TO ADDRESS THE REAL DRIVER OF OUR DEBT!

OUR MASSIVE INCOMPETENT GOVERNMENT ENTITLEMENTS AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS!

Of course the impotent Liberals/Progressives will deny there are any problems with the massive nanny-state they can only function in. This is typical of the unwashed illiterate masses Barrack Hussein and the Democrat miscreants prey on.

Our own government oversight agencies admit to massive waste, fraud, abuse and corruption yet no one, especially the Liberals/Progressives who created all these dysfunctional programs will address them. It’s always easier to just keep demonizing the successful Americans who create the wealth that the incompetent unwashed masses keep stealing from.

Government auditors spent the past five years examining all federal programs and found that 22 percent of them–costing taxpayers a total of $123 billion annually–fail to show any positive impact on the populations they serve. (emphasis mine)

Almost 25% of your coveted social programs that you promote with your irrational social and economic justice for the collective do NOTHING for the intended population!

AT A COST OF ALMOST $125 BILLION EVERY YEAR!!!!!!!

This is $1.25 TRILLION over 10 years.

It may also interest you that this study by governments own auditors was started under Bush in 2003. When the results were revealed the study mysteriously ended in 2009.

Combine this with the tens of trillions of dollars we have wasted on our social “wars” against drugs, crime, illiteracy and poverty and the spending equation becomes even more dramatic.

When you add the $125 trillion in Unfunded Liabilities that Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other programs have created only the small-minded Liberal/Progressive can try to justify more of the same. Of course they will never contribute to the solution of their nanny-state created disaster, they just demand more welfare to protect themselves.

Only in the bizarre and fairy-tale world of Liberals/Progressives can none of this be obvious.

This is what happens when we allow useful idiots to have children and raise them as more useful idiots that only care about their welfare checks and government protections.

It’s a shame so many Americans embarrass themselves by giving up their pride, ambition and honor for more “Bread and Circuses” from our criminal government.

Obviously we real Americans will need to take this great Republic back to its intended place as leader of the free world.

Barrack Hussein hates America and will do whatever he can to destroy it.

This is what statists do.

God Bless and help America, it may be our last hope.

jim what do you want to do about the elderly that rely so social security and medicare to survive.as to the rest of your post like obama hates america its just angry unthinking nonsense and bs numbers you made up

How many times did McConnell say he wants the president to lead us, wow what a change in his tune from his single most important priorty is to just make sure he is a one term president. Why do they expect the president to now give them political cover for what is their responsibilty. Long ago when the president offered them much more than they recently got they would have no part in dealing with him, but that was pre-election now wasn't it, and they just could not bring themselves to making a reasonable deal with him, so in the end they got much less. Obama was very adept at not giving in to Boehner, and Boehner could not even get his house to vote for his "plan B", it was Boehner that publicly threw in the towel, because he could not get what he wanted from Obama, or his own party, so he asked for it to be put in the hands of the senate. You think the VP negotiates and signs off on deal without the presidents advice and consent? Well you see what the senate did, they have to win statewide elections they cannot depend on their Gerrymandered little districts to continually vote them in, they gave Obama much more than he originally offered Boehner a long time ago. They gave him the tax increase with no cuts to SS and medicare because they know that the majority of the people in their state are against those cuts, and they wish to be re-elected. Virtually every republican in the senate voted for that deal, they hung Boehner out to dry with no chance to amend the deal, but hey Boehner said I can't do this, I can't get it done, and asked the senate to do it for him, and they did. You have a Speaker of the House that cannot speak for his house, why blame that on the president. You think the president was not behind those negotiations, Biden is a good man but he is not calling the shots, he was the mouthpiece at McConnell's request and the only reason is that it is political poison and quite embarrassing for McConnell to now be perceived as compromising and negotiating with the president, he has to win re-election back in Kentucky. Obama did McConnell a political favor he does not deserve by letting Biden be seen as the negotiator, why do you think McConnell let Reid pass a stack of bills in the middle of the night without the usual BS from senate Republicans. In the end it is not the presidents responsibility to do Congresses job for them and hold their hand every time they have to cross the street. Whenever the president has tried to lead them they would have no part of it, so why now beg the president to give you political cover for what only your branch of government can do. If Congress wishes to cut spending they have sole power to do so, since when does what this president wants have any sway over republicans in Congress, since they want political cover to cut SS and Medicare and leave the military uncut. He offered plenty, much more than his base wanted him to, but at that time they did not want to go along with him, now they got less, and now they want the president to lead them, well he tried that, Congress did not want to be lead by the president. McConnell talks a good game about the presidents spending, but the president does not spend, Congress does, and as I said virtually every republican in the senate signed off on the Fiscal Cliff deal, and even found money in it for NASCAR.

This @!$%# in the White House will never stop acting like a *&^%$#@ with a stolen credit card. Congress just needs to turn off the tap and burn his anti-american administration to the ground. If they stand fast and turn up the pain long enough, Obama's will be even hated by the likes of the nipplesuckers and those ass kissers like Feisty, Bev, et al.

We should all be asking all of the house just what they were elected for..matter of fact...we shouold be asking all of congress what they were elected for if they expect the president or anyone else to do their jobs for them..which of course they have not done for years. My understanding of our constitution says that congress does the work..the president can suggest something but it is up to both houses to do the work..which neother one has done nor seems to want to do. Not one jobs bill has passed in 4 years from congress much less the house alone..which the republicans control.

$1T cut in 2011 and the $400B cut last week plus the $1.2T that must be cut in the new sequester.

AH-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That is the funniest thing I have heard in a long time. In 2011, Obama's budget was BLOWN by $1.1 Trillion - the same can be said for 2012. There were no "cuts" in 2011, just the illusion of can kicking cuts by the Downgrader in Chief. In case you are wondering where the president is headed for 2013 - you guessed it - another year of overspending by more than $1 Trillion!

Revenue isn't the problem. Spending is the problem. Anyone who says otherwise has serious math issues!

start cutting military spending...

The republicans, BIG business, and their lobbyists DO NOT want that, that's how they make vast amounts of money, first by starting illegal wars, than by producing ALL the products that support war, from bullets, to boots, to food. It's a good business to be in, why would the republicans and their HANDLERS want to cut that.

Get out of Afghanistan to reduce military spending.

Finally. Someone is finally addressing the biggest drain of all. If we didn't spend ALL that money on the military, we would have quality education, sound infrastructures, health care AND a balanced budget. Repeat the liar enough and the GOP will betieve it.

Military spending is a corporate entitlement program. It's corporate welfare. It's the one entitlement that Republicans are for - because corporations are the people that the Republicans are owned by.

News or propaganda

Get out of Afghanistan to reduce military spending.

I agree, but just think, if Bush and Cheney would have left the troops in Afghanistan, maybe, just "maybe" the job would have been completed there (?), but no, they wanted to go off and start their own illegal, useless war in Iraq, the BIG UNFUNDED WAR, that the GOP keeps screaming for President Obama to pay for!

Remember, Bush, Cheney, and most war-mongers claimed al-Qaeda caused 9/11, and al-Qaeda and the Taliban were running rampant in Afghanistan, let's go get them, than after a couple of months there, lets invade Iraq, causing Al-Qaeda to follow the US there. al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), is a group founded in 2003 as a reaction to the American-led invasion and occupation of Iraq.

You also should remember 15 of the 19 hi-jackers were Saudi Arabian, 2 were Egyptians, and 2 from the UAE. Did you find Iraq to be anyplace any of the "so-called" 19 hi-jackers were from?

After they cut military spending the farm bill should be next. Thats more corporate welfare. But paying big corporate farm not to plant on some land is nuts. But its ok to cut someones unemployment because they can't find work. Now don't get me wrong there good things in the farm bill that should remain in place. Just get rid of the waste in the military and the farm bill. Cut waste, not programs that help people. Hey republican/tea party where do I go to sign up for the free stuff in the farm bill like the big corporate farmers get.

Is Mitch McConnell really that dense? He was 10 questions on "Meet the Press" and answered 16 times that the only thing he's interested in is cutting spending? ( He never did answer the 10 questions!) Spending to programs that have been in place for decades and approved by Congress. How can you approve something and then not pay for it? The republican party is so sick. Can anyone put it out of its misery? Maybe in the 2014 Elections! Mitch is a lost cause already!(Dumber than a box of rocks!!!!!)

We might also think about cutting welfare to oil companies and Monsanto and ADM. I suspect that if we turned our back on CCA we could save some money too. How is it that in our desperate rush to avoid the " fiscal cliff", Congress still had time to take care of the oil industry in that bill?

Dan Daley

Put time limits on Welfare there is no need for people to spend thier ENTIRE LIFE on our $$$$

^ Dan, you should read Thomas Blue's post right below yours, his makes a lot more sense. I don't mind feeding homeless, hungry kids, but corporate welfare, how can you even agree to something like that.

You can't lead people who have already made up their minds NOT to DO anything!! It is NOT Obama's job to babysit Congress!! He laid out his plans, it's THEIR job to act on them or not! They won't even bring things to a vote!! They are afraid they would look bad for doing the right thing!! It is not Obama's job to coddle the Republican Party! It's their job to act like grown ups, realize they lost, TWICE and get over themselves!! Their job is to do the right thing! Their job is NOT to OBSTRUCT everything!! They even vote against their own ideas!! WHY? Just to say no, that's why! It is Obama's job to lead. He has. Your Republican and Tea Parties, have no idea what compromise and doing the right thing are. They just don't like THIS President and that is all it takes for them to destroy all of us! A bunch of spoiled, schoolyard bullies! THAT is the Reputea Party!

McConnell is a pathological something, I don't know what... but just look at him

Why is the entire first thread deleted! That is ridiculous!

Start with welfare fraud, SSI fraud, unemployment benefits fraud, EPA, barack czars and special groups, michelle's queen entourage, lets start drilling, and a million other places. No more taxes. Military yes, but smartly...but the fastest and quickest way to start spending, impeach barack.

Dan Daley -- You say, "Cut ALL foreign aid...", does that include Israel? Do we cut them off cold turkey?

Spence,

Entitlements voted in by republican'ts and Democrats a like.

Yup! Cut funding for Israel. They do better on their own anyway!

Dan D.

Then what would expect of my sister who had a stroke and is need of care in a nursing home? Toss her with her wheelchair into the street? Sicko!

Dan D,

And I'm sure you will want to know I can't stand behind our military and think their budget should be cut in 1/2! Or more!

The dems compromised with the republicans because they lost nothing. My thought all along was that the libs should have just let the cliff raise the tax rates, as republicans wouldn't give that much up. Now I see why they backed off. Because there still are no cuts, and if the GOP wants cuts, they'll have to pony up more taxes. McConnell can say whatever he wants, but in reality he knows the truth. The GOP was crushed in this recent deal with the dems. They got nothing. So now if they want something (cuts), they will have to give grounds on taxes again.

The only silver lining to this for the GOP is now they have a leg to stand on. There are no more "automatic" tax increases to fear. Just automatic cuts. Sadly for the GOP, a lot of those cuts come from the military, which they don't want. But I still give them the upper hand for round two. It's hard to play off a second tax increase. Democrats can likely get it, but it will come at a cost. Everyone wanted the first one (except FOX news), but ANOTHER one is a tough sell, even if it only hits the rich.

Also, in the end, the GOP will get cuts regardless, which is the only thing the Tea Party loons agree on. So they have far less incentive to buckle under pressure.

Prediction: negative press for a second tax increase demand, and tea party resistance to reducing cuts (regardless of where they are targeted), will make democrats give up on tax demands. They will likely use this opporunity to cut out loopholes and tax breaks to oil companies, etc. Then they'll pass a less-grand reduction package. That will likely pass the senate, but the house may reject closing loopholes. So we may have a shutdown. I give that a 40/60 chance.

Time to cut and cut deep...No more money to oil companies...fine. But also, no more money to algae, solar, etc. as well. There's a lot of corporate welfare that can be cut on both sides.

Time to put time limits on welfare as well. Sorry, but you can't find a job in your entire life...not buying it. Spare me the sob stories of the poor and needy. How long is this excuse allowed? Go to work, do what your boss says, live within your means, and you will prosper. Sorry, you just might have to work at Burger King...even if you consider welfare more dignified. And, no more extra money for welfare queen baby factories. Can't keep your legs shut, then move to Vegas where you can get paid for it.

Military can cut as well. The DOD wanted to stop buying tanks because they had too many. Congress refused due to their districts losing work. Even when the DOD wants to cut, congress can't stop because they bought VOTES with that money.

The problem is simple...Vote buying has occurred for years. Cutting spending means laying off people. We can't afford to keep spending, but the congressmen don't want to risk getting voted out and losing their gravy train to get rich. This is why it's a fight. Doing what's right for America is going to mean that someone gets hurt.

I beg to differ with McConnell. The tax fight isn't nearly over. Of all people...he ain't the one who decides what we're going to put on the agenda, or what the biggest, most important issues are. He clearly has his opinions, and that's fine. But his is NOT the final word on what we shall do or address in the future. Not even close.

Entitlement spending isn't up because of anything Obama did but according to the CBO was almost entirely due to the great meltdown under Bush. They projected a deficit for Bush's last budget that ran from October 2008 until October 2009 at 1.2 trillion knowing the 5,000,000 new people on unemployment, welfare, medicaid, food stamps etc. would explode the debt regardless of who won in November. Remember Obama hadn't even been elected when the first trillion+ deficit was passed. Republicans as well as democrats voted for extending unemployment. To hear republicans tell it Obama invented deficit spending yet Bush took a surplus and increased the deficit every year ending with 1 trillion+.

Republicans call Obama a failure for not being able to balance the budget yet ignored how it exploded under Bush. Romney drew cheers from the right for his plans to cut 50 or 60 billion from social programs and since he never indicated any plans to pay for the 200 billion a year increased military or 50 billion or so he wanted to spend on a new space program they simply ignored that his plans would increase spending 5 times or more what he planned to cut. Bush's unwillingness to pay for anything he started whether it's his 2 wars, 400 billion a year tax cut or 100 billion a year drug plan doesn't make them free. It's why we have such a massive debt. Whether you like it or not at least Obamacare was fully funded. That's the difference between a responsible president and an irresponsible one. Our problems are both spending too much and a lack or revenue from prior massive tax cuts made at the same time we increased spending. Neither Reagan nor Bush decreased spending when cutting taxes and our debt exploded under both. If republican claims that tax cuts brought in more revenue than it lost then that wouldn't be true.

"We've resolved this issue," McConnell said. "We don't have this problem because we tax too little, we have it because we spend way, way too much. So we've settled the tax issue and now we have to address the single biggest threat to America's future, and that's our excessive spending."

McConnell is wrong once again. My fellow Vine-commentators, we are not in this problem because we spend too much or tax too little; it is because we have fooled ourselves into believing that we can have all these great programs and benefits without paying for them. It is because politicians have destroyed the great American concept of self-sacrifice for the common good, and because we either stood by and watched or handed them the dynamite.

JimSpence

ONCE AGAIN THE LITTLE LIMP-WRISTED LIBBIES REFUSE TO ADDRESS THE REAL DRIVER OF OUR DEBT!

OUR MASSIVE INCOMPETENT GOVERNMENT ENTITLEMENTS AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS!

Oh James, once again you have it backward...

Of course the impotent Liberals/Progressives will deny there are any problems with the massive nanny-state they can only function in. This is typical of the unwashed illiterate masses Barrack Hussein and the Democrat miscreants prey on.

Hahahaha; liberals like me willingly admit that our social programs are in need of reform, not annihilation. Many plans have been offered to fix Medicare and Social Security; I know many liberals argue for the increase of the payroll tax cap and who will (eventually) agree to a reduction in SS benefits via chaining CPI. Obamacare already extends the life of Medicare by 8 years, and smarter reforms (allowing drug negotiation, increase payroll tax, increased premium cost-sharing, etc) will do so as well.

Our own government oversight agencies admit to massive waste, fraud, abuse and corruption yet no one, especially the Liberals/Progressives who created all these dysfunctional programs will address them. It’s always easier to just keep demonizing the successful Americans who create the wealth that the incompetent unwashed masses keep stealing from.

So are you calling the vast majority of Americans as "takers??" Do you actually believe the fallacy that the rich create most of the wealth??? Wealth isn't created by investment and capital alone; wealth is also created by labor, and by labor I mean the labor of any and all people who work for a living. The CEOs and corporate directors of the world do not create wealth unless they do so by saving and/or reforming their corporations; most of the wealth is created by consumers, workers, and innovators. The supply side is an important part of wealth-creation, but it is ultimately demand that determines whether an invention or innovation is valuable, and thus it is demand that holds the lion's share of the credit for creating wealth.

Government auditors spent the past five years examining all federal programs and found that 22 percent of them–costing taxpayers a total of $123 billion annually–fail to show any positive impact on the populations they serve. (emphasis mine)

Almost 25% of your coveted social programs that you promote with your irrational social and economic justice for the collective do NOTHING for the intended population!

AT A COST OF ALMOST $125 BILLION EVERY YEAR!!!!!!!

This is $1.25 TRILLION over 10 years.

Okay then, give us the website. Give us the website that points out all of these wasteful programs. And do they include defense spending in this place??

Combine this with the tens of trillions of dollars we have wasted on our social “wars” against drugs, crime, illiteracy and poverty and the spending equation becomes even more dramatic.

The War on Poverty was not a failure; it poverty was reduced significantly under it. Unfortunately, about a decade after it was started the neoliberals offset some of its gains via regressive economic policies (i.e tax cuts for the rich, tax hikes for the poor, deregulation, etc).

When you add the $125 trillion in Unfunded Liabilities that Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other programs have created only the small-minded Liberal/Progressive can try to justify more of the same. Of course they will never contribute to the solution of their nanny-state created disaster, they just demand more welfare to protect themselves.

Actually, $125 trillion is a high-ball number; a reasonable estimate would by $80-90 trillion. And that is mainly because of (A) the Baby Boom generation and (B) the failure of our government and our society to reform our inefficient and obsolete healthcare system, which has greatly increased costs for Medicare and Medicaid.

This is what happens when we allow useful idiots to have children and raise them as more useful idiots that only care about their welfare checks and government protections.

It’s a shame so many Americans embarrass themselves by giving up their pride, ambition and honor for more “Bread and Circuses” from our criminal government.

Unfortunately, those "useful idiots" that you refer to did not raise children to focus on welfare checks and government protections. Those "useful idiots" (useless, you mean) were neoliberal and supply-side economists and thinkers who bastardized our public institutions and our country. They openly campaigned against the lessons and values learned after the tremendous Depression; they openly denied the possibility that government could directly and actively provide for the common good and, to quote the Constitution, provide for the general welfare. They argue that the only thing government can do relating to the economy and the common good is to provide a hospitable atmosphere for growth and investment, and then get the hell out of the way. Well, we tried that "theory." We cut taxes substantially for "job creators" and corporations alike, dismantled rigid regulations designed to chain the unpredictable behemoth that is the financial sector, weakened institutions designed to prevent another Great Depression, and opened our markets to other nations without demanding reciprocity or even attempting to help our own industries and sectors become competitive. And all we got was stagnant wages, decaying public institutions, massive debt loads, the biggest divide between rich and poor, and encountered the worst economic downturn since, wait for it, the Great Depression.

Obviously we real Americans will need to take this great Republic back to its intended place as leader of the free world.

Indeed we do, and the first thing in doing that is rejecting the overrated and obsolete junk science that is laissez-faire economics.

Barrack Hussein hates America and will do whatever he can to destroy it.

This is what statists do.

No my good man: Barack Obama does not hate America and is not a statist.

God Bless and help America, it may be our last hope.

You may pray for America's help, but all you and your right-wing colleagues do is impede recovery and healing. All you do is rub salt into old wounds and tear people apart while others seek to bring them together. Your last hope will be when the House seeks to send America down the debt ceiling cliff, and when you fail, America will rise again. And maybe, just maybe, we will mature a little bit as a nation and destroy the old laissez-fair monster, making sure that it will never again rise from the dead.

The question of what we can "afford" (to buy, or to cut) is an interesting one because it involves money. We print it at will - paying as little as zero% interest to 'borrow' it from ourselves - making purchase of most things possible (affordable as need dictates). We use it as incentive to direct labor, and control waste. The stewardship of this mechanism is extremely important - yet it does not receive (because it will not bear) close scrutiny.

Federal tax rates may be beyond further negotiation, as McConnell says, but there are other rates which can be adjusted to facilitate currency distribution (the Social Security participation cap for example). Certainly, spending cuts can also be made (basically, a redistribution of our national wealth), but the President has made it clear that they will not be agreed to "at gunpoint". The Republican plan to force certain cuts by holding the World Reserve Currency as a hostage is nonsensical - and has been properly neutered.

(What happened to the first comment? Feist, you using 'bad language' again? heh heh)

Cut Military spending by 1/2 ... end corporate farm bill welfare... close big oil loop holes and subsidys... in 2 years we would have a balanced budget with no cuts to SS or medicare... rebuild our roads and bridges to create jobs and manufacturing

"So we've settled the tax issue and now we have to address the single biggest threat to America's future, and that's our excessive spending."

If thats the case McTurtle, why on earth did you spend so much. The facts are the republican congress and the Bush presidentcy was horible with spending. Now you want to not pay the bills that come due. Don't blame the president, those three fingers are aimed right at you.

Paws, I absolutely agree with you, put limits on welfare, for so many years and then stop. that way we can starve to death all those red state welfare type who vote republican, also, no more fed disaster aid to red states, at least make them wait two or three months before acting on relief like what was done for the Blue states of New York and New Jersey.

We need to start cutting these politicians pay, benefits, and health care, if they don't like it they can quit I'm sure someone will be more than glad to take their jobs. We need to start with the dead weight and work our way down, how many of you honestly think they are worth anywhere near what they are paid. And that two term qualifies them for retirement is a crock of SH-T they need to work like all Americans do, if they don't like it QUIT!

The fiscal cliff bill that just passed extended unemployment compensation by another 52 weeks for a total of 151 weeks of eligability? Really?

I feel sorry for everyone who lost their jobs. I feel sorry that they feel their chosen profession is the only thing they are qualified for. But I don't feel the government needs to support them for the rest of their lives.

What have these people done for the betterment of themselves and their families? Have they re-educated themselves? Have they given any time to their communities to help the municipalities with their financial difficulties? Or are they home sitting feeling sorry for themselves?

The world is what you make of it. Sometimes not easy. Sometimes not fair. But that is Life none the less.

@Dan Daley

Dan, I come from a military family. My son is an Iraq vet. My family has served for as many generations back as I can trace. And I agree that no one should be able to live their life on the public dole. But most of the ones on it today are so because of the Wall St. Buffet that ate everyone in sight. And why must our military spend as much as the next 15 nations combined? I suggest that we have a superior army because we have superior numbers from which to draw when need be and our people are more motivated because we fight for our freedom, not just to keep some dictator in power. Furthermore, how can it be that we spend so much money and yet fail our veterans? Defense spending should be cut drastically, but not the money we spend on our troops. Just the money we funnel off to Halliburton and Bechtel and Blackwater or whatever name they hide behind today. I love our military and admire my son. But I loathe Halliburton, Cheney, and the repugnicans that care more for the Mil. Indust. Complex than our fellow Americans. To hell with Cheney's boys.

Okay then, give us the website. Give us the website that points out all of these wasteful programs. And do they include defense spending in this place??

http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/omb/expectmore/index.html

The War on Poverty was not a failure; it poverty was reduced significantly under it.

Prior to your boy-toy LBJ’s institution of the “War on Poverty” both the rate and the absolute number in poverty were decreasing dramatically. Since the inception of the “War” the poverty rate has stayed within a narrow range between 12% and 15%. We have spent over $17 trillion on this farce and nothing has improved.

This year the Federal government will spend a more than $668 BILLION on at least 126 different programs created to fight poverty. States and local governments add about $284 BILLION annually to fight poverty. Almost $1 TRILLION dollars is spent on poverty every year. This amounts to $20,610 for every poor person in America, or $61,830 per family of three. To put this in perspective our defense budget, including Iraq and Afghanistan is only $685 billion.

Welfare spending increased under G.W. Bush and has since exploded under Barrack Hussein. Since 2009 federal welfare spending has increased by 41%, more than $190 BILLION a year.

So, less than a 1% increase in poverty, yet we have increased spending by 41% and we still have more than 46 million Americans living in poverty. A 47 year long war and we’re losing it horribly.

The war on poverty was, is and will be a failure as long as we keep concentrating our anti-poverty efforts on giving poor people more food, better shelter, health care and so forth. We need to reform our criminal education system, stop unwanted pregnancies and make people get a job, any job, and stick with it.

Welfare's purpose should be to eliminate, as far as possible, the need for its own existence. ~ Ronald Reagan

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b7/US_poverty_rate_timeline.gif

The rest of your typical Keynesian social democracy nonsense isn’t worth debating because you, as many other “Progressives”, still believe that Billy “Blue Dress” Clinton left some mythical “surplus” and that Barrack Hussein hasn’t been the biggest spending president in 60 years because of Rex Nuttings nonsense. Of course you also believe the Liberal/Progressive gibberish that Brown University blathers about the cost of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars cost. Surprisingly you don’t see them evaluating the Vietnam debacle the same way because it would end up costing four times Iraq/Afghanistan, in todays dollars. We can’t make your idols JFK and LBJ look bad, can we?

However, your biggest embarrassment was your proclamation the other day that a Democracy and a Republic is the same thing. Only in the indoctrinated, irrational mind of a Liberal/Progressive can this happen. It’s a shame you are a product of our criminal public school system. You may want to do more independent research on the different forms of government.

I’ll give you a hint, we are a Federal Constitutional Republic with a Representative Democracy. The Representative Democracy is NOT a form of government, it simply means we have periodic free elections to represent us. Our form of government is a Republic.

Educate yourself so you don’t sound more insignificant than you already are Spanky.

@ Freshieee

Outstanding post, as usual,Freshieee...I always enjoy your posts.

garcher,

The unemployment benefits will continue to be paid as long as a person qualifies.

The maximum has been reduced and linked to each state's rate with the max being 99 weeks.

Maybe they should really get specific, something like this. Would the left go for this?

1. $1,661 billion of discretionary spending cuts by putting in place discretionary spending caps into law lower than what is projected to be spent.

2. $995 billion in additional revenue with $785 billion in new revenues from tax reform by lowering income and corporate tax rates and broadening the base by eliminating tax expenditures. An additional $210 billion in revenue is also raised in other revenue by switching to the Chained-CPI and an increase in the federal gasoline tax

3. $341 billion in federal health care savings by reforming the Sustainable Growth Rate for Medicare, repeals the CLASS Act (which has already happened), increase Medicare cost sharing, reform health-care tort, change provider payments, increase drug rebates and establishes a long-term budget for total federal health-care spending after 2020 to GDP + 1 percent.

4. $215 billion in other mandatory savings by moving to the Chained CPI for all inflation-indexed programs, reform the military and civil service retirement system, reduce farm subsidies, reduce student loans and various other reforms.

5. $238 billion in Social Security reform, to be used to ensure the program is sustainably solvent in the infinite horizon by slowing benefit growth for high and medium-income workers, increase the early and normal retirement age to 68 by 2050 and 69 by 2075 by indexing it to longevity, index cost of living adjustments to the Chained-CPI, include newly hired state and local workers after 2020, increase the payroll tax cap to cover 90 percent of wages by 2050 and creates a new minimum and old-age benefit.

6. Budget Process Reforms by creating discretionary spending caps and caps total federal revenue at 20 percent of GDP.

An additional $673 billion is saved due to lower projected spending interest payments as a result from lower deficits.

@garcher-1253370

I believe that you misunderstand the legislation. The act only extended the benefits already in place. It didn't increase it. Furthermore, it has been repeatedly shown that these dollars are some of the best dollars that the govt can spend since they are IMMEDIATELY put back into the economy in the form of groceries, gas money, school lunches, rent, car payments, etc. I've read that the economy gets a $1.10 return on every $1.00 spent on this program. That's a great return for helping our fellow Americans get back on their feet.

Why does McConnell blame the president for spending, the president does not control spending, Congress controlls spending, if Congress really wanted to control spending, they have the power to do so.

time to close corporate tax loopholes.

Give credit to Pres. Obama who chose less tax increases on the TOP 1% than the GOP had offered in the fiscal cliff deal, according to my cliffnotes.

Put time limits on Welfare there is no need for people to spend thier ENTIRE LIFE on our $$$$

Above is another example of the right wing idiocy we face in America today. When under Clinton they changed welfare strict time limits plus added eligibility terms were added way back then. It is impossible to spend a lifetime on WELFARE in todays world you must be reading from a really old right wing blog! Btw the total amount of welfare spent on people in the U may just buy a few of the jets the military buys.

Read this if you want to know where the money goes Guess what its the red states!

Seventy percent of counties with the fastest-growth in food-stamp aid during the last four years voted for the Republican presidential candidate in 2008, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data compiled by Bloomberg. They include Republican strongholds like King County, Texas, which in 2008 backed Republican John McCain by 92.6 percent, his largest share in the nation; and fast-growing Douglas County, Colorado.

I watched this clown show with this idiot today and he was there to use the phrase "the president has to lead" he answered every question with that phrase. If they had aske him his name he would have said "the president has to lead"

"McConnell said. "We don't have this problem because we tax too little, we have it because we spend way, way too much. So we've settled the tax issue and now we have to address the single biggest threat to America's future, and that's our excessive spending.""

Interesting statement considering this senator has been in congress for way too many years and is a part of all the spending congress has done for years....Have to wonder how many pet projects he pushed through himself..along with all the rest of congress who seem to be crying over spending now..but bet on one item..they will not cut any of their pet pork projects. If anyone noticed this past wekk congress passed a bill that allows them MORE travel rights on commerical aircraft..guess who pays for all of that folks . Do not hear them wanting to cut anything that involves a single one of themselves.

Spence,

...LIMP WRISTED....

Prior to your boy-toy LBJ’s

There is a gay theme in your rants. Sometimes anger.... oh, nevermind. I'm sure you understand what that's about. wink wink

Virtually every republican in the senate including McConnnel voted for the Fiscal Cliff bill, it did not address spending, and while they will tell you there is no money for the old and the sick they did find money for NASCAR in that bill.

How many times did he say he wants the president t lead them, pretty strange for a guy who's only priority four years ago was to make sure the president was not re-elected. The president tried to lead them and they would have no part of it, he offered them much more than they got in this last deal but that was before the election and they just could not see their way clear to agree with him, so now they got less, and they want him to provide them political cover to cut the things the nation does not want cut, now suddenly they want to be lead by the man who's lead they vowed to never follow. Do your own job Congress put together a specific bill with specific cuts, get it through your branch of government and send it to the president's desk, you never wanted his leadership before why are you so dependent on it now. Ha you guys are great you threaten the president with a government shutdown because you don't want to pay the bills for what you already spent (every dime voted on and approved by Congress) and then beg him to give you political cover for cuts you don't want to make because you know the public does not want SS and Medicare cut. Maybe you can ask him to lead the way on cuts to the military, or oil companies, or now NASCAR, you would not approve more money for security at our embassies when it was requested and you rail about what happened there, but NASCAR sure needs our tax money. You can blame the president all you want but he does not hold the purse strings now does he. People devastated in the northeast are still waiting but NASCAR got a nice chunk of change. What happened to your free market BS, if the market does not support NASCAR, I didn't think you guys believed in the government picking winners and losers. You guys are pathetic and since Obama was re-elected you no longer have a fall guy, we know who controls the purse strings.

So lets be honest on both sides of the aisle...we spend 40% or more than we take in in revenue...this is unsustainable period.

So spending cuts as well as the current tax increases must meet at a point where spending matches revenue.

All this do nothing bunch of rudderless leaders did was put in place a lazy deal that did not address any real issues period. They completely missed an opportunity to make an real meaningful change and just moved toward increasing our national debt again in a few weeks.

What an embarrassment to both parties and the administration...yet they seem to have no shame or responsibility to anyone.

The news is reporting today the current double digit increase request by insurance companies around the country as a result of the ACA...go figure. If you did not see that coming you are blind and willfully so. Some on the vine reported now paying between $1500 to $3000 per month for health insurance. Who in their right mind can afford that?

Just another example of laws passed by morons who are waiting to find out what is inside instead of knowing what they are passing on to the rest of the country. This is more than unacceptable.

Next

ivan, NC

"McConnell said. "We don't have this problem because we tax too little, we have it because we spend way, way too much. So we've settled the tax issue and now we have to address the single biggest threat to America's future, and that's our excessive spending.""

McConnell is wrong, wrong, wrong. The single biggest threat to America's future is lack of jobs, jobs, jobs. Fixing that issue will go a long way in fixing the deficit and the debt. Austerity measures in America's past, during a struggling economy, have proven to be a poison pill. The very same poison pill that has plunged much of Europe in a double dip recession today.

The promises of jobs, jobs, jobs allowed the Republican sweep in election 2010. The very same week after the elections, their battle cry did a 180 and became all about debt and deficits. The very same deficit and debt that "didn't matter" during the Bush 43 era.

You are being hoodwinked America. Instead of replacing all four bald and dangerous tires, they want to patch the single flat and send you merrily on your way. Providing jobs, jobs, jobs requires spending a little money. Patching debt and deficits only delays our eventual crash and burn.

I bet buy the time the debt limit is done the people making $250 K and above will see their taxes go up. If McConnell allowed the cliff bill to go to the house with 4 trillion in new pork spending then he working for Obama. If the speaker refused to send the bill to the floor he would be a hero today and not a zero. People on SSI are going to get their cost of living taken away. But NASCAR and Hollywood get tax breaks. I wish some one would post Bill France Jr Email address on here so all the people could write him tell him how much of a P... he is for not turning down this. But yet if you want to spend 5 days at the opening of the season it will cost you $2,000 per person. Thank you Mr. Speaker and Mr. McConnell.

If they are weak on this what makes you think they are going to force Obama to stop spending. I guess we will have to see how that goes McConnell better not give up the filibuster that's the only bat he has.

can any of you not parrot what your party tells you? "unfunded wars" "illegal wars" "entitlements" "corporate welfare", these are fallacies created by the parties to make you dumb. there no such thing as a "unfunded war," it doesnt exist. so you think our soldiers are fighting for free? thats what unfunded means. there is no such thing as an "illegal war," unconstitutional, yes but illegal, no, there is no higher authority than a sovereign nation so no such thing as "illegal wars." "entitlements" is misused all the time by both sides; en·ti·tle·ment /enˈtītlmənt/Noun The fact of having a right to something. The amount to which a person has a right. SS is an entitlement, welfare is vote buying. the giving of free monies to citizens at the expense of other citizens by use of threat is theft by extortion, not entitlements. "corporate welfare" is also the wrong term, its federal misuse of tax codes to manipulate interstate commerce, giving tax incentives to corporations is not "welfare," paying farmers to not grow is an example of federal manipulation of intrastate commerce, unconstitutional but not welfare. some of you just like to cherry pick things to blame the opposition party while ignoring the same faults of the party you support. this is what they both want.

all governments is history has at some point enslaved its citizens, this is historical fact. most of the earths current population lives under some form of totalitarian rule, whether that be the EU and its controlled socialist society or china and its controlled communist society or (pick a country) and its all about control either directly or indirectly. just because people accept tyranny does not mean there is none.

The following prophetic Quote about democracy is from Sir Alex Fraser Tytler (1742-1813). He was a Scottish jurist and historian and a Professor of History at Edinburgh University in the late 18th century. This quote is from an 1801 lecture series, and it still rings with great truth:
"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters
discover that they can vote themselves largess from the public treasury. From that time on the
majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury, with the results that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a
dictatorship." "The average age of the world's great civilizations has been 200 years. These nations have progressed through this sequence:"
* From bondage to spiritual faith;
* From spiritual 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."
"Perhaps this is why the Founding Fathers did not want a democracy and, therefore, established our representative Republic instead."

A democracy is a state in which the poor, gaining the upper hand, kill some and banish others, and then divide the offices among the remaining citizens equally, usually by lot.
--Plato - The Republic, VIII

A democracy is a government in the hands of men of low birth, no property, and vulgar employments.
--Aristotle - Rhetoric, I

I think we have more machinery of government than is necessary; too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious.
--Thomas Jefferson - Letter to William Ludlow, 1824

Government governed least is government governed best.
--Thomas Jefferson

you forget history and you will repeat it, the problems we face today have been faced many time over in the past. it is not hard to read history and solve our current problems or even predict future ones, our progress through time is cyclical because we are creatures of habit and habits tend to be the easiest forms of pleasure at the expense of our humanity -we keep doing the same things over and over.

SmBusOwnerinNY

Spence,

...There is a gay theme in your rants. Sometimes anger.... oh, nevermind. I'm sure you understand what that's about. wink wink

ROTFLMAO!!!

No themes Small, no anger, just trying not to upset the Liberal/Progressive "alternative lifestyles" you all practice. wink wink

It's OK, you don't have to be embarrassed for your inadequacies.

Nice try Spunky!

speaking of cutting spending, the Generals agreed:http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/12/opinion/gard-johns-military-spending/index.html

Common sense,

Just where are the jobs going to come from? The ACA has already eliminated many full time jobs in favor of 30 hour or less jobs so the companies don't have to pay for insurance...just take a look at WalMart if you doubt the claim. Next many companies laid off to get below the 50 person level to again avoid insurance cost that are set to have double digit increases as reported this morning here on MSN...go figure.

Since the economy is so battered just where is the money for new hires going to come from? Over the last four plus years companies have horded cash to survive and slashed the payroll to keep investors interested...they have no where left to go now except lower profit margins and no investment in future growth and employees...again a response to the policy of spending more than the revenue intake by government. You are living in a fools paradise if you think all the spending is sustainable. Watch as more durable goods sell at smaller levels this year...why because there are more unemployed than in 2008 in terms of participation rates. But again you raise the same old lame excuses.

ONCE AGAIN THE LITTLE LIMP-WRISTED LIBBIES REFUSE TO ADDRESS THE REAL DRIVER OF OUR DEBT!

Just answer this question for me please.

Why do you resort to childish name calling in all your posts?

I barely read the first sentence of your post because of it. Is that your goal? To turn people away from what you have to say because you can't be mature about what you type.

Not so sure,

From the article ...

The proposed increases compare with about 4% for families with employer-based policies.
Under the health care law, regulators are now required to review any request for a rate increase of 10% or more; the requests are posted on a federal Web site, healthcare.gov along with regulators' evaluations.
The double-digit requests in some states are being made despite evidence that overall health care costs appear to have slowed in recent years, increasing in the single digits annually as many people put off treatment because of the weak economy. PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates that costs may increase just 7.5% next year, well below the rate increases being sought by some insurers.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/50379732/ns/health/

Notsosure10,

Got news for you Pal. Walmart, Sears, Kmart and every other large retail box store were doing this long before the national electorate ever heard of Barrack Obama or ACA.

My 19 yr. old son worked for Walmart Automotive in 2002. His work schedule was provided 2 weeks in advance subject to change on a daily basis. He would work 25 to 35 hours weekly subject to demand from his dept. managers. Absolutely no benefits other than an employee discount. If his dept. managers screwed up and he worked past 39 hours in one week, he faced immediate termination.

I managed a small business at that time with 13 employees other than the owner and myself. Ours was a professional business that required experienced and loyal employees. Part-time employees with no experience at minimum wage and rapid employee turn-around would have destroyed our very successful business. We offered co-opted insurance through small business pools that provided decent rates with reasonable coverage. We were one of the last small businesses forced to abandon employee health coverage due to exponentially rising rates coupled with drastic cuts in coverage.

Damn fools that blame ACA for the continued rise in rates conveniently forget the draconian rise in rates decades before the Affordable Care Act. Your friendly health insurance companies are simply striving to squeeze every last dime out of consumers before the ACA comes into full effect. The sleazy politicians in their pockets work tirelessly to convince you that ACA is responsible for these rising rates. You can continue to be led peacefully to the slaughterhouse by these thieves or acknowledge that the imperfect ACA is our only hope of surviving ever increasing health care costs soon to deny proper care to most of the American people.

We an continue to improve the ACA to provide humane medical treatment to all or watch our children die of preventative and curable disease as the children of the elite thrive with proper healthcare that we can never afford.

Why are people so mean to each other instead of rebelling..

"We've resolved this issue," McConnell said. "We don't have this problem because we tax too little, we have it because we spend way, way too much.

Finally, some common sense. It’s easy to be able to spend someone else’s money Mr. President. Do you or your household, continue to spend more than you budget allows? I don’t think so! I can’t afford to live beyond my means, nor should our government.

Translation of Yertle the Turtle.......more obstruction hoping to make the country slow down in recovery from his own spending by voting against any bills good for America......

NYMike

Just answer this question for me please.

Why do you resort to childish name calling in all your posts?

Don't flatter yourself Mike. I never see you Libbies demonizing Fisty from Ill. or Bev from Chicago when they spew their hate, anger, racism and rage at anybody right of Mao Tse Tung.

Save your self-aggrandizement for someone who cares Spanky.

What continues to surprise me is that none of you even care about the hundreds of billions of dollars your sacrosanct government wastes and gives away to its cronies for funding their little elections. Do you honestly think any of them care about YOU?

Oh yeah, they'll tell you everything you want to hear about "helping you" and when the dust clears your indoctrination is complete. As you fell for the class-warfare meme about taxing the mean, nasty, fat-cat, rich bogeymen, who will never miss the "alleged losses" as they hide their money in that mountain called the tax-code, you all end up losing over a thousand a year from the payroll tax holiday expiring.

SURPRISE!

And remember, gas was a lot cheaper before the payroll tax went down. It's a lot more expensive now to chew more into your disposable income.

But hey, you Libbies really socked it to those rich bastards didn't you?

Let me see, how does that deferred compensation thing work again?

ROTFLMAO!!!!!!

Yep, Barrack played you buffoons like a poorly tuned violin and you still fell for it.

Excellent post JimSpence!

Nancy Pelosi has already said it...."more revenue"....They want to raise taxes again...5 days after getting tax increases.

It's the liberal way.

All these liberal idiots pointing fingers across the isle need be reminded of all the pork stuffed into the fiscal cliff and Sandy relief bills by Democrats. The Democratic Party has never been fiscally responsible, but they do corner the market on playing the blame game. It has been over 40 years since a Democrat controlled congress put forth a balanced federal budget, and now it has been over 4 years since a Democrat controlled branch of government even passed a budget. The Democrats apparently don't want to pass a budget when spending based upon which way the wind is blowing is so much easier.

Reduce military spending to prewar levels.

It's time American taxpayer money go toward building America.

and so is half the country.

Who are pussies who voted for MickyConnell?.....LOL!!!

Maybe,but what sane person wouldn't be?

royalstar05

McConnell talks like a big shot to the press but in the back rooms he's a pussy. The biggest thing he's pissed about is Obama getting another term.

royalstar05

The Wussification of the turtle; and a very unhappy New Year for him

But wait it'll get worse when President Obama signs gun legislation in January
Don't forget:

immigration reform

the debt ceiling which our resolute, smart, President has said there will be "NO" game playing.

Suck it up McTurtle.

Joe, you are in the shrinking minority....as shown by the last election. Half did not vote repub....in fact, Obama received 4 million extra votes...and were more democrats voted for in the Senate and more in the House. Your numbers are shrinking and so is your lame philosophy. You are on the LOSING side.

John-528443

To use YOUR Words

....in fact, Obama received 4 million extra votes

That is so correct... 4 million that were on NO STATES ROLLS. Where did they come from????

Maybe Micky Mc has alzheimer's and has forgotten his purpose while still smiling at the camera. Sure acts like he does! No answers to question, consistent repeat of lines---the guy needs some help, Maybe if the GOP did not cut so many Mental Health Programs and facilities he would get the help that he is severely in need of!

@Beverly in Chicago,

Right you are. It was the TMNT that stated quite publicly that the "number one priority" of the 'Pugs was to make Obama a one term president. Not unemployment, not stabilizing the housing market, not helping underwater homeowners, not immigration, not the debt or deficit. Perhaps if these traitors had focused on actually doing their jobs and working to help resolve the country's problems instead of trying to kill Obama, we would not be in such dire straits. The 'pugs seem to think that is quite a dishonor to be a one termer. And he failed miserably at that. And yet they're still not through trying to hack him. And worst of all, most treasonous of all, is that they are willing to demolish the nation just to keep one black man "in his place". It's truly incredible that they still just don't get it. We like him. We hate them. They have truly become an anachronism. It's hard to believe that they still don't grasp that the sun is setting on them, both due to demographics and policy.

John-528443

Joe, you are in the shrinking minority....as shown by the last election. Half did not vote repub....in fact, Obama received 4 million extra votes...and were more democrats voted for in the Senate and more in the House.

Only because people like you want the Government to give you everything for free

John, you are not smart enough to know it right now, but we are all on the losing side. We all lose as our individual freedoms disappear and our lives become more dependant, and are run by bureaucrats in the government. I might add that most of these bureaucrats are unelected and answer to only themselves.

McConnell is a robot, he's been programmed. There is nothing human behind his eyes.

Dave most of the debt coming from Obama is the interest we have to pay on the G W BUSH borrow and spend era ..Obama didnt create that debt ..Bush went from a surplus to 10Trillion in 7 years we are still paying China interest on the BUSH debt and every year our debt goes up because the McConnells and Boehners in Government still want to return to the BUSH Doctrin

@timewonttell- there was no surplus as the debt was 5.7 trillion when GWB took office in 2001.

The only time in the history of the US there was no federal debt was back in 1835 when President Andrew Jackson paid it off, but it was short-lived. There was federal debt prior to 1835, and continually since.

So lets see here when the Democrats took complete control on January 5th 2007 of the Congress (both Houses) they did not even bother to develop a budget and pass one for four years. Yet you rocket scientists think there is no correlation to the fact they just spent like drunken sailors until January of 2011? No budget, no responsibility for the outcome right? Nice. And you wonder why we have a $16 trillion dollar deficit with no one even willing to address spending on both sides of the aisle. The problem is to big for this administration and the loonies who prowl the halls of Congress looking for more pork.

Just wait until you find out about your double digit increase in health insurance premiums with reduced benefits. Another nice present from the party of no clue and no responsibility. "Lets pass this to find out what is inside" how lame is that?

"McConnell is a robot, he's been programmed. There is nothing human behind his eyes."

There are robots from both sides, not just one side.

I understand the name notsosure.

It takes a vote in Congress to pass a budget. The last Congress passed a whopping 140-some bills. A new record for the country in it's history. (Low)

Republicans filibustered nearly 400 pieces of legislation, many of them were proposed by republicans, many more were republican in origin but resubmitted by democrats.

Democrats filibustered less than 200 bills.

WE haven't even paid off ww1 debt,let alone ww2.

The wealthy in France are starting to leave for other countries. France will no longer get taxes from them. 40% is high enough but tax loop holes need to be closed.

Whoa! The wealthy are leaving France. Like they need a reason. We need to lower the rates and broaden the base it works in many countries and will work here if the politicians will get out of the way. The Simpson-Bowles Plan would be a great start.....

If lowering rates was the ideal solution to our problems, the US would have been flying high in the 2000's instead of having two recessions, one of them major.

Too many conservatives discuss the Laffer curve, which is a theoretical model about government revenue. When taxes are too high, government loses money because of the slowdown of the economy and because businesses and individuals take advantage of loopholes. However, they fail to address the other end, which says that taxes cannot be too low, or else government cannot function. They simply assume that lower taxes is always beneficial--which is not the case.

Michael L. If you were responding to me i understand your point. When i say lower the rates and broaden the base(more like a flat tax) it is somewhat of an oversimplification. We would need to address deductions which are somewhat out of control. My wife and i make a decent living off of income properties. Under current tax law "long-term capital gains" are taxed at 10% when you take out the standard deductions, expenses, and depreciation we pay nothing in taxes. I would feel perfectly happy to be paying a 15% flat rate if it helps us balance the books, keep police and fire fighters on duty, etc.

McConnell, what specific spending cuts do you propose? Please let us know in the next two weeks.

RandogM

Whoa! The wealthy are leaving France. Like they need a reason. We need to lower the rates and broaden the base it works in many countries and will work here if the politicians will get out of the way. The Simpson-Bowles Plan would be a great start.....

I'm beginning to believe that there may be a bit of a tax curve of some sort when it comes to tax rates and their effect on economic growth. Most people at first glance would say it would be best if taxes were the lowest possible, and so they would favor a curve where the line is linear and at it's peak at around 0%. At second glance (and some more research), some would propose that the optimum tax rate lies somewhere south of the current rates. Unfortunately, at the rate that we're going, there will be a vocal group of economists arguing that we will encourage growth and raise revenues by having the tax rate go to 0%. I don't buy into the lower rates argument mainly because (A) rates are at their lowest in two generations and things are worse than when we had a 39.6% tax rate, (B) because economic inequality has risen substantially since we embarked on the "lower rates, broader base" experiment in the mid 1980s, and (C) because there probably is a tax floor where lower rates will either do nothing or actually exacerbate current economic conditions and raise less revenues. I call this the "Tax Curve," which imitates the Laffer Curve but has a peak at somewhere between 50-70% and takes into account income inequality and recent experiences with lower rates and economic growth. I would argue for a top rate of 70% for incomes over $5 million because as some people have argued, higher tax rates discourage speculative bubbles (via taxing investment income) and encourages growth in our current economy. The New Republic did a great story on this, describing how the United States economy is currently a consumer economy, not a capital economy, and so most of our economy is based on the consumption of consumer products, not capital products or investment. And so the goal is to increase the incomes of consumers as much as possible, which you do via progressive taxation and downward redistribution of wealth. Higher tax rates redistribute wealth downwards, where the real job creation lies. Consumers drive the economy, and so tax policy (as well as social programs and labor policy) ought to redistribute wealth and income to the lower classes in order to strengthen consumer demand, which is the current engine of economic growth. I'm not saying increase rates to 100%; after all, we all know that any revenue gains from that will be temporary as people stop working because they don't get any of their wages back. I'm just saying we ought to reverse our 30-year trend of lowering rates and start thinking outside the box: that higher taxes may have the potential to increase growth.

Fresh. I agree with what you are saying. And, i agree that we need more revenue through taxes BUT we need to have more people paying taxes(like me). See my 2nd post just above yours. Thanks!

... you're right, "Swallow"! And what has amazed me, during the entire course this past election cycle, is that none of them, either on the hill, or in the White House, ever mention it, i.e., "the Trust". As I understand the numbers, Social Security has always been "solvent", the math was designed that way. And, it would still be that way, if it hadn't been for the "republican rape" of the trust fund. What am I missing here? And, if the answer is "nothing", these thieves (because thievery is what it was) should be given "one-way" tickets home, at a minimum for gross malfeasance, if not thrown in jail. The rob the fund dry, then try to call it "welfare". Only in America!

Joe you are correct about the s.s. "lockbox." al jeezra gore tried to raid it but found it empty......except for lyndon's i.o.u.

Says Joe, the one representing the party that took a budget surplus and turned it into the largest deficit in our history in just 8 years. Spending for our country and its people is not what created our problems.

You may remember the republicans that voted for war and then for the first time in our history incorrectly they voted for tax cuts also. I guess republicans don't think wars incur spending.

The republicans don't seem bothered by the extra cost to keep gitmo open for ones who claim to be so concerned about spending.

I don't see any republicans rushing to get out of the war in Afganistan either. If we had elected McCain we would still be spending on the Iraq war too as republicans love spending on wars.

This whole President Obamas spending thing is just another lie made up by the same republicans who lied us to war in Iraq in the first place. I don't know about you but I am smart enough to not believe proven liars.

Americans First Remember it was the republicans that mastered the line "That if you tell the lie enough it becomes the truth".

It seems like their focused on social security & medicare. The two programs that pay for themselves with separate taxes. They want to privatize them so that they can invest the funds in markets that will collapse after they make all the profits they can wring out of them & then declare social security & medicare broke. Our leaders can only see the money that's there & it's burning a hole in their pockets. They don't seem to care that it takes a lot of median income earners just to pay for their pay, retirements & other benefits that the common person does not receive.

Hey Joe.....Actually,the real party of unpaid for spending are the Repubs. You mean to tell me that if we had elected a Republican President spending would decrease? History says otherwise. Both parties spend like "drunken sailors". Was Romney's proposed budget balanced? Lets see.....increase military spending and lower tax revenues. A true "conservative" would not increase spending to unprecedented levels (i.e. Reagan/Bush 1/Bush2) while lowering tax rates. When Bush1 attempted to actually be responsible, conservatives turned on him. I would argue that Math is not your strong suit.....not that facts matter to zealots.

Can you point to something specific that says the GOP wants to decimate social security? Something other than a link to MSNBC that is?

Paul the problems is Social Security and Medicare DO NOT pay for themselves. They both run at a deficit. Social Security is fine now, but is going to go bankrupt in about 16 years as the boomers get older and more retire. Same with Medicare, but it is already in the red. The people that say the paid into it and that it isn't an entitlement, should just get what they paid into it and nothing else. They wouldn't hardly be able to live on what they just paid into it, and would not be able to get any worthwhile medical care. But hey once Obamacare kicks in, it won't matter anyway.

Reality.....The Repub mantra has been, "we need to cut spending on entitlements". Which leads to the question of what are these entitlements? Topping the list would be soc. sec. and medicare, by far the most expensive entitlement programs. I would put forth that the Repubs are smart enough not to specify what cuts they are proposing to entitlements at the risk of upsetting their Senior Citizen base. When cuts to social security and medicare do get enacted as part of the next chapter of avoiding "fiscal armageddon", the new Repub mantra will be, "Obama took away your social security"...This should give Bill, Sean, and the rest of the FOXies something to bang on for a while....IMHO

inde-pragmatic - this is what was in the original proposal that Boehner took to Obama. It got thrown in the can by Dear Leader. BTW It came directly from Simpson Bowles. The only part that hit the media was the GOP wanted to cut student loans...Looks pretty specific to me and I think that you would agree that it doesn't touch Social Security for those that are getting it now. But again, the media didn't see it that way.

$341 billion in federal health care savings by reforming the Sustainable Growth Rate for Medicare, repeals the CLASS Act (which has already happened), increase Medicare cost sharing, reform health-care tort, change provider payments, increase drug rebates and establishes a long-term budget for total federal health-care spending after 2020 to GDP + 1 percent.

$215 billion in other mandatory savings by moving to the Chained CPI for all inflation-indexed programs, reform the military and civil service retirement system, reduce farm subsidies, reduce student loans and various other reforms.

$238 billion in Social Security reform, to be used to ensure the program is sustainably solvent in the infinite horizon by slowing benefit growth for high and medium-income workers, increase the early and normal retirement age to 68 by 2050 and 69 by 2075 by indexing it to longevity, index cost of living adjustments to the Chained-CPI, include newly hired state and local workers after 2020, increase the payroll tax cap to cover 90 percent of wages by 2050 and creates a new minimum and old-age benefit.

Reality....Many would argue that it was Mr. Boehner who got "cold feet" in regards to an agreement on a "grand bargain". Similar to his failure to get the votes for his "plan B", Boehner's deal with the Pres would not have been backed by the tea-wing. In short, he didn't have the votes.....leaving him with nothing but his "Boehner" in his hands and egg on his face so to speak

You seem to go on to answer your own question in regards to soc. sec. cuts....unless you pulled your info from MSNBC that is.

Can any of you Republican/Tea Party/Conservatives tell me the author of the following quote?

“Social Security, let’s lay it to rest once and for all… Social security has nothing to do with the deficit. Social Security is totally funded by the payroll tax levied on employer and employee. If you reduce the outgo of Social Security, that money would not go into the general fund or reduce the deficit. It would go into the Social Security Trust Fund. So Social Security has nothing to do with balancing a budget or raising or lowering the deficit.”

McConnell answered the questions honestly,cutting spending is what needs to happen,Obama is the King of skirting Questions with word vomit answers.

Maybe Gregory should have held up another "large capacity" magazine....oops.

Kind of late for McConnell to give the "read my lips" promise. The GOP might only be a little bit pregnant, but on the bright side, they did the right thing for Americe.

Tanya, "useless" who do you think supports all the takers?

Blue states overwhelmingly support the red state takers.

Joe, the majority on food stamps are white, elderly, and live in red states.

Herron, still telling lies, blue counties and cities are the largest beneficiaries of govt. assistance.

Sorry Joe, but it ain't so. Highest proportion of people on welfare to population is in heavily red southern states, mostly poor white. Seems like you know how to use a computer. Do some searches, try this company Google first. then you can graduate to some higher educated sites, like Bloomberg news or the Economist

The combined brain power of Feisty, Beverly, Tanya, Backhouse, Mosululu, Fuzzy, For rest, Repubfor oblabber, and the other liberal nitwits around here would at best produce a retarded earthworm.

You bunch of wackos need to get together and form your own state. My suggestion for a name would be Insanity Paradise. An ideal location would be atop an active volcano.

you don't like it around here but you are obviously around enough to learn a bunch of fake names of people you will never meet, maybe you aren't so bright yourself

@ Dang...... Means so much coming from a complete RWNJ

Democrats are just plain stupid.

The combined brain power of Feisty, Beverly, Tanya, Backhouse, Mosululu, Fuzzy, For rest, Repubfor oblabber, Michael, myvote, and the other liberal nitwits around here would at best produce a retarded earthworm.

You bunch of wackos need to get together and form your own state. My suggestion for a name would be Insanity Paradise. An ideal location would be atop an active volcano.

Like making it his #1 goal to insure that Obama is a 1 term President? What a JOKE McConnell is!

Did he ever say/mention what his second "WISH" was/is? What a joke.

If you consider Obama, Pelosi and Reid a bunch of heroes, you have little to criticize McConnell about.

McConnell's new #1 wish is that he doesn't get primaryed by teabaggers in Kentucky.

none of our so called elected officials have the balls to re-write the tax code. To make it fair the 47% that pays nothing, would have to start paying up. The lefts base would be up in arms as your post indicates. I guess fairness, means some people pay more and more, but others just keep taking...

And eliminate that unbelievable health insurance plan and retirement funding that congress gets for life only after two years of service. bet you don't want that entightlement taken away Mitch, do ya'. I betcha not

How about we cut discretionary spending as a percentage of GDP? Why do the Dems alway jump on the military. Why do you hate the military so much. About about we cut about 70,000 of the gov't jobs that Obama has added? How about we sell off the USPS and Amtrak and let them be run by companies that could actually turn them into money making operations? How about we stop giving big farms like Monsanto and ADM big checks while we put turn the EPA loose on small farmers and run them out of business. How about we stop writing checks to China, Pakistan, Palestine and any other country that spits in our face? How about we stop passing bills full of unrelated pork? It just takes a little thought, a little research and little hard work. Why does the US Govt have a Dept of Ed, when studies had shown that it is mostly ineffectual and that the states can do a much better job? Why don't we collect ALL the money back from GM before we praise Obama for single handily "saving" the auto (union) industry. Why does the go'vt spend billions to put and entire industry out of business, when that industry creates jobs, pays taxes and contributes to the economy? Anyone out there on left field got an answer, is it just better to cut the Military and hope that everyone in the world will just like us.

how bout we make Obama chip in some gas money for taking Air Force 1 to Hawaii? Seems like that would be a FAIR thing to do...oh but wait the left wouldn't like that. Dear Leader needs his precious time off.

Screw the left, they are flushing the country down the Bemis and the sad part is that the lemmings on the left are handing them the toilet paper.

I'd have a lot more respect for McConnell if he came out and flat out told the American people.....

"I'm (70) years old and I've never dealt directly with a Ni99er in my life... and I'm not going to start now"

You, I am sure do not know that McConnell 's wife is Asian-American do you? You are obviously trying to portray him as a racist, which is typical liberal ploy. Can one not simply disagree with Obama and maybe even not like him based on principles w/o the racist label. In the liberal world -- no

celtic1 Just because mcconnell married a Asian-American doesn't mean he's not a racist. Give it a rest. Your argument is flawed.

So is moshluu--- that McConnell is a klan member, I was pointing out how stupid that is, trying to pin the racist label on people is what liberals do. I was calling her or his hand. Racists do not commonly marry outside their race. My argument is not flawed your observation is.

celtic1 Speaking of observations. I worked with some people who married outside their race and were some of the racist people I knew. I seen it its not a pretty site.

@ Celtic....

Glad I scrolled down to see your ignorance. You honestly believe McConnell marrying outside his race keeps him from being a Klansmen, or gay? Really.

You are obviously trying to portray him as a racist, which is typical liberal ploy. Can one not simply disagree with Obama and maybe even not like him based on principles w/o the racist label. In the liberal world -- no

I've travelled too many places and watched hypocrites like you and McConnell, so you're correct, the vast majority of people like you have problems with this President because he's black. This country is in this position because of what your buddies Bush, and Cheney pulled for 8 years, including two unfunded wars.

A few more points for you Celtic:

Yep, I'm black, 64 years old, registered to vote in 69 as an Independent, voted for Nixon, he promised to get us out of Vietnam, I've also voted for Reagan and Poppa Bush. You, on the other hand, as a republican, how many democratic Presidents have you voted for? You see, I always vote my concious, not a party line, yea, sometimes voting my concious works, sometime's it doesn't, but, my point, unlike you, I don't take marching orders from one party.

McConnell is a flat out hypocritical racist who needs to come out the closet!!!!

Remember his words, he practically knew nothing about President Obama when his, and the whole republican party's number one mission was to make him a one term President. That was before President Obama was even given a chance.

Good one Mosh !! I couldn't agree more :)

Smitty - I quote you " I seen it its not a pretty site." When you can learn grammatical syntax, I will address you. moshuluu- I could care less if you are black, do you want a medal? You offer NO proof of McConnell supposed racist behavior- just your baseless opinion. Show me where McConnell is a Klansman and I will show you Obama is a Muslim, both are stupid assumptions. You do not know my political affiliation, you ASS U ME I am a Republican. People on the right hated Bill Clinton and tried to destroy him. You are a hyper-sensitive black man always and forever playing the race card.

celtic1 Gee to intelligent to respond. Its just a blog. People posting here are not writing a book. The way I see it you don't have a answer.

To intelligent? I think not. You do not deserve an answer, what you wrote is purely personal and highly suspect to begin with. This is based on your own limited personal experience which can neither er be proved nor disproved.

... Celtic (interesting, do you know what else that particular cross of yours gave rise to?) we simply play the cards "patriots" like you've been dealing us, since 1609.

Keenly aware, what is your point?

In this particular instance, "feigned ignorance", for someone as clever as you think yourself to be, is so unbecoming. I think you get my point, Celtic, both of them-the cross and the card, since you are so "Keenly aware..." However, since you seem to be a bit "fuzzy" as to why I've mentioned them, these references may be of some help: as to "the cross" (Odins's cross") a quick visit to the ADL's website might provide some degree of enlightenment. And, just in case it may have omitted from your early education, what took place on the banks of the James River, in 1609, may be instructive as to my reply to you comment pertaining to "the (race) card". You can find this information by goggling "James Town, Virginia, 1609."

Wow you can goggle awesome. You are trying to subtly imply that by my using a Celtic Cross that originated in Ireland hundreds of years ago, and is a symbol of Celtic pride- that would be,Ireland, Scotland, Wales- BUT is now sometimes hijacked by White Pride groups that is why I display it? Am I close? if you think that, then you are no where are smart as your name sake Mr. Yoda- or in your case race baiting troll. By the way- I am very much a Zionist, and do much to support Israel- so smoke on that jackass

..,,. you're right Celtic! I can read to. And my "syntax" has worked quite well for me over the past 60 odd years. And, by the way, your comment to Smitty is the reason I decided to write what I wrote. The "race card" came with your deal or that centuries old stacked deck of cards you use. Whining about the "race card" is what cretins like you do when you feel cornered. Here's a hint, Celtic. The Jewish "race" (and it's not) isn't the race I had in mind when I wrote those words. I've known racists who are Zionists, and Zionists who aren't. But, to answer your question, yes, you're getting close. Think about who and what, I think you thought Smitty was. Couple that with your "showing" him that Obama is a Muslim, and, chances are, that you will have won the cigar, or whatever it is you prefer to put in your mouth when you're not burning crosses.

You really are a simpleton I never pulled the race card, your boy moshulu did, you need to read the entire blog slowly. I do not care what smitty is makes no difference to me. What I was pointing out, Einstein was saying the McConnell was a Klansman was akin to saying Obama was a Muslim which he is not. How appropriate your use of a oral fixation reference wonder what Freud would say about that? Burning crosses, really you have been watching TV way to much, your tired, take your meds now and go to sleep.

.... simpleton, Einstein, "...wonder what Freud would say about that?, you ask. First, I have no idea what Freud would say about that, about what, Celtic.? I'm neither a homophobe, nor a racist. You, on the other hand... we'll I'll leave you to wrestle with your own racial and sexual proclivities. As to burning crosses, you have no idea. I'm 67 years old and I've actually seen them burning, the first was in front of the Junior High School I attended, way back in 1958. And it wasn't in Alabama, or Georgia, or Mississippi. etc.. it was in Southern California just outside of Los Angeles. I was also there, in Watts, during both the first and the second riots. I've been arrested for "driving while black", refused services at a Kress' lunch counter, a Denny' and more. I've served in racist outfit, commanded by a racist CO. I know what people like you smell like, Celtic. What they think, and how. I can feel it in what you've written, what you've said, and what you haven't said. But, I know what it means to be magnanimous. If you were saying that you don't believe President Obama is a Muslim, I guess I was too much of a "simpleton" to get it; and, for that, I am more than willing to stand corrected. But, and you can take this to your next meeting of the Klavern, Smitty isn't "my boy", nor is he yours. Not anymore! Those days are over, Celtic! Boys like me have earned the right, as citizens of this great country, to be called men, just like the likes of you. And, one of us, at least, has earned the right to called President of the United States of America, whether you and those like you, like or not!

You mean stuff that was approved by Congress, which even has a GOP majority in the house?

The president doesn't spend. That's the job of Congress. Learn how the government works.

Don't know for sure. Ask W. Bush, it was raised 18 times when he was president without a whimper. Then again, repubs ran congress from 2000 to 2006. Or you can ask Reagan, it was raised 24 times when he was president. Oh, he's dead. Can't ask him

President May Sign or Veto Any or All of the Appropriations Bills, so Herron whats your point

vik. How many spending bulls by the GOP did Bush veto from 2001-2006. Hint. You don't need even one finger to count them!

Freedom why do Liberals live in the past? What do you want to do NOW just ignore the present and it might go away?

And viknat why do republicans believe that beliefs trump facts?

Just because we are smart enough to remember the past doesn't mean we live in it.

I do know that the same people who lied us to the Iraq war are still lying to you daily. Me I am smart enough to not believe proven liars, but you not so sure about.

Herron, It is funny how all the liberals blame bush for the war (and have no clue as to why he did it) and the deficits and debt that was accumalated under his presidency. You completely and convientiently forget to mention that Bush had a democtatic controlled house and senate!! But when Obama spends trillions more than is taken in the liberals blame the congress? Why is it bush and not Obma? More liberal deception and lies i guess! The housing crises with ultra liberal barnie franks and chris dodd called Bush a raciest when he tried to shut them down. The anti american anti choice bloggers on here like "fiesty redhead" bitched and bitched about him then reality set in! Bush was right letting people that do not have jobs buy a house is stupid not raciest!!

Where are all of the people Fiesty and her crowd supported? Bankrupt, without a home and there credit trashed so bad they will NEVER own a home. Thanks fiesty for more uneducated unamerican BS!!

How do you think Greece and the rest of europe went down? Union, ultral liberal governments, early retirement with full pensions, (just look at california) excess government regulations and control and eventually as the socalist and strong central government got control by giving out more and more they are now bankrupt, riots in the streets.

But most important is they are hungry, homeless as never before. The middle class is gone, the poor are lost and the job creators have there hands tied behing there back and for the most part moved out! There money is now in the US and China!

Liberals are only in it for what they can get! Me Me Me , I am owed. The Rich do not contribute there share. They should give more because i need more!

This has never worked and never will! Wake up team Obama your team won a election filled with attack, hate and lies. The billion spent on mis leading the masses worked but your team has lost the game for the minorities (highest unemployment ever) the middle class (the redistribution effort will fail) and the poor! The very people you claim to be helping the reality is your policies are destroying them!

I don't know where you get your info Shawn, but the repubs controlled both houses of congress from 2000 to 2006

So what are you suggesting that we should have let our people die in Iraq without the proper equipment after the republicans and faux lied our people into a ridiculous war?

Liberals are the ones who are willing to pay more taxes for the good of all Americans. Oh I get it you still believe the lies that only republicans work and have jobs.

You have reason to be upset as 53% of the people voted for President Obama and no longer believe the republicans lies you so easily repeat here.

And the highest unemployment ever? Gee, I wonder if it has anything to do with the economics meltdown the republicans caused just 4 years ago with a recession?

Vote for any republican at your own peril.

Which idiot said the president doesn't spend? Ever hear of executive orders?

Recessions are not "caused" by Presidents. They are a normal part of the economic cycle. We have had 10 recessions since WWII, about one every 7 years. Just as the breaking of the equity bubble when Clinton was President triggered a recession that Bush2 was left to deal with, it was the breaking of the housing bubble that triggered the recession that Obama "inherited", and there is enough blame to go around in both parties for the housing bubble. But those recessions would have occurred at some point anyway. That is how economies operate. They get overinflated and then correct. Only a fool thinks that recessions can be avoided.

Great big Oil subsidies for the rich and all that stuff.

Grandpa, show me what exactly are Oil subsides? Where in the tax code do oil companies get something that any other business doesn't get. Stop watching MSNBC and wise up.

Pure and simple - federal government spending is out of control. I am a deparment of defense manager and ours has become a culture of waste and fluff. General Officers, Senior Civilian Leaders, and 90% of federal employees do not care about our nation, our nation's fiscal problems, or the American taxpayer. We invent work that has no value to keep people employed at an average salary and benefit package of $156,000. Federal service has become nothing more than "upper middle class welfare". We need to reduce the federal workforce by 80% and eliminate all federal contractors performing white collar work. As federal employees we have become a virus that needs to be cured through deep cuts in federal employment. All federal employees who read this know that I am right!

Did Gregory (Mr. Lincoln's valet) show him is 'high capacity" magazine?

ZipcodeUSA that's the most intelligent post I've seen here!

america first,a little correction,as most of us are painfully aware,the housing bubble bursting caused the recession.The glass/stegal act,a clinton pet project was the total cause of that.Do a little research.The economy is presently in ruins,no action is necessary to make it worse.Without intervention,it will continue the downward spiral.Reducing spending(living on what you take in)does not equal austerity.Only people who spend /benefit from confiscated money would believe that was true.

American 1st your name should be Russia 1st!!! Thanks for more liberal mis information. The Austerity was pushed because Greece was broke and nobody would lend them more money!! Austerity means cut backs and balanced budgets!

Greece unlike the US is part of the euro zone and does not have the ability to devalue its currency by printing more and more like Obama does on a daily basis. Want to know why everything cost more? Obama has printed trillions of dollars (based on nothing) which causes the value of the dollar to fall, it then takes more dollars to buy commodities.

As a liberal i know you do not understand but i suggest you get real and learn the truth or you and your kind will do more damage to the poor, retired and middle class than anytime in history! While you are listening to Obama telling us that this is who he wants to help!

golly gee, Obama did all that, I thought the Fed controlled the money supply, and Congress approves all spending. I guess they left all these other powers out of my Presidency class in college

Hey PRINT MONEY your the total idiot that needs a refresher course in history. The Glass/Stegal Act was a 1933 Law that prevents banks and inventment houses from functional overlap. Before Clinton was even born so I'm just guessing that he wasn't responsible for the bill. The Glass/Stegal Act was effectively dead in the 60's when banks started to merge with investment houses while the Fed Govt looked the other way. Clinton's administration just officially killed the Act that was already dead and ineffective. What did have to do with the housing bubble bursting was weakened state of banking regulations being enforced brought on by guess who ...... George Bush the real culprit behind this 5+ year recession: how did Bush manage that ? He stripped hundreds of operatives from the SEC just like he did for the Customs Dept in his brilliant effort for cost savings masked by the fact that he wanted those areas of enforcement weakened intentionally for his own greedy purposes. You know, the same guy that saved the billionaires 2.8 TRILLON dollars in taxes, waged 2 wars costing 1.4 TRILLION dollars, gifted the pharma industry a bonanza of 3.3 TRILLION in Medicare and Medicaid costs at tax payer expense: 7.5 TRILLION on just 4 genius ideas of BUSH. His watch is responsible for way over 12 TRILLION dollars of debt and until we stop the war in Afgahanistan, the meter is still running. Stop blaming Obama for the sins of the past !

"The glass/stegal act,a clinton pet project was the total cause of that.Do a little research.."

pffft, the republican congress jumped for joy about glass/stegal, so why don't you a little research. As for the housing market, it was Bush's policy to create an "ownership society". Don't worry folks, you don't have to buy a small starter home. You can buy a huge house, don't worry about a large downpayment, I will use taxpayer money to help subsidize that large downpayment, and I'll give fannie and freddie 400 billion dollars so they can purchase as many bad loans as needed. Great job Dumbya.

Americans First - I don't even have a response for that post.....it's obvious that you seriously need to find a clue somewhere..

You would have more credibility if you have just blamed Bush for Greece's issues.

Theresa 532036. I usually comment on the issues and not the individual but in your case I will make an exception. I can only hope that one day you will realize that giving this guy a second term is akin to sending natural gas to hitler. Before you condemn people while calling yourself a liberal, oh I forgot you like to be call progressives now, you should remember that the architect of so-called 'progressive thought and governance' was Karl Marx. Wake up comrade and smell the socialism!

Strict adherence to the US constitution. Then they should be fighting warantless search and seizure laws, asset forfeiture laws, the drug war, the Patriot act and all other civil liberties limiting bills the religious right republicans want to pronounce on us subjects

Yeah Harleyguyvet, just proves the country is full of dumbazzez that believed everything that there Dear Leader spewed at them. Sucks to be the USA these days.

Can I buy a vowel? How about 3 of the missing letters?

Product of the Obama educational system.

Have you ever listened to Obama speak? Everybody is wrong, unfair and he is going to change that!!

The man will turn us into greece if you do not wake up! meaning everybody will be worse off!!

Obama is not a revolutionary, he is extremely conventional

He's from Kentucky.

Boner has now shown he is unqualified and unable to negotiate ANYTHING with the Senate or WH.

He can't even negotiate with his own spoiled TP dingbats!