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Subscribe to RSSSenate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Sunday that Republicans will not support more revenue-raising measures in future fights over the nation's deficit, saying that President Barack Obama should lead on addressing spending cuts alone.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell talks about the GOP's desired policy changes in negotiations with President Barack Obama over the debt ceiling.
"That's over," McConnell said on NBC's Meet the Press when asked about possible new streams of revenue through taxes or tax code reforms.
"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 helped broker an eleventh-hour deal to avert the fiscal cliff last week, a bill that included the expiration of Bush-era tax rates for some of the wealthiest Americans. On Sunday, McConnell defended that deal, opposed by many House Republicans despite an overwhelming bipartisan deal in the Senate.
"Look, this was not a tax increase," he said of the fiscal cliff agreement. "It was not the kind of complete deal we'd like because we want to cut spending but we did stabilize taxes. The tax issue's behind us."
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.
"I know what your question is," he told host David Gregory. "What I'm telling you is I have not given up on the president stepping up to the plate and tackling the biggest issue confronting the country.
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One of the nation's major "spending" problems is the federal expenditures that go to states in excess of the dollars those states contribute to the federal government.
So if McConnell was "sincere and honest" [I know, a big stretch] he should have no problem with cutting federal subsidies that go to Kentucky. Shut down Fort Campbell and all other federal projects that expend dollars in any state that does not contribute equal revenue to the federal government. If the GOP leadership demands that we start "paying our own way" then I suggest that they agree to put up or shut up. That goes for the cut off of all excess federal spending to states that do not provide an equal amount of federal revenue to the amount of federal expenditures in the state. Sen. Lindsey Graham, Sen. Jeff Sessions and all the others demanding "fiscal responsibility" should have no objection to closing down all federal facilities in their home states until those states pay their own way.
My money is sheltered, my income is secure, and this government isn't going to see an extra dime from me for at least the next four years. I love our tax system, a couple of good tax lawyers working around loopholes large enough to drive a tractor trailor through that Obama left in place because he just had to get those tax rates raised and win the argument. Thank God we have a President that still has no clue about how to turn a dollar!!!
@ Daniel streibig... Ypu're simply taking advantage of the loopholes in the tax laws as they're written... There is nothing wrong with that... The politicians should do a better job of writing the laws or stop accepting bribes to include massive loopholes in the tax laws... You claim that the President can't turn a dollar and other people accuse him of spending money like a drunken sailors... In the very near future, the Democrats will close those Republican created loopholes tighter than a gnat's arse...
You will also Whine about that .
Daniel is also one of the biggest BSer's on Newsvine
The Republican party has be been divided, conquered and split into three groups, the mainstream Republicans, the tea party corporate slaves and those wacky neo-con chicken hawks... The mainstream Republicans would be smart to pit the neo-con chicken hawks against the tea party corporate slaves and allow them to destroy each other... Only then will the Republican party become acceptable to moderate Americans...
I think that is why the president , You know President Obama , told them . There would be NO Bargaining . They spent that money . Let them Pay for it . Yes , Repubs , that includes the money you spent between 2000 and 2006 . pay up bitches its only 2 wars and a drug program .
They will keep wanting to cut ssi and medicare though
McConnell should know, representing his state which is the 3rd poorest in the US, while himself getting 18 million dollars in subsidised Tobacco $$ last year. Voting down the 4 big car factories by telling his state they didn't need those jobs and voting to raise taxes on small businesses under 200 employees.
However what the heck, South Carolina and Georgia got the car plants and about 20 thousand jobs. I am sure glad Kentucky is one of the biggest drains on the Welfare system next to Mississippi and McConnell is so proud of his creation I am sure.
"McConnell .................."I know what your question is," he told host David Gregory. "What I'm telling you is I have not given up on the president stepping up to the plate and tackling the biggest issue confronting the country."
LOL, he actually said that...... I hope President Obama said "You've been working on making the Republican Party more irrelevant, so yes Mitch I will help you out on this one". ROFLMAO!!!
What ? Congress should be held , RESpONSIBLE , nah cannot be doing that .
Time for that arrogant a$$ in the white house to cut spending, dont care where or how, just do it.
his tax breaks with a $75 billion spending package in the fiscal cliff deal was passed, now the ball is in his court.
Sorry, againt....
The arrogant ass LOST the election. We have a great president in the White House.
Honestly , If we as a nation do not pay our bills , Then we are GREECE . Much as some people keep wanting US to be . our Congress Spent that money , Its gone Poof in the wind . Avoid the double dip recession , and PAY our bills . Its only hard in Conservative ville . OR We could Default like this person wants US to do .
AgaintTheGrains Anyway DO please provide an example of Success from cutting spending during a FOOKING recession
Just one .
@TN
Are you saying that families dont cut back on spending to get through tough times?
i know i do, i also know people that dont care and spend money on their credit cards. that is money they dont have.
also, i thought obama says we are out of the recession, all the talk is about going BACK into a recession.
But any way you can provide NO historical proof of your self ? Good to know. Forget you and a Repub just like you .
yea, like the democrats are the ones wanting to pay the bills...lmfao
Put you FA back on, you look ridiculous.
double post
so you have NO Idea ? Thats your super dooper response ?
AgaintTheGrains Anyway DO please provide an example of Success from cutting spending during a FOOKING recession. Hell provide us an example of republicans be ing conservative .
cant provide any examples, because not one president has totally cut out spending to reduce the nations debt.
but whats your response to the typical family going through tough times..should that family spend their last dollars to get out of the whole?
We provide these things called "unemployment " EBT Aid to familys . NOT sure of your point . I do know getting EBT " food stamps " takes about 3 weeks . I drew assistance once , for 2 weeks .
My response is remove a repub from service , They serve no good service .
ok, but even with that aid to families. its still not enough. you know unemployment is only a % of your weekly pay. not the full amount..and foodstamps can only be used for food....still dont answer the question.....does this family spend their last dollars to make it?
Waiting .
listen TN, im not going to spend hours on here debating this with you. fact is we are divided as to how the government spends money and governs.
myself, i know that dems and progressives are all about spending my tax-dollar on trying to better the lives of others.
they would rather send our nations debt into an area that cannot be paid. i myself do not look forward to some kind of foreign government takeover because we didnt pay our debts.
but that is a much bigger picture. im not a bible thumping christian and nowadays the secular world is even talking of new world order. that is what this is all about.
You sir may call me carpenter Tn is where i was raised and born .I will call YOU , Besides silly , MR AG
Againt....
You must eat a lot of cheese with all that whine!
I sir AG do not get paid by the week , hour , or second. I get paid by the job . I live in a nice part of the world . I get paid to do work most of you fools could not/would not do . You sir are Easy .
from your typical progressive response of insults you know my statement to be true.
sprinkle it with sugar,paint it a different color or just hide it. its doesnt really matter. people know whats going on in this country.
your new world order will not happen, too many people see it.
for a man who used to suck off the tax-payer nipple, i doubt you have very much of a life .
i dont understand your rant , so again AG Sir MR AG . Pls do provide us an example of when REPUB stuff won the day . I thought it quite simple .
This "Fiscal Cliff" is in reality a huge Government Failure by leaders in both parties who will raise the debt ceiling to over $20 trillion along with higher taxes for most Americans in some form or another. They want and need the revenue to continue their out of control spending which has been for decades.
We're broke with unpayable debt and still creating money out of thin air because this financially fatal Ponzi scheme would come an abrupt halt if the debt ceiling was ever frozen and the spending continued. We're the only nation who can continue to create fiat currency and get away with it but only for so long.
The faith and credit of our currency is quickly fading as the debt grows with payments towards the interest only and none to the principle.
More of our creditors are turning other hard assets and away from purchasing our debt (treasury bonds). That leaves us creating and spending money and buying back our own debt which is a scam that already is leading to a total collapse of our currency. It's just a matter of time.
Wut ? Hmm , The fiscal cliff ended last week sir Repubs LOST
The "Fiscal Cliff" bs isn't over yet, there's still more Kabuki Theater and drama to be played out. The actors in both parties are still negotiating (hiding) behind closed doors while people like you still spout partisan bs as they pick our wallets picked clean and laugh all the way.
you progressives use that word alot. does that mean obama won?
how is it possible to blame bush into obama's second term? should the next president blame bush? and the presidents after that? will obama ever take responsibly for the bad, instead of just the good?
When Bush's mess is finally cleaned up and paid for, then and only then, will he not be responsible.
Have you stopped blaming Hitler for the Holocaust?
dont give a damn about hitler, i dont sit and hold on to the past. i look at my future and hitler isnt in it.
Nice deflection....typical Republican tactic.
You keep electing these neo-cons and hitler will be in it.
negative Chad the cliff stuff is done . NOW we are gonna find out if the Congress is gonna pay their bills or not . There is no reason to have this debate .
but Tn, you still havent answered my question.
hell google it if you need to.
should a family even collecting government aid spend their last dollars to get out of the hole?
carpenter, you really have no clue about anything, nothing is ever done in politics.
Wait MR AG wants to hold the country hostage some more LMAO
What you had a question ? Feel free to ask it again .
just as i thought, you have nothing.
you never will, you sling your hammer when you can and collect unemployment the remaining time your not working.
your just the typical bum with nothing.
we are done!!
now take your new world order and shove it up obama's arse.
What was your question Sir ? LMAO I know it was not if you want to see me personally . What was your question ? PLs do go back and copy/paste .
MR AG is an internet BAD AZZ
Aww Poor Mr AG Got MAD What WAS your Question ?
What was your Question/???????? MR AG sir ?
The Republicans should not fight the debt ceiling. Although our deficit continues to grow, the debt ceiling is simply the authorization to pay for past Congressional spending. The Republicans should focus on spending cuts and hold firm against any revenue increases until President Obama gets serious about tax reform.
President Obama seems willing to grow the social "safety net", but unwilling to repair the revenue net.
Now that the Left got its Tax increase ... The Economy should be rolling! If not ...who will the Left blame next?
ccording to the Left ...the problem was the wealthy..they were not paying their fair share....Now what?
Now wait a minute, Mr. McCon-artist! We are looking for a rate on top earners of 91%. If it was good enough for Ike it should be good enough for you.
When ever you get spending rates to where Ike had it ...lets do it...
You cant just "Cherry Pick"......
You're correct. Let's start with loping off about 2/3rds of the defense budget and proceed from there. Remember Ike warned us about the military-industrial complex. He had all the answers; I think he was really a Democrat at heart.
John... I am ok with that . I agree. We are not fighting two wars anymore...That is a good place to start.
I have a cousin in with the Navy Seals(Intel) ...He made a verry good point of that over the Christmas Holiday. I have to admit I was very surprised. He really likes Obama the way he goes after the Terrorist. He mentions that the President goes after the Terrorist like no other President before him. Very good to know.....
On another note and another subject ....He mentioned that he saw the Bengazie Intel the day after the Attack...He said the President and the Administration intentionally lied to the American Public about the Incident. That said... he did not care ..because he works with the SEALS and not the American Public. Interesting......On both subjects.
It is tough to argue with the Vavy Seal Organization... They seemto have a little more inside knowledge than us regular folk
Sorry about typos..could not get them corrected in time....
The fact is we can not afford an empire anymore. China and the eastern rim has stolen our economic thunder. We must use all our resources to rebuild the infrastructure in this country (roads, bridges, wind turbines, solar panels on buildings, etc.) this would create jobs and put money into the hands of the 47%. Then we might compete economically again. Bring all troops home especially those in Japan, Germany, South Korea et al.
John.. I agree..to a certain extent...But where we disagree is this.... A lot of the 47 percent want to keep holding onto their Handouts.....Therefore our Governmental spending is increased. Obama ran a campaign on protecting the 47 percent ...he wanted them to rely on him ...he wanted the votes. I am good with taking care of the people that need to be taken care of... I do not agree taking care of people who can take care of themselves. You know to keep world order ...all the troops can not come home ... We are the World police...we have to to enforce our Philosophy and beliefs and to protect our Country. That is reality...even during Peace time. Think how rampant Al-queda and other enemies of the United Staes would be ...if we did not have a presence through out the world.
That is a prejudiced (as in pre-judging) generalization. I'm sure if there were good paying jobs with benefits ( not Staples or Dollarama) available, such as restoring the nations infrastructure, the bulk of those receiving "welfare" would opt to take those jobs. Why should we be the world police? Who are we policing against? The Cold War is over. Let's concentrate on rebuilding our nation.
John..what you are stating is not reality... It happened and continues to happen..Whats wrong with Staples and Dollarrama?..Get off your ass and go to work(Not you of course) but the others we are talking about who are taking advantage of hard earned income and becoming a burden to our society unecessarily. That is not what the programs were set up to do. I can tell you I know many people (More than a few)...may have been laid off during the Recession ..making a good buck($50,000 or more with benefits)... many have come back from interviews and job offers that may offer only $40,000 with 80 percent of the benefits...and they turn the job down and continue to live off the Government. That is a fact and a reality....The only way to stop that is to get rid of some of those types of spending and benefits.
We need to cut spending to the programs that promote a willingness to let the Government take care of the people who do not need it.
Like it or not ..we are the World Police...We are the influence and the World Power...with that comes responsibility. That will not change ..Republican or Democrat. We live our life today the way we do for those reasons... That is why we are so thankful for the Job and time put in by the men and women in the Service.
That is called anecdotal evidence. Statistically, the good paying middle class jobs have been off-shored to low wage third world nations (by the one-percenters). The fact that the only jobs available at this point are at Staples and Dollarama (low wage, no benefits, no future) is why this country is racing to the bottom. China has stolen our economic thunder, do you think our military power is far behind? Look at Great Britain. They were the sole superpower once, then we stole their economic thunder. It's deja vu all over again.
John ...we are not outsourcing all of our good jobs....Honestly the Election is over . Have they (Big Companies outsourced jobs ..yes.... Is that the reason why our Unemployment is as high as it is ...The answer is ..No. Democrats outsource jobs as well Republicans....That is a different issue and not the main concern...it is the Public Spending on people who do not need it..,.and that is where we need to cut. You are kind of going back and forth on the Military... I thought the President made a good point in the Debate ...that we need some funding to be cut ...Of course it was Politicized ...but the fact is true ...Which again .. I was surprised.
Again cutting the Military is cutting Governmental Jobs....
Somebody has to do the jobs at Staples and Dollarama...maybe those jobs will be gone soon also...We need all sorts of jobs. Again it is not Utopia society where there only be high paying full benefit jobs...it is not reality...
You will find good paying Middle Class jobs when Manufacturing is increased and Free Market is stimulated again...There are more jobs there then the Outsourced jobs...
Why can't we strive for utopia? Why do we have to race to the bottom? As of 2011 discretionary non-defense spending (which includes food stamps, dept of health and human services, dept of education, EPA but does not include social security and medicare) accounted for 10.3% of the total federal budget. So even if we got rid of Obama phones and food stamps we would still be a massive debt hole.
John... .Your heart is in the right place... Utopia does not exist ...because it is unattainable. You just can not have all good paying jobs with good benefits... This country would be vulnerable to other countries that would bring their goods and Sevices in at a much cheaper price. We would not be competative with other Countries while trying to export . It is just not reality and it is not how the Economy works.
We need Staples ..Dollarama...and to get people off the backs of the American work force that can take care of themselves. Obama does not want to address these cuts because it will cut into his voting base ..The 47 percent. Just like the Right did not want to address Tax increases because it will cut into their base. Just like any company that is operating in the Red ..we have to cut the Dead weight ....Those people that I described are Dead weight. Not the Seniors,the sick, the poor...They need to be taken care of by Society and Government . Yes we have to reform Social Security or it will not be there for us . The Baby Boomers are retiring and are poised to dry up all of the benefits.
Of course it is unobtainable. However, in the striving that is where we show our true character. Not just settling for our imperfections. Again,instead of racing to the bottom let's try to pull everyone up. Fair trade not free trade. Demand that third world nations pay their workers a living wage. Create those good paying infrastructure jobs here. Private industry will never begin this so the government will have to get the ball rolling. Use the money we now spend on defense to defend our standard of living not be the policeman of the world. Staples and Dollarama jobs suck (except maybe for teens) . Raise the minimum wage, universal healthcare. And that is just for starters!
John...There is a lot to agree with. I think we will agree to disagree a little on how to get there ....Take care... I am sure we will debate again on a different thread...