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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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1/2/2013 Daily Ticker: “The Republicans may not have gotten everything they wanted out of the Fiscal Cliff deal, but they got almost everything.
And when it comes to the broader fiscal battle, the Republicans are winning: The federal government's tax revenues are at the lowest level as a percent of GDP in the past several decades. The Republicans, in other words, are well on their way to starving the beast.”
Now that 99.3% of the Bush tax cuts have been made "permanent", Obama has lost any leverage for furthur tax increases. Polls show that 75% of the public want additional spending cuts to help solve the deficit problem. Republicans will continue to cut back spending and eventually Obama will be forced to agree to the changes necessary to keep Medicare and Social Security solvent.
So, the writers for the Daily Ticker are drunks? Or are they just from another planet?
Let's recap the last couple months. The GOP LOST: the Wh, seats in the Senate, 10 tea stains in the House, their attempt to crash the fiscal cliff deal, and their sanity! They are running around like chickens with their heads cut off right now!
Except for the 2010-2011 Congress, Republicans now hold more seats in the House of Representative than at any time since the 1947-48 Congress. Democrats have not been so weak in the House in 65 years.
Let’s check out how Obama was able to do on his campaign promise to raise taxes on the top 2%. Did the legislation he signed into law by auto-pen raise taxes on the top 2%?? No it did not! Well then maybe he raised taxes on the top 1%?? Not exactly! It turns out that taxes have been raised on only those with the top 0.7% of incomes and then not fully back to the Clinton era rates. Even billionaires are getting a tax cut. But why should anyone be surprised at Obama's failure to fulfill another campaign promise since we all know that Obama is "math challenged". I'm sure Pelosi called Obama in Hawaii and told him to just sign the bill; he could read it and find out what was in it when he returned from vacation. Then he could have Timmy present to explain everything to him. What a hoot!
Republicans have been trying to get the Bust tax cuts made "permanent" for 12 years. Obama just gave them the victory of getting 99.3% of them made "permanent".
If the gop has a spending problem,why do we still give them money?
I'd slap that silly S-hit eating grin off Eric Cantor's face in less than 5 seconds if given the chance.
Now it's time to cut everything, except our military to the bone!!!
We could cut 50% of military spending and still spend more than any other country on the planet.
Why do you want to protect it? Are you also afraid of your own shadow?
You may be correct but prove you are serious about reducing the deficit, before any military cuts!!!
progressives are notorious liars!!!!
Don't raise the debt limit. Let the US go bankrupt. Better to make the people who caused the problem (people alive today) suffer than to make those who are innocent (future generations) suffer the consequences. Obama will never act responsibly... he is a tax, borrow and spend radical leftist. Giving him any additional revenue will just feed the beast... better to bankrupt the country now than later.
You don't know what the debt limit is. That's clear. And you know that between Reagan and GW, it was raised over 30 times, right?
The debt limit is for MONEY ALREADY SPENT.
You are proposing that YOU refuse to pay your own CC Bill, for that new flatscreen on the wall!
Living in the past, yet again...so sad.
Herron, please explain our President's now-famous quote about the debt ceiling and why he voted against raising it as a Senator?
mike, it passed back then. Between Reagan and GW, it passed THIRTY times!
The debt limit will be increase but only if there is a balanced budget!!! If the debt will only increase if it is not balanced. Herron this is 101 stuff that any (responsible ) person understands!!
I believe Obama stated that the high debt ceiling and raising it was unamerican? More Obama lies!
Hey Herron, please just ANSWER the question I asked. No need to try to spin it. Simply explain Obama's stance as a Senator and why he feels differently now.
Herron, It is you who have no clue what the debt limit is. I do not say the US should not pay the debt it has already incurred... I say do not authorize additional borrowing. We have already borrowed and squandered up to the already authorized debt limit... Obama wants to borrow more money to spend. I would be willing to increase the debt limit a little to dampen the shock of suddenly living within our means. However, Obama is unwilling to make any cuts in the programs that must be cut... he only wants to increase taxed and borrow more money. So Obama must be forced to deal with reality... no increase in debt limit... will require immediate, significant and real cuts in spending. Once that happens then maybe, just maybe, I'll support additional borrowing in order to soften the transition to a sustainable economy.
"The debt limit is MONEY ALREADY Spent."
Please, someone help me here if I'm missing something, but isn't the relevant point what will be paid for if the debt limit isn't raised? Amount owed for "money already spent" is the interest on the debt and bills for goods and services already delivered / consumed, so these debts must be honored in full on a pay-as-you-go basis (and as I understand it, cash flow from government receipts will cover interest payments plus some). Then, whatever funds are still left on a pay-as-you-go basis would be used for "new spending" - anything to be purchased or funds to be distributed by the government going forward.
Herron, waiting...
Just dont cut my VA pension and healthcare,other than that,,bring it on,,lmao
Here is another thought,no more OFFSHORE ACCOUNTS, YOU PAY TAX ON THE MONEY BEFORE SENDING IT THERE at 50% tax rate,if you have enough to send offshore then my uncle needs 1/2 of it!
depending on what state you live in you already do pay 50%.
Do you realize that the money made in the US is subjuct to tax? Before it is sent offshore!
The reason some send the money offshore is because the rate of return is so much greater. Take the cayman Islands that the left always talks about. The bank of Cayman pays around 12% interest vs a US bank paying 1.5-2.5% (because Obama artifically is holding down interest rates) .
Now who is smarter the person who keeps his money in the bank of cayman or someone who keeps it in Chase? This is why the rich are richer, they are always looking for alternativies somthin better. The anti american left hates them for educating themselves and bettering there lifes!
Pubbies all screetch about too much spending but lack the guts to tell us exactly what they would cut. On the day in December that Boehner's Plan "B" failed in the 112th Congress, my sniveling little coward of a Congressman, Steve Southerland, appeared on CNN to smugly state "We have a spending problem, not a revenue problem." I promptly sent him an email to please specify what we should cut if we have a spending problem. The ONLY response I've gotten so far is a generic response to my email - but NO recommended spending cuts. The reason you can't get a conservative Republican to tell you what they would cut is because they lack the "cajones" to tell granny they want to shove her off the cliff by gutting social security and medicare.
No changes in te tax code! No surprise there. It was all Republicain drivel talk of getting rid of tax loopholes. Who wants to believe this guy.
Obama will never act responsibly...
Here is what a Responsible President acts like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufcSskWteiI&feature=related
PLEASE WATCH...only 15 Seconds !!!!
Well,ill tell you what I think needs done,,a real,house cleaning that's what
G brown,four more years,,haha hehe hoho
Obama will need to show he is willing to means test all cut all,raise the age limit on all,,,seems fair
The US economy is on track to lift off this year if the teabagger congress is pushed aside. Congressional teabaggers are the economic Al Qaida of our time and they are determined to slit America's fiscal throat to validate their far right ideology.
The ignorant libs are out in force this morning. I do not hear them saying anything about Buckwheat Barrys tax deal that allowed so many loopholes. It was written by a Democratic Senate and has Buckwheats signature. Is the A*&hole of Omaha Warren Buffet going to pay more taxes,? I do not think so. How about the Sandy bill written by the Senate? Tax breaks for Hollywood, big banks, NASCAR, and the 30+billion for community organizing all written in by Democrats. You people are so ignorant as to think Ried, Pelosi and Buckwheat are these upstanding folks looking out for the common man. Get a life folks, they are all crooks just in different parties. I know this may interfere with your thoughts of Buckwheat being the second coming but you will live through it. Just remember an honest politician has never come out of Chicago.
Really? It's over? We were hoping the GOP had finally taken the fork in the road that leads Congress to come together with the president and get something done!
Turtleman claims that his #1 goal right now is to make sure Obama is just a two term president. He failed in his "one term" goal from 4 years ago!
I am interested in knowing Obama's plan for spending cuts and deficit reduction?- where is his serious plan to address the 16.7 trillion dollar debt. ? SS will be insolvent by 2038, the Govt, borrowed 38 billion last year to fund it- The abyssal Debt to GDP ratio. 5.8 trillion of debt now owned by countries like China . You cannot solve this prolbem with tired rhetoric of the rich paying there "fair share" when those 2% already pay the majority of federal income taxes, 47% of you pay NO federal income tax now. Look I did not like GWB at all, he created a mess, BUT that was 4+ years ago, news flash your man is in charge now, where is his leadership on the fiscal well being of our country? I submit to you he has no interest in spending cuts at all. But his interest is in an ever expanding Federal Government
Obama's plans for spending cuts should be the same as Dick Cheney's....
"Deficits don't matter....don't worry about them"
Tell us, oh wise one, that $16.t debt. When did the US START on that $16t? (hint. You were not yet alive)
Guys your retort is the SOS- cannot change what happened. WHERE IS YOUR MAN'S PLAN? today, now 2013- your liberal motto is lean forward right?
So Herron, because our debt started years ago, we should now just look the other way and ignore it? Because a Republican added to the debt, we should just stand idly by and watch the complete destruction of our nation because "BUSH DID IT"????????????????????
Your insight into the problem is like that of a two year old child. You don't get YOUR way, so you want to blame someone else ALONE for all the problems. YES, BUSH DID IT! But what has your guy done to fix it? Using your twisted logic, maybe we should still be in Viet Nam because "Kennedy and Johnson did it!"
Maybe we shouldn't have income taxes at all because at one time we didn't have them. Maybe we shouldn't have a Dept. of Energy because at one time we didn't have one. Do you have any idea how foolish you sound constantly trotting out the mantra "Bush did it"?
Correction.... Reagan, Bush I and Bush II did it collectively
Regardless of affiliation the senator is right. We can't keep incresing our taxes and ignore excessive govt spending and abuse.
Why did the GOP like to borrow and spend so much under GW? We'll be paying that off for decades!
Once again I ask, Herron--what have the Democrats done to change things? Or are they merely going to continue to do what we as a country have always done, and use the old excuse "Bush did it" to justify their own ineptness? Seems like that is NO way to change anything if you merely go along with the status quo and then denigrate anyone who makes a suggestion to do something differently.
He will not answer because he cannot it is the same old blame Bush- that should carry liberals till 2016 I guess.
Herron,
You said we will be paying off the Bush deficits for years. The problem is that rather than paying it off or any of the defict from the previous years, the deficts are increasing. The accumulated deficits are the debt and it keeps increasing. And it increases not only in absolute terms but also in proportion to the total economy (as a % of GDP).
We have to stabilize it.
Still Bush's fault. Your Rethugliican arguments are feeble at best.
The only way to fix this mess is comprehensive tax reform. Howard Dean has never been right about much, but he is completely correct on this one issue. If you look at the successful European states that provide the social support and programs that the changing demographics and Americans are beginning to demand and are voting for: Healthcare, retirement, extended unemployment, etc., you find that most all have a very comprehensive and progressive tax system. Howard says "If we want to be honest, we know that everyone's taxes must go up".
This would include some type of national sales tax or VAT system and as said by others, a very progressive system of higher rates for the wealthier wage earners. Even this will not be enough and we know that the European states also rely on the US for some of their defense through NATO to defray their costs. This will have to end and we will have to reduce military spending and foreign aid with the corresponding reduction in global influence. I remind you that the sun never set on the British Empire of old; but now it does. The United States will be no different.
Other possibilities include: Wall Street which cannot be allowed to escape financial transaction taxes as they do now. We will also need a system of tariffs to raise additional revenues and to protect what little manufacturing is left in this country. Unchecked globalization promoted by the oligarchy has reduced wages and with that, reduced the hopes of the people and even the desire to go to work which places additional burdens on government finances. However, this is not going to provide many jobs or a rise in per capita income with an ever increasing number of immigrants entering the country. So even progressives will have to seriously consider immigration reform to control the inflow of social service recipients. The main result will be shortages on store shelves and a proliferation of the EBay "Black Market" which will also be heavily taxed to raise revenue and keep a level playing field for the remaining local merchants. Amazon would do well to examine that end of the market as the public capital generally available to buy new items will decline.
I think when future historians contemplate and analyze the decline of the American empire, they will decide that it was much better and less painful to be a collective society and progress to capitalism vis-a-vie China; then the other way around-with declining wages, an increasing tax structure and a declining standard of living.
The tea Taliban will be totally extinct bye 2018.
Now, we can pay down the debt when the economy takes off,works for me.
Ha, Ha, Ha..... Obama just stuck it to all the libs. Too funny. I realize the libs don't really understand this as it involves math, but people making under $400.000.00 got a higher percentage increase in their taxes than the rich. The mega-rich, Pelosi, Reid, Obama,Gates, Buffet, and the man you all hated most, Romney, were all untouched and even got more breaks! By the end of the year, your welfare checks won't be worth the paper they are printed on. Ha, Ha, Ha. Libs are so incredibly stupid. Your leader is a liar and you are going to pay. Ha, Ha, Ha. Too bad we can't outlaw stupidity, but then all libs would be outlawed. What a bunch of losers. Dumb and dumber. At least you are going to pay for being so ignorant.
You would know about dumb,,,,loser
Now go back to your tea aggregator ways
Is that really the best you can do? Yes, I guess it is which is why you are a lib.
Don't cut mine. But I'm fine with all other program cus,,,haha hehe hogo
As the Tea Partier once said, "Government, Keep Your Hands Off My Medicare!!!"
Hilarious, these do-nothings.
You know if you do your research you'll find the Republican Party can brag about having some great leaders in the last 150 years or so.
Mitch McConnell, John Boehner and Eric Cantor won't ever be considered in that list. They will however be listed near the the top of the all time Republican Knucklebrain list.
There's two people that can save the Republican Party, Jeb Bush and Chris Christie. But let's be honest, with the Tea Partiers still running amok, it may be too late.
Very very true
I saw the future and the GOP/Tea Taliban where not in it,,
Can Turtleman McConnell please tell us about the "full faith and credit" clause in the 14th amendment, or like most neo-cons, did he never read past the 2nd?
Time to take the shell off the turtle man