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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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Neoconservatism is a branch of American conservatism that includes endorsement of political individualism, free markets and the assertive promotion of democracy and United States national interest in international affairs including by military means.
The Tea Party movement is an American political movement that advocates strict adherence to the United States Constitution, reducing U.S. government spending and taxes, and reduction of the U.S. national debt and federal budget deficit.
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!
Soon the GOP will run out of angry white men to become irrelevant in US Politics...good riddance.
True. Lamo
You can't lead people when you are a stuttering idiot who constantly rails about the evil rich, and has not had a logical thought for the last four years.
Yet he kicked all of you logical conservatives' asses didn't he?
The Republican/Tea Bagger party will be irrelevant in less than six years. Bet on it.
I'm ashamed to say that I live in KY and have this idiot representing me....I voted for someone else, but he still got elected back in...
That being said, they won't balance the budget on spending cuts alone, and cutting programs will only cut their own throats, because people won't vote for idiots who only want to cut domestic programs while giving their rich buddies tax breaks and subsidies...maybe one day they'll figure it out...
Me too Taz! I scared the hell out of my cat this morning screaming at the TV running around with my hair on fire!! This idiot has no clue what his people in Kentucky want nor does he care. He is so wrapped up in his little DC kingdom of power and has no intention of trying to solve this countries problems. If only he'd had some balls to say "no we won't use the debt ceiling to hold the country economy hostage" I might have almost respected him--OK I lie!!!! but when will he EVER do the right thing for this country???? He's a slimy weasel that needs to be replaced in 2014 and I personally will work to help make that happen!! I have hated very few people in my life but he's on my top 5 list!!!! (and that's an earned place) He hears from me on a weekly basis and I scream at my mail!! He gives me heart palpitations!!!!!
Well there is hope for KY after all,,lmao
What did anyone expect from the man who led the charge to allow unlimited corporate donations to political campaigns.
Well, ol' McDroopie can say what he wants, but if Harry finds some backbone to rein in the filibuster bullsh!t, then the Grand Obstructionis Poopies in the Senate might lose some of their teeth!
We've all had it "up to here" with brainless obstructionism masquerading as a "stand on principle". We've all had it "up to here" with the Tea Party thugs holding credit ratings hostage to their brainless WISH ECONOMICS.
We all agree that spending is going to get cut, so GOP let's get serious about how much and where. Do your job ... for a change!
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.
With almost all the Bush tax cuts now made "permanent", the focus will be on the House, not the Senate. Obama cannot spend a nickel on discretionary budget items without it being approved by the House of Representatives.
Gumby. They LOST 10 seats as of the 113th. Try to sober up.
Herron, do you have a reading comprehension deficiency?
"Except for the 2010-2011 Congress..........."
I always thought of KY as a bunch of no teeth,backwards rednecks making moonshine and @!$%#ting out degenerates like Mitch ,after inbreeding,,,
You're Spot on buddy.... Now put some "Deliverance" Banjo music on the Juke box and you're all the way there !!
No actually Mitch is trying to raise the caliber of Kentucky as a state. Its the many trailer-park citizens of Kentucky on entitlements because they don't want to work that make the state look bad. The backwoods degenerates you described are Democrats.
The tax fight will not be over until the elite pay their fair share!
What a hundred percent, while you pay nothing? Didn't they raise the tax rates numbnuts?
The tax rates for the rich are FAR lower than they were under Reagan. Let's go back to Ronny's rate!
No, let's go back to Eisenhower rates. Back in the 50s when this country supported the middle class instead of destroying it with voodoo economics.
Yes the middle class should all be on welfare...
The problem is our country has a president who refuses to negotiate. When Republicans hold their ground, he runs to the liberal media who has always been in his pocket and blabs on and on about the evil Reublicans who want to cut entitlements. Of course he is lying. Republicans want entitlement reforms and spending cuts because the current system is unsustainable. There is waste and fraud and the dems don't care. They just want their constituents happy so they continue to be re-elected. Our country has a spending problem, it takes in plenty of revenue in taxes. When Obama goes to the press instead of truly negotiating, he is setting up the Republicans to be blamed by an uninformed American public that is way to dependent on the liberal media for its information. The Republcans were in a no-win position.
Oh BS. The real problem is with right wing media like Dumb Fux news who keep their minions stupid and afraid, just like they like them.
I continued to be amazed how ther press ignores that the fiscal cliff bill and the Sandy Relief funds have so much pork in it!!! Sandy has more pork than relief!! If Christie would be standup and honest, he would speak out against the loading of pork and how the relief bills only provide 25% of the money for relief! The nation is in financila turmoil! The politicians are laoding up to pay back supporters who paid for Obama's re-election.
Ask yourself...why did Warren buffet receive tax credit incentives in the relief bill?? There are a lot more than that, but the liberal news refuses to cover it and continues to promote the overthrow of the government!!
You are not going to like the socialistic country that we are becoming.
Of course you won't see on the liberal channels like MSNBC about all the pork that is in the Sandy bill.
onefine--You probably didn't hear this, but the pork was removed from the House bill before Boehner decided not to bring it up. Not that you would care. Your post is full of paranoid nonsense such as the "liberal media" (Fox News?) promoting the overthrow of the government.
And republicans never pork out at the federal trough do they? Just like Dumb Fux news is fair and balanced.
It's absolutely stupifying to me that the so-called "leaders" of this band of lunatics and liars can't see what is right in front of their noses. I can't imagine anyone being that fixated on one battle cry, as to drown out all logical, sane indicators around them. We all see it -- even their own minions see it, but can't do anything about it, lest they be banished to the fringes of politics, or destroyed altogether by their one-track valiant "leaders". I'm actually embarrassed for these inept creatures . . . It would seem everybody gets the joke but them. But in the long run -- with 2014 fastly approaching -- that's a good thing.
Remeber all DITCH MITCH 2014, unless you can figure out a way to get rid of him sooner
Anyone who thinks we can get out of this mess without raising additional income and cutting spending (including defense) is mathematically challenged.
The country gets enough revenue in taxes. The country has a spending problem and from here on end, all focus should be on spending cuts. "Higher taxes never reduce the deficit. Governments spend whatever they take in and then whatever they can get away with". - Milton Friendman.
The Democrats will just spend more when tax revenues increase.
Just--Tell me precisely what cuts you would make. How much would you cut from what? What would be the impact of those cuts on the deficit? Unless you have an answer to those questions, you're simply spewing worthless talking points.
How about the republicans pay for their presrciption plan, the two wars they took off the books, and all the corporate goodies they give their masters? Then they can talk about going after spending on those Democratic programs like Social Security and Medicare.
Old Vet - and you cannot prove that raising taxes will help reduce the deficit, because it won't.
Just--Clinton raised taxes and we had a balanced budget. That's called proof. Beyond that, I also wrote that we had to cut spending and raise revenues. We have to do both.
I'm waiting for your response to my question. What cuts would you make? How much and from which programs? What impact will those cuts have on the deficit?
Old Vet, maybe raising taxes would help, but ONLY if spending is slashed also.
Care to explain why it costs MORE than double to operate our federal government today than it did 13 years ago? Taxes were most certainly NOT cut in half!
Old Vet
How about for starters, the recommendations in the Erskine-Bowles report, which Obama commissioned and then promptly ignored when the results of the commission were released?
Mike--I agree. We have to have a balanced approach. As to why it seems to cost more to operate the Federal government today than 13 years ago, first we're still paying for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, which were "off budget" during the Bush years. That is, they weren't part of the regular budget but paid for via supplemental appropriations. In addition, the Prescription Drug plan cost much more than estimated (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9328-2005Feb8.html). There is also inflation. In constant dollars, Federal expenditures have gone from 2,563.8 billion in 2005 to 3,126.5 billion in 2011.http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/taxfacts/displayafact.cfm?Docid=200
Just--You mean that commission on which Ryan sat and then refused to sign? You mean the one the Republicans, including McConnell, also rejected? Personally, I think Simpson-Bowles is a good place to start. You will note it calls for revenue increases as well as spending cuts, which has always been my position.
Dear Mitch... No, the tax fight is not over, and shouldn't be.
Turtleman Mitch is back in his shell right now and can't be disturbed.
As a moderate Democrat I'm concerned that since Republican President Ronald Reagan each party has adopted an unpaid for federal spending program without sufficient tax cuts, or too much tax cutting for least not for the wealthy (under Republican Administrations). It is time to reform Entitlement Spending and cut health care costs, cutting federal spending and bring out the federal deficit. I agree the time for tax policy changes is over for now. It's time for this Country to tackle excessive federal spending that isn't being paid for.
A bullet would do it,,maybe from a bush master. Probally a simple minded campo wearing red neck will use it on his own. Dumb fawking hill billies
harley.... Its people like you that give Harely Davidson a bad name. You don't deserve a Harley. You should be riding so piece of crap Chineese bike. Oh wait, by the end of the year you will be.
I beat you with a side pipe boy,,,lmao
Mitch McConnell (alive) looks just like my dead uncle did in his coffin whos funeral I just attended.
G brown - Why don't you post when you have something worthwhile to say?
Lmao,,he looks like a wood puppet
Just want to be a wile,
Why,don't you gomfawk yourself. Haha hehe hoho
I'll bet McConnell voted for the Bush tax cuts, two unfunded wars, and the unfunded prescription drug benefit. He apparently didn't mind huge deficits as long as it was under a Republican administration. Hyprocrite.
Those were the very times, pelosi and reid stood along side President Bush!!!
oldvet hypocrite!!!
And Hilary too.
You guys forget that the Democrats are now calling for a balanced approach, spending cuts and increased revenues. By the way, did you note how those budget hawk Republicans in the House passed a defense authorization act that increased, yes increased defense spending at a time when we're just out of one war and getting out of another? Did you notice that their bill added money to the Pentagon's request?
It's not over until the People of this country are happy with their "Government" acting "For, By, and Of the People" again. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!
Yes and polls show the majority of Americans want to see our government make real efforts to reduce spending.
Fine, let's talk cuts. For every dollar in social programs how about 2 or 3 in military. Instead of giving all the money to the military corporations we actually care for the men and women in the armed forces.
The GOP should just leave the nomination alone (they will lose the battle anyway) and focus all their energy on what is really important, the debt crisis and the spending cuts that Obama and the Democrats were too cowardly to address!
Tea Taliban,
Time for you,simple minded losers to go back to hell,,,fawking coc suckers
Now for the rest of us,we will move forward
This is one of the reasons our county is weak and divided. You cannot or will not engage in a discussion. an exchange of ideas, thoughts on making the country, our country better. Instead you and liberals like you engage in your: tauts, vile name calling and insults. Yes all this is so productive and one of the many reason in my opinion our country is lost. Sad we should know better
" Instead you and liberals like you engage in your: tauts, vile name calling and insults. Yes all this is so productive and one of the many reason in my opinion our country is lost. Sad we should know better" I believe that was in response to the republican calling liberals "Cowards". He who live's in a glass house, should not cast stones.
" Instead you and liberals like you engage in your: tauts, vile name calling and insults. Yes all this is so productive and one of the many reason in my opinion our country is lost. Sad we should know better."
This seems to be in response to a comment where Liberals were called "Cowards"..... I was once told. "he who resides in a glass house, should not cast the first stone."
There is no discussing anything with republican's they are a bunch of brainless zombies. They are the class below thinking democrats, that actually listen to what's going on, do their research and make an informed decision, not listen to Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Fox news and repeat their lies.
Democractpat, another idiotic assumption- I have watched Hannity three times, he is a mile wide and about one inch deep. I do not listen to Rush, I have a company to run I do not have time. I have a BS in Economics, & Political Science (Double Major) and an MBA, I am not a brainless zombie. My Political thoughts run along the lines of the Great William F. Buckley Jr. and George Will, not Fox news . I am not casting stones only pointing out the pointless nature in trying to discuss something with someone like harleyveytguy- their is your mindless (liberal) zombie.